A chance to apply for a federal grant for street and trail improvements sparked another discussion about whether Iola receives enough benefit from a Washington, D.C.-based lobbyist. THE BULK of the TIGER grant discussion wasn’t on the grant funding itself, however. THERE IS more research to do before the city applies for the TIGER grant.
The discussion stemmed from City Administrator Carl Slaugh’s presentation Monday to Iola City Council members about a potential TIGER grant.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has provided the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant for the past seven years targeting projects across the country that otherwise would have no local dedicated funding sources.
Slaugh surmised Iola could apply for such a grant to rebuild U.S. 54 through Iola and/or extend a trail along the Missouri Pacific rail corridor through Iola.
While TIGER funds have been used largely in metropolitan areas, an added emphasis on rural projects has been stressed this year, Slaugh said.
The U.S. 54 project — rebuilding it would cost $3 million or more — would fit into the profile of a potential TIGER grant, Slaugh said.
That’s because if Iola does a simple mill-and-overlay project, the city can receive state funding sources because it’s considered a repair. Those state funds are not available for a full rebuild, meaning the city would foot the entire bill.
The key is to convince grant providers the work could tie into economic development, “that it does something exciting to build a community,” Slaugh said.
That’s where the trail work comes in.
Adding the trail extension might make Iola’s chances more appealing.
The city and state are collaborating on construction of the Missouri Pacific Trail from the Iola High School tennis court to the Prairie Spirit Trail along State Street. Construction began last week. The TIGER funds would extend the trail from the high school to where the old rail corridor intersects with U.S. 54 near Kentucky Street.
Slaugh noted the TIGER grant requires no local matching funds, although he said the city’s chances might improve if Iola offered up a little assistance.
A pre-application deadline is May 4.
The final application deadline, which would require a cost-benefit analysis, on how it would improve Iola economically, is due June 5.
Council members agreed to authorize Slaugh to begin the application process.
Rather, much of the talk centered on Iola’s use of Van Scoyoc Associates, a lobbying firm.
Steve French — in his final meeting as a council member — said Van Scoyoc officials were the ones who alerted the city to the TIGER grant opportunity, and that was after he called them following an earlier council debate about the firm.
“The nut of our conversation was they’re saying ‘We’re your employee. Let us work for you,’” French said.
“They’re not the only ones who notified us,” Slaugh responded, adding the information he provided came through the Kansas Department of Transportation. “They just opened that route two weeks ago. … I’d already received notice through KDOT.”
Slaugh has advocated the city end its relationship with Van Scoyoc, noting Iola has paid the firm $200,000 over the last four years.
“There’s limited use you can make of a lobbyist, particularly when there are no more earmarks,” Slaugh continued. “The TIGER grant program was generated by an engineering firm, not by a lobbyist firm. (The city’s) money would be much better spent paying for engineering fees or construction costs.”
Both French and Slaugh referred to Van Scoyoc’s past work with the city. The firm was instrumental in the city receiving millions of dollars after the 2007 flood, money that allowed Iola to rebuild its swimming pool and community building in Riverside Park, and use federal dollars to purchase more than 100 condemned houses.
“The benefits (of keeping Van Scoyoc) far outweigh the costs,” French said.
Councilman Jon Wells wondered if the grant could be used for alternative projects, such as improving North Kentucky Street or extending North Cottonwood.
Likewise, Councilwoman Beverly Franklin said she would prefer the city spend funds on something other than more trails.
“We have two weeks to come up with project ideas, projects we think would benefit the community,” Slaugh said.
City debates use of federal lobbying firm
