The Wamego City Commission held a special recognition for a retiring firefighter. At Tuesday’s meeting, City Manager Merl Page read the proclamation in recognition of Firefighter Darrin Stewart for his 25 years of exemplary service as a Volunteer Firefighter. Mayor Cliff Baughman made the presentation to Stewart, who is retiring from the City’s Fire Department.
In addition, Fire Chief Phil Stultz presented Stewart with a Commemorative Bell as a gift representing and acknowledging the accomplishments and contributions he made to the community and the Wamego Fire Department. Stultz added that Stewart’s dedicated hard work has contributed to the growth of the Wamego Fire Department and the safety of the community.
The Wamego City Commission acted on recommendation from the Recreation Advisory Board. At Tuesday’s meeting, City Manager Page went over four items recommended by the Rec Advisory Board. The Commission acted on two of the four recommendations. A recommendation to install mid-field benches at the Rec Complex as a respite area. When asked about the type, a limestone bench was recommended, which won the favor of the Commission because of maintenance.
The second recommendation approved was converting the tennis courts at the City Park into Pickle Ball Courts. Page said they had done this several years ago, but changed them back. The Rec Advisory Board recommended reinstalling Pickle Ball Courts and the vote was 4 to 0. The other 2 recommendations were either tabled or rescheduled for more study.
In other business, the Commission addressed the text amendment issue from the last meeting after sending it back to the Planning Commission. According to Page, the Planning Commission met on Monday and recommended not adopting the text amendment ordinance relating to porches or pergolas in the Historic District of the City. A motion was made to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation and passed by a vote of 4 to 0. Commissioner Robert Morse was absent.
The Wamego City Commission approved a low bid for the Security Design Project. At Tuesday’s meeting, Architect Bruce McMillan went over the bid tabulation form for the Security Improvements to City Hall. Two bids were received, R.M. Baril General Contractor submitted a bid for $61,477, and Riley Construction submitted a bid for $48,000 with a completion date that works with the staff. McMillan recommended the low bidder, Riley Construction and it was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
In other business:
· Bids were received for the 4th Street sidewalk and storm system project but were tabled for further study until the July 5th meeting.
· Reappointed City Manager Merl Page to another 2-year term on the board of the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency, the sister organization to the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency.
· Accepted the resignation from Annette Rohde from the Planning Commission due to moving out of the area.
· Approved renewing the annual contract with UCI (Utility Consulting Inc.), the company that provides alcohol and drug testing for City staff and drivers that carry CDL licenses.
The City received a ‘Thank You’ from the Running for Others group for the assistance in their recent fundraiser that raised over $6,000.
