City Commission

Regular Meeting Minutes City Hall Minutes of January 21, 2026 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 Clayton, Mayor Pro Tem Crowley, Commissioner Allen and Commissioner Van Leiden. Commissioner Skidmore was absent. Mayor Clayton called the meeting to order. Mayor Clayton welcomed the audience and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Michael Schooley with Crosspointe Community Church 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 January 14, 2026 Regular Meeting, the December 2025 Finance Monthly Report, and approval of the 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 2025 Year-End Grant Report City Clerk Scherman presented the 2025 Year-End Grant Report. She reviewed why grants remain a core strategy for the City of Ottawa, supporting infrastructure investment, public safety and transportation improvements, parks and trails, arts and culture, and quality-of-life amenities, while reducing reliance on local tax dollars through external funding. The presentation summarized 35 total grant efforts tracked in 2025, with $4.32 million awarded across multiple departments. Additional applications remain pending, and others were not awarded but provided valuable feedback from funding agencies. Grant requests spanned federal, state, and local funding sources and supported projects related to infrastructure, safety, quality of life, and economic development. Financially, awarded grant funds support eligible operating and capital expenses with required local matches met through approved budgets or in-kind contributions. Legally, all grant activity is administered in compliance with applicable federal and state requirements with no legal or compliance issues identified. The report aligns with the City’s strategic pillars of Infrastructure and Stewardship of Resources, Safety and Education, Economic Development and Job Creation, and Quality of Life and Community Engagement. January 21, 2026 1 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes January 21, 2026 Page 2 Update on Opioid Settlement Funds Chief Weingartner provided an update on the Opioid Settlement Funds, as detailed in the agenda packet and PowerPoint presentation. He reviewed the Kansas Fights Addiction Act, enacted by the Kansas Legislature in 2021 following multiple settlements with pharmaceutical companies related to the opioid crisis. Through these settlements, Kansas is expected to receive more than $340 million through 2038, with 75% distributed to the state and 25% distributed to cities through the Municipalities Fight Addiction Fund (MFAF). The MFAF provides direct funding to the City of Ottawa with funds intended for opioid use disorder and substance use disorder abatement. The City’s current fund balance is $99,860, with anticipated annual growth of approximately $10,000 per year through 2038, subject to settlement distributions. To date, no expenditures have been made. Examples of potential future uses discussed include equipment and initiatives aligned with local response needs and the City’s strategic objectives. An annual report on receipts and expenditures is required to be submitted to the State of Kansas by March 1 each year. Staff recommended bringing forward specific expenditure recommendations beginning in FY2026, aligned with the City’s strategic pillars of Quality of Life and Community Engagement, Infrastructure and Stewardship of Resources, and Safety and Education, with an emphasis on items with a minimum useful life of five years. City Manager Comments Interim City Manager Finch provided operational highlights across City departments, including updates from Utilities and Public Works. He discussed the City’s five-year water rate plan, noting the City is approaching the fourth of five planned increases. He explained that water base charges are not increasing, while wastewater base charges will increase, and that staff will continue public communication efforts regarding rate adjustments. Interim City Manager Finch also provided an update on current open positions and the City Manager recruitment process, noting that interviews are scheduled for early February with the goal of filling the position in the coming months. He reviewed upcoming City events and outlined tentative items planned for future City Commission meetings. Governing Body Comments Mayor Clayton requested an update from Public Works regarding the City’s snow response plan in anticipation of upcoming winter weather. Public Works Director Welsh provided an overview of preparation efforts, including pretreatment plans, staffing levels, and shift scheduling. He explained roadway priority classifications, noting that primary and secondary routes are addressed first, followed by residential streets. Director Welsh encouraged residents to visit the City’s website for additional information and to sign up for City Alerts for weather-related updates. January 21, 2026 2 City of Ottawa Regular Meeting Minutes January 21, 2026 Page 3 Announcements A. January 28, 2026 – City Commission Meeting, 4:00 p.m., City Hall - CANCELLED B. January 28, 2026 – LKM Day at the Capitol, The Beacon, Topeka C. February 4, 2026 – City Commission Meeting, 7:00 p.m., City Hall D. February 11, 2026 – City Commission Meeting, 4:00 p.m., City Hall Adjournment There was no further business before the Governing Body, the Mayor declared the meeting duly adjourned at 10:37 a.m. /s/ Melissa Scherman Melissa Scherman, City Clerk January 21, 2026 3