The Wamego City Commission swore in a newly elected commissioner at Tuesday’s meeting. City Attorney Jake Pugh administered the oath of office to newly elected Commissioner Tom Beem. Beem filled the unexpired term of Commissioner Larry Fechter, and ran for the position in the last election.
The Commission continued the commission reorganization by electing Cliff Baughman as Mayor, and Dr. Bill Ditto as Mayor Pro Tem.
In other business, Architect Bruce McMillan and his team presented project specifications for the Columbian Theatre’s exterior maintenance, which included cost estimates. McMillan’s specifications spell out the continuing deterioration of all four sides of the building’s stone exterior. The total estimated cost is $202,000. McMillan said his team was ready to move forward with the recommended repairs as outlined in the presentation, but City Manager Merl Page asked for an estimated up-charge if the work was done in stages. McMillan was asked to come back to the next meeting with the numbers to break out the project by priority. The City of Wamego owns the historic Columbian Theatre and is responsible for the exterior maintenance.
The Wamego City Commission approved an ordinance for new Sanitary Sewer regulations. Page said the purpose of the ordinance is to reference what can be flushed into the City’s sewer system. Building Officer Mac Campbell said the problem is flushable wipes, baby wipes and any pre-moistened wipes being flushed. He added this is a world-wide problem and hopes the ordinance will educate the public of the problem. He said the only thing that should be flushed is human waste and toilet paper. This ordinance will take effect after its passage and publication in the newspaper. The ordinance passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
In other business, the Kansas Sampler Festival committee of Michele Crisler, Betsy Riblett, and Bunny McCloud received a standing ovation from the Commissioners for everything they did to make the second annual Festival what is being described as the best ever in the history of the Sampler Festival. The total attendance for the two-day event was 12,054, which broke last year’s record. Wamego was the smallest community to ever host the Festival, and continued to set records. Winfield will be the host city for the next two Kansas Sampler Festivals.
In other business:
The Commission appointed Heather Murphy to the Recreation Advisory Board for a term that expires February 1, 2019.
Page announced the retirement reception for retiring Morris Crisler will be June 23rd. Crisler’s last day will be June 26th, after 45 years of keeping Wamego beautiful.
Also, Page announced the April sales tax numbers for the City were up 2 point 3 percent, while the County-wide numbers are up 3 point 3 percent. Page said all the indicators remain strong.
