Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – September 28, 2021

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021:

Public input:

• Patricia Johnson with the Salvation Army said a prayer of invocation.
• Joella Skyles had questions regarding the city’s downtown grant from the SHPO office for developing a downtown walking tour.

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• The September 14, 2021, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• Staff recommendation to enter into a Construction Administration (Inspection) Services Agreement with Olsson Inc., of Pittsburg, in an amount not to exceed $72,295.00 in which Olsson Inc. will perform inspections and testing for the 2022 Pittsburg CCLIP Project.
• Renewal of a no-fee Antenna & Equipment Space Lease providing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with 21 square feet of space in the Administration Building at the Atkinson Municipal Airport to store Radio Communications Outlet (RCO) equipment for a 5-year term beginning on October 1, 2021.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending September 28, 2021, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

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

• Commissioners voted to approve Ordinance No. G-1328, amending Section 78-116 of the Pittsburg City Code to prohibit parking on the north side of the 100, 200 and 400 blocks of West Adams Street. Public Works and Utilities Director Matt Bacon said the city received a request from residents to eliminate parking on one side of the street, and the request was reviewed and approved by the city’s traffic advisory board.
• Commissioners voted to approve a Project Agreement between the City and the State of Kansas Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), in which the City will receive a grant for $7,500 to produce a walking tour focused on the downtown commercial area of Pittsburg. Housing and Community Development Director Quentin Holmes answered questions brought up by Joella Skyles during public input regarding a downtown walking tour. Holmes clarified that the SHPO grant project originated with the Downtown Advisory Board in 2019. The grant project was delayed due to the pandemic but now the city is continuing the grant and hopes to develop an interactive mobile application, which will complement existing historic downtown publications.

Commissioners took the following actions under the main agenda:

• ARVEST BANK – P & L DEVELOPMENT – SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT – Commissioners approved the recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to enter into a new Subordination Agreement with Arvest Bank and P & L Development, relating to the Silverback housing development, as Arvest Bank is increasing its loan amount by $53,600 on Lot 6 and $40,800 on Lot 9. Each time a new lot is sold in the development, a new subordination agreement is necessary. Economic Development Director Blake Benson shared that basements are being added to the lots, which increased the value of the homes being built and therefore the loan amounts. The agreement does not increase the amount the city is contributing.
• RESOLUTION NO. 1247 – Commissioners considered a resolution establishing additional Rural Housing Incentive Districts (RHID) within the City, adding parcels inside the downtown area. Housing and Community Development Director Quentin Holmes clarified that the state’s RHID program now includes downtown buildings with multiple levels for residential development. He shared that the property owners recently expressed interest in redeveloping their buildings to include residential upper-story housing. Commissioner Larry Fields expressed concerns about the state’s categories for eligible reimbursement and timelines. City Manager Daron Hall stated that the broad framework designed by the state is meant to be customized at the local level, and the commission has the authority to negotiate the terms of reimbursement, timelines, and other details with developers on a project-by-project basis. Fields later suggested that the city identify how to address multi-story buildings outside the downtown overlay district and how the city would define the parameters of eligibility. Following the discussion, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution.

 Non-agenda Reports and Requests:

• Quentin Holmes provided the commissioners with an update on housing developments currently under construction in the city.

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.