Kent Footh

The council discussed various operational and financial items, including an upcoming county-wide strategic planning meeting and the establishment of an emergency personnel fund. They authorized appropriation ordinances, approved the purchase of a tractor, and addressed concrete repair needs. The council formally updated job title documentation, discussed recruitment incentives, and rescheduled the city-wide clean-up event. Additionally, they reached a mutual agreement with the Wellness Center regarding employee memberships and rent, addressed pending violations, and discussed personnel matters in executive session, including the appointment and salary for a new Public Works Director.

The City Council discussed and implemented an employee incentive program where referring employees and new hires can each earn $500 after one year of employment, with a limit of three referrals per current employee. Updates were provided on public works, noting the arrival of the new trash truck and that a bid for the firehouse roof was received, though it requires budget verification. Maintenance for the alley behind the First National Bank drive-thru was requested. The Mayor was authorized to sign a letter of support for the Kyle Railroad BUILD grant and a Notice of Intent for the KDHE permit for the fuel farm relocation project. A Cereal Malt Beverage License for Black Sheep Tap House was approved, along with appointments to the Shade Tree Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. The council approved signing a Statement of Work for CivicPlus Media, which updates video services to be ADA compliant at a reduced annual cost. A significant discussion covered violations by the previous administration concerning the unauthorized delegation of City Administrator powers (currently undefined in city code) and the improper handling of a severance agreement with the former City Administrator, which totaled approximately $70,000 and was deemed an open record under the Kansas Open Records Act.

The agenda for the Phillipsburg City Council meeting included several key items for discussion and action. These items covered the presentation of Appropriation Ordinance #1055-01-26B, discussion of board appointments, an employee incentive program, review of public comment guidelines, approval of building permits, and the Civic Plus Upgrade. Additionally, the council was set to discuss the Kansas Collateral Pool Transition related to 2025 HB 2152, and review various financial reports, including the 1225 Financial Report, Cash Balance, and Year-to-Date figures.

Key agenda items included call to order, Pledge of Allegiance, and discussion items such as Live Streaming Requirements and reports. Significant discussions involved thanking crews for clearing streets after an ice storm, resolving to proceed with the trade-in of the old trash truck rather than offering it to the county, and approving a change order to raise a newly installed fire hydrant on 7th Street. The council also addressed authorizing the Mayor to sign the 2026 Law Enforcement Contract for commissioner approval. Furthermore, a mutual agreement was approved to part ways with the City Administrator, effective January 9th, 2026.

Key discussions included addressing a request to waive community building rental fees for a dance class, reviewing an update on the Jansonius addition, and considering the waiver of mowing fees for that addition (which failed). The Council discussed and took action on several administrative and personnel matters, including appointing Terry McConnell as Council President and approving an updated Director of Public Works job description. Other topics involved replacing non-reflective speed limit signs, updates on traffic code books, reviewing the Municipal Employee Whistleblower Protection Act requirements, and discussing the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) application to subcommittees. Furthermore, the Council approved an employee incentive program for future hires to be formalized later, and approved the contract with Utility Services for the water tower rehabilitation project. They also passed Resolution #358 and authorized the City to act as a pass-through for a BUILD grant application for Kyle Railroad.