Author: Brandon Peoples

City commissioners pushed back Tuesday on a draft survey that would measure public interest in supporting a future indoor aquatics center. The city of Manhattan hopes to poll 400 registered voters to gauge support for funding a potential project through property or sales taxes. Commissioners, including Jayme Minton, raised concerns that some of the survey questions may be unclear or give conflicting options. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.

City commissioners meet Tuesday night with a full agenda, including finalizing a survey on a potential indoor aquatics facility. Previous studies showed a strong desire from the community for indoor aquatics, which only increased with the shuttering of K-State’s Natatorium. City staff have contracted with ETC Institute to design the statistically-valid survey, which they hope will also gauge community support for a broader improvement project at CiCo Park. Commissioners also will weigh an ordinance allowing condemnation of two properties tied to the Fort Riley Boulevard sidewalk gap project. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local…

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…