Commission approves design agreement for new fire station

Emergency repairs approved for city water well

Construction set for Wilson Park pickleball courts

City advances Wilson Park playground renovations

Commission tables dispute over $11,000 property lien

Commission seeks action on fenced downtown building

City to split cost of Humane Society HVAC repairs

Police officer honored for life-saving actions

Commission approves design agreement for new fire station

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Arkansas City Commission approved a $472,500 design-build agreement with Crossland Construction Company for pre-construction and design services for a new fire station. The design phase will help officials determine the guaranteed maximum price of the facility, including land preparation and utility requirements, regardless of the final location chosen. City officials noted the design cost was already budgeted and is a necessary first step to accurately present a final proposal and potential funding options to citizens.

Emergency repairs approved for city water well

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The commission retroactively approved $44,048 to Layne Christensen Company for the emergency rehabilitation of Well No. 9. City environmental services staff recently noticed a severe drop in water flow and discovered the concrete bottom of the well, originally poured in the 1950s or 1960s, had fallen out. The contractor replaced the concrete and rehabilitated the internal equipment. Officials reported the well is now pumping better than when it was originally installed.

Construction set for Wilson Park pickleball courts

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — A $235,500 construction contract with Multisports LLC was approved to build new pickleball courts at Wilson Park. City staff confirmed the project requires no city funding, as it is fully financed by a Kansas Wildlife and Parks Land and Water Conservation Fund grant and more than $120,000 in private pledges secured by a local pickleball group through the Legacy Foundation. Construction is slated to begin April 15 and is expected to take approximately six weeks, weather permitting.

City advances Wilson Park playground renovations

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The commission approved two agreements related to the Wilson Park playground equipment project, which is being funded by a Community Development Block Grant. LK Architecture was awarded an $88,000 contract for professional design, construction administration and inspection services. Ranson Financial Group LLC received a $35,000 contract to administer the grant's paperwork and audit requirements. City officials expect the new playground equipment to be fully installed by late October.

Commission tables dispute over $11,000 property lien

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The commission tabled a resolution that would have forgiven $11,000 in special assessments for a property owner who purchased a lot at a county tax sale for $100 without realizing the city had a demolition lien attached to it. The original proposal involved the owner surrendering a South B Street property to a city land bank program in exchange for lien forgiveness. The commission debated the buyer's responsibility to conduct due diligence prior to the auction and opted to give the owner 30 days to consider purchasing the lot outright for $3,000, which covers the city's direct landfill costs from the previous demolition.

Commission seeks action on fenced downtown building

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The commission discussed setting a firm deadline for the owner of a fenced-off downtown building to submit a structural engineering plan. The city previously declared the structure dangerous and has been incurring monthly rental costs for protective fencing. The commission agreed to discuss the issue further at an upcoming work session to establish a strict timeline before potentially pursuing demolition or court action.

City to split cost of Humane Society HVAC repairs

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Arkansas City and the city of Winfield will equally share the $59,977 cost to replace and relocate a failing heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at the Cowley County Humane Society. The original heating unit failed over the winter, forcing shelter staff to use space heaters in the kennels. The project includes $44,539 for the new unit and $15,438 to relocate it away from kennel wash-off and roof drainage to prevent future damage. Arkansas City's half, totaling $28,988.50, will be paid from the general fund.

Police officer honored for life-saving actions

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — A master police officer was formally recognized by the commission for saving a man's life during a Feb. 24 emergency call. The officer was dispatched to a residence where a man had suffered a self-inflicted stab wound to the upper thigh and was bleeding profusely. Relying on training, the officer applied a tourniquet, stabilizing the patient until emergency medical services arrived. Medical staff at the hospital credited the immediate and decisive intervention with saving the man's life.

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