Shawnee commission approves fire truck purchase, transitional housing contract and airport grant authority; affirms interim city manager

The City Commission of Shawnee approved several formal actions at its April meeting, including a municipal fire apparatus purchase, a one-year contract for transitional housing administration, authority to accept Federal Aviation Administration grant offers for airport rehabilitation projects, authorization to obtain appraisals of airport property, and an affirmation of the interim city manager after an executive session.

Key votes and outcomes

- Fire engine/rescue pumper purchase (Item 7): The commission approved the purchase of an E-1 rescue pumper truck under a Sourcewell cooperative contract with Baynard Fire Equipment for $733,375. Staff said advancing the purchase would retire aging apparatus, reduce out-of-service time and secure favorable pricing and a faster delivery window; staff reported this price represented nearly $300,000 in savings compared with an earlier budgeted vehicle. The motion carried 7-0.

- Project Safe transitional housing contract (Item 8): The commission approved a one-year contract (renewable) with Project Safe to administer transitional housing and case management services at a ShURA-owned dwelling at 425 S. Chapman. Staff described the arrangement as Project Safe performing tenant screening, landlord liaison and case management on the city’s behalf. The motion carried 7-0.

- FAA grants for Shawnee Regional Airport (Item 2, later in the agenda): The commission authorized the city manager to accept grant offers from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration for construction of a taxi lane for T-hangars, rehabilitation of an existing T-hangar taxi lane and rehabilitation of the main aircraft parking apron at Shawnee Regional Airport, and to execute related grant paperwork in order to meet FAA deadlines. Bonnie Wilson presented the schedule and staff asked the commission to allow the city manager to execute grant applications and accept offers as numbers are finalized. The motion carried 7-0.

- Appraisals for airport property (Item 3, later): The commission authorized the interim city manager to enter into contracts to obtain appraisals of airport property to determine fair market value and maintain FAA compliance; staff said the aggregate cost exceeded the city manager’s administrative spending authority and thus required commission authorization. The motion carried 7-0.

- Affirmation of interim city manager (executive session outcome): After an executive session, the commission moved to withdraw a prior recommendation to form a search committee, to affirm the appointment of Mark Simpson as interim city manager, and to set a formal review of the interim city manager for the August 2025 meeting. The motion carried 7-0.

Other procedural actions

- Consent agenda: The commission approved the consent agenda (minutes and routine items) by a 7-0 vote.

Staff and presenters

Presentations and items were delivered by a mix of department staff and outside partners: a fire department representative presented the engine replacement rationale and cost; Ryan Harkins and a Project Safe representative answered questions on the transitional housing contract; Bonnie Wilson outlined FAA grant timing and application constraints; and Mark Simpson spoke as interim city manager regarding airport appraisals and managerial housekeeping.

The commission’s approvals authorized staff to proceed with procurement and contract steps contingent on standard bid procedures and grant receipts; several items noted that final contract awards or construction would be contingent on receipt of grant funds or final bid analysis.