Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – Nov. 12, 2019

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on November 12, 2019:

Public input:

• Mark Chambers gave an invocation,
• Ali Smith, Chair of Q Space, introduced a petition in favor of a City-wide non-discrimination ordinance.
• Cheryl Brooks spoke in opposition to the executive session being added late to the meeting agenda.
• Elishia Seals, Angelia Childers, and Amber Hames also spoke in favor of a non-discrimination ordinance.

Proclamations:

• Mayor Patrick O’Bryan gave two special proclamations during the meeting, one to declare November 20, 2019, as Disability Mentoring Day, and another to proclaim November 14, 2019, as Project Warmth Day.

Commissioners approved the following items under the Consent Agenda:

• The October 22, 2019, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• A request submitted by Bev Clarkson, Pittsburg Public Library Director, to use $6,215 from the Library Building Annuity to partially fund the purchase of two new HVAC units for the Pittsburg Public Library.
• Final payment to Unique Metal Fabrications, Inc., of Pittsburg, in the amount of $3,750.00 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Primary Clarifier #1 Steel Support Column Replacement Project.
• Agreement No. 006193029 between the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad Company, the City of Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas, and the Secretary of Transportation of the State of Kansas, to provide for the installation of railway-highway crossing signals, flashing light cantilever type and gates at a grade crossing (DOT #423131X) on Rouse Street North of 20th Street.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending November 12, 2019, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

Special presentation:

• IMAGINE PITTSBURG 2030 UPDATE – IP2030 Co-Chair Joe Dellasega gave an update on the Imagine Pittsburg 2030 initiative.

The following actions were taken under the Agenda:

• DISPOSITION OF BIDS – DEMOLITION OF MIKE’S NEW AND USED – Commissioners approved staff recommendation to award the demolition of the structure at 716 North Broadway to the lowest bidder, JRB Industries, Inc., of Parsons, Kansas, with a total bid of $38,500.
• PLAT – 1000 BLOCK OF EAST 10TH STREET – The commissioners approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals to approve the Short Form Plat submitted by Rod Zinn of Cornerstone Regional Surveying, LLC, for the re-platting of a lot located in the 1000 Block of East 10th Street.
• ORDINANCE NO. G-1300 – DOCKLESS VEHICLES ORDINANCE – Commissioners reviewed the results of the City’s online survey regarding dockless scooters and discussed the implementation of the ordinance, as well as whether or not scooters should be allowed on city sidewalks. The commissioners ultimately voted to adopt Ordinance No. G-1300, creating Article VIII in Chapter 42 of the Pittsburg City Code to regulate the use of dockless vehicles within the city limits of the city of Pittsburg.

The following topics were discussed under Non-Agenda Reports & Requests:

• BI-MONTHLY BUDGET REVIEW – Director of Finance Jamie Clarkson provided the bi-monthly budget review. Clarkson shared that sales tax is up 4.42 percent compared to the same period as last year. This is the tenth consecutive month in a row of growth in 2019.
• Non-Discrimination Ordinance – Commissioners discussed having city staff present a draft of a new non-discrimination ordinance and revise an existing non-discrimination ordinance for their review at the next city commission meeting.
• CITY MANAGER PERFORMANCE EVALUATION – Commissioners discussed the timing of the city manager’s annual performance evaluation. Commissioner Munsell voiced his concern about the late addition of the executive session to the meeting agenda. Mayor O’Bryan said he wanted to make sure the commissioners had time to perform the City Manager’s annual evaluation before the new commissioners took office on December 10. The Mayor proposed revisiting the ordinance (G-1303) recently passed by the governing body establishing December 10, 2019, as the date the new commissioners would take office. After a lengthy discussion, the commissioners instead voted to hold a special executive session on Thursday, November 21, at 5:30 pm, at the law enforcement center, at which time the commission will conduct the evaluation.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

• The City Commission entered into executive session for 45 minutes as part of the annual review of the City Manager’s work performance and achievements.

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.

###

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.