City March 8 meeting: Commission covers dangerous structure, sports complex sales tax

Apr. 10—The Abilene City Commission met for their first meeting of April Monday. The commission talked about fluoride in the water supply, a new sales tax for a sports complex and other recreation needs and a dangers building all in the study session.

Proclamation

City Mayor Brandon Rein gave a proclamation to declare April 7 through April 13 as National Library Week.

"I encourage all residents to visit their library and celebrate the adventures and opportunities they unlock for us every day," Rein said.

Public hearing

The commission entered into a public hearing for approval to establish the Downtown Lofts Reinvestment Housing Incentive District for 109, 111 and 113 NW Third Street. No one from the public commented. After closing the hearing, they approved the district.

"This is the first one to happen here in downtown," said City Commissioner Trevor Witt. "Hopefully it sets an example for more to follow."

"The RHID captures the incremental increase in property taxes by a housing development project for up to 25 years," according to the agenda document. "The incremental increase can be used to pay debt service bonds issued to fund the project, or in this case, transferred to the developer as reimbursement for costs incurred (which can include property acquisition, plumbing, HVAC, walls, removal of hazardous substances or materials, flooring, roof, framing, etc.)"

Regular meeting

The commission then approved the final change order for the water line replacement project for Oak, Olive and Kuney streets for the amount of $11,586.70.

The commission then approved an updated version of the community improvement district policy.

City manager report

Ron Marsh, city manager, said concrete for the NW 14th Street project has been poured from Buckeye Avenue to Cedar Street. The street should open by the time the school year has ended, and then construction on NW 14th Street between Cedar Street and the entrance of the Abilene Middle School will begin. The Oak, Olive and Kuney streets waterline project is almost complete outside of some small list items.

The Union Pacific Railroad will replace the crossing at Elm Street. The project is scheduled to start April 29 through May 3.

The Eisenhower Marathon is April 27.

Flouride

The commission returned to the discussion of whether to discontinue adding fluoride to the water supply. Trevor Witt and John Kollhoff said they have heard equal support and opposition to discontinuing the ordinance.

"I go back to my main point and rational for this is that, it's not critical to the safety of the water supply, and the current practice makes things more dangerous for our staff," Witt said.

"I believe every dentist with a 30-mile radius emailed or called us," Kollhoff said. "I think really the concern is that it's the people who are the most vulnerable are the young folks who might be more exposed to adverse dental conditions as a result of decreased fluoride."

After a little more discussion, the commission directed staff to have the item appear at their next regular meeting.

Dangerous building

Travis Steerman, city inspector, then proposed a public hearing to address a dangerous structure at 212 Cottage Avenue. Based on an evaluation from looking outside the property, Steerman's main concern is behind the house where the electrical services and porch are and roof damage. Greg Kowenicki was the only person to respond to the dangerous structure violations sent to the address. Kowenicki initially told Steerman during a code case in 2023 Dickinson County was responsible for the roof damage because of a tree falling during the courthouse's construction. He told city staff he was going to reach out to the county about repairs. Earlier this year during another code case, Kowenicki requested an extension claiming this is the first time he was made aware of the home's situation. Steerman then met with county staff about the situation, and later determined the county was not responsible for roof damage.

"I think this structure is fixable," Steerman said. "I don't know if there's any other way I can get the owner's attention other than this route to get something to happen with this property."

The commission will set a date for a public hearing in their next regular meeting.

Sports complex

The commission then heard a proposal from the Sports Complex Task Force to impose a 0.35% sales tax to fund a new sports complex with multi-purpose baseball fields. The sales tax percentage was determined based on the results of the feasibility study by Wichita State University. The percentage is estimated to support a $3.75 million bond if the tax is approved for 10 years. They requested a special question be placed on the Aug. 6 primary election ballot. The task force will present options with the funds available and a vendor in a future city meeting. Trevor Witt, also a member of the task force, said the $3.75 million bond over 10 years is a "very conservative" estimation, and he believes the tax will pay off the bond sooner than 10 years.

"So the expectation is we pay off the bond quick, and then the remaining funds over that 10-year term could get prioritized and used for other quality of life things as a community provides input," Witt said.

The ballot question proposed, which can be found in the proposed resolution in the meeting agenda documents, leaves the purpose of the sales tax money open to other recreation projects in the case the bond is paid off sooner than predicted.

The question on the resolution reads "Shall a special purpose retailers' sales tax in the amount of three and one half tenths of one percent (0.35%) be levied in the City of Abilene, Kansas to take effect January 1, 2025 or as soon thereafter as such tax may be levied by the Kansas Department of Revenue, with revenue from such tax used for the purpose of funding quality of life and recreation improvements and programs, to include multi-purpose ball fields, with the means and methods to accomplish said purpose to be determined in the sole discretion of the Governing Body of the City; and provided that such retailers' sales tax shall expire on the date ten years after it is first levied, all pursuant to K.S.A. 12-187 et seq., as amended?"

Rein said he liked the open-ended language of the ballot question.

"I think the 0.35% will probably blow those (estimations) out of the water, and it opens it up in the future to continue doing other projects that aren't just limited to the smaller scope," Rein said. "Generally I think that is a good strategy for this."

Dickinson County's submission deadline for the question to be included on the primary election ballot is May 8.

The commission will decide whether to approve the ballot question during the next regular meeting.

The Abilene City Commission will next meet for a regular meeting at 4 p.m. April 22 in the Abilene Public Library.