HUMBOLDT — Rental properties in Humboldt will get an upgrade with the help of a $170,000 Community Development Block Grant arranged through the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Five landlords have agreed to provide a local match totaling $50,000 to fix up six houses and three downtown apartments, City Administrator Larry Tucker told council members Monday night.
Grant application was made last fall.
Council members agreed to apply for an $18,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to build handicap-accessible restroom facilities at Neosho River Park. Volunteers raised $10,000 to match the KDWP grant. The restroom project will cost nearly $28,000.
Jeremy Bulk, code enforcement officer, said the city will have to make certain the restroom’s holding tank is pumped out ahead of any flooding, it being near the river.
Bulk, who works Wednesday through Friday, will add Mondays and Tuesdays to his schedule and use the extra days to complete projects to meet Americans with Disabilities requirements.
Mayor Nobby Davis said it was time to put a wrap on what was ordered, to keep Humboldt from getting its hands slapped at the end of the year.
“We have $26,000 budgeted for the work this year,” Tucker said, which he thinks will be sufficient.
The main project is refitting a restroom/shower facility in Camp Hunter Park, at the southwest corner of town, Bulk said. That’s where people visiting in recreational vehicles congregate.
Also, accessible playground equipment will be a feature of Cannon Park, in the north part of Humboldt. Some sidewalks need upgraded.
Bulk said most things yet to do weren’t time-consuming, such as raising the height of a water fountain by an inch in Camp Hunter.
ADMISSION charges at the swimming pool will remain unchanged, except for pool parties arranged by people living outside of USD 258. In-district parties will be $100; those from outside $150.
Daily admission will be $1.50 for children 6-13 and for senior citizens 55 and older. Others 14 and older will pay $2. Children 5 and younger will swim free.
Season tickets will come in two tiers, with residents of USD 258 benefiting from a bequest from the Grace Rourk Estate to pay half of those. Thus, season tickets are $45 and $22.50 for children 6-13 and for seniors; $55 and $27.50 for swimmers 14 and older; $90 and $45 for families.
Last year attendance totaled 3,134. The four-year average is 4,132.
