CITY COMMISSION
CITY COMMISSION
Selecting a Comprehensive Plan consultant, approving a resolution that will place two signs on U.S. Highway 81 honoring Frank Carlson, and the purchase of generators were some of the action items during the regularly scheduled meeting of the city commission on Wednesday.
The meeting opened with Mayor Chuck Lambertz signing a proclamation that made April 2023, Donate Life Month in Concordia. The proclamation honors all those who made the decision to donate life, focuses attention on the critical need for donation, and encourages all Kansas residents to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors.
CloudCorp executive director Nicole Reed presented CloudCorp's quarterly report. The CloudCorp Annual Luncheon was March 6, in conjunction with the 2nd Annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC), at the Cloud County Fairgrounds. The event attracted nearly 200 people.
Reed also reported that Cloud County was selected by NetWork Kansas to participate in its innovative entrepreneurship (E-) community.
CloudCorp is now able to offer gap financing to help local entrepreneurs start or grow a business in the county. The loan program matches public sources of capital and bank loans. CloudCorp can offer up to $45,000 per project. The funds are flexible and can be used for a variety of business purposes, including startup costs, purchasing an existing building, business expansion, working capital, inventory, and more.
Reed and Broadway Plaza coordinator Deb Lange submitted an annual report for the venue. 116 events were held at the Broadway Plaza in 2022, with a total attendance of 7,814 people of all ages. Events that drew crowds in excess of 200 people were the Mother's Day Vendor Fair, comedian Bryce Stanley, Fall Fest, the Summer Reading Program, the Paramount concert, and the CHS 2022 All Class Reunion.
Brown Grand Theatre director Melissa Swenson provided her annual report, noting that extensive renovations and repairs had been completed, including exterior waterproofing, tucking, and painting; completion of the west parking lot; and boiler, roof, and air conditioner repairs. Additionally, a new basement staircase was built, instant hot water heaters were installed in the main floor restrooms, and new landscaping was completed.
Highlights of the year at the Brown Grand included its 115th birthday party, featuring the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Septet; a quilt show with over 115 quilts on display; and the first Winter Movie Series.
During the action item portion of the meeting, commissioners approved hiring PEC as the Comprehensive Plan consultant for $25,000, to be paid from the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Fund.
The Comprehensive Plan is the city’s official policy guide for future development. The plan sets out the city’s planning-related goals; provides a data resource base for long-range and strategic planning; identifies factors influencing growth and development in the area; makes recommendations as to future land use and development in the area so as to guide future planning decisions; and recommends changes to the city’s zoning regulations which will better allow for the implementation of the goals set forth in the plan.
In other action, commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2023-2152 requesting that two Governor’s Hometown Signs be placed along U.S. Highway 81 at the north and south entrances to Concordia, in honor of Governor Frank Carlson. The signs are to be paid for via private fundraising.
Carlson served as the 30th Governor of Kansas from 1947 – 1950, as well as Kansas State Representative, United States Representative, and United States Senator. He is the only Kansan to have held all four offices.
A lifelong native of the area, Carlson made his home in Concordia after he retired from political office. He passed away in May of 1987, and is buried at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Concordia.
Upon the recommendation of Fire Chief Eric Voss, the commissioners approved the purchase of five generators and a memorandum of understanding (MOA) for two other generators from Hood Heating and Air, for a total purchase price of $95,115, to be paid from a Department of Justice (DOJ) Communication Grant.
Upon the recommendation of city manager Amy Lange, the commissioners approved transferring the property located at 830 W. 11th Street from the City of Concordia to the Concordia Land Bank. The property is located adjacent to the proposed St. Joseph Subdivision moderate-income housing project.
The commissioners, Lange, and city attorney Justin Ferrell then met in three executive sessions totaling 50 minutes. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.