January 3, 2024
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on January 3, 2024. Mayor Bill Goebel called the meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll wall was answered by Mayor Bill Goebel, Councilmen Cole Buffo, Charles Leet , John Neely & Mike Thornburg. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort , City Clerk Casey Dansel, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs & Representatives for Cheyenne Hills Golf Course Curtis Goebel, Dustin Lee, Tyler Beougher & Jared Borger. Councilman Channell was absent.
Councilman Buffo made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the December 6 minutes and Appropriation Ordinance #2023-12. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: Members of Cheyenne Hills Golf Course Board informed the council that they have outgrown the cart sheds and that people are now being turned away. They presented the council with information they have gathered for building two new cart sheds. Council asked them to gather more information and come back to the next meeting with the information for more discussion.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Sailor Anne Seiler presented her year-end report highlighting what all she accomplished in 2023. January report: Sold over $1500 of Hodgeman Bucks, Schwartz Auto mural completed, Released 24 pheasants and 7 have been turned in, Submitted MIH application, Display at Goodland Travel Center, Spoke to HCHS Government class, Christmas On Main had a big turnout, Helped with HTR open house, Attended training for NWKS tech assistance program, Submitted SEED application and awarded $24,000 to be shared between park for shade coverings and library, Wild West Country Meeting, BIL and BUILD funds info session, Marketing presentation for 4-H, Regional Kay conference speaker, Met with Eddii & attended WKREDA.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: Nothing to report.
CITY CLERK REPORT: Clerk Dansel presented Mayor and council with CD paperwork needing signatures for Farmers State Bank.
BUSINESS ITEMS:
Mr. Ort presented Resolution 2024-01, the GAAP Waiver resolution. Councilman Buffo made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-01. Councilman Leet seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Mr. Ort discussed the Hangar Rental agreement the city has with Kent Rasmussen with the council, stating that the rate has been the same since May 1, 2014 and with replacement costs, maintenance costs, and insurance increasing the rent should be considered. Per the agreement, if either arty wishes to modify or cancel the agreement, at least 60 days’ notice must be given prior to the annual renewal each May 1st. Councilman Leet made a motion to have the City Administrator issue a letter communicating the city’s desire to modify the terms of the agreement prior to the May 1, 2024 renewal. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Mr. Ort presented the council with the current fee schedule for them to review for possible changes. The council briefly discussed adjusting fees for the golf course and city lake as well as proposed adjustments to utility rates, but no decisions were made at this time and the matter was tabled for a later date.
Mr. Ort presented the council with the annual staff pay increase. Councilman Thornburg made a motion to increase staff pay 2.5%. Councilman Leet seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
ANNUAL LAND BANK REPORT:
Councilman Thornburg made a motion to adjourn the open meeting. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Thornburg made a motion to convene as the Land Bank Board of Trustees and open the Annual Land Bank meeting. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Mr. Ort presented the 2023 annual report Council discussed the property formerly belonging to Gil Burns. Councilman Leet offered to reach out to Mr. Burns’s daughter regarding the property and the land bank purchasing it. Councilman Thornburg made a motion to give Councilman Leet authority to negotiate the purchase of the property. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Buffo made a motion to adjourn the Land Bank meeting and resume open council meeting. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
*Administrator Ort presented his January travel and training schedule to the council.
* Mr. Ort presented the end of the year fund health report.
* Mr. Ort presented an update on the K-156 expansion project.
* Mr. Ort presented an update on the city park bathroom house project.
* Mr. Ort updated the council on the power plant cooling tower project timeline. At present Farabee Mechanical projects they will be in Jetmore mid to late February.
* Mr. Ort informed the council of the sales tax revenue for the 1.5¢ sales tax for the year 2023. Total receipts were down slightly from 2022 but still good at just over $189,600. Mr. Ort reminded the council that one-half cent goes to Water for debt service on the water tower project. The other one cent is the general use sales tax enacted by a public vote in 2012 for the Main St. pavement project, used thereafter for other public uses and renewed by public vote in 2022. Mr. Ort further informed the council that the one cent sales tax renewed in 2022, in 2023 was split evenly between General Op and the Electric Fund and is earmarked exclusively for General Op in 2024.
* Mr. Ort discussed briefly his study of the idea of strategic planning in 2023 for ICMA-Credentialed Manager designation and informed the council that his focus will be Staff Effectiveness for 2024.
GOVERNING BODY COMMENTS:
Councilman Thornburg discussed that he’d like to see the city explore the possibility of selling the old Boy Scout hut if we aren’t going to utilize the property.
Councilman Buffo made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Meeting was adjourned at 9:20pm.