MINNEOLA CITY COUNCIL MEETS                                                May 19, 2025

The Minneola City Council met in regular session on May 19, 2025, in the Civic Connection. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., with the following Council members present: Marvin Jensen, Dustin Laudick, Chad Kirk, and Debbie Buckley. Mayor Carol Sibley presided. Also present was Tyler Knox, City Manager, and Brenda Stewart, City Clerk.

Ashley Tedford, Pool Manager and Kasey Copeland, Assistant Pool Manager discussed the upcoming season.

• They are placing flyers around town advertising opening day.
• Kasey is certified to instruct swimming lessons, and they are hoping to do them in June.
• The backboard that we currently have is old and not made to today’s standards. They would like to purchase a CJ Board which costs around $500.00. Debbie made a motion to proceed with the purchase as long as the board is taken inside every night, Dustin seconded, motion passed 4/0.
• Ashley would like to purchase a machine and refills that help kill flies. The Council was okay with this purchase.
• The music speakers went out last year and she plans to purchase new ones.
• The backwash system spits sand back into the pool. She plans to purchase a hand system that costs around $80.00.
• If the weather cooperates, the pool will open May 26.
• Ashley inquired if it was okay to purchase bottled water for the guards? The Council said that the guards can bring their own bottled water or water jug.
• Tyler handed Ashely a Pool Operating Manual. A copy will also be kept at City Hall.

Rusty Swonger did not attend the meeting.

Matt Shelor, citizen, discussed several items:

• He submitted all the necessary paperwork to open a fireworks stand in the Den and sell fireworks from June 27 through July 4. The proceeds will go to support the Den. He will need to bring a copy of his Kansas Tax ID to City Hall. Chad made a motion to approve the permit, Dustin seconded, motion passed 4/0.
• When school starts in September, meals are provided on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 for the youth at the Den. The City previously supplied and served the food when there was a 5^th Wednesday in the month. This next year would be October 29, 2025, and April 29, 2026. The Council agreed that the City would provide the food and be there to serve and clean up.
• He discussed 330 S Main Street and future plans. Different grants were talked about and also that he needs to submit the paperwork for the Clark County Revitalization program. With his plans, the lots would need to be re-zoned.
• He inquired about doing a church movie night in City Hall park. The Council agreed to this as long as there is no alcohol and it is cleaned up afterwards.

Dave Strecker had to cancel attending the meeting to go help with clean-up from the Grinnell tornado. The Council discussed his and Alliance Ag’s situation and came up with a rebate solution.

Justin Clowdis, Minneola Fire Department, provided a wish list of items they could really use. With the current budget, some of the updated tools and equipment cannot be purchased. The items listed were: battery powered duty cutter, battery powered spreader, battery powered push/pull ram, additional gloves and Nomex hoods, PAS Device, and extra bottles. The council asked what was needed the most and was told the bottles, cutter, and spreader.

Denny Denton, President of the Senior Center board, stated they want to work together with the City and there are several items that need help:

• The south side trees need to be trimmed.
• The men’s urinals both don’t work correctly.
• The toilets don’t flush very well. They need more pressure.
• There is a raised ridge in the carpet from the cement moving. There is not much that can be done except removing the carpet, grinding the ridge down, then replacing the carpet.
• The south doors have a large gap. The Council asked him to contact Konda Glass, who originally installed the doors. In the future, they would like to look into adding a vestibule.
• The senior group is looking into a security system where fobs are used and a camera system. The Council agreed that an outside camera system would be nice, but we already have a security system on the doors. The senior group would need to get a quote and submit a proposal to the Council.

Loren Ashlock, citizen, met with the Council concerning a code letter he received. The pop machines are gone, the couch is actual lawn furniture, and the tricycle is functional. He stated that he cleaned up some of the other items during clean-up day and will continue. The fire extinguishers are for his business. They are constantly going out and others coming in. Loren said he is looking at another property to keep his business at and will know more in July. Dustin made a motion that he can keep the fire extinguishers at his current location for the time being as long as they are on a pallet and then on the concrete slab against the garage, Chad seconded, motion passed 4/0. The matter will be reviewed at the July Council meeting to see if another property has been purchased/rented.

Stephen Poteet, citizen, had to cancel attending the meeting.

Lois Swonger, citizen, met with the Council concerning a code violation letter they received.

• The chickens are enclosed, and she didn’t know they needed a permit. She is just trying to help 4-H kids. Lois stated there are a gazillion of other people in town with chickens, and they don’t have permits. It was explained that there are requirements for chickens and the quantity they can have and all she needs to do is get a permit.
• The sheep are not allowed in City limits. Lois explained the sale for 4-H animals is at the Clark County fair July 9-12. Marvin made a motion that the sheep may stay until the fair and no further sheep may be kept, Chad seconded, motion passed 4/0.

Howard Wideman, citizen, presented information about the distribution of wind farm money. The City will research to see how the County Commissioners voted.

The video conference with Attorney Morgan Koon, to discuss the RHID and Sunrise Addition, was postponed to a later date.

Debbie made a motion to approve the minutes from April 21, 2025, Marvin seconded, motion passed 4/0.

Financial Reports for April 2025 were reviewed. There were no questions. Brenda will get with Centera Bank about CDs.

Tyler Knox, Manager update:

• Cedar Street revised drawing was received. He will see what our next step is and who will write the deeds.
• The pool chlorine room is almost complete. We need to build the center divider wall, some electrical work, and paint. The metal roof will be installed. He has to inspect the drain where it was hit with the backhoe and see if someone can sleeve it.
• Well #5 was repaired and is back in the ground. Tyler is working up a schedule to make sure our auxiliary wells are occasionally used.
• Our electrician is retiring, and we will need to find someone dedicated into helping the City in emergencies.
• Sergio passed his CDL class, and the next step is taking the test to get his permit.

A card was sent around for everyone to sign for Appleton Township’s support.

Reminder that the deadline to file paperwork for elections is June 3, Noon.

The annual garage sale is on June 7, and citizens can sign up in the post office.

Our code enforcement officer inspected on April 29 after Spring clean-up day. We sent out 63 code letters, 20 warning letters, and mowed 8 properties.

Code Enforcement for 116 W. Front & N. Main was reviewed. The City received a letter from their attorney which will be sent on to Attorney Love.

The Council reviewed the abandoned trailer at 109 Maple. Brenda will review with Attorney Love and Tyler will get a bid to have it removed. The remaining funds received from the County may be used here.

The City has belonged to the Business Association and dues are due. The Council agreed to pay $100 in dues.

Brenda presented a spreadsheet showing bulk water purchased in 2024.

A list of Appointments was presented. Marvin made a motion to accept the appointments as presented, Debbie seconded, motion passed 4/0.

Chad made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-R02 – GAAP, Waive Annual Requirement of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Fixed Asset Accounting, Marvin seconded, motion passed 4/0.

The City donated $50 in Minneola Bucks for the parade sweepstakes winner.

The City received an EMC dividend check. This will go into the general account to help offset some of the insurance charges.

The City received a letter about sponsoring the Wildcat Classic basketball tournament. Chad made a motion to sponsor at the purple level, Debbie seconded, motion passed 4/0.

The City had the opportunity to purchase a used 30’ Christmas tree with greenery, lights, and sound at a very discounted rate. The business wanted it to go to a small-town community that would use it. The base comes apart in 3 sections and the rest of the tree in 7 sections. We purchased and picked it up on May 6.

A retirement card for Rose Mary Saunders, Ranson Financial, was passed around for everyone to sign.

Community Days were discussed. Tyler and Brenda will get with the committee and go over a few changes for next year.

The Council further discussed the Minneola fire department’s wish list. Debbie made a motion to help support their list with a $5,000 donation to be used for equipment, Chad seconded, motion passed 4/0. It was requested that the fire department let the Council know how the money is spent.

A situation at the Veteran’s Park was discussed. With the Sheriff’s department not enforcing City Codes, Ordinances, or writing tickets, this is a problem.

The bills were reviewed. Marvin made a motion to approve the bills as presented, Debbie seconded, motion passed 4/0.

Dustin made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Marvin seconded, motion passed 4/0. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 pm.

City Clerk