City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of December 20, 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. Mayor Pro Tem Skidmore gave the invocation. Consent Agenda Commissioner Graves made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to approve this consent agenda to include minutes from the November 20, 2023 Regular Meeting, December 4, 2023 Study Session, December 6, 2023 Regular Meeting and December 11, 2023 Study Session; applications for the 2024 cereal malt beverage license 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. Donation from Cosentino’s Price Chopper to the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund The Governing Body received a generous donation of $2,000.00 from the Cosentino family as a passthrough donation to assist those in need in Ottawa. The Commission selected two agencies to receive funds from the donation. Korrie Snell from East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation (ECKAN) and Janet Slifer from Hope House accepted the donation and thanked the Governing Body for their support. Presentation of Retirement Plaque to Fire Chief Tim Matthias The Governing Body heard from City Manager Brian Silcott, who provided a history of Chief Tim Matthias 27 years of service with the City of Ottawa and presented Chief Matthias with a retirement plaque. Chief Matthias thanked the Governing Body for the recognition. Ordinance Amending Specific Sections of Municipal Code Concerning Fees for Registration of Dogs The Governing Body reviewed an ordinance for changes to the dog licensing related to Section 3-33 Municipal code. • Upon recommendation to the Governing Body from contractor Prairie Paws Animal Shelter at the December 11 and December 18, 2023 study sessions, staff have reviewed the dog licensing requirements and the ordinance was prepared by city legal counsel. December 20, 2023 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes December 20, 2023 Page 2 • Proposing an exemption option if pets are spay/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated (Rabies) • Certificate of exemption would be issued if pet met conditions • Allows up to a $5 administration fee for program administration 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. 4126-23. Ottawa Municipal Airport Master Plan The Governing Body heard from Director of Public Works Michael Haeffele, who reviewed the airport master plan update and included the following: • Every ten years GA Airports must submit a master plan that outlines potential projects that will qualify for federal funding • Updates to the master plan are completed annually which start with the Airport Board • Some of the projects included in the master plan include taxiway lighting, rehabilitating the taxiway, runway 18 obstruction removal, construction connecting taxiway, upgrading AWOS, and constructing wind cone with a segmented circle Mayor Pro Tem Skidmore made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to approve the airport master plan. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the airport master plan duly approved. Ordinance Providing for the Regulation of Vehicular and Pedestrian Traffic and Removing the No Parking Zone on South Poplar Street Between 5th and 6th Streets The Governing Body heard from Police Chief Adam Weingartner, who reviewed a proposed ordinance which would amend Section 12-317 of Municipal Code and included the following: • Parking is currently restricted in the 500 block of S. Poplar dating back to the former use of the building on the east side of the block as an elementary school • Building is now used by Grace Community Fellowship which has different parking needs from an elementary school • Ordinance would allow parking on S. Poplar and would help meet the needs of the church for parking during Sunday services without burdening the City or without converting any grass areas to pavement which would negatively impact stormwater Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, 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. 4127-23. Charter Ordinance Amending Charter Ordinance 2015-20 to Change the Commencement Date for Ottawa City Commissioner Term of Office December 20, 2023 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes December 20, 2023 Page 3 The Governing Body heard from City Attorney Blaine Finch, who presented a charter ordinance to change the commencement date for the Ottawa City Commissioner term of office and included: • The Governing Body requested that the commencement date be earlier than the current January timeline • Revisions to the commencement date need to be established by a charter ordinance • The new ordinance proposed commencement date being the first week in December • Charter ordinance requires a waiting period of 61 days after publication Commissioner Clayton made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Graves, to adopt the Charter Ordinance. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the charter ordinance duly adopted and the charter ordinance was numbered Charter Ordinance No. 22-23. Capital Projects Updates The Governing Body heard from City Manager Brian Silcott, who provided an update on current capital projects. Golf Course The Governing Body heard from City Manager Brian Silcott, who stated the City had received notice of the 2023 property valuation notice for the 2024 fiscal year. The appraised value has increased from $575,030 ($140,818 assessed valuation) in 2022 to $1,864,650 ($463,207 assessed valuation) in 2023. This 224.27% increase equates to a dollar value increase of $1,289,620. This is remarkable given that in one year, without any improvements and a conveyance from commercial usage as a country club to a municipal not-for-profit function as a golf course/park/open space. City Attorney Blaine Finch recommended that the City Commission authorize the Mayor, City Manager, City Attorney and Director of Finance to convey the property deed for 1001 E. Logan, Ottawa Golf Course, to the City of Ottawa, Kansas Land Bank and to execute all actions necessary to complete this action. Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Skidmore, to convey the Ottawa Golf Course at 1001 E Logan St to the City of Ottawa Land Bank as a gift and to authorize the Mayor and staff to execute and record all necessary documents to affect the transfer. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the charter ordinance duly adopted and the charter ordinance was numbered Charter Ordinance No. 22-23. City Manager’s Comments City Manager Brian Silcott reminded the community of the retirement reception for Fire Chief Tim Matthias Friday, December 22, from 2 to 4 pm at Fire Station 1. Governing Body Comments Commissioner Caylor encouraged the public to stay informed by reviewing the capital December 20, 2023 3 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes December 20, 2023 Page 4 project update to stay abreast of current developments in the City. Additionally, Commissioner Caylor expressed gratitude to the City for hosting the employee breakfast. Further appreciation was extended to Fire Chief Matthias and his family for their unwavering dedication and commitment to service. Commissioner Clayton also addressed the impact of tax season, noting that the City is not immune to the effects of the increase. Announcements Mayor Crowley made the following announcements: A. December 22, 2023 Retirement Reception for Fire Chief Tim Matthias – 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Fire Station 1 B. December 25, 2023 Christmas Holiday – Study Session Cancelled, City Hall Closed C. January 1, 2024 New Year’s Day Holiday – Study Session Cancelled, City Hall Closed D. January 3, 2024 Regular Meeting – 7:00 pm, City Hall Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 10:45 a.m. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk December 20, 2023 4