Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> City manager. >> Thank you, mayor. I know we've got one more shooting miss totals on here by uh video. Uh good morning. I want to make sure we um review a couple things. We do have some changes to the council schedule. First highlighting that this meeting next week on Tuesday, March 10th is a night meeting. And so that will be at 6 PM in the council chambers. Um so I want to make sure folks know that. Um also there will not be a meeting on the 17th. um council members will be uh doing work in Washington DC DC instead. So there will be not be a meeting on the 17th. And then we do have the planning retreat for the strategic planning retreat for city council on Thursday, March 12th and half day on March 13th. So we have added a meeting um to that schedule. So make sure everyone knows that. And that um retreat will be at the Sentry 2 facilities. Um, looking at next week's meeting agenda for March 10th for the night meeting, a couple items on there. We do have some tax increment financing plan updates. Um, we do have some renewals. Um, Gruber Labs is one of the items on your agenda. So, we do have some development services. Um, creating a community improvement district as well. That information is on there as well as some tax abatement information. I think one uh item of note is we do have on there what we're calling the um police robotics um using what also people will also call the robotic dog, but there'll be two of them to help our SWAT hostage negotiation and bomb squad to use technology um with robotics to help be a force protector to utilize technology instead of uh police officers as we have dangerous situations um to make them kind of the first line of response through the robotics. Um so that's on your agenda as well that might be of note for you. And then we do have some lease agreements on there updating with our parks and wreck the Oldtown uh farm and art market lease on there as well. And then we do have a lot of big one about our ground maintenance for city property that's being coordinated through our parks and recreation department over $3 million. Um so you may want to make sure you see that if you have some questions on that. Um certainly let me know. Um so that's where we are for the agenda on the 10th and then I said nothing on the 17th. We'll work on the strategic planning retreat and we'll uh see anything for your trip to NLC in Washington DC if there's anything you need. We do have our legislative update today. >> I have a question. The rotor act. >> Yes. >> Do we have anything in here? Items. >> It's just a proclam um yeah proclamation. Resolution. Thank you. Sorry. Resolution. Did it not make it in? >> I have mine. I have it. I don't know. >> It's not in the packet yet. >> Um, >> we'll get you a copy of that. Um, but yes, there is um >> Okay, I'm see >> there's not a green sheet. No, there's not a green sheet. This is a council initiated. So, we have the um draft language there for you to consider for the Roter Act as it relates for folks who are listening as it relates to some movement in the US House of Representatives to have some comprehensive aviation safety reforms as it relates to commercial airlines interacting with military planes based upon the accident or crash that happened with the flight out of Witchah and the skating folks in DC. So that's the gist of that proclamation and encouraging some action by the US House of Representatives >> and that's on our that can be added to our agenda to talk to our delegation. I think everybody we're talking to in DC have voted for this. I think there was only one representative in Kansas who voted against it. But yeah, we'll make sure that we relay our frustration with the process to our delegation up there. >> That might be a segue for our legislative update. >> Unless you have somebody else, mayor or council members needing information before Tuesday's meeting. All right, we can move to our legislative. There's Kimberly. Hey, Kimberly, you can take it from here. Hi sorry meetings again today. I apologize for I'm not driving there there is a lot that's happening right now and I'm just going to hit the highlights of the key issues for even though we're tracking you know upwards of 60 bills right now. So first and foremost is House Bill 2745 and that is the large property tax bill property tax. It creates property tax relief fund but it's going to be melded and merged with a couple of other issues. One will be they're trying to figure out how they mel the Senate constitutional amendment that imposes 3% cap on valuation into 2745 2745. Um at one point it repealed neutral provision in property tax discussion. It is out and we added their um it changes the 3% cap um to a three year rolling average of the CPI and they are not done making amendments to 2745. The Senate the Senate Assessment Taxation Committee is going to continue meeting on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. to work through further amendments. So that is still out there. We are working very closely with the other large cities and to try and get a handle on what is happening with 2745. Um so that's that's a particular significant particularly significant issue. Two other pieces of legislation have been um are scheduled for hearing as it relates to property taxation bill 488 that actually repeals all of the existing property tax exemptions at the county level and replaces them with a sales tax structure that is obviously more targeted to to counties but it's still out there and it is in tandem with Senate concurrent resolution 1621 that um includes the state and all the local units of government for imposing property tax. So there a lot there. Um secondarily a piece of legislation that was introduced last legislative session by county house bill 2377 that changed the city and county sales tax formula. ended up getting fasttracked in the last week and had a meeting in the House Taxation Committee on Monday that creates a totally different county and city sales tax formula based on a valuation rather than the current 50y old valuation form or sales tax formula. And actually Witchaw is largely harmless, but there are a lot of other communities in Central County that see real negative impact. So, there is a one-year freeze on implementation of this new formula statewide while hopefully the parties can craft a more workable or better suited city county sales tax formula. So, that's one that we're quite involved in as well. Um, one of W's top priorities bill 2462 which is the water reuse bill that was scheduled for a hearing this coming Thursday in the Senate agriculture and natural resources committee. So Gary Jansen is going to be um flying in from a conference where he is the national conference where he's speaking on water use and he's going to then join us in early morning on Thursday to have this hearing Thursday morning. So we look forward to that very successful committee hearing and getting that out quickly. Um, and then lastly, just a major shout out to Jan who on Wednesday of last week came to Topeka and provided testimony on House Bill 462 which relates to law and she did an absolutely fabulous job and as I emailed her changed the trajectory of the conversation of that bill. So I think there's going to be some significant amendments made and those amendments were facilitated by Jan articulate and on testimony. So, great job there. There's a lot more to run down, but I just want to pause and see what questions I can answer thus far. Do they seem stuck on the 3% or has there been discussion maybe 5% rolling average? Any I know earlier in the process there have been that. Is there any continued discussion? >> So, I I think that 3% will continue to remain the high mark. I think that it will probably if anything adjust downward. There was a provision added to the bill to the property tax bill 2745 that says it moves the petition threshold up to 10% from 5%. But says that um once you get your valuation notice and you just sign the valuation notice and return that back that counts as a signature toward the protest petition. We haven't yet seen the official language, but at this time it it could be such that if you own property in multiple communities or multiple counties that you could also be a quotequote qualified elector in all of those different taxing jurisdictions. So that could create a real problem for implementation of that protest petition and verification of who signed what. There's a lot to be worked on and worked through as it relates to 2745 at this time. >> I appreciate that. It seems like new life has been breathed into the eviction reconciliation bill as well. Um I guess there's a hearing next week. Um what does that look like? What's the u likelihood that that makes it out of I believe the house. >> So there is a hearing on have two bills related to housing. One is 254 and that will be held in the um Senate Congress committee on Wednesday and that's representative Leah House bill. It has some provisions in the bill that some people feel are more workable. Uh but then it still has that restriction on verification and being able to use income from VA benefits. Um and other like low income assistance income. So that will have a hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday. And then there is a new bill that's it's it's actually not a new bill, it's a substitute bill 23 57 I believe and I'm still waiting to get some additional information from the chair on what that intent is that substitute >> and that one is that >> is that the one that's working on the zoning changes and whatnot >> that I think maybe well the zoning bill is the bill 41A which is a buy housing bill and we did provide comments in the Senate commerce committee concern and then when the one of the main provisions was taken out of the bill that caused us significant concern and that said that any residential home could be built in any zoned area. So whether it was you know industrial commercial residential you could build a residential home in any area that provision was taken out and there was a hearing yesterday sorry together the committee as a whole. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Many of the cities stay quiet on that. >> Anything else for legislative update? Thank you. Thank you, Kimberly. Appreciate it. >> Excellent. Thank you all. Have a great rest of the week and you guys keep changing seats. >> That's all we have today, mayor. Thank you. >> Thank you, city manager. Council members, any news from your districts? >> I actually have a question in regards to um this city manager, the she >> that I that I love, by the way. I know I said that last week. I just wanted to make sure on line item 42 when we speak about the resolution on ruact. Yes, >> in reading the uh brief progress details um I'm trying to understand the rationale. I know we're moving forward with it, but I'm trying to understand the rationale behind the statement here. >> I think it's just that statement there at the far right column. >> Yes, sir. >> Just highlighting that it's a resolution that we can advocate. We can't dictate legislation at the federal level, I think, is what we're trying to communicate. I'll let her for herself. Um, did that come from Jennifer? Who' that come from? >> I believe so. Yeah, speak to council member. It came from airport raised the concern legal has looked at the rules on lobbying at the federal level and we believe there's any minimal risk on just the issuing of a resolution. This is a statement of intent. We believe we're okay on that. But that was raised by airport. Thank you. >> Thank you for highlighting. We do have for council just a tracker of information requests and different things. So you know the status of a couple things that maybe you've asked for in particular, but what was discussed at council meetings primarily? Is it what we're tracking for you? >> Is uh Davenport pushing for this and or federal lobbyists in such a way? >> Yeah, it's not a problem in the Senate. It has been problem in the House. U I'm sorry. It has been moving a fine in the Senate. It's been in the House that's had a problem. There's a a new bill that has been introduced uh that if Roer has not moved that they have another way of addressing that same issue. >> Okay. And maybe NLC we I guess we can see if they want to lobby on behalf of it as well. >> Exactly. >> Okay. My understanding is that the new bill would actually take out a critical component which would allow um planes in the air to not have to turn on um the tracking system that showcases where they are and and that that would in my opinion defeat the entire purpose of this bill. So the rotor act needs to be passed in its original form and I do think it is the responsibility of the local municipality to stand up for our residents. It's it's not enough to do a prayer vigil. So, um I would like to meet with every single person who has an impact on this bill when we get to DC. Um because I do think that that is our responsibility to look after the best interests of our residents. >> We'll we'll make it happen. >> Thank you. Is there any way we can touch base with man's staff when we're up there? >> It's difficult not being in in man's district to get staff time, but we'll look into it. We'll see. >> Okay. Thank you. Anything else, council members? >> Are we on to events? Um, this Saturday, tomorrow is the district one breakfast, women's history month. Uh, Zamari Ball, our fellow, is actually going to be moderating a conversation with several women leading in the city of Witchaw. We have free breakfast by Prime Lux. So, invite you all to come out to that. get a judgement on the best breakfast. >> No, not yet. >> Thank you, council members. And uh inviting you all again to the state of the city address that includes staff and anyone watching. Uh the state of the city is on Sunday, March 8th, 5 to 6 pm at Century 2 Convention Hall because the two other theaters will be busy with Youth Symphony as well as The Little Mermaid uh with Music Theater of Witchah. And so look forward to having nice weather on Sunday and see you all there. >> Mayor, I have a few questions. So today when I was driving in, I noticed billboards um promoting the state of the city and also yard signs promoting the state of the city. I was wondering how much taxpayer dollars or spend >> zero. That's all my money. >> All of it. >> Yes. 100% >> for the entire >> Not for the entire So, you just asked about billboards. I paid for that. Number two, yard signs. I paid for that. >> So, how much is the city tax dollars paying to host the event on Sunday? >> Uh, Century 2 has four days out of the year that the city can host an event. And if I know correctly, this is one of the four. So we're not this no tax dollars are going to be spent on the event on Sunday. >> That is not true. So city uh state of the city addresses are paid for by the city. Uh the last few times uh the library was also a state of the city that I had. The previous mayor had state of the city at botanica and the other two >> uh century 2 was also um a place for state of the city. >> So what is the total cost to taxpayers? you can answer that. >> So, we got a couple. Go ahead, Jim. But we're separating out the room rental is free as one of the structured days for our contract with Century 2. So, there's not a rental fee, but there is AV and some other set of fees. >> Yeah, the the audio visual piece of it is around 10,000. >> So, we're spending 10,000. How much would it cost to have it at city hall chambers? uh negligible just because of it's staff driven. We have the room. >> Okay. So, this would be a policy direction I guess for the manager. At what level does mayor council have to get approval for expenditures from the entire body there cap? >> Yeah. Well, I think over 50,000 certainly. >> So, each one of us could spend 50,000 post. >> No, I'm sorry. That's city manager's cap that we bring things to you over 50,000. So, I don't know. I don't think it's any guidelines about individual council members but it goes back to um I think that threshold if you want to set one we can do that but um it just depends really um a lot of it depends upon budgetary if there are some things so for instance in the communications budget or whatever when we work with council members on different issues if there's something parks related or whatever if there's um room in the budget then we'll accommodate those so it's kind have a case- by case basis. >> So, each one of us could host a $10,000 event in our district. >> You can certainly request it and we would have a conversation. I don't think this has been any uh unknown event on Sunday. So, I think if there's a desire by each council member to do something within your district, we can have that conversation. >> Okay, sounds good. Thank you. >> What is the schedule and we're getting in for free? Like I just what are can you what can we expect? >> So the state of the city is actually doors open at 4:30. From 4:30 to 6:30 there's a nonprofit showcase. From 5 to 6 o'clock is the state of the city. It will include the city council video that each of the seven of us um have a message to the community. A presentation of colors and pledge of allegiance by McConnell Air Force Base. Uh the national anthem will be sung by the Witchaw Chamber Corral. There will be an invocation by my pastor from New Spring Church, Pastor Mark Hoover, and an introduction by Mayor's Youth Council Youth Mayor Elizabeth Timsaw, followed by me speaking um from that. >> Um thank you. Now, I want to go back to something else. I noticed the fraternity leave policy was not on here and the of that. I know that we've communicated back and forth about maybe some of the work that's been done in the past to see the cost, but I really want that on here. I I'm I'm going to push for that. I think that the city needs to seriously consider a family leave policy and if it comes down to a vote, and I don't have four, I fully respect that, but I I need I need it on here. >> That's fine. Um I think also communicated it will be a discussion under the HR conversations and strategic planning and retreat. So that'll be there and then I think the best time where we'll have based upon the strategic planning retreat conversation how it comes out in the budget discussions starting in March where you can have your vote as it relates to the budget. We'll have more information depending upon because part of the question is four weeks, eight weeks, 12 weeks, whatever. If you're interested in us pursuing the time frame, we'll put the dollar amounts to it. So, um but we do have it teed up for you at the strategic planning retreat. >> What do we offer now? City manager for >> So, we have two um within um two different of our labor union contracts. Um and one of them is I think it's six weeks. I don't know. I think it's six weeks is what we offer. And again, we have to delineate. I'm referencing family leave. >> So, it applies to everyone, not just paternity, not just maternity. >> I appreciate that. I don't agree with you on that. >> Okay. So, but but anyone wants parameters again that determines price. Um so, one of the contracts I think is six weeks and right now we've estimated over a $600,000 cost. It' be six weeks with paid leave is what I believe is negotiated one of the contracts. The other ones are silent on it. >> But, so to be clear, if you are a staff member, not a part of a union, and it's not been um negotiated through the collective bargaining process, >> it is not a benefit that not get paid. >> Correct. You can use your own vacation leave or sick leave, but it is not an extra benefit outside of those days. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, but we'll outline that for you um to start the conversation at the strategic plan. >> I have one last question. Uh, looks like channel 12 posted something that said that the city's bipartisan committee will deliver its final report on various projects during the state of the city. It quotes Celeste saying that the city's bipartisan committee will deliver its final report on various projects during the state of the city event on Sunday. So, last week or this week, uh, on Monday, council member or sorry, vice mayor Glascock, myself, city manager, assistant city manager Troy, uh, sorry, Dante, uh, who else was there? Christina Rose, auditor were all present during a woge uh, >> and Mark Manning. So, we did have a meeting. So, I don't know. Um, we had a meeting where a citizen group did suggest some government efficiencies. So we gave they gave us a whole list on how we look at peer cities, different things we can do. So we provided that group including Celeste on that one, some interpretation of how we had their information and so we just shared that back on this week. So I don't know. >> Yeah, I'm totally fine with that, but it just quotes that it's being presented at the state of the city. So I just think we need to make sure that and clarify that for anyone that may be expecting or not expecting that. >> Mayor, I just want to acknowledge the uh the passing of Russ Meer Jr. Um I don't think any person in the history of Witchaw has had as much effect on Witchaw as he had both in the business community, the aviation community, the philanthropic community, disadvantaged neighborhoods. Uh has made a huge impact and he did it with such humility. So just acknowledge his contributions >> last night at the business hall of fame. Um he was a previous recipient and they made note of his passing as well as Ron Ryan. And so we appreciate all of our individuals who take a leadership role in our community, in the business world, and in any other capacity. So, thank you and we will definitely be thinking about the family. >> Thank you for doing that. I I agree and I had the opportunity to hear about his impact last night as well. So, thank you for taking the moment to recognize um Melody McCrae Miller's funeral will be this Saturday, tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at Southeast High School. Um had a tremendous impact on the entire state of Kansas as well. And it it's very um heartbreaking that we're losing a lot of champions who did amazing things for our community. Um, but hopefully we can take lessons from their life and and apply that same passion to the work that we do today. Um, I I forgot about proclamations. Um, I know that we typically talk about them, but I just wanted to reiterate that um, a lot of constituents are reaching out. Is the proclamation for transgender day of visibility in the language available online? I do not know at the moment, but um if it'll be treated like every other proclamation, I'll double check. >> I want to be clear. I don't know if it will be treated like every other proclamation. So, I don't want to set that expectation. >> I'll find out the status. >> Um I would love if the language could be available online. And um what does Robert's rule say about a do folks who don't reply to proclamations? What does that read as? >> Silence is consent. >> Robert's rules of order. >> Right. Council member, um the city council has adopted limited Robert's rules of order. It really doesn't address that specific question for a proclamation. I will get you the best uh review of of the different ordinances and how they relate to this. Um I can send that to you. >> Under what grounds can we choose to not respond to proclamations? Then >> I'll review the ordinances again for um regular business items. There's a a statement that you know intended to vote council members are intended to vote on items. I don't know that it applies to resol to proclamations. That may be dealt with differently but I will look at that. Can you please provide clarity before Tuesday? I really don't want this to take place like it did last year. >> Our community doesn't deserve that and I think we need clarity and um just judging by the commentary that is in my inbox this morning. um the phone calls that I'm receiving um I I just transgender neighbors are our neighbors and I will not stand for the spotlight being put in a negative light and we need clarity behind what we're doing. So if there is a way if we need to vote we need to vote and I'm speaking to my colleagues and not try to play this game because I really don't want to do that. I vote on every proclamation whether I stand for it or not and not replying. Tell us where you stand so the public can know where you stand and they don't contact me. I can direct them to you so you can explain for yourselves. Thank you. Have a nice weekend.