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Caney council appoints new member, municipal judge and planning board member; approves ordinance easing residency rule
Summary
At its May 4 meeting, the Caney City Council appointed Jesse Hilyard to a vacant council seat, named Joslyn Kuziak municipal judge and appointed Roy Shafer to the Planning & Zoning Board. The council also authorized signatures on Ordinance 2026.09, which removes a residency requirement for appointees.
The Caney City Council on May 4 appointed Jesse Hilyard to a vacant council seat, approved Ordinance 2026.09 to remove a city residency requirement for appointees, and confirmed two other appointments, the minutes show.
Mayor Joshua D. Elliott told the council he was the only applicant for the council vacancy. "Mayor Elliott stated that he was the only applicant for the position," the minutes record. Council Member Elizabeth Burch moved to appoint Jesse Hilyard; Council President Jeff Culver seconded the motion, which the minutes record as carrying 3-0. Hilyard was sworn in during the meeting at the council's request.
Council also reviewed the results of RFP 2026-03 for municipal judge services and authorized the appointment of Joslyn Kuziak. Mayor Elliott asked whether she was the only respondent; staff confirmed she was the only applicant, and the motion to appoint Kuziak is recorded as carrying 4-0.
The council approved appointment of Roy Shafer to a two-year term on the Planning & Zoning Board after staff presented Shafer's qualifications; the motion is recorded in the minutes as carrying 4-0.
On Ordinance 2026.09, staff said the City Attorney advised changing the City Code to remove language that required an appointee to reside within the city. Council moved to authorize the necessary signatures on Ordinance 2026.09; the minutes record the motion as carrying 4-0, authorizing the ordinance for signature.
The council also approved a small community contribution — donating pool passes to winners of the Mayfest turtle races — and received departmental reports. Mayor Elliott reported the old fire department building passed an asbestos inspection and requested an appraisal of the cemetery building. Police Chief Ike Dye said cages for new fleet vehicles are backordered and that he attended the Kansas HUB conference. City Administrator Andrea Sibley also reported attending the Kansas HUB conference and said she received strong feedback for Caney. City Clerk Adam Lanter said the closing for the sale of the old fire department building may be delayed.
The meeting included an executive session under K.S.A. 75-4319(1) to discuss personnel matters; the minutes record a ten-minute executive session and returns to open session with votes recorded as carrying 4-0. The council adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
The minutes do not list roll-call votes by individual name for each motion; the article reports vote tallies exactly as recorded in the meeting minutes.
