Pittsburg City Commission Recap – January 23

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission Meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024:

Public Input:

• Chaplain Pete Mayo shared a prayer of invocation
• Pittsburg residents Janice Arthur, Bert Patrick, Harriet Bachner, and Jim Brumfield spoke about Medicaid Expansion.
• Arma Resident Melissa Rhodes also discussed Medicaid Expansion.

Prior to the consent agenda, Commissioners discussed the reorganization of the governing body and the process by which votes were taken for President of the Board at the January 9, 2024 meeting.  Following discussion, the City Commission voted to re-vote and ultimately selected Dawn McNay as President of the Board by a vote of 3-2 with Commissioners Books and Munsell opposed.

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• The January 9, 2024, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• The application submitted by Steven and Amy Renn for water service outside the corporate City limits to property located at 554 East 520th Avenue.
• The appointment of Brannon Green to a first three-year term as an at-large member; to change Bryce Anderson’s area of representation from at-large to financial, and to appoint Mr. Anderson to a second three-year term as members of the Land Bank Board of Trustees effective immediately and to conclude on December 31, 2026.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending January 23, 2024.

The Following Items were Considered under the Main Agenda:

• LEAFY GREEN FARMS PROJECT – Commissioners voted to approve the recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to approve an incentive request from Leafy Green Farms, in which the city would reimburse LGF 10 percent of the total project cost associated with the construction of a Sustainable Nutrition Center through the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), earmarked specifically for infrastructure improvements. The city’s portion would be paid upon completion of the project and will not exceed $159,485.
• REAL ESTATE SALES CONTRACT – BONZO – The City Commission voted to sell approximately 5.85 acres of real estate, to Dustin Bonzo and Ellen Bonzo, for the total purchase price of $29,000.
• RESOLUTION NO. 1275 – Commissioners passed Resolution No. 1275, declaring the building located at 211 North Broadway, as blighted with respect to the Kansas Small Cities Community Development Glock Grant (CDBG) Program.
• AQUATIC CENTER SLIDES – The commissioners voted to waive the city’s bid policy and enter into an agreement with Rain Drop, Inc., in the amount of $45,000.45, to refurbish the Aquatic Center flume and family wave slides. The surface of the slides have not been refurbished since 2013, according to Parks & Recreation Department Director Toby Book. Work on the slides will be completed prior to summer opening, weather permitting.

Non-Agenda reports and requests:

• City Manager Daron Hall acknowledged all city crews who have worked outside in the extreme cold temperatures to respond to water main breaks and calls for service.
• Commissioners discussed drafting a letter requesting that the Kansas Legislature bring Medicaid Expansion to the floor for a vote.

Pittsburg Positive:

• Mayor Stu Hite introduced “Pittsburg Positive” as a way to close out city commission meetings on a high note. During “Pittsburg Positive,” Hite shared encouraging statistics from Wesley House. According to data provided by Wesley House, the agency successfully assisted 37 homeless individuals obtain housing in 2022, and 78 individuals in 2023. Hite plans to share more good things happening in the community at the end of each commission meeting.