December 2019 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes for December 5th

The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on December 5, 2019. Mayor Derek Olson called the meeting to order and the pledge of allegiance was recited. Roll call was answered by councilmen Jeff Channell, Mike Hendrickson, Jesse Pitts and Larry Steinbring. Absent was councilman Orval Shewry. 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 Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

New council members Connie Chavez and Kyler Fetters and incumbent Mayor Derek Olson were sworn in by the City Clerk. Outgoing council members Jesse Pitts and Orval Shewry were then thanked for their service and dismissed.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Economic Development Director Lea Ann Seiler reported that she has updated the website and Facebook/Instagram/Twitter pages. The sales tax was up again in November and is at an 18% change over last year for the fiscal year to date. She recently met with a banker and a new business prospect and letters of support were sent. A Federal Home Loan Grant was received to go towards the laser engraver. A Global Entrepreneurship Grant was received from NWKS which will be used for the children’s business fair on December 14. Hunting season has been very good for the local economy. The Rooster Roundup and Longest Tail feather contest promos are going on through the hunting season. Christmas on Main will be held on December 7th and t-shirts were handed out to local businesses. Ms. Seiler attended the KDOT Local Consult Meeting and has sent follow up letters. Two SBA workshops were recently held in Jetmore and she hosted the IT Learning Lab in Jetmore. She is working with two businesses to get Women Owned Certification through SBA. She will be hosting a meeting with Workforce One City/County/Hospital regarding an apprenticeship program that may allow some on the job training with part of the wages being paid by Workforce One. December is Hodgeman County’s month at the Travel Information Center in Goodland. She is working on a Veterans Fair for 2020 and will meet with the school to get kids signed up for the YEC.

 Kevin DeValkanaere with Farabee Mechanical met with the council and explained the latest failure of the engine. He answered questions from the Council and explained their plan from here forward.

BUSINESS ITEMS: Cereal Malt Beverage License renewals were received from Kelldogs Tailwagger Bar and Grill and the Jetmore Food Center. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the CMB application from Kelldogs for consumption on the premises. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the CMB application from Jetmore Food Center for sale in original and unopened containers and not for consumption on the premises. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to nominate Larry Steinbring as Council President. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Mayor Olson appointed Renee Schaffer to the Library board to fill the unexpired term of Kyler Fetters. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: The City Administrator presented his December travel schedule.

*Mr. Ort attended the SW Region Local Consult meeting in Liberal on November 19th. The purpose of the meeting was to take the projects previously identified and give them a priority ranking. Now we wait for the plan to take final shape.

*Gerard Tank is returning to Jetmore to finish the process of filling and sanitizing the new tower. As it turned out the issue of high water pressure due to the filling of the new tower last month was an instrumentation error. One water leak was caused by the higher pressure because the line was old and worn and not able to stand the increased water pressure. The electrical work and completion of the telemetry system will be completed as soon as Don’s Electric can work it in to his schedule and he is working to get it completed in December.

*Nash Well Service was on site Nov. 26th and installed the new pump and motor to Well #12 as authorized by the council last month. Well #12 is now fully operational again and we are able to fully satisfy the testing requirements of KDHE.

 *Earle’s Engineering has communicated a willingness to pay for testing process and have drafted an agreement stating that. That agreement awaits signature from the City.

*When Mr. Ort visited with Nash Well service about the council’s decision, Trevor Nash encouraged Mr. Ort to reach out to Don Teeters for a second assessment of the well. Mr. Ort then emailed him all of the data that was emailed to Ned Marks previously. Mr. Teeters called back and said he believes that the well can be fixed and would like to meet with Mr. Ort to go over the details. That meeting is tentatively set for the second week in December, depending on the weather. Mr. Ort will report back to the council at the January meeting.

*Mr. Ort recently received word that he has been selected to serve on the KACM board. A lot of the business is conducted online, but they do meet in person several times per year. KACM will pay for meals at the meetings, but the city would be asked to provide for accommodations and other travel expenses.

*KMEA has arranged for all member cities to have membership in the American Public Power Association (APPA). The dues for Jetmore will be $650 per year, with an introductory rate of $525. APPA is a national organization that speaks on behalf of public power at the national, international and state levels. The city will soon receive information detailing various benefits and how the city can take full advantage of member benefits.

*The trees that were burned down around the new water tower have been replaced.

Councilman Channell made a motion to go into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel, pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1), with the Mayor and council present. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Councilman Channell made a motion to come out of executive session. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Councilman Channell made a motion to give employees a bonus, the same amount as last year. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Steinbring made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.