City of WaKeeney

06/05/2026

Scout Park water tower will be out of service for maintenance

Beginning today, Friday, June 5th the city’s 250,000-gallon water tower in Scout Park will be taken off-line and drained for maintenance. The tank will undergo an interior cleaning and recoating that will take approximately 4 weeks once work begins. During this time residents may experience changes in water pressure and volume while the distribution system is dependent on the smaller tower at the courthouse and the Caroline reservoir pump station. Recent rainfall has reduced the daily demand on the system, but once dry weather and the summer heat returns, demand will increase. We encourage customers to use water extra wisely during this time. The city’s contractor for this maintenance project is Maquire Iron. Questions can be directed to the city office at 785-743-5791.

06/03/2026

RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 19 MAY 2026
The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Avenue at 6:15 PM with the mayor presiding and the following members present:
Mayor F. Irene Dirks and Council Members Dave Anderson, Courtney Berning, Brent Deines, Curtis Flax, and Shane Pfeifer
BEING ABSENT: None
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written, printed, and distributed.
GUESTS: Dusty Billinger, Travis Phillips, James Wright, Abraham Pfannenstiel, Mike Kriegshauser, Jerry White, David Rameriz, Richard Hanks, and John Shubert
James Wright, Member Services Manager with Midwest Energy was present before the governing body to present new gas and electric franchise agreements between the city and MWE. The provision requiring a local office in WaKeeney for MWE was discussed at length. James will bring amended agreements back to a future meeting for approval. James was thanked by the council and took his leave.
Mike Kriegshauser on behalf of the WaKeeney Federated Wrestling Club came before the governing body to request permission to hold a downtown (on the bricks), outdoor kids wrestling tournament on Saturday, July 25, 2026 in the evening. Some downtown streets would be closed to parking and traffic during the event. The council granted the request with more details to follow. Mike was thanked for attending.
CHIEF OF POLICE: Chief Travis Phillips provided his monthly departmental report that included updates on the recently attended chief of police conference, E-bikes, dogs at large, school zone signage, and code enforcements (mowing).
CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Hardy Howard provided an update for the downtown sidewalk improvement project set for bid letting on June 17, 2026. Construction could begin as early as mid-July.
MAYOR: Irene Dirks discussed with the city council putting forth a ½ city wide sales tax question on the November 2026 ballot. The funds would be used for various quality of life enhancements throughout the community such as hike / bike trail, outdoor pickle ball courts, public safety funding, park improvements, and swimming pool maintenance to name a few.
Memorial Day services at the City Cemetery will begin at 9AM on Monday, May 25, 2026

No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.

06/02/2026

City Council Meeting 06/02/26

05/29/2026

The City of WaKeeney would like to remind everyone that flowers and other decorations placed in the City Cemetery for Memorial Day need to be removed before Monday, June 8, 2026 to proceed with normal maintenance. Thank you for your cooperation.

05/22/2026

05/20/2026

RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 5 MAY 2026
The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Ave at 6:15 PM with the mayor presiding and the following members present:
Mayor F. Irene Dirks and Council Members Dave Anderson, Courtney Berning, Brent Deines, and Shane Pfeifer
BEING ABSENT: Curtis Flax
The minutes of the previous meetings were approved as written, printed, and distributed.
GUESTS: John Shubert, Cheryl Gibson, and Lynelle Shubert
CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Hardy Howard presented ordinance #1470 annexing a tract of property into the city for the purpose of supply utilities (water) to the owner. A motion was made by Brent Deines and seconded by Shane Pfeifer to approve the ordinance for publication and filing. Motion carried.
A crew with the national F-14 Association will be in WaKeeney the week of June 15, 2026, for several days to work on the jet in Eisenhower Park.
The city annual audit will start on May 11, 2026.
At this time an ordinance making appropriation for the payment of claims for the month of April 2026 was read, whereupon Brent Deines motioned to approve claims in the amount of $225,739.21 Courtney Berning seconded. Motion carried. Warrants #20770 and #20810 were reviewed prior to approval.

MAYOR: Irene Dirks discussed with the council activities at the city cemetery on Memorial Day.
A motion was made by Brent Deines and seconded by Courtney Berning to approve the mayoral appointment of Monique Phillips to the Planning & Zoning commission. Motion carried.

In other city business, a downtown summer wrestling tournament sponsored by the WaKeeney Federated Wrestling club on Saturday, July 25, 2026, was discussed. More details will follow.

No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.

05/19/2026

City Council Meeting 05/19/2026

05/12/2026

WAKEENEY WATER PARK

Opening Day – Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 1 PM (weather permitting)

Daytime Hours
Monday – Friday 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Evening Hours
Tuesday and Thursday 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Admission Fees
Daily $2.50 (2 yrs & under FREE)
Individual Season Pass $30.00
Family Season Pass $100.00 (Mother, Father, Children, & Step Children living in same household)

Passes will go on sale opening day at the pool.

Don’t forget to book your summer pool parties early by calling the pool at 785-743-2167

05/06/2026

RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 21 APRIL 2026
The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Avenue at 6:15 PM with the mayor presiding and the following members present:
Mayor F. Irene Dirks and Council Members Dave Anderson, Courtney Berning, Brent Deines (via phone), Curtis Flax, and Shane Pfeifer (via phone)
BEING ABSENT: None
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written, printed, and distributed.
GUESTS: Will Hirsch, Abraham Pfannenstiel, Dusty Billinger, Travis Phillips, and John Shubert

CHIEF OF POLICE: Chief Travis Phillips provided his monthly departmental report. Chief T discussed a bicycle / scooter safety presentation the department will make at TGS before the end of school. Code enforcement activities were discussed with Officer Hirsch as well.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Hardy Howard presented an agreement for annexation and city services for Jared and Jessica Hager for a tract outside the northwest city limits. A motion was made by Curtis Flax and seconded by Shane Pfeifer to approve the agreement and authorize the ordinance annexing the subject property.
The city administrator presented a quote from Ghumm’s Autos for the purchase of a 2025 Chevy 4x4 pickup with utility bed for the water / sewer department and authorizing the sale of the 2010 Chevy 4x4 pickup via Purple Wave online action. A motion was made by Curits Flax and seconded by Courtney Berning to approve the transaction. Motion carried.

MAYOR: Irene Dirks informed the council that enough tax credit pledges have been received to move forward with an application to the state for the Kelly Plaza project.
In other city business, a planning meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6:15 PM to review amended zoning regulations.
A motion was made by Curtis Flax and seconded by Courtney Berning to adjourn into an executive session for a period of 10 minutes. The executive session was held in regard to matters related to attorney-client discussions, exception K.S.A. 75-4319(b)2 with the Mayor Dirks, City Council, City Administrator Howard, City Attorney Pfannenstiel and Chief of Police Phillips. The meeting was reconvened within the allotted time.
No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.


RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 28 APRIL 2026
The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a planning session at City Hall 408 Russell Avenue at 6:15 PM with the mayor presiding and the following members present:
Mayor F. Irene Dirks and Council Members Dave Anderson, Courtney Berning, Brent Deines, Curtis Flax, and Shane Pfeifer
BEING ABSENT: None
GUESTS: Cheryl Gibson, Kent Heckman, Mark Wood, Abraham Pfannenstiel, John Shubert and Tasha Malay
The governing body met in a special session with members of the planning and zoning commission to review amendments to the zoning section of the City Code. No other business came before the city council. The draft was reviewed at length and amendments will be made by the city attorney prior to a public hearing.
No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.

05/05/2026

City Council Meeting 5/5/2026