Calendar • Dec. 14 Parker Christmas celebration, 4 p.m. Parade line-up and judging at Heritage Park before heading down Main Street. Christmas dinner, Santa and toy raffle at Parker Elementary School at 5 p.m. • Jan. 9 Municipal Court, 6 p.m., Parker Senior Center • Jan. 9 Parker City Council meeting, Parker Senior Center The City of Parker is located in northeastern Linn County. The town has less than 250 residents, however, it serves as a hub for the surrounding rural community. LIberty Township is home to more than 1,900 people in a mostly rural area covering 64 square miles. Here is a link to the recent U.S. Census data on the community . Despite the rural nature of the community, the Parker area is home to several businesses, including a combination café/gas station/convenience store, lodging, a lumberyard/hardware store, a concrete products plant, a wooden truss manufacturing operation and a metal recycling center. Although Parker was once more of a bustling community with two banks, a grocery store and a hotel, the rise of big box stores in larger communities has shifted population away from the area. However, Parker residents are 20 minutes away from Paola and 20 minutes away from Garnett, both of which have thriving retail communities. Many Parker area residents commute on a well maintained four-lane highway system to the Greater Kansas City area (as little as 45 minutes away) for work and other shopping opportunities.

Parker City Council Mayor: Jason Webber City Council President: Kari Brandt City Council Member: Gary Earley City Council Member: Kandice Higgins City Council Member: Joe Godfrey City Council Member: Meranda Ellison ***City Council meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at 423 W. Kimball St. (Parker Senior Center).

History August, 1886 the Kansas City Pacific Railroad submitted a proposition to the citizens of Liberty Township in Kansas asking for a subsidy of $25,000 to bring MKT (Missouri Kansas Texas) Railway through their area. The proposition was accepted by nearly a unanimous vote. On November 12, 1888, with the railway nearing completion, a town site was laid out in an apple orchard owned by J. W. Parker who also owned other large tracts of land in the area. The town was named Parker, after him. Stockholders for the town site, along with Mr. Parker, included Michael Thompson, Dr. J. G. Rabb, Joseph Kimball and William Chestnut. The town was originally known as Hugo and was designated by two businesses located at the corner of what is now known as 2100 Rd. and Center Ave. There was a general store owned by Judd Payne and a blacksmith shop kept by Charles Geer. Hugo became Parker when the railroad came through, bringing mail to the area, because the U. S. Postal Service discovered that there was another town in Kansas named Hugo already receiving mail. Around the time Parker was laid out in 1888, the general store was put on skids and pulled by horses to the new business area by the railroad. The Parker Post Office was opened December 22, 1888 as a 4th class office. J. W. Parker was appointed first Postmaster that same day but he was not commissioned nor did he serve. The first train passed through Parker on January 1, 1889. The tracks are still in use today. The first city council was established in 1897. Parker was a thriving community for many years with businesses such as restaurants, hotel, general store, hardware, blacksmith, grain elevator, milliner’s shops, furniture stores, gas stations, doctor’s offices, banks and other shops usually found in small towns. There is an elementary school in Parker and until 1969 there was a high school. As young people found their economic needs turning from small family farms, they started moving away for better opportunities and businesses began to close. Parker is now a small bedroom community with rural ties. Today there is a post office, elementary school, convenience store, lumber yard, auto repair shops, a machine shop and small dress shop in town. _____ (This information was taken from the Parker Community History and Stories and Parker Centennial books.)

December 2024 Calendar January 2025 Calendar

Parker Days Click the Facebook icon below to learn more about Parker Days. 1/10

PLANNING & ZONING BOARD Meets at Parker Masonic Lodge 6595 County Road 1077 Parker, KS 66072 The Parker Planning & Zoning Board reviews and makes decisions on zoning issues in the City. Applications for Zoning Changes and Conditional Use Permits are available at City Hall. After applications are reviewed and a decision is made, it is presented before the City Council for a final review and decision. Meetings are held as needed on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. You may leave a message for the board at 913-898-2710. CHAIRMAN Chrisy Byerley VICE CHAIRMAN Mike Page BOARD MEMBERS Brandon Bloodgood T.C. Balthazor Tim Griffin Richard Sewell Codes for the City of Parker

City Council Meeting Minutes January 2024 February 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 October 2024 November 2023 December 2023 and Agendas January 2024 February 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2023

Utilities Electricity: Evergy (816) 471-5275 Telephone/Internet: CenturyLink (800) 251-7056 Kwikom (800) 379-7292 LP Gas: Heartland (800) 211-9101 Lybarger Oil (785) 488-5512 Water/Sewer: City of Parker (913) 898-2710 The City of Parker provides water and sewer to its residents. For service, complete an application at City Hall and pay a $150.00 deposit, which is refundable after two years of timely payment. Water bills are sent on or around the 25th of the month, due the 1st, late on the 15th ($10 late charge) and past due on the 30th. If your water is disconnected for non-payment, a $100.00 reconnect fee is charged. The following 2024 annual water quality report presents findings covering the year 2023. Consumer Confidence Report

City Services Emergency Con tacts Fire (County) … 911 Police: Emergency … 911 Non-Urgent (City) …913-898-2710 Non-Urgent (County) …913-795-2666 Post Office 102 N. Center Ave. (913) 898-2895 Burn Site 216 Western Ave. Parker, KS 66072 Phone: (913)-898-2710 Hours: Tuesday 1:00 to 7:00 Thursday 1:00 to 7:00 Saturday 9:00 to 3:00 The burn site is next to the city compactor. Yard waste only is accepted at this site. The burn site is open during compactor hours or you may call for an appointment. Police Department 314 W. Main St. Parker, KS 66072 Phone: (913) 898-2710 Email for Cody Kiser: ckiser@parkerks.com Email for Charles Stokes: cstokes@parkerks.com Police Chief Cody Kiser and Officer Charles Stokes patrol and serve within the city limits. Tickets may be given for traffic violations or code infractions. Dog Registration Location: City Hall 314 W. Main St. Parker, KS 66072 Hours: Monday Closed Tuesday-Thursday 8:00 to 4:00 Friday 8:00 to noon Residents are required to register and tag their dogs. Cost: Males and spayed females $2 | unspayed females $5 Compactor Site 216 Western Ave. Parker, KS 66072 Phone: (913) 471-4631 Hours: Tuesday 1:00 to 7:00 Thursday 1:00 to 7:00 Saturday 9:00 to 3:00 In addition to ordinary household trash, the compactor has recycling bins for metal, cardboard, glass, and paper. Sorry no paint, oil, tires, batteries, shingles, wood siding, furniture or other hazardous materials allowed. For information concerning disposal of hazardous materials and large items please contact the Linn County Landfill located near Prescott, Kansas. Food Pantry “Helping Hands and Hearts” Food Pantry is open every 2nd and 3rd Wednesday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Parker United Methodist Church.

City Employees Mayor: Jason Webber City Attorney*: Geri Hartley City Clerk*: Lisa Leach City Treasurer*: Kathy Harrison Court Clerk: Lisa Leach Police Chief*: Cody Kiser Water Clerk: Lisa Leach Public Works: James Hazelet Compactor Operator: Al Kerr *Appointees

LIBRARY Linn County Library District #1 234 W. Main St. Parker, KS 66072 (913) 898-4650 Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Email: parkerlibrary@yahoo.com Parker’s library provides a large variety of services including reading materials, audio books, internet service on four computers and Wi-Fi access. There are several programs for children throughout the year. Copying and faxing services available at a small fee. Notary services available for free. Event room available for rent. Refundable deposit of $75 and fee of $30. Contact the library for more information. MONTHLY PROGRAMS Friends of the Library 3rd Mon (alternating mos.) @ 5 pm Library Board 2nd Tuesdays @ 7 pm Book Club 3rd Wednesdays @ 4 pm Game Night for Adults 1st & 3rd Saturdays @ 5 pm

Municipal Court Held at Parker Senior Center 423 W. Kimball Parker, KS 66072 Municipal Court is held every month on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm at the Parker Senior Center. Cases heard are minor traffic and municipal code infractions. 2024 Court Dates: October 10, November 14, and December 12 MUNICIPAL JUDGE Doug Barlet (913) 898-2710 PROSECUTING ATTORNEY Geri Hartley (913) 294-4512 COURT CLERK Lisa Leach (913) 898-2710