May 5, 2022
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on May 5, 2022. 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, Kyler Fetters, Charles Leet and Mike Thornburg. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs and City Clerk Deb McKivergan.
Mayor Olson proclaimed May 28th Poppy Day in Jetmore. Lou Ann Abbott, with the American Legion Auxiliary, was on hand to accept the proclamation.
Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the April 7, 2022 minutes and Appropriation Ordinance #2022-04. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: ED Director Lea Ann Seiler reported that she sent a video to the council telling about the Hilmar plant that will be built at Dodge City. She continues to work on funding for housing and child care. Isaac Cavazos placed well in the Kansas Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge at Manhattan recently. The upper story RHID grant paperwork is ready to go; Ms. Seiler told the council there is additional RHID funding available and suggested the council designate a section of town and apply. She recently took four business owners to a John Schallert Destination Boot Camp. A couple of murals are in place and a couple more planned. The Office of Rural Prosperity will be in Jetmore on May 12th to see the murals.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: No report
CITY CLERK REPORT: City Clerk Deb McKivergan told the council she would be placing an order for shirts for the new council and employees, and anyone wanting to replace their current shirts. She also passed around a thank you from the American Legion.
BUSINESS ITEMS: Mayor Olson appointed Amanda Kasiska to the Jetmore Library Board of Directors. Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Mayor Olson appointed Deanna Bradford to the Jetmore Library Board of Directors. Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Mayor Olson made the following appointments for the year of 2022-2023:
City Clerk – Deb McKivergan; Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Treasurer – Brenda Ringle; Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Leet seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Attorney – Clayton Kerbs; Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Judge – Kenton Gleason; Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Official Depository – Farmers State Bank; Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
The current RPZ type backflow prevention device at the golf course failed the annual test in February and we received a quote of $13,351.20 to replace it. After discussion with KDHE we received permission to replace the RPZ with an Air Gap type backflow prevention device. Stewart Plumbing provided a bid for that work in the amount of $6,685.80. After discussion by the council, it was decided that the bid would be tabled and Mr. Ort will visit with the outside crew to see if they feel confident performing the work themselves.
The 1% sales tax that was voted in for the street project will sunset at the end of 2022. Currently the sales tax is being applied half to General Op fund and half to the Electric fund where it helped to offset a need that could have only been otherwise met by an increase in either property taxes or utility rates. If enacted, a renewed sales tax could be used to hold the line on property taxes and utility rates. To place the proposed sales tax on the August ballot, the County Clerk must be notified by June 1. Councilman Leet made a motion to place the question on the August ballot to renew the 1% sales tax. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: City Administrator Michael Ort presented his May travel/training schedule and staff birthdays and anniversaries.
*Mr. Ort discussed our radiator/cooling tower question with several folks at the KMU conference last week. The feedback received was that a cooling tower is needed. Councilman Leet suggested that temperature readings indicated that there might be an obstruction in the radiator. City Administrator Ort stated that the readings, according to the manual for the engine, were good and indicated that the radiator was operating well within manufacturer’s parameters. Out of an abundance of caution Councilmen Leet and Fetters requested additional inspection of the radiator by an outside vendor to verify that it is not obstructed.
*McKibbin Construction will start on the sidewalk project at the park as soon as the weather is dry. The part needed for the sprinkler system is finally available and the irrigation rebuild will begin in the next few weeks.
*Mr. Ort shared the idea of having a community hotdog roast instead of having the council cook hotdogs at the Big Bang celebration. The city will provide watermelon, chips, water and popsicles in addition to the hot dogs and sticks to use for roasting.
*A staff meeting was held on April 25th. Staff meetings will be held monthly the Monday after council meetings.
*The Family Outdoor Recreation group recently planted five more trees at the lake. A swing set has been ordered for the lake and will arrive in a few weeks. The city lake will be the subject of Mr. Ort’s capstone project and he asked for ideas for improvements on the grounds.
*Billy Bamberger visited with Mr. Ort about developing the alley behind their house, between Benton and Clay Streets. After a council discussion it was determined that the project would be put on hold at this time.
*The first report on the American Rescue Plan Act was due to the Department of the Treasury by April 30. The money received by the city is eligible to be used for any legitimate government purpose.
Councilman Channell raised the question about the use of city vehicles being taxable.
The council discussed the possibility of an electric charging station somewhere in town.
It was noted that the city park looked especially good at the annual Easter egg hunt.
Councilman Channell made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous. The meeting was adjourned at 9:57 p.m.