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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.)

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

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

City Council Meeting Minutes January 2024 February 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 September Special Meeting 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2024 December Special Meeting 2024 and Agendas January 2025 February 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 September Special Meeting 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2023 December Special Meeting 2024

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).

PARKER ELEMENTARY CENTER 421 N. Center Ave. Parker, KS 66072 (913) 898-3160 Parker Elementary provides classes for kindergarten through 5th grade. It is part of School District #362 which includes Prairie View Middle School and Prairie View High School. Prairie View Schools USD #362

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

Calendar • 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 northwestern 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.

Building Permit City Ordinance requires that prior to any construction of a new home, building, shed, or other structure, the person wishing to construct same upon his or her property shall first obtain a building permit from the City Clerk of the City of Parker. Building permits are $25.00 for a period of six months. Failure to obtain building permit could result in a code violation and a fine. Applications Applications can be filled out in City Hall Tuesday through Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Site Inspection Site inspections by the city codes officer after building is complete can be scheduled through City Hall. Questions Contact city hall for any questions you may have.

HERITAGE CITY PARK 119 W. Woodward Parker, KS 66072 (913) 898-2710 We are very proud of our park. It was built entirely by private donations of time and money and fundraising events over the past 15 or so years put on by a group of determined people who now make up the Heritage Park Board. Something unique you will want to see at the park is the cement work for sidewalks and floors for the shelter and gazebo. Squares, 10’x10’, were sold to the public to be personally decorated with their own design and family history. It’s really special. You can reserve the shelter house and/or gazebo by filling out an application at City Hall or printing out an application to complete. You can bring it to City Hall in person, mail it, or email a completed copy to cityhall@parkerks.com . You will also need to pay a refundable $25.00 deposit. After your event, if the park is left in order, your deposit will be refunded. Rules and Regulations for Use Application and Agreement to Reserve