February 14th Happy Valentine's Day everyone  I know that we have all council members and   I think Maggie is joining us online  may we please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance I pledge to flag United States of Amer  to stands Nation God indivisible with liy and jce   for thank you city manager Bob Leighton thank  you mayor um so uh February 18th you have uh two   people right now on the public agenda page two new  business number one uh you would approve $150,000   for the 2025 water conservation rebate program  um do we have a change in that num yeah yeah yeah so on the Green Sheet and I'll talk about  this more at the council meeting it talks about   estimated Savings of 481 million gallons since  we started the program so if you start looking   at those yearly numbers it doesn't seem to  add up but here's what we've done and I've   got staff looking at this again because I  actually think the number is even larger   if you go those numbers are per year based  on the the rebates we gave per device per   the savings that's just for that one year  if you look at the average life of a device   three five years whatever it might be it really  starts to add up so that's just in onee savings   collectively from the start I I wouldn't doubt if  it's considerably more than 481 but we're working   on that and I'll see if I can have a refined  number but it when the manager asked me that   I had to think twice about where that came from  because if you just start adding those up you'll   never get to 481 but the fact is if you start  from a baseline you replace a device that's   more effective it lasts five years you get that  same savings five years in a row great thank you Gary number two is receiving the fourth  quarterly report we'll have a little more   detail than normal since it is the end of the  fiscal year number three would approve uh the   uh excuse me would approve several endof  year adjustments to close out the 2024 fiscal   year number four I've pulled it was to be the  consideration of the multi- agency Center lease   and operating agreement still negotiating the  final terms to that agreement so that'll come to   you March 4th on page three number five uh would  approve security cameras and lighting for Botanica number six would approve $14,300 for artist  access grants and $3.1 million for the six   Legacy cultural institutions uh that are entered  into uh operating partnership agreements with the   city number seven would approve upgrades  to the prominade meeting rooms and lobby   area in Century 2 number eight would approve  purchase of sculptures for uh downtown pedest I have a question about that I asked  for um further information regarding   the pedestals and if I'm not incorrect  is it 14 pedestals that currently have   no art on them is that correct is  it that they don't have art some   of them have temporary sculptures isn't  that right correct some have temporary thanks FY and that money has to stay with  the pedestal art it's 200,000 is that correct is% it does have to be on not necessarily this yes yes I can I'll send  that to everyone I sent it to   the mayor because she' requested some information okay number nine would approve a lease  agreement uh for the use of clap Park Clubhouse on page four and the top of page or and  all of page five U you have Council travel action   on one of them on number six is a duplication  number five it should actually be council   member hoisel travel to Topeka on February 10th  with no expenses to the city yes thank you very much we we'll get the right language out okay all right that's all I have  on page five nothing on Page Six nothing on page seven page eight  number seven would approve uh the   $48 million General obligation  temporary note sale for this year on page nine number 11 would approve  overestimate bids for improvements in a   development located south of 53rd  Street north and east of Meridian nothing else on nine on 10 and actually on to 11  we have the sale of four public housing authority houses and that is all I have for February 18th  on the preliminary February 25th consent agenda   I don't have anything for the first few pages  actually first three pages page for just mentioned   that 3A um is would approve uh funding for utility  r relocates as part of the West Street project is   3B the library 3B is yes that's the extension  extended lease for the temporary relocation   of Westlink Westlink is moving along well I urge  everybody to get out take a look at it it's pretty   phenomenal what that facility is looking like um  page five number eight is FTA Grant application   for annual funding for projects benefiting  seniors and individuals with disabilities   number nine uh FTE ft FTA Grant application  for equipment number 10 is uh an amendment   to the building and trades code number 11 is  initiating the remaining funding for the black   ly drainage project page six there's a placeholder  number 14 that is for a budget adjustment for   the winter shelter uh it will not change our  contribution rate it just moves expenditures   I think from contractuals maybe to uh Personnel  it appears as if the winter shelter will exceed   its budgeted $600,000 and I believe HK is  going to pay for anything above the city's contribution with that I would like to see  data regarding the number of individuals that   have uh utilized ews thus far um if it could  be from 11:29 on um I would like to see the   data um regarding men and number of men and  number of women who've utilized the service we will get that to you all right I don't have it um sorry one more  thing I would also like to see the number of uh   emergency calls that have been um initiated by  that address police fire since those are the two   City assets but I'm sure um 911 and EMS would also  have other data that could be also part of this conversation I know we have the data readily  available for police and fire we've been   collecting that over time I'll have to check  on the EMS okay uh nothing else on that page   or on page seven on page eight uh we have  uh number 25 is a monthly status report on   public housing dispositions um number 26 is a  lease with Bombardier Bombardier def defense   excuse me for 20,000 Square ft of space at the  airport and number 27 would be a change order   for the fuel tank repair project mayor that is  all I have on the preliminary for 20 25th and   the that is our Workshop day can you remind  us the topics that we will be discussing at   the workshop yes um we will do um a drill down  on our budget projections for 4 25 26 and 27 we   will discuss um the preliminary or the U interim  budget projects that staff started working on in   late fall early winter U and we give you status  on a number of those projects we're also going   to give you our uh annual arpa update and there  is one last item on there that's right golf carts   how could I I forget yeah golf carts yeah I know  thank you city manager all right I think we have   a report from our legislative agenda uh Jim or  Marley Marley Marley hello everybody I apologize   I am on my phone for some reason Microsoft teams  H has crashed my computer um but wanted to give   you an update that we are very close to the first  major deadline Thursday is the turnaround deadline   um for the 2025 session the last day of committees  is Monday and then the House and Senate will be on   the floor until Thursday the budget Bill continues  to be the big item of session and budget committee   5% to All State in addition to the earlier the  sunfl still only have Marley you're cutting in and out okay the sunflower Summers program still only  has $1 million in it for fiscal year 26 is that   better that's better okay looking at some hearing  for next week there is a ownership bill that is scheduled the league will have this B because  there some IP regulations sorry Marley you're   cutting in and out maybe would it be easier if she  called instead of yeah you can turn off the camera   maybe that will help with okay is that better yes  okay the there is a raccoon ownership bill that is   up on Monday um as silly as that sounds but there  are some preemptions for municipal regulations on   that bill so the league is going to testify  an opposition to that and then there is also   a bill House Bill 2365 that establishes the  South Central Kansas Mental Health hospital   that is just the legislative framework for that  hospital and there is a hearing that will be held   on Monday um looking at a couple other um items  the Constitutional amendment to an act of rolling   average for residential property um that bill was  heard in the house tax committee on Thursday which   is yesterday this is in um this is the house bill  the Senate Bill does cap property tax values at   3% a year um and so the the tax committee will  likely work this after turnaround since they   are an exempt committee the league did provide  neutral comments on the bill there were some   cities testifying in support neutral and opposed  to the bill um we did provide some comments to   the league on some of the concerns that we  may have had um the Kansas bar um Bankers   Association local deposit bill um there will be  a meeting next week regarding regarding that and   um the city of woodw has been involved in some of  those negotiations there was an eviction bill um   hearing on Monday so that bill is proposed  by representative Hal and Howton and there   were several members of council that provided um  written testimony as well as representative hoisel   providing in-person testimony the plan is to work  that on Monday finally the film tax credit bill   did come out of the Senate Commerce Committee  they did put a $5 million cap on the program and   a $1 million cap on sales tax exemption per  taxpayer you will see a lot of bills moving   on Monday and coming out of committee and then  going across the floor I'm happy to answer any questions I think at the very beginning you  mentioned the budget as well as the sunflower   program but you were cutting in and out do you  mind reiterating that yes absolutely I apologize   um the budget Bill did come out of the House  Appropriations Committee last night they did pass   an additional 1.5% across the board cut to all  um previous cuts and programs made the sunflower   Summers program still is at the $1 million Mark  for fisal year 2026 um that is much less dollars   than is needed but we um I know that there are  folks that are continuing to work on funding   for that program but it is very the funding is  somewhat tenuous when it goes to the Senate as well so I I had uh three questions Marley  One not as serious but I'm curious why is   there a raccoon ownership Bill what's  the backstory on that I I I do not know   just curious I I yeah I don't know for um HB 2357  can you provide any insight to maybe conversations   that happened after the testimony is it is it  seemingly a lot of support for that across I   guess the legislature yes there seems to be a  lot of support for it um and I will touch base   with representative how how and howon to see what  their plan is but it's my understanding they plan   to work that awesome um last question on HB 2099  the city inspections can you is there any insight   as to why that's limited to to Pica is it just  because that they didn't want that Statewide was   that initiated by the representatives in that  area yes that bill actually the way it came out   um and it's published it applies to all cities  but toeka is the only one that is having issues   going in and inspecting um properties that  receive federal dollars um and Topeka is   looking to have an amendment to only limit it to  the city of Topeka okay thank you I have a couple   real quick um in regards to the bill council  member Johnson was just talking about is that   simply the units the that are being provided  for by Public Funding or is that the entire   building does that extend beyond just the unit I  do not know the answer to that I can find out okay   I appreciate that um you have here the HB 2378  establishing the right to remove squatters act   can you just give like a brief breakdown of what  that what that bill entails yes that bill would   establish a new act and allow um squatters to put  some additional Provisions in the bill um to allow   the squatters to be removed I can send an update  um to Jim today on that and get you some more   information thank you I appreciate that um the  HB 2119 uh affordable housing tax credit I mean   that's just that's going to be uh real damaging  right now uh what it says compromis legislation   is expected uh could you just touch base on that  real quick kind of what that might look like yes   there is a h there's a bill in the house and  the Senate to eliminate these programs um there   is concern about the fiscal note in the out years  and how um these credits are growing significantly   Kansas does not limit the or cap the credits and  offers both the 4% and the 9% credits there is   compromise um that is ongoing regarding how this  program will go for forward um the folks that are   looking to eliminate the programs are chairs of  committees and um in leadership and so we are   hopeful that the program can continue but it will  be a smaller program okay um yeah we might suggest   some other changes with that too kind of some of  the issues we've had with uh the tax credits but   um the last one I have is HB 2372 which is the  Firefighter Memorial um did that make it out of   the registrar's office [Music] 2372 um I have not  seen that bill yet but I will get you an update on   it okay thank you that's uh Tom kesler's committee  there so appreciate that thanks Marley hey Marley   this is Becky thank you for all you do I just have  one quick question on Senate Bill 106 um yesterday   I was at the greater witchy area veterans advocacy  board and we were discussing 106 and then I see   that it says the city of Topeka is looking at  doing something similar can and we can talk   offline but I'm just curious about that are they  trying to are they going to wait and see if it   passes at the state level or they're going to try  and do like a local ordinance and hopes to support   the bill or or what's happening in Topeka that  um they are looking at doing something locally   and I can get you in touch with um somebody from  Topeka for you to discuss that would be fantastic   and then um I spoke with representative H Heisel  um about House Bill 2024 because it's in taxation   it doesn't have turnaround right so he said  he was going to get with the chair and see if   he could give any updates but um thank you again  for all you do appreciate your support thank you   one quick followup to council member hois on  HB 219 um when you said it will be a smaller   program does that mean Target it and if it is  conversation around being targeted is that more   uh Urban or rural it it would be across the state  I don't think that they're looking at urban and   rural and targeted but they're looking at ways  to make the program cheaper for the state okay I see no further comments or questions Marley  thank you very much thank you have a good day   thank you can I just have a quick update  from Gary sorry I know that on Tuesday   we passed a Grant application and we talked a  lot about it during Council but unfortunately   something happened the next morning so just  so that everyone has the same information uh yeah so it might be considered about as bad a  timing as we could have had after that discussion   and I appreciate everybody's willingness to look  at letters of support that very next morning I   heard from Jim Davenport that the Grant had been  pulled uh I think his language was for review I   will say so we're we're going to continue moving  forward on our application process reason being   we had a grant that we've been working on the  raise Grant out at Kellogg and eisener Airport   Parkway for The Interchange and the airport  campus work that was called raise and that was   pulled and brought back up and was renamed build  what it used to be the bill Grant is what we got   for the north Junction which I think was during  the first Trump Administration probably so anyway   they brought that back up and did not change the  submitt date so I don't know any more than that uh   but we're watching very closely uh it seems like  with some of these grants they've pulled them down   they've taken out any language that they didn't  like certain words whatever it might be and then   brought them back on so we're going to keep moving  forward just in case so beond standby about yeah   issuing letters of support yeah I think so and  as soon as we hear anything we'll let everybody   know thank you Gary I see no further comments  regarding legislative agenda state or federal   now council member comments council member tutle  thank you um I just wanted to give a shout out   to a few Department ments and organizations uh  yesterday we had the opportunity to be at Fire   Station 1 and to make an announcement regarding  our creating a culture of Wellness initiative   within the witto fire department and just a big  thanks to our Communications Department for all   of their efforts we got there everything was  set up every media Outlet was there lots of   great coverage um but this is a partnership with  the city of Witchita and our human resources   department and Communications obviously Witchita  Fire Department the International Association   of firefighters local 135 Via Christie and  especially with their oncology department and   then we announced yesterday we brought on the  Kansas Health Foundation as a partner who will   be providing $150,000 to this project for the  goal of help uh we will be hiring a consultant   to help us develop a sustainable pilot program  um and then the goal will be that that could be   replicated potentially even in fire departments  across the state and so so um you know it's more   morphed into more than just cancer screenings  but how do we also address hypertension how do we   address sleep hygiene how do we address mental  health and substance abuse um for people who   protect us every day so I just couldn't be more  proud of Chief snow and her team and leadership   in this and and all the partners involved but  yesterday was just a great day for wi so thank   you for everyone involved but again especially  to Communications for just making it all flawless I see none I'm just GNA give one more plug  from the mayor's off uh manager's office   rather and remind everyone to please submit  your public service award uh nominations the   deadline is coming up so please uh look online  at wi.gov but the deadline is February 21st at 5:   PM that's Friday of next week so please nominate  any employees who are public servants whether at   the city of Witchita Cedric County or Witchita  Public Schools we want more nominations and we   want to honor everyone who is a public  servant in our community so this would   be a great opportunity for you to nominate uh  anyone that you think is doing a fantastic job   so thank you I do want to add that through  the generosity of the D'Or Foundation the   amount of the awards has gone up as well so  wonderful family thank you city manager and   thank you council members have a great  weekend and Happy Valentine's Day again