February 3, 2022
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on February 3, 2022. 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, Charles Leet and Mike Thornburg. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs and City Clerk Deb McKivergan.
Councilmen Fetters made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the January 6 and January 12 minutes and Appropriation Ordinance 2022-01. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: ED Director Lea Ann Seiler reported that the HEAL grant application was funded, but will be made official when there is a press release. She will be attending Winter Fest February 12 & 13 in Dodge City and asked for volunteers to help at her booth. The YEC at the high school will take place on February 17th at the HS Library. Two more e-community loans were made since she last visited with us. We have several new businesses in town and a couple that are set to open in the next couple of months. The first mural at Judy’s World Famous Café should be up within a couple of months. She is currently looking for an alternate location along the Main Street business district for the Welcome to Jetmore Sign. Lea Ann and other economic development directors are working with Sunflower Electric, Alli Devine and others to obtain funds to address the extreme housing shortage in this region.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: No report.
CITY CLERK REPORT: City Clerk Deb McKivergan reported that she has been working on year end reports and training the new Assistant City Clerk, Casey Dansel.
Business Items: There is still one opening on the housing board. Possible appointees were discussed; no action was taken at this time.
Ordinance #673 was presented, an ordinance increasing the governing body pay from $100 per regular meeting to $200 per regular meeting and keeping the special meeting at $50 per special meeting. It also included giving each member an annual family golf membership valued at $300 and an annual vehicle pass for the city lake valued at $30. Councilman Fetters made the motion to approve ordinance #673. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Mr. Ort reported that the backflow prevention device on Well #13 did not pass inspection this year. He presented a quote from Stewart Plumbing in the amount of $13,351.20 to replace the device and $10,427.32 to repair the device. Councilman Leet reported that he had looked at the device and thought there was a better, more economical way to remedy the situation. After his report, Mr. Ort was directed to visit with KDHE to see if these other options would be approved by them.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: City Administrator Michael Ort presented his February travel/training schedule.
*The city lake road improvement project began on January 17th. Rock is being hauled in by two trucking companies. To date, nearly half of the 40 loads needed for the project have been delivered.
*The mobile generator has been brought back to Jetmore. It is being stored in the city shop garage when not in use.
*The staff has begun work on the needed repairs at the King Center. Mr. Ort is working with city staff and library staff to prioritize the needed updates.
*Mr. Ort is required to complete a capstone project for his CPM class. He noted the items that he has considered and asked for feedback on his ideas or other ideas from the governing body. The project will result in a plan for funding and carrying out the project, though it doesn’t need to be completed before the end of the course.
*Mr. Ort received notification from Service Line Warranty/Home Serve that the rates for their service for all current customers will be going up $1 per policy upon renewal. New customers will be able to get the same prices as before the increase as an introductory incentive.
*Mr. Ort was recently contacted by Scott Bush with Layne Christensen Company in Wichita. They visited about the Well #12 situation and Mr. Bush was going to work with engineers from Wilson and Company to put together a proposal for repairs.
Councilman Thornburg visited with the council about complaints he had about snow removal on Main Street. A general discussion of snow removal was held.
Councilman Chavez made a motion to go into executive session for 25 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The open meeting will resume in the council chamber at 9:52. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Channell made a motion to come out of executive session. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. No action was taken. Councilman Channell made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 9:53 p.m.