Remarks by Karen McCulloh
68 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 2 of 3
I would just like to add, you know, 15 years ago we were told that all these people were going to move here from Plum Island and there would be all these ancillary companies and things that would come. But I think a lot has changed. For one thing, we didn't have Zoom in 2010 or whatever. We didn't have companies that didn't need to relocate to be allied with activities and research. I just, you know, I feel like I am really responsible for taxes and what I ask the public to do with their tax dollars. And I don't like speculation at this level. Yes, we have speculated in other things. We've…
No, I think we need to look at it, and I agree. But I also think we've invested millions in downtown and Aggieville. rightly so, and to disperse the restaurants and that kind of thing away from those two areas. I mean, we still haven't seen anything going in at the Commerce Bank building, and that was supposed to be a fancy restaurant. I want some assurances, and I really appreciate your negotiating with the foundation for better terms, and I think that will ease my concerns somewhat, but that's where I am.
No, but the lack of accreditation even in the Pat Roberts lab at a level three. I mean, we were promised this when we, and the city did a lot. And one more thing, the city university fund was supposed to be sales tax from the campus that worked in a committee with the university to set up established works and that kind of thing that would benefit both. And now I see the city university fund is supposed to be worth a million dollars. And is it just our staff that meet with the president of K-State? What happened to the input from the public and from the faculty and that kind of thing?
But I would echo Commissioner Morrison because we need to know what's going on ahead of time. I did not get today's agenda till yesterday. Now, I was told I could have gone on the web page or something, but I called Chelsea and she said, I'll drop it in her box immediately. It's a quote. So all weekend I was looking and Even Friday afternoon is pretty late you know for me to call people and ask people and that kind of thing Hackett is made available to commissioners on Thursday afternoon we'll have to take a look at why you weren't able to access it commissioner I never get anything till…
Well I think Chelsea and Lauren are wonderful. I don't mean to criticize people but I'm sorry. I'll go check my email commissioners.
I move to authorize city staff to finalize and submit a nomination for the Sunset Cemetery Historic District to the State and National Register of Historic Places. Authorize city staff to finalize and submit a nomination for the Sexton's House to the State and National Register of Historic Places and authorize and instruct city staff to put petition the district court to determine the status of the title of the real estate underlying the Saxons house Second Chelsea before we take roll we need to do public comment You see that I'm looking expectantly at a certain row
Thank you. Might that be a good chance for the Historic Resources Board to assist?
I think he was talking about the Preservation Alliance. But both.
I think I moved it, didn't I? I did move it.
Commissioner Morrison, could I just say, this is the plan. We adopted the MOVE MHK, which is the rec plan, and there's a whole lot in there about fixing up a whole lot of parks, which I thought was an excellent plan, but it did not say we had to do any of those things. It was just a plan. This is just... telling us what we should look for in historic preservation. And we've been at this now, I think it started in 2018, and then the Historic Resources Board had had it, and then back and forth. And I really think we need to just accept this and tick it off our list of things to do, because I…
Could I just add, if you read the whole thing, I know it's long and it's very detailed because we've had money, not ours, but outside sources to hire an expert in. And the Move MHK plan for Park and Ricks, I think it's a wonderful plan, but I'm not sure that we have... done anything with it to speak I mean well I mean like all the little parks that it mentioned and things that we could do for them it it really gave us a blueprint but I think what the most important thing when you read this is a lot of places where it said establish this board establish this it's been changed to encourage and…
How does this change? We already own Sunset Cemetery, right? And so it doesn't make any difference if it's put on the historic preservation list. We still have to fix the mausoleum if it falls in, that kind of thing. So I don't see that that's an issue at all. I do see a number of people in the audience and other places who have worked diligently to make this happen I see approval of all the boards that need approval the cemetery board people talk to me the historic resources board the park and ricks board I don't see that this could be anything but a positive if you want to take the Kimbell…
I think it's very wise to figure out who owns this section of the house. We've talked about this for years and everybody has different opinions and I think proceeding with two separate ones will help us a lot. I do hope that all the commissioners here will understand that When our boards look at things, they look at things very thoroughly. And when they vote on something, we really should pay attention to what they've talked about for months and months. And it's very difficult for commissioners who have to have some knowledge on all kinds of things. But when I have a recommendation from three…
Yeah, I have two questions. I think the idea of the horse arena and the track is fantastic, and I would back you. I'm concerned, though, that you're building some of this on the idea that we're gonna have 30,000 students here soon or in five years. And I don't think that's anywhere near possible. The demographics for Kansas are awful. And furthermore, the alpha generation, which just joined us a few years ago, is having, is much, much smaller than the Gen Z or whoever came before them. So the idea that, I just think that's real, really should change your equation I don't see that happening I…
He mentioned it the transient guest tax.
Oh okay well you know as I said We've got to respond. These three guys would really like to cut the mill levy. And anyway, that's where I am.
But sadly, those thousanders are not going to be buying things and getting the sales tax off of them. They're not going to be eating at restaurants. And all of that's been understood in the studies. They're someplace out there in space.
So I think it would be... better to say, to not throw that $30,000 out there.
But the people here who are going to go get a burger is what you're hoping for, $23,000, right?
So basically that land is just sitting there and it belongs to the K-State, right?
Why doesn't the foundation donate that land?
They've already purchased it. There was a cost of acquiring that land, wasn't there?
140 beds. Our hotels are at 62% occupancy right now, average. And throwing 140 beds in there, it can't do anything but sort of lower that number.
We hope so. We do too. Just like your 30,000 students, there's optimal people coming here, and then there's some people coming here. And while K-State's a wonderful place, there are other ag programs throughout the Midwest that are also cutting edge and doing very well. So severe competition. I do think you're going to see more people with the track and the horse. I just don't understand, why does the hotel have to be part of this? Is that, Starbonds has to have a hotel?
So the city's buy-in is basically helping you fund this hotel?