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Pittsburg commission approves economic-development support, zoning changes, security camera expansion and building repairs
Summary
At its May 13 meeting the Pittsburg City Commission approved a package of actions including a resolution advancing taxable industrial revenue bonds, a building-rehabilitation grant, multiple zoning and vacation approvals, an award for a structural-stabilization bid, and a police-requested expansion of license-plate-reader cameras.
PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg City Commission on May 13 approved several resolutions, contracts and zoning actions related to economic development, public safety and downtown building repairs.
The commission approved Resolution 12-94, a measure determining the advisability of issuing taxable industrial revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $1.7 million to support a planned manufacturing expansion. City staff described the project as supporting an expansion at the Apex facility in the Airport Industrial Park; the project cost was described in the hearing as about $1.6 million to $1.7 million. Todd Allison, a representative for the facility, said the current building is approximately 31,500 square feet and the expansion would roughly double manufacturing space to allow taller storage of mobile stages for quality control: “We are seeking to expand our facility... It’s currently 31,500 square feet. We are seeking to double that manufacturing capability.” The commission voted to approve the resolution.
Separately the commission approved the Economic Development Advisory Committee'recommended reimbursement for Crux of Life LLC (operating as Pittsburgh Cigar Company) to cover 10% of permanent building-improvement costs for a project at 210 S. Broadway, with the city contribution capped at $32,000. Owner Dave Luby described interior and exterior work, a walk-in humidor and other permanent upgrades.
The commission granted several zoning and vacation requests recommended by the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals: a rezoning of 3204 N. Michigan from R-1C single-family residential to CP-2 planned general commercial; a rezoning of 3010 N. Joplin from CP-0 commercial office to PUD (planned-unit development) for the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas; and multiple right-of-way and alley vacation requests from Watco to vacate portions of Second Street (between Walnut and Olive) and several alley segments.
The commission also approved a variance request allowing a 60-square-foot digital sign at 503 N. Pine (Memorial), noting the new sign ordinance would otherwise limit digital signs in the downtown district to 32 square feet. Staff said the proposed digital sign would emit less light than the existing fixture.
On downtown building stabilization, staff reported the city received one bid of $392,478 for the structural stabilization project at 616 North Broadway. Staff said the city had a private donor committed for $200,000 toward that work; the commission approved awarding the project to the lowest responsive bidder that meets city requirements.
Public safety: the commission approved an expansion of the Flock Safety license-plate-recognition (LPR) system. A police representative told commissioners that the existing LPR network of 14 readers has helped recover vehicles, locate missing persons and support investigations; staff requested 18 additional readers and an enhanced search package. The first-year cost of the expansion was presented as $69,700 (installation and software), with ongoing annual costs of about $61,500. The police representative said the system “does not record video, it does not record people, it does not record speed, it does not issue out tickets... The data is only stored for 30 days.” The commission approved the purchase and asked finance staff to confirm the funding source; one commissioner noted public-safety sales tax as a likely source.
Other routine actions approved included authorizing a city contract with D2 Annex Engineering Solutions (with a supplemental addendum to be attached before execution) and awarding a bid for downtown building stabilization. The consent agenda (items a, b, d and e) was also approved.
Votes were unanimous or carried by voice vote in each case where the meeting record shows "all those in favor, say aye"; the transcript did not list individual roll-call tallies for every item.
The meeting concluded with a city-staff update that Arbor Masters has removed roughly 90% of about 100 planned trees from city right-of-way locations because of utility conflicts, visibility and root intrusion; staff said stumps are being ground about 6 inches below grade and the Sustainability Advisory Committee will pursue a replanting plan with city support.
