A more than decade-long agreement between the city of Emporia and Renewable Energy Group has officially come to an end.
During their recent action session Wednesday afternoon, city commissioners approved the termination of an incentive and compliance agreement with REG for the construction of a biodiesel plant. The original agreement was approved back in 2007 with construction beginning in 2008 and halting shortly after due to a number of reasons.
The agreement was continued for a number of years, with the most recent extension of the agreement being approved back in 2018 through 2023. With the termination of the ICA, the partially constructed biodiesel facility will be brought down to ground level in addition to the removal of underground footings, piers and the backfilling of a borrow pit.
Per the agreement, REG will pay the remaining special assessments on the land, will cover the cost of demolition of the biodiesel facility and will cover half of the cost for the removal of all concrete footings, piers and backfill work. The city will cover the other half of the removal of concrete footings, piers and backfill work at a cost of $175,325.
Despite the project not panning out, Emporia Mayor Rob Gilligan says REG has been a “model corporate citizen” over the duration of its agreement with the city.
A timeline for the demolition project is currently pending. With the ICA now terminated, Emporia Enterprises will retain ownership of the property for future development opportunities.
In other business, commissioners approved its selection for an executive search firm to oversee the search for City Manager Mark McAnarney’s replacement following his impending retirement by year’s end. The chosen firm was Osenbaugh-Deardoff based in south-central Kansas.
The city contacted a total of nine firms to submit a proposal for leading the search. Special Projects Coordinator Jim Witt says all of the firms have experience conducting searches in Kansas, however, he and commissioners both felt Osenbaugh-Deardoff was the ideal candidate as it is based directly in Kansas.
A full timeline for the search will be made available following the signing of a final contract between the City of Emporia and Osenbaugh-Deardoff.
Separately, commissioners also approved a resolution for the annexation of property at 600 Road 180 and an ordinance for the annexation of property at 800 Road 190 to accommodate Evergy’s relocation from its current headquarters to the area.
The Emporia City Commission will reconvene for a study session next Wednesday at 10 am inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.