Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Washington City Council appoints new member, approves library appointment and several infrastructure contracts
Summary
At its June 1 meeting, the Washington City Council appointed Jason Crome to a council seat, approved Jill Keesecker for the Library Board, accepted bids for roof and distribution upgrades, and authorized a $266,151.09 contractor payment for the East 2nd Street project.
WASHINGTON — The Washington City Council on June 1 approved a series of appointments and infrastructure contracts, including the appointment of Jason Crome to an unexpired council term and award of construction and repair work for city facilities.
The council unanimously approved Mayor Carolyn Pinnick’s appointment of Jill Keesecker to the Library Board to fill the unexpired term of Brenda Nelson through April 30, 2030, after accepting Nelson’s resignation. The council then approved the mayor’s motion to appoint Jason Crome to fill Pinnick’s unexpired council seat through January 2030; Jason Crome subsequently took the loyalty oath.
Council members voted to accept McGee Roofing’s bid of $83,500 to replace the Emergency Services Building roof, with payment to be split one-third from the ambulance fund and two-thirds from the fire fund. The council also accepted Great Plains Power’s bid of $78,525 for an electric distribution line upgrade; the work will be paid from the electric distribution fund with the city supplying materials.
On the East 2nd Street Rehab/Reconstruct project, the council authorized Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 9 from Inline Construction for $266,151.09. The council recorded KDOT’s share as $196,951.81 and the city’s share as $69,199.28; payment was authorized contingent on KDOT approval.
The council approved a loudspeaker/sound-amplifier permit for the Washington County Saddle Club for events June 12–13, 2026, and approved a Cereal Malt Beverage special-event permit for Larry Lovgren for the same weekend, contingent on State of Kansas ABC approval.
City Administrator Carl Chalfant reported administrative items including assignment of a $2,210 asbestos inspection at 321 W. 5th Street (proposal signed May 21), adjusted pool hours for June 18–20 during a cheerleading camp, and vehicle-repair estimates for the electric distribution pickup. Chalfant said staff will pursue drafting an ordinance to require building permits after the city discovered a prior structure built on a utility easement.
The council also agreed to update the city’s tree ordinance to adopt the Kansas Forestry Service’s recommended tree list, and received routine reports including fire and library minutes.
A wage increase of $1.00 per hour for the employee identified as Lineman #2 was approved, effective May 23, 2026, to be paid from the water, sewer and street funds. The council recessed twice into executive session to discuss employee job performance and ambulance personnel and adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
"No, we didn't," City Administrator Carl Chalfant said when asked whether the city had picked up storm limbs after the recent storm, highlighting the council's follow-up on public-works responses.
The council's motions were recorded as passed by the attending members: Amy Anderson, Mary Ann Crome, Allison Kern and Bryan Loberg.
