Iola code enforcement officer Shonda Jefferis is resigning her post.
Jefferis, who has been with the city since July 2012, has accepted a position with Transystems, Corp., a firm that deals with engineering, design and architecture for transportation infrastructure.
Transystems is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., with offices throughout the country, including ones in Wichita and Independence.
Iola City Council members Monday are expected to appoint assistant code enforcement officer Greg Hutton to fill Jefferis’ role on an interim basis. The city already has begun to advertise for the vacancy.
IN OTHER CITY matters, Council members are expected to vote on proposed 3 percent increases in both water and electric rates.
City Administrator Carl Slaugh has recommended both be increased in order to build up utility reserves.
Also on Monday’s agenda is discussion of designs for a proposed pedestrian bridge that would span Elm Creek along South Washington Avenue.
Thrive Allen County is spearheading the search for grants that would fund the bridge. Three options — a single span steel truss, a single span steel beam and a three-span pre-stressed beam — are estimated to cost between $257,000 and $322,500, according to an engineer’s report.
An engineer has recommended the steel truss, which is the lowest cost of the three estimates.
The city has not allocated any money toward the cost of the bridge.
Damaris Kunkler, Thrive’s program director, also will be on hand to further discuss grant opportunities stemming from a Community Engagement Initiative plan for the city.
Several Iola needs were discussed as part of a countywide community conversation last August. Among Iola’s needs were restoring blighted downtown facades in Iola; decreasing the community perception of a lack of safe, clean, accessible parks, trails and otherwise enhancing trail and bike connectivity; and further implementing a “complete streets” policy, which takes into account pedestrians, bicyclists, transit and motor vehicle traffic when considering road repair or development.
