Public comment returned to the Emporia City Commission’s regular slate of meetings Wednesday as commissioners convened in person for the first time since July 22.
Unsurprisingly, public comment was the main focus of most comments made by the general public during that time. Some who spoke first thanked commissioners for bringing back public comment; however, many also noted that it is not something they should have to thank commissioners for, citing the First Amendment and calling it a right, not a privilege, as had been stated by city leadership during a prior meeting.
Resident Leah Greene, in her comments, would also tell commissioners that there are many changes she feels could be made to the public comment format, and that commissioners themselves can make said changes.
During her comments, resident Judith Bilyea criticized comments made by Mayor Becky Smith during the commission’s previous virtual meeting last month in which she stated: “I think I’m willing to give everybody another shot to be civil, and to act like grown-ups, and to learn how to use their grown-up words.” Bilyea found the comments to be disrespectful and called for Smith to willingly resign from the commission.
Smith, in an interview with KVOE News, stated she could have chosen different words, but added she felt it was warranted given the level of disrespect she felt commissioners had received in previous months.
As to the suggestion of altering public comment procedures in the future, Smith says she would be open to a dialogue on the matter but feels it is important for residents to understand why the city operates public comment the way it does.
Following public comment, commissioners moved into their regular action slate during which time, among other items, they approved the acceptance of a $40,000 grant from the Kansas Derpartment of Wildlife and Parks to assist with a planned dredging project of Peter Pan Park approved last December.
The grant will reimburse the city $40,000 for the project set to be handled by Hodges Farm and Dredging, which brings a total price tag of $300,000. Plans are for the project to begin at some time in October; however, an official start date has not been determined and will be weather-dependent, according to Director of Public Lands and Facilities Kevin Hanlin.
Other action items included approval of the purchase of a 2017 Freightliner outfitted with a new Reed Company dump bed and snow capabilities, the acceptance of a KDOT Transportation Alternatives Project award for the Safe Routes to School improvement project and a bid from BPI for a 10′ Spalding goal for just over $50,000 to replace the current basketball goals at White Auditorium.
During their study session, commissioners voted unanimously to approve continuing funding through the end of the year into 2027 for Visit Emporia. This step is significant as for the majority of this year, the decision on funding was going on a revolving monthly basis following discussions on the matter back in January.
During that time, commissioners had expressed displeasure with what they called a “rogue” decision by then Interim Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Christian Kiesler to hire Matt Fowler as the permanent Visit Emporia Director, allegedly without consulting city staff prior. During an interview with KVOE News Wednesday, Mayor Smith, who stated back in January that the decision could have had negative impacts for the Chamber and Visit Emporia moving forward, stated the current contract for Visit, held by the Chamber, may allow such action.
However, Smith says that may need to be something the city takes a closer look at when it comes to the 2027 contract, which is set to be finalized by the end of this year. The commission’s decision to continue funding through next year was one of four options available, with the others being to continue the agreement between the Chamber and Visit Emporia for operations as is, ending the existing agreement and creating a city position to oversee Visit Emporia responsibilities, or issuing an RFP for qualified organizations to take over the Visit contract and operations.
Commissioner Erren Harter did express a desire to explore the RFP option, a desire not shared by his fellow commissioners, with Harter reminding residents it was a path previously taken by commissioners roughly two years prior. When asked his reasoning behind the suggestion, Harter stated he simply felt it was time to try something new.
Harter says he chose to go with his fellow commissioners and also voted to continue the contract and funding through 2026 into 2027, with plans to revamp the contract by the end of this year. When asked if there were any benchmarks the city would be looking for in that timeframe, Harter says there are not any at this time, but that could change once the 2027 contract is finalized.
When asked her reasoning for approving the continued funding and contract update Wednesday, Mayor Smith stated that despite her previous concerns related to past leadership, she felt it was important to give new leaders a chance to show what they can do before the city looks to move on from the current arrangement.
Fowler told KVOE News Wednesday was a “Great day” for Visit Emporia.
KVOE News asked Fowler if he felt as though he would “be under a microscope” moving forward. Fowler stated, again, that he is excited to be able to move on from the funding discussion and simply do the job he was hired to do.
When asked his plans for moving forward, Law says he is not concerned about the past, noting some of the “bad blood” that has been mentioned between the Chamber and Visit Emporia in the past, saying his focus is on helping both entities “roll forward.”
The Emporia City Commission will reconvene for its next regularly scheduled slate of meetings on Wednesday, September 16th at 11 am inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
