Greensburg council approves runway paving application with 15% match, appoints housing authority member

Mayor Matt Christenson called the Greensburg City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2026, at City Hall. The council administered oaths to newly sworn members Nathan Charlton, Jason West and David Vernon and approved routine agenda and consent items.

Administrator Stacy Barnes told the council the city is preparing an application to the KDOT Aviation (Kansas Airport Development) grant program to pave and further develop the municipal runway. Barnes said the project cost estimate is $1,882,352 and the council has historically offered a 15% local match to strengthen applications; at 15% the city’s share would be $282,352. The Insurance Fund balance earmarked for airport work is $765,791, and Barnes said the airport engineer (Lochner) included two optional alternates in the design: paving taxiways and connecting a taxiway to the parking apron. The KDOT maximum award is $1.6 million. Councilmember Wayne Keeton moved to approve submitting the runway paving application with a 15% match; Mark Trummel seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The council addressed appointments and internal organization. Mayor Christenson advised that Councilmember David Vernon would abstain from votes pertaining to the Greensburg Housing Authority because he is employed by that authority. Administrator Barnes reported Kodi Ellis was willing to serve a four‑year term on the Greensburg Housing Authority ending Dec. 31, 2029; Wayne Keeton moved to appoint Ellis, Nathan Charlton seconded, and the minutes record the motion as passing 5-0. The minutes also note one remaining open seat through Dec. 31, 2028. (The minutes include both the advisory that Vernon would abstain on housing authority votes and a 5-0 recorded vote on Ellis’s appointment; that internal inconsistency appears in the official minutes.)

On council organization, Charlton moved to retain Councilmember Mark Trummel as president of the council (the president presides in the mayor’s absence and would act as mayor if the mayor were unable to serve). Keeton seconded; the motion carried 4-1, with Trummel recorded as the lone dissenting vote.

Barnes also presented a 2025 financial report included in the meeting packet and noted that Kansas Power Pool (KPP) costs were lower in 2025 than in 2024. She said the city has historically maintained a 12‑month CD that will roll on Feb. 1 into a 6‑month CD to improve interest while retaining quicker access to funds. Barnes reviewed additional staff activity: the city applied for a KDHE Waste Tire Grant for recycled rubber mulch at Big Well Park Playground (award notifications expected in April), KDOT/PEC reviewed 30% plans for a KDOT Transportation Alternatives Grant sidewalk project and met with Superintendent Waldschmidt onsite to review areas around the school, and she noted an appointment to the Great Bend Prairie Regional Advisory Committee as the public water supply representative.

Barnes reminded council that Kiowa County will host a community meeting on Jan. 28 about a proposed solution‑mined natural gas storage project; KDHE and the project owner are scheduled to attend to answer questions. Councilmembers raised routine public‑works concerns including faded and damaged street signs, a couple of streetlights out on the north end of town and cosmetic rust on some highway light poles; Barnes said the poles had been inspected and found structurally sound and that Public Works plans repairs when weather allows.

With no further business, Mayor Christenson declared the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.