Construction is expected to begin as early as May for a new Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas clinic on North State Street.
Sophie Alexander, the health center’s practice manager, told Iola City Council members Monday the clinic has grown substantially now that it offers dental, medical and behavioral health services.
In the last 12 months, the clinic has served 7,500 patients for a combined 22,000 visits, Alexander said. “We’re busting at the seams.”
Ground-breaking for the 13,000-square-foot facility is slated for May, with opening targeted for July 2018.
As part of the plan for USDA financing, the clinic requires a letter of support from the city, thus necessitating Monday’s visit.
Council members unanimously voted for the letter of support.
Thrive Allen County has been assisting CHC with its expansion plans.
COUNCIL members approved cereal malt beverage licenses for Ray’s Mini Mart, Pump N Pete’s, Jump Start Travel Center, Walmart and Casey’s General Store for such products to be sold in original, unopened containers; and for Cedarbrook Golf Course, China Palace, Country Lanes, Denny’s Sports Center, Pizza Hut, El Jimador and Dudley’s BBQ for on-premises consumption.
One notable exception, Hutton explained, was Coronado’s Mexican Restaurant, which has sold beer in years past, but has declined, so far, to allow firefighters to inspect the restaurant, part of the application process. That means alcohol sales will not be allowed after Dec. 31.
“They just have not allowed entry” for the fire inspection, Hutton said.
That means the restaurant’s owners must reapply and allow a fire inspection, before the application is presented once again to the Council.
COUNCIL members approved a bid from Hampel Oil to deliver gasoline and diesel for city vehicles in 2017.
Hampel’s fuel delivery bid — 6 cents per gallon for gasoline and 7.3 cents per gallon for diesel — was slightly higher than a bid from Le Roy Co-op.
Franklin noted the higher bid would amount to less than $370 for the year, and favored the local company for the contract.
Her colleagues agreed, with a 6-0 vote. (Council members Austin Sigg and Jon Wells were absent.)
Council members also voted, 6-0, to purchase crushed rock from Nelson Quarries at a cost of $8.50 per ton.
