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Burden council adopts engine-braking ban, approves raises and nuisance abatement
Summary
At its Jan. 27 meeting the Burden City Council adopted an ordinance banning engine braking within city limits and approved purchase of signage, a 4% pay raise for select staff, a separate police pay adjustment, and a nuisance/abatement resolution for 117 E. 6th St.; the council also discussed livestreaming meetings and heard a code-compliance report citing 23 active violations.
The Burden City Council, presided over by Mayor Lee Wingert, met Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, and took several operational and enforcement actions, including adopting an ordinance prohibiting compression-release engine braking within the city limits and approving related signage and steps to coordinate with the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Council Member Chris Cannon asked at the start of the meeting that roll-call votes be used on all agenda items; the council agreed. Clerk Julia Loving reported administrative updates including a live but not yet public city website (burdenks.gov) and an ongoing Combined Sewer and Water Distribution System project undergoing KDHE review.
Kendall Pierce of Professional Code Compliance told the council there are “currently 23 active violations around town,” and said he has had no response from owners of six properties despite sending at least three letters. City Attorney Josh Albin advised that certified mail should be used to establish proof of service before pursuing municipal-court action.
On traffic enforcement measures, Attorney Josh Albin presented a model ordinance that would prohibit compression-release engine braking systems (often called Jake brakes) inside city limits; Council Member Chris Cannon moved to adopt the sample ordinance and Council Member Chase Hobart seconded. The motion passed in a roll-call vote, Conklin Yes; Cannon Yes; Dory Yes; Hobart Yes. The council separately approved purchasing the appropriate signs and directed Albin to begin required publication and the KDOT permission/survey process.
The council approved a 4% pay increase for Public Works staff, the City Clerk and the Deputy City Clerk after a motion by Cannon that carried 4-0. Cannon also moved to raise the chief of police’s pay to $21.00 per hour and certified part-time officers to $16.00 per hour; that motion passed 3-1, with Council Member Sherrie Conklin voting no.
The council adopted Resolution No. 2025-02, authorizing nuisance and abatement action for the property at 117 E. 6th St. under K.S.A. 12-1115, and approved the method of service or, if necessary, publication under K.S.A. 60-225. Attorney Albin said he would personally serve occupants if possible or arrange publication if service could not be made.
Other actions: the council approved a $500 Silver-level sponsorship for the 2025 Burden CPRA Rodeo; accepted a $2,500 bid from Moore Cut Tree to remove remaining park trees; authorized sale of listed equipment on PurpleWave; and voted 3-1 to hire Redline Lawncare at $80 per hour for bushhogging at the storage facility and burn site. Council also voted to deed an older red fire engine to Cowley County Fire District #3 after discussion that previous documentation of ownership was unclear.
Council approved Resolution No. 2025-01, a GAAP waiver for 2024, and amended the city’s purchasing policy to require that proposed purchases over $2,500 be published in the pre-packet on the Friday before a meeting and posted online when the packet is made public. The council held two executive sessions on personnel evaluations under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) and one attorney-client session under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2); no binding action was taken during those sessions.
Council Member Chris Cannon raised a proposal to broadcast meetings on YouTube Live to improve transparency and estimated equipment costs at roughly $450–$750; he will research quotes and return with details. Clerk Julia Loving said the city website will be updated and the site address is burdenks.gov.
The council adjourned at 8:33 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
