HUMBOLDT Humboldt council members approved a plat for the Southwind Industrial Park that will accommodate development beyond a Murphy Tractor shop.
The 33.9-acre tract is northeast of Humboldt. The Murphy shop will have three bays where mechanics will repair and refit several types of equipment. It will be next to K-224, the spur from U.S. 169 into Humboldt.
It wont just be bulldozers and heavy equipment theyll work on, said Kent Webber, Monarch Cement president. Monarch purchased the tract and is its developer.
Theyll have a mechanic to work on farm equipment and also (highway) trucks and trailers. Every day we have someone pushed out of the way at loading (at Monarchs plant) because of mechanical problems, he said. With the shop nearby, repairs can be made quickly and save the trucker and the drivers company time and money.
Theyll start moving dirt, for the Murphy facility, within a week, Webber added.
Also, he noted, we have another party interested in the back lot of the industrial track. Webber was not willing to reveal their identity.
Webber made his comments during a Planning Commission meeting prior to the city councils session. Planning commission members recommended council members to approve the plat. Their vote also was unanimous.
A change of zoning for land east of B&W Trailer Hitches from single-family dwellings to agricultural was approved, on another recommendation of planners from a month ago.
JW-JW Real Estate (Joe and Jane Works) own land that their daughter, Beth Barlow, will develop near the Southwind Trail as a multi-faceted outdoor attraction.
IN OTHER NEWS, council members:
Signed off on a 40-year $6.565 million loan to pay off short-term notes used to pay for citywide improvements to Humboldts sewer system. The loan will be retired by revenue raised through sewer charges.
Told City Administrator Cole Herder to arrange for codification of city ordinances through an Ohio company that has worked with 160 Kansas communities. Cost will be about $8,000.
Learned dilapidated properties at 415 and 417 Bridge Street likely will be deeded to the city. The owner doesnt have the wherewithal to repair them, Herder said. Once razed, the property may be given to USD 258 for construction of a house by its building trades class. Two other properties, 218 Charles and 404 S. Seventh remain in limbo.
Recognized Councilwoman Vada Aikins for receiving the E.A. Mosher Excellence in Local Government Award at the League of Kansas Municipalities annual meeting over the weekend in Kansas City.
