Harrington commission approves two command SUVs via five-year lease, clears FAA reimbursement, adopts 2024 traffic and public-offense codes and updates Union P

Harrington City Commission members voted to approve a package of capital and regulatory measures at their recent meeting, including a five-year lease purchase for two Dodge Durango command units for the fire department, authorization to front FAA test-flight costs for a runway-lighting project, adoption of the 2024 Standard Traffic Ordinance and the 2024 Uniform Public Offense Code with select local omissions, and an updated wastewater discharge agreement with Union Pacific.

The commission approved a lease-purchase agreement to acquire two Dodge Durango, KHP-outfitted command vehicles for the fire department. City staff reported the Durangos are available through Kansas Highway Patrol surplus and are priced at $35,175 per vehicle; staff recommended “option 1” with a $20,000 down payment and a five-year financing term that, staff said, will keep annual payments “under $15,000” for the next five years. City Manager (presenting the financing options) told commissioners: “I'm recommending option 1, full $20,000 down ... this gets us under 15,000 a year for the next 5 years.” Commissioners voted by roll call; the motion passed with Naylor, Stapp, Bell and Gierst recorded as “Aye.” The commission also discussed plans for wiring and rear-storage cabinetry to extend the vehicles’ useful life, and staff said existing department radios will transfer to the new units.

The commission authorized a reimbursement agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration to cover up-front costs related to runway- and PAPI-lighting tests at the municipal airport. Staff described the agreement as requiring the city to front a larger amount in case multiple test flights were needed, then seek reimbursement; the motion referenced a city-quoted amount of $29,801.52 tied to the project. An engineer working on the project estimated the test-flight work itself could total about $10,000; staff said KDOT is tracking toward covering roughly half of the city’s obligation and that the FAA and grant-match discussions were ongoing. The reimbursement agreement motion passed by roll call.

On ordinance matters, the commission approved ordinances incorporating by reference the Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities, 2024 edition, and the Uniform Public Offense Code for Kansas Cities, 2024 edition, with specific local sections omitted or superseded by separate local ordinances for all-terrain vehicles, micro-utility vehicles, low-speed vehicles, golf carts and works-site utility vehicles. Staff noted these incorporations are routine annual housekeeping. The commission approved the two ordinance motions by roll call.

The commission also approved an updated wastewater discharge agreement with Union Pacific that adjusts testing language to current EPA methods; staff said the update substitutes current EPA testing method references and did not change other major contract terms. The motion to accept the updated agreement passed on roll call.

Votes at a glance - Lease purchase: Approve five-year lease purchase of two Dodge Durango command units with $20,000 down (option 1). Outcome: approved (roll call: Commissioner Naylor — Aye; Commissioner Stapp — Aye; Commissioner Bell — Aye; Commissioner Gierst — Aye). Notes: Vehicles priced at $35,175 each; staff estimated financing keeps payments under $15,000 per year. - FAA reimbursement agreement: Authorize mayor’s signature on FAA reimbursement agreement for runway/PAPI lighting testing, amount cited $29,801.52. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded in minutes). - Standard Traffic Ordinance (2024): Adopt 2024 STO with identified omissions/changes and authorize mayor’s signature. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded in minutes). - Uniform Public Offense Code (2024): Adopt 2024 UPOC and authorize mayor’s signature. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded in minutes). - Wastewater discharge agreement update (Union Pacific): Accept updated agreement with testing language revised to current EPA method references and authorize mayor’s signature. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded in minutes).

Commissioners and staff framed the package as a mix of operational needs (vehicle replacements and airport project cashflow) and routine statutory housekeeping (adopting current model codes). Several commissioners urged disposing of older, unreliable city vehicles rather than retaining them in storage; staff said surplus vehicles could be offered at auction (Purple Wave) or reassigned if mechanically serviceable.

The commission provided direction that staff proceed with the financing plan recommended by the city manager, continue grant-match discussions for the airport lighting project, and file the updated ordinances and agreements for execution by the mayor. No additional conditions or amendments to the passed motions were recorded in the minutes.