Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – Feb. 11, 2020

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on February 11, 2020:

Public Input:

• Pastor Jim Therrien from the Osage Church of the Brethren in McCune, KS gave an invocation.

Proclamation:

• Mayor Dawn McNay read a special proclamation making February 11, 2020, Crawford County Bar Association Day in Pittsburg. Kristin Maun, Angela Meyer, and John Mazurek accepted the proclamation.

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda.

• January 28, 2020, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• Ordinance G-1309, annexing land into the city limits (at the request of Eric Bradshaw and Jacqueline Youtsos).
• The recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to grant 2020 tax abatement renewals to Millers, Inc., Pinamonti Physical Therapy, Rallison, LP, Kendall Packaging Corporation, and Dharma Properties, LLC.
• The request of Graig Moore to renew the dance hall license for Mooreman’s, Inc.
• Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending February 11, 2020, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

Special presentation:

• Active Transportation Advisory Board – ATAB Chairman Darrell Pulliam presented the board’s annual report, citing numerous trail projects that have been completed in the past year, as well as discussing some new projects – including a grant to create sidewalks in the North Medical District and a grant to construct a trail along Memorial Drive in Lincoln Park.

The following actions were taken under the Commission Agenda:

• Resolution No. 1231 – Commissioners adopted a resolution determining that the City is considering the establishment of a Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) for Payton’s Hamlet, a proposed housing development. The resolution announces the intention of the commissioners to schedule a public hearing on March 24, 2020, for the proposed RHID.
• Funding Agreement – Kannarr – Payton’s Hamlet Rural Housing Incentive District – Commissioners approved a funding agreement between the City and Dr. Shane Kannarr in regard to the Payton’s Hamlet RHID.
• Sustainability Advisory Committee Appointment – Commissioners appointed Tiffany Peery to fill an unexpired term on the Sustainability Advisory Committee.
• Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Services Agreement – Commissioners approved an Economic Development Services Agreement between the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pittsburg for the location and retention of industrial, manufacturing and retail businesses.
• Pittsburg State University Business Development and Innovation Services Agreement – Commissioners approved an agreement between PSU and the City of Pittsburg for the creation and attraction of new businesses, industries, and manufacturing businesses, as well as the promotion and growth of existing businesses and industries.
• Redwood Development, Inc Plat – Commissioners approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals to approve the Short Form Plat submitted by Redwood Development, Inc., for the platting of the area immediately west of Countryside Self-Storage, east of North Water Street on the south side of East 4th Street.
• Zoning Change Request – Commissioners approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals to approve the request of Redwood Development, Inc., to change the zoning of the property immediately west of Countryside Self-Storage, east of North Water Street, and south of East 4th Street from R1-A (single-family residential), to RP-4 (planned apartment house) to allow an apartment complex to be constructed on the property.
• Land Use Plan – Commissioners voted to table the decision to adopt the City’s Land Use Plan to allow more time for the commissioners to review the document.
• City Purchasing Policy – Commissioners voted to amend the City’s purchasing policy to reflect changing the local preference percentage from three percent to five percent.

The following topics were discussed under Non-Agenda:

• Finance Director Jamie Clarkson provided the December 31, 2019, bi-monthly budget review. Clarkson said overall the City had a good fiscal year in 2019 – ending the year with $6 million in the general fund, and $3.5 million utility fund reserves. The City spent $2.3 million on street maintenance in 2019. The City also saw a 3.35 percent increase in sales tax revenues compared to 2018.
• Prior to adjournment, McCune resident Roe Parsons addressed the commission to raise concerns about Block22.

City Commission Meetings:

The Pittsburg City Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm, inside the Beard-Shanks Law Enforcement Center courtroom. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.

To learn more about the Pittsburg city government, city commissioners, or to view meeting agendas and minutes, visit pittks.org/city-government/city-commission.

City commission meetings are broadcast live every second and fourth Tuesday on the City’s local government access channels (Cox channel 6 and Craw-Kan channel 406) and on YouTube. To subscribe to the City’s YouTube channel, go to www.pittks.org/youtube.

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The mission of the City of Pittsburg is to provide exceptional services, facilities and activities with integrity, professionalism, excellent customer service and a commitment to economic vitality.