City Commission

Study Session Minutes Ottawa, Kansas Minutes of January 30, 2023 The Governing Body met at 4:00 pm this date at City Hall with the following members present and participating to wit: Mayor Crowley, Mayor Pro Tem Skidmore, Commissioner Graves, and Commissioner Caylor. Commissioner Clayton arrived at 4:10 pm. A quorum was present. Mayor Crowley called the meeting to order. Public Comments Gary Harris presented during the Hidden Lakes Subdivision agenda item. Minutes to Review The Governing Body reviewed minutes from the January 9, 2023 Study Session, January 18, 2023 Regular Meeting, and January 23, 2023 Study Session. The Governing Body agreed by consensus to place these items on the next Regular Meeting agenda on February 1, 2023. Proclamation—Catholic Schools Week The Governing Body reviewed a proclamation recognizing January 29-February 4, 2023 as Catholic Schools Week. Mayor Crowley will present the proclamation at Sacred Heart School on January 31, 2023. Proclamation—Black History Month The Governing Body reviewed a proclamation recognizing February 2023 as Black History Month and agreed by consensus to place this item on the next Regular Meeting agenda. Monthly Financial & Activity Reports—December 2022 The Governing Body reviewed the December Monthly Financial and Activity reports with City Staff and community support organizations. Commissioner Clayton arrived at 4:10 pm. Continued Review of Hidden Lakes Subdivision Preliminary Plat – Phase I The Governing Body took public comment. Gary Harris, 1801 S. Princeton, discussed corrections to his public comment from the January 23, 2023 study session The Governing Body heard from Melanie Landis, Interim Community Development Director, who continued review on a preliminary plat for the Hidden Lakes Subdivision: • Request is to consider variance • Planning Commission discussed the project at their December 14, 2022 meeting • Approval is subject to review and approval by the City Commission of a variance to a minimum 60’ right-of-way width for SE 19th Street to allow the substandard right-of-way width as shown on the preliminary plat • Additional items will be addressed prior to final plat approval • Reviewed conceptual drawings for traffic flow After some discussion, the Governing Body agreed by consensus to place this on the Regular Meeting agenda for February 1, 2023. Electric Rate Discussion 1 January 30, 2023 City of Ottawa Study Session Minutes January 30, 2023 Page 2 The Governing Body heard from Finance Director Melanie Landis and Director of Utilities Dennis Tharp, who reviewed the electric utility and discussed the following: • The city owns and operates an electric utility which includes production and distribution • Operations and capital improvements are funded through the collection of user fees for electric services • City staff, after a financial review, has determined that rate increases are necessary to maintain current service levels and accomplish capital improvements over the next five years • The proposed rate resolution was reviewed and reflected changes include: o Terminology change from Customer Charge to Base Charge o Base Charge unchanged o Demand Charge for large power user classification unchanged o The annual rate increase for 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 of 6% • Implementation would take place in March of each year • City staff recommends approval The Governing Body agreed by consensus to place this on the Regular Meeting agenda for February 1, 2023. City Manager's Comments City Manager Richard U. Nienstedt had no comment. Utilities Director Dennis Tharp updated the Governing Body on the BASE grant projects. A contractor has been hired for the Cottonwood Lift Station and work has begun. A contractor has been selected for the water tower at Proximity Park and the contracts are currently being reviewed. Both contracts came in significantly under engineer’s estimates, but grant funds did not cover the full cost of the project. Finance Director Melanie Landis stated Kansas Gas Service has accepts bids for their line extension project and is working on right-of-way access. Commissioner's Comments The Governing Body discussed the Mayor/Mayor Pro Tem selection process. City Attorney Blaine Finch presented the current structure and process for selection. The Governing Body requested Mr. Finch draft up a resolution identifying the process to be followed. Mayor's Comments Mayor Crowley had no comment. City Attorney Blaine Finch updated the Governing Body on the sale of 103 and 107 N. Elm. Mr. Finch stated that several discussions had occurred on the real estate contract with Diane Coates. An updated real estate contract was sent to Diane Coates and no communication has been received as of January 30th. Commission Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to reject the bid due to a non-executed contract. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this motion duly approved. Executive Session Recess Mayor Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to recess into executive session with City Attorney Blaine Finch, Finance Director Melanie Landis and City Manager 2 January 30, 2023 City of Ottawa Study Session Minutes January 30, 2023 Page 3 Richard U. Nienstedt present to discuss a matter of attorney-client privilege and having confidential communication with the City Attorney for a period of 10 minutes reconvening at 5:30 pm. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the meeting duly recessed. Reconvene Commissioner Clayton made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Skidmore, to reconvene into open session. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the meeting duly reconvened at 5:30 pm. Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 5:30 pm. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk 3 January 30, 2023