COFFEYVILLE, Kan. — The Coffeyville City Commission on Tuesday approved multiple infrastructure contracts and a financial transfer tied to an economic development loan for Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.

Commissioners approved a staff-recommended transfer of city reserve funds and a series of engineering and construction agreements for sewer relocation, street reconstruction around the hospital, stormwater repairs and interim paving of heavily trafficked truck routes. Director of Finance Martin Cummings told the commission the transfer will move money from Fund 810 (electric department reserves) into the city’s general economic development fund to support the previously authorized hospital loan; Cummings said the electric fund balance cited in the staff report is $5,600,000 in unencumbered funds.

The items matter because they combine short-term repairs with planning for larger reconstruction projects. Deputy Director of Public Works Thomas Osborne said the Evergy substation expansion requires moving a sanitary sewer main; Evergy will fund the relocation and will either pay additional documented costs if work exceeds the engineer’s estimate or return unused funds if the work costs less. Osborne said the sewer main serves primarily the immediate neighborhood referenced in the staff report and that the work should not disrupt wastewater service.

The commission also approved a work authorization with Alger Martin and Associates to design reconstruction of streets around Coffeyville Regional Medical Center and separate engineering authorization for a culvert failure at Fifth and Santa Fe. Osborne described the culvert failure as a structural defect in a poured-in-place box culvert with insufficient rebar and framing; crews closed the street after a city truck detected the collapse and the city has been seeking qualified contractors. The firm will complete design and construction engineering so the city can bid permanent repairs.

For truck routes near CVR Energy, commissioners approved a $187,625 paving project with Brent Bell Construction for Fourth Street and Sunflower Street consisting of a leveling course and a 2-inch overlay; staff described it as an interim fix expected to extend serviceable life for roughly five years while the city pursues larger grants for full reconstruction. The city manager and public works staff said they are pursuing a federal multimodal grant and have solicited letters of support from state and regional partners.

Smaller items approved included a purchase order to Myers Construction for a pitched roof over the Hillcrest Golf Course pro shop (about $23,200) after staff said the existing membrane roof could no longer be repaired, and a not-to-exceed engineering authorization (up to $300,000) with Alger Martin for broader street reconstruction planning.

Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda (minutes, set public hearing for FY2024 budget amendments, Appropriation Ordinance AO-24-22 for $4,168,824.22): motion by Commissioner Banister, second Commissioner Maples; aye: Mayor Hendricks, Commissioner Banister, Vice Mayor Faulkner, Commissioner Maples, Commissioner Edwards; outcome: approved.
- Resolution R-24-94 (transfer from Fund 810 to Fund 180 to support economic development loan to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center): motion by Commissioner Van Oster, second Vice Mayor Faulkner; aye: Van Oster, Faulkner, Maples, Edwards, Mayor Hendricks; outcome: approved.
- Resolution R-24-95 (purchase order to Myers Construction for pitched roof at Hillcrest pro shop): motion by Commissioner Edwards, second Commissioner Maples; outcome: approved (ayes recorded).
- Resolution R-24-96 (agreement with Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. for relocation of sanitary sewer main): motion by Commissioner Van Oster, second Commissioner Edwards; outcome: approved (ayes recorded).
- Ordinance S-24-06 (first reading; vacate certain easements north of Wilcox and east of Union): motion by Mayor Hendricks, second Commissioner Maples; outcome: first reading approved.
- Resolution R-24-97 (work authorization for engineering services for sewer relocation): motion by Mayor Hendricks, second Commissioner Van Oster; outcome: approved.
- Resolution R-24-98 (work authorization with Alger Martin & Associates for street reconstruction around the hospital; engineering, specs, surveying): motion by Commissioner Van Oster, second Commissioner Maples; outcome: approved.
- Resolution R-24-99 (work authorization with Alger Martin for stormwater repair at Fifth and Santa Fe—culvert): motion by Commissioner Maples, second Commissioner Edwards; outcome: approved.
- Resolution R-24-100 (construction project with Brent Bell Construction for asphalt paving of Fourth and Sunflower): motion by Commissioner Edwards, second Commissioner Maples; outcome: approved.
- Resolution R-24-101 (agreement with BG Consultants for engineering services for street reconstruction covering Sixth/Seventh, Woodland, Stark, Lee and other streets): motion by Commissioner Van Oster, second Commissioner Edwards; outcome: approved.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that many of the projects were coordinated to concentrate work near destinations such as the hospital so the city seeks “more bang for our bucks,” as Public Works staff put it. City Manager Ben Brubaker said the recent voter approval to continue a half-cent transportation sales tax allowed staff to move forward on a multi-mile street program next year.

Commissioners directed staff to proceed with bidding once design and specifications are complete and noted that construction phasing and weather will affect schedules; several projects were tentatively slated for spring or early summer 2025. Staff described the Evergy relocation and easement vacate as related steps required to permit the substation expansion and to document that Evergy will pay relocation costs.

Commissioners recessed into an executive session on acquisition of real property under Kansas law and reconvened with no action reported. The commission adjourned later Tuesday evening.