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Washington City Council adopts utility rate changes, approves $217,771 payment for East 2nd Street project
Summary
At its April 6 meeting, the Washington City Council adopted two ordinances adjusting electric and water charges, approved Contractor's Payment No. 7 for the East 2nd Street project totaling $217,770.88 (city share $56,620.43), authorized a playground award, accepted the 2025 audit and handled routine permits and appointments.
WASHINGTON — The Washington City Council on April 6 adopted two ordinances adjusting utility charges, approved a $217,770.88 payment request tied to the East 2nd Street rehabilitation project, and authorized a Notice of Award for a new playground, while also accepting the city's 2025 audit and approving routine permits and appointments.
Mayor Garett Edgar called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Council members Amy Anderson, Mary Ann Crome, Bryan Loberg, Allison Kern and Carolyn Pinnick were present. City Administrator Carl Chalfant and City Clerk Denise Powell attended; Cynthia Scheer of the Washington County News was also present.
The council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 828, which adjusts minimum charges for the city’s electric utility, and Ordinance No. 829, which adjusts water rates and amends Chapter 21 of the City Code. Both ordinances passed on motions by Council Member Carolyn Pinnick, seconded by Bryan Loberg.
Council approved Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 7 from Inline Construction for the East 2nd Street Rehab/Reconstruct project for $217,770.88, with KDOT’s share listed as $161,150.45 and the city’s share $56,620.43; the payment is subject to KDOT approval. City Administrator Carl Chalfant and contractor Steve Blumer reported construction progress, including planned curb pours and staged openings of A Street.
The council authorized the mayor to sign a Notice of Award to Recreation Construction Group, LLC for the Munchkinland playground project and approved a retroactive acceptance of Sapp Brothers’ bid for diesel and hydraulic oils at a cost not to exceed $5,777.75.
Justin Dragastin of The Dragastin Agency presented the city with a KMU Safety Dividend check for $19,007.69. The council then approved an insurance quote for the policy period April 1, 2026–April 1, 2027 in the amount of $199,513.00.
The council also approved a $1,500 donation from the Electric Fund to Washington Fireworks, Inc. for the 2026 fireworks display; granted a Loud Speaker and Street Use permit for a grand opening on April 24, 2026 at 131 East 3rd Street; and permitted Stephanie Kern to host the Jim Clark Memorial softball tournament on May 9, 2026 with concession-stand access.
Appointments and personnel matters included mayoral appointments of Dave Fischer and Sandra Kingston to the Housing Authority Board for terms April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2030, and acceptance of EMT Lindsay Bekemeyer’s resignation effective March 30, 2026.
City Administrator Chalfant briefed the council on several staff actions and ongoing issues: outreach to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for possible Brownfields assistance and asbestos inspection at 321 West 5th pending owner permission; the city’s unsuccessful KDHE surfacing grant application for playground surfacing; vehicle-repair estimates for an electric distribution pickup; an exposed well water line outside the city limits requiring bedding and rip-rap; and power-plant maintenance, including a scheduled tie-breaker replacement that will require the city to generate during the repair.
City Clerk Denise Powell reported that municipal-court attorney fees are expected to rise, that staff is working with the Ministerial Alliance on conveyance of the Friendly Corners property at 100 B Street, and that the city's online bill-pay service was shut down by vendor Forte after a fraud attempt; council directed staff to leave the service idle and revisit the matter next month.
Council members raised two local concerns: Pinnick asked staff to investigate a property on East 2nd for a possible illegal animal, and Kern relayed a constituent question about chickens, noting the city has an ordinance addressing chickens.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn by Bryan Loberg, seconded by Allison Kern; it adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Votes at a glance: motions recorded in the minutes were approved unanimously by the listed council members unless otherwise noted. Key tallies recorded as ayes: Amy Anderson, Mary Ann Crome, Allison Kern, Bryan Loberg and Carolyn Pinnick.
