City Commission
Regular MeetingOttawa, KS · April 3, 2023
Minutes
Study Session Minutes
Ottawa, Kansas
Minutes of April 3, 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 Caylor,
Commissioner Graves and Commissioner Clayton. A quorum was present. Mayor Crowley called
the meeting to order.
Public Comments
None given.
Continued Discussion of Extension Request Victory Auto – IRB Sales Tax Exemption
The Governing Body heard from Special Bond Counsel Tyler Ellsworth, Kutak Rock LLP, who
continued the review of the development agreement with Victory Auto. The agreement had a
completion date for phase 1 and the public infrastructure improvements by March 1, 2023. Due to
delays with the project, the applicant has asked for an extension to August 1, 2024. The second
request is to combine the sales tax exemption on phases 1 and 2.
Kallan LaForge, Victory Auto, reviewed the following and answered questions:
• Finalization of the building took longer than expected due to errors with the footprint of the
building
• Presented a revised construction timeline with a completion date for phase 1 of March
2024
• Public infrastructure improvements should be complete by September 1, 2023
• Discussed providing additional time in case of unexpected delays
• The building plans should be submitted to community development soon to be reviewed by
staff
• Phase 2 was expected to be complete in 2027, but the project is expected to begin sooner
than originally expected
• Distributed renderings for phase 2 construction
• Requesting the development agreement be extended to August 1, 2024
• Also requests sales tax exemption for phase 2 of the project
The Governing Body agreed by consensus to review a resolution approving an amendment to the
development agreement and a resolution extending the resolution of intent for the industrial
revenue bonds at the Regular Meeting on April 19, 2023.
Ordinance Amending Municipal Code on Cemeteries
The Governing Body heard from Public Works Director Michael Haeffele, who provided the
following highlights regarding the changes:
• Changes would grant authority to organizations/groups to clean and maintain Veteran’s
headstones
• Proposed changes include “All stones and monuments may be realigned or relocated by
the Sexton or their designee and is also authorized to repair and reset bases and stones as
the need requires” and cleaning, maintaining and/or resetting of Veteran’s stones are
permittable with the specific approval from the Public Works Director or their designee
• Staff recommends approving changes
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April 3, 2023
City of Ottawa
Study Session Minutes
April 3, 2023
Page 2
The Governing Body agreed by consensus to place this on the next Regular Meeting agenda for
April 5, 2023.
Resolution Defining Depository Institutions and Authorized Signers
The Governing Body heard from Assistant Finance Director Rebekah McCurdy, who reviewed a
resolution to update the signers for all City bank accounts. This update will limit signers to approved
signers empowered to act on the City’s behalf. City policy requires two signatures on all monetary
transactions.
The resolution adds City Manager Brian W. Silcott, City Attorney Blaine Finch, Human Resources
Director Michelle Wapp, Finance Director Melanie Landis, and Assistant Finance Director Rebekah
McCurdy as authorized signers.
After discussion, the Governing Body agreed by consensus to place this item on the next Regular
Meeting agenda on April 5, 2023.
City Manager's Comments
City Manager Brian Silcott thanked the Governing Body for the opportunity to serve the City of
Ottawa. Mr. Silcott stated that he looks forward to leading the City with the Governing Body’s
direction.
Commissioner's Comments
The Governing Body welcomed City Manager Brian Silcott to the City of Ottawa.
Mayor's Comments
Mayor Crowley welcomed Mr. Silcott.
Announcements
Mayor Crowley made the following announcements:
• April 5, 2023 Regular Meeting, 7:00 pm, City Hall
• April 10, 2023 Study Session, 4:00 pm, City Hall
Adjournment
There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly
adjourned at 4:32 pm.
/s/ Melissa Reed
Melissa Reed, City Clerk
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April 3, 2023
Agenda
OTTAWA CITY COMMISSION STUDY SESSION AGENDA
Monday, April 3, 2023 - 4:00 pm Ottawa City Hall - 101 S. Hickory
In accordance with Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA), the
Citizens may attend in person, VIA ZOOM or submit comments
meeting can be viewed live on Channel 23 and via Facebook Live
(300 words or less) for the City Commission. To submit your public
or listened to by dialing: 1-312-626-6799 and entering meeting
comment or to request the meeting Zoom link to give a public
ID 919 2144 9005#. To view on YouTube: https:// comment, email publiccomments@ottawaks.gov no later than
www.youtube.com/@ottawaksgov 2:00 pm on April 3, 2023; all emails must include your name and
If you need this information in another format or require a address.
reasonable accommodation to attend this meeting, contact the Participants who generate unwanted or distracting noises may be
City’s ADA Coordinator at 785-229-3621. Please provide advance muted by the meeting host. If this happens, unmute yourself when
notice of at least two (2) working days. TTY users please call 711. you wish to speak.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Subject to the above restrictions, persons who wish to address the City Commission regarding items on the agenda
may do so as that agenda item is called. Persons who wish to address the City Commission regarding items not on
the agenda and that are under the jurisdiction of the City Commission, may do so at this time when called upon by
the Mayor. Comments on personnel matters and matters pending in court or with other outside tribunals are not
permitted. Speakers are limited to three minutes. Any presentation is for informational purposes only. The
Governing Body will take comments under advisement.
ITEMS TO BE PLACED ON THE REGULAR CITY COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEMS FOR PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION *
1. Continued Discussion of Extension Request by Victory Auto – IRB Sales Tax Exemption - Blaine Finch / Brian
Silcott / Tyler Ellsworth, Kutak Rock LLP / Kallan LaForge, Victory Auto
2. Ordinance Amending Municipal Code on Cemeteries—Specifically the Cleaning, Maintenance and Resetting of
Veterans Stones - Michael Haeffele / DJ Welsh (Pp. 2 - 4)
3. Resolution Defining Depository Institutions and Authorized Signers - Rebekah McCurdy (Pp. 5 - 6)
4 Comments by City Manager
5. Comments by City Commissioners
6. Comments by Mayor
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. April 5, 2023 Regular Meeting - 7:00 pm, City Hall
2. April 10, 2023 Study Session - 4:00 pm, City Hall
ITEMS ALREADY PLACED
ADJOURN
*All presentation materials to be reviewed at study session (including PowerPoint) must be emailed
to presentations@ottawaks.gov and gmathews@ottawaks.gov by 10:00 am the Thursday prior to the meeting.
4.3.23 Agenda Pkt Page #1
CITY OF OTTAWA, KANSAS
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
TO: Richard U. Nienstedt – City Manager
FROM: Michael Haeffele – Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Cemetery Ordinance Update
DATE: March 23, 2023
_________________________________________________________________________________
After consulting with City Attorney Blaine Finch, we became aware of a need to make a few minor
adjustments to our Cemetery Ordinance to grant authority to organizations/groups to clean and maintain
Veteran’s headstones. The changes to the ordinance are highlighted in yellow for your easy review.
Staff does recommend approving these changes at the next regular City Commission meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael W. Haeffele
Director of Public Works
4.3.23 Agenda Pkt Page #2
ORDINANCE NUMBER _________
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF OTTAWA,
KANSAS CONCERNING MUNICIPAL CEMETERIES SPECIFICALLY THE CLEANING,
MAINTENANCE AND RESETTNG OF VETERANS STONES.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF OTTAWA, KANSAS:
Section 1. AMENDMENT OF MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 7-105
Section 7-05 of the Municipal Code of the City of Ottawa is hereby amended as follows:
7-105. Monuments, stones and urns.
All monuments and stones shall be set on concrete footings. The measurements of the foundation
excavations shall be eight inches wider than the width of the memorial or marker and eight
inches longer than the length of the memorial or marker so that a concrete apron of four inches
will extend beyond the entire length and width of the memorial or marker after it has been
installed. This includes any vase or urn that is integrated as a part of the monument.
Foundation excavations for memorials or markers which will lie flat with the ground surface
shall be dug at a depth of no less than ten inches and the depth must be consistent throughout the
excavation, including the area to be excavated for the concrete apron.
Foundation excavations for an upright memorial or marker shall be approximately one- half the
height of said upright memorial or marker, with a maximum depth of eighteen inches.
Piers approximately seven inches in diameter and ten inches deep shall be sunk below the base of
the foundation excavation. Piers must be located on the sides of the excavation in approximately
the center. In addition, if the lid of the vault is below the base of the foundation excavation, two
additional piers shall be sunk, each approximately seven inches in diameter from the vault.
The excavation, and all piers dug from the base shall be filled with cement and finished.
The general location of all stones or monuments on any gravesite shall be located and placed as
directed by the Sexton. The party desiring to install a memorial or marker shall give a minimum
of three days’ notice to the cemetery sexton. Flags will be placed out for up to five days. All
monuments and foundations shall be entirely within the boundaries of a particular burial space.
All stones and monuments cannot be set until a stone setting permit is acquired. Such stone
setting permit shall be issued by designated city personnel in the Business Office in the City
Hall. A fee for such stone setting permit shall be determined from time to time. All foundation
excavations shall be inspected by cemetery personnel prior to pouring concrete. All foundations
must be wet set. A final inspection will be completed once the memorial or marker has been set
to determine that it was installed properly. If upon inspection, the installation of the memorial or
marker deviates from the specifications set forth, the Sexton will give notice to the installer
requiring corrections needed to comply. All stones and monuments may be realigned or relocated
by the Sexton and his or her designee and is also authorized to repair and rest bases and stones as
the need requires. All urns shall be installed in concrete and aligned with the head stones.
Surface mausoleums shall not be permitted.
4.3.23 Agenda Pkt Page #3
New stones or stones which are reset and which are provided under Federal application for
Veterans of the United States Armed Forces may be set according to the Veterans Association
Guidelines.
Cleaning, maintaining and resetting of Veterans’ stones are all permissible with the specific prior
approval of the Public Works Director or his or her designee.
Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance shall take effect upon publication in the official city newspaper.
ADOPTED by the Governing Body of the City of Ottawa on this _____ day of
________________, 2023.
____________________________________
Eric Crowley, Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________________
City Clerk
4.3.23 Agenda Pkt Page #4
MEMORANDUM
TO: THE HONORABLE CITY COMMISSION
FROM: REBEKAH MCCURDY, CITY TREASURER
SUBJECT: DEFINING DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS & AUTHORIZED SIGNERS
RESOLUTION
DATE: APRIL 3, 2023
City of Ottawa
This resolution is to update the signers for all bank accounts that are held at the following
101 S. Hickory depository institutions by The City of Ottawa:
Ottawa, KS 66067
x Bank Midwest (BMW)
785.229.3600 x Great Southern Bank (GSB)
x Kansas State Bank (KSB)
www.ottawaks.gov x Kansas Municipal Pool Investments (KMIP)
x OakStar Bank (OAK)
City policy requires two signatures on all monetary transactions. This update will limit signers to
approved signers who are empowered to act upon the City’s behalf.
Details:
Full list of bank accounts:
Bank Account Name Bank Account Name
KSB Accounts Payable KSB Kiosk
KSB CC In-House KSB State Seized Assets
KSB CC Online KSB Sweep Account
KSB Court Bonds GSB Checking
KSB Court CC BMW Bullet Proof
KSB Court Fines BMW Fire Proceeds
KSB Deposit BMW Payroll
KSB Escrow BMW Seized Assets
KSB Flex Spending KMIP All Investments
KSB Health OAK CD 15792
KSB Heartland Escrow OAK CD 15794
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends this resolution be placed on the next Regular Meeting for adoption.
ATTACHED
Resolution
4.3.23 Agenda Pkt Page #5 1
RESOLUTION NO. _______
A RESOLUTION DEFINING DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS FOR IDLE FUNDS HELD BY THE CITY
OF OTTAWA, KANSAS.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF OTTAWA, KANSAS:
Section 1. All banks within the corporate city limits of Ottawa, Kansas, as well as, the Municipal
Investment Pool of the State of Kansas, shall be named as acceptable depository institutions for funds
held by the City of Ottawa, Kansas.
A. The Financial Institutions as described above are designated as depository institutions for
funds of the City of Ottawa.
B. All transactions, if any, with respect to any deposits, withdrawals, rediscounts and borrowings
by or on behalf of this association with these Financial Institutions prior to the adoption of this
resolution are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed.
C. Any of the persons named below, so long as they act in a representative capacity as agents
of this City, are authorized to make any and all other contracts, agreements, stipulations and
orders which they may deem advisable for the effective exercise of the powers indicated
below, from time to time with these Financial Institutions, concerning funds deposited in these
Financial Institutions, moneys borrowed from these Financial Institutions or any other business
transacted by and between this association and these Financial Institutions are subject to any
restrictions stated below.
Section 2. The persons listed below (subject to any expressed restrictions) are authorized to:
A. Exercise all of the powers listed in this document.
B. Open any deposit or checking account(s) in the name of this corporation.
C. Endorse checks and orders for the payment of money and withdraw or transfer funds on
deposit with these Financial Institutions. Number of authorized signatures required for this
purpose is two.
D. Borrow money on behalf and in the name of this association, sign, execute and deliver
promissory notes or other evidences of indebtedness.
E. Enter into a written lease for the purpose of renting, maintaining, accessing and terminating a
Safe Deposit Box in these Financial Institutions. Number of authorized persons required to
gain access and to terminate the lease is two.
1. Brian W. Silcott, City Manager
2. Blaine B. Finch, City Attorney
3. Melanie D. Landis, Finance Director
4. Michelle D. Wapp, Human Resources Director
5. Rebekah S. McCurdy, City Treasurer
Section 3. This resolution shall be effective after its adoption and shall supersede any prior Resolution
in conflict therewith.
Approved and adopted this ____ day of April 2023.
Eric Crowley, Mayor
ATTEST:
4.3.23 Agenda Pkt Page #6
Melissa Reed, City Clerk
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