City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of January 29, 2025 The Governing Body met at 4:00 p.m. on this date for the Regular City Commission Meeting, with the following members present and participating: Mayor Allen, Commissioner Caylor, Commissioner Crowley, and Commissioner Skidmore. Mayor Pro Tem Clayton was absent. Mayor Allen called the meeting to order. Mayor Allen welcomed the audience and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Father Kenneth Clem, Sacred Heart Catholic Church gave the invocation. Public Comments None were received. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations and Public Hearings Proclamation Recognizing Kansas Day on January 29, 2025 Commissioner Caylor read a proclamation recognizing January 29, 2025 as Kansas Day. This date marks the 164th anniversary of Kansas becoming a state. Diana Staresinic-Deane accepted the proclamation, shared historical insights on Ottawa's past challenges with waste management, and expressed gratitude to the Governing Body for their recognition. Proclamation RecognizingBlack History Month Commissioner Skidmore read a proclamation recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month. February has been set aside nationally for Black History Month to allow an opportunity for citizens to become aware of the contributions African Americans have made. Richard Jackson and Erynne Christopher accepted the proclamation and thanked the Governing Body for this recognition. Recognition of Larabe Alexander as a Recipient of the Richard LaMunyon Hall of Fame Award The Governing Body recognized Master Police Officer Larabe Alexander for his outstanding contributions to Special Olympics Kansas and his remarkable achievement as a recipient of the Richard LaMunyon Hall of Fame Award. Officer Alexander's dedication to the Special Olympics is evident through his involvement in events such as the Polar Plunge, Tip-A-Cop, and the Torch Run, where he has raised thousands of dollars for the organization, often surpassing much larger agencies. He also serves as an at-large member of the Executive Council for Special Olympics Kansas. In late 2024, Officer Alexander received this prestigious honor at the National Special Olympics Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Furthermore, in 2025, he will represent the United States of America as a delegate during the International Special Olympics Torch Run in Turin, Italy, carrying the torch to light the flames and start the 2025 International Special Olympics Games. Proclamation Recognizing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month Commissioner Crowley read a proclamation recognizing January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Human Trafficking Awareness Month focuses attention on victims of human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery, and its far-reaching effects. Margot Self, Willow Domestic Violence Center, accepted the proclamation and thanked the Governing Body for their support. Consent Agenda Commissioner Crowley moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Skidmore. January 29, 2025 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes January 29, 2025 Page 2 The agenda included the minutes from the January 15, 2025 Regular Meeting, the December 2024 Financial Report, outside Agency Reports for December 2024, and the Regular Meeting agenda. The motion was put to a vote, and all present voted in favor. The Mayor declared the consent agenda duly approved. Declaration No declarations were made. Unfinished Business New Business Project Updates The Governing Body received a presentation from City Manager Brian Silcott on major municipal projects. • The Proximity Park Water Tower project has completed punch list items, but HSPS upgrades have caused delays, with an estimated completion in the first quarter of 2026. • The Water Plant Generator project is awaiting equipment delivery and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025. • The Residential and Three-Phase Electric Meter Replacement projects are experiencing delays due to supply chain and programming issues, with estimated completion dates in the third and fourth quarters of 2025. • The Water Treatment Plant Evaluation is nearing completion, with the final report from PEC expected soon. • Manufacturing is underway for the Pin Oak Sanitary Sewer Lift Station, which is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2025. • The Commission Room Upgrades project recently held a pre-construction meeting and remains on track for completion in the first quarter of 2025. • The City Park Playground Improvements project was completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, with remaining funds of $75,663. • Financial updates indicate that most projects remain on budget, though some delays and supply chain issues persist. City Manager Comments City Manager Silcott provided a welcome announcement for Drew Murphy as the new Golf Course Superintendent at Ottawa Golf Course. Additionally, he outlined the tentative agenda items for the February 5, 2025, City Commission meeting, that include a review of the Fourth Quarter 2024 reports, the City’s strategic documents, and the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting minutes from November 18, 2024. Governing Body Comments None were given. Announcements A. February 5, 2025 City Commission Meeting - 7:00 pm, City Hall B. February 12, 2025 City Commission Meeting - 4:00 pm, City Hall C. February 19, 2025 City Commission Meeting - 10:00 am, City Hall D. February 26, 2025 City Commission Meeting - 4:00 pm, City Hall January 29, 2025 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes January 29, 2025 Page 3 Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 4:43 pm. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk January 29, 2025 3