Iola’s community buildings, which have been largely closed off to the public since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, may soon reopen.
Iola City Council members discussed reopening the buildings for private gatherings in time for the holiday season.
The city has kept the buildings closed in adherence to Gov. Laura Kelly’s recommendations of prohibiting mass gatherings of 45 people or more in places where social distancing cannot be regulated.
Councilwoman Kim Peterson said she was asked by a family about the possibility of using a community building.
Interim City Administrator Corey Schinstock said he was comfortable with having the buildings reopened, with the caveat the city would be unable to regulate the crowd sizes once the buildings are rented.
He suggested having renters sign a waiver or statement assuming responsibility for maintaining crowd sizes or social distancing rules when using the facility.
Mayor Jon Wells said that if the buildings are rented, there likely still will be restrictions, such as allowing only one such rental per weekend, to allow city crews time to properly clean and sanitize the area afterward.
Council members asked Schinstock to bring the issue back for further discussion.
WITH THE Nov. 3 general election less than three weeks away, Schinstock reminded the Council of the city’s rules regulating placement of candidate signs.
The signs cannot be on public rights of way, larger than 6 square feet or illuminated.
The rules are not in place to discourage citizens from publicly supporting candidates or issues, Schinstock noted, but rather to prevent obstructed views for motorists or block access to sidewalks.
“A good rule of thumb is to keep them inside the sidewalks or 10 feet back from the street,” Schinstock said.
THE SEARCH continues for a new administrator, with eight hopefuls being pegged for further consideration.
Schinstock said he hoped to have the eight candidates available to meet with the Council Oct. 30 so they can continue interviews.
Council members also:
— Approved, 6-0, several measures related to application of a Community Development Block Grant, that if approved, will go toward purchase of a new fire truck. Jonathan Goering of Thrive Allen County, which is assisting the city in the grant filing, said the application should be complete next week. Council members Nancy Ford and Gene Myrick were absent.
— Approved 13 holidays for 2021, New Year’s Day, Jan. 18 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Feb. 15 for Presidents Day, April 2 for Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 5 for Independence Day, Sept. 6 for Labor Day, Oct. 11 for Columbus Day, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day, Nov. 25 and 26 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 for Christmas and Dec. 31 for New Year’s Eve.
