Even city cows gotta eat.
An Iola property owner and the man who rents his land complained to Iola City Council members Monday about a recent visit from city code inspector Gregg Hutton, who cited rules about the allowable height of grass within city limits.
The property in question is the 40 acres of pasture north of Allen Community College, which has been used for decades to graze cattle, landowner Kyle Stephenson said. Stephenson said he thought some consideration should be given for the nature of the property and the length of time it has served as pasture.
Its a very unique situation, Stephenson said. We got notified that the yard is 10 to 12 inches tall. We dont consider the pasture part of our yard. I couldnt get him to see it was any different from any other yard.
John Eisenbart, who rents the land for his cattle, said he mows the pasture once a year. If he keeps it mowed too short, it wont sustain his cattle.
Council member Nancy Ford confirmed the pasture has existed within the city limits for years. Mayor Jon Wells assured Stephenson and Eisenbart he would look into the matter.
IN OTHER business, the council approved permits related to various community events, including:
Rotary Day in the Park
City commissioners agreed to help Iola Rotary with its annual Smokin Hot Cars and BBQ event July 27-28 at Riverside Park in conjunction with the Allen County Fair. The event includes the 10th Annual Neil Westervelt Memorial Car Show and the barbecue contest designated as a South Central Kansas BBQ Championship. This year the club will add a Rotary Picnic in the Park, offering a pulled pork luncheon to the public for $5, with local entertainment, a silent auction and raffles.
The city will allow cooking teams and support personnel to camp overnight at Riverside Park, will provide regular police patrol during the event and will provide and maintain dumpsters, temporary electric panels and water for the event. The city also agreed to give 100 swimming pool passes to families of cooking teams.
Bob Hawk, representing the Rotary Club, told council members the club previously received a donation of pork from the Kansas City Barbecue Society, but the society wouldnt be donating this year. Instead, the club planned to purchase the meat themselves because they typically donate about 400 pounds of pork to the Iola and Humboldt food pantries after the event.
This particular fund-raiser is very important to the projects we do, Hawk said.
Allen County Fair Rodeo
A request to serve and sell beer at a beer garden near the rodeo arena was approved.
Farm City Days Summer Concert Series
Because of a change to the lineup for Saturdays concert, council members agreed to lift a noise ordinance until midnight Sunday. The council previously agreed to lift the noise ordinance until 11:30 p.m. Saturday. But after supporting act Jack Ingram dropped out, concert organizers added Wade Hayes and Ricochet as supporting acts for headliner Frankie Ballard. The acts will need more time to set up and perform.
