Colby council approves generator financing request, Chamber move and Country Club Drive payment

The Colby City Council advanced several equipment, infrastructure and organizational matters during its Nov. 3 meeting, including financing for a new three-megawatt generator, an agreement relocating the Colby/Thomas County Chamber of Commerce and a nearly $490,000 payment for the Country Club Drive reconstruction project.

Mayor Lee Leiker, and Council members Jared Johnson and Crystal Perkins were absent. The council approved its amended agenda and consent agenda. No old business was considered.

The council authorized the city to seek proposals for the lease-purchase financing of a three-megawatt generator engine, with financing not to exceed $2.65 million.

The generator itself had been approved during previous council meetings and is expected to arrive Jan. 17. Proposals for financing are due at noon Nov. 19, and the city expects to select the winning proposal Dec. 1.

Woofter Construction submitted the low bid to pour the concrete pad and prepare the generator’s location, coming in approximately $5,000 below the competing quote. The city’s previous two generator pads were poured by Weigel Concrete, which did not submit a bid for the latest project.

The council also approved a $9,100 John Deere tractor rental recommended by the Colby Airport Board. A Kansas Department of Transportation grant will pay for the rental, which is limited to 350 operating hours during a 12-month period.

Council members authorized a second request for proposals covering comprehensive insurance brokerage and risk management services. The city plans to issue the request Nov. 4, with proposals due by 2 p.m. Dec. 16. The winning proposal is expected to be selected Feb. 16, 2027.

Chamber preparing to move

The council approved an agreement allowing the Colby/Thomas County Chamber of Commerce to operate from the Colby Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Visitors Center near Exit 53.

The Chamber currently shares space and expenses at the Thomas County Office Complex. Under the new agreement, it will become a tenant of the CVB and move its operations to the grain-bin-shaped Visitors Center.

Although the organizations will continue operating separately, the move is intended to reduce expenses for both by shifting some Chamber funding to the CVB rather than maintaining the Chamber’s current rental arrangement.

Each organization has one paid employee: the Chamber’s president and CEO and the CVB’s executive director.

The council also approved Pay Voucher No. 3 for $489,474.50 to Penco Engineering for work connected to the reconstruction of Country Club Drive. City officials reported that the project continues to progress well.

Department notes:

During department reports, Recreation Director Aaron Lambertson updated the council on several projects.

Woofter Construction is expected to install a playground sunshade at the Young Memorial Park baseball complex and repair fencing damaged by recent high winds.

Lambertson also reported that work on the Colby Event Center’s audio system has been completed after a five-month process. He thanked residents and facility users for their patience.

The Recreation Department has also heard concerns from residents about the limited availability of gym space for local youth. Lambertson said several volunteers have offered to supervise evening gym hours at no cost to the city.

City Manager Ron Alexander questioned how much the proposal would alleviate the problem, noting that recreational leagues already place significant demand on the available gym space and the facility itself.

Finance Director Deb Zerr reported that the city’s sewer evaluation period will run from Nov. 20 through Feb. 20. Water use during that period will be evaluated to help determine individual properties’ sewer rates.

Reports were provided by Technology Director Mike Halbleib and Parks Director Kyle Lindberg before the council adjourned.