On the agenda: Gardner Minutes — Flock camera (Aug 17)

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY CITY OF GARDNER, KANSAS
Page No. 2026 – 50
August 17, 2026
The City Council of the City of Gardner, Kansas met in regular session on August 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers at Gardner City Hall, 120 East Main Street, Gardner, Kansas, with Mayor Todd Winters presiding.
Present were Councilmembers Mark Baldwin, Kacy Deaton, Mark Wiehn, Steve McNeer, and Kelly Johnson. City
staff present were City Administrator Jim Pruetting; Deputy City Administrator Amy Nasta; Finance Director Matt
Wolff; Police Chief Kelly Herron; Parks Director Jason Bruce; Community Development Director David Knopick;
Public Works Director Kellen Headlee; Utility Director David Hunter; City Attorney Ryan Denk; Clerk Renee Rich.
Others present included those listed on the sign-in sheet and others who did not sign in.
There being a quorum of Councilmembers present, Mayor Winters called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Winters led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATIONS
PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC COMMENT
Eric Arnold came to continue the discussion on Flock cameras. He had an opportunity to meet with the Chief and
Deputy Chief. He said the chief published a new policy regarding this type of technology and has restricted access
to the system. He said the contract does allow the city to end the contract and would like the contract to be brought
to a future agenda.
Carrie Schmidt is concerned about what Flock and Axon cameras can do. Feels that with Home Rule authority, the
city can tell the state and county to get their cameras out of Gardner.
Bradley Steinmetz also discusses Flock cameras. Supports law enforcement but does not support the cameras that
are tracking movements of people. Discusses cases across the US of officers misusing Flock camera information.
Concerned about what outside agencies have access to the data from these cameras.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Standing approval of the minutes as written for the regular meeting on August 3, 2026
2. Standing approval of City expenditures prepared July 30, 2026 in the amount of $574,077.72; August 4,
2026 in the amount of $367.50; and August 6, 2026, in the amount of $2,782,953.57
3. Consider authorizing the City Administrator to enter into an agreement with Fry & Associates, Inc. for
the design and construction of a new shelter at Meadowbrook Park and Brookside Park
4. Consider appointments of City of Gardner representatives to the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency
(KMEA) Board of Directors and the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency (KMGA) Board of Directors
5. Consider authorizing the City Administrator to execute a contract with Bellante LLC for structure
demolition and clearing at the Gardner Municipal Airport
Councilmember Wiehn made a motion to approve Items 1 through 4 of the Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Deaton Seconded.
With all of the Councilmembers voting in favor of the
motion, the motion carried.
PLANNING & ZONING CONSENT AGENDA
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
1. Consider a resolution of the City approving the execution and delivery of a Non-Binding Memorandum
of Understanding in connection with a development project within the City (Project Velocity)
The developer shared some information about the proposed arts and entertainment district. This is an arts
organization building to promote performing arts and education in the greater Kansas City area. The plan includes
venues for entertainment, retail and accredited educational opportunities around music, media, fil and postproduction.

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY
CITY OF GARDNER, KANSAS
Page No. 2026 - 51

Administrator Pruetting said the developer is requesting a mix of incentives to support the project. The decision to
grant incentives will be based on the project providing significant public benefits that justify the use of incentives.
Additional information is necessary to formulate an effective financing plan for the project and determine the public
infrastructure needs it will generate. Confirmation to a question that other funding options still may be available even
if not listed within this item currently. This item is scheduled for the next Planning Commission meeting.
Councilmember Deaton made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2200, a resolution of the City of Gardner, Kansas,
approving the execution and delivery to a Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding in connection with a
development project within the City (Project Velocity).
Councilmember McNeer Seconded.
With a majority of the Councilmembers voting in favor
of the motion, the Resolution passed and was
assigned number 2200.
Wiehn:
Johnson:
McNeer:
Baldwin:
Deaton:

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

2. Consider adopting a formal resolution declaring it necessary to acquire property through eminent
domain action to construct the planned 167th Street Improvements Project
Items 2-4 are all discussed together. These are similar CIP projects that have property acquisition for right-of-way
and easements. The resolutions approve us to start the condemnation process should we not be able to come to
terms on negotiations. If we are unable to reach agreements, ordinances would be brought to condemn property.
This allows us to stay on track with project timelines while continuing to negotiate with property owners.
Councilmember Wiehn made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2201 declaring it necessary to acquire property
through eminent domain action to construct the planned 167th Street Improvements Project.
Councilmember Deaton Seconded.
With a majority of the Councilmembers voting in favor
of the motion, the Resolution passed and was
assigned number 2201.
Johnson:
McNeer:
Baldwin:
Deaton:
Wiehn:

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

3. Consider adopting a formal resolution declaring it necessary to acquire property through eminent
domain action to construct the planned 175th Street Improvements Project
Councilmember Wiehn made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2202 declaring it necessary to acquire property
through eminent domain action to construct the planned 175th Street Improvements Project.
Councilmember Deaton Seconded.
With a majority of the Councilmembers voting in favor
of the motion, the Resolution passed and was
assigned number 2202.
McNeer:
Baldwin:
Deaton:
Wiehn:
Johnson:

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY
CITY OF GARDNER, KANSAS
Page No. 2026 - 52

4. Consider adopting a formal resolution declaring it necessary to acquire property through eminent
domain action to construct the planned Grand Street Roadway Improvements Project, from Pine to
Center Street
Councilmember Wiehn made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2203 declaring it necessary to acquire property
through eminent domain action to construct the planned Grand Street Roadway Improvements Project, from Pine to
Center Street.
Councilmember Deaton Seconded.
With a majority of the Councilmembers voting in favor
of the motion, the Resolution passed and was
assigned number 2203.
Baldwin:
Deaton:
Wiehn:
Johnson:
McNeer:

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

COUNCIL UPDATES
Chief Herron thanks Mr. Arnold for meeting with the PD. PD published a new policy for ALPRs to include audits and
retention periods. An audit was just completed. Flock has now been shut down temporarily with access only being
provided for the Chief and a Captain. Asking to remove Flock from our ecosystem. Pruetting confirms that we do not
have to finish out the contract and can cancel at any time. Axon cameras are only on the cars and the information is
only in the city’s system and not shared. History was only saved for 30 days and after the retention period the
information is gone. Flock does not have a very big footprint in this region. The data is governed by NCIC but is held
in the cloud through Flock. Consensus by the governing body to not renew the contract and then the company will
retrieve their equipment. Introduced Deputy Chief Pruitt.
Administrator Pruetting thanks the Velocity team for being here.
Councilmember Johnson thanks those who spoke and the Velocity team. Welcome to the new Deputy Chief and
new officers we have gotten in the last few weeks. been hired to join our community.
Councilmember McNeer thanks Chief for the exceptional leadership displayed in the short time you have been here.
Thank you to Velocity team that met with us this week and welcome to our community.
Council President Baldwin appreciates Chief for looking into Flock, making a quick decision and having all of the
information ready for tonight. Welcomes Velocity to the city and looks forward to a long term partnership.
Councilmember Wiehn thanks Chief for looking into Flock and making the decision to shut them down as well as the
ability to make a decision about them tonight. Excited about the opportunity Velocity brings to the city and the area
of town they are moving into including some walkability. Something to look into is the walkability in that area around
Walmart and McDonalds. Also, school has started, watch out for all those kids heading to school.
Council Vice-President Deaton welcomes Deputy Chief Pruitt. Thanks Chief for all the work on the Flock cameras.
Would like to look at those cameras in our city limits that we do not own. Thanks to the whole Velocity team. Be
vigilant for those kids walking and riding scooters and let’s have a great school year.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, on a motion duly made by Councilmember Deaton and
seconded by Councilmember Wiehn the meeting adjourned at 7:39 pm.
City Clerk