City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of August 13, 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, Mayor Pro Tem Clayton, Commissioner Caylor, Commissioner Crowley and Commissioner Skidmore. Mayor Allen called the meeting to order. Mayor Allen welcomed the audience and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Commissioner Skidmore gave the invocation. Public Comments George Ogle, 1305 S. Elm, addressed the Commission regarding delays he has experienced in the review process for his proposed residential development project. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations, and Public Hearings Consent Agenda Commissioner Crowley moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Clayton. The agenda included the minutes from August 6, 2025 Regular Meeting and approval of 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 Franklin County Emergency Communication Center budget presentation FCECC Director Sarah Peffly and Franklin County Clerk Janet Paddock presented the 2026 proposed budget for the Franklin County Emergency Communication Center, which the City of Ottawa funds at 50% through the interlocal cooperation agreement adopted in 2013. The City’s portion of the appropriation for 2026 is $690,665, representing a 9.04% increase over the 2025 amount. Key drivers of the increase include implementation of a two-year compensation adjustment plan to remain competitive with other dispatch centers, a $1/hour raise for all dispatchers, and COLA and merit increases. Director Landis reviewed the historical appropriation amounts dating back to 2013. Clerk Paddock noted the practice of issuing annual refunds to the City for unused budget allocations after the County’s audit is complete. Director Peffly shared operational highlights from 2024, including 55,564 total calls answered, with 49,735 of those classified as calls for service. Emergent calls totaled 9,913, while non-emergent calls accounted for 45,494. The center also handled 157 text-to-911 messages and logged 360,189 push-to- talk radio transmissions, averaging 3.5 seconds per transmission. The primary call volume came from Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Ottawa Police Department, Wellsville Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Wildlife and Parks and DEU, with additional calls routed from multiple rural fire districts and state agencies. August 13, 2025 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes August 13, 2025 Page 2 Staffing remains a critical focus, with 12 authorized positions and two dispatcher vacancies. She also highlighted the FCECC’s ACE accreditation in Emergency Medical Dispatch, continuing education requirements for all dispatchers, and the peer support program available to employees. The Governing Body agreed by consensus to review the interlocal agreement later in the year. Resolution Authorizing the Sale, Conveyance, and Release of Leases for the Premier Auto Project, Phase I Industrial Revenue Bonds Director Landis reviewed the purpose and background of the proposed resolution, which represents the final step in closing out the Phase I Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) for the Premier Auto Project. She reminded the Governing Body that the IRBs were issued in 2022 solely as a financing mechanism to provide sales tax exemption for eligible project costs associated with the construction of the approximately 30,000-square-foot auto dealership at 506 E. 23rd Street. No City funds were pledged or expended for repayment, and the developer is solely responsible for all bond-related obligations. Landis explained that with the construction of the Phase I project complete, the developer has exercised its option under the lease to purchase the project from the City. Bond counsel Kutak Rock has certified that the bonds have been paid in full and that all terms of the lease have been satisfied, including payment of any legal fees and execution of the necessary release documents. Approval of the resolution authorizes the Mayor to execute the Release of Leases and any related closing documents, allowing the City to formally convey its leasehold interest back to Premier Real Estate of Ottawa LLC and terminate the associated base lease and lease agreements recorded in 2022. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to adopt the resolution authorizing the sale and conveyance of the City’s leasehold interest in the Premier Auto Project, Phase I, and the execution of a Release of Leases. 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. 1987-25. Consider Approval of Updated Agreement for the 15th and Main Street Traffic Signal, Sidewalk and Inspection Services Director Snethen presented the updated professional services agreement with GFT Infrastructure, Inc. (formerly TranSystems) for engineering and inspection services on the 15th and Main Street Traffic Signal Project. He explained that the original contract, approved earlier in 2025 for $53,600, included design and inspection services for the replacement of the existing traffic signal. Following a May 14, 2025 Commission discussion initiated by Mayor Pro Tem Clayton, staff explored the feasibility of incorporating a sidewalk connection from the intersection to the Prairie Spirit Rail Trail. Snethen reported that GFT had evaluated the request, prepared a revised scope of work, and provided a fee proposal to include additional survey, legal description preparation for easements, updated plan sheets, contract document revisions, bidding support, and expanded part-time construction inspection services. The revised agreement increases the contract amount to $78,100, an additional $24,500 over the original. The increase covers the direct costs associated with the sidewalk addition, including design modifications to accommodate pedestrian connectivity, extended inspection time, and added surveying August 13, 2025 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes August 13, 2025 Page 3 and legal documentation. Funding for the base project will remain within the Electric CIP Fund, while the sidewalk portion will be funded from the City’s Capital Projects – Sidewalk Fund, which has sufficient available balance to cover the cost. Commissioners expressed support for the expanded project scope, noting that the sidewalk connection will improve pedestrian safety, enhance trail access, and align with the City’s multimodal transportation goals. Mayor Pro Tem Clayton made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crowley, to approve the updated agreement with GFT Infrastructure, Inc. in the amount of $78,100 for the expanded scope of the 15th and Main Street Traffic Signal and Sidewalk Project and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any necessary documents. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the motion duly approved. Ottawa Community Survey – Summary of Results Communications and Outreach Coordinator Eytcheson presented the results from the 2025 Community Survey, conducted July 7 through August 6, 2025, which received 991 total responses, representing approximately 20% of registered voter households in Ottawa. The survey was distributed through multiple channels, including postcards mailed to all registered voters, inserts in utility bills, QR-coded signage at public facilities, and online promotion through the City’s website and social media. The 14-question survey gathered anonymous feedback on resident satisfaction with City services, community priorities, and the pending renewal of the City’s one-cent local sales tax. Respondents expressed high levels of satisfaction with fire and emergency medical services, police services, and access to community recreation such as parks, trails, and the Ottawa Municipal Auditorium. However, the condition of streets, curbs, and sidewalks was the most frequent concern, with 57% rating them below average or poor, making street repair the community’s top five-year priority. Other priority areas identified included recreation and quality-of-life amenities, utility infrastructure upgrades, and economic development. Eytcheson noted strong public support for renewing the one-cent local sales tax, which is set to expire on June 30, 2026. Overall, 89% of respondents indicated they would likely vote “yes” on renewal, with the highest levels of support tied to specific uses: • Property tax relief: 76% said they were more likely to support renewal if it continued to offset property taxes by roughly 13.87 mills. • Cost sharing with non-residents: 76% supported renewal when reminded that the sales tax captures revenue from visitors and those living outside city limits who use Ottawa’s services. • Targeted investments: 79% supported renewal if dedicated in part to street improvements, 64% if dedicated to parks and recreation, and 63% if dedicated to replacing the aging community pool. The Commission agreed that placing the sales tax renewal question on the November 4, 2025 General Election ballot would be the most cost-effective and timely option, with a resolution deadline of September 3, 2025. Staff will return with draft ballot language for Commission review at an upcoming meeting. August 13, 2025 3 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes August 13, 2025 Page 4 City Manager Comments City Manager Silcott offered congratulations on the induction of Flint Hills Trail State Park into the Rails to Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame, noting its 93-mile route and the connection between the Flint Hills and Prairie Spirit trails. He provided an update on the August 13 power outage affecting approximately 1,300 customers, caused by a turkey vulture making contact with multiple energized phases, with service restored in about 20 minutes. Silcott also reported operational highlights, including completion of school crosswalk repainting, storm debris removal, replacement of the grit classifier liner at the Water Reclamation Facility, draining and winterizing of the Forest Park Pool, installation of a rebuilt cooling tower pump, and City staff volunteering weekly with ECKAN’s summer lunch program for youth. He concluded with reminders about upcoming events, including the August 15 Chamber Coffee, August 16 “Surfin’ USA” concert at OMA, August 19 Munsee Veterans program at NCCC, and August 23 Airport Days. Governing Body Comments Commissioner Skidmore expressed appreciation for timely communication about outages and incidents. Commissioner Crowley praised the design of the new Commission Chambers for improving interaction. Commissioner Caylor suggested celebrating with past commissioners to view the new Commission Chambers. Mayor Pro Tem Clayton wished students, parents, and teachers well for the school year and reminded drivers to watch for children. Mayor Allen noted that all Commission Room improvements were funded entirely with ARPA dollars, with no local tax dollars used. Announcements A. August 20, 2025 City Commission Meeting – 10:00 am, City Hall B. August 26, 2025 Ottawa University Fusion – 6:00 pm, Legacy Square C. August 27, 2025 City Commission Meeting – 4:00 pm, City Hall D. September 3, 2025 City Commission Meeting – 7:00 pm, City Hall Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 5:19 pm. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk August 13, 2025 4