[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6209141,"mediaKeyId","3736491-9139405b2e728bc93709085ec1cd231f","parentId",3736491,"title","Public works outlines plan to bag and test removal of select traffic signals; council raises safety and growth concerns","audioSeconds",617,"startMs",4243000,"endMs",4860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736491-9139405b2e728bc93709085ec1cd231f&start=4243&end=4860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736491-9139405b2e728bc93709085ec1cd231f/thumbnail_4243000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6209141/Hutchinson-City/Reno-County/Kansas/Public-works-outlines-plan-to-bag-and-test-removal-of-select-traffic-signals-council-raises-safety-and-growth-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209141-62676213c653374be17ef48043fc0bc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201939&Signature=n~KZiDDSpOBn-VXYR2I2-70rRonNosAW9keVoPa059Znm~VbNgwfTAc~Oied5eeGhXfHe306QxiRaMshnnY2ALYyzU8IFTCj8ngNhOtu0GyoMpcI0EZzKl1Cwm1vfzQnMru9vuMgcjS62ECiEab5nGY7mrXUPt4YFDHojpqfXhDQhPoHOitXB6LElt7j5ujbXOlzTzIbtoLRTrqOPtz9LTbtmSWc4p3wyy3wcANcsJd2UTAMPUY6hSjMLTIkOX8ULqhln-UZm8X4hH3ibEFhBlUW-uR-KxTDt-2X2Z-vV8hjfp5kP6zB37~xKfUYVnyJKtt-GZqcdYaH7gMxwKHA6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Hutchinson, KS","date","2025-06-04T12:51:34Z","article","Cecil Webb, director of public works, told the Hutchinson City Council on June 3 that the city has begun a study to identify traffic signals that may no longer be necessary and that staff plans to bag and test removal of selected signals for a 90‑day trial under MUTCD procedures.

Webb said the city’s signal inventory is above what typically would be expected for a municipality of Hutchinson’s size (research suggests 40–60 signals by population), and aging infrastructure and changing traffic patterns prompted a review. The initial evaluations recommended removing three signals; staff later retained one after line‑of‑sight concerns but will proceed with two where studies show the signal is no longer necessary.

The bagging process will leave the physical signal in place but covered for about 90 days to observe driver behavior and safety outcomes before permanent removal. Webb said the criteria used included traffic counts, sight lines and full traffic study results, and that removing unneeded signals reduces long‑term maintenance costs: rewiring/controls can run roughly $50,000–$60,000 and mast‑arm poles are substantially more (upwards of $100,000 each).

Councilmembers supported exploring cost savings but raised safety and economic development questions. One councilmember said Fourth and Washington should remain due to anticipated growth on that corridor and suggested using actuation (pre‑timed or vehicle detection) rather than removal. Staff responded that engineers and traffic studies will guide final decisions and that the city will follow MUTCD procedures and consider alternative, lower‑maintenance crossing treatments (such as pedestrian beacons) where appropriate.

Webb said the pilot approach lets the city assess real‑world effects without immediate permanent infrastructure removal and reduces immediate capital and maintenance risk if a signal later needs to be reinstalled. He also noted the high cost of replacing signal poles and electrical components if premature removals prove incompatible with changing traffic patterns.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hutchinson, KS, City Council Meeting- 06/03/2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","Public Works presented a study identifying several traffic signals that may no longer be necessary; the department plans to bag two and monitor for 90 days as a safety test while council members urged caution at specific intersections.","taxTitle","Hutchinson City, Reno County, Kansas","taxId",52857,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6209146,"State fair seeks city support for $4.2 million emergency operations command center",605,3213000,3818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736491-9139405b2e728bc93709085ec1cd231f&start=3213&end=3818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736491-9139405b2e728bc93709085ec1cd231f/thumbnail_3213000.jpg","/articles/6209146/Hutchinson-City/Reno-County/Kansas/State-fair-seeks-city-support-for-42-million-emergency-operations-command-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209146-ba7e4146381e835072e42bc8d4839377/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201939&Signature=jvUe-CYvaSlLvI1Kk1W9XXDtOMAWJRRV-4U7-0ynZ~nfcWDuMEY3ZcTXc-~LmLS0TXTtbeQJ5Qta3S6rTbEHjRpUSEJgupiR7pIEDz1t2CY0Jz16artY~d9HRsU9fwNGooEZe2sEfOSGoIgem5tzftIN-1jUJncN5XnIkwBiB00d78C3Ux4JUd1pQY-JXBGOZCqiCTxBp4i-YXXTuYbMe3ojCjxbSyCn-4ZLZEBw6YRD~ZDje~ktBvfAo~8cflm0sc4bo2u8EYobrmy58NhUad36tRCVYd39Y61S7FSr8Tj8hMZSXQO7mlWrzG2m3FYJsyktz-PIBqvg8yONXtoIXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brian Schultz, general manager of the Kansas State Fair, asked the Hutchinson City Council on June 3 to consider providing funding support for a proposed Emergency Operations Command Center at the fairgrounds located at 20th and Main (former Fire Station 1).

Schultz said the facility would serve as a staging and coordination center during the 10‑day state fair and other large events, housing representatives from the Kansas Highway Patrol and providing a dedicated area for VIN inspections. He said the building also would be designed to FEMA storm‑rated standards to provide additional sheltering capacity during severe weather.

Schultz told council staff estimates for the project have increased from about $2.5 million in earlier planning to roughly $4.2 million, driven by market and tariff uncertainties and the added FEMA‑rated structure requirements. He said the fair has previously pursued state funds and a $250,000 grant for architectural work; the Legislature asked fair officials to demonstrate local and county support when the $2.5 million request went to the Senate.

Councilmembers expressed support for continuing conversations about local funding and for the fair to pursue federal and grant sources; the council approved a motion “to approve a request for funding support” as a formal expression to continue discussions, not a commitment of a specific amount. The recorded vote was Richardson — yes; Garza — yes; Fast — yes; Meggers — yes; Goss — yes.

Schultz said the fair will pursue additional grant funding (including potential FEMA mitigation or shelter grants) and work with the congressional delegation and state agencies; he asked to be able to return with a clearer budget ask once local, state and federal partners are engaged.","Kansas State Fair officials asked the council to signal financial support for a proposed emergency operations command center at the fairgrounds; the council voted to endorse continuing the conversation but did not commit a dollar amount.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6209151,"Council awards $1.108 million arterial street maintenance contract to APAC Kansas",999,2315000,3314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736491-9139405b2e728bc93709085ec1cd231f&start=2315&end=3314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736491-9139405b2e728bc93709085ec1cd231f/thumbnail_2315000.jpg","/articles/6209151/Hutchinson-City/Reno-County/Kansas/Council-awards-1108-million-arterial-street-maintenance-contract-to-APAC-Kansas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209151-afe5d624e419b60779e4f6079c82f3e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201939&Signature=Ipl88oRc0ic3PaUwE0cPHNQti07-aBj-iknR63jQ8jNS4DME08oBuqlDtYYNdIMjz5vlooH5dKTRF4mU8SLbETDYH2TInhjGLDGevILMHN3E1Mi4LBCHDRxh3Yl1YTq4cF~3jvA22aLGurzSvRaKxVqBp9uP8nC-uqzvHA7Mv2wDD0tGMYdazUmoxfqmiZzD4ll8QbY0oDeB97hkB6vRSDD6P8CWHyju9eA2nUnrls2H6cXY3e2aNztNp9MEvjAzscqOpKchgq6V9gxZzAljlz0aAYyaVO32eXC-wJSsIE6KG0jnB5nAfGAqT8sQkEpds20~Fwpw5oJDoIF5GRn9IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hutchinson City Council on June 3 voted to award the 2025 Arterial Street maintenance contract to APAC Kansas for $1,108,058, approving a mill‑and‑overlay program that covers multiple arterial segments and an alternate for airport parking lots.

Justin Karam, construction manager in the engineering division, presented the project scope, which includes milling and overlaying arterial center lanes with two inches of new asphalt at locations such as East Third Avenue (Poplar to Plum), portions of Avenue B near Main Street, Lorraine Street segments, Airport Road and Kisleville Road. The alternate bid covers Airport Main and FAA parking lots (1.5‑inch mill and 1.75‑inch overlay).

Karam said two bids were opened May 27 and that APAC Kansas’s low bid of $1,108,058 was below the engineer’s estimate of $1,342,836.93 and below the CIP allocation. The project was designed by city engineering staff and reviewed by JEO. Karam recommended awarding the base plus alternate to APAC Kansas.

Council discussion covered technical and maintenance questions: how milling/overlay differs from chip seal, the city’s pavement condition index (PCI) priorities, handling of brick‑paved streets (where asphalt may be used over brick as a base), removal of existing trolley tracks on Range Street prior to resurfacing, and a proposed bike lane connection on Lorraine Street between Avenue B and Fourth Avenue. Karam said sidewalks were not included in most of these segments but that the city is budgeting $250,000 for sidewalk repairs in the 2026 maintenance program and pursuing a TA grant for downtown concrete improvements.

Council approved the motion to accept APAC Kansas’s bid and authorized the mayor to sign the contract. The vote was recorded as: Richardson — yes; Garza — yes; Fast — yes; Schmeicher/Meggers — yes; Goss — yes.

Karam noted the city will coordinate track removal, limit work near railroad rights‑of‑way pending flagging and permissions, and that the project completes last year’s work on East Third Avenue center lanes. He said APAC Kansas has performed similar work for the city in 2023 and is currently on a Plum Creek subdivision project.","The council accepted low bid from APAC Kansas for the 2025 arterial mill‑and‑overlay program covering multiple city arterials and an alternate for airport parking lots; staff said the bid was below the engineer's estimate and within CIP funding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6209155,"Council approves $172,546 purchase for Shattuck Park ninja‑warrior playground",1062,1270000,2332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3736491-9139405b2e728bc93709085ec1cd231f&start=1270&end=2332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3736491-9139405b2e728bc93709085ec1cd231f/thumbnail_1270000.jpg","/articles/6209155/Hutchinson-City/Reno-County/Kansas/Council-approves-172546-purchase-for-Shattuck-Park-ninjawarrior-playground","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6209155-90845598850ec3b5ae0422ff51724a7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201939&Signature=n--lGyWnuzURW~T32EbgYks4sc~ukN1VjwGuy9mpptQcfSvmAkUX6gc7n3qBhxUmz~I5LJ2IRsXgzsUKg~pDCMoDRCta4okjhAKV3HTWv9ZIkkBABoja45v7FZzTsEvylwKTQJyniC05EWi2k4OE98vmueypAX3TNIjelEubkUY2bV~QWegLDIZenJXJ8V~kdGEJTzJRfOEef4BMHTZ0boq9crdgLEJNFxvWAp0yDrcDmQw286LmgJR~0BcOO-EVkfcE8KfzGTlylgbz6U33D-ToVD3WsYlTnp~przJIPegL0WQTzzAwdYTYbQv~7cY6IwBYJyir2gbRxaqxUyE~hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hutchinson City Council on June 3 approved the purchase and installation of a new playground at Shattuck Park, awarding a contract to Greenfields Outdoor Fitness for a net city payment of $172,546 after a manufacturer discount and community fundraising.

City officials and Boys and Girls Club leaders said the new equipment replaces aging, damaged pieces and will be part of a multi‑phase plan to improve the park. Justin Combs, director of parks and facilities, told council the equipment’s retail value was about $199,000, shipping and supervised installation raised the total to roughly $212,004.56, and a $40,000 manufacturer discount plus Boys and Girls Club fundraising reduced the city’s portion to $172,546.

The project was selected with input from Boys and Girls Club members. Lance Patterson, CEO of the Hutchinson Boys and Girls Club, said members helped pick the ninja‑warrior design. Young club members who spoke at council described safety problems with the existing equipment and said they favored the proposed course because it would be more challenging and safer.

Combs said the city will keep the existing ADA‑compliant platform on the site and remove older, deteriorated components; the new installation will include professional supervision for roughly three days while city staff, volunteers and Boys and Girls Club staff help assemble the equipment to save costs and build community ownership. Delivery was projected at about six weeks, with installation later this fall depending on shipping and scheduling.

Council discussion touched on shipping costs, warranty implications of self‑installation, drainage and surface materials. Combs said a drainage system will be installed under the playground and that the existing pour‑in‑place surfacing under portions of the structure will be retained. Council also agreed the fence around the play area will be removed to make the playground feel open and that additional signage will clarify public access.

The council motion to approve the purchase and installation, amended on the floor to the $172,546 corrected amount, passed unanimously: Richardson — yes; Garza — yes; Fast — yes; Meggers — yes; Goss — yes.

The Parks Department and the Boys and Girls Club described the playground as Phase 1 of a four‑phase master plan that could add resurfaced courts, pickleball, athletic fields and a walking loop along Cow Creek in future phases. Patterson said the club has already raised roughly $100,000 toward the project and will continue fundraising for later phases. Combs said the city will sign a contract with Greenfields and the Boys and Girls Club will reimburse the city for their portion.","The Hutchinson City Council voted to approve purchasing and installing a ninja‑warrior–style playground for Shattuck Park in partnership with the Hutchinson Boys and Girls Club, with the city committing $172,546 after a manufacturer discount and local fundraising covered the balance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public works outlines plan to bag and test removal of select traffic signals; council raises safety and growth concerns

State fair seeks city support for $4.2 million emergency operations command center

Council awards $1.108 million arterial street maintenance contract to APAC Kansas

Council approves $172,546 purchase for Shattuck Park ninja‑warrior playground