Iola City Council members will have a “big picture” discussion Monday on ambulance services provided by the city.
The city’s contract to provide countywide ambulance service via the Iola Fire Department expires Dec. 31, and negotiations between the city and Allen County to extend the contract ended in April without an agreement.
County commissioners announced in April they would enter a bid process for county ambulance services beyond this year, inviting the city to submit a proposal for the county’s consideration.
This leads to the upcoming discussion Monday.
If Council members wish to move forward with a bid, the specifics will be hammered out in private, under a trade secrets provision in the Kansas open meetings law.
The original contract between the city and county was set to expire at the end of 2020, but was extended a year because negotiations were cut short amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
ALSO Monday, Council members will further discuss a proposal from Thrive Allen County to develop a recreation area on city-owned property covering a portion of the old Cedarbrook Golf Course on the north edge of town.
Thrive approached the city in March about developing the site with a number of ideas, from adding a walking trail, fishing area, dog park, fire pits, flower garden and other amenities.
Council members directed staffers to visit with Police Chief Jared Warner and Parks Superintendent Berkley Kerr to get their feedback.
MONDAY’S 6 p.m. meeting is in the New Community Building at Riverside Park. The public is invited.
