Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – Oct. 22, 2019

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on October 22, 2019:

Public input:

• Jeff Wilbert with the Knights of Columbus announced the start of the annual tootsie roll drive to benefit Special Olympics and area disability organizations.

Commissioners approved the following items under the Consent Agenda:

• The October 8, 2019, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending October 22, 2019, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

Prior to the special presentations, Commissioner Munsell deviated from the agenda to make a motion to invite representatives from Evergy to the November 12 City Commission meeting to give a special presentation under the commission agenda. The motion died for lack of second. The topic was addressed again later in the meeting under non-agenda.

Special presentations:

• NEW BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENT – Local business owners Al Patel and Raj Patel announced plans to open a Dairy Queen in Pittsburg. They hope to break ground on a new Pittsburg location in 2020, after Dairy Queen corporate announces its new model. Construction is estimated to begin in March.
• CHILD RESPONSE ADVOCATES PROGRAM – Deputy Chief Tim Tompkins and Family Resource Center Executive Director Ann Elliott gave an update on the City of Pittsburg’s Child Response Advocates Program. After six years of operations, this grant-funded program now serves 84 families and 213 children in Pittsburg. The purpose of the program is to find community resources for families with kids and to prevent children from being separated from parents.
• REVOLVING LOAN FUND – Director of Economic Development Blake Benson provided an update to commissioners on the projects over the last two years that have received assistance from the City’s revolving loan fund.
• STREET SALES TAX PROJECTS UPDATE – Director of Public Utilities Matt Bacon provided an update on Street Sales Tax projects.
• LAND USE PLAN UPDATE – Assistant Planner Brittan Brenner provided an update on the Land Use Plan. Commissioners will have an opportunity to approve the final draft before the end of the year.

The following actions were taken under the Agenda:

• CARPINO – Commissioners passed the Resolution of Intent to Annex the Pittsburg Carpino Ford property at 1097 S. Hwy 69 into the city limits.
• DOCKLESS VEHICLES – ORDINANCE NO. G-1300 – After some discussion, the commissioners decided to table the decision on a proposed ordinance to regulate the use of dockless vehicles (rentable scooters).
• TAXI CABS – ORDINANCE NO. G-1301 – Commissioners approved an update to the City’s taxi cab ordinance, including inspection fees and background check fees. The taxi cab ordinance does not regulate businesses like Uber.
• ORDINANCE NO. G-1302 – Commissioners passed Ordinance No. G-1302, amending Section 78-116 of the Pittsburg City Code to prohibit parking on the south side of Park Street between Broadway and College Streets.
• ORDINANCE NO. G-1303 – Commissioners passed Ordinance No. G-1303, amending Section 2-40 of the Pittsburg City Code to provide that pursuant to K.S.A. 25-313 establishing by resolution the date upon which the regular term of office for all city officers shall begin.
• RESOLUTION NO. 1228 – Commissioners passed Resolution No. 1228, establishing the date upon which the regular term of office for city officers shall begin.
• DOWNTOWN SURVEY – PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT – BEN MOORE STUDIO, LLC – Commissioners approved the recommendation of city staff and Downtown Advisory Board members to enter into a contract with Ben Moore Studio, LLC, for a historical survey of downtown Pittsburg. The City received a National Parks Service Grant from the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office to conduct historic research.

The following topics were discussed under Non-Agenda:

• Commissioner Chenoweth requested that the commission look at the City’s ordinance allowing bicycles on city sidewalks at the next meeting.
• Commissioners discussed inviting Evergy to give a presentation under the City Commission agenda at a future meeting.

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.