The Council Grove City Council accepted a $400,000 state grant for future street improvements, reviewed refinements to the downtown streetscape project and approved several personnel and mapping items during its regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The council’s first scheduled item was an appeal by Daniel McAuley concerning a city code violation for weeds and grass at 405 Market St.
McAuley questioned whether the appeal should be heard by the City Council or Council Grove Municipal Court, citing provisions of the city code establishing the municipal court’s jurisdiction over ordinance violations. Building Inspector James Masters said he believed certain code appeals could be heard by the City Council but deferred to City Attorney Stuart Symmonds for a legal determination.
After discussion, McDonald continued the matter until the council’s next meeting to allow Symmonds time to review the applicable ordinances and determine the proper procedure. McAuley also requested copies of photographs and other documentation relating to the violation so he could prepare for the appeal.
The council approved its consent agenda, which included minutes from the previous meeting, appropriations totaling $216,831.92 and transfers of lake houses B-11 and C-13.
B-11, known as 124 Lakeshore Drive, was transferred from Mark W. Wentzel and Marcie J. Wentzel to Aaron Baatenbach and Joni Franklin. C-13, which is known as 140 Deepwater Loop, was transferred to Mark W Wentzel and Marcie J. Wentzel Recreation Director Justin Carlson reported that the Council Grove Aquatic Center closed for the season Aug. 16. He said the annual closing date is largely driven by staffing, as many lifeguards and other seasonal employees return to college or begin school sports practices.
Carlson estimated that between 9,500 and 10,000 people used the pool during the 2026 season. He said attendance has remained relatively consistent in recent years. He also reported staffing challenges this summer, with some employees working 10 to 12 days during a twoweek period because of a shortage of lifeguards and concession workers.
Carlson is reviewing possible changes to pool hours and operations for next season and plans to take recommendations to the Recreation Commission before bringing them to the council.
He also updated the council on fall flag football, soccer and volleyball programs and the upcoming coed softball league.
Councilor Nathan Adams asked about obtaining another quote for sealing the swimming pool. City Administrator Nick Jones said the city had sought bids earlier this year and had been authorized to advertise the work again. He expects to issue another request for proposals soon, with a possible deadline in mid-September.
In his administrator’s report, Jones said work has begun on the Katy Depot project, with the city and contractor meeting every other Thursday to address issues as construction proceeds.
Jones also said additional work associated with the city’s street project is expected to resume Aug. 25 at the cemetery and near the hills at Council Grove City Lake. The city is also attempting to get the striping contractor back to complete remaining pavement markings. If the company cannot return, Jones said another contractor can be used.
The council took up the Community Arts Council’s Seth Fest event request. Councilor Stephen McKnight said the biennial event is planned as a downtown event involving multiple businesses, historic sites and musical performances. Following discussion, the council approved the event request with one abstention, that of Councilor McKnight. The city is expected to assist with such items as fencing and access to trash receptacles, while portable toilets will remain the responsibility of event organizers. A decision on city-provided mosquito spraying was held until more information is available on the cost and availability of the chemical.
The council then entered a 15-minute executive session with its insurance attorney under attorney-client privilege concerning litigation involving the city. No action was taken following the executive session.
After returning to open session, Jason Hoskinson, engineer with BG Consultants, presented an updated look at the downtown streetscape project.
Hoskinson said the project is approaching final design, with plans expected to be submitted to the Kansas Department of Transportation for final review before the end of August. The schedule calls for bidding this winter and construction during the 2027 construction season.
One significant design change involves the Main Street and K-177/ Neosho Street intersection. Hoskinson said most of the proposed bulb-outs on the south side of the intersection have been removed or reduced to better accommodate turning trucks. The previous design could have required large trucks to swing into opposing traffic when making turns.
A crosswalk has also been added at Wood Street following comments received during the June public meeting, and adjustments have been made near Belfry Street to address grades and ADA accessibility.
Councilor Nathan Adams questioned how visible the six-inch curbs would be to motorists.
Hoskinson said the proposed curb lines are largely determined by highway design and funding requirements, while the areas behind the curbs provide considerably more flexibility for landscaping and other amenities. The council reached a general consensus to continue with the proposed curb layout.
Much of the discussion centered on what should be placed within the expanded sidewalk and bulb-out areas.
Council members discussed a combination of benches with and without backs, low-maintenance landscaping, self-watering planters, short seating walls, wagon-wheel features, hitching-post-style elements that could also serve as bicycle locking points and historical interpretive signs.
Jones said the city paid approximately $1,100 this year for Neosho Gardens to remove old plant material, add soil and plant the existing downtown containers, while city employees handle watering. He said self-watering planters could reduce that city labor and that Neosho Gardens has expressed interest in assisting with ideas for the new streetscape.
Hoskinson suggested approximately eight benches as a starting point and said BG Consultants can prepare more detailed visual renderings once the council narrows its preferences. Council members expressed support for incorporating some wagon-wheel and hitching-post elements to tie the streetscape to Council Grove’s historical identity. Meeting attendee Shelly Dunham suggested considering decorative ironwork on the backs of benches and using QR codes with historical markers to allow visitors to access more extensive information about Council Grove history.
Hoskinson said the council’s comments gave him enough direction to continue refining the design.
The council next approved spending $3,900 for BG Consultants to create a GIS overlay of the city’s zoning map. Jones explained that the city already uses BG’s GIS system for its water and sewer infrastructure, and adding zoning will provide an electronic map that can be maintained and updated rather than relying on the city’s existing paper map.
McDonald said the system could eventually allow the public to select different layers showing zoning, water, sewer and other information.
The council also approved a $3-per-hour certification increase for Michael Stover after he earned Class I and Class II wastewater operator certifications. Under the city’s existing pay structure, each certification provides a $1.50-per-hour increase.
Three new volunteer firefighters were also approved — Jake TenEyck, Treavor Heeney and Jeron Kickner — contingent upon successfully completing required drug and alcohol screenings and physical examinations. The vote was 6-0.
A late addition to the agenda brought another significant funding announcement.
Jones said the city had been notified earlier in the day that it had been awarded $400,000 through KDOT’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program for a project scheduled for program year 2028.
The project will address the K-177/Union corridor between the Elm Creek Bridge, Main Street and the levee.
The current estimated project cost is $623,550, leaving an estimated local share of approximately $223,550. Jones said the local portion can be paid from the city’s gas-tax-supported highway funds rather than property or sales tax revenues.
He reported approximately $263,000 currently available in the Special Highway Fund and approximately $224,000 in the highway/ CCLIP fund, with additional revenue to accumulate before the project begins in 2028.
The council unanimously voted to accept the $400,000 grant.
Jones noted that between the CCLIP award and the approximately $1.3 million Safe Routes to School Phase 2 award announced a day earlier, Council Grove had received roughly $1.7 million in state grant funding in two days.
Discussion of a proposed recreation sign was continued because McDonald is still awaiting additional pricing. The original concept was estimated at approximately $5,000 to $6,000, and McDonald said he is working with Alexander ArtWorks on a smaller design and additional cost estimates.
During governing body comments, Jones provided additional information on the Safe Routes to School Phase 2 project. Much of the work will be on the east side of Council Grove, including a trail near and behind the Katy Depot and through the former cement company property to connect neighborhoods with the ball fields and soccer fields. Additional sidewalk and trail connections are also planned.
Councilor Nathan Adams asked about the status of the city’s 50/50 matching grant program for downtown businesses. Jones said approximately $21,000 is available and the city is working to update the application and eligibility requirements. The funds are currently handled through Greater Morris County Development Corporation (GMDC).
Councilor Sharon Haun also raised concerns about wording in the city’s zoning regulations following the recent Planning and Zoning Committee appeal involving 410 E. Main St. Jones said he plans to work with Symmonds on language in the ordinance involved, particularly the phrase “suitable for such use,” to determine whether the ordinance should be clarified to reduce future disagreements over its interpretation.
The meeting concluded shortly afterward. On the way to the parking lot, one attendee commented on what a pleasant meeting it had been. The evening included considerable discussion, but also agreement on several projects and actions affecting Council Grove now and in the years ahead.