Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – Oct. 12

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021:

Public input:

• Linda Stotler with Grace United Methodist Church gave an invocation.
• Ashley Bohn-Witt raised concerns about recent criminal activity experienced by tenants and family members at her rental property in Pittsburg.

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• The September 28, 2021, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• Order vacating a portion of Miller Drive between S. Joplin Street and S. English Street submitted by Hometown Development Group, LLC.
• Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending October 12, 2021.

The following items were removed from the consent agenda for discussion:

• Ordinance No. G-1329, amending Section 78-31 of the Code of the City of Pittsburg, Kansas, and providing for the protection of public health, property, and safety, and the regulation of traffic by adopting by reference the 2021 Edition of the “Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities” as published by The League of Kansas Municipalities. Deputy Chief of Police Ben Henderson answered questions from the commissioners related to the standard traffic ordinance. The city routinely adopts this ordinance each year in accordance with updates from the League of Kansas Municipalities. Following discussion, commissioners voted to approve the ordinance.
• Commissioners approved Ordinance No. G-1330, amending Section 54-41 of the Code of the City of Pittsburg, Kansas, by adopting by reference the 2021 Edition of the “Uniform Public Offense Code for Kansas Cities” as published by The League of Kansas Municipalities.
• Commissioners approved Change Order No. 3 to the contract with Heck and Wicker for the Georgia Street Channel / Culvert Project reflecting an increase of $3,820.00, making the overall contract construction amount $456,650.71.
• The commission approved Change Order No. 4 to the contract with Heck and Wicker for the Georgia Street Channel / Culvert Project reflecting an increase of $13,235.76, making the overall contract construction amount $469,886.47.
• The commission approved Change Order No. 5 to the contract with Heck and Wicker for the Georgia Street Channel / Culvert Project reflecting an increase of $3,256.69, making the overall contract construction amount $473,143.16.
• Commissioners approved the recommendation to approve Supplements to the City’s copy machine agreements with Copy Products, Inc., for the renewal of the City’s copier leases and services contracts, in the amount of $1,276.00 per month for sixty months for City equipment and $97.00 per month for sixty months for equipment located at the Pittsburg Public Library.

Special Presentations:

• CHILDCARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT – Greenbush Project Manager Dawn Flores and Family Resource Center Executive Director Ann Elliott presented findings of the Crawford County Infant/Toddler Childcare Needs Assessment. According to the study conducted by Greenbush, 67 percent of children under six years have all available parents in the workforce. Capacity including available slots and child care facilities are declining statewide. Only 10 percent of available slots are for infants.
• CITY-WIDE BULKY ITEM PICK-UP PROGRAM – Public Works & Utilities Director Matt Bacon provided information regarding the upcoming City-wide bulky item pick-up event set for Saturday, October 23 from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. The city is partnering with local church congregations to gather large bulky items. Residents can sign up to participate by using the city’s SeeClickFix application or by calling Customer Service at (620) 231-4100.

 The City Commission took the following actions under the main agenda:

• REQUEST TO CHANGE ZONING – Commissioners approved the recommendation from the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals to approve the request submitted by Scannell Properties #568, LLC, to change the zoning of certain areas located at 770 East 400 Highway, from CP-3, Planned Highway Service Commercial, to IP-2, Planned Medium Industrial.
• VARIANCE – MATTHEW CURRAN – 603 THOMAS – Commissioners approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals to approved the Variance at 603 Thomas, submitted by Matthew Curran, to construct a 30’x40′ detached garage.
• PARTIAL MORTGAGE RELEASE – SILVERBACK HOUSING DEVELOPMENT – Commissioners approved a Partial Release of Mortgage document for Lot Number 13 (1823 Silverback Way), located in the Silverback housing development, as GN 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.
• PARTIAL MORTGAGE RELEASES AND WAIVERS OF RIGHT OF REPURCHASE – SILVERBACK HOUSING DEVELOPMENT – Commissioners approved a Partial Release of Mortgage documents and Waivers of Right of Repurchase for Lot Number 7, Lot Number 9, and Lot Number 14 in Silverback Landing, 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.
• 2021 AUDITING CONTRACT – Commissioners voted to engage the firm of Berberich Trahan & Company P.A. for the fiscal year 2021 City audit at a cost of $40,000.
• CITYWORKS – AZTECA SYSTEMS, LLC – SOFTWARE LICENSE AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT – City commissioners voted to enter into a three-year Software License and Maintenance Agreement with Azteca Systems, LLC, (“Azteca Systems” or “Azteca”) a Delaware limited liability company, for the purchase of Cityworks PLL software to support permitting, licensing and inspections staff and processes. Deputy City Manager Jay Byers says this system will streamline the permitting and licensing process for city staff.
• NEWEDGE SERVICES, LLC – MASTER AGREEMENT FOR MATERIAL AND SERVICES – Commissioners voted to enter into a Master Agreement for Material and Services with NewEdge Services, LLC, (“NewEdge”) for the implementation of Cityworks PLL software to support permitting, licensing and inspections staff and processes.
• CITY MANAGER’S ANNUAL EVALUATION/GOALS – Commissioners discussed adopting a formal procedure regarding the City Manager’s annual performance evaluation.

Non-agenda Reports and Requests:

• City Manager Daron Hall notified the city commissioners that the city is interested in selling a building located in its northeast industrial park at 3003 Rotary Terrace, the former location of Rollsource. The city has owned the industrial building and leased it out for many years, and was approached by multiple businesses interested in purchasing it. Hall said the first step will be to get the building appraised. The city will issue a formal public notice and will conduct a closed bidding process for the sale of the property so other interested parties may participate.
• City Manager Daron Hall answered questions regarding the city’s compensation study.

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.