The Council Grove City Council moved through a lengthy meeting Monday, May 18, with several items resulting in discussion rather than final action.
The council approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the previous meeting, appropriations of $153,206.74 and an application for a club liquor license by The Cut and Chute Bar, 200 W. Main St.
Mayor Ryan McDonald and the council recognized Utilities Superintendent Derrick Craige for 30 years of service to the city. Craige also gave the utilities report, saying crews continued working on the city pool, reports and required water sampling. A hydrant has been installed on Chautauqua Street and an older hydrant removed.
Craige said the pool had water in it and was being processed, although water had not yet been turned on to the building. He said he expected the building to be functional for opening, with restrooms and the concession area working but showers might not yet be operating. Craige also reported that the blue-green algae advisory at the City Lake had been lifted on Friday and said the city will continue voluntary algae bloom testing through the summer.
CVB Director Zoey Wadick reported that the 2026 Council Grove guide is complete and in distribution, with about $9,000 in advertising revenue. Since Jan. 1, the Destination Council Grove Facebook page has reached more than 262,000 people, while Washunga Days social media has reached about 200,000 people.
Wadick said the 2026 Washunga Days festival will place greater emphasis on the Kaw Nation, including Chief Washunga imagery, and have a dedicated area with information about Kaw Nation history and better signage for powwow activities. She also reported more than $43,000 in committed sponsorships and five community grant applications have been submitted.
City Administrator Nick Jones reported that the city has applied for a $400,000 KDOT grant for Highway 177 surfacing from the dike near the ball fields to the stoplight, and South Neosho to the bridge. Any cost above the grant amount would come from the city’s gas tax fund. Jones also said the Safe Routes to School application was submitted May 15, with state review continuing through June 30.
Jones then raised a vehicle issue that was not on the agenda. He said employees who run water samples have been using a 2004 Ford Taurus and a 2011 Nissan Rogue. The Rogue needs an estimated $4,400 transmission replacement, which Jones said is more than the vehicle is worth. The Taurus also has several issues.
Jones recommended purchasing a used small truck, such as a Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon, for city use and moving his city-issued Chevy Equinox to employees who run samples, attend league meetings, make pool-related errands and conduct other city business. He said he often uses his personal truck for city errands because the city does not have enough trucks available.
Council members discussed the need, cost and condition of other city vehicles. Jones said he did not want a full-size truck and preferred something with 40,000 to 50,000 miles that would be reliable for highway travel. The council voted 5-1 to allow Jones to shop for a used small truck, not to exceed $32,000, from the equipment reserve fund. Councilor Nathan Adams voted no on the measure.
The council also discussed Ordinance No. 2281 regarding parking of trailers and recreational vehicles. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed seven-day limit for unattached trailers on city streets was clear enough. McDonald questioned whether a trailer could simply be moved briefly and returned to the same location.
Jones said the council needed to avoid creating problems for contractors or residents who use trailers for work. McDonald said he had received a complaint about a boat parked near the Methodist Church and noted that unattached trailers may create visibility or safety concerns.
er the ordinance could unintentionally keep trailers, stock trailers or cattle haulers from stopping downtown while people eat or shop. Jones questioned whether the city would be “fixing a problem we don’t have.” Councilor Denise Hartman said she did not want Council Grove to become the kind of town where visitors pulling trailers could not stop and spend money if they were not blocking access or creating a problem. The ordinance was not approved and is expected to be revised.
The council approved spending up to $2,000 from a specialized funds account for artificial turf for the baseball and softball batting cages. The motion passed 6-0.
Several community event applications were approved. “Graveyard Games,” a Fourth of July event proposed by Cooper Blackledge and Bob Alexander, with Johnny B’s also possibly involved, is expected to include inflatable water volleyball, yard games, a beer garden and family activities near the Riverwalk area.
The council also approved a free jam session organized by Jeff Martin at Crim Park, also known as Council Oak Park, from 5 p.m. to about 9 or 10 p.m. this Saturday, May 23. Councilor Sharon Haun suggested the organizers notify the nearby church, since attendees may use the church parking lot.
The council approved the city inspector’s recommendation for a water slide at lot K-1 at the city lake, leased by Margaret White. The motion carried 4-1, with one abstention. Nathan Adams voted no and Councilor Taylor Adams abstained.
The council continued discussion of a possible downtown common consumption area. Jones said he had contacted Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) and learned the process would require the city to define the area, pass an ordinance or resolution and hold the liquor license if the city sponsored the area. He said that would make the city responsible for the license, including possible ABC consequences if underage drinking violations occurred.
Jones said there was not enough time to have a city-sponsored common consumption area in place before Washunga Days. Council members discussed the need to consult the city attorney, the city’s insurance representative and downtown business owners. Councilor Stephen Mc-Knight suggested first determining whether residents want a common consumption area. Nathan Adams said he would prefer any such area be limited to special events rather than year-round use. No action was taken.
The council then discussed possible changes to the city’s food truck ordinance. The discussion centered on balancing mobile food vendors, vendors on private commercial property and brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Amanda Craige, owner of Roxie’s Snowcaps, said many nearby communities do not charge permits when food trucks are on private commercial property. She said her business rents from a commercial property owner, pays rent, has property taxes on its trailers, carries insurance and paid to upgrade electric service and add water service. She said she understood needing a permit on city property, but not on private commercial property.
Jones said the ordinance is intended, in part, to protect established businesses from outside vendors who may come in briefly, sell food and leave without the same longterm investment. Council members discussed reduced or one-time fees for vendors on private commercial property and whether food trucks should be restricted from being too close to competing restaurants. No final action was taken.
The council also discussed the city’s committee structure. Nathan Adams said he asked for the topic because he believed the council needed more community input. Mc-Donald said some previous committees rarely met and said he was open to committees where a need exists but questioned keeping standing committees that do not function. Jones said council members should be more involved on committees so they understand recommendations before they come to the council.
Wadick said residents also had asked about the sales tax grant committee. McDonald said he intends to appoint one but wanted the council to first discuss the program’s parameters, especially because the amount available for grants has changed since part of the sales tax revenue now supports the CVB.
The council briefly discussed the downtown speaker system, with possible replacement options ranging from about $20,000 to $40,000. No action was taken.
Under governing body comments, the councilors praised Derrick Craige, thanked community volunteers who helped paint flag poles at Sunnyslope Cemetery and city crews for placing veterans banners on display. Haun thanked Craige and city employees for their daily work, saying department heads often report special projects, but routine work also deserves recognition.
“As a council person, but also as a resident of Council Grove, I appreciate him and our loyal people who work day in and day out for Council Grove and do a good job,” Haun said. “We can find problems, and we can point fingers, but we need them all and thank you to them.”
The meeting adjourned with several policy questions, including trailers, food trucks, downtown alcohol consumption and committee structure, left for further discussion.
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