|
|
|
Pittsburg hit the stimulus lottery yet again.
Pittsburg city staff announced Tuesday night that the city received more than $640,000 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
That money will come in the form of loan forgiveness for two projects underneath the city’s $4 million Kansas Department Health and Environment loan used to deal with various sewer issues. The city spent more than $1 million on the Southeast Lift Station, and another $278,364 in utility equipment. Through the stimulus funding, the city will receive 50 percent loan forgiveness on both projects, or $642,182.
John Bailey, Pittsburg director of public utilities, said the city still needed to complete work on the sewer system, but called the work completed a “remarkably successful” project.
John Van Gorden, interim Pittsburg city manager, said he wasn’t sure what the city would do with the excess funds.
“I don’t want to spend the whole $4 million,” Van Gorden said. “That was some great news that we received.”
All five commissioners attended the meeting. In other news, Pittsburg City Commissioners:
• approved utilizing the former National Guard Armory for a three-month trial of a city-sponsored medical clinic, offered through the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.
The clinic would be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays as a service to city employees, their dependents and retirees on the city insurance plan. Connie Etzkin, Pittsburg human resources director, said the facility, which will be operated by an experienced nurse practitioner, would help the city save money through its insurance program.
• approved a recommendation, submitted by the Economic Development Advisory Committee, to extend fiber optic service in the Airport Business Park West for a city share amount not-to-exceed $55,000.
• approved the first reading of Ordinance No. G-1065, amending Section 18-63(a) of the Pittsburg City Code by deleting Section 105.2(2) of the International Building Code and requiring building permits for fences.
Todd Kennemer, assistant public works director, said the permits would help the city show people easements and sewer lines to avoid.
• approved Resolution No. 1083, adopting the Crawford County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• approved the guidelines for the Presbyterian Church Non-Profit Grant program. The Citizens Advisory Board recommended approving the guidelines.
• approved the guidelines for the Housing Rehabilitation and Emergency Rehabilitation program. The Citizens Advisory Board recommended approving the guidelines.
• approved the low bid meeting specifications for the annual purchase of Ready Mix Cement/Flowable Fill submitted by Dwayne O’Brien, of Pittsburg.
Pittsburg hit the stimulus lottery yet again.
Pittsburg city staff announced Tuesday night that the city received more than $640,000 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
That money will come in the form of loan forgiveness for two projects underneath the city’s $4 million Kansas Department Health and Environment loan used to deal with various sewer issues. The city spent more than $1 million on the Southeast Lift Station, and another $278,364 in utility equipment. Through the stimulus funding, the city will receive 50 percent loan forgiveness on both projects, or $642,182.
John Bailey, Pittsburg director of public utilities, said the city still needed to complete work on the sewer system, but called the work completed a “remarkably successful” project.
John Van Gorden, interim Pittsburg city manager, said he wasn’t sure what the city would do with the excess funds.
“I don’t want to spend the whole $4 million,” Van Gorden said. “That was some great news that we received.”
All five commissioners attended the meeting. In other news, Pittsburg City Commissioners:
• approved utilizing the former National Guard Armory for a three-month trial of a city-sponsored medical clinic, offered through the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.
The clinic would be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays as a service to city employees, their dependents and retirees on the city insurance plan. Connie Etzkin, Pittsburg human resources director, said the facility, which will be operated by an experienced nurse practitioner, would help the city save money through its insurance program.
• approved a recommendation, submitted by the Economic Development Advisory Committee, to extend fiber optic service in the Airport Business Park West for a city share amount not-to-exceed $55,000.
• approved the first reading of Ordinance No. G-1065, amending Section 18-63(a) of the Pittsburg City Code by deleting Section 105.2(2) of the International Building Code and requiring building permits for fences.
Todd Kennemer, assistant public works director, said the permits would help the city show people easements and sewer lines to avoid.
• approved Resolution No. 1083, adopting the Crawford County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• approved the guidelines for the Presbyterian Church Non-Profit Grant program. The Citizens Advisory Board recommended approving the guidelines.
• approved the guidelines for the Housing Rehabilitation and Emergency Rehabilitation program. The Citizens Advisory Board recommended approving the guidelines.
• approved the low bid meeting specifications for the annual purchase of Ready Mix Cement/Flowable Fill submitted by Dwayne O’Brien, of Pittsburg.
• approved the low bids for the annual purchase of HM-4 Flint Chat to Kunshek Chat & Coal, Inc., of Pittsburg, on the basis of their low bid meeting specifications, and the bid for the annual purchase of AB-3 Limestone Rock to Kunshek Chat & Coal, Inc., of Pittsburg, on the basis of their low bid meeting specifications.
• approved a resolution adopting an identity theft policy.
• approved the application submitted by Bryan Hanson, to renew the Dance Hall License for McCarthy's Pub.
• held a special meeting, in executive session, to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel.
Kevin Flaherty can be reached at kevin.flaherty@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 Ext. 134.
