September 6, 2023
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on September 6th, 2023. Mayor Derek Olson called the meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was answered by Mayor Olson, Councilmen Jeff Channell, Connie Chavez, Kyler Fetters, Charles Leet & Mike Thornburg. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs, City Clerk Casey Dansel. Citizens present were Janese Boger & Sharon Guthrie.
Councilman Chavez made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the August 2nd, 2023 minutes and Appropriation Ordinance #2023-08. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Fetters moved to adjourn open meeting to hold 2024 Budget Hearing. Councilman Chavez seconded; vote unanimous.
The 2024 budget was presented by Mr. Ort.
No public comment being offered on the 2024 budget, Councilman Fetters moved to resume the open meeting at 7:32 p.m. Councilman Thornburg seconded; vote unanimous.
Councilman Fetters moved to adjourn the open meeting in order to open the public hearing for the 2024 Land Bank budget. Councilman Thornburg seconded; vote unanimous.
Acting as the Land Bank Board of Directors, the governing body received the 2024 budget from Mr. Ort, indicating no additional money to be added to the budget for 2024, with spending authority remaining at $20,000.
No public comment being received, Councilman Thornburg moved to approve the 2024 Land Bank Budget. Councilman Chavez seconded; vote unanimous.
Councilman Chavez moved to adjourn the Land Bank budget hearing and reopen the open meeting at 7:40 p.m. Councilman Fetters seconded; vote unanimous.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: Sharon Guthrie addressed the council regarding a water leak she had in the middle of the night this month. She was concerned because she had contacted the Sheriff’s office to have someone come and turn her water off and she said dispatch told her that there isn’t anyone who does that. Council and Mayor assured her that is not the case and we always have staff on call for emergencies. City Administrator Michael Ort advised the council that he had in fact been contacted by the Sheriff’s office that night and being it was the middle of the night it took a little longer for him to get there and when he arrived the sheriff’s deputy and the neighbor had been able to get the water turned off.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Sailor Anne Seiler presented the following report:
Writers conference (SWKS-For the Legendary), presented back to school baskets to teachers, YEC-fall date ideal DC maker space and NWKC offering new opportunities, NXTSTAGE Sept 25-28, SEED was reopened, Black Hills Charitable Giving-submitted application for replacing windows on American Legion building, attended the Quik Pick soft opening, presented Glamped Nails plaque & certificate, To The Stars- made 3 nominations, LIED-meetings set to organize schedule, working on Spooktacular & Christmas On Main, WKREDA/Main Street, Acton/Lemonade Day-YEC opportunity for grade school, COVID Resiliency- don’t qualify for, Women In Business-Hays conference, Duplex #1 complete.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: City Attorney Clayton Kerbs reported that things are going well with court, increase in tickets.
CITY CLERK REPORT: City Clerk Dansel presented information given to her from Farmers State Bank regarding our savings account and CDs. The bank had encouraged us to look at different options regarding the accounts that might benefit us more. Mr. Ort will research this and see if municipalities have any special guidelines for these. Clerk Dansel shared with the Council a letter we received from Hodgeman County FFA asking if we would like to sponsor them again this year. Council discussed and agreed we should give them the same donation we did last year in the amount of $200.
BUSINESS ITEMS:
Mr. Ort presented the council with information regarding an 80’x100’ piece of city property that John and Marsha Ewy are interested in purchasing if the city would be willing to sell it. The property is next to theirs, and over the years they have taken care of it and thought it belonged to them but recently discovered it does not. Council discussed that they are willing to part with the small piece of land for a fair price. Councilman Channell made a motion to authorize Mr. Ort to offer the land to the Ewy’s for a price of no less than $3000. Councilman Thornburg seconded; vote unanimous.
Mr. Ort presented Resolution 2023-04, a resolution authorizing the city to exceed the revenue neutral rate. Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-04. Councilman Chavez seconded; vote unanimous.
Councilman Fetters moved to approve the 2024 Budget. Councilman Chavez seconded; vote unanimous.
Mr. Ort presented the council with Ordinance #682- Drinking Establishments and CMB License Fees. There being a discrepancy between Ordinance #578 and the city code wording, Ordinance #682 was drafted to correct the discrepancy. Council discussed current fees charged and the maximum amounts the state allows cities to charge. After discussion, council determined that the annual fee for CMB retailers and liquor retailers should be the same and instructed Mr. Ort to reword the ordinance to reflect that.
Administrator Ort presented the council with Ordinance #683- Fireworks Hours. Fireworks will only be allowed to be discharged between the hours of 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. July 1st– July 3rd and the between 10:00a.m.-12:00 midnight on July 4th. Councilman Thornburg made a motion to approve Ordinance #683. Councilman Channell seconded; vote unanimous.
Mr. Ort discussed the park irrigation project with the council. The original contractor, Rainmaker of Great Bend, whose bid had been accepted in May 2021, has not completed the job and will not return calls. Custom Sprinkler Works recently presented a bid for the project that is approximately $5,000 less than the original quote and are available in a week and complete the project. Councilman Fetters made a motion to terminate services with Rainmaker and accept new bid from Custom Sprinkler Works. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Mr. Ort will notify both contractors of the decision.
Mr. Ort presented the council with a variance request from Charles Leet. Charles is extending his current garage to the retaining wall. Neighbor has no objections to the project. Councilman Channell moved to approve the variance. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Leet abstained from the vote.
Mayor Olson called for a 5 minute recess at 8:30 p.m. Meeting re-opened at 8:35 p.m.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
* Mr. Ort presented his training and travel schedule and the staff birthdays and anniversaries for September.
* Mr. Ort updated the council on the Well #12 project. Still awaiting the loan agreement from KDHE, but a “Finding of No Significant Impact” was received from KDHE this month and in that document it was confirmed that the city qualifies for 100% principal forgiveness on the project.
* The Park Bathroom project should begin again soon. USDA asked for copies of the new design and the cost estimate for the redesigned project.
* City staff recently installed a new TV on the event side of the King Center for public use when renting the space. It was also mentioned that the walls in the event space probably need a fresh coat of paint and that this might be a good winter project for city staff.
* SEED grant was re-opened and application for shade covering over playground at city park is being submitted.
GOVERNING BODY COMMENTS:
Councilman Chavez informed the council that the Hodgeman County Foundation will be having their annual meeting soon and hosting the new doctor at the event. She asked that the use of the King Center be donated to the Foundation to use that day. Also requested if there are any grant needs, to share them with her as they will be working on that soon.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Councilman Fetters made a motion to recess into executive session to include council, administrator and attorney. (K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2) at 8:55 p.m. The open meeting will resume at 9:10 p.m.
Councilman Channell moved to come out of executive session at 9:10 p.m. Councilman Fetters seconded the motion; vote unanimous. No action was taken. Councilman Channell moved to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Thornburg seconded; vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.