Council - Regular Meeting

I should change it because there's more. I thought you meant they spelled it E. No, my last name. I've had that before, too. They changed their name alto together. Might [laughter] This is our trophy. Yeah. Go home and put it on my trophy wall next to my KBAR. [laughter] It'll be great. It's actually a bookshelf. How's the critters? My critters.

Yeah. Which ones? Pets are family. They're great. Turtles. I All the turtles were out. They were out um last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It was almost 70 degrees. They're sunny. Yeah, I threw bananas out there. Cold blooded coldblooded animals catching some sun. I threw bananas out there for them. So, they ate. Only bought a 40 lb box of bananas. It was spoiling. I had to make a bunch of banana bread.

Right there in the middle. Let me just hold on to every hold on to every second. Larry,

you have to put out some more chairs. Joanna had take that one home as your souvenir.

That would be funny. tonight again. I think we're just Call the meeting to order.

Yes. Okay. At this time, we'll swear in the new council people and the mayor and the mayor. We just want us to just go down there. Take my trophy. Put it next to my hand. Ian Johnson. Iganly swear or affirmly swear affirm.

I will support the Constitution [music] of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Kansas and faithfully discharge the duties of discharge. So help me.

So help me. [applause] John. right hand. I

do solemnly swear affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States. I support the Con support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Kansas. Constitution of the state of Kansas and faithfully discharge the duties of And faithfully discharge faithfully discharge discharge the duties of the duties of cancel three. So help me God. I need your front sign and [applause] [laughter]

[snorts] I do solemnly swear or affirm domly swear swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Kansas constitution of the state of Kansas and faithfully discharge the duties of and faithfully discharge the duties of mayor mayor. So help me God. [applause]

Thanksgiving. Does anybody else?

Congratulations, sir. All right. Can we have a roll call, please? Morgan Johnson, first board, here. Lucas Danbury, second board, present. John Lee, third word, here. Daryl Wes for work here. We have a Mr. Mayor.

All right. Can everybody stand up? We're going to do a prayer and a pledge of allegiance. All right, everybody. Let's pray. Lori, thank you for able to get here tonight and just be with us and help us make the right decisions for everybody in the city. Amen. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Can I have a motion to accept the agenda? Mr. Mayor, make a motion to accept the agenda with the amendment to H and I and excluding the city administrator from the executive sessions. A second. A second. I see it's accepted, right? All in favor? I I I name Can I have a motion to accept the consent agenda is listed A through D. Mr. Mayor, I move to accept the cons consent agenda as listed.

A second.

I'll second that. Um we need a vote, right? Okay. All in favor? I nay. There's no public forum. All right. So, regular business. Letter A, recognition of former mayor Mickey Pile, Councilwoman Lanessa Arthur, and Councilman Dennis Everett. Genesis, please. council, former council, I should say, on behalf of the city of Gerard and the city fire department of Gerard, we want to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation supporting roles with the city as well as the support of the fire department as well. In recognition of your service, we would like to present you each with a plaque of yours and your appreciation and also Dennis, thank you for your service. Appreciate

Thank you, sir. Mayor, thank you from the city of Dor and all of us here for the last eight years. Your support, your decisions in helping the citizens here in the city of also from our organization as well. as well. Thank you. [applause]

You guys stay there. Slide that out of the way. On either side of smiles. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. So item B, approve resolution 2026-01 gap waiver.

Council, I can speak to that. So most accounting firms follow the general accepted accounting practices or gap and when they do that it is a fiscal year meaning the year the year for the entity ends either July 31st, September, end of September, end of October various entities. But the state of Kansas has statutes which require cities to operate on cash only basis which is a calendar. And so every year we pass this gap waiver to the extent that it allows us to continue to comply with Kansas law and and our accounting principles to have an annual accounting period in standard practice. But having not seen this before just want to make sure everybody. So we just need a motion to pass that and then we can talk about the other resolutions. [snorts] Anybody got questions? Okay. Make a motion to approve the resolution 2026-01 GAP waiver. Got a second.

Second. Okay. Now we're going to do a vote. Correct. Okay. All four. I I against motion passed. All right. Item C, approve resolution 2026-2, banking authority. This is just a general banking. Um, we have to do it usually calendar unless there's a change. Um, [snorts] obviously the change now is Nikki is gone and we're adding you. So, I just replaced it with your name instead of Nikki's name. Mr. Mayor, if there's no questions. Nope.

Okay. No questions. I move that we approve resolution 20262 banking authority. Okay. We're going to vote. All in favor? I I opposed. Motion passed. All right. Item D. I don't think we got a second. Oh, no. We didn't get a second. A second. Now, let's vote. Okay. Ready to vote again. Okay. All in favor? I against. Motion passed. All right. Item D, approve resolution 2026-3 CD authority. Same thing. Just remove name and add.

Any questions? Mr. Mayor, make a motion we approve item D. Approve resolution 2026-03 CD authority. Second motion. Y. Okay. So now we're going to vote. All in favor? I opposed. Motion passed.

All right. Item E, approve CMBB license for Don Vargas restaurant and Bar. This is just to approve their CM which is cereable beverage license. um they have a liquor license. I had to call ABC to verify that they do, but a liquor license only covers them for 6% or higher. So if they sell anything under 6% beer, they are required to have a CM. And so they presented me with that and they submitted to the state like they were supposed to. So this is just approving them to be able to sell cereal and beverages under 6% All right. Motion to accept that.

Mr. Mayor, I make a motion we approve CMBB license for Don Vargas restaurant and Bar. Second motion. Okay, we're going to vote. All in favor? I opposed. Motion passed. All right. Letter F. Approve quote for transformers in the amount of $11,455.90. I think probably give us a clue on that. Transformers of 25.

Is these are these extra just to have in stock? when they have lightning stomachs.

Yeah. So, we like How far out are these? These only,

right? What happens when they blow? You know, when you hear that big boom, usually that's the fuse. Gotcha. You got plenty of fuses? Yes. Just just checking. Mr. Mayor, make motion that we approve a quote for transformers in the amount of $11,455.90. Second the motion. All All in favor? I opposed.

Motion passed. All right. Letter G. presentation from Midwest Engineering for PAP with KW grant for iron pipe Midwest Engineering Holly is our project manager basketball if you guys don't mind a little bit on item on Iron Pipe and I can give you an update on some other items details

session.

So I won't cover the KW just a little bit of background you guys have an application for USDA or get loan grant funds in that it's kind of that we turned around and looked at the budgets for TI were able to go in and get $1.3 million$1.2 million from KW in that application it was to do the stainless steel mile and looking at interconnects with so interconnects was looking at the water treatment plant to be that transition how the system operates the water and 11 come into town. They go to the booster pump station. It pumps the tire to the top and the tank is at the bottom and it distributes in there. We were going to get rid of the existing booster pump station and be able to put it into water, but not being there. We came back to the original plan of attack. So due to the sequencing and the timing of this. We awarded the stainless steel model portion and set aside budgets. There's about 600 and some thousand to entertain the interconnect. I met with Jackie and wholesale 11 Thursday and where those interconnects [snorts] where it's not going to be as we originally you guys still have a water gall when it's up to speed and operational. So there's still an avenue for you guys and an emergency situation sell that back to wholesale.

But there with a scenario where I explain where the water comes in to the top and out the bottom. We have to do the interconnect. Um interconnect is one of two things. One, we could have redone the booster pump station and serve them 700 gallons which was allowed to fill their t. But they've only got one entity that is critical to taking water from them and it is Crawford 6 to the south. To service them, they only need about 200 gallons a minute. So our discussions between public works staff and wholesale 11 is to look at a gravity interconnect on the tower side. And that will be just a simple interconnect between the two pipings. meter with that interconnect. We have to file with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to allow water to go both ways. So, we will go in there and file with a wholesale 11 and we will file for Gerard to allow that water to go with that gravity feed. Gerard can grab and feed them up to 400 gallons a minute. But that is after their tank is empty, but it is adding a pressure that is adequate to serve proper six, which is the purchase water. So that being said, there was a whole bunch of uh items going on there. I don't want you to get caught up in the hydraulic portion, but what I do want you to get is this interconnect very liquid. We've understood it. That's why we set aside budget and we haven't been able to define it. Now, we're going to be able to go to KW and say the water came over budget, but the existing water plant

will continue to produce water. We want to do a gravity flow connection between the two. And then we also want to add a second pump in your guys's existing pump station that will allow you to take water from wholesale 350 gallons a minute instead of 700 gallons that it currently does because right now you you're running the pump too low to BFD and it's over. So this new pump will help with that. So both of those items fit within the scope that We're going to go forward with the interconnect, but it's not a pump station in the proposed water plan that was proposed in the grand application. So, just the catch up we're doing here and I don't know think we need council approval unless you tell us is the intent is is to go forward with the interconnect. We're just redefining it and I'm in the process of putting together a cost estimate. I don't believe we're I would guess we're going to spend two to 300,000 of the 600,000. So, we're going to have some more money left to spend in there and we need to ask them if we can spend it on water lines and improvements in the area. So, if it doesn't fall within the scope, that grant money has to go back. So, we're going to do everything we can within the um the approach to rescope it to to KW to identify that. So um so that started with Thursday. We got an approach that's agreeable between both public works uh authorities and we'll get KWO's permission to do that and we'll come back to council with a presentation of cost and contract adjustments to so you guys will have to do a contract adjustment 11 the

engineering that's tied to that is outside the scope of the current project we'll talk about the costs that are involved there and whether you guys want to put it out separately or you want to negotiate with shoe maker and make it part of this. So that's the update where we are there. Um it was 100% grant so it's one of the things we don't want to get back at all possible and but there are timelines that so that's where this adjustment is going. So, what are the uh the [clears throat] parameters that you're going to have to uh cover to get this through with KWO? Do you see any issue with any of that?

The main purpose of the grant was for the stainless steel model and to provide a better, right? And right now it's one way and we're going two way. So both of these items still meet those overall. So when I finalize the estimate, what I'm worried about a little bit there is just say that's going to be at 2 to 300,000. If we still have another two 300,000 to spend, what are we going to identify for that?

Is there any way that can be used on the plan? We can ask and yes I think we could go in there and say hey that plant would just like the original plan would have been it would benefit that situation. There still are plans to refurbish the plant that we have now. So there's any way possible we get those funds to help out with that. That would be great and we'll we can easily put that in with that amendment to get it. Why is there an environmental thing when it goes one way or has to go both ways?

So, it's a matter of record keeping with the Department of Health and Environment. It's they they you guys can get on what's called Kansas Water Watch, but they they control the public water supply. So, you guys as a city have a number that you're identified as a public water supply and then Jackie as a certified operator. That's why you have your staff that's certified. They have to sign off on reports to say, "Hey, we're maintaining the water system according to your rules and so for the on Jackie signs off. When you make a modification, that's when you have to hire a professional engineer. I put in I work with Jackie come up with an idea and I present it to them and I sign off as a professional engineer that says this follows the minimum design of the state of Kansas. It comes down public health and safety.

Sure. And we have to make sure anything we present is then reviewed by K so that there's not a perceived problem that meets the minimum standard. So in the news, you guys probably heard about Flint, Michigan years ago and the turmoil came about that

if the professionals, the operator, the engineer, the regulators, if they had done that their job, that situation wouldn't lo that. So that's why all this has to go to KDH and get permitting. They want to know you're permitted to buy water from wholesale. not permitted to. So this would estify it as emergency or fulltime and they can also retire them and bring them back in services too. Everything has to go through the state and they have to be aware of it to allow you to do it. You can't just sell water. It's one of those things. We did it for Cherokee a few years back. The engineering cost 10,000 and the permitting and the parts cost about 2500. Unfortunately, following the rules cost the entity more money than the fix itself. If there's no questions on that, we'll proceed on that. The revising the application and I'll let Holly jump in and present the pay application for iron.

Good evening guys. The we're calling you guys calling the stainless steel project calling supply water line project. Um it has been completed. We have water running through the pipe. So there's a couple housekeeping things that we need to do. Um we got first pay application from the contractor iron pipe for the project has been submitted. the pay application co um amount due is $597,89310 and that included a change order number two. So what change order number two is we kind of discussed at the last meeting I was at. We had some new fencing that they were going to install. You guys went ahead and proved that you would add the fencing into a change order not to see exceed a certain amount of money which was around $3,400. The new fencing ended up only being $2,470. So, it came in well under um what you guys had approved. And then there's an adjustment of final quantities installed for the project. And because of taking out some materials, it was a negative $59,875, which leaves us with a complete change order decrease amount of $5745. 575 $57,45. So that means your total project cost for it is $610,000 95. So you are still holding a 2% retainage on the project. Um when we start we hold five after they hit substantial completion and we got the pipeline in operation it drops to 2%. So, you guys are still holding that 2% which is $12,21.90. Um, they got a little bit of cleanup work to do. They got to get some just a pile of dirt that needs to be moved. They got a little bit more grading to do where the pile of dirt was and get some equipment off, but they have until the

23rd of January to complete that. So, um I think we need to either I guess this is the question you know we had asked. Do you guys need approval for these or is the public works director able to sign the pay application and the change order and move the project on or do we need council approval on it? Okay. that. So that 57,000 savings, was that mostly equipment we didn't use?

Yeah, the fire the two fire hydrants were taken out and one of the valves were taken out of the project. So that was a deduction for for those materials. Um if the change order was in your guys's packet, the second page of that change order gives you an adjustment of final quantity. So you can see there was a little bit of pipe that didn't get installed either just because you know where you stop and where you end isn't exactly where you stop and you end on the plan. So there was a little bit of deduction in pipe and then the fire hydrants and the valve

and then I also gave you guys a copy of the invoice for the fencing as it got build final just so you can So essentially 12,2190. Say that again. 12,2190. 12,20190. Yes. Yes. And that's the retainage you guys are holding. So once we get to final completion, they move the dirt pile pile and get the equipment off, then we will issue um a completion of the project and that'll be probably by the end of the month. And then you guys will release the final retainage at that time. So

contract items of work%

98%. Yes. And we also pay that for the one. So if Jackie goes out has a water and approves on the stainless steel model. [snorts] Now he would come in there and find it damage. Say somebody went in there digging, just planting a tree and didn't tell them hit it. That's not the contractor's fault. Then the city would have to pay the contractor for coming in. They come in there and they found that a fusion bomb came apart and there was a crack and it was leaking or it was a manufactur and then the contractor would come in at his cost. So that's for a period of one year that substantial completion

which your substantial completion ended December 24th of 2025. So your warranty period will go to December 24th of 2026 for the project. We did a situation already found out that it was it wasn't on their project.

That was my next question, Danny. So, is it on is it on the contractor? So, does Jackie contact directly with him or how does that work? If there's a perceived leak, it can go either way. Jackie can call the contractor. You can call us if we're in the loop. We can help you. If you're not in the loop, then it doesn't show. I normally call the project inspector. Okay. inspector and is he the if there's a dispute is the project inspector like a a mediator or what happens if there's

I mean if we should if he shows up and the contractor if it's his fault he usually just fix it's not his fault they say hey I'm not doing it you got to pay me and that's when he needs to get a hold of somebody before he buries it because he's got to be able to prove to us that if he buries it and can't prove it to You can't just do it. Okay.

Jack, you've been out there a lot. Yep. I think

the money does come from KW. So, it is so the city's decision budgets and change directions. Those are all things. Well, some of that money can be used for other the next projects coming up.

Yeah, it's part of the KWO money that Danny was talking about. So, approximately you guys had 1.2 two million in the KWO and we only use $610,95 for this. So when Danny puts together his estimates since this project's over, you guys can hone in on exactly how much money you have left on that KWO project since this is done now. So perfect. So you need a motion for the 12 2011. [snorts] It's hard to hear. 5973. Yes. 597,89310.

Yeah. Change order number two. this 597 89310 sure that I see change order two but I don't see pay up Is it within change order number two?

They should not be the same. Number eight says amount due this application 597 89310. Yes, that includes change order change order number two is built up in number two on the pay application57,45 if the council approves the 597310 that change order. Yes, but you still need to make a motion to approve change order number two also. Yes, we can do it all in one motion.

Mr. Mayor make motion that we pay the pay app with KWE grant for iron pipe in the amount of 597,89310 would be payoff number one included with change order number two. [clears throat] All in favor motion. Okay. All in favor? Yes.

Opposed. Okay. Motion passed. All right. Letter H. Executive SE session for contractual to discuss a shoemaker request for delaying notice to proceed for water distribution project recommended 15 minutes minute session to include mayor, council, city attorney, and public works director. Mr. Mayor, I move into executive session for contractual discuss the shoemaker request for delay notice to proceed for the water distribution project. 15-minute session to include mayor, council, city attorney, public works director. Second vote. Okay. All in favor? I much

instead of huh? So if you get website. You're going to find

way Okay. So, call the meeting back to order. Okay. Call the meeting back to order. Okay. Do I have a motion on item H?

Uh, Mr. Mayor, make a motion that we approve the shoemaker request for delaying notice to proceed to April 1 or sooner upon USDA approval. Second. All in favor? I opposed. [clears throat] Motion passed. Did you say the year? Does that matter? This year 26. [snorts] I just thought of that. All right. Okay. Okay. So item nine is executive session to discuss interconnect with Bone Creek and then recommend a 10-minute session to include mayor, council, city attorney, and public works director.

Mr. Mayor, I move we go into executive session to discuss an area connect with Bone Creek. 10-minute session to include the mayor, council, city attorney, and the public works director. I second. All

in favor? I opposed. Motion pass. Exactly. They don't last long. Oh yeah. What's going on?

You can go there's somebody Knock on your door because Facebook. We're still here for a while. I know like four minutes.

Does anybody ever suggest PA so that in this room is sitting

I got my coins. My nephew's a firefighter. This is big between firefighters. Oh, huge. Yeah, I was big in the military, too. I got some up there. I got my little plaque up there and I have a couple in front of it, but I have like my grandma's pictures and then flowers that I smash like this memory. And so I got my coins

ready. Speak up.

They're not on. They're [clears throat] gonna be a lot on YouTube. Okay, let's call meeting back to order. Going to move to item J. We're going to set a calendar item for 2026. The 4th of July holiday is on a Saturday. So we need to look at deeming prior Friday preceding Monday as a holiday for non-essential and then the holiday for essential personnel is always the actual holiday.

Personally I'd do Friday. Anybody got another opinion on that? No I'm easy either way. Cliff, you got anything to say? [snorts]

All right. Does the Does the pay period matter though? That won't matter either day. No, our pay start. Thursday to Wednesday.

Yep. Unless you guys got a strong opinion. Mr. May, I'll make a motion to set the calendar for 4th of July holiday 2026 on the prior Friday to the 4th of July, which would be July 3rd. If I'm correct, if I need corrected, somebody please step up. Uh is for non-essential holiday for essential personnel as always is the actual holiday. Second motion. Okay. All in favor?

I oppose. Okay. Motion pass. All right. The next one is September the 7th council meetings on Labor Day and they look at rescheduling that to September the 8th Tuesday.

Mr. Mayor set the calendar uh date for September 8th, 2026 for the council meeting that was originally scheduled for September 27th on Labor Day. So, reschedule it. I'm going to talk this in circles, aren't I? Reschedule the September 7th council meeting, which is on Labor Day to Sep September 8th. Second, the motion. All right. All in favor? I opposed. Okay, motion passed. Okay, now to governing body con comments. Okay, board one. Morgan Johnson.

I would just like to say thank you to the citizens of Gerard for allowing me the opportunity to serve to continue to makeard a great place to live and a great community. I look forward to working with all these guys and the Gerard staff. And that's about it. All [clears throat] right. Um to Lucas Stanbury. Excuse me. M

mayor, I just want to say um looking forward to the new year. I know we have a lot of projects going on. Uh they'll So you'll see a lot of activity in Gerard in the upcoming months. So everyone be ready for that. Also want to welcome the newly elected U officials tonight. We got three new ones. And also thank the ones I've left or Mickey and Lanessa and Dennis. Thank you for your time. Also, that's all I have, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Okay, John Lee.

Um, if somebody in my ward needs anything, my my number's in the phone book, so just give me a call. I'll see what I can do. I'm just here to help. See what we can do this year. I appreciate everything that everybody's done today. So, let's start off with a good year. Thank you. West four.

Well, I want to echo what Lucas said. I want to thank Vanessa and Dennis and Mickey for their service and their time. U as we all know, it's and you guys are about to find out. It's not as easy as it looks, but it's not as bad as it sounds. If that makes any sense. And I'd like to welcome the new members to the council and u hopefully things will go a little smoother from this point forward for everyone involved. I think everything's going to be fine. It's good going be a good year as Lucas said and the others. We had a lot of projects we're working on. Uh on a sad note, uh there's, [snorts] you know, there was a tragedy the other night with a young man here from town and uh just like to keep his family and friends thoughts and prayers with them. And uh you know, let's all stop and think for a minute before we do anything rash, especially in that regard. I'm not going to go into details, but uh anyway, I just want everyone to stop and think about that for a minute before the day is over. That's all I have. Thank you.

All right, I'll close the mine. I want to begin by thanking my wife and my children. They worked alongside me and stood by me and supported me every step of the way throughout this campaign, and I'm deeply grateful for their continued support as we move forward. I would also like to thank my parents for their help, encouragement, and guidance as they provided me throughout this entire process. And then I would also like to thank Scotty Thomas for helping me, hard work, and dedication. And then also for Casey Brown um for backing me and supporting me. I'm going to rely on him as a trusted soundboard as we move forward. And I also thank Mickey Pile for taking the time to um talk to me about running otherwise I wouldn't be here right now. So, um, in his encouragement early on and also Roger Longshack for his support and guidance throughout this process, um, I want to sincerely thank everyone that voted for me and those that did not, please know this. We are here to do what is right for the city of Gerard. Our goal is to make this city better and to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls it home. And we are already working on several initiatives focused on transparency. And this is just the beginning. I am committed to listening, working hard, and serving the city of Gerard. of honesty, integrity, and dedication. I have a motion to adjourn. [cough] [snorts]

Mr. Mayor, motion that we adjourn. Second. Okay. All in favor? I opposed. Okay. Motion pass. It's hard to resist.