February 2021 Meeting Minutes

February 8, 2021

The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on Thursday, February 4th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Present were Councilmen Jeff Channell and Connie Chavez. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs and City Clerk Deb McKivergan. There being no quorum, Councilman Chavez made a motion to adjourn the meeting to Monday, February 8th at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Channell seconded the motion, vote unanimous.

The Jetmore City Council reconvened on Monday, February 8th. 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, Mike Hendrickson and Larry Steinbring, with Councilman Fetters attending by phone. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort and City Clerk Deb McKivergan.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  Pete Shewry addressed the council about parking camping trailers, boats and other trailers on the streets and how it causes vision problems at several intersections around town. They also addressed vehicles that had expired registrations and were parked on the streets. Mr. Ort is looking into our current city code and whether we need to add to them as this was addressed when the city was sweeping streets. Mr. Shewry also asked if there were any plans to replace old water lines. The city is working on a long-term plan and making that a priority.

Councilman Steinbring made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT:  ED Director Lea Ann Seiler was absent but presented the following report in writing: At least four people have picked up Housing Incentive information so it is well received. She is moved into her new space in the courthouse. The 3rd Floor window project is complete. The Rooster Roundup drawing was held Feb. 5th.  The grant for that program will phase out, so a decision will be made as to whether it is continued or not. All of the Maker Space equipment has been moved to its new space and she will be getting a training refresher. Ks. Dept. of Commerce will have a rep here on February 10th to visit with three businesses.

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT:   No report in the absence of Mr. Kerbs

CITY CLERK REPORT:  It is once again time to appoint KMEA directors. Councilman Steinbring made a motion to appoint Michael Ort to the position of Director 1. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Steinbring made a motion to appoint Mayor Olson to the position of Director 2. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Hendrickson made a motion to appoint Brian Beil to the position of Alternate. Councilman Steinbring seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

BUSINESS ITEMS:  The John Deere tractor PTO is in need of repairs. We have an estimate of $7,533.32, which includes all possible needs, thus it could be less. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the repair up to $7,533.32.  Councilman Chavez seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

We recently received notification from KRWA that the annual membership meeting will be held virtually on March 25, 2021 and they require the city to appoint a voting delegate and an alternate. Councilman Fetters made a motion to approve Michael Ort to the voting delegate position. Councilman Hendrickson seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Councilman Steinbring made a motion to appoint Larry Fagen to the alternate position. Councilman Chavez seconded the motion, vote unanimous.

CITY ADMIISTRATOR REPORT:  City Administrator Michael Ort presented his February travel/meeting schedule.

*During the January run of the power plant engine, an oil leak was found at the back of the engine. Kevin at Farabee was contacted and he believed it to be a clogged filter. The filter was changed and the engine was run for over an hour without incident.

*We recently had two water leaks, one just south of the Best and Benton intersection and one at the corner of Benton and Wash. Inoperable valves were replaced along with the repairs and the staff will be working on a plan to replace other inoperable valves around town.

*The old water tower sprung a leak and was allowed to drain last week. An engineer was consulted and stated that we don’t need to be overly concerned that the tower is in imminent danger of falling down. Mr. Ort has begun inquiring about disassembling the tower as soon as we are able.

*The operator on the office garage door failed and quotes were received for replacement, with two different options; $1,716.42 for one that allows control via cell phone and $1,579.90 for one without cell phone controls. Mr. Ort will order the second option with no cell phone controls.

*The computer in the administrator’s office was unresponsive on January 22nd when Mr. Ort arrived. He purchased a new Lenovo ThinkCentre from Palace Computer in Garden City. The power strip had also failed and it was replaced too. He is now transferring all the data and programs from the old computer to the new.

*The Corona Virus vaccine was offered to the city staff as essential workers. All staff were notified of their option to vaccinate.

*It will soon be camping season and people have begun to inquire about reservations for long term camping. As directed by the council, reservations will go first to Jetmore residents first for one week, then Hodgeman County residents for one week and lastly to all on a first come first served basis. With 19 spaces available, 12 will be dedicated to long term reservation camping.

*The payments for the pole that was most recently damaged on Main Street is within $300 of being paid off. The insurance payment for the pole that was hit on September 5th was received recently with a 100% reimbursement.

*No code enforcement letters were sent in January.

*Mr. Ort reported that he received a confirmation that the park bathroom project does quality for the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities grant program; however the substation project does not.

*Mr. Ort told the council that he had a resident looking into the possibility of solar panels and he has sent them the city’s regulations.

Councilman Steinbring made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.