July 2020 Meeting Minutes

July 2, 2020

The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on July 2, 2020. Mayor Olson called the meeting to order. Roll call was answered by councilmen Jeff Channell, Connie Chavez, Mike Hendrickson and Larry Steinbring. Absent was councilman Kyler Fetters. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs and City Clerk Deb McKivergan.

The mayor led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: ED Director Lea Ann Seiler presented the following report: Sales tax for Jetmore was up 46.7% over last June and up 9.7% for the fiscal year. She has been working on several emergency loan and grant applications for local businesses. She continues to apply for other grants for projects such as the city park bathroom. The numbers for the Hodgeman County Census report are looking much better over last time and we still encourage anyone who hasn’t to complete the census. She continues to update the county website and social media pages.

CITY CLERK REPORT: The City Clerk presented a re-appointment application for Kim Shewry to the Jetmore Housing Board. Mayor Olson appointed Kim Shewry to the Jetmore Housing Board for a four year term. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: City Attorney Clayton Kerbs reported that we held in person court in June. We had a vicious dog case in court; however the dogs have been put down. The complaint on the property on Bowlus Street is a work in progress and the attorney has suggested allowing more time.

BUSINESS ITEMS: The city office roof has been developing issues and with the recent rains began to leak quite extensively. Several contractors were asked to inspect and submit bids to address the problem. Three replied: D.V. Douglass, Ready Roofer and MD Roofing. Estimates were received from D. V. Douglass and MD Roofing. D. V. Douglass recommended a complete removal of the current roof with a layer of high density insulation over which a white 1-ply 60 mil self adhering membrane would be installed with repairs to the existing downspouts. The quote includes a 5 year warranty on material and labor for a total of $46,899.00. An additional 20 year manufacturer’s warranty is available for $1,850.00.

 MD Roofing provided a quote to fasten down all loose screws and to apply sealant where needed for a total of $485. Ready Roofer declined to quote the project, feeling they lack the expertise to tackle the job. Funding for the project would come from reserve funds. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to accept the bid of D. V. Douglass Roofing in the amount of $46, 899.00. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

* City Administrator Michael Ort presented two bids for a bucket truck, based on input from the outside staff. Two bids were received: One from ETI with an elevator and a 2 year warranty for $134,353; and one from Versalift with no elevator and a 1 year warranty for $129,600. The staff has demoed the ETI truck but not the Versalift. Councilman Channell made a motion to authorize up to $134,353 for the bucket truck, after the staff has demoed the Versalift truck and determined the better fit for the City. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

* The Housing Authority recently had a water leak at the east location with a usage of 78,000 gallons used resulting in a $413.20 water bill. The bill for June typically runs in the upper 20,000 range. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to amend their usage to 25,000 gallons. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

* The City Administrator presented the proposed 2021 budget and went through it with the council. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to publish the notice of hearing.. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The 2021 Land Bank Budget was presented. Councilman Channell made a motion to publish the notice of hearing. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

The council discussed the recently passed Executive Order 20-52 requiring individuals to wear masks or other face coverings in public. Wearing masks will be contingent upon the decision of the Board of County Commissioners.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: City Administrator Michael Ort presented his July travel schedule.

*Mr. Ort presented the Fund Health report to the council.

*Farabee Mechanical was here last week with a list of items to check and do from a retired Fairbanks Morse tech. Kevin and Tim completed that list and gathered data then went home to confer with Ed and Chris about the findings. We are waiting for the results of this conversation.

*After promising results from the first quarter reported at the last meeting, the April radionuclide results for well #13 were significantly higher. After reviewing well data, it was found that the well had been pumped significantly for the golf course the day before testing. An email was sent to KDHE and Mr. Ort asking for a pause in the sampling so a new protocol can be drawn up and reviewed by KDHE that will take into account the use by the golf course. Mr. Ort will let the council know as soon as he knows more.

*$1.25 Billion was sent to the state of Kansas by Congress as part of the CARES Act passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic specifically to be spent by state and local governments for expenses incurred but not previously budgeted for in response to the emergency. There is specific direction for the use of the money, with the Hodgeman County portion of these funds equaling $366,022. After following the guidelines set out by the Federal Treasury, the City of Jetmore has qualifying expenses in the amount of $6,450.55. Mr. Ort has communicated these expenses to date to the County Clerk; they will be discussed at their commissioner meeting and a task force formed to help identify uses for the funds in our county before the unused funds need to be returned to the state later in July. Mr. Ort will work with others to identify other ways the money can be utilized in response to the current emergency and in preparation for a resurgence of the virus if it should happen.

*KDHE Bureau of Air conducted a compliance inspection by phone. After the phone interview various records were requested to be sent by email. A letter was received from KDHE stating that our plant was found to be in compliance.

*The outside staff has changed out three transformers that power the pump at the golf course well. The problem has been building, resulting in one of the transformers failing entirely. After replacing that transformer the problem resolved briefly before the fuses on the utility pole blew open again. The golf course was watered by fire truck and staff replaced all three transformers Monday morning.

*Economic Development Director Lea Ann Seiler received word Friday of new grant funding through USDA-Rural Development for projects that are ready to begin shortly and asked if we had any shovel ready projects. Projects discussed were the park bathrooms, King Center alley, power plant remodel, the addition of camper spots at the lake and the need for a mobile generator and a bucket truck. These funds were not available for the bathroom project but she has plans for another grant possibility.

*The main sewer lift station control system alerted the staff of a high water situation on June 10 and June 12. The cause was a malfunction of the pumps caused by foreign objects being flushed down toilets. One of the pumps was able to be replaced with one we had in stock, but the other needs to be replaced as well. Outside Foreman Brian Beil was authorized to purchase the new pump. The two replaced pumps will be rebuilt to be used when needed.

* Six code enforcement letters were sent out in June.

Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to enter into executive session for consultation with the City Attorney pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) for 10 minutes (10:20 – 10:30) with the Mayor, Council, Attorney, Administrator and Clerk present. The open meeting will resume in the council chamber at 10:30. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to come out of executive session. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous. No action was taken. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.