Remarks by Susan E. Adamchak
130 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 4 of 6
Thank you. I have a question also regarding sales tax. So right now, the three special sales taxes that we do have are not being captured. They're excluded from my understanding however one of those is set to sunset at the end of this year another one will be sunsetting at the end of next year we do not yet know if another sales tax will be passed this November should Are any special sales taxes excluded for the duration of any of these agreements?
Because in the table that I understand that the numbers that you've presented are based on realistic assumptions, but they are still assumptions. So the notion that we're not capturing $7.5 million in sales tax is illustrative but not definitive. That's correct.
I just wanted to clarify for Commissioner McCullough that I was actually curious about this as well from sitting on the Convention and Visitors Bureau for the last year and I did some research on hotel management practices and 60% occupancy throughout the year is actually considered a reasonable number and I thought the analysis included in The Starbond report regarding competition with existing facilities was fairly persuasive based on the number of visitors that are projected, and we know it's a projection. The number of bed nights for any particular event was 200, and so at least 40 to 60…
Yes, I think we would like that, but I do have one other question for Greg before you come before us, Danielle. Several times in your presentation, you had an architectural rendition of Edge Tech, Is that another separate building, or is that what you're referring to? Are you using that term to refer to the existing office space that's there now?
So that's not the building that's next to...
Thank you, Jason. Commissioners, any other questions or comments for city staff or for the Greggs?
Let the record show that Bond Council is shaking his head. No, he does not.
Thank you, gentlemen, for your presentations yet again. And each one gives us a little bit more clarity. I know we were all happy to finally get the state reports, as I'm sure you were. Glad to, I thought those analyses were, thoughtful and well done. I get teased for my editorial eye, so the notion of this being a museum before it has even been built. Clearly there was some boilerplate that got cut and pasted into the document, but they were both very helpful for us. Thank you to the citizens who chose to remain and listen to this presentation. I hope you learned enough that you'll be able…
Good evening, and welcome to the September 15th meeting of the Manhattan City Commission. We will now take roll call.
Thank you. Would you please rise and join me in saying the Pledge of Allegiance?
Thank you. We do have a proclamation this evening regarding Constitution Week. Will those who are present for the proclamation please come forward? All right. Thank you all for being here. Whereas September 17th, 2026 marks the 239th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention, and whereas it is fitting and proper to officially recognize this magnificent document and the anniversary of its creation, whereas it is fitting and proper to officially recognize the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate this occasion, and…
That part of the job is right up there with dropping the balloons on New Year's at the Discovery Center. We will now open public comment on any item not included on tonight's agenda. If you would like to approach the podium and make any remarks, you will have three minutes. And please, if you have not already signed in, do so when you complete your remarks.
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
I had the pleasure this afternoon of attending the 2026 Business Awards hosted by the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. This is an opportunity to recognize awards in six businesses in six different categories. This year, there were over 100 nominations for these six awards. These were brought down to 16. Two of those 16 included our Parks and Rec Department and the Sunset Zoo. And so I'd like to just extend my congratulations to Director Stewart, to your team for being so honored and recognized. Thank you for that. I will be speaking with Manager Doolin over the next couple of weeks, as we…
Second. Thank you. Chelsea, will you please call the roll?
Thank you. Tonight we will move into conducting two public hearings. The first concerns the revenue neutral rate, and we will consider adopting resolution number 091526F, levying a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate. And we will have a presentation from City Manager Doolin.
Thank you for that presentation. Commissioners?
Commissioners, I would just remind us that in terms of having that cash on hand between the snowstorm last year and the windstorms this year, we paid out close to $1.5 million, a little bit less than that, I think. But note that it's not an insignificant amount that we needed to have in order to respond quickly.
Commissioners, I'd just like to remind us all We're in a public hearing to consider Exceeding the revenue neutral rate. We haven't really talked about that We don't write into talking about passing this budget So the current revenue neutral rate is fifty two point two one Mills City manager is proposing that we settle on fifty two point eight which is a difference of point So are there any comments pertaining? I think we're dancing around that discussion, but that is the point in question for this particular hearing.
Thank you. Daniel, thank you for your presentation.
So at this time I will open public comments on the weather on our decision to exceed the revenue neutral rate. Is there anyone who would like to address the commission on this topic? I would. Please come forward. After you make your remarks, if you have not already signed in, please do so over at the desk.
Please state your name and address. Yes.
Thank you for your comments, Colin. Have you signed in? Thank you. Is there someone else who would like to make comments regarding the revenue neutral rate? Yes.
Gary, had you signed in? Is there someone else who would like to approach the podium? Then approach. One or the other of you, please. Hi.
we do recognize when the city does make some decisions that incur cost savings. There was an item on the consent agenda tonight that we're changing our phone service for moving to cloud service, which will have a much lower cost and we'll be upgrading the equipment that we have here in the city We are operating on old systems that have been in place for 20 years, 30 years, and have not kept up with current developments. And our IT department considered more than 30 vendors, I believe, in making that decision. And we don't often talk about those types of savings. Now, Relative to a budget of a…