May 2020 Meeting Minutes

May 7, 2020

The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on May 7, 2020. Mayor Derek Olson called the meeting to order. The group was led in the pledge of allegiance. Roll call was answered by Councilmen Jeff Channell, Connie Chavez, Kyler Fetters and Larry Steinbring. Absent was Councilman Mike Hendrickson. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, Attorney Edgar Pando and City Clerk Deb McKivergan.

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

Wayne and Kelly Schwartz addressed the council with questions about dogs on their property, their property lines and the alley west of their property.

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT:  Mr. Pando had nothing to report.

CITY CLERK REPORT:  City Clerk Deb McKivergan reported that there were $5,990 in Covid coupons turned in from local businesses. She also asked about opening the office. Based on the fact that we rarely have 10 people in the office at once we will open the office to people wanting to pay their bills or conduct other business.

BUSINESS ITEMS:

A complaint was received on property in the 600 block of Main Street. Councilman Fetters made a motion to proceed with a letter to the property owners from our attorney. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Mayor Olson appointed Kim Shewry to her first term to the Library board, expiring in April of 2024 after having served the remainder of the unexpired term of Dotty Moore from Jan. 2018 to Apr. 2020. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Mayor Olson appointed Heather Burke to fill the unexpired term of Julia Chambers. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

The HorseThief Festival is still being planned at this time; with the date moved to sometime in August. The City of Jetmore has been asked again by Rocking M Radio to be the Welcoming Sponsor. Councilman Steinbring made a motion to approve the sponsorship contingent upon the festival being held. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

The City received one quote from Apac for resurfacing the alley behind the King Center with an asphalt overlay for half the alley (to the north end of the King Center parking lot) and the whole alley. The half alley bid was $16,479 and the whole alley was $26,790. Councilman Channell made a motion to accept the quote of $26,790 for the whole alley. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Vincent Oil Company has requested a lease agreement for a quarter section of farm ground in the SW quarter of Section 5, Township 24 South, Range 23 West for $25 per acre. Councilman Fetters made a motion to accept the offer. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous

In January the council decided to wait to determine pay rates for seasonal/part time employees until they were needed.

Councilman Fetters made a motion to hire Russ Hunt at $15.25 per hour and Dan Shuler at $13.75 per hour. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Fetters made a motion to advertise for summer help to assist with mowing and other public works tasks. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:  City Administrator Michael Ort presented his May meeting and travel schedule.

*Mr. Ort presented the Fund Health Report.

*Mr. Ort recently received information from APPA about them working with Congress, who at the time were discussing the passage of another Coronavirus/COVID-19 stimulus bill. At that time Mr. Ort contacted Beth Warren at Ranson Financial and Kevin Cowan, Jetmore’s bond attorney, to ask if this, if passed by Congress could help Jetmore refinance debt and place us in a better position going forward. Both stated there may be some benefit to Jetmore if it were passed. Ms. Warren indicated that with the KDHE loan there wasn’t any substantial savings to be realized but that she would continue to look into savings possibilities by refunding the 2014 bonds for the Main Street and power plant projects. That analysis hasn’t been received at this time and to date Congress has not passed legislation that includes reinstatement of tax-exempt advance refunding bonds.

*Mr. Ort recently reached out to Home Service requesting an update on the status of the program rollout and when marketing materials might be sent out. They are gauging the sensitivity of marketing products during uncertain financial times as well as scheduling with their printing vendors. Mr. Ort will update the council as soon as he hears that the program is moving forward.

*There were two water main breaks in the month of April; one at Bramley and Howard and one at Highway and Roughton. Both have been repaired.

*Executive Order 20-28, issued by the governor on May 1, extends the moratorium on utility disconnects until May 31. If necessary, we will work with folks to get caught up in a reasonable amount of time.

*The well at the golf course (#13) stopped pumping the correct amount of water to the golf course pond for irrigation. Wes Halling was called to look into the issue. He indicated an issue with the pump; that it would need to be pulled. That work is scheduled for this week.

*The new fairway mower is scheduled to arrive this week.

*Par Electric completed the changing of 28 poles on April 17th

*No code enforcement letters were sent in April.

Mayor Olson reported that he had visited with Alison Guthrie about a small shortage of funding for the placement of more exercise equipment at the park. The Park Improvement fund will donate up to $2000, if needed.

Councilman Fetters made a motion to enter into executive session at 9:02 p.m. for 25 minutes, according to K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2), attorney-client privilege, with the Mayor, Council, Attorney, Administrator and Clerk present. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The regular session will convene in the council chamber at 9:27. Councilman Fetters made a motion to come out of executive session. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous. No action was taken. Councilman Channell made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.