Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – Feb. 14

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023:

PUBLIC INPUT:

• Major Eric Johnson with the Salvation Army shared a prayer of invocation.

Proclamation:

• Pittsburg Mayor Dr. Ron Seglie proclaimed February 14, 2023 as Dr. Ram Gupta Day in Pittsburg. Pittsburg State University Associate Professor Ram Gupta has been named to the list of the top two percent of scientists in the world, a list released by Stanford University.

Commissioners voted to approve the following items under the consent agenda:

• The January 24, 2023, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• Approval of the recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to grant a 2023 tax abatement renewal to several businesses, including Miller’s, Inc., Kendall Packaging Corporation, Dharma Properties, LLC, Rallison, LP, and E & J Investments, LLC.
• The recommendation of the EDAC to forgive the final $10,000 remaining on the loan to LeaDen Properties, LLC, to support the renovation of Signet Coffee Roasters, located at 109 North Broadway, as the owners have fully complied with the City’s requirements for loan forgiveness.
• An Inspection Service Contract with Earles Engineering & Inspection Inc. of Pittsburg, Kansas, for the 2022 Sanitary Sewer Lining Project-Line 7B inspection services for a total cost not to exceed $116,015.
• A Contract for Professional Services with Stantec for the Off-Broadway Historic Survey, in which the City will receive grant funding up to $16,000 to support the surveying of historic downtown buildings.
• Adopting Resolution No. 1262, authorizing the preparation and submittal of an application to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) for the Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credit (KHITC) Program (developer DVLP, LLC).
• Adopting Resolution No. 1263, authorizing the preparation and submittal of an application to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) for the Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credit (KHITC) Program (developer 3P Construction Services).
• An agreement with S & H Management, LLC, for industrial firefighting services outside the City limits to property located at 2106 West 4th Street.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending February 14, 2023, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:

• Sustainability Advisory Committee chair Denise Fitzpatrick presented the SAC annual report, and shared recent projects completed by the committee.
• Director of Housing & Community Development Kim Froman presented the Pittsburg Land Bank annual report.

The following items were considered under the main agenda:

• LORENZ HAUS DEVELOPMENT, LLC REQUEST – Commissioners approved the recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to allocate up to $8,750 to reimburse Lorenz Haus Development, LLC, for infrastructure improvements to the property located at 203 North Broadway. Shawnee Lorenz shared architectural renderings for the future of the building, with plans to replicate some of the original historic features, as a nod to the early 1900s façade. Lorenz Haus is investing roughly $87,500 into the building.
• RESOLUTION NO. 1264 – Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 1264, indicating the intent to issue certain taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds in an aggregate principal amount of not to exceed six million dollars ($6,000,000) for the purpose of (a) purchasing, acquiring, constructing, furnishing and equipping a commercial facility in Pittsburg, Kansas, and (b) paying certain costs of issuance thereof. The purpose of issuing the IRBs will be to support the redevelopment of the Washington School property into a future daycare facility. The city is partnering with local community development corporation Point Forward to repurpose the Washington School and provide much-needed childcare to the area.
• CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUEST – WASHINGTON SCHOOL, LLC – Commissioners voted to approve the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals recommendation to approve a Conditional Use Permit request submitted by Washington School, LLC, to allow a day care facility to operate at 205 South Locust under the provisions of Article 30 of the Pittsburg Zoning Ordinance.
• VARIANCE REQUEST – TOWNER – 3202 GRAND OAKS DRIVE – Commissioners approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals to approve a variance request submitted by Terrance & Karen Towner to allow a secondary structure larger than 900 sq. ft. at 3202 Grand Oaks Drive.
• VARIANCE REQUEST – BEASLEY – 1302 RANDALL DRIVE – Commissioners voted to approve the recommendation of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals to approve a variance request submitted by Justin & Anni Beasley to allow a secondary structure larger than 900 sq. ft. at 1302 Randall Drive.
• VACATION REQUEST – FAMILIES AND CHILDREN TOGETHER – Commissioners approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals to approve the request submitted by Families and Children Together (FACT) to vacate Silver Lake Drive, Mt. Carmel Drive, and Green Acres Lane.
• FOUR OAKS GOLF COURSE MOWERS AND EQUIPMENT PURCHASE – Commissioners approved the purchase of mowers and equipment in the amount of $284,508.32, for the Four Oaks Golf Course to be used by the Parks and Recreation Department.
• ORDINANCE NO. S-1092 – The commission approved Ordinance No. S-1092, an Ordinance to submit to the qualified electors of the City of Pittsburg the proposition continuing to levy a city retailers’ sales tax in the amount of one-half of one percent (0.5%) within the City of Pittsburg effective January 1, 2024, and to continue for a period of ten (10) years. This proposition pertains to the renewal of the city’s existing Public Safety Sales Tax, and places a question on the ballot for a special election to be held April 11. A citizen-led committee has been formed to coordinate campaign efforts and educate the community about the renewal. A study session has been scheduled for March 28 to discuss details of the election and answer questions from the community.

THE MAYOR’S MOMENT:

• Pittsburg Mayor Dr. Ron Seglie reminded the community about the Spruce Up Pittsburg meeting to be held at Homer Cole Center on Thursday, February 23, from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Commissioners went into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters of nonelected personnel pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1), to discuss the City Manager’s 2023 goals. No actions were taken and no votes were cast during the executive session.

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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.