May 13th City of Palco/McKenna Center meeting minutes

Mayor Kyle Karlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Those present included Mayor Kyle Karlin; Council Members Brandon Kuhn, Stephen Desaire, Koleson Hubbard, Don Steeples, and Joan Underhill; City Clerk Larissa Wilson; Treasurer Patricia Wendling; and visitor Friday Otuya. The following individuals arrived after the meeting began: visitors Myron Keller (7:02 p.m.), Richard Davies (7:49 p.m.), Superintendent Marvin Keller (7:33 p.m.), and McKenna Tenant Manager/ Fire Chief Gregg Whisman (8:34 p.m.).

The Agenda was presented and approved, as were the meeting minutes from the April 8th, 2026, and April 21st, 2026 meetings.

First on the agenda was Friday Otuya, who presented the City Council with the Smart Cities sign and shared business opportunities from Nex-Tech.

Myron Keller informed the Council that he is taking over ownership of Palco Grocery & Deli. A CMB license application was completed due to the ownership transfer. All required procedures were followed, and the city clerk received the ABC-approved application and stamps. Clerk Larissa Wilson submitted a KBI record check request, but the results had not yet been received. The Council approved the CMB license pending a clear record check.

During New Business, Don Steeples motioned to approve the CDBG Time Extension Request #2 for an additional two-month extension on the Nitrate Plant Project. Hubbard seconded, and the motion carried.

Hubbard motioned to sign the contract with ATC Accounting for the 2025 Audit. Stephen Desaire seconded, and the motion carried.

The World Pest Control annual renewal contract was presented. Brandon Kuhn motioned to approve. Hubbard seconded, and the motion carried.

The Jayhawk Utility Suite contract is expiring soon; the renewal was presented. Koleson Hubbard motioned to accept the contract renewal. Desaire seconded, and the motion carried.

At 7:27 p.m., Hubbard motioned to go into Executive Session for 15 minutes. Desaire seconded, and the motion carried.

At 7:33 p.m., Marvin Keller was asked to enter the Executive Session; he was dismissed at 7:40 p.m. At 7:42 p.m., the Executive Session concluded. Steeples motioned to terminate Calvin DeYoung's employment effective immediately; Desaire seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Council member Joan Underhill submitted a letter of resignation due to relocating out of town. The open seat will be advertised; interviews will be conducted in June.

There was a discussion on Aflac benefits. Steeples motioned to hold off on any changes until all city employee positions are filled. Hubbard seconded, and the motion carried.

Charter Ordinance 325, designating the City's website as the City's Official Newspaper was presented. Hubbard motioned to adopt the Charter Ordinance, and Steeples seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

There was a discussion on updating animal ordinances regarding the impoundment costs. Steeples motioned to table the item until next month. Kuhn seconded the motion, which carried 5-0.

The Council discussed payment to the Northwest Kansas Ag Education Center for the construction of the conference tables after the originally approved tables were unavailable. Kuhn made a motion to reimburse the school $651.28 for materials, acknowledge the City's purchase of table legs and outlets totaling $444.94, and donate the remaining $186.27 from the approved table budget to the school. Steeples seconded the motion, which carried 5-0.

There was discussion regarding properties currently mowed by the City for which the property owners do not wish to continue mowing services or receive billing for those services, and have expressed interest in transferring ownership of the properties to the City. Discussion was held regarding the Rose Smith property and a portion of the Methodist Church property. Hubbard motioned to accept the Smith property and the portion of the church property, pending the church board's decision to transfer ownership to the City. Steeples seconded, and the motion carried.

Larissa Wilson shared a citizen concern about the limited availability of the commodities program, which is currently offered for about three months per year. It was noted some residents rely on it. Council discussed posting a notice on the City's website and Facebook page seeking volunteers to help when the program is unavailable.

Richard Davies spoke to the City Council regarding his employment with the City. He departed at 8:09 p.m.

Hubbard motioned to go into Executive Session for five (5) minutes at 8:10 p.m. Underhill seconded the motion, which carried 5-0. At 8:15 p.m., the Executive Session concluded. Hubbard motioned to hire Richard Davies full-time at $12.00 per hour, discussion further upon completion of the required safety-sensitive work pending Compliance One's response. Steeples seconded the motion, which carried 5-0.

Returning to New Business, the Council was informed of an increase in illegal dumping of equipment on City property.

INA Alert proposal was reviewed and discussed. Steeples motioned to deny the proposal, and Desaire seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

During Old Business, Steeples moved to proceed forward with the Codification, not to exceed $8,000.00. Hubbard seconded the motion, which carried 5-0.

Karlin shared with the Council that he had spoken with Salvador regarding training for the Code Enforcement Officer position. Kuhn made a motion to register Salvador for membership in KACE (Kansas Association of Code Enforcement). Hubbard seconded the motion, which carried 5-0.

There was a discussion of the letter received from Aaron Towns regarding the clean-up and removal of junk from the property. Karlin reached out to the attorney regarding the matter and provided him with the letter received and all the letters issued regarding the code violations. He has not heard back.

Curt Post submitted a letter to the Council requesting an additional 30-40-day extension for his vehicle, which is in violation of City Code; the letter was provided for the Council's review. Hubbard motioned to approve the extension request. Don seconded the motion, which carried 5-0. The removal of vehicles remaining in violation of the City Code will be postponed and revisited next month.

The City website is now live. The Council discussed the City Code requirement for businesses to register annually to operate within City limits and discussed contacting local businesses about the requirement. Businesses that complete the registration process may be listed on the City website as a resource for residents seeking local services or contractors.

Gregg Whisman gave the Fire Department Report and shared that the big truck was taken to Hays to have the electrical problem fixed; the dimmer switch was the culprit. Hays Fire conducted a pump test. It moved 1,254 gallons per minute for 20 minutes at 150 pounds of pressure, 900 gallons per minute at 200 pounds of pressure, and 600 gallons per minute at 250 pounds of pressure. While the truck was in Hays, it was taken to Peterbilt, which went through the motor and ran the overhead. It was off a significant bit, so they tuned it. It is no longer smoking, so there is no need to trade it.

The two newly appointed firefighters were present at the monthly meeting. During the meeting, they responded to a lightning fire.

Whisman informed the Council that the county was approved for new fire skids, including one for the Palco Fire Department. The Fire Department will need a pickup truck for the skid once it is received, and Whisman is aware of a possible truck for sale that may work. The Council also discussed where the truck would be stored.
Whisman provided a report on the McKenna Land; terrace work has started. Quinton Roy requested a discount on the first half of the first year's rent due to the terrace construction and the inability to use the ground. Steeples motioned to give Quinton a 20% discount on the first half of rent for the first year. Kuhn seconded the motion, which carried 5-0. It was determined that Cody Howland will not be required to reimburse the City for re-seeding of the terraces. 

Quinton and Matt have not picked up their contracts from the City Office. Whisman will drop off Quinton's and Matt's. Whisman will get together with Ronnie on Friday and reach out to the other tenants on their own. Jeff called Whisman on the pasture; he needed a load of shale around the water tank. Whisman told Jeff to contact Keller Tank Services for a load of shale. 

Steeples gave a brief update on behalf of the McKenna Advisory Board. The Board held its first official meeting last week, during which members were appointed. They have been planning for the Christmas in July event. They took $20,000.00 from the line of credit to cover the current bills. USD 269 requested approval for coaches to supervise athletes in the McKenna gym from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Parents will be required to sign a liability waiver for students under 16. Steeples motioned to approve the request. Desaire seconded the motion, which carried 5-0. Karlin will get the McKenna budget out, and it will be reviewed next month. 

Marvin Keller gave the City Superintendent Report. He shared that the shale roads had been repaired. Asphalt will be ordered next month for street patching. The park fence and bathroom doors still need to be installed. One more panel and the gate are needed for the animal impound facility. New dumpsters are also needed. Kuhn motioned to approve the purchase of two new two-yard dumpsters for $1,390.00. The motion was seconded by Steeples and carried 5-0. 

City clerk Larissa Wilson informed the Council that the ARPA Report was submitted last month and that she is still waiting for the final close-out invitation. She has also worked on the representative letters to send to the auditor. Now that the audit agreement has been accepted, she will submit it and schedule the audit. 

There was a discussion about hiring a part-time office employee to help reduce Wilson's workload. Hubbard motioned to approve hiring a part-time employee for a maximum of ten (10) hours per week, as needed in the office, at a starting wage of $7.25 per hour. Steeples seconded the motion, which carried 5-0. 

The Treasurer's Report was presented, followed by the Reconciliations for Petty Cash and all three Mid-America Bank accounts, as well as unpaid bills. The reconciliations and bill payments were approved as presented. 
Adjournment was at 10:03 p.m. 

There will be a special meeting to approve the Nitrate Plant grant disbursement requests; however, the date has not yet been determined, as Kerissa is still working on the paperwork. The next regular meeting will be held on June 10th, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.

(This article is taken from the unapproved May 13th regular meeting minutes.)