Mayor & Council ~

The City of Merriam has four city council districts or wards. Two council members from each ward are elected to represent the citizens from that district. Candidates for the position of Mayor run at large, which means that registered voters from all four of Merriam's wards vote for Mayor. Each governing body member serves a four-year term, with elections held every odd-numbered year with one representative from each ward being chosen.

In April of 2006, the City conducted a citizen survey to gather feedback from residents regarding quality and priority of services. Based on the response submitted, the council held a strategic goal setting work session and established the following priorities:

1. Maintain (upgrade) quality public safety services
2. South Park School planning/development
3. Maintain (upgrade) sidewalks, streets, and curbs
4. Single Family Residential/Neighborhood Revitalization Districts
5. Unification of City Residents and Identity as Merriam
6. More emphasis on Senior Programs (recreation and housing)
7. Maintain (upgrade) parks and trails
8. Code Enforcement
9. Beautification of Merriam
10. Improved Communication

Below is a list of Merriam's current Governing Body members:

City Officials:
Mayor Carl Wilkes 9416 W. 49th Terrace Merriam, KS 66203 (913) 722-1312 mayorw@merriam.org click here to visit's the Mayor's page
Bryan Burks, Ward 1 Council Vice President 9821 West 50th Terrace Merriam, KS 66203 (913) 262-6546 bryanb@merriam.org click here to visit Bryan's website.		Chad Rowe, Ward 1 4749 Knox Merriam, KS 66203 (913) 831-0144 chadr@merriam.org
Dan Leap, Ward 2 5848 Merriam Dr. Merriam, KS 66203 (913) 631-5326 dan@guitarlamp.com click here to visit Dan's website.		John Crabtree, Ward 2 10113 W. 59th Terrace Merriam, KS 66204 (913) 522-8654 jcrabtree@eventconceptsinc.com
Nancy Hupp, Ward 3 Council President 10172 Edelweiss Circle Merriam, KS 66203 (913) 831-4471 nancyh@merriam.org		Christine Evans Hands, Ward 3 10206 Edelweiss Circle Merriam, KS 66204 (913) 384-5340 chrish@merriam.org
Gayle Stephens, Ward 4 8117 W. 61st St. Merriam, KS 66204 (913) 789-7958 gstephens1@kc.rr.com		Pam Bertoncin, Ward 4 9921 West 65th Place Merriam, KS 66203 (913) 269-9518 PamBertoncin@aol.com

Governing Body Leadership Positions:
Council President – Nancy Hupp
Council Vice President – Bryan Burks
Finance / Administration Committee Chair – Bryan Burks
Com. Development / Public Works Committee Chair – Gayle Stephens

Each council member is appointed to serve on one of two committees:
Finance & Administration Committee -
This committee meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Items referred to this committee include: annual budget review; financial planning; legal issues; personnel policy; revenue and expenditure review; risk management and insurance; special projects; emergency preparedness; equipment replacement; facility management; and public safety.

Community Development/Public Works Committee -
This committee meets on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Items referred to this committee include: capital improvement program; engineering and project plan review; land use planning and rezoning; traffic signals and traffic engineering; building inspections; park and recreation programs; and code compliance issues.

The governing body conducts its business in public sessions held in the Council Chambers at Merriam's City Hall (located at 9000 W. 62nd Terrace). Full council meetings are typically held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. All meetings are open to the public.