Wamego’s tourism saw another solid year. This is according to Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) Chairman Chris Hupe, in his annual report to the City Commission at Tuesday’s meeting. He added that there’s been such an uptick in the bed tax, the CVB capped out their revenue budget last year. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Lyn Barnett also reported an increase in activity last year.
Both City Manager Merl Page and the Commissioner’s praised the Chamber of Commerce and CVB for ‘a job well done’, especially in responding to the adverse weather experienced at this last weekend’s annual Tulip Festival.
Wamego is looking to the future of the new City Park Train and Depot. Page revisited an issue brought up at the last meeting……establishing an Endowment Fund to provide resources in the future for upkeep and maintenance of the new Train that made its inaugural run last September. The new Depot was completed a couple years earlier with the support of countless local volunteers.
At the time the new Depot was proposed, initial funds came from a state grant, with other funds coming from residents through donations. The initial plan for the Endowment is for a matching fund, where the City would match donated dollars up to a set amount. Even though the structure of the Endowment Fund hasn’t been determined, the Commissioner’s approved the City moving forward with a plan and continue working through the Wamego Community Foundation
Wamego is getting ready for a busy summer. City Manager Page introduced several requests for signage placement at the Chrysler Visitors Center and banners across Lincoln Avenue for upcoming events. After the Commissioner’s approved the actions, Page asked if the Commission wanted to be bothered with making these decisions in the future, or whether the City staff should be making these decisions. The Commissioner’s all agreed the Staff was very capable.
In other business, the Commissioner’s approved an ordinance for the Final Plat/Development Plan of the Lincoln Crossing Planned Unit Development (P.U.D.) after final review by the Planning Commission. Building Official Mac Campbell reported the Automated Meter Reading electric system installation was almost complete, with the water meters slated for installation in the next phase.
