Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals

The Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals is an appointed body responsible for planning related to orderly development within the City including the adoption of a comprehensive plan and recommendations to the Governing Body on zoning applications, site development plans, and conditional uses. This committee meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m at the Administrative Center 310 S. Second.

CITY SERVICES

Administrative Services

The City's Administrative Services Office is located at 310 S. Second Street. The Police Department is also located in the Administrative Center. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Administrative Services is responsible for citizen inquiries, human resource management, risk management, Municipal Court, records management, recording and attesting legal documents, preparing City Council agendas and minutes. The department is also responsible for the coordination of the City's financial services such as accounting, payroll, insurance, debt service, and internal auditing. The department also assists in answering zoning inquiries, issues residential building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits. Commercial building permits are issued through Sedgwick County Code Enforcement, 660-1840.

The Administrative Office provides support to the Planning Commission and Governing Body regarding long range planning and community development issues. The department is responsible for the administration of the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Building and related Codes in coordination with Sedgwick County Code Enforcement.

Municipal Court

The Municipal Court is the court where alleged violations of City ordinance and the penal statutes of Kansas are tried. The Court's responsibility is to guarantee the lawful rights of all who are brought before it. The majority of cases in the Municipal Court consist of violations of city traffic ordinances. The court provides a forum in which citizens may receive a swift and impartial trial on charges brought against them. A person is not entitled to a jury trial by this court-all evidence is heard by the Municipal Court Judge. If a person is convicted, the Judge may impose a fine, a sentence, or both in accordance with City ordinances. Citizens may represent themselves before the Judge without legal counsel if they so choose. An appeal from the Municipal Court may be taken to the District Court of Sedgwick County.

The payment of traffic violations that do not require an appearance before the Municipal Court Judge are handled through the Administrative Services office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. An after hours drop box is available on the property of the Administrative Center complex. If you choose to use this service, please include your ticket, along with a check or money order.

Court sessions are held at the Administrative Center, 310 S. Second the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Police Department

The Police Department responds to calls for service by residents, identifies criminal activities, apprehends offenders, enforces traffic laws, and investigates vehicle accidents. The department gathers and processes evidence for solving crimes and prosecuting criminal suspects, and supports the city's crime prevention efforts by spotting trends in criminal acticity.

DARE School Program

This program is offered by the Colwich Police Department to the Colwich Elementary school. A police officer is assigned to this important endeavor. The D.A.R.E. officer regularly visits the school and builds a rapport with students and educates the students on Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

Fire Department

The Department is staffed by volunteers and provides emergency assistance throughout the City of Colwich and surrounding Union Township.

Burn permits are issued through the Administrative Services Office, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Burn permits are issued for a one-year period for residents living in Union Township. Open burning is not permitted within the corporate limits of the City of Colwich.

Maintenance Department

The Maintenance Department provides maintenance for the City's streets, sewer system, parks, code enforcement, animal control, and upkeep of City facilities. This department coordinates the sweeping of the streets and the spring clean-up campaign.

City Staff

The City is staffed by nine full-time employees, three part-time employees and numerous voluneers.