With Mayor Bill Maness absent, city commissioners Bill Shirley and Craig Abbott Monday night put off until Feb. 14 decisions that would lead to heating, air-conditioning and lighting improvements in city buildings.
Shirley proposed waiting because, “I was against it before and I still am. If we vote tonight it will fail.” Mayor Maness has favored the project.
The city has grant money from the Kansas Energy Office totaling about $109,000, which it will be obligated to match with $73,000 for a total of $182,568. Two contractors will extensively upgrade heating and air conditioning apparatus in City Hall, community buildings and the warehouse; install progammable thermostats; and replace lighting with more energy-efficient models.
Dale’s Sheet Metal, Iola, reportedly had the lower of two bids for the HVAC work, while a Wichita company was the apparently low bidder for lighting upgrades.
Money the state will provide is from federal stimulus funds. The grant was arranged by Joe Hurla, of 360 Energy Solutions, Eudora. Hurla solicited contract bids and will provide management services for the project. He and his company also are working with Allen County on similar energy-saving measurements.
Shirley said his concern was that projects to improve energy efficiency had been tried in USD 257 buildings, including the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, and at Allen County Community College and “they haven’t worked.”
The meeting otherwise was remarkable for its brevity.
Angela Henry asked the city to continue 50-50 funding with SAFE BASE of a recreation position. A three-year commitment was made a year ago. Commissioners voted to do so.
The city and SAFE BASE, USD 257’s after-school program, each provides $17,700 to pay salary and benefits for Jake Lawrence, who works mornings for the city’s Recreation Department and afternoons with physical fitness and enrichment activities for the school children.
Commissioners also agreed to close Washington Avenue, from Madison Avenue to West Street Thursday evenings from 5:D5 to 7:40, April 14 until Oct. 13, for the second year of a farmers and gardeners market. Debbie Bearden, of Allen County Farm Bureau, made the request.
The event is sponsored by Thrive Allen County and Allen County Farm Bureau. Earlier, Allen County commissioners agreed to permit booths on the courthouse lawn.
At meeting’s end, Shirley read a proclamation recognizing the Kansas sesquicentennial. Kansas was admitted to the Union Jan. 29, 1861.
City delays energy upgrades
