Part of the Emporia City Commission’s study meeting agenda for Wednesday includes a discussion about homelessness.
The city’s Task Force on Homelessness has filed its interim report after it was formed in January. The body is recommending the city keep a camping ordinance in place, either in its current form or with unspecified alterations. It also suggests the city extend the ordinance to at least July 8 for additional study, potential long-term solutions and other recommendations.
The city formed the task force with several goals in mind, including pinpointing existing needs, analyzing current resources, recommending temporary and permanent housing strategies and developing recommendations for legislative action. The City Commission approved a policy to halt “unlawful camping” in the city limits back in November.
Since its development, the task force has had conversations with Kansas City, Missouri’s homelessness prevention coordinator and toured that city’s homeless facilities. It has also gone with Emporia Police to tour local homeless “encampments” and it has had several discussions about the city’s current camping ordinance with City Attorney Christina Montgomery and Police Chief Ed Owens.
Separately, commissioners will also discuss the city’s compensation study.
During the commission’s action meeting Wednesday morning, commissioners will have a number of items to consider. Commissioners could approve a land lease between the City of Emporia and the United States government for the Army Reserve Center at 1412 E. 6th Ave.
The current lease agreement has reached its expiration and the US Government requested the new agreement. Commissioners may also award a bid for the city’s Street Preservation Project to APAC-Kansas for $93,600.
Bids will also be considered, and possibly awarded, for the 2023 Street Rehab project which will include The 2023 milling and pavement overlay operations, replacement of failed curb and gutter sections, construction of the David Traylor Zoo bus
parking lot, and select sidewalk/ADA ramp improvements along several city streets.
Board appointments and an amendment to the 2016 development agreement with Emporia Land Development, LLC will also see consideration.
