Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – Jan. 14, 2020

*UPDATED January 24, 2020*

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on January 14, 2020:

Public Input:

• Pete Mayo from Ascension Via Christi Health gave an invocation.
• Bill Strenth shared concerns over the Silverback Landing housing development, the Pittsburg Highlands development, and nuisance abatement.
• Jason Wesco from Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas shared an update with the commissioners on CHCSEK and expressed appreciation for the growth and progress in Pittsburg.

Fiscal Year 2018 CAFR Award Acknowledgement

• The City of Pittsburg received a Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year 2018. The CAFR is a transparent presentation of the City’s finances that is available online, and is often used by financial institutions and others to verify the City’s financial position.

Commissioner Brooks requested that all items under the consent agenda be pulled and discussed individually. Commissioners approved the following items:

• December 10, 2019, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• Resolution No. 1229, declaring and describing the corporate limits and boundary lines of the City of Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas.
• Bid awarded for the Water Treatment Plant Solids Contact Unit Blast and Recoat Project to Cunningham Sandblasting & Painting Co., of Joplin, Missouri, based on their total bid of $100,170.00 (Base Bid – $49,420.00, Add Alternative A – $46,250.00, Add Alternative B – $2,250.00, Add Alternative C – $2,250.00).
• Change Order No. 2 reflecting a deduct of $58,023.44, making a new contract construction amount of $999,237.55, and for final payment due the contractor Heckert Construction Co., Inc., of Pittsburg, in the amount of $134,835.84 for the 2019 Surface Preservation Project.
• Final payment to CDL Electric Company, Inc., of Pittsburg, in the amount of $67,521.28 for the East Quincy Street and South Rouse Street traffic signalization.
• Staff recommendation to enter into a contract in the amount of $4,758.05 with S & H Management, LLC, for fire services outside the City limits to property located at 2106 West 4th Street.
• The 2020 Cereal Malt Beverage License applications submitted by Dollar General #13065 (2004 South Rouse) and Sodexo (302 East Cleveland).
• Staff recommendation to reappoint Kala Spigarelli to a third three-year term as the legal representative member of the Land Bank Board of Trustees.
• Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending January 14, 2020, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

Special presentation:

• Economic Development Quarterly Report – Director of Economic Development Blake Benson and Pittsburg State University Executive Director for Operations Business Development & Economic Engagement Darrell Pulliam presented the quarterly economic development report.

The following actions were taken under the Commission Agenda:

• Amended Recommendation – E & J Investments (Renu Medical Spa) project – Commissioners approved the amended recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to increase the contribution to E & J Investments (Dr. Jacqueline Youtsos) from $100,000 to $120,000 in nonrepayable funds to include the extension of City utilities related to the construction of a new medical facility on East 530th Street, contingent on the total value of the project exceeding $1 million and the property being annexed into the City limits.
• Appointments to the Human Relations Commission – Commissioners appointed Heather Docherty, Amber Hames, Carol Hammerbacher, Chad McCubbin, Dan Rodabaugh, Xavier Sheehy, Walter Simpson, and Ali Smith to the Human Relations Commission.
• National Parks Service Land and Water Conservation Fund Project Agreement – Commissioners approved a project agreement with the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund Program for the construction of a new Splashpad at Schlanger Park.
• Memorandum of Understanding – LiveWell Crawford County – Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Live Well Crawford County and the City of Pittsburg for funding of active transportation infrastructure. The City received a $100,000 Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant from LiveWell Crawford County for the construction of sidewalks connecting neighborhoods in the North Medical District to area healthcare facilities. LiveWell manages the Pathways grant, which is funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. Engineering drawings are being prepared by Olsson Associates, LLC., for the sidewalks.

The following topics were discussed under Non-Agenda:

• City Manager Daron Hall reminded the commissioners about City Hall Day in Topeka on January 22 and invited them to attend.
• Commissioner Brooks asked about the status of the City’s contract with Pepsi. Hall said city staff met with Caleb Farabi and followed up on his concerns brought up at the last commission meeting.
• Public Works Director Cameron Alden addressed concerns and questions brought up by Bill Strenth during public input.
• Commissioner Munsell read an article from S&P Global and asked for an update on the status of the city’s exploration of public power. Deputy City Manager Jay Byers said the city’s study into municipalization is on hold and all work on this project was paused in November. A detailed report will be given at the January 25 working day session.
• Commissioner Fields brought up that new city commissioners swear an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States and the State of Kansas. He suggested that the oath should also include an oath to uphold the rules and regulations of the City of Pittsburg. The city manager said something can be drafted and presented to the commissioners for their consideration.

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 channel (Cox channel 6) 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.

*This article has been revised to reflect a correction to the date when the commission will receive a detailed report on the city’s municipalization study at the January 25 working day session.