November 2, 2022
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on November 2, 2022. Mayor Derek Olson called the meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was answered by Councilmen Jeff Channell, Connie Chavez, Kyler Fetters and Mike Thornburg. Absent was Councilman Charles Leet. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs and City Clerk Deb McKivergan. Others in attendance were Jaydon Hahn, Kaylee Hendrickson, and Shelby Nuss from the HCHS government class; Rosemary Saunders with Ranson Financial and Doug Goetz with Wilson & Company; and Jerry Whipple.
Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the October minutes and Appropriation Ordinance 2022-10. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Channell made a motion to recess from the council meeting and enter into the public hearing for the Well #12 project. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Rosemary Saunders opened the hearing and turned it over to Doug Goetz. He explained the process that was used to determine the amount of the loan request. Councilman Chavez then made a motion to close the hearing and re-open the council meeting. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-06, a resolution authorizing the completion of an application to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding a loan from the Kansas Public Water Supply loan fund. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: ED Director Sailor-Anne Seiler reported to the council that the marketing grant that they were awarded has been delayed. Horsethief Reservoir was recently awarded a TASK grant. The SEED grand winners haven’t been announced yet. The Network for Change grant applications will be coming out shortly. Ms. Seiler would like to host a community Christmas display on the courthouse lawn. Permission has been granted by Hodgeman County and she asked permission to use the electricity on the city light poles. Permission was granted. A housing application was presented for Bill Goebel to be used to build a duplex in the Jetmore City Limits. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the application. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: City Attorney Clayton Kerbs reported that no court was held in October due to the judge attending meetings. The ticket number is down slightly, but it historically ebbs and flows. Mr. Kerbs will be absent from the December meeting.
CITY CLERK REPORT: The City Clerk presented a cereal malt beverage license application from Corner Market; in original and unopened containers and not for consumption on the premises. Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the application. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
BUSINESS ITEMS: Recently a local resident approached the city about an idea to begin a curb-side recycling service. Mr. Ort began looking into the possibility of partnering with Dodge City and their recycle center. After several phone calls it was determined that this could be a possibility and he began looking into how we could make this happen. Grants are available to help fund the purchase of a recycle trailer, but doesn’t open for a few months. Ideas were passed around for a location and hours. Mr. Ort was asked to continue to work with staff and community members to come up with a plan of action.
Mr. Ort received one quote for a cooling tower and two proposals for installation thereof at the power plant. The cooling tower quote, from Sys-Kool, is in the amount of $80,000. One installation quote, from Farabee Mechanical, is in the amount of $184,000.00 (plus taxes) and one from Sys-Kool in the amount of $205,000.00. Councilman Fetters made a motion to purchase the cooling tower from Sys-Kool and installation from Farabee Mechanical. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Mayor Olson presented a sponsorship request from the Hg. Co. FFA. Councilman Channell made a motion to sponsor at the $200 level. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: City Administrator Michael Ort presented his November travel and training schedule.
*There were no staff birthdays or anniversaries for November.
*The city has yet to receive any bids for the park bathroom project. Mr. Ort reached out to the contractors he has contacted and they are working on their bids and will get them to us as soon as possible.
*There have been some difficulties getting our contractor for the water wells and monitoring system to come to town to address the issues we are having with VFDs at the golf course and at Well #14. Mr. Ort searched for another option and found Tony Jackson with SitePro in Topeka. He came to Jetmore on October 17 and discussed the issues with the staff. He indicated he could address the issues and is scheduled to visit by phone with Mr. Ort on November 3rd.
*Mr. Ort was notified on October 12th that Liberty Mutual will not be renewing equipment breakdown insurance for power plants and substations as standalone policies. The agent is shopping other providers but it is expected there will be at least a 20% increase in premiums. Mr. Ort expects to have a proposal to present at the December council meeting.
*Mr. Ort will complete his CPM course on the 9th of November and graduation will occur on December 2nd.
*KDHE offers annual grants for recycled rubber materials, including rubber mulch for playgrounds. Mr. Ort has contacted KDHE and has been placed on a mailing list for grant applications. He would like to apply for the grant for rubber mulch for the lake playground area and possibly for picnic tables for the camper sites.
*Mayer Specialty was in town the last week of October for the annual sewer maintenance.
*Mr. Ort had a virtual meeting with Midwest Energy personnel and KMEA to discuss a plan from Midwest’s engineering department for a three week project to move 30 structures affected by the K-156 expansion. Mr. Ort and the City Attorney are looking into the project and the possibility of reimbursement for expenses associated with the moving of the power lines.
Councilman Thornburg suggested an article in the Jetmore Republican at the end of December or the beginning of January reminding people that dog tags, small vehicle permits, lake permits, etc. are due at the beginning of the year.
Councilman Chavez made a motion to enter into executive session at 8:45 p.m. for 5 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) with the Mayor and Council present. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The open meeting will resume in the council chamber at 8:50 p.m. Councilman Fetters made a motion to come out of executive session. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous. No action was taken. Councilman Channell made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m.
November 9, 2022
The Jetmore City Council met in special session on November 9, 2022. Mayor Olson called the meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was answered by Councilman Jeff Channell, Connie Chavez, Kyler Fetters, Charles Leet and Mike Thornburg.
The meeting was called to discuss the financing of a new cooling tower for the power plant.
Councilman Fetters made a motion to authorize lease-purchase financing through the Farmers State Bank for a portion of the purchase price. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Fetters made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Leet seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m.