City Manager reviewing snow policy
Originally published 01:01 p.m., January 22, 2008
Updated 01:01 p.m., January 22, 2008
Monday afternoon, The Gazette inaugurated online chats on www.emporiagazette.com. Emporia City Manager Matt Zimmerman answered readers’ questions posed online about city issues and policies. This is a transcript of the session. It is also available at the Web site.
Q: 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.
A: 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 our program for possibly considering increasing the program for the 2009 budget. It will require at least 2 more trucks and drivers, so it won’t be cheap.
Q: What emphasis is the city putting on quality of life institutions ... i.e.: Library, Golf Course, Museum? Is an increased emphasis part of the over all strategic plan?
A: The new Blueprint for Growth campaign, which the city is co-sponsoring 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 working on with the chamber. But the city and chamber has the people and policies in place to aggressively promote and complete the Blueprint for Growth.
Q: 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?
A: I’m sorry you felt it was unproductive. The city believes it was very productive in bringing correct information and addressing 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.
Q: I have noticed that there are a lot 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?
A: It is very difficult to address market conditions through 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 co-sponsoring 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 for 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” district between 9th and 12th on Commercial, with an idea to promote uses of interest to ESU students, faculty and staff.
Q: I think I had read where the city was using money from the sale of Lake Kahola to improve city parks, my question would be, why has the city not done any work to Quaker park at 1st and Sylvan street in many, MANY years? I know people who have been trying for YEARS to get a simple basketball goal for the kids. The park is nothing more than a bus stop, I feel bad for all the children in that area, there is nothing for them to do, can you please look into this? Just a couple basketball goals would be great! What can the cost be after all? I would not think that much.
A: 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 percent of the proceeds of the sale with the Community Foundation to always ensure there are monies for park improvements. The remaining 15 percent will be used for improvements each year in addition to any other budgeted monies. By the way, 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.
Q: 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 ...
A: 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.
Q: 50 percent 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.
A: 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 difficult 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.
Q: 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?
A: It is true that the city had an offer to buy the Fire Station 2 site. The city felt that it was not in its best interest 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 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 condition of the building, is that it is obsolete and no longer fits our needs. It is bad to have emergency equipment either stored 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 obsolescence problem.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk with the citizens. Please feel free to contact me at city hall, 343-4251, or via e-mail, mzimmerman@emporia-kansas.gov.