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Herington meeting roundup: rail merger request, right‑of‑way vacation tabled, CDBG closeout authorized
Summary
At its November 2025 meeting the Herington City Commission considered a request for a letter supporting the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger, tabled a street‑vacation petition to Dec. 16, authorized final CDBG closeout paperwork for the mayor to sign, and heard multiple staff project updates including Safe Routes to School and the old hospital market study.
The Herington City Commission on Nov. 29, 2025 heard a range of administrative and planning items, including a request from Union Pacific for a local letter of support on its proposed merger with Norfolk Southern, a tabled petition to vacate a portion of street right‑of‑way, authorization for the mayor to sign final CDBG closeout paperwork, and staff updates on infrastructure and planning matters.
On the rail merger request, a Union Pacific representative has sought letters of support from local governments. City staff said they had not done independent research on the merger and presented the request to the commission for direction; commissioners expressed mixed views and no formal citywide policy change was adopted during the meeting.
The commission also considered a petition from Union Pacific to vacate land near the railroad right‑of‑way on South 9th Street. Staff explained a private closing with adjacent landowners was still pending and recommended waiting to vacate until private transactions were complete. Commissioners moved to table the petition to Dec. 16, 2025, and the motion passed on a voice vote.
On federal grants, staff said the closeout public hearing for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was complete and presented the final closeout form that requires the chief elected official’s signature. A commissioner moved to authorize the mayor to sign the closeout form; a motion and second were recorded and the action proceeded. Staff said, “As soon as we get this signed and turned in and turn in our affidavit of publication, [the grant] should be closed out of this process.”
Staff also provided multiple updates: the final tie‑in of a section of raw water line is complete pending Union Pacific approval; electric crews are finishing ball‑field lighting; the Safe Routes to School sidewalk project had a preliminary design meeting with an anticipated bid letting in December 2026; and the old hospital building remains listed with a realtor while the city awaits a market study from Kansas State University or as part of a Brownfield grant.
Commissioners also announced community events — including a Dec. 6 Christmas parade and tree lighting — and introduced Natalie Murado as the new Dickinson County economic development coordinator. The meeting adjourned after routine business.
No formal vote was taken on the rail merger request, the right‑of‑way vacation petition was tabled to Dec. 16, and the CDBG closeout paperwork was authorized for the mayor to sign.
