Great Bend City Council meeting
Aug. 5 - 6:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
The council meeting will be livestreamed for the public to view on the city council Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/gbcitycouncil/.
Agenda
Opening: Pledge of Allegiance
A. Consent agenda
B. Old business
1. Jesus Carbajal rezoning - 1013 Hubbard Street
At the July 15 meeting, the Planning Commission's recommendation to pass ordinance 4438, approving this zoning request, was presented to the city council. The vote was 4-2 in favor of accepting the recommendation and passing the ordinance. However, five votes are required to pass an ordinance - Kansas statutes state that no ordinance is valid unless it receives the vote of a majority of the "members-elect." A majority of those present and voting is not sufficient unless it is also a majority of the full membership. City Attorney Allen Glendenning advised that the ordinance had not passed because it was one vote short. Glendenning later retracted that, stating that there was an exception for zoning ordinances. However, upon further review of the statutes and case law, Glendenning has concluded that there is no exception and that the general rule applies. The result is that the rezoning ordinance is not valid. Therefore, this matter needs to be publicly revisited to clear up the confusion. A motion will be presented to the council to pass ordinance 4438 or send the matter back to the Planning Commission.
C. Recognition of visitors and announcements
The public is free to comment on items not listed on the agenda. Comments should be limited to three minutes.
D. New business
1. Councilmember reports
2. Administrator's update
3. Economic Development report
4. Dangerous building - 2521 12th Street
An investigation was conducted from public right-of-way on the principal structure at 2521 12th Street. A motion will be presented to approve a resolution setting a public hearing.
5. Public hearing for dangerous building - 1441 9th Street
An investigation was conducted from public right-of-way on the accessory structure at 1441 9th Street owned by Thomas Pearson. The public hearing will be opened. A motion will be presented to approve a resolution, moving forward with the removing the dangerous building.
6. Common Consumption Area (CCA)
In 2021, Great Bend Alive requested and was granted a CCA for Forest Avenue from the west side of Main Street to the east side of Williams Street. The current CCA expires in 2026 but they are now bringing forth a new proposed ordinance to cover a larger area. A motion will be presented to adopt an ordinance, establishing a Common Consumption Area within city limits.
7. 1/2 cent sales tax renewal resolution
In 1999, the voters of Great Bend voted to levy a one half of one percent Retailers' Sales Tax for purposed of property tax relief, capital improvement projects and economic development. That tax went into effect in 2000 and has been in effect for the past 24 years. In 2014, the issue was again voted to continue for another 10 years. That 10 years will be up in 2025. In order for this source of revenue to continue, the issue must again be put to the voters. A motion to approve a resolution will be presented to place the 1/2 cent sales tax renewal question on the November ballot.
8. Vacation buy-back
Any employee who has between 200-240 hours of accrued vacation leave or 300-360 hours for fire department shift employee, is eligible to participate in the vacation buy-back. Employees may only buy back up to 40 hours of vacation or up to 60 hour for fire department shift employees. A motion will be presented to approve the vacation buy-back policy.
9. 2024 asphalt residential alleyway improvements
In the spring of this year, there were temporary repairs made to some of the residential asphalt alleys due to accessibility issues with the intent of having a project for the permanent repairs of the alleys. A motion will be presented to approve the bid from Venture Corporation for alleyway improvements for $146,430.
10. Executive session
An executive session has been requested to discuss personnel matters considering non-elected personnel for the discussion of the City Administrator position.
Adjournment