The proceeds will help finance a new water tower, which is under construction southwest of the new middle school in southern Tonganoxie.

The bonds will be sold at 11 a.m. June 26, and it’s anticipated the city council will approve the sale at its regular meeting that evening. Tom Kaleko of Springstead Inc., the city’s financial adviser, said he anticipates the bonds will carry a 4.56 interest cost to the city.

City officials said the bonds would be repaid over 10 years, and the funds would come from water utility proceeds.

The entire cost of the water tower project is $550,000, and the school district is contributing $150,000. Kathy Bard, assistant city administrator, said the remaining $30,000 would be paid for with cash in the city’s water capital improvement fund.

The council voted 4-0 Monday to proceed with the bond sale. Council member Steve Gumm was absent for the entire meeting; council member Jim Truesdell left the council meeting about 7:40 p.m.

In other matters, the council:

• Authorized, on a 3-0 vote, Mayor Dave Taylor to send a letter to the Federal Highway Administration that supports construction of the final leg of the South Lawrence Trafficway. Council members were asked by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., to voice their support for the 32nd Street alignment of the long-stalled road project. City Administrator Mike Yanez said the city views completion of the road as part of a regional transportation issue. The city and county currently are working with the Kansas Turnpike Authority to construct a new interchange on the turnpike that area officials are saying would be an integral part of the regional transportation system. And the county is hoping that federal officials approve some funding to help upgrade Leavenworth County Road 1 north and south of the planned interchange.

Here is the text of the letter: “On behalf of the governing body of the city of Tonganoxie, I wish to express our support for the South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT) due to its importance in the regional transportation network.

“With realization of the regional growth and commuter, commercial and industrial needs for efficient, safe traffic infrastructure, we see the SLT as beneficial to the populous as well as an element to attract new economic investment in the area.

“We are aware of the engineering, environmental and public outreach measures taken by federal and state agencies as well as the options evaluated and the 32nd Street option. Considering all the background work and results of those efforts, we support this option and urge forward movement of this project.

“Finally, we applaud the vision, funding contributions and personal efforts of those who have supported this project. We feel that with the available information and visible public support, this project should move forward.”

A copy of the letter also will be sent to Roberts.

The federal highway administration is accepting public comment on its intent to adopt a final environmental impact statement for completion of the trafficway — from Iowa Street in south Lawrence to Kansas Highway 10 between Lawrence and Eudora.

• Approved a new sign ordinance for the city.
• eceived an update on the city swimming pool.

“Of course, the pool is a year older, and we continue to make facility repairs, as needed,” Yanez said. “Hopefully, we’ll get another full season out of that facility.” Darren Shupe again will manage the pool, which will open for the season on Sunday. Pool hours are 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., daily. Adult swim is from noon to 1 p.m.