Emporia City Commissioners have earmarked $200,000 for housing development in the near future. However; it is unclear exactly what those efforts will look like at this time.
During the city’s most recent meetings Wednesday morning, commissioners reviewed a proposal from Ignite Emporia for a memorandum of understanding for a public-private partnership with the city for the development of a new housing sub-division. The organization requested $200,000 from the city for the project.
Commissioners did approve this measure to an extent, however, not as it was originally intended. The city approved setting aside the requested amount, however, it will not be earmarked for any specific project in the coming year.
City commissioner Becky Smith explains Ignite’s plan still has some specifics that need to be nailed down. She says the city’s action will now give them more time to develop those plans without tethering the city to a potential project that may or may not unfold.
Ignite Director Rob Gilligan says the action wasn’t exactly what he had in mind, however, it is definitely a large step in the right direction.
The $200,000 for the potential project consists of un-utilized public-private partnership funds from the city’s multi-year fund.
Per the agreement, Ignite now has 180 days to develop and present a project to the city. If nothing develops within that time frame the funds will likely revert back to the city’s multi-year fund and can be pulled out again in the future.
In other business Wednesday, commissioners reviewed a proposed update on the city and county’s ordinance on firework stand fees. According to discussions, the plan will be to increase permit fees by 5 percent in the coming year with fees to increase 2 percent every year thereafter.
The current fees are as follows:
*$2,500 per stand in the city limits
*$1,500 per stand outside of the city limits but within the metro planning area
*$250 per stand in Lyon County outside of the metro planning area.
No action was taken on this item as the city is wanting to give the county time to review the proposal before making a decision.
Commissioners also briefly reviewed the 2021 City/County Joint Legislative statement and reviewed a Community Improvement District application for Flint Hills Crossing, the development poised to bring Quik Trip to Emporia just south of 18th and Graphic Arts.
The Emporia City Commission will reconvene next Wednesday inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
