Travis Combes

Key discussions during the session included the election of new councilmembers for Wards 1 and 4, following candidate inquiries on city progress and challenges. Council elected Matt Lichlyter for the Ward 1 vacancy and Allison Weide for the Ward 4 vacancy. The Council also approved the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Agreement with the FHWA, authorizing the City Manager to execute related documents. Furthermore, the renewal of the 2026 Cereal Malt Beverage License for the Augusta Arts Council was approved contingent on state compliance. The City Manager's annual evaluation was conducted during an executive session, which resulted in the extension of the City Manager's contract through 2029 and approval of a 3% merit increase.

The agenda for the meeting included the approval of the minutes from the meeting held on January 21, 2025. New business focused on the election of officers, specifically the President, Vice President, and Secretary.

The meeting agenda included several key items. The Council was set to consider the approval of the minutes from the previous meeting held on December 1, 2025, and an Appropriation Ordinance No. 12 dated December 3, 2025. Key business involved a public hearing to take input and comment on the Proposed 2025 Budget Amendments. Another major item was a public hearing regarding Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) for Housing Rehabilitation at Country Club Tower, including consideration of Ordinance No. 2259 to issue Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds, Series 2025, for the renovation project. Further items included considering agreements for preliminary engineering design services for a pedestrian bridge, approval of a Final Plat and Drainage Plan for Redbud Ridge, approval of a Housing Study and Needs Assessment, designation of Redbud Ridge as a Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID), and utility easements for Butler County Rural Water District No. 5. The Council also considered establishing the 2026 Job Classification and Salary Schedule, addressing 2025 utility account write-offs, and approving 2026 Cereal Malt Beverage License Renewals. Council matters included an announcement regarding Councilmember Eric Birk's resignation and a presentation on filling City Council vacancies.

Key discussions included a public hearing regarding proposed 2025 Budget Amendments, which were subsequently approved. A second public hearing was held concerning Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) for housing rehabilitation at Country Club Tower, leading to the approval of Ordinance No. 2259 authorizing the issuance of Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds, Series 2025. The Council also approved an agreement for Preliminary Engineering Design Services for a pedestrian bridge over the Whitewater River (Redbud Rail Trail Phase 2), the Final Plat and Drainage Plan for Redbud Ridge, and the Housing Study and Needs Assessment. Furthermore, Resolution No. 2025-27 designated Redbud Ridge as a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID). Approvals were granted for utility easements to Butler County Rural Water District No. 5. Resolution No. 2025-28 established the 2026 employee classification and salary schedule, with a deferral of raises for the Governing Body. The Council approved 2025 utility account write-offs and conditionally approved 2026 Cereal Malt Beverage License Renewals. A Council member announced their resignation due to relocation, prompting a discussion on the process for filling the resulting two vacancies at the subsequent meeting. Other updates covered the operating status of the electric facility, an oil spill cleanup, Christmas decorations, and inquiries about wayfinding signs and a malfunctioning traffic light.

The Council Meeting agenda included several key actions. Business items focused on the final adoption of Ordinance 2257 for the Redbud Ridge Planned Development Overlay (PDO), which covers a 4.4-acre residential infill development. The council also considered Ordinance 2258, amending zoning regulations to define 'billboard' and establish standards, and to regulate signage for multi-tenant strip centers. Further business involved approving an agreement with Rural Water District No. 5 for water line construction, approving a City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP) agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation, and considering recommendations for the 2026 Special Alcohol Grant and 2026 Utility Abatement Programs. Finally, the council considered authorizing a public hearing notice for December 15, 2025, regarding Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) for the Country Club Tower.