City awards $388K bid for F Street Bridge replacement

Pre-construction phase begins for Madison Avenue resurfacing

Skyline Road property rezoned to allow agricultural use

City pursues code enforcement for downtown windows

Wilson Park upgrades pushed to winter construction

Commission directs staff to draft Sunday liquor sales ordinance

Commission allocates $21K in sales tax to SCK Health

City officials express support for police following Flock camera privacy concerns

City awards $388K bid for F Street Bridge replacement

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Arkansas City Commission approved a $388,803.80 bid from a Nickerson-based contractor to replace the F Street Bridge over the Mill Canal. The city is utilizing a Kansas Department of Transportation grant that will reimburse 85 percent of the construction costs, leaving the city's share at $58,320.57. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin Oct. 1, with city officials noting no major utility adjustments or right-of-way issues are expected to delay the project.

Pre-construction phase begins for Madison Avenue resurfacing

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The city is preparing to kick off the Madison Avenue mill and overlay project, scheduling a pre-construction meeting with contractors and state officials for early August. Funded by a Kansas Department of Transportation City Connecting Link Improvement Program grant, the project will resurface Madison Avenue from Eighth Street to the Arkansas River bridge. The upcoming planning sessions will establish the final construction schedule and clarify expected traffic impacts for local drivers.

Skyline Road property rezoned to allow agricultural use

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The city commission unanimously approved rezoning a property at 519 W. Skyline Road from a low-density residential district to an agricultural district following a drawn-out zoning process. The property, which was annexed into the city in 1986, has historically been used for agricultural purposes. The rezoning ensures property owner Lance Rudman remains in full compliance with city regulations regarding farm animals, officially allowing him to keep chickens and horses on the pasture-lined lot.

City pursues code enforcement for downtown windows

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — City officials confirmed they have 17 active code enforcement cases working to improve building windows and facades in the downtown corridor. The update came following an inquiry regarding downtown revitalization efforts and the need to educate business owners on the city's signage ordinance. Staff noted they are actively communicating with downtown property owners to resolve the violations and improve the district's aesthetic.

Wilson Park upgrades pushed to winter construction

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Construction on the Wilson Park equipment upgrades has been delayed from the fall to the winter or early spring. City officials announced they recently completed a 90 percent plan and review process and anticipate reaching the final 100 percent review milestone by mid-August. Once the final review is complete and approved, the city will officially seek construction bids for the park renovation project.

Commission directs staff to draft Sunday liquor sales ordinance

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The city commission directed City Attorney Larry Schwartz to draft an ordinance that would allow local liquor stores to open on Sundays and certain holidays. Local business owners spoke during the meeting, arguing that the current prohibition puts them at a competitive disadvantage against neighboring towns and grocery chains permitted to sell 6 percent alcohol-by-volume beer. The commission plans to review the drafted ordinance, noting that residents could potentially launch a petition to bring the measure to a public vote if they oppose the change.

Commission allocates $21K in sales tax to SCK Health

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The city commission authorized the allocation of $21,000 in unpledged health care sales tax funds to SCK Health. Approved unanimously as part of the consent agenda, the funds will reimburse the local hospital for uncompensated care provided to the community. The allocation aligns with the city's ongoing ordinance to annually appropriate available sales tax revenues specifically for local health care purposes.

City officials express support for police following Flock camera privacy concerns

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Residents voiced privacy and oversight concerns regarding the city's use of Flock license plate reading cameras, requesting the formation of a citizen oversight committee. City officials expressed support for the Arkansas City Police Department's handling of the system, stating the city has strict access guidelines limited to Police Chief Jim Holloway and two captains, including Capt. Jason Legleiter. Officials noted that the city will monitor upcoming judicial guidance on digital surveillance but will not immediately remove the cameras, expressing full confidence in the police department's internal auditing.

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