Tonganoxie council approves minutes, bills, appointments and several ordinances; proclamation recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Tonganoxie City Council took several routine and substantive actions at its April 7 meeting, approving minutes and bills, reappointing two officials, adopting local code changes related to animal control, accepting utility easements for a sewer project and authorizing a KDHE loan for wastewater plant improvements. The council also read and consented to a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Minutes and bills The council approved the minutes for the March 17, 2025 regular meeting and the consent agenda covering bill payments by voice vote after council members moved and seconded the motions. (Motion to approve minutes was made by Mister Donnelly and seconded by Mister Partridge; motion to approve consent agenda was made by Miss Stevens and seconded by Miss McCutcheon.)

Reappointments City Manager Brockovich reminded the council the city, as a second‑class city under state law, must have the mayor appoint a municipal court judge and city attorney by the first Tuesday in April. Staff recommended reappointment of Anna Krystolek (city attorney) and the Honorable Kenneth Moore (municipal court judge). The mayor asked if there were objections; none were offered and the council consented to reappointments.

Animal control ordinance Council approved Ordinance 15‑27, an amendment to the city animal control regulations to clarify rabies vaccination and pet identification requirements for dogs and cats following work on the city code. The ordinance was moved by Councilmember Donnelly and seconded by Councilmember Partridge and approved by voice vote.

Utility easements and sewer project Council adopted Resolution 04‑25‑01 authorizing acceptance of general utility easements for the 24‑1001L sanitary sewer project. Staff said the project will use pipe‑bursting on a main located in rear yards between Second and Third streets and between 2440 and Church Street; 15 property owners were contacted and staff held a public meeting March 10. Councilmember McCutcheon moved to approve the resolution and Councilmember Stevens seconded; the motion passed.

KDHE loan for wastewater plant The council approved Ordinance 15‑28 authorizing a KDHE KWPCRF loan agreement (project C2306701) for up to $5,000,000 at a 2.48% interest rate and a 20‑year term to support phased improvements that staff said will double the plant's daily capacity. Miss Stevens moved the ordinance; Mister Donnelly seconded and the measure passed by voice vote.

Proclamation The mayor read a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Tonganoxie and invited a representative from the First Judicial District CASA Association to speak on prevention and community awareness; the council gave its consent.

Other business City staff presented the February financial report, noting final remittance from an EDA grant and the repayment of 2023 temporary notes related to the water tower project. Staff said about $371,000 in ARPA funds remain obligated to engineering contracts tied to the wastewater project. The council also heard an update from the Tonganoxie Business Association that organizers intend to pursue moving Tonganoxie Days back to June and will request up to $7,500 in city funding at a future meeting.

Adjournment Councilmember Dale moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.