Author: Brandon Peoples

At Tuesday’s work session, city commissioners agreed to issue a request for qualifications to find a hauler to help consolidate trash and recycling bins into centralized locations. Deputy city manager Jason Hilgers said the plan, first introduced in 2017 as part of the Aggieville community vision ordinance, includes gathering feedback from local businesses, exploring options for recycling and security and improving alley lighting. “We need a hauler to know what works and what doesn’t,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense for us to put something in place that we can’t find a hauler to serve. So the timing of it…

Riley County Police filed two separate reports for injury crashes over the weekend in Manhattan. Early Sunday morning, officers were called to the 200 block of Westwood Road, after a motorist struck a pedestrian. 44-year-old Clark Trawick of Manhattan was transported to a Topeka hospital with serious injuries. Police say the case remains under investigation. Officers also responded to a motorcycle crash Saturday night in the 4200 block of Kimball Avenue. Investigators say 28-year-old Christopher Howell of Junction City lost control of his Harley Davidson while driving through water and crashed. He declined treatment at the scene.

Manhattan Public Works crews are continuing to repair a sinkhole that developed earlier this month in the downtown area. As a result, 3rd Street remains closed from Poyntz Ave. to Humboldt Street. City officials had hoped to finish repairs last week, but have extended the closure until Friday, due to a larger score of necessary work on stormwater pipes than originally anticipated. Parking lot and alley access remains from Humboldt south. Elsewhere, city officials are beginning the next phase of a project on Walters Drive, which involves the closure of the Kirkwood Drive intersection for at least the next six…

Eight of the nine candidates seeking a seat on the Manhattan city commission participated in the first candidate forum of the election season on Saturday, hosted by the United Kansas Party at Manhattan Public Library. Among the key topics discussed was workforce housing and differing approaches to solving the city’s affordable housing challenges. Incumbent Peter Oppelt suggested ongoing reviews of zoning regulations, including parking minimums for new structures. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.

City officials will review proposals and suggest potential strategies for trash service consolidation in Aggieville and continue budget discussions at Tuesday’s work session. In 2024, city staff first proposed five site locations for compactors to be installed to serve the district. The estimated cost to construct those compactors is between $1.4 million and $1.6 million. City administrators are looking at potentially issuing a request for qualifications to select a waste management contractor to plan, design and implement a solid waste program specifically for Aggieville. That company would assist the city in putting together site specifications, outlining the procurement of five…

The city of Manhattan will implement new utility billing software to modernize customer service and streamline operations. City commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a contract with Spry Point Services Inc., which includes a one-time implementation fee of $509,600 and an annual software cost of $104,600. The city will also spend $60,000 for a Spry Point employee to come to Manhattan to migrate data to the new software. Costs will be paid out of the city’s water, wastewater and stormwater funds. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.

The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday approved reconfiguring three lots for an addition to the Acacia fraternity at 2005 Hunting Ave. Commissioners voted 3-0-1 to advance a replat, which approved easements and rights-of-way for the residential lots north of Lee Elementary. Commissioner Susan Adamchak recused herself from the vote since her family has previously owned property in the neighborhood. Commissioner John Matta was absent from Tuesday’s meeting. Neighbors urged commissioners to reject the plat. They said they fear the move will pave the way for demolition of two homes in favor of new parking lots for the Acacia facility. To…

The Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board on Monday unanimously approved a final plat for the Acacia fraternity complex at 2005 Hunting Ave. The board voted 6-0 to advance the issue to the Manhattan City Commission, which will vote on the matter as part of the consent agenda at Tuesday’s meeting. The final plat would consolidate portions of that property with two lots to the west, to accommodate a future addition to the fraternity. The back portions of 2015 and 2023 Hunting Ave. will be split off and combined with the fraternity lot. The properties are located north of Lee Elementary…

The fate of a proposed quarry expansion near Wheaton won’t be known until at least next week. Pottawatomie County commissioners voted 4-1 Monday to table action on a conditional use permit sought by Hamm Companies to expand current operations in Sherman Township. Commissioner Merl Page opposed. The decision came after staff requested additional time to review and update the proposed resolution and conditions. Citizens, including Kaylene Plummer, of Westmoreland, expressed concerns about the impact of heavy truck traffic on local roads. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more Pottawatomie County news.

The Manhattan Board of Zoning Appeals on Wednesday advanced, on a 2-1 vote, a request from the Manhattan Mennonite Church to reduce the number of off-street parking spaces for a planned new church building at 821 Poyntz Avenue. City code requires places of assembly, such as churches, to have one parking space per five people based on the occupancy of the space. Since the church would have a maximum occupancy of 220, city code would require 44 spaces. The church sought an exception to reduce the number of spaces to 20, since the size and layout of the lot makes…