April 20, 2015 City Commission Meeting

📅 Announcements

• Youth Aviation Adventure Day: This Saturday, 📅 April 11th, at Cooper Technology Center's Aviation campus. Free event for ages 12-18, including breakfast and lunch, focusing on aviation education and careers.
• Fair Housing Month: 📅 April 2015 has been proclaimed Fair Housing Month in Shawnee, encouraging citizens to follow fair housing laws. The City Clerk is designated as the Fair Housing Activities Coordinator.
• Shawnee Sister Cities International Program: Students and teachers will travel to Japan this summer for the 25th anniversary. A Japanese group will visit Shawnee in 📅 October for the anniversary.
• Ward 1 Commissioner Vacancy: Applications for the Ward 1 Commissioner position are due by 📅 April 29th at 4 PM. Interviews will be held on 📅 May 4th, with the swearing-in scheduled for 📅 May 18th. Application forms are available online.
• City Manager Search: Applications for the City Manager position close on 📅 April 10th. A tentative schedule for the selection process is expected by the 📅 April 20th meeting.
• Storm Shelter Rebate Grant Program: The program aims to complete its process by 📅 July or August, with the grant period extending through the 📅 end of September.
• Dispatch Project: The new dispatch center is progressing well and is expected to be operational by the 📅 second or third week of May.
• Range Tower Project: This project is anticipated to be completed within the next 📅 2-3 weeks.
• VSI Incorporated Contract: The VSI full board will meet on 📅 April 8th to discuss the revised contract.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Shawnee Municipal Authority (SMA) Utility Service Area Litigation: Following an executive session, the SMA ✅ Approved a motion to authorize and direct attorneys to file suit to determine the right to serve areas generally south of the river and other related matters. Additionally, Trustees James Herrod and Keith Hall were ✅ Authorized to represent the SMA in the lawsuit.
• Boy Scout Restroom Project: The City Commission ❌ Rejected the current bids for the Boy Scout Park restroom facility. Staff recommended re-advertising for bids for a slightly larger restroom, which would include two water closets for both men's and women's facilities, to better accommodate the splash pad users. This decision will not delay the splash pad opening.
• Ward 1 Commissioner Vacancy Appointment Process: The City Commission ✅ Approved a motion to advertise for candidates for the Ward 1 Commissioner vacancy. Applications, available online, are due by 📅 April 29th at 4 PM. Interviews will be conducted on 📅 May 4th, and the selected individual will be sworn in on 📅 May 18th.
• Shawnee Lake Maintenance Office Building: The Shawnee Municipal Authority ✅ Awarded the bid for the Lake Maintenance Office Building to Sage Mill Construction for $240,000.

Financial Matters

• Fire Run Fees: Discussion was held regarding increasing fire run fees for services outside city limits. The Fire Chief recommended raising fees from the current $100 per hour to a rate calculated as one-thousandth (1/1000th) of the actual purchase cost of the vehicle per hour. This would allow fees to escalate with equipment costs. The Chief will return with a formal proposal at the 📅 first meeting in May.
• Storm Shelter Rebate Grant Program: An update was provided on the program, funded by a $520,000 grant from the American Red Cross. The program offers a maximum grant of $2,500 per individual, covering up to 75% of the installation cost. So far, 204 awards have been made, 32 inspections completed, and 27 claims paid. The program is county-wide.
• VSI Incorporated Contract Discussion: Concerns were raised about the use of city lodging tax funds, which are legally restricted to tourism development within city limits. VSI expressed a desire to raise non-city funds for regional tourism activities that might benefit Shawnee indirectly, such as events in nearby towns. The city manager noted that previous CVBs used ad sales in their literature to fund such activities, keeping city and non-city funds separate.
• Water Treatment Plant Filter Rehabilitation: Staff discussed the need for $3.5 million in upgrades to the water treatment plant filters. Engineering fees for this project are already budgeted for the current year. These upgrades would allow the city to treat Wes Watkins Reservoir water year-round, increasing the city's water treatment capacity and reducing reliance on Twin Lakes.

Public Comments

• Shawnee Municipal Authority Meeting: No citizens came forward to speak during the public participation portion of the Shawnee Municipal Authority meeting.

Agenda Summary Table