Utilities

The City Council voted July 1, 2013, to declare a water emergency

The City Council voted July 1, 2013, to declare a water emergency. Click here for the resolution. The policy prohibits lawn watering, not including trees, shrubs, or gardens, and the policy prohibits waste of water. The Council intendes to review supply and demand again at its upcoming meetings to determine if further conservation measures will be needed.

USDA to review City’s application for loan funding

The City is making final preparations for its application to the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development program to potentially fund a total of $4 million in water distribution, storage, and supply improvements. The engineering analysis that prompted the application process, which started in 2012, can be found by clicking here. The master plan summary for the project is available by clicking here.

Transition begins for new trash, recycling services

Starting Monday, April 1, 2013, the City will be providing a new curb-side recycling and trash service – operated by Nisly Brothers, Inc. In order to make this happen, there are three groups of customers with separate instructions on what will occur: Residential, Commercial, and Customers outside of City limits. Each group is receiving a letter with specific instructions on the transition — you can view the letters in the links below. Please be sure also to check out the brochure on recycling also linked below. Please note that the new route map will be made available as soon as possible. Also stay tuned for additional information on the City’s pending rebate program for existing trash carts and dumpsters.
Letter to all customers sent with the February utility bills
Recycling Information Brochure
Letter to Commercial customers
Letter to Customers outside of City limits
Route Map 

New forms available for building trades licenses and permits

City staff as of February 18, 2013, is making new forms for licenses and permits available for use. The new forms correspond to the 2012 City Code adopted in December 2012. The forms are available to print on the City’s web site by clicking here. The forms also are available at the City Office. The City understands that this implementation will take some time and looks forward to helping property owners and contractors come into compliance. For answers to frequently asked questions, please click here.

City Council schedules public hearing, decision on solid waste operation

The City Council will take public comments and review proposals to select a solid waste provider at its February 4, 2013, meeting. The City also has scheduled a public forum for 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at the Middle School gymnasium for each vendor to present its proposal and take questions from the audience. Below are links to materials related to this issue:
City’s request for proposals
Summary comparisons of proposals received
City’s solid waste study and proposal
Waste Connections, Inc. proposal
Nisly Brothers, Inc. proposal

Council approves 2012 City Code

The City Council unanimously voted on December 3, 2012, to adopt the City Code, which is a compilation of all the City’s past ordinances, laws, and policies. Click here to view the Code.

City sends out request for proposals for solid waste services

The City of Medicine Lodge is seeking proposals for solid waste services to include curb-side recycling. Click here for the official RFP. The deadline for submission is Dec. 7, 2012.

City and County oil industry impact planning meeting

Barber County, Kiowa, and Medicine Lodge combined efforts with Matrix Design Group to provide an update to concerned citizes at 7 p.m. Monday, October 29, 2012, at the Barbery County Heritage Center. For a copy of the presentation, please click here.

Results of 2012 Citizen Survey announced

A total of 202 households participated in the 2012 survey, compared with 205 in 2011. The results show a positive direction in general. The complete results can be found by clicking here: 2012 Citizen Survey Results.

Engineering firm presents water master plan

The City’s engineering firm presented on June 18, 2012, to the City Council an overview of a water system analysis and recommended improvements. The presentation is available by clicking here: PEC Presentation.

City launches new web site

The City launched medicinelodge.kansas.gov in December 2011. The state portal Kansas.gov designed and manages the infrastructure for the site, and the City manages the content. The site’s creation was funded by a grant from the Information Network of Kansas, Inc. The site is a work in progress that will provide the framework for future online bill pay and electronic forms.

KDHE awards loan and grant to City for water meter project

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment selected Medicine Lodge as a recipient of its annual state revolving loan fund to proceed with replacing all of the City’s water meters. Most of the City’s water meters are more than 20 years old. As meters age, they tend to let water go through without counting it. This makes it difficult to track where the water goes and it also creates questions of fairness among water customers. The replacement project also will include a new automatic system that will allow the City to read meters remotely without relying on manual labor. The project is estimated at about $500,000, and the Environmental Protection Agency through the KDHE has provided a grant for 40 percent of the cost. The project is scheduled to begin in early spring 2012.

Kansas Water Office awards grant to City for mapping project

The City was awarded a $4,000 grant to help assist the City with the mapping of its water, sewer, and traffic signs in a Geographical Information Systems format. The mapping project will provide the City with improved troubleshooting information, better information for system analysis for expansion, a record of locations in the event of a natural disaster, better inventory information, and a number of other features to enhance the City’s ability to manage its infrastructure. Midland GIS is providing the service.

FAA helps fund airport runway improvements

The City recently completed a runway resurfacing project at the Medicine Lodge Municipal Airport (K51). The project included filling in cracks, re-sealing the surface, and new paint markings for pilots to see from the air. The total project cost about $85,000 and was 95-percent funded by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.