City of Gardner UAC meeting 08/06/2026

The City of Gardner Kansas Utility Advisory Commission held a meeting on August 6, 2026, primarily to provide updates on staffing shortages, ongoing utility infrastructure projects, and upcoming procurement activities. Key procurement-related discussions included the approval of additional tariffs totaling $243,000 on a transformer purchased from Korea for Substation 4, which the City Council had already approved. The commission was briefed on multiple capital projects such as the turbine overhaul at the power plant, the replacement and relocation of transformers at Substations 1 and 4, and the wastewater treatment plant expansion. An upcoming RFP for an electrical distribution study was mentioned, which will cover system mapping, an arc flash study, and necessary upgrades to Substation 1. The commission also discussed the challenges of accommodating a large proposed development (Velocity arts district) due to infrastructure capacity constraints. No motions or votes on new contracts were taken during this meeting, but several action items related to project planning and procurement were outlined.