Following a week’s break, the Manhattan City Commission was back in session on Tuesday night.
Mayor Karen McCulloh opened the meeting with proclamations, declaring October 4th – 10th both Fire Prevention and 4-H week. Nearly 2,400 people died as a result of home fires, last year. In addition, the mayor also named October National Arts and Humanities Month.
As commissioners work to ensure a bright future for residents, the group considered the first reading of an ordinance that would amend the city’s urban area comprehensive plan.
Assistant Director of Planning for the city, Eric Cattell presented the first reading to commissioners.
The reading details The Hartford Hill Comprehensive plan, which the city is working to adopt.
The plan provides more focused land use designations for development and addresses development phasing, access and traffic improvements, and storm drainage and utility services.
In addition to these focuses, the plan also includes an office and research park, green/bike trail space, and a school site within the new development area near Colbert Hills and Grand Mere.
Following Cattell’s presentation, commissioners moved to approve the reading.
Sticking with the theme of city wellness, commissioners took a look at financial health in the little apple.
Manhattan’s Assistant Director of Finance, Hilary Badger was among presenters who spoke to commissioners about the results of the city’s 2014 audit.
Commissioners received and accepted the auditor’s report – which will be submitted for award consideration to the Government Finance Officers Association, later this year.
The city’s annual report has received the certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting every year since 1996.
As the meeting drew to a close, commissioners were given a look at city tourism, with the presentation of a third quarter report.
Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director, Karen Hibbard presented the report to the commission.
Highlights of the report included the economic impact that 11 amateur sporting groups and 36 conferences have had on the area.
Moving into the fourth quarter, the bureau hopes to attract more conventions and sporting events to the area, while expanding tourism through a broader understanding and appreciation for its economic impact.
Conferences in the area brought in estimated economic impact of $1,748,195 for the city, in the third quarter.
[iframe id=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/GhrO_IE_O5g” align=”left” mode=”thumbnail” autoplay=”no”]Another success, the city’s “Minute Manhattan” video reached more views in the third quarter, than all of 2014.
As always, KMAN’s Austin Barnes will have more from the City Commission next week.
For live updates from city meetings, you can follow Austin on Twitter @ABarnesKMAN
