Iola City Council Meeting 4/14 Highlights
IOLA, Kan. — The Iola City Council Monday approved rezoning of the Allen County Airport Industrial property at 1600 and Minnesota Road and a plat for the site which was recently annexed into the city. When it approved the annexation, part of the city’s extension of water and sewer service to the site, the land came into the city zoned as residential as required by state law. This change makes the zoning industrial as intended. The site was platted as one site, which would enable Allen County to split into multiple lots if desired.
The Council clarified an earlier decision related to utility assistance for Allen County Recycling and the Humanity House Community Garden. The Council has approved $600 in assistance for 2025, and the clarification approved is with the understanding any future funding will have to be done on an annual basis.
Purchase of two Ford F-550 trucks from Twin Motors Ford was approved. They submitted the only bid out of four requested. One of the trucks will replace a water service truck and the other for the gas department, The current gas service truck will be retained as a backup unit for the utility departments. This is a budgeted purchase for both departments.
The Council briefly discussed a proposal from Council member Jon Wells to create a distinguished service award to be presented by the Council on an annual basis. Wells was not able to be in attendance at Monday’s meeting, however Mayor Steve French provided a brief overview of what Wells is proposing. At a future council meeting further details including criteria for the award, and how recipients would be nominated and selected will be discussed in more detail.
Peggy Neimeyer was appointed to the board of the Public Housing Authority. Council members also waived rental fees for a community baby shower to be held June 10 at the Dr. John Silas Bass North Community Building sponsored by the SEK Multi-County Health Department and approved one thousand dollars for the Allen County Farmers Market to assist with the SNAP and double-up food bucks’ programs. This matches funds approved earlier by the Allen County Commission.
