The Emporia City Commission approved a contract with Judge Ted Hollembeak on Wednesday that consolidates his duties as municipal court judge with duties that formerly were the responsibility of the court administrator.
In addition to his duties as judge, Hollembeak will be responsible for preparing the department’s budget, supervising and evaluating personnel and preparing annual reports.
The contract is part of a reorganization plan being undertaken to streamline the functions of the municipal court. With the elimination of the court services director position, the city will see a net savings in the department.
In other business, the commission amended the Facilities Use Agreement between the city and Emporia State University for the operation of the Trusler Sports Complex. Since 2003, the city has taken over operations at the complex on May 1 and turned it over to ESU on October 1. The amendment changes the dates to May 10, so ESU can host NCAA events, and September 1 as the date for the city to turn possession back over.
The commission adopted an ordinance to approve a text amendment to the city’s zoning regulations to allow a height of 150 feet for structures in I-1, light industrial, and I-2, heavy industrial zoning districts.
The commission also awarded a bid to Grimmett Masonry for the 2009 Hazardous Sidewalk Project. The bid is in the amount of $33,803.75.
The commission appointed Floyd Thomas to serve a four-year term on the Emporia Recreation Commission. Nina West was appointed to serve a three-year term on the Natural Resources Advisory Board. Albert Ziesmer was re-appointed to serve a three-year term on the Building Trades Board. Jamie Sauder and Brandy Snyder were appointed to serve three-year terms on the Convention and Tourism Committee.