Colby City Council Approves Festival Street Closure, Generator Purchase in March 17 Meeting
March 17, 2026
The Colby City Council moved through a full agenda Tuesday evening, approving several community-focused items and infrastructure investments during its March 17 meeting at the Colby Event Center.
Following a call to order and roll call, council members unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included routine financials, prior meeting minutes and proclamations.
The evening’s primary discussion under old business centered on a request tied to one of Colby’s largest annual events. Council members approved a proposal from Molly Oliver of Big Iron Realty to temporarily close a portion of the 300 block of North Franklin Street during the Sunflower Festival on Saturday, August 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The closure, located near the B.R.O. Motorcycle Museum, is intended to expand festival activities and improve pedestrian safety. City officials noted that nearby businesses had been contacted and were not opposed, though participation plans remain uncertain. The council agreed the addition would complement—not compete with—existing festival attractions.
In new business, the council approved a proclamation recognizing April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. The proclamation highlighted the growing prevalence of Parkinson’s disease nationwide and emphasized the importance of research, education and community support. Local advocates were also recognized for their efforts to raise awareness and provide resources for affected families.
Council members also approved the installation of a 10,000-gallon above-ground fuel tank at the Colby Municipal Airport. The project, tied to a commercial operator, has already cleared local approvals and is awaiting final authorization from the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office. Discussion included safety considerations, licensing requirements and contingency plans should ownership or operations change. Despite some concerns about fire risk, the council ultimately supported the project, citing existing safeguards and regulatory oversight.
In another action item, the council approved Resolution No. 1245, formally designating High Plains News as the city’s official newspaper. The move reflects a name change and ensures compliance with publication requirements for legal notices and public information.
One of the most significant financial decisions of the night came with the approval of Ordinance No. 1709. The ordinance authorizes a lease-purchase agreement with Farmers & Merchants Bank totaling $1.8 million for the acquisition of six CAT generator engines. The generators are part of the city’s long-term strategy to strengthen its electrical infrastructure and ensure reliable power capacity for years to come.
During reports and discussions, council members received an update on proposed changes to airport minimum standards, specifically related to fuel flowage fees. The proposal is currently within a required 60-day public comment period before returning to the council for final consideration.
Additional updates included an invitation to the upcoming Chamber banquet and ongoing improvements at the Colby Event Center. City staff have been repainting meeting spaces and plan to clean and refurbish seating areas during scheduled downtime.
With no further business, the council adjourned, wrapping up a meeting that balanced community engagement, operational updates and long-term infrastructure planning.