City Commission

Study Session Minutes Ottawa, Kansas Minutes of July 10, 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 were given. Minutes to Review The Governing Body reviewed minutes from the June 21, 2023 Regular Meeting and June 26, 2023 Study Session. The Governing Body agreed by consensus to place this item on the next Regular Meeting agenda on July 19, 2023. Hidden Lakes Subdivision Phase I Final Plat The Governing Body continued discussion on an application for an approximately 8.95-acre residential subdivision located east of the intersection of 19th and Princeton streets and consists of 25 lots, 24 of which are for single-family residential use. The plat includes public street construction, extension of utilities, sidewalks, street lighting, stormwater collection and management. Ms. Landis reviewed the following items: • Anderson Engineering and Belmont Development Company submitted a final plat for Hidden Lakes subdivision, Phase 1, on March 25, 2023 • A public hearing was held on October 24, 2022 where several public concerns were received • The preliminary plat was approved by the Planning Commission and the City Commission • The final plat was submitted and met the conditions of approval, although the details of the change to the traffic patterns on 19th Street are not finalized • The City Engineer has approved the stormwater study and drainage plan • Traffic study found that the need for future roadway improvements, such as signalizing the existing intersections, should be reevaluated as additional development occurs • The City is working to address the safety of Princeton Street and the intersection of 19th Street by first lowering the speed limit • Intersection plan has been revised collaboratively by Anderson Engineering, the City Engineer, and Public Works • Belmont Development has engaged the two property owners that will be impacted by the extension of 19th Street and are in active negotiations • Developer has acceptably addressed City Staff comments from the preliminary plat regarding traffic, stormwater, sewer and fire and emergency services access on the final plat • Developer has met the requirements and conditions laid forth by the Planning Commission to engage the affected property owners in resolving the impacts on their property • Recommendation made by the Planning Commission with acceptance of staff finding and a vote of 6-0 to move the final plat to the City Commission for consideration of approval 1 July 10, 2023 City of Ottawa Study Session Minutes July 10, 2023 Page 2 Public Comment was received from the following citizens: • Gary Harris, 1801 S. Princeton Street, expressed concerns regarding stormwater issues, trash and security • Karen Harris, 1801 S. Princeton Street, expressed concerns regarding trash • Phillip Martin, 1905 S. Princeton Street, expressed concerns about traffic, security, trash, sidewalk placement and stormwater City Engineer David Hamby answered questions from the Governing Body. After much discussion, the Governing Body agreed by consensus to place this item on the next study session agenda on July 17, 2023 for further review. 2024 Budget Overview The Governing Body heard from Finance Director Melanie Landis who reviewed the 2024 Budget and discussed the assessed valuation for 2023. Ms. Landis discussed the following: • The assessed valuation has grown over time with one mill equivalent to$134,000 in this current year where the valuation was equivalent to approximately $80,000 in 2015 • Library The Governing Body heard from Executive Director Terry Chartier regarding the 2024 proposed Library budget. Ms. Landis reviewed the following items: • Budget qualifies for State Grants for 2024 • Changes include increases to Quickbooks, overhead costs, City ad valorem increase (9.97%) and decrease to motor vehicle tax estimates • Budget was studied and approved by the Ottawa Library Board of Trustees at their meeting on June 26 911 Budget The Governing Body heard from Franklin County Clerk Janet Paddock and Dispatch Director Sarah Peffly regarding the 2024 proposed 911 budget. The following items were reviewed: • 2024 request represents a 24.81% increase • Emergency Communications Center came in $69,438 under the 2022 budget, which half was refunded to the City of Ottawa • Personnel structure has changed over the last year with the resignation of the Franklin County EMS Director and the need for a manager position to assist with the reporting and management duties of the department, resulting in a salary budget increase of $127,109 • A majority of the salary of this position was paid through the EMS budget but has shifted back to Emergency Communications for the proposed 2024 budget • Overtime line was held flat despite the fact that the department has exceeded the budgeted amount for the last two years • Included in this budget is a 2.5% merit raise and a 1.6% COLA raise • Wellsville will be contributing to services starting in 2024 • Insurance lines increased by $56,232 for the 2024 budget Franklin County Development Council 2 July 10, 2023 City of Ottawa Study Session Minutes July 10, 2023 Page 3 The Governing Body heard from Executive Director Paul Bean regarding the 2024 proposed Franklin County Development Council budget. The following items were discussed: • 2024 request is a $3,219 increase over the 2023 appropriation • Reviewed revenue from 2019 through 2022; COVID grant funds increased revenue for 2020 • 2020 expense increase was due to the COVID grants • 42% increase since 2019 in membership dues • $51,425 in membership dues to date with 90 members • Marketing items were created and developed, which caused higher expenses • FCDC partners with E-Community to provide loans for new businesses or expanding businesses • An updated housing study is being prepared • Reviewed several resources FCDC can provide to businesses in our community Final Budget Review The Governing Body heard from Finance Director Melanie Landis who reviewed the following items: • The following were the goals of the 2024 general fund: o Maintain current city services o Maintain fund balance carryover of $2,000,000 o Budget for a general fund reserve o Fund compensation study results o Reduce the impact of valuation increase on property owners • The following was accomplished with the 2024 proposed budget o Maintain current city services o Maintain fund balance carryover of $2,000,000 o Budget for a general fund reserve o Fund $500,000 of compensation study results o Maintain current employee health insurance benefit structure o Increase annual support for the Ottawa Municipal Airport for improvements grant matches o Continue 50% participation in the 911 Emergency Communications Budget • The proposed mill rate is 44.261 compared to 46.011 for 2023 and 45.968 for 2022 with a Revenue Neutral Rate is 41.842 • Consideration of adoption of resolution exceeding Revenue Neutral Rate and Public Hearing date is scheduled for the next regular meeting The Governing Body discussed the Revenue Neutral Rate and the compensation study. The Governing Body agreed by consensus to have staff increase funds dedicated to the compensation study for review at the next Study Session on July 17th. Cereal Malt Beverage Application – Riley Browning The Governing Body heard from City Clerk Melissa Reed regarding a Cereal Malt Beverage application for consumption on the premises for Riley Browning, located at 230 ½ Main Street. 3 July 10, 2023 City of Ottawa Study Session Minutes July 10, 2023 Page 4 The Governing Body agreed by consensus to place this item on the next Regular Meeting agenda on July 19, 2023. City Manager's Comments City Manager Brian Silcott reminded citizens that limb collection will continue this week. Commissioner's Comments Commissioner Clayton offered his condolences to the Johnson family for their loss. Mayor's Comments Mayor Crowley congratulated City staff on the fireworks display. Recess Mayor Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Graves, to recess into executive session at 6:03 pm for a period of 5 minutes for the purpose of attorney/client consultation with the City Manager, Police Chief and Fire Chief. The justification for the closed session is to engage in confidential and privileged communication with the board’s attorney by K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(12). The open meeting is to resume in this room at 6:08. The Mayor declared the meeting duly recessed. Reconvene Mayor Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, 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 6:08. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 6:08 pm. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk 4 July 10, 2023