Emporia City Commissioners discussed multiple ongoing projects and bid farewell to a longtime city employee during their study session Wednesday morning.
First on the agenda, the commission continued its discussion on the formulation of a new land bank. The land bank will focus on revitalizing existing properties within the city of Emporia.
The tentative structure of the bank will see a 7-person board of trustees, likely the Community Housing Board, overseeing requests with the goal of finding the highest and best use for properties.
Commissioners discussed drawing up a memorandum of understanding between the city and the bank which Commissioner Becky Smith says is just to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Commissioners plan to present a draft of the memo of understanding to the Community Housing Board at their next meeting.
In other business, commissioners were updated on each of the ongoing Public Works projects within the city. This includes the current upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant located at 719 Logan Ave.
Work has been ongoing for the past two years to completely rehab the water treatment process. Public Works Director Frank Abart says this is necessary to help meet more stringent standards set by the EPA in order to retain the plant’s permit through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Abart explains the new standards focus on increased nutrient reduction.
The design-build team of Burns and McDonnell, which is the Kansas City-based engineering, architecture and construction firm handling the project, is utilizing innovative technology based on an Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) process. It is the first of its kind in Kansas, but one of more than six similar installations that the team has implemented across the nation.
Substantial completion on the project is estimated between 5-6 months.
After the meeting adjourned a reception was held to bid farewell to Abart who recently announced his resignation and will be moving to Bonner Springs to take an identical position there. During the reception, Abart took a moment to thank the city of Emporia.
Abart’s final day is Friday.
The Emporia City Commission will next meet Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7:00 pm inside the municipal courtroom inside White Auditorium.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
{gallery}City Commission Abart Farewell{/gallery}
