Council to discuss tougher cell phone rules

Iola City Council members will discuss Monday whether cell phone usage laws should be tightened in city limits.
Legislators introduced a bill in the 2015 session to expand on the 2911 state law banning texting and driving.
The proposal would have prohibited the use of all hand-held devices such as cell phones while driving.
The bill failed to make it out of committee.
However, the discussion caught the eye of Iola City Councilman Aaron Franklin, who suggested recently the city take up the discussion.
According to information compiled by City Administrator Carl Slaugh, cities such as Manhattan and Junction City already have such laws restricting the use of cell phones and electronic devices while driving. Bonner Springs and Overland Park, meanwhile, restrict cell phone usage for city employees.

COUNCIL members also hope to finalize their budget planning for 2016 so the spending plan can be approved in August.
Slaugh is proposing the city instill a 2-mill increase in Iola’s ad valorem tax levy. Already Council members approved increases in water rates and electric meter fees to help replenish depleted utility reserve funds.
The Council also will take another look at installing street lights on North Kentucky and South State streets.
Adding seven poles to South State Street, south of city limits to Elm Creek Bridge, would cost $9,575, Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock said. Adding 10 poles to cover the distance from Miller Road to Oregon Road, and past Allen County Regional Hospital, would cost $11,422.
Complicating matters, the city anticipates North Kentucky will eventually need to be improved to accommodate the extra traffic to the hospital. Installing lights now would mean they would likely be in the way if the road must be rebuilt, Schinstock said.

COUNCIL members also will continue talks on a traffic study for U.S. 54 to accommodate development of a grocery store and apartment complexes at the old Allen County Hospital site.
County commissioners signed a contract with G&W Foods earlier this week for a portion of the hospital property. Iola Industries has expressed an interest in developing an apartment complex.
Monday’s 6 p.m. meeting will be at Bass Community Hall, 505 N. Buckeye St., and is open to the public.