Emporia City Commissioners had varying opinions regarding the re-opening of city streets to host large scale events in the coming months during their recent study session Wednesday.
During the meeting, commissioners discussed the need for rendering a decision on whether or not they would permit the use of city streets for large events and gatherings in the coming months given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Rob Gilligan stated that he did not feel permitting these types of activities would be “proper community leadership” as it could potentially lead to a large scale COVID-19 outbreak down the road.
Gilligan says when it comes to a decision such as this the risk has to equal the reward.
Commissioner Becky Smith disagreed with Gilligan’s sentiment saying if officials give the all-clear for large events to take place, she feels it is not the commission’s place to tell an event or organization “no.” Additionally, Smith says there have already been a number of large scale events that have set a precedent that large scale events can operate without elevating any potential risk of exposure.
Gilligan agreed somewhat with this sentiment saying if a gathering took place on private property that is true, however, if the event is held on city-owned property than it is the commission’s place to have the final say. An exact date for when the commission will render an official decision on the matter is currently pending.
In other business Wednesday, the city of Emporia received a clean audit report from Michael Keenan of Cochran Head Vick and Co. CPA’s. Keenan did state there was one “discrepancy” found within the city’s internal controls.
He explained there were simply some transactions that needed to be changed in order to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. City Treasurer Janet Harouff says the “discrepancy” was simply a result of a difference in procedure from their previous auditor to Cochran Head Vick and Co.
This was the first year in a five year contract that Cochran Head Vick and Co. audited the city’s financial records.
Separately, commissioners conducted a Capital Improvement Plan review for eight separate departments including engineering, street, airport, shop, PWC, parks, golf and the David Traylor Zoo.
The Emporia City Commission will reconvene for an action session next Wednesday inside the municipal courtroom at White Auditorium.
