Pittsburg City Commission meeting recap – Oct. 27, 2020

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken during the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on Oct. 27, 2020:

Proclamation:

• President of the Board Chuck Munsell read a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• The Oct. 13, 2020 City Commission Meeting Minutes.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending October 27, 2020, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

Items removed from the consent agenda for further discussion:

• Staff recommendation to adopt Ordinance No. G-1314, annexing land into the limits and boundaries of the City of Pittsburg, Kansas, pursuant to K.S.A. 12-520 (a) (7), as amended. The annexation request was submitted and approved by the commissioners during the October 13, 2020 meeting. Commissioner O’Bryan asked what the property being annexed would be used for. City Manager Daron Hall informed commissioners that the owner James Barone intends initially to farm the property. Commissioners voted to approve the ordinance.

Special Presentation:

• Third District State Representative Monica Murnan provided commissioners with an update on the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Program. Murnan said in round one approximately $7.8 million was distributed throughout the Crawford County community. Round two focuses on economic development and connectivity, and round three will address housing insecurity, public health, essential needs, business resiliency and workforce support.

Commissioners approved the following items on the agenda:

• ORDINANCE NO. S-1074 – Commissioners approved Ordinance No. S-1074, which would become effective on March 31, 2021, repealing Ordinance No. S-1048 of The City of Pittsburg which levies an additional one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) retailer’s sales tax within the City of Pittsburg for five (5) years. This ordinance is required due to the passage of the street sales tax ballot proposal on October 6.
• ORDINANCE NO. S-1075 – The Commission approved Ordinance No. S-1075, granting an ad valorem tax exemption to Rallison, L.P., as previously presented.

Non-Agenda:

• KDOT Utility agreement – 126 HWY Bridge Project – Public Utilities Director Matt Bacon shared that the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requested the city’s assistance in the relocation of a water line near the current KDOT bridge project at Highway 69 and 126. KDOT is funding the project and the city will assist with utility relocation. Radell Construction will conduct the drilling. Commissioners approved the utility agreement with KDOT.
• Commissioner Munsell asked for an update on the 4th Street Overpass Project. The project will result in the expansion of the bridge to 52 feet, including two lanes with a 10-foot sidewalk on the north side. This is a 250-working-day project expected to be completed at the end of 2021.

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.