[5:03] Here

[5:17] we go.

[5:27] At this time, we'll call to order the commission meeting for Tuesday,

[5:31] September the 8th. And it is now 6:30. And if this turns

[5:35] into a lengthy meeting, I will be uh calling for a short recess on the half

[5:41] hour beginning at 7:30 if if necessary. At this time, I have a roll call.

[5:48] » Comm. >> Commissioner Hendricks

[5:51] » here. >> Vice Mayor Gables

[5:53] » here. >> Commissioner Balden

[5:54] » here. >> And Commissioner Kindle is absent.

[5:57] » All right. This time we'll have the invitation by Pastor Melvin Simpson of

[6:02] the First Church of God in Christ. And following the invitation, please remain

[6:06] standing for the pledge of allegiance. Pastor, most kind and gracious father

[6:12] God, we thank you God for all your many blessings. How you watch over us, how

[6:17] you protect us, they seen our city. God, we ask your blessings come down from our

[6:21] city. Bless us God. Keep us God to see our will. We thank you God for all your

[6:26] many blessings in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[6:31] » I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

[6:38] for which it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for

[6:45] all. >> Please be seated.

[6:52] All right, commissioners. Uh, any additions or corrections to the agenda?

[6:58] There being none, move on to the consent agenda.

[7:02] And, uh, for items one through six, commissioners, questions.

[7:12] Um, I don't I have a question on maybe I'm missing in the notes. The number two

[7:20] action to approve the the agreement for the road safety audit and engineering

[7:26] study. When when was that time frame to do this

[7:31] » or have we not set a time frame? >> The time frame to do

[7:36] » the study. So we have to accept all the grant awards first and then approve the

[7:41] engineering which that's all on for tonight and then that will set the

[7:45] timeline of when the actual study happens.

[7:48] » Okay. Are we expecting it to happen in the next two three months or next six

[7:52] months or >> I would say within the next six months.

[7:54] » Okay. Any other questions?

[8:00] » Then I move to approve items one through six of the consent agenda as presented.

[8:05] » I'll second. Motion made by second by Vice Mayor

[8:09] Naples to approve items one through six of the consent agenda as presented.

[8:13] Commissioner Hendris I >> vice I commissioner

[8:17] » I >> mayor

[8:18] » I. >> Next on the agenda is comments from the

[8:23] public. Any citizen desiring to address the commission shall be recognized

[8:28] advance to the podium. State his or her name and address for the record.

[8:34] Comments shall be limited to three minutes unless extended by a vote of the

[8:38] majority of the commission. Commission does not hear matters involving

[8:42] litigation or city personnel. The commission does not take action on

[8:46] subjects not on the agenda unless unusual or hardship conditions exist.

[8:53] Citizens may address the commission on agenda items as they are brought to the

[8:57] floor. Is there anyone in attendance who wishes to come to the podium and make a

[9:02] comment?

[9:06] And we have one gentleman coming.

[9:14] And please state your name and address

[9:18] again 5175 room 1425.

[9:24] Um I just want to say again that I seen your fact sheet just come out and I

[9:29] don't agree with stuff. There's there's a ton of stuff going on

[9:33] around the country. People I want to just address that

[9:40] the amount of stuff I see on YouTube videos coming out and

[9:45] you're not doing a service to people, you need to be more transparent.

[9:50] That's why I'm I'm emailing you guys all the time. I'll know you're reading them

[9:53] a lot, but the things that are concern me are environmental and noise and even

[10:02] the waters. We just had a was it advisory or something saying be wise

[10:06] with your water. How are we going to support data centers?

[10:12] I don't get it. We taking on candy now, right? We got South Coffee. We got this

[10:20] town. We got deer. We have

[10:24] World War Six and a couple other World Wars. I don't get it. And and I don't

[10:30] appreciate YouTube videos coming out from Benju

[10:35] when he doesn't even live in the town. I don't get it.

[10:40] [groaning] There's no skin off his back. Just his

[10:43] job. We're we're suffering out here with

[10:46] higher prices. So, when is when is this going to stop?

[10:52] When is the truth going to come out? Would you want one of these things right

[10:56] where you're at? Up by that airport. There's plenty of

[11:00] farmers residents out there. What's going to happen to them?

[11:07] I need you to think to think about people, not the money.

[11:13] There's plenty of ways to build a town. Lots of good ways to grow town. You want

[11:18] to cut taxes to those guys? Well, cut taxes to to the businesses here.

[11:25] Encourage more of those kinds of business come into this town.

[11:29] Maybe you'll start seeing some things.

[11:34] Thank you.

[11:42] » Name and address, please. Evening Commission Max Nelson, 1469

[11:48] County Road 4500. Every two weeks, you guys will just have

[11:52] that memorized at some point here. Uh, thank you for the opportunity to speak.

[11:56] What I'd like to talk about tonight is trust, right? That's the critical thing

[12:01] with any big business decision is we have to have trust. Trust with the

[12:06] commissioners, trust with the city manager, trust with the community. It's

[12:10] a avenue that goes both ways always. Last week, what I witnessed with the

[12:16] tornado siren was an alarming deal. There was a knock on wood, people safety

[12:24] aren't in the budget till next year. That's really alarming to hear that

[12:30] there are alerts, we live in a modern society, etc., etc., but we all know

[12:34] that there are people that rely on those alerts in every community. Look what

[12:39] happened in Hawaii with the wildfires when the alarm system didn't go off this

[12:43] year. Look what happened in St. Louis when the

[12:46] early detection system didn't go off. Now granted, we're not in tornado system

[12:52] season. Severe weather potential tomorrow. Side note,

[12:57] but the city didn't even come out and say anything about it. It didn't come

[13:00] out until Kendall brought it up almost halfhazardly last week like, "Hey,

[13:04] people have noticed this. Oh yeah, critical infrastructure is not

[13:08] functioning." Okay, it's very borderline negligent. So, the shocking thing that I

[13:16] saw was the response of the commission or lack thereof. At any point, you could

[13:22] have stopped, raised your hand, and moved a motion and said, "Mr. Brewbaker,

[13:27] we authorized $5,000, $6,000. When can we get this fixed? How can we get this

[13:32] fixed?" Second, voted. Done. Immediately done. When that doesn't happen, it

[13:38] doesn't build trust.

[13:43] So we have these people keep showing up

[13:47] emails all this because data center much more magnitude

[13:53] than the tornado war. So how does the community put trust in you as elected

[14:00] officials as a city manager to execute these contracts properly if we can't get

[14:07] the basics right? Thank you for your time sir. Are you a

[14:12] citizen of Coffeeville? >> Well, I'm right outside. I'm 1469 County

[14:17] Road 4500. >> That's correct.

[14:19] » And I can hear the siren. >> The sirens were never nonfunctional.

[14:26] » Excuse me. >> I think you don't understand the

[14:29] situation. >> Well, you Mr. Baker

[14:33] » in the meeting. He said that they weren't working.

[14:40] I don't want to expand on this right now, but

[14:42] » that's fine. I'm not trying to have an argument.

[14:45] » The fix was being in process. It was never not going to be fixed.

[14:50] » I didn't say it wasn't ever going to be fixed.

[14:51] » Well, that's what you're implying. The implication

[14:54] » you were implying that >> I'm not implying

[14:56] » and you're trying to >> Yeah,

[14:59] » that's not >> they were never not going to fix. And if

[15:01] if there was a tornado, they can push a button in my

[15:04] » With all due respect, Commissioner Hendricks, that is not what I'm

[15:07] implying. That is putting words in my mouth and that is not fair.

[15:14] » Is there anyone else?

[15:18] » Stephen Keller, uh 1402 CR5150, Coffeeville, Kansas 67337.

[15:27] I live outside the city limit, sir. Okay. just like this gentleman right

[15:31] here. But I'm still part of this organization. I'm still part of the city

[15:35] and part of the community. I care a lot too about what's going on around here.

[15:38] And I didn't think he implied anything. You misunderstood him.

[15:43] » No, I did not. >> Yes, you did. Now, here's what I'm here

[15:45] for, gentlemen and ladies. The data center. Whatever. Oh, bad

[15:52] robes. Everything else. You take right up over here where you've got this nice

[15:55] beautiful sign which says, "Welcome to Coffeeville."

[15:58] Man, that looks like Vietnam war out there after B-52s dropped a few bombs.

[16:02] You can't It's almost impossible to get out in the road without feeling like

[16:06] you're going to jump up in there and who knows where you're going. I don't know

[16:11] if that's part of your I don't know area being able to cover and get something

[16:17] fixed or not, but it's a hazard out there. It needs to

[16:23] be fixed. It's been that way all summer, been that way since spring. Ever since

[16:27] somebody went there and tore up all that road, can't we get it fixed and the

[16:31] potholes and the other things all around this town are are just unacceptable.

[16:36] What are you doing with the money? I don't know.

[16:40] I asked last meeting, do I have can can I can I see a balance sheet? You know,

[16:45] everybody says got money coming in, you got money going out, you got this. This

[16:49] is like half million dollar truck. Are you kidding me? Anyway, so we needed

[16:58] data center data center myths.

[17:03] You know, you really want expect all of us just to be like a bunch of just, you

[17:07] know, like we're just like you guys, you know, we eat, drink, breathe, take care

[17:14] of our kids, love to go to church, stuff like that. Don't believe this junk.

[17:20] You look around where they are today. You look at the problems they're having

[17:24] that is not being expelled or being expelled to the myth problem and says,

[17:30] "Oh, don't believe your lying eyes. We don't want a data center here. I'm only

[17:35] one little snowflake, but believe you me. There's going to be a blizzard's

[17:39] going to be coming in before long. We don't want this data center. Please give

[17:44] us some reconsideration here. The things that we're a myth about, no,

[17:50] they're right on the money. These are facts and they can be proven in in any

[17:55] place you go. You're our city council. You represent

[18:00] us. Take care of us.

[18:05] Respect over. Okay? Give us some more consideration.

[18:12] We love our little towns. We're real happy to see the all the the work being

[18:16] done downtown and on the streets over here. Restaurants

[18:22] looking good. Needs a long way to go, but it took a long way to get it this

[18:26] far. What happened? Somebody dropped the ball somewhere to

[18:30] get the city in this kind of condition. Now we're slowly but surely coming back

[18:34] out of it. >> Thank you for your three minutes.

[18:37] » Thank you, sir. >> Is there anyone else who would like to

[18:39] speak?

[18:44] » Marcus Castler 502. Look, I'm going to take a brief pause from talking about

[18:49] data centers to move on to something else. Uh, last time I was here, I talked

[18:54] I'm going to give you a little update. I talked about a sign out there on the

[18:58] bridges that go to Walmart. Uh, I have recently got a hold of KO, but I

[19:05] would love your guys's help and figuring out a way to not have to go to the red

[19:09] tape as well. I looked it up. The sign I'm wanting is about 114 bucks.

[19:17] That's not including poles and installation and stuff like that. Even

[19:20] just has two of them and let people know, hey, people are people walk and

[19:24] bike on this path. It may save lives. I would rather save lives and be cheap and

[19:28] not do it. Uh I would love your help on that. That's the first thing I want to

[19:32] talk about. Another thing I want to talk about is

[19:36] flaw cameras. Um, I don't know if a lot of people know how

[19:41] many there are. There are six according to deflock USA.com.

[19:47] Um, I'm just asking for some transparency on that. There's a lot of

[19:52] things going on in the world with Dlock, uh, tagging vehicles that don't need

[19:58] pulled over. Um, some of us use for different items. I think we deserve

[20:04] where that data is going. if it is going anywhere. There has been over a hundred

[20:09] cases of police officers abusing that and stalking ex-girlfriends and stuff

[20:14] like that. I like to know is there a safeguard in place of who gets to check

[20:19] that and stuff like that. Just just little things. I'm not accusing police

[20:23] department anything. Don't get me wrong, I trust these guys and I'm all for plate

[20:27] readers that help catch car thieves and stuff like that, but I but in the future

[20:34] is the money that they got in the tax sale going to go towards installing

[20:38] actual cameras, face recognition, what things like that I just think needs to

[20:43] be answered. I'm not upset. I just think we need some more transparency. Thank

[20:46] you. >> Thank you.

[20:50] » Is there anyone else would like to speak?

[20:58] Good evening. Marilyn Cohen, 3705 Westport Street.

[21:04] I'm here again to plead being that you're the face of the community and we

[21:11] trust you. with regards this with this data center

[21:17] these fact sheets that I I'm holding right now have you ever really

[21:22] considered uh have evaluating them have you been to

[21:28] a real uh data center to prove that those uh videos that we seen in the

[21:38] internet you know we hear the noise we hear what

[21:43] they're complaining about the waters and I believe because they were even uh

[21:48] complaining it with their commissioners. I just want to ask

[21:54] our leaders here, have you even

[21:59] done a cost benefit analysis?

[22:04] Have you ever done a costbenefit analysis?

[22:08] Yes or no? Cuz you know what? We need to evaluate the total economic,

[22:17] social and intangible impact

[22:21] intangible impacts of a decision because we don't only considered

[22:27] economic. We should also considered social

[22:33] and whatever intangible impacts of the decision you're making

[22:39] because we as residents we're also concerned about the risk

[22:46] especially the uh utilities you know the power if

[22:51] there are power short out what's the shortages water

[22:57] who will be served first the data the center or the residents

[23:03] [groaning] and regarding to the uh bill you know

[23:07] for the electric rates they're paying less compared to us. We are paying taxes

[23:13] here but they don't. So we want to know the transparency what

[23:19] is going on so that we know the alternative forces of action that we can

[23:23] make whether to stay or leave. That's all. Thank you.

[23:33] » Is there anyone else who would like to speak?

[23:37] » All right, there being none, we'll move on to the regular agenda items. And

[23:43] there being no public hearings, no old business, we'll move on to new business.

[23:48] First is a discussion and action to accept the Kansas airport improvement

[23:54] program grant award for hangar approach pavement reconstruction and authorize

[24:00] the mayor to execute the agreement. Superintendent parks jar powers

[24:06] competent. Good evening, Mayor Commissioners. I came before you earlier

[24:09] this year in January to ask your permission to apply for a hangar

[24:13] approach grant from KOT. And here today, we were awarded that grant. Tonight,

[24:17] we're asking for you to uh sign all the documents so we can receive that grant

[24:22] to repair these hanger approaches up here.

[24:26] » And when you say approach, you mean >> two separate

[24:29] » the areas the the area directly in front

[24:33] Yes. of the hangers. >> Yes. We have some that are, you know, in

[24:37] the 40s and it's like gravel now and it's tough on jet engines and props and

[24:42] tires. >> So, just for the record, this is not

[24:44] runway or taxi way. This is just the apron in front in front of the hammer.

[24:50] » Yes, sir. It will connected out to the taxi.

[24:52] » Thank you. Questions.

[24:57] » How long will it take? How long How long are you expecting it to take? uh we can

[25:02] get the uh bids specs out as soon as possible and then hopefully get a

[25:08] qualified bidder and get started. >> Awesome.

[25:11] » Any other questions? >> All right, then I move to accept the

[25:16] Kansas airport Improvement Program Grant Award for hangar approach pavement

[25:21] reconstruction and authorize the mayor me to execute

[25:28] the agreement. I'll second.

[25:32] Motion is made by Mayor, second by Vice Mayor to accept the Kansas airport

[25:37] improvement program grant award for hanger approach pavement reconstruction

[25:40] and authorize the mayor to execute the agreement. Vice Mayor Maples I.

[25:44] » Commissioner Golden. >> I,

[25:46] » Mayor Hner, >> I,

[25:47] » Commissioner Hendris. >> I,

[25:49] » thank you. >> Thank you.

[25:50] » Thank you. Next, discussion and action to approve change order number one for

[25:55] the Brown Street Sanitary Sewer Renovation Project. Director of public

[25:59] works Jim Wright will make comments.

[26:06] » Good evening. Um actually this item and the following

[26:11] item uh both of them are on the Brown Street

[26:15] sewer. The first one is to approve a change order on the project that has

[26:22] been completed. Uh it includes additions and deductions based on the actual field

[26:27] condition included quantities. Uh the additions include additional pipe

[26:32] bursting repair the 15in sewer segment removal of two protruding service taps

[26:39] and open trench service reconnections. Uh these costs were offset by the

[26:44] reduction of the uh CIP which is cured in placement piping uh lining trenchless

[26:50] service connection repairs, point repairs, paper repairs, and other

[26:55] contract quantities. The net result is a $16,876

[26:59] reduction to the contract. Uh the revised contract amount is $583,87.

[27:09] No additional city funding is required. >> Awesome.

[27:13] » Awesome. We like reductions. >> Questions.

[27:18] And I move to approve change order number one for the Brown Street Sanitary

[27:23] Sewer Renovation Project. >> Second.

[27:27] » Motion by second by Commissioner to approve change order number one for

[27:32] Brown Street sewer renovation project. Commissioner Bolton.

[27:36] » Hi. >> Mayor Bner.

[27:37] » Hi. Commissioner Dry. >> Hi.

[27:39] » Vice Mayor Me. Hi. >> Next. Don't go away. Discussion and

[27:44] action to approve a budget amendment for the CDBG grant number 25-PF-006

[27:53] and authorize the mayor to execute the required amendment documents. Public

[27:58] works. Jim Wright will make comments. >> Same thing, just changing. We had to

[28:04] approve the change order before we changed the budget. So the budget, their

[28:09] original project budget was 935,000. [cough] The construction budget was

[28:15] 811,000. Um and the then it was reduction based

[28:21] on the engineering design cost and inspection

[28:24] and the reductions two uh

[28:32] it was $583,000 for construction. It was uh $21,000 for the administration.

[28:40] engineering design was 186

[28:45] and they removed the $44,000 other professional services.

[28:50] » Okay. Any additional questions, commissioners?

[28:54] And then now I move to approve budget amendment for CWBG grant number 25-PF-06

[29:02] and authorize mayor to execute required amendment documents.

[29:07] Second >> motion made by Mayor by Vice Mayor

[29:11] Maples to approve a budget amendment for CD25-P006

[29:17] authorize the mayor to execute the required amendment documents. Mayor.

[29:21] » Hi, >> Commissioner.

[29:22] » Hi, >> Vice Mayor. I

[29:24] » Commissioner, >> hi.

[29:26] » Next resolution R-26-102,

[29:30] a resolution approving the selection of Cook Flat and Strobble Engineers, PA for

[29:37] the US 166 road safety audit and traffic engineering study and authorizing

[29:43] execution of the professional services agreement. Director public works bright

[29:48] will make comments. So we'd like for you to approve this

[29:52] that the selection of cook flat strobble that was chosen by QBS which stands for

[29:58] quality based selection. They're using federal sometimes state funds. You have

[30:03] to go through that process to choose the engineer based on their qualities.

[30:07] [clears throat and cough] And this is to do a grade safety audit which is

[30:11] basically just traffic study for I believe it's

[30:18] and that's what they're going to do just look at safety improvements on that

[30:24] route. This goes to um when you apply for funding, if you

[30:31] have something like this, you're awarded survey points. So these are just kind of

[30:35] free points based on your system. So if you don't have one of these, chances of

[30:40] you getting selected for the planning improvements are reduced.

[30:50] So again, this is one of those situations where a study is necessary

[30:55] before additional grant applications can be

[30:59] made. >> That is correct. Uh we received $160,000

[31:02] for the safe streets for all fund. Also, we applied to the uh state the built

[31:10] Kansas fund reducing the city's requirement to only $10,000. took that

[31:15] $30,000 to the state. $10,000 is worth the city contribution 160

[31:21] streets. >> Jim Jim, what are some of the things

[31:25] you're hoping that we find that we were able to isolate and fix?

[31:30] » There'll be nothing that we don't really know about. So, it's going to be uh

[31:34] crosswalks, ADA access, um maybe some improvements on some intersections,

[31:43] turning radiuses, such as that. >> Okay. Thank you.

[31:48] » Any other questions? Then, uh you have question.

[31:53] » Okay. Then move to approve resolution R-26-102

[31:58] as presented. >> Second.

[32:07] Commissioner >> I

[32:14] » next is resolution R-26-103 a resolution to approve a contract with

[32:20] BG Consultants for the construction engineering and inspection of the 2026 K

[32:26] DOT cost share project on 8th Street. Director of public works Jim Wright

[32:32] would make comments. Um, as you all are aware, we have the

[32:37] cost share project on 8th Street. Right now, we're

[32:41] moving the water line. Um, this is going to be the construction engineering. BG

[32:49] is the one that designed it. We went out for bids on this engineering portion of

[32:56] it and they were really good. So we recommend that we construction

[33:01] project >> questions.

[33:07] » How's the water moving water line? >> Everybody wants to know.

[33:13] » Still messy. [laughter] Uh they still have till December I think

[33:19] 14th is when their time is up. They are still ahead of schedule. Um I believe

[33:24] they've started uh they closed Buckeye at 8 Street going north to make a tie in

[33:30] there to a 16inch water line that was underneath the road Buckeye. I believe

[33:35] Saturday they wanted to make the tie in at 8 G I believe it is and to shut down

[33:41] the water to trade field and probably about 10 homes for [clears throat]

[33:47] several hours to make that plane in there. So that's going to be done on a

[33:50] Saturday. So we're we're moving forward. It's just

[33:56] taking time. >> All right. And the comments I keep

[33:59] getting keep hearing and almost beat up over is I sure hope they clean up their

[34:06] mess after they're done. >> That is part of the pro part of the

[34:09] process they're going to be cleaning up after themselves.

[34:11] » Well, I'm noticing you're starting to get new fire hydrants and the piles of

[34:15] dirt aren't quite as big as they were. And I think it's getting done. It's just

[34:19] not a quick process. >> That is correct.

[34:22] » It's going to take time. If you want it done right, you got to give the time to

[34:25] do it. Jim, have you isolated which residents will be without service?

[34:30] » Yes. >> Have you notified them?

[34:32] » They will be notified tomorrow. >> Thank you.

[34:38] » Questions? >> Then I move to approve resolution

[34:42] R-26-103

[34:46] as presented. >> Second

[34:49] question.

[34:55] Vice Mayor. >> Hi,

[34:57] » Commissioner. >> Hi,

[34:58] » Mayor. >> Hi,

[34:59] » Commissioner. >> Hi.

[35:02] » Next. Resolution R-26-104,

[35:07] a resolution to approve a construction contract with Road Safe Traffic Systems,

[35:13] Inc. for the 2026 Highway Marking Project. Director of Public Works, Jim

[35:21] Rack, make comments. Um the portion of the bid that we want to approve is from

[35:27] Willow to Walnut. That'll include the entire all four legs of both

[35:32] intersections and between there. Um the whole bid was uh about an additional

[35:39] $24,000 more, but we're hoping to do some additional work between Buckeye and

[35:48] hopefully between the original

[35:54] I guess the original board. We have alternates for the rest of that.

[36:02] questions.

[36:05] Move to approve resolution R-26-104 as presented.

[36:10] » Second motion by second by commission

[36:15] resolution R-26-104 as presented. Commissioner

[36:20] » I vice

[36:25] » thank you. Uh, next is the city manager report.

[36:31] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Few items this evening. One of those was

[36:36] storm sirens. So, I will quickly uh talk about storm sirens.

[36:44] There's there's lots of concern out there that people are worried. So, I

[36:49] want to just set the record straight. I think all of you but one follow

[36:56] up to our commission to ask about the update that we gave it last

[37:05] commission.

[37:10] So I could have been clear for the public.

[37:17] The sirens are on automatic system, which is a

[37:24] a subscription, if you will, that we have through the National Weather

[37:27] Service. And so those sirens going off at noon

[37:31] every day and the time to go off are not set by the police department. They're

[37:36] within a computer software system that the National Weather Service update.

[37:43] The sirens are not broken. That computer system is out of date.

[37:50] City has not done a good job of long list of things that maintenance

[37:56] comes up deferred deferred. works and so the software is outdated

[38:03] and upgrades. Um the the lowest quote that we have is six to

[38:10] eight weeks before they can come in and make that upgrade. Since that last

[38:16] meeting had two companies reach out heard through our through our commission

[38:22] submitted new quotes. I don't have any updates on the timing yet on those, but

[38:27] that's the automated portion. There is a button, a switch within our dispatch

[38:35] that we have never pushed before, but that is automatically turning on those

[38:39] sirens versus going through the automated system. And so, we've been

[38:44] looking into that this this last week or two. What does it do when we push that?

[38:49] What does it mean for people? Uh, and We don't exactly know since we've never

[38:55] pushed that. So today, a press release went out to notify the public that on

[39:00] the 10th at noon, we will be flipping that switch, sort of see what happens,

[39:06] test the system out. Our understanding is the sirens will go off for three

[39:11] minutes straight. Usually they go off for a few seconds. And so that will be a

[39:17] little bit different. And we want to make sure to give people plenty of

[39:19] notice that those sirens will be going off for around three minutes. That's

[39:23] what we believe. Again, we've had that system for a number of years. The one

[39:27] that we have right now is ever push that button. See what happens. But the sirens

[39:32] are not broken. The automatic switch is not broken. What is outdated is the

[39:37] software system that allows National Weather Service to automatically flip

[39:42] those. So there's your update systems. Um, we did put out a message to the

[39:50] public on water wise. We do have a con conservation watch that has three steps.

[39:57] We have not met any of the items to go into our first water watch phase. Uh,

[40:03] which is generally just asking the public kindly to to pull back on water.

[40:07] So, we're not there yet. Um the the water that we have that we get into

[40:15] our backups is out of Elk City Reservoir. We have approximately 500

[40:19] million gallons that you can pull out of Elk City. Um if that was the only water

[40:25] we would be able to pull from just Elk City, you're talking have 100 days 500

[40:30] million gallons of good. Uh currently the reservoirs up north uh

[40:37] are spilling out enough that we have not had to access any water out city. Of

[40:43] course we're in contact with state water officials regularly.

[40:49] Last week we were told maybe in two to three weeks. I know there's been some

[40:53] more storm systems um up north. The last time we were told two to three weeks

[40:58] before we start pulling from our secondary source, there was a rain

[41:02] system. So, uh, I don't know that might come. It might not. Uh, in the last 15

[41:08] years, I think there's only been, I think it was six or seven years, the

[41:13] commissioner sent that to you email where we didn't pull out of Elk City.

[41:18] That's generally this time of year, a normal thing, not there yet. Along with

[41:24] that, the drought conditions are causing problems to our waterline

[41:29] infrastructure. We talked about those uh lines since August 31st. So was that

[41:35] roughly nine days? We have had 14 water peaks.

[41:43] Total of about 209 manh hours. Funny enough, as we're going through budget

[41:48] season, I've talking to our uh department heads about how we manage

[41:52] overtime better. And then you go and get a nine-day period like this where 122

[41:59] and a half of those hours were overtime. It's about double time

[42:04] hours per contract pay. So out of our control, mother nature can make change.

[42:10] So when I talk about the drought, the ground up around here in Cville, this

[42:15] clay that dries up and you start getting shifting

[42:20] rocks that are underground rubbing up against those water lines and that

[42:24] shifting you can spray. So drought does not just impact how much

[42:29] water comes into town, but also the condition of our infrastructure.

[42:36] Neighborhood revitalization. You have each of you have a letter. I

[42:40] think I've talked to all of you about this.

[42:43] Today at the county commission meeting, the county commission decided not to

[42:47] approve our request for neighborhood revitalization.

[42:52] Just a summary of that neighborhood revitalization. We we requested the city

[42:58] change that to our boundaries be the entire city. in the past has just been

[43:02] small areas and that was because of the state

[43:06] state law that that existed. That law went away this year. The city of

[43:11] independence last year they got theirs approved commission to

[43:16] make their entire city applicable through neighborhood

[43:21] revitalization. So with ours not being approved, that means that it is

[43:27] technically cheaper to build build or remodel. That means it's uh I have a

[43:32] letter before you written by it's for each of you. you'd

[43:37] like to sign, review that sign that recommended changes, but

[43:44] essentially it suggests that commissioners should

[43:49] look at our communities equally when it comes to those abatement programs and

[43:54] not one city tenants greater tax incentives that

[44:00] talking to the chamber, talking to action council

[44:04] and hopeful they will send some letters and the cabinet will

[44:09] look at that differently. Reapproach they they want some changes and I told

[44:14] them today that I thought those would be those were appropriate. Speaking on

[44:17] behalf of commission, I told them that we would be happy to have discussions

[44:21] with whether it's our county appraiser or English county commissioners and we

[44:25] talked about having joint meetings to collectively come through and

[44:31] pass these uh neighborhood revitalization plans to the benefit of

[44:35] the whole community. Uh but that will probably be you already past

[44:39] Independence. So Independence now has that through 2035

[44:44] those maintenance from the county. So to be determined where we go with that. I

[44:49] do have that letter up there. I'll have my official copy down here. Uh

[44:53] commissioners like to sign that. We will send that to

[44:57] commission for that. [clears throat] Did they provide you with any uh

[45:03] reasoning or logic as to why the program was approved for independence and not

[45:09] for >> um you know they're concerned about

[45:12] taxes. They're trying to get into [clears throat] their own budgets and

[45:15] figure out what to do and how to do it. And so they're worried by approving this

[45:19] now that that will deplete more out of their taxes than that than they can.

[45:27] » But they have the taxes they have the money to do it for independence.

[45:30] » That's they already approved. They can't take back. So they didn't consider this

[45:34] last year. And that's one of the things I asked is, you know, we are absolutely

[45:38] open and understand the pressures to balance those budgets

[45:42] and understand what to do with that tax money. You obviously understand that

[45:45] also it's an elected body but that you believe they should make those decisions

[45:51] equally throughout communities versus

[45:58] um

[46:02] the uh our budget hearing and revenue neutral hearing will be our next

[46:07] commission meeting that notice what happens to the press for our public

[46:11] hearing speak to each of So, making sure you saw that.

[46:17] Uh, the prior Oklahoma mayor and I are still going back and forth trying to

[46:21] find dates for all of you to come down and visit their community and join the

[46:25] site of the Google data center. We still have a plan date that works for both of

[46:30] our schedules. He's had several out of town meetings month of September. So,

[46:34] maybe we'll push in October. I'll keep you updates as we find time.

[46:44] Um, last thing, our spay and neuter pro program. We through the park sales tax,

[46:49] we put $10,000 towards our spay and neuter program. Uh, to date, we have 90

[46:54] animals that are scheduled or have been skater. We've only used around seven or

[47:00] eight thousand dollars of that. And so to continue to promote that something

[47:05] great today, sometimes these horrible things happen.

[47:09] We have take seven animals. we're taking away from owners, bring them to the

[47:14] shelter that is already maxed out. They don't get into

[47:17] state issues or how to manage a shelter problematic. So, it's a very difficult

[47:23] thing to manage, but on the back end, you're trying to get that state going

[47:28] hopefully help curb that population, especially it's a little more difficult

[47:32] to do cats that program so far.

[47:39] And I think with that's that's all for you.

[47:42] » All right. Concerning the uh Oak City Reservoir,

[47:47] not withstanding the published water level, has there been any movement by

[47:53] the Army Corps of Engineers concerning the removal of silt from the bottom?

[47:58] Because as even though they're reporting the water level here, as the silt builds

[48:03] up, that the total volume of water available decreases. So they said

[48:08] anything about that possibility? >> Yeah. Um there's there's been a lot of

[48:12] conversations about this over the last two years I've been here. I've gone to

[48:15] several of the governor's water conferences. Um in addition to that, the

[48:19] legislature has funded an engineering firm. In fact, it's the firm helped us

[48:25] with conversations with our levy. Bergus River drainage district and the I

[48:31] think it's called repentance maybe repentance district up in northern

[48:35] Kansas are being studied and engineers

[48:40] doing a report to support what work the governor is already doing with the core

[48:44] all those reservoirs are being analyzed for what are the best options very

[48:49] expensive for them to go in that silt but those are actively being

[48:53] investigated priorities I'm also on the verish river drainage district uh water

[48:57] board there part of that board. That's pretty much

[49:01] the number one issue that is constantly discussed is

[49:06] so lots of eyes lots of challenges to but lots of eyes on.

[49:11] » Thank you.

[49:21] » Question.

[49:24] » Yeah, Mr. Christ. We talked about railroad crossings previously

[49:30] and there's a Kansas statute KSA 66- 227 that talks about the railroads and

[49:39] their responsibilities for maintaining crossing and it says the railroads must

[49:45] maintain public safe public crossings including paving between rails and two

[49:49] feet on each side plus necessary grading covers and rightway drainage. And then

[49:54] um another one KSA66-273 also says trains are generally

[50:02] prohibited from blocking a public road or street near town or inside city

[50:06] limits for more than 10 minutes without leaving a 30 foot wide opening for

[50:10] traffic. Is there any teeth on that from the

[50:15] state and can the Kansas attorney general get involved at some point? I

[50:19] know they probably don't want to, but uh for our really really bad crossings,

[50:25] town at what point do they the state needs to get involved if it's a state

[50:30] statute saying they must maintain safe public crossings inside?

[50:36] I think we've had similar ordinances to pass. Some of that stuff is preempted by

[50:40] federal law enforce

[50:43] attorney general's office to see if they would have any interest in assisting us.

[50:47] I know that in the past engineers perhaps conductors have been

[50:52] cited for blocking the process for too long. I don't know that that's happened

[51:01] that might be possible. >> Who does the site? Is it local police or

[51:06] the sheriff or state highway patrol?

[51:12] stay on the future.

[51:24] Attorney General's office.

[51:30] Okay. I've not had the opportunity to check it

[51:35] out myself, but there were some pictures that were circulating

[51:40] crossing said the railroad spikes extending up and causing damage to tires

[51:47] to vehicles. That's a serious issue.

[51:52] And I I would also just continue to remind people those phone numbers on the

[51:57] crossings. call them. I know that they're hearing them and they're

[52:00] bothered by them because start reaching out to me because the number of calls.

[52:05] So, anybody that calls you see call that number, call that number plug

[52:12] that is it would be move them to fix those serious issues

[52:20] otherwise it could result in some kind of legal action that way. I you know we

[52:26] have a date. I think Jim's probably smiling at me

[52:30] right now for even saying this. The other gym um we've said

[52:37] » yeah we'd rather you keep it quiet and be excited when it happens but we've

[52:42] given you dates in the past where the railroad has said they're coming in to

[52:44] fix and then they didn't show up. And so I hesitate, you know, blasting that, but

[52:49] uh we do have it on the calendar that they will be fixing willow.

[52:55] So I'm hopeful that actually happens here very quickly. Told them when

[53:00] support by shutting down road, but it it just one of the picture.

[53:05] » It bothers me when I go to when we travel to other towns or go other

[53:09] places. They have the the concrete in between

[53:12] the rails and before and after and it's level with the road. You drive over it

[53:16] at 30 m hour and it's almost like it's not even there and didn't feel it. And

[53:20] so you know it can be done right. If any officials show up,

[53:27] have them go across for the four street, go down four street, cross that crossing

[53:33] in their own vehicle, 30 miles an hour, then you then you can take it down to

[53:39] the repair shop, get the car fixed. Thank you.

[53:45] » Questions more? Anything else? All right, then.

[53:48] » Okay. >> Financials, please.

[53:50] » Spend for this this period. Okay. Atmas Energy 28,296

[54:03] tempo blasting and coding that's for the eight strength

[54:07] line 356,98503

[54:12] American Fidelity Assurance that's for insurance 17,63639

[54:22] Bennett Corporation Incorporated for the Brown Street Sewer Construction

[54:27] 116,8982

[54:31] BML Electric that's for site work and concrete work for substation

[54:39] $751,51240.

[54:44] Superior emergency response vehicles for her new radars and emergency equipment

[54:50] 115,97290

[54:53] and a payroll of 4947966349

[54:58] for a total of1,983,7802.

[55:06] Commissioner Ben. And just for the public, as a reminder,

[55:11] this is not authorization approved. It's simply a recap some of the more

[55:16] significant items that have already been approved in the previous budget.

[55:22] So, uh, there no further comments, we'll move on. We do have some executive

[55:29] sessions this evening, and there will be three. Uh first move to recess to

[55:34] executive session for three purposes. First to discuss matters relating to

[55:39] security measures that protect protect system facility and equipment

[55:44] communication services as permitted by KSA75-4319B12A

[55:51] the open meetings act to include the city attorney, city manager, chief of

[55:55] police for a period of I think we should probably take 30 minutes.

[56:00] » 30 minutes. tonight. And then second uh for preliminary discussion of the

[56:07] acquisition of real property is permitted by KSA754319B6

[56:13] of the open meeting act to include the city attorney, city manager, director of

[56:18] finance and director of community development for a period of

[56:21] » 10 minutes. >> 10 minutes.

[56:25] And third, for consultation with the city attorney regarding matters that

[56:30] include privilege to the attorney client relationship as permitted by KSA75-43192

[56:38] from the open meetings act to include the city attorney, city of manager and

[56:42] director of finance for a period of >> five minutes

[56:46] » five minutes. So 30, 40, 45 minutes. And so we will include a five minute recess

[56:55] and then we should have a few minutes to shuffle people back and forth.

[57:02] So another 45 let's just let's just make it uh 50 minutes total to reconvene at

[57:10] 8:15. Second

[57:15] » motion by second by vice mayor to recess to exec

[57:20] first discuss matters relating to security measures that protect system

[57:24] facility and equipment communication services as permitted by KSA75-4319

[57:30] B12A of the open meetings act to include the city attorney city manager and chief

[57:34] of police for a period of 30 minutes second for preliminary discussion of the

[57:38] acquisition of property as submitted by KSA75-4

[57:42] 4319 B6 of the open meetings act to include the city attorney, city manager,

[57:46] director of finance and director of community development for a period of 10

[57:49] minutes. Third for consultation with the city attorney regarding matters that

[57:53] privilege and attorney relationship as permitted by PS75-4319

[57:58] each to the city attorney city manager

[58:02] director finance for five minutes to reconvene at the commissioner at 8:15

[58:06] p.m. Mayor Hi commissioner vice commissioner. All right. And uh can we

[58:13] sign that letter to county before we go to executive session or bring it in with

[58:18] just bring it in? Thank you.

[59:10] » [groaning]

[59:29] [groaning]

[1:46:54] [groaning]

[1:47:06] » What the

[1:47:26] » [groaning]

[1:47:34] » Thank you.

[2:06:30] Motion is made by Mayor Walker, second by Vice Mayor Maples to adjurnn. Can I

[2:06:33] see a show of hands? Thank you.

Commission Meeting 9/8/2026

Transcript