GAS — A new playground toy called an Orbitron costs about $2,500. A device quite similar will be installed in Fees Park on the west edge of Gas at a fraction of the cost. COUNCIL members agreed to enroll all of Gas in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program for another three years when the current edition expires May 31. OTHER NEWS:
City Superintendent Steve Robb told council members Tuesday night he would fashion the toy from materials on hand at a “lot less than that.” The toy will be an open disc made of tubing mounted at a slight angle atop a pivot on a standard, which kids can grab and swing around on.
Robb said areas under playground equipment in the park would be replaced with fine gravel and a large round picnic table also would be installed.
In the restroom, a station on which to change a baby’s diaper is also being installed.
Volunteers and Gas employees have upgraded the park since it opened several years ago and have made it a destination not only for residents but also for people from neighboring communities.
Streets also will be upgraded this summer.
“I’ve talked to Bill King (Allen County director of Public Works) about chip-seal,” Robb said.
About 7 1/2 miles will be treated, with Gas providing hot oil and the county equipment and rock.
“We also have some potholes to fix and cracks to fill,” Robb said.
In the program improvements or new construction of $5,000 or more are eligible for a property tax abatement of 95 percent for five years, which then declines by 20 percent over the next five years.
The program is meant to encourage upgrades in blighted residential or commercial areas but communities have latitude to expand it, such as Gas has to include all of the city.
Gas will start accepting credit card payments for utility bills, but the process must be done in Clerk Rhonda Hill’s office. Hill said she would record card numbers for payment through an Internet site.
Council members also approved an insurance set-aside policy, which will have the city attach 10 percent of insurance proceeds when a home is substantially damaged by fire, explosion or wind. Money retained will be returned once a property is cleaned up to the city’s satisfaction.
— Gas learned its property, casualty and worker’s compensation EMC insurance premium increased about 4 percent to $13,118. The previous year’s was $12,645.
— A pet clinic will be Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the city shop. Owners may have their pets vaccinated and registered.
— City Hall is closed today through Friday while Hill attends a city clerks conference in Wichita.
Gas gets bargain on playground equipment
