Emporia City Commissioners welcomed a special visitor for public comment during their regular action meeting Wednesday morning.
Kansas US 2nd District Congressman Derek Schmidt came before commissioners at the invitation of Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking, an invitation he says he was happy to accept. While speaking with KVOE News following the meeting, Schmidt stated his father told him years ago that local government is often the “hardest level” of government to serve at.
With that in mind, he believes it is important to take the opportunity, whenever it may arise, to meet with and engage with local leadership.
Schmidt’s appearance at Wednesday’s meeting came during a visit to the local community where he is scheduled to meet with various businesses and agencies between Wednesday and Thursday before returning to the Nation’s Capital.
Following Schmidt’s comments, commissioners moved through their action agenda, which included a public hearing and later approval of closing out the Commercial Development Block Grant Commercial Rehabilitation Grant at 517 Merchant — the former Emporia Gazette headquarters, now under renovation as The Gazette Collective.
Additional action included approval of a Safe Streets for All cost-share agreement involving the Federal Highway Administration, Kansas Department of Transportation and the city. The two-year, $300,000 transportation safety study project has the vast majority of funding coming from the state and federal governments, with the city contributing $15,000.
Commissioners also authorized issuing General Obligation bonds to replace a street sweeper, with the estimated cost being right around $400,000.
Following their action meeting, commissioners moved into their joint meeting with Lyon County Commissioners, which primarily focused on the potential creation of the Flint Hills Economic Alliance, details of which are available here.
Emporia City Commissioners will next convene on Wednesday, March 4th, at 11 am inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
