Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – June 28

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022:

PUBLIC INPUT:

• Father Jerome Spexarth with Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church shared a prayer of invocation.
• Pittsburg resident Alissa Dungan and her husband Justin Dungan spoke against the proposed cell tower at 401 Thomas.
• Billie Newlin spoke in favor of the proposed cell tower, which would be constructed on her property.
• US Cellular representative Shaun Hemsted addressed concerns brought up by Ms. Dungan regarding the proposed cell tower.

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA:

• The June 14, 2022, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• The application submitted by Harold Leroy Smith for a Cereal Malt Beverage License for the annual celebration to honor the life of Brandon Smith to be held at the Frisco Event Center.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending June 28, 2022, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION:

• Commissioners reviewed staff request to submit an application to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation’s (KHRC) Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program for a grant in the amount of $100,000 to be used to provide security deposit assistance to income eligible households. Commissioners asked Housing & Community Development Director Quentin Holmes to discuss the grant and how it assists people. Holmes said that the city has received this grant before, and that 223 families have been assisted through his office in the past two years thanks to funding received in the 2020 grant cycle. Following the short discussion, commissioners voted to approve the application.

PUBLIC HEARING:

• PUBLIC HEARING – Commissioners held a public hearing and invited community members to share input regarding the appeal of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals’ decision to deny the Petition for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a communications tower at 401 Thomas. Mayor Brooks asked that the comments made under public input portion of the meeting be included in the remarks noted under the public hearing. Commissioners again heard from US Cellular, residents and city staff, and discussed the decision at length. After the public hearing was closed, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve the recommendation made by the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals and deny the request for a Conditional Use Permit for the communications tower.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY REPORT – Director of Economic Development Blake Benson, and Pittsburg State University Director of External Engagement Chad Mishmash presented the quarterly Economic Development Report. The report showed that unemployment in Pittsburg is currently at 2.6%, and the city’s sales tax revenues for June 2022 were the second highest ever collected. The median wage in Crawford County increased 22.5% in just one year. The new FedEx Ground distribution center is on schedule for completion in the fall and local company AZZ is expanding their Pittsburg facility. The National Institute for Materials Advancement at PSU (NIMA) is expanding their research programs, adding new high-tech equipment, and recruiting a new tenant. The Small Business Development Center at PSU (SBDC) has been working with 55 local businesses this year. The Foundry at Block22 is adding a new tenant to a retail space and working to fill a vacancy after Limelight Marketing outgrew the incubator space. The report included that three local businesses partnered with the city so far this year, including Jones Heritage Realtors, Fireplace Creations and the Blue Spoon.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

• IMAGINE PITTSBURG/GROW PITTSBURG REQUEST – Commissioners considered the recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to allocate $150,000 from the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for start-up costs that would allow Imagine Pittsburg to establish “Develop Pittsburg,” a new Community Development Corporation (CDC), to support development projects in our community. After a presentation and thorough question and answer period, the commission voted to approve the EDAC’s recommendation to award start-up funds to the “Develop Pittsburg” organization.
• 4th OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY CONTRACT – Commissioners voted to utilize City funds in the amount of $18,700 for the annual 4th of July fireworks show to be provided by J and M Displays, Inc.

NON-AGENDA REPORTS & REQUESTS:

• City Public Works & Utilities Director Matt Bacon announced that the city’s bulky item pick-up event will soon be open for registration. Pick up will begin on July 18 and city crews will continue gathering bulky items until all tickets for registered addresses are complete. Registrations will be open on the city’s SeeClickFix app and by calling Customer Service at (620) 231-4100.
• Bacon also added that a public meeting for the East Quincy project will be held on Thursday, July 7 from 5-7 pm at PittNaz Church.
• Commissioner Hite asked for an update on KDOT’s 4th Street Bridge Project. Bacon said KDOT is projecting that the construction will wrap up toward the end of July.

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.