November 6, 2024
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on November 6, 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 & Mike Thornburg. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Clerk Casey Dansel, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs, Sailor-Anne Seiler, Neal Daney from KMEA, Sheriff Jared Walker & high school students from the HCHS government class.
Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the October minutes & Appropriation Ordinance #2024-10. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Sailor-Ann Seiler presented the following report; SEED grant is nearing the completion date. The shade structures at the park must be completed before the end of the year or we will have to return the grant money. Sailor gave updates on the Black Hills Energy Grant & the Rural Champion Grant. There are two upcoming events; Pink Saturday will be held November 23rd & Christmas on Main in December. Sailor is also looking into a grant for new doors at the Senior Center.
SHERIFF’S REPORT: Sheriff Walker gave a report on traffic citations. He also expressed his concern with the upcoming road work. Councilman Channell inquired about the city ordinance for semis parking on city streets as there are a few in town doing so. Sheriff Walker will review the ordinance and make contact with the owners about using the local truck parking lot instead of the city street.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT: Clayton Kerbs provided an update on the Gil Burns property purchase by the land bank. He is working on getting it finalized.
CITY CLERK REPORT: Casey presented the council with a letter received from the HCHS FFA about sponsorship for the year.
BUSINESS ITEMS:
Council discussed sponsoring the FFA again this year. Councilman Channell made a motion to donate $300 to the HCHS FFA Chapter. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Council joined a Zoom meeting for Text My Gov demonstration. Following the zoom meeting council discussed the program and would like more time to think about it. Council would like to see the item on the agenda for next month’s meeting.
Neal Daney with KMEA presented information to the council regarding the Ninnescah Flats Solar Project. Council would like to discuss this matter more a future date.
Mr. Ort informed the mayor and council that he was given the name of Madyline Clark, a new resident in town, by the library board to fill the open board position. After some discussion Mayor Goebel appointed Madyline Clark to the Library Board. Councilman Buffo made a motion to approve the appointment. Councilman Channell seconded the motion, vote unanimous.
Mr. Ort presented the council with Ordinance #688. Ordinance 688 states that the Jetmore City Council will annually set all fees charged by the city for services, permits, etc., except court fees which will be set by ordinance, by resolution. The council will have a chance to review fees at the next meeting. Councilman Buffo made a motion to adopt Ordinance #688. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion. Vote 4-1 with councilman Channell opposed.
Mr. Ort informed the council that next month the KACM conference is scheduled when we are scheduled to have our monthly council meeting. Mr. Ort is currently a board member with KACM so feels an obligation to be at the conference. Mr. Ort asked if the council would agree to his absence at the December meeting or if they wished to move the meeting to the following Monday to accommodate his absence on Dec. 4. Council agreed it was fine for him to miss the council meeting and we will still have the meeting on the regularly scheduled date.
Mr. Ort informed the council of a request earlier this year from Councilman Channell that the city observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday. Mr. Ort did some research on the number of paid holidays other cities observe and adding this day is in line with the number of days most cities observe. Councilman Channell made a motion to add Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday for the City of Jetmore. Councilman Thornburg seconded the motion. Vote 4-1 with councilman Leet opposed.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
Travel Schedule- Mr. Ort presented his travel schedule for the upcoming month.
K-156 Project Start- City received multiple utility locates for a contractor who will begin this month to install concrete box culverts in association with the widening project. A recent press release issued by KDOT projects a December 2026 completion date; weather permitting.
Well 15 project- We received multiple invoices related to the well project from our engineer, Ned Marks, and Associated Drilling. We will now be submitting these invoices to KDHE for reimbursement. We expect those funds to be received before the next council meeting.
Lions Club Clean Up Project-Roll off dumpsters have arrived for the Lions Club project. There are 4 placed throughout the city.
City Phone/Internet Service- City phone and internet services were migrated in October to United Telephone. Everything seems to be going well with the new service.
Annual Sewer Cleaning-In the annual cleaning this year Mayer encountered one section of sewer line that could not be cleaned as they were pulling back chunks of clay pipe. We expect to receive a proposal from Mayer soon for repair costs. We currently have $32,000 in the Sewer Equipment Reserve Fund so we do have the means to pay for the repair.
Grain Sales-Corn was cut in October at the airport. The crop came in decent, but did require a small insurance adjustment. In all grain sales underperformed the last few years at $56,251. The projection for the year was $75,000 as the last few years have been $73,346, $109,400, and $130,287.
Councilman Neeley made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Channell seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Meeting was adjourned at 8:46p.m.