Junction City Commission Summary
Week of July 22, 2026
Commission approves four-way stops at five intersections in 3-2 vote
Contract awarded for $1.6 million McFarland and Eisenhower roundabout
City secures historic $27 million in grants for Grand Avenue corridor
Commission awards $1.5 million bid for Westwood Boulevard concrete project
Commission renews school resource officer agreement with USD 475
Commission debates demolition of deteriorating downtown building
Debate over legalizing backyard chickens stalls for at least a year
City appoints members to newly formed Homelessness Task Force
Commission approves four-way stops at five intersections in 3-2 vote
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — In a split 3-2 vote, the city commission approved the installation of four-way stops at five local intersections, opting for the estimated $2,000 signage cost over spending tens of thousands of dollars to remove private trees obstructing sightlines. The intersections — Fourth and Adams, Third and Adams, Third and Madison, 12th and Webster and Eighth and Eisenhower — were identified as traffic hazards in a recent study. Commissioners who supported the measure cited the economical safety improvement, while dissenting members preferred modifying the intersections to limit the number of new stop signs. The names of the specific commissioners who voted for and against the measure were not immediately available in the public record.
Contract awarded for $1.6 million McFarland and Eisenhower roundabout
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The city commission approved a $1,610,009 bid from Ebert Construction for the construction of a roundabout, sidewalks, lighting and utility relocation at the intersection of McFarland and Eisenhower. Funding for the project is primarily provided by an 80-20 Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) grant, with the Build Kansas fund covering the vast majority of the city's roughly $322,000 match, leaving the city's actual out-of-pocket cost for the roundabout at just $800. In response to citizen questions about reallocating the funds to local schools, officials clarified that the KDOT grant money is strictly earmarked for this specific infrastructure project and cannot be diverted.
City secures historic $27 million in grants for Grand Avenue corridor
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The city's grants office presented a quarterly update highlighting a total of $30 million in planned investments for the Grand Avenue corridor, backed by $27 million in federal and state grants. The transformative project includes the reconstruction of Grand Avenue beginning in 2028, funded by a highly competitive federal RAISE (formerly BUILD) grant, as well as separate funding for repairs to one nearby bridge and the westbound Grand Avenue Bridge. Officials noted that the RAISE grant is the largest single grant the city has ever received.
Commission awards $1.5 million bid for Westwood Boulevard concrete project
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — Ebert Construction was awarded a $1,528,489 contract for the first phase of the Westwood Boulevard street maintenance project. The initial phase will replace more than 9,000 linear feet of deteriorating curb, gutter and storm drain openings from 17th Street to Rucker Road to improve water drainage. Once the concrete work is completed, the city plans to bid out subsequent phases for milling and asphalt overlay along the corridor.
Commission renews school resource officer agreement with USD 475
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The city commission approved the annual memorandum of understanding with Geary County Unified School District 475 to provide school resource officers for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. While the school district's reimbursement rate covers the officers' base salaries, police department officials noted the city will absorb roughly $14,000 to cover benefits and workers' compensation. City officials plan to renegotiate the reimbursement rates with the school district next year to fully cover the city's expenses.
Commission debates demolition of deteriorating downtown building
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The city commission debated the fate of a partially collapsed building at 617 N. Washington St., weighing recent stabilization efforts by an unnamed prospective buyer against concerns from City Manager Kim Zimmerman, who recommended considering the building's demolition due to ongoing safety issues. While the prospective buyer has added internal supports and stabilized the front facade, the structure still lacks a roof and has sustained significant water damage. Commissioners ultimately decided to wait for a formal assessment from a structural engineer before deciding whether to raze the building or allow the private renovation to continue.
Debate over legalizing backyard chickens stalls for at least a year
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — A push to legalize backyard chickens within city limits met resistance from the majority of the city commission, effectively tabling the issue for at least a year. City Attorney Britain Stites outlined the complex and costly processes for adding an advisory question to the ballot, prompting the commission to debate whether to draft an ordinance instead. While Vice Mayor Sam Yoskowitz, who proposed the discussion, argued for a restricted, permitted program, the majority preferred to wait for the completion of the city's long-term fiscal sustainability plans and the expansion of the animal shelter before reconsidering the issue.
City appoints members to newly formed Homelessness Task Force
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The city commission unanimously approved the initial roster for the city's Homelessness Task Force, appointing a diverse group of voting and non-voting members from local agencies. The task force includes representatives from the police and fire departments, Pawnee Mental Health, the Junction City Housing Authority, local shelters and a community member with lived experience of homelessness. Seats reserved for the Geary County Commission and Unified School District 475 remain open for future appointments.
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