Iola will take possession of an abandoned trailer park on South Vermont Street to ensure the dilapidated trailer houses are removed in a timely fashion.
Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Bauer explained that Citizens Bank of Paola owns the mortgages on the park and was unaware the park’s owner had given deeds to the trailers to a group of salvage lot operators in exchange for their demolition and cleanup services.
Demolition began on four of the 13 trailers before Bauer ordered work to stop because the crews did not have proper insurance.
The plan now is to have the bank hire a contractor to remove the structures promptly.
Commissioners, through an emergency order, declared as much.
Bauer said the bank would be responsible for cleanup.
In a related matter, commissioner scheduled a condemnation hearing for a dilapidated house at 601 S. Cottonwood St.
COMMISSIONERS approved the sale of a plot of land in Iola’s new Cedarbrook Addition to Larry W. Gruber for $7,500.
Gruber plans to build a home there.
Special terms of the contract mandate that the home be similar in style and size to the 30 or so rental homes already built there. The home must be at least 1,300 square feet in area and have an attached two-car garage.
Commissioners removed a stipulation that the home’s exterior be comprised primarily of brick.
“I think that’s getting a little too intrusive,” Mayor Bill Maness said.
Commissioners also approved the purchase of a vacant parcel of land at 710 N. Cottonwood St. from Rosalind Leapheart for $2,134. The land is in part of the city’s 100-year flood plain and is adjacent to Coon Creek.
COMMISSIONERS approved a contract with Professional Engineering Consultants, Wichita, to oversee planned drainage work along Scott Street.
The area has flooded in recent years due in part to new development along South State Street and an inadequate drainage area to the west of the street.
Design costs are not to exceed $13,800, according to the contract.
WITH A NEW fire truck ready to be put in service later this fall, commissioners approved a request for the city to donate its old truck, a 1976 Pierce, to Allen County Volunteer Fire Department.
Fire Chief Donald Leapheart told the Register the new truck will be put online as soon as it is fully equipped. Equipping may take a month or so, he noted.
ALSO APPROVED was a $2,254.74 change order for ongoing renovations to the Iola Public Library to replace some duct work in the building.
