Goodland City Commission Recap 5/5: New Stop Signs, Demolition Contracts, and Budget-Friendly Water Tower Update

by Derek White

The Goodland City Commission met for its regular session on May 5, 2025, with Mayor Jason Showalter presiding and Commissioners J.J. Howard and Sarah Artzer in attendance. Commissioners Ann Myers and Brook Redlin were absent.

Community Recognition and Proclamations

Mayor Showalter issued two proclamations, honoring National Police Week (May 11–17) and National Building Safety Month. The Police Week proclamation will be read at the Goodland Police Department on May 8. In recognizing Building Safety Month, Showalter commended Building Official Zach Hildebrand for his contributions to community safety, to which Hildebrand credited multiple departments working together.

New Traffic Control at 13th and Sherman

Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2025-14, authorizing stop signs at the intersection of 13th Street and Sherman Avenue. City staff recommended signs for the north-south traffic to improve safety based on accident history and traffic volume in the area.

Demolition Bids and Property Improvements

Two separate demolition bids were awarded:

·       1615 Center Ave: S&M Repair won the contract with a $8,000 bid, chosen for its faster 20-day completion despite a higher cost than competitor Goody’s.

·       302 W. 15th St: Goody’s secured this job with a lower bid of $6,500, though it came with a longer 30-day timeline.

Contract Awards and Budget Savings

The city approved:

·       A contract mowing agreement with Damon Rickard at $44 per hour, which proved more economical than purchasing new city equipment.

·       A consulting contract with Midwest Municipal Solutions for $3,975 to evaluate energy contract offers from Sunflower Electric and the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency.

·       A revised water tower inspection contract with Viking. Recent repairs allowed the 2025 cost to drop from $15,180 to just $3,900—a significant savings for the city.

Planning Ahead

The commission discussed scheduling a joint meeting with Sherman County officials in early June. Potential topics include funding for a backup generator at the Police Department’s 911 dispatch center and an introduction to the new county sheriff. A separate city planning work session was also scheduled for May 27 at 5:00 p.m.

City Manager Updates

City Manager Kent Brown reported several key developments:

·       The city received its annual EMC insurance dividend check.

·       Goodland secured a FY26 grant for its transportation van service, albeit slightly reduced from last year.

·       The citywide cleanup was successful again this year, and final participation numbers are expected soon.

·       Staff continues to explore upgrades to the city’s financial software system.

·       A reminder was issued for the LKM City Forum, set for June 4 at City Hall.

Commissioner Reports

Vice-Mayor Howard and Mayor Showalter both extended thanks to city staff for their efforts during the spring cleanup event. No additional reports were presented due to absences and limited discussion.

The meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m., with the next session set for May 19.