September 1, 2022
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on September 1, 2022. There being no quorum present, the meeting was adjourned to Wednesday, September 7 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
The Jetmore City Council reconvened on September 7 for their regular council meeting. 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, Charles Leet and Mike Thornburg. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs, and City Clerk Deb McKivergan. Students from the HGCO High School Government Class observing the meeting were Sawyer Bowman, Carson Jones, Seth Pelton and Malynn Beil.
Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the August 4th minutes and appropriation ordinance 2022-08. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
The public hearing for the 2023 budget was opened. There being no public comment, Councilman Channell made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-05, a resolution to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion. The roll call vote was recorded: Councilman Channell – yes; Councilman Chavez – yes; Councilman Fetters – yes; Councilman Leet – yes; and Councilman Thornburg – yes.
Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the 2023 budget as published. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
The council meeting was suspended and the governing body, acting in the capacity of the Land Bank governing body, opened the Land Bank 2023 budget hearing. There being no public comment, Mr. Channell made a motion to approve the 2023 land bank budget as published. Mrs. Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The Land Bank meeting was then closed and the regular council meeting re-opened.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Sailor-Ann Seiler handed out to the council a leaflet on tax credits. This year 30% of tax credits purchased in Hodgeman County will be returned to Economic Development for entrepreneurship programs. She also told of two grants available – the Southwest Community Grant and the SEED Grant. The SEED grant can be used for beautification, child care and senior care. Several ideas were passed around and Ms. Seiler and Mr. Ort will work together on the application process.
BUSINESS ITEMS:
Dennis Rohrbaugh, with Black Hills Energy, met with the council to renew the franchise agreement with the city. The franchise fee would remain the same at 1-1/2%. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 678, the Black Hills Energy Franchise Agreement. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
The sales tax was renewed on August 2nd by vote of the community. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 677, an ordinance levying a retailers’ sales tax in the amount of 1.0% to be levied for ten years. Councilman Leet seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
As part of the process to secure funding for the Well 12 replacement, the city is required to update the Drought/Emergency Ordinance and the Water Conservation Plan. Councilman Thornburg made a motion to approve Ordinance 676, an ordinance establishing water drought/emergency procedures for the City of Jetmore. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the Water Conservation Plan as presented by Mr. Ort. Councilman Leet seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
The K-156 expansion and modernization project will require the city to move utilities and infrastructure to accommodate the new rights-of-way and construction boundaries. Because this is required by KDOT the City qualifies for reimbursement of costs associated with moving the infrastructure. Mr. Ort has contacted RMA Engineering and the projected cost are stated as not to exceed $32,500. Councilman Channell made a motion to enter into an agreement with RMA for consulting services for the K-156 project. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
With the dynamics of the council changing it was suggested that the meeting date be changed to accommodate those with families in school activities. Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve ordinance No. 679, an ordinance moving the regular meeting time to the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: City Administrator Michael Ort presented his September travel/training schedule.
*Staff birthdays and anniversaries for September are Jimmy Eagan with a birthday on September 10 and Chad Burns with a work anniversary on September 25, 2013.
*All work given to Mr. Ort for the application of Well #12 funding has been completed and Ms. Saunders is working on it now. The city is in a holding pattern awaiting further instructions and the public meeting to be held next month.
*The City has yet to receive any bids on the park bathroom project. Mr. Ort has reached out to area contractors and placed the project on the KCNR plan room. He has reached out to USDA and asked for any other advice they might have as a next step.
*The corn crop at the airport was cut for silage and Terry Bradford is going to buy the city’s portion. Terry has also begun the process for submitting an insurance claim.
*The City has received two requests recently to extend the city sewer service to properties being built north of Derek Olson’s property. Mr. Ort outlined the options and has spoken to the engineer of the water well project to get an idea of the cost for engineering that project. We may have to hire a contractor due to the depth of the line.
GOVERNING BODY COMMENTS: The builder of the new truck stop has requested that the lift station on that property be moved to better accommodate his project. The city is okay with moving the lift station; all expenses will be paid by the builder.
The code relating to golf carts and ATV’s was discussed. No action was taken. The council also discussed moving the solar speed warning signs from Main Street to Highway 156. Councilman Channel made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m.