Electric assisted scooters will be coming to the city of Emporia following unanimous approval by Emporia City Commissioners Wednesday.
Commissioners have approved a memorandum of understanding with Bird Rides Inc. for the deployment of the scooters. Mayor Rob Gilligan feels this is a smart investment by the city given the volume of visitors that come to the community on an annual basis.
An exact date for when the scooters will be deployed is to be determined and will be subject to approval by Emporia Police Chief Ed Owens. Owens says in the coming weeks he will continue to converse with city staff and Bird to ensure all safety precautions have been taken prior to public use of the scooters.
Once the scooters have been implemented, they will be available for use from 4 am to midnight daily, however, those times are subject to change.
Prior to the commission’s action session Wednesday, commissioners held a brief study session during which time they discussed potential updates to city code that will help facilitate the use of the scooters within the community. Those items were tabled until next week at which time they may see approval.
In other business, commissioners approved a resolution of intent for the issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds to Woodco, Inc. the developer of the Whitter II Project. The project, located at will see the construction of two new 24 unit complexes to provide housing for low-income individuals.
Gilligan says the project is a good step towards addressing the city’s significant need for affordable housing.
The total amount of the bonds comes to $6.3 million. The city will not be liable for the repayment of the bonds as according to Gilligan that responsibility will fall solely on the developer.
Commissioners also approved tax exemption status for the Citizens National Plaza & Lofts and Preston Plaza and Lofts project.
During the aforementioned study session, commissioners also overheard a request from Kansas Free For Arts Executive Director Hank Osterhout for a stage sponsorship of $10,000 for the upcoming Halfway to Everywhere Music and Arts Festival. Commissioners plan to take action on that item at a later time.
Commissioners will have back-to-back meetings once again next week as they adjourned Wednesday’s action session to next Wednesday morning at 9 am. A study session will immediately follow the adjourned action session. Both meetings will take place inside the Municipal Courtroom inside White Auditorium.
