Monday, April 28, 2025
The City of Beloit Councilors wanted to remind the motorists of the city, during the Wednesday, April 2, 2025 meeting, that with the nicer weather upon us, kids will be out of doors enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. Additionally, kids are not as mindful of traffic as they should be and it is good for drivers to be aware of possible hazards.
– City Manager Halley Roberson told the councilors the work on the raw water line from the river to the water plant. She said a study of electrical usage at the waste water treatment plant is taking place. The new Bike Trail is nearing completion. Roberson called attention to the renovation work for the balcony at the municipal gym. She reported that it is a noticeable improvement. April 29 is the deadline for bid submission for the new Water Treatment Plant.
The issue of loading pads from the chemical application spray planes at the Moritz airport was once again revisited. Concrete loading pads are not required law in Kansas. The state of Nebraska mandates the use of loading pads to address the spillage of chemicals while loading the spray planes.
– Beloit Police Chief Chad Lackey is working hard to locate vendors who will outfit squad cars for service. Currently, a dealer is Holcomb, Kansas is doing work to prepare the light, sirens and such for the new squad cars. The Holcomb dealer does good work but Holcomb is just west to Garden City. Lackey believes there is a business in Junction City that might provide suitable service to prepare the new vehicles for service. He will investigate and report.
Lackey is investigating the adoption on a new style of uniforms for on-duty officers. This new style uniform might make a life and death difference for officers. They are reported to be able to stop a .308 slug. The price tag for a total uniform is $1,600 per officer. Lackey is investigating grants as a possible funding source.
A new police officer has been hired, giving the city a full complement of officers. He will soon be starting the 12-week program of study at the Kansas Law Enforcement Academy in Hutchinson.
– Emily Benedick announced that a new Chamber of Commerce Director has been hired. Morgan Bailey, originally from Norton, is starting right away.
– Resolution 2025-17 authorizing the rental of farm property to Joe Thiessen was approved.
The council approved resolution 2025-18 declaring the property located at 423 East Court of be an unfit structure.
Resolution 2025-18 and 2025-19 were to set public hearings on May 21, 2025 regarding potential unfit structures.
A transformer bid of $28,839 was approved. This was the lowest of seven bids submitted with the highest bid being $86,750.
The design for two Welcome to Beloit signs was approved. One will be the east side of the road by Carrico Implement. The other will be on Highway 14 just north of the stop by the Pizza Hut.
A mower bid for a John Deere riding lawn mower in the amount of $15,800 by Carrico Implement was approved.
An insurance bid from EMC for the city insurance was approved. The bid for the upcoming year was $495,636.
After a 15-minute executive session the council voted to extend a raise of two and one half percent to the city manager.
The business meeting was adjourned and the work session was called to order.
– Two representatives from USD 273 were present to request assistance from the city to improve the football field to turf. In addition to school purposes, the turf would be utilized by City Parks and Recreation for soccer, flag football, Easter Egg Hunt, and other activities that are current held at the Beloit Sports Complex. Council members discussed that moving these activities to the turf field would allow the city to continue its plans to expand the baseball sports complex. The USD is asking for a pledge from the City of Beloit of $25,000 per year for five years. Construction on the field starts in June. City staff discussed with the council that, if approved, funds for this would come from the city’s CIP fund which is funded by sales tax dollars, not property tax dollars.
All councilors were present with the exception of Lee McMillan, during Wednesday’s meeting. Also in attendance were Halley Roberson, City Manager, Katie Schroeder, City Attorney, Amanda Lomax, City Clerk and Chad Lackey, Chief of Police.
