The Emporia City Commission has a new member following the commission’s recent action Wednesday afternoon.
Erren Harter was chosen by a 3-1 majority vote to serve the remainder of outgoing commissioner Rob Gilligan’s term beginning Apr. 20. Harter, a native Emporian, says he knows this will not be an easy position, but he’s still grateful for the opportunity to serve.
Gilligan has vacated his seat after it was announced he would be taking over as President and CEO of the Cape Girardeau, MO, Chamber of Commerce beginning Apr. 11. Eight other individuals applied to fill the seat on the commission including Ian Boyd, Jay Vehige, Travis Hitt, Marc Magathan, Jeremy Hinkle, Joshua Jensen, Dennis Kear and Denise Gilligan.
Commissioners Danny Giefer, Jamie Sauder and Becky Smith voted in favor of Harter. Commissioner Susan Brinkman voted in favor of Denise Gilligan.
In other business, commissioners approved a request for quotation from the David Traylor Zoo for the latest project as part of the Oasis Capital Campaign. Zoo director Lisa Keith says the zoo is moving forward with a combination expansion and renovation to the education center with work set to begin late this fall and tentatively conclude by next March.
Keith says the project will increase the current space of the facility both indoors and out.
Total cost of the project is estimated at $1.75 million.
Separately, commissioners also approved the issuance of taxable industrial revenue bonds for the Whittier Place II apartment project, a purchase request for a new backhoe for the Solid Waste Department, pickleball court erosion control measures, a conditional use permit for a light maintenance truck facility, rezoning of property and appointed members to the Emporia Public Library board.
The Emporia City Commission will reconvene for a study session next Wednesday inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
