The Wamego City Commission approved an ordinance and sent another back to the Planning Commission. At Tuesday’s meeting, City Manager Merl Page went over the proposed modifications to the City Code governing the licensing of solicitors, canvassers and peddlers, also known as itinerant merchants. The ordinance covers licensing fees and background checks on every person engaged in the practice. This is an update to the existing ordinance, which exempts food trucks operating on private property. According to Page, there would be no license or fee required of the operation as long as they have permission from the landowner. The ordinance passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
In other business, the Commission sent back the request from a property owner for a text amendment to the zoning ordinance covering porches and covered decks in the historic townsite residential district. After the homeowner made a statement and asked for the Commissions guidance, the proposed text amendment will be sent back to the Planning Commission for further study. After the homeowner began building the structure and sought a building permit, the Planning Commission unanimously turned down his request for the permit .
The Wamego City Commission approved a purchase for the Police Department.City Manager Page said the City had budgeted $20,000 for a 800 megahertz Repeater for the Police Department, but the bids were in excess of the budgeted amount. The bid from K-Com was $28,995.78, while the bid from DVRS/John Martin was $21,830.49. The Police Chief recommended the lowest bid, and the Commission approved by a vote of 5 to 0.
In other business, the Commission approved the use of the City Park on August 9th for K-State’s Global Campus staff’s annual retreat. Page said he received an e-mail request from Assistant Dean Marci Ritter. The retreat will be using the City Park for archery and fishing, while other functions will be held at Iron Clad.
Also, Page said his term on the Wamego Hospital Board will expire on June 30th and recommended appointing Commissioner Bill Ditto. Page said this is a non-voting position, and that he will continue on the board in a consultant position.
The Wamego City Commission approved the annual transfers for the 2017 budget year. Page said the auditors recommend reserves be set aside for capital improvement projects that may come up in the year ahead. He said these reserve funds avoid possible debt. The transfers are as follows:
Utility Fund to the General Fund $ 273,000
General Fund to Fire Reserve 20,000
General Fund to Capital Improvement 400,000
General Fund to Equipment Fund 70,000
Special Highway Fund to Special Highway Reserve 50,000
Water Fund to Water Reserve 60,000
Waste Water Fund to Waste Water Reserve 45,000
Electric to Electric Reserve 900,000
Total transfers $1,818,000
Approval was given by a vote of 5 to 0.
In other business, Page reported the May sales tax numbers reflect the City is down 2 percent, while the County-wide numbers are up 2 point 6 percent compared to the same time last year.
Page also submitted a tentative 2017 Budget Schedule.
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