Old Gas school building may get coffee club

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News

February 11, 2015 - 12:00 AM

GAS — Two residents, Jack McKarnin and Rick Schulenberg, have offered to be at Gas’ fledgling community center to make coffee and host gatherings of citizens with time on their hands.
Gas council members embraced the proposal Tuesday evening, but said it would be about two months before the daily morning ritual could start. Work to put on a new metal roof has started, thanks in large measure to Allen County paying nearly $15,000 for materials.
City Superintendent Steve Robb predicted the building would be open to the public in the second half of April, although it will be used on April 7 for city and school elections.
“We want to get it all cleaned up and ready to go” before starting routine use, Robb said.
City Clerk Rhonda Hill reported a community garage sale raised $831 last weekend to support the center. Anther is planned for the first weekend in April.
In other news:
— Jason Barnett questioned council members about requirements for home construction. A contractor, Barnett said he was considering building in Gas on his return to this area. He may propose a duplex, which council members explained would require a zoning variance. Gas has no multi-family zoning. He also asked about utility connections and tax abatement available through the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
— Two bids were accepted, one for a 1972 motor grader at $3,100 from Richard Diehl of 54 Rebuilders; and another of $2,490 from Highberger Construction, Westphalia, to raze a condemned property at 217 N. Main. Three bids were made for the grader, two for the demolition work.
— Bob and Helen Olivier, who live in Colorado, have purchased Trailside Motor Park and renamed it Maple Hill Park. As part of the deal, the Oliviers paid a delinquent water bill of $5,036.93.
— Council members renewed their contract with Allen County Animal Rescue Facility at $85 for each dog taken to the LaHarpe shelter. Hill said five or six stray dogs a year are taken to the shelter.
— A used mini-excavator was purchased from Irrigation and Turf, Iola, for $10,000. The machine, with 3,500 hours of use, will be used for water line installation and leak repairs, as well as other such work. Robb said a new excavator would cost $50,000 to $75,000, and noted the one purchased was small enough to pass through a four-foot gate and also not disturb lawns like a full-size backhoe would.
— Council members authorized a resolution asking legislators to deny efforts by Secretary of State Kris Kobach to move city and school elections from April to Election Day in November. The fear is they would “get lost” in an expanded ballot and also become injected with politics in the process when they became partisan.
— Citycode Financial, Wichita, will codify Gas ordinances and make them available on the Internet for a one-time charge of $2,750. Maintenance will cost $500 a year.

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