City Manager - Matt Zimmerman
January 21, 2008
Emporia City Manager Matt Zimmerman is answering your questions on the goals and projects for Emporia in 2008. Please click refresh for the latest questions and answers.
Moderator: Sorry, we're running a bit late — first-time glitches. The guest for today's chat is Emporia City Manager Matt Zimmerman, who will mark the end of his first year on the job on April 16. This is a moderated chat, which means that a moderator, in this case, Gazette editorial page edior Patrick Kelley, will review the questions as they come in and select those with the greatest public interest. A number of questions have already been submitted, so we'll try to get through as many questions as possible in the next 30 minutes, avoid duplication and, of course, have a civil discussion of matters of interest to the community. Thank you for joining The Gazette's first online chat. To keep track of the conversation, remember to hit the refresh button on your Web browser frequently. Mr. Zimmerman, thank you for helping us inaugurate The Gazette chats. Let's start with a question of interest to many Emporians — city policy on snow clearance.
ef6: How much money is allotted to snow removal? I understand the philosophy of clearing major arterials but it's disturbing to see some residential streets untreated weeks after a snow event.
Matt Zimmerman: Let me first apologize, my typing is very slow (one finger) I don't know the amount budgeted for snow removal. You are correct that we only plow and salt arterials. I am evaluating or program for possible considering of increasing the program for the 2009 budget. It will require at least 2 more trucks and drivers, so it won't be cheap.
lycomu: What emphasis is the City putting on quality of life institutions..ie: Library, Golf Course, Museum? Is an increased emphasis part of the over all strategic plan?
Matt Zimmerman: The new Blueprint for Growth campagn, which the City is cosponsoring with the Chamber, includes an emphasis on improving the quality of life by increasing the retail, dining and entertainment options. This will include a need for more investment, which we are woking on with the Chamber. But the City and Chamber has the people and policies in place to aggressively promote and complete the Blueprint for Growrth.
create: The meeting in November to discuss refugee resettlement in Emporia was felt by many to be unproductive. What additional information can the City of Emporia provide about the current state of refugee resettlement?
Matt Zimmerman: I'm sorry you felt it was unproductive. The City believes it was very productive in bringing correct information and addderssing rumors as well as providing an opportunity for the public to express their concerns. The City will be happy to host and/or participate in additional forums based on any expressed needs in the community.
rami: I have noticed that there are alot of empty locations downtown and in the West Plaza. What is the city doing to ensure that these places won't be empty long? Also, have there been any talks of what could go into the old Big Lots building?
Matt Zimmerman: It is very difficult to address market conditions thru the government and we don't want to spend limited resources unless it is for a known opportunity for success. Having said that, the City is cosponsoring with Emporia Main Street on their Community Initiated Development program, which is a master plan for the downtown district. In addition, the Buxton Study will include a downtown component to provide certain types of retailers that might be interested in a downtown location. Lastly, the Comprehensive Plan that the City and County will be considering next month includes a "Black and Gold: distyrict between 9th and 12th on Commercial, with an idea to promote uses of interest to ESU students, faculty and staff.
Matt Zimmerman: Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will see if we can put some recreational opportunities at Quaker Park. The City is investing 85% of the proceeds of the sale with the Community Foundation to always ensure there are monies for park improvements. The emaining 15% will be used for improvemnts each year in addition to any other budgeted monies. BTW, I forgot to answer in the last question, the City and RDA have met with the owners of the Big Lots building and they are actively marketing he site.
murmusic: Would the city be willing to offer incentives to people wanting to start downtown restaurants like U.P'ers and Amanda's? I've heard the taxes are extremely stiff...
Matt Zimmerman: The City's incentives policy applies to all areas, including the downtown and east side. The City supports (see the Blueprint for Growth campaign) more dining options, particularly those popular with ESU, in the downtown area.
mythoughts: 50% off the houses on my block are rentals. Is there anything that can be done about that? The neighborhood is starting to deteriorate due to all the turnover.
Emporiafan: I know that the rumored sale of Fire Station #2 was before your time, but seeing all the problems that station has now and has had for the last 10 years do you think someone missed the boat in not making that sale happen? Wouldn't that have solved a lot of problems?
Matt Zimmerman: I agree that the quality of housing is a key issue. This is also included as a component of the Blueprint for Growth campaign. The City wants to ensure that there is an adequate supply of all types and price ranges of housing, although that is a diffuclt market for the government to affect. The City has a property maintenance ordinance and is currently considering a rental inspection ordinance. Enforcing these current and proposed regulations will cost more money. The City Commission is trying to balance the needs of the community (including protecting our housing stock) with not increasing property taxes. One option being looked at is different revenue sources, such as fees. I believe this will be considered when the 2009 budget is reviewed starting in May.
Moderator: The answere above was to the previous questions. Sorry, synchronization problem.
Matt Zimmerman: It is true that the City had an offer to buy the Fire Station 2 site. The City felt that it was not in the best interest of the City to sell the site at that time. I cannot second guess a decision made over 2 years ago since (a) I wasn't here and (b) the facts may have been very different then. The City is now considering all of its options. That may include repairing the existing building, demolition and rebuilding on the site, or building a new station on a different site. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. However, it is important to remember that a key issue, in addition to the condiruon of the building, is that it is obsolete and no longer fits our needs. It is bad to have emergency equipment either styored behind other equipment or stored outside. I also want to take this opportunity to mention a phone call I received last week.The caller asked why the City would spend more money to determine what is wrong with the building when we already know from our own inspection plus the 2004 engineering report. The City is considering hiring an architectural/engineering firm to determine how we should fix the problem, not see what is wrong. The architect can also give us a cost estimate to deal with the obsolesence problem.
Matt Zimmerman: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk with the citizens. Please feel free to contact me at City Hall, 620-343-4251, or via e-mail, mzimmerman@emporia-kansas.gov
Moderator: That's our chat for the day. Thanks to all of you who submitted questions. I'm sorry they could not all be answered in the time we had available. Thanks also to Matt Zimmerman for participating in this first Gazette online chat. Watch for future chats, which will be announced in The Gazette and at www.emporiagazette.com.