City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of June 19, 2024 The Governing Body met at 10:00 am on this date for the Regular City Commission Meeting with the following members present and participating to wit: Mayor Skidmore, Mayor Pro Tem Allen, Commissioner Caylor, Commissioner Clayton and Commissioner Crowley. Mayor Skidmore called the meeting to order. Mayor Skidmore welcomed the audience and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Reverend Tiger Pennington from First Baptist Church gave the invocation. Public Comments None were given. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations, and Public Hearings Proclamation—June 19, 2024 as Juneteenth Mayor Pro Tem Allen read a proclamation recognizing June 19, 2024 as Juneteenth. This proclamation recognizes the effort to make Ottawa an inclusive community and honor the true meaning of the holiday. Richard Jackson accepted the proclamation and thanked the Governing Body for the recognition. Consent Agenda Mayor Pro Tem Allen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to approve this consent agenda to include minutes from the June 12, 2024 Regular Meeting, the May Finance Report 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. Declaration No declarations were made. Unfinished Business New Business Comprehensive Plan Review The Governing Body heard from City Planner Martin who provided an overview of the ongoing revisions to the Ottawa Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Martin discussed the following: • Recommended that the City Commission support and engage in the 2024-2025 Comprehensive Plan revision • Purpose of a Comprehensive Plan is to present a vision and goals for a community and provide the foundation for land use regulations • Comprehensive Plan establishes where the community is today, generates a shared vision of where the community would like to see the city in the future, and develops strategies and policies to achieve that vision June 19, 2024 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes June 19, 2024 Page 2 • Ottawa has maintained a Comprehensive Plan for several decades and elements of the plan, such as future land use, are routinely referenced regarding planning applications and informs decisions regarding land use and infrastructure • Staff has reviewed standard best practices for updating a comprehensive plan • The following pathway has been established with preparation and initial assessment, public engagement, data collection and analysis, drafting the plan and review and adoption • Current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2004 and has not received a comprehensive review and revision since that time • Intent of the revision is to amend and update the plan to reflect the changes in the community that have occurred in the past 20 years • Staff has begun the revisions in coordination with the Planning Commission and internal staff and have scheduled public engagement sessions starting this summer as well as a webpage and survey for community input • Staff anticipates bringing the revised plan to the City Commission for adoption in the second quarter of 2025 Project Updates The Governing Body heard from City Manager Brian Silcott, who provided an update on current capital projects and answered questions from the Commission regarding the projects. Review of 2025 Operating Budget Special Revenue Funds The Governing Body heard from Finance Director Melanie Landis regarding the 2025 Special Revenue Fund budgets. Proximity Park In 2015, a half-cent sales tax was approved by the community to develop 300 acres into Proximity Park for industrial use, funding debt payments and improvements until its sunset on July 1, 2026. Debt Issues 2017A and 2018B mature in 2026 and Issue 2020A matures in 2050. In 2022, the City of Ottawa received a $5 million BASE Grant, with two of three projects related to Proximity Park, and the 25% grant match was drawn from this fund. An additional transfer will be needed for project completion in 2024/2025. Highlights of the 2024 Revised Budget include $220,000 for land acquisition, $852,750 transfer to bond and interest fund for debt payments, and $385,000 transfer to BASE Grant fund for project completion. The 2025 Proposed Budget allocates $859,000 for transfer to bond and interest fund for debt payments. The 2026 Projected Budget includes $854,000 for transfer to bond and interest fund for debt payments, and notes that the sales tax sunsets on July 1, 2026. Wastewater Debt Fund In 2001, a 1/10 cent sales tax was approved by the community to fund the construction of a wastewater treatment plant and related infrastructure improvements. The sales tax sunsets on the maturity date of debt issuance 2014A, which will be October 1, 2024. The remaining cash balance will be allocated to future debt payments for GO Bond 2021A for related improvements. Highlights of the 2024 Revised Budget include the June 19, 2024 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes June 19, 2024 Page 3 sunset of the 1/10 cent sales tax on October 1, 2024, and the final payment due on GO Bond 2014A issuance. The 2025 Proposed Budget allocates $120,490 for transfer to bond and interest fund for 2021A debt payment. The 2026 Projected Budget includes $120,065 for transfer to bond and interest fund for 2021A debt payment. Golf Course The Ottawa Golf Course, a 9-hole facility acquired by the City of Ottawa in 2022, is operated by JPM Enterprises, with related expenses tracked through a special revenue fund supported by the General Fund. The operating lease is set to expire on March 31, 2026, allowing the City to determine how operations will be handled for 2025 and 2026. Two budget options were provided for discussion purposes, and commission discussion and direction were requested. Option 1 involves the City handling operations with the hiring of a Golf Pro/General Manager beginning in 2025 and Option 2 would begin operations in 2026. Each option indicates the need for initial capital improvements to the course and operations subsidy. The Governing Body agreed by consensus to explore Option 1 with the City handling operations beginning in 2025 and directed staff to begin negotions to conclude the current lease of the course. City Manager’s Comments City Manager Brian Silcott updated the Governing Body on upcoming events happening in the City of Ottawa. Governing Body Comments Mayor Skidmore thanked the staff for their responsiveness to citizen comments regarding the requests for the Splash Pad. Announcements A. June 26, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 4:00 pm, City Hall B. July 3, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 7:00 pm, City Hall – Canceled C. July 10, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 4:00 pm, City Hall Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 11:12 am. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk June 19, 2024 3