City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of October 16, 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, and Commissioner Clayton. Commissioner Crowley was absent. Mayor Skidmore called the meeting to order. Mayor Skidmore welcomed the audience and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Chaplain Nathan O’Roark gave the invocation. Public Comments None were received. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations and Public Hearings Proclamation Recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month Mayor Pro Tem Allen read a proclamation recognizing October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It was explained that Domestic Violence Awareness Month focuses attention on victims of domestic violence and their children and promotes the support of shelters and community programs that serve them. Maggie Bornholdt from Willow Domestic Violence Center, accepted the proclamation and thanked the Governing Body for the proclamation. Proclamation Recognizing October 8 – 14, 2024 as World Homeless Week Commissioner Clayton read a proclamation recognizing October 8 – 14 as World Homeless Week. It was explained that this is an international week that serves as a platform to celebrate good works, benchmark progress, and advocate for improved policies and funding that can prevent and end homelessness. Brett Staneslow, President of the Ottawa Homeless Coalition, accepted the proclamation and thanked the Governing Body. Consent Agenda Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to approve the consent agenda, including minutes from the October 7, 2024 Special Call Meeting, the September 11, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting 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 Presentation on Sister Cities The Governing Body heard from Franklin County Development Council Executive Director Paul Bean, who provided an overview of the Sister Cities International Program. He discussed the program's benefits, including global networking, peer-to-peer connections, and support from foreign and domestic Diplomatic Corps. The presentation outlined the need to create goals for developing long-term relationships between Ottawa and an international community, focusing on cultural, educational, professional, and civic opportunities. These may include physical and October 16, 2024 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes October 16, 2024 Page 2 virtual exchanges, and aim to create an environment that fosters trade, commerce, and collaborative problem-solving between U.S. and foreign communities. The proposed next steps included identifying a leadership team comprising key community stakeholders, such as the Ottawa City Mayor, Ottawa City Staff, representatives from educational institutions, and other local organizations. The presentation also suggested developing a mission, identifying partner organizations, and setting both short-term and long-term goals. New Business Resolution Making Findings in Connection with the Fairway Vista RHID District The Governing Body received a presentation from Tyler Ellsworth, Kutak Rock regarding a resolution related to the creation of a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) for the Fairway Vista project. The presentation highlighted key aspects of the housing incentives, including: • The proposed resolution relates to the creation of an RHID for the construction of 14 duplex units on 7 existing vacant lots on Diamond Head Road. • The project consists of 14 duplex rentals, each with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, addressing housing shortages identified in the 2023 Residential Demand Analysis. All lots have existing infrastructure in place for over 10 years. • RHID is governed by K.S.A. 12-5241 through 12-5256 and is designed to address housing shortages by using property tax rebates to cover the cost of construction. The awarded Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credit supports the project, and property taxes from the rental units will be used to pay for vertical construction costs. • The resolution does not commit the city to a specific dollar amount or time frame for RHID collection at this stage. • There will be at least two more presentations to the Commission in the process, including the approval of a Development Agreement that will detail the financial structure, dollar amount, and duration of the RHID. Mayor Pro Tem Allen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to adopt this resolution. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this resolution duly adopted and this resolution was duly numbered Resolution No. 1966-24. Ordinance for Rezone of Property at 132 S. Mulberry Street The Governing Body heard from the Director of Neighborhood and Community Services Neece, who presented an ordinance for a rezoning request at 132 S. Mulberry Street. The request proposes a rezone from I-1 (Light Industrial) to R-1 (Low-Density Residential), which would allow for the development of a residential property on a currently undeveloped 0.26-acre tract. The Director reviewed the following points and answered questions: • The Ottawa Planning Commission unanimously recommends approval of the rezoning. • The area has historically been residential, even though it has been zoned for industrial use for over 50 years. • Two neighboring residents vocalized opposition to a broader rezoning of the area, while another sought clarification of the application during the September 26, 2024, Planning Commission hearing. October 16, 2024 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes October 16, 2024 Page 3 • The rezoning would stimulate development in an area that has otherwise remained vacant under its current zoning. Commissioner Clayton made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Allen, to approve the ordinance. The motion was considered, and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this ordinance duly approved, and the ordinance was numbered Ordinance No. 4149-24. Recommendation by Neighborhood Revitalization Program Review Committee to Add Eight Properties to the Program The Governing Body heard from the Planning Assistant Hird who reviewed the eight residential structures to be requested as additions to the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP): • The Neighborhood Revitalization Program Review Committee recommended all eight residential properties be included in the NRP. • The City of Ottawa's portion of the tax rebate for these residential projects totals $5,031.73 per year for years one through five and $3,513.66 per year for years six through ten. • The difference is due to rehabilitation projects benefiting from a five-year rebate, while new residential projects benefit from a ten-year rebate. • The residential rebate from the City of Ottawa for this group of projects is expected to total $42,726.96 over ten years. Eligible Properties: • New Residential (95% for 10 years): o 819 E. 8th St. (For Sale) o 433 S. Sycamore St. (For Sale) o 300-302 W. 8th St. (For Rent) o 205 E. 13th St. (Homeowner Occupied/Rent) • Residential Remodel (95% for 5 years): o 318 W. 2nd St. (For Rent) o 616 N. Cherry St. (For Sale) o 207 S. Cedar St. (For Sale) o 808 S. Cherry St. (Homeowner Occupied) Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to approve the recommendation to add the eight properties to the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. The motion was considered, and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared these properties duly approved. Lease with Dodson Aviation The Governing Body received a presentation from City Attorney Blaine Finch regarding a lease agreement between the City of Ottawa and Dodson International Parts, Inc. for the continued use of hangar facilities at the Ottawa Municipal Airport. The lease includes the following key points: • The agreement covers two existing hangars and adds a third 12,000-square-foot hangar, expanding Dodson’s aviation-related operations at the airport. • The lease is set for 50 years, with two optional 10-year renewal periods. October 16, 2024 3 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes October 16, 2024 Page 4 • Dodson is required to commence improvements by October 31, 2025, and complete them by October 31, 2027, to meet updated aviation standards. • The rent is calculated based on the square footage of both built and unbuilt improvements, with adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). • The City will oversee compliance with municipal and FAA regulations, ensuring that the facilities align with operational standards. • The agreement supports local economic development by enhancing aviation capacity and infrastructure at the municipal airport. Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Clayton to authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate and execute the lease with Dodson International Parts, Inc., and upon being put to a vote, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the item approved. 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 recent efforts to address domestic violence and homelessness, including valuable networking with other cities at the League conference. He also shared key insights from the Economic Outlook Conference, which provided important data on Franklin County and the state. Commissioner Caylor commended Maggie from Willow for her dedicated community service and expressed appreciation for Brett's contributions. She also pointed out the opportunities for improvement discussed at the League conference, particularly in tackling statewide issues. Mayor Skidmore underscored the City’s outreach efforts across Kansas and acknowledged Commissioner Caylor’s leadership in Women in Government. Additionally, he recognized Chief Weingartner for his panel participation and celebrated Ed Thompson’s 25 years of service to the City. Announcements A. October 23, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 4:00 pm, City Hall B. October 30, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 4:00 pm, City Hall C. November 6, 2024 City Commission Meeting – 7:00 pm, City Hall Recess Commissioner Clayton made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to recess into executive session for a period of 10 minutes, resuming at 11:32 am with City Attorney Blaine Finch present for the purpose of attorney/client consultation. The justification for the closed session is to engage in confidential and privileged communication with the board’s attorney by K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(12). The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the meeting duly recessed. Reconvene Commissioner Clayton made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, 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 11:32 am. October 16, 2024 4 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes October 16, 2024 Page 5 Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 11:32 am. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk October 16, 2024 5