Arkansas City Commission approves KDOT supplemental agreement, updates fire contract and buys road roller; staff reports wastewater, CDBG and splash‑pad plans

The Arkansas City Commission approved three resolutions at its meeting and received staff updates on wastewater treatment issues, a pending Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application and community requests for a splash pad.

The commission voted to enter a supplemental agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) clarifying responsibilities for pavement replacement and utility relocations tied to the U.S. 77 realignment around the Struthersville area. The agreement covers relocation of a lift station, closure of the Struthersville wastewater treatment facility and routing wastewater to Patterson Park and to the Arkansas City treatment plant for processing.

Randy, the city manager, said the supplemental agreement “clarifies the responsibilities related to the public utility relocations and the jurisdiction, ownership and maintenance of the water and sanitary sewer infrastructure.” He said the state project has been in the works for several years and construction is expected to span future construction seasons.

The commission also approved an updated interlocal agreement among Arkansas City, the city of Winfield and Cowley County Rural Fire District No. 6 for fire protection service in the Struthersville area. Under the updated arrangement staff said the cost is assessed as 5 mills for the area and is split equally between Arkansas City and Winfield; the agreement period was described as covering 2026 through the end of 2031.

Separately, the commission authorized the purchase of a used 2020 Bomag 3½‑ton double‑drum smooth roller from United Rentals in Wichita for an amount not to exceed $22,999. Public service staff said the purchase was not budgeted and will be funded from proceeds of equipment sales on Purple Wave; a limited warranty is available for purchase if the city chooses.

Staff updates and discussion

City staff reported results of an Environmental Protection Agency inspection of the Arkansas City wastewater treatment plant. The report identified elevated chloride levels in wastewater influent tied to drought conditions and higher chloride concentrations in well water, city staff said. Staff also reported that the plant must obtain an industrial stormwater permit the city had not previously carried for the treatment facility and that the city will work to secure that permit.

Public service staff described ongoing railroad sewer crossing work related to a travel center connection, cleanup near the middle school property, and replacement of a collapsed line on F Street where crews must cross under railroad tracks. Staff said permitting with the railroad has taken time but the projects are progressing.

On the fire station remodel, staff said preliminary work with Morton Buildings shows renovating the existing, large footprint while keeping the station operational would be expensive; the city is evaluating building a smaller new station as a potentially less costly alternative.

On community services, staff reported a provider transition at the senior center and said the new provider served 2,169 meals in July. On the CDBG housing grant, staff said a site visit occurred the prior day; roughly 70 pre‑applications were submitted, and if Arkansas City receives the award staff estimated the city could complete about 10–12 houses in the cycle. Staff said pre‑applicants will be given first opportunity to submit full applications and that awards will be based on completed applications that meet program requirements.

Public comment: splash pad and business sidewalk concerns

Several residents spoke during public comment. Preston Ritzer, who said he lives at 1220 N. C Street, asked the commission for an update on plans for splash pads in Arkansas City. Randy responded that the city applied for a grant to build a splash pad but did not receive that award; he said the city has a Wilson Park master plan and design documents and will reapply for grant funding when possible. “We have the master plan. We have the designs that we need to do it,” Randy said.

Resident Jerry Strayley urged the city to “think big,” suggesting a swimming pool and splash pad at the former hospital site, while acknowledging budget limits.

Lacey McCoy Carton, who identified herself as a local business owner at 1425 S. Summit, raised safety and access concerns after a walkway/sidewalk project removed a strip of on‑site parking used for loading. She described difficulty unloading and worries that emergency vehicles would not be able to access the front door if vehicles block the space. Randy told McCoy Carton he would meet with her and city staff to seek solutions and follow up on possible slab or loading options.

Executive session and adjournment

The commission recessed into an executive session under Kansas law to discuss preliminary acquisition of real property pursuant to KSA 75‑4319(b)(6); the public meeting resumed and commissioners then moved to adjourn. No formal public action resulting from the executive session was reported in the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Supplemental agreement with KDOT (Project KA‑413701): approved by the commission. Motion and second recorded; vote recorded as carried. - Interlocal agreement for fire protection with Winfield and Cowley County Rural Fire District No. 6 (covering 2026–2031): approved by the commission. Motion and second recorded; vote recorded as carried. - Purchase of 2020 Bomag 3½‑ton roller from United Rentals, not to exceed $22,999: approved by the commission. Motion and second recorded; vote recorded as carried.

What’s next

Staff said they will pursue the required industrial stormwater permit for the wastewater plant, continue railroad permitting for sewer crossings, meet with the business owner who raised parking concerns, and await a recommendation on the CDBG application in roughly one month following the site visit. The city will reapply for grant funding for a splash pad when funding rounds open.