Iola’s community buildings likely will remain off limits for the time being. When the facilities are reopened to the public will be determined by the city’s managers, and not City Council members.
The Council discussed the matter briefly Monday, before agreeing to hand off responsibility to Parks Superintendent Berkley Kerr and Interim City Administrator Corey Schinstock.
The Council members were split, 3-3, on whether to keep the buildings largely off limits to the public as a protective measure amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
Since March, the city is limiting usage only for such things as periodic bloodmobiles, and next Tuesday’s general election polling site.
Council members noted demand for community buildings may increase for the upcoming holiday season, although Kerr noted he hasn’t received many requests. In fact, most calls he fields are for people seeking to cancel previously reserved dates.
“People have been pretty understanding,” Kerr said.
Schinstock told the Council he’d met briefly with City Attorney Bob Johnson about writing up a waiver, giving renters responsibility to adhere to protective measures against the coronavirus.
That doesn’t sit well with Mayor Jon Wells, who said requiring somebody to sign an agreement freeing the city from liability “probably isn’t the best idea.”
Conversely, Councilman Nickolas Kinder and Councilwoman Kim Peterson both noted folks will be gathering en masse for holiday functions somewhere.
“They’re gonna find a way to get together,” Kinder said, suggesting the city rent out the buildings could bring in added revenue. “People are gonna do what they’re gonna do.”
While the Council members were largely split, they were in agreement that Schinstock and Kerr would be better suited to make the decision on when the buildings should reopen.
Kerr noted he has looked at the community building availability on a month-by-month basis already.
“Leaving it open for staff to make the decision is fine with me,” Councilman Carl Slaugh said.
CITY EMPLOYEES will receive a 1.3% boost to their salaries to conform with cost-of-living adjustments.
The city typically ties its COLA raises to the Consumer Price Index, largely regarded as the most accurate measure of the rate of inflation.
