City approves extending demolition contract

Authorizing the extension of the contract for planned demolition of dilapidated structures and resolutions amending the city’s demolition program policy and personnel handbook were approved by the Concordia commission during its regular meeting Wednesday night.
The commission approved authorizing mayor Ashley Hutchinson to sign an extension of 35 business days on the contract with Western Sales, Inc. for the demolition of dilapidated/dangerous properties in the city. The new completion date is April 4 at 5 p.m.
On February 15, 2021, the city of Concordia was awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDOC) for demolition of dangerous structures in Concordia.
Funding for the grant is provided in part by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) via CDBG ($48,975), and in part through the city of Concordia Demolition Program ($48,975) via its capital improvement plan (CIP).
Structures in a non-occupied and dilapidated/dangerous condition were targeted for this program. Property owners were invited to participate on a voluntary basis prior to application, as properties had to be identified prior to the city’s grant application submittal to the KDOC.
At this point, the city has properties on a wait list. HUD requires no development of the property for five years following demolition of the structure, which could be a deterrent to program participation. There is no cost to the property owner to participate in this program.
The North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) is serving as the grant administrator for the city of Concordia on this grant.
On November 17, 2021, seven sealed bids were opened at 3:01 p.m. at City Hall. On December 1, 2021, the demolition contract was awarded to Western Sales, Inc. in the amount of $69,700.
Western Sales, Inc. pulled the contract on December 14, 2021, to allow for the asbestos contractors to properly remove all asbestos and not delay the project.
The current extension is due to unforeseen circumstances outside of the contractor’s control.
The commission also approved the resolution that amends the city’s demolition program. The amended policy disqualifies structures damaged by fire or other means in excess of 75 percent of the appraised value of the structure in which the city received 15 percent of the insurance proceeds.
Bruno Rehbein, city inspector, reported to the board that one of the unintended consequences of the city's demolition program, that was established in 2007, is the qualifying of a recently damaged structure in which the city received insurance proceeds to hold for leverage against damaged property.
Rehbein informed the commission that a few times the circumstance has arisen that the property owner received a rebate from the demolition program and their insurance holdings back once the property is safe again.
Amending the demolition program policy takes care of the issue.
Also during the meeting the commission approved a resolution amending changes to the personnel handbook.
Regarding the city's employee handbook, further discussion among department heads since the last handbook update in November generated more suggestions for changes.
Upon city manager Amy Lange's recommendation that it was in the best interest of the city, the commission voted for several new policies to be activated immediately rather than waiting until November when the handbook is normally updated.
Among the changes added to the handbook: commissioners voted to require background checks on all of the city's full-time new hires, and changes were made regarding the use of sick leave and vacation days.
New employees in their first six months of employment have needed time off in order to quarantine from COVID-19 sickness or exposure, or even to attend to ill children.
The city staff believed it would be in the city’s best interests if employees were allowed to use sick leave as they accrued it, regardless of how long they have been employed. Also, some employees who had reached the maximum level of accrued vacation hours were not being able to use the vacation before they lose it because of short-staffing issues. By allowing payment of hours when being denied the time off, the employee can still receive compensation.
During her city manager’s report, Lange informed the commissioners that the city had received several applications for the director of public works position that was left vacant when Ron Copple retired back in December.
Lange said that she does anticipate working through a formal hiring process that will be a public process that is currently scheduled for March 3.
The board met in executive session for 15 minutes with Lange and city attorney Justin Ferrell for the purpose of discussing confidential business data. No action was taken following the session.