Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance And Assets topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Harrington commission authorizes utility easements, land bank budget and temporary construction easement; appoints league conference delegates
Summary
The Harrington City Commission on Aug. 19 authorized a permanent utility easement and settlement with Kimberly and John Bell, approved a $10,000 initial land bank transfer, OK’d a temporary construction easement for a planned RV fill station and named delegates for the 2025 municipal league conference.
The Harrington City Commission on Aug. 19 approved a set of routine property and budget actions, authorizing a permanent utility easement and related settlement with Kimberly and John Bell, approving the land bank budget to establish initial funds, authorizing a temporary construction easement with property owner Larry Beeler for utility work related to an RV fill station, and appointing voting delegates for the 2025 League of Kansas Municipalities conference.
Votes at a glance
- Permanent utility easement and settlement (Bell): The commission authorized a permanent utility easement in exchange for $15,000 and authorized a settlement agreement and release with Kimberly Bell and John Bell that acknowledges the easement and payment. Motion and second were made; the measure passed with the commission recording unanimous “Aye” votes.
- Land bank budget approval: The commission approved a land bank budget that includes a $10,000 starting fund balance/transfer to establish the land bank’s working funds. The commission noted the land bank board will receive and file the budget at its September meeting. The motion passed with unanimous “Aye” votes.
- Temporary construction easement with Larry Beeler: The commission authorized a temporary construction easement near Trail Road and 500 Avenue to allow the city to tap a water line and complete a short section of work the city said will enable a planned RV fill station (no dump station at this phase). City staff said construction on the property portion is expected to take less than a week, with the city aiming to do the work in September or October so the line is in place; the full fill-station and road loop work may follow later. The motion passed with unanimous “Aye” votes.
- League conference delegates: The commission appointed Commissioner Naylor as the primary voting delegate for the 2025 League of Kansas Municipalities conference and Mayor Gares as the alternate.
Details and context
The $15,000 easement and matching settlement concerning a portion of land near Barrett’s Addition was described by staff as a permanent utility easement to permit utility work on the Bells’ property. The settlement and authorization were presented together; the commission authorized the mayor to sign the agreement.
On the land bank budget, staff described a modest starting fund ($10,000) and a conservative spending plan, noting the land bank is not expected to be highly active immediately but could receive property transfers or hay-lease revenue in the future. The land bank board will review and file the budget at its September meeting.
For the temporary construction easement with Larry Beeler, staff said the city plans to cut under a road and run a short line through the corner of the property to place a fill station connection point; one property-owner request — that the property owner be able to apply later for a residential water connection — was addressed in the easement language and noted to be subject to existing contract commitments with Hope and Woodbine water services.
Several motions passed by voice vote with commissioners responding “Aye.” Meeting minutes will record the official roll; the meeting transcript records unanimous approval for these items.
