The City of Emporia is more than doubling its supplemental water availability following the approval of a contract by city commissioners Wednesday.
Commissioners unanimously approved a renewal of its supplemental purchase contract with the Kansas Water Office for water through the Council Grove Reservoir. The new contract, which goes through 2045, will provide the city with 7,000 acre-feet of water, 3,600 acre-feet more than the original contract which expires next month.
The new contract will also mean a change in price, five times the original contract according to Public Works Director Dean Grant with a variable price point replacing the “fixed” price point of the original contract.
Grant adds there is a possibility that state debt payments on two additional water sources could help to offset some of the increase in price each year. He explains it will not entirely flatten the cost, however, it could significantly lower the price tag on a year-to-year basis.
Also per the contract, the city will be responsible for paying half the cost of the allotment each year regardless if it is used or not.
In other action business, commissioners approved the city’s new zoning regulations, discussions for which began back in 2020 following the creation of the Plan ELC document in 2018. Commissioners also approved a nearly $10 million General Obligation Bond Issue for several city improvement projects and a memorandum of understanding with USD 253 Emporia for updates to school crossing signals across town.
During the commission’s study session, a major topic of conversation revolved around the potential use of Urbanside Park at 500 Whildin Street. The Emporia Landbank was requesting transfer of the property for future development, a request that did not sit well with Mayor Susan Brinkman.
The reason for this was the city’s Homelessness Task Force had previously identified Urbanside as a property for future use in aiding the city’s homeless population. Brinkman says there are no concrete plans in place, however, the property was determined to be the perfect location to establish a “tiny home village.”
When asked if other properties were identified for development, Brinkman says there were, however;
Brinkman requested the city hold off on transferring the property for at least a year so the newly appointed homelessness advisory committee could further develop plans to that end. Commissioners chose to grant the committee three months to develop a plan for presentation in January.
Other discussion topics Wednesday included an update on the city’s water system, a report from Flint Hills Technical College President Dr. Caron Daugherty and a discussion on Transient Guest Tax.
The Emporia City Commission will next convene for its regular action and study meetings on Wednesday, October 4 at 11 am.
