City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of July 17, 2024 The Governing Body met at 4:00 pm 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. Pastor Timothy Roth from First Lutheran Church gave the invocation. Public Comments Eric Duderstadt, 2279 Ellis Terrace, Princeton addressed the Governing Body, expressing his support for the Ottawa Main Street Association and advocating for their increased community partner funding request. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations, and Public Hearings Recognition of John Thompson Jr and Chad Pickert for Completion of Emerging Leaders Academy through the University of Kansas Public Management Center The Governing Body recognized John Thompson Jr (Electric Production) and Chad Pickert (Parks & Cemeteries) for their successful completion of the University of Kansas Public Management Center’s Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA). Both individuals were commended for their dedication to professional growth and contributions to the City of Ottawa. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Pickert thanked the Governing Body for the recognition. Consent Agenda Commissioner Crowley made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Allen, to approve the consent agenda, including minutes from the July 10, 2024 Regular Meeting, the June 2024 Financial 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 Franklin County Emergency Communications Report Sarah Peffley, Director of the Franklin County Emergency Communications Center, presented data from January to June 2024. The presentation included statistics on 911 calls, average answer time for calls, CAD calls, average talk time for radio push-to-talk, and staffing schedules. Janet Paddock, Franklin County Clerk, reviewed the 2025 budget request and answered questions from the Governing Body. New Business Interview for Ottawa Planning Commission The Governing Body interviewed Jack Maxwell for an open seat on the Ottawa Planning Commission. July 17, 2024 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes July 17, 2024 Page 2 Enjoy Ottawa Video The Governing Body viewed the "Enjoy Ottawa" video presented by Mat Simonson. The video highlighted the various attractions, events, and amenities that make Ottawa a vibrant and enjoyable community. Active Project Update 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 Proposed 2025 Operating Budget The Governing Body heard from Finance Director Melanie Landis who discussed the 2025 Budget, covering the budgeted funds that affect the mill levy portion of the annual budget. Notice of Indication To Exceed Revenue Neutral Rate The Governing Body heard from Finance Director Landis regarding the notification to the Franklin County Clerk of the City of Ottawa’s intent to levy property tax exceeding the current Revenue Neutral Rate. The Finance Director stated that this notification is due to the County Clerk by July 20, 2024 and reviewed the following: • Valuation for 2024 is $146,019,909; each mill is equal to $146,019 which is an 8.4% increase over the 2023 assessed valuation • Revenue Neutral Rate for 2025 is 43.609 • 2025 proposed estimated mill rate is 44.844 • Proposed 2025 operating budget represents an 8.7% increase in ad valorem taxes over the 2024 budget • September 4, 2024, at 7:00 pm is the proposed budget public hearing After discussion, Commissioner Clayton made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crowley, to approve the intent to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate for 2025 with a proposed mill levy of 45.000. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this item duly approved. Approval to Set Date for Public Hearing for 2025 Operating Budget The Governing Body heard from Finance Director Landis regarding setting a date for the public hearing on the 2025 Operating Budget. It is recommended to schedule the public hearing for September 4, 2024, at 7:00 pm. Commissioner Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to set the public hearing date for the 2025 Operating Budget on September 4, 2024, at 7:00 pm. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this item duly approved. City Manager’s Comments City Manager Brian Silcott reviewed tentative agenda items for the next City Commission meeting and updated the Governing Body on upcoming events in the City of Ottawa. July 17, 2024 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes July 17, 2024 Page 3 Discussion on Open Seats for Ottawa Planning Commission After discussion, Commission Caylor made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Allen to appoint Jack Maxwell to the Ottawa Planning Commission. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this appointment duly approved. Governing Body Comments Commissioner Caylor and Commissioner Clayton congratulated John Thompson Jr. and Chad Pickert on their completion of the Emerging Leaders Academy. Mayor Skidmore expressed gratitude to Power of the Past for their contribution of the shelter house in Forest Park. Executive Session Recess Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to recess into executive session after a five-minute break for a period of 30 minutes, resuming at 12:26 pm with City Attorney Blaine Finch for a discussion of non-elected personnel. The justification for the closed session is to engage in an employee evaluation of non-elected personnel pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the meeting duly recessed. Reconvene Commissioner Caylor 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 12:26 pm. Recess Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to recess into executive session for a period of 30 minutes, resuming at 12:56 pm with City Attorney Blaine Finch and City Manager Silcott present for a discussion of non-elected personnel. The justification for the closed session is to engage in an employee evaluation of non-elected personnel pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the meeting duly recessed. Reconvene Commissioner Caylor 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 12:56 pm. Recess Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to recess into executive session for a period of 20 minutes, resuming at 1:16 pm with City Attorney Blaine Finch and City Manager Silcott present for the purpose of attorney/client consultation. The justification for the closed session is to consult with the city attorney on matters that would be deemed privileged in an attorney client relationship per K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the meeting duly recessed. July 17, 2024 3 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes July 17, 2024 Page 4 Reconvene Mayor Pro Tem Allen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crowley, 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 1:16 pm. Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 1:16 pm. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk July 17, 2024 4