City votes to act as fiscal agent for downtown Revive & Thrive grant application

Master Matthew Meerhoff asked the council to serve as the fiscal agent for his application to the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Revive and Thrive grant, seeking funds to renovate 130 East Maine into co‑working offices, an indoor makers market and a small meeting space. Meerhoff said the program focuses on reusing vacant buildings in towns under 5,000 people and that the grant does not require a local match. He asked the city to receive the award and disburse funds rather than the state paying him directly.

Councilmembers and staff discussed the city’s role as fiscal agent — largely administrative recordkeeping and pass‑through accounting — and noted the short turnaround: the application deadline was March 10. Brian (staff) said the city had acted in a similar fiscal‑agent capacity for previous grants and described the administrative burden as modest compared with the potential community benefits of activating a vacant Main Street building.

A motion to approve the city serving as fiscal agent passed by voice vote. Council directed staff to finalize any paperwork, to coordinate with Meerhoff on a budget and contractor estimates, and to return any agreements or authorizing documents to the council if additional approvals were required.

Next steps: staff will be listed on the application as the fiscal agent and will distribute the grant funds if the award is made; Meerhoff and his consultant will finalize budget details and coordinate contracting and permitting if the grant is awarded.