Merriam City Council approves police mobile computers, accepts county cost-share for street drainage and clears option to bond utility undergrounding

MERRIAM CITY — The Merriam City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved three separate measures that the city said will support public safety, street repairs and future financing options for undergrounding utilities.

The council voted 8-0 to approve the purchase of 12 mobile data terminals for patrol vehicles, accepted a Johnson County agreement to reimburse up to half of construction costs for a 2025 street and storm drainage project, and adopted a resolution of intent that preserves the city's option to reimburse utility undergrounding costs through future debt issuance.

The purchase of mobile data terminals (MDTs) covers 11 semi-rugged laptop-style units and one fully ruggedized tablet configured differently for training and ride-along use. The police chief told council the total package is $1,500 over the 2025 budget because the tablet must be fully ruggedized; the department said funds are available in the budget to cover that overage.

"We replace them around every five to eight years depending on how much technology has advanced," the police chief said, explaining the difference in the twelfth unit's configuration. Councilmember Silvers moved approval; Councilmember Shandridge seconded. The motion passed, with councilmembers Kosemeyer, Hans, Kaldahl, Lehi, Reiter, Silvers, Yachtrich and Chavetta recorded as voting "Aye." Motion passes 8-0.

Council also approved an agreement with Johnson County that, under the terms described by staff, will reimburse 50% of eligible stormwater construction costs for the city's 2025 Street and Storm Drainage Improvements Project, not to exceed $545,350. City staff said design is underway and construction is estimated to begin in late spring or early summer. The council approved the agreement by an 8-0 vote.

Finally, council adopted a resolution of intent enabling the city to reimburse itself for utility-undergrounding costs if the council later issues debt for that purpose. City staff said the undergrounding on Bridal Mission Parkway is a roughly $5 million project already started by a contractor (Capital Electric as a subcontractor for Evergy), and that the current intention is to pay from the city's tax increment financing (TIF) funds. Staff told council the resolution does not obligate the city to borrow; it simply preserves the option and complies with a 60-day look-back requirement so the city could include those costs in a future bond issue if circumstances make borrowing advantageous. Councilmember Haynes moved the resolution; a second was recorded and the motion passed 8-0.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items 1 and 2): motion to approve carried 8-0 (mover: Mr. Malheur; second: Ms. Hans). The consent agenda items were not discussed separately during the meeting and were approved as presented.

- Purchase of 12 mobile data terminals for the police department: motion to approve carried 8-0 (mover: Councilmember Silvers; second: Councilmember Shandridge). Council discussed the need for semi-rugged vs. fully rugged devices and the $1,500 budget overage for one fully ruggedized tablet, which staff said will be covered from the departmental account.

- Agreement with Johnson County for funding the 2025 Street and Storm Drainage Improvements Project: motion to approve carried 8-0 (mover: not specified in the record; second: Mr. Marriott). The city will be eligible for Johnson County stormwater funds reimbursing 50% of construction costs up to $545,350; construction was estimated to begin in late spring or early summer.

- Resolution of intent to reimburse utility undergrounding project costs through future issuance of debt: motion to approve carried 8-0 (mover: Councilmember Haynes; second: Ms. Hanoverjack). Staff said the resolution is a permissive tool to preserve bonding as an option; the city's present intent is to pay cash from TIF funds and no borrowing is currently planned.

Why this matters

The MDT purchase restores field computer capability for patrol units and involves a modest budget overage that staff said can be absorbed. The Johnson County agreement brings outside funding to a multi-site street and drainage project. The reimbursement resolution does not commit the city to borrow but keeps the bonding option open for the $5 million utility undergrounding project and any related future work on the recently acquired library property.

Council and staff noted the city intends to use cash where feasible and that the resolution is intended as a contingency tool only; any future issuance of debt would require a separate council action.

Ending

Council adjourned after moving into an executive session for preliminary discussion of property acquisition. No further public actions were taken after the items above.