City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of August 20, 2025 The Governing Body met at 10:00 a.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. Pastor Drew Reding from Grace Community Fellowship Church gave the invocation. Public Comments None were received. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations, and Public Hearings Proclamation Recognizing Bethany Chapel Baptist Church’s 158th Anniversary Commissioner Skidmore read the proclamation recognizing the 158th anniversary of Bethany Chapel Baptist Church. Pastor Terance Roberson accepted the proclamation and expressed appreciation. Consent Agenda Commissioner Crowley moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Caylor. The agenda included the minutes from the August 13, 2025 Regular Meeting, July 2025 Finance Monthly Report, minutes from the April 24, 2025 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, partner agency reports from July 2025, 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 Resolution Amending Economic Development Incentive Policy Director Landis presented the amended Economic Development Incentive Policy, which includes revisions to the fee schedule and the Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) provisions. The updated policy repeals Resolution No. 1884-21. Key revisions include: • Modernized RHID language to align with the current statute. • Removal of outdated provisions requiring ten or more rental homes. • A $10,000 deposit requirement for RHID applications ($5,000 non-refundable for fiscal analysis and $5,000 applied to financial advisor/bond counsel costs). • Waiver of “but-for” analysis for projects directly meeting housing needs identified by the Governing Body. • Streamlined process with a pre-application stage to assess feasibility before full investment. Mayor Pro Tem Clayton made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crowley, to adopt a resolution amending the Economic Development Incentive Policy and repealing Resolution No. 1884-21. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this resolution duly adopted and numbered 1988-25. August 20, 2025 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes August 20, 2025 Page 2 New Business Second Quarter 2025 Outside Agency Reports The Governing Body received First Quarter 2025 Outside Agency Reports from the Franklin County Development Council, Ottawa Library, and Ottawa Main Street Association. Adoption of the 2025 Standard Traffic Ordinance Chief Weingartner presented the 2025 Standard Traffic Ordinance (STO) for consideration. He explained that the STO is revised annually by the League of Kansas Municipalities to incorporate legislative changes to state traffic laws and ensure consistency with enforcement at the local level. Updates for 2025 included minor revisions to definitions, penalties, and traffic safety provisions. Adoption of the ordinance allows the City of Ottawa Police Department to continue enforcing traffic regulations in alignment with state statutes. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Caylor, to adopt an ordinance authorizing the use of the 2025 Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this ordinance duly adopted and numbered 4164-25. Adoption of the 2025 Uniform Public Offense Code Chief Weingartner presented the 2025 Uniform Public Offense Code (UPOC) for adoption. He noted that the UPOC is updated annually by the League of Kansas Municipalities to reflect changes in state criminal law and ensure local ordinances remain consistent with Kansas statutes. The 2025 revisions included clarifications to certain offenses, penalty adjustments, and updates to definitions. Adoption of the ordinance provides the City of Ottawa with the authority to enforce misdemeanor criminal offenses such as disorderly conduct, theft, and other violations under municipal court jurisdiction, aligning the City’s enforcement authority with current state law. Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Skidmore, to adopt an ordinance incorporating the 2025 Uniform Public Offense Code for Kansas Cities. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this ordinance duly adopted and numbered 4165-25. Consideration of Sample Ballot Language for Sales Tax Renewal City Attorney Finch presented draft ballot language options for continuing a one-cent sales tax, as the current tax is scheduled to sunset in 2026. He reviewed two framework options: a special-purpose sales tax, limited to ten years and dedicated to defined projects, and a general-purpose sales tax, which would have no sunset date and provide flexibility for financing capital improvements through General Obligation bonds. Finch emphasized that the ballot question must be written in a clear, easily understood fashion in order to be valid. He also explained the procedural requirements, noting that a resolution must be adopted, published and provided to the County Clerk timely, to ensure the question is placed on the November 4, 2025, General Election ballot. The Governing Body discussed the framework options, referencing community survey results that showed strong support for continuation of the sales tax if directed toward infrastructure, parks, and other quality-of-life improvements, as well as property tax stabilization. Commissioners agreed on the August 20, 2025 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes August 20, 2025 Page 3 importance of transparency and flexibility in structuring the measure. Consensus was reached to proceed with the preparation of a resolution using general-purpose ballot language for the sales tax question, to be formally considered at the August 27, 2025, City Commission Meeting. City Manager Comments City Manager Silcott reported on current job openings, annual hydrant flushing, and updates to public works and utility projects, including sewer main inspections, Lincoln Street repairs, and airport taxiway repair. He highlighted upcoming events, including Vinyl Revival at OMA and the Airport Fun Day. Governing Body Comments Commissioner Skidmore thanked Clerk Reed for her grant work, acknowledged his son Garrett’s 36th birthday, and shared his excitement for the upcoming K-State football games. Mayor Pro Tem Clayton welcomed Ottawa University students returning to the community and encouraged attendance at the upcoming Parade of Champions. Mayor Allen also extended a welcome to Ottawa University students as the new academic year begins. Announcements A. August 26, 2025 Ottawa University Fusion – 6:00 pm, Legacy Square B. August 27, 2025 City Commission Meeting – 4:00 pm, City Hall C. September 3, 2025 City Commission Meeting – 7:00 pm, City Hall D. September 10, 2025 City Commission Meeting – 4:00 pm, City Hall Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 11:29 am. /s/ Melissa Reed Melissa Reed, City Clerk August 20, 2025 3