By Don Edwards

Publisher, CoffeyvilleBLOG.com

The Coffeyville City Commission's meeting was short, but not so sweet, Tuesday night at City Hall as commissioners and city staff struggled to help Commissioner Jim Taylor understand basic concepts behind two issues facing city government.

Commissioners considered the second reading of an ordinance to grant a 10-year property tax exemption-incentive for a local-owned business ? 4-State Maintenance Supply. Ultimately, the commission passed the ordinance 4-1 with Taylor opposed. But not before Taylor attempted to grill City Treasurer Angie Naden for a second straight meeting.

At issue was who would receive the tax exemption. 

Said Taylor: "I'm reading here it says, 'This is a unique tax abatement application as it involves property that is owned by TTT Enterprises and leased in whole to 4-State Maintenance (both companies equally owned by the same three individuals). As such, we must approve the exemption for not only the real estate, but also for the personal property, which integrally associates the facility with the applicant.

"So are we giving this tax abatement to TTT Enterprises who owns the building or are we giving it to 4-State Maintenance," asked Taylor.

Naden reiterated the information contained in Taylor's 'Commissioner Agenda Packet.'

"The tax exemption is in the name of 4-State Maintenance," she said. "That is who is creating the jobs, so that is who makes the application to the state."

Taylor continued asking the same question in various ways. Naden attempted to help Taylor understand the basic workings of the tax-exemption.

"(These) are two companies owned by the same three individuals," she said. "Triple T is a real estate holding company. Four-State is the operating entity ... and they make lease payments to Triple T."

Taylor had voiced his opposition to the 4-State Maintenance Supply property tax exemption to City Manager Jeff Morris several weeks ago ? before the commission had even sponsored a public hearing on the matter. Taylor had requested Morris set up a private meeting between the owners of 4-State Maintenance Supply and himself. The business owners declined saying there was no point in meeting privately with Taylor when he had already decided to vote against their request.

Later in the meeting Taylor read a prepared statement in which he again accused city staff and other commissioners of being secretive in their dealings with a developer who is proposing construction of a downtown apartment complex. He read a list of questions ? many of which he has asked before and had been answered ? and concluded with an accusation against the city manager.

"Why did our city manager and city planner assist Garrison Development in seeking the zoning appeal without fully disclosing the activity and consequences to our city commission," he asked.

"Why should we as commissioners ... accept such a non-transparent action of our city manager and city planner ... without full public disclosure and justification of their involvement and objectives," Taylor continued.

Commissioner Alec Hendryx explained to Taylor that the development had been in the works since before Taylor was elected to the commission. He also voiced his hope that the city would take a proactive approach to the downtown investment.

"I would rather work to try to find a solution and make it a viable project instead of just shooting it down no matter what like you want to do," Hendryx said.

Taylor reiterated his objection to the project because he felt it would adversely affect adjacent property owners. One such property owner is Taylor's son.

Mayor Richard Gonzales again spoke in favor of the downtown development.

"I have yet to have one (downtown retailer) tell me that they would not like to see the apartments go down there because it will take up parking," he said. "They are looking forward to the added business ... and traffic ... downtown."

Commissioner R.J. Warren chided Taylor for not understanding what was going on and being closed-minded.

"I'ts obvious you don't understand what is going on and you have a closed mind," Warren said. "I'm not going to be in the business of entertaining this crud anymore. If you honestly would pay attention and understand what half these people that come in here and present to you say, you would have the answers to those question. You just refuse to listen."

In other business the commission approved:

? Ordinance No. S-09-06 ? Second Reading of an Ordinance to execute a loan agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to finance a public water supply project on a 5-0 vote.

? Resolution No. R-09-182 ? A Resolution to execute a construction contract with J. S. Haren Company for the Water Treatment Facility Improvements Project on a 5-0 vote.

? Resolution No. R-09-183 ? A Resolution to execute a construction contract with Decker Construction for the Police Department Remodeling Project on a 5-0 vote.

? Resolution No. R-09-179 ? A Resolution to execute a Lease Agreement with Coffeyville Community College for use of the baseball and softball fields at Walter Johnson Park on a 4-0 vote with Warren ? a CCC employee ? abstaining.

? Resolution No. R-09-184 ? A Resolution to set a Public Hearing for the vacation of a portion of Spruce Street on a 5-0 vote.

The commission also discussed a proposed agreement with a local organization ? Friends of Animals ? for operation of the new Coffeyville Animal Shelter. The CAS is still under construction and is expected to be completed in late December or early January.