Pittsburg City Commission Recap – January 9

The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission Meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 2024:

Public Input:

• Mark Chambers shared a prayer of invocation.
• Jerry Lomshek and David Lomshek of Chicopee, KS discussed homelessness.
• Crawford County Mental Health and Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas board member Brian Jones spoke about Medicaid expansion in Kansas.
• Bert Patrick spoke in support of expanding Medicaid.
• McCarthy’s Pub owner Brian Hanson spoke about dance hall licenses.

Reorganization of the Board of Directors:

• Newly re-elected city commissioners Cheryl Brooks, Chuck Munsell, and Dr. Ron Seglie were sworn in and seated by the city clerk.
• Commissioners elected Stu Hite to serve as Pittsburg Mayor for 2024, and Hite was sworn in and seated by the city clerk.
• City Commissioners presented Dr. Ron Selgie with a ceremonial gavel to thank him for serving as mayor in 2023.
• Dawn McNay was elected to serve as president of the board for 2024 and sworn in by the city clerk.

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• The December 19, 2023, Special City Commission Meeting minutes.
• Designating The Morning Sun as the official City newspaper.
• Designating Arvest, BMO Harris Bank, Community National Bank, Commerce Bank, Equity Bank, GNBank, Labette Bank, and Landmark Bank as official City depositories.
• A supporting services contract with ConvergeOne, for use with the City’s web-based telephone system, with a one-time cost of $32,644 and a monthly cost of $4,512.49.
• The appointment of Doug Thomas to fill an unexpired term as a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board effective immediately.
• The reappointment of Martin Dickinson to a second three-year term, and appointment of Michael Wilber to a first three-year term as members of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals.
• The appointment of Darcie Shultz to a first two-year term as a member of the Downtown Advisory Board, to serve in the role as the Downtown Overlay District resident.
• Staff recommendation to waive and release the right of first refusal and exclusive right to repurchase 3.28 acres of real estate in the City of Pittsburg Northeast Industrial Park, described as Lot Number Four (4) in Pittsburg Regional Industrial Park Third Addition “Number Two” a replat of Lot Nine of Replat of Pittsburg Regional Industrial Park, located in the North Half (N ½) of Section 16, Township 30 South, Range 25 East, Pittsburg, Crawford County Kansas, according to the recorded plat thereof, deeded to Larry Raskopf, Jr. and Paula Raskopf in September of 2007, and now owned by Endicott Rentals, LLC.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending January 9, 2024.

Consider the Following:

• ORDINANCE NO. G-1355 – Commissioners approved Ordinance No. G-1355, repealing Division 1 in Article III of Chapter 42, Sections 42-81, 42-82, and also repealing Division 2 in Article III of Chapter 42, Sections 42-101 through 42-106, of the Pittsburg City Code regarding the regulation and licensing of dance halls and dances.
• DOWNTOWN ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENTS – Commissioners appointed three individuals to first two-year terms as members of the Downtown Advisory Board (DAB). Brad Stefanoni was appointed to represent the hospitality industry, and TreAnna Mulkin and Stephanie Watts to serve at large.
• NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS – Commissioners appointed twelve individuals to first two-year terms as members of the Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC). PJ Graham was appointed to serve the NW quadrant; John Ketterman, John Lair, Lacy O’Malley, Ken Ward, and Ryan Williams to represent the NE quadrant; and Bob Gilmore, Mark Newbold, and Sarah Watts to represent the SW quadrant; and Paige Bowman, Marnie Schipper, and Kristin Thomas will serve the SE quadrant.
• DESIGN/BUILD AGREEMENT – MINIATURE GOLF COURSE – Commissioners voted to enter into an agreement with Adventure Golf and Sports, Inc. to design/build an 18-hole miniature golf course using the Modular Advantage System in the amount of $238,150. Weather permitting, the Parks & Recreation Department hopes to open the mini golf course this summer.

Non-Agenda reports and requests:

• Commissioners responded to questions and topics brought up under public input, including efforts to reduce homelessness and Medicaid expansion.
• Mayor Stu Hite acknowledged the passing of Ken Brock, and recognized his efforts to expand 69 Hwy to four lanes, his contributions to the Atkinson Municipal Airport, and his involvement in the community.

Executive Session:

• Commissioners adjourned into an executive session to discuss the City Manager’s 2023 evaluation and 2024 goals. No action was taken and no votes were cast during the executive session.