Tuesday’s edition of In Focus welcomed guests from the City of Manhattan, including Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers and commissioner John Matta. The pair previewed Tuesday evening’s agenda for the city commission, which includes consideration of code adoptions and a discussion of senior housing proposals from the Manhattan Housing Authority.
Segment 1 – 00:00 – Jason and John discussed some of the consent agenda items including an agreement with Whoville, Inc. to execute a Holiday Display Agreement with Whoville, Inc. for the 2022 Festival of Lights, and authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a project funding agreement with National Church Residences for a FEMA buyout of the Garden Grove Apartments at 1115 and 1119 Garden Way.
Segment 2 – 9:56 – Jason and John discussed a consent agenda item that will see a donation of public art to the Sunset Zoo’s new Expedition Asia exhibit and highlighted a $130,000 purchase for traffic signal equipment to replace the signal at Juliette and Poyntz Ave. which also spawned a broader conversation on traffic signals in the community.
Segment 3 – 19:24 – The discussion shifted to the primary general agenda item of note tonight regarding the Manhattan Housing Authority senior housing proposals. John specifically highlighted some of the reasons MHA desires to utilize space downtown for new properties for senior living to replace dilapidated or flood-prone properties that currently exist.
Segment 4 – 34:49 – We wrapped up our conversation highlighting the other agenda item which will see commissioners considering adoption of nine 2021 International Codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code and an ordinance for continuing education requirements for contractors licenses.
