MINNEOLA CITY COUNCIL MEETS                                                September 15, 2025

The Minneola City Council met in regular session on September 15, 2025, in the Civic Connection. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., with the following Council members present: Dustin Laudick, Wesley Orr, and Debbie Buckley. President of Council Marvin Jensen presided. Also present were Tyler Knox, City Manager and Brenda Stewart, City Clerk.

The Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) Hearing was called to order 7:00 pm. There were no questions or objections. Wesley made a motion to pass Resolution 2025-R05 to levy a property tax rate exceeding the RNR, a roll call vote was taken, Debbie seconded, motion passed 4/0. The Council members signed the resolution. The RNR Hearing was closed at 7:05 pm.

The Budget 2026 Hearing was opened for discussion. There were no questions or objections. The Budget Hearing was closed. Dustin made a motion to approve the 2026 Budget as published, Debbie seconded, motion passed 4/0. The Councilmembers signed the 2026 budget.

Denny Denton, Senior Group President of the Civic Connection:

• Thanked the Council for having the carpets cleaned.
• He has not received estimates to have the urinals replaced.
• He expressed concerns that the County Commissioners may cut the wind farm funding out or reduce it for the Civic Connection.
• Denny mentioned that the Commissioners may be violating the KOMA requirements while discussing things outside of the meetings.
• He also asked about the Clark County districts and when was the last time they were reviewed.

Howard Wideman, previous County Commissioner:

• He received bids for adding a black fence behind the Veteran’s Park sign. They have received enough donations to add the fence. The Council agreed to the fencing and asked that he get with Tyler prior to installation.
• Howard also expressed concern over the wind farm money and the distribution of the funds vs. how the contract reads.

Debbie made a motion to approve the minutes from August 18, 2025, Wesley seconded, motion passed 4/0.

Financial Reports for August 2025 were reviewed. Brenda explained that a JE needs to be completed to cover the bond payments that are due at the end of the month.

Manager Update:

• Bucklin’s oil truck is still broken down. We may not get chip sealing done this year.
• The carpet cleaning at the Civic Connection and City Hall was done this last Friday. The invoices are in the bills to be paid.
• We have signed Ethan up for the CDL Theory Class in October in McPherson.
• The Southwest Community Foundation Grant was applied for again.
• The HUGS Grant was sent in today and we should find out within the next couple of weeks if we received any funding.
• The KDOT share grant was applied for to assist with paving Poplar Street for the new school. It is a 60/40 grant and hopefully the school and City can split the costs. Tyler is working on screenings for the rock road. Dustin stated they have some rock available if we can pick it up.
• The tree pit was burned. We had a surprise inspection and passed.
• Tyler talked about a letter received by the Mayor last week. It concerned the use of taxpayer’s dollars, bird nests, and bird droppings at the Community Park.
• Well #7 is back online and the new air relief valve is installed and working.

Everyone has turned in their paperwork for the command center badges. Pictures were taken. Tyler will get the information to Millie Fudge.

Fall clean-up will be with dumpsters out at the tree pit and will start October 4. It will be open for residents during regular Tree Pit hours through October 11.

We are still working on the sale of the vacated Cedar Street lots. We have one resident who is upset now that we did away with Cedar Street and no longer wants to purchase their lots.

Resolution 2025-R04, trailer at 109 Maple Street, previously voted on, will be signed by the Mayor tomorrow morning.

Other old items reviewed were the Motel 6 sign and pools without fences.

The bulletin boards were removed from the post office. This was the City’s best notification location. Everyone was asked to brainstorm for new ideas including other mounting locations and free-standing boards.

Bluff Creek Coffee did not send in a permit application but a preliminary drawing of a drive-thru and EV charging stalls they would like to put in. The Council did not find any issues with them proceeding with the permit process and that Brenda should do further research for compliance.

Dorothy Briseno-Bremer has been with the City for over 4 years and has not received any financial increases since starting. After discussion, Debbie made a motion to increase her pay to $30.00/hour, Wesley seconded, motion passed 4/0.

Tyler is looking into a used or new trailer mounted boom lift. This would help clean out the bugs in the lights on Main Street, replace light bulbs, put up and take down the flags and Christmas decorations, trim trees, and set up the new Christmas tree. Hopefully, quotes will be ready for next month.

Carol Tedford will be in the office next Monday through Thursday.

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

Debbie made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dustin seconded, motion passed 4/0. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.

City Clerk