Meeting Summary
Announcements
- Parks Master Plan Stakeholder Meeting: A stakeholder meeting for the Parks Master Plan will be held 📅 next Wednesday, 11 AM - 1 PM in the EOC. The meeting will gather input from schools, the YMCA, business owners, and city staff. Commissioners are encouraged to attend or submit their comments to James.
- Citizen Survey: A citizen survey will be conducted as part of the Parks Master Plan development to get a broad cross-section of public opinion.
- Steering Committee: A steering committee will be formed for the Parks Master Plan, and the commission is seeking one commissioner to sit on it.
Key Decisions & Votes
- Visit Shawnee Board Confirmation: The City Council confirmed the members of the Board of Directors for Visit Shawnee. The board will proceed to adopt bylaws and elect officers after mid-July.
- Revised Shawnee Zoning Code: A proposed ordinance adopting a revised Shawnee Zoning Code was approved. This new code, which has been two to two-and-a-half years in the making, will become effective 30 days from its approval, allowing time for any submissions under the old code.
- Avidis Foundation Grant for Trail Improvements: The Council accepted a substantial grant of 💰 $641,742 from the Avidis Foundation. This funding will be used for significant trail improvements, including:
- A new 10-foot wide concrete multi-purpose trail along Bryant Street, connecting to Grove School and the Windermere subdivision.
- Sidewalk improvements on Independent Street to provide safe routes to Sequoia Elementary.
- Trail lighting along the western and southern extents of the Airport Trail to enhance safety for early morning and late evening users.
- The city will provide matching funds, and the project is expected to begin this fall.
- Shawnee Mall Subdivision Plat Acceptance: The Council accepted a public dedication and a performance bond of 💰 $119,000 associated with the final plat of Lot 2, Block 1 of the amended plat of the Shawnee Mall Subdivision Section 2. This action will facilitate the construction of a new restaurant facility, with construction anticipated to start this month.
- CDBG FY2014-15 One-Year Action Plan: The Council approved the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) FY2014-15 One-Year Action Plan, accepting 💰 $289,000 in federal funding for housing and community development initiatives.
- Rehab Concrete Streets Project Bids: The single bid received for the annual Rehab Concrete Streets Project was rejected due to being 47-49% higher than previous contract prices. The project will be re-advertised to seek more competitive bids.
- Voluntary Drought Management Practices: The Shawnee Municipal Authority approved the implementation of voluntary drought management practices. This proactive measure encourages citizens to conserve water due to current lake levels being approximately seven feet below the spillway, despite recent rainfall.
Financial Matters
- FY2014-2015 Budget Presentation: A public hearing was held for the upcoming fiscal year budget.
- General Fund Revenue: Projected at 💰 $21 million, with 74.27% derived from taxes (sales, use, alcohol, franchise).
- General Fund Expenses: Includes 2.5% merit raises (staggered by anniversary date), a 1.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) effective July 1, and increased health insurance premiums. No new positions are currently budgeted, but a review is planned for January, anticipating a boost in use tax revenue from the Shawnee Marketplace and hospital expansion projects.
- Third Penny Allocation: The third penny sales tax will be allocated as follows: 43.75% to Streets, 6.25% each to Police and Fire, 5% to Economic Development, and 38.75% to General Fund Capital.
- Capital Funds: The city's current debt includes the Motorola lease (expires 2021), pool loan (expires Dec 2020), and expo loan (expires Dec 2015). The expiration of the expo loan will release 💰 $833,000 back into the capital fund. New money is estimated at 💰 $2.3 million, with approximately 💰 $850,000 available for spending after debt service. About 💰 $1.4 million in rollovers is anticipated. Capital projects include IT, community development (wayfinding), fire/emergency management (tower), police vehicles, streets/traffic, and planning for auditorium heat and air system upgrades.
- Street Fund: The Street Fund has a 💰 $3.7 million rollover, an estimated 💰 $2.5 million from sales tax (3% increase), 💰 $20,000 in interest, and a 💰 $600,000 transfer from the Shawnee Municipal Authority (SMA) for the Kickapoo project repayment, totaling 💰 $6.9 million. Projects include ADA handicap ramps and sidewalks, the Avidis sidewalk project, signage upgrades, and continued funding for the Kickapoo Spur to Farrow Street project.
- Shawnee Municipal Authority (SMA): The SMA budget includes 2.5% merit raises, 1.5% COLA, increased health insurance, and no new positions. It is transferring 💰 $600,000 to the street fund to repay the water line portion of the Kickapoo project.
Public Comments
- No citizens came forward to speak during the designated "Citizens Participation" agenda item.
Agenda Summary Table
| Agenda Item | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Consider approval of the agenda | Approval of the meeting agenda | ✅ Approved |
| 2. Consider approval of the consent agenda | Approval of routine administrative items | ✅ Approved |
| 3. Commissioner's comments | Commissioners shared positive updates on city developments and recent rain. | Noted |
| 4. Citizens participation | Opportunity for citizens to address the commission | No comments |
| 5. City Manager's presentation of Employee of the Month to Marvin Wilson | Recognition of Marvin Wilson for outstanding service in Shawnee Municipal Authority | Noted |
| 6. Presentation by Randy Gilbert, Chairman of the Shawnee Civic and Cultural Development Authority | Update on Expo Center capital improvements and proposed use of funds | Noted |
| 7. Discussion, consideration and possible action to confirm members of the Board of Directors to Visit Shawnee | Confirmation of board members for the Visit Shawnee organization | ✅ Confirmed |
| 8. Discussion, consideration and possible action on a proposed ordinance adopting a revised Shawnee Zoning Code | Adoption of a new, comprehensive zoning code for the city | ✅ Approved |
| 9. Discussion, consideration and possible action accepting grant funding from the Avidis Foundation | Acceptance of a substantial grant for trail improvements | ✅ Accepted |
| 10. Consider acceptance of a public dedication and a performance bond associated with the final plat of Lot 2, Block 1 of the amended plat of the Shawnee Mall Subdivision Section 2 | Facilitating new restaurant construction with public sewer easement and performance bond | ✅ Accepted |
| 11. Discussion, consideration and possible action on approval of the CDBG FY2014-15 One-Year Action Plan | Approval of federal funding allocation for housing and community development | ✅ Approved |
| 12. Public hearing presentation of the budget for fiscal year 2014-2015 | Presentation and public discussion of the city's annual budget | Public hearing closed, no action taken (presentation only) |
| 13. Consider bids for the Rehab Concrete Streets Project | Review and decision on bids for annual concrete street maintenance | ❌ Rejected bids, will re-advertise |
| 14. New business | Opportunity for new items not on the agenda | No new business |
| Administrative reports | Updates on Parks Master Plan and other city initiatives | Noted |
| SMA Item 2: Discussed and considered voluntary drought management practices | Discussion and approval of voluntary water conservation measures | ✅ Approved |