Pittsburg City Commission meeting recap – Jan. 26, 2021

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken during the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on Jan. 26, 2021:

• Public Input
  • Mark Chambers gave an invocation.
  • Commissioners discussed the process and timing for responding to public input during the commission meetings.

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• The January 12, 2021, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• The request submitted by Angie Hadley, Program Coordinator for the Restorative Justice Authority of Crawford County, to reappoint Stacy Kratz to an additional three-year term as a member of the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board (JCAB).
• The application submitted by Casey’s Retail Company (Casey’s General Store at 2520 South Broadway) to sell Cereal Malt Beverages for the year 2021.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending January 26, 2021, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

Items removed from the consent agenda and approved following further discussion:

• The Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) recommendation to forgive $60,000 of the $300,000 loan that was provided to the Pittsburg State University Foundation to support the buildout of the Block 22 restaurant/retail space, as they have fully complied with the City’s requirements for loan forgiveness. Commissioners voted 4-1, with Munsell opposed, to forgive the loan in the proposed amount.

Special presentation:

• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY REPORT – Director of Economic Development Blake Benson and Pittsburg State University Chief Strategy Officer Shawn Naccarato presented the quarterly Economic Development Report. Benson shared that the economic environment in the Pittsburg area has improved significantly, despite the pandemic, reporting that unemployment is now at 3.5 percent, compared to 6.7 percent nationwide. Benson also reported that the local labor force increased by about 700, further indicating the strength of Pittsburg’s economy. Naccarato shared that the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at PSU supported businesses large and small through the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 by assisting them with federal programs and consulting with them on plans to survive and even thrive through the difficult times. Naccarato also shared that the Pittsburg SBDC was designated as the central office for the entire state. The chamber of commerce and Jake’s Fireworks “Pittsburg Strong” initiative raised over $70,000 for local small businesses, and US Awards and MPIX donated seven thousand facemasks to Pittsburg area businesses. Special projects for 2020 included Dairy Queen, ReNu Medical & Spa, Riggs Chiropractic, Arck Consulting, Creekside East and Payton’s Hamlet, 525 South Broadway, Sunflower Hemp, and the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas education center.

Commissioners considered the following items on the agenda:

• PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION SERVICES AGREEMENT AMENDMENT – Commissioners voted to approve an amendment to the Business Development and Innovation Services Agreement between Pittsburg State University (PSU) and The City of Pittsburg.
• PITTSBURG AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT AMENDMENT – Commissioners approved an amendment to the Economic Development Services Agreement between The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce and The City of Pittsburg.
• LETTER AGREEMENT – The letter agreement for the City Manager for calendar year 2021. Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the letter, with Munsell opposed.

NON-AGENDA REPORTS & REQUESTS:

• Commissioner McNay expressed thanks to Lt. Chris Moore at the Pittsburg Police Department for his consultation at Community Health Center of SEK following a recent burglary. McNay also thanked the city videographer for producing an excellent video on the DragonNet project and congratulated Monica Holmes on her recognition as a 2021 Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce woman of distinction. McNay acknowledged Larissa Bowman on her promotion to finance director.
• Larissa Bowman introduced Joe Wimmer as the new deputy city finance director. She also reported that the city’s sales tax collections are now up 12.63 percent, the majority of which is attributed to the retailers’ compensating use tax.

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.