City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of November 15, 2023 The Governing Body met at 10:00 a.m. on this date for the Regular City Commission Meeting with the following members present and participating to wit: Mayor Crowley, Mayor Pro Tem Skidmore, Commissioner Caylor, Commissioner Clayton, and Commissioner Graves. Mayor Crowley called the meeting to order. The Mayor welcomed the audience and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Pastor Gregg Hall from Life Mission Church of Ottawa gave the invocation. Consent Agenda Commissioner Graves made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to approve this consent agenda to include minutes from the October 23, 2023 Study Session, October 30, 2023 Study Session, November 1, 2023 Regular Meeting and November 6, 2023 Study Session; and the Regular Meeting agenda. The motion was considered, and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the consent agenda duly approved. Public Comments No public comments were received. Declaration No declaration was made. 2023 Employee Service Awards The League of Kansas Municipalities recognizes ’faithful, continuous service” to Kansas communities yearly. This year, the City of Ottawa is proud to recognize 14 employees with a combined total of 225 years of service to Kansas communities. Mayor Crowley and City Manager Brian Silcott acknowledged the following employees for their years of service: 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years 25 Years 40 Years Justin Carey Ryan Dickinson Lisa Borjas Curt Altic Rick Lines Dylan Eckard Chris Raby Larry Dixon Casey Gilmore Gabe Sheffield Dennis Hadl Glora Mathews Cody Schraad Nicole Sloan Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Purchase of Property at Legacy Square The Governing Body heard from City Manager Brian Silcott and City Attorney Blaine Finch, who reviewed a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of property at Legacy Square and discussed the following: November 15, 2023 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes November 15, 2023 Page 2 • The Legacy Square project has been discussed at several previous Governing Body meetings on October 2, October 16, October 18, October 23, and October 30, 2023. • Legacy Square's initial construction took place in 2019 and involved diverse resources, including city support and in-kind contributions. • The MOU establishes a comprehensive understanding that, in exchange for $475,000, the City will acquire two parcels of real estate located at 125 S Walnut Street and 202 W 1st Street. These parcels contain improvements designed to benefit the public, promote tourism, and enhance Ottawa's overall quality of life. OCPI commits to transferring ownership to the City by December 31, 2023. • City and OCPI agree that the City’s use of funds to purchase the property is a challenge to neighbors and community members to contribute to the project to add a gateway from the current facility to Main Street as well as a sound system • The current cash balance available within the ARPA fund is $1,388,319.50, with an unencumbered amount of $906,589.56 Mayor Pro Tem Skidmore made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to approve the memorandum of agreement for purchasing property at Legacy Square. The motion was considered and upon being put, passed with the following vote: Commissioner Graves nay, Mayor Pro Tem Skidmore aye, Commissioner Clayton nay, Commissioner Caylor aye, Mayor Crowley aye. The Mayor declared this memorandum of understanding duly approved. Ordinance Rezoning Property at 1426 E. Wilson From C-2 to R-2 The Governing Body heard from Neighborhood and Community Services Director Lucas Neece and City Planner Zack Martin, who reviewed an ordinance for a rezoning request at 1426 E. Wilson from C-2, Restricted Commercial District to R-2, Medium Density Residential District. Mr. Martin reviewed the following items and answered questions: • The parcel at 1426 E. Wilson has remained undeveloped since its platting. • The recent acquisition prompted the applicant to craft a comprehensive development proposal featuring forty townhome units. • The consensus among the staff is that the current C-2 zoning renders the parcel unlikely to be developed. • During the Planning Commission meeting, a public hearing convened on September 28, 2023, yielded no public comments. • The Planning Commission unanimously approved the motion, embracing the staff findings and endorsing the rezone with a favorable vote of 5-0. Commissioner Clayton made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Graves, to approve this ordinance. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this ordinance duly approved, and the ordinance was duly numbered Ordinance No. 4123-23. Ordinance Creating a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Property at 1426 E. Wilson to Allow Density for Proposed Use November 15, 2023 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes November 15, 2023 Page 3 The Governing Body heard from Neighborhood and Community Services Director Lucas Neece and Planner Zack Martin, who reviewed an ordinance for creating a conditional use permit at 1426 E. Wilson to allow the development of forty single-family dwelling townhomes. Mr. Martin reviewed the following items and answered questions: • The parcel at 1426 E. Wilson has remained undeveloped since its initial platting. • The recent acquisition spurred the applicant to devise a comprehensive development proposal for forty townhome units. • Staff recommended approval with specified conditions, including: • Resolution of any structure built over the southern property line before the issuance of building permits • Landscaping compliance with Article 20, as depicted on the site plan, is subject to review before building permit issuance • Construction of sidewalks along Davis, Wilson, and Crosswinds Drive to adhere to the City of Ottawa design standards to be executed by the developer • A fully executed development agreement between the developer and the City of Ottawa, with building and driveway permits obtained before initiating construction • A public hearing was conducted on November 18, 2023, during the Planning Commission meeting • The Planning Commission unanimously approved the motion, endorsing the staff findings and recommending approval of the rezoning to the City Commission with a favorable vote of 5-0 Commissioner Graves made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Skidmore, to approve this ordinance. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this ordinance duly approved, and the ordinance was duly numbered Ordinance No. 4124-23. Request for Approval of 2024 Funding Agreements The Governing Body reviewed the 2024 funding agreements with Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Ottawa Main Street Association, Franklin County Development Council, and Elizabeth Layton Center and discussed the following: • Prairie Paws Animal Shelter funding for 2024 is $62,400 • Ottawa Main Street Association funding for 2024 is $32,000 • Elizabeth Layton Center funding for 2024 is $7,097 • Franklin County Development Council funding for 2024 is $67,593 Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to approve the 2024 funding agreements. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this agreement duly approved. Request for Approval of Ordinance Amending Section 2-107, Regular Meetings, of the Municipal Code The Governing Body heard from City Attorney Blaine Finch, who reviewed an ordinance regarding changing the Governing Body meeting dates and discussed the following: November 15, 2023 3 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes November 15, 2023 Page 4 • It is recommended that the City Commission consider the proposed ordinance, amending Chapter 2, Article II, Section 2-107. This reflects the Governing Body's aspiration to modify meeting dates and times, aiming to conduct the City's business more efficiently while ensuring accessibility to citizens. • During the October 16, 2023 Study Session, the City Commission expressed an interest in exploring the reduction of meetings from four to five study sessions and two regular meetings per month to a more streamlined schedule of four meetings monthly. • The business presentation will follow an Old /New Business format, enhancing organizational clarity. • Proposed Meeting Schedule: o First Wednesday of each month: 7:00 pm o Second Wednesday of each month: 4:00 pm o Third Wednesday of each month: 10:00 am o Fourth Wednesday of each month: 4:00 pm o Fifth Wednesday of the month (when occurring): 4:00 pm • The Governing Body may cancel or reschedule any meeting in its sole discretion and upon proper notification Commissioner Graves made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Skidmore, to approve this ordinance. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this ordinance duly approved, and the ordinance was duly numbered Ordinance No. 4125-23. City Manager’s Comments City Manager Brian Silcott updated the Governing Body on current projects and City operations. Governing Body Comments The Governing Body expressed gratitude to city employees for their dedication and service to our community. Announcements Mayor Crowley made the following announcements: A. November 20, 2023 Study Session - 4:00 p.m., City Hall B. November 23-24, 2023 Thanksgiving Holiday – City Offices CLOSED C. November 25, 2023 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting & Christmas Parade – 4:30 pm, 2nd and Main Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 10:36 a.m. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk November 15, 2023 4