City Council - Regular Meeting

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Good evening. I would like to call to order the um Hutchinson City Council meeting for February 17th, 2026. Um and I will remind everyone to silence their phones. Um and with that, we can begin. Truan, yes. Garza, yes. Goss here. Bas here. Pledge allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Uh for the prayers tonight, we have Glenn Coer uh the First Church of God. Thanks for coming.

Shall we pray? Our gracious God and heavenly father, we come to you this evening lifting up this council asking you to give them wisdom and insight. Help them to make decisions that will benefit all the citizens of Hutchinson. Lord, we pray you'll be with those who couldn't be here for whatever the reason. Lord, just give them safe journeys back. Lord, be with those who are here in attendance that they might listen and observe and learn what goes on in our city. Lord, we thank you for these folks that have been willing to step up and serve and lead us. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

Thanks, Gwen. Next item.

Item number four, proclamations. We have none. Item number five, petitions for monstrances oral communications from the audience. Um this is part of the agenda where we hear oral communications from the audience. Uh please limit your remarks to five minutes and to items not on the agenda. Um audience members may address the items on the agenda when the item is discussed by city council. So at this point if anybody wants to come to the podium uh just state your name and address and um we'll hear your comments. My name is Chris Link and I live at 3506 North Lraine. Good evening. I want to start by thanking the city council and its members for your service to our community and the sacrifice that you make to serve the people of Hutchinson. More importantly, I want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for a form of government that is the freest in the world and allows us to speak openly and let the [clears throat] truth prevail. I also want to apologize to the council and my fellow citizens. I have been a lazy citizen and have not participated in the government but only complained. I want to make a difference like you do. I want a great city like you do. I want to love my neighbor like you do. Therefore, tonight I want to speak of the choice before us, Christ or chaos. In the beginning, God created all things and he created it all very good. He gave our first parents, Adam and Eve, the choice to rule creation, God's way or their own way. Unfortunately, they chose to rule their own way, succumbing to their desire to be like God, and they ate the the forbidden fruit. This plunged the creation into chaos and brought death into this world. The rest of history is God having patience and giving mankind a chance to rule God's way. We have failed to honor God and serve him perfectly. Therefore, we have

all sinned and rebelled against the triune God and deserve his righteous wrath. But the God of bi of the Bible is a merciful and loving God. He sent his only son, his perfect son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world to rule and reign as a man and as God had had intended. Jesus Christ, the God man, lived a perfect and holy life, obo obeying his father in all things. At the end of his ministry, he laid down his life for his people. He was crucified, dead, and buried for our sins. But because he was perfect and lived his father's way, death could not hold him. He was raised from the dead on the third day and was given all authority in heaven and on earth. Since then, he has been building his kingdom by the Holy Spirit through his people. Psalm [snorts] 2 prophesied of all nations being given to the son. This happened at Jesus ascension when he said in Matthew 2018, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." It also says in Colossians 1:16, "For by him, Jesus, all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through him and for him." So, what does this good news of King Jesus ruling and reigning have to do with government? The word of God speaks to that, too. Romans 13:1 says, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. You are all here because you were placed here by God." Why has created God created the civil magistrate? To be his servant who carries out God's wrath on the evildoer.

Romans 13:4. If God institutes the civil magistrate, don't you think we have he has the right and authority to dictate how they should rule? He does this by his perfect and infallible word found in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. The principles found in the Bible have led to life, prosperity, and freedom because God's ways, God's way, are perfect and righteous. America, the most prosperous and free country in the history of the world, was founded upon Christian principles. The history of the West, culminating in the founding of this country, has produced charities, hospitals, science, inventors, and many other blessings. God's way is better, and he blesses those who obey him. Unfortunately, we have forgotten God's goodness and excluded him from our education, our public square, and our lives. We see God's judgment around us for our disobedience and thanklessness. But there is hope. Jesus is resurrected and is ruling today. We can repent and believe. He is faithful to forgive. And he will bless our land again if we obey his word. He can resurrect our situation and save the city, nation, and the world. Let us return to his ways. Do we want to build this city upon the sand and rely on government to be our God? Or do we want to build our city upon the rock, King Jesus? Let us repent of our sins of statism and follow Jesus Christ the Lord. What will you choose this day? Christ or chaos? Thank you.

Thank you, Chris.

Anyone else? Jack Nubber. [sighs] I work here at City of Hutcherson. I'm your utility locator. Uh this is just a friendly reminder now that the weather's getting kind of nice that you you're going to be working in your backyards, digging your gardens, putting up a fence. Please call 811 uh to have all the utilities located in your backyard. It's been a it's been a hective week starting with Sunday. A lot of gas lines been hit. They're not as deep as you think they are. So, just be cautious out there and keep it safe. Be safe. Call Call 811. Thanks, Jack. Anyone else?

No, I don't think anybody. Next item. Item number six, consent agenda. [clears throat] Um, has everyone had a chance to read through the consent agenda? Any questions, comments? Yes. Um, I've read through it. I just want to say I'm excited about um new businesses opening up and um OPM, other people's money um in the form of grants from the Kansas Department of uh Transportation. I move to approve the consent agenda and authorize the mayor to sign. I'll second it. Trin, yes. Garza, yes. Boss, yes. Maggers,

yes. Next item, item number seven, ordinances and resolutions. We have none. Item number eight, new business. A, consider a beverage sales [clears throat] and sponsorship agreement between PepsiCo. Beverage sales LLC, the city of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College, and Unified School District number 308 as defined in the agreement.

Uh, good evening. Justin Combmes, director of parks and facilities. Um so the item before you is a contract with Pepsi. Um we've also included USD 308 and um Hutcherson Community College. Uh the reason why um this year or this time we decided to include the other two organizations is because we share so many facilities just to make it easier um for example both USD 308 and and the community college use Gallow Stadium. So we didn't want to have two different orders, two different products in gallows. Could say the same thing for the arena. Um and so we decided the three organizations to go together and do an RFP for the service. Um this is something we've always done. Um um the the former contract just just um expired. So I I will hit some of the highlights, [cough] excuse me, uh of the agreement. The full agreement is in your packet. Uh the term is through June of of of 2030. Uh there is a threshold of number of gallons or cases we have to purchase. Um the city will receive $1,500 of initial support funds and then additionally $11,300 annually in support funds. Um the city will also receive 75 free cases of product. Um we generally purchase those for use by city council for the waters for um sometimes we'll do do some pop at city hall. Um also in the agreement um there's a clause about providing and servicing our equipment. Uh currently we have 104 pieces of equipment um that are Pepsi. We our current contract is with Prep Pepsi. Um but we have 104 pieces of equipment. So those are pop coolers, vending machines, all that kind of stuff that spread out through all our facilities. Those are provided to us at no charge. They also service them at no charge. Um of the 104, 40 of them are in uh city-owned facilities. [snorts] Um also there's a guarantee that the price will not increase the per unit price

will not increase by by more than 5% um annually. And then also um if you notice there's some language about vending services at the city. We do not utilize our vending service. We self-service our own vending machines but the college and the high school uh they use the vending services. Um just to put it in context, our previous agreement with Pepsi, our annual benefit was $3,500 a year. So this is significantly more more annually. So uh with that I will stand for any questions. It is my recommendation to proceed. Um I believe USD 308 and and the community college have both also approved this contract. Um I know that 308 approved it at the last um meeting at the last schoolboard meeting. It was also mentioned at the time that it was backdated to 2025. Can you confirm that? Yeah, the start date is June or July, I don't remember, of 2025. I'll have Paul speak on that. We've been negotiating this for a long time.

Yeah. Yeah. So, the version that 308 signed had me listed as mayor. That's probably because they just didn't update it when they passed it. I think they ended up taking it off, but Okay. Yeah. Um, so when we pass it, um, I two revisions. The first is that Laura Corey is no longer the president of the board of education. It's Lance Patterson. And they're only going to be looking at our signature on what we send to them. Huh. They will only be looking at our signature on what we sent to them. They already have the other two. They're waiting on us. Okay. So, um the board of trustees already passed it. They have. Okay.

Any more questions from council? Any questions uh comments from the audience on this agenda item? Uh, if not, I'm looking for a motion. Um, I move to approve a beverage sales and sponsorship agreement between PepsiCo. Beverage Sales LLC, the city of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College, and Unified School District number 308 as defined in the agreement and authorize the mayor to sign. I'll second it. Shuan, yes. Garza, yes. Goss, yes. Mayers, yes. Item 8B, development agreement for Superior Holding Incorporated.

Paul Brown, city attorney. Uh, council, I put before you our current development agreement with Superior Holding. Uh, we just did that effective last year in 2025 and May of 2025. It provides the incentives that's consistent with the city's policy uh for job creation. Uh Hudson City Council policy 30 and I've included that also. Uh Superior Holdings, Superior Boiler has announced they expect further employees uh under their uh well they've got some new ownership but they expect a greater number of employees. The development agreement doesn't have a maximum. It does have a minimum like the policy which is 10 um and it goes through 2030. So if they produce the jobs, uh we will pay the incentive. [clears throat] Uh it does not have a maximum. I hope they go great runs and get 100 new jobs out there and uh we will be happy to accommodate them. So that's why we're not recommending any action by the council because it covers future years and it already uh puts into place the $21 an hour minimum uh salary along with the health insurance requirements. That's part of the policy as well. And if uh Superior Holding does want amendments to the contract, I'm pointing at a couple of the chamber members. [laughter] Uh but if they do want amendments to it, uh have their council just contact me because we can we can arrange that very easily. Uh but there's not much to change here since it simply restates the city council policy.

Questions for me? Two points. Yes. Um so this was approved in 2024, not in 2025. Um, and what if we as a council have changes that we want to make to policy uh 30? Then you have to make changes to the policy and then do we rewrite this contract or it stands as is until revisited? Contract that you have. H you are bound by the contract that you have. We could ask them to resign for depending on if they agree to the amendments. Right. That's what I'm saying. Yeah. Okay. And it goes the other direction, too. If they want amendments, you have to agree to those, right?

What I guess what changes are you thinking, Stacy? Because I'll be honest with my my [clears throat] I'm just wondering if we're cutting ourselves short of $21 an hour. If we need to be pushing companies I mean, if we're going to give them a $1,500 per job incentive, do we need to be pushing that up? I mean, are we cutting her short, you know, by Okay, it's just a thought I had. It's something we need to do more discussion on.

Let me address that. Council, look at the back half where I've got the Hudson City Council policy and that's what it talks about is $21 an hour. And that's as far as your policy goes. If you want to change it, then you need to change your policy because these chamber folks back here need to know what to tell prospective employers. And if it's something different, fine. But we need to know what it is in advance both for the city and both for the chamber staff members and and that's fine. That's not a problem. Uh but tell us what you want.

So I will do exactly that. Um so I can you pass this to Eno and and Paul please. Um sent email to Mr. Viegas um I think in December or November. Um I don't remember why we were talking about incentives but um essentially I outlined that the only incentives that I felt comfortable with and this is totally independent of this contract. Obviously this was signed um 18 20 months ago. Um so um it stands as is unless we make changes and ask them to resign like you said. However, I think moving forward, um there's a lot better language that we could put into place. um $22 an hour as a minimum with a 3% um COLA adjustment and outlining that into the statute into policy 30 so that um not only are we ensuring that the positions that we're providing the incentives for are receiving a cost of living adjustment every single year. But we're also outlining um essentially a 3% raise in the floor of what we're incentivizing. Um and then also I added in an option regarding property tax abatement. Um you can ask them to escrow um between 2 to 10 years of um what has been abated. that way in case there are potentially clawbacks you ensure that the funding is is there and is available. Um but essentially what the new language and obviously this

would be up for debate but what the new language outlines is that um we have a and 22 is really still within the Alice range um but you have a floor that you're willing to incentivize um and and it just goes up from there. So, um I also included the Witchita and they have a whole packet on their um uh economic development guidelines. Um but yeah, so I did some research over the past couple weeks

and just for for context as well, um part of why we brought it while we were discussing it was um I also felt that the 21 was low and especially in conversations surrounding Alice um and especially within the Alice community within Hutchinson and Reno County um to try to raise that whether it's 24 or 25 an hour. the state is closer to, I believe, 25 an hour. Um, and so that would be a threshold that we would like to hit. Um, and we also talked, excuse [clears throat] me, briefly on property tax abatement and that typically the default has been 10 years at 100%. But I do think that businesses should prove to us like why that is a good deal. Um, and so we want to put more metrics uh behind what we are offering as incentives. So that's why it came up at that time. uh and and Stacy who was mayor at the time did uh provide some good suggestions and we just haven't touched we just haven't touched back on it since.

I [clears throat] would also recommend that we look at policy 10 which I think it would make sense to do at the same time which is the tax exemptions for economic development. That would be tying this into um like tiffs and cids. Um, so there's an attorney general I nerded out real hard on this if you can't tell. Um, there's an attorney general opinion that we says that the current tiff law is absent of any language that says um essentially that a company can't um protest their um tax valuation. So I think we should add that language in here. And there's actually a bill um in the state house right now um 2737 that establishes a taxpayer agreement um it codifies it um and allows us to say that um companies can't um if they're receiving incentives then turn around and um protest their um property evaluations unless and this is where like you get to we as a council have discretion you could add in unless it goes up you know 150% or unless they change their mechanism by which they did the evaluation. There's three different types of evaluations. Um so I think this is something that we should take up um with by the end of the first quarter. Um, I do think that, um, with the presence of EverG and that all coming to fruition soon, this is something that we need to, um, solidify and and think about if policy 10 and policy 30 still work for us as a community.

So, I'm trying to remember. So, why did why do we where how do we land up on 21 an hour? I mean, was that just a recommendation from the chamber? Was that I don't I don't recall. Actually, as I recall, we aligned it with the county's figures. So both of them are the same. Y and if you do that in the future, you probably want to bring the county into the conversation so that it is uniform in application. Yeah, I agree. If we do this, we need to Randy and I when we were going back and forth, we've been talking about this, but this conversation Randy and I predates this by a couple of months. We just haven't gotten back to it.

And then Kansas has its own set um which I can't speak super uh educatedly on. Um, I don't know. Can one of you from the chamber come up and speak to that? It the I think it's the peak program. Is that a $21 or does that set an actual threshold for um salary employees?

And Lauren, if if you could address to like the average pay because I could have I could have sworn it's like 25 an hour or something like that. So maybe this isn't relevant, but I thought it was around 25. So, Lauren Storm with Greater Hutch and the Hutch Chamber. Um my intent tonight was to give kind of an overview of Superior's project just as a preamble to the agre the pending agreement since this is just um but it's definitely a good discussion to be having and I think the more clarity around um incentive policy procedure that we are empowered with in economic development for Reno County and Hutchinson, the better we can help um our businesses grow in the way that they're looking to to to help create that quality invest in investment in high wage jobs. Um the programs through the state um include HPIP which is the high performance incentive program, PEK which is a job creation program and those thresholds are um the the median wages are set based on NAKES codes for the industry which is the North American um industrial code. So those will always be shifting. Um in July the statewide um median wage is reassessed for um average wage and right now the statewide wage is at just right around 20 an hour. So, um, and as we've been discovering alongside you in our development of the Elevate Reno County strategic plan, um, the more conversations we have around Alice and the impact that that community has in, um, in reaching our countywide and and citywide goals, that we're we're quickly finding where where we measure up in against benchmark communities and how we need to continue to incentivize those highwage jobs while supporting employers and their efforts to create those for our community and to help support the ones that are already creating that and helping to to keep those things in mind um for our community. So, as it stands

um like the the county median and I did write these for some support here. Um so, like I um Reno County median w hourly wage is $20.13 an hour as assessed by the state um on as of July 1st of 2026. So, um, like I said, those numbers are going to be those are going to vary based on industry and every incentive conversation is going to have to be a case- by case basis depending on the nature of the industry, jobs created. Um, it's always going to be a conversation. Can I ask a quick question? Actually, Katie found economic development with Greater Hutch. Would the floor be the only would the 20 22 23 would that be the floor? Would you do the range like we currently have set up because of the NAKES code? That can vary on what their average wage would be based on their job description. So if we would that eliminate the other two levels or would that be the start and you'd go up from there?

What's our current rate? What's the current 500,000 level? If you pay $15 an hour, 151820, you get $500 per job, $18 an hour, $1,000 per job, and $21 $1,500 per job. Yeah. So I just to think about that that accommodates for those nodes that pay less which is why we have the the range set up. My thought on it you know so let me just clarify. So you're saying the medium across the county that's the average wage is $20 an hour across all industries all jobs. Okay.

I guess just the way I look at it is if we're going to incentivize somebody I would like to I would like to see that them pay a little bit more than just the average. you know, I mean, if if if you're gonna just pay the average, then I don't know why we need to give you an incentive, but if you're going to go up a little bit, you know, and that's that's what my thought originally was. And these are all stackable benefits, right? Like ours plus the county plus the state. So, case by case on that. Yes. Depending on how many jobs because some of our projects are that we've submitted on that I've submitted on are a lot of jobs where it might be a joint between the city, county, and not stackable. Right. Um, yeah.

So, ideally I it it just piggybacks off of what Mr. Trun was saying, which is we don't want to incentivize jobs that are paying less than the county average at the very floor. Um, because they're potentially receiving three different layers of rebates or incentives or something like that through all of the different programs because they are they're intended to be stackable. That's I mean that's why it's called a benefits package.

And I guess my my only thought is is when when looking at at a reevaluation just when you have a support supplier. So if you have someone who is paying over but they have maybe a portion of their industry or we are able to get a supplier to the larger industry they might have a a different nakes code that does have in general an average lower wage across the industry. So just to kind of think about as we build out the cluster approach with the industries, those could just be some things to which is why we have the $500 and a thousand dollar level, but to just think about within their restraints as a potential industry right now as they grow. I think that that's something that it would be easier to have something to respond to in this case. So

honestly, I think this is a pretty um complex policy 10 and 30 both. And um I would really like to see more of a workshop or a a study session done for this because um if if it's possible and we don't have to you know reinvent the wheel like if there's a different municipality or state who has some language around the NYX codes that we can use that adjusts for at least some of them or points to a place that you can set a standard by every single year or you know what I mean like so you don't have to have everything defined in it. Um, but it tells you where to go to find um your actual floor, right? So,

because I think we do want a a policy that's flexible so that you know you're potentially able to incentivize for every type of position that a company could be bringing. Um, and and not just the highest paying ones. And I and saying that out loud kind of feels like I'm backststepping what I've just previously said, but I mean on balance, our incentives package has to be competitive to other communities and other states. And so having something else to read from another state or another community, I think would be really helpful in this situation.

Exactly. Yep. It's a big It's a big puzzle and it's a nice big knot that we always have going on. I think it's important to consider inclusivity of industry and it's it can be a rock and a hard place because of course we need to acknowledge where we're at but also how we want to grow and so to have option to to incentivize and to bolster industries that are trying to get into those ne next wage levels and have a tool to offer to industries to show support while continuing to give incentives to those who are really performing at the level that we want to encourage. Especially if jobs grow, then the wages can grow with the jobs as we get more tax base. We get more people in the community. It allows us to to keep up and and make the flexibility possible.

Lauren, do you recall what the average wage was that Superior Boiler was going to be paying? Their starting wage for welders is 2150 an hour. Okay. And after weld test, we'll go up to 23 and for skilled welders will even start at 27. So they also offer all of their employees full benefits package. And um even after purchase by their new parent company, Watts, they were um they they found that really impressive that Superior holds stands by offering that um that package to all their employees.

And again, I just want to say that my uh motivation for revisiting both of these policies is not a criticism of Superior or the the jobs that they've created over the past couple of years. Um, I even called the county to find out um if they um usually protest their um property taxes and they don't. So, they're I mean to me they're doing all of the things right as far as I know. So, um kudos to them. Um I think just moving forward um and looking at a package that we want other groups to take advantage of but still be beneficial for us as a community. Um, I don't think these two policies work for us any longer.

And my thought on it is is I just want to try to get our our our citizens the highest wages we can. And you know, if if we're just setting it at 21 and that's the average, then everybody's going to be average. But if we set it up a little bit higher, maybe it'll encourage more businesses to pay a little bit more and then the next one and the ne, you know, and that's what I'm up here for is try to help the citizens best I can. So I guess the other question so with what we're doing with Superior now or my opinion is we just leave it where it is now and and then we visit this for later on. Is that what we need to do or Yeah, it sounds I mean it sounds like I mean based on your information it sounds like they're doing we've already made an agreement and Okay. Right. Yeah.

But yeah, I think we do need to look at this for the future. So probably sooner than later too with a lot of things on the table. So

that could be the most supportive in their um I mean in the agreement they already have and in support of the the hundred employees that they are tasked with hiring. Um not only is this for um current operations but for an entirely new product line that they're undertaking. Um so I think that would be the best show support for the company with I mean and as you draft the agreement hopefully that will be in consideration at the next meeting. Um but I but it's it's always a useful um exercise to to review incentives and packages and for those to be communicated. Next meeting is probably a little lofty [laughter] at our next available opportunity some at some point in the near future.

Yes. How many other companies in Hutchinson participate in this? Do you know off hand anyone currently under contract? Yeah. um with through the city specifically. I I am not sure of that currently. Um but we did just create an agreement through Reno County for um with CO and so I I would venture to think that this is not this is not as utilized as it could be. It is a competitive advantage when we do submit for new business recruitment. allowed us to showcase our local incentives and has made us more popular in a couple of cuts for anywhere from mid-range to larger size projects.

And and I think that having you guys at the table as we draft this would be really beneficial to kind of know where our um like the current policy has four different thresholds. Um knowing how to stack those thresholds would be so that they are com competitive um would be really helpful. Yeah. Yeah, we're happy to support.

The only thing I got to say is this. Uh I work for the state and I know their starting wages $21 an hour. State has 600 employees that are facilities that has a lot of city uh a lot of citizens who work for the state. I don't want to go back to war tomorrow to work in the human resources. What the hell is going on here? You're competing with us. We can't get employees now. And so you raising yours and you're putting I'm just thinking out loud in my mind. You're putting us in a heck of a mood. We can't get employees now. Now we're at 21. Uh what are we going to do? I don't know what they're going to do cuz I'm not in the human resource department. I just know we struggle to get employees at $21 an hour starring wage. Um so I guess I would ask if you're going to do this being a prison that has 600 employees in Hudson, Kansas. Now I realize a lot of them come from Witchaw and every around but I don't know I would ask that maybe you put the human resources one of the biggest employees in Hutcherson ask them how they feel about it I don't know they might say we're okay do what you got to do but I still um have to represent them they're here in Hutcherson Kansas with the most biggest employer in town so I would suggest somehow if you want to if they don't call them and ask them

if they want to employ in this because they do have a lot of employees in Hudson, Kansas. So, u that's the only thing I'm I think about that as soon as you guys said to them they have $21 an hour starting wage too. If we raise this then they're going to people are going to say, "Hey, we're going to which is great. Go to that place has the bigger wages, but it's affecting them a little bit." I don't know where where I'm at with this, but I got to speak up for them because I know they don't it's hard to them get employees.

Well, and and something I'm sorry I didn't Oh, go ahead. Something important to remember too is that with incentives this is you know but for these funds these jobs could not be created and um and that's also a consideration when um when deciding where to set your base because that is a consideration that you know while we know where we want to go we maybe aren't quite there yet and we don't want to leave anyone behind necessarily. So it's not necessarily and this is also incentivizing new job creation. So um as companies are considering adding jobs, we want them to consider I mean to be of the most benefit that to to consider that maybe this is time to assess wages. Um and this is a way that um the city can be supportive of that venture and that the entire expense is not on the back of the companies or on employers. That this is a joint effort of support showing that creation of these jobs is going to be beneficial and something that we can participate in to to create the high wage jobs that we want to see exist in our community.

And go ahead, Steve. Go ahead, Steve. But I do know a lot of a little bit because I'm in the union there and I'm one of the union stewards. I do know Topeka has the control of the starting wage. It's not the facility out there. They have to do what Topeka tells them to do. Now, this might force Topeka say, "Okay, we're going to get employees from Hudson. We have to raise ours up, too." I don't know. But I wish somehow you can contact the human resource department because it will affect them. So, I I have to say something for them. Sure. Okay. What I was going to say, Steve, all I'm saying is is I think if we're going to incentivize something, we need to try to get the best wages.

I agree with you. you know, and I I mean, and if a company can only pay $21 an hour, and I understand that, you know, you got to pay your bottom line, but but I I just when I looked at this and was reading this today, I'm like, man, that's kind of low. You know, I just think maybe we're shooting oursel in the foot. We could try to do a little bit better. So, I I just I agree. I think it's just worth talking about and Yeah, sure. and, you know, figure out what we can do. And I'm glad you mentioned the but for clause because ours our policy does not explicitly have one, but other communities do and I think that that's something um it's something that I wrote down that I would want to see included as a provision.

Yeah, cuz the state has the but as well filling the form out early on and getting the signature. So it's a it'll be a follow policy that

and the state as an employer is not eligible for their own incentives. Um, so I wanted to include provisions that they not um protest their property valuations, which I believe is appropriate. Um, but that might only be allowed for tiff districts. Um, tied to a 3% cola uh must be up to date on all taxes at all times during the um period of the contract. um an option, something they considered to be an escrow for amount uh at least a partial amount of benefits and then the but for clause.

And I I wanted to add I recall now um in communicating with uh um with Deborah and Randy. This was actually one of those projects that we wanted the new vice president of economic development to kind of work on as well. Um, so I just that's actually why it was put on hold for a little bit because we we still haven't filled that position. So Oh, I didn't know it was put on hold. Not on hold. We just haven't filled it. Well, it's I I I feel like too it's definitely something we need to look at because it's just a tool we can use to to benefit our community to increase wages for our employees and future employees. So,

I mean, it has been brought up a few times though about wage suppression here. Um, that people will look at this and probably a little angry. That's came up a few times that I don't want to pay that because that means I need to pay more. I've heard that a few times now. So, Garza's comment isn't out of line. And I've heard that several times in my two years here,

you know, and and coming from a business owner though, too. I mean, you have to pay decent wages or you're not going to find good help anyway. So, even this $21 an hour, you can't realistically find good help at at that level anyway anymore. Um, so I I mean I I feel like you have to pay a good wage to find good uh employees anyway. So, I think it's just something to push uh the industry in our in our community um to get that wage up some more. So, I think it's it's worth a good discussion.

Well, we appreciate I know that Superior appreciates the city's ongoing support of their um their current agreement and um I look forward to working with you all and please um we'll be in close contact when drafting this agreement or continuation as you decide. Thank you. Did you want to open the public comment? Yeah. Um, if anyone would like to speak in public comment, um, you can come to the podium and and uh, state your take your comment on this agenda item.

Hi, good evening. Katie Link, 3506 North Line. Um, I am trying to get educated as a citizen, so I mainly have some questions. A lot of this is new to me. Okay, the incentive program. Um, I need a little clarification for that. And people at home watching probably aren't familiar with that. To my understanding, you the city is paying $1,500 per job at Superior Boiling for new job. Is that correct? Yes. Is that at a cap of 10 like of 15? So 15,000 total or if they get a 100, we're paying them $150,000. Do you Lauren, do you want to speak to that? That's not her responsibility. That's not her responsibility. Okay, never mind. Um

that might be a poll question. That probably it is 150,000 if there's 100 new employees. So as many jobs as they do, we keep paying that. Okay. Um but that's after 10 years, right? They have to keep that for 10 years. Up to no read the contract. It covers up to 2030. If those jobs are produced during that time, they are there for a full year and they pro provide health insurance coverage. Okay. Where does that money come from? economic development fund. Okay. And where does that money come from? Is it tax money? Is it donated? Okay. Would that come from property tax, sales tax? Do you know how that our general fund? All of the above. General fund.

Okay. So, as we are um trying to raise sales taxes, our wonderfulformational meeting last night. We are also willing to give $1,500 per new job created by a business. Okay. Um Alice, what is Alice? Can one of you guys give a just quick? that was mentioned several times. I think study asset limited income constrained and employed. Okay, so actively working but asset limitrain.

Okay. Um and I would just like to point out that I am all for people getting paid more money but that should be the business's job. That should be their um their choice. You guys want to build up Hudson. We want to bring businesses in here. And that's awesome. We want to see Hudson be the best it can be, but you guys are simultaneously choking out businesses. Also, just as a fair warning to SDI and other businesses looking for incentives, you can see that there was a contract put in place and here we are re-evaluating that contract. Anytime we take government money and incentivize, the government has the opportunity to come back and say [clears throat] other things about it and to change and have their grip on that. This is not the government's job, especially to tell employers how much they should pay. I mean, Scott, you are um a business owner. If they come in and say, "Hey, Scott, you know what? You're doing really great. You need to pay your employees $35 per hour. I can't do that." Well, well, you got to figure it out. So, you fire more people. That reduces jobs. Or you say, "I'm done with this. I want to be out of Hudgensson. This is not the government's job. You guys need to stop paying businesses to do their job. Let them do it. If they can stand on their own, that's wonderful. But don't give them money with hooks in them." It's kind of like we're the government mafia here. like, hey, here's a little money on the side, but I own you and now you're going to do this. So, I would just encourage you as the city council to stay in your lane. Thank you. [snorts] You know, I want to comment on a little bit. Um, so I I don't know. I kind of feel like, you know, this is kind of an incentive for us to provide um businesses to create new jobs for Hutchinson. So, I don't feel like this is a I don't feel like it's a it's a hook deal to where we're going, hey, you're going to have to do this this. I I feel

like it's it's us creating more economic improvements to to Hutchinson to increase wages for people in this town. So, if we can use this tool to benefit our our current employers or new employers, I don't I don't see this as a bad as a bad thing because you're you're basically you're bringing say you create new jobs, you're bringing more people into this community which is going to basically contribute towards the tax base and and go from there. So, I mean I think it's a good thing if we if we uh help these businesses with incentives to come to Hutchinson. Um because I mean you can look at it and go okay so maybe we don't do this. Well, you can say that, but you have towns all around us that are doing the exact same thing. So, um, if this is an option and a tool we can use, why would we disadvantage ourselves um to other communities around us? So, that's just that's just my take on on that as well.

I agree with you, Mayor Meers. Um, the government already tells us how much we um can pay people. has a floor. Federal minimum wage and state minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Um this is not mandating that anybody pay um $21 or even the $15 as is written in policy 10 currently. Um it's simply saying that if a company wants to be eligible for incentives, there is a floor in a contract that they must agree to. Um and and the actual floor is $7.25. 25 cents um which is abysmal. Um so I I mean I I think that um the remarks made were gross mischaracteration uh mischaracterization of the of the policy and and the intent of the policy.

Any other comments from council uh from the audience? All right. Anything else we need to address on this uh issue? Nope. All right. Next item, Mary. Item 8 C, water distribution update.

Got to make sure I know how to just go over. Okay. Good evening, council. David Gor, director of utilities. Um, pretty happy to be here in front of you tonight. Usually when we speak um we speak about other things, but I got a pretty good update for you tonight. Um just to highlight what our distribution crew has done um this year in water savings. Um it's pretty phenomenal. I actually need to go back and check some of this stuff u just on the percentage because I've been telling everybody 3% but it looks like 4% according to my email. Yeah. So, um, that in its own right is phenomenal. And that's not I would not have expected to see those gains just by going after what we went after this year, changing the approach and um going and and just hitting it hard. Hydrants, leaks, valves, all those things. So, the fact that we got that done, it's pretty phenomenal. Um, but I wanted to go over kind of how we got there in a nutshell. If you have specific questions, I do have Matt and Mark with me tonight and they can kind of go over exactly what their approach was for the field. Uh we did hire a leak detection um group to come in and spot some stuff and they they did find I think two or three pretty goodiz leaks that were draining into like storm drains and things like that we never would have found. So um at the top left we have water treated lost in 24 and then water treated lost in 25. um that equated out to 117 million gallons of water. To put that into perspective, what we did not lose, what we saved this year, 117 million gallons, is 117 of tower ones. This big tower, this big blue tower out here, that's incredible. That's a ton of

water. What that did for cost savings for the plant was $166,140 roughly. Um, and at $3.79, which is our lowest tier rate for water, if we turn around and sell that, it's $591 and265 or 591,265. That's future revenues that we can still sell that water. So total with the direction that we've gone this year and how hard we've gone at it and the the work that these guys have put in to get this done, it's threequarters of a million dollars that we've saved in water loss. That's phenomenal. I when I when I was telling everybody it was 3%, I was blown away. But when I look at my math, I'm like, "Hey buddy, that's 4%." That's it's an absolute that's an absolute huge gain. in that. So totals for 2025 main brakes uh 51 service leaks was 80 hydrants replaced 58 uh hydrant repairs were 49 and valves replaced were 39. So those numbers actually we we talked to the group yesterday and and they uh I don't remember I think maybe it was Nick that made the comment that I thought it was I thought it was more than that. I mean these guys put in a lot of time. They're in the middle of the night. They're out in the cold. They're out in the hot just like I mean just like everybody else is but they're kind of the unsung heroes that they don't get to they don't get to be viewed and seen and except usually when your water's turned off you know and they get the brunt of it. So wanted to highlight them tonight and talk to what a great job they've done. Appreciate what they've done. appreciate Mark and Matt and the direction that they push these crews and they put in a lot of work to get this done and that is an absolute that's a huge thing for Hutch. So, I'm proud to

get up here and be able to say that when some of the other topics we have are, you know, not so pleasant when we're talking about utilities. So, wanted to take a little bit of time and kind of highlight that. Thanks. I want to commend you guys for your work on that. That's that's a huge savings for our city.

Is there is there more that can be done? I'm sure there's I mean, we have miles and miles of So, as far as big number pulls, we really shouldn't have pulled this big of a number just by going after breaks and these kinds of things like we have, but we're coming across high or valves that are broke like crazy over town all over town. That is something that we've we're on top of. We're going at it, but it's a slow process. I mean, money, you know, it's a thing and we can only get so many in in a year. um we can go after meters. So meter replacements. So meters are like a they're like a clock on batteries. They they actually get worse with time. People think that they actually start reading in our favor. They actually don't. They start reading in the customer's favor. That actually contributes to the water loss. It's it's it's free water that they're getting. There's usually a program they which there is. I know Angela has a program where she switches these things out. Um there are some meters in town that we're going to help Angela's group and make sure with that new AMI stuff that's coming. That's going to be a big thing. Um fire lines, making sure those have detector checks on them. That's another direction that we're going to go. Uh those are probably the two bigger ones is to kind of help on on that side. But, uh, the leak detection also, that's something we're going to do on every 3 years and have these guys come in and just make sure that we don't have anything else that's leaking where we where it doesn't surface. So, that's mainly I I would have expected to catch it in fire lines and something like that, but I wouldn't have expected to catch four and just going out and fixing Mayan.

And we don't have anything internally that detects any leak. I mean that's our infrastructure is so old we don't have anything that probably detects any type of leaks. No going, hey, we're losing this much down this pipe or something like that. Does that So when you get into new technology, is there stuff like that that actually ties into that to help with that? The AMI meters would help on the customer side, which is just I mean that's all going to be water that we're catching. Um, you can put stuff in the system where you can monitor pressures, but I I'm kind of on the fence with that kind of stuff. Pretty costly, too. I'm sure

it it's not cheap. It's just a matter of putting it in and getting it there, but you can monitor pressures in a way, but is that going to be the benefit? It It's definitely not the a benefit for us right now. it's not a direction we need to go currently down the road when we get everything else kind of wrapped up and some more of these hydrants and valves taken care of then maybe so um but yeah you can do some of that stuff and kind of monitor that but then you get into comms talking to you know where's that going to talk to how's that going to you know come back in and or is a guy going to be going out and checking that all the time so yes we can we can look at that long term but I don't think it's something we want to focus on right No, probably. I just I was just asking questions.

Well, and that's why we're doing we're going to do the leak detection every three years because that will Yes, we'll have that in between that we lose, but we also can't pay, you know, I think the guy I think it cost the city $20,000 to have the guy come in $24,000 to have him come in and check the whole town. We don't want to do that every year. We don't need to um because the amount just wouldn't be there. Uh but every third year, yes, we're going to put that into play and that's what we're going to do. Um, and then down the road, if we get this down low enough, maybe we don't need to have him come in for every five years. You know, my goal is pretty lofty. I don't want to tell it to you cuz [laughter] I don't know if we'll get there. I I ideally I'd like to hit 12%. And we're sitting at 18% now, 18.7,

you know, and you look at 24,000, that that's a chunk of change. But if you look at the savings we actually reaped off of that, that's a that's a pretty it's a it's a great investment. It's it's a it's a Yeah. 20 for one, you've got a commodity of water that's that uh it's precious commodity. Yeah. And so everyone we can recoup and then the money we save as well too. So and and that's that's why I wanted to talk about this and I I asked the guys to come in tonight and so you guys could take a good look at them. Mr. Garzy, you're talking, you know, about the folks that we have at the city that are great people that do a good job. That group back there does a dang good job. Oh yeah.

They they don't get enough they don't get enough attabo, you know, because they're usually the ones that are turning your water off and you don't like them, you know, saying mean things to them. I ain't got no water. I get it. But they work really hard and they they deserve to be recognized for that right there. That's pretty impressive.

Well, I want to commend you, Dave. We've talked about this, but I want to commend you for your leadership and allowing these guys to be proactive, you know, challenging them to go out and find this stuff, allowing them to, you know, because I think too many times in the past we've been reactive and just, well, we'll fix it when it breaks. But you guys allowing these guys to go out and do their job and, [clears throat] you know, like Mr. Mine is I I got all the respect in the world for him. He been here for a long time and knows what he's doing, knows our system, and you've allowed him to go out and do it. And I just think that's awesome. Well, I I appreciate that. But I [clears throat] can guarantee you without them fellas back there, I don't get this done.

Well, those guys back there make a department head of they make you look good. Well, we talked about that yesterday. By you allowing them to go do their job, it you mean it was one like when I was a police sergeant, my guys made me look good just because they went out and did their job and Yep. you know. Yeah. So, but anyways, I want to thank all you guys for what you've been doing and I was actually going to ask, can you guys go up? I think it would be good to get recognized. But no, but really though, I I think that and Garza and Council Member Truan know this being former employees, um, they didn't have a voice before. Yeah. And

you're part of the dogs. So I that that is something that you know especially Mark uh kind of assuming the the leadership role he has with the crew. I mean he was kind of silenced and so that is sad that all of the savings here could have been prevented years ago. So I do appreciate the leadership of not only Dave and uh and the crew. I mean, I they have a voice and and that needs to be recognized.

And that kind of goes along with what I said last night. You know, just the morale in the city. You know, we've placed good leadership and they're allowing the the men to men and women to go do their job and be proactive and it shows. I mean, you can accomplish a lot if you allow your guys just to use their head and do what they need to do. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, guys. Thanks, guys. [applause] All right. I don't Thank you for giving me the boss that I got [laughter] because that's awesome. 4%'s a lot and they heard me. I cannot promise this every year. All right.

Okay. [laughter] But we will keep trying. Thank you. Thank you. Next item. Item 8D, bill touch update. [clears throat]

Good evening, council. Dave Sutell, director of strategic growth. Um, I wanted to just give you a brief uh overview about a program we're launching next Monday and also an invitation to you and the public for this program. And I'll give you a little bit history of how we've gotten to this point, but I'll be pretty brief. Over the past few years, we've had residents come to city hall and say, "I want to invest here. I want to rehab a house. I want to convert apper for housing in downtown. I want to all sort do all sorts of different development in our community. Um, you know, they're not asking for a $20 million project. They're asking how do we start? How do we get going? And until now, we've had we've had no uh structured way to help them move from idea to action. Um, we've built Hutch, which is a program uh that's been funded through the community foundation. They gave the city a grant to do this program. uh is a year-long program that helps local residents turn ideas into small-cale development projects. So, just a new way of doing economic development for local folks. Uh an additional tool for staff, for the community foundation, for folk friends at the chamber at Startup Hutch. Uh through this process, participants will learn step-by-step process for small housing and infill projects, understand financing, zoning, permitting requirements, receive coaching on real project ideas. So, we have a few folks in our uh already that we're talking to who have projects that they just don't know how to make the math work. Uh Neighborhood Evolution will do that process with them to make sure that they understand the math of their projects. Um, and we'll also connect them to a local ecosystem of lenders, of contractors, of accountants, whatever they might need. Um, so we're launching Bill Hutch on Monday, February 23rd at 5:30 at Memorial Hall. Uh, and the event is open to property owners, contractors, aspiring developers, investors,

residents, really anyone who's ever been interested in getting involved in development, whether that's uh real estate development and housing or in commercial properties. So, I want to personally invite you and the public to attend this program. You can register at hutchinsonks.gov/buildhutch. uh really excited about this program and the opportunities we'll create over the next year. Happy to answer any question if you have them. So, you're wanting people to register? Uh they don't have to register, but we just having a good number ahead of time is helpful. Got what's the date on that again? Uh on Monday the 23rd. Thank you all.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next item, Mary. Item number nine, report of city officials. A council. All right, we're going to go with Mr. TR again. I will go take it off guards a little bit.

All right, I'll go first. Well, first of all, I just uh some stuff we talked about last night, sales tax meeting. I I mentioned how I feel like the city has got a good momentum and and just the report we got from the water department. kind of thing. I think that just shows uh I mean I'm seeing that through all our departments. Our police department's fully staffed. They're out working hard. Fire department, they're doing their thing. You know, public works, water department. I just I just want the public to know that we are we got some good people in place and we're trying to do good things. Uh the other thing I do I just want to thank everybody that came out the last two sales tax meetings. Um, I thought we had some good meetings and just uh for everybody out in YouTube and the public there, it was put on the uh it was put on YouTube from last night's meeting earlier this afternoon. So, if you want to go didn't get a chance to uh see last night's meeting, you can go to YouTube and and watch it. And I think that's it.

Okay, Mr. Garza. Me.

All right. First thing I like to address, ma'am, you guys, because you guys are brave enough to come to the meeting, which I congratulate you on. First thing, every time there's a decision that's made in this city, our city council makes it. And there's a lot of thought in every decision that we make. Um, that's why I'm all white hair and, you know, baldheaded. I've been on this council for six months. Everything's been put out. that comment that you said that we waste the money, all that has been through our city council. But I guess I used to be like you. That's how I become a city council member. Now you speaking up, which is great. You speak up like me in person. People say, "Why don't you become a city council member?" Which is great. I want you to come up and come to the meetings. But I want you to understand every decision that we make is is looked into very hardly. One part of that decision, if I remember right, was that if we employ a 100 people, when they come in here and they pay taxes, it's all up process. We will get our money back. We h this city is run by business. We have to run this city as a business. And that's part of our business thing we have to do. We put money out there and get incentives and make have people come here to get jobs. That the money will come back. They'll buy houses. to buy groceries and to buy all that stuff. That's one of the techniques we look at. I know because I've been on the city council for a lot of years. Trust me, I get my rear end handed to me all the time. Why you do this? Why you do that? The simple comment is this that we take a look at everything and you have a good city council. We we've heard that before what you said, which is great. Come and I'm glad you said in the beginning you want to get involved in the city. So there we make decisions doesn't be is not just made at one time. It's back in the back room meetings that we have on

weeks on during the nights and everything. So we don't take nothing lightly cuz trust me we get people telling us we waste money all the time. But the bottom line is they don't see what we went through to get to that one little decision and to get to the decision to make these guys supervisors to make these guys be the head of our water department. Look what they brought us. A good thing. So I guess what I'm trying to say, thank you for coming, but we don't take any decision lightly. Every citizen that comes to this city hall has been gone over over and over and over again. That being said, this Saturday I have my meeting. I have meetings every two weeks. Every two months. Not every two weeks. Every two months at the zoo. Come to my meeting at the zoo. We can discuss this this what you have more and let you know more what's going on. Come to my meeting and I'll tell you every we'll tell you everything that's going on in the city. We tried to be as open as we can with you. We can't be sometimes we can't tell you everything why we made the decision. I'm just trying to tell you every decision that's made and the citizens out there every decision that made you might tell us we waste money. we done this, but I guarantee we work hard to make the decision and there's a reason behind what we make. So, that being said, I'd like to welcome everybody this Saturday at 9:00 at my meeting. I buy the donuts, I got the coffee, come out here and we'll have a sit down talk. We'll talk about different things, what the city is going on. And I appreciate you saying you're going to get involved. So, get involved. Come to my meeting, see what's going on. So, you know, I hear the reason I'm speaking up is because I hear that all the time. People say we throw money away. Well, we do the best we can to save your money. We do the best we can with the money we get. We do the best we can with this the sales tax and how we came up with the sales tax. And you got to be real careful with me because once I start, I start talking and I just I talk what I'm thinking. So, I appreciate you

participating. Just want to tell you a little bit how we get to where we're at. Well, got it. That's all. Thank you. That's all. Stacey. Um, immediately following Mr. Garza's meeting is a otter birthday party at the zoo from 11 to 2. Um, Whimsy, Atlas, Pearl, and Theo are having a birthday and I'll be there. Is that the the otter's names? Yeah. Okay. No, I made them up. Okay. Yes, those are the otter names. Um, 11 to 2. It's free as always, like most things at the zoo. Um, so hopefully people can stop by and it's going to be fun. Are you going, Steve? I'm done. Thank you. No, you're going to go to the office. I'm going to be at the at the

Yes, I'm there. I'm there. I'll be there. I'll save you a birthday hat. Okay.

Um, you know, I I want to I want to talk about a couple things. I I do want to say thank you to everyone that came to the the community meetings uh talking about sales tax um and things going on in the community. Like like everyone of the council said, you know, this is a job that's not hard. It's not easy. um you you get elected this position and go it's going to be easy. We've got these great people who's going to take care of things. And when it comes down to it, we're the ones that have to actually make hard decisions of okay, are we going to cut this? Are we going to do this? Are we going to do that? So, I mean it it's it's a hard thing, but I come back to, you know, I love Hutchinson and I would hope that everyone's here loves Hutchinson to look at it and go, do we want, and this is kind of what I went off my campaign was was like, do we want to look at Hutchinson, you know, 10 years from now, 30 years from now, and go, oh, well, Hutchinson has been 40,000 people for a 100red years, and now we're at 30,000 people. because we're not willing to take and make the investment into our community to make it better, to bring people here. So, you know, it it I come back to it's like, do we want Hutchinson to stay exactly like it is? Well, you know, that's something that our community members um basically have to decide for us in in March on this election because it's we put all this time and effort into making this place and this community great. Um, and I just hope the residents know that we get up here and make these hard decisions to push Hutchinson to the next level. And and we we don't get paid anything for this. We do this because we love this town and want to see it move to a better level. Um, you know, and [sighs and gasps] it it takes a lot of time and um but you know, in the end, if we come to these things to make this place a better community for all residents, then it it's worth our effort. Um, you know, and I and we get like I really appreciate the community

members that have that have emailed, have called. I've had I've had multiple conversations with a ton of people over the last two weeks and I really appreciate the conversations that we have because it truly means to me that they they care about Hutchinson enough to reach out and have a conversation versus, you know, splatter us all over Facebook or whatever. um cuz we want to talk to you. If if it's something we're doing wrong, we represent our community. We are up here representing everyone in the audience, everyone listening, everyone that lives in the city limits. So, we want you to come talk to us to know, hey, this is what this is what we want to see and that's what we're here for. Um so, I guess I'll get off my uh get off my soap box there for a minute. So, um, and the next thing I want to say is I wanted to, um, congratulate the the the spec building, the Hutch Chamber, all the effort and work they've done. Um, they've got a new, um, a new company that's based out of Haven, Kansas. Um, they are expanding into the Spec Building, Hutchinson, um, which is which is huge for our community. um they just they've just signed a long-term lease and um they will be moving in there soon and I think that's a great thing for our community as well. So anyway, that's all I've got. Enrico, I was going to have Justin come up to provide an update on the uh golf course. Uh good evening. Justin Combmes, director of parks and facilities. Uh just a quick update on the conversation we had at the last meeting. Um Angela was able to find out uh about moving the funds from the Orchard Park project into the golf course master plan project. Um that can actually be done with no additional um action by city council. Uh just the timing it was bonded and bonded with other projects. Um so last time we said it would have to come back. um she

did find out that it does not have to and also there does not have to be any state review of it or anything like that. Um also wanted wanted just to bring um to attention that we also um so the day following that meeting um I was um an individual reached out to me um and then was able to make a sizable donation to kind of meet um make up the difference of what we were short there. Um, so with that donation, um, plus the money from, uh, the Orchard Park project, we will be able to finish that phase as we originally designed with all the parts and pieces, um, with no additional action or anything by city council. So, uh, so great news on that.

With the donation, um, did you have to cut anything from your original project budget? Um, so we trimmed it up a little bit. Nothing meaningful. Um, you know, we trimmed up a little bit of sod here and there, just kind of tightened the the belt a little bit to get get to a number. Uh, that was a number that Enrio and I kind of discussed. Um, and then immediately following the the donor reached out to me. So, yeah. Yep. So, so it's a little bit smaller than that total budget I presented last time, but still I want to say I don't remember the exact number off the top of my head. I want it's less than $100,000 that we cut off of that. So, the donor did did then step up to make that difference for us. That's amazing. Thank you. Yep. Thanks, Justin. Yep.

You got nothing else? Okay. Um, so we need to um go into an executive session. Um, how long do you need there? I do have another item that is very similar. Um, so 50 minutes. 50 minutes. Okay. So that uh what 7:30? No longer than that.

Yeah, we can do 7:30. Okay. Um, I move the city council recess into executive session pursuant to the confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships exception KSA 75-4319 in order to discuss confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships regarding a private sector entity. the open meeting to resume in the city council chamber at 7:30m. That's 45 minutes total. It's fine. We'll talk fast. Okay, we go 7:20. What's this?

You want to go to 7:20 then versus 7:30? No, 7:30. 7:30. Mayor, can I say something real quick? You guys made me look good on my side of town where I live with all that pipe you guys did. You made me look good. I walked down the town. guarant that wasn't me, it was you guys. So, I appreciate that. You know, all the neighbors, even my cousin was on my side, Mad. So, thank you guys. We need a second. Yes. Second it. Truan, yes. Garza, yes. Goss, yes. Mayers,

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Move to adjourn. Second.

Druid. Yes. Garza. Yes. Goss. Yes. Meggers. Yes. Thank you for coming.