August 2021 Meeting Minutes

August 5, 2021

The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on August 5, 2021. Mayor Derek Olson opened the meeting and lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was answered by Councilmen Jeff Channell, Connie Chavez, Kyler Fetters and Larry Steinbring. Absent was Councilman Michael Hendrickson. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, Edgar Pando, filling in for the City Attorney, and City Clerk Deb McKivergan.

Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the consent agenda, excepting check #51383. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Councilman Chavez made a motion to add the purchase of a vac trailer to the agenda. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT:  ED Director Lea Ann Seiler presented the following report:  She is still working on the housing survey and will have it completed in time for the moderate income housing grant to be submitted. Ms. Seiler reported that there is a child care crisis in Hodgeman County along with the housing crisis. She is hoping that the Farmers Market will be happening by mid-August. The Art/Mural Grant has been awarded and she hopes to start within a week or two. She is working on several grants and has completed several grants in the last month. A grant for the pool was received and she will apply for another grant, both to make needed repairs to the swimming pool.

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT:  No report.

CITY CLERK REPORT:  City Clerk Deb McKivergan reported on the decrease in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance policy renewal.

BUSINESS ITEMS:

Terry and Shari Housman requested a variance to build a privacy fence/wind break on the south side of their front yard, building closer to the street than the setback regulations allow. Councilman Channel made a motion to approve the variance. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Once yearly, Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) requires an annual report of progress on goals set in a five year plan, which Mr. Ort completes. The five-year plan requires approval of the council. Mr. Ort recently completed the five-year plan with assistance from KMEA and it is ready to be submitted to WAPA. Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the five-year plan as presented. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

As was discussed last month, Mr. Ort presented an Aerial Spraying Operators Permit for the Jetmore Municipal Airport. Councilman Channell made a motion to adopt the policy. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

The Land Bank Budget was presented to the council. Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the land bank budget as presented for the purpose of advertising a public hearing. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

The BCBS health insurance renewal was presented; there is a 17% decrease in premiums this year. Councilman Channell made a motion to renew the policy as presented. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Office computers are in need of some updating. Palace Computers provided a quote to upgrade two work stations and the server in the back room in the amount of $8,112.32. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the expenditure for the office computer upgrades in the amount of $8,112.32. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

The City has recently been using a 2005 Vermeer Ring-O-Matic 550 vac trailer belonging to Larry Fagen; using it to uncover items such as gas lines, fiber, water supply lines and other infrastructure that could be damaged by using other methods. The staff has asked permission to purchase the vac trailer. Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the purchase. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:  City Administrator Michael Ort presented his August travel and training schedule.

*Mr. Ort received a letter from KCAMP stating that the increase in the annual contribution is estimated to be 7%-8% for 2022.

*The blinking speed limit signs for Main Street were delivered and will be made a priority once street sealing is done.

*The bucket truck delivery is delayed due to a delay in parts. Mr. Ort has spoken to Chris Johnson at ETI and is asking if other concessions might be made with regard to price or additional equipment due to the delay. No response was received by the time of the council meeting.

*The fall advertising campaign for Homeserve Utility Line insurance will kick off soon. Mr. Ort checked about the interior program and was told that the marketing department would make that a part of advertising after a certain number of households was reached, but that the interior program is available to all those who have purchased exterior policies. He also asked for material for social media and/or newspaper release that we could use to help get the word out.

*The street sealing project will fall short of the projected goal this year due to equipment issues and a non-work related injury. Regarding the equipment issues, Mr. Ort has begun to explore the options for buying replacement equipment or hiring an outside contractor to complete the annual project for us. When that information is compiled he will report to the council with a recommendation.

*Mr. Ort has been asked to be a member of the KMIT Board of Trustees and agreed to serve in that position with the mayor and council’s permission.

*Mr. Ort was notified by Kevin from Farabee Mechanical that they would be coming soon to run the engine and adjust the cooling system.

*Two code enforcement letters were sent in July.

*The sirens have shipped from the manufacturer and are on their way to Blue Valley Public Safety.

Mr. Ort was asked if the City would have a use for a fault detector to locate underground service lines. He will look into it and report back to the council.

Councilman Channell made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.