MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Hutchinson City Council approved changes to the Meyer Landmark Community Improvement District, authorized the sale of nearly $12 million in general obligation bonds for city projects, and adopted updated state criminal and traffic ordinances during its meeting Tuesday evening. The council also received updates on a downtown demolition project and discussed possible changes to public comment procedures.
One of the evening's primary actions was amending the Community Improvement District (CID) for the Meyer Landmark redevelopment at 501 N. Main.
Finance Director Angela Richard said the amendment removes residential units from the 2% CID sales tax while keeping the tax in place for businesses on the building's commercial first floor. The change was made after city officials determined residents would otherwise be subject to the additional tax.
Richard said the Kansas Department of Revenue approved separating the commercial and residential addresses to implement the change. The council later approved both the ordinance amendment and a revised development agreement. Council Member Stacy Goss cast the lone dissenting vote, consistent with her opposition to the original CID.
The council also authorized staff to proceed with the public sale of the city's 2026A General Obligation Bonds. The bonds will finance several capital improvement projects, including Phase II of the Zoo Nature Play area, the Fairgrounds playground, a new roof at Memorial Hall, sidewalk and street improvements, the Spyglass water line, HVAC upgrades at the Shaddock building, and infrastructure improvements for Plum Creek Phase I.
Richard said the city expects the bond sale to occur Sept. 1 and hopes to secure an interest rate near 4%.
Council members also approved adoption of the League of Kansas Municipalities' updated Uniform Public Offense Code and Standard Traffic Ordinance.
City Attorney Cody Smith said the updates align Hutchinson's municipal code with recent changes to Kansas law. Among the additions is a new offense prohibiting interference with first responders after receiving a warning to remain at least 25 feet away. The updated traffic ordinance also incorporates the state's new hands-free cellphone law, which prohibits holding a mobile device while driving through active school zones or posted construction zones. Warnings will be issued through June 30, 2027, before citations begin.
Building Official Jason Lady updated the council on the planned demolition of the condemned structure at 211 E. Fourth Ave.
Lady said the city received five bids, ranging from $218,615 to $439,200. The project includes asbestos abatement, demolition, debris removal, backfilling and reseeding the property. He said Miller Earthworks is expected to receive the contract, with funding coming from the city's existing demolition budget.
Earlier in the meeting, Community Development Director Matt Williams invited residents to attend the city's Aug. 12 open house on proposed data center regulations at the Hutchinson Fire Department Command and Training Center. The event will allow residents to learn about data centers, ask questions and provide feedback as the city develops future zoning regulations.