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Tonganoxie City Council approves new storage building for fire department, mower for public works

By Shawn F. Linenberger/Staff - | Mar 21, 2024

Shawn Linenberger

Tonganoxie City Council Chambers are moving to the former public library at Third and Bury streets. In-person meetings also available for viewing on a city YouTube Channel could start with the Jan. 19 regular meeting.

The Tonganoxie City Council approved mower and storage shed purchases during Monday’s regular meeting.

Council members unanimously approved a portable building for the Tonganoxie City Fire Department, with Council Member Jennifer McCutchen absent.

Members approved the low bid of $15,090.25 from The Shed House, Leavenworth. Other bids were $16,511.75 from Tuff Shed and $20,328.94 from Classic Buildings. The building will be funded through the Capital Projects Fund and Fire Equipment Fund, which can be used for the purchase of equipment, vehicles, and capital items such as facility maintenance and improvements.

Mayor David Frese asked about what security there would be for the building.

Deputy Fire Chief John Callaghan said it would be secured with a padlock. Training equipment and excess equipment, “nothing of high value,” would be stored in the structure, he said.

“We’re there 24 hours a day, so there is an advantage to that,” Callaghan said.

Council members also unanimously approved a mower to replace the public works department’s current 2014 SCAG STT61V mower.

The bids collected for the new equipment were collected for the combined purchase of a 60″ zero-turn mower and trade-in of the city’s existing mower.

The council approved staff’s recommendation of Heritage Tractor (John Deere) for $14,400.

It wasn’t quite the low bid as McConnell Machinery Co. (Kubota) came in at $14,395.

The Heritage Tractor bid also included flat-free tires, which exceeded the difference in bids due to anticipated future savings on tire repair. Staff also received a bid from Coleman Equipment for Kubota at $16,261.

This 2014 mower is one of two zero-turn mowers utilized by City staff to maintain City owned properties ranging from the utility plant facilities to the Tonganoxie Water Park and other City parks or right of way, which require finish-level mowing maintenance. The city’s 2024 adopted budget includes funding allocated in the Water Capital Equipment Fund and Sewer Capital Equipment Fund for the purchase of this item.

Council OKs wine at library for fundraisery6

The council approved an ordinance allowing alcohol consumption on public property for a wine and bingo event at Tonganoxie Public Library.

The event, which is a fundraiser for Tonganoxie Friends of the Library, will be 6-8 p.m. April 4.

Infrastructure maintenance program approved

The governing body approved the proposed 2024 infrastructure maintenance program and associated advertisements.

The projects are South Park subdivision mill and overlay treatment and some curb replacement, Stone Creek additions 1 and 2 partial subdivision mill and overlay treatment and some curb replacement and then other curb repair and pothole patching completed by staff based on needs.

City Manager George Bratjkovic commended Public Works Director Kent Heskett for some forward-thinking initiatives in 2018 when he started using a variety asphalt rejuvenation products to delay more extensive work on some roads. That has allowed the city to continue to move forward and catch up on some roads that have needed more extensive work.

Discussion of water park fee rates for summer tabled

The city will discuss Tonganoxie Water Park fees and rates at the next regular meeting on April 1. Brajkovic said that would allow pool manager Darren Shupe to answer questions.