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Hesston council adopts solicitors ordinance, waives permit fees for Habitat build and approves equipment purchases
Summary
At its Feb. 10 meeting, the Hesston City Council adopted Ordinance No. 010-2025-233 regulating solicitors, approved a $4,321.70 building-permit fee waiver for Habitat for Humanity, granted a capped 24-month permit-fee waiver to Stone Creek Nursery, and authorized purchases for police and parks equipment.
The Hesston City Council on Feb. 10 adopted a solicitors license ordinance, approved fee waivers to support local housing and business investment, and authorized purchases for police and parks equipment.
Ordinance No. 010-2025-233, which establishes daily fees for solicitors' licenses, specifies permissible solicitation days and lists exemptions, was approved on a 4-0 vote after Council Member Clare Moore moved for adoption and Council Member Michael Wallace seconded. The ordinance was described to the council as setting the city's terms for door-to-door solicitation in municipal limits.
Bill Unruh, representing Habitat for Humanity, asked the council to waive building permit and meter fees totaling $4,321.70 for a home the nonprofit is constructing in the Windover neighborhood and to allow participation in a $1,000 housing incentive program. Clare Moore moved to waive the building permit fees in the amount of $4,321.70; Susan Swartzendruber seconded and the motion carried 4-0. The minutes record the fee waiver approval; they do not specify whether Habitat's request to participate in the $1,000 incentive program was approved.
Mitch Sweigert, owner of Stone Creek Nursery, outlined plans to invest in his property and requested multiple incentives: reduced utility rates, a 24-month exemption from building permit and inspection fees, and a five-year property tax rebate. The council approved a limited permit-fee waiver: Michael Wallace moved to waive building permit fees for 24 months not to exceed $2,500; Clare Moore seconded and the motion carried 4-0. The motion approved only the permit-fee waiver and capped the city's contribution at $2,500; other incentives Mr. Sweigert requested are not recorded as approved in the minutes.
The council also approved two equipment purchases. Michael Wallace moved to authorize purchase of a 2024 Dodge Ram Police Package 1500 truck at a quoted price of $56,727.14 from Superior Emergency Response Vehicles, to be funded from Fund 45-Police Equipment Reserve; Susan Swartzendruber seconded and the motion carried 4-0. For parks, Larry Fuqua moved to buy a 2025 Hustler 72" Kawasaki mower from Dan's Cycle for $16,092.58, funded from Fund 45-Parks Equipment Reserve; Clare Moore seconded and the vote was 4-0.
Council approved the mayor's annual appointments of city officers for terms through Feb. 9, 2026. Appointed officers include Gary Emry as city administrator, Jason Thrasher as city clerk, Warren Schmidt as deputy city clerk, Valerie Bonham as city treasurer, Zach Bergen as director of emergency services, Randall Pankratz as municipal judge, and J.T. Klaus as city attorney. Clare Moore moved to approve the slate and Larry Fuqua seconded; the motion carried 4-0.
The council set a tentative date for the annual City / USD 460 / REC joint meeting for Thursday, March 27 at 6:00 p.m. at Hesston Middle School.
The council entered executive session twice under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2) for attorney-client privileged contract discussions, first at 7:05 p.m. for 20 minutes and again at 7:25 p.m. for another 20 minutes; minutes state that no binding action was taken during either session. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
