LYONS, Kan. — A number of equipment purchases were approved during Monday night’s Lyons City Council meeting, including a $96,000 purchase of a tandem axle trailer jet. This unit, which has a 700 gallon water capacity and is being purchased through Key Equipment and Supply of Kansas City, will be used for sewer cleaning. This is a budgeted item for 2026, and replaces a unit that should have been replaced ten years ago.
The Council also approved purchase of a new mower for the cemetery from Fairview Service of Pleasantview for a net cost of $10,843.80 including trade. Fairview Service had the lowest of two bids submitted, and is equipped with a rear discharge to avoid damaging grave markers. Along with a $4,199 purchase of engineered wood fiber playground mulch, this cost includes shipping.
The Council approved a revised organizational chart reflecting creation of a Parks and Recreation Department. This department will combine the existing Park Department including the Swimming Pool and the Cemetery Department on the retirement of longtime sexton Martin Hartle at the end of the month after 45 years of service to the city. The change will provide an approximately $26,000 annual savings to the city. As part of this, a new job description was approved for a Parks and Recreation Director who will be under the supervision of the City Administrator.
Connected with Martin Hartle’s retirement, his family is hosting an open house and celebration this Saturday (March 21) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Camp Wa-Ja-To, and the City is hosting a retirement celebration Tuesday, March 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Hall. Those planning to attend the city celebration are asked to RSVP to [email protected].
A contract for cleaning services was awarded to Marci Heath. This contract covers City Hall, the Police Department, and the office building at the Cemetery. Two bids were submitted, and Heath had the low bid of $400 a month plus $25 an hour for duties not listed in her proposal.
The Council approved the event request for the 2026 Cinco De Mayo celebration to be held on May 3. The event will be held at Workman Park and will include a parade, live music, vendors, food trucks, a bounce house and more. This event, in its 3rd year, drew an attendance of between 560 and 600 people in each of its first two years.
Various departmental reports were given to the council. In a report to the Council from acting Police Chief Cory Ryan, they were informed quotes are being obtained to replace outdated computers in the Police Department, the newest of which is five years old and is the only one upgraded to Windows 11. The computers still on Windows 10 no longer meet state criminal records compliance requirements. Industry standards recommend computer replacement occur every 3-4 years.
It was also reported a new copier has been installed, electrical work at the department has been completed including repairs to an exterior electrical outlet and lighting is now functioning properly. A patrol truck has been repaired, and vehicles previously assigned have been returned with all equipment removed and secured in a locked room at the department.
Interim City Administrator Bailey Sayler said in her report Terry DeLeon has begun work as city inspector, working on a part time basis two days a week. Sayler said the Police Department is actively interviewing for their open officer positions and have received several qualified applicants for an administrative assistant position in the department.
She also gave updates on other personnel items, work on the Wastewater Treatment Plant project paperwork, audit matters, and coordination of Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals agendas and meetings, mentioning getting quorums for meetings has been a challenge. The city recently completed an audit of planning and zoning permanent records and is working to fill in gaps and track down missing documents.
On the dog pound, Sayler reported they have bids for a pre-fab dog pound, and is still looking at the potential of purchasing the vet clinic facility where the pound was previously located.
Reports were also provided for the Park, Cemetery, Fire and Public Works Departments. Along with pool preparation, there have been discussions on the cemetery transition to Parks and Recreation. As part of their training, the Fire Department took part in a wildland fire training burn. Along with road and utility work, Public Works personnel assisted with cleaning out of sand filters at the pool and picked up several dead animals.
