Jim Hanni, a representative from AAA, appeared before the Iola City Council Monday night to present the Iola Police Department with their Kansas Traffic Safety Award for 2012. In other news:
The award is given to police forces who have made strides to make roads safer for their community. Every year, AAA hands out a bronze, silver, gold and platinum award — the IPD qualified for the gold award. Hanni said the different levels are based on community size and the changes in road safety over the past year.
“The purpose of the award is to encourage communities to address local traffic safety issues in a coordinated and cost-effective way,” Hanni said.
He provided proof of the IPD’s efforts through statistics gathered over recent years:
— “Click it or Ticket” citations have increased from 39 in 2007 to 152 in 2011.
— Seat belt use has improved among teens, from 78 percent in 2010 to 88 percent in 2011.
— There have been zero fatalities in four out of the last five years.
— Alcohol crashes have been reduced from 11 in 2007 to four in 2011.
Hanni presented the award to Chief Jared Warner, joined with different officers of the police force.
— The Mothers of Miracles, or M.O.M., have received approval to waive the fees for the recreation building in Riverside Park for their Roll and Stroll Event on April 6.
— Scott Stewart and Joel Wicoff have been selected to serve as city representatives along with the Allen County Commission in the EMS merger subcommittee. The group’s goal is to discuss and propose different elements of an EMS merger to both the city and the county.
— Council members amended a municipal code to officially make 4 p.m. the official deadline for utility payments. The city had currently been using 4 p.m. as a deadline, and the council simply amended the code to reflect current practice. In addition, if a resident has their power cut due to a late payment and would like their power returned the same day, the fee for after-hours work was raised from $50 to $75.
— Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock garnered approval from the council to open bids for the city’s 2013 mill and overlay project. The street resurfacing project will focus on Carpenter Street, Jackson Avenue, Jefferson Avenue and Broadway Street.
—The council had the opportunity to discuss the city’s capital improvements project list. The list is required by the Kansas Department of Health and Environement. The council discussed the need for repair on Northwestern Street, handicap accessible playgrounds and parks, and infrastructure improvements to the third addition in Cedarbrook.
— Council members agreed to “look into” another trailhead for the Prairie Spirit Trail. The trailhead would be located on the south side of the U.S. 54 intersection with the trail. Both council members David Toland and Steve French agreed that a pavilion should be put in place, and the possibility of a restroom should be explored as well.
“Iola may not be people’s vacation destination, but it may be someone’s vacation stop,” French said.
— The council discussed the funding options for the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, which currently receives $25,000 per year. City Administrator Carl Slaugh brought a proposal recommending that the Bowlus receive funds through a mill levy. The mill levy would reflect inflation in the economy, and allow more funds — currently around $7,000 per year additionally for the Bowlus. The funding will be added as an agenda item for a future council meeting.
— No action was taken for the distribution of the Sygenta settlement into the water fund. The amount, just under $200,000, was received as part of a nationwide settlement from the company, which is the world’s largest manufacturer of the pesticide Atrazine.
IPD receives traffic safety award
