An update on the proposed Community Activities Center, a professional services agreement with Campbell & Johnson Engineers, P.A., and two signed agreements for the Box Hangar at Blosser Municipal Airport were three of the items on the agenda at the regular meeting of the city commission on September 3, 2025.
The meeting began with a discussion among commissioners, City Manager Amy Lange, and Parks & Recreation Director Chris Atkins about the proposed Community Activities Center. The city commission has already approved placing a one-percent sales tax question on the November 4 ballot, to be used to help fund the proposed facility.
Atkins informed commissioners that complications have arisen regarding funding sources for the proposed facility, including the Blueprint to Build (B2B) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
The B2B grant is administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDOC). Via conversations with KDOC and information on the B2B webpage, the City learned of additional requirements for the grant, including the requirement of a third party grant administrator, an environmental review, a preliminary architectural report by a locally-hired architect, the requirement that a design-bid-build delivery method must be used, and a requirement that Davis-Bacon wages would be in effect - all of which would increase the cost of the project.
Davis-Bacon wages are a combination of basic hourly rates and specified fringe benefits that must be paid to laborers and mechanics on federally funded or assisted construction projects under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. These wages are determined by the U.S. Department of Labor for specific job classifications and construction types within a given geographic area.
Atkins stated to commissioners that the City also learned that a third party grant administrator would be required for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Communities Facilities Loan, with similar additional costs.
Atkins further stated that the City was informed in late August that funding for the entire project must be secured prior to submitting the final B2B application by the November 14, 2025, deadline, making the B2B grant a “last dollar” grant rather than a “catalyst grant.”
The Strategic Doing Committee for the CAC met on August 26 to discuss the new developments and prepare a recommendation for the city commission. The Committee believes the original $1.25M local cash match for the B2B grant could have been raised prior to the November 14 grant application deadline. But they do not believe there is enough time to raise the $2M now required, and apply for and receive other grants.
The Committee recommended stepping away from the B2B grant application in an effort to reduce the costs of construction (an estimated 15% savings), and to allow a few more months to raise private donations and apply for and receive other grants.
After a lengthy discussion, commissioners requested that the Strategic Doings Committee put together a revised plan for the project and try to pare down some aspects of the design to lower the overall cost of the project.
A public hearing was then held regarding the proposed 2026 Budget and exceeding the revenue-neutral rate (RNR). There was a discussion among commissioners concerning the rising costs of living for residents of the community, and the increase in costs since COVID of the materials, services, and labor needed to provide the necessary improvements to the City, including its infrastructure.
The public hearing was then closed, and commissioners moved on to the action item portion of the agenda. Commissioners authorized Mayor Amy Jackson to sign Resolution 2025-2210 that levies a property tax rate exceeding the revenue-neutral rate (RNR).
Commissioners then approved the 2026 Budget, as presented. The budget maintains the current mill levy at 48.785, thereby increasing the RNR from the stated 46.089.
One mill is approximately $37,794, an increase from $35,689 on the 2025 Budget.
Commissioners then unanimously voted not to approve the professional agreement for the B2B grant.
In their next action, commissioners authorized Lange to sign an Agreement for Professional Services with Campbell and Johnson Engineers, P.A., in the amount of $102,000.
The work includes Civil Engineering Design and Construction Bid Letting in the amount of $25,000, and Construction Observation in the amount of $30,000, for the 7th Street-Matthew to East Side Sports Complex project; Civil Engineering Design and Construction Bid Letting in the amount of $17,500, and Construction Observation in the amount of $17,500 for the Doster Street-6th Street to 8th Street project; and Construction Observation in the amount of $12,000 for the 11th Street and Highland Drive Mill & Overlay project.
Commissioners then approved a change order that increases the purchase price of a new Type 1 ambulance from Osage Emergency Services Supply from $333,784 to $338,464.
Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of traffic signal equipment from Gades Sales Co., in the amount of $26,484, and installation of the equipment by Philips Southern Electric, in the amount of $11,500 - both of which will be paid from the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
The City is updating the traffic light at College Drive and Lincoln Street to a newer two-camera overhead detection system. The current four-camera detection system is inoperable due to parts in the cabinet being obsolete and no longer available. The light system at the intersection is currently set on a timer.
Shane Kisby, the City's public works director, stated that the new traffic signals should be completely installed within the next two months.
It is the City’s responsibility to keep the traffic lights maintained and in good working order as part of the City Connecting Link Agreement with KDOT.
Commissioners then voted not to approve a grant agreement with KDOT for the Community Charger Pilot Program, and authorized the City Manager Lange to give notice of termination of the lease agreement with Francis Energy, LLC.
The project would have installed several charging stations for electric vehicles in the Brown Grand parking lot. But requirements for the grant agreement - including having a public restroom available 24 hours a day within a four-block radius of the charging stations - raised concerns among commissioners. The only available public restroom would be at the Broadway Plaza, which has already experienced significant vandalism when left unlocked late at night.
The lease agreement with Francis Energy required 90 days' notice for termination.
In their final action of the meeting, commissioners authorized Lange to sign the Build Kansas Matching Grant Agreement 2024-008-NCRPC, in the amount of $12,555, associated with the FAA AIP Grant No. 3-20-0013-020-2024, and Agreement 2024-012-NCRPC, in the amount of $12,555, associated with FAA AIP Grant No. 3-20-0013-020-2025, for Blosser Municipal Airport.
The City recently completed construction of a new 80’ X 80’ box hangar at Blosser Municipal Airport. The hangar is of sufficient size to house B-II aircraft, which are now supported by Runway 18/36.
Multiple sources of funding, including multi-year federal grants, are being used to fund construction of the hangar. The FAA will pay 90% of eligible costs, with the City providing the 10% match. Following reimbursement, the City’s ultimate contribution for this project is expected to be $151,487.07. This match was included in the City’s
CIP budget for FY 2023 and FY 2024.
In order to accept these federal funds, the city commission had to formally authorize Lange to sign the agreements, and the agreements must be signed and certified by the City Attorney prior to September 15, 2025.
With no further items on the agenda, the meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
