[0:04] tonight. Stand and join us in the pledge.

[0:09] » I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[0:14] republic for which it stands. One nation [clears throat] under God, indivisible,

[0:20] with liberty and justice for all.

[0:34] All right, Madame Mayor, I make a motion to approve the agenda. I'll sign.

[0:39] » It's been moved by Council Member Renard, second by Council Member Allen

[0:42] to approve tonight's agenda as presented. Any discussion? All right.

[0:47] Hearing none, all those in favor say I. I.

[0:49] » All those opposed, none. Motion pass. Okay. Consent agenda.

[0:56] Didn't

[0:59] see anything. >> Madame Mayor, I move to approve the

[1:03] consent agenda. >> I'll second.

[1:06] » So moved by Council Member Renard, second by Council Member Allen to

[1:08] approve tonight's consent agenda. Any discussion?

[1:12] Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I.

[1:14] » All those opposed, same sign. Motion pass. All right. So, next is public

[1:19] comment. We're making a little change to that. So, when you come up, you will be

[1:22] given five minutes. Please state your full name and your address. Uh, council

[1:27] members have been instructed to not respond to anyone speaking during public

[1:31] comment and this will be the only time during the meeting that the public are

[1:35] asked or given the opportunity to speak. So, Michael, we've got you first.

[1:41] » Thank you. >> All right. Yeah.

[1:46] final 101 street

[1:52] or 16

[1:57] but um lately has been the first time I ever been I believe the street is

[2:05] even um I've always that city was responsible um

[2:12] for in the streets um friend of mine told me, "Hey, you know,

[2:18] when some of the ordinances said, "How

[2:23] responsible for deleting the street area?"

[2:30] And I thought, well, that seems kind of a gun. Um, city takes care of everything

[2:35] else. The snow um they have streets um maintenance paws, whatever on the

[2:43] streets, but um I haven't looked at the u

[2:49] the ratio of age groups in El, but I I would assume that there are at least 60%

[2:58] elderly people. I mean what I call elderly 55 and above maybe 60. I would

[3:04] assume that. Okay. Um, but do we really want people who are on disability or

[3:12] retired due to health issues with limited hearing,

[3:17] limited sights, um, limited mobility, going out into the city streets to risk

[3:24] their safety in the streets, managing to reach in the

[3:29] streets. Um I I mean it just seems to me like it would be beneficial for citizens

[3:37] of the community if the city could could uh change the ordinance there and uh in

[3:44] consideration for owners generations and um and and handle the situation. We do

[3:51] have city crew from the facility that I do take care of some places around parks

[3:58] and stuff. They mo weedy stuff like that. Why can't we use that same city

[4:03] crew to handle this the weeds in the streets? I mean it's I mean to me it's

[4:10] the cheap labor from the facility. I thought

[4:14] um but to to

[4:20] require residents to be on the streets and I've seen some people driving down

[4:25] streets. They don't pay attention. um somebody's going to get hurt and and

[4:30] and and trying to be done around and that's that's not going to be a very

[4:37] good publicity at all for the city or something like that came up and I just

[4:41] wanted to bring it up and leave it for discussion and um you can do what you

[4:47] want to do with it but um that's just mainly what I want to bring up and uh

[4:54] you know concern for our needs presidents who really can't get that

[4:59] done like that. So on their own maybe they can't afford to pay somebody

[5:07] limited incomes and just get by

[5:13] that's all I have to discuss.

[5:18] » Thank you Michaels.

[5:25] Yeah, I guess this gives us the opportunity if we want to put that on

[5:28] next month's meeting's agenda. [clears throat]

[5:31] » Comes in the me side. >> Uh let's move on to unfinished business

[5:38] discussion of creating a special sales tax to finance city facility

[5:42] improvements. Madame Mayor, council members, of

[5:45] course, you brought this up a month or so ago and um and had a charge of

[5:51] different neighboring communities and everything else. And you know, just

[5:54] rehash locally, you know, we have the 6 and 12% state sales tax. The city has a

[5:59] 1% general fund sales tax. The county has a

[6:04] 1% fund general sales tax. However, as I've told you before, the county's

[6:10] general's fund sale general sales tax is split between the entities in the five

[6:16] cities in the county based on the population. There's a ratio statewide

[6:21] ratio half for population and half for the amount of taxes levied. Um, we

[6:27] receive I believe it's 30 some% of the county sales tax. Um, and everybody says

[6:32] why would the city get county sales tax? Well, last I looked, pizza is in the

[6:37] city and in the county both or pick any business. Um, and you know, and the old

[6:43] rational statewise was is that, you know, even though county tax dollars are

[6:48] used this year for different things, it is the cities that provide streets and

[6:54] maintenance and all the other things that you have. So, that's that's the

[6:58] same way. It hasn't changed. Um and then and then you know a few years ago the

[7:03] city has a 1/4% sales tax that was renewed two years ago or came in last

[7:08] year u for debt service and of course you have the one county of the county

[7:13] still floating out there that was approved last year. Now, since that's

[7:17] not a general sales tax, it'd have to be approved by the state legislature. And

[7:21] you I told you that story how um certain person wanted to give the three and not

[7:28] the three in western Kansas and then the state the house said no, we're not going

[7:32] to finally and usually that's been a slam dunk. I don't think anybody knew of

[7:36] one that ever got turned down until this year and there was three of them. So,

[7:40] all six got turned down. So, I don't know what the status is. I have had

[7:43] different discussions with different people. So we'll see what happens there.

[7:46] So be another quarter%. You know what initially I put out there with T is is

[7:51] staff too is is we talk about some of the projects we have to do and you

[7:56] either pay them with property taxes or you pay them with sales taxes. And of

[7:59] course you know we are going to our stability the revenue rate this year

[8:03] again. Um I think we need to for a lot of reasons. you know, um sure rates went

[8:07] up. We have to tiff the gap and everything else, but you know, we know

[8:10] we have a $350, $400,000 um bill staring us at the baseball parks

[8:16] with the power holes out there. Ron has talked about those with you and of

[8:20] course, you know, back at this building and um our city clerk's been trying to

[8:25] get grants to replace the windows. I mean, they're 60 years old. You know,

[8:29] there's always talk about since this this town is short of gymnasiums, he's

[8:34] putting AC out there and which means we're preparing everything else and you

[8:39] probably could do better. We talked about some police department, but but I

[8:42] would think we struggled on facilities. So to put a sales tax in place and Cra

[8:48] and I have talked u we would do a resolution at the next meeting. Uh the

[8:52] council says yes, we want to put it on the ballot and then it would go from

[8:57] before September 1, it would go to the county clerk and it would appear on the

[9:01] November I believe November 3rd ballot. I think that's the dated. Uh so that's

[9:07] the process. Um, I think it's a good process, you know, and I think the

[9:13] cities are going to have to start looking, especially with all the talk

[9:16] and all you have to do is watch every political ad on TV right now. It's about

[9:20] property taxes and one they're going to change revenue sources. One would be

[9:25] sales tax and two would be um use fees and that's another story for them taxes

[9:32] and and we've looked at those. you know, a year ago the s the city um council um

[9:38] changed the way we charge at the pool and everybody [clears throat] thought,

[9:41] "Oh my god, it's going to be the end of the world." It hasn't been. And you

[9:46] know, another thing we throw in there was this platform. I mean, I think we

[9:48] could be kind of focused on those kind of things there. Is quarter% enough?

[9:53] Probably. You know, right now quarter% takes in about 15 110 to 120,000 a year.

[10:01] Um, I don't know if want to push up to a half. That might be a little high. I

[10:06] think you try it and get a taste to the public. I mean, that's that's kind of my

[10:09] recommendation. So, um, if you'll move forward, let me know. We'll we'll have

[10:15] our city attorney do a resolution for the next meeting, but you know, or you

[10:19] want you think we ought to do do a sales tax or for whole different ideas have

[10:24] that discussion. >> So, so Mr. ridicul

[10:28] if we do a sales tax that will not affect property taxes. Correct. Because

[10:33] it's sales tax everything you buy. The good part about it is is that you know

[10:40] again I draw about the old C district that just came off last January one. So

[10:47] and I know I believe Coastal Market was a C district if I remember right. sales

[10:52] tax there went down 1% or was pay 1% tax it went down now we go back up a quarter

[11:02] » um you know and there's arguments of course you know when you go to another

[11:06] town and buy something um you're probably paying a sales tax and you're

[11:11] financing something in that community um though it's not been done here and I

[11:17] don't advocate by any stretch of imagination but there is communities in

[11:20] western Kansas that are now using working with the school district because

[11:25] school district can't let any sales tax is the city is lev sales tax to get a

[11:29] school improvement done. Um I know Ray HBC administrator they did that last

[11:34] year they did a bond issue and says you know bond issue and then also sales tax

[11:40] on the side and you know and it was a combination again I think we look at

[11:45] property taxes and other income tax sources you know and everyone says let's

[11:49] cut taxes well why do you want to cut services we can take the ball likes down

[11:53] and play afternoon baseball the rest forever not sure if this committee wants

[11:57] to do that or you know any other items Well, I know as a citizen I think I'd

[12:04] rather pay a sales tax than to find out my property taxes when well the nice

[12:10] thing about sales tax is if you buy local you know you are and and sales tax

[12:14] have grown in communities because of the uh we're catching more internet sales.

[12:21] So when you buy something off of Amazon it's delivered here. Well, if you go to

[12:28] the Nebraska For Racetrack in Kansas City and you buy a couch and it's

[12:33] delivered to Ellsworth, Kansas, Kansas gets the local sales tax.

[12:39] Now, if you throw the back of your pickup, you may have one there because

[12:43] we don't have any major car dealerships here anymore like we did years ago. So,

[12:48] you have those those communities and the car sales tax is another issue itself.

[12:54] So bottom line, you're just going to ask us to approve to put it on the ballot so

[12:58] that the citizens >> Yeah. You can't you can't make a tax

[13:01] happen. The only power you as everybody has is citizens, we want you to look at

[13:06] it. Every sales tax, every local sales tax, you do not state sales tax. local

[13:12] sales tax has to be approved by voters >> because when people do this our sales

[13:16] tax too I says but if your friends you and your friends voted for well they you

[13:22] know in sales tax the biggest sales tax I saw passed in the August election was

[13:27] actually a one% in Engles camp because Engles is not very big but that's how

[13:32] they're going to be funding some water they're all doable but I think with just

[13:37] the needs we have you know the ballpark lights are staring at us And and I think

[13:41] we all know that it's not a matter of if they're going to fall down, it's when

[13:48] and with the liability we have out there, you know, then and having good

[13:52] strong programs. we do um that became the need at least a need and then we

[13:57] start other things in here and of course um you know issue in this building or

[14:03] could be energy cost also but then if you go to this building

[14:08] need to look at that Tim you know because it is a a cornerstone of the

[14:11] community and once in a while it's good to do things for your community I mean

[14:16] yeah you got to do streets and you got to do curb got those things

[14:21] but also quality programs are important to your community as well.

[14:26] » So, do we need to have this more like what it's going to go for or can we use

[14:32] so people might want to vote for we don't how we

[14:35] » No, we have to be pretty narrow. We would call community and park right now.

[14:40] I think the word um city buildings and park facilities

[14:46] and and people have next and Paul and I can sit and I can narrow it down a

[14:51] little bit. But um and that money can be used for that only.

[14:55] » Okay. >> Just like right now the you know we

[14:58] cannot use the sales tax right now to um

[15:03] buy a mower for the department. We can use it to pay debt on some things but

[15:09] that's it. So yeah. Yeah. Sales taxes general sales tax all goes to the

[15:15] general funds and general fund us is wide open there.

[15:20] » So worth a shot. >> Yeah.

[15:23] » Yeah. >> We'll have a resolution next meeting

[15:27] then. >> Great.

[15:29] » Thanks. >> Okay. Next new business discussion of

[15:34] the 2027 budget. >> Oh, it'll be a discussion. We talk about

[15:38] via RNR. I'm working on it. We'll have the hearing on the 14th of September.

[15:44] Um, you know, and I think we can fit everything in. Um, there's a lot of give

[15:49] and takes because you got to realize budget is not guaranteed spending.

[15:56] Budget is budget authority. revenue still has to come in. If sales tax

[16:02] doesn't come in, if if um if our water, you know, utility transfer from, you

[16:08] know, water to, you know, we have to franchise fees we have from all of our

[16:13] utilities plus for natural gas and everything else. If that lowers, you

[16:16] have less money, you can't spend it, but you create the authority. Of course, we

[16:20] know we have the discussion on the contracts right now. We're talking

[16:24] about, you know, how that happens. to put that in there and then how will we

[16:28] spend the money but we'll leave the authority how you spend it will become

[16:31] the process next year but you have to have the authority because you don't

[16:34] have authority you can't spend and I hate to amend budgets I mean that's an

[16:40] allville ism because you know have enough money in there spend now grant if

[16:44] we ever have something n a good natural disaster will break your budget big time

[16:50] [clears throat] and there's ways to get around that of course but um let's not

[16:53] play on that so let's say anything real big there. Um, you know, I think we got

[16:58] the fifth issue that that coming off is going to put basically another $110,000

[17:03] at the city conference, which right now my goal again as we transition to new

[17:09] administrator, my recommendation is is use that to help finance

[17:15] um the third street project. >> Yeah. So, I'm going to ask you how how

[17:20] is that? There's still things, you know, and we're not going to go to get funding

[17:24] yet because I don't want to borrow money I don't need yet. Yeah.

[17:27] » Because no sense paying interest when you don't need the money. But yeah,

[17:30] we'll get out of place. I think that's timing is great on that one there. You

[17:35] know, um that was one reason why I want to push to get rid of TIF because one

[17:38] time it was good. Secondly, current legislation allows TIFF to, you know,

[17:45] the city people have been paying these taxes, they can keep them. some of the

[17:49] stuff on the property tax last spring would have thrown that away. That'd be

[17:54] just like we've been paying this for years. We got the tiff done, but the

[17:57] city you can't use 110,000 you didn't get it. It goes away. Well, I understand

[18:02] the total property taxes, but really, you know, you still got still got to

[18:07] maintain your communities. So,

[18:11] there's a process [clears throat] there is some method behind some of this

[18:13] matters once in a while. Once in a while. So, we'll keep moving forward and

[18:18] keep you updated and we'll have it published at the end of August and then

[18:24] hearing on the 14th and again we look at RNR so we know it's going to be 70

[18:29] 77 mill whatever it is um of course you got up there with my RNRs I got a second

[18:37] statement my families did today after tax far and county their taxes are

[18:43] all going down but since some of the agencies have that are in our hearings,

[18:48] they have to send the state send out notice. So, you know, on that quarter

[18:53] ground where I have my all right in Brooks County, they probably the state

[18:56] of Kansas and the counties probably spend in excess of a couple hundred

[19:01] dollars set up our our notice to tell us our taxes are going down.

[19:05] I did send that to way master

[19:09] because they want us to spending money they need as well.

[19:13] » Yeah. So our budget hearing is the 14th at

[19:19] 5:30 or different time >> during the meeting. I I've also moved

[19:23] and again this you know I think it's a good process moved to hearings in in the

[19:27] meeting because the problem in the past you've had hearings ahead of the meeting

[19:31] there's no minutes and they were kept the same and I just like during the

[19:36] meeting now I have been criticized in the past let's say where we said the

[19:40] hearing starts at 5:30 and it was 5:36 when we got to the hearing and somebody

[19:45] complained we're going to win that battle so don't worry about it. Yeah.

[19:50] All right. Anything else for new business?

[19:54] All right. Let's move on to department heads

[19:57] that

[20:01] Murphy.

[20:09] You want me to move closer? >> Good evening.

[20:13] » So, got a couple issues. So, I want to

[20:17] address you guys with uh we had since I've been here, we got our first call of

[20:23] uh public urination never responded to. Then we found out

[20:28] that we don't have a city ordinance for public urination

[20:34] or defecation. So, I'm here to ask your feelings on

[20:40] having our city attorney ordinance. K is that they didn't have

[20:44] anything? >> No.

[20:47] » No, we looked uh I talked to our city attorney and he thought we had one of

[20:53] course he looked so

[20:57] before it becomes a problem. I'd like some input from from you all

[21:03] get a consensus from you guys do that. Just you know city did not have nor till

[21:10] 2017 again found the same >> everybody probably thought they did

[21:15] » this time courtesy don't do that >> I just still walk out the street naked

[21:20] can't they

[21:23] » right I mean >> give me a call when you do that

[21:31] » nobody wants to see that you're really

[21:36] The second topic I have this is uh yeah so I have fielded several complaints

[21:44] plus our office fielded several complaints on the ebikes.

[21:52] So, I didn't know I've seen them around town

[21:59] and state statute has they treat them as like a bicycle.

[22:05] So, there's really no legal way of taking care of this. As long as they got

[22:09] pedals, it is a considered bicycle. There's three different classifications

[22:15] of the ebikes. Class three, they run 40 mph.

[22:20] State statute says that at class three you have to be 16 years of age.

[22:30] Oh

[22:35] yeah 16 years of age class three

[22:40] ebike.

[22:43] One way you can distinguish this class three is by stopping

[22:48] determining class rates. So again, I'd like to get a consensus

[22:54] with the council that we can start drafting ordinance for

[23:00] the need by ext.

[23:05] I mean, I've already witnessed one child that crossed first in Kansas that almost

[23:11] didn't make it. Um just a quick question. I would assume

[23:17] that to ebikes also have to follow posted speed limits or or do they not?

[23:23] Do they fall under posted speed limits? >> They are considered a bicycles.

[23:27] » So So even if I have a regular bicycle, if I can get over 30, I'm okay. And

[23:32] they're considered bicycles, so they are not. Okay. I just

[23:35] » And these and these kids again, I mean, a lot of these kids, they're supposed to

[23:39] stay off the sidewalks, but like a regular kid on a bicycle, a lot of times

[23:44] they don't. I mean, [clears throat] they're on and off sidewalks and really

[23:47] nobody paid attention to them. But with these ebikes, ebikes, they're more on

[23:51] the on the sidewalks now than they ever have, especially down downtown.

[23:58] Um, so

[24:02] I mean some of the options we have on we can ban them in town which is really

[24:07] harsh. >> Yeah.

[24:09] » Or we just put some regulations out there.

[24:12] » Yeah, we can put regulations. >> Sorry,

[24:14] » we can't have regulations. >> I think you can enforce it.

[24:19] » Just like uh I mean Okay. So with a child under the age of 16 and it's a

[24:24] parent falls back on the parents. That's where you go with that's where you go

[24:27] with forcing regulations. >> But it's just the class three ones

[24:32] for all of them. >> Well,

[24:34] the class 3 is the ones I'm worried about. That's the 40 mph ones cuz that's

[24:37] the one 16 >> and then but you got these other

[24:43] do we regulate for these ebikes for the class 2.

[24:48] » Um I mean these these ebikes are getting to

[24:53] where you don't even have to hit the pedals. Yeah,

[24:55] » you just push off and you're going. >> If I may add, Chief, can you let me talk

[25:02] for Chief raising his hand? >> Yeah. Um, so the other side of that age

[25:07] issue is I've served some much older people, almost bikes,

[25:14] » and they're using them because they're unable to use other forms of

[25:20] transportation. >> I was going with that, too. And uh and I

[25:23] I was coming up and I saw one coming down 8th Street one day uh and cut

[25:30] through the American Family Law to avoid the intersection and then blew the light

[25:36] down Third Street and they were using these because they don't have the mode

[25:40] of transportation or they don't want to get caught with

[25:47] the possibility of maybe having one too many when they go run flickers,

[25:52] » right? >> So, I don't know if we classify them.

[25:57] Can we reclassify what they [snorts] have they are?

[26:00] » I don't think you can reclassify them the actual ebike itself. I don't I don't

[26:04] believe you can reclassify the ebike itself,

[26:08] but on a class 3 you can make it to where you have to have a valid driver's

[26:12] license.

[26:15] » Vehicle can. >> Yeah,

[26:17] » I'm trying to follow the stat. Yeah, that's I do believe I read one one city

[26:22] did classify you had to have a class a valid class be 16 and a valid driver's

[26:27] license for a class 3. >> That's not a motor vehicle,

[26:30] » right? >> I think wouldn't that be a little

[26:32] » It's like a core >> because a moped uh

[26:35] » under 50 cc >> under Yeah. 49 cc.

[26:39] » Do you have to have a What do you got to have for that? I'm pretty sure the state

[26:43] statute says that on even on class threes uh cannot require a driver's

[26:49] license title or insurance. Is that Yeah, I I know they've went back and

[26:54] forth on that's what they are not considered motor vehicles.

[27:00] uh insurance license and title cannot be required on those but it does you do

[27:08] have to be 16 but it gets into how do you prove your how old you are have an

[27:13] ID your license so that kind of gets messy there but uh we can as a city

[27:22] override the state uh requirements on that but we can put additional

[27:26] regulations now as far as you were saying with the

[27:30] um traffic enforcements, bicycles, even though it's not a motor vehicle, it's

[27:33] operated on the road. Still has standard traffic laws. You can't blow through

[27:36] stop signs. You can't blow through the stop light. You have to stop. You have

[27:40] to do just like you would if you were in a vehicle because you're operating on

[27:44] the property. So, or on the city property on the street. So, uh, as far

[27:49] as traffic enforcement goes, and I would even you'd have to say, well, if they're

[27:54] running 40 mph in a 20 mph zone on an ebike,

[28:00] that's still a standard traffic offense. So, um you could be the officers could

[28:06] address that as well, but um it it is an area that uh obviously we need to look

[28:13] into more to make sure that we don't run a foul with these state statutes when

[28:17] we're drafted. We've had some initial communications about it. I think that uh

[28:21] there are some good regulations that could be put in place. A lot of them

[28:25] focus more on the safety standard. Not saying that we don't want ebikes. You

[28:29] don't want people to utilize ebikes for any reason. You just if they're going to

[28:33] make sure they're using the problem related using them safe safely for

[28:36] themselves and for other vehicles on the way.

[28:39] » Could that be something we look into is maybe putting out something on hey you

[28:44] know these are like a bikes you can't ride on the sidewalks or can they ride

[28:48] » the educational part of it? Yeah. helmet.

[28:53] » That's where there's no there's no state requirement on helmets on bicycles. So

[28:57] that's where we'd have to come back into local regulations on whether we want to

[29:02] require as part of our ordinance or part of the local regulations that everyone

[29:06] wears a helmet that anyone under a certain age wears a you know you get it

[29:10] to to those types of things. Um, and that's why I think the local regulations

[29:15] are more emphasizing the the safety of it as opposed to the actual use of it.

[29:22] » Dan, did you still have some comments? >> Yes, I did. Just a clarification about

[29:26] Thank you. for the helmets and the safety gear. Uh, what did you just say

[29:33] about that? Did you >> uh to my knowledge and again this is

[29:36] these are relatively new. So, I I'm going once I get an idea of what uh the

[29:41] council's um how you're wanting to proceed on this, I'll be able to dive

[29:46] deeper into it and get you a more informed opinion. As this kind of became

[29:49] an issue in about the last week, so I'm playing a little bit of catchup, but uh

[29:54] to my knowledge, there's not a state requirement for wearing a helmet uh on a

[30:00] bicycle. And because these ebikes aren't considered bicycles, that helmet or

[30:05] safety requirement would have to come through a local regulation as opposed to

[30:10] relying on a state statute where uh law enforcement could uh enforce that

[30:15] without council action. And and it's interesting uh chief that this has came

[30:21] up uh because I did write a letter to the editor about some observations that

[30:27] I made uh with I mean I'm seeing kids they can't be over 12 years old and and

[30:35] they're on those moped scooters and they have skill these folks are riding.

[30:43] » Oh yeah. and they're cutting across parking lots and I don't think they're

[30:48] on the side of the street. I think they're more in the street, right? And

[30:55] the clients we're getting to, they're jumping from the sidewalks to the

[30:58] streets. People are standing on their brakes to avoid hitting them or the fear

[31:03] of hitting, I shouldn't say, but the fear of hitting them. Um,

[31:10] like I said, the one kid I saw, I mean, he didn't even look when he jumped

[31:13] across Kansas. He just rode right across Kansas.

[31:16] » I got there's some same kids go through the intersection intersection

[31:23] » and they don't even look. They just buzz through there. What about licensing the

[31:28] bikes? No time requirements either because they're not vehicle but I mean

[31:33] do I know there are

[31:38] » you can do you're talking about >> yes

[31:42] if you did that at least you'd have some handle on who's got what

[31:48] » does it have a serial number on it or you'd have be able to track it

[31:54] » I [clears throat] think you could uh do by her heads

[31:59] You can't separate out ebikines from any you'd have to say everyone in town has

[32:04] to come in and >> ferment their bike.

[32:06] » Well, I know it's not a good idea. >> We had those

[32:09] » We had those back in the 60s. >> Yeah,

[32:13] » you had >> I agreed that I don't think we should do

[32:16] that. I could see if if we had like bike parking or something and you

[32:22] had areas where there were large bike racks that people were using, you want

[32:26] to make sure that the bikes were permitted for use in the city, something

[32:29] like that. I could see a permitting system being used. U but again, this

[32:34] that is something that would be up to council to decide u if if that's the

[32:38] route you want to go. I think the biggest issue that that's going to come

[32:41] is going to be, you know, obviously some of these kids look way under 16. Uh but

[32:46] it's Not only being under 16, it's also knowing what classification of bike

[32:50] they're using, which is difficult to know without actually stopping the bike

[32:56] and saying, "Hey, what kind of bike are you want?"

[32:57] » Well, it's only a matter of time here before somebody gets hurt,

[33:01] unfortunately. But and that's what we're trying to fix.

[33:04] » Yeah. >> And I'm just trying to figure out a way

[33:06] that we can do that and still try to maintain our state.

[33:12] » And in uh quite a few other city, this is nothing. It's new for Kansas, but as

[33:17] far as municipalities regulating ebikes, it's this is not the first city to

[33:22] attempt to do it. There is a lot of information out there. Everyone's doing

[33:25] a little separate little bit different with separate ways just because what

[33:29] works for Kansas City might not work for Wall, which might not work for

[33:33] elsewhere, you know. uh do do what works for your locality, but uh there is quite

[33:40] a bit of information out there and uh wider provided me with some as well. Um

[33:46] just regarding um different city ordinances that have already been

[33:52] put into place. So, we're not reinventing the wheel here. It's just

[33:55] you have to make sure what it's what we put together is what council wants and

[34:01] you know what you guys feel work for us. scooters. Would this encompass scooters

[34:07] also? >> It could um not the ebike ordinance

[34:14] itself refers specifically to electronic bicycles which a scooter is not an

[34:19] electronic bicycle but it could be the ordinance could be

[34:24] drafted to include those. Just you got to make you got to make sure it's clear

[34:29] for law enforcement. They they've got to know. And for individuals operating it,

[34:34] they want to know when they're out there, if their kids are out there, what

[34:37] they need for their kids uh to be legal, how to do it properly. Because the idea

[34:41] is you don't want to be don't want to be writing a bunch of kids tickets. You

[34:44] don't want to be writing a bunch of parents tickets because of what kids

[34:47] have done. That that that's not I don't think that's the purpose of it.

[34:51] » You just don't you don't want kids hurt. You don't want them killed. You want to

[34:54] make sure that everyone's on the same page with that. Let's start off with

[34:58] education first and go to schools, educating kids first. Okay? I mean,

[35:02] that's that's not my priority. But if we had something to go by, something we

[35:07] drafted up to go by, hey, look, this is this is new. Understand it's new. This

[35:13] is why >> and I'm glad you brought that. Uh we've

[35:17] had, like I said, we've had communication.

[35:20] My position is really on anything uh that we bring before council. I'd like

[35:24] council to give an opinion on it before uh you know we spend a bunch of time

[35:28] putting together uh regulations or proposed ordinance that you come back

[35:32] and say well no we're not interested in doing that. It just kind of wasted

[35:35] everybody's time. So um I think if that's something that the council's

[35:39] interested in uh we can get her together and we'll work with uh city

[35:43] administrator uh Dinkl as well to uh get that on a future agenda and uh allow you

[35:50] guys opportunity to review it. I

[35:55] » like I heard you. >> I mean, I don't think we need to make

[35:58] more law and we don't we already have enough. Just talk to your kids and say

[36:02] if they're jumping the curb, say quit it and I'll take the bike away. That's the

[36:06] only easy your school does probably. >> Yeah.

[36:09] » Yeah. We have more parents like that. >> Yeah. Well,

[36:13] » I don't know what you're going to What are you going to do? Ban them? I mean,

[36:16] that's not I don't want to see that. >> I don't want to ask Don't do that. It

[36:22] isn't, damn. I think it's if the city wants to add additional restrictions

[36:26] regarding their operation is really what it comes down to. And it's not saying

[36:30] don't use them. It's if you're going to use them, you need helmets. You need to

[36:35] use this or um just to put some more safety precautions in there. But also,

[36:43] this is why we talk to council first. If council's opinion is no, it's just an

[36:47] education issue. you want to try going the education route, that's up to you

[36:52] guys if you want to do that or not. Um, but what we're saying is the way it

[36:56] currently is stated there really the only restriction that the uh city police

[37:02] can enforce is if they see a 16 under 16 year old on a class 3 ebike. If they

[37:09] show that then that is violation of state statute then that can be

[37:13] addressed. outside of that regarding ebikes other than standard traffic

[37:17] enforcement is kind of technical.

[37:25] Is the city liable? What I mean is if someone had an

[37:29] accident, we didn't have an ordinance and we didn't do the awareness stuff.

[37:34] Could a complaint be filed at the city a complaint can always be filed? I mean,

[37:40] it's not a complaint being filed. And again, that's a very general question.

[37:44] Every liability issue is going to be very fact specific. Generally speaking,

[37:52] if a someone were to operate an ebike in violation of state statute or operate an

[37:58] ebike where an accident occurred, >> it's going to be very difficult to say

[38:04] that's the city's fault unless the city had some involvement on it just because

[38:08] the city didn't say, "Well, you have to wear a helmet." Uh

[38:12] but I don't particularly want that on my conscience that you know something could

[38:18] have been done and we didn't then I mean some accidents are unavoidable.

[38:24] Yes. But uh I agree with with Tyler if parents would say yes you need you know

[38:30] if you're going to operate a 30 m per hour bike as a you know 16 year old you

[38:34] may want to throw one. >> Yeah.

[38:37] » I agree. So that awareness and

[38:41] » I mean some education would probably help because I know probably who you're

[38:45] talking about an idea but and I I'm going to do some

[38:50] talking myself too. I might don't

[38:57] if you guys are all right with it. Uh we can throw together as long if you want

[39:01] to at least review it. We can throw together what uh some other

[39:05] municipalities have done. Let's take a look at it. You guys say no, we don't

[39:10] need more laws. Fine. That's what you guys decides.

[39:14] » Think it'd be worth our time and theirs to

[39:17] » Absolutely. >> Absolutely. But again, it's fine. I'm

[39:20] with you. I don't want to m take a loss, but I am I am concerned. I was almost

[39:24] part of a first accident. I had a young man on a bike on a sidewalk. It was

[39:28] ebikes of direction. Um, he got behind a parked car where I couldn't swim

[39:33] immediately after the parked car was a driveway and he decided to transition

[39:37] from the sidewalk to the road at that point and came out from behind that park

[39:41] and I'm missing my >> and I don't want to be that guy. So

[39:44] » yeah, nobody hopefully education works. >> I don't want to but it is conserving.

[39:50] I'm going to do some educ

[39:54] [laughter]

[40:01] time to catch them when they're in a confined area. It's all

[40:04] » and I think if could we make some social media posts on our Facebook like on city

[40:09] Facebook page that we could all share that way

[40:11] » gets in front of lots of people. >> Yeah. all about the education part first

[40:14] before we just want to bring it to your attention

[40:19] let you know that this is we are filming fielding phone call on this and um

[40:26] just have to tell that you know state statute that's all we have to go by

[40:28] right now and then we are going trying to work on something so I just want to

[40:32] bring it to your attention

[40:36] » sounds like you and Mr. Casper will be busy.

[40:41] » Thank you. >> Thanks. Thank you.

[40:44] » Okay, Mr. Boltz.

[41:02] » We have >> I didn't get on.

[41:05] » Yeah. Uh we have contract that need to be looked at and uh asked before the

[41:12] 20th of this month on some equipment. Um I didn't know

[41:23] I didn't realize I have a lot of questions because it's new equipment and

[41:27] I'm trying to find out there got to be some warranty. I have to pay $5,000 for

[41:32] we bought for 19,000. So I that's

[41:38] you know it's just the you know I'm pretty sure they have like a warning

[41:44] on any any parts but this is this is for them to come out

[41:49] and do our u

[41:54] you know make sure that they're uh

[42:01] how do I put um in compliance is what that that

[42:08] contracts for is to make sure each each individual

[42:13] improvement is in compant with

[42:19] and there isn't that they'll fix it for nothing.

[42:25] So is this one critical? Yeah, because it's a brand new

[42:44] » flight was all a little bit is paying if I'm paying for a fourth the price now

[42:50] again and I want to check other cities. So if it's due by the 20th, well then

[42:59] that'll be fine. >> Okay.

[43:00] » Just making sure. >> Well, I just, you know,

[43:04] » I didn't see it. So I think I'll bring it up. Other than that, we got parts

[43:09] again for Zodia. I should have run again on tomorrow.

[43:17] So, um,

[43:21] it just seems like the sound houses breaking down. So,

[43:29] trying to keep on top of it. >> Well, we appreciate you all your hard

[43:32] work. Your department does. >> Thank you.

[43:36] » Okay, Mr. Gford. >> Madam Mayor, outside of discussion to

[43:41] that, I don't have anything fertil questions for me regarding ordinances or

[43:47] anything. >> So, thanks

[43:51] » Mrs. Ranker. No, >> Mr.

[43:56] Yes. Right here at the K14 open house [snorts] at the rec center

[44:01] from 2:30 to 3:30 on Thursday. Again, there's no there's no good renovation.

[44:08] There's like your boards out there. And again, if the community wants to know

[44:12] what Konies talk about for K14, show up there. And

[44:16] » the public is at a different time. >> I got a postcard about it and I thought

[44:22] the public open houses in the evening. >> I didn't know that. Okay. Well, look at

[44:27] your papers. You probably Okay. >> Yeah.

[44:29] » Thank you. >> Yeah. And um but yeah, and it's just a

[44:33] good way to know what's happening community and and I don't think there's

[44:36] anybody in this community that thinks improvement on K14 is a bad idea and uh

[44:41] you know has shoulders there and everything else. So be good thing there.

[44:46] um comment on the you know last council made you talked about the moving to the

[44:49] streets of course as we identified even though it was discussion two years ago

[44:55] it's always been that the property owner main center the rightway you know the

[45:00] front and back um which is probably 90% of the cities in the city of Kansas um

[45:06] can we still go out there and spray a time if we need to y we can we can um

[45:13] you know if you drive in that part of this community you see most of them are

[45:17] getting on brick streets I get all that new streets for the most part you see it

[45:23] um schedule um a city clerk and and coach director are putting some

[45:29] education together talk about that a little bit we get that out there that

[45:32] way getting a ticket or anything but it's the process I think this is a good

[45:37] point everybody's always wants to complain about property taxes

[45:41] that means this you have to cooperate with the city too. So I, as I said, we

[45:48] don't have budgets. I can make a budget as big as you want to,

[45:53] but can you have to guess and give 150 200 mill taxes? Hopefully not. I mean,

[45:59] that's what it boils down to. It's that whole community thing being part of the

[46:02] community. And again, I I was surprised when I got here when we didn't do it

[46:06] because every city 35 years, that's a responsibility. And trust me as a

[46:11] neighbor when I took care of mine I probably took care the block you know

[46:16] and when the city sprayed the past I'm find out we probably did some not smart

[46:21] things told the local extension um crop guy and he did what? Yeah, we did

[46:28] it, you know, and uh and so, you know, when the city stopped doing they did it

[46:33] for the right reason. It's just educated to go and work for public. Again, as we

[46:38] as a community want to watch our property taxes, it takes teamwork and

[46:42] that's what it's going to take. I think this is a good place to start there. Um,

[46:46] funny, we talked about golf carts the office today and we had an employee that

[46:50] took a golf cart. Just so you know, you cannot take a golf cart down Douglas.

[46:55] You can cross Douglas but you can't take it down because golf carts are banned on

[46:58] state highways. Joker and this person we kind of have to break the law but that's

[47:04] okay. I got still the point is is we have golf carts and we have we have

[47:09] orings for that but stay those nonate golf cart down the state highway. So

[47:14] crawl she can't go down. So one of those weird things that's all I have to

[47:18] session. Thank you. >> All right. Uh, city council, council

[47:23] member Allen, council member Moon. >> Uh, yes, Madame Mayor. Uh, Mr. Dinko,

[47:29] just two things. I I know you're busy. I I probably don't know how busy you are.

[47:34] Uh, but I know in one of our meetings, you talk about you identify a lot of

[47:39] ordinances that needed to be either looked at or rewritten.

[47:46] That is task one. That's what I mean. again

[47:52] role I always like my job just to hold cover.

[47:55] » Okay. >> But to carry it through, you know, you

[47:57] know. Okay. >> Okay. Second thing is this the the issue

[48:03] about the rebuilding uh it was going to go to the city

[48:07] planner. Uh someone's house burned down and the issue that came up with should

[48:14] he rebuild? >> We haven't had a meeting December 21st

[48:17] just due to schedules and everything else. just so delic

[48:25] Bishop >> council member

[48:27] » no >> right and I don't have anything either

[48:30] » good >> we're moving into executive

[48:32] » s

[48:36] and then add more

[48:43] » and is not able to join us tonight so it will just be

[48:49] Okay. >> Yeah.

[48:52] » Madam Mayor, I move that the council recess from executive session to include

[48:56] the mayor, council, city attorney, and interim city administrator for 20

[49:00] minutes beginning at uh we'll say 18:20 to discuss matters regarding non-elected

[49:05] personnel to review and discuss applications for the city administrator

[49:09] position. The justification is to protect the privacy of the applicants

[49:12] for this nonvited position is provided by KSA754319.

[49:18] The open meeting is resumed in this room at uh 6:40.

[49:24] Second that. It's >> been moved by council member Allen,

[49:27] second by council member Bernard to move uh into executive session and to to

[49:33] include the mayor, council, city attorney, and interim city administrator

[49:36] for 20 minutes starting at 6:20 to discuss matters regarding non-elected

[49:41] personnel. Any discussion?

[49:44] » Great. All those in favor say I. I. >> Those opposed, same sign. Same pass.

[49:49] » Yes, they do. >> Yes. I just wanted to clarify that

[50:03] » upon returning from executive session. I suggest the following motion. I move the

[50:07] city council return from executive session where no decision were made and

[50:12] no action was taken. I second. Been moved by council member Bishop, second

[50:17] by council member Moon to come back from executive session where no action was

[50:21] taken and no decisions were made. All those in favor say I. I. Sign pass.

[50:28] » All right, Ros, I think you have something to say.

[50:30] » Madam Mayor, I move that this council recess for an executive session to

[50:34] include the mayor, council, and interim city administrator administrator and

[50:38] applic.

[50:43] Okay, let me start over. I move the city council recess. Um, no, I can't see

[50:48] that. Somebody else did. I put mine away.

[50:51] » Hang on. At least you got your >> And I have Lori here looking at

[50:55] » I move that the council recess for an executive session to include the mayor,

[51:00] council, city attorney, and the interim city administrator for 10 minutes

[51:07] uh at

[51:11] 18:44.

[51:15] to discuss matters regarding non-elected personnel to review and discuss

[51:18] applicants for the city administer position. The justification is to

[51:22] protect the privacy of the applicants for this non-elected position and is

[51:27] provided by KSA 75431B subsection B subsection 1. The open

[51:34] meeting is to resume in this room at 1854.

[51:40] » I second. Been moved by council member Bishop, second by council member Moon to

[51:45] recess for an executive session to include the mayor, city council, city

[51:49] attorney, and interim city administrator for 10 minutes starting at 6:44 to

[51:53] discuss matters regarding non-elective personnel to review and discuss

[51:57] applicants for the city administrator position. Any discussion? Hearing none,

[52:01] all those in favor say I. >> I signed

[52:14] Skip that first part. Upon returning, just go straight to the motion.

[52:17] » Upon returning from executive session, I suggest the following motion. I move the

[52:21] city council return from executive session where no decisions were made or

[52:26] no action was taken. >> Second.

[52:28] » Been moved by council member Bishop, second by council member Moon to return

[52:32] from executive session where no decisions were made and no action was

[52:36] taken. All those in favor say I. I. Say motion pass.

[52:41] Okay. Anything else? Anybody want to adjurnn?

[52:46] Mayor make a motion we second.

[52:51] » It's been moved by council member Ellen, second by council member Moon to adjourn

[52:55] tonight's meeting. All those in favor say I.

[52:57] » I. Those opposed, same signed. Motion passed. to full coffee

August 10, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting

Transcript