Olathe City Council Regular Meeting - June 18, 2024

The Olathe City Council met in regular session on June 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM, adjourning at 8:42 PM. The meeting featured the reappointment and appointment of members to the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, unanimous approval of a 17-item consent agenda, and four bond resolutions authorizing debt issuance for capital projects. A planning session included discussions on proposed revisions to the Debt Management and Fiscal Policy, the design of Fire Station No. 9, and a legal department update.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the City Council meeting minutes of June 4, 2024.
• Approved renewal of licenses as recommended by the City Clerk.
• Approved Resolution No. 24-1024 calling for a public hearing to levy assessments for unpaid mowing and debris removal.
• Approved a Business Expense Statement for the City Manager to attend a League of Kansas Municipalities meeting.
• Accepted dedication of public easements for three final plats: Bach Homes Second Plat (1 lot, 5 tracts, ~12.63 acres), Executive Plaza Third Plat (1 lot, 1 tract, ~3.68 acres), and Asbury Centre Third Plat (2 lots, 1 tract, ~3.75 acres).
• Approved an agreement with Johnson County for the Indian Creek – Lindenwood to Arrowhead Stormwater Improvement Project.
• Approved an agreement with Johnson County for a Preliminary Project Study for the Cedar Lake Dam Restoration Project.
• Approved a reimbursement agreement with Water District No. 1 for watermain installation related to the SE Pressure Zone Interconnect Project.
• Approved Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with Affinis Corp. for design of the South Hamilton Circle Improvement Project.
• Approved expenditure authority and contract award to RSC Communications Inc. for vehicle GPS services.
• Approved contract awards for one Toro Groundsmaster 4300 and one Model 2550XP Stump Grinder for Park Maintenance.
• Approved MOU with Johnson County for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Funds (2025-2027), including a Letter of Intent to Defer Metropolitan City Status and MOU amendments for 2016-2024.
• Approved a professional service agreement with Health Partnership Clinic for the Mobile Integrated Health Program.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Special Business – Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board: Mayor Bacon introduced Chairman Mark Gash, who introduced new member Morgan Davis and returning members Chris Osborne, Katie Cecil, and Jennifer Kaczynski. Council adopted Resolution No. 24-1023 appointing them. Unanimous vote (7-0).
• New Business – Bond Resolutions: John Page, Financial Strategy and Procurement Manager, presented on four bond sales. Key details:
  • General Obligation Temporary Notes (Series 2024-A): Principal amount not stated; used as short-term financing (1-year maturity).
  • General Obligation Improvement Bonds (Series 2024A): $45 million issued, 10 bidders, awarded to JP Morgan Securities at a true interest cost of 3.547%. Blended maturities of 10 and 20 years.
  • Water and Sewer System Improvement Revenue Bonds (Series 2024): $16.3 million issued, 9 bidders, awarded to TD Securities at a true interest cost of 3.8%.
  • Stormwater System Improvement Revenue Bonds (Series 2024): $16.3 million? (not specified in transcript, but minutes imply the same amount or separate? The transcript says $16.3 million for water and sewer; stormwater amount not given but appears to be a separate issuance). Councilmembers asked about ratings, debt service coverage, and the definition of MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area). All four resolutions passed unanimously (7-0).
• Planning Session – Debt Management and Fiscal Policy: CFO Briana Burrichter and Jeff White of Columbia Capital presented proposed policy revisions. Discussion included the city’s current debt limit (36% of total market value), effects of abatements (relatively small), potential impact of lengthening debt terms (likely no major rating change but higher interest), and the policy’s flexibility for cash vs. debt funding.
• Planning Session – Fire Station No. 9: Fire Chief DeGraffenreid introduced Jeff Blakeman and Ellen Foster of Finkle Williams Architecture, who presented the station’s design. Mayor Bacon commented positively.
• Planning Session – Legal Focus Area Update: City Attorney Ron Shaver provided an update on the Legal Department.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimously approved Resolution No. 24-1023 (Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board appointments).
• Unanimously approved the Consent Agenda (items A through Q).
• Unanimously approved Resolution No. 24-1025 (General Obligation Temporary Notes, Series 2024-A).
• Unanimously approved Resolution No. 24-1026 and Ordinance No. 24-23 (General Obligation Improvement Bonds, Series 2024A).
• Unanimously approved Resolution No. 24-1027 and Ordinance No. 24-24 (Water and Sewer System Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2024).
• Unanimously approved Resolution No. 24-1028 and Ordinance No. 24-25 (Stormwater System Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2024).
• Council noted progress on the Ridgeview corridor project (119th to K-10) with no complaints, received the 2023 audit report, and acknowledged the first Olathe Live concert as a success.
• City Manager announced city office closures for Juneteenth (June 19), reminded of trash collection, and noted the retirement of Jeff Blakeman after 31 years.
• Mayor invited the public to a meeting on June 20 at 6:30 PM at the Olathe Community Center regarding the new Pioneer Park at College and Woodland.