July 1, 2021
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on July 1, 2021. Mayor Derek Olson called the meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was answered by Councilmen Jeff Channell, Connie Chavez, Kyler Fetters, Michael Hendrickson and Larry Steinbring. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs and City Clerk Deb McKivergan.
Mike Thornburg, the owner of the Jetmore Republican, discussed the possibility of the minutes being released to him earlier for publication. City Attorney Clayton Kerbs spoke up and stated that doing so would in violation of state statute.
There were concerns expressed over the bench that was beside the bathrooms at the park, allowing kids to climb up on the roof of the bathroom. The bench will be moved.
Drainage in the alley between Roughton and Kenyon Streets, in the 300 block, was discussed. The city will run a grader down the alley and try to improve it.
Mathew Medill, with Dirks, Anthony, and Duncan Accounting Firm, presented the audit report.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Economic Development Director Lea Ann Seiler presented the following written report. There will be an IKE announcement in Dodge City on July 7th in Dodge City. Chef Ali will be coming to Jetmore on September 15th for a presentation through the GROW/Healthy Hodgeman program. We have been awarded two mural grants; we will accept the one with no match. The 35th Infantry Band will perform at the High School on July 5th. Lea Ann is working to complete the housing survey and hopes to bring the report to the August meeting. Farmers market vouchers will begin the sign-up process mid-July. Lea Ann has attended several meetings and trainings.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: City Attorney Clayton Kerbs reported that court is going well and there is a slight increase in the number of tickets being written in recent weeks.
CITY CLERK REPORT: City Clerk Deb McKivergan reported that supplies are ordered for the Big Bang and we will meet at the 4-H building at 7:00 to begin serving at 8:00.
BUSINESS ITEMS:
*Two names were presented by the Mayor for the position on the library board; Russ Hunt and Kellan Shafer. Mayor Olson appointed Kellan Shafer to this position. Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilmen Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
*The city staff has requested permission to purchase a vac trailer. Larry Fagen purchased one recently at an auction and repaired it. The staff has used it several times. Larry is asking $10,000 for the unit. A google search of the unit showed similar units to be in the same price range. Mr. Ort also looked into a new unit for long term rent that would result in a purchase. After discussion; it was determined that we would not make any purchase at this time.
*Mr. Ort recently received the Walk-In hunting renewal from KDWPT for the City Lake area. The agreement is the same as previous years, with the stipulation that if the legislature doesn’t fully fund the program in any year, then the city’s participation would end on the date the funds are no longer available and the funds could be prorated for that year and termination of the remainder of the multi-year agreement. Councilman Channell made a motion to renew the agreement with KDWPT. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
*KCAMP sent an interlocal agreement amendment that has been reviewed by the City Administrator and City Attorney asking that each participating member pass the amended agreement by resolution and file a signed copy of the document to the Register of Deeds and a stamped as filed copy be returned to KCAMP no later than August 20. Councilman Steinbring made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-05, a resolution amending the by-laws and interlocal cooperation Agreement of KCAMP. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
*Mr. Ort explained the 2022 budget and the new revenue neutral rate ruling that goes into effect this year. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to inform the County Clerk of an intent to exceed the revenue neutral rate. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. A special meeting/budget work session will be held on Monday, July 12 at 7:00 p.m.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: City Administrator Michael Ort presented his July travel and training schedule.
*The fund health report was presented.
*Mr. Ort and Brian Beil met at the building site of the new truck stop/convenience store to discuss the changes that will be made to Roughton Street per KDOT requirements.
*The power plant engine was run on Thursday and because of some higher than wanted oil temps it was run at 2000 kW instead of 2500 kW. Farabee will come to Jetmore when it is projected to be over 90 degrees to adjust the water circulation to better cool the oil.
*The new mower was received from Delaney Implement a couple weeks ago and has already been used to mow the park and the park is looking better already.
*Mr. Ort was approached last year by a crop dusting contractor for permission to place a fuel tanker at the airport to service their aircraft while they worked for Nutrien Ag. Permission was granted, thinking the agreement was for that crop dusting cycle, but the trailer remains to this day, which has been overlooked as it is in a place, north of the Nutrien hangar, which is out of the way. Earlier this year though, another small fuel tanker and other equipment appeared on the south end of the airport apron. The concern was that if the activities expanded more, it could interrupt or impede air ambulance or other services. Mr. Ort suggested permitting by the City which would allow a way for us to better manage activities and the staging of equipment in a way that would preserve access for air ambulance service, etc. The Council agreed with the concept. Mr. Ort will work with the City Attorney to write a policy and will bring the policy back to the council for consideration.
*Mr. Ort has filled out the application for The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Mr. Ort will update the council as soon as he knows something more certain about the timing of when we can expect to receive the funds; but they are expected within the next two to three months.
*Mr. Ort gave the council a legislative update on pieces of legislation passed this year that are relevant to cities.
*Six code enforcement letters were sent in June.
The power outage that happened in the early afternoon on July 1st was caused by a buzzard in a transformer. It was found that the generator at the lift station was not working due to rodents damaging the wiring. Foley Industries was contacted and will look into what is needed to repair it.
The wheat has been harvested which resulted in over $56,000 in grain sales.
Congressman Tracy Mann will be at the King Center on July 14th for a town hall meeting.
The selling of beer at the golf course was discussed. No beer sales are allowed without a license. Councilman Steinbring made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
July 12, 2021
The Jetmore City Council met in special session on July 12 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Olson called the meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was answered by Councilmen Jeff Channell, Connie Chavez and Larry Steinbring. Not present were Councilmen Kyler Fetters and Michael Hendrickson. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort and City Clerk Deb McKivergan.
The meeting was called to discuss the 2022 budget. A proposed budget was presented and the new revenue neutral rate changes were explained by Mr. Ort. Suggested changes were made that Mr. Ort was instructed to make before the budget was finalized. Councilman Chavez made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.