Bonner Springs council approves multiple park concession contracts, reauthorizes paid intern and votes to enter executive session

The Bonner Springs City Council on Monday approved contracts for 2025 concession operations at multiple city parks, voted to reopen a paid temporary management intern position, and briefly entered an executive session to discuss non‑elected personnel matters.

Council authorized the city manager to sign a contract for operations of the Bonner Springs Park concession stand and later approved contracts for additional park concession operations (agenda packet lists Lions Park and Alliance Park). The vendor is listed in the city packet with varying spellings; staff described it as a professional concession operator that will provide a mix of cold and some warm food items and will follow pool hours and park schedules. Nathan Brungard, recreation department staff, said he was “pretty confident based on their references that they're gonna provide a quality service.” The motions carried on voice votes with all council members voting in favor as called by the clerk.

Why it matters: staffed concession stands replace prior vending‑machine arrangements, letting vendors adjust menus during the day, accept noncash payments and reduce problems that arose when vending machines jammed or held card funds.

Details of the votes and motions - Bonner Springs Park concession: The council voted to authorize the city manager to sign a contract with the vendor for the 2025 season; the clerk recorded yes votes from all council members present and the motion passed. - Lions Park concession: Staff told council there were two bids and that a one‑point scoring difference (driven partly by rent amount) separated them; council approved the recommended contract and asked staff to follow up on minimum hours expectations. - Alliance Park concession (agenda wording): The council approved the contract as called in the meeting packet. - Management intern position: City Manager Amber Vogin asked to reopen a temporary, paid management intern position (graduate candidate in public administration) under a renewed partnership with the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration; the council approved posting the position at grade 6 on the seasonal pay scale. - Executive session: The council voted to go into executive session to discuss non‑elected personnel matters pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1); after the recess the minutes record that no action was taken.

Council discussion and staff notes emphasized operational details: the concession vendor is expected to operate when pools and parks are open (staff estimated pool opening around May 25 through roughly Aug. 10 for the pool concession), carry a $500,000 liability policy listing the city, and provide staffing flexibility that vending machines lacked. Brungard said vendors would offer shaved-ice items as well as hot dogs, popcorn and candy, and that a pizza vendor was being explored. He also noted past vending-machine issues such as debit‑card holds and lack of menu flexibility.

Next steps: Contracts will be finalized by the city manager for the 2025 season, with vendor performance and renewal options (staff noted up to two one‑year renewals before rebidding) handled per contract terms.