HUMBOLDT Bill and Sharon Barton have a chore ahead of them. In order to negotiate a route to property they own just outside Humboldts city limit to the east, they must clear small trees, limbs and brush.
Involved is a lane a couple of blocks long, that while not officially a street, was once graded by the city, said Bill Barton.
Humboldt City Attorney Fred Works pointed out that 13th Street the strip of ground in question was designated to continue north to the Barton property but was never opened as a street. Consequently, whatever gravel back when the Neoshos rock was dredged for roads and streets found on the lane was put their unofficially.
Works questioned: Is it proper for the city to spend tax money to benefit someone who lives outside the city?
The Bartons dont live on the property today, but said they might if they can get a road opened to it.
With council members leaning to the Bartons favor, Councilwoman Sunny Shreve suggested, You clear the street and well grade it at least once for the time being. Shreves motion was approved unanimously.
Fair enough, the Bartons replied.
OTHERWISE, council members dealt with a handful of potpourri.
They agreed to a plan by City Administrator Cole Herder to have a number of large ash trees in the city square cut into firewood or mulch, whichever is the easier, and cheaper, as a means to dispose of them. The trees have been attacked by borers. Lawrence has spent $1 million to eliminate ash trees.
Herder thinks a grant from Enbridge Pipeline Company will pay for Humboldts tree removal, perhaps over a period of three or four years. Others in town will be the responsibility of property owners.
Herder said he will consult a forester to decide what trees should be planted as replacements.
Humboldt likely will enter an agreement arranged by Kansas Municipal Gas Association (KMGA) for prepaid gas through a Minnesota supplier. The city will be required to commit to the plan for 30 years to obtain about a third of its gas thusly, with an opt-out in five years.
Its not a great deal, but we should save about $10,000 a year, Herder said.
Specifics of the contract have been in the formation stage for several months and will be ready for a vote in January.
Council members completed technicalities of annexing a 30-acre tract northeast of town owned by Monarch Cement Company. The land will be developed for industrial use with the first as a maintenance and repair shop for Murphy Tractor and Equipment, Park City. Monarch will construct the shop and lease it to Murphy. A second vote changed zoning for the tract from single-family dwellings, the default for all newly annexed property, to heavy industrial. Until developed, some of the land will be farmed.
Jarred, Gilmore and Phillips, Chanute, will audit city financial records for 2018. Cost will be $5,700, the same as last year.
Trish Sanchez, maintenance supervisor, was recognized by the KMGA for her knowledge of gas distribution and purchasing practices, including her contributions to that phase of everyday life in Humboldt.
