Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – September 10, 2019

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission held on September 10, 2019:

Public input

• Pastor Tom Wehrman from St. John Lutheran Church gave an invocation on behalf of the Pittsburg Ministerial Alliance.

Commissioners approved the following items under the Consent Agenda:

• August 27, 2019, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending September 10, 2019, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

The following actions were taken under the Agenda:

• ORDINANCE No. G-1298: Commissioners approved the staff’s recommendation to adopt Ordinance No. G-1298 amending section 78-31 of the Code of the City of Pittsburg, Kansas, adopting by reference the 2019 edition of the “Standard Traffic Ordinances for Kansas Cities” as published by the League of Kansas Municipalities; repealing Ordinance no. G-1283.
• ORDINANCE No. G-1299: Commissioners approved staff’s request to adopt Ordinance No. G-1299 amending section 54-41 of the Code of the City of Pittsburg, Kansas, by adopting by reference the 2019 edition of the “Uniform Public Offense Code for Kansas Cities” as published by the League of Kansas Municipalities; and repealing Ordinance No. G-1284.
• Final Payment – Don Gutteridge Sports Complex Restroom and Concession Stand Project – Commissioners approved final payment to Tri-State Building & Service Supply Co., Inc., of Pittsburg, in the amount of $17,372.00 for the newly refurbished restroom and concession facilities. The project resulted in two new 1,400-square-foot buildings for concessions and restrooms. The City of Pittsburg utilized a matching grant from the Land & Water Conservation Fund to subsidize the cost of the construction.
• Cooling Tower Replacement Project – Fire Station # 1 – Commissioners approved a change order reflecting an increase of $9,568.15, making a new contract for construction in the amount of $73,268.15, for the Cooling Tower Replacement Project at Fire Station No. 1.
• Vacation Request – Commissioners approved the request submitted by Kendall R. McPhail, on behalf of Pittsburg Highlands, LP, to vacate a tract of land being part of Lot 15, Pittsburg Highlands, an addition to the City of Pittsburg. Commissioners discussed the possibility of having future developments survey properties prior to building. Public Works Director Cameron Alden mentioned that larger cities do this and it would be potentially beneficial. The City is investigating this option and evaluating the cost. The results will be brought to the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals and then to the City Commission for consideration.
• Conditional Use – The Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals in its meeting on August 26, 2019, voted unanimously to recommend the City Commission approve a request submitted by the First Church of the Nazarene of Pittsburg for a conditional use permit, allowing the lot at 814 East Quincy Street to be used as a temporary parking lot with said lot to be rock for a period of time not to exceed 12 months. Commissioners approved the recommendation of the board.

The following topics were discussed under Non-Agenda:

• Bi-Monthly Budget Review – Director of Finance Jamie Clarkson provided the August 31, 2019, bi-monthly budget review for the commissioners. Sales tax revenues continue to increase at a steady rate. Casino gaming revenues are on target, adding around $30,000 per month to the City’s general fund.
• Electricity Survey – Commissioner McNally discussed an anonymous survey that was distributed Monday, September 9, via text message to members of the community. Commissioner McNay said based on Facebook reactions, people seemed to be under the impression that the survey came from Westar. City Manager Daron Hall said he received a call from a resident who complained about getting robocalls.
• Hurricane Dorian – City Manager Daron Hall acknowledged and thanked the three Pittsburg firefighters who traveled to Florida and North Carolina in response to Hurricane Dorian.
• Block22 Celebration Thursday – Hall reminded Commissioners that Block22 is hosting a community celebration. Commissioner McNally encouraged people to attend the event at the Colonial Fox Theatre at 2:00 pm Thursday, September 12, followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony on Broadway. Also, from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm, citizens will get a sneak peek of the new businesses opening soon in Block22.
• League of Kansas Municipalities meeting – Hall mentioned to the commissioners that the League of Kansas Municipalities meeting will be held in Pittsburg on September 13.
• League of Kansas Municipalities Conference – Commissioner McNay suggested those attending the annual LKM conference in Wichita, KS on October 12-14, bring back reports to let the public know what they learned. 

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.