City Council - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Good evening everybody and uh welcome to uh tonight's council meeting.

Roll call please. Rooster here. Walters here. Ren here, Eert here, Cloier here, Horton here, Meyers here, Thompson. All right, so the invocation tonight will be given by Jennifer Jones from Hazel United Search. Welcome.

Let us pray. God of wisdom and justice. We gather to seek clarity, fairness, and unity for our community. Grant this council the insight to make decisions that uplift every resident and courage to act with integrity and the humility to listen with open hearts. Bless our city with peace, safety and the and opportunity and guide us toward choices that honor the common good. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. Amen.

Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. 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.

All right. So, uh we have a special order of business tonight. We have uh several. The first will be a proclamation regarding child abuse prevention month. So I'll go and read it then I'll I'll meet you up there. This is mayoral proclamation child abuse child abuse prevention month April 2026. Whereas every family and child is filled with tremendous promise and possibility. We all have a collective responsibility to prevent adverse childhood experiences, ACEs, foster potential of every child and promote positive childhood experiences, PCES. And whereas families who receive the support they need before a crisis occurs are better equipped to provide safe, healthy, and nurturing environments, leading to children who are safer, healthier, and more hopeful about their futures. And whereas primary prevention of child abuse and neglect can reduce a lifetime economic burden associated with child mal uh maltreatment. And whereas effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families. And whereas investments in prevention initiatives such as home visiting programs, family strengthening policies, economic supports, and community- based child abuse prevention efforts are essential to building safer, healthier communities for children and families. Now therefore, I, Russ Kessler, mayor of the city of Hazville, Kansas, do hereby proclaim child April 2026 as child abuse prevention month in the city of Hazville and urge all citizens to recognize this month by declaring by dedicating ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and

families families uh proclaimed uh today the 13th day of April 2026. I'll meet you at the podium. Well, I do appreciate you uh you both coming and uh we appreciate this. Thank you. So, you're welcome. Actually, we got a picture. Perfect. All right. Excellent.

About to say, you know, say who you are and be representing them. Yeah, if you don't mind. Oh, definitely. Yes. Thank you. Uh, so thank you for inviting us today and for signing the proclamation declaring child abuse prevention month. My name is Rachel Harper. I am the assistant director of the Prevent Child Abuse Kansas chapter at Kansas Children's Service League. And standing here with me is I'm Randy Lane with Department for Children's Family. I'm the community engagement administrator.

And so Kansas was the first state to establish its own chapter 50 years ago. KCSL is also the Kansas chapter of Circle of Parents and a multi-sight system of healthy families America. April has been recognized as child abuse prevention month since 1983 with the blue pin wheel adopted as the national symbol in 2008. Each year KCSL along with our community partners coordinates statewide activities, provides support, and strengthens local efforts to raise awareness. Together, we work to foster community action and promote policies that ensure the safety and well-being of children and families. The national theme for this year's child abuse prevention month is pinw wheels of possibility. Celebrating the limitless potential of children and families when communities come together to support them. The spinning pin wheel shows us what support can look like when we center f when we put families at the center of that. Each turn represents the networks, programs, policies, and everyday acts of care that strengthen them and help them thrive. From home visiting to health and economic policy, every turn unlocks new possibilities, showing how supportive systems and communities expand what's possible for every child and family. In many ways, the pinmill is also a call to action, highlighting the shared responsibility all our cross- sector partners have in centering families, families, communities, policymakers, and organizations must work together to provide economic and social support, including affordable child care, paid leave, and financial stability, community- based solutions, ensuring access to local resources and networks, and stronger prevention policies with investments that uplift those uplift families before harm occurs. Pre prevention isn't just about avoiding harm. It's about creating opportunities for families to thrive. Positive childhood experiences, including stable relationships and nurturing environments, help children thrive and mitigate adverse childhood experiences. Prevention is hard work, but it's also hard work. So to celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month, you can help plant a

pin wheel garden. It's a visual reminder of the world we want for all children to grow up happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed. And thank you again for having us and for signing the proclamation. Sure. Definitely happy to have you both here today and appreciate the pin wheels that you uh left up here. So, yep. Appreciate that. Thank you.

All right. Next will be uh item B, proclamation regarding public service recognition week. So, public service recognition week, May 3rd through the 9th, 2026 in honor of millions of public employees at the federal, state, county, and city levels. Whereas public servants at every level of government perform essential roles and work tirelessly to uphold the safety, well-being, quality of life in our communities. And whereas public service recognition week is an opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation for all the hard work and commitment of our public servants across all levels of the government. And whereas public servants work tirelessly with dedication, integrity, and compassion to uphold the public good, inspire trust and confidence, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. And whereas public servants represent a diverse array array of occupations including but not limited not limited to accountants, public transportation workers, technology professionals, administrators, planners, laborers, analysts, clerks, educators, inspectors, parks workers, utility uh public utility workers, social workers, and countless others. And whereas many public servants including military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and others risk their lives each day in public in service to the people of the United States. And whereas some public servants are very visible in the community, others work behind the scenes to ensure that services are available to residents and um processes are open and accessible to the public. And whereas without p these public servants continue uh continuity would be impossible in a democracy that regularly changes its leaders and elected officials. Now therefore I Rosesler, mayor of the city of Hazville.

Uh Kansas do hereby proclaim May 3rd through the 9th, 2026 as public service uh recognition recognition week in the city of Hazville and encourage all residents to join me in honoring and recognizing the dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice of our public servants at all levels of government. Proclaim today the 13th day of April 2026. But I do uh very much appreciate all the public service uh you know especially at the city level. So without you it'd be uh the city would be uh not working correctly right. So definitely appreciate everything that you guys did. All right. Next we have a proclamation of arbor day. official proclamation. Whereas in 1872, the Nebraska Board of Al al a Agriculture established a special day to be set aside for the planting trees. And whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. And whereas trees can be a solution to uh combating climate change by reducing the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water, cutting heating and cooling costs, moderating the temperature, cleaning the air, producing life, giving oxygen, and providing habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of businesses, business areas, and beautify our community. And whereas trees wherever they are planted are a source source of joy and spiritual renewal. Now, therefore, I, Russ Kessler, mayor of the city of Hazesville, Kansas, do hereby proclaim

May 4th, 2026 as Arbor Day in the city of Hazesville. And I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and support efforts to protect our trees and wilderens. And further, I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden their heart and promote the well-being of this of this and future generations. Dated today, the 13th day of April, 2026. So, speaking of Arbor Day, I'll bring it up later as well, but the, as I mentioned, Arbor Day will be celebrated on May 4th at 5:15 over in the historic district. All right, next we have item D. Hazel Chamber of Commerce presents recreational department with the Champion of the Year award. Welcome, Deian.

Thank you.

Good evening, mayor and council members. on Dean Con with the Chamber of Commerce, the executive director. And Josh Wagner, our chair, could not be here this evening and he sends his regrets. So, I get to do the honors. And you know, most of you know me. I don't usually need notes to speak. I can usually say what I want to say pretty easily. However, I want to make sure that what we said the night of the banquet is given out here tonight so Rob can hear. The Hazel Chamber of Commerce held its annual Community Stars celebration on March 28th and handed out several awards. The business of the year award was presented to Golden Plains Credit Union. The new business of the year was awarded to Wag Swags Print Shop. The volunteer of the year went to the deserving couple of Tom and Brenda Gibson. And the chair's award went to Lindsay Brown with Farha Roofing. Our last award was the community champion award which recognizes those who go above and beyond to strengthen our community. A strong community is built on connection, care, and opportunities to come together. When we think about what makes the community thrive, we think of places that bring people together and the people who make those places feel like home. The Hazel Activity Center is one of those places. From fitness and recreation to social events and daily connections, the staff of the hack create an environment where community truly happens. Their impact is felt every single day in Hazesville. It is more than just a facility. It's a gathering place where friendships are formed, health and wellness are encouraged, and people of all ages feel very welcome. The staff's commitment to serving our community helps make Hazesville a better place to live, work, and play. On behalf of the Hazelville Chamber of Commerce, I'm honored to present the Community Champion Award to the Hazesville Activity Center.

They go above and beyond. We have our chamber meetings over there. Bob always takes care of setting up tables, chairs, cleans up. So, they are great for our community and we couldn't be more proud for them to receive the support. Thank you. Thank you. You're welcome. Josh owes me big time now. Thank you very much. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations for the hack. All right. Next, we have presentation and approval of minutes. A minutes of March 9th, 2026. Martin. Make a motion we approve the minutes as presented.

Second. Second. Have a motion and a second to approve the minutes of March 9th, 2026 as presented. Any discussion? Question, please. Rooster, yes. Walters, yes. Martin, yes. Eart, yes. Cloier, yes. Barton, yes. Myers. All right. Next, we have item one, public comment. A Mara McGovern, yes. Did I say that correctly? The child start regarding child start services and the mission. Welcome.

Thank you for inviting me here tonight. And I do have my little pin wheels out and our front of our little Head Start, too, because we also do the child abuse and prevention, but um uh just a little bit about our program. I I assume that's what you called me here for. Um we serve 50 children at this new location here in Hayesville. Um we do need staff. Um if anybody knows anybody that'd love to go into early childhood, but um we're here and we recruit and it costs nothing for the parents to attend our program. I did bring some flyers like what I would do if I recruited because that's what I normally would do and I will leave those here with you. And um we serve full day 4 days a week 7:30 to 4:30 Monday through Thursday. The kids are with us 9 hours a day birth to 5 years old. Um does anybody have any question? I mean I could tell you the whole history of Head Start but I don't think you want me to hear that one.

Well, tell us your location. Our location I did not bring that address and I do not have it memorized. It is the old daycare that was here forever that somebody else had. I'm so sorry I don't have that. I have your address, but I'll have mine. 984. 984 grand. Yes, that's it. Thank you. I look at it every day on my phone. Um, but I have some business cards being made and it will be on there. So, I'll make sure my hair gets on. But, um, yes, we're there and we have plenty of kids, so they're signing up every day and they have to be income eligible to, uh, qualify for our program. So, we serve the lowest income families in the community and but they get a very good education through Head Start. Does anybody have any questions about any of that?

I wasn't sure what you wanted from me, so I just come, you know, tell us about yourself and uh do appreciate the open house you had. Uh yes, you were there, correct? I was. I believe you were in the picture.

Yes. Um, we did have an open house and I I personally have uh I started working for Kansas Children Service League in 1998 working with early childhood and then they I got laid off from there after 14 years and then I worked in long-term care for a few minutes, eight months and then I came to Childart and so I've been in Harper County for the last I started in 2014. So, but I'm happy to be here. I live in Cunningham. I know I drive a long ways but I do it for the kids. I'm not ready to give that up yet. So, when we transferred, that was an opportunity and I I wasn't ready to give that up yet. So, I love the kids and we're all about safety. Safety is our first priority. So, child abuse and prevention, we're mandated reporters just like everybody else. And we do not mind making those reports because it's for the safety of the kids. So, that's where my heart is and that's where I've been all this time. And come and visit us. come visit the site that, you know, if they remodeled it, it's a nice place for kids to attend. Now, they're still working on the playground. We do have playground equipment, but um still have some improvement there to make for planting some good grass and stuff. So, we're always um asking for donations because we also get in kind for. So, just really fast, the government gives us 75 cents of every dollar and the 25 cents of that dollar we get either back from the parents or the community. And um the parents do it by reading to the kids or helping them set the table. They fill out little papers every day of uh time they spend with their children and that's in kind. And all of that's 100% on your taxes if anybody ever donates or gives anything. So you may see me again asking for you know you don't know some grass or something but whatever we might need along the way but um we're just getting here. We just started January the 20th. I'm just getting familiar with the community. So far I love everything that I'm doing. So, um, but if you ever

have any questions, please come see us, call me, ask. We will be happy to answer them. I appreciate being here tonight, and I appreciate Charles Stark being in the city of Peaceville. That's a good program. Thank you all for having me. Thank you. All right. Next, we have item B, Steve Miller, the 311 East Raleigh, regarding extended fireworks sales time frame.

Yeah. Well, I'd like to thank everybody for for allowing me to be here tonight. And I'm I'm still owner. My wife and I have operated the wholesale fireworks building since it opened 26 years ago. We use uh uh right now we've been using campus link crew to help us during the fireworks season. And this year we're going to be using the rest men's and women's wrestling team to to help us out. So service the community there. Anyways, I'm here behalf of the celebration of the nation's 250 year anniversary. This will be going to be biggest fireworks season ever, Fourth of July. And what I'm asking is to extend the sales time frame just by three days, two days prior to, so it' be the 25th and 27 6th for open to sales fireworks. And then the July 5th, uh, by state law, it would be able to sell and shoot off if that was permissible by you guys. Um, anyway, uh, what the benefit to the city would be to help increase the city's revenue by being open longer. And then uh surrounding communities are are all getting on board this year like God they've already located at Andover Valley Center and several communities are talking about doing extending the season uh permanently and but anyway that's that's what I would like to see just the extended season by two days. The first two days would be selling only by per state law and then uh uh fifth the July 5th would be sales and shooting if permitted by by the council. Hi, thank you very much.

All right. Thank you. Thank you for coming. All right. Next we have item two, approval of license and bonds. We have none. Item three, introduction of ordinances and resolutions. A an ordinance vacating the minimum pad elevation within lot one block A 8K edition.

Good evening mayor and council. So this first request has actually been withdrawn by the applicant. So no council action is needed. It was withdrawn because the vacation is no longer necessary since we won't be removing anything from the plat. Just correcting the elevation through the attached affidavit. And that affidavit does not need council approval to be filed. Um, with that I can stand for any questions on that one. So it will be removed. Is that so what you're requesting? Josh made a vote on that. No, I I just think they don't want to move forward with it. So Okay. Yeah, I think we're good.

Okay. Sounds good. Thank you. All right. With that, we we will move on to item B, an ordinance denying a request for vacation of a portion of the platted utility easement of a certain real property located within the city of Hazville, Kansas.

So, this vacation was reviewed by the planning commission on March 26th. Um, it's for that utility easement along the east property line. The applicant is requesting this vacation because they built an accessory structure in the easement without a building permit and are thus in violation of our city code. Um, the vacation request is proof of intent to resolve this violation. The affected utility providers, specifically EverGy, oppose the vacation because there's infrastructure in the easement that serves other properties. Um, however, they don't oppose the accessory structure remaining in the easement as long as the structure will be removed whenever G requests it. Um, the applicant has been informed of this and they also know that any costs associated with removal will be theirs to bear. Um, so with that information, the planning commission did recommend denial due to EverG's objection and the need to preserve the utility easement and noted that the existing structure remains at the property owner's risks and subject to future enforcement or removal if required. The staff report, the minutes, and the site plan for the proposed vacation are attached. And I can stand for questions.

All right. Anybody have any questions for uh Kaylin or would anybody like to make a motion to uh to uh deny the request for the vacation? Council Mars. I'll make a motion to deny the request of a vacation of the portion of the platted utility easement on the certain real property located in Hazville, Kansas. Second motion, a second to deny this request as presented. Any discussion? Question, please. Brewster. Yes. Walters. Walters. Yes. Barton. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Parton. Yes. Myers. Yes. All right. Next we have item C. A resolution of the city of Hazesville, Kansas, authorizing additional use to prevent the construction and operation of a vehicle storage yard on the west 1 half of block one, block A, Hazville Industrial Park edition, Hazesville, Cedric County, Kansas.

So, this conditional use request was also reviewed on the 26th and the planning commission recommended approval with staff's recommended conditions. Those conditions are that a detailed site plan be approved by the planning and zoning administrator addressing in detail the extent and use of the entire property including the uses for outdoor areas on the property, access to the property and fence height location and material. The property will also have to comply with all special use conditions for vehicle storage yards and the storage of inoperable vehicles is not allowed. Those special use conditions refer to the all- weather surface or gravel that is required for the storage and the solid screening of the property. Both of those conditions are currently satisfied. Um, but the applicant does intend to add more gravel to the lot and replace the existing fence with a solid composite fence. The staff report and minutes are attached and I can stand for questions.

Anybody have any uh questions for Kaylin or like to make a motion to uh approve the resolution? Council person make a motion we uh accept the resolution as presented. Second. Do we have a motion and second to accept the resolution as presented? Any discussion? Question, please. Brewster. Yes. Walters. Yes. Ren. Yes. Eart. Yes. Cloair. Yes. Harton? Yes. Myers? Yes.

Next we have item D, resolution of the city of Paceville, Kansas, authorizing a conditional use to permit the construction and operation of a new 60ft tall tower for a wireless communication facility on reserve a Grand Avenue industrial park third edition Hazville Cedric County.

This final resolution was also reviewed by the planning commission on the 26th of March. Um the planning commission recommended approval provided that anti-rime safety measures or measures to prevent unauthorized access and documentation of compliance with all applicable FCC regulations regarding radio frequency emissions were provided. Um public works our applicant um has proposed constructing a fence to meet those safety measures and anti-rime provisions. They've also provided staff a copy of their FCC license. I can stand for any questions.

Council person Barton. So, even though we made this tower behind us put up a a solid fence, are we going to put up a solid fence? Okay. Any other questions for Kale? Anybody like to make a motion to approve those uh this resolution? Council member Martin make a motion to approve the resolution that we intended. Second. We have motion a second to approve this resolution as presented. Any discussion? Question, please. Brewster,

yes. Walters, yes. Ren, yes. Eert. Yes. Yes. Harton? Yes. My yes. All right. Next, we have item four, notices and communications. A, governing body announcements. Any uh announcements from Governor Brewster?

Yeah, I've got the Hazel Community Library. Um their monthly calendar on tomorrow is Holocaust Remembrance Day. On April 15th at 4 p.m. is the Lego Club. Um April 19th through the 25th is National Library Week. April 22nd is Earth Day. April 23rd is International Book Day. Also on April 23rd is at 10:30 is parents' teacher story time. Then at noon is the Chamber of Commerce um library lunchon, which is always pretty good. Um and then on April 30th, we also have three events. At 10:30 will be parents' teacher story time. Um at 5:30 p.m. will be Friends of the Library Board Meeting. And then um that evening at 7 PM will be the library board meeting itself.

Thank you. Yep. Any other announcements? So some upcoming senior center announcements. The uh commodities will be April 15th. Easter dinner will be April 17th. Women's uh fair outing is April 24th. Recurring events, coffee and conversation, games, crafts, bingo, exercise classes, Alzheimer support group, and line dancing.

Sorry. Getting ready for line dancing. Line dancing. Yeah, they're line dancing. Sorry.

So, uh, we also have the, uh, t-shirt design contest is still going on for the 75th anniversary. So, uh, if you have any ideas for that, please submit those to the city by this Wednesday, April 25th. Chief may, uh, say something about this, but it's a drug takeback. Uh, and the paper shred event be right out here in front of city hall. That's from, uh, 10 to 2:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25th. Arbor Day, I mentioned that earlier. The uh, tree planting will be May 4th at 5:15 p.m. in the historic district. So, I I encourage everybody to uh to come on out there for the tree planting. I know uh some scouts will be out there, so it's always a good time. The uh mayor's prayer breakfast will be on May 7th at 700 a.m. Tickets are $12. That will be at the hack. The uh tickets can be purchased either to city hall or area churches that are members of the Hazville um uh

serial association.

Yeah. Thank you. Angel mysterial ministerial association and same day which is the national day of prayer is always on the first Thursday of May. So at noon the uh HMA will be doing the um the ceremony in front of the police station. So I encourage everybody to come out to that as well. All right. I see next we have item B memo regarding new business licenses. We have a couple in there. Item C, Cedric County Fire Department, station 34 monthly report. It's in the packet. Item D, presentation of economic development strategic plan and assessment. So, we have Friends University with us tonight. So, if you'd like to uh kind of say who you are and uh who you're with.

You guys want to introduce yourself first? Yeah. Yeah. Hey, my name is Sander. I am from Norway and I'm a senior at Friends. I'm Kelsey Kinderberg. I'm from Witchaw, Kansas, and I'm a junior at Friends. Hello, I'm Grant Wagner. I'm a junior at Friends and I'm from here in Waw as well. Hello, my name is Nicholas Foley. I'm a senior at Friends University and I'm from Clearwater, Kansas.

And I'm Rachel Steiner. So, as um Mayor Russ Kesler mentioned, we are with Friends University with the Center for Enterprise and Community Engagement and we were tasked um with Will and Danielle and Mayor Russ Kesler um to look at updating the economic development plan and assessments and provide some recommendations. And so what we have done in looking through the 2025 community survey, the 2024 retail study, um the 2023 housing study and 2024 housing grants along with creating our own survey um that we submitted to um the city with the help of Danielle and the Chamber of Commerce. Um we got some feedback from that as well. So, you guys should have in your packets um updated SWAT analysis that we completed um on getting feedback from um a few here at the city and um as well as the surveys that we've had and then um we're going to go through a couple recommendations that we have for you.

All right. First of all, thank you so much for having us. This has been a fun project to work with. Um and uh yeah, been been a pleasure to get to know Hazel a little bit. Um so first of all I'll keep this um yeah short and sweet. I know you guys have a lot of important information to go through so we'll move pretty quickly here. Um our first recommendation is regarding the gas station economic leakage that was addressed by um retail strategies which is kind of a consulting firm that comes in and helps communities with developing their downtowns and and such. and they um analyzed the economic situation here in Hazville and the area around it with a 5m radius and stated and concluded that $100 million each year leaves the Hazesville area because uh the residents are spending that money in either Witchah or Derby or other nearby communities instead. That's a lot of revenues for a for a community as as your own. um and we wanted to kind of dive a little bit deeper into that and how you could address it. So in our survey, we asked um the residents here how many people are actually getting their gas here and only 36% of the survey takers fill their gas in Hazville. And we thought that um so there is a demand and supply gap here obviously. So adding an additional gas station in Hazville that that is more tailored towards the demand. Um and according to our study, uh 72% of residents would want to fill their gas, more likely to fill their gas in Hazville if there was more options here. And they were very optimistically optimistic towards a quick trip. However, we have addressed that there might be some concerns and maybe uh getting getting them in here. Um, but we think that this gap is so uh substantial that it's that it's worth pursuing

nonetheless. And people want it on Senica. So the Vicor's patrolling station is actually pretty nicely placed. Um, the only problem is that it doesn't serve gas, right? But if it was, people would likely love it.

Okay, on to the next one. Um, social media. So Hazville, you guys post a lot across multiple medias. Uh, and it's a lot of information. It's a lot of flyers informing uh the residents of Hazville, but we would love to see more engagement with the community. And I think we think that this is a great opportunity for you guys to connect more with the community and get the word out there for people even maybe considering moving into Hazville uh of how such like how of a great community you guys are, right? So out of the to last 25 Instagram posts. So we did Instagram with