[0:02] I will call to order the Ottawa City

[0:04] Commission meeting for Wednesday, June

[0:06] 3rd, 2026. May I have roll call, please?

[0:08] >> Mayor Clayton.

[0:09] >> Present.

[0:10] >> Mayor pro tem Crawley.

[0:11] >> Present.

[0:12] >> Commissioner Allen.

[0:13] >> Present.

[0:14] >> Commissioner Skidmore.

[0:15] >> Present.

[0:16] >> And Commissioner Van Laeden.

[0:17] >> Present.

[0:18] >> We are all present and accounted for.

[0:20] Um, want to welcome everyone here in the

[0:22] audience and out in the hallway, as well

[0:24] as those watching online. We'll do the

[0:26] Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the

[0:27] invocation by Commissioner Skidmore.

[0:33] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[0:35] United States of America,

[0:37] and to the republic for which it stands,

[0:40] one nation, under God,

[0:42] indivisible, with liberty and justice

[0:45] for all.

[0:46] >> Let's pray.

[0:48] Father in heaven, we give you thanks for

[0:49] this gathering. We thank you for this

[0:51] beautiful city hall you've given to us.

[0:53] And Lord, for this beautiful city, as

[0:54] well. We think of all the city employees

[0:57] and the staff. We're just thankful from

[0:59] top to bottom for every single one of

[1:01] them, and just ask for you to bless them

[1:03] and their families each and every day.

[1:05] And Lord, as we look over the agenda

[1:06] today and the and items on this, we just

[1:08] ask for your direction and guidance as

[1:10] we make these decisions to bring honor

[1:12] and glory to you. All these things we

[1:14] pray in Christ's name. Amen.

[1:16] >> Amen.

[1:20] » Thank you, Commissioner Skidmore.

[1:22] That'll take us to item six, public

[1:24] comments.

[1:25] >> We have 12 registered.

[1:32] Perfect. Our first one is Susan Hughes.

[1:37] » Welcome, Susan. Please state your name

[1:39] and where you live. Thank you.

[1:40] >> Uh, I'm Susan Hughes. I live at 1201

[1:42] South Ash.

[1:44] Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners.

[1:46] I know this is a very important, big

[1:49] decision, what to do about the state of

[1:51] center.

[1:52] Um,

[1:53] a wise man takes counsel from many wise

[1:56] people. A lot of these people that are

[1:58] opposing this data center

[2:00] are intelligent, well-informed,

[2:03] well-educated on this issue. So, it's

[2:05] wise to listen to them.

[2:07] One thing is really a problem is it

[2:08] seems like we're not being told what's

[2:10] going on. There's no transparency.

[2:13] I know the city spent a lot of money on

[2:15] proximity park, and then nobody wanted

[2:17] it.

[2:18] So, some data center comes in and offers

[2:20] you some money and you grab it.

[2:23] At the time, I know they were told said

[2:25] it they were going to use solar panels

[2:27] to power it.

[2:28] And then the deal fell through, and now

[2:30] this group is going to use

[2:32] uh diesel engines.

[2:35] We're jumping full steam ahead into

[2:37] this, and they're going to create steam.

[2:38] They're going to use 5 million gallons

[2:41] of water a day to create steam.

[2:43] We don't have that kind of water.

[2:46] We We can't use that.

[2:48] We don't have regulations to zone this,

[2:51] to regulate the noise,

[2:53] the um

[2:55] the chemicals that are being released

[2:56] from this, how much water they're using.

[2:59] We really need to take some time, create

[3:01] a moratorium. Sedgwick County did

[3:03] because they need to rewrite their

[3:05] regulations. We do not have adequate

[3:07] regulations for a project of this size.

[3:13] JF

[3:14] RFK Jr. said it these data centers have

[3:18] a horrendous risk to human life.

[3:21] This is a serious matter. We need to

[3:23] really give it some serious thought. I

[3:25] don't know how far you're in the

[3:26] process. I don't care if you lose

[3:28] whatever money they gave you.

[3:30] I think we need to save our environment.

[3:32] We need to save our community. We need

[3:34] to preserve our water. We need to quit

[3:37] poisoning people downstream with it. And

[3:39] the noise and vibrations, there's just

[3:41] too many serious things. We just really

[3:43] need to slow down,

[3:45] take some time, do some study, go visit

[3:47] some of these people that already have

[3:48] them.

[3:50] Look at some of the regulations that

[3:52] some of other cities are writing up.

[3:54] What do we need to do to protect your

[3:56] people?

[3:58] Don't protect the company that's doing

[4:00] it. Don't protect the lobbyist. Protect

[4:02] us that voted you in.

[4:04] You are our voice. If this is a

[4:06] democracy, we could vote today and it

[4:07] would be down. But we're not a

[4:09] democracy.

[4:10] We're a constitutional republic.

[4:12] So, we have to have you be our voice and

[4:15] take our best interest at heart. Nobody

[4:18] else's, just ours. Thank you.

[4:25] » Rebecca Schmoe.

[4:36] » Thank you. Um, first and foremost, I

[4:38] want to say thank you to the commission

[4:40] and to uh Mayor Clayton.

[4:43] You guys are here because you love our

[4:46] community and I appreciate each and

[4:48] every one of you.

[4:50] I am also here because I am your

[4:52] constituents, um, living at 1526 South

[4:55] Cedar

[4:57] and I am opposed to the data center.

[5:01] That being said, the real reason I'm

[5:03] here is because these are our shared

[5:05] constituents

[5:07] and in order for me to share their voice

[5:10] and their values whenever I'm in Topeka

[5:12] and having these same conversations at

[5:15] the state level,

[5:16] I have to know what their voice is.

[5:19] So, thank you guys for taking the

[5:21] opportunity to listen to our

[5:23] constituents so that I can also share

[5:26] their values. Thank you.

[5:29] >> Thank you, Rebecca.

[5:32] » We have Rachel Rhodes.

[5:42] » My name is Rachel Rhodes. I live at 3267

[5:45] Kingman Road with my husband and seven

[5:46] children.

[5:47] Uh we are 2 mi away from Proximity Park

[5:50] and um

[5:51] I am not necessarily opposed to building

[5:54] an industrial park there. I actually

[5:55] kind of like the idea of my husband

[5:57] having a 2-minute commute versus a

[5:58] 45-minute commute, but um I have real

[6:01] concerns with using the area as a data center. Um one of the issues that I

[6:07] see is um I don't see it as a being a

[6:10] real source of jobs for Ottawans. Um

[6:13] I've heard 30 jobs and I don't know

[6:17] anybody

[6:18] that um

[6:20] has that type of job that's capable of

[6:21] running a data center or a natural gas

[6:24] energy plant. Um

[6:26] and I'm not here to complain because

[6:28] it's ugly and I don't want it in my

[6:29] neighborhood. Um I know a lot of people

[6:31] are opposed to these type of things

[6:32] because they just don't want to look at

[6:33] them and that is not the case for me.

[6:35] Sorry, I'm nervous. I don't talk to

[6:37] adults, I talk to children.

[6:39] Um

[6:40] Uh my main concern is the water usage um

[6:42] that I've heard that these data centers

[6:44] use. Um

[6:45] So, I took what our household uses and

[6:48] it is a large household

[6:49] um and divided that by what I hear data

[6:51] centers use and it comes up to something

[6:53] like 11,000 the usage equal to 11,000

[6:56] homes.

[6:57] And my question is where does

[7:00] where are we going to get that type of

[7:01] water? You guys have seen the Meramec

[7:03] every July how low it gets. Where

[7:04] where's that water going to come from

[7:06] and how is it going to be disposed of?

[7:07] What what type of um

[7:10] erosion is that going to cause in in the

[7:12] riverbed? Um dumping that much back into

[7:15] the river daily. I'm assuming if it

[7:18] comes in daily, it's going out daily.

[7:20] Um and what type of contaminants is that

[7:21] going to um dump into the ecosystem

[7:25] downstream? Um So, these are questions

[7:27] that I feel like need to be answered

[7:29] before

[7:30] um we can

[7:31] um be happy with proceeding with this

[7:34] type or any type of um industry

[7:36] industrial um business that wants to

[7:38] come to Proximity Park. Thank you.

[7:41] >> Thank you, Rachel.

[7:45] » Roxanne Mettenberg

[7:53] » Hello, my name is Roxanne Mettenberg. I

[7:55] live in the county on Nevada Road, uh

[7:58] zip code 66078.

[8:01] And what I want to say to you is, um

[8:03] when I was 20 years old, I was given

[8:06] some advice from an employer.

[8:08] He said to me, "The only people who

[8:10] don't make mistakes are in the

[8:11] graveyard."

[8:13] The important thing is to own your

[8:14] mistake

[8:16] and correct it as quickly as possible.

[8:18] That advice has served me well for 60

[8:21] years.

[8:22] Late in 2024, I think most of us had

[8:25] little notion of economic and

[8:27] environmental environmental implications

[8:30] surrounding

[8:31] hyperscale data center construction and

[8:33] operation.

[8:35] That label data center at that time did

[8:37] not bring up visions of massive

[8:39] resource-sucking industrial enterprises.

[8:43] We also did not have federal or state

[8:47] legislation that incentivized this kind

[8:50] of build-out.

[8:53] So, it is not surprising that a proposal

[8:56] in late 2024 with promises of big

[8:59] revenues to a community would fail to

[9:01] raise false flags or or red flags.

[9:05] But now in 2026, the reality on the

[9:07] ground is quite different

[9:09] than any of us may have perceived in

[9:11] 2024.

[9:13] The resource utilization around energy

[9:15] and water is staggering.

[9:17] Kansas is a state that is prone to

[9:19] drought, some lasting several years. I

[9:22] have lived through them.

[9:24] That is the case. Water has and is

[9:27] historic has historically and is

[9:30] one of our greatest

[9:32] most fragile resources.

[9:35] The energy demand is likewise

[9:37] overwhelming.

[9:38] Even if electricity is generated by the

[9:41] data center AKA behind the meter,

[9:44] hyperscale facilities will inevitably

[9:47] drive up electrical rates as they

[9:49] compete for natural gas that is subject

[9:52] to the laws of supply and demand on the

[9:54] commodity market.

[9:56] And itself, natural gas, is a finite

[9:59] resource.

[10:01] The economic benefits and employment

[10:03] benefits of data centers are also

[10:04] elusive.

[10:06] Fortunately, due to the extensions

[10:08] requested by Lightfield, you all have

[10:10] the opportunity to reevaluate this

[10:14] project more thoroughly from sources

[10:16] independent from these developers.

[10:19] I ask all of you to read this

[10:21] comprehensive analysis

[10:24] from University of Michigan Department

[10:26] of Science, Technology, and Public

[10:28] Policy.

[10:30] This report documents the true costs and

[10:32] limited benefits surrounding this

[10:34] nationwide gold rush to hyperscale

[10:38] data center activity.

[10:41] Both the state and Everett, Kansas, and

[10:43] this city are stumbling into every

[10:45] mistake

[10:47] itemized in this report.

[10:50] So, we ask you to pause

[10:53] this effort, engage the public, and put

[10:56] in place very specific zoning

[10:59] ordinances targeted to the negative

[11:01] aspects of data center development

[11:03] before you continue to pursue this

[11:05] endeavor. We also ask that you eliminate

[11:08] >> Sorry.

[11:09] >> the tax incentive financial incentive as

[11:14] per recommendations.

[11:16] >> Thank you, Roxanne.

[11:23] » Jim Wonderly.

[11:25] >> Thank you.

[11:33] » I didn't prepare a speech or anything,

[11:35] but uh

[11:36] in my previous life I was a mechanical

[11:37] engineer and I know these systems can be

[11:39] put together with a very minimal water

[11:42] consumption,

[11:43] relative minimal,

[11:45] but the demand will have to be on you

[11:47] all to make sure the specs are there to

[11:49] reduce water consumption.

[11:51] They can put in

[11:53] closed-loop systems on the cooling,

[11:54] which is probably what's going to

[11:55] consume most of the water,

[11:57] and if that's not a closed water tower

[12:00] system, the the demands are going to be

[12:02] high, and that the your developer that

[12:05] you're dealing with is not going to want

[12:06] to do that.

[12:08] Because it's a lot more expensive than

[12:10] the conventional cooling system for

[12:12] these computers.

[12:14] So, you guys are going to have to put

[12:16] the feet to the fire to make sure they

[12:18] do what's

[12:19] best for us.

[12:21] The other part of it is the noise, and

[12:23] the noise levels can be horrendous.

[12:27] And same thing, noise can be attenuated

[12:31] based on building construction, but they

[12:33] have to put the technology into that construction in

[12:38] order to keep the noise contained.

[12:40] Cuz within a mile, it's going to be

[12:43] unbearable.

[12:44] And 5 mi it's going to be heard,

[12:47] but it can be avoided.

[12:50] So, I ask you to again, as previous

[12:53] speakers have said, stop, pause, make

[12:56] sure you get a

[12:57] engineer on board before you even sign

[12:59] the agreement to see what means you can

[13:02] go to the extreme to save water and to

[13:05] avoid noise. That's all I have. Thank

[13:08] you.

[13:09] >> Thank you, Jim.

[13:13] » Jan Coons?

[13:21] Hello, commissioners. My name is Jan

[13:23] Coons. I live at 3442 Rock Creek Road in

[13:26] Ottawa.

[13:27] I respectfully ask that you place a

[13:29] pause on allowing Lightfield Energy or

[13:32] any data center project to move forward

[13:34] in our community until additional

[13:36] research, public input, and careful

[13:39] evaluation can take place.

[13:41] Please listen to the concerns of the

[13:43] many local residents who call Ottawa and

[13:46] Franklin County home.

[13:47] We are deeply concerned about the

[13:49] enormous energy demands, strain on

[13:52] infrastructure, environmental impacts,

[13:55] noise pollution, significant water

[13:57] consumption, and the gradual loss of the

[13:59] rural character that makes our community

[14:01] so special.

[14:03] Once a project of this scale is

[14:05] approved, the impacts can be permanent.

[14:08] We are simply asking you to pause, fully

[14:11] evaluate the risks, and protect the

[14:13] people, land, and resources that have

[14:16] sustained this community long before

[14:18] outside corporations arrived with

[14:20] promises of economic development.

[14:23] More than 700 Franklin County residents

[14:26] have signed a petition opposing data

[14:28] centers in our county in 1 week.

[14:31] Their voices deserve to be heard and

[14:33] carefully considered.

[14:35] We have confidence that you will do what

[14:37] is best for Ottawa and future

[14:39] generations by thoughtfully

[14:41] reconsidering this proposal before

[14:43] moving forward. Thank you for your time,

[14:46] your service, and your commitment to our

[14:48] community.

[14:49] >> Thank you, Jan.

[14:55] » Chris Maze.

[14:59] I live here in Ottawa.

[15:01] On Locust.

[15:03] And um in the past I've talked about

[15:05] much of what has been talked to already,

[15:07] but I kind of wanted to hit home a

[15:08] little harder this time and speak to the

[15:10] codes that you already have, like

[15:12] 14-101, which addresses stormwater

[15:15] pollution.

[15:16] Its purpose is preventing the discharge

[15:18] of contaminated stormwater runoff and

[15:20] illicit discharges within the city. It

[15:22] goes on to say that this also applies to

[15:23] pollution the water of the United

[15:25] States.

[15:26] It sets a precedent that both it and the

[15:28] city can be held accountable to. It goes

[15:30] on to say that this applies to the

[15:32] improper discharge

[15:35] of Sorry, I lost my place.

[15:37] Wastewater, petroleum products.

[15:40] Sorry.

[15:42] Uh petroleum products, cleaning

[15:44] products, hazardous waste.

[15:46] Um the code speaks to the termination of

[15:48] utility services even for this

[15:50] pollution.

[15:51] Um after notices of violation, fines,

[15:54] orders of abatement. It says city

[15:56] representatives can enter facilities, um

[15:58] and it's a lot It's unlawful to try to

[16:00] stop them.

[16:03] I ask at the very least that you make

[16:04] sure you apply those same standards that

[16:06] may apply to stormwater. I'm not sure if

[16:08] it directly applies to the data center

[16:10] or not, but a public statement saying

[16:13] that all of that will be

[16:15] applied to the data center as well would

[16:17] go a long way for me.

[16:20] Um

[16:21] but we also I mean you were also told

[16:24] about that University of Michigan

[16:25] report. Um and it says that tax breaks

[16:28] for data centers do not deliver the

[16:30] promised benefits such as high-paying

[16:32] jobs. They can reduce tax revenues. They

[16:35] shift burdens on the communities.

[16:38] Um it says their massive energy demands

[16:40] are prolonging the operation of fossil

[16:41] fuel plants and undermining green energy

[16:44] goals. It advises the mitigation of data

[16:47] centers environmental impacts with

[16:49] substantial or sustainability goals,

[16:51] laws like the German Energy Efficiency

[16:53] Act, requirements for green energy use,

[16:57] uh transparency through mandatory

[16:59] reporting.

[17:01] But I also ask you to just reconsider

[17:02] this project. I don't think it's fitting

[17:04] the values of this city. I think that

[17:07] would be much better applied proximity

[17:09] park to

[17:11] uh housing development,

[17:12] to small business development. Those are

[17:14] things that I think anybody in this

[17:15] community would applaud you for, love

[17:18] you for.

[17:19] Uh and this is a very controversial

[17:20] thing that's seeing a lot of opposition.

[17:22] The more people know about it, the more

[17:24] word gets out, the more opposition I'm

[17:25] seeing even. It's surprising me. I mean,

[17:27] this community's working together across

[17:29] party lines in ways that I never thought

[17:31] I'd see.

[17:33] So, it's been remarkable, it really has.

[17:36] So, and if you don't think that

[17:38] water pollution really applies to us,

[17:40] that's just not a real thing. I mean,

[17:41] there's reports by KDHE that will list

[17:44] pollutants that are already in the

[17:46] water. Now, I will grant you, not trying

[17:48] to lie to you here, that some of those

[17:50] can be naturally occurring, but they

[17:52] also cite potential industrial causes as

[17:54] well.

[17:55] So, it's not like it doesn't happen, it

[17:57] does happen, and it also doesn't get

[17:59] abated.

[18:00] It just continues.

[18:02] I mean, do we all want to go to going to

[18:04] the store to buy all our water and not

[18:06] drink out of the faucet? Cuz if this

[18:07] goes in, that's the first thing I'm

[18:09] going to do. I'm not going to trust the

[18:11] tap anymore.

[18:13] Thank you for your time. I think my

[18:14] time's up.

[18:15] >> Thank you, Chris.

[18:20] » Michael Lewis.

[18:30] » My name is Michael Lewis, Ottawa

[18:31] resident 433 South Poplar.

[18:34] Thank you, Mayor, Commissioners,

[18:36] everyone in attendance, those watching.

[18:38] Last meeting, you approved an ordinance

[18:40] pertaining to dog control.

[18:42] Section two of that ordinance read, "To

[18:44] protect protect and promote the public

[18:46] health, safety, and general welfare of

[18:48] the citizens of the city of Ottawa."

[18:52] Chronic bronchitis and emphysema,

[18:55] heart disease, heart attacks, strokes,

[18:58] asthma,

[18:59] neurological effects,

[19:01] cancer,

[19:02] premature birth, low birth rate.

[19:05] Those are just some of the increased

[19:07] health risks associated with a natural

[19:08] gas power plant.

[19:10] And yet, air pollution is only one part

[19:12] of the conversation.

[19:15] We are being asked, well, rather told,

[19:18] to accept the water demands of a massive

[19:20] data center,

[19:21] the health and environmental impacts

[19:23] that come with it, and the uncertainty

[19:25] of what these combined burdens will mean

[19:27] for our community in the years ahead.

[19:30] When the health of our families, the

[19:32] quality of our air,

[19:34] the security of our water are all on the

[19:35] line,

[19:37] caution is not obstruction, it's a

[19:38] responsibility.

[19:41] When is the last time you've seen this

[19:42] room filled week after week after week?

[19:47] Just look around. This is not politics,

[19:49] it is community.

[19:51] I urge this body simply to do what you

[19:53] are supposed to do in your role every

[19:54] day,

[19:55] highlighted by section two of our new

[19:56] dog ordinance,

[19:58] protect and promote the public health,

[20:00] safety, and general welfare

[20:02] of the citizens of the city of Ottawa.

[20:04] Thank you.

[20:06] >> Thank you, Michael.

[20:11] Rich Colson.

[20:15] » Good evening. Rich Colson, 1610

[20:17] Bluestem, Ottawa.

[20:18] Um at the beginning of this meeting, we

[20:20] all stood and we pledged allegiance to

[20:22] the Republic. A republic is defined as a

[20:24] form of government in which the power

[20:25] belongs to a body of citizens entitled

[20:27] to vote and is exercised by the leaders

[20:29] and representatives of those people. You

[20:31] are not

[20:32] representing these people.

[20:35] I think a recent Gallup poll

[20:38] indicated that 71% of US citizens oppose

[20:41] data centers.

[20:44] This community, I think, is a pretty

[20:46] good representation of the American

[20:48] public as a whole.

[20:49] So, I think you could probably

[20:50] extrapolate that around 70% of the

[20:53] Ottawa citizens would be against this.

[20:55] But, instead, this project was initiated

[20:59] and advanced in secret, behind closed

[21:01] doors, with no public input. That is a

[21:04] violation of the trust we have given you

[21:06] by voting for you, and a violation of

[21:08] your responsibility and duty of the

[21:11] office that you hold.

[21:13] Everyone has stood up here and has told

[21:14] you of the the water pollution, air

[21:17] pollution, all of the negative impacts

[21:19] that this has on the community. My point

[21:21] is that you have done wrong by the

[21:24] citizens of Ottawa by permit by by

[21:26] perpetuating this by bringing this up by

[21:28] even broaching the subject without some

[21:30] sort of a ballot or at least initial

[21:33] input from the citizens of Ottawa. You

[21:35] did none of that. You sat behind closed

[21:37] doors and you voted for this. That is

[21:40] not okay.

[21:41] And it will be remembered come voting

[21:43] time. Thank you.

[21:45] >> Thank you, Eric.

[21:49] » Sean Torres

[22:04] » All right.

[22:05] Hello. My name is Sean Xavier Torres. I

[22:08] can go, right?

[22:09] >> Good. Okay.

[22:09] >> Name Sean Xavier Torres. I've been a

[22:11] resident of Ottawa since 6th grade. I've

[22:13] been working at KOFAB since I was 15

[22:15] years old and I own my own house in

[22:16] town.

[22:18] Um I haven't been able to hear too much

[22:19] of everyone what everyone's been saying,

[22:21] so I'm not sure if anybody's talked

[22:22] about actually drafting an ordinance to

[22:24] uh redo the regulations on what a data

[22:26] center is and actually defining what a

[22:28] data center is.

[22:29] >> Chris, can you pull the mic down? Uh

[22:31] sorry, Sean.

[22:32] >> Yeah, no, you're fine. Is that better?

[22:33] >> That's Thank you.

[22:34] >> All right.

[22:35] >> Good deal. Uh so, I had a whole draft

[22:36] ordinance that I sent all the uh city

[22:38] commissioners via email a few days ago

[22:41] um to look at and look over and see if

[22:42] you guys can't make that work and turn

[22:44] it into an ordinance.

[22:45] But uh I did have it here to submit to

[22:48] you all if you wanted to see the

[22:49] paperwork uh for yourselves. Actually,

[22:51] I'd like to submit it for uh public

[22:53] record. I think it is, right? Good deal.

[22:55] Uh anyway, uh it's a whole four-section

[22:58] deal here talking about amending the

[22:59] local zoning regulations to define,

[23:01] categorize, and regulate data centers

[23:03] based on the infrastructure demand and

[23:05] operational scale.

[23:07] I could go through all of this, but I'm

[23:09] not. I'm just going to go talk about the

[23:10] definitions that it talks about here

[23:12] because I think that's really key in

[23:13] regulating data centers.

[23:15] Uh first of which is enterprise data

[23:17] centers. These are localized facilities

[23:19] designed, constructed, and operated

[23:20] primarily for the internal data

[23:22] processing and storage needs of a single

[23:24] primary organization.

[23:26] So, like if Microsoft were to move to

[23:27] town and build their own data center.

[23:29] Uh the next one's colocation, and this

[23:31] is a a facility designed to provide

[23:34] services to other smaller enterprises.

[23:37] And then we have the ones that we're

[23:38] talking about now, which are hyperscale

[23:40] or AI, which uh you can read through

[23:43] this and figure out all the uh specifics

[23:44] here, but it says things like a total

[23:46] cumulative electrical power demand

[23:47] exceeding 50 MW, continuous power

[23:50] consumption design rates exceeding

[23:51] 50,000 gallons per day, which I know has

[23:53] recently been resolved. Uh the inclusion

[23:56] of onsite dedicated electrical

[23:58] substations or high voltage transmission

[24:00] line upgrades, and aggregated backup

[24:03] generation capacity utilizing more than

[24:05] 20 industrial diesel generators, and a

[24:08] whole list of other things that talks

[24:10] about here as to defining the

[24:12] regulations and all the stuff here. I

[24:14] don't really want to go through it all

[24:15] in a public meeting setting, but like I

[24:17] said, I will submit it to you all for

[24:19] public record.

[24:20] That's all I had today.

[24:21] >> Thank you, Sean.

[24:22] >> Thank you.

[24:27] so much.

[24:30] Okay, Scott Yergens.

[24:43] » You You guys are pretty patient.

[24:47] I'm Scott Yergens, 3332

[24:50] Rock Creek Road.

[24:53] My dad was a mayor. I think I told Zach

[24:57] this

[24:59] twice

[25:01] on the city council then mayor two term.

[25:04] Mexico, Missouri, a town about

[25:08] 3/4 the size of this town.

[25:12] When I was about 12, I asked my dad why

[25:16] people voted for him.

[25:19] And I did been 13 and he said,

[25:23] "I thought it was the black people." But

[25:26] my dad, I'm pretty old, so he might have

[25:29] said colored people. I don't remember.

[25:33] And I asked him why and he said,

[25:37] "I'll show you after dinner." So he came

[25:40] home from his store. He owned a store in

[25:42] Mexico.

[25:44] And um

[25:47] he said, "Let after dinner." He said,

[25:49] "Let's get in the car and

[25:52] uh

[25:53] so he drove us to where it was a

[25:56] segregated

[25:58] community.

[26:00] And he said, "After when we got there,

[26:03] my brother said, 'Roll down your window

[26:05] and tell me what you see and smell.'"

[26:08] So it was kind of shacks with lights

[26:13] penetrating through these vertical

[26:16] slats.

[26:17] And I asked my dad like, "What is that?"

[26:20] And he said, "These people have

[26:22] newspapers for insulation."

[26:25] And he said, "What do you smell?" And I

[26:27] said said,

[26:29] "You're right." And he daddy said,

[26:33] "You mean piss?" And I said, "Yeah,

[26:35] that's what I smell."

[26:37] And I asked him why and he said,

[26:39] "There's no These people have

[26:41] outhouses."

[26:43] And they um

[26:45] there's one guy

[26:47] um Mr. Morris who owns most of this

[26:51] these black houses.

[26:54] And he said

[26:56] these houses are grandfathered in

[27:01] to the zoning code and it's a

[27:04] I can't remember what my father said, a

[27:07] competition between law

[27:09] and what's right.

[27:11] And um

[27:15] So, and he said this is what results.

[27:18] So,

[27:19] it's an analogy. Proximity Park,

[27:23] I think it should be zoned before this

[27:27] Lightview comes here or any similar

[27:29] entity.

[27:31] The zoning

[27:32] helps us prevent

[27:36] what my dad showed me in Mexico,

[27:40] Missouri when I was 12 or 13.

[27:43] It's a city that smells like piss.

[27:47] So, I appreciate your time. Thank you

[27:49] very much.

[27:50] >> Thank you.

[27:54] » Brooke Sheets

[27:59] I'm actually not Brooke Sheets. I'm

[28:00] reading on her behalf, but before you

[28:02] start the timer, I just want to make

[28:03] sure the commissioners are aware that

[28:05] the live stream is not working. I hope

[28:07] that means we are recording, but just

[28:08] not streaming.

[28:10] >> Cuz we have some frustrated people who

[28:12] thought they were going to be able to

[28:13] watch it, but cannot watch it. So,

[28:15] Okay, so I'm reading on behalf of um

[28:19] Brooke Sheets. Um let me find my notes

[28:22] for her. She lives at 1409 South Elm.

[28:25] She's unable to be here tonight due to a

[28:27] family emergency.

[28:29] We all share the same air, the same

[28:30] water source, and the same soil.

[28:33] When hearing that a power plant would be

[28:34] built directly outside our city to

[28:36] accommodate a data center near homes

[28:38] with farmland, I was concerned that the

[28:40] zoning was not appropriate for this

[28:42] use case or that surrounding areas would

[28:44] be can affected by eminent domain.

[28:47] But now I have even more concern in the

[28:49] area of light pollution, air pollution,

[28:52] and general disruptions to our health.

[28:54] There are many third-party studies

[28:55] pertaining to the impacts of data

[28:57] centers.

[28:58] Maybe you've heard of Data Center Alley

[29:00] in Virginia.

[29:01] It's been studied extensive extensively,

[29:03] and these studies have shown many amp

[29:05] impacts to the people of Virginia per a

[29:07] subject matter expert

[29:09] on the Virginia Data Center Belt.

[29:12] Additionally, many groups have been

[29:13] working to inform the public of the

[29:14] risks associated with low-frequency

[29:17] noise or LFN.

[29:19] exposure has been associated with

[29:22] negative physical and mental health

[29:23] effects to children,

[29:25] the elderly, and those who live within a

[29:26] 2.5-mile radius of constant long-term

[29:29] exposure.

[29:31] Anthropogenic noise, and if you don't

[29:33] know what that multisyllabic word means,

[29:35] it refers to unwanted excessive sound

[29:37] generated by human activities such as

[29:39] transportation, industrial processes,

[29:42] and construction that negatively affect

[29:44] human health and the environment.

[29:47] This type of noise is distinct from

[29:48] natural sounds, and it can disrupt

[29:51] ecosystems and wildlife behaviors.

[29:54] This noise from data centers can be

[29:55] heard and or felt by humans and animals

[29:57] from distances radiating for many more

[29:59] miles.

[30:00] The human autonomic nervous system is

[30:02] subject to cardiovascular disease, high

[30:05] blood pressure, sleep disorders,

[30:07] migraines, anxiety, and depression.

[30:10] I'm sure all of us have experienced this

[30:12] when we are under stress. Our body goes

[30:14] haywire.

[30:16] Is this what we want for our children

[30:17] and our grandchildren's brain

[30:18] development while they're at school, or

[30:20] playing at a park, or participating in

[30:22] after-school activities?

[30:24] John Lever, a retired NASA analyst,

[30:27] actually tracked the noise from a data

[30:29] center in his own neighborhood as an

[30:31] advocate for the public interest for the

[30:33] Prince William Data Center Ordinance

[30:34] Advisory Group, and he was himself a

[30:37] member of the Prince William

[30:39] Planning Commission.

[30:41] He said, quote, "I'm finding that the

[30:42] noise is far worse than anybody ever

[30:44] figured it was going to be, end quote.

[30:47] Is this possibility really what we want

[30:49] in our community?

[30:50] Thank you, and I urge you to take time

[30:52] to reflect on the situation that we all

[30:53] find ourselves in. And as others have

[30:56] said, please pause.

[30:58] When we know better, we do better. Thank

[31:00] you.

[31:01] >> Thank you, Corrine Linda.

[31:09] Thank you all.

[31:10] Uh we'll skip item seven, appointments,

[31:13] proclamations, recognitions, and

[31:14] nominations, as there are none.

[31:16] That'll take us to item eight, consent

[31:18] agenda, which which consists of minutes

[31:20] from the May 20th, 2026 regular meeting,

[31:23] minutes from the May 27th study session,

[31:25] and agenda approval.

[31:27] >> Motion to approve.

[31:28] >> A motion, is there a second?

[31:29] >> I'll second.

[31:30] >> Motion and second, all in favor say I.

[31:32] >> I.

[31:32] >> All opposed?

[31:34] Motion passes.

[31:36] Item nine, declaration. At this time,

[31:38] I'd like to give the commissioners a

[31:39] chance to declare any conflict or

[31:40] communication they might have they have

[31:43] had that might influence their ability

[31:45] to consider issues impartially.

[31:48] Hearing none,

[31:50] we'll skip item 10, unfinished business,

[31:52] as there is none. Item 11A, conditional

[31:55] use permit, 628 South Willow Street.

[31:58] The planning commission recommends

[32:00] approval of the conditional use permit

[32:02] for 628 South Willow Street with the

[32:04] condition that the sidewalk along South

[32:06] Willow be completed in accordance with

[32:08] city standards. And we have city planner

[32:10] Welms.

[32:11] Welcome.

[32:12] >> Good evening, commission.

[32:14] All right, so this conditional use is

[32:15] for 628 South Willow Street.

[32:20] And uh planning commission did recommend

[32:22] approval of the conditional use with a

[32:25] um condition.

[32:28] A little bit of background, this lot is

[32:29] a vacant 75 by 150 lot, which is about

[32:33] 11,250 square feet. It's currently

[32:35] vacant and zoned R1.

[32:38] Uh duplexes are allowed with approval of

[32:40] a conditional use permit

[32:42] uh provided that the lot area is greater

[32:44] than 9,000 sq ft um and the duplex

[32:48] will also require two parking spaces per

[32:51] unit.

[32:52] Uh here's a little bit of background.

[32:55] The overview shows um it's north of 7th

[32:59] Street, the second lot in off of Willow.

[33:04] Ooh.

[33:06] Here's currently what the street view

[33:08] looks like.

[33:11] Uh this is what the developer proposes

[33:14] uh the duplex to look like. Uh he said

[33:16] minus the

[33:18] uh stone facade.

[33:20] Um but a reminder that nothing is final

[33:23] until a building permit uh has been

[33:25] issued.

[33:27] The findings, staff found that the

[33:29] proposed conditional use is consistent

[33:31] with the intent and purpose of the zone

[33:33] in which it is located.

[33:34] That the proposed duplex is compatible

[33:36] to other land uses in the surrounding

[33:38] neighborhood.

[33:39] That the proposed duplex will not place

[33:41] an undue burden on the existing

[33:42] transportation, utility, and service

[33:44] facilities in the area.

[33:46] The proposed duplex is not necessary due

[33:48] to changed or changing conditions.

[33:51] The subject property has been vacant for

[33:53] over 5 years.

[33:54] The subject property is suitable for the

[33:56] proposed use.

[33:58] Staff ha- did recommend approval.

[34:01] The proposed duplex is in conformance

[34:03] with the future land use map and the

[34:04] comprehensive plan duplex will not

[34:07] adversely affect surrounding properties

[34:09] so long as all standards are met.

[34:13] And the planning commission recommended

[34:15] approval of the condition use permit

[34:18] with the condition that the sidewalk

[34:19] along South Willow is completed in

[34:21] accordance with the city standards.

[34:24] And with that

[34:25] I can answer any questions.

[34:28] >> Thank you. And first of all, it's nice

[34:30] to meet you. This is the first time

[34:32] you've come before us and presented.

[34:34] >> Yes. So is there is there anything

[34:35] before we start asking questions that

[34:36] you want to say about yourself?

[34:38] >> I grew up in Topeka, went to K State.

[34:42] My first job out of college was in

[34:45] Laramie, Wyoming.

[34:46] And now I'm here. And my last name is

[34:48] pronounced Wilmes.

[34:49] >> Oh, thank you. Wilmes.

[34:55] » Mr. Wilmes did the planning commission have a

[34:59] public hearing on this?

[35:01] >> They did.

[35:01] >> Was there any opposition?

[35:03] >> There was there was a public comment.

[35:06] And they commented on the parking.

[35:09] Um

[35:10] but I believe their comment was taken

[35:11] care of after finding out that we would

[35:14] require two parking spaces per unit.

[35:17] Um

[35:18] off-street.

[35:19] >> No other opposition?

[35:21] >> Thank you.

[35:22] >> Is there parking allowed on both sides

[35:24] of Willow? Is that correct?

[35:25] >> I believe so, yes.

[35:26] >> I just thought that was an issue or not

[35:28] there, too. Well, I live next door to a

[35:29] duplex and I see no problem with this

[35:31] and then the way the construction

[35:33] appears on what you're describing there

[35:35] showed me to it'd be certainly be an

[35:37] improvement even to the neighborhood, so

[35:38] I think it's a great deal we have before

[35:40] us.

[35:43] » Yeah, I drove by it today. It looked to

[35:45] me like there's plenty of room. I mean,

[35:46] it's a big enough lot and there's not

[35:48] Yeah, there's not a lot of cars on that

[35:50] street anyway.

[35:54] » I know they're concerned about kids

[35:56] walking to school, but I don't think

[35:57] that school would be used currently for

[36:00] full-time students. I believe that's not

[36:02] a

[36:03] traditional grade school or any anymore.

[36:05] So I wasn't too concerned about kids

[36:06] walking by there, but I guess that's

[36:08] been mitigated with regard to the two

[36:10] parking places and so yeah.

[36:14] » I'll go ahead and make the motion we

[36:15] approve item 11A on our agenda.

[36:19] >> We have a motion. Is there a second?

[36:20] >> Second.

[36:22] >> Motion and second. Any other discussions

[36:24] or

[36:25] questions?

[36:27] May I have roll call, please?

[36:29] >> How do you vote, Commissioner Skidmore?

[36:30] >> Yes.

[36:31] >> Commissioner Van Leyden?

[36:32] >> Yes.

[36:33] >> Commissioner Allen?

[36:34] >> Yes.

[36:34] >> Mayor pro tem Crowley?

[36:36] >> Yes.

[36:37] >> And May- Mayor Clayton?

[36:39] >> I vote yes. Motion passes.

[36:41] Thank you.

[36:43] It was nice to meet you as well.

[36:46] » That'll take us to item 11B. Consider

[36:49] resolution setting a public hearing for

[36:51] the condemnation of structures located

[36:53] at 1641 South Main Street.

[36:56] Staff will present a resolution setting

[36:58] a public hearing to consider whether the

[37:00] commercial structures at 1641 South Main

[37:03] should be condemned and ordered repaired

[37:05] or demolished. And we'll have property

[37:07] improvement partner Hodges.

[37:11] » Greetings.

[37:13] I'm Keith Hodges. I work for the

[37:14] community development department and for

[37:15] you. Uh

[37:17] We have two items that are very similar

[37:19] on today's agenda. Both of them ask you

[37:22] to consider setting a hearing date to uh

[37:26] consider ordering a demolition or

[37:29] repairs on two separate properties.

[37:31] Uh this is the first. It's Knights Inn,

[37:33] which I'm sure you're all familiar with.

[37:36] At 17th and Main here in Ottawa, was

[37:38] destroyed in the tornado.

[37:40] Um

[37:42] Pretty significant damage.

[37:47] The The background on this is is pretty

[37:49] simple. Severely damaged by the storm.

[37:52] The property is at one of Ottawa's

[37:54] busiest intersections, highly accessible

[37:56] to the public, and highly visible.

[37:59] Multiple buildings lost their roofs, as

[38:01] you can see in the pictures.

[38:04] Remained open to the weather, and so

[38:05] they further deteriorate- deteriorated

[38:08] since the uh storm.

[38:13] Building materials have continued to

[38:14] blow outside of the fencing that we

[38:16] required them to put up to control for

[38:18] access and to control for

[38:21] um the damage spreading out into the

[38:23] public.

[38:25] Uh no repair or demolition permits have

[38:27] been pulled.

[38:28] More than 6 weeks have passed since the

[38:30] tornado.

[38:32] KDHE has required that an invest

[38:34] asbestos inspection

[38:36] be performed before any demolition

[38:37] begins.

[38:39] Now, the owner has been cooperative with

[38:41] us and is actually supportive of this

[38:43] process and hopes that it will help uh

[38:45] apply pressure to its insurance carrier

[38:47] to make a decision on the claim here. He

[38:50] wants to demolish these buildings

[38:53] uh and and uh and move on. But, uh the process has has not been as fast

[38:59] as he had hoped. Our city attorney, uh

[39:02] Mr. Finch, has contacted the carrier and

[39:06] uh

[39:07] sent a pretty uh compelling message

[39:10] notifying them of our lien rights and uh

[39:13] urging a prompt resolution to this.

[39:19] The financial considerations.

[39:22] Uh the owner is Mar Parvati LLC.

[39:26] The property was appraised at $814,000

[39:29] by the county.

[39:31] Uh 453 of that has been the improvements

[39:34] on the property and about 312,000 in

[39:36] land land value.

[39:39] Taxes are

[39:40] uh not behind.

[39:42] They have paid the the uh

[39:44] the half that they needed to pay and owe

[39:46] another 15,546

[39:49] later on this year.

[39:51] It is mortgaged for most of the

[39:53] appraised value

[39:54] at 728,200

[39:57] uh to Oxar Bank.

[39:59] It's insured by Lloyd's of London.

[40:01] The claim is actually being processed by

[40:03] a claims administrator and not by

[40:05] Lloyd's themselves.

[40:08] If the city decides to um

[40:11] after the hearing Of course, this is not

[40:13] what we're asking you to decide today.

[40:14] We're just asking that you consider it

[40:16] important enough to set a hearing date

[40:18] to hear from all sides.

[40:22] But if after the hearing the city

[40:24] determines that repairs or demolition is the right route and so

[40:31] orders that

[40:33] if the property owner doesn't carry out

[40:36] those orders then the city has the right

[40:38] to contract for that and charge the

[40:41] expenses to the property.

[40:44] Then if they're not paid, tax lien on

[40:46] the property is possible.

[40:49] So

[40:52] I wanted to briefly outline to you this

[40:54] process according to article 14 of codes

[40:57] which govern this process.

[40:59] Uh

[41:00] number one is where we're at today,

[41:01] which is just setting a hearing date.

[41:04] Then the uh our department would carry

[41:07] out the proper notifications.

[41:09] Which is why we ask for some time

[41:11] between now and the hearing date to

[41:12] carry that out according to the uh statutes.

[41:17] And we would mail certified letters and

[41:19] publish notifications in the newspaper.

[41:21] And then when the hearing is held you

[41:24] will hear from the property owners.

[41:26] Uh and uh and from our department, our

[41:30] recommendations.

[41:31] And you'll have the opportunity to order

[41:34] repairs or demolitions.

[41:37] You have other opportunity other options

[41:38] as well, but those are the two

[41:40] significant options that you can that

[41:43] you can order.

[41:44] And you can issue a deadline to begin

[41:45] work.

[41:48] The community development department

[41:49] within within monitor that process

[41:52] to make sure that your orders are being

[41:53] carried out.

[41:55] And if the work is not started on time

[41:58] or diligently pursued once it is begun

[42:02] then the city has the option as I said

[42:04] before to carry out the demolition

[42:06] repairs with its own contractor.

[42:10] If we pay for the repairs, the owner is

[42:12] billed. If the owner doesn't pay, then

[42:14] uh the city can place a tax lien on the

[42:15] property.

[42:17] Which does run with the land, so that if

[42:18] there is a buyer,

[42:20] that tax lien still holds.

[42:26] So, our recommendation is that a public

[42:29] hearing be set

[42:30] no earlier than July 22nd,

[42:33] and the resolution that we are

[42:34] recommending does name July 22nd as the

[42:36] date

[42:38] to consider ordering ordering the repair

[42:40] or demolition of the structures.

[42:43] Your alternatives are to follow our

[42:45] recommendation or deny the request

[42:48] or defer

[42:51] to a future agenda for continued

[42:54] deliberation.

[42:57] » Thank you.

[42:57] >> Oh, I'm good. I have a question for you

[42:59] on that. Um, so July 22nd being well

[43:03] over a month out, say um the ball gets

[43:05] rolling with the insurance company,

[43:07] everything, we've already set the public

[43:09] hearing date. Are we then able to cancel

[43:11] that hearing legally since it's been

[43:13] published or do you still have to have

[43:15] the hearing to go through the motions or

[43:17] how does that work?

[43:19] >> If the commission decided to take the

[43:20] public hearing off of its agenda, it

[43:22] could do that.

[43:23] >> Okay.

[43:25] Thank you.

[43:26] >> And thank you to you as well for

[43:28] everything, and it's nice to meet you,

[43:29] too. So, a lot of new faces tonight from

[43:31] community development.

[43:32] >> the city.

[43:33] >> Yeah. Thank you. Um

[43:35] is it all of the buildings? Just the

[43:38] specific buildings that are most

[43:39] extensively damaged? Do we Do we have an

[43:41] assessment on what that condemnation

[43:43] would look like? Is it

[43:45] at this point is it Are we looking at

[43:46] >> That's a great question. There are Let

[43:48] me see if I can back up a little bit.

[43:50] You can see Can you see all five

[43:53] structures there? Yeah. Um if you look

[43:55] at the top picture, you'll see on the

[43:57] left there's a little office building.

[43:59] >> Mhm.

[43:59] >> And then it is the only building that

[44:02] the owner feels, and uh some of our advisors agree with this is

[44:08] the only building that might be

[44:09] salvageable.

[44:11] However, the insurance company is

[44:12] arguing that the largest building that's

[44:14] shaped like an L

[44:16] is at least partially salvageable.

[44:18] So, the insurance company at this point

[44:20] has designated

[44:23] two of the five buildings as as

[44:26] uh

[44:28] ready for demolition. That when they

[44:30] settle they haven't settled yet. They

[44:32] said when they when we settle, we're

[44:33] pretty comfortable with ordering it with

[44:36] uh paying for a demolition on these, but

[44:39] uh two or three of the other buildings

[44:41] they're still debating.

[44:43] >> Thank you.

[44:43] >> Um but to answer your question, the city

[44:45] would have options. And you as the

[44:48] governing body would be able to order

[44:49] various options and it might be a

[44:52] building-by-building decision or it

[44:53] might be a whole property all at once.

[44:56] >> Thank you.

[44:59] And then do you have an idea you'd

[45:00] mentioned we would set the time frame

[45:02] from if we you know, deemed it condemned

[45:05] to when it would have to be torn down or

[45:08] you see meaningful work towards that.

[45:10] Is there a typical time frame that that

[45:12] looks like? Is that 60 days, 30 days,

[45:13] 90?

[45:14] >> Finch has said typically 30 days and

[45:16] then you would have the option of

[45:17] extending deadlines. The code says a

[45:19] reasonable amount of time to carry out

[45:21] the work.

[45:24] » Thank you.

[45:26] >> Mr. Hodges, I know we're talking about

[45:29] the Knights Inn right now, but while we

[45:30] have this picture up, the front built

[45:32] that the bottom picture,

[45:34] um that's the McCarty Mechanical

[45:36] Building or Mechanics Building.

[45:38] Uh do we have any update on the

[45:39] structure on the north side of it

[45:41] because it's, you know, pretty much uh

[45:43] demolished, too.

[45:44] >> Um yes, we they are working on getting

[45:47] that demolished. They don't have any

[45:49] precise plans right now. Um I don't want

[45:51] to divulge too much because of private

[45:53] discussions, but they're they're in uh

[45:56] um some discussions about the ownership

[45:57] status of of the property and and that

[45:59] may affect their plans. Okay. they've

[46:01] been very cooperative as well

[46:04] and and

[46:05] I expect they're going to resolve that

[46:07] problem maybe not as soon as we'd like,

[46:08] but we do know that the structure itself

[46:10] the rest of that structure

[46:13] it doesn't appear to be an unsound

[46:15] structure at this point.

[46:17] >> Just the adjoining structure on the

[46:19] north.

[46:19] >> Right. And we did have them fence that

[46:21] off. So, I don't know if you can even

[46:22] see it in this picture, but we did have

[46:24] them at least fence that off so it's

[46:26] less of attraction for uh

[46:30] >> People are breaking in

[46:32] >> do things that I would have done when I

[46:33] was young.

[46:34] >> Thank you.

[46:37] Um thank you. Along with that um

[46:40] pending you know determination, would

[46:41] that also include filling in the the

[46:43] pool or would it be structure demolition

[46:46] leaving the pool? Would that be included

[46:47] in potential

[46:48] >> That's a good question. I don't know the

[46:49] answer to that.

[46:52] I imagine you would have options on that

[46:53] as well.

[46:57] » Uh do you know does the owner you know

[46:59] prefer to prefer to rebuild or or what their plans are? Have they

[47:03] mentioned

[47:04] >> The owners made it clear that they want

[47:05] to demolish. They wanted to they want it

[47:08] all gone.

[47:09] >> Uh-huh.

[47:09] >> And whether he wants to hang on to the

[47:11] land and rebuild, he wasn't so clear on

[47:15] that, but

[47:17] my suspicion is he wants to take the

[47:18] money and move on.

[47:26] » Thank you for this and you said the

[47:27] resolution that we'd be voting on is

[47:29] July 22nd.

[47:30] >> It was a public hearing.

[47:34] » Mr. Mayor, I'll make the motion that we

[47:36] set a public hearing for the

[47:37] condemnation of structures located at

[47:39] 1641 South Main for

[47:42] July 22nd of 2026.

[47:45] >> I'll second that.

[47:46] >> We have a motion and a second. Any other

[47:48] discussion?

[47:51] >> Can I Can I just clarify that motion

[47:53] that you're passing the resolution that

[47:55] sets that date for that time?

[47:57] Perfect. How do you vote, Commissioner

[47:58] Skidmore?

[47:59] >> Yes.

[48:00] >> Commissioner Van Leyden?

[48:01] >> Yes.

[48:02] >> Commissioner Allen?

[48:03] >> Yes.

[48:03] >> Mayor Pro Tem Crowley?

[48:05] >> Yes.

[48:05] >> And Mayor Clayton?

[48:06] >> I vote yes. Motion passes. Thank you.

[48:10] That'll take us to item 11C.

[48:12] Consider resolution setting a public

[48:14] hearing for the condemnation of

[48:15] structures located at 1017 South Ash

[48:18] Street. Staff will present a resolution

[48:20] setting a public hearing to consider

[48:22] whether the structures at 1017 South Ash

[48:25] should be condemned and ordered repaired

[48:27] or demolished.

[48:30] >> Thank you. Yeah, so here we have same

[48:33] question, different property. Uh 1017

[48:36] South Ash, close to the high school. I'm

[48:38] uh some of you may be familiar with this

[48:40] property. This is the view from uh Ash

[48:43] Street

[48:44] uh looking east toward the property.

[48:47] There are two structures here, and I'll

[48:49] refer to the one on the left as the

[48:51] north structure, and the structure on

[48:53] the south on the right as the south

[48:55] structure. The structure on the right

[48:58] um has has five units, and they face to

[49:01] our right, so they don't face Ash

[49:03] Street. Uh it's it's bigger than it

[49:05] looks in that picture.

[49:07] And once again, the staff recommends the

[49:08] city commission set a public hearing

[49:11] date. Again, we're not talking about

[49:13] what to do today with the buildings, but

[49:14] to just to decide to set a hearing

[49:18] to order the repair or demolition of the

[49:20] structures at 1017 South Ash.

[49:24] The background on this, uh as I said,

[49:27] there are two structures. The top

[49:28] building is the north structure,

[49:30] and the bottom building is the uh south

[49:33] structure.

[49:34] The north building has had two units. It

[49:37] was fire damaged in October of last

[49:39] year. It's currently unoccupied,

[49:42] and uh it's it's beyond repair.

[49:46] The south building has five units.

[49:50] There was also a fire in this building

[49:51] in 2022 and two units were burned.

[49:55] One unit that was burned, the more

[49:57] severely burned of the two,

[49:59] remains gutted with charred joists. It's

[50:01] unrepaired and unoccupied.

[50:04] The other unit that was damaged appears

[50:07] to be occupied.

[50:08] The owner has on at least two

[50:11] occasions

[50:12] prevented denied access to city

[50:15] inspection.

[50:18] But there's no reason there's no

[50:20] evidence in the system right now that it

[50:21] has been repaired. Permits and such are

[50:24] lacking.

[50:27] Um

[50:29] of the of the five units

[50:32] three

[50:34] uh

[50:34] appear to be lived in. One by the owner

[50:37] one in the fire-damaged unit, the

[50:39] suspected fire-damaged unit, and one in

[50:41] another unit. We were not We were

[50:43] allowed to inspect the owner's unit. The

[50:47] unoccupied fire-damaged unit, which

[50:49] you'll see later in pictures right

[50:51] there.

[50:52] Um and but we were not allowed to

[50:54] inspect either of the units occupied by

[50:56] tenants.

[50:58] Uh further

[51:00] uh

[51:01] possible correction is that there is a

[51:05] attic space that the owner was trying to

[51:09] repair and rent out as a sixth unit. But

[51:13] um

[51:13] he he was told during a recent

[51:15] inspection that that he cannot do that.

[51:19] Both structures have additional code

[51:21] violations beyond the fire damage.

[51:26] In addition to the structural code

[51:28] violations, there are many code

[51:30] violations on regarding the the general

[51:33] management of the property and the

[51:35] grounds.

[51:36] In the past 9 years, 19 nuisance cases

[51:40] uh show up in our system.

[51:42] 29 written notices were sent. No

[51:45] responses are in our system from the

[51:47] owner.

[51:49] The code violations that persisted

[51:52] several years ago persist today.

[51:55] They include things like inoperable

[51:57] vehicles on the grounds.

[52:00] Construction materials that are just

[52:02] piled up.

[52:04] Trailers full of garbage, things like

[52:06] that. Chapter 10 environment code

[52:08] violations.

[52:11] Furthermore,

[52:12] um

[52:13] there have been 175 police calls for

[52:16] service in the last 10 years.

[52:20] And two fires in the last 4 years.

[52:23] These are things that you can take into

[52:25] consideration beyond just the structural

[52:27] considerations on this building.

[52:31] Uh financial considerations.

[52:36] It's owned by

[52:38] the uh LLC 1017 South Ash LLC.

[52:41] It was appraised at $84,000

[52:44] uh for 2025.

[52:47] Of that 84,000, 11,000

[52:50] 760 is the appraised value combined for

[52:54] the two structures.

[52:56] So, the vast majority of that appraised

[52:58] value is land.

[53:00] The taxes are up to date.

[53:03] Uh total tax bill 1358 for the year. 653

[53:09] is the balance still owed.

[53:12] Uh one thing to consider, and this is

[53:14] true for both properties, and this may

[53:16] come into play should you hold a hearing

[53:18] and and decide on on on on uh what

[53:21] action to take, uh or it may not. Um it

[53:24] one thing to note though is that

[53:27] the code requires that if the repair

[53:28] costs exceed 50% of the fair market

[53:31] value of the structure, then the order

[53:34] must be demolition and not repairs.

[53:38] Uh once again, in In case if the owner

[53:40] fails to act, the city can proceed with

[53:42] its own demolition or repairs.

[53:44] Um and if necessary, this steam the city

[53:47] can place a tax lien on the property to

[53:48] recover its costs.

[53:52] » And just to go back to that slide, just

[53:53] a quick question here. So, the uh

[53:55] okay. So, if the 50% of fair market

[53:58] value of both structures, we're not

[53:59] talking about the $12,000 there. We're

[54:01] talking fair market value of the

[54:04] structures.

[54:05] >> Not the property as a whole.

[54:07] >> Mhm.

[54:07] >> Yeah, but just but just that the 12,000

[54:09] right there.

[54:09] >> Right.

[54:10] >> So, 50% would be about 6,000, right?

[54:13] >> Well, repairs can

[54:13] >> Combined.

[54:15] >> Both properties.

[54:16] >> Okay.

[54:16] >> I think anybody's going to be able to

[54:17] repair that for 6,000 or less. So, okay,

[54:20] I get the

[54:21] >> I'm no builder, but

[54:22] >> I think Mr. Clayton would agree.

[54:24] Make sure I asked him that. Thanks.

[54:29] » So, once again, the legal considerations

[54:31] here are the same as for Knights Inn,

[54:32] but um

[54:33] just for clarity's sake, we'll repeat

[54:35] them. Uh the city commission sets a

[54:36] public hearing date. That's what we're

[54:38] asking for today.

[54:40] The next thing that the Article 14

[54:43] uh

[54:44] requires is that we notify

[54:46] anyone with an interest in the property.

[54:49] Then the hearing is held.

[54:51] Commission listens to the owner and

[54:53] staff and the public.

[54:56] And the commission then may

[54:58] issue a resolution with its finding to

[55:01] uh repair or demolish with a deadline to

[55:03] begin work.

[55:05] Then your community development

[55:06] department would monitor the compliance

[55:08] with that.

[55:10] And if the work is not started on time

[55:12] or if the work is not diligently

[55:13] pursued,

[55:15] city can carry out the orders uh

[55:17] themselves.

[55:18] And then once again, the city if

[55:20] the city pays for the demolition or

[55:22] repair costs,

[55:23] the owner's billed, and if the owner

[55:25] doesn't pay, tax lien can be filed on

[55:26] the property.

[55:31] As with before,

[55:33] the recommendation is that the

[55:35] commission set a public hearing date

[55:37] uh

[55:38] on or after July 22nd and again July

[55:40] 22nd is the hearing date in the

[55:42] resolution that we suggest

[55:45] uh

[55:46] to consider ordering repair or

[55:47] demolition of the structures at 1017

[55:49] Ash.

[55:50] The alternatives are to deny the request

[55:53] or to defer to a future agenda date.

[56:03] » Thank you. Do you know

[56:04] with these being potentially rentals

[56:07] is there any process from today when we

[56:09] if we if we do set the public hearing

[56:12] date to notify the tenants

[56:14] that there is a possibility that they

[56:17] may not have a place to live in 90 days

[56:19] or if the owner's not telling the

[56:21] tenants

[56:22] that they would be notified now so they

[56:24] can at least start a process?

[56:26] >> Yes, sir. They're they're one of the

[56:27] people who get notified by certified

[56:29] mail and Mr. Finch has also advised us

[56:33] to post it on their door and I will

[56:34] personally knock on their doors and talk

[56:36] to them to make sure they understand.

[56:38] >> Thank you.

[56:45] » And that'll happen

[56:47] almost immediately after your vote today.

[56:50] >> Okay.

[56:57] Do we have any other questions or how do

[56:58] we like to proceed with item 11C?

[57:04] » Mr. Mayor

[57:05] I move that we approve item 11C on our

[57:08] agenda.

[57:10] >> We have a motion. Is there a second?

[57:11] >> Second.

[57:13] >> Motion and a second. Any other

[57:14] discussion?

[57:17] Hearing none, may I have roll call,

[57:18] please?

[57:19] >> How do you vote, Commissioner Skidmore?

[57:21] >> Yes.

[57:22] >> Commissioner Commissioner Van Leyden?

[57:23] >> Yes.

[57:24] >> Commissioner Allen?

[57:25] >> Yes.

[57:25] >> Mayor Pro Tem Crowley?

[57:27] >> Yes.

[57:27] >> And Mayor Clayton?

[57:28] >> I vote yes. Motion passes.

[57:30] Thank you.

[57:31] >> Thank you.

[57:46] » That will take us to item 12, comments

[57:48] by our city manager.

[57:59] » Don't Don't take that as a sign of they don't

[58:03] want to listen to you.

[58:03] >> Yeah, that's I'm a little disappointed.

[58:05] We're just getting to the good parts.

[58:08] » Uh honorable mayor and commission, uh

[58:10] water plant continued troubleshooting on

[58:12] the three basin and managed ongoing pool

[58:14] system issues. Uh

[58:16] pool has been a little foggy with the

[58:18] rain, but you know, just want to let

[58:20] everyone know if there are safety issues

[58:23] with that water, we will close down the

[58:24] pool. We are testing it, but trying to

[58:27] get it dialed in with the excess rain

[58:29] here. Um water distribution crews

[58:32] responded to a water main break,

[58:34] completed sewer repairs, and continued

[58:36] work on the 19th Street waterline

[58:38] project. Uh production completed

[58:41] cleaning and inspections on critical

[58:43] cooling tower and uh fuel stool storage

[58:45] infrastructure.

[58:49] Over in public works, uh parks

[58:51] department completed mowing and weed

[58:53] eating across parks, trails, and

[58:55] cemeteries. Uh streets department

[58:57] continued work on uh 10th Street

[58:59] improvements.

[59:02] Few pictures of those there.

[59:05] Just wanted to remind everyone, got

[59:06] quite a few events in Ottawa here on

[59:08] Saturday. I have the duck race down at

[59:10] City Park. That's from 10:00 a.m. to

[59:11] 1:00 p.m. Uh Treasures in Ottawa down at

[59:14] Lake Legacy Square from 9:00 a.m. to

[59:16] 3:00 p.m.

[59:18] Uh city band concert at the OMA on

[59:21] Tuesday, June 9th. That's at 7:30.

[59:23] And then reminder of those uh two watch

[59:26] parties uh coming up this month for

[59:28] the upcoming World Cup.

[59:33] I just got a flyer here for Teen Safety

[59:36] Academy.

[59:40] Attendant of items for the June 10th

[59:42] meeting recognition of

[59:46] I won't try to say his name Raymond for

[59:48] completion of the power plant operator

[59:50] course KMEA Board of Directors

[59:54] auto representative Kansas Municipal Gas

[59:57] Agency appointment of a representative

[1:00:00] to that board and then proclamation

[1:00:02] recognizing June 19th, 2026 is June

[1:00:05] 10th.

[1:00:08] Just reminder we have some open

[1:00:09] positions right now. So encourage folks

[1:00:12] to go to our website and apply for those

[1:00:14] vacancies.

[1:00:18] I'll take any questions.

[1:00:22] Thank you.

[1:00:24] I don't know if

[1:00:25] >> Any questions for city manager or staff?

[1:00:29] Nope. I don't think so this week. Thank

[1:00:30] you.

[1:00:32] That'll take us to item 13 comments by

[1:00:35] governing body Commissioner Van Leeton.

[1:00:38] I got no comment tonight.

[1:00:40] Commissioner Allen.

[1:00:41] >> I was just going to add to the busy down

[1:00:43] June 6th.

[1:00:45] I was trying to pull up the email. It

[1:00:46] looks like there is a Prairie Spirit

[1:00:49] Rail Trail 30th Anniversary celebration

[1:00:51] in Garnett at 9:30 to which of course

[1:00:55] goes through Ottawa. The trail does so

[1:00:57] let's go celebrate in Garnett.

[1:00:59] >> Yeah.

[1:01:00] >> That's all I have.

[1:01:00] >> Thank you.

[1:01:02] Commissioner Skidmore.

[1:01:03] >> Well, I just wanted to commend DJ on

[1:01:05] your mowing again uh

[1:01:07] with all the rains we've had and you

[1:01:08] guys been able to sandwich those in

[1:01:10] between the rains. I don't know how you

[1:01:11] do it. I can't even do that on my small

[1:01:13] yard. You did it for the whole city. So

[1:01:15] thank you for that. I played disc golf

[1:01:17] at

[1:01:17] Kansas Park this today. It was nicely

[1:01:19] all mowed. I can't blame the tall grass

[1:01:21] for my scores, so it was well well

[1:01:23] manicured, I must say. But, it looks

[1:01:25] nice and then again, compliments to you

[1:01:27] and your department. Kudos.

[1:01:29] >> Thank you. Mayor Pro Tem Crawley.

[1:01:31] >> I have no comments.

[1:01:33] >> Um I will just say you stole my one

[1:01:34] about the Prairie Spirit Rail Trail. Um

[1:01:37] the event begins at 9:30. They're having

[1:01:39] a bike ride, run, walk, and a few other

[1:01:41] things down there in Garnett um for the

[1:01:44] 30-year anniversary of the trail. Along

[1:01:46] with trails, this past weekend was the

[1:01:48] Unbound Gravel Race in Emporia. Um and I

[1:01:52] know last week there were several folks

[1:01:53] in town from that. I think they said

[1:01:55] seven continents, 54 countries, and

[1:01:57] every single state was in Emporia last

[1:01:59] week and

[1:02:00] um it was a muddy mess, it looked like.

[1:02:02] Um I know some businesses here in town

[1:02:04] were down there.

[1:02:05] Um so, that was just a a great thing for

[1:02:07] the trail community as well.

[1:02:09] Um

[1:02:10] I do want to welcome uh our Ottawa Main

[1:02:12] Street Association is hosting quarterly

[1:02:14] training for all of the Kansas directors

[1:02:17] who are in town this week.

[1:02:19] Um and then I did want to ask a question

[1:02:21] of staff. I'm not sure who would be the

[1:02:22] best person to direct to.

[1:02:24] Um I've heard there's a building

[1:02:26] downtown that has had a roof collapsed

[1:02:28] and we

[1:02:30] and just wondered if there was any

[1:02:31] updates about that, if there's any

[1:02:34] concerns, anything with that.

[1:02:36] >> Uh Mr. Mayor, I believe we'll have

[1:02:38] something on the commission agenda for

[1:02:40] next week on that subject, so

[1:02:43] um probably similar to what you saw

[1:02:44] tonight, just go ahead and setting that

[1:02:46] public hearing and

[1:02:48] you know, again, when we're setting

[1:02:49] these hearings, we're not really taking

[1:02:51] action on the first time, so it allows

[1:02:53] an opportunity for the owners to to

[1:02:56] visit, attend that public hearing, and kind of make the case of what the

[1:03:00] plans are for repairs, so

[1:03:02] >> Okay.

[1:03:02] >> obviously, if repair, temporary or

[1:03:04] permanent, happens before then, we can

[1:03:06] always

[1:03:07] take that off the agenda if it's added,

[1:03:09] but that'll be up for your consideration

[1:03:10] as early as next week.

[1:03:13] >> Perfect.

[1:03:13] >> Thank you.

[1:03:15] Um

[1:03:17] with no other comments,

[1:03:19] that'll take us to item

[1:03:21] 14, announcements.

[1:03:22] June 10th commission meeting is here at

[1:03:24] 4:00 p.m. in City Hall. June 17th

[1:03:27] commission meeting is here at 10:00 a.m.

[1:03:29] in City Hall. And June 24th study

[1:03:31] session is here at 4:00 p.m. in City

[1:03:33] Hall.

[1:03:35] No other matters to come before the

[1:03:37] commission, we are adjourned.

06-03-26 Commission Meeting

Agenda

Transcript