heat Heat N [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Good Good morning Witchah and welcome to  all of you here at city hall We'll call   this meeting to order With us this morning we  will have Vice Mayor JB Johnston provide an   invocation And after that we will have the pledge  of allegiance and we ask for you to stand for both Let's bow our heads and put us in the presence of  the Lord Lord let us be grateful for everything   that we have everything that you've given us  Is in gratitude that we're appreciative of you   and all that you have done for us We also  appreciate the uh contingent from Orleans   France who's come to visit us and we hope they  have a great visit and uh really hope they get   to see the good that the city has done and  all the good things that that the people of   city wish have done and just all the goodness  that you've given us In your name we pray Amen I aliance to the flag The United States  of America and to the republic for it   stands one nation under God indivisible  with liberty and justice for all Thank   you Vice Mayor Johnston Mr Clerk  can you please call the first item awards and proclamations The proclamations  this week are National Fallen Firefighters   Memorial Weekend Arkansas River Trash Cleanup Day   Week of the Young Child and Orlone's  Witchaw Sister City Day May I please   invite the Witchaw Fire Department and  supporters to come forward at this time the proclamation reads "The city  of Witchah Kansas founded in 1870   whereas the United States Congress  and the President of the United States   have designated the annual National  Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service   as a day to honor firefighters and emergency  service personnel who have sacrificed their   lives to save others by lowering the American  flag on all federal buildings to have staff   Whereas an average 80 firefighters courageously  make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty   each year Whereas firefighters and emergency  service personnel play an essential role in   the protection of lives and property in our local  community Whereas it is of major importance that   we increase our efforts to reduce deaths injuries  and property losses from fire The National   Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend also marks  International Firefighters Day 2025 Now therefore   be it resolved that the Witchaw City Council does  hereby proclaim May 2nd to the 4th as National   Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in the city  of Witchah and encourage all citizens to recognize   the patriotic service and dedicated efforts  of our fire and emergency service personnel [Applause] Thank you Mayor Woo city council  members um for recognizing the service and   the sacrifices of our fallen firefighters I also  want to take a a moment just to make a special   thank you to the Kansas Fallen Firefighters  Memorial Staff Um it's their executive staff   um that have joined us up here today Um they  spend significant amount of hours planning and   organizing our memorial each and every single  year And this year the memorial will be held on   October the 5th at 1:30 in the outside of the  Kansas uh mand firefighters museum at 13:30 in   the afternoon Um the address 1300 South Broadway  and um hopefully this year um we will they will   be making a special announcement Um kudos and a  huge thank you to Council Member Hullhler for his   uh initiative and support Um and so that's all  I'll say about that So I'll let them make the   special announcement on that particular day Um but  as we stand here today I do want to take a moment   um as we're honoring our fallen firefighters  for a special recognition um uh for the loss   of our own particular um firefighter this year  firefighter Ty um Both He um gave his his life   um as all fallen firefighters um the ultimate  sacrifice and um it it it's been very uh deep   um feeling um for this department and um we  continue to um work on on trying to get to a   place that um um what we call a new normal Um and  um it's always been um for us um it's been um a   privilege that we have members on our department  that have had the or had the opportunity to   actually serve with uh Tai And uh so with us  today um we have Captain Diffen who um actually   was Tai's captain and uh we'd like to I'd like  to invite him up to the podium to say a few words Thank you mayor Thank you chief city council  both family fellow firefighters here I'm   Captain Diffen I've been on the Witchaw Fire  Department for 35 years I've seen many changes   in 35 years but our department 100% changed on  August 1st of 2024 We lost a firefighter Ty V   He was like a son to me Um awesome awesome kid  Great shape It was such a tragedy He was 27 years   old when it happened Um we've all struggled with  this but as a department we're going to heal We've   got several initiatives in place We got Beyond  the Call which is a 24-hour gym called Station   Zero Members can go work out anytime they  want on and off duty Retired members as well   We've got a health and safety grant that's been  established through Chief Snow and IIAFF and the   council And what we're going to do is we're going  to do a health screening on every single member   of this department And we encourage them to go get  checked for cancer and for heart Anything that we   find we can heal it and cure it Now we've had 32  people go through it We found eight people that   have had problems So it is working We're going to  find some underlying issues training division is   working as hard as they possibly can on working  on a new Mayday procedure We're going to have   a new standard operating When someone goes down  lost trapped or has a heart or medical condition   we're going to make it seamless on getting them  out We're putting together some new SOPs The Ty   Vote scholarship is being established We're going  to be able to honor Tyoth every year right around   when school starts with some kind of a momentary  uh award to two or three different students that   are wanting to go to school to become firefighters  and it's going to be uh set up with with the   department with the VO family They're helping me  again Me and my entire crew are going to honor Tai   in May I'm going to go to Emittsburg Maryland with  Chief Snow We're going to see his name put on the   wall the Fallen Firefighters Memorial And again in  September I'm going to go out with the VO family   and honor him again in September We can't ever  get Tai back but what we can do is we can make   this a positive thing and maybe get the rest of us  healthy trained and back to work Thank you again [Applause] Thank you again to our Witchaw Fire  Department and supporters of the Witchaw   Fire Department and our firefighters  May I please ask the representatives   for the R Kansas River Trash Cleanup  to please come forward at this time   and I believe council member Ballard  is very involved Would you like to come forward the proclamation reads "The city of  Witchaw Kansas founded in 1870 Whereas the   celebration of National Earth Day can take many  forms the city of Witchaw's premier environmental   event takes place along the Ranansas River  with dedicated and passionate volunteers from   across Cedric County Whereas the Ranansas River  trash cleanup is a 24-year tradition to clean up   Witchah's greatest natural water resource Whereas  the 2025 our Kansas River trash cleanup will   increase water quality protect the animals that  call the river home enhance Witchaw's image and   safeguard all communities downstream Now therefore  be it resolved that the Witchah City Council does   hereby proclaim May 3rd 2025 as our Kansas  River Trash Cleanup Day in the city of Witchah   and encourage all citizens to celebrate Earth Day  April 22nd by participating in the Ranansas River   Trash Cleanup on May 3rd to help make our city a  beautiful place to live work and play [Applause]   Thank you to the city of Witchah council to the  mayor Just a couple of quick words Uh my name   is Libby Alers I work for the Kansas Alliance  for Wetlands and Streams And yes for over two   decades Witchah has offered a community Earth Day  event that is centered around the Ark River This   is in complement to the dozens of dedicated groups  that yearong clean up along the Ark the Little Ark   and all of the tributaries that flow throughout  this city This city coordinated event wouldn't   be possible without our lead sponsorship from  Cargill and supporting sponsorships from Interest   Bank Spirit Air Systems LDF Cause Cedric County  Zoo the Witchah Wagon Masters and if you've ever   had their their cooking you definitely want to  come out and many more In 2024 this event broke   all records Due to the great weather we had the  Lincoln Street Dam being lowered so folks could   get out into the riverbed and our incredible  volunteers we pulled over nine tons of debris   out of the river that day That's three times  as much as we typically pull out on an event   So please come out on May 3rd at 9:00  a.m for a free lunch a free t-shirt   while they last and a clean river at the  end of the morning Thank you [Applause] Can the representatives of Lolo's Learning  Center please come forward at this time good morning The proclamation reads "The city  of Witchah Kansas founded in 1870 Whereas the   first year of a child's life includes  the most rapid brain development and   lays the foundation for all future learning  young children need skilled educated competent   consistent and compensated early childhood  educators Whereas highquality early care   and education helps build strong developmental  foundations for young children during the years   of greatest brain development leading to positive  outcomes for individual children and helping them   be better prepared for school and more likely  to succeed in life Whereas according to Lolo's   Learning Center 40% of child care programs  reported they increase tuition in order to   keep their doors open And working families  need subsidies scholarships and tax credits   for families at all income levels that support  the cost of quality early childhood education   Whereas early educators need the ability to  earn a professional wage that is commeasurate   with the required education and skills they  bring to the complex and valuable work they do   Now therefore be it resolved that the Witchaw  City Council does hereby proclaim April 5th   through 11th as week of the young child in  the city of Witchah and encourage all citizens   to support efforts that increase children and  families access to highquality early childhood education Thank you so much Um good morning Um  as a child care business owner director and early   learning advocate I am honored to celebrate the  week of the young child This week is such a great   reminder for all of us of just how critical the  early childhood stage is and a reminder for our   shared responsibility as educators leaders and  community members that we need to ensure that   every child has access to the foundation they  need to thrive So when we invest in our youngest   learners that is the most impactful commitment  that we can make for our future So thank you   so much for recognizing um early childhood as  important as it is and then also for supporting   the work that helps children and families in  our communities grow stronger every single day Can we please ask Council Member Becky Tuttle  to come forward she's very active in this sphere May I please ask the Witchaw  Sister Cities as well as our   guests from Orlon's France to come forward at this time I would also like to invite the  entire city council to come forward The proclamation reads "The city of Witchah Kansas  founded in 1870." Whereas this marks the 80-year   anniversary of Witchah's sister city friendship  with Orlon's France On August 16th 1944 the 137th   Infantry Regiment of the 35th Division US Army  liberated Orlon's France from Nazi occupation   Whereas the friendship between Orlons and Witchah  has continued with official visits between the   two cities The relationship was recognized  officially by Sister Cities International in   1973 when Orliance asked to be paired with Witchah  because of our strong World War II ties We have   exchanged gifts hosted students and musicians and  shared the uniqueness of our respective cultures   To mark Witchita's centennial the magnificent Jon  of Arc statue was given to Witchah by Orlons and   now sits inside city hall The city of Witchah  in turn gifted a statue of Blackbear Boszan's   keeper of the plains and a chance manufacturing  amusement park train to the city of Orlleons   Whereas the Witchah area sister city  relationship with France Mexico and   China promotes cultural religious economic and  social benefits to our community by fostering   love and mutual respect between people We share  in the mission to promote peace through mutual   respect understanding and cooperation  one individual one community at a time   Whereas today we're honored by visitors from  Orleiance France during their week-long stay in   Witchah They will attend the Witchah Symphony  Orchestra rehearsal and a wind surge baseball   game tonight Tour architectural buildings visit  aviation museums exploration place Witchah Sedwick   County Historic Museum and Botanica Listen to  the waritzer inside Century 2 eat Kansas beef and   barbecue and experience an old cow town gunfight  Now therefore be it resolved that the Witchah City   Council does hereby proclaim April 8th 2025 as  Orlon's Witchah Sister City Day in the city of   Witchah and encourage all citizens to celebrate  the Orlon's Witchah friendship to foster a culture   of tolerance and peace and to honor the service  men and women of Witchah Kansas who bravely fought   in a war for a people whose whose language  they did not speak for a people they did not know So what is particularly momentous about this  relationship is that we have never forgotten this   relationship It started when we were a young  country in Yorktown and France came to our aid   It continued in World War I when Bleckley  Lieutenant Irwin Bleckley died fighting in   France It continued in World War II when  we defended the country we did not know   whose language we did not speak My father  was a World War II army fighter pilot So I   I know about the impact serving in war can  have on families and those that served It   continues today with this relationship And  I want to bring the president of the Orlon   sister city group in Orlon to introduce just the  individuals Thank you Lauron Thank you very much Celeste Bonjourus Hello everybody Uh I'm not going  to speak in French because uh I know that uh there   are some struggles uh for French learning in  this uh in America But um I'm very honored to   be here today Uh my name is Lauron Dwanoeri and  I'm uh from Olon I'm native from Olon and I'm   the chairman of the Olon Witchita organization  there that uh is ded dedicated to promote uh   the friendship between uh Witchita and Olon at the  citizen level uh its citizen diplomacy and um well   I would like to thank the Witchan uh people for  their uh wonderful greeting uh for our team and uh   to thank also Mayor Liy Woo and uh council members  city council members for their greeting today   uh as I said it's an honor to be here today and uh  before introducing the team I would like uh to say   that sisterhip uh sister cities uh organization  uh is a very strong proof of what we can do at   the citizen level uh to strengthen our bonds  with the United States especially as you know   France and the United States have a very strong uh  connection due to the independence war due to uh   the liberation in World War I and in World War II  especially in Olon uh you liberated us on August   the 16 1944 and uh for instance my grandmother  was in Olon at that time and she witnessed all the   uh this wonderful event uh the liberation from the  German occupation and uh we are uh very thankful   for all the sacrifices uh you did for our freedom  and our democracy Um so I would like to introduce   and they are going to uh come forward uh my fellow  members who are with me today uh my vice president   Isabel Bur come here please Thank you very much  You're welcome Her husband Bruno Luduk come   We also have Maria and Silva Tomar Oh Silva is  also uh involved in German languages because   he's the president of the France uh Germany  organization in Orion Uh we also have Elod   Porche with a new member in our association and  we have Christ Do I pronounce it well that's it   Thank you who is English teacher and she's really  dedicated into uh making bonds between schools in   uh between Olon and Wita Andover Central High  School and Endova Central Yes absolutely So   this is it We are very thankful Oh yes sorry  He forgets about me because I'm from Witching And now I'm living in Orlon for the last  two years Yes Sorry Thank you very much [Applause] picture This is going to be a challenge Thank you Thank you Thank you to all our guests for proclamations  Mr Clerk please call the next item Public agenda The public agenda allows  for up to five speakers to have five   minutes each to address the council No  action will be taken relative to items   on the public agenda other than referral  to the city manager for information as   necessary Speakers will please state  their name and address for the record   A time clock will display the speaker's remaining  time to speak Order and rules of decorum will be   observed The first speaker is Ramsay Howard  Wildflower Community School transgender validation just before before Ramsey  begins just we just need to tell you   that a couple people been sick  So we have replacements and the   uh the statement of transgender validation  is really um not not quite accurate for   what the students are presenting So uh  but they they will explain that to you Hello I'm Katie Rowley speaking for Ramsey I'm  speaking for Ramsey I'm Katie Rally in District 6   We heard from you last week that Witchah  is a respectful and inclusive city We know   that the city leadership has put this  respectful inclusion into some policies   We ask you to issue a resolution that  specifically names groups in our city   whose safety and resources are being threatened in  20 of 25 who our city is committed to protecting   and assuring equal rights access equal rights and  access to the city's resources and to support them   This resolution should specifically name these  groups people who identify as transgender and   lesbian and gay and bisexual people dependent  on housing assistance people with disability   people born outside the United States and other  ethnic and ethnicities and races people of low   income elderly people whose health and income  are threatened people of religious of religions   other than Christian we want to suggest that  you should be included in such sorry we want   to suggest what should be included in such a  resolution and we understand that your legal   staff would need to put it into the proper legal  language As Councilman Brandon Johnson stated last   week proclamations and resolutions are important  messages to the people They communicate that we   see you and we see your suffering and fears and  we acknowledge that you are important to Witchah   Such a statement followed up by with behavior by  city officials that support these words will make   our city stronger and more attractive to people  considering to move here Such a statement is legal   and does not challenge Kansas law It is just plain  right for government to relate to its constituents Thank you Katie Mr Clerk the second speaker is Quincy Rawlings Okay The second speaker is Max Yost Hello Um I'm Max Yoast I'm a student at  Wildflower Community School in District 6   We heard from you last week that Witchita is a  respectful and inclusive city We believe these   groups of Widgets are all people people who  you represent not interest groups We start   with the most threatened people We believe it  is important for you to know that a survey by   the National Center for Transgender Equality in  the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force reveals   that trans people experience unemployment  at twice the rate as the general population   with trans people of color impacted at  a scale four times the national rate   Transgender survey respondents reported that  they experienced extensive discrimination as   both renters and homeowners 19% said that they  had been denied a home or apartment because of   their gender identity Transgender immigrants  refugees and asyles face additional persecution   due to their immigration status combined with  their gender identity Here in Witchah we know   transgender people who are unhoused and are  rejected from all shelters We the only exception   is for those who present as masculine in which  case they can go to the union rescue mission We   know that there is a lot of violence against  trans folks and we know this personally from   trans students and uh from trans students who are  our classmates and friends Thank you Thank you Max The next speaker is Corali Miller Um my name is Coraline Miller and I'm  speaking from Wildfire Community School and on Um no For Amy [Music] um okay Amy Buyers um  I'm speaking on her behalf or their behalf   sorry Um we heard from you last week that  Witchaw is a respectful and inclusive city   Um as Witchans we want to see young people  stay in our city and we know the city has   focused for several years on why it loses  so many young citizens As young people we   can tell you that we would not see ourselves  staying in a city where our trans lesbian gay   or bisexual friends don't feel safe seen  valued and protected by the government   Um we have grandparents and other relatives  who are suffering from um economic distress   who worry if they will have a place to live and  if they will be able to survive as Medicaid cuts   are made and social security social security  threatened We have friends of different races   ethnic eth sorry um friends of different races  ethnicities uh religions gender and identities   um and who were born in other countries  We want our city to be a city that affirms   um a city that affirms all its residents and  pledges to protect their um assess to their   rights as guaranteed in the US Constitution the  right to freedom of speech freedom of the press Um   the guarantee of due process and equal treatment  and the right to be free from harassment violence   discrimination um guaranteed in the Civil Rights  Act of 1964 and its amendments Thank you Carly The next feature is Gretchen Ike Thank you for listening to us We heard  you mayor uh last week when you said that it   was important to be beyond just the issue of  trans validation day And so we've taken that   very seriously We heard the students have spent  a lot of time working on this So um I hope we   will provide you with the with the text as well  Uh we heard from you last week that Witchita is   a respectful and inclusive city We know that the  city leadership has put this respectful inclusion   into some of its policies and we're worried that  policies now in place may be changed or replaced   We come from various types of families We do not  want you to stop protecting the spousal benefits   of city employees uh whose marriages are not  conventionally male female We have friends uh   of all backgrounds um whose families rely on  different sorts of jobs and are of different   uh racial ethnic religious backgrounds We ask you  to not end the city policies that require paying   attention to diversity in filling job openings  and in promotion and advancement No matter   what uh in the city government no matter what the  president proclaims we know that diversity equity   and inclusion are not bad words Um they are words  that identify the best aspirations of our nation   expressed first in the Declaration of Independence  and reinforced over our 250 year history   We know something about our past of the treatment  of others or minorities Japanese Americans for   example during World War II who were placed  in camps and lost their property because they   were feared to side with Japan Chinese seeking to  become Americans and legally excluded for decades   and sent to segregated schools Jewish people and  Irish and Africans prevented from buying property   or living in certain areas Native Americans  whose land was taken from them by the federal   government and who were forced to live on dry  unfarmmable reservations with their children   taken from them sent to boarding schools Africans  brought here in chains and enslaved from 1619 to   1865 and then treated to mob murder um and um  Jim Crow segregation laws Despite hero heroic   service in the US military German Americans who  during two world wars were prevented from having   their children learn German in school or perform  uh German music in their school orchestras by   music by German composers like Bach and Brahms  In our own lifetime we've seen Muslims defined   as terrorists if women cover their hair or if  they speak out against the terrible genocide   Israel is conducting in Gaza for just affirming  the right of Palestinians to live without being   bombed and denied food clean water and medical  help Muslims even now are deported Here in Witchah   we know that a large portion of our doctors  and our other medical staff are Muslim That is   the reason we ask you to frame a resolution for  the city passed by the city council that would   include all of the groups named by our first  speaker Thank you very much for your attention Thank you It appears we had four  speakers So that means we have one   spot left for anyone who would like to  address the council That is Oh you have   one more speaker Okay got it The  fifth speaker is Quincy Rawlings Hi my name is Quincy Rally and I am a student at  Wildflower Community School in District 6 We want   to thank you for listening to us We believe that  our voices are important and we are glad that you   don't write us off as kids We respectfully ask  that you pass our proposed resolution by the   middle of May 2025 We ask that you share with us  the text of the resolution before city council   members vote on it We ask that you share how each  city council member votes If there are questions   we have done a lot of work and research on these  issues and we are ready to be one resource for you   We do not want you to forget about our trans  rights concerns We are serious It's not easy   for us to come up and speak with you We have  researched these issues and we believe that   our city will be stronger with a resolution that  protects and welcomes all of these groups who live   here Thank you for committing to making Witchah  a better and more inclusive respectful city Thank   you Quincy Council member Ballard Thank you Mayor  I just overall would like to thank all of the   uh students for coming um again and sharing your  thoughts While we can't do anything about the   presidential executive orders I will say that I'll  continue to work to keep which an inclusive city   So thank you for coming Council member Johnson  Thanks Mayor I just wanted to thank you all for   coming up here and speaking and continuing to um  stand up and talk to your elected representatives   I want to encourage each of you to always do that  with whatever you believe um we should be doing   and if we're doing something wrong just want to  continue to encourage you I know right now in this   country it's a little scary to stand up against  elected officials but if you think that we should   be doing something different uh or we're going  down the wrong path or even if you agree with us   I'd love to hear from you Love to see you continue  to stand up and do what you're doing today So   I appreciate each of you lending your voice to  this and I want to encourage you to keep doing so   Council member Hohheisel Thank you Mayor Uh thank  you for showing up today Thank you for sharing   your thoughts This is the people's chamber This  isn't the government here This is your chamber   So I want to make sure you all feel important and  safe when you are here talking to us Uh regardless   of what your ideology is if you agree with us or  not So it takes a little extra courage I think for   some people to stand up here So I do see you and  I do appreciate So thank you guys for coming Thank   you Quincy and all students Mr Clerk please call  the next item Consent agenda items 1 through 11 Are there any items to be  pulled from the consent agenda i see none I move to approve consent  agenda items 1 through 11 Second Motion   and a second Any further discussion  i see none Mr Clerk please open the role I think uh motion passes 6 Can you motion passes 70 mr  Clerk please call the next item Board of bids and contracts dated April 7th  2025 Good morning Mayor City Council Josh   Lober Department of Finance The board of bids  and contracts convened yesterday April 7th 2025   for the following items For engineering we have  the water distribution system storm water drain   number 520 and sanitary sewer improvements  to serve Falcon Falls 7th edition for   Apex Escavating LLC for an aggregate bid  total of 1,00 1 million excuse me $35,76 For purchasing we have the mowing services  for ASR Wellfield for AWA Lawn and Land   Management LLC for an estimated annual  usage of $57,78 for one year with two   one-year options to renew We have the roof  and gutter replacement at 10 residential   sites for AR Commercial Roofing LLC  for an aggregate bid total of $118,95 We have one demo unit bandit disc style  chipper for Fairbank Equipment Incorporated for 69,433 We have the main and gutter broom for  street sweepers contract change order for   Barry's company incorporated amended  amount of $64,250 per year estimated   We have the debtbook cash management software  as a service subscription change order for   fifth asset incorporated doing business's  debt book for an estimated 4year usage of $92,72 And we have the medical bill review  services contract change order for Corell   Corporation doing business as Corbell Healthcare  Corporation requesting extension of the contract   for 60 days while we finalize the new  business agenda placement for council   Uh this is how to do business with the city  of Witchah This is a purchasing calendar of   open events open to the public that the  city is hosting or participating in These   are open public opportunities out on the street  today And I'd be happy to try to answer any of   your questions and I recommend your approval  Thank you Josh Any questions for staff i see   none I move to approve the board of bids  and contracts dated April 7th 2025 Second   motion and a second Any further discussion  i see none Mr Clerk please open the role Motion passes 70 Mr Clerk please call the  next item Petitions for public improvements Uh good morning Mayor and City Council Uh Steve  Dagenheart with Public Works and Utilities here   to present the uh petitions for public  improvements Uh the petitions before you   here the signatures represent 100% of the  improvement district and the petitions are   valid per Kansas statute Uh only have one  development today with four petitions for   and it's Green Witch Legacy Edition located in  District 2 Uh the projects will provide water   drainage sewer and pavement improvements as  required for new residential development Uh   the four petitions there have an aggregate  total there just one under $1.2 million All   costs for these improvements are funded 100%  by special assessments And staff recommends   to approve the new petitions and budgets  adopt the new resolutions and authorize   the necessary signatures and I'd be happy  to stand for any questions Thank you Steve   Any questions for staff i see none I move to  approve the petitions for public improvements   Second motion and a second Any further  discussion i see none Mr Clerk please open the role Motion passes 70 Mr Clerk  please call the next item Fire apparatus replacement Good morning mayor city council member  Tammy Snow fire chief I'm here today to   ask you for the funding to replace two fire aerial apparatus Maybe Um our apparatus program we usually replace our  apparatus um on an interval of 14 years um and and   it's due mainly to the to maintain operational  readiness and also to ensure reliability and   emergency response Since COVID though we've  uh we tried to be very um uh thoughtful very   strategic in our plans in the simple fact that CO  extended our uh delivery dates on our apparatus uh   especially on our aerial apparatus to 48 months  which is actually four years um but between the   time that we actually order it and the time that  we actually receive it uh several of our units at   this particular time when I talk about units I'm  talking about aerial apparatus um are beyond the   past replacement time So I'm here today to ask to  replace two of our aerial platforms Uh projected   cost is about $3.97 million Um and they'd be f it  would be financed with general obligation bonds   Um this particular um slide shows you that  currently we have seven frontline aerial   apparatus These are their current ages Um truck  six happen and truck five both happen to be uh   10 years old Um and then if you take a look at the  other thing that we take a look at is um the dates   or the amount of time that they're actually at a  service meaning that they're at maintenance for   some reason or another So that plays a factor into  what we we do We do have a truck coming in that   we ordered back uh before COVID in 2021 We have  a truck coming uh expect it to be delivered to   us at the end of this year in the fourth quarter  Um the game plan or or my plan then would be to   take that truck and make it a front line It'll  be a brand new truck We'll make it a frontline   machine It should replace truck six since that  happens to be our one of our oldest but it also   spends just a little bit less than 50% of the  time in the shop Truck six then would move over   to the reserve apparatus status of uh the reserve  apparatus 101 which happens to be 21 years old And   um I would say that normally our normal progress  would then be to put that truck into Purple   Wave and sell it But uh due to the supply we'll  probably hang on to it until um we get a better   supply chain flowing with u a lesser amount of  time Prior to COVID it used to be 18 months before   um we could anticipate 18 months to receive an  aerial apparatus once we ordered it So I'm asking   for you to approve the project adopt the bonding  resolution and authorize the necessary signatures   and I'll stand for questions Thank you Chief  Questions for staff I'll just ask this question   We were at the National League of Cities and  I attended the public safety conference Um   and they talked about the delay in having these  trucks really be able to come out after ordering   them And it looks like you ordered one in 2021 and  it won't be delivered until the end of this year   Are we seeing about a 3 to fouryear time frame  and what is being done I think at the national   level with other firefighting departments in  advocating for speeding up that process because   we do need to replace these trucks Yeah you're  exactly right They're at 48 months Um I did hear   last week though that they're projecting now  they can reduce it to 45 months Um but yeah   um at the national level um the United States Fire  Administration has been very advocating um very a   very advocating and putting a lot of pressure on  lobbyists on manufacturers Um I know that through   the International Fire Chiefs Association um  they're very supportive of that Um they've taken   that to heart too because it doesn't just affect  us It's just like what I was saying Um we have   a 21-year-old apparatus that normally we'd put  that out on Purple Wave and some of the smaller   departments that are either mixed departments  or volunteer departments would love to get that   particular machine You know if you look around  town college has one of our apparatus currently   Uh Mount Hope has one of our apparatus These small  communities that can't afford um buying brand new   um it's not only affecting us it's affecting them  also So um yes there's a lot of push nationally   through all the national organizations um to put  pressure on the manufacturers to increase Thank   you Chief Council Member Ballard Thank you Mayor  Thank you Chief Snow Uh very excited to learn   about replacing um some of our older equipment Um  do we know what the holdup is is it materials is   it staff is it do we know why it takes four years  i think in the beginning it was staff and I think   now it's to the point that supply is just um the  demand for supply is just exceeded what they can   manufacture Um I do know that they're working  very hard um to try to decrease those times   because they are getting a lot of pressure put on  them Um but at this particular time um it's just   they can't meet the demands One of the things that  happens some whether you want to call it something   good or something bad but um for example and I  won't reveal any names but there's on the east   coast right after this situation happened with  COVID there was a fire department that ordered in   excess of a 100 fire engines all at one time and  they moved right to the front of the manufacturing   line But it's um those type of contracts um  those kinds those types of strategies that delay   um or just extend the process That's disappointing  to hear but unfortunately I'm not surprised Um   have we canled any truck orders in the last  couple years um not actually a truck order We   what we we'd cancelled we had a tiller um that was  in line and what we ended up doing was instead of   you getting the tiller at the time we um opted for  another engine So for example last coming in in   2026 we have four engines um that'll all come in  together and then you'll have an oddball engine We   have another engine that'll come in in 2026 near  the end of the year So we end up with five engines   coming in in 2026 and we have five engines coming  in in 2025 So I mean in 2027 So um at the end of   2027 we should have 10 brand new engines out on  the road So that's fantastic And I'm sorry because   it's not my wheelhouse What does a tiller mean a  tiller if um let me just Okay Do you know what a   Coca-Cola delivery truck looks like when they have  the they've got a a a um tractor on the front and   then they have the the um box on the back where  they load all the coke A tiller looks similar to   that Um but then on the very end of where the  box truck is they have a a mechanism to drive   So you have a front driver and a back driver And  that's what a tiller is And it's mainly it's a it   it's to do um it mainly um ho its primary function  is ladders So it would operate similar to aerial   apparatus Immediately immediately Googles after  meeting Thank you That sounds interesting Um I   appreciate it and uh excited to hear that we're  getting some of our very old equipment replaced So   thank you council member Hoheisle Thank you mayor  Uh thank you chief for all the work that you do   for us here Um are these lead times do they also  um are they also affecting other apparatus that   we're looking at or is it mostly just the trucks  no it's engines also We have four years well 45   months now as of last week We have 45 months from  the time that we order to the time that they're   delivered Now some of our smaller apparatus um we  get different lead times on So like our wildland   apparatus our mobile air units our rehab unit  some of those specialty things our fieldcom unit   um brush trucks those kind of things they have  um smaller lead times on them Okay Um what are   the old lead times i mean how far are we out of  kind of the normal experience we've had in the   past i get Can you I didn't hear you very well Uh  uh what what are the lead times in the past what   have they usually Oh okay So for an engine before  COVID prior to COVID we could get an engine in   less than 14 months 12 to 14 months Um an aerial  apparatus was right at 18 months Um so okay So   um are there any other apparatus that we need to  look at now understanding the large lead time that   we have on on these are there other things coming  down the pipe that we're um looking at maybe other   rehab units or anything like that yeah we have it  Um I've got what we projected in the CIP or what   we put in the CIP We tried to be very strategic  about that um in regards to how we ordered So for example we have a total between in 2026 through  2020 or to through 2035 we have a total of 18   engines that we're ordering strategically We  have a total of five trucks that we're ordering   Um we have two rescues coming Um that's another  one uh that uh we're we're watching because we   our our rescues are responding to quite a few  things That's the the act our rescue is what   we refer to as our apparatus that has a lot of  specialized equipment on it It's for like your   confined space It's water rescue It's for hazmat  incidents Um and I can go on and on Um but anyways   we have two of those coming in that budget We  have what we refer to as specialties Those are   like your rehab units your mobile air units your  fieldcom units those kind of things We have those   um projected out into that 10-year CIP plan also  Okay So that's 2026 to 35 CIP Yes Okay And again   we'll look at the the times that it takes for us  to get at the lead times to try and be strategic   as to ordering some of them a little earlier I  guess Yeah That's the reason why like I I gave   you that chart with the trucks and notice it only  has 10 years but our our cuto off's supposed to   be 14 years before I replace We don't wait till 14  years We try to get them right at the 10 year mark   or if we see that they have huge mechanical  problems that they spend more time in at the   shop We try to be very strategic dealing with the  48month lead time Okay Thank you I see no further   questions from staff We will now open it up for  public comment I see none I'll bring it back to   the bench I will move to approve the project adopt  the bonding resolution and authorize the necessary   signatures Second Motion and a second Any further  discussion i see none Mr Clerk please open the role Motion passes 70 I will use a point of  privilege really quickly before we move to   our next agenda item I just want to recognize  that former council member Levanta Williams is   in our presence Former Cedric County Commissioner  Carl Peter John as well as the Urban Prep Academy   School led by Pastor Wade Moore Mr Clerk please  call the next item Fire equipment replacement Good morning I'm going to consume a lot of  your time here for a few minutes Um so I   truly appreciate and thank you very much for the  support on the fire apparatus but when we get fire   apparatus in they don't come with any equipment  So I'm here to ask for equipment to put on those   fire apparatus Um so our equipment is um are  specialized for firefighting duties and for rescue   duties um are closely related to the apparatus  replacement program It's things like forcible   entry tools ladders thermal imaging cameras uh  chainsaws Um our projected cost is right around $397,88 and it'll be financed with general  obligation um bonds So I'm asking for your   approval for uh for this project adopt the bonding  resolution and the authorized necessary signatures   And with that I'll stand for questions Thank you  Chief Questions for staff Um just one question   The equipment that's currently on those engines  will they continue to be with the department or   will they be sold or continuing to move on with  uh the reserve we we try to keep our reserves   100% outfitted but as we equipment has different  lifespans and we may be able to get 14 years out   of an apparatus but we can't get 14 years out of  everything else as far as the equipment Um we use   them quite a bit Uh some things may last a year  some things may last five years You know we break   them we they get damaged um they go in for repair  So um usually um the past practice has always been   about 10% of whatever the apparatus cost is  and we can buy and secure equipment We keep   that equipment Um ideally I'd like to say it was  going to go on those new trucks but that they're   not coming in for four years So I'm sure we'll um  utilize that equipment in between the four years   And uh um again you know we have to test our  hose every year Hose doesn't last Uh they get   um holes in them they burn holes we rub them um  get damaged couplings get damaged and so forth So   um it's just a supply of of of fire department  equipment Thank you Chief I see no questions   for staff We will now open it up for public  comment I see none I'll bring it back to the   bench I move to approve the project adopt the  bonding resolution and authorize the necessary   signatures Second Motion and a second Any further  discussion i see none Mr Clerk please open the role Motion passes 70 Mr Clerk please  call the next item Fire radio replacement Good morning mayor and city council members  Tammy Snow fire chief Here today to ask for   the replacement of some of our current um radios  Um our radios are mission critical to us Um they   ensure that we have adequate emergency response  Um they have an eight-year time uh lifespan Um for   replacing them due to worn out damage outdated  equipment They are a piece of technology So   um feel very excited that they do last eight years  Normal technologies a couple years Um but it also   um they tend to after 8 years come out of warranty  and they begin to cause us a lot of troubles   because we can't get parts and so forth Um so with  that um we'd like to purchase some new portable   radios We here again this is another place that  we're very strategic Uh radios are extremely   expensive We don't replace them all at one time  We try to break them up into parts So we want to   purchase some new portable and mobile radios  including the batteries and the chargers the   microphones Um the project will cost somewhere uh  or right at 2 point or 200 or excuse me 2,555,000   uh dollars and financed with general obligation  bonds Um to be more specific our radios will we   will be purchasing 42 new portable radios Those  are the radios that you car we carry around   in our hands um 26 of the new mobile radios  Mobile radios either go inside the vehicle or   they go into our fire stations That's where the  station alerting comes through Um we're going   to purchase 500 batteries to replace our current  inventory which is out of life Um we are going to   uh the purchase uh our dive rescue communication  equipment which is 15 years old So it's twice   almost twice outside or at least once outside of  its lifespan And then we want to purchase some   hazmat communication equipment which will allow  our members to go from hand signals that's the   way they communicate now to actually being able  to talk to one another So that is what we are   actually asking what we will utilize that funding  for So with that I ask you to approve the project   adopt the bonding resolution and authorize the  necessary signatures You chief questions for staff   beginning with council member Hoheisel Thank you  mayor Um thank you again Chief Are these radios   are they getting stronger in frequency to be able  to kind of reach some places in some buildings   that the old ones haven't um none of them come  with stronger frequency but we've remedied the   issue if you're talking about um not being able  to communicate in like solid concrete bricks Yeah   we bought boosters We installed them in each one  of our uh battalion cheese vehicles And what a   booster does is boost the radio signal We have um  we bought um um also um some mobile boosters Um   we placed them strategically throughout the  city Um if we get into a situation in which   um the radios are not communicating we can utilize  those boosters to help us remain in radio contact   Okay I appreciate that Um the mayor and I attended  the emergency training um just not too long ago   and thank you for setting that up and helping to  point us in the direction of that Um and that was   just one of the things that we heard there that  was a little interesting when we heard about   having to essentially use the radios as relays  if they're deep enough in there and um just kind   of the limited contact So um I was just wanting  to follow up on that and make sure that we're   covering all our bases there So I appreciate that  Yes we have boosters Um and um from that I I've   also been contacted by some of the smaller cities  that they were unaware of our field communication   uh unit So I've been in contact with some of  those communities as far as taking it out and   demoing it and showing them you know what the  city can offer if they need at their time of   need Okay Thank you I see no further questions for  staff We will now open it up for public comment   I see none I'll bring it back to the  bench I move to approve the project   adopt the bonding resolution and authorize  the necessary signatures Second Motion and   a second Any further discussion i  see none Mr Clerk please open the role Motion passes 70 Mr Clerk please call the  next item Firefighter self-contained breathing   apparatus Good morning mayor city council members  Tammy Snow fire chief Um here to talk to you about   um asking for your uh um your vote or  your approval to purchase replacement air bottles So our air bottles um are self-contained  breathing the ivoratus Again it's a critical piece   of machine a critical piece of equipment um our  air packs when whenever we go into IDLH situations   they we have our air packs on um to help us um  do to help us mitigate through the smoke and   the toxics gases um they the systems themselves  and when I talk about a system I'm talking about   the actual air pack and the bottle the bottle  comes out and can be replaced um the system   itself is a 10-year system while the air bottles  have 15 years the the air bottles themselves   um and if you remember I came to you at the last  part of 2024 and uh spoke to you a little bit   about how we've found um it's called um Modell um  acoustic um examin or evaluation how we can send   our bottles off and get an additional 15 years of  extension Um so that is what we've been doing up   to this time we've uh saved $75,000 but we have  300 bottles that need to be replaced now And   um so that's what I'm here to ask for um is to um  is for the 300 bottles to get those replaced Um so   our part our project here would be um the purpose  of it would be to purchase the replacement bottles   to replace uh to also purchase some replacement  parts because we do do in some in-house um fixing   of our own air packs and then the maintenance and  repair of our breathing uh air compressor We have   three air compressors breathing air compressors  one of the three the one that is at the regional   training center center um had needs some um  parts to it So this money would also be to   um u purchase those parts so that we can get our  our our breathing center back up our breathing our   compressor back up and working Um the projected  cost is 1.2 uh $1,290,000 and it would be financed   with general obligation bonds Um with that I ask  for your approval of the project adopt the bonding   resolution and authorize the necessary signatures  And I'll stand for questions Thank you Chief   Questions for staff I see none We'll open it up  for public comment I see none I'll bring it back   to the bench Council member Tuttle Thank you Chief  Snow Great job Thank you for all of the work that   you and your team do really appreciate it Um I  wanted to wait until all four items were combined   Um just if if this approves which I anticipate  that will that it will today we will have approved $8,216,766 to support a core service within our  community our Witchaw Fire Department So your   leadership is essential It's proven We truly  appreciate you We see in the community survey   that the service that our community members  think is the most important and is done the   best is the Witchaw Fire Department So thank  you Good luck And you're going to have some   new toys soon Yeah Well thank you Council  Member Shannon Chief Snow Um in addition   to those comments of $8.2 $2 million that will  likely be passed today Last week we also passed   $1.1 million for fire facilities maintenance And  as I've had the chance to go around the various   fire stations with you I have seen the dire need  that we have in fixing our fire stations and the   conditions that our firefighters are currently  uh operating under So um it is definitely   uh something that this council you can see with  the unanimous votes it is because we know that the   core services of local government are public  safety and that includes police and fire And   we're doing this because we know that that's  what community wants us to focus on And so   I'm very grateful to you and your department  And so with that I will move to approve the   project adopt the bonding resolution and  authorize the necessary signatures Second   Motion and a second Any further discussion  i see none Mr Clerk please open the role Motion passes 70 Thank you Chief Mr Clerk please  call the next item 2026 Kansas Department of   Corrections Grant Application Good morning My  name is Michelle Williams and I am currently   um program manager in the housing and community  service department So good morning to mayor and to   the council This morning I would like to present  to you a grant application that we would like to   um apply for for the 2026 non-matching juvenile  crimerevention um grant So just a little bit of   background as you will see um this is from the  Kansas Department of Corrections They announced   that it's a non-matching for the crime prevention  for this and then it also lets you know about the   funding and how that is coming through the Kansas  State Legislature dispersed and distributed   through the Kansas Department of Corrections Um  we have several different ways that we could have   applied for this but as you know with our summer  youth program this was a great opportunity to   provide us with the opportunity to expand those  services with the workforce development for the   youth And so with that caveat is the reasons  why we look to apply for the program for the   grant I'm sorry December 2024 they came out with  the announcement April the 8th I am presenting   it to you to review the grant application Tight  timeline as you will see April the 15th it is due   And then with all grace and mercy we are hoping  to receive that funding on July the 1st and be   ready to implement that program A little bit  about the program structure Most of you have   known I've stood before you before in regards to  our TWWTW program which starts May the 27th and   will end July the 25th With this application  this will allow us to extend that program Not   extending the program for all 150 to 175 youth  but specifically a certain portion of those youth   who will need those additional services When I  say those additional services I'm looking for   a small population of those youth to come through  About 10% of them to come through our program Um   as you know TWWTW is not considered an atrisisk  youth program But like I tell everyone whenever   I'm speaking out in the community at any day at  any moment all of our youth in our community can   be at risk of something happening to them And so  what we want to do is we identify some of those   youth who have encountered our program throughout  the summer And from there those youth who have   had any kind of judicial system contact doesn't  always mean that they've been arrested but they   have could have gotten suspended from school could  be in foster care but have some sort of juvenile   um judicial involvement And what we want to do is  provide them with an additional caveat to carry   them over with the program and allow that program  to extend One of the things that we plan to do is   we recognize that it takes an entire village to  raise and to empower each one of our youth So you   will meet with those youth continuously throughout  the program Once the summer youth program is over   those youth will be identified We're looking at  about seven up to 17 youth we will carry them   over and those youth will work at a job placement  whichever one is affordable to them or whichever   one is want willing to meet their needs We  recognize that they will still continue to be   in school So we're not looking for them to going  to school and having to work a long extensive   amount of hours But what it will show is that  by them having a continued engagement of someone   communicating with them talking with them letting  them know that they are supported it reduces the   opportunity of them being idle and being caught  up in activity that is not good for them The great   thing about it is this wouldn't be anything new  for us because we currently already do a lot of   it We continue to engage with the WPD juvenile  intervention unit and they continue to assist So   a lot of times throughout the summer if we have a  youth who is having some concerns or some trouble   we collaborate very well with officer Ivan Daniel  and the other officers who has been on his team in   the past and we have done great strides to  be able to provide that communication with them The wages for this youth will calculate  which will be like I said 15 participants at   a time We look at about 17 because we recognize  that some youth may say "I've done what I needed   to do or I have an opportunity to gain more." So  that is the reason why you see between 15 and 17   participants 16 hours a week Why is this kind  of a little bit lower simply because we want to   make sure they understand that their education  is a prime responsibility We want to keep them   in we want to keep them engaged in their education  for high school We recognize just a little bit of   money in your pocket will travel a long way And so  that's the reason why it's about 16 hours a week   for them Roughly that's going to cost us about  $106,000 a little over $106,000 personnel Part of   those will go towards myself And the other great  thing is is that we would like to also add in a   job coach What does a job coach does it's more  of a behavior specialist to recognize the signs   to recognize when there is concerns not only for  them but sometimes it's concerns in the home and   we can provide a holistic approach to support them  which runs a little bit over $37,000 for that Our   operation is supplies strictly to allow our staff  to be able to go out into the community to engage   supplies different incentives to make sure we're  encouraging when you're looking at it in sending   what are you talking about an incentive sometimes  it makes a major difference in a youth just having   a a good backpack to go to school sometimes it  makes a difference in a youth just saying I got   this job but I need a good pair of work boots  to go be able to work into that atmosphere so   those are some of the supplies that we're talking  about the law department has reviewed and approved   the application as the form we are asking and  requesting to be allowed to approve for the   2026 non-matching juvenile crime community  prevention grant application in amount of $147,86 and authorize any necessary signatures  And I stand for any questions that you may have   Thank you Michelle Beginning with Council Member  Hoheisel Thank you mayor and thank you Michelle   Great job Um I hear nothing but good things about  this program And I I we have the three other   priority areas crossover youth homeless youth  and runaway youth Um when and I know we do this   because I've had partners even in my district  who focus on some of these areas How much does   that factor into looking for the outside partners  to bring in to participate i think partnerships   um as you know um I think partnerships and  collaborations is one of the most vital things for   our youth in our community today Um it truly takes  an entire community to be able to do that And we   um with the TWWTW program throughout the summer  engage and collaborate with them Um a couple of   years ago we had a couple of youth that had came  in from the Witchah Children's Home and we were   able to provide them with jobs over the summer It  can be a little tricky at times but the focus is   try to meet the youth where they are and to see  how we can empower them moving forward if that   makes sense Yeah Um so if I'm a group that's  out there I work with the children right now   and I'm interested in maybe taking part in this  program What would their steps be to reach out and   maybe look into that in the next couple of years  that is a question of the um March and April Um   so we opened up applications in December and we  closed applications on February the 2nd with 369   um youth in the comm community who have applied We  wanted to ensure we were providing the opportunity   to make it equal across the board for everyone to  apply So those applications are closed Um so they   are not able to apply at this second Um we will  open them back up for our next year in December as   well and we'll continue to be able to provide um a  wide variety of announcements Um to be transparent   we do provide um our first we try to reach our  housing um all of our clients who currently are   receiving section 8 in public housing So we do  reach out towards that population first and then   we extend it out towards the community because we  recognize that those risk in those community due   to the data All right So it opens up in December  closes in February It does All right Well I   appreciate that Thank you Absolutely Michelle  I have lots of questions because we do have a   captivated audience of young people in this room  right now Um can you first start off by telling us   some history behind the way to work program  obviously the application process has since   uh been completed Interviews have happened  They're about to come on board Uh but this   is a great opportunity for young people to get  a summer job and training Can you talk about the   way to work program how it started can you talk  about some of the success stories and how many   you've graduated [Music] woo So it's really easy  for me to talk about the TWWTW program because   if you know me you know that this is um pretty  much my juju Um the TWWTW program which stands   for the way to work and we are in our 14th year We  hire roughly about 150 to 175 youth throughout the   entire Sedar County Um a lot of people think  it's only for the city of Witchah but we do   um offer to Cedric County because our CSBG allows  us it's a Cedric County so it allows us to expand   outside of Cedric County Full transparency we  have a small population of those who do apply   for that They range from the ages of 14 to 17 and  they have to be the within those ages beginning   of June 1st of the year of the funding The youth  are placed at a job site So the great thing about   it is we collaborate and we partner with so many  small businesses throughout the entire city of   Witchah and they are great great work sites They  provide great resources and support to those youth   We also have a behavior specialist who comes out  and we also have an additional group of staff who   comes and navigates and work with you those  youth The great thing about it is the youth   work about 20 hours per week and they begin this  year they'll begin May the 28th with orientation   and their last day with us will be July the 31st  So they'll be able to engage with us the entire   summer They work they earn a paycheck but it's  no longer it's no longer only about the paycheck   Why I tell them don't forget to make sure you're  getting your money It is more about learning the   responsibility of being employed learning the  responsibility of a dollar teaching them how   to save money teaching them the value of it and  then also teaching them to appreciate the work   that they're able to provide inside the city of  Witchah So it's broader than that The youth also   graduate and so we transition them This year is  one of the first times since I've been here that   we have encountered um more youth have applied  than what our funding is for And the good thing   about it is I have began to work and refer a lot  of our 16 and 17 year olds who have worked with   us over the last two years and to allow them to  transition to other additional work sites So we   have began to refer a lot of our youth over to  one of um the partners that we had a job site   last year which is a Witchah Workforce Alliance  So we've transitioned a lot of our 16 and 17 year   olds because we want them to understand this is  kind of a grow and go and from them starting with   us at 14 and 15 transitioning over to Workforce  Alliance where they're able to get involved with   Spirits and Textron It shows not only a community  partnership but it also shows them being able to   transition and one day become a great young person  in our society One of the amazing success stories   is your youth mayor that you have right now Amaya  Williams She came out of our TWWTW program and   she was one of our summer youth for two years  and doing simply amazing an amazing job If you   weren't a part of it she just recently um what  would you say um she just recently announced you   at the mayor's address just recently and she did  an amazing job So it works The program works If   you have the right people that are involved and  the right people that support them it actually is   a program that works And so we are looking  forward to it in about five weeks Rocking   and rolling another again with another group of  youth Thank you Michelle Council member Ballard Thank you Mayor Council Wasn't working so I pushed  it for it Yeah Councilman Ballard helped me out   because my screen was not working Um just a  few questions Um so I'm looking at the chart   regarding the funding request and I notice there  is the line item the program staff contract staff   of 24,000 and then later in the budget it said  the admin administrative expenses an additional   13,000 So that means we're spending about 37,000  on staff for about 25% Is that pretty comparable   for this program it it it is because what we want  to make sure is we have the right person involved   which is a more of a job a behavior specialist  or what I said to bring them in as a part-time   person to be able to provide that services They're  going to go out and they're going to go into the   community They're going to go and meet them at  the job site Believe it or not a lot of young   people don't even know how to communicate with  the supervisor when things are going wrong So   that's what that person is there is to provide  that So and it's actually a part-time position   Okay thank you A few follow-up questions You  may have answered this question but we help   them with budgeting how to manage the funds If I'm  I mean $10.40 per hour is a pretty good for high   school student uh to be able to enter in So do we  help them with budgeting can you talk more about   that process too yes I'm so glad that you asked  that Um as you know every year we partner with   um a credit union and this year our partner  is Witchah Federal Credit Union of America No   Witchaw Federal Credit Union I bet I add that  extra point in there Um and so we've partnered   with them They came out to the roundup and they  established every youth the opportunity to create   a bank account and then they're coming to our  entire workshops throughout the summer And each   part of the workshops they will provide a little  piece of a caveat The very first step believe it   or not is to teach them how to look at their  check stubs because young people don't think   that what I made is what I get and don't realize  that we are in a city in a country where you pay   taxes So that's the first part but then you teach  them about how do you put a little bit to the side   and how do you save it's difficult a lot of times  to talk to a lot of young people because they're   providing the assistance to their families but we  also provide them coaching and also literacy and   budgeting on how you can provide that support  and look at not getting the Jordans today but   maybe getting the Jordans later on down the line  Believe it or not saying that to a 14-year-old   it's their first paycheck is difficult but we've  had a lot of great success by partnering with the   credit union Okay Thank you Last question I  have regarding the juvenile uh crimerevention   community grant through the state So there's  no local match with that application I imagine   we've applied before How often are we successful  in receiving the funds because this is just the   application This is actually the receipt of the  funds Correct How successful are we in receiving   these funds previously so great question Um this  is our first time applying for this um application   So we don't know Um I am going to speak it into  existence that we will receive the funding but   this is our first time applying for this If anyone  can do it I imagine it is you So thank you very   much I appreciate it Council member Johnson  Thanks Mayor Thank you for the presentation   I just wanted to highlight for my colleagues  that Mayor Amaya Williams worked in District   1 at Atwater She absolutely She did a wonderful  job She absolutely did And thank you so much for   being a host She still talks about you when we  meet to to this day So thank you so much for that   Uh Vice Mayor John Stunn Thank you Mayor Michelle  Thank you for your great work Absolutely Thank   you It's a wonderful program that teaches kids  how to work And what a gift to teach them how to   work Um wonderful I fully support it And I will  mention that in 1976 I worked at Wendy's A$140   an hour I was shocked at how much the government  took out my check So I I can understand Yes They   they compare their very first check They always  seem to want to compare and then they ask their   mom "Well why did you put this number on there?"  And it's it's so we recognize that that has been   a big conversation So that is actually part of one  of the very first workshops is how to effectively   identify and read your check steps so  you can understand what that looks like   It's important work So thank you Thank you so  much And Michelle I'll just do a followup to   my question from previously I really appreciate  hearing that you're collaborating and referring   uh our young people to other opportunities despite  the fact that the application and interview has   already closed for the way to work Um so there are  other opportunities like YMCA's job prep program   and the workforce alliance has something called  camp hype So anyone in the audience or watching   online if you're between the ages of 14 to 18  years old there are these 4-day summer camps   that they're still allowing people to apply  for And it is through workforce-ks.com Again workforce-ks.com And they're called Camp  Hype And these camps will pay the student   $200 for showing up on time and participating at  these camps And the camps have um dates So I'm   going to read them because these are opportunities  that are still available at this current moment   Spirit Aeros Systems will have a camp hype on  June 2nd to the 5th Uh there's one in there a   couple for specific county students Uh so I'll  just go on to the next one Health care will be   June 23rd to 26 which is sponsored by Ascension  Via Christi There's a technology camp June 9th   through 12th sponsored by Ideate Tech and public  safety which is being sponsored by the Witchaw   Metro Crime Commission It will be held July 14th  to the 17th There's also a trade skills camp hype   that will be held July 21st to the 24th and it  is sponsored by the international brotherhood   of electrical workers local 271 plumbers and pipe  fitters apprenticeship training of Kansas local   441 and the sheet metal workers local 29 And the  last two that I'm about to mention are Textron   Aviation Camp Hype July 28th through the 31st  and McConnell will have one August 4th through   August 7th So there are lots of opportunities  especially for our young people looking for a   summer opportunity beyond the way to work Um so  please check out the website workforce-ks.com Absolutely and and then I don't want to ever shoot  our city of Witchah in the foot but if you are 16   and 17 year olds on the city of Witchah website  they have a long list of summer jobs from working   at the pool being a lifeguard working at the golf  course So that's also another caveat that I think   we can also add to that list um mayor as well And  we are we are we are determined to be a resource   If any of you young people were not able to get  all of that from the mayor please feel free to   contact our housing department They will get you  connected directly to me and I'll email you that   entire link in the the direct link so that way  you are supported this summer Our main focus   will encourage all youth to remain safe and out of  trouble the entire summer Whether you're working   with our summer youth program or not we just want  to encourage all youth in our community Council   member Ballard Thank you Mayor Thank you so much  for the presentation A quick question So um God   my days are running together I don't know if it  was this week or last week I met with a gentleman   that is a mentor um with a program called What's  Next and he helps um people looking for employment   that might be autistic or have some type of um  disability that they are are working through And   so I was wondering if any of the programs or jobs  that might be available um are open for everybody   or would you just encourage everybody to apply  and do you guys take it from there or Yep I would   encourage all of the youth to apply at those why  our TWWTW program We specifically transition youth   that would be a best fit So that's why we held the  interviews We transition them to their actual job   site But any of those that are on the city website  if they're interested in those absolutely I would   encourage them to apply to all of those Um me  and our director Sally Stain went through the   list on the city website this morning and it was a  little roughly um close to about 20 that will fall   under between those ages of 16 to 18 that I think  would be great fits for any of our youth in our   community Thank you so much Uhuh I see no further  questions for staff Thank you Michelle Would   anyone from the audience like to speak in public  comment i see none I'll bring it back to the bench   Council member Glascop Thank you Mayor I got my  screen working again Uh I think this is maybe   the first time that this room has more people  eligible for this program in here uh than that   are not eligible for the program So for those not  watching or for those watching online you can't   see the room but there is more people under the  age of 18 than people over the age of 18 in here   Uh which is an incredible opportunity I want to  say thank you all for being engaged This is true   civic education This is true civic participation  And I think I counted 18 of you So hopefully all   18 will apply for this program if you don't have  another job already in the city And thank you   for being here Thank you for being engaged  as well Absolutely With that I will move to   approve the 2026 Kansas Department of Corrections  funding application and authorize the necessary   signatures Second Motion and a second Any further  discussion i see none Mr Clerk please open the role The motion passes 70 Good luck  with that application Thank you [Applause] Mr Clerk please call the next  item Funding for a 2025 neighborhood improvements Uh good morning  mayor and city council Steve   Deenheart with Public Works and  Utilities here to present the item   uh requesting initiation and budget for annual  funding related to neighborhood improvements   So engineering staff prepares petitions  for paving water sewer and storm sewer   and sidewalk improvements within infill areas as  requested The cost of these improvements is then   special assessed to an improvement district uh  as established by state statute The neighborhood   improvement items within the CIP provides  funding to special assessment projects as needed   to make additional improvements outside of an  established benefit district Uh this can include   items like intersection improvements or drainage  enhancements that need to be made at the same time   as those assessed improvements within the benefit  district Uh additionally funds may be utilized for   standalone project design not tied to a special  assessment project Uh examples of these would be   say corridor safety improvements or drainage  issues not associated with a petition project   Uh a couple examples of these in recent years  have included improvements uh on MLAN between   Central and 13th as well as West 21st Street  conversion to threelane uh west of 119th Street   Both of those being public safety projects Uh  the cost of these this type of work is supported   by the general obligation bonds funding uh as the  improvements benefit a much larger area as a whole   So we have three proposed projects identified  for this 2025 funding I'll go through these   in a little bit more each one a little  more detail Uh that includes 27th Street   South traffic calming pilot program Uh 24 21st  Street North and Market Lane reconfiguration   and exploration place Uh parking lot expansion  as well So the first one uh 27th Street South   traffic calming implic imp implementation This  is west of Synica Currently we've got a trial   uh ongoing for a pilot project to use uh these  flexible delineators uh as a traffic calming   measure Um those have been in place for about  the last six or seven months So going forward   we would look to uh have a neighborhood meeting to  discuss the trial and any needed adjustments We're   still working to refine what that construction  what the final design is going to look like for   construction but this will just kind of give you  an idea of of the improvements there that help   narrow the lanes in that area thus helping reduce  the speed through that corridor The second one   uh along 21st Street so Park Place is on the left  of the screen and Market would be on the right of   the screen This would include design There's  been some redevelopment work happening in this   area particularly on the south side of 21st  Street So we would uh utilizing this funding   we would look to complete a design to reconstruct  21st Street and reduce the travel lanes from two   lanes eastbound which currently exists today and  reduce it to one lane eastbound provide some more   uh pedestrian area there on the south side that  would uh coordinate with the private development   work that's ongoing And then the third one would  would include design of the parking lot expansion   to the west of Exploration Place Just looking  at it a little bit closer there it shows the   proposed parking expansion We'd also look to uh  design some type of proposed pedestrian crosswalk   there across MLAN as well as some sidewalk  improvements There's a gap there between   uh the east entrance to exploration place and then  connection to the path up there to the west near   where the uh keeper bridges would be But looking  for the sidewalk there along with the pedestrian crosswalk So the 2025 2034 adopted CIP includes  annual funding for neighborhood improvements in   the amount of 30 $30,500,000 The 30 million of  that in special assessments is an estimate based   on previous year development trends and does  not obligate any spending authority for special   assessments when this within the CIP The 500,000  included in that item is in general obligation   bonds and individual projects will be set up by  staff as needed to allocate allocate that 500,000   And staff recommends initiating 500,000 at this  time So with that staff recommends approving the   budget adopting the resolution and authorizing  the necessary signatures And I'd be happy to   answer any questions Thank you Steve We'll begin  with Council Member Hoheisle Thank you Mayor and   thank you Steve Um this is something that is  vital to this is something that people see in   their neighborhoods in their homes every  day So um I do appreciate all the work on   this Um just two quick questions Um what are the  conditions that would that you could use for the   um traffic calming program like the trial program  here is there do we go through a set of standards   do like a speed study in the neighborhood and say  okay this neighborhood is eligible for this or a   wise one to actually look at uh that's a great  question council member Uh yes we engineering   would start with you know taking in a concern from  the public and the next thing that we would do is   a speed study to just evaluate and see how fast  the traffic is Uh sometimes as you're standing   on the side of the street 20 mph can seem even  pretty fast So uh conduct that speed study to   really find out what's a majority of the traffic  doing and then evaluate whether or not there is a   potential improvement that could be made to either  lower what seems to be the more consistent speed   or or perhaps even some of the highest speeds Okay  And then a follow-up study at the end to see how   it works out I if if we can move to a trial Um I  think a at this point typically in the past they   have these would require petitions uh to move  forward with construction of any improvements   Uh to this point no petitions have gone forward  at that point because it's been kind of hard to   have any sort of uh data to show hey this is what  works or even have an option And so this is why we   think in this situation we can do a pilot program  to actually implement one of these and and really   get the results of how how effective that is  Okay I appreciate that and I'm curious to see   how that that pilot project goes Uh the second  question real quick the parking lot next to the   exploration place that's the parking lot for the  Mid-American AllIndian Center Uh it it will serve   yes expansion that lot will will help serve the  Mid-American All-Indian Center Okay Do we have   a timeline as far as when I mean this will be to  to do the study and the design and whatnot do we   have kind of an idea as to when that project might  be completed uh we're looking to we'll get started   pending your approval today We'll get started on  design here and um construction There is a line   item in the CIP that we would bring back later for  the construction uh of this And right now we would   project late 2025 early 2026 Okay For construction  All right I yeah I hear a lot of angst with them   So I just want to make sure we get that one going  All right Thank you sir Council member Johnson   Thanks Mayor Thank you for the presentation Um I  don't jump into other districts too much I haven't   talked to my colleague about this yet but the 21st  Street and Market Lane reconfiguration is there   going to be any like artistic elements with that  and I asked because when we did the 17th Street   renovation um with the funds between 135 and  Broadway we talked about trying to incorporate   um some blend of what was happening at Nomar  whether it was in the stamped concrete or or   whatnot some form of design that was a  seamless connection back over to Macdams   And since that's right there adjacent to no more I  just wanted to not know because I know you haven't   really got started yet but encourage some form of  seamless artistic incorporation into that even if   it's just stamped concrete or something that takes  in like symbolism or colors from what's already   happening I Yeah I'm not for certain if it will  but we'll certainly consider that Yeah Council   member Glasscop thank you Quick question about the  27th Street South project Um I know there's a lot   of speeding in a lot of those uh neighborhoods  because they're straightaway streets to connect   Have we asked these particular neighbors about  like I just want them to wake up one morning   and these street calming things been there have  we included them in the process as well because   this is the first I've heard of it when this was  presented to the council Sure Um I needless to   say that the complaint would have generated with  some of those neighbors but we do intend to before   moving forward with construction of it We plan to  hold a neighborhood meeting to talk about those   improvements I'd have to uh check with staff if  they've had direct communication or contact with   some Can we make sure that I get an invitation for  that as well i would love to come out to that Um   another one in in specific that I get calls about  pretty often just so we're looking for something   in District 4 is uh Main Street Um the connection  between Synica and Meridian is basically runaway   People go 50 miles an hour down it There's a  retirement home right along there as well So that   would be maybe just another trouble spot area if  we're looking at calming projects like that Okay   Yes And and we'll be sure to give you plenty  notice this time about the meeting Thank you   No I appreciate it I just have a quick follow-up  question before I go on to the role Um the calming   uh mechanisms Can you go back to that picture  um can you talk about how much that costs versus   the permanent structure because I see these as a  really great way because all across the city of   Witchaw we've had uh emails as well as phone calls  regarding calming some traffic in neighborhood   uh in neighborhoods So how much does this usually  cost and is that maybe a mechanism moving forward   instead of the permanent structure i'd have to  find out I I would probably say cost of this   is is minimal I believe with this was handled  with internal uh operating funds Obviously the   construction to build something a lot more more  permanent uh is certainly going to cost more   and why we asking for the funding here today for  the construction of it I don't have any numbers   uh with you today I would say trying to maintain  something like this over time and just those   delineators coming off or whatnot the maintenance  long-term maintenance could become an issue Mayor   Steve you said that this is a pilot In the future  though that would be a special assessment project   petitioned by the residents if we decide to go  with this kind of concept in the future Uh yes I   believe yes that's correct Thank you Would not be  our expense I would really like to see more of the   cost I think moving forward if we since this was  a pilot over in district number four I've heard   of things in district six and other areas where  people literally have emailed us about calming   some neighborhood streets So I would like to  get those numbers and if a neighborhood would be   interested in doing the second pilot or the third  pilot I think this would be a great opportunity   also So if you could share that information city  manager to the entire council I think that would   be helpful Thank you Council member Ballard Thank  you Mayor Um I just wanted to say thank you for   um not forgetting about the Mid America AllIndian  Center parking lot with them losing their parking   lots across the street Um I think they have a  disadvantage sometimes when proms and weddings   and stuff are not using the venue as they had in  the past due to lack of parking So super grateful   for Exploration Place being willing to be a  good neighbor and I'm excited to see how many   more spaces um and potential crosswalk I think um  for this location So um excited to see uh what the   design looks like how many um added spaces and um  just so that we can make sure that we're utilizing   all of our museums and stuff Vice Mayor Johnston  Thank you Mayor Steve Thank you for this work Um   I think hit a nerve We've all got streets in our  districts or runways Mine is Second Street right   along Brown Thrust Park Um we did do a ste speed  study there and there was actually a vehicle that   went over 100 miles an hour recorded So in a in  a neighborhood next to a park So very important   I'd like to see how this comes out Uh one question  for you Have you looked at the possibility of if   you go to the next picture of contining that all  the way across so it's it's essentially a long   speed bump Now I know the drainage is affected  but if you had a high point would that work too   well so speed bumps we don't use in the city  uh for a number of reasons certainly affects   um response time for emergency vehicles Uh and  sometimes slowing the the speed bump becomes   more of an issue and how I think how slow they  have to go that all it does is just encourage   them to just race again to the next one So uh  I'd have to talk to our traffic engineer about   uh speed tables I know those have been used  uh in other communities I think we need need   to just evaluate whether that's the right right  solution in in a residential neighborhood like   this Okay I appreciate I know you got a couple  of them in Oldtown First or Second Street One   too correct and those raised intersections are  used a lot too to be able to help pedestrians   eliminate the ramps that they would have to  otherwise traverse to get you know down to   a street level from sidewalk level to street  level So those raised intersections or raised   qu cross crosswalks similar to what's down by  the ball stadium Uh those those essentially help   even pedestrians be able to walk flat basically  from one side to the other instead of having to   travel through the ramps Okay Okay I appreciate  Thank you Council Member Glasco I see no further   questions Thank you very much for these updates  We will now open it up for public comment We'll   bring it back to the bench Um a majority of these  are in district number six Council member Ballard Sorry I was trying to get your granus up here Thank you mayor I'd like to make a motion to  approve the budget adopt the resolution and   authorize the necessary signatures Second  Motion and a second Any further discussion   i see none Mr Clerk please open the  role Motion passes 70 Mr Clerk please   call the next item Design contract and  funding for fire station replacements Good morning mayor city council member  Tammy Snow fire chief here today to ask   you to approve the design contract for um  new fire station and two replacement fire   stations Um the Witchaw fire department  currently operates 22 fire stations 21 of   those are which are owned by the city of  Witchah In 2020 um a facilities condition   index was uh performed on each one of those fire  stations identifying some of the fire stations   as being in critical need of being replaced On  July 18th and also October 10th city council   approved $1 million each for the 2023 and the  2024 fire station design and land acquisition   On February 6 2024 the council approved the land  acquisition at Pony and Maize Road for a cost of $476,254 The adopted 2025 2034 CIP includes  $59 or $59 million for fire stations   um which includes um three new  stations and replacement stations So if you take a look at the map here the new  station is with the star That's the Pontane   station the new southwest station The other two  stations that the design contract is um that we're   asking for funding for on the design contract  is for station 8 which is currently located at   Central and Elder There is a station there And  I just want to be clear we are not closing the   station That was asked of me over the weekend  We're not closing the station And all we're   going to do is we're going to turn it the other  direction and make it a little wider so we can   um more accommodating And station 15 which  is at Lincoln and Rock Road And again we're   not closing the station We're just going to  redesign it uh make it bigger And uh those   two stations are at the top of the list on the  facilities condition index Um and so uh those   are the first two we're going to address as far  as replacing those those particular stations   Um with that then I will let uh Steve  from public works uh come up and finish   the rest of the uh presentation and  then we'll both stand for questions Thank you chief Uh so in February of last year a  request for proposals was issued for design and   construction administration for the first three  stations that chief referenced in this previous   slide or actually slight correction of that just  of the first three stations The uh staff screen   selection committee interviewed four firms and  selected tesser based on its understanding of   project objectives and tasks qualifications  and experience and their proposed timeline   The design contract is going to be funded  from basically two two different sources Uh   the contract is going to include full design  of the first three stations and management of   the public art for each of those three stations  And the contract amount right now is 1,577,500 Uh the design for the structure component itself   the actual building is available  within the existing 2023 and 2024   fire station design and land acquisition  budgets that were previously approved in 2023 Funding for the ARC component  will come from a different source   The adopted 2025 2034 CIP includes 200,000 in  2025 for fire stations art Um staff recommends   initiating the full amount for artist selection  full amount of the 200,000 for artist selection   design and project management cost And this  funding is is uh paid for through general   obligation bonds The public art concept will be  presented to the city council at a later date And   just looking ahead to at some timelines here  pending your approval today we would look to   uh bid for construction the fire station at Ponyie  and May's late 2025 The construction funding item   will come back to you as well and be presented  at a later date Law has reviewed and approved   the design contract and resolution as to form  And with that staff recommends council approve   the contract and art budget adopt the bonding  resolution and authorize the necessary signatures   And we'll be happy to answer any questions Thank  you Steve and Chief Council member Glascock Thank   you Mayor Um few questions So the vote today  is to initiate the 200,000 not the 1,577,500 We the vote today is to approve the contract for  a request to approve the contract for 1 million   that 1.5 million and also then initiate the  200,000 for art because part of that contract   that $ 1.5 million contract includes managing the  art component for this project Okay that's not   what is in the subsequent resolution The document  that I got with the resolution the only project   authorization is the estimated cost of 200,000 It  doesn't have the estimated cost of the 1,577,500 So that 1.5 million contract will be funded  by the budgets that were previously approved   in 2023 Uh the 2023 fire station So it  doesn't need to be included in the the   subsequent resolution attached to my  know it does not have to be included   as a resolution because it was already done  in 2024 Okay Just wanted to So it's the two   votes It's to approve the 1,577,000 and  then in addition to that approved 200,000 Yeah The the only funding we're asking for today  is the 200,000 for the for the art component and   then the $ 1.5 million contract which we already  have existing budgets that have been approved and   authorized Okay That will pay or fund that  contract The question I have about that is   under the 1,577,000 it says that that includes  the management of public art for each So is   this 200,000 on top of that 1,577,000 or is that  200,000 included so what out of the 1,500 what is   the budget for art already existing in that or is  this just saying that out of that 1.5 200,000 of   it goes towards art so out of the out of the 1.5  I should have had that number off the top of my head There's going to be approximately or  close to the 200,000 that's included in that   uh for our component So then the other 1.3 is  essentially then for design services of the   building So this isn't 1.7 this is 1.5 correct  including just out of the 1.5 200,000 is funded   through the we're reallocating the 2025 2020  2030 for CIP So it be included in the 1.5 not   an addition to that Correct It it's the the 1.5  contract will get split into multiple multiple   funding sources And how are we defining art  is this the design is this a statue out front   is this what are we defining art as is this the  design process itself or is this subsequent actual   construction of design elements in the facility so  it's going to include for right now but just the   design part there uh in the there are additional  I believe it's in 2026 there's another there's a   total of 400,000 that would essentially be the art  component which would include construction of art   uh for two of these three fire stations So the  200,000 is for when we're talking about art   in this definition It's for the design of the  facility what the facility looks like what the   materials are looking like It's not what I think  the general public would perceive as art of art   or you know a portrait or a statue or something  else This is the 200,000 for the design concept   Correct Uh correct It it's going to be for the  Yes concept development selection of the artist   the the test array is going to have to go through  a process to select an artist and then through   that process they'll work together to actually  finalize a design and determine what um what will   actually be constructed for art Okay I just want  to make it clear to the public that it's not what   they're perceiving outside of let's say the water  treatment facility of certain pieces itself but   more of the construction of the building design  of the building that that is our definition of art   That's to be determined I think as we step through  that process it'll come back to come back to the   council It'll go to design council on uh regarding  the selection and then concept of what the artist   and and test team have come forward with Does  that manager do you have further comments i I   know exactly what you're saying council member  At this point we don't know what the will be   they'll bring forward Um we can obviously have  you involved in that process but the uh design   council as Steve said the design council will be  involved Council will approve at 30% of design Uh   what we've done I think with most of our stations  has been art that's been incorporated into the   buildings themselves I can't remember if we have  any outside standalone art Um but our typical uh   approach would be incorporating it into the the  structure making sure that the structure doesn't   look like you know a big black box Correct That  there's some design elements there I just want   to be clear to the public because I think there's  a different definition of when the public hears   the word art They're assuming maybe not that um  including design elements So uh because when I've   talked to firefighters I've not had one person  concerned with art They're concerned about the   snow that's in their windows when they're sleeping  or leaky roofs And if there's a way that we can   uh put more assets towards fixing those instead  of maybe structures itself outside I think   firefighters would probably prefer that So thank  you for this I'm very excited about the projects   in my district So I just had those questions I  know that those would be questions I get from   the public as well Council member Tuttle Thank you  This is actually a question for Chief Snow Sorry   to have you jump back up I'm watching the comments  online and you mentioned we have 22 stations The   city owns 21 of them Who owns the other one uh  the county That's what I assumed but thank you   Specifically it's Cedric County Station 38 which  is co-c collaborated with station six Is that   correct that is correct Thank you That's the one  we just visited Uh Council Member Ballard Thank   you Mayor Uh just for what it's worth I think we  should um collaborate more often and and share   buildings Kind of sad that the um west substation  and um station 8 will be parting parting ways Um   but excited about uh station 8 being rebuilt  and I think a little bit safer for the trucks   to get in and out My question was um this will be  similar to the new station in district 4 correct   as far as the design for station 8 as well and  the art component and all of that stuff our our   intention is if we can get a template that we  can use for future so we don't have to keep   um expending the funds for design is to utilize  that template as we move forward on not only new   stations but also the rebuilding of our stations  moving forward Thank you so much Only question I   have regarding public art is actually um getting  the feedback from real firefighters Um I actually   did text one of the firefighters just to ask  there's going to be an opportunity for a new fire   station What are things that could be incorporated  that would be helpful so I guess my challenge is   to make sure that in that process you do ask  firefighters um what they think would be not   just public art but in the design that would make  them be able to utilize the space better but also   in a creative way as well Um so I just challenge  that we need to also ask the utilizers of the   building what that building should look like Yeah  Mayor we've made that commitment I President Bush   from the union has indicated uh has offered  to have design input and the chief has said   that would be a great idea So thank you I see no  further questions We'll now open it up for public comment I see none We'll bring it back to  the bench Council member Tuttle Thank you   Um just a few quick comments Thank  you to Chief Snow Thank you to Steve   Great job Really appreciate all your  efforts on this Um just wanted to bring   the total up for the fire department  today is we if this approves will be 9,794,266 So I think that that should show our  community and our Witchaw Fire Department and   our International Association of Firefighters  Local 135 this council's true commitment to to   core services and to public safety Um the other  thing that Chief Snow and President Bush and   I have had the opportunity is to visit a fire  station in Andover And as we're developing our   culture of wellness that was mentioned earlier  during the proclamations we're thinking about   things differently within the Witchaw Fire  Department thanks to your leadership Chief   Snow And one of the things we're talking about is  cancer decontamination areas potentially thinking   about sleep hygiene and how we can provide  better environments so that our firefighters   can get sleep so it improves their health and  also their performance when they're fighting   fires and and making calls and all the things So  um chief and I have talked I hope that's something   that we'll also be considering in the future that  we're really thinking about creating a culture of   wellness not with just programs and policies  but the actual infrastructure that we develop   So good luck and enjoy the process Council member  Glascock Thank you Mayor And I will have a motion   after my comments Thank you Chief Snow I am  super excited about utilizing this template   in the future and so we can save money to work  on the deferred maintenance Thank you for coming   uh to my town hall this past weekend  where neighbors are incredibly excited   about the project The last time that the  city uh constructed a fire station new   um I was in middle school And so uh this is  an incredible opportunity for the city to   uh move forward especially in Southwest Witchdaw  which was one of the fastest growing parts of the   city and um I'm excited to be part of this  process and be there for the groundbreaking   and all the subsequent milestones So with  that I move that the city council approve   the design contract art budget adopt the  resolution and authorize the necessary   signatures Second motion and a second Any further  discussion i see none Mr Clerk please open the role Motion passes 70 Mr Clerk  please call the next item Local   match funding agreement Kansas  Health Foundation 29th and Grove Good morning Mayor and Council Jennifer Magna  city attorney Um this item is an agreement with   Sedwick County and the Kansas Department of Health  and Environment's Public Health Division Um the   um last year's legislature appropriated  um $2.5 million to from Kansas from KDH's   public health division to Seduit County  for environmentally at risk testing for   contamination sites in the county And of that 2.5  million a local match was required for 1 million   the county the Kansas Health Foundation  and the city have developed an agreement   um that is before you for this local  match and delivery of services This is   a breakdown of the local match The city's  contribution under this agreement would be   $125,000 and the Sedick counties would be  the same Kansas Health Foundations would   be $500,000 and under the agreement KDH then  would provide the matching contribution of $750,000 In the agreement before you um  is included a memorandum of agreement that   Sedick County entered into with um KDHE back in  January Um that agreement has a funding deadline   of June of this year Um in this agreement Kansas  Health Foundation agrees to administer the funding   pursuant to the the statutory U budget proviso  from last year and those funds must be spent by   December of 26 By the agreement the priority  use is stated to be within the health study   boundaries of the 29th and Grove contamination  site From the city funding perspective funding   was made available in back in January when you  reallocated $125,000 from a street maintenance   budget um account from Hyatt funds to um this uh  environmental atrisisk testing targeted primarily   for testing for residents in the contamination  site in the vicinity of 29th Street and Grove   The recommendation before you today is to  approve this agreement and to authorize $125,000   to be paid from the city to the county  for this local match I know council member   Johnson's been very involved and um I'm  available for questions as well Thank you   Thank you Jennifer Questions for staff I see  none Thank you We'll open it up for public comment Former Council Member Levant Williams Good morning First of all I have to say thank  you to the young group who came in Uh as a former   educator that's very important to me that you  be seen and that you be heard So thank you for   being here and speaking your opinions Thank you  Uh my name is Labanto Williams and yes I'm here   pertaining to the 29th and Grove um contamination  area and council members some of this may be   uh what you're going to discuss at the committee  meeting that you're planning on having So I would   just like to to know some of those things Um I  did hear from the senator and the $1 million is   the one that needs the match Uh I'm hoping that  that is correct And so we should be uh with this   vote today 750,000 So we still are down 250,000  if if I'm reading that correctly But we also   have 1.5 million that came from representative uh  ohhabasan in working with the governor So in that   1.5 million I'm wondering is that something that  can be spent now for some of these screenings for   the community Again uh this is another community  that sometimes feels unheard and unseen Um and so   I just want to make sure that we have a way of  getting the message out that this is available   for you to have these screenings Uh how do we do  that how can the community help do that uh and I   am willing to be uh involved in that Also another  thing that I have and I already mentioned this to   the council member um I go get screened and I  have something that looks like it could be Um   so then am I on my own to have it figured out how  I pay for it how do I uh if insurance doesn't pay   for it if I don't have insurance uh but now you're  saying that I have a complication that could have   come from the contaminated water issue So I I'm  just curious as to how we move forward with that   because I didn't I didn't uh cause this problem  and I I'm concerned that that we are waiting a   little bit long However we have waited um quite a  while already Um and and then the other thing that   I'm concerned of is have you had reports come  back to you has has the community been tested   uh are the air qualities good in that area are  we okay there i think that's one of the things   that that is also a concern and and many times  they're they're not asking and they're not saying   anything but we need to know if if that is a safe  area Not only safe for the adults not only safe   for the mothers or soon to be mothers We have to  remember that area is the highest infant mortality   in the state and and so I'm concerned about our  young people and I'm concerned about mothers who   could be expecting Um just wanting to know how  that affects them and where do we move on from   from all of these environmental issues Um again  not only uh the contaminated water and people are   about to go fishing and there's a sign there that  says how much or how many fish they can eat out   of that particular lake That's really something  when you have a sign up at the fishing lake So   um just asking that we still keep our eye on some  of these things and any environmental issues that   we have in the in the city or in Cedric County  I think they're all a very huge concern So I I   just thank you for what you're doing Uh and I'm  hoping that we get that uh $1 million matched uh   so that we can open this up for those who need the  screening And I just wanted to say uh Bob no you   can't you can't go anywhere yet but thank you for  all that you did Bob Thank you And I will stand   for questions if you need them Member Johnson  Thanks Mayor Thank you Lant Um I wrote down a   few things you said So I'll start with K96 Lake  There is a fishing advisory that you should only   have one bottom feeding fish per month if you  eat it I just tell people not to eat the fish   Um that is actually a different contamination than  29th and Grove So that's out there Um I forget all   the details of that one I've been focusing on  29th and Grove a lot but I'll I'll get that to   you Um testing resultwise Union Pacific is working  with Arcadas to talk through the results of the   testing that they did Um which was external  home testing and if they found any signs of   uh TCE gas in the soil uh they would test  inside the house going to the lower level of the   um house and drilling down 8 ft They have those  results I don't have the latest numbers so I   can't I don't want to speak inaccurately to  that but they do have that I believe those   numbers are reported to KDHE as well Um but  their website again sometimes it's harder to   navigate for people but they should have that I  don't know if we do and Don's not in here right   now to ask him but when we talk in a few weeks  I'll ask them for that information to share   Um if you are identified as having cancer some of  the challenge now is if you do have insurance you   have some support but of course you have to pay  those deductibles If you don't have insurance   there are opportunities to probably reach out to  project access but again that only goes as far as   um funding because cancer is pretty expensive  Unfortunately u it my opinion of it is it will   take some civil litigation to um get treatment  paid for by the company that's responsible for the   contamination That may take some years but until  then at least there will be screening and testing   opportunities As for the money um that was how  all the funding was developed the million on the   Senate side Senator Foscado working with Governor  Kelly then 1.5 on the House side Um but per this   agreement this is all kind of grouped into one um  group of funding We are at uh 3/4 of the million   dollars Um we're a little north of that but we'll  we'll talk about that in a few weeks once we get   some some commitments finalized but um there  is additional funding outside of that I'm very   confident we'll be at a million dollars prior to  the June 30th date Um we've had some really good   conversations The community is really coming  together to support this effort Um but a lot   of those details you'll probably hear a lot more  by the end of the month There will be a committee   that we've talked about that will get regular  reports and happy to make the recommendation   that you join that committee as well um to get  those updates But I think those are all of the   points that you made that you wanted a response  to Happy to give you any more if you have it Thank you Lant Anyone else from the community  who would like to speak i see none We'll bring   it back to the bench Council member Johnson Thank  you Mayor Um a lot of work is happening looking   forward to moving us towards solutions working  with Cedric County the Health Foundation KDHE   uh everyone that is supportive of this  effort So with that I would move that   the city council approve the agreement  and authorize the necessary signatures   Second motion and a second Any further  discussion i see none Mr Clerk please   open the role Motion passes 70 Mr Clerk  please call the next item Public hearing   in request by Caps Holding LLC for approval of  a letter of intent to issue industrial revenue bonds Honorable mayor members of council um  stand before you today with a request from   Caps Holding LLC You'll hear me refer to them as  CAPS throughout this Um they're a company that was   formed in 2008 for the purposes of purchasing  developing and owning real estate property in   Witchaw Uh the managing members have a history  of success not only in real estate but also in   business CAPS is requesting the issuance  of industrial revenue bonds as part of the   acquisition and construction of a speculative  industrial building So just a little bit about   the spec program Uh for industrial buildings the  developer is required to build at least 100,000   square feet Requires a minimum clear height of 28  feet uh they must begin construction within 120   days of council approval uh and they must complete  the construction within 15 months So if they   do satisfy the timeline that we have set forth  before them they're eligible for a 95% advalarum   tax abatement for the first five years And then  if they're able to lease up at least 50% of the   property during that first 5-year period they're  eligible for another 50% advalarum tax abatement   for the second five years Again all subject to  city council approval Uh developers required to   report all leasing activity on an annual basis and  again because this is a spec program there's no   tenant per se and so no job creation is required  under the program There is however a costbenefit   analysis that must be conducted Um and as you can  imagine it's because of the capital investment   uh that it makes sort of all of this possible Um  so as a result of that costbenefit analysis these   are some of the numbers that we have been able to  glean from that based on the latest available mill   levy The estimated value of the 95% property tax  for the first full year is approximately $153,000   The value applicable to the city is $49,000 The  developer also receives a sales tax exemption   all of on all of their construction materials  The city share of that is approximately $19,000   And again the costbenefit analysis was performed  and the ratio of benefit to cost for the city is   1.63 to1 I always like to read this statement  or include this statement comes right out of   the agenda report But just to make sure that we're  all clear here IRBs are a mechanism for achieving   either a sales tax exemption and or a property  tax abatement In an IRB transaction the city's not   lending any money and bears no risk The company  is required to acquire all of its own financing No   taxpayer dollars are at risk All costs are borne  by the company requesting the use of the bonds   Uh some financial considerations CAPS agrees to  pay all costs of issuing the bond and agrees to   pay the annual origination fees Bonds will be  purchased by CAPS or a related entity All the   bond documents will be prepared by outside bond  council but the city's law department will review   and approve the final form of those bond documents  prior to the issuance of any bonds We'll bring   those back to you once the project is complete  With that being said it's recommended the city   council hold a public hearing but then ultimately  close the public hearing adopt the resolution and   authorize the necessary signatures We do have  representatives here from CAPS to answer any   questions you might have Otherwise I'll stand  for questions Thank you Troy Questions for staff   i'll start them First I wanted to know about  this program When did it begin and how many   have successfully completed or have attained the  5-year mark and gotten the second half of their uh   abatement yeah So uh I appreciate the question We  talked a little bit about this yesterday I started   doing a little bit of research Um so I went back  and found um that this pro that this program has   been in effect for for years In fact one of the  earliest ones I found was back in 2008 With that   being said under its current format the current  format was um implemented in 2017 Since 2017 there   have been at least nine projects buildings  that have been completed Um through all of   my research even as far back as 2008 none of the  projects have not satisfied filling the building   with a tenant before that five-year uh period  So since the under the current version of the   program which was implemented in 2017 there's been  at least nine projects uh that have come out of it   But the program kind of holistically goes back as  far as probably even 2008 Thank you Council Member   Glascock Thank you Mayor Troy Can you talk about  the benefit of having industrial building space   like this when trying to recruit companies to come  to Witchah trying to expand companies in Witchah   just about the economic benefit to the city yeah  absolutely Um so this is critical to our ability   to be able to attract and retain businesses Uh  if you can imagine a a business that is either   looking to expand they're they're finding success  in their business and they're looking to expand Um   by the time a business perhaps makes that decision  uh a lot of businesses don't have that sort of   three-year runup period that they might need to go  out acquire a piece of land build a building that   suits their needs because in three years from now  their business model might look wildly different   right and so having spec whether it be office  building or industrial buildings in and around our   community we become exponentially more competitive  not only locally to retain businesses that are   finding success and growing but also being able  to attract businesses uh from other regions to   come to Witchaw because we have buildings in our  inventory uh that are vacant and ready to occupy Thank you Troy Y any further  questions for staff i will have   one for the representative of the company caps Morning Jordan Ford Hinkle Law Firm Thank you  Jordan Uh this question really is to help the   community understand uh the opportunity here  with a spec building Can you just explain   uh why the developers are interested in this  spec building and um have you gotten any any   interest from folks who want to take up that  space i apologize I can't speak to any potential   interests but I think the speaker uh that just  spoke prior to me did a great job of explaining   the opportunity that brings to the city um  for that available space um on a spec basis Thank you We will now uh finish  with staff questions as well as   guest questions We will now  open it up for public comment I see none We'll bring it back to the bench  This resides in council member GlassCox's   district Thank you mayor I'm proud to represent  the aviation corps the aviation capital the   industrial heartbeat of Witchah and that's where  this project is I visited CAPS manufacturing   previously Uh they're doing incredible things  especially when it comes to aviation I'm excited   about potential projects and um recruiting  manufacturing and recruiting industrial to   come to Witchdaw and expansion And so with that I  will proudly make the motion that the city council   close the public hearing adopt the resolution  and authorize a set necessary signatures and wish   them the best of luck in finding a tenant Second  motion and a second Any further discussion i see   none Mr Clerk please open the role Motion  passes 70 Mr Clerk please call the next item City manager selection process  and local government discussion Morning again mayor and council Jennifer Magna  city attorney For the benefit of resident   knowledge council's beginning the process  for hiring a new city manager this year   The mayor requested a brief overview of the  city's system of government along with other   common approaches to city systems Noting that  this is an area governed by state law because   uh cities are political subdivisions of the state  Um there are um guidelines from the state that um   set forth the the forms of government In Witchah  we operate under what's commonly called a council   manager form of government designed to incorporate  both elected leadership and professional   management Residents elect a city council based  on districts plus an atlarge mayor for a total of   seven on the council and these officials set  policies approve budgets represent resident   interests The council hires a professional city  manager who manages daily operations manages city   staff and implements the council's decisions  The mayor leads council meetings and serves   as the Witchaw's public face with a manager  overseeing the day-to-day management of city   functions like public works parks libraries and  all the departments There are other systems that   other cities use in what's commonly referred to as  a mayor council or sometimes a strong mayor system   With a strong mayor system a mayor has significant  administrative authority sometimes including veto   power and control of budgets and city department  director appointments Different cities have   different systems for their unique requirements In  a mayor council system common in some big cities   an elected mayor either wields strong control  over operations or shares power with the council   depending on the city's ordinances Each approach  reflects a trade-off among direct public control   elected leadership and professional expertise  tailored to community size and needs That's   all I have for you Thank you Thank you Jennifer  appreciate um the explanations between what we   currently have and what other cities uh function  I know I have a question and wanted to know if   you might know the answer to that but uh our  council manager form of government is also what   I believe Kansas City Missouri has Um but they  have the mayor actually has different uh types of   authority including veto power and also a staff  of 11 people Um how did we come about give us   some history between our council manager form of  government and how we arrived to that government   system in I believe 1917 Mayor you're correct We  arrived at this form of government in 1917 I don't   have any further details on really the history of  how we've gotten here Over the years throughout   the 80s you changed from a a council commi manager  commission form to manager city council with   districts Um there was some hardnesses there in  the 80s that did that Um that's I could I could   gather more information for a future presentation  And did the mayor system uh so this current mayor   serves a four-year term Has that always been the  case in the city of Witchah have to check on that   I'm sure there's people who would know that right  off the top of the bet their head I think there   was a time where mayors served two years but I am  just going to have to check on that I believe it's   it was one-year terms I was asking a rhetorical  question for folks that maybe didn't know Um so   I just wanted to get more history behind  how our system came about and give people   the opportunity to learn about our system I often  get questions about um the mayor can do this this   or this and in our form of government I'm simply  one vote just like the rest of my colleagues and   I don't have veto power and I respect that  that's our system but that's not how every   uh city operates So I always encourage people  to learn about their form of local government   uh just to the south of us in Hazesville uh they  have a mayor council form of government but they   also have eight council members instead of six  council members And uh they instead of a city   manager have a city administrator So I I really  do encourage people to learn about their local   government system and um direct those uh requests  evenly to the rest of the council Uh these council   members are I believe experts of their districts  uh they respond to their constituents to specific   needs in those six council districts And  uh this year I created this pamphlet to   help people understand our form of government and  where everyone is located So um always encourage   people to look and um talk about our form of  government and reach out to council members   and we are all reached out we can be reached  at via email and all that information is at witchah.gov/city councsil Um but it does give  you an explanation of our city government and   that was the impetus of just talking about  our local government Uh and this really is   an opportunity to have an open discussion because  we have what's called a uh Kansas open meetings   act which means that no council member beyond  three individuals can be in one room together   Um or else that would become a public meeting And  so this is an opportunity to have an open dialogue   and discussion about our form of government but  also more importantly um I know that we're very   grateful to uh city manager Leighton and his 16  years but we will start a new process of hiring   a city manager uh which is why we were sent out  via email documents about the hiring process back   in 2008 So that was a long time ago And uh it was  really to start the conversation as many questions   from our media partners have been about what's  the next step or what are all these detailed   uh questions when we haven't had that discussion  just yet So this is step one is right now having   that open discussion and I think that this is  the best opportunity to just start talking and   talking in public Council member Glascock  Thank you mayor I I'll have a few questions   I imagine there's going to be a lot of robust  conversation hit on one point that the mayor made   um government is messy sometimes and from this  bench it probably should be If it looks very   clean that probably means we talk behind the  scenes which is not allowed and so this is the   first time that all seven of us get to have a  conversation together I think it's a beautiful   thing I think it's democracy um and I think it  should be encouraged as well regarding there   likely probably little institutional knowledges  about this in the city um in 1980s when we looked   at what form of government we had and made some  alterations Do we know what the community process   was regarding that um if it opened up to the  process or was it just decided from the bench   without community engagement opportunities we know  that we may not but no and I'm happy to get that   information for you and there'll be two topics of  conversation today specifically about the manager   forum and then maybe about what do we look at  in terms of government in general So I'm going   to ask a couple questions about the management  process Back in 2008 it appears I just want uh   verification on this that the process to recruit  Bob uh to this position took about 5 months from   what I can tell Would that be an HR question  would that be a you question Bob um having been   in the middle of it um actually it took longer  than that because the council had a false start   um a individual was hired and then at the last  minute decided not to accept the position or not   to to come to the community and so the same search  firm started the process over Um so I believe it   started for all practical purposes it was about  a year process if I remember they started in   uh end of uh 2007 or early 2008 and then uh I was  hired towards the very end of 2008 Okay And then   your process in terms of when maybe that closed  started February 5th and then it continued it   looks like it went to the council July 1st Is that  correct actually that was the that was the first   half Okay Um work had been done prior to that to  solicit proposals I think or and to determine on a   direction and then um they did a shortened version  of a second search after the first search failed   to result in a successful candidate Thank you  And then I was looking uh most recently at the   hiring process for Chief Sullivan and it appears  that that search took probably about seven months   That that's about right About seven months  Okay I just wanted to get a timeline that   we can start maybe basing the discussion off of  let's say probably seven months minimum probably   the requirement So around there I do also want to  make mention that council former council member   Levant Williams was around when the 2008 process  happened So she's also some uh of that knowledge   that if there are any questions I know that uh we  have not opened it up for public comment This is   simply the city council having that discussion If  we want to have public engagement we would have   to then motion to do that But uh while we keep it  here at the bench I just wanted to recognize that   um former council member Levant Williams was  around when that process happened in 2008 Council   member Johnson Thanks Mayor Um my question is  really is next steps So on city manager selection   um today would that be a direction to staff  to draft an RFP similar to the 2008 one and   then put that on a future agenda or what I  know we can't vote in council member agenda   but what would our next step be to move towards  starting this um search for a new city manager good morning mayor and council How are you doing  good to see you guys Um so I'm able to give you   guys a brief description of what the RFP RFP  process is about Um purchasing plays a really   big part in it but I can give you guys some some  some general information Uh the first step will   be that the purchasing office will prepare an  initial RFP for council review revisions and   approval Uh the RFP will be publicly released for  a minimum of 30 days Uh council will review the   submitted proposals and choose a selected firm  A contract will be presented to council within   two weeks following the firm's selection and  then council will collaborate with the chosen   consultant to develop uh the job profile  and recruitment strategy with HR providing   assistance as necessary Awesome So is there  a working draft already maybe started or I   believe there I think purchasing has started  a working draft but I'm not I'm not really   sure but I think so Okay Josh is coming up behind  you Oh Oh there's Josh Morning Mayor Council Josh   Lober Yes a working draft has been created and  is ready for distribution if the council wants   to make edits I have printed copies I've made  if we'd like to have the council look at them Um man y'all are awesome Thank you Josh with a suggestion that we're  just receiving these and I think we should   be moving forward on something today that  I don't know if we're able to take a recess   so we can look at the document and examine it  if that's something that would be appropriate   Um mayor council member I think you should take a  little more time than just reading it now because   um I I'd skim this I haven't spent any time with  it I do know that the council has talked about   um making sure there's appropriate  public input in the process and I   there may be other things that you think are  important if you move forward with an RFP and   um I think you need some time to think through  that because the kind of consultant that you   will get and the kind of proposals you will get in  response to the RFP will depend on what you think   is important for a selection process You won't  demand I mean you won't outline the process but   you'll say these components need to be part of the  selection Helpful Thank you Thank you So would you   say maybe like a month from now or is that too  long to revisit this well I think if if you look   back at the police chief selection process and the  time that took you may not want to wait 30 days   you want to probably get your feedback um in  sooner than that And again the council each   of you may have your own approach and then the  council needs to collectively decide what that   RFP should look like So um it's it's your  process but I would encourage you not to   wait 30 days Okay I was just asking because I I'm  looking at the calendar of meetings and two weeks   would be the 22nd but that's a consent workshop  meeting I don't know if this could come back at   that point So the next meeting after that would  be May 6th which kind of puts us out a month I'm   happy to go sooner than that I know I can read  this and you know we can talk through that but I have a preference I I think that that consent  workshop meeting would be the appropriate time   It's two weeks from today I'm good to have that  conversation I know we don't usually have new   business items but again this is a not typical  u business item that we would have Mayor you you   as a council can vote to make that a regular  agenda meeting not just a consent meeting So   would that be direction for making that a vote  next meeting or is that something we can do today   you would need to direct us to bring something to  you next week to set that f that following week as   a a non-consent or as a regular meeting excuse me  Well I would love to see that happen Happy to hear   from my colleagues but I would love to see that  item on the next agenda to make that a regular   meeting so that we can review this on April 22nd  Do we have consensus that we could bring this to   next week's meeting as a item to vote on i see  some head nods Some head nods some head nods So   if we have consensus which it looks like we  do can we if I could just to be by the book   um I would recommend a motion from the bench  to bring direct staff to bring this item for   next week I will motion to bring this item as  a new business item for next week's April 15th   meeting Second Motion and a second Any further  discussion i see none Mr Clerk please open the role So this will come back again next week but  we'll we're still further discussing this council   member agenda item And I saw that council member  Tuttle Thank you Um I want to thank Jason and   Josh for being so prepared Thank you Making our  jobs a little easier and this is going to be a   challenging process and exactly what I hoped would  happen just happened So thank you to my colleagues   We when we're talking about time frame we only  have about seven and a half months till the end of   the year And if we talk about the process lasting  six or seven months and ideally if we could bring   someone and they could have some transition  time with our current city manager who is such   an expert and asset to the community So I hope  that we will you know really consider this at an   accelerated pace because we have to have somebody  by the end of the year So thank you Council Member   Hoheisle Thank you Mayor Uh Jason uh do you have  any estimates how long you think this process will   plan out i know there's a lot of moving parts here  but once we get an RFP uh decided on and agreed on   from council any idea um well it it really depends  can go anywhere from five to 10 months Um it kind   of depends on how quickly council acts how how  quickly you guys decide what the job description   is going to be Um how long like this the uh we  have right here that the RFP will be publicly   released for a minimum of 30 days That doesn't  have to be 30 days It can be two weeks if you   want it to be two weeks So it it just depends on  what how fast you want the process to move Okay I   appreciate that I think we're mostly in agreement  up here that we do want robust public engagement   to go with this So make sure that the public has  a chance to weigh in on it So thank you sir I   appreciate that You're welcome Vice Mayor Johnston  Thank you Mayor I I'm push back a little bit on   the expediency of it I think our last city manager  here for over 16 years I think this is very very   important discussion important decision I  think we definitely need to have a lot of   uh public input a lot of uh in vetting really a  lot of vetting of candidates and the search firm   So I would discourage rushing it and make sure  we do it right I want to make sure we do it right I would like to have a couple of questions from  maybe HR or Josh probably HR um specifically Can   you talk about a closed or open um application  process or I I think it's called more an open   process or a closed process In other words there  may be some city managers who currently are in   their positions but um a head hunter would  be contacting them and they wouldn't want   to others to know that they're thinking about  um this position How do you go about reaching   out to those individuals versus those who want a  more open process right so that would really be   a a conversation you would need to have with the  vendor that you select to work with you Uh they   will be able to tell you how they've managed that  process in the past and um they would be better   able to explain that to you if that's what you  would like to do if you would like a close process   or if you think that that might be something that  some of the applicants might might need I'm sure   that they will be able to explain how they're able  to do that It it shouldn't be a problem And then   in terms of public engagement I obviously hear a  lot um from community members wanting to be part   of that process Is this a recommendation before we  choose an actual consultant or after we choose a   consultant um again that's up to you I've seen it  done both ways I've seen it where um you've gotten   p public engagement in order to get some feedback  from the public prior to giving the information   you want the potential vendor to know Um but I've  also seen it where you know the the uh the city   has selected a vendor and then as part of the um  process in creating questions or creating forums   um they they get fe feedback from from the  community So it can be done both ways Then when   it comes to a selection committee um there are  oftentimes selection committees for these major   roles Um what has been the process in the past  has it been for instance council members propose   an individual from their district or multiple  people from their district how is that process   like and how was it in 2008 um Pam is like she's  our recruiting expert Now she won't be able to   tell you probably too much about 2008 but she can  tell you about our our process as far as selecting   uh panel Right So good afternoon mayor  and council Pam Pennington Human Resources   So for the chief of police search that we did  the RFP played a huge role in telling the vendor   exactly what we wanted their part to be Um and  so they took a huge role in doing all of the   community outreach all the community engagement  Of course we coordinated uh a lot of that but um   that was a big part of what you ask for upfront  So on the um engagement side we included a lot of   people Um the city manager's office put together  the review committee which was the committee who   looked at the initial um applications um and  made the the initial decision to finalize candidates Can you talk about  that review committee how big   it was who were part of that review committee yes Need to get my glasses on So the review committee consisted  of 11 uh community members across   many different parts of the city Um and they  became a huge part in the process They all   um also signed confidentiality  agreements So as things were   being shared you know that never went  out of of the room with those those folks And then community stakeholder process um  originally started with 24 people and this came   from a recommendation from the vendor because  you can start getting a lot of people involved   in this and that just continues the process So  um we were very very strategic in inviting the   24 to do focus groups before no the community  engagement was a big part of what we asked the   vendor for Um so they took on that responsibility  and then worked with us to help identify you know   how many should be involved in that process  I will tell you having had it been summer   uh we ran into a lot of issues where people  were on vacation and they weren't available   and so that that kind of uh delayed a little bit  of our process as well Council member Glascott   Thank you Mayor Of the 11 of the 24 how are  they selected how are they nominated how are   they confirmed to be on that selection process i  believe city manager's office worked with several   um organizations community  members to identify those Mayor I also consulted with council members  to make sure that we had representation from   around the community Yeah Was it approved by the  council the committee so all 11 that were part of   it were selected from you That's correct Was that  similar to the process in 2008 for you no uh that   um I know you're not taking public comment right  now but Council Member Williams or Miss Williams   would probably know a little bit better It  was a pretty significant cross-section of   community representatives my recollection  and it was more than you know six or seven   Uh there were pretty significant number of  people involved in that steering committee   And were those individuals confirmed by  the council i I don't know for sure I'm   going to guess that they were but again  I wasn't here at the time so I don't know Can you also speak to the um since this  process again has not occurred since 2008   um I don't know who was around during that  time Um but part of community engagement and   outreach has really been in the last 10  years that we are wanting more and more   of that So this is maybe not part of the  2008 process but I'd like to know did this   uh potential city manager uh finalist  that they get an opportunity to talk with community system that we use for the police chief  selection was a lot more robust You're right mayor   Um we met with the citizens committee We met with  the mayor and council individually as well as   um as a group We had a press conference We had  a public forum that was not real well attended   Um and it was also I think broadcast on the  city's cable channel and uh they took uh phone in   questions as well Uh that's my recollection is how  far we went with any kind of engagement I will add   to that Bob We did do a community survey that was  on the website as well that the vendor did produce   and it was produced in both English and Spanish  and that went online very early on in the process   So it ran the entire time until we had finished  all community engagement For clarification that's   with the police chief That's what I correct Was  not here in 2008 Yes So in that Pam specifically   what you're talking about the community survey  that was created by the consultant Is that correct   correct So that's why again step number one is a  consultant and I think that that was one of the u   big uh questions I think community wanted to know  how does this process really start and it really   starts with hiring a consultant that their prime  focus is in hiring helping with the hiring process   of a city manager Correct Any further questions  for staff i will move to open up public comment   Uh this is not typical for council um council  business or council topics but I would like to   hear from community especially since many of you  are still here Um I move to open public comment   I'll second Motion and a second Any further  discussion i see none Mr Clerk please open the role Motion passes 70 We will now open it  up for public comment if anyone from the   public would like to share their thoughts  uh regarding our form of government or   the city manager process selection Um I  would actually really like to hear from   uh former council member Lavanta Williams  since she sat through the 2008 process Mayor would you please instruct  her not to talk about how she voted   um when she they had the final vote  that's the kind of relationship we have Um yes those times were uh very very trying but  we did involve the community as much as we could   Um it was not an easy process and um I think  with you announcing one week and and asking   for everything to fall in place the next week  is going to be awfully hard for you give the   community and and give even uh those that will  be involved a little bit of time to still really   digest what's going on Uh it has been 16 years So  to be able to say uh we want this this and this is   going to be awfully hard I think you have people  that have already started and I appreciate the   comments that they have But finding those pieces  and putting them all in place as you were saying   this should be our first thing this should be our  next this this is going to be ongoing and so as   you have your district advisory boards even bring  them in at an early pace they know what's going on   so they should be ready to say something uh at at  some particular time but I would definitely say do   not rush the process get things in order before  you just start accepting all of these comments   um making sure yes uh if if there's an opportunity  for some of those that were around at that time   to sit down and have coffee uh with three of you  at a time possibly we could work it that way but   uh I would just suggest that it not be rushed  Council member Johnson Thanks Mayor Levant you   got to come back Um just clarification on what  you just said Are you referring to the design   of the RFP or after the firm is hired taking our  time to do all of that engagement no I think get   all of your ducks in a row right now Okay So  if that is hiring the consultant then start   there but then start putting things in order Okay  Thank you While we're on the topic of a consultant   I'm going to ask HR Um is it always typical to  have a consultant or can this be done inhouse okay Um well it's I I've seen both Um for the most  part when I've looked when I've worked at smaller   cities it was done in-house but larger cities  like this one it there's been been a consultant   Um so you you could go either way And typically  what is the cost of a consultant if you can   give me an estimate of how much it was for the  city uh police chief Yeah just a moment please So the police chief search was about $57,000  total Um and I think typically on average   um firms usually charge about  30% of the annual salary and remind us what is the annual salary of the  current city manager i don't have that handy approximately $250,000 $250,000 So 30% of the $250,000 is typical  for a consultant to be hired Mayor if I if I   could that's that's variable I if you're going to  place a heavy emphasis on community participation   uh maybe even use a survey like we did  for the police chief it will be on the   higher end as this was We could have done  a lot less when we hired the police chief   but we thought maximum engagement  was the import was important So Council Member Glascock thank you Mayor Just doing  a quick math That's minimum of around 75,000 Is   that currently budgeted in HR where does that come  from is that from council budget is that budgeted   in HR where are we getting the money of currently  allocated it's a great question It's not in HR That would come out of the  city manager's budget Thank you Thank you very much We'll continue with public comment Former Sedick County  Commissioner Carl Peter John Thank you Madame Mayor council members I  hadn't planned to come and talk on this but   uh uh the devil is in the details And I would just  be remiss if I didn't point out when you say we   had a went to the city manager former government  in 1917 Uh as a young man I came to Witchah And I   don't go quite back to 1917 but I do come back to  1978 when I moved to Witchah And the city council   manager form of government that existed at that  time was a good deal different than what you   have now And so even though you could say yes  you have the uh um manager mayor council form   uh there have been some significant changes and I  think it's good to have that institutional memory   examined I would also be remiss if I didn't point  out while I had the privilege of serving Sedick   County as a county commissioner we went through  the county manager hiring process and uh uh   we also went through the process on the planning  commission side when the commissioners worked with   the city manager and there's some similarities  there and there's a great deal of institutional   knowledge and experience that I think this  council can call upon on this and I think it   would be wise to be able to look at this broadly  because uh I'll just share this when we got the   recommendation for the new county manager uh and  the finalist candidates uh we actually changed the   list some and I think picking the uh firm that  does the consulting and narrows the field down   and provides recommendations to you I mean it's  real easy to throw out the folks who throw their   resumes over the uh transom to be considered for  city manager when they're written in crayons but   uh uh but the serious candidates uh that  process it's important that you all have a   good person that you're working with with  a track record and it's closely examined   uh in that process But uh I wanted to throw out  that uh this is far from a unique experience and   uh wish you well on that process Uh the devil  will be in the details as usual but that's uh I   think that occurs on just about every one of your  uh city council agendas Appreciate your attention   and time Carl I had a couple questions actually  Um specifically to the county manager selection   process did you guys use a consulting firm or  did you do that inhouse we had a consulting firm and again maybe this is more of a question for HR  Um you mentioned there are two choices choosing   a consultant or keeping it in house Why is a  consultant usually the route that cities our   size and counties the Sedick County size usually  go the consultant route um I think there are   several reasons I think a lot of times you may  have internal applicants and as a result of that   you would you want an outside entity to kind of  run the process so that everyone can say it's as   fair as it was it could possibly be Uh that's one  reason The other reason is the more engagement you   um decide you want the more likely it is that  a consultant will have gone through that very   process and will be able to help you to identify  the people that you want to participate Um I   think another reason for consultants is that  again uh it's been 16 years since the city of   Witchah has done this So an HR department will  probably do this every six to 10 years whereas   a consultant that's all they do So they're  they're ready to go They have they have all   their information together And so that I think  those are some of the reasons that a consultant   would be would be might be a better choice than  than insight A follow-up question Since this   will come out of the city manager's budget  is there enough money to hire a consultant uh mayor yes there is We'll have  to make a budget adjustment in   order to have that happen but we do have  sufficient funds for that Thank you for   that followup Thank you Anyone else  from the community who would like to speak please share your name and district you  reside Uh Helen Ryer District 1 Um when I was a   member of WEBA we had speakers that came out from  um the director of the NBC World Baseball Series   director of Exploration Place and I believe the  executive director of downtown Witchaw nonprofit   Um and they were all recruited from out of state  And I think that we hold a lot of value for those   people to come here We do have low um sorry  I'm really nervous We do have low um cost of   living here They can get a giant house um for what  they could get a small house from where they were   coming from So I feel like there is a lot of hope  and I not that I don't I want you guys to not look   local obviously Um but I think there those those  organizations have showed that there is a lot of   promise to be found a lot of talent that can be  found and I feel pretty confident that you guys   could find a more than suitable city manager um to  attract them here We have a lot to attract those   people here for Thank you Thank you Helen Anyone  else from the community who would like to speak   i see none We'll bring it back to the bench Any  further council member Tuttle Thank you I do think   that there's a lot of validity Thank you to all  of the speakers of of hiring a consultant I think   it will help us attract excuse me um to be able  to advertise it to a bigger pool of applicants Um   we just went through the process not of a police  chief but also our director of public works and   we just hired a brand new director of parks and  recreation and we used a consultant in this model   for all of it So it seems to be a precedent that's  working If we do end up hiring someone local it   will also really validify the fact that we they  went through the process So I just think that   having a consultant in this in this um you know  as we move forward is going to be instrumental   in helping us to be the most successful Council  member Johnson Thanks Mayor Just wanted to say   on the record I support a consultant um as well  And another benefit of a consultant I believe we   had with Chief Sullivan was a guarantee that  if uh the final candidate didn't work out we   still had 12 months of service to use them again  to find another one So those things I think are   beneficial and I'll be supportive of a consultant  Council me council member Ballard rather Thank you   mayor Uh I would just like to echo the comments  of Council Member Johnson and Tuttle Um I do   agree that a consultant is um the best way to go  and we have if we have local applicants that is   awesome but at least we're extending the net as  wide um as we can to see um who is interested in   uh moving to Witchaw So thanks Council Member  Glascock also favor and consultants Council member   Hohheisle Ditto Vice Mayor Johnston I also can  uh favor hing consultant and I think one of the   advantages is they can recruit successful manager  from another city that's probably maybe happy with   their job but present an opportunity to Well thank  you for the consensus over here Um it looks like   we have nobody else on the board that would like  to speak So this item will now come before us next   week on Tuesday as a new business item which then  will allow for more public comment Um and this   will be specifically about the consultant/RFP  process itself I see no further uh comments Mr   Clerk please call the next item approval to exceed  the gift limit established by the ethics ordinance   for Mayor Woo to accept travel and expenses to  attend the Apex Legislative Leadership Leadership   Summit in Washington DC on Monday May 12th for the  purpose of representing the city The Legislative   Leadership Summit is hosted by the AsianPacific  American Institute for Congressional Studies for   the purpose of education The estimated gift  amount for travel hotels and meals is $99 Thank you Mr Clerk I will just add a  couple of uh comments regarding this   uh exceeding of gift limit u item I was invited  to participate as a panelist on a panel entitled   woven together strength in community by  the AsianPacific American Institute for   Congressional Studies Uh this is going to be  a discussion to explore pathways to leadership   challenges in public service and the broader  impact of leaders at local and national levels   This panel will take place on Monday May 12th in  Washington DC And all travel and accommodations   for one night in DC um are paid for again by  the nonprofit AsianPacific American Institute   for Congressional Studies I move to approve  the exceeding of this gift limit A second   Motion and a second Any further discussion  i see none Mr Clerk please open the role I All those in favor say I I I Motion  passes 70 Mr Clerk please call the next item retroactively approve for Mayor Woo to attend the  League of Kansas Municipalities Board meeting in   Emporia Kansas on Friday April 4th 2025 There will  be no cost to the city for this travel I will also   add a couple comments regarding this I am one  of the board members for the League of Kansas   Municipalities as the largest city in the state  of Kansas It is an honor to serve the city in that   capacity and I travel to various parts of Kansas  to attend these board meetings and this past   one was on Friday in Emporia I motion I move to  approve that travel that has no cost to the city   Second motion and a second Any further discussion  i see none Mr Clerk please open the role All those in favor say I I All  those opposed same sign Motion   passes 70 Mr Clerk please call the next item Council member appointments and comments We'll  begin with council member appointments Council   member Glascott Thank you Mayor I would like  to appoint Jim Underwood to the access advisory   board and I would like to appoint Mark  Walsh to the CSBG um open spot that I have   Council member Hohheisle Thank you Mayor Uh  Jennifer how do we go about the process for   CRB since we have to do the background check do I  appoint now or do I I believe the clerk's on the   background check already that's a good question  I think we've done it both ways Um I think we   um alert staff and then the background check  is run make the appointment Thank you Just   to add on what um Jennifer just mentioned  I think we decided that we would not make   a formal appointment until after they've  cleared background checks Okay Yeah All   right Thank you No no appointments here  I move to approve the appointments Second   motion and a second Any further discussion  i see none Mr Clerk please open the role All those in favor say I I All those opposed same   sign Motion passes 70 We will now  move to council member comments Council member Tuttle Thank you Um tonight is  the opening game for Wind Witchaw Winds Surge   Gates open at 5:00 The first pitch is at 6:35  Um so hopefully we'll have a very robust season   encourage everyone to go down to Equity Bank  Stadium and enjoy our local baseball team and   just kind of the start and kickoff of not only  spring but then into summer Member Hoheisel Thank   you Mayor Um this Saturday at 9:30 at the  Christian Faith Center off of East Panee we   will be having our district breakfast the best  breakfast in town Um I don't know I didn't get   to try JV's wife's cooking Maybe Yeah that might  tie for first I'm 99.9% sure Let's put it that way   Um we will be having uh representatives from the  emergency response center Um we've gotten to tour   some of their facilities lately With the spring  season coming along tornadoes who knows what else   with weather I thought it would be a good time  to bring them out and talk about some of their   uh disaster planning and uh just what we can  do on the ground if as affected residents and   citizens of Witchah to help plan for that So um  should be a great time Please anybody everybody's   invited It's not district centric So if you're not  doing anything Saturday morning come on down and   h have some good food not rabbit food like they  do in District 1 Thank you Council Member Ballard   Thank you Mayor Uh I have two things and then a  question Um at Murdoch Park on Saturday they're   doing a tree distribution They're handing out 55  free trees from 10 to 1 Uh I overlap a little bit   into 67214 So sure council member Johnson will  talk about that as well Also Saturday from 6:00   to 7 is the big read at the advanced learning  library Uh so if you're interested in that check   that out And then um I had a question either for  Leel or Bob I'm not sure um who but for example   on the council member agenda where it says city  manager selection process and local government   discussion is there a way that we could include  who is requesting it or some type of little   description or something like that instead of  just labeling city manager selection process just   so it's a little bit cleaner for us and for the  public i don't know how my colleagues feel about that I don't know if we need to make a  motion for that or if this is appropriate or I don't I think you're right The um ordinance  doesn't address it I think it doesn't require a   motion I think it's just a conversation on on  process manager in putting together the agenda   I think it would be nice just to include who  is um asking for whatever the item might be and   just a little description much like we do for the  travel just so the public knows a little bit and   um we know a little bit more  details going into a general view Anybody have any problems or questions about  that okay Thank you Council Member Johnson Thanks   Mayor Um Council Member Ballard I agree with  that I'm fine with putting my name on something   if I asked for it Um do have to push back on  Council Member Hohisel We had pancakes in our   district one breakfast because we had the city  manager It was great And everybody ate We ran   out of food because everybody ate and it was  so delicious So Bob uh next district breakfast   Does that mean you're coming down south to  not compare anyways because they were short   on food he didn't feed me but I would Oh Oh that  district one hospitality Please I Yeah obviously   I'd be more than happy to come in Well we had  a great breakfast Bob I appreciate you coming   Um it was it was good to see Mr Roseboro shake  your hand That was a a great moment Um but we   had a great breakfast great budget presentation  and conversation So appreciate Bob being there   um and everybody showing up for that Vice  Mayor Johnston Thank you Mayor I will ask uh   any council member if they've had 86 people more  than 86 people at their breakfast You think so go ahead count next time Okay Very well I'm  just glad I will also point out that uh the   Westlink library opened two weeks ago and had one  thou over 1,000 more checkouts than the advanced   learning library did So we're not comparing  ourselves against other libraries now We're   doing I guess the advanced learning library So  uh it is absolutely wonderful It's a beautiful   library Uh people absolutely love it So they did  a great job renovation And and lastly I cannot   go without saying that uh March Madness was won by  uh by me So thank you I I will say as a non-sports   person I took second So I count that as actual  win How' Mike do i'm just glad I beat Mike Council   member Ho Heisel Thank you Mayor Uh I humbly eat  some crow Next year uh it'll be a different story   Congratulations on your 99.9% Yeah Thank you  uh being in the top.1% Um of course you choose   the chalkiest tournament that's ever happened But  um no congratulations and Dalton congratulations   to you Next year maybe you guys can choose on  something besides uniforms or mascots or whatever   black magic you guys use to get it done this year  But um I I I got that chip on my shoulder So next   year I'm I'm watching every basketball game I  can up until the tournament It'll probably change   completely next year probably But congratulations  Vice Mayor There's one more Council member Johnson   Thanks Mayor Yeah I have to keep talking Um to  the vice mayor's point I just want to say that   it is awesome to watch the conversation  around investment in our branch libraries   turn into a plan and now seeing them being  constructed all over the city the improvements   um having the Walters Library I just I remember  those conversations years ago and now seeing it   happen is is awesome and seeing people really  take advantage of them So I love to see that   I'm looking forward to seeing more of it but it's  just um great to see that go from conversation to   reality Very nice We will now move to adjourn the  meeting I see already Council Member Glasco I was   trying to do it before we made a headline  So motion to adjourn Motion approved Okay   Motion and a second Any further discussion  i see none Mr Clerk please open the role   All those in favor say I I All those opposed same  sign Motion passes 70 Have have a great weekend