May 8, 2024

The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on May 8th, 2024. Mayor Bill Goebel called the meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll wall was answered by Councilmen Cole Buffo , Jeff Channell, Charles Leet, & John Neeley. Also attending was City Administrator Michael Ort and City Clerk Casey Dansel. Councilman Mike Thornburg arrived at 8:02 p.m.

Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the April minutes & Appropriation Ordinance #2024-04. Councilman Leet seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT:  Sailor-Anne Seiler gave her monthly report to the council. Updated website, worked on YEC, Completed month ¾ of SEED paperwork, attended WEKan Conference, Attended BKRT, Hosted donuts in the driveway at the courthouse, signed contract with Myri, organized activities for Memorial Day, reorganized HCED board, picked up and delivered deer meat for food pantry, judged state KEC, delivered check to post 290 for new windows, attended TIAK board meeting.

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT:  Attorney Clayton Kerbs was not present at the meeting but was available by phone if needed.

CITY CLERK REPORT:  Clerk Dansel had nothing to report to the council.

BUSINESS ITEMS:

Mayor Goebel made the following annual appointments for 2024-2025:

City Clerk-Casey Dansel, City Treasurer-Brenda Ringle, City Attorney-Clayton Kerbs, City Judge-Kenton Gleason. Councilman Thornburg made a motion to approve the appointments. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Annual designation of the official depository: Councilman Buffo made a motion to designate The Farmers State Bank of Jetmore as the official depository for the City of Jetmore. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Council discussed the need to appoint new a new member to the library board. No one has shown interest thus far. Board will need one spot filled now and another in the near future. Council will keep working on finding someone who may be interested.

Mr. Ort presented the council with the new Travel Policy for employees of the City of Jetmore. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the policy. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Mr. Ort presented the council with the Well 12 Drilling Contract. Councilman Leet made a motion to accept the contract and direct the Mayor to sign it. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

Mr. Ort presented the renewal for the Walk-In Hunting Access Program (WIHA) at the city lake. Councilman Buffo made a motion to accept the WIHA renewal. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:   

*Mr. Ort presented his travel and training schedule for May.

*Mr. Ort informed the council that Brian had approached him about hiring a summer employee. Mr. Ort offered to spend a day each week mowing or assisting when needed. Council discussed options and would like to go ahead and hire a summer employee to assist. Councilman Thornburg had someone in mind and would visit with her to see if she would be interested.

*Mr. Ort discussed the Main Street Project Application. Mayor Goebel and our engineer Chad Lawson met with reps from KDOT. They reviewed the project with staff from Topeka as they begin the review process of all projects around the state. Meeting went well and it will be a few months before we know if we’ve been selected.

*Mr. Ort met with Tyler Hess from B&H Paving regarding the cracks in the pavement at the airport after being notified by KDOT-Aviation that our airport is in need of attention. Tyler suggested consulting with an engineer regarding the runway portion. Mr. Ort then met with Darin Neufeld of EBH. He provided options for the runway. Grant application for the project is due in September. With an increase in the fund recently there is a good chance our project could be selected.

*Mr. Ort informed the council he was contacted by Allen Nichols with KDHE regarding the chlorine sheds at wells 11 & 12. Mr. Allen has determined the method of powering the lighting and ventilation does not meet requirements anymore set by KDHE and has required changes. Per his instructions, staff has begun to make improvements and will complete the work soon.

*Mr. Ort informed the council that he had heard from KDOT personnel that afternoon that the K-156 expansion and modernization project is scheduled to be put out for bid in September of this year, with construction to begin in 2025. Construction is to be completed in 2026.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Councilman Channell made a motion the city council recess into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel pursuant to the non-elected personnel exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) with the council and mayor present. The open meeting will resume in the city council chamber at 9:11 p.m. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Council extended executive session 19 minutes and invited the city administrator to joint them.  At 9:30 p.m. Councilman Channell made a motion to return to open meeting. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous.

GOVERNING BODY COMMENTS:

Councilman Thornburg discussed his attendance at the delegate meeting in Dodge City.

Mayor Goebel inquired about the airport hangar and if the tenants had moved out by the required date. Mr. Ort will check into it and make sure that they did.

Councilman Leet inquired about which streets are being sealed this summer. Mr. Ort reminded the council that it will be the east/west streets on the east side of town. Councilman Leet would also like to see some of the valley gutters improved.

Councilman Thornburg informed the council he received the new golf course scorecards and got them to Jared. The next time we order, Cimarron may not be printing them and we may want to consider another company to print them. Clerk Dansel informed them that Jared already had someone in mind for printing.

Councilman Thornburg discussed the current daycare crisis here in Jetmore. There is a major need for more daycare. He would like to see the city consider some different options to help with this issue.

Councilman Channell made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Meeting was adjourned at 9:53 p.m.