Pittsburg City Commission meeting recap – Feb. 23, 2021

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken during the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on Feb. 23, 2021:

• Public Input
  • Mark Chambers gave an invocation.
  • Mayor Munsell thanked city employees and local agencies for their work to keep the city safe during the winter storm.
  • Joseph Shane Adcock with The PLAN for Pittsburg thanked city staff for their help in establishing the warming station at Lincoln Center. Adcock addressed the commission about the need for emergency shelter, the need for affordable housing, and the need for a rental licensing program in Pittsburg to ensure safe rental units.
  • Jeff Montanelli shared details about his housing struggles.
  • Roger Burns expressed concerns about the electric outages, said the city should reconsider the idea of a municipal electric utility and thanked the city manager for his help during the blackout.
  • Joella Reid-Skyles asked about the city’s progress regarding the purchase of 525 South Broadway and advocated for a Braums expansion. Chamber President Blake Benson shared that the city has a number of prospective buyers for the property and the city is actively pursuing the productive reuse of that property.
  • William Strenth shared concerns about the Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) program and action taken at the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals meeting held February 22.
  • Jaci Jenkins thanked city staff for helping to open the warming station during the cold snap. She also shared concerns about the lack of affordable housing and lack of quality rental housing in Pittsburg.

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• The Feb. 9, 2021, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• Ordinance No. G-1320, amending Section 78-116 of the Pittsburg City Code to prohibit parking on the west side of North Tucker Avenue from the south side of the intersection of North Tucker Avenue and East 4th Street to the north side of the intersection of North Tucker Avenue and East 10th Street.
• Final payment to Mission Construction Co., Inc., of St. Paul, Kansas, in the amount of $19,647.63 for the East 14th Street Bridge Replacement Project.
• Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending February 23, 2021, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

PUBLIC HEARING:

• A Public Hearing was held to receive public comment on the establishment of the Villas at Creekside – Phase I Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) and the adoption of Ordinance No. S1077, establishing the RHID. William Strenth spoke under the public hearing and asked for clarification from City Attorney Henry Menghini regarding actions taken at the P&Z meeting held February 22. Following a short discussion, the commission voted to approve the RHID.

Commissioners considered the following items on the agenda:

• VILLAS AT CREEKSIDE – PHASE 1 RURAL HOUSING INCENTIVE DISTRICT (RHID) – Commissioners voted to approve a recommendation from the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to provide JMAC QOZ Business II, LLC, up to $250,000 to support infrastructure improvements for the Villas at Creekside – Phase 1 Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) in which JMAC QOZ Business II, LLC, will design and build the road, and be reimbursed 2/3 of the cost upon completion of the road, with the remaining 1/3 reimbursed upon completion of Phase I of the project, and to provide a loan in the amount of $750,000 to JMAC QOZ Business II, LLC, to be repaid over five years at 1 percent interest beginning in 2022. Mayor Munsell asked if the roads in the development would be concrete. Ron Scripsick responded and said the developers intend to build concrete roads.

NON-AGENDA REPORTS & REQUESTS:

• Public Utilities Director Matt Bacon requested an addendum to the KDHE loan contract to list Earles Engineering as the engineer.
• Matt Bacon also updated commissioners that the traffic study for creating the entrance to the Villas at Creekside has been submitted to KDOT and is under their review.
• Commissioner McNay explained the purpose of providing the RHID program as an incentive is to meet the need for housing in rural communities.
• City Manager Daron Hall addressed questions about the RHID program brought up by Mr. Strenth under public input.

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.

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

###

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.