HUMBOLDT – Humboldt council members authorized City Administrator Cole Herder to “do what needs done” to identify funds to pay for underground wiring for downtown lighting.
Herder said B&W Trailer Hitches and Monarch Cement “have spent tens of thousands of dollars, probably hundreds of thousands” for materials and labor for a Streetscape program to upgrade and beautify Humboldt’s business district. Now, wiring needs to be extended under Bridge and New York streets to facilitate the project, including some extensions within the square where Westar has lights on wooden poles fed by overhead lines.
The overhead lines are an eyesore with the advancing Streetscape work, Herder noted. Cost facing the city is $20,000 to $25,000, he said, with about $14,000 available in community development and downtown action funds. The remainder may be taken from gas reserves, he added.
The city’s obligation to the project has been extending electricity as well as water. Downtown sidewalks have a new look, including cut-outs where trees will be planted, as well as new hydrants and new light fixtures.
Council members also agreed with Police Chief Brian Dillow to find a new pickup truck and SUV to replace two police cars that have 140,000 and 170,000 miles on each. Dillow has $26,000 sequestered and the remainder, estimated at $34,000, will come from a lease-purchase agreement Herder will arrange.
The department has replaced a vehicle every two years, but with two purchases this year will postpone making another until 2021. The other two cruisers on hand are a 2015 Taurus with 25,000 miles and a 2013 pickup with 21,000 miles.
Dillow also said the department’s 10-session DARE program would start in Humboldt schools soon; a DUI class will be provided at the high school; and a bike rodeo will be in early May.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, council members:
— Signed off on sewer system improvements that have been in the planning stage for some time. Nearly 55,000 feet – better than 10 miles – of mains will be lined, as well as 276 vertical feet of manholes. Also, 530 service taps will be repaired. The project will cost $6.2 million, including design work and engineering. A $500,0000 Community Development Block Grant will pay a portion, with the rest coming from an interim Kansas Department of Health and Environment loan and, when all is completed, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan. Loans will be repaid through sewer service revenue. Sewer rates will increase by 5 percent this year and in 2018 and 2019.
— Water rates were raised 3 percent in the city and 4 percent for rural users for this year and in 2018 and 2019, to pay for a survey of the water system and whatever repairs should be required.
— Approved a request from Sean McReynolds, chief of the volunteer fire department, to seek a $2,199.60 grant from USDA-Rural Development to help purchase eight sets of breathing apparatus and other gear for fighting structure fires. Cost will be $14,664. A $10,998 grant is in hand from the state fire marshal’s office, and the remainder, $1,446.40 is available in the department’s budget.
–Learned a Re-Imagine Humboldt Down Summit, sponsored by Thrive Allen County, will be at the Room on the Square, 806 Bridge St., starting at 5:30 p.m. March 1. Discussion will follow dinner. “Ask people to come,” Herder admonished council members. “It’d be great if we had 100 or more.” The event will focus on what residents would like seen done to improve Humboldt.
— Were told Weide Monuments had moved from the old City Hall, which it had rented. “We need to consider what our options are with the building,” Herder said, allowing repairs to bring it up to code and good condition “probably would cost more than it is worth.”
— Learned a pet clinic will be Feb. 23 at the Camp Hunter (south park) cabin. Red Barn Veterinary Service, Iola, will offer rabies and other vaccinations for dogs and cats, $25 for one shot, $28 for two. Licenses for each species will be $5.
— Were told Humboldt Lions will have an Easter egg hunt on the square at 10 a.m. April 15.
Humboldt targets downtown lighting
