City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of September 25, 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 Clayton, and Commissioner Crowley. Commissioner Caylor arrived at 4:07 pm. Mayor Skidmore called the meeting to order. Mayor Skidmore welcomed the audience and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. City Manager Silcott gave the invocation. Public Comments None were received. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations and Public Hearings Proclamation Recognizing Franklin County Optimist Club 50th Anniversary Mayor Pro Tem Allen read a proclamation recognizing the Franklin County Optimist Club’s 50th Anniversary. Mayor Skidmore will present the proclamation at an upcoming event. Consent Agenda Commissioner Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to approve the consent agenda, including minutes from the September 18, 2024 Regular Meeting, August 29, 2024 Planning Commission Minutes, August 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 New Business Review of Monthly Reports for August 2024: The Governing Body reviewed the August 2024 Monthly Reports with community support organizations. Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) Discussion The Governing Body received a presentation from Finance Director Landis and Tyler Ellsworth, Kutak Rock, regarding the City’s RHID incentive policy and engaged in discussion on housing incentives which included: • RHID is governed by K.S.A. 12-5241 through 12-5256 and its purpose is to address housing shortages by allowing property tax rebates for the cost of acquisition of property and installation of public infrastructure, renovation of buildings over 25 years old in central business districts for residential improvements to second or higher floors, and renovation or construction of residential dwellings, multi-family units or buildings on lots with existing infrastructure for more than 10 years. September 25, 2024 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes September 25, 2024 Page 2 • City’s RHID policy includes a minimum of 10 renter-occupied units, developers cover upfront costs of improvements and are reimbursed on a pay-as-you-go basis. • The objective is to incentivize the construction or rehabilitation of quality housing based on the following: 1) shortage of quality housing in various price ranges despite efforts from the public and private sectors exists, 2) a shortage is expected to persist which necessitates additional financial incentives, 3) the shortage causes a substantial deterrent to economic growth, and 4) the future economic well-being of the city depends on incentivizing housing developments. • Prioritization is determined through a but-for analysis which evaluates extraordinary or unique costs, tax revenue potential from projects, value-added results, and history of timely property tax payments. Winter Assitance Program (Electric utility) The Governing Body received a presentation from Assistant Finance Director McCurdy regarding the Winter Warmth Assitance Program offered by the City of Ottawa’s Electric Utility which included: • Winter Warmth Assistance Program was created through Resolution 1607-13 in 2013 • The program grants assistance of up to 50% of monthly electric charges, not to exceed $75 per billing cycle for customers who meet qualifications. • Qualifications include being a recipient of social security benefits, Veteran benefits, receiving state food assistance, or having a combined gross household income not exceeding 130% of the federal poverty level, an active and current utility account, and a completed application submitted before December 1st. • The program runs during December, January, February, and March with a maximum assistance amount of $300 per eligible customer • In 2022, the program helped 81 utility accounts with a total of $14,263 in assistance • In 2023, the program helped 77 utility accounts with a total of $12,981 in assistance • Staff aims to increase outreach and program participation with information posted at key community locations • The program is annually funded through the Electric Fund, with $22,00 budgeted for both 2024 and 2025 City Hall Commission Room Modernization Design Firm Selection of RFQ The Governing Body heard from IT Director Sommer regarding the recommendation to select Goldberg Group Architects as the design services provider for the City Hall Commission Room Modernization project. The City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) on August 14, 2024, seeking design firms with experience in designing public spaces. The purpose of the project is to create a modern, functional space with a curved dais, technology upgrades, and ADA-compliant accessibility features. Goldberg Group Architects was the sole respondent. Despite being the only submission, a thorough review confirmed their qualifications and capability to deliver the project. Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Allen, to approve the selection of Goldberg Group Architects as the design services provider for the City Hall Commission Room Modernization project and authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with the selected firm. The motion was considered and upon being put, all September 25, 2024 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes September 25, 2024 Page 3 present voted aye. The Mayor declared the selection of Goldberg Group Architects duly approved. Review of Transient Guest Tax The Governing Body heard from City Manager Silcott regarding the recommendation to consider a charter ordinance authorizing the ability, but not the obligation, to levy a transient guest tax (TGT) in an amount to not exceed nine percent (9%). The City issues this proposal as part of a two-step process, where the charter ordinance would grant the City Commission the authority to impose the tax, and a subsequent ordinance would set the actual rate. After discussion, Commissioner Clayton made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to approve the charter ordinance authorizing the ability, but not the obligation, to levy a transient guest tax in an amount not to exceed nine percent (9%). The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the charter ordinance duly approved, it was numbered Charter Ordinance No. 23-24. JPM Agreement (Golf Course) for December 30, 2024 Termination The Governing Body heard from City Manager Silcott regarding the recommendation to authorize the City Manager to execute a lease amendment with JPM Enterprises, LLC, terminating the current lease for the management and operation of the Ottawa Golf Course effective December 30, 2024. The City acquired the Ottawa Golf Course in 2022 and had continued a lease agreement with JPM Enterprises, set to expire on March 31, 2026. The amendment will finalize the transition of operations from JPM to the City, effective at the end of 2024. Commissioner Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to authorize the City Manager to execute the lease amendment with JPM Enterprises, LLC as presented. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the lease amendment duly authorized and approved for execution. Project Updates The Governing Body heard from City Manager Brian Silcott, who provided an update on current projects. 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 expressed gratitude to the Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin County Development Council for organizing the Panasonic luncheon. Mayor Skidmore then inquired about any issues that occurred during the car show. In response, Chief Weingartner confirmed that no major incidents were reported during the event. September 25, 2024 3 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes September 25, 2024 Page 4 Announcements A. October 2, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 7:00 pm, City Hall B. October 9, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 4:00 pm, City Hall C. October 16, 2024 Franklin County Community Outlook – 8-10:00 am, Ottawa University D. October 16, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 10:00 am, City Hall Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor Pro Tem declared the meeting duly adjourned at 5:55 pm. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk September 25, 2024 4