Olathe City Council Meeting - June 4, 2024
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Olathe City Council Meeting - June 4, 2024
The Olathe City Council convened on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber at 100 E. Santa Fe. The meeting opened with executive sessions, followed by a live streamed session beginning at 7:00 PM. Additional executive sessions were held later in the evening. Councilmember Felter was absent; all roll call votes were 6-0 unless otherwise noted. The meeting adjourned at 10:12 PM.
Executive Sessions (Closed to the Public)
- The council held executive sessions under Kansas law (K.S.A. 75-4319): one on corporate financial affairs/trade secrets (8 minutes), four on real property acquisition in northwest Olathe (totaling 75 minutes), and one on the City Auditor position (15 minutes). Councilmember Felter participated by phone. Votes to recess carried, with some abstentions on the real property sessions.
- After reconvening, the council voted 6-0 to authorize staff to proceed with strategies discussed in the real property and trade secrets sessions; no action was needed on the personnel matter.
Special Business
- Mayor Bacon read a proclamation declaring June 19, 2024 as Juneteenth, presented to Terry Loudermill of the Citizens Police Advisory Council. Loudermill thanked the council and highlighted his mentoring group TEAM (Teach, Educate, Achieve, Mentor), noting 7 of 8 young men achieved at least a 2.4 GPA.
Public Hearing
- Resolution No. 24-1021: Industrial revenue bonds and tax phase-in for Safari Belting Systems, LLC. John Page, Financial Strategy and Procurement Manager, presented the project: a 75,000 sq ft manufacturing, assembly, and distribution facility on 12 acres at 607 W. Old 56 Highway, with a $19,375,000 investment and 57 new jobs over 10 years. Average salaries are projected at about $69,000 in year one and $75,748 in year 10, representing about $25 million in new wages by year 10. The city cost-benefit ratio is 1.84 (payback 4 years), Johnson County 1.86 (6 years), and Johnson County Community College 1.19 (9 years). Estimated annual city property tax after the 10-year abatement is $57,500. No public comments were heard. The hearing was closed and the resolution approved 6-0.
Consent Agenda
- Approved 6-0, including meeting minutes from May 21, 2024; new licenses; business expense statements for a Washington, DC trip; a KDOT agreement for Quivira Road improvements (Agreement No. 72-24); professional services agreements with TREKK Design Group for West Cedar Creek Sewer Interceptor design and Stormwater CCTV Inspection; a pre-construction services agreement with Crossland Heavy Contractors; and project management agreements with Project Advocates, LLC and Benson Method, LLC.
New Business
- Resolution No. 24-1022 and Ordinance No. 24-19: Authorized survey, condemnation, and acquisition of land for the South Hamilton Circle Improvement Project (PN 3-R-001-24) and South Hamilton Waterline Rehabilitation Project (PN 5-R-001-24). Both approved 6-0.
- Ordinance No. 24-20: Amended the Olathe Traffic Ordinance regarding sentencing procedures for a third DUI conviction. Approved 6-0.
- Ordinance No. 24-21 (RZ24-0007): Rezoning to C-1 (Neighborhood Center) and preliminary site plan for Primrose School of Olathe on 3.74 acres at the southwest corner of W. 158th Street and S. Hunter Street. Planning Commission recommended approval 8-0. Planner Andrea Fair presented. Councilmember Vogt confirmed that waivers were approved and that a drive-thru coffee shop would still be considered fast food. No protest petition was received. Approved 6-0.
- Ordinance No. 24-22 (RZ24-0009): Rezoning to C-1 and preliminary site plan for Olathe Family Dental on 0.74 acres at 355 S. Parker Street, reusing a former car wash. Planning Commission recommended approval 8-0. Approved 6-0.
New City Council Business
- Councilmember Essex announced the K-State Olathe Student Success Center ribbon cutting.
- Councilmember Schoonover recognized Gun Violence Awareness Month and encouraged residents to obtain gun locks from the Olathe Police Department. He also recognized Pride Month, noting the city did not issue a proclamation but affirming inclusivity.
- Councilmember Vakas reported on the Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, thanking Parks and Recreation and American Legion Post #153 (621 members). He also noted D-Day's 80th anniversary and affirmed support for the LGBTQ+ community.
- Councilmember Vogt highlighted the city's non-discrimination ordinance and encouraged public engagement in the Comprehensive Plan update.
- Mayor Bacon mentioned over 92 downtown summer events, including Kickin' it with the Cops, and noted Olathe is inclusive even without a Pride proclamation.
Public Comments & Testimony (General Issues)
- Kate Guimbellot, an Olathe resident, spoke about the lack of a Pride Month proclamation and its impact on the LGBTQ community.
- Bridgette Moore, an Olathe resident, noted that other Johnson County cities issue pride proclamations and called for Olathe to recognize Pride Month.
Planning Session
- Report accepted on annual mowing of weeds and removal of debris to levy assessments.
- BNSF Emporia Subdivision (West Tracks) Grade Separation Options: City Engineer Nate Baldwin presented. Council discussed the Spruce Street underpass clearance (11 feet 4 inches), alternative alignments, wait times (no comparable data), quiet zones at Dennis Street, and the need to partner with BNSF. Mayor Bacon suggested exploring raising the rail to reduce road grades.
- Police Department Focus Area Update: Chief Mike Butaud presented. The ACT program (started 2019) is grant-funded and uses social workers. Council praised the department's statistics and asked about officer tenure (data to be provided).
Key Outcomes
- All action items passed 6-0 with Councilmember Felter absent, including resolutions, ordinances, and consent agenda.
- Executive session strategies authorized for items 2.A and 2.B.
- Proclamation for Juneteenth presented.
- Public hearing for Safari Belting Systems closed and resolution approved.
- The city did not issue a Pride Month proclamation, but several councilmembers voiced support for the LGBTQ community.
- Direction: Mayor requested the train crossing grades PowerPoint; Councilmember Schoonover requested future discussion on lighting at 119th Street Bridge for causes.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Olatha City Council for Tuesday, June 4th, 2024. The first item on our agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance. Would you please stand with me for the pledge? I pledge allegiance to the plague of the United States of America and to republicans under God. Next on our agenda is special business proclamation declaring June 19th, 2024 is Juneteenth. Juneteenth recognizes the emancipation of slaves in the United in the U.S. and allows us the opportunity to celebrate the contributions of our black neighbors to our community. Joining us tonight to accept this proclamation is Terry Loudermill, a longtime member of our Citizens Police Advisory Council. So Terry, would you please join me at this microphone? So the proclamation reads, uh is this all? The proclamation reads, whereas on January 1st, 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring that all persons held as slaves within any state shall be then thenceforward and forever free. And whereas many more than two years more would pass before the news reached black Americans living in Texas, when on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers spread the word that slavery had been abolished. And whereas Juneteenth was celebrated the following year and continues to be celebrated today to acknowledge a period in our nation's history that still shapes and influences our society and to honor the principles of the Declaration of Independence. And whereas the City of Olatha is committed to fostering a community that recognizes the value of each resident that is strengthened by our diversity and that celebrates the varied cultures and backgrounds that make up our great city. Now, therefore, I John Bacon, mayor of the City of Olatha, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2024 as Juneteenth in Olathe, urging all citizens to recommit ourselves to the work of equity, equality, and justice, and to making Olatha a better place for all to call home. Thank you for presenting. First of all, I'd like to thank Mayor Bacon and the City Council and my good friend Robin Essex for this proclamation. I've been a longtime resident of Olatha and I love Olathe, so whatever I can do to the betterment of our community, I'm more than happy to do. But uh I'm I'm happy to help. We also have a mentoring group with some educators and local business leaders in Olatha that's called Team. It stands for Teach, Educate, Achieve, and Mentor. And one thing we do, we take athletes of color to help them have academic success. So we give them a track rec road to from their freshman year through high school on academic successes. So when colleges or universities or even uh junior colleges come and look at them, they have that academic success so they can play at the next level, whether they want to or not, but it gives them an opportunity to do all those things. And so we've been fortunate enough to uh start that in 2019. COVID was a tough year for us, as with everyone, but um the last two years out of the eight young men that we had, seven of them had uh at least a 2.4 GPA. Uh so that's successes. So now we're taking those seniors to let them mentor the younger kids because we all know kids listen to younger kids more than they do adults sometimes. So again, thanks to Mayor Bacon and the community for this award and uh whatever I can do to help the community, I'm more than happy to do, and I appreciate you guys as well. Thank you. Thank you. I'll turn the floor. Uh thanks again, Terry, for being here tonight for all you do for our community. Thank you. Now move on to public hearings. I would like to open a public hearing in consideration of resolution 24-1021 on a request by Safari Belting Systems LLC for industrial revenue bonds and tax phase N of a single series project for the construction of a 75,000 square foot manufacturing, assembly, and distribution facility on two parcels, totaling 12 acres located at 607 West Old 56 Highway. This project is expected to create 57 new jobs over the next 10 years with an average starting salary of almost 70,000. Financial strategy and procurement manager John Page joins us for a presentation. Welcome, John. Thank you, Mayor and City Council, John Paige Financial Strategy and Procurement Manager. Here to go over presentation for an IRB application we had, as you mentioned from Safari Belting Systems LLC. So a little info about this project. This represents 12 acres at 607 East Old 56 Highway. It is a $19,375,000 investment. As you can see, the project is outlined in the blue along Old 56 Highway. It's 75,000 square feet total of industrial and warehouse facilities, and it represents almost $25 million in new wages in year 10 of the abatement period. And it represents $57,500 in projected annual city property tax revenue after the abatement of period ends. So a little bit about IRB qualifications for any businesses applying for them. This is an existing business, and it must exceed the minimum investment threshold set for newer existing businesses by the city's IRB and property tax abatement policy.
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