Good evening.

Welcome to the regular meeting of the Aletha City Council for Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025.

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 flag of the United States of America.

Two quick notes about the agenda tonight.

So we are rescheduling this reception and the recognition for Council Members Gilmore and vote at the December 16th meeting.

Councilmember Felter.

Sorry.

Any others?

Councilmember Sconover.

Thank you, Mayor.

I'd uh in addition to item O, I would like to pull item H, please.

Uh a motion to accept the consent agenda with the excited exceptions of items H and O would be in order.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to approve the consent agenda with the exception of items H and O.

Second.

We have a motion and a second with the City Clerk please call the roll.

Mr.

Bacon.

Yes.

Ms.

Yes.

Mr.

Skinover?

Yes.

Dr.

Felter.

Yes.

Mr.

Bachis.

Yes.

Ms.

Essex.

Yes.

Motion passes.

Seven.

Hour six zero.

Item H is consideration of resolution number twenty-five dash ten ninety-nine adopting the industrial revenue and tax abatement IRB policy.

Councilmember Schoonover.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, I pulled this item because uh in our last uh meeting when we discussed this uh in as a report, I suggested that we um not limit the um uh incentive that we are providing down in our southern portion to just warehouse and distribution uh facilities or or logistics centers.

Forgive me, I'm trying to get it pulled up on my on my screen here now.

That was changed.

But one of the things that I would like to do, I'd I I'd like to amend this policy to include among the types of businesses or or properties that would we would provide an abatement to also to include uh office properties among that in our southern area.

So it's not just limited to those properties that are identified in the revised agreement.

Again, I'm sorry, I'm trying to it took me a while to load my computer, so I'm trying to scroll down to that now.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Almost there.

Getting closer.

Sorry, Mayor.

So go ahead.

Well, uh are you talking about the the new pilot percentage and offering it for office as well as these um warehouse projects, I guess.

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

So in in paragraph D, uh the revision.

The targeted area.

The targeted area, the revision in blue text reads an abatement adjustment of up to 30 percent, providing a total abatement of up to 80 percent of eligible mills may be considered for qualifying warehouse distribution and logistics types development projects, as well as manufacturing and data center projects that locate within the area identified in exhibit B.

I would like to add to that list of uh projects, office uh uh building projects.

I don't I don't think that there's ever been an uh uh Councilmember Felter.

Um Thank you, Mayor Bacon.

Um Councilman Scoonover, is this because of your desire to give a buffer around the neighborhood, Nottington?

It that's that's part of the reason why I would like to do this.

Um I I also understand that that um there may be office uh buildings moving into that or trying to move into that area at some point in the future, and if we are going to uh incentivize development down in that area, I think incentivizing um office space uh down in that area would do well.

Um could I do a friendly amendment that we leave this broad?

Sure.

Um and we abate um projects that that we desire to abate in that area within the map.

Because personally, data centers, if you study those, I I it's on my retreat list.

I have a red flag about data centers.

They don't have a lot of employees, they don't bring a lot of sales tax.

I'm like, why are we abating those?

Plus energy around data centers goes up for the average consumers.

So maybe something broad that would not handcuff us to specific projects.

I would agree with that if if we instead modified this language to indicate that the adjustment may be considered for qualifying projects that locate within the area identified in Exhibit B.

I would be okay with that.

That might be a little bit vague for people that are looking to come to Olatha.

Um I would just say on office that we as a council have always in my in the history, I think, have always tried to encourage office, especially if it was Class A, they were always getting a little better deal than the warehouse.

So uh to put to add office here, I think is easy.

What what about the data centers and um are you trying to eliminate those from the or um thank you?

No, I I in a future discussion we have a uh council retreat coming up.

I'd love to have that as a topic of discussion.

And I see um our uh chamber CEO, Tim McKee.

Um I think he's a fan of data centers.

Um I I think I I do know that Councilman Schoonover's um desire was stated earlier about providing a buffer around Nottington.

So I I wasn't trying to attribute too much meaning to this, but you know, there is a lot of vacant office space out there right now post pandemic.

I I I think in spite of that, he's thinking of this neighborhood.

I I'm not trying to fill in the blank too much, Matt.

No, you stop me if I'm wrong.

So I was thinking instead of necessarily spelling out office space and looking like we're tone deaf and you know that we don't realize there's a lot of vacancy, maybe a broader um definition would be appropriate.

What do you think, Jamie?

Yeah, Jamie Robochon Economy Director.

Um I'm fine with that.

I'd let our city attorney weigh in if there's any legal implications of that.

I think I'm looking at this.

You could say an abatement adjustment of up to 30 percent may be considered for any projects meeting the strategic economic development goals of the city subject to council approval, and we could make that amendment.

Um we don't have to be, I don't think as specific as we're being in the policy, but I would think our attorney should weigh in on that.

I wouldn't have any legal concerns per se, but I would also point out paragraph C right above it does what you're already asking to do, in my view.

The last sentence of C addresses that you can do what you want.

And also the last paragraph of the whole policy lets you do what you want.

When we have these projects.

We we have a if you term search for office.

You can't find that the term because we don't use the policy to be a guide for land use.

It's a guide for industry that we want to see attracted.

Office use happens as a result of some of the other types of things we want in certain places.

We don't want to guide it through and we'll incentivize it to go here, not there.

And it's by its nature, it's going to happen naturally.

So the council's discretion, I don't think is implicated by how the language is set up as we have presented it to you today.

Now we can add it if that's the council's prerogative.

I'm not saying we should or shouldn't add it again, not a legal concern.

I'm just saying we've I don't know if it is it may be superfluous to add it.

Well, I think if we're if we're trying to, and I appreciate that.

I think if we're trying to spur investment, maybe if if there's somebody who is reviewing our policy that is looking to uh perhaps add that type of development, if they would actually see that listed in this text, they may they may automatically assume that it would qualify for that.

So I would still be in favor of adding it in this uh Yeah, I think if I think if we wanted to add it in the way Jamie has suggested it, to connect it like it is in paragraph C to the economic development master plan, that's appropriate.

So back to your uh comment about paragraph C.

That to me uh allows up to 60 percent for those kinds of businesses.

It really doesn't add for this new language that we've added in D.

Well, the last thing includes some of those areas I think that was the request.

Certainly.

Uh so the last sentence of paragraph C reads the governing body may exceed the five percent adjustment for any project it determines to be of extraordinary benefit to the entire city.

So I think it sounds like Councilmember Schoonover is talking about if you want if a office user wanted to go in this area that we have an exhibit for that we're otherwise gonna see warehouse DCs.

Okay, that's probably whatever he wanted.

You go to the very end of the yeah.

It is a little vague.

And that's part of that's by design.

Okay.

That's to help you.

I mean, but in other ways, I get Councilmember Sheenover's point if it is and I would and Tim was threatening to come talk to you.

Um Tim may want to view Tim may view this as what you're to what you're getting at as a helpful thing from a marketing standpoint to be clear to potential um people who want to come and locate here.

So that I'll defer to Tim on that.

Did you want to that I actually I agree?

Do you want to just introduce yourself?

Yes, sorry, Tim McKealy, the Chamber of Commerce.

Um actually from a marketing standpoint, I think it would be good to clarify and have something specific as opposed to leaving it broad.

It might help us attract that that certain type of development.

Also, and it in Jamie and I were just talking, it also would exclude certain things, which we have spelled out, but like apartments and other things that we don't want necessarily to abate directly.

And so spelling this out as opposed to leaving it too broad would do twofold.

It would help us attract what we are trying and you know, encourage developers and others that this these are the type of development that we want in this area, and then also exclude those things that we aren't necessarily looking to abate.

That's yeah.

Thank you.

So uh we were talking about uh new language for paragraph D.

Does someone want to read the new language for us, Jamie?

So we all are on the same page.

I'll try to recreate what I said before, Jane Rovashot Economy Director.

Um paragraph D, where you see the red line starts with and abatement.

An abatement adjustment of up to 30 percent may be considered for economic development projects aligned with the city's well, we'll just say projects aligned with the city's economic development goals as um that locate within the area identified in exhibit B.

Okay.

So that doesn't really get to specifics like Tim was suggesting, it's even broader than what we have currently.

Okay.

I maybe want to do that.

Well, commercial is something we typically don't abate.

Well, if the council wants to add just after data center, I don't know if it wants to still do data center but just add off and office.

Class A office or clear or do we want to specify or just office?

Okay.

I I'm thinking it gives Tim the specificity that he wants.

Uh office generally, rather than specifying a class.

Okay.

Staff could wordsmith this and bring it back December 16th for council approval because it doesn't expire until January.

I think that's a great easy.

Um if you if anybody wants to give some more input to Tim or Jamie.

In the meantime, we could have an opportunity to do that.

So do I have a motion to table item H?

Mr.

Barrett, move to uh table item H till our next meeting on December 16th.

Second.

We have a motion to second with the city clerk, please call the roll.

Okay.

Ms.

Fed?

Yes.

Mr.

Screenover?

Yes.

Dr.

Felter?

Yes.

Mr.

Vaucus?

Yes.

Ms.

Essex?

Yes.

Mr.

Bacon.

Yes.

Motion passes 6-0.

Thank you.

Item O is consideration of agreement with Johnson County Consolidated Fire District 1 for fire protection services and specific unincorporated areas adjacent to the corporate limits of the city.

Councilmember Felter.

Thank you, Mayor Bacon, for letting me pull this.

I asked our fire chief to come and talk a little bit about this because there's a change.

Right now we do responds for calls and fires, and now this changes it, right?

You want to talk a little bit?

Sure.

Mayor, Councilmember Jeff DeGrafrey and Fire Chief, and thanks for the opportunity to bring this support in front of you.

So uh recently um fire district number one and fire district number two have consolidated with the Board of County Commissioners serving as their fire board.

And as part of that consolidation, uh they're reviewing all of their agreements they have with other agencies, and this happens to be one of them.

This type of agreement is something that in the past has been handled um by memorandum between agencies and not been in front of governing bodies.

Um because the commissioners are now sitting as the fire board, they asked that these new agreements that they had would come before them.

And so that's why it's here today.

The fire district number one, the new fire district number one, uh brought this to us and said there are many areas that are uh seem like the only the fire department could cover uh better than we can.

Um most of these are unincorporated islands in our city.

Um they've not been annexed or detached.

So this is a separate issue than that, and that often is being in front of you, but tonight this is just an agreement between two fire departments about who's best to cover the area.

These handful of areas we believe will be less than a dozen calls a year, at least that it has been historically some years it's zero.

Um have residents that live in these places.

Um but just as a story, um this agreement will help solve some things that sometimes seem silly to people that call for help.

So today under the automatic aid agreement that is countywide, if your house is on fire, or if you have a medical emergency that um might kill you in the in uh a very short period of time, the closest fire apparatus responds no matter where it's in the county, and that seems like a very smart thing to do to help save lives.

Um but for minor medical emergencies, and I guess it's minor unless it's you.

Uh so let's say uh you fall off your roof uh and you you break your hip.

Um we might not go to that.

So if you think about the area um by the price chopper off 159th by Sunnyside Elementary School, really uh it's really in the backyard of fire station number seven.

If that scenario happened there, uh the fire apparatus from Spring Hill uh might get the call and might even be sent lights and sirens and drive with our lights and sirens on uh uh across the front of fire station number seven and make a turn west and head to help somebody.

And our folks don't like that because we know we could help.

Um I understand how these things happen over time, but these are pockets of places that just haven't been annexed.

And so the fire district is saying, let's let's be uh let's do the best thing for the most people, and there uh there's no uh financial obligation as part of this uh thing that I'm bringing forward, partly because the call volume is so low.

Um they would still pay taxes to um the fire district.

Um as part of this, we would investigate fires and run all 911 calls in those areas.

But things that might require, let's say, um a permit for something that a fire department might give, like a burning permit or a building permit or something like that would still be handled by the um jurisdiction um of the fire district.

And so that's what's before you.

And so the exhibit shows those islands.

I think it would be reasonable at some point in time to just think that those are functionally illegal already, and should we bring them forward?

And there's a a lot that goes into uh that kind of conversation, and I understand that, but these are uh very deep into our city, and you see them uh on on the exhibit there.

So I would be happy to answer any other questions.

This is just an agreement between two agencies to try to send uh the best, most appropriate response.

That's all I had.

Thank you.

Uh Councilmember Schoonover.

Thank you.

And and thank you, Chief.

I appreciate uh that information.

I appreciate our our uh conversation about this today.

I I support this agreement.

Um of the things that I would encourage us to do, and I I know we've talked about this in in recent discussions as well, as we're working with some of our neighbors to the south, be it the county, be it some of the other municipalities down there, that we encourage them to improve their building codes, improve their fire safety codes, so as our folks are responding to incidents down there that may be within their jurisdictional control, we at least have some assurance that our folks are going to be as safe as they can uh uh when they are responding to issues.

So I'm not sure how often those those discussions come up or if it's something that uh that we might need to invite uh uh our friends to the south and to the west to have this discussion, but I would certainly encourage us to do that.

I appreciate your comments.

Uh the safer we build something, the safer firefighters are when they're fighting the fires and the safer community we have 20 years from now.

Um and it is the season for that, and you you've heard us talk about the uh uh strong potential of bringing forward a new code update soon, and so all municipal governments are dealing with this, and so it's good for me to talk about this as much as it is for you to talk with your counterparts.

Thank you.

Uh seeing no other thank you, Chief.

Um a motion on item O would be in order.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to approve the agreement with Johnson County Consolidated Fire District 1 for fire protection services in specified unincorporated areas adjacent to the corporate limits of the city.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Would the city court please call the roll?

Mr.

Skinhooper.

Yes.

Dr.

Felter?

Yes.

Mr.

Vaucus?

Yes.

Ms.

Essex?

Yes.

Mr.

Bacon.

Yes.

Ms.

Yes.

Motion passes 6-0.

We'll now move to new business.

Item A is consideration resolution number 25-1094 authorizing a survey of land necessary to be acquired for the Lakeshore Meadows Sanitary Sewer Easement Expansion Project, PN 1-C-29-25.

This item and the next one relate to land owned by the Late Public Schools, which it which had a later date, is expected to be rezoned and platted for a school surrounded by single-family homes.

I don't know if there's an is there need for a presentation on this or questions of staff.

I have one question of staff.

So the planned area for this sewer to go into this area, this is the optimal course for this sewer line to to go.

We have one individual that wants to address the council, so I just wanted to staff to respond to that before we hear from the individual.

Ron Shaver, City Attorney.

I'd be glad to defer to Mr.

Jones if you'd like to hear from Mr.

Jones first.

I just, as far as when we planned out this, this is where the sewer needs to go, and this is the best cost effective place to put it.

Certainly.

So I'm I'm sure Mr.

Jones will address you on that point.

The alignment was drafted by Schlegel Engineering.

They're the engineer for the proposed developer to the West, as well as Mr.

Jones.

The alignment that Schlegel prepared is based off the preliminary site development plan that Cherry Park properties inherited for the property.

We are having, I think, very productive discussions between our outside council and their outside council, Mr.

Bokins, who is also here.

And if that ends up being adjusted, we're glad to work that out.

Um based off the current plans, though, we believe this is the most cost efficient manner and the least impact on the lots as they were shown on that preliminary site development plan.

Again, not platted in this area, other parts of the subdivision have been platted as they continue to develop the subdivision to the north.

The step that the City Council would be taking tonight by adopting this resolution and ordinances only the very first step, as the council has done numerous times authorized this step.

We're absolutely in no position to file this petition uh tomorrow, let alone uh in the next few weeks, uh, based off these negotiations and discussions we're having uh with Cherry Park involving Schlegel doing engineering and design work.

Uh we think we'll come to resolution without having to file condemnation, and our outside council has been directed accordingly to continue those discussions in an effort to resolve this amicably.

So uh Mr.

Jones, it is if you don't mind coming forward, we'll give you three minutes to address the council and give us your name and address for the record first.

Uh Travis Jones um with Cherry Park Properties 212 South Cherry Street, Olatha.

Um before I I'd like to respond to the plat.

This preliminary plat that was done.

City can tell me, but it was 10, 15 years ago.

55 foot lots.

You cannot build a house on a 55-foot lot anymore.

The entire preliminary plat we've been developing, we're in phase three, phase one and two, where we re-platted those phases as 75 foot lots.

We need to do the same thing for this parcel.

And we've been asking time and they're working on it.

The engineers are trying to figure out the best place to run this line.

So that the plat that's existing out there, it's not worth anything, honestly.

Um back to that.

You know, we've developed phases one and two in Lake Ridd, Lakeview Ridge.

We're working on phase three right now.

Um we're not here to block the public infrastructure, not at all.

We just need some time to figure out the best solution that works for everybody.

Um we just want a process that's fair for everybody and the taxpayers.

Um this isn't a school district, this is a school district issue, not a city project.

Um there is an agreement between the city and the school district that the school district is required to reimburse the city for the condemnation and all the related expenses.

Um the district is asking the city to use a condemnation their their rules instead of the school district using their authority to condemn.

Um this had not been directed by the school board to to condemn this property.

Um we have active negotiations going on between us and the school district.

And if Cherry Park purchased the property, there's not even an issue of the easement, because we will be developing the property.

Um the condemnation actually benefits a private developer.

Um, Clay Blair.

He had an offer accepted four years ago to today from the school district for 1.4 million.

Our offer is 2.36.

So we're talking about a million dollars difference here, not including the expenses of the condemnation in the legal expenses going through this process.

And we need time for the school district to review our offer.

And that's where we're really at.

Um the school board has not discussed this with any of the taxpayers at the board meeting.

That might time up.

Yeah, go ahead and finish.

Um basically what we're asking you is to table this tonight and and allow us for one of two solutions for us to negotiate the land purchase with the school district, which the easement wouldn't be required, or let us negotiate a volunteer easement with the city.

And in this avoid the condemnation and taxpayer money.

If you have any questions, I can answer or our attorney more than welcome to take any questions.

So I have a question.

Uh how much time are you needing, Mr.

Jones to review?

Well, this as Ron said, this is with the uh engineers and they're working on it.

They're very vague about time.

Last time they said 60-90 days.

Um so we're probably still around 60 days.

But I don't know for sure.

Okay.

Okay.

Any other questions?

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for letting me speak.

So, Ron.

Question to you.

What what does 60 days mean on this project?

It's just a matter of uh I don't think it's When are we scheduled to begin the project first of all in a speaking of the installation of the sanitary sewer line?

It's dependent upon the development of the property to the West.

So because of they have not initiated a rezoning application, we don't know.

We anticipate that they will probably proceed if they proceed to close for the portion that Mr.

Blair would be acquiring from the district, not where the school is going, obviously.

But around it, then they could file that rezoning application sometime early next year.

But we really don't know.

We have had preliminary application meetings with the district and Mr.

Blair.

Um but um those applications have not been formalized.

So it's hard to say.

I would say to get back to your original question, 69 days.

We're glad to take the City Council's direction if the City Council would like us to uh bring this back, like table this matter for a certain period of time.

We're glad to do that.

If it wants to proceed now, um that's fine as well.

Um I I think if so long as we have momentum in our discussion, that is the uh important factor for all parties involved.

We are not pr obviously not privy to any conversations that they may be having with the district about uh land acquisition or just we have a charge to work on obtain uh uh a sanitary sewer easement that will be for the city to maintain for perpetuity.

Okay.

Councilmember Shelter.

Thank you, Mayor Bacon.

Um it's been going on for over a year, correct?

Correct.

Two years or no?

Uh perhaps, yeah.

It's been uh quite some time.

It's been quite a while.

And um I I will say being on the school board 12 years, I know that you can imminent domain some things as a school board.

We never we never did that.

We always left that to the city.

Well, if I may, council member, there's certain things that districts can condemn for specifically school facilities only, but in this case, because it's a school facility plus it's the the sewer line would be size to serve the subdivision around the school, also that's where the city's condemnation authority uh comes in.

But also why the district's interested because they're the landowner and uh we're hopeful that this this is a relatively uh minimal cost.

Well, um I will say I do know adding a neighborhood elementary school adds great value to our neighborhoods exponentially makes them more valuable.

Um I've got lots of data on that.

I I think given that it's I know at least a year, maybe closer to two, that they've been trying to work this out.

I I would support um passing this motion tonight and then allowing our legal team to try to make it work with the potential buyer of the land.

And as mentioned, council.

Um we we are glad to take your direction however it is.

We're glad to proceed tonight with you authorizing that based off the alignment provided.

Uh that would be the guidance that we would have.

If we need to amend it and we can't work it out with Cherry Park, we can come back to amend the legal description if that is what is the direction.

Uh but it's the first step.

We certainly aren't gonna uh go through any condemnation processes so long as we are having these substantive discussions.

And we see this uh often.

Uh we're we are experiencing this right now with Santa Fe and I-35.

He just authorized us to proceed with certain uh uh easement and right-away acquisitions for that project.

We have not filed on any of those yet.

We're trying to negotiate that.

I know city manager just had a discussion with uh a property owner in that corridor on Wednesday last week, um, and making very good progress on some of those.

And that one may be in the next the last batch, but we bring these to you uh so that we can then proceed, but that never precludes us from continuing negotiations.

In this case, we're glad to keep these negotiations going as long as we can to try to resolve it amicably.

Yes, we love that you're developing an Olatha and we want to be a good partner to you.

And so I I encourage you to get the engineering and work it out with the city, but I I would support this resolution tonight.

Thank you.

Councilmember Schoonover.

Thank you.

And and I guess my question is if we were to act tonight, i is that would that be placing our thumb on the scale, so to speak, in favor of one party or another in in in their separate negotiations?

I would like to let that process play out without the city being involved if if we can.

Not be Councilmember Schoonover.

I I think it's a totally separate issue, whatever their negotiations are with the district on the land or not, or we work this out together about the easement itself.

That's the s would be the city's easement.

Yeah, I don't think it entangles those issues.

Okay.

Okay.

Thank you.

Any other questions or comments?

Thank you, Ron.

Thank you.

A motion on item A would be in order under your business.

I move to approve resolution number 25-1094 authorizing a survey of land necessary to be acquired for Lakeshore Meadows Sanitary Sewer Easement Extension Project PN1-C-029-25.

Second.

We have a motion and a second with the city clerk, please call a roll.

Dr.

Felter?

Yes.

Mr.

Baucus?

Yes.

Ms.

Essex?

Yes.

Mr.

Bacon?

Yes.

Ms.

Vode?

Yes.

Mr.

Schoonover.

Yes.

Motion passes.

6-0.

Item B, as was stated earlier, is related.

It's consideration of ordinance number 25-21 approving an engineer's survey and authorizing the acquisition of land for the Lakeshore Meadows Sanitary Sewer Easement Expansion Project PN1-C-029-25.

Is there a need for any comments or questions on this item?

Seeing none, a motion be in order.

Mr.

Mayor, move to approve ordinance number 25-51 associated with PN-1-C-029-25.

Second.

We have a motion and a second with the city court, please call the role.

Mr.

Facus.

Yes.

Ms.

Essex?

Yes.

Mr.

Bacon?

Yes.

Ms.

Vogue?

Yes.

Mr.

Schoonover?

Yes.

Dr.

Felter.

Yes.

Motion passes.

60.

Item C is consideration of ordinance number 25-52 and annexing approximately 80.45 plus or minus acres at the northwest corner of 171st Street and Lone Elm Road.

And an annexation agreement with Stephen M.

Mackey, trustee of the Stephen M.

Mackie Revoquel Trust dated April 26th of 2002.

This item was a report at our November 18th council meeting.

Is there a need for a presentation on this item?

No.

Welcome to Olatha.

Well, how about a motion on item C?

Mr.

Mayor, move to approve ordinance number 25-52.

Second.

We have a motion and second with the city clerk, please call it all.

Ms.

Essex, yes.

Mr.

Bacon?

Yes.

Ms.

Vode?

Yes.

Mr.

Schoonover?

Yes.

Dr.

Felter?

Yes.

Mr.

Faucus?

Yes.

Motion passes.

60.

Now welcome to Olatha.

Okay.

Now we'll move to item D.

Item D is consideration of resolution number 25-1100, which is PLN 25-0006, defining the boundary of the City of Olatha as of December 31st, 2025.

State law requires that we do this every year.

So and this includes what we just annexed in the previous item.

So the need for presentation on this item.

Seeing none, a motion be in order.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to approve resolution number 25-110.

Second.

We have a motion and a second with the city clerk please call the roll.

Ms.

Essex.

Yes.

Mr.

Bacon?

Yes.

Ms.

Vode?

Yes.

Mr.

Schoonover?

Yes.

Dr.

Felter?

Yes.

Mr.

Bacchus?

Yes.

Motion passes.

6-0.

I say yes.

Did you?

I don't remember.

Did you call my name?

Did I not?

I don't remember.

I don't remember, but it's yes.

Okay.

I might have just been going down the list.

I I couldn't remember.

Mr.

Bacon.

Yes, yes.

Okay.

So now we'll move to item 7.

We're on general issues and concerns of citizens.

No one is signed up to speak tonight.

Is that correct?

No one is signed up to speak.

So I'll go we're now on additional items.

I'll start on my right tonight.

Councilmember Vaucus.

Thank you, Mayor.

Just uh quickly I'd like to uh compliment staff for rapid response.

Uh dusting of snow turned out to be about four and a half inches wherever you were.

And uh staff was out and about real quick.

Thank you very much.

Appreciate that.

That's all I have there.

Councilmember Felter.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um we were talking about defining our boundaries, and I would like to just um kind of underscore what we heard from our fire chief that we have a bunch of little pockets of unannexed land in Olatha that I'm not calling them freeloaders, I promise you, but some people have before.

And so I would I would challenge this council that we look at these pieces of annexed land and um uh act swiftly next year and make them officially part of the family and uh benefiting from the services and helping participate in them.

We can keep the mill levy low if we uh do special things like everybody is lifting part of the burden.

So thank you.

Council.

I appreciate that comment you made.

It has been tried before.

Good luck to you.

Just remember that you cannot do involuntary annexation by state law.

That's all I have.

Councilmember Essex.

I also wanted to compliment city staff on snow removal.

I always get a lot of um thank yous from people around us, so I appreciate your hard work.

And wanted to wish Liz a happy birthday today.

Thank you for your service to the City of Olatha.

We appreciate you and happy birthday.

Councilmember Scanover.

I agree.

Staff did a great job clearing clearing the snow and the ice, although I will say they missed uh a spot in my driveway.

Yeah.

If anybody wants that's a joke for those that are watching on TV, they don't actually do that.

Uh nothing.

City manager's office, anything?

I would uh echo the snow removal.

I hope it's not a winter.

It's you know, early start like this.

You hope it's early and then done instead of a long winter.

That's my hope when we get a four-incher in first of December.

But uh thanks for all the hard work cleaning our streets.

Um I hope you can join us this Friday evening for the Mayor's Christmas tree lighting, December the 5th.

Uh the Mayor's Christmas tree is downtown this year, uh, not at the community center.

So we want to make sure that you come to uh the downtown library.

You may have noticed it already.

It's in front of the uh downtown library in the Michael E.

Copeland Civic Center Park, right on Santa Fe.

The celebration begins at 5 30 p.m.

at the downtown library with activities for the whole family.

The lighting ceremony will be at 6 30.

So afterwards, stick around to hear local choirs and possibly get a picture with Santa Claus.

So we will also be collecting donations for the Olatha Mayor's Children's Fund.

Our goal this year is 160,000, and we're well over 100,000 already.

If you so you don't have to wait until Friday night to give to Olatha Mayor's Children's Fund.

You can do it right now at OlathaCares.org.

And we appreciate all the donations or for our Olatha kids.

All the money stays local.

That does it for tonight.

Thanks you for joining us and being here.

Um we are adjourned.

All right.