City commission approves grant applications for airport, tables building/fire codes

Ed Boice, Abilene Reflector-Chronicle, Kan.
·2 min read

Oct. 13—The Abilene City Commission met for their first meeting of October Monday. Among the agenda items was an ordinance updating the city's building and fire codes and approving grant applications for the Abilene Municipal Airport.

Regular meeting

After several questions, the commission decided to table the ordinance concerning amendments to the city building and fire codes. Proposed by John Kollhoff, city vice-mayor, the commission wanted city staff to develop a phase-in plan for the amendments.

The commission then approved city staff to submit grant applications to Kansas Department of Transportation's Aviation division. The city wants the grants to help the Abilene Municipal Airport rebuild a rotating beacon, an automated weather observation system and a T-hanger, according to the agenda document.

The grants would pay for 50% of the hanger and 90% of the beacon and weather system. The overall estimated cost of the beacon is $36,190, $122,284 for the weather system, and $466,962 for the hanger. If the city received the grants, the city would pay $3,619 for the beacon, $12,284 for the weather system, and $233,481 for the hanger.

City manager

report

Marsh said the comprehensive plan community meeting is Oct. 24 in the Abilene Public Library.

The 14th Street construction project is on schedule according to the contractor.

The following city employees were recognized at the League of Kansas Municipalities annual conference for their years of service: Water and Treatment Plant Superintendent Jay Leusman for 25 years, Deputy Finance Director Karla Efurd for 20 years, Water Operator Michael Blacketer for 15 years, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Kevin Clark, Abilene Fire Department firefighter Vance Enyart for 15 years, Park Maintenance Supervisor Corey Jones for 10 years, and electrical/GIS technician John Steiner for 10 years.

Study session

Erin Allen, business development manager for Surveying And Mapping (SAM), gave a summary to the commission about a storm water survey. The city first employed SMA in 2018 for water line mapping and tree inventory. Mapping of the storm water would be the third and last phase of mapping the city and its utilities. The commission had no questions.

The commission then reviewed an updated version of the city's purchase policy.

Lastly, the commission reviewed proposals for new municipal administrative data processing software. Leann Johnson, city finance director, said staff recommended the bid from Tyler Technologies out of the five total bids due to them having the highest review score.

The Abilene City Commission will next meet at 4 p.m. Oct. 23.