Tonganoxie council approves bakery SUP, KDHE loan amendment, park projects and public-safety purchase; tables trash/recycling and utility rate ordinances

TONGANOXIE — At its December meeting the Tonganoxie City Council approved a mix of routine and project-specific items and authorized several purchases while tabling two rate-related ordinances for further review.

Special use permit approved: The council approved Ordinance 15-36, allowing a home-based bakery operated by Lisa Perkins at the northeast corner of East and Washington. Staff said the planning commission had given unanimous approval and Perkins told the council she has sold custom orders from her home since 2010 and plans mainly weekend service. "I appreciate it greatly," Perkins said after the approval.

Loan amendment for wastewater project: Council approved Ordinance 15-39 to authorize the first amendment to the city's KDHE loan agreement for the wastewater treatment plant improvements (project code cited in agenda materials). Staff said KDHE had approved additional SRF funds after the bid opening and the ordinance updates the loan documents accordingly.

Boundaries and park projects: The council adopted Resolution 122501 updating the city's official 2025 boundaries to reflect recent voluntary annexations. Members also approved release of a request for qualifications for the Chieftain Park playground renovation (construction anticipated to start late 2026 and finish in 2027) and authorized purchase of a 16-by-20 Kokomo amphitheater structure under a quote not to exceed $48,895 with delivery expected in 2'3 months to support 2026 Tongi Days.

Public-safety/outreach purchase: Using opioid settlement funds, the council authorized staff to buy a 2025 Polaris General 4 1000 Sport UTV for an amount not to exceed $19,499. Fire and police staff described plans to use the vehicle for community outreach and to distribute Narcan and AEDs at events. "We can just hand it to them where there's no questions asked," the fire chief said of Narcan distribution.

Trash and recycling: Staff described a contract extension with Honey Creek that raised the city's contracted trash and recycling costs. The budget proposal would have the city absorb most of a $2 monthly trash increase and pass $0.25 to customers, while passing the full $1 recycling increase to customers; council members asked questions about mandatory service rules in the city's sanitation code. The council later voted to table the trash/recycling ordinance (Ordinance 15-38) together with the water and sewer rate item until Dec. 15.

Other business: Staff previewed building-code updates (moving to the 2018 International Building Code), other code and licensing discussions (mobile vending, beekeeping, UTV fees) and opened a policy discussion about e-mobility devices. Police Chief Lawson said state statutes leave gaps around e-bikes and scooters and urged local rules to limit unsupervised youth operating powerful e-mobility devices on sidewalks and streets. Councilmembers suggested including young riders and parents in future discussions and emphasized education alongside enforcement.

Motion and voting notes: Where recorded during the meeting, motions to approve ordinances, resolutions and purchases carried by voice votes. Council formally moved to table both utility rate and trash/recycling ordinances to the Dec. 15 meeting. An executive session to obtain legal advice regarding a potential annexation was then called and the meeting recessed.

Next steps: Staff will update agenda materials for Dec. 15 to include additional analysis on rates, fund balances and timing; the KDHE loan changes and approved purchases will proceed per the ordinance and procurement approvals.