GAS — Gas council members will delay any action on righting a misaligned alley between Morrill and Martin streets south of Hickory.
Mayor Darrell Catron mentioned a couple of months ago opening the alley, platted but never maintained, for access to a garage he wanted to build. Neighbors said they preferred not to have the alley opened; some have sheds and fences on the right of way.
Surveys revealed nearby streets, Morrill and Martin, were not centered on rights of way. Also, council members were told Tuesday evening a sewer line, supposed to be in the middle of the alley, was off to one side on private property.
Options include asking property owners to give a utility easement. However, several of the council members think it better to put discussions aside, particularly since talk of opening the alley has aroused neighbors.
City Superintendent Steve Robb said whenever problems arose with the sewer line, “We’ve fixed them,” without any fuss with property owners.
City Attorney Ross Albertini also said it probably was better “to let things calm down” and revisit the misaligned streets and alley whenever need dictated.
Catron also asked whether it was time to look at annexation to square the city’s northwest boundaries.
Albertini said annexation by request was easy and if the city wanted to take the initiative, it could annex up to 21 acres at a time, but property owners had recourse to challenge the action.
Adding the residential property would increase property tax income by $3,000 a year, but, it was noted, sewer line extension likely would cost $50,000.
“The water line also is bad and would need to be replaced,” said Robb.
Comparing costs and tax advantages, Catron deemed annexation “probably is a dead issue.”
City staff will conduct a survey to determine the number of low- and moderate-income residents, preparatory to application for a Kansas Department of Commerce grant to purchase a community storm shelter.
At least 50 percent of residents have to be in the two income categories for success of the application, and the higher the percentage the better are chances of success. Application will be for about $60,000, which would be added to a 25 percent match by Gas, either in cash or in-kind contributions.
The shelter would house about 60 people, including those with handicaps.
Gas has six smaller community shelters.
Robb said work was being done to repair small cracks in the walking trail at Fees Park, made of recycled vehicle tires, and that a flag pole at the park, bent over by wind, soon would be replaced.
