IOLA, Kan. — The Iola City Council Monday approved waiving rental fees for a statewide 4-H entomology workshop to be held in Iola in June at the John Silas Bass North Community Building. Vicky Wallace, a master state 4-H volunteer who works with the Southwind Extension district, said the two day event generally attracts 75 participants, and rotates around the state. In addition to volunteers who teach about entomology, or the study of insects.
Wallace said the event incorporates numerous other skills, and also includes sessions on conservation and ecosystems, and will be involved in a community service project. Wallace noted the program attracts many youth on the autism spectrum, and has been adapted for those with disabilities. The Council had to approve the fee waiver because the program charges a registration fee, which covers expenses for the workshop.
The Council accepted the low bid from Poor Boy Tree Service of Fairplay, Mo., for the 2025 tree trimming project. Poor Boy’s bid of $99,396.80 covers a total of 740 hours of trimming work, and was the lowest of six bids received. Poor Boy has done this work for the city for the past few years, and it’s funded through the electric distribution fund to keep limb away from power lines
The Council reappointed Electric Distribution Superintendent Mike Phillips to a two year term as one of the city’s two voting representatives on the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency Board of Directors. City Administrator Matt Rehder is the other voting delegate, with Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock as the alternate member.
The topic of solar energy came up during Monday’s meeting. The topic was brought up by new Council member Jeremiah Ivy. Some residents and a few businesses in Iola have solar systems to generate electricity, and B&W Trailer Hitches in Humboldt, where Ivy works, has a large array on their roof.
In Iola, local policy is to provide an annual credit for customers who generate more power than they consume, feeding it into the city system. When Ivy asked about the potential for the city to expand solar capacity,
City Administrator Matt Rehder said city-owned solar has been looked at and rejected twice since he’s been here largely due to the maintenance costs involved with a large system. That said, Iola purchases renewable energy from elsewhere; about 20 percent of the city’s electricity comes from renewable sources.
Striping along Oregon Road on the north edge of Iola was discussed, brought up by Council member Joelle Shallah. Shallah cited the 55 mile an hour speed limit along that road as a reason to have it striped.. The part of it from State Street to Kentucky is within the city, while east of there to US 169 it’s an Allen County road. Council members have asked staff to reach out to the county to see if they would be interested in a joint striping project. The City’s part of it would cost around three thousand dollars.
Also discussed was donations to the city’s utility relief program which provides assistance for needy persons with utility bills that City Clerk Roxanne Hutton said has been challenging due to the pair of extended cold snaps this season. Mayor Steve French encouraged residents to support the round up program where customers can round up their bills to the next highest dollar… this can be done automatically on your utility bill.
Mayor French encourages those eligible to apply for other programs, such as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. That has to be applied for online, and Humanity House and Thrive Allen County can assist with that process.
