City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of September 18, 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, Commissioner Caylor, Commissioner Clayton, and Commissioner Crowley. Mayor Pro Tem Allen was absent. Mayor Skidmore called the meeting to order. Mayor Skidmore welcomed the audience and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Pastor Chris Bittner from Ottawa Community Church gave the invocation. Public Comments None were received. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations and Public Hearings Proclamation Recognizing September 17-23, 2024 as Constitution Week Commissioner Caylor read a proclamation recognizing September 17 - 23, 2024 as Constitution Week. Constitution Week is an official week to commemorate the anniversary of the creation of the world’s longest-lived written Constitution. Kerry Eyerly, Daughters of the American Revolution, accepted the proclamation and thanked the Governing Body for the recognition. Ol’ Maras River Run Car Show Review The Governing Body received an update from Police Chief Weingartner regarding public safety preparations for the 2024 Ol’ Marais River Run Car Show, scheduled for September 20-22, 2024, in Forest Park and the Central Business District. The event, featuring a car show, Cruise Night, and a Friday night concert, will draw large crowds and require extensive collaboration between the Ottawa Police Department, Ottawa Fire Department, and other public safety agencies. The City's commitment to safety is key to the event's success, and an After-Action Review will be conducted to improve future planning. Consent Agenda Commissioner Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to approve the consent agenda, including minutes from the September 11, 2024 Regular Meeting, August 14, 2024 Planning Commission Minutes and the Regular Meeting agenda. The motion was considered, and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor Pro Tem declared the consent agenda duly approved. Declaration No declarations were made. Unfinished Business Voting Delegates for League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference The City Commission discussed the selection of voting and alternate voting delegates for the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM) Annual Business Meeting. City Clerk Reed outlined the following: September 18, 2024 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes September 18, 2024 Page 2 • Each member city is entitled to three (3) votes at the LKM Annual Business Meeting, scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. • Forms for each voting delegate and alternate voting delegate must be submitted to LKM by Friday, September 20, 2024. • The City Commission needs to appoint three (3) voting delegates and at least one (1), but no more than three (3), alternate voting delegates. Commissioner Clayton made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crowley, to appoint Mayor Skidmore, Commissioner Caylor, and Commissioner Clayton as voting delegates, with City Manager Silcott serving as the alternate. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this item duly approved. New Business Purchase of Three Phase Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) The Governing Body received a presentation from the Assistant Utility Director regarding the purchase of 239 three-phase Electric Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters. Key points of the discussion included: • The project, initiated in 2016, aims to fully convert the city’s electric metering system to AMI, but has been delayed due to budget restrictions, supply chain issues, and a twelve- month delivery delay for the meters. • AMI meters provide enhanced capabilities such as remote connection and disconnection, real-time electric usage monitoring, and in-depth data analytics for both customers and city staff. • Once the system is fully converted, additional benefits will include online portal access, outage mapping, service restoration response, and improved cost of service evaluations. • Currently, over 4,165 AMI meters are active in the system. The purchase of these 239 meters will complete the three-phase conversion and allow for replacement and system expansion. • Financially, the purchase will be covered by the Electric Capital Project Fund, which has an expenditure authority and fund balance of $2,010,000, ensuring no delays in other projects. • Approval was recommended for the purchase of the 239 meters at an approximate cost of $102,740.75. Commissioner Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to authorize the purchase of 239 three-phase AMI meters. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this duly approved. Amended Agreement with Kansas Gas Service for Base Grant The Governing Body received a presentation from the Assistant Finance Director regarding the Amended and Restated Gas Installation Agreement with Kansas Gas Service. Key points of the discussion included: • The City of Ottawa was awarded a $5,000,000 Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) Grant in 2022, intended for key infrastructure projects at Proximity Park, including an elevated water storage tank, water pump upgrades, and a gas line extension in partnership with Kansas Gas Service (KGS). September 18, 2024 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes September 18, 2024 Page 3 • The original agreement outlined a cost-sharing arrangement for the gas line project, with Kansas Gas Service covering 25% of the costs and the City of Ottawa covering 75%. The original project estimate was $1,723,050. • The Amended and Restated Agreement reflects final project costs of $1,463,398.33, with Kansas Gas Service contributing $365,849.58 and the City of Ottawa $1,097,548.75, maintaining the original cost split. • The agreement also includes provisions for reimbursement to the City of Ottawa for each new customer that connects to Kansas Gas Service along the new service line within the next ten years. • Approval of the Amended and Restated Agreement was recommended, with final action scheduled for the September 18, 2024, meeting. Alternatively, the Commission may refer the item to a future meeting for further consideration. Commissioner Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to approve the Amended and Restated Gas Installation Agreement with Kansas Gas Service. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this agreement duly approved. Ordinance for Preliminary Planned Unit Development at 901 S. Cherry The Governing Body received a presentation from the City Planner regarding the Preliminary Plan for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) called Cherry Creek located at 901 South Cherry Street. Key points of the discussion included: • The application was reviewed according to the standards of Section 18B (Planned Unit Development Overlay District) and Section 18-301. • The site is a 5.07-acre undeveloped tract located along South Cherry Street, proposed for 30 duplex units within 15 buildings, arranged around a central drive connecting East 9th and East 10th streets. • The PUD allows for flexibility in development regulations, eliminating the need for individual lots and frontages and preserving a consistent neighborhood frontage along South Cherry Street. • The proposed development includes 94 parking spaces (more than the 60 required) and will be completed in two phases, with the first phase focusing on the northern section of the property. • The Ottawa Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 25, 2024, where the project was recommended for approval. No responses in favor or opposition were received from the public. • Approval of the preliminary PUD plan was recommended, with action scheduled for the September 18, 2024, meeting. Alternatively, the item could be referred to the September 25, 2024, meeting for further discussion. Commissioner Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to adopt the ordinance re-zoning 901 S. Cherry and repealing Ordinance No. 4114-23. The motion was considered and, upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this ordinance duly approved, and it was numbered Ordinance No. 4147-24. September 18, 2024 3 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes September 18, 2024 Page 4 City Manager’s Comments City Manager Silcott provided an overview of the tentative agenda items for the upcoming City Commission meeting and events happening in the community. Governing Body Comments Commissioner Clayton highlighted the significance of Constitution Week, stressing how fortunate we are to celebrate this occasion and encouraging all Americans to take pride in it. He also reflected on the STAG event held the previous week, expressing gratitude for the participants' passion and underscoring the event's importance to the Ottawa community. Mayor Skidmore acknowledged the 5-year anniversary of Legacy Square, recognizing the substantial in-kind support from Fashion Inc. and its role in the project's success. Additionally, Mayor Skidmore emphasized the ongoing need for community clean-up efforts, noting that first impressions are critical and cannot be made twice. Announcements A. September 25, 2024 Preparing for Panasonic – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Ottawa University B. September 25, 2024 City Commission Meeting - 4:00 pm, City Hall C. October 2, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 7:00 pm, City Hall Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor Pro Tem declared the meeting duly adjourned at 10:49 am. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk September 18, 2024 4