Commission presented report on childcare needs

A new public hearing for the property at 720 State Street, and initiation of the process for Eminent Domain of the property at 429 West Eighth Street were some of the action items during the regularly scheduled meeting of the city commission on Wednesday.

The meeting opened with Kim Muff, the director/grant writer for Unified School District 333 Education Fund, presenting a report on childcare needs in the area. Child care is at a critical shortage across the entire state of Kansas, and Cloud County is no exception. The crisis places a strain on parents and the economy.

Muff is surveying area residents in the hopes of developing strategies to improve childcare needs.

During the action item portion of the meeting, city commissioners approved Ordinance 2023-2162 which set a public hearing on October 18, 2023, for the property at 720 State Street.

At its July 5, 2023 meeting, the commission approved Ordinance 2023-2161 which initiated the condemnation process for the property. Concordia's building inspector Bruno Rehbein was then contacted by the owner of the property, Patricia A. Robinson of Winston, Oregon. After consultation with city attorney Justin Ferrell and city manager Amy Lange, it was decided to restart the condemnation process.

Rehbein stated that the structure at 720 State Street is in very poor condition and should not be inhabited at this time. The structure has a blighting influence on the neighborhood and has a history of decline and minimal maintenance for the past few years.

The condemnation process allows the city to force action on a blighted and dilapidated building or property, but often the city ends up with the costs of demolition that is rarely recovered with abandoned properties.

Upon the recommendation of Ferrell, commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2023-2163 which initiates the first step in the process for Eminent Domain on the property located at 429 West 8th Street.

This is a blighted property that was previously condemned by the city of Concordia, and the city has invested significant public funds in nuisance abatement and demolition of structures.

The commissioners then held two executive sessions concerning real estate acquisition. Present during the sessions were Lange, Ferrell, CloudCorp executive director Nicole Reed, and Mechelle Reynolds. The sessions totaled 30 minutes and no action was taken.

The commission meeting officially adjourned at 6:26 p.m.