Russell council approves $191,000 water plan, electric rate change, and rezoning in unanimous votes
Council acts on budget, rates, and rezoning
The Russell City Council approved a series of items unanimously at its July 17, 2026 meeting, including an ordinance amending electric rates, a $191,000 water master plan work order, and a rezoning ordinance changing an R-1 residential parcel to an A-1 agricultural district.
The council also approved the consent agenda, a Kansas Department of Commerce CDBG contract extension, and the Western Area Power Authority Integrated Resource Plan, authorizing the mayor to sign. A $790 fee waiver for the Freedom Fest event, including a traffic closure, passed unanimously.
No action was taken on a resolution to hold a public hearing for a community improvement district.
Infrastructure spending approved
The council approved two infrastructure-related expenditures at a separate July 17 meeting. A lift-station replacement design work order was approved at $48,300, and the council approved the purchase of a backhoe for $114,208.22.
The council also approved a resolution ordering repair or removal of unsafe structures at 15 Amber Drive.
Fireworks permits and CDBG amendments
The council approved a resolution allowing fireworks discharges within city limits on July 3 and July 4, 2026, by a vote of 5-0-1. It also approved a permit for a public fireworks display by Russell Celebrations on July 4, with an alternate date of July 5.
Additional approvals at that meeting included a Kansas Department of Commerce CDBG contract extension request and Amendment #3 to the Owner-Contract Agreement for the CDBG project at 621 N. Main St. The consent agenda, including June 2, 2026 minutes and appropriation ordinance A-6-26, was also approved.
July 16 agenda items pending minutes
A July 16 City Council agenda listed several items for discussion and potential action, but official minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included discussion of 2027 budget enterprise funds, a Fourth Amendment to the Holland Hotel Housing Grant Agreement, a Holland Hotel Development Agreement Amendment, a Nex-tech multi-year service agreement for Play Park security cameras, and the Perfect Print Restoration CDBG Project No. 23-CR-006 final pay request. The agenda also listed review of water source and conservation outlooks for July through September 2026.
Because minutes are not yet available, outcomes for these items are not confirmed.
Coming up
No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.