Commission approves ordinances

The approval of two city ordinances and a temporary access agreement for the North Central Kansas Medical Center were part of the agenda at the regular meeting of the city commission on April 17.
Commissioners received a quarterly report from CloudCorp executive director Nicole Reed.
Reed briefed commissioners on tax credits for CloudCorp Housing, LLC; the CloudCorp Annual Luncheon, and the third annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge.
Reed also discussed work being done at the St. Joseph Subdivision, workforce recruitment efforts, e-community loans, the Get in the Cloud small business grant program, and the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Affordable Housing Grant program.
During the discussion portion of the meeting, city manager Amy Lange briefed commissioners on the progress of the proposed Community Activities Center (CAC).
Commissioners then gave their approval for the CAC strategic doing committee to apply for grant funding through the Community Foundation for Cloud County. The grant would pay for design services to obtain an accurate cost estimate to construct the facility, a comparative analysis of the two proposed sites, and a floor plan and renderings to be used for future marketing materials. 
Discussions related to a Community Activities Center (CAC) have continued since an October 19, 2022, study session with commissioners. A discussion with Concordia Unified School District 333 personnel about a potential facilities partnership for gym space and a walking track was held on April 19, 2023. Various informal small group discussions involving members of the original CAC strategic doing committee have also been held.
The proposed facility would include a walking track, pickleball courts, basketball and volleyball courts with spectator seating, a multipurpose meeting room, a kitchen/concessions area, and the ancillary spaces that normally accompany a space of this type.
It has also been proposed that the facility include an indoor “tot lot” jungle gym for young children, providing an active play space during inclement or very cold weather.
The facility could also include an activity area geared toward pre-teens that may include ping pong, corn hole, bowling, etc. Simulators for golf and archery are also under consideration.
Two city-owned properties have been identified as potential locations for the proposed facility.
In order to obtain an accurate cost estimate for the construction of such a facility, a preliminary floor plan with preliminary mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, as well as basic exterior renderings is necessary. A comparative evaluation of both proposed sites is also necessary to make an informed decision on location. The information can also be used for marketing and fundraising purposes.
If grant funding for this preliminary scope is not obtained, this item could be budgeted in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY 2025 if the city commission so specifies.
By unanimous vote, commissioners approved Ordinance 2024-3219 providing for temporary camping in City Park from 10:00 a.m. June 12, 2024, to 10:00 a.m. June 13, 2024, to support the 50th Anniversary Bike Across Kansas (BAK) tour.
City manager Amy Lange reported to commissioners that Concordia has been selected as one of the overnight stops for the 2024 BAK tour. An estimated 750 riders and 50 support staff are expected to participate in this 50th-anniversary event.
BAK participants will arrive in Concordia on the morning of June 12 and will depart by 10:00 a.m. on June 13.
BAK participants generally stay overnight in school gymnasiums and camp on school grounds.
Concordia’s geography lends itself best to the use of the high school gymnasium for indoor overnight accommodations and City Park for outdoor tent camping. However, the Concordia City Code only allows camping at Airport Park.
city staff recommended that, because of the significant number of participants and the proximity to Concordia High School, there should be special consideration to allow camping in City Park for this event.
Parks & Recreation staff intends to keep the pool bathhouse open later than normal to allow BAK participants an opportunity to shower. Additional portable toilets will also be provided by BAK to support the anticipated volume of overnight guests in the park. The Concordia Police Department has also planned for extra patrols in the area. Staff does not anticipate that the use of City Park as a BAK campsite will impact normal daytime summer programming.
Upon the recommendation of Parks and Recreation director Chris Atkins, commissioners rejected two bids received for a new front-mounted riding mower. The new mower is intended to replace an existing mower that has had continuous mechanical problems.
The two bids received did not meet the city's specifications for a front-mounted mower.
Atkins' department requested a front-mounted mower because it allows his staff to maneuver in and out of headstones in the cemetery, and reach further into trees and bushy areas, cutting down the amount of time needed to go back and weed out areas. Front-mounted mowers also allow the staff to safely raise the blade deck to do maintenance without having to jack or use a winch to raise the deck to sharpen and change blades.
In other action, commissioners approved Ordinance 2024-3220 for the conditional use of a mini storage/self-storage at 233 East 16th Street.
Building inspector Bruno Rehbein reported to commissioners that the planning commission has approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the use of a mini-storage/self-storage at 233 East 16th Street.
Shane Haug requested a CUP at this location to rent storage units as well as storage for his own business at that location. Self-storage/mini-storage is allowed use in the C-3 General Commercial District and requires a Conditional Use Permit under Article 9, Item #27 of the Concordia zoning regulations.
In the final action of the evening, commissioners approved a temporary access agreement with the North Central Kansas Medical Center (NCKMC) to perform remediation work to the sloped retaining wall on the northwest side of the facility. Commissioner Ashley Hutchinson abstained from the vote.
The remediation work will include the installation of erosion control and a temporary road, stripping and stockpiling rock/topsoil, grading of the sloped retaining wall, re-seeding the disturbed areas, removal of temporary road, and removal of erosion control after vegetation is established.
In April 2022, the city granted a license agreement to Cloud County Health Center, Inc. for a private sloped retaining wall in a public utility easement to assist in the support of the perimeter access road around the new hospital facility. As part of this permanent agreement, the hospital is to maintain the sloped retaining wall to ensure its structural integrity, to control erosion, and to ensure no nuisance is created concerning tall grass and weeds. For McCown Gordon to perform the remediation work, additional space for access is needed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.