June 2018 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes for June 7th

June 7, 2018

The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on June 7, 2018.  Mayor Derek Olson called the meeting to order.  Roll call was answered by Councilmen Jeff Channell, Mike Hendrickson, Jesse Pitts and Pete Shewry.  Absent was Councilman Larry Steinbring.  Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs and City Clerk Deb McKivergan.

Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to approve the consent agenda.  Councilman Pitts seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

City Attorney Clayton Kerbs reported that municipal court has been very busy and going well.

City Clerk Deb McKivergan reported that the audit was completed and asked the council to approve audit adjustments made by the auditors due to the transition to new software.  Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to approve the adjustments.  Councilman Pitts seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Kyler Fetters visited with the council about the property line issues with his neighbor next to Bootleggers on Main Street.  He thanked the city for spreading sand to soak up the spilled grease and discussed what the city could do to alleviate the problem with the remaining grease stains.  The City will clean up the grease on the City property.  Kyler and the council also discussed the parking issues between the fire department, Senior Center and Bootleggers.  No action was taken.

Economic Development Director Lea Ann Seiler presented a loan application from Angelic Threads Quilt Shop to use the City/Great Plains Development revolving fund monies in the amount of $8,000.  Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to approve the loan.  Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.  The council and Ms. Seiler also discussed ideas for welcome signs to be placed just outside the city limits.  No action was taken.

Mike Mantle, with Rupe Helmer Group, a developer for Dollar General Stores, met with the council with a proposal to acquire  property from the City, adjacent to property they have secured to build a Dollar General Store in south Jetmore.  Councilman Shewry made a motion to approve the contract for $5,000.  Councilman Channell seconded the motion.  The vote was three (3) in favor, with Councilman Hendrickson voting against.  Mr. Ort was given permission to sign the purchase agreement once it was finalized.

Mr. Ort reported that nuisance abatements, by statute, have to be directed from the governing body and not the code enforcement officer.  Mr. Ort presented three ordinances for  properties that have been identified as nuisances – 400 Block of Eakin, the 700 Block of Bowlus and the 600 Block of Atkin.  The Council determined that they would only send letters for the grass and weeds and not move forward until complaints are filed on the nuisances.

The City Administrator reported on the recent engine failure at the power plant.  He included an Engine Service/Inspection Report  from Farabee Mechanical  that outlined the work that has been completed and a proposal for required repairs.  The repairs will be covered by insurance and will take approximately six weeks.  The Council called Kevin DeValkenaere  and visited with him about the proposed repairs, the suggested monitor and the warranty.  It was also suggested that Mr. Ort call another engine repair company to review the report.   Councilman Pitts made a motion to proceed with the required repairs and purchase the suggested monitoring system.  Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.  Mr. Ort will negotiate the warranty and report to the council.

Mr. Ort presented a new, three year, walk in hunting contract from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.  Councilman Channell made a motion to re-enter into the contract.  Councilman Shewry seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Mr. Ort presented a proposal for an Altec Model TA50 bucket truck with a five year lease purchase.  The truck would cost $178,000, a $30,000 down payment would be made and the payments would be $34,000 per year for 5 years.  After discussion, the item was tabled a later date.

Mayor Olson presented a picture of a playground structure that the park improvement committee would like to purchase for the park.  He also included a drawing of the park and where the structure would be located.  The cost of the structure including freight would be $33,690.00.  It would be installed by local contractors and volunteers.  Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to purchase the park equipment.  Councilman Pitts seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

It was reported that dog tag sales in 2018 are up slightly from 2017.  There were several new purchasers, however there were a number of purchasers last year who haven’t bought this year.

Mr. Ort reported that he has been approached by Pawnee Watershed regarding the idea of placing storm shelters at Horsethief Reservoir and the Jetmore City Lake.  The rough proposal is that Pawnee Watershed would purchase the container and build the retaining wall and approach; the county would do the dirt work and in the case of the City Lake, the city would install the electrical panel, the lighting and the ventilation system.  The estimated cost is $10,000 with $6,000 being the responsibility of Pawnee Watershed.  Pawnee Watershed will have another conversation at their June meeting.  The council, mayor and administrator are invited to attend the meeting.  Councilman Channell will represent the council at the meeting.

The council discussed the possibility of adding crop insurance to the farm ground at the airport.  Councilman Hendrickson and Mayor Olson will visit with MAP Inc. for pricing and bring the information back to the council.

Mr. Ort again discussed the parking at the ambulance/fire barn and the businesses on Main that it affects.  The council recognizes the issue and will continue to look for the solution that is best for all involved.

Mr. Ort presented bids for new and used Grasshopper and Hustler mowers.  The item was tabled until the July meeting.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:  City Administrator Michael Ort presented his June meeting and travel schedule.

*Well #11 – The pump and draw pipe have been pulled and a camera survey of the well casing and screens, and the casing has been cleaned.  The draw pipe was sent to a third party vendor who reported that the bowels and draw pipe were not reusable.  Nash used a test pump to determine the best solution for the well and will be getting estimates to the city as soon as possible.  The thought is that it will end up being more cost effective to go back in with a submersible pump rather than reusing the current turbine pump.  He will get costs for both so the council can make the best decision.

*Mr. Ort reported on his findings about the structure of the library board and the city council and the possibility of training for the board.  Mr. Ort is working on a list of expectations for the board.

*Par Electric came to Jetmore on June 4th to work on the Main Street project.  They had a little problem with their bucket truck but that didn’t delay their work much as they were putting equipment on poles before they transferred any electric lines and attachments and they are using a digger truck to move poles around. The upgrades will be paid from the Electric Reserve Fund, which was planned for this purpose.

*The grant application for the City Lake Bathhouse was completed and submitted.  Project estimate was for $25,000 and the requested grant was 60% with the hope that they would settle for no less than 50%.  The plan is to remodel the existing structure, adding a flush toilet, sink and shower to the facility.

*There were four code enforcement letters sent out in May – two for high grass and weeds, one for a roof repair and one for miscellaneous junk in the yard.

*Mr. Ort continues to do what he can on the budget, valuation numbers are due from the County by June 15th,

*The roof on the power plant has been completed and the recent rains indicated that they did a good job because there was no water in the building!

Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss pending legal action pursuant to the consultation with the attorney exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1), with the Mayor, City Administrator and Attorney present.  The open meeting will resume in the city council chamber at 11:05.  Councilman Pitts seconded the motion; vote unanimous.  Councilman Channell made a motion to come out of executive session.  Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.  No action was taken.

Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel and pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1), with the Council, Mayor, Administrator and Attorney present.   The open meeting will resume in the city council chamber at 11:16.  Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to come out of executive session.  Councilman Shewry seconded the motion; vote unanimous.  No action was taken.

Councilman Shewry made a motion to adjourn.  Councilman Pitts seconded the motion; vote unanimous.