Allen County commissioners said Tuesday they’d be delighted for Iola council meetings to convene in the courthouse.
Now, Ken Rowe, one of eight new councilmen who took office April 18, has to convince at least four others it would be a good idea to relocate to a larger meeting facility.
City Hall has no room large enough for an eight-member council and mayor, as well as support personnel and an audience. The newly expanded council held its first meeting in the community building in Riverside Park last week.
Rowe spoke to commissioners about the possibility of using the assembly room in the courthouse as a private citizen and not as an official representative of the city council, he said.
“I’ve talked to three other council members,” which is within bounds of the Kansas Open Meetings Act, “and they agreed it would be a good idea,” Rowe said.
The courthouse, a short stroll from City Hall across Jackson Avenue, would be convenient if documents or other items were needed from City Hall, Rowe said. The courthouse also is handicap-accessible with ample parking nearby.
Rowe said he had checked schedules and that city council meetings the first and third Monday evenings would not conflict with the county’s meeting schedule.
He said he would propose making the courthouse’s basement meeting room the permanent site for council meetings Monday night, when members gather again in Riverside Park. It would take five “yes” votes to make the proposed relocation a reality.
Councilman proposes courthouse for meetings
