Arkansas City Commission approves pay changes, grant agreements, infrastructure work and temporary alcohol permits

Arkansas City commissioners approved a package of ordinances and resolutions covering personnel changes for Environmental Services, engineering representation for a water treatment project, a KDOT bridge grant agreement, temporary alcohol-permit measures for downtown events, a Community Development Block Grant application for parks improvements and several equipment and construction actions.

The measures were presented across multiple agenda items and were adopted by roll call or voice votes following staff presentations and brief discussion. The measures include an ordinance adopting a budgeted pay plan for Environmental Services positions effective May 17, 2025; a resolution engaging Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) as the city’s owner’s representative for a green sand filter improvement project; a KDOT Local Bridge Improvement Program agreement to replace the F Street Bridge; approval of temporary licensed-premises extensions tied to downtown events; certification to apply for Kansas Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds for parks and recreation upgrades; a change order on a Well 16 project; authorization to purchase a fire pump and gearbox for Engine 51; and acceptance of a quote for a Knox master key control system.

The pay-plan ordinance adds a three-level line replacement maintenance worker classification (1–3) and distribution/collection lead roles for Environmental Services. Staff said two positions will be funded in 2025 from the vacancy created by the assistant environmental services superintendent; other positions will be added to personnel budgets beginning in 2026.

On the water-treatment project, staff said the city received a revolving loan with partial forgiveness from KH and E for a green sand filter. Burns and Mac will serve as design-build engineer for the project; PEC will serve as the city’s representative to review pay requests and manage project paperwork. PEC’s contract was authorized for an amount not to exceed $117,650; the city will pay that amount from the water treatment facility capital improvement budget rather than the loan proceeds.

Commissioners also approved an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for participation in the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program to replace the F Street Bridge. The grant award is not to exceed $700,000; the current engineer estimate is $778,613, leaving an estimated city local share of $170,628. Staff said the local share is budgeted in the special highway/street account and that the project will replace the bridge and a portion of the approaches but will not remove long-abandoned railroad track beyond the approaches.

Two related items on temporary alcohol permits were adopted. The commission amended an ordinance exempting KSA 41-7-719(d) to allow sale and consumption of alcoholic liquor in a designated common-consumption area at the east corner of Central Avenue and Summit Street for one day (amended to Saturday, June 7, 2025). Separately, the commission approved a resolution authorizing a temporary extension of licensed premises at Gloria’s Bar, 1121 S. Summit St., under KSA 41-2-608 to permit sale and consumption on adjacent public property for a single-day event on Saturday, June 7, from 4 p.m. to midnight; staff provided a map and explained barricade placement and fencing connections to the bar’s fenced patio. Commissioners indicated the event operator (identified in the packet as Brandy Webb, owner of the Sandbar) has followed required procedures at prior events.

The commission certified legal authority to apply for Kansas Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds for parks and facilities improvements. Consultant Crystal Hennen, of Ranson (packet: Ranton/Ransom) Financial, told commissioners the project’s estimated total cost is $1,240,168 and that the city will request $992,134 from the Kansas Department of Commerce. She said the department now operates with separate “large project” and “small project” funding pools and is reviewing new applications on a monthly rolling basis through Nov. 15. Commissioners also approved a required assurance resolution that the city will provide operation and maintenance funding if the project is funded. Staff said locally budgeted equipment funds (about $130,000 previously set aside) will be used as part of the city match and that a prior grant commitment from BJ Wilkins will be honored for this project if awarded.

On construction and equipment items, the commission approved a Wildcat Construction change order on the Well 16 offset project for a wet tap on the existing raw water line, an upgraded fire hydrant to meet KDHE testing/startup standards, and relocation of steel beams to accommodate well-casing installation. The change order increases the contract price by $13,332.92, bringing the revised contract total to $651,632.92; staff said budget capacity exists for the change.

Commissioners authorized acceptance of a quote from Knox for a master key control system (estimated $12,973) to improve key control and security of Knox boxes. The commission also approved purchase of a new fire pump and gearbox for Engine 51 from Conrad Fire Equipment for an amount not to exceed $69,306.37 (funds from the Fire & EMS general fund and motor-vehicle-repair accounts). Staff said Engine 51’s gearbox had catastrophic mechanical failure with missing gears and that replacement pump/gearbox units are available from Conrad; the vendor warranty is three years or 1,800 hours, whichever comes first.

City Manager updates included a May 1 pre-construction meeting with KDOT and the contractor for a multi-segment hike-bike trail beginning in Paris Park and scheduled to start May 27 with an expected completion timeframe into September; notice that the wastewater treatment permit cycle is midterm (about year 3 of a five- to seven-year cycle) and that staff will evaluate future chemical-treatment needs; and a compensation study from the Arnold Group nearing a final recommendation the commission will see prior to the 2026 budget process. Staff also noted budget work sessions and retreats scheduled in June and upcoming public hearings tied to grant applications.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance adopting budgeted pay plan for Environmental Services (effective 05/17/2025): approved by roll call. Vote: Commissioner Stillman — Yes; Commissioner Warren — Yes; Commissioner Tweedy — Yes; Vice Mayor Stover — Yes. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution authorizing agreement with Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) to represent the city for the water treatment plant green sand filter improvement (not to exceed $117,650): approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution to execute Agreement No. 937-24 with the Secretary of Transportation/KDOT for participation in Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program (project 18-U-2563-01) to replace the F Street Bridge; grant not to exceed $700,000; engineer estimate $778,613; estimated local share $170,628: approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance exempting KSA 41-7-719(d) to allow sale/consumption of alcoholic liquor at designated downtown area for one day (amended to Saturday, June 7, 2025): approved by roll call. Vote recorded as unanimous among seated commissioners. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution authorizing temporary extension of licensed premises at Gloria’s Bar (1121 S. Summit St.) under KSA 41-2-608 for a one-day event (Saturday, June 7, 4 p.m.–midnight): approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution certifying authority to apply for Kansas Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds for parks and facilities improvements (estimated cost $1,240,168; request $992,134): approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution assuring the Kansas Department of Commerce that the city will provide ongoing operation & maintenance funding if the CDBG project is funded: approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution authorizing change order with Wildcat Construction on Well 16 offset project (wet tap, hydrant replacement, steel-beam relocation; increase $13,332.92; revised contract $651,632.92): approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution accepting quote from Knox for master key control system (estimated $12,973): approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution authorizing purchase of new fire pump and gearbox for Engine 51 from Conrad Fire Equipment (not to exceed $69,306.37): approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.

Commissioners indicated no members of the public signed up for comment at the meeting’s public-comment period. The meeting adjourned following items for commissioner discussion and staff reminders about upcoming meetings and hearings.

Ending — The commission’s approvals set project procurement and grant-application steps in motion; in several cases staff said next steps include executing agreements, submitting pay requests or applications to state agencies, and scheduling public hearings required by grant programs.