City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of November 5, 2025 The Governing Body met at 7:00 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 No public comments were received. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations, and Public Hearings National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (November 2–8, 2025). Commissioner Caylor read a proclamation recognizing the role of animal shelters in public safety and community wellbeing. Vanessa Cowie of Prairie Paws Animal Shelter accepted the proclamation and thanked the Governing Body. Consent Agenda Commissioner Crowley moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Caylor. The agenda included the minutes from the October 22, 2025 Regular Meeting, minutes from the August 19, 2025 OMA Advisory Board 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 Fire ISO Rating Fire Chief Dillon presented on the City’s Public Protection Classification (PPC) evaluation conducted by Verisk/Insurance Services Office (ISO) in September 2025. The PPC program measures the effectiveness of local fire protection by reviewing three key components: Emergency Communications (10 points), Fire Department (50 points), and Water Supply (40 points), along with community risk reduction credit. Following the evaluation, the City of Ottawa earned a total score of 82.00, resulting in a Class 2/2X rating, effective January 1, 2026. This represents a significant improvement from the prior Class 3 rating and places Ottawa among the top five percent of communities nationwide with a Class 2 designation. ISO ratings range from 1 (highest) to 10 (lowest), with lower numbers reflecting superior fire protection capabilities and often resulting in lower insurance premiums for residents and businesses. November 5, 2025 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025 Page 2 Chief Dillon reviewed each evaluated category and shared several highlights from the report: • Emergency Communications (7.43/10): Strong coordination between Ottawa Fire and the Franklin County Communications Center contributed to high marks for dispatch reliability, redundancy, and operator training. • Fire Department (38.24/50): The department earned substantial points for incident response performance, training hours, fire prevention programs, and community outreach. Ottawa’s investment in personnel certification, training, and equipment upgrades was specifically commended. • Water Supply (36.33/40): The Utilities Department received outstanding recognition for hydrant distribution, system reliability, and flow capacity, reflecting years of coordinated investment in infrastructure. • Community Risk Reduction (Bonus Credit): Ottawa received credit for public education, fire investigation, and enforcement efforts, which strengthened the overall score. Chief Dillon noted that the report identified opportunities for continued improvement in areas such as staffing levels, apparatus replacement planning, and additional water system mapping updates. He commended the collaboration between Fire, Utilities, Public Works, and the Franklin County Communications Center that made this improved rating possible. The Commission congratulated the Fire Department for its leadership and teamwork, recognizing that this accomplishment directly enhances public safety and provides tangible insurance benefits to the community. Resolution Authorizing Partnership Agreement with Live Healthy Franklin County (Pathways to a Healthy Kansas – Incubator Kitchen Package) OMA Director Evans presented a resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to sign a Partnership Agreement with Live Healthy Franklin County (LHFC) in connection with the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Incubator Kitchen Package. She explained that this initiative is part of the City’s continued collaboration with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) through the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas program, which supports community projects that promote healthy lifestyles, access to nutritious food, and wellness-focused environments. Ottawa has been an active Pathways community since 2016 and has previously completed initiatives such as the Fitness Court, trail improvements, and community wellness events. The proposed partnership builds on this success by establishing a Community Commercial Incubator Kitchen within the Ottawa Memorial Auditorium (OMA). This project will repurpose and expand the existing kitchen to provide licensed, rentable space for food entrepreneurs, small catering businesses, and community organizations to prepare and store food safely. The space will also support nutrition education, cooking classes, and local food access programs. The partnership agreement outlines commitments between the City and LHFC, including: • City Commitments: Provide and maintain the kitchen space at OMA, adopt supporting policies (such as fee schedules, access procedures, and rental agreements), and host at least one community-based healthy eating or nutrition education event per year. November 5, 2025 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025 Page 3 • LHFC/Pathways Commitments: Offer technical support and guidance, provide up to $50,000 in implementation funding, and ensure the project aligns with BCBSKS program goals and reporting requirements. • Partnership Duration: The agreement remains active through October 31, 2030, with annual progress reporting and periodic program evaluations. Director Evans emphasized that this initiative not only leverages grant funding to improve public facilities but also fosters economic opportunity and supports Ottawa’s long-term food system goals. Once established, the kitchen will help small businesses, nonprofits, and community members gain affordable access to a shared-use kitchen, advancing both health and economic resilience. Commissioners expressed strong support for the project, noting its alignment with previous City investments in OMA improvements and its potential to strengthen partnerships with local organizations and residents. Commissioner Crowley made a motion, seconded by Mayor Tem Clayton, to approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager or his designee to sign the Partnership Agreement with Live Healthy Franklin County for the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Incubator Kitchen Package. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor Pro Tem declared this resolution duly adopted, and this resolution was duly numbered Resolution No. 1998-25. City Manager Comments City Manager Silcott shared highlights from recent operations and initiatives. Ottawa voters approved renewal of the 1.00% sales tax to continue funding critical community investments in infrastructure, public safety, parks, and quality-of-life improvements, as well as ongoing property tax relief. The enabling ordinance is scheduled for the November 12, 2025, City Commission meeting. Once adopted and published, it will be submitted to the Kansas Department of Revenue with an effective date of July 1, 2026. Operational updates included completion of milling and overlay work on the 1100 block of Cedar, tree trimming at Highland Cemetery, installation of 60 feet of new water main, inspection of 1,264 feet of sewer main, and collection of state water samples. City Manager Silcott also announced that the City of Ottawa has been awarded $49,791.90 through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The project, Commercial Incubator Kitchen Expansion for Franklin County Food Producers and Entrepreneurs, will transform the existing kitchen at the Ottawa Memorial Auditorium into a fully licensed commercial incubator kitchen. Grant funds will support installation of an electric range, commercial mixer, industrial slicer, and commercial hood system. Upcoming community events include the Veteran’s Day Parade downtown on Saturday, November 8 at 10:45 a.m., and HiFi Dueling Pianos at the Ottawa Memorial Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. that evening. Current open positions include a Part-Time Auditorium Events Assistant and a Part-Time Auditorium Sound and Light Technician, both closing November 14, 2025. Tentative agenda items for the November 12, 2025, Commission Meeting include renewal of the November 5, 2025 3 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025 Page 4 Airport Fixed Base Operator Contract for 2026, bid proposals for the Ottawa Memorial Auditorium Boiler, and the Ottawa Main Street Association’s Third Quarter Report. Governing Body Comments Commissioner Skidmore thanked the community for their support during the recent election and extended congratulations to Mayor Allen and Commissioner-Elect Tim Van Leiden. He stated he looks forward to serving alongside them. Commissioner Caylor shared that she reached out to Commissioner-Elect Tim Van Leiden and believes he will do a great job. She thanked voters for their strong support of the sales tax renewal, noting that 76% voted in favor—calling it a powerful message. She expressed appreciation to all who believed in and supported the initiative. Mayor Pro Tem Clayton extended appreciation to everyone who ran for elected office, commending their courage and willingness to serve. He congratulated those elected to new positions and requested that at the November 12 meeting, discussion be brought forward regarding a street plan. He expressed pride in the many grants awarded to the City this year and gave a special shoutout to the Franklin County Honor Guard for their Veterans Day flag display. He shared that fewer flags were visible this year because their trailer was stolen and encouraged community donations to help replace the flags before next year’s observance. He also recognized the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps and extended gratitude to all veterans for their service. Mayor Allen thanked all who participated in the election and noted the significant voter turnout for the open City Commission seats and boards. She expressed appreciation to everyone who exercised their right to vote and continues to be engaged in the community. Announcements A. November 12, 2025 – City Commission Meeting – 4:00 p.m., City Hall B. November 19, 2025 – City Commission Meeting – 10:00 a.m., City Hall C. November 26, 2025 – City Commission Meeting – 4:00 p.m., City Hall Executive Session Recess Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crowley, to recess into executive session for a period of 25 minutes to engage in privileged and confidential communication with the City’s attorney pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). The open meeting will resume in this room at 8:00 p.m. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the meeting duly recessed. Reconvene Commissioner Crowley 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 8:00 p.m. Recess Commissioner Caylor made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crowley, to recess into executive session for a period of 15 minutes to engage in privileged and confidential communication with the November 5, 2025 4 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025 Page 5 City’s attorney pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). The open meeting will resume in this room at 8:15 p.m. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the meeting duly recessed. Reconvene Mayor Pro Tem Clayton made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crowley, 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 8:15 p.m. Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 8:15 pm. /s/ Melissa Scherman Melissa Scherman, City Clerk November 5, 2025 5