Merriam council approves hazardous-mitigation plan, alcohol permits and $250,000 payment for Turkey Creek design

The Merriam City Council on Feb. 10 unanimously passed several agenda items that advance disaster planning, special-event permitting and the Upper Turkey Creek stormwater project.

Council members voted 8-0 to adopt the Region L Hazardous Mitigation Plan, to approve an ordinance allowing alcohol sale and consumption within designated event areas, to waive caterer license fees for specified city-sponsored events, and to authorize a $250,000 payment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for further engineering and design on the Upper Turkey Creek project.

Police department leadership told the council the Hazardous Mitigation Plan must be adopted by cities in Johnson County so the jurisdiction remains eligible for FEMA funds. The police chief said the plan was developed in 2023–24 and adopted by the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners in 2024; the council adopted it by resolution without additional questions.

Director Derek Slocum presented the ordinance authorizing the sale, possession and consumption of alcoholic liquor at city-sponsored events. Slocum said the council is using the same event area outlined in prior years’ exhibits and is extending that area for a city birthday event later this year. The council first voted to waive the customary first reading and then approved the ordinance on final action, 8-0.

The council also approved waiving the $500 caterer license fee for city-sponsored events so the city’s contracted caterers need not pay the fee for those occasions. Staff said the fee-waiver practice began in 2016 and applies only to city-sponsored events. The three events named by staff for the fee waiver were Concert in the Courtyard, Merriam Drive Live (the city’s recurring street event) and the city’s birthday event in October.

On the Upper Turkey Creek stormwater project, city staff said the total projected cost for the Corps’ work is $1.6 million and that the federal/local split for design work is 65% federal / 35% local. The city paid $300,000 in December; the council approved a second payment of $250,000 so the Corps will have funds encumbered to proceed. City staff said Johnson County has agreed, through its stormwater management arrangements, to reimburse 75% of the city’s local share and that county reimbursement typically follows within about a month.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items 1 and 2): motion to approve by Council member Silvers; second by Council member Shandridge. Vote: Chabetta Aye; Koesmeyer Aye; Hans Aye; Kaldahl Aye; Lehi Aye; Reiter Aye; Silvers Aye; Yachtrich Aye. Outcome: approved, 8-0. (Items not specified in the meeting record.)

- Resolution adopting the Region L Hazardous Mitigation Plan: motion to approve by Council member Sands; second by Council member Chadridge. Vote: Chabetta Aye; Koesmeyer Aye; Hans Aye; Kaldahl Aye; Lehi Aye; Reiter Aye; Silvers Aye; Yachtrich Aye. Outcome: approved, 8-0.

- Ordinance authorizing sale, consumption and possession of alcoholic liquor during city-sponsored events (waiver of first reading and final adoption): motion to waive/approve made by Council member Shandridge; seconded by Council member Mariel (waiver) and seconded again for final passage. Vote: unanimous (recorded roll call Ayes as above). Outcome: ordinance adopted, 8-0.

- Waiver of caterer license fee to allow serving alcohol at three city-sponsored events (Concert in the Courtyard; Merriam Drive Live; city birthday event): motion by Council member Shandridge; second by Council member Hans. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved, 8-0.

- Payment of $250,000 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Upper Turkey Creek engineering and design: motion by Council member Hans; second by Council member Koesmeyer. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved, 8-0.

What the votes mean

Adopting the Hazardous Mitigation Plan preserves eligibility for FEMA mitigation and post-disaster funds under the countywide plan. The alcohol ordinance and fee waivers authorize staff to open event areas for drinking under the defined exhibit and to waive the caterer fee for city-sponsored events. The $250,000 payment is the next scheduled local payment on Corps design work; staff said it should fund work through the 35% design milestone and that county reimbursement is expected for most of the local share.

Next steps

Staff indicated it will submit reimbursement requests to Johnson County for the Corps payments and will return follow-up materials as necessary for event permitting and for continued design milestones on Upper Turkey Creek.