Shawnee City Council approved several unanimous measures Monday, Oct. 13, including the 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan, the allocation of remaining coronavirus-related CDBG funds to a covered storage project for Shawnee Community Services, a contract to move the city’s banking business to Commerce Bank, the purchase of a fully custom tiller (hook-and-ladder) fire truck not to exceed $2,500,000, and a 2026 lawn-mowing contract with Kansas Land Management.

The votes, each recorded 7–0 with one member absent, came during the council’s regular meeting in Council Chambers at City Hall in downtown Shawnee. Communications Director Doug Donahue noted the meeting began about 10 minutes late because of technical difficulties and that recordings and minutes will be posted online. “The full recording of both meetings will be available online later,” Donahue said.

Why it matters: The approved CDBG plan and associated allocations direct federal block grant resources for local stormwater and public-service projects for 2026 and allow the city to spend remaining coronavirus-related CDBG funds on a small capital project to support a local nonprofit provider. The fire apparatus purchase and service contracts represent major near-term capital and operating commitments for city departments.

Votes at a glance

- CDBG 2026 annual action plan: Approved, 7–0 (one absent). The plan reviewed potential 2026 awards including two stormwater projects in Shawnee and various public service projects. This passed following the council’s second public hearing on the CDBG program.

- Shawnee Community Services covered storage project (use of remaining coronavirus-related CDBG funds): Approved (three related actions for the project approved on three separate 7–0 votes). City staff presented using the remainder of the city’s coronavirus-related CDBG funding to support construction of a covered storage area behind the Shawnee Community Services main building. The organization pledged $7,500 toward the project; the city said the total project budget will not exceed $206,000 and that the city will manage the project.

- Move city banking services to Commerce Bank (contract approval): Approved, 7–0. The council approved a contract to move the city’s banking business to Commerce Bank; specific contract terms beyond the vendor name were not specified in the transcript.

- Fire apparatus purchase (tiller/hook-and-ladder to replace Ladder 71): Approved, 7–0. The Shawnee Fire Department proposed purchasing a fully custom tiller (hook-and-ladder) fire truck to replace Ladder 71 with an anticipated delivery date in 2030 and a total cost not to exceed $2,500,000.

- 2026 City lawn mowing services (contract with Kansas Land Management): Approved, 7–0. The contract covers mowing at city facilities, parks and right-of-way for $310,000 per year and includes a two-year renewal option.

Policy revisions and next steps

During the council committee, staff presented proposed revisions to multiple policy statements, including Policy Statement 56, which governs the comprehensive user fee schedule for city departments (city clerk, community development, parks and recreation). The draft additions include a new standby fee to allow the Shawnee Fire Department to charge for providing emergency-like equipment and staffed personnel at certain events and some nonemergency incidents. Staff said the fees would cover three types of vehicles and the personnel to staff those vehicles, each with a four-hour minimum. The council will return for final consideration of those policy revisions at its Oct. 27 meeting; no final council action on the fee changes was recorded on Oct. 13.

Discussion vs. formal action

The transcript indicates council approval for the items listed above; it also records staff presentations and questions on policy revisions and service details. Where the transcript did not name a mover, seconder or provide roll-call member votes, the council recorded unanimous 7–0 outcomes (with one member absent). Several item details (for example, the specific three separate CDBG project actions referenced by staff) were described in the meeting but not itemized in the provided transcript.

Where to find meeting materials

The council will next convene Monday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. Agendas, archived minutes and recordings are available on the city website at cityofshawnee.org.