Infrastructure costs likely to play role in 2016 budget

As Iola City Council members continue to discuss the city’s 2016 budget, they’ll need to be aware of potential expenditures dealing with growth.
City Administrator Carl Slaugh addressed some of those issues Monday, including a pending request from David Toland, hired by the city as its economic developer.
Toland spoke earlier this month about an effort to bring a grocery store to the site of the old Allen County Hospital, and potential traffic flow changes along U.S. 54 at the old hospital curve.
Any changes would necessitate a traffic study, Toland said then, floating the idea that the study be funded by Iola.
Slaugh said a wide range of costs for the traffic study existed, from $5,000 to $30,000.
Normally, such a traffic study would be completed by private developers as part of the platting process, Slaugh said.
“I’ll approach this, and let council decide,” Slaugh said. “What role do you think the city should have in a private development?
“I am concerned it appears a commitment is being made before the Council has had a chance to say we support it at this level,” Slaugh continued. “We don’t know where this money is going to come from. We don’t have a budget set aside.”
Toland’s other request was for possible street work.
“We really don’t know what that would involve,” Slaugh continued. “Based on moving over a street, it could be up to $220,000. These are not minor requests.”
“It looks to me like roads are the city’s responsibility,” Councilwoman Beverly Franklin replied.
While maintaining roads are the city’s responsibility, Slaugh agreed, relocating a road for private development should be considered a developer’s responsibility.
“We need to know exactly what they want,” Councilman Austin Sigg said, before the city can decide how much it can spend.
Becker cautioned against doing a traffic study too early in the process, because of an ongoing bridge replacement project along U.S. 54 near Yates Center.
“The traffic we have now is not going to be what we have a year from now,” Becker cautioned.
“Infrastructure is one of the key things a city’s supposed to provide,” Councilman Jon Wells said. “If we’re not going to provide roads for trucks to get to a grocery store, then what are we doing?”
“I’d prefer to have information about a dollar figure before a commitment is made,” Slaugh said.
Councilman Bob Shaughnessy wondered if the city would need to increase its water or sewer facilities near potential apartment complexes.
“You’re putting several units in one small area,” Shaughnessy said.
Slaugh anticipated potential line relocations, but that, too, would require an engineer’s study.

SLAUGH ALSO pointed to comments Toland made before the Council June 9 about ongoing efforts to bring an additional restaurant and hotel to Iola, and the associated costs for the city to provide incentives to draw those businesses.
“We were told, ‘It’s going to be expensive, so be prepared,’” Slaugh said. “How do you feel about that as a council?”
“I haven’t seen a ‘no vacancy’ sign in Iola yet,” Shaughnessy said.
“It sounds like a commitment has been made for us to pay for something when we don’t know what it is,” Slaugh said.
“I don’t know that I’d consider that a commitment,” Councilwoman Nancy Ford responded. “I’d consider that as having a dream and having a vision for the future and looking to these things. That’s when we’d decide if this is feasible and where the money would come from. You still have to have a vision. Without even looking, you’ll never know.”
“I agree,” Wells said. “I took it more as a warning that as we talk about possibilities, it may not be the cheapest options. With all the hotels, once you get college kids in there. The college is at 106 percent capacity, and hotels handle part of the overflow. You get one road crew decide to stay a week or two, and you’re full.”
“At the same time, the statement was made, be prepared to pay a hefty price,” Councilman Aaron Franklin said. “If this price tag is going to be dangled in front of us, we have a right to know” what will be needed of the city.

COUNCIL members also:
— Approved a request from Northern Star Girl Scouts to host an overnight camping session Thursday at Riverside Park.
— Reinstated Kristy Sutherland as a Recreation Department employee.  Sutherland “changed her mind,” Slaugh said, after announcing her intentions earlier this month to resign.
— Directed Mayor Joel Wicoff to reach out to local groups and individuals to serve on a committee to deal with Van Scoyoc Associates, the city’s lobbying firm based out of Washington, D.C. Council members suggested involving members of Iola’s Community Involvement Task Force and its economic development board.
— Approved a wrecking, towing and impound agreement with the city and Allen County. The county earlier opened a bid from T.J.’s Towing LLC to be the sole provider for such services countywide.
— Approved a zoning change from residential to “neighborhood business” property at 205 and 217 E. Madison Ave. and 200 S. Buckeye St. Houses at those sites have been removed to accommodate new loading areas and a new entrance for the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.