Wakefield public meetings in 2025
23 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Dec
The council approved the Planning and Zoning Commission's updated zoning regulations, with the clerk to prepare an ordinance for the next meeting. It also approved a motion to allow Council Member Pat Simon to bid on vacant lots in Barclay Addition at the Dec 18th tax foreclosure sale, but only if no other bids occur and the city resells at cost. Employee bonuses were approved: $1,500 for full-time and $50 gift cards for part-time staff. A motion to recall the earlier bidding assignment failed for lack of a second, and a $100 donation to the Hugh Obrien youth camp was approved with one abstention.
- Approved updated zoning regulations as presented by PZ (motion carried)
- Approved amended motion for Pat Simon to bid on Barclay Addition lots at Dec 18th tax sale under conditions (motion carried)
- Motion to recall June bidding assignment died for lack of second
- Approved $1,500 bonus for full-time employees and $50 gift card for part-time employees (motion carried)
- Approved $100 donation to Hugh Obrien youth camp (Betsy abstaining)
- Approved consent agenda with order change (motion carried)
Nov 10 2025
The Wakefield City Council held a special meeting to consider purchasing a used dump truck. They first struck down a prior motion to buy one for $12,000, then approved a new motion to purchase a dump truck for $35,000 plus $2,000 in travel expenses, passing 3-2. The meeting was brief and focused solely on this purchase.
- Struck prior motion to purchase dump truck for $12,000
- Approved purchase of dump truck for $35,000 plus $2,000 travel expenses
- Motion passed 3-2 with Neal and Jared voting no
Nov 10 2025
The Wakefield City Council held a special meeting to consider the purchase of used dump trucks. After inspecting three trucks, the council rescinded a prior motion to buy one for $12,000 and instead approved a new motion to purchase a dump truck for $35,000 plus $2,000 in travel expenses, passing 3-2. The meeting then adjourned.
- Struck prior motion to purchase dump truck for $12,000
- Approved purchase of dump truck for $35,000 plus $2,000 travel expenses (3-2 vote)
- Council inspected three used dump trucks
Oct 27 2025
The Wakefield City Council held a special meeting to adopt Ordinance 1363 for land acquisition related to the WWTF project, purchase a digital sign controller for $1,724.84, and hold executive sessions for legal matters. The council also voted to hire Rick to represent city employees in a civil rights violation lawsuit.
- Adopted Ord. 1363 for land acquisition (WWTF project)
- Approved purchase of digital sign controller for $1,724.84
- Held executive sessions with city attorney for legal matters
- Hired Rick to represent city employees in civil rights lawsuit
Oct 8 2025
The Wakefield City Council held a special meeting to pass Resolution #267, which authorizes condemnation of property for a sanitary sewer project under KSA 26-201. The resolution was moved by Patrick, seconded by Jared, and carried. The meeting then adjourned.
- Resolution #267 passed for property condemnation for sanitary sewer project
October 2025
The Wakefield City Council held its regular meeting on October 6, 2025. The council declined to sponsor David Givens for the police academy, expressing comfort with the current county contract. They approved several expenditures, including a clerk computer upgrade and a driveway repair estimate, and accepted a bid for work at 500 Knollwood Street.
- Approved consent agenda with resurfacing streets removed (no bids received)
- Approved clerk computer upgrade not to exceed $1500
- Accepted estimate for driveway and curb repairs at 506 Birch St. from water main leak
- Accepted $2020 bid from Holcom Concrete for 500 Knollwood Street; Lori Bond billed for rock, not to exceed $500
- Declined to sponsor David Givens for police academy
- Approved mayor to sign 2025 museum lease amendment
- Held executive sessions for personnel and legal matters; no motions made in legal session
Building Permit
This is the City of Wakefield's building permit application form, not a meeting agenda. It outlines the information applicants must provide for new construction, remodeling, or incidental structures, including zoning, project cost, contractor details, and required inspections. The form also certifies compliance with city building codes and zoning regulations.
- Building permit application for new or remodeled structures
- Requires zoning designation (R1, R2, R3, C1, I1)
- Lists required inspections: footing/foundation, framing, underground plumbing, sewer tap, rough and final electrical/plumbing/mechanical
- Permit valid 180 days from approval date
- Requires plot plan with lot dimensions and building measurements
Sept 2025
The council held public hearings for the RNR and 2026 budget with no public comments, then passed resolution #267 and approved the budget. During the meeting, the council adopted the 2026 budget, approved up to $2,500 for fall cleanup, and made donations to local groups. Two executive sessions were held for personnel interviews and one for legal matters.
- Passed resolution #267 for RNR (motion carried)
- Approved 2026 Budget (motion carried)
- Approved consent agenda with change to unpaid bills (motion carried)
- Donated $1,000 to Wakefield Pride, $500 to Wakefield Museum, $1,000 to Wakefield Birthday Bash (3/0, Betsy abstaining)
- Adopted 2026 Budget (motion carried)
- Approved fall cleanup not to exceed $2,500 for September 26-28 (motion carried)
- Held executive session for personnel interviews until 7:30pm, then extended to 8:00pm (motions carried)
- Held executive session for legal matters with city attorney until 8:30pm (motion carried)
September 2025
The council held public hearings for the RNR/2026 budget with no public comments, then adopted both the RNR resolution #267 and the 2026 budget. They also approved donations to local groups, a fall cleanup budget, and held executive sessions for personnel interviews and legal matters.
- Adopted RNR resolution #267 (motion carried)
- Approved 2026 budget (motion carried)
- Approved consent agenda with change to unpaid bills (motion carried)
- Donated $1000 to Wakefield Pride, $500 to Wakefield Museum, $1000 to Wakefield Birthday Bash (3-0, Betsy abstaining)
- Adopted 2026 budget (motion carried)
- Approved fall cleanup not to exceed $2500 (motion carried)
- Held executive session for personnel interviews until 7:30pm, then until 8:00pm (motions carried)
- Held executive session for legal matters with city attorney until 8:30pm (motion carried)
Aug 2025
The Wakefield City Council approved several items, including a $1,000 donation to the Booster Club, a $500 donation to Wreaths Across America, and permission for Birthday Bash to allow canned beer (no bottles) in the CCA and split the cost of bug spraying. The council adopted Ordinances 1360, 1361, and 1362, and approved up to $10,000 for library roof repairs (3-2). It also approved a conditional use permit for 601 Dogwood and directed the Planning & Zoning Commission to hold a public hearing on rezoning.
- Approved $1,000 donation to Booster Club (Neal abstaining)
- Approved drinking canned beer (no bottles) in CCA for Birthday Bash (Betsy abstaining)
- Approved splitting bug spraying cost with Birthday Bash (Betsy abstaining)
- Approved $500 donation for Wreaths Across America
- Adopted Ordinance 1360
- Adopted Ordinance 1361
- Adopted Ordinance 1362
- Approved up to $10,000 for library roof repairs (3-2, Betsy and Neal nay)
July 15 2025
This special meeting was held solely to decide on the 2026 Revenue Neutral Rate. The council voted to exceed the RNR and set the mill levy rate at 35.581, then adjourned. No other business was discussed.
- Voted to exceed Revenue Neutral Rate for 2026
- Proposed mill levy rate of 35.581
July 2025
The Wakefield City Council appointed David O'Dell to fill Council Seat #1 and approved the 2026 budget with a motion to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR), passing 3-1 with Jared Renyer voting no. The council also approved a seasonal park/utility hire at up to $10/hour, set elected official compensation, raised court costs to $112, and contracted with McGee Fireworks for 2026. In executive session, the council authorized the city attorney to proceed with recommendations regarding easements for the lagoon project.
- Appointed David O'Dell to Council Seat #1 (approved)
- Approved 2026 budget with motion to exceed RNR (3-1, Jared nay)
- Approved advertising seasonal PT park/utility hire up to $10/hr until 2nd weekend in September
- Set compensation: mayor $250/month, $15/mtg, $25/sp mtg; Council President $75/mtg; Council Member $50/mtg
- Raised court costs to $112
- Contracted with McGee Fireworks for 2026, half down in 2025
- Authorized city attorney to proceed with easement recommendations for lagoon project
2025 Water Quality Report
This report provides a snapshot of the water quality for the 2024 calendar year. It details the contents of the city's three groundwater wells and compares them to EPA and state standards.
- Water source: 3 Ground Water Wells
- Lead levels (2021-2023): 4.8 ppb
- Copper levels (2021-2023): 0.63 ppm
- Total Haloacetic Acids (2024): 3.1 ppb
- TTHM (2024): 11 ppb
June 2025
The Wakefield City Council approved several items, including permission for fireworks sales at the Methodist Church parking lot, the 2026 library budget, and a part-time police contract with the Clay County Sheriff's Department. They also passed an ordinance to annex the city tree dump property and set a schedule for public hearings on proposed rezoning. A motion to allow bidding on county tax sale lots was initially approved, then recalled and replaced with a new motion to purchase lots in Barclay Addition for a future growth lottery.
- Approved fireworks sales at Methodist Church parking lot
- Approved 2026 Library Budget
- Tabled security at city properties
- Approved Patrick Simon to bid on county tax sale lots (not to exceed $5) with Republican Title Co, then recalled motion
- Approved Patrick Simon to purchase lots in Barclay Addition for growth lottery
- Approved publishing notice for rezoning hearing in Zone #2 and subsequent hearings for Zones 1, 3, 4
- Passed Ordinance 1359 to annex city tree dump property
- Approved part-time police contract with Clay County Sheriff's Department (up to 20 hrs/wk)
May 12 2025
The Wakefield City Council held a special meeting to address pool repairs, a park alcohol permit, and a project design amendment. They approved up to $10,000 for pool repairs, allowed alcohol at a city park event, and approved a contract amendment with BG Consultants. The council also held executive sessions for legal and personnel matters.
- Approved up to $10,000 for pool repairs (skimmer/piping, filters, leak detection)
- Allowed Rich Lloyd to use Grove St. city park on May 24, 4-8pm with alcohol (no bottles) and restroom access
- Approved BG Consultants Amendment #2, increasing agreement from $399,800 to $506,800
- Authorized Rick to act on behalf of city for land acquisition
- Held executive sessions for legal and personnel matters
May 2025
The Wakefield City Council approved a $500 donation to the PTO for a walking path project, $1,750 for five trees, and up to $6,000 for pool management. They adopted Resolution #266 for the Clay County Hazard Mitigation Plan and gave Superintendent Kyle a $2/hour raise. Items tabled include the city building roof and an INA Alert quote. The council also discussed options for the tree dump and a lagoon update.
- Approved $500 donation to PTO for Walking Path project (Betsy abstaining)
- Approved $1,750 for five trees
- Approved up to $6,000 for pool management
- Adopted Resolution #266 Clay Co. Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Tabled city building roof to workshop
- Tabled INA Alert quote to next meeting
- Gave Kyle $2/hr raise
- Adjourned meeting
April 22, 2025
The Wakefield City Council held a special meeting to discuss the Lagoon Project and legal matters. They authorized the mayor and attorney to acquire land where seepage tests took place, and approved contracts for environmental review and a cultural resources survey. The April workshop was cancelled, with topics moved to the May meeting if needed.
- Authorized mayor and attorney to acquire land where seepage tests took place
- Approved $12,000 contract with GAS for environmental review services for KDHE, USDA, and CDBG
- Approved contract up to $7,500 for cultural resources survey with contractor TBD
- Held executive session to discuss legal matters with city attorney
- April workshop cancelled; topics added to May CM agenda if needed
April 2025
The Wakefield City Council approved a conditional use permit for 601 Dogwood, allowing R2 zoning with commercial use, despite the Planning and Zoning recommendation. They also approved a $700 donation for cheer camp, expanded the baseball infield up to $2,000, and accepted the 2025-26 insurance premium and 2024 audit. Elected official compensation was tabled to a workshop.
- Approved $700 donation for Wakefield Cheer camp (motion carried)
- Approved baseball infield expansion not to exceed $2,000 (motion carried)
- Approved library board member exemption for Deb Mohler (motion carried)
- Accepted 2025-26 CIA insurance premium (motion carried)
- Accepted 2024 audit (motion carried)
- Approved library treatment for $420/yr (3-1, Betsy nay)
- Tabled elected official compensation to workshop
- Approved conditional use permit for 601 Dogwood R2 with commercial use (motion carried)
March 2025
The Wakefield City Council approved a rate increase for Waste Management, accepted a fireworks contract, and approved a sewer cleaning contract. They also decided not to offer Spring Cleanup this year and donated to the Easter Egg Hunt. All actions were recorded with votes.
- Raised Waste Management rate to $25/tote and $7.50 for extra tote for 2025-2026 (motion carried)
- Approved $12,500 McGee Fireworks quote for July 4th show (3-1, Betsy nay)
- Approved Johnson Service Co. sewer cleaning quote for $166,105.00 (motion carried)
- Decided not to offer Spring Cleanup this year
- Donated $250 to Easter Egg Hunt (3-0)
Feb 2025
The Wakefield City Council approved two contracts for lagoon project testing: Terracon Geology Proposal for up to $27,850 and AG Engineering Seepage Test for $14,000, both by 3-0 votes. They also approved a $250 donation to the Easter Egg Hunt and gave a go-ahead to finish the frisbee golf course. The meeting included an executive session on personnel matters, but no decision was made on Life 360 for employees.
- Approved Terracon Geology Proposal for lagoon testing, not to exceed $27,850 (3-0)
- Approved AG Engineering Seepage Test for $14,000 (3-0)
- Approved $250 donation to Easter Egg Hunt (3-0)
- Gave go-ahead to finish last 9-hole frisbee golf course
- Deleted Fireworks from consent agenda (3-0)
OF Jan 22 2025
The Wakefield City Council held a special meeting to discuss a CDBG extension letter and legal matters with the city attorney. The council approved sending a time extension request letter to the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDC). The meeting consisted primarily of executive sessions for legal discussions.
- Approved sending CDBG Time Extension Letter request to KDC
- Held multiple executive sessions to discuss legal matters with city attorney
OF Jan 8 2025
The Wakefield City Council held a special meeting on January 8, 2025, consisting entirely of executive sessions to discuss legal matters with the city attorney. After the sessions, the council voted to authorize the city attorney to draft an option to purchase property at $3,300 per acre. The meeting was otherwise procedural.
- Multiple executive sessions with city attorney
- Authorized drafting of option to purchase property at $3,300/acre
Jan 2025
The Wakefield City Council approved the mayor's 2025 appointments for city officials, adopted resolutions for a GAAP waiver and PRIDE, and entered into a memorandum of understanding with the library. The council also approved four CMB licenses, allowed the clerk to attend a conference, agreed to pay volunteers for snow plowing, and authorized hiring an assistant clerk. No youth basketball program will be offered this year due to low registration.
- Approved 2025 appointments for city clerk, superintendent, police chief, judge, attorney, and council president (4-0)
- Adopted Res. 264 GAAP Waiver (4-0)
- Adopted Res. 265 PRIDE (4-0)
- Approved Library MOU (4-0)
- Approved 4 CMB licenses (4-0)
- Approved clerk attendance at CCMFOA Spring Conference for $500 (4-0)
- Approved $100 payment to firemen volunteers for snow plowing (3-0, Patrick abstaining)
- Approved hiring a part-time/PRN assistant clerk (4-0)