Atchison commission approves fire pumper, US‑59 resurfacing and $200,000 in ARPA nonprofit grants

The Atchison City Commission on March 2025 approved a series of spending and contract actions, including purchase of a frontline fire pumper, a state‑assisted resurfacing contract for U.S. 59 and $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) nonprofit grants.

The measures passed by voice vote after presentations from staff and brief debate. Mayor Mary Young and the four commissioners present voted in favor of each item.

The most costly item approved was a contract to resurface U.S. 59, authorized to Herzog Contracting Corporation for $866,894.10 with a total project authorization of $885,000 to allow for minor change orders. McNamee, the project presenter, said the work was packaged to match the Kansas Department of Transportation City Connecting Links Improvement Program (CCLIP) funding rules and noted the bid met the program's 90/10 reimbursement split. McNamee told commissioners the city would be reimbursed for 90% of eligible costs, and that the FY2026 portion of reimbursement would not be available until KDOT's fiscal year begins July 1, 2025.

The commission also authorized staff to buy a 2024 Spartan SC94 pumper from Emergency Apparatus Sales and A Fire Services, Inc., for $602,000, with budget authority of up to $40,000 for upfitting equipment. Fire Chief Wistar said NFPA and OSHA guidance generally sets a 10‑year frontline life for pumpers and explained the department had extended the current truck into a second decade, incurring about $50,000 in maintenance last year. "My top priorities in my role are safety of the community, of course, and firefighters, but also just as equally important is the responsibility of taxpayer money," Wistar said. The chief said the vendor located a "basic" model that aligned with the department's budget and that the truck would be placed in reserve after replacement.

An ARPA nonprofit award package recommended by the Economic Development Advisory Group (EDAG) was approved for $200,000. Justin Prejean, who presented the recommendations, said the city received roughly $490,000 in requests for $200,000 available. He said EDAG applied criteria to prioritize awards, including whether projects were within city limits, whether applicants had recent ARPA awards, whether projects were new capital investments versus maintenance, and whether applicants were 501(c)(3) organizations. The approved grants include awards to the Atchison County Historical Society ($20,000), Fuller Center for Housing ($20,000), First Christian Church (elevator improvements, $20,000), Trinity Lutheran School (alarm upgrades, $17,500) and several smaller awards to local nonprofits and schools; the full itemized list was read into the record. Prejean noted one clerical correction to the packet concerning a 501(c)(3) status adjustment before voting.

On the consent agenda the commission approved several routine items: minutes from the Feb. 18 meeting, adoption of Ordinance 67‑19 amending section 33‑21‑d‑4 of the city code to clean up language pertaining to industrial/outside sewer rates, and authorization for staff to hire Urban Lawn Care to perform brick‑street repairs at $20 per square foot using the 2025 CIP allocation of $35,000. During discussion commissioners debated the long‑term cost of maintaining Atchison's brick streets, with several members saying the historic character must be balanced against maintenance costs; a staff note during the discussion said the city has about 13 miles of brick lanes.

Other business and staff communications included a monitoring letter from the Kansas Department of Commerce on a CDBG project, a Kansas Department of Health and Environment inspection that passed for the senior center site (staff noted state records currently list the city as owner pending record updates), an update that Santa Fe West Side sidewalk work is underway, building permit counts for 2024 (56 permits) and 2025 year‑to‑date (7 permits), and a GFOA certificate of achievement for the city's 2023 financials.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes; Ordinance 67‑19 sewer code cleanup; hire Urban Lawn Care for brick‑street repairs at $20/sq ft, CIP $35,000): moved, seconded, approved by voice vote (5‑0). - Purchase 2024 Spartan SC94 pumper — $602,000, budget authority up to $40,000 for upfitting: moved, seconded, approved by voice vote (5‑0). - ARPA nonprofit awards — authorize $200,000 in grants per EDAG recommendations (itemized list read into record; one clerical correction noted): moved, seconded, approved by voice vote (5‑0). - U.S. 59 resurfacing (Herzog Contracting Corp.) — $866,894.10 contract; overall project authorization $885,000: moved, seconded, approved by voice vote (5‑0).

The commission closed the meeting after brief governing‑body remarks and presentation of a scholarship recognition. Staff said they will schedule follow‑up as needed on grant documentation and on timing for the U.S. 59 work so it does not conflict with July festival activities.