Allen County Commission Chairman Tom Williams thinks downtown Iola needs public restrooms. COMMISSIONERS met in executive session with Toland to discuss a potential unnamed business transaction. Afterward, commissioners voted to hire ACT, a Lenexa firm, to inspect the vacated hospital to determine the level of hazardous material, such as asbestos.
The idea surfaced twice in recent meetings, through requests from organizers with the annual Relay for Life all-night walk and the Allen County Farmers Market that occurs on Thursday evenings from spring to fall.
Tuesday morning commissioners reached apparent solutions for those two events, though they agreed permanent restrooms would be better.
Sheriff Bryan Murphy said he would keep open the lobby to his office, which has a single restroom, for use overnight for Relay for Life. The hallway outside district court offices will be opened on Thursday evenings, probably until about 7 o’clock, for farmers market vendors and patrons.
As for a permanent structure, Williams said “I think there is a need,” although he is “antsy about putting it on the courthouse lawn.”
David Toland, Thrive Allen County executive director, who was also at the meeting, said the pocket park adjacent to City Hall is accessible to utilities and would be a convenient location.
Toland volunteered to research grants and loans available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and perhaps other sources. County Counselor Alan Weber said he doubted financial support would be available through the Allen County Community Foundation.
Once done, which Weber said shouldn’t take long, bids will be sought for razing of the hospital.
Commissioners also approved several purchases for the Public Works Department.
— A bid of $27,600 from Iola’s O’Malley Equipment for two 15-foot flex wing mowers was approved; it was one of four bids. With it being the only bidder, O’Malley also will provide an all-terrain vehicle for $15,500.
— Three 10-foot flex wing mowers were purchased from Sellers Equipment, Topeka, at $46,110. Sellers’ bid was $10,310 more than O’Malley’s bid, but the one Bill King, director of Public Works, recommended. He said the Sellers machines better fit the county’s needs.
— The county will purchase magnesium chloride from Scotwood Industries, Overland Park, for use as a dust-suppressant. Residents who want rock roads near their homes sprayed will pay $1.47 a linear foot, seven cents more than in 2014.
— Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions, Kansas City, Kan., had the best of four bids for road oil at $1.84 a gallon. Last year’s cost was $1.92.
Public restrooms on square debated
