Garden City commission approves demolition deadline for Dusty Trail Inn, selects workforce housing developer, orders RAVO street sweeper and finances purchase

Garden City City Commission members on January 7 moved on a slate of items including a public-hearing resolution declaring the former Dusty Trail Inn at 2808 North Taylor Plaza unsafe and dangerous and setting a May 20, 2025 deadline for the owner to remove the structure or otherwise complete required repairs.

The commission also approved selecting Zimmerman Properties LLC as the city’s preferred developer for a workforce-housing request for proposals tied to the 2025 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) round; authorized purchase of one RAVO street sweeper with a five-year maintenance plan and guaranteed buyback for $395,000 and approved lease-purchase financing for that equipment; ratified an emergency purchase of two 15-ton rooftop heating units for the recreation center; and approved several environmental-nuisance resolutions to abate unsafe conditions at private properties.

Why it matters: The Dusty Trail Inn decision gives the owner a fixed timeline to demolish or repair a building the city says has sustained multiple fires and partial structural collapse, and it establishes a city-controlled deadline after years of recurring problems. The housing selection and street-equipment actions affect capacity for affordable housing and public-works operations; the KDOT cost-share and electric-feasibility items reflect multiagency capital planning that will shape transportation and utility infrastructure.

Dusty Trail Inn declared unsafe and given deadline

Following a public hearing, the commission declared the structure commonly known as the Dusty Trail Inn, 2808 North Taylor Plaza, unsafe and dangerous under applicable state law and city code and set a completion deadline of May 20, 2025. Staff told the commission the building sustained a fire on April 25, 2022 with a collapse affecting multiple floors and a second fire on May 6, 2022; the structure has repeatedly been boarded and remains a safety hazard. City staff estimated the cost to raze and make the site safe at approximately $300,000 should the owner fail to act. The property owner requested a six‑month window in a written message to the city; city staff and the commission debated shorter time frames and ultimately set the May 20 date (the commission’s motion approved resolution number 3155‑2025). The record notes the owner asked the city to treat the demolition period as six months after permits are obtained; city staff advised permitting could be completed within days once licensing is in place, and staff recommended a shorter enforcement clock if progress is not evident.

Workforce housing: Zimmerman Properties selected for LIHTC application

The commission approved the selection of Zimmerman Properties LLC as the city’s recommended developer in response to the workforce housing RFP tied to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation 2025 LIHTC round. City staff said the RFP solicited projects that would serve renters at roughly 30%–80% of area median income depending on project design; the city received a single proposal and a review committee that included governing‑body and neighborhood/development representatives recommended Zimmerman Properties. Staff asked the commission to authorize the mayor to confirm the selection in advance of the meeting minutes being finalized so the developer can meet LIHTC application deadlines. The motion to approve the selection passed (no fiscal impact was reported for the selection authorization itself).

Street sweeper purchase and financing approved

The commission approved purchase of one RAVO street sweeper from Red Equipment LLC, with a five‑year maintenance plan, warranty and guaranteed buyback, for $395,000 and approved lease-purchase financing to fund the purchase. City staff said the street department sweeps roughly 445 lane miles and currently operates three sweepers; two older units (2011 Elgins) are frequently breaking down and are past their life expectancy. Staff recommended the RAVO model for its third‑arm broom that reaches gutters and sidewalks, plus high‑pressure washing and a suction hose to clean storm‑drain inlets. The city intends to finance via lease purchase so it will own the unit at the end of five years; staff reported a guaranteed trade‑in allowance of about 40% of original purchase price if traded toward a new RAVO at the end of the term. The commission later approved a financing resolution to accept the low bid from CLIP Holdings (effective interest rate cited in staff presentation: 4.53%) and authorized resolution 3151‑2025 to complete the lease‑purchase. Staff noted the purchase was not budgeted in the 2025 budget and will be included in a revised 2025 budget cycle; the annual payment will be split among street, water, wastewater and solid waste departments, with an approximate $22,000 annual share per department noted in staff comments.

Environmental nuisance resolutions approved for multiple addresses

The commission approved resolutions to abate environmental‑nuisance conditions at 1201 North 10th Street, 816 Summit Street and 1005 Conkling (resolution numbers recorded in the meeting packet). Staff reported repeated inspections, notices and certified orders of violation (including dates of prior notices), and said abatement costs would be charged against the parcels if the owners do not complete required work. The motions passed without further discussion.

Other actions and project approvals

- Starbond district: The commission approved a resolution to set a public hearing (Feb. 18, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.) to consider adding property to the Starbond district for the “Sports of the World” phase 2 project; staff said special obligation bonds would not exceed $38,500,000 to finance a portion of phase 2. (Resolution 3150‑2025 to establish the hearing was approved.)

- Interim police chief services: The commission approved an agreement with Scott City to provide interim police chief services, with Captain EJ Oakes to serve in the interim role. The initial term is three months with the option to extend up to a year by mutual agreement; Scott City will reimburse Garden City for Captain Oakes’s compensation and for costs to cover duties while he serves in Scott City.

- East Side pedestrian pathway (KDOT cost‑share supplemental agreement #1): The commission authorized the mayor to sign the supplemental agreement extending the project letting deadline (project to extend the Tally Trail east and construct an at‑grade crossing at the bypass). Staff estimated total project cost at $2,592,000 with $1,500,000 from KDOT (about 58%) and a local share of $1,092,000 already budgeted and carried forward from 2023 funds.

- Electric feasibility study: The commission approved Project Order No. 001 with Kimley‑Horn and Associates for a feasibility study to evaluate an additional express sub‑transmission feeder tie between the Jameson Energy Center (JEC) and the Garden City substation. Staff said the study will evaluate the most efficient route for a second interconnection that will help maintain compliance with Southwest Power Pool operating directives. The task order amount presented was $52,400 and staff said funding is available in the 2025 electrical fund budget.

- Emergency HVAC: The commission ratified the city manager’s emergency purchase of two 15‑ton rooftop heating units for the recreation‑center gymnasium from Comfort Specialist for $52,296 after multiple vendor bids; staff said the gym’s classrooms and offices retained heat but the gym itself lacked heat and the units were expected to be delivered in about two weeks.

Votes at a glance

- Proclamation: Mayor authorized to proclaim Jan. 27–30, 2025, Health Awareness Week (Garden City Public Schools, St. Catherine Hospital) — approved by voice vote. - Appropriation ordinance: Appropriation Ordinance No. 2,578‑2025A — approved by voice vote. - Workforce housing: Selection of Zimmerman Properties LLC for workforce housing RFP — approved by voice vote. - Street sweeper purchase: Purchase of 1 RAVO sweeper and 5‑year maintenance/warranty from Red Equipment LLC for $395,000 — approved by voice vote. - Lease financing for sweeper: Lease‑purchase financing with CLIP Holdings (bid cited at 4.53% effective interest) — approved (resolution 3151‑2025). - Starbond district: Set public hearing (Feb. 18, 2025) to consider adding property to Starbond district; special obligation bonds not to exceed $38,500,000 — approved (resolution 3150‑2025). - Dusty Trail Inn: Declare structure unsafe and dangerous; required removal/repair by May 20, 2025; city to act if owner fails — approved (resolution 3155‑2025). - Environmental nuisances: Resolutions to abate conditions at 1201 N 10th St; 816 Summit St; and 1005 Conkling — all approved. - Interim chief services: Agreement with Scott City for interim police chief (Captain EJ Oakes), initial three‑month term; Scott City to reimburse costs — approved. - KDOT supplemental agreement: East Side pedestrian pathway cost‑share supplemental agreement No. 1 (total est. $2,592,000; KDOT $1,500,000; city share $1,092,000) — approved. - Kimley‑Horn task order: Project Order No. 001 for electric engineering services (feasibility study) — approved. - Emergency HVAC: Ratify emergency purchase of two rooftop units through Comfort Specialist for $52,296 — ratified.

Speakers quoted or cited in the record

- Manny Ortiz, Mayor (presided over the meeting) - Danielle (city staff, Neighborhood & Development Services) — presented the workforce housing RFP item and Starbond/public‑hearing material - Jeff Beckler (developer representative for Zimmerman Properties LLC) — present to answer questions - Tyler (Street Department staff) — presented the street sweeper proposal - Jared (city finance staff) — presented lease‑purchase financing options - Alicia (city code enforcement/neighborhood staff) — presented environmental nuisance items - Trent Maxwell, Chief Building Official and Director of Neighborhood & Development Services — provided permitting timing and demolition guidance during the Dusty Trail Inn hearing - Captain EJ Oakes — named in the Scott City interim chief services agreement (will serve as interim chief) - Tisha Hurd, Parks & Recreation Director — requested emergency HVAC purchase - Matt Allen, City Manager — authorized emergency HVAC purchase and provided administrative context - Michael Robinson (member/owner of the LLC owning Dusty Trail Inn) — submitted a written request (read into the record) asking for six months after permits are obtained to complete demolition; staff summarized his request - Jeff Woodard (resident, public comment) — asked about boarding and called the site an eyesore

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting

- Dusty Trail Inn: Fires on 04/25/2022 and 05/06/2022; structural collapses reported; city estimate to raze and secure site if the city must act: approximately $300,000; owner requested six months after permits are obtained; staff recommended a shorter (90‑day) period but commission set May 20, 2025 as the completion date. - RAVO street sweeper: Purchase price $395,000; five‑year maintenance plan and warranty; guaranteed buyback/trade allowance cited as ~40% of original price at end of term; purchase was not budgeted in 2025 and will be added in a revised budget; annual payment to be split among four departments (street, water, wastewater, solid waste), staff estimated ~ $22,000 per department per year under the selected financing. - Financing: Staff reported the best lease bid from CLIP Holdings at an effective rate of 4.53%; annual payment example cited at $86,453.86 (five total payments) and a $250 one‑time escrow establishment fee. - Workforce housing: RFP aligned with 2025 LIHTC program administered by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation; RFP received one proposal; no immediate fiscal impact for selection authorization. - KDOT sidewalk project: Total estimated cost $2,592,000; KDOT share $1,500,000; city local share $1,092,000 (funded and carried forward from 2023 budget allocations). - Emergency HVAC: Three vendor bids documented; lowest bid Comfort Specialist $52,296 (freight estimated at $1,000 but noted actual freight could be higher); delivery estimated in ~2 weeks.

Community relevance and next steps

- The Dusty Trail Inn order requires the owner to obtain permits and complete demolition/repairs by May 20, 2025, or the city will proceed and charge costs to the parcel. The commission also retained the ability to consider staying enforcement if substantial progress is shown before the deadline. - Zimmerman Properties will proceed with its LIHTC application (staff asked the mayor be authorized to confirm selection in advance of final minutes so the developer can meet Kansas Housing Resource Corporation deadlines). - The RAVO sweeper was approved for purchase and lease financing; staff will include the payments in the revised 2025 budget and allocate costs across departments. - The Starbond district expansion public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in City Commission Chambers.

Provenance

The record for this article is drawn from the Garden City City Commission transcript for the regular session that covered agenda items discussed above; the commission opened a public hearing on the Dusty Trail Inn (item 10A), debated time frames and read an owner email into the record, and took votes on the items summarized here.