Minutes

The following minutes are from the January 13, 2026 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, JANUARY 13th- 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, BURTON, HARMON HINRICHS, and GERLEMAN.. Also, present City Attorney Steve Atherton, City Clerk Dodie Doudna and City Treasurer Dakota Hamlin.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Tim Burton, Tyler Hinrichs, KC Crist, Monty Miller

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Moved by BURTON to approve the December 9, 2026 Business Meeting minutes. Motion seconded by NUESSEN. 3-0-1 vote. Moved by NUESSEN to approve the December 22, 2026 Special Meeting minutes. Motion seconded by HINRICHS. 4-0-1 vote.

BILLS TO PAY: Moved by HINRICHS to approve the January bills to pay for $16276.95 Motion seconded by HARMON. 5-0 vote

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES:

PROJECT PLAYSCAPE: Celebration year. Funding received for a shaded feature for the splash pad. More to report in February.

MAINTENANCE: North lift station needs service, electrical issue. Next steps on the chipper, take to KC to have repaired, estimate to be $5000-6000 for repairs. Receiving three bids for rock. Maintenance staff just working to complete repairs on equipment.

CLERK: DOUDNA presented information from the Gazette regarding sponsored ads.

POLICE:

ADOPT THE AGENDA

  1. OATH OF OFFICE: Oaths given to WRIGHT, HINRICHS and GERLEMAN
  2. KEVIN CRIST: Consensus to allow property owner to put large rocks on the east side of his building in the easement to keep people from parking on his property.
  3. ELECT PRESIDENT: Moved by BURTON to appoint NUESSEN as Council President. Motion seconded by HARMON. 5-0 vote
    1. DEPARTMENT APPOINTMENTS: BURTON resigned as department head of maintenance. WRIGHT appointed HARMON to Maintenance Department Head and BURTON to Parks and Rec Department Head.
  4. 2025 AUDIT: Moved by NUESSEN to approve GAAP Waiver Resolution 309. Motion seconded by HARMON. 5-0 Vote.
  5. RESOLUTION 310: Moved by HINRICHS to approve Resolution 310. Motion seconded by BURTON. 5-0 Vote
  6. ORDINANCE 630: Moved by NUESSEN to approve Ordinance 630 changing sewer late fees from yearly to monthly. Motion seconded by HINRICHS. 5-0 Vote. This will take effect on March 1, 2026.
  7. IT SUPPORT: Immediate IT support for office computers not to exceed $500. Doudna will bring back quotes for annual maintenance in February.
  8. OFFICE FURNITURE: Moved by NUESSEN to purchase file cabinets, book case, and storage cabinet for additional storage space for city hall in the amount of $2739.94. Motion seconded by BURTON 5-0 Vote.
  9. SPLASHPAD SIGNAGE: Tabled to February
  10. UNCLAIMED CATS UPDATE (TNR): HINRICHS reported that 14 cats were caught in the first TNR. Next date is scheduled for January 20th. A handout will be shared on Facebook along with posted to our website directing residents where to reach out and information about TNR.
  11. WEBSITE UPDATE: HINRICHS reported that she helped the office staff update the website. Updated pages to reflect services and activities that Americus has.
  12. CONDEMNATION LIST PROPOSAL: HINRICHS proposed a new system to track addresses on the condemnation list. It will give council members information on the properties under review well ahead of council meetings. This process will keep council better informed on progress but also save time in the meetings.
  13. CONDEMNATION LIST: Doudna will post for open bid a contract to clean up properties. Will present in February. 507 Elm- hold off until clean up bid is selected. 7 Fourth- building permit for accessory building was retracted. 1105 Fifth- stop work order was given until building permit is renewed.
  14. TRAININGS FOR COUNCIL: HINRICHS presented two training opportunities for council members. Council will let clerk know which training/s they are interested in. Doudna will give notice of in person meeting to adhere to KOMA rules.
  15. COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATES: Doudna will reach out to Roald Diaz to finish laying laminate and baseboard. Approved not to exceed $1000. A coded door handle will be purchased and installed to eliminate the need to hand out keys for rentals. Purchase not to exceed $200.
  16. EMPORIA VET HOSPITAL: Moved by NUESSEN to approve the Emporia Vet Hospital contract for 2026 for boarding, euthanasia/disposal. Motion seconded by BURTON. 5-0 Vote
  17. POLICE DEPARTMENT: Due to lack of applicants and hours worked by officers’ further discussion was had on dissolving the police department. Public hearing will be held on February 3, 2026, to answer questions regarding the dissolvement.
  18. RV/CAMPER USAGE: Sent back to Planning and Zoning. HINRICHS requested that they look at all districts in regard to Camper/RV usage.
  19. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Moved by NUESSEN to go into executive session for 30 minutes starting at 8:04 pm with council, mayor and legal. Motion seconded by BURTON. 5-0 Vote. Moved by HINRICHS to go into executive session for 10 minutes starting at 8:34 pm. Motion seconded by NUESSEN. 5-0 Vote.

Motion to adjourn at 8:45 pm NUESSEN. Seconded by HARMON. 5-0 Vote

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