Iola commissioners agreed to sponsor the Iola Elks July 4 fireworks display, an annual affair that has come under added federal oversight.
The sponsorship will not cost the city any money. Rather, it allows the Elks to purchase fireworks without a federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearm license this year.
Mike Jewell, speaking Tuesday on behalf of the Elks Lodge, told commissioners the Elks have a person licensed to shoot off the fireworks, “just not ATF licensed.”
Acquiring the ATF li-cense is a lengthy procedure, Jewell said, which would jeopardize the Elks’ ability to purchase the fireworks before July 4.
The fireworks display caps a day-long schedule, which also features fishing derbies for youngsters, a horseshoe contest, swimming and boat rides on the lake.
Commissioner Craig Ab-bott and Mayor Bill Maness both agreed to the request, provided the Elks provide proof of insurance and other licensing. Commissioner Bill Shirley was out of town and not at Tuesday’s meeting.
THE CITY approved a design services agreement with 360 Energy Solutions of Lawrence to pursue grant funds that would make some city facilities more energy efficient.
Joseph Hurla, the firm’s owner, estimated improving lighting, heating and cooling systems at City Hall, the city warehouse and a part of the library would cost about $214,000.
State grants — made possible through federal stimulus funds — would pay for 60 percent, or $128,000, while the city would be responsible for the remaining $86,000.
The agreement does not obligate the city to pay for any upgrades, commissioners noted. The city still has the final say, if the grant funds are approved, of whether to proceed with the work, Hurla added.
COMMISSIONERS approved a pair of plans dealing with the demolition or rehabilitation of dilapidated structures along portions of First and Second streets in southeast Iola.
The Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission has Community Development Block Grant funds available to qualifying homeowners for demolition or rehabilitation.
The affected area lies between First and Second streets, to Madison Avenue to the north and Spruce Street to the south.
Commissioners also gave final approval to the city’s $2.6 million sanitary sewer rehabilitation plans. The projects will include $1.6 million for sewer line reconstruction; $254,000 for sewer cleaning and televising, $120,000 for manhole top rehabilitation, $328,000 for pump station improvements and $327,000 for engineering services.
The work is being paid for with a $1.2 million loan from the state, a $768,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency and $628,000 from wastewater utility funds, made possible by higher sewer rates.
COMMISSIONERS tabled a request for a $422.05 change order for workers to remove some tile flooring in Iola Public Library.
Crews discovered the tile flooring did not contain asbestos and could be removed immediately.
Commissioners stipulated previously that they approve any change orders, but declined to act because Tuesday’s request came from Code Enforcement Officer Jeff Bauer.
“I have a problem with Jeff doing this,” Abbott said. Abbott preferred any requests come from the project’s architects.
Maness agreed, and the request was tabled.
THE CITY WILL pay a $305 license fee to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers in order to continue playing music at the Iola Municipal Pool and other city facilities.
In an April 8 letter to the city, ASCAP officials noted that any music played at city-sanctioned events, such as concerts, arts and craft fairs, parades, carnivals, community center dances, swimming pools or other events was prohibited without permission from the copyright owners of those songs, or their representatives, such as ASCAP.
The licensing must be renewed annually.
