City Commission Meeting - 02/18/2025

The meeting, presided over by Mayor Jeramy Hing, addressed a variety of administrative and infrastructure concerns. The session began with an agenda change to remove item G3 regarding engineering services due to necessary contract language revisions 5:35. The Commission approved the February 3, 20．25 meeting minutes 8:08 and the monthly bills totaling over $2.1 million 10:40.

A significant portion of the meeting involved debates over city beautification and infrastructure. The Commission approved an engineering proposal for the Kampton Park tennis and pickleball courts 11:30, though discussion arose regarding the lack of competitive bidding and the necessity of lighting. Conversely, a motion to approve artwork for the Dill Boulevard pathway project failed 36:44 after commissioners expressed concerns regarding the design's quality and legibility. In infrastructure, the Commission approved a paving contract for Neing Street 43:14.

The City Manager, Mike Womack, provided updates on the long-standing issue of 18 W. Neing Street, where the Commission ultimately directed staff to continue efforts toward demolition rather than rehabilitation 57:05. The meeting concluded with discussions on housing development strategies through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and the reappointment of several individuals to city boards and committees.

• Infrastructure & Engineering: Approval of MLR Engineering for park projects 11:30 and Sagona Paving Company for street resurfacing 37:29.
• Public Art: Debate over the aesthetic and functional merits of the Dill Boulevard pathway artwork 21:25.
• Property Management: The future of the contaminated property at 18 W. Neing Street 43:36.
• Economic Development: Use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to incentivize "missing middle" residential housing 1:00:05.
• Appointments: Reappointments to the TIF board and the Prison LeAon committee 1:14:42.

• Jeramy Hing: Mayor, presiding over the meeting 3:48.
• Mike Womack: City Manager, providing administrative reports and project updates 4:30.
• Commissioner Atwood: Participating commissioner 10:00.
• Commissioner Brady: Participating commissioner 8:08.
• Commissioner Glisman: Participating commissioner 5:55.
• Commissioner Petrie: Participating commissioner 8:50.
• Commissioner Swendell: Participating commissioner 11:30.
• Rodney Church: Mentioned in relation to park projects and engineering 13:58.

• Agenda Amendment: Removal of item G3 from the agenda to finalize contract language 5:35.
• Financial Approval: Approval of the February 18, 2025, bill listing in the amount of $2,115,936 10:40.
• Park Improvements: Approval of an MLR Engineering proposal (not to exceed $21,500) for the Kampton Park tennis and pickleball courts 11:30.
• Street Paving: Approval of a contract with Sagona Paving Company for milling and resurfacing Neing Street (from M24 to Mason Street) for an amount not to $\text{exceed}$ $124,000 37:29.
• Property Demolition: A directive for the City Manager to "continue the work... to demolish the 18 neing street that he's already started" 56:53.
• Appointments: Reappointment of Janice Feron to the TIF board 1:15:03 and the reappointment of Chief Jeremy Hing and Chief Mike Vot to the Prison LeAon committee 1:15:53.

• February 3, 2025: Date of the previous regular meeting approved during this session 7:55.
• April 14 & April 24, 2025: Scheduled dates for upcoming Budget Workshops 58:38.
• March 1, 2025: Date mentioned regarding upcoming board vacancies 1:09:17.

• Contract Revisions: Item G3 was removed from the agenda because the City Attorney and City Manager identified minor language changes needed regarding liability and assignment provisions 7:01.
• Demolition Rationale: Staff recommended demolition of 18 W. Neing Street over rehabilitation due to the lower cost and concerns regarding potential contamination and hazardous waste 46:28.
• Housing Development: The discussion on TIF was prompted by developers' needs to offset initial infrastructure costs (roads, water, sewer) to make middle-income housing profitable 1:02:09.

• Engineering Bidding Process: Commissioners questioned why MLR Engineering was selected without a three-bid process, while the City Manager noted that specialized engineering work often relies on established relationships 18:36.
• Public Art Aesthetics: A debate occurred regarding the Dill Boulevard artwork, with some commissioners arguing the design looked like "graffiti" and lacked a clear vision, while others defended it as a way to support local artists and community color 24:36.
• Property Contamination: Concerns were raised regarding the "due care plan" and the potential liability of the city if the property at 18 W. Neing Street were rehabilitated given the presence of underground tanks and contamination 47:10.

• City Manager: Continue the process of obtaining bids and working toward the demolition of 18 W. Neing Street 56:53.
• City Manager: Follow up with developers regarding the use of Tax Increment Financing for residential projects 1:00:05.
• Staff: Conduct a public call for applications for the vacant seat on the board left by Bob Rhoden 1:10:21.

The sentiment among the commissioners varied significantly depending on the topic. There was strong support for infrastructure improvements and the continuation of demolition work, but notable skepticism and disagreement regarding the quality of proposed public art and the transparency of the engineering bidding process. Publicly, the sentiment expressed by the single commenter was highly positive toward the DPW workers 1:18:30.

• Commissioner Petrie on Art: "I find it unacceptable... I would like a font that you know right away when you're driving what it is for" 22:09.
• Mayor Hing on Art: "I don't want everybody to look at me like I'm a snub but I'm telling you right now I don't really like it" 24:36.
• Commissioner Brady on the 18 W. Neing Street Property: "I'm for taking it down" 53:14.