Pittsburg City Commission meeting recap – Feb. 9, 2021

City Press Releases

February 11, 2021

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken during the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on Feb. 9, 2021:

  • Public Input
    • Pete Mayo shared a prayer of invocation.
    • Commissioner Larry Fields asked to speak as a private citizen and encouraged people to use the newly-installed kiosk at City Hall 24/7 to pay their utility bills. The kiosk is easy to use, operates in English and Spanish, and takes credit card, check or cash.
    • City Finance Director Larissa Bowman shared that the City of Pittsburg was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for the twenty-fourth consecutive year.

 

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

  • The January 26, 2021, City Commission Meeting minutes.
  • The request submitted by Angie Hadley, Program Coordinator for the Restorative Justice Authority of Crawford County, to appoint Bill Howell to a first three-year term as a member of the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board (JCAB).
  • Staff request to declare certain City assets as surplus and authorize staff to dispose of said assets through the online auctioning services of Purple Wave, Inc.
  • The recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to grant a 2021 tax abatement renewal to Millers, Inc. (Docket #2013-5552-EDX).
  • The recommendation of the EDAC to grant a 2021 tax abatement renewal to Millers, Inc. (Docket #2016-2286-EDX).
  • The recommendation of the EDAC to grant a 2021 tax abatement renewal to Millers, Inc. (Docket #2017-833-EDX).
  • The recommendation of the EDAC to grant a 2021 tax abatement renewal to Pinamonti Physical Therapy (Docket #2015-1858-IRBX).
  • The recommendation of the EDAC to grant a 2021 tax abatement renewal to Kendall Packaging Corporation (Docket #2018-334-IRBX).
  • The recommendation of the EDAC to grant a 2021 tax abatement renewal to Dharma Properties, LLC (Docket #2018-595-IRBX).
  • The recommendation of the EDAC to grant a 2021 tax abatement renewal to Rallison, LP (Docket #2020-1262-EDX).
  • Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending February 9, 2021, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

     

    PUBLIC HEARING:

    • PUBLIC HEARING – Commissioners held a public hearing regarding a request submitted by E & J Investments, LLC, pertaining to their new ReNu Medical & Spa facility. No one spoke under the public hearing. Chamber of Commerce President Blake Benson clarified that the abatement does not mean the business doesn’t pay any property taxes, but that the property tax is temporarily frozen for a period of six years at the pre-construction amount. After closing the public hearing, commissioners voted to approve the property tax abatement.

     

    Commissioners considered the following items on the agenda:

    • CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES – Commissioners approved staff request to enter into a contract for engineering services with Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. Earles will serve in the role of City Engineer on an as needed basis to complete engineering duties for the city as an independent contractor.

     

    • WATER TREATMENT PLANT ODOR CONTROL STUDY – The commission approved an engineering services agreement with Olsson, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $67,267 to perform an Odor Control Study at the City’s Water Treatment Plant.

     

    • PARTIAL MORTGAGE RELEASES – SILVERBACK HOUSING DEVELOPMENT – Commissioners voted to approve partial mortgage releases for 1905 Carnie Smith Court and 1829 Silverback Way, located in the Silverback housing development, as Arvest Bank, the primary lender for the project, took first position on the loan, with the City securing a second position on the P & L property until the loan is repaid in December 2023.

     

    NON-AGENDA REPORTS & REQUESTS:

    • Finance Director Larissa Bowman provided the commissioners with the city’s bi-monthly budget review for the fiscal year ended 2020. Bowman said Pittsburg weathered 2020 and came out as a resilient community. Despite dismal projections in March at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, sales tax revenues increased by more than three percent from 2019. The city was able to complete several projects and give employees a two percent raise in 2021.
    • Commissioners approved a check for $122,000 to reimburse the County for overbilling Crawford County for the use of its 4th street sewer pump station.
    • City Manager Daron Hall shared his condolences for the passing of Mike Lewark. Hall acknowledged Lewark’s contribution to the community and to the city.
    • Mayor Munsell thanked employees for their hard work during the cold weather.

     

    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.

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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.

     

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