With three new councilmen and a new mayor in tow, the Iola City Council will undergo its most radical transformation since the Council form of governance was approved by voters nearly seven years ago.
New Council members Ron Ballard, Gene Myrick and Mark Peters will be sworn in Monday to replace Beverly Franklin, Don Becker and Sandy Zornes, respectively. In addition, Councilman Jon Wells will formally relinquish his seat in order to be sworn in as Iola’s next mayor, replacing Joel Wicoff.
Franklin, Becker, Zornes and Wicoff all declined to seek re-election last fall.
Wells’s changeover still leaves a vacancy on the eight-member Council. City officials had set a mid-December deadline to accept applications for his replacement. Two did so, and a third submitted an application after the deadline, City Administrator Sid Fleming reported.
Because of the holidays, and to ensure more folks are aware of the vacancy, Fleming announced the application deadline has been extended to 5 p.m. Jan. 17.
Wells represents Iola’s First Ward, which covers much of the northwest part of town, north of Breckenridge and west of Cottonwood streets. His replacement must live within that voting ward.
Applications are available at the city administrator or utility office, or by calling 365-4915.
The council replaced the old three-member city commission in the spring of 2011.
A FEW items of business will follow the swearing-in ceremony.
Council members are expected to schedule condemnation hearings for three houses in downtown Iola, at 3 W. Neosho St., 322 South St. and 426 N. Third St.
Also on the agenda is a proposal to split costs with USD 257 to repair bleachers at Baseball Diamond No. 3 at Riverside Park. The field is used primarily during high school baseball season and occasionally by the American Legion baseball program. The city closed the bleachers due to safety concerns with the seating and walking boards last year.
MONDAY’S 6 p.m. meeting at Iola’s New Community Building is open to the public.
