Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – Oct. 8, 2019

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on October 8, 2019:

Public input:

• Mark Chambers with the Pittsburg Ministerial Alliance gave an invocation.
• William Strenth mentioned the South Rouse estimated completion date according to KDOT is still listed as Dec. 5. Strenth then asked for a completion date and any change orders for Silverback Way. Strenth asked if dates outlined in the Silverback Landing Rural Housing Incentive District had been changed. Strenth also asked if P&L Development had applied for any building permits for the Silverback Landing neighborhood.

Commissioners approved the following items under the Consent Agenda:

• The September 24, 2019, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• The Airport Hangar Lease between the City of Pittsburg and Mr. Zach McGuire for the lease of Hangar A at 3412 Airport Drive to be used for aircraft repair and maintenance for the term of one year beginning November 1, 2019, and ending October 31, 2020, in the amount of $300 monthly.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending October 8, 2019, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

Public Hearings:

• CDBG GRANT REQUEST – A public hearing was held for the purpose of considering an application to be submitted to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds to provide new wearing surfaces and markings to US-69B (North Broadway) from 2nd to 11th Street and K-126 (4th Street) from Pine to Broadway for a total estimated project cost of $909,931 with a grant request for $561,631 and forced labor costs of $9,300, and the remaining $339,000 from Pittsburg’s Street Sales Tax Fund. No one spoke under the public hearing and the commissioners approved the grant request.
• SECTION EIGHT (S8) HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER (HCV) 2020 ADMINISTRATION PLAN AND 5 YEAR ANNUAL PLAN – A public hearing was also held for the Section Eight (S8) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Administration Plan and the 5 Year Annual Plan. No one spoke under the public hearing. Commissioners approved the request and adopted the Section Eight Housing Choice Voucher Administration Plan and the 5 Year Annual Plan and Resolution No. 1226.

Special presentations:

• USD 250 TENNIS PROGRAM AND FACILITIES REPORT – Pittsburg High School Activities and Athletic Director Jeff Staley and PHS state tournament coordinator Kenda Fischer updated commissioners on the PHS tennis program and the 5A State Tournament to be held at the high school on October 18 and 19. The City of Pittsburg was awarded $139,000 from the Kansas Land & Water Conservation Fund in 2016 to help build the PHS tennis courts.
• CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER (CTEC) OF CRAWFORD COUNTY REPORT – President of the Board Dawn McNay, who serves as the City’s representative on the CTEC board of directors, shared information with the commission on the CTEC annual report.
• IMA, INC. HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE – Vice President of IMA, Christy Powell stated that the City of Pittsburg has created a new model for health insurance that has resulted in dramatic reductions in costs while maintaining high levels of coverage for City staff. While most organizations are facing 8-10 percent health insurance cost increases, Pittsburg has seen no increase in five years and has been able to add $800,000 to its health plan reserves. IMA credited the hard work and foresight of the administrative staff for this exceptional result.

The following actions were taken under the Agenda:

• ANNEXATION REQUEST AND INCENTIVE PACKAGE – MIKE CARPINO FORD LINCOLN – The City Commission approved the recommendation of Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to accept the request submitted by Mike Carpino to annex his property, located at 1097 South Highway 69, into the City of Pittsburg, and approval of the proposed economic development incentive package for Mike Carpino Ford Lincoln.
• DANCE HALL LICENSE – JIMMY B’S – Commissioners approved the application for a Dance Hall License renewal, submitted by Mr. James Beckley, owner of Jimmy B’s Bar located at 202 N. Locust Street.
• 2019 AUDITING CONTRACT – Commissioners approved staff request to engage the firm of Berberich Trahan & Company P.A. for the fiscal year 2019 City audit at a cost of $38,000 with the option of auditing the City’s financial statements for the four subsequent fiscal years.
• RESOLUTION NO. 1227 – Commissioners approved Resolution No. 1227 adopting and approving the proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for the years 2020 – 2024.
• 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).

The following topics were discussed under Non-Agenda:

• Commissioner Dan McNally asked for an update on the progress of the City’s effort to study electricity. Deputy City Manager Jay Byers provided the details of what the City has done so far and what information is still needed in order to determine if a public power business model is a good idea for Pittsburg.
• City Manager Daron Hall addressed questions posed during public input by William Strenth regarding South Rouse St. and Silverback Way.
• Public Works Director Cameron Alden provided an update on signal upgrades and restriping work at South Rouse St. and Centennial Dr.
• Public Information Manager Sarah Runyon shared a reminder that the Imagine Pittsburg 2030 Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at Block22, in the community conference room. The public is invited to attend.

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.