June 4, 2020
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on June 4, 2020. Mayor Derek called the meeting to order. Roll call was answered by Councilmen Jeff Channell, Connie Chavez, Kyler Fetters, Mike Hendrickson and Larry Steinbring. 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 Steinbring made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Economic Development Director Lea Ann Seiler emailed the following report. She has been working to keep the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts updated. The 3D printer was used to print face masks and mask extenders. She worked with Dr. Clark on swab manufacturing which couldn’t be used due to several issues; however, she was awarded a COVID-19 PPE Manufacturing Grant from BCBS and will know more on June 5th. Several local events have been canceled or delayed and meetings were held via ZOOM due to COVID-19. She has been awarded several grants and continues to work on grant funding for other projects. She provided a sales tax breakdown for both the county and the city. She has begun to research funding for the City Park restroom facility. She continues to promote the Census 2020; the completion date has been extended due to COVID-19. Lea Ann was notified that Horsethief Reservoir has been awarded the opportunity to host the From the Land of Kansas program Foods and Guest Chef event for 2021.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: City Attorney Clayton Kerbs reported that he plans to hold court in person this month, after two months of court by phone.
CITY CLERK REPORT: City Clerk Deb McKivergan reminded the council that the Big Bang is still scheduled to happen this year. Councilman Channell made a motion to donate $500 to the Big Bang. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
BUSINESS ITEMS: Mike Shiew requested a variance to the 20’ setback from the curb for a fence around a garden plot that is approximately 3 ft. high. The fence presents no obstruction to traffic and there are no utilities under this property. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to approve the variance request and allow the fence. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
*Mayor Olson appointed Gwen Fetters to fill the unexpired term of Connie Chavez on the Jetmore Library Board. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
*Mayor Olson made the following committee appointments:
Law Enforcement & Parks – Kyler Fetters
Economic Development & Lake – Jeff Channell
Golf Course & Airport – Connie Chavez
Street & Alley & Finance – Larry Steinbring
Parks & Utilities – Mike Hendrickson
Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the appointments. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Mayor Olson appointed Deb McKivergan to the position of City Clerk for the year 2020-21. Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous
Mayor Olson appointed Brenda Ringle to the position of City Treasurer. Councilman Steinbring made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote was unanimous.
Mayor Olson appointed Clayton Kerbs to the position of City Attorney. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Mayor Olson appointed Kenton Gleason to the position of Municipal Judge. Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
*The camping area at the city lake has been very active this year and the long term camping program has been well received. Because of this, the City Administrator presented a plan to add an additional five camper spots to the camping area. It was suggested that they be added on the south side of the road and east of the bath house. The approximate cost is $14,350. Councilman Fetters made a motion to add five additional camper spots. Councilman Channell seconded the
motion; vote unanimous. The council also discussed additional upgrades and regulations that may need to be put into place before the next camping season.
*The alley on the property west of the Wayne Schwartz and Mitchell Durler properties and east of the Derek Weber property in the Cheyenne Hills Development was discussed. The alley receives little to no traffic and has therefore developed into a green space. Two utility poles remain in the alley. Councilman Channell made a motion to vacate the alley and sell the alley property to adjacent property owners with legal fees being paid by the property owners. A utility easement will also be drafted and agreed to as a condition of the decision. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: City Administrator Michael Ort presented his June travel schedule.
*Farabee Mechanical will be back to Jetmore on June 8th to install the new bearing and begin the process of getting us back online again.
*The service line warranty marketing has begun this week. A reminder will be sent on June 30.
*Mr. Ort is working on the 2021 budget and developing a list of capital projects and asked the council to look at the list and add any other suggestions they might have. Then he will develop a strategy for prioritizing the ideas and revisit the list every year as ideas are added.
*The well at the city lake just inside the park entrance required work, which was performed by Halling Well Service.
*The testing on Wells #12 and #13 show #13 to be the better well of the two with regard to radionuclides. In light of those findings, it is the intent of Dennis Bowman to suggest to KDHE that we begin to pump well #13 at a higher rate to see if the current findings hold true and for how long. Mr. Ort will report back after KDHE has responded to the request.
*Mr. Ort presented the final design for the bathroom project at the city park. He is working with Lea Ann to research possible grant funding with a goal of funding half the project with grants.
*The order from the governor to suspend utility disconnects has now expired. We will work with people to develop a payment plan. Letters will be mailed out to customers who have fallen behind.
*No code enforcement letters were sent in May.
Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to enter into executive session with the Mayor, Council, Attorney, Administrator and Clerk in attendance for consultation with the city attorney pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). The open meeting will resume in the council chamber in 20 minutes (9:20–9:40). Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Channell made a motion to come out of executive session. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous. No action was taken.
Councilman Chavez made a motion to enter back into executive session with the Mayor, Council, Attorney, Administrator and Clerk in attendance for consultation with the city attorney pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). The open meeting will resume in the council chamber in 30 minutes (9:41–10:11). Councilman Fetters 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.
Mayor Olson read a letter of resignation from Ken Cole on the Jetmore Housing Authority board.
As the City Administrator is working on the 2021 budget, a special work session may be called at a later date if needed.
Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to enter into executive session with the Mayor, Council, Administrator and Clerk in attendance to discuss non-elected personnel pursuant to the non-elected personnel matters exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1). The open meeting will resume in the council chamber in 15 minutes (10:20–10:35). Councilman Chavez 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 Steinbring made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.