City of Emporia staff will be entering into negotiations for contracts related to economic development and animal shelter operations following the Emporia City Commission’s latest study session.
During the meeting, commissioners approved City Manager Trey Cocking to move forward with negotiations with Vision First Advisors for economic consulting services. The consultant’s purpose is to provide a complete review of the Regional Development Association and how it can be improved according to City Commissioner Jamie Sauder.
Commissioners approved the measure 3-1 with Commissioner Susan Brinkman voting against it. Brinkman tells KVOE News she favors possible restructuring of the RDA, however, she does not believe it requires an outside consultant.
Furthermore, Brinkman says her main concerns with the current structure of the RDA is the funding the city provides the entity and its level of representation within it.
Both Brinkman and Sauder noted several catalysts as the cause of Wednesday’s conversations, which are just the latest installment of what has been a much broader dialogue on economic development in recent weeks. Some have come to believe the conversations are focused on abolishing the RDA in the future, however, commissioners stated Wednesday that was not their intent.
Vice Mayor of Emporia Erren Harter stated to KVOE News following Wednesday’s meeting, “Nobody on the Emporia City Commission has considered or discussed completely doing away with the RDA, in fact, we have discussed putting more money into economic development.” Word on when a contract between the city and Vision First Advisors will be finalized is currently pending.
In other business Wednesday, commissioners also approved city staff to move forward with contract negotiations with Praire Paws which has operations in both Ottawa and Manhattan to take over operations of the Emporia Animal Shelter. This action came at the recommendation of the city’s task force which oversaw the requests for proposals for the operation responsibilities of which the city received three.
Also submitting RFPs were the Humane Society of the Flint Hills and Raise Your Paws of Emporia. City Attorney and task force member Christina Montgomery says it was a difficult decision to make, however, Prairie Paws stood out for two key reasons, price, and reputation.
Prairie Paws Executive Director Vanessa Cowie says she is very happy with the city’s decision and how quick the process was.
Cowie tells KVOE News integration into both the shelter and the community will be their first priority once the contract is finalized.
Humane Society Director Stephanie Achille spoke with KVOE News following the commission’s decision and says while they are saddened to be ending a 10-year relationship with the city, she believes the city’s decision is a “huge step in the right direction for animal welfare for Emporia.”
Raise Your Paws owner Melanie Smith says she plans to provide any support possible to Prairie Paws in the future.
Separately Wednesday, commissioners gave the go-ahead for construction to begin on the new Whittier Park Skate Park project which has been in the works for several years now. The project, which will cost $500,000, is set to begin construction in mid-July with the build tentatively set to last 12 weeks weather permitting.
The Emporia City Commission will next convene on Friday, June 7 at 11 am inside of the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
