Pittsburg commission approves appropriation ordinance, releases $141,834 in RHID funds to Silverback Landing amid questions

The Pittsburg City Commission on Oct. 14 approved an appropriation ordinance that included a $141,834.26 payout to Silverback Landing LLC tied to redevelopment (RHID) funds, following more than an hour of public comment and commissioner questioning about inspection, eligible costs and contractual protections.

Resident Christy Bender pressed the commission in public comment to explain the charge on the appropriations schedule and to release the development contract. "It's time for the city to make public the contract between P and L Development and Silverback Landing LLC to know what the terms of this agreement are," Bender said, asking whether a certificate of substantial completion and third-party inspections had been submitted before payment.

City staff and the administration responded that the RHID funds were released as part of the closing process. City staff said the money had been held until closing and that the closing included a signed contract tying Evergy to complete remaining electrical infrastructure for phase 1. "There is a contract with Evergy to complete the remaining infrastructure," a staff member said, explaining Evergy and the new developer agreed to finish the 15 lots' electrical work that had previously been outstanding.

Commissioners asked for clarity on what costs were "eligible" under Exhibit C of the development agreement and whether elements such as a crash gate or entrance package needed to be finished before disbursement. Staff said Exhibit C is an eligible-cost list (not an automatic payment checklist) and that substantial completion for phase 1, as interpreted by the city, focused on the core public facilities (water, sewer, streets, electrical), not every optional amenity. Staff also said the $141,834.26 release was structured to secure completion of the Evergy work and to ensure the project could close and continue under the new local developer.

Several commissioners voiced unease about releasing funds before every eligible item was constructed. One said the sum had functioned as a bargaining chip in negotiations; another said the city had secured local investment and that the closing safeguards meant the funds would remain with local partners. Staff and the mayor said the city will inspect the remaining work and work with Evergy to verify completion.

After discussion and a call of the question, the commission voted to approve the appropriation ordinance; the mayor announced the motion carried (tally recorded in the meeting transcript as 3-1). The commission did not vote to withhold the appropriation pending additional inspections.

The commission also heard public comment about meeting access and stream quality, transit funding pressures from local operators and other items on the agenda during the meeting.

The administration said it would follow up with concerned commissioners and that records available for public disclosure would be reviewed under applicable law; commissioners urged staff to provide any non-confidential contract documents and inspection records requested by the public. No additional formal actions on the Silverback payment were taken at the meeting.