CITY CLERK

 

​Contact Information

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Melissa Scherman, CMC

Email: cityclerk@ottawaks.gov
P.O. Box 60

101 S. Hickory Street 
Ottawa, KS 66067
785-229-3617

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City Clerk’s Office

The City Clerk’s Office maintains, protects and preserves the official records of the city. Our mission is to provide residents, businesses, and the City Commission with accurate information, accessible services, and support in accordance with Kansas law.

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The Clerk’s Office is responsible for the annual calendar of meetings in accordance with the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

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Core Responsibilities:
Staff in the City Clerk’s Office :

• Coordinate City Commission agendas.

• Attend all Governing Body meetings and prepare official minutes.

• Maintain ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other permanent city records.

• Coordinate and accept all bids and proposals.

• Manage legal publications and notices.

• Work with the city’s risk manager on tort claim processing.

 

This office provides governmental services to residents and support services to the City Commission and other city departments.

 

Licensing

 

The City Clerk's Office administers business and regulatory licensing.  Staff is dedicated to providing excellent customer service, educating and assisting residents to comply with licensing requirements, and working with the business community to satisfy licensing compliance.

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Open Records Requests

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The City Clerk is designated the Freedom of Information Officer and coordinates requests in accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act and the city’s records management program.

To file a request, complete the Open Records Request form and submit it to cityclerk@ottawaks.gov or deliver it to: City Hall at 101 S. Hickory St Ottawa, KS 66067.

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Public Comments

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You may share your views with the City Commission in three ways:

• Public Hearings – Held on specific agenda items as required by law. Comments must be limited to the subject of the hearing. No advance notice is needed to speak.

• Open Public Comment Period – At the beginning of each City Commission meeting, the Governing Body hears comments from the public. Speakers are allowed up to three minutes.

• Other Opportunities – At the discretion of the Mayor.

 

Register to Speak

 

To speak during the open public comment period, email publiccomments@ottawaks.gov  after the agenda is published. Deadlines are:

• 10:00 a.m. meeting – Register by 8:00 a.m.

• 4:00 p.m. meeting – Register by 2:00 p.m.

• 7:00 p.m. meeting – Register by 4:00 p.m.

 

If time allows, the Mayor may also recognize unregistered speakers after all registered speakers have finished.

 

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