There will be no reconstruction on Highway 54 inside the city limits on the east side of Iola. IN OTHER BUSINESS:
City council members voted down a motion made by Don Becker, on a 4-3 decision Monday night. Council member Beverly Franklin was not present for the meeting.
Darrin Petrowsky, KDOT’s regional engineer, came before the council to explain the proposed project, as well as how the Kansas Department of Transportation would work with the businesses to allow access during construction.
Several business owners had come before the council during the Feb. 11 meeting to express their concerns about access to their businesses. The concerns led to a tabled decision in the previous meeting.
“What assurances are there going to be that there is going to be adequate access for those businesses there,” Council Member David Toland asked Petrowsky.
Larry Macha, owner of Jump Start Travel Center, and Robert Storrer, owner of Storrer Implements, were present at the meeting to represent the concerned business owners.
Petrowsky assured the council that access would be available, despite the fact that a contractor had not been chosen for the project yet.
Jerod Kelley, an engineer with KDOT, echoed Petrowsky’s remarks.
“We can work, and will work to get access to the businesses,” Kelley said.
The concerns outweighed the benefits, however.
“We are going to be at the mercy of the contractor,” Macha said. “It is such a last-minute idea, that has not been thought out.”
The council members took time to examine photos that had been taken by Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock, and Petrowsky referenced core samples that had been taken by KDOT workers in 2010.
He said the road, which was constructed in 1969, is in disrepair and needs to have its core replaced.
“I’m sure it has already met its design life,” he said.
Council Members Joel Wicoff said he was in favor of the construction.
“The road is not in the best condition,” Wicoff said. “I know we can still get some years out of it, but it will still deteriorate.”
The majority of the project, 75 percent, would be paid by KDOT and the remaining 25 percent would come from a fund provided by the state.
Macha felt as though the 1,500 vehicles that come in and out of his business daily would not be supported by the impromptu access roads the contractor would provide. He said the businesses along the 800-foot proposed construction area would deal with similar issues.
“That has not been taken into consideration, and I don’t think the contractor will take it into consideration,” Macha said.
In the end, four council members felt there was not enough information to move forward with the project.
— Council members approved a tax abatement request made by Robert Shaugnessy. The tax abatement will be applied to the restaurant he and his son, Toby Shaughnessy, will be constructing in March. Shaughnessy has requested similar abatements from Allen County and USD 257 as an incentive for the construction of the restaurant, Sam and Louie’s.
— Washington Avenue was approved to be closed for the farmers market during the more temperate months of the year.
— A contract with the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility was approved, after some discussion. The new contract stipulated that a $50 charge will be applied for any kittens or puppies that are born in the shelter.
— Council members approved $3,400 to be used for demolition on 409 S. Third St.
— A bid for a high-water service pump was accepted. The bid, made by Fluid Equipment, totaled $97,700 for the new pump.
Council nixes construction
