Votes at a glance: Augusta council orders nuisance abatement, approves condemnation hearing outcome, renews downtown consumption permit; denies Girl Scouts' new

Augusta — The Augusta City Council took a series of formal votes at its February meeting, approving nuisance and condemnation measures, renewing the downtown common-consumption permit for another year and approving a designated fund agreement to create an Augusta Community Improvement Fund. The council voted against purchasing gravel for the Girl Scouts' parking lot.

Key votes and outcomes

- Approval of minutes: The council approved minutes from the Jan. 21 meeting by voice vote.

- Appropriation ordinance: The council approved Appropriation Ordinance No. 1A dated Jan. 29, 2025 by voice vote.

- Nuisance abatement resolution (242 East Twelfth Avenue): The council approved Resolution No. 2025-02 finding a nuisance at 242 East Twelfth Avenue and ordering removal and abatement within 10 days under the process cited in the motion (cited in the meeting as "KSA 12 16 e"). Tanner Thomas, Code Enforcement Officer, presented the case and told council the property had been reported in July 2024 and that certified mailings to the owner had been returned undeliverable. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Condemnation of structure (445 East Broadway Avenue): The council held a public hearing and approved Resolution No. 2025-03 authorizing condemnation proceedings for the residential structure at 445 East Broadway Avenue, as presented by Code Enforcement Officer Tanner Thomas. Thomas said the structural engineer found lack of foundation and interior floor system; the council approved a 30-day period for the bank or owner to obtain demolition permits before the city would seek bids to remove the structure. The motion passed by voice vote; the council identified the timeline for demolition and bid solicitation.

- Designated fund agreement to establish the Augusta Community Improvement Fund: The council approved a designated fund agreement with the Augusta Community Foundation and the Central Kansas Community Foundation to establish the Augusta Community Improvement Fund and authorized City Manager Josh Shaw to sign the agreement. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Kip and passed by voice vote. (Further discussion and policy direction appear in a separate article.)

- Direct staff to draft city guidelines for fund use: The council also approved a motion directing staff to draft internal guidelines for how the city will request and spend money designated to the Augusta Community Improvement Fund; the motion passed by voice vote.

- Girl Scouts parking-area gravel: The council took no action to purchase gravel for the Girl Scouts' parking lot. Staff presented an estimate of $750 for a load of rock; the council moved to take no action and the motion carried.

- Renewal of the downtown common-consumption permit: The council voted to renew the city's state permit allowing a downtown common-consumption area for one additional year. The measure was presented as a one-year renewal consistent with state permit rules; police and city prosecutor staff reported no public-safety incidents or court cases tied to the district during the pilot year. Two council members recused themselves from this vote because of business ownership interests in affected establishments.

- Strategic retreat scheduling and other procedural votes: The council scheduled an initial session of the 2025 strategic retreat for Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The council also recessed into an executive session for preliminary discussion of acquisition of real property under KSA 75 4 3 1 9 b 6 and later reconvened; no action was taken in executive session.

Votes at a glance (structured)

1) Approve minutes (Jan. 21) — outcome: approved (voice vote) 2) Approve Appropriation Ordinance No. 1A (01/29/2025) — outcome: approved (voice vote) 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-02 (nuisance abatement, 242 E. 12th Ave.) — outcome: approved (voice vote); timeline: 10-day abatement window; statute cited in motion: "KSA 12 16 e"; presenter: Tanner Thomas. 4) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-03 (condemnation, 445 E. Broadway Ave.) — outcome: approved (voice vote); timeline: 30-day period for owner/bank to obtain demolition permit; presenter: Tanner Thomas. 5) Approve designated fund agreement to establish Augusta Community Improvement Fund — outcome: approved (voice vote); second: Kip; authorized signee: City Manager Josh Shaw. 6) Direct staff to draft guidelines for the city's handling of funds designated to the Augusta Community Improvement Fund — outcome: approved (voice vote). 7) Purchase of gravel/rock for Girl Scouts parking lot (estimated $750) — outcome: no action (motion to take no action approved). 8) Renew Kansas Department of Revenue common-consumption permit (downtown pilot) for one year — outcome: approved (voice vote); recusal noted for two councilmembers with business interests. 9) Schedule strategic retreat Feb. 12, 6 p.m. at City Hall — outcome: approved (voice vote). 10) Executive session for preliminary discussion of acquisition of real property under KSA 75 4 3 1 9 b 6 — outcome: entered and reconvened; no action taken.

Notes: Where a mover or seconder was not named on the record, the minutes reflect a council motion, second and voice vote. All formal votes and motion texts referenced in this summary are drawn from statements and motions recorded on the meeting transcript. The city will follow up on abatement and condemnation timelines and staff will report back on recommended guidelines for the new community improvement fund.