Emporia city commissioners could take a significant step towards a new medical facility in town as part of their meeting slate Wednesday.
Leading off their action meeting is discussion and possible approval of a development agreement with Stormont Vail regarding a new building near West 18th and Road G. Commissioners have before them a six-year agreement as opposed to the original five-year plan. Some highlights, if approved:
*There would be no ambulatory surgery allowed through the agreement time period, a key concern for Newman Regional Health — which has been opposed to Stormont’s plan since before it went public in late October 2023
*Stormont Vail will fund and build all on-site infrastructure improvements, conduct a traffic study, build a new city street and storm water improvements between the new complex and the DeBauge Family Sports Complex immediately to the east and will contribute $250,000 towards future street and storm water improvements to the 18th and G intersection
*The city commits to reviewing and processing development applications in good faith and to collaborating on public infrastructure plans
This does not include the final plat or layout for the development, which is set to be handled at the June 18 meeting.
Other action items for Wednesday include conversations about remodeling and expanding Fire Station 2 at 15th and Industrial with construction of the department’s new headquarters at 518 Market reaching the halfway point last week. Commissioners could approve a contract with TESSERE of Wichita for the nearly $6 million project. Along with that is a separate but connected agenda item involving architectural concept design for the space being vacated by the fire department at White Auditorium, and commissioners could approve a nearly $50,000 agreement with TESSERE for that project.
Commissioners could also sign an agreement with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, and Sacred Heart Church for the city to abandon a utility easement over a waterline on Cottonwood between First and Second, along with a related ownership transfer from the city to the church as the parish continues early work towards a new school building.
Following an executive session on economic development, commissioners go to their study meeting, where they will have their first public budget discussion of the 2025 cycle. They will also discuss art installation at White Park.
The action meeting begins at 11 am Wednesday at the Municipal Court Room. The study meeting follows at White Auditorium City Conference Room 1AB.
