A resolution adopting Master Plan Concept A for Rising Star Park was approved at the Platte City Board of Aldermen last month.
According to D.J. Gehrt, city administrator, the master plan is a long-term conceptual planning document only, it was developed based on four public meetings and an on-line survey. Master plans are proof of concept documents which identify a desired long-term outcome and ensures the site is suitable (size, location, neighborhood impact, access, etc.) for the selected facilities.
The master plan is a general outline and does not contain design details, funding or project approvals for any of the individual plan phases.
The approved master plan calls for Phase 1 (splash pad, inclusive play area, shelter house, bathrooms, etc.) to be funded, designed and constructed in 2019-2020; Phase 2 (aquatics facility to be funded/constructed in approximately 2030) and the civic center/gymnasium in approximately 2040.
Because the plan covers a 20-plus year period, it is subject to change as community needs/desires change or as funding becomes more or less available over that time.
Funding for Phase 1 design and construction was approved in the FY 2019-2020 budget.
Public input has been strongest for the aquatic center since two-thirds of survey respondents said they are visiting aquatic centers in neighboring communities.
All the features in the playground improvements will be designed for all abilities so children can play in a secure and well-lit environment.
When the aquatic center closes then the playground could still be open. Parking will be improved. The final phase will be the community center and it will house about two basketball courts, a running track and a fitness area that will be built on the north side of the park.
The former Rising Star Elementary School property was purchased by Platte City in 2016 in order to preserve the site for public use.
The school was demolished in 2018 in order to prepare the site for park and recreation use.
The demolished school has left a lot of infrastructure and utilities that can now be used for the new facilities.
The city completed a competitive consultant selection process by awarding a contract to SFS Architecture to develop a Park Master Plan with substantial public input in order to create a long-term vision for the development of the park and recreation amenities in phases over the next 20 years as funds become available.
The master plan concept A was recommended for committee and public review.
The general timeline for the phased development calls for the construction of Phase I in 2020, while Phase II (either aquatics or multi-purpose facility) in 2030 and Phase III (aquatics or multi-purpose facility) by 2040. Changing recreational needs, public priorities and available funding may result in schedule readjustment over time.
As the master plan made its way through the committee and board approval processes, staff developed alternatives for design and construction of Phase I improvements which were presented for review recently.
5G coming
With the deployment of the next generation of broadband telecommunication service, commonly known as 5G service, the Public Works Subcommittee and staff had recommended that the Board of Aldermen approve a proposed ordinance establishing a new city code section on regulating right-of-way use for small cell wireless facilities.
The ordinance amends the city code to comply with recent state law and federal regulations related to the deployment of small cell wireless technology/small cell wireless facilities.
The 5G service is dependent on the placement of a very large number of small wireless communication devices, many of which are less than two cubic feet and not more than six cubic feet in size.
Alderman Tony Paolillo made a motion to approve an ordinance of the City of Platte City, adding small wireless facilities to the code and establishing procedures and requirements relating to construction and deployment of small wireless facilities.
The vote was unanimous to pass the ordinance.
Paolillo later made a motion for a special ordinance approving the re-plat of Platte Valley Plaza Lot 6M.
The lot is pad ready and all utilities are at the site. The lot size is 3.26 acres and the property’s sub type is commercial. The proposal use is self-storage. The property’s cross street is Running Horse Road.
Alderman Steve Hoeger made a motion to approve an ordinance amending zoning regulations of the Platte City code allowing for medical marijuana testing facilities in the C-1 (central business district) and C-2 (general business district) zoning districts.
The vote was unanimous to pass the ordinance.
Hoeger also made a motion for an ordinance amending testing facilities- building and location standards of the city code, to protect the public health and safety of the community by approving reasonable business license regulations for medical marijuana related businesses with such regulations addressing noise, air quality, neighborhood safety, security and other health and safety concerns of such business activities. The motion passed unanimously.
Other consent agenda items that passed included a resolution authorizing the mayor and city administrator to execute an agreement with Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District to provide household hazardous waste management services to the residents of the City of Platte City.
In another change, a resolution authorizing various organizational changes by creating a public works and parks director position which combines the parks and recreation director and public works director positions into a single-director position, increasing staffing by one full-time maintenance specialist position and change one administrative professional position to a municipal management analyst position.
Ryan Crowley has been serving both roles since September when Kenny Loy resigned to take a job at Liberty Utilities. Crowley was hired as the parks and rec director in April.
Mayor Frank Offutt presented Loy, the former public works dirctor, with a plaque for his 11 years of service to the citizens of Platte City.