LINDSBORG, Kan. — The Lindsborg City Council Monday approved a $3,000 contract with the South Central Kansas Economic Development District to assist in preparing a housing rehabilitation Community Development Block Grant application.
This had been discussed in a recent study session, and City Administrator Tanner Faust is familiar with it, having been involved with this program in Lyons, where over the years it has been very successful with many homes rehabilitated. In Lyons, also provided support for demolition of dilapidated structures.
Generally, up to $300,000 is available to assist in rehabilitation of homes for low-income persons, which can be owner-occupied or rentals. In the case of the latter, the landlord would be responsible for part of the project cost unless they also meet the income guidelines.
The Council also renewed their contract with Federico/Duerst Consulting, which provides lobbying and other services for the city. In addition to that work, which included laying the groundwork for the K-4 project the city was awarded last month, the firm worked with the city in creation of “Meet in the Middle,” a gathering of legislators from across Kansas held each summer in Lindsborg which in addition to providing a time to discuss matters in an informal setting also exposes them to the community.
The Council approved an expenditure of up to $15,000 for annual sewer main cleaning. Mayer Specialty Service has done this work for several years, and they are able to go through all mains in the city every five to six years, with some areas where problems are known to exist cleaned more frequently.
It approved bids for a new dog fence, pagoda, and two benches for the city’s Dog Park. The just over $22,000 project is being funded through a donation which is being made through the McPherson County Community Foundation.
The Council ratified the purchase of three 50 KVA transformers to replace ones that were on a pole behind Dollar General that had been struck by a truck. Public Works Director Denny Walker said the purchase was made in order to keep down time to a minimum, and help prevent spoilage of refrigerated items in the store.
Total cost came to just over $11,000, however due to a change in an earlier approved transformer purchase, the net cost came to $3,482.60. Dollar General paid for the labor and other costs connected with the pole replacement after it was determined, thanks to help from Lindsborg Police, who was responsible. Walker said officers were able to obtain camera footage of the pole being struck.
By the way, in that same time period three public works employees found time to help a motorist in distress. Mayor Clark Shultz, who witnessed this, said those employees took a few minutes to help out, which he really appreciated. It was, as the mayor explained, another example of the caring community Lindsborg is.
