City Council Meeting (May 20, 2024)

The Phillipsburg City Council met in regular session on May 20, 2024, 6:00 P.M, at 945 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bret Miles.

PRESENT: Councilmembers Brian Shrader; Mike James; Don Roberts; Terry McConnell; Lauren Weinert; Jeannette Harris.

ABSENT: None.

ALSO PRESENT: Tim, Ruth & Shawn Ellenberger; Mike & Janice Sheid; Jason Dibble; Max Dibble; Angie Wells; Mike and TJ Corcoran; Brad and Shelly Lare; Kim and Stan Munyon; Cody Bogart; Richard and Pam Miller; Janice Wilson; George Searight; James Gower; Alissa Kirchoff; Trudy Russum; Ember Ward; Lisa Schmidt; Ruby Wiehman; Randy Hrabe; Krystle Schamp; Kathy Shallenberger; Rachel Martin; Kirby Ross, Phillips County Review; S. Scott Sage, City Attorney; Brandi Spray, City Clerk; Tim Driggs, City Administrator.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States was led by Mayor Bret Miles.

Moved by Shrader, seconded by Harris to approve the May 6, 2024 minutes as written. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Moved by McConnell, seconded by Shrader to approve the May 15, 2024 special meeting minutes as written. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Moved by McConnell, seconded by Harris to approve ordinance #1055-05-24A to pay the bills for the month of May. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Shrader stated that he had an individual ask him about receiving a refund for the swim lessons she had paid for. It was the consensus of the council to allow a full refund for the swim lessons.

Shrader also shared his opinions on the social media conversations. He stated that the talking about council members on social media needs to stop and that people need to stop hiding behind the keyboards. He also stated that if someone has public comment then they should come to the meetings.

Roberts asked about the pile of construction debris at one of the Phillips County buildings across from the firehouse. Max Dibble spoke and stated that the landfill was closed at the time of completion of that project but there are plans to remove it and take to the landfill.

McConnell said he had one of the officer’s send him some concerns about the parking on 5th Street during soccer season because people park too close to State Street. He recommended painting the curb yellow so that they can write citations if need be and keep people from parking in that area. He stated that he will get with Driggs about it at a later time to see what can be done.

Fire Chief Clancy contacted Miles to let him know that they are ready to purchase the new fire truck that was discussed previously. He said they do have some grants already and are waiting to hear on some others. Moved by Shrader, seconded by McConnell to approve the purchase of the new fire truck split 50/50 with the rural fire department for up to $80,000. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Miles shared that there are two new employees at the Aquatic Center. Swimming lessons will carry on as normal. Adult swim will be in the morning from 10a.m.-12p.m. and water Aerobics and everything else will be the same.

Miles stated that there will be a special city council meeting tomorrow May 21, 2024 at 5:30pm to discuss Northwest Planning & Housing.

Before moving on to public comment, Miles stated that there will be no non- elected personnel discussions held. If anyone wishes to speak about non-elected personnel it must go into executive session.

Alissa Kirchoff read her letter addressed to the council, city employees and members of the community. You can see the exact letter attached in the agenda for this meeting. Kirchoff stated that it is important to acknowledge that the council volunteer, and those that volunteer do it because they care about the community but we can still keep all individuals accountable.

Russum and Shallenberger left the meeting at 6:16pm.

Ruby Wiehman asked the council if they had a chance to talk about the parking at Fort Bissell. Miles asked Wiehman if their taller fence could be moved back a little bit, she stated that those are buried so deep it would be a nightmare trying to move them. It was the consensus of the council to allow the city’s fence to be moved for parking in the grass in front of the Fort unless it is muddy or wet, they ask that they park in the old pool parking lot instead.

Mike Sheid states that Phillipsburg is a phenomenal community. Sheid spoke of several different organizations/instances like the first responders, Hospice, Phillips County Hospital, Never Flinch Foundation, and Studio A dance recital. It shows the strength of the community and how when you work together things can be accomplished. Sheid said “People migrate to positive. There’s enough negative in this world today and positive energy makes it for a better community. Leaders, whether you are county, city, what part do you play in building this community? What part do we have in bringing graduates back here to have a career, new residents moving in, new business opportunities? What part do we all play?”

Moved by Harris, seconded by McConnell that the city council recess into executive session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with the City Council, Mayor, City Attorney and Richard Miller in attendance and the open meeting to resume in the city council chamber at 6:40pm.

Ellenberger’s, Sheid’s, Dibble’s, Wells, Corcoran’s, Lare’s, Munyon, Bogart, Miller, Wilson, Searight, Gower, Kirchoff, Ward, Schmidt, Wiehman, Hrabe, Schamp, Martin, Ross, Spray, and Driggs left the meeting at 6:32pm.

Ellenberger’s, Sheid’s, Dibble’s, Wells, Corcoran’s, Lare’s, Munyon’s, Bogart, Wilson, Searight, Gower, Kirchoff, Ward, Schmidt, Wiehman, Hrabe, Schamp, Ross, Martin, Spray and Driggs returned to the meeting at 6:40pm.

Miller left the meeting at 6:40pm.

Jason Dibble expressed his opinions on what could have been the future of the Aquatic Center and then requested an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.

Brad Lare stated that an anonymous voice on social media has divided our community and rumor and hearsay have taken over. He stated that he agrees personally with the current administration and the way things are conducted within.

Krystle Schamp was checking in to see where we were at with the repairs on West F Street. Miles stated that the contractor showed up today and will start crack sealing tomorrow and the ‘dead end’ sign has been ordered. Schamp requested an executive session.

Moved by Shrader, seconded by McConnell that the city council recess into executive session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with the City Council, Mayor, City Attorney, and Krystle Schamp in attendance and the open meeting to resume in the city council chamber at 7:02pm.

Ellenberger’s, Sheid’s, Dibble’s, Wells, Corcoran’s, Lares, Munyon’s, Bogart, Wilson, Searight, Gower, Kirchoff, Ward, Schmidt, Wiehman, Hrabe, Ross, Martin, Spray, and Driggs left the meeting at 6:52pm.

Ellenberger’s, Dibble’s, Wells, Corcoran’s, Bogart, Wilson, Ward, Schmidt, Wiehman, Hrabe, Martin, Spray, and Driggs returned to the meeting at 7:02pm.

James stated that he got a call from a county commissioner expressing his gratitude for the city loaning the county landfill an employee to drive their trash truck.

Moved by Shrader, seconded by McConnell that the city council recess into executive session to discuss a personnel matter pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with the City Council, Mayor, City Attorney, and Jason Dibble in attendance and the open meeting to resume in the city council chamber at 7:14pm.

Ellenberger’s, Dibble, Wells, Corcorans, Bogart, Wilson, Schamp, Ward, Schmidt, Wiehman, Hrabe Martin, Spray, and Driggs left the meeting at 7:04pm.

Ellenbergers, Dibble, Wells, Corcorans, Bogart, Wilson, Schamp, Ward, Schmidt, Hrabe, Martin, Spray, and Driggs returned to the meeting at 7:02pm.

Shrader mentioned that there have been several properties under construction for a long time. He stated the council should address these properties to see what can be done.

Moved by McConnell, seconded by Shrader to adjourn – time 7:18pm. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.