Pittsburg City Commission meeting recap – Oct. 13, 2020

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken during the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on Oct. 13, 2020:

Proclamations:

• Proclamation – World Polio Day – Received by Bryce Anderson
• Proclamation – PittNaz Day – Received by Kyle Rogers

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• The September 22, 2020, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• Staff recommendation to award the bid for the City of Pittsburg facilities sanitation service to Short’s Trash Service, of Frontenac, Kansas, based on their low bid in the amount of $905 per month for the contract period of one year.
• Staff recommendation to award the bid for as-needed sanitation dumpster service to Short’s Trash Service, of Frontenac, Kansas, based on their low bid in the amount of $115 plus $46 per ton, per pull for a 30 or 40-yard dumpster for the contract period of one year.
• Staff recommendation to grant easements to Evergy for the relocation of electric lines along 4th Street and for the installation of new electric lines to serve a new substation along 520th Ave. with Evergy compensating the city in the total amount of $9,900.
• Staff recommendation to accept a grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) to administer the Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program to provide security deposits for low-income households.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending October 13, 2020, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

The following item was removed from the consent agenda for further discussion:

• Staff recommendation to approve a Real Estate Sale Contract, Affidavit of Understanding and Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreement due to Coronavirus Pandemic, and Indemnity and Undertaking Agreement, in relation to the City of Pittsburg’s purchase of the property located at 525 South Broadway from the Community National Bank in the amount of $92,000. The issue passed 3-2 with Commissioners Munsell and Brooks opposed.

Special Presentations:

• IMA, INC. HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE – Christy Powell, Vice President of IMA, Inc. provided an update on the health insurance plan utilized by employees of the City of Pittsburg. Powell indicated that the fact that Pittsburg has gone six years without a health insurance cost increase to employees while improving health services makes it a model for how to manage health care costs.
• CONFERENCE CENTER UPDATE – Hunden Strategic Partners, the consultant engaged by the City of Pittsburg and Crawford County, shared their findings as to the market demand and feasibility of a new conference center adjoined to a hotel in Pittsburg. Hunden’s research indicated that there is a strong latent demand for conference center space in Pittsburg without any existing facility being able to address the need.
• SPLASH PAD PROJECT – Kim Vogel, Director of Parks and Recreation, presented the updated conceptual design, budget, and timeline for the Schlanger Park Splash Pad project. The goal is to have the splash pad open next summer.

Commissioners approved the following items on the agenda:

• E & J INVESTMENTS DEVELOPMENT – The recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to provide an additional $36,779.98 from the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to be used toward the extension of utilities to serve the E & J Investments Development (ReNu Medical & Spa) and prime the area for future growth.
• TURNKEY DEVELOPERS, LLC REIMBURSEMENT SCHEDULE MODIFICATION – The recommendation of the EDAC to modify the reimbursement schedule with Turnkey Developers, LLC, in which the timing of the second half of the reimbursement to Turnkey Developers, LLC, would change from the completion of Phase I to the construction of ten new homes.
• ANNEXATION REQUEST – JAMES L. BARONE – The request submitted by James L. Barone to have his property, located on South Rouse, annexed into the City of Pittsburg.
• RURAL HOUSING INCENTIVE DISTRICT – Consider staff recommendation to establish a Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) and adopt Resolution No. 1238 determining that the City is considering establishing a Rural Housing Incentive District.
• WATER TREATMENT PLANT FORKLIFT – Staff request to waive the City bid policy to purchase a used 2014 Moffett M55.4 4-Way Forklift from Equipment Remarketing, LLC, of Grabill, Indiana, in the amount of $31,985 for use at the Water Treatment Plant.
• MUNICIPAL H20 SERVICES AGREEMENT – Staff request to waive the City bid policy to enter into a contract with Municipal H20 in the amount of $24,500 for assistance and consulting in preparation of the completion of items related to the America Water Infrastructure Act.
• BUILDING SERVICES TRUCK – Staff request to waive the City bid policy to purchase a 2021 Ford F-150 XL 2WD Reg Cab Truck from Mike Carpino Ford, of Pittsburg, in the amount of $23,600.
• PURCHASE OF 2020 CAPITAL VEHICLES/EQUIPMENT – Staff request to waive the City bid policy to purchase 2020 Capital Vehicles/Equipment utilizing State contract pricing and to send out an RFP seeking quotes from financial institutions for the financing of these vehicles/equipment based on a 5-year lease/purchase.
• EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO LINCOLN CENTER HVAC – Staff request to waive the City bid policy to make emergency repairs to the HVAC system at Lincoln Center. Repairs to be made by CDL Electric, of Pittsburg, in the amount of $42,804.00.
• SPYGLASS SNAPSHOP AUDIT AGREEMENT – Staff recommendation to enter into an agreement with The SpyGlass Group, LLC, in which The SpyGlass Group, LLC, will analyze the City’s primary telecommunications service accounts to seek cost recovery, service elimination and cost reduction recommendations.
• ORDINANCE NO. S-1073 – Ordinance No. S-1073, levying an additional City Retailers Sales Tax in the amount of one-half of one percent (0.50%) to be levied for a term of ten (10) years within the City of Pittsburg, effective April 1, 2021, or the next available date, with the revenue therefrom to pay for the maintenance and repair of city streets, and not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) annually to pay for a sidewalk repair matching fund for property owners.

Non-Agenda:

• Deputy City Manager Jay Byers shared with the commissioners that the city is working with Pittsburg USD 250 School District and Motorola to launch a pilot program to help students who have no internet access. The grant-funded program will serve around 100 students, providing them access to online learning resources through a private cell network. Pittsburg is one of the first communities in the country to participate.

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.