The Chanute City Commission Monday set a July 13thpublic hearing on establishment of a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District for the Sharp and Naff Apartments renovation project at 29 West Main. The project will create around 15 apartment units and two commercial units. The Kansas Department of Commerce approved the district’s creation based on information provided in a resolution the Commission adopted May 11th.
The Commission received its 2025 audit report, which Neil Phillips from Jarred Gilmore and Phillips PA said carried an unmodified opinion as it relates to the budgetary basis of accounting most local governments in Kansas use. He explained that, based on the firm’s testing, their opinion is that the city’s financial status is accurately represented without any need for modifications.
Phillips said the city received an adverse opinion as it relates to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles due to a regulatory audit not including things, such as capital assets and debt, that a GAAP audit would cover.
Chanute Regional Development Agency Executive Director Stacy Davis gave Commissioners and update on what has been going on since she assumed the position about two months ago. She represented CRDA at the Select USA Investment Summit, which was a summit dealing with direct investment that attracted some 5,000 people and offered many networking opportunities.
The CRDA Board has discussed the possibility of resurrecting the city’s Land Bank. At a recent meeting Commissioner Tim Fairchild attended, it was learned the Land Bank was dissolved in 2021, although its board continued to meet, and it has just over $17,000 in funds available. Davis wants to see it return and explore potentially adding commercial properties to the residential lots it has dealt with previously.
Davis also reported on a couple of economic development projects in the works, one involving the Kansas Department of Commerce and City Manager Todd Newman and another with a private developer.
She hopes to have something to bring to the Commission in the next 60 days on the project involving the Department of Commerce.
In his report to the Commission, Newman said he and other staff have received numerous inquiries over the past year or so from food truck vendors wanting to set up at the Ball park complex in Santa Fe Park. Current city ordinances only allow food trucks there for special events with Commission approval. Newman brought this up mainly as an informational item, and there would need to be a lot of research on the subject including where they would be allowed to set up and other operational matters. Commissioners indicated they would be willing to at least look at it, but at the same time are reluctant to make any changes at this time.
He also reported on discussions about the potential of shade structures and tables around the Sprya Park, which the Parks Advisory Board will discuss at their next meeting.
The Commission approved request to close the parking lots north and west of the Main Street Pavilion Saturday June 20th in connection with Main Street Chanute’s 3rd Saturday Cruise Night. Main Street Chanute Executive Director Ruthann Boawtright said this month’s event will include drivers from Humboldt Speedway so children can see them up close. Those cars will be set up in the parking lot north of the Pavilion, with food trucks set up in the west parking lot.
Boatwright also reported the June 23rd Farmers Market will be Community National Bank night, when they will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs to those attending.
It also approved a request to close South Wilson Avenue between 1st and 2nd Streets the evening of Friday July 3rd for a neighborhood block party that will include a fireworks display at dusk. Kristi Hale, who submitted the request, said only her home and one other that would need access to Wilson, that property owner supporting the closure.
