The council met in regular session with the following present: Mayor Jack E. Rowden, Councilmen Dean Banker, Dan Corpening, Brad Niehues, Jason Teeter and Frankie Thomas.
Others present were City Clerk Carrie L. Baeza, Electric & Parks Systems Supervisor Logan Frederick, City Inspector Josh Grubbs, Chief of Police Courtney Leslie, Outside Utilities Supervisor Paul Nordyke, City Attorney Wayne R. Tate, and Jim Ghumm.
Mayor Jack E. Rowden presided.
Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, that the minutes of January 11, 2021. Motion carried.
Each member of the governing body was provided a copy of Municipal Judge Paula J. Sosa’s report for the month of January, showing 30 new cases and $5,113.00 remitted to the city. Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Jason Teeter to accept the report. Motion carried.
CITY INSPECTOR
City Inspector Josh Grubbs presented his monthly report.
APPOINTMENTS
Electric & Parks Systems Supervisor Logan Frederick term is up in 2021 for the KMEA Director #1. Motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, to reappoint Logan Frederick to KMEA Director #1 for the City of Hugoton to expire in 2023. Motion carried.
Charles Wagner has reached out that he is stepping down as KMEA Director #2. He has served the City for many years in this position. Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Jason Teeter, to appoint Richard Barnes to the KMEA Director #2 position to finish the term to expire in 2023. Motion carried.
EMERGENCY PLAN
City Clerk Carrie L. Baeza, was contacted by Fire Chief Rodney Kelling presenting the Southwest Kansas (Region C) Multi-Hazard, Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan resolution that will need to be passed to adopt the new 2020 plan. As the clerk did not receive the plan until late in the day before council and had not had time to review the changes, the action was tabled to March until a review can be done.
POLICY
City Clerk Carrie L. Baeza has reached out to City Attorney Wayne R. Tate to look over a Telecommunications Policy. As COVID has moved the City into more technology-based functions for daily activity and the running of government, this has increased the purchase and use of personal devices. After review of the policy and changes made by City Attorney Tate, motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, to approve the Telecommunications Policy for the City of Hugoton. Motion carried.
APPROPRIATIONS
City Clerk Carrie L. Baeza has experienced vendors no longer waiving penalties for late payments due to accounts payable being released after the month’s council meeting. She presented the council Resolution 2021-001 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF HUGOTON, KANSAS, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO PAY CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY PURSUANT TO K.S.A. 12-105b(e). This would allow those payables that are due before the council meets to be paid as well as take advantage of any discounts available for early payment. Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Dan Corpening, to approve Resolution 2021-001. Motion carried.
WATER
City Attorney Wayne R. Tate was contacted by KDHE, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, for permission to drill four test wells at the former Halliburton site. This would be done on the City’s right-of-way. Motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement with Millco to allow the test wells to be dug on the City’s right-of-way. Motion carried.
BIDS
Jim Ghumm with Ghumm’s Auto Center presented the council with a bid for a new patrol pick-up. The bid was for a 2020 Ford F-150 CC XLT 4WD for $46,800.00 less trade in on 2013 Ford F-150 $8,000.00 for a total purchase price of $38,800.00. Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, to accept the bid of $38,800 from Ghumm’s Auto Center for a 2020 Ford F-150 CC XLT 4WD. Motion carried.
TRANSIENT GUEST TAX
Chamber Director Alisha Owens had sent over the expenditures approved at the Convention and Tourism Board meeting.
Hugoton Chamber $500.00 2020 Gas Capital Triathlon
Hugoton Chamber $1,000.00 2020 Kite Festival
Hugoton Chamber $1,000.00 2021 Park Day
Dirtona Speedway $1,000.00 2021 Races
Hugoton Chamber $49.95 Meals
The following bills were also sent over before the council meeting.
Hugoton Chamber $720.00 Rooster Roundup bands/prize
Finney County $707.50 Rooster Roundup birds
Convention and Tourism Bureau
Motion by Councilman Brad Niehues, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, to approve the above expenditures to be paid out of the transient guest tax. Motion carried.
PERSONNEL
Municipal Judge Paula Sosa has given a verbal resignation of March 31, 2021 as she is preparing to move out of state. She has served the City as Municipal Judge since April of 2015. The governing body review the applications that we have received. Motion by Frankie Thomas, seconded by Dean Banker, to appoint Damon Simmons as the Municipal Judge. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Brad Niehues, to start Damon Simmons at the same rate as the current rate of $1,498.34 per month. Motion carried.
PERSONNEL
Outside Utilities Supervisor Paul Nordyke asked the council to fill the position in the street department. Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, to hire Brent Derrick at $17.36 in the street department. Motion carried.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Chief of Police Courtney Leslie informed the council that there has been an increase in theft and burglary in Hugoton and not from locals, but from out of town. She presented a bid to the council from INAalert to install security cameras at the highway entrances coming into town and other locations. The cost for the cameras, installation and software is $20,371.31. After discussion, motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, to purchase the cameras, software, and installation from INAalert for $20,371.31. Motion carried.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mayor Jack E. Rowden requested the reappointment of Neal Gillespie to the Economic Development Board with the term expiring in 2025. Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Jason Teeter, to accept the reappointment of Neal Gillespie to the Economic Development Board. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, to accept the Appropriation Ordinances No 2167 & 2168. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, that the meeting go into executive session for personnel matters of nonelected personal, K.S.A. 75-4319(1) for 20 mins to return at 6:45. Motion carried.
Reconvened at 6:45 p.m.
Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Jason Teeter, that the meeting adjourn. Motion carried.