November 5, 2020
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on November 5, 2020 at the King Center to allow for social distancing due to COVID-19. Mayor Derek Olson opened the meeting and led the group in the pledge of allegiance. Roll call was answered by Councilmen Jeff Channell, Mike Hendrickson and Larry Steinbring in person and by Connie Chavez and Kyler Fetters by phone. 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 Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
City Attorney Clayton Kerbs reported that he had nothing new to report.
City Clerk Deb McKivergan presented a CMB renewal application from Corner Market 104 LLC, in original and unopened containers and not for consumption on the premises. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to approve the application. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The council was also encouraged to fill out the Healthy Hodgeman questionnaire.
BUSINESS ITEMS: Mr. Ort presented a budget amendment to include spending authority for the Special Highway and Special Parks & Recreation Funds and increase spending authority in the General Equipment Reserve Fund. The hearing will be at the December 3rd council meeting. Councilman Channell made a motion to send the budget amendment to a public hearing. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
*The cart shed rent at the golf course is currently $120 and has never been increased. Councilman Channell made a motion to increase the rent to $240 per year beginning in 2021. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
*Mr. Ort presented Ordinance #669, an ordinance amending rates for use at the lake facilities. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the ordinance. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
*Mr. Ort has completed a grant application for a new warning siren and it has been submitted to KDEM. Two bids were received for the project: The Whelan bid was for two new sirens, with voice capability for $58,040. The Federal bid is for two new sirens; plus the existing siren on the old water tower is an older version of the model of the two new sirens, but is switch activated rather than radio activated like the new ones would be. Because of that the quote from Federal includes a conversion of the old siren to radio activated. The total for that project would be $37, 837.80. The city’s share of the 75/25 grant would be $14,510 for the Whelan and $9,459.45 for the Federal. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the Federal bid. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
*The generator that the city has been using for stand-by at the main sewer lift station/Well 14 is available for purchase for $26,382.77. Councilman Channell made a motion to purchase the generator. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: City Administrator Michael Ort presented his November travel/meeting schedule.
*The power plant was run for six hours on October 28th; at 2000kW for about four hours and 2500 kW for the other two. All went well.
*The telemetry system developed a problem on Nov. 11th. A backup battery device failed which caused the telemetry devices plugged into it to fail. When the problem was realized the tower was at 7% capacity, or approximately 10,500 gallons. Power was restored at that point and operated as modified until new battery backup was installed by Don’s Electric. Mr. Ort visited with Don’s Electric about ways to prevent a re-occurrence.
*In contacting electricians to change out approximately 35 A-Base meters, Harrold’s Electric out of Ness City was the low bid. He presented an option that would allow us the opportunity to finish the change out now and at a lower cost. He showed an adaptor that other utilities are using that will allow the radio read meter to be plugged into the A-Base meter can, allowing us to delay the full cost of the remaining change over. The adaptors cost $50 each plus about $40 per meter for labor for a total cost of about $3,300.
*Another light pole on Main Street was recently struck, resulting in the loss of the light fixture only. The individual responsible came forward voluntarily and reported the damage to the sheriff and then to us and has committed to paying for the damage out of pocket. The quote from StressCrete was just short of $1,100 and Mr. Ort is working out a payment plan with the responsible party.
*Fall harvest was good this year and the high prices for milo, in particular, benefitted the city greatly. Grain sales for the year were $15,000 more than projected.
*Mr. Ort received notice earlier this month that the original electric service at the lake has begun to use enough electricity that it has been re-categorized from a Small Commercial tariff to a Large Commercial tariff. The change of tariff would amount to an increase for the months of July, August and September of $913, based on the usage we experienced this year in those months.
*Mr. Ort reported that he has begun the process to become an ICMA Credentialed Manager Candidate.
*Mr. Ort told the council of a program started in Gray County designed to keep the young people in the community home by letting them know of the job opportunities available and then matching them up. He would like to work with the Economic Development director and see if there is an opportunity to take part in the program which has expanded to all of SW Kansas.
*Mr. Ort saw an article about a program called the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program available through USDA-Rural Development. It is available for funding things such as fire equipment, buildings, furnishings, computer equipment and other items used in city essential facilities and services. Mr. Ort has spoken to Brandon Harms, the fire chief, who indicated the city may be in the market for a new fire truck soon. He also emailed the contact indicated on the website and asked if our recloser project might possibly qualify for the program.
*No code enforcement letters were sent in October.
The approach to the alley behind the King Center on the north end of the block was discussed and Mr. Ort will look into repairing it. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m.