April 2020 Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes for April 2, 2020

The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on April 2, 2020. Mayor Olson called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call was answered by Councilmen Jeff Channell, Connie Chavez, Kyler Fetters, and Larry Steinbring. Michael Hendrickson was present via phone call. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs and City Clerk Deb McKivergan. The meeting was available to the public by conference call due to Covid-19. 

Brit Hayes spoke to the council about a petition his daughter and son-in-law presented concerning a blighted property in the 600 block of Bowlus Street. The council asked for modifications to the petition before further action would be taken.

Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the consent agenda, adding to the March 18th minutes that the council made the decision to purchase the pick-up from James Wood Auto Park based on the fact that it was available immediately. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT:  Economic Development Director Lea Ann Seiler presented the following report:  She is working mostly from home and working with organizations to help local business navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. She attended the Maker Space Bootcamp in early March and was able to work with someone to design a better and less expensive filtration system for the new laser. She has met with a local property owner regarding a new business. She received a KS Humanities Quick Grant for #WeAreHodgemanStrong podcasts and she is working on the first episodes. She has attended many ZOOM meetings. She continues to post updates and information about Census 2020. These numbers are even more important after COVID-19, so we need to continue to encourage people to fill out their census questionnaires.

CITY CLERK REPORT:   City Clerk Deb McKivergan presented a Proclamation from the Ladies’ Auxiliary and Lou Ann Abbott, proclaiming May 23rd as Poppy Day in Jetmore, Kansas. Mayor Olson so proclaimed. Deb received a call last week from Faye at Great Plains Development asking if the City had a policy in place to allow anyone with outstanding loans to defer payments or make interest only payments during a crisis situation. Only Grey Goat Quilting currently has a loan using the revolving funds. In order to accept an interest only payment or defer payments entirely, Great Plains Development needs a motion and a vote in the minutes. Councilman Fetters made a motion to accept interest only payments for six months. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

BUSINESS ITEMS:  Mayor Olson doesn’t have a library board appointment yet. 

Mr. Ort presented Ordinance #664, an ordinance temporarily delegating authority to the Mayor and the Administrator to act on behalf of the city throughout the duration of the declared state of emergency due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis. The delegation of authority would expire when the declared state of emergency expires or the governing body takes action to suspend the authority. No action was taken.

Mr. Ort explained the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) which, in short, provides for two weeks’ paid leave for employees who are themselves affected by the virus, are caring for a person affected, or a child or children whose school or daycare provider is closed. The act allows certain exemptions, including public works personnel and persons with skills or training in operating specialized equipment or other skills needed to provide aid in a declared emergency as well as individuals who work for such facilities employing these individuals and whose work is necessary to maintain the operation of the facility, which includes most of the city employees. No action was taken to exempt any city employees.

Councilmember Chavez, standing in for Alison Guthrie, presented the city with a check for $9,600 from the Southwest Kansas Community Foundation to be used to add to the exercise equipment in the city park. The park improvement committee is looking into the equipment and will return to the council for approval before ordering.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:  City Administrator Michael Ort reported that he will do no travelling in April – his EMP3 and KACM Board of Directors meeting will be held via conference call.

*The KMIT annual survey was recently completed by telephone and the city again qualified for the Gold Level, earning a 5% renewal discount.

*Jared Borger, golf course superintendent, received word that a fairway mower has been found in Minnesota that could be delivered to us for $16,000. The salesman is working to travel to Minnesota to inspect the mower in person. If it is acceptable, he will deliver the mower directly to Jetmore.

*Par Electric came to Jetmore last week. They will be working on a project of about 20 poles. With the coronavirus situation, they will call Brian for any parts and Brian will set them outside the shop.

*Wire lining, machining of caps and line boring work was completed on the power plant engine. Kevin and Tim from Farabee Mechanical returned to Jetmore and will begin the work of cleaning and putting the engine back together. It is estimated that the engine will be ready to run in 2-3 weeks.

No code enforcement letters were sent out in March. Councilman Steinbring made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.