Minutes

The following minutes are from the April 14, 2026 business meeting. As of this upload the minutes have not been approved by council. Upon approval the approved minutes will be posted below.

MINUTES

AMERICUS CITY COUNCIL

BUSINESS MEETING

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026- 7:00 PM 

CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor WRIGHT. Council members present were NUESSEN, HARMON, HINRICHS, BURTON, and GERLEMAN. Also present, City Attorney Steve Atherton and City Clerk Dodie Doudna.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Amie Jones and Andrew Onermaa 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by HARMON to approve March 10, 2026, Business Meeting minutes. Motion seconded by NUESSEN  5-0 Vote

BILLS TO PAY: Moved by HINRICHS to approve the April bills to pay in the amount of $57012.33. Motion seconded by BURTON. 5-0 Vote

 REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES: 

PROJECT PLAYSCAPE- Easter Egg hunt was a success. Increased some age groups, and still feel like we need to increase more for next year. Submitted Match Day application and other grants. Raised $2,000 at the spaghetti dinner for the Flint Hills Gravel Ride. 

MAINTENANCE: Had a sewer issue that required A1 Pump Jet to come out. A resident had a back up and it was determined that the issue was in the city line. Moved by HINRICHS to pay Conley Excavating in the amount of $2252.08. Motion seconded by BURTON. 5-0 Vote. Working on getting the chip spreader up and running ready to go for summer. Dump truck still being repaired at Hoyts. 

CLERK: Vet Clinic will be held on June 6th. City wide garage sales will be June 20th. Maintenance went to hang banners for the Farmers Market and one is not usable and the other is in rough shape. Clerk has requested a quote to replace. Council directed to look at metal signs instead of the banners to hold up longer. Steve’s Trash has asked if they can stage dumpsters at the soccer field after pick up on Friday, April 24th. Council agreed. Clerk asked for approval to call Flint Hills Pest Control to see about removing the wasps in city hall ceiling.

ADOPT THE AGENDA. Moved by HINRICHS to approve the agenda. Motion seconded by BURTON. 5-0 Vote 

  1. UNBOUND GRAVEL: Andrew Onermaa asked for approval of road closure for Unbound Gravel, use of the Community Center if available, and utilizing the park as in the past. Moved by BURTON to close Locust St from 5th to Main from 7am on May 30th to 7 am May 31st, approve use of community center and park. Motion seconded by HINRICHS. 5-0 Vote.
  2. ADA COMPLIANCE COMMUNITY CENTER: Amie Jones presented that the county would like to move the polling place to the community center. In order to do so some ADA compliance issues would need fixed. Council agreed to fix the items to become compliant. Clerk will follow up with Jones once they are completed.
  3. POLICE DEPARTMENT: NUESSEN reported that Jody Meyers had completed the inventory and is working through evidence and cases. Will update next meeting. Council discussed code enforcement position, consensus that the position would be no more than 10 hours per week with a pay range of $18-22.
  4. BUILDING PERMIT FEE INCREASE: It was presented that building permit fees had not been reviewed since 2009. Moved by Nuessen to approve Ordinance 633, increasing the building permit fees effective on publication date. Motion seconded by HARMON. 4-1 Vote.
  5. BALLFIELD RESPONSIBITIES: BURTON wanted to ensure that responsibilities were known between city staff and ARO. ARO is responsible for all cleaning of buildings and bathrooms, taking out trash and keeping facilities and bathrooms locked. ARO is also responsible for all field maintenance and marking of fields on game days. Council asked the clerk to invite ARO to next meeting to ensure everything is communicated.
  6. VIDEO/CAMERAS IN CITY HALL: BURTON discussed the need for video cameras at city hall for the safety of staff. Council all agreed that it is a smart step to take in light of some recent events. Clerk was instructed to ask IT for a quote and some options.
  7. COMMUNITY SURVEY: HINRICHS shared the community survey that was developed. Consensus to share on Facebook, website and in the newsletter.
  8. HAZARD MITIGATION FUND RESOLUTION #311: Moved by BURTON to approve Resolution 311. Motion seconded by HINRICHS. 5-0 Vote
  9. MOWING RELEASE APPROVAL: Council reviewed mowing exemptions. Moved by BURTON to approve mowing exemption applications for 2026. Motion seconded by NUESSEN. 5-0 Vote
  10. CONDEMNATION LIST: No updates
  11. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Non-elected personnel matters: Moved by NUESSEN to go into executive session for 10 minutes starting at 8:23 pm with council, attorney and clerk present. Out of executive session at 8:30. WRIGHT advised clerk to offer Justin Arb the position of Code Enforcement Officer. 

Motion to adjourn at 8:31 pm by BURTON. Seconded by HINRICHS. 5-0 Vote

 

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