Senior Center presents request for funds to commission
A 2021 audit report, a bid approval for a Community Development Block Grant Demolition Grant, and a change order to the demolition contract for the Sixth Street parking lot project were among the discussion and action items at the regular meeting of the Concordia city commission on Wednesday.
Joshua Radford, office manager of the Concordia Senior Center, formally requested $10,000 from the city's 2023 budget for the center.
Radford said that the nutrition staff, composed of two people, receives minimum wages from North Central Flint Hills Area on Aging. Assistance from the city has allowed the nutrition staff to have wages above the minimum, reflecting more accurately the services they render. The nutrition program and daily activities are the hubs of the center.
An average of 17,800 meals are served yearly, which include Meals on Wheels, pick-up meals, and meals eaten at the center.
Radford said the Senior Center has needed many repairs over the years and it is placing a strain on the center's finances. A new convection oven at a cost of nearly $,5000 is the latest necessity because the old one was worn out. The cabinets in the kitchen and dishwashing area are nearly 50 years old and need to be replaced. The commercial stove had to be repaired, and the center's chairs are in poor condition and need to be replaced.
The commission agreed to address the request at their next budget session.
The city commission heard the fiscal year 2021 audit report from Neil Phillips of the firm Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips. The audits were completed remotely over the months of March through May. Phillips reported that there were no issues with the audit.
On February 15, 2021, the City of Concordia was awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDOC) for the demolition of dangerous structures in Concordia. Funding for the grant is provided in part by the United States Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) via CDBG, and in part through the City of Concordia Demolition Program via the Capital Improvement Project (CIP).
The North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) is serving as the grant administrator for the City of Concordia on this grant.
The first round of demolitions has been completed. The demolitions, inspection/asbestos, and administration came in under the total project budget of $97,950. This left a remaining amount of funds $4,800 - $2,400 CDBG and $2,400 local.
It was determined to add two more structures for demolition. Only one company submitted a bid for the properties - Smith Construction Services, in the amount of $19,460. If the remaining funds were applied to this bid, it would leave a remaining balance of $14,660.
The commission voted to sign a contract with Smith Construction Services. All demolitions must be completed by February 28, 2023.
On a recommendation from city manager Amy Lange, the city commission also voted to approve a change order adding $5,450 to the contract with Smith Construction Services for the demolition of the structures at 326 & 330 W. 6th Street. The money is to be paid from the TIF Project Fund.
Smith Construction requested the additional funds due to additional and unforeseen work encountered
during demolition. Specifically, three cisterns were discovered that required fill, and significantly more trash was discovered, resulting in an additional eight and a half tons of unanticipated trash delivered to the landfill. Approval of the change order did not alter the contractual end date of April 13.
In other action, the commission voted to approve Ordinance 2022-3187, which caps the permit fee for a liquor license for temporary, special events at $25 per day. Recently, the Kansas legislature approved a change to the liquor law for temporary, special events, imposing the cap of $25. The City of Concordia had charged a $50 fee for this permit.