City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of January 7, 2026 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 Clayton, Mayor Pro Tem Crowley, Commissioner Allen, Commissioner Skidmore and Commissioner Van Leiden. Mayor Clayton called the meeting to order. Mayor Clayton welcomed the audience, led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, and Commissioner Skidmore gave the invocation. Public Comments No public comments were received. Appointments, Proclamations, Recognitions, Nominations, and Public Hearings Consent Agenda Mayor Pro Tem Crowley moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Allen. The consent agenda included the minutes from the December 17, 2025 Regular Meeting, 2026 Cereal Malt Beverage Application for Pizza Time, 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 None New Business Public Hearing on Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) Development Plan and RHID District for Woodridge Estates Mayor Clayton opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. to consider the approval of a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) for the Woodridge Estates project, located at 1001 E. Wilson Street. Assistant Director McCurdy reviewed the project background for a proposal by Legacy Homes of Ottawa, LLC to develop thirteen (13) single-family, for-sale homes, ranging from approximately 1,064 to 1,400 square feet, with proposed starting market prices between $212,000 and $265,000. Assistant Director McCurdy noted that the project qualifies under the State of Kansas RHID Act and meets the parameters outlined in the 2025 Housing Study, which identifies a need for additional mid-market housing units in Ottawa. No public comments were received. January 7, 2026 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026 Page 2 Mayor Clayton closed the public hearing at 7:06 p.m. Ordinance Adopting Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) Development Plan, Establishing RHID, and approving Development Agreement for Woodridge Estates Assistant Director McCurdy presented an ordinance for consideration to approve the Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) Development Plan for Woodridge Estates, establish the RHID District, and approve the associated Development Agreement with Legacy Homes of Ottawa, LLC. The proposed project includes the development of the vacant property located at 1001 E. Wilson Street into thirteen (13) single-family, for-sale homes, ranging from approximately 1,064 to 1,400 square feet, with anticipated starting market prices between $212,000 and $265,000. The RHID will reimburse eligible development costs related to public infrastructure improvements, including streets, utilities, and related improvements, through a pay-as-you-go financing structure utilizing ad valorem tax increment generated by the project. Assistant Director McCurdy noted that the project meets the eligibility requirements of the Kansas Reinvestment Housing Incentive District Act and aligns with the 2025 Housing Study, which identified a need for additional housing units within this price range in Ottawa. The Development Agreement establishes a maximum reimbursement cap of $576,000, plus interest on private loans secured to finance eligible project costs, and provides that the RHID will expire after 20 years, or upon full reimbursement. The ordinance and agreement were prepared by Bond Counsel, reviewed by the City Attorney, and approved as to form. Commissioner Skidmore made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Van Leiden, to adopt an ordinance establishing a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District within the City, adopting a plan for the development of housing and public facilities in such district, and making certain findings in conjunction therewith (Woodridge Estates Reinvestment Housing Incentive District). The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this ordinance duly adopted and numbered Ordinance No. 4167-26. Resolution Defining Depository Institutions and Authorized Signers The Governing Body heard from Assistant Director McCurdy who reviewed a resolution defining depository institutions for idle funds held by the City of Ottawa and authorizing designated City staff to manage those funds. She explained that this resolution is reviewed annually and is intended to repeal and replace Resolution No. 1953-24 in order to remove one authorized signer and make a minor update related to a legal name change for another authorized signer. The resolution fulfills the requirements outlined in K.S.A. 9-1401. Commissioner Allen made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Crowley, to adopt the resolution defining depository institutions for idle funds held by the City of Ottawa, Kansas. 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. 2002-26. Commission Board/Commission Assignments for 2026 The Commission Board and Commission Assignments for 2026 were discussed by the Governing Body. • Airport Advisory Board: Mayor Clayton January 7, 2026 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026 Page 3 • Chamber of Commerce: Mayor Pro Tem Crowley • Library Board: Mayor Clayton • Neighborhood Revitalization Program Review Committee: Commissioner Skidmore • Ottawa Main Street Association: Commissioner Van Leiden • Ottawa Memorial Auditorium Advisory Board: Commissioner Allen • Prairie Paws Animal Shelter: Mayor Clayton Mayor Pro Tem Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Van Leiden, to approve these appointments for 2026. The motion was considered, and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared the action duly approved. Kansas Municipal Energy Agency (KMEA) Board Appointment Director 1 The Governing Body heard from City Clerk Scherman, who discussed the appointment of a representative to the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency (KMEA) Board of Directors – Director 1 position and provided the following information: • The Governing Body biennially selects representatives to serve on the KMEA Board of Directors in Director 1 and Director 2 positions. • The Director 1 position is currently vacant due to a departing Commissioner, with the unexpired term extending through April 30, 2027. • David Hunsaker currently serves in the Director 2 position, with a term expiring on April 30, 2026. • Appointed Directors must reside within the territory served by the City’s electric utility or be a City employee. • Directors serve two-year terms and should be available to attend Board meetings, which are typically held in the spring and fall in Wichita, Kansas. • The appointment under consideration will fill the unexpired Director 1 term through April 30, 2027. Commissioner Allen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Van Leiden, to appoint Commissioner Skidmore to the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency Board of Directors – Director 1 position. The motion was considered, and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this appointment duly approved. Kansas Municipal Gas Agency Board Appointment Director The Governing Body heard from City Clerk Scherman, who discussed the appointment of a representative to the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency (KMGA) Board of Directors – Director position and provided the following information: • The Kansas Municipal Gas Agency is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of one Director and one Alternate appointed by each Member City, in accordance with Article V of the KMGA Bylaws. • Directors serve two-year terms, and Alternates may act in the absence of the Director. • The City of Ottawa has historically participated in KMGA and appointed representatives in compliance with KMGA bylaws. • The City’s current Director position became vacant following the departure of Brian Silcott on December 31, 2025. • The unexpired term for the Director position extends through August 31, 2027. • The appointment of David Hunsaker will ensure continuity in the City’s representation. January 7, 2026 3 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026 Page 4 • Jeff Oleson will continue to serve as the Alternate representative. Mayor Pro Tem Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Skidmore, to appoint David Hunsaker as the Director representing the City of Ottawa on the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency Board of Directors for the unexpired term ending August 31, 2027. The motion was considered and upon being put, all present voted aye. The Mayor declared this appointment duly approved. City Manager Comments Interim City Manager Finch provided updates to the Governing Body on several items. He noted the launch of the City’s new website user interface and thanked City staff for their hard work and collaboration in completing the project. City Clerk Scherman reviewed the recently awarded Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant which is a regional collaboration with other county and city partners and expressed appreciation to staff for their efforts in securing the funding was shared. Interim City Manager Finch provided an update regarding the City’s E-Community designation through Network Kansas. He explained that in December the City was notified that the Franklin County Development Council was no longer willing to provide this service. Following that notification, the State reached out to the City to explore options for continuing the program locally. Several meetings have been held with Network Kansas and the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce to discuss potential partnerships and opportunities moving forward. He noted that additional information and recommendations will be brought back to the Governing Body at a future meeting. Interim City Manager Finch also thanked George Ogle for his patience and investment in the Woodridge Estates development, recognizing it as a successful example of collaboration between the City and a private developer. He expressed appreciation to City staff for their work in navigating project details to reach a positive outcome. Chief Weingartner provided a review of recent security enhancements at City Hall, highlighted community programs offered through the Ottawa Police Department, and shared information regarding upcoming training opportunities. Governing Body Comments Commissioner Van Leiden wished everyone a Happy New Year and expressed optimism for the upcoming year. He noted excitement surrounding recent grant awards and the opportunities they will bring to the community, as well as anticipation of welcoming a new City Manager. Mayor Clayton requested that staff review upcoming League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM) and Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) conference dates to determine whether any City Commission meetings may need to be rescheduled or canceled. He also expressed enthusiasm for the City’s new website, noting its value in improving access to information for residents. Mayor Clayton thanked George Ogle for his investment in the community with the housing development in Woodridge Estates. He also thanked City Clerk Scherman for her work on grant initiatives and highlighted the significant amount of external funding secured for the community in recent years. Announcements A. January 14, 2026 – City Commission Meeting, 4:00 p.m., City Hall January 7, 2026 4 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026 Page 5 B. January 21, 2026 – City Commission Meeting, 10:00 a.m., City Hall C. January 21, 2026 – KMU Day at the Capitol, Cyrus Hotel, Topeka D. January 28, 2026 – City Commission Meeting, 4:00 p.m., City Hall Executive Session Recess Mayor Pro Tem Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Allen, to recess into executive session for a period of 20 minutes to engage in privileged and confidential communication with the board’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 8:08 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 Crowley made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Van Leiden, 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 8:08 p.m. Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 8:08 p.m. /s/ Melissa Scherman Melissa Scherman, City Clerk January 7, 2026 5