Allen Dinkel, City Manager
This week I am going to divert a bit from the past few weeks and hit a wide variety of topics. These will vary, but I hope to cover some of what was dealt with recently.
One thing that has never change in my career and never will, is that sometimes, citizens in the community feel that their individual desires, demands, wishes and even views are the most important. A few years ago, at a City Commission meeting. We were discussing what street work was being done in the community. As we have said before the amount of dollars the City has spent in recent years on street repair has greatly increased from the days when the City spent just a fraction of that amount due to the financial crisis. Not saying there was not a desire to do more, but simply not enough funds.
During that discussion about the street work, I made the comment that even though the amount of dollars being spent for street repair has substantially increased, all people feel that the most important streets to them is the ones they use the most and the one in front of their home or business. I get that, but everything can’t be done at the same time. There is not enough money and not enough employees. The other option is to increase taxes by a large percent to deal with everything immediately when there is a request.
Speaking of street improvements, you will soon see work being done on the roundabout on Washington Street and Interstate 70. This week the City Commission approved authority to award the contract for construction and a commitment of City funds to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). This project was let by KDOT and will be completed under their authority. The total cost, including construction engineering and a few other small costs, will be $891,579. The approved bid for construction only, was $693,222 only This KDOT grant will pay for 90% of the eligible costs up to $700,000 which is the maximum amount for this project. The City is responsible for the remaining amount and in the case of this grant, the City pays those funds to KDOT. If funds remain upon the completion of the project, the City could see a refund and likewise more will be owed by the if the cost exceeds this amount. The City was also responsible to preliminary engineering costs in the amount of %54,795.37 that was not reimbursed as they are not an eligible cost. KDOT funding is not automatic, and the City has to go through an application process. Junction City has received its share of funding from KDOT, but there is a process that takes time. In some KDOT grants they handle the funding and the process, but with one grant that was utilized for the Roundabout on Highway at Blue Jay Way, the cost of the project was handled by the City and now we are still waiting for KDOT to reimburse the City in the amount of $2 million. The grant was wonderful, but the City had to work through the financial issues. Fortunately, it could be done. Remember with grants, we have to follow their rules and procedures. We may complain, but better than not getting any funding.
Recently Geary County notified the City of their desire to remove the County from the Metropolitan Commission (MPC). Most recently the City appointed 3 members to the MPC, and the County also had 3. A few years ago, the City of Milford has also appointed 1 member, but had withdrawn a couple of years ago. The MPC is scheduled to end on October1, so the City will now have to form its own Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. We are in the process of developing an ordinance that is needed to establish the process. The City Planning Commission, per State Statute, will have 5 to 9 members. Again, that number will be determined shortly. All Planning and Zoning issues will be addressed in the City Office and handled by City staff. The members of the City Planning Commission will be appointed by the City Commission.
Another hot topic continues to be nuisances and tall weeds. We do get a number of calls about properties throughout the community. Codes staff handles more than 100 some weeks, but as I wrote a couple weeks ago there is a process that takes time. After that article some asked about the Call Center on Spring Valley Road. Yes, this has been abated as the owner of the firm is responsible for the mowing. A Codes Department member has been in contact with the firm nearly on a daily basis. It has not been overlooked.
The Call Center building is leased, and lease payments are made on a timely basis per the contract. The City still owes about $1.5 Million on this property. The ownership is a bit complicated as it involves the Sprit of 76 as well. The lease payments are vital to pay the debt. The company also pays property taxes as well since the building is not exempt. Hopefully this will no longer be a financial obligation of the City in about 3 years. But like with other City financial obligations, we continue to move forward.