Archive for category: General Information

 

Mike Gilliland, Osage City’s Director of Utilities is retiring after 40 years of service.   While Mike will be entering a new chapter of his life, the rest of us are left with that feeling that all good things must come to an end.  Mike’s retirement reverberates well beyond the confines of Osage City with the many friendships and relationships he has forged over the years as well as his leadership and countless contributions.  With the timing of his retirement, it is particularly befitting that Mike was selected by past winners as KMEA’s 2014 Gil Hanson Award winner.  The award, named in honor of KMEA’s first General Manager, Gil Hanson, recognizes those who have made significant contributions to municipal joint action, their communities, the electric utility industry and public power.

Mike will be dearly missed by his KMEA/KMGA family as he has been involved with KMGA from the very beginning of the Agency and an Executive Committee Member since its inception, including terms as President and Vice President.  Mike truly exemplifies the adage “if you want something done, ask a busy person.”  Mike’s finger prints can be found all over the good work he has done in Osage city, including management and oversight of the municipal swimming pool, two city owned and operated cemeteries, and many of the city’s buildings and facilities. As Director of Utilities for the past 14 years, Mike always had a full plate of regulatory, compliance, and technical projects as well as contractual agreements and energy purchasing.   Even still, Mike was always actively engaged with municipal, state and national trade organizations.  Mike especially enjoyed his involvement with various Kanas utility organizations including KMEA, KMGA, KMU, KWEA and KSWWA.  Mike officially retired on June 30^th.  Please join us as we extend our gratitude and best wishes to Mike in his retirement.

 

Earlier this week KMEA Staff arrived in Pomona to provide “onboarding” to acquaint the city with invoicing, the dashboard, and a host of other details to prepare Pomona to receive power from KMEA. Mayor, Marie Seneca, City Clerk, Seth Mettling, Public Works Director, Dean Wineinger, and Treasurer, Linda Grob were are all on hand for the meeting. On July 1^st, Pomona will officially start receiving power from KMEA and at the same time become the newest member of the EMP1 group.

Pomona is located in northwestern Franklin County, about 50 minutes from the Kansas City metro area, with a population of 952. Pomona has long been a valued KMEA member and just last year KMEA had the privilege of honoring the city with a centennial award to celebrate their 100 years of public power.   The city is excited about their future with KMEA, joining EMP1 and what it will mean for their electric costs. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Pomona to EMP1.

Earlier this week, Matt Rehder, City Administrator for the City of Seneca and Chairman of the EMP3 group, conducted an EMP3 meeting via WebEx.  Several cities were represented.  KMEA Staff also participated in the meeting and hosted the WebEx from our office in Overland Park.  KMEA staff conducts WebEx meetings throughout the year. The WebEx online meeting platform has been used for EMP meetings, informational webinars and other opportunities that allow us to leverage technology to make the best use of our members’ time and resources.

 

Congratulations to former KMEA President Greg DuMars for receiving a Larry Hobart Seven Hats Award at the American Public Power Association National Conference in Minneapolis this week. Greg is one of eight people to win the award this year. This award is given to managers of small utilities which have fewer than 2500 electric meters. Managers of systems of this size must wear a number of hats which include not only managing but planning, designing, supervising, and the list goes on. All the while the other duties of a City Administrator need his attention as well.

Greg has served as the City Administrator for the City of Lindsborg for 17 years. He has demonstrated his exemplary leadership not only in his role as city manager but also while giving his time to serving as the President of KMEA as well as President of Kansas Municipal Utilities.

Thanks to Greg from everyone at KMEA and congratulations on receiving this award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are excited to congratulate Kim Everley, City Administrator and City Clerk for KMEA member, McLouth, Kansas. Kim was recently recognized and awarded City Clerk of the Year by the Kansas Rural Water Association at their Annual Conference. Kim was selected from hundreds of city candidates and if you are familiar with what Kim has accomplished, it is easy to see why she is such a worthy recipient.

Kim has long been a dedicated servant of her community. Before starting as City Clerk for McLouth in 2009, she served as a City Council Member.   Her record of service doesn’t stop there, however. Kim was also the President of the Jefferson County Area Chamber of Commerce as well as the Courtesy Chair for the KACM, Kansas Association of Court Management, court clerks association.

Kim embodies everything you would envision in a go-getter.   She quickly made her mark after becoming City Clerk, reconciling important records and an accounting system that was in need of rescue. She earned her designation of Certified Municipal Clerk within three short years on the job and quickly proved herself ready to handle the responsibilities of McLouth City Administrator when the position became open.

Please join us in congratulating Kim on receiving this distinguished award. Congratulations Kim! Well deserved!