HUMBOLDT — Over the next few weeks Humboldt city leaders will ask for public input on whether a bike lane should be designated along a portion of Ninth Street.
Letters explaining the proposal will be sent with utility bills. Mayor Nobby Davis ordered the communication after several people said Monday night they were unaware of the proposed project until just recently.
Mitzi Farran, who lives on Ninth Street, said she was unaware of the idea because she doesn’t subscribe to “the newspaper and no one came to my door.”
A proposal for a bike lane the mile-long length of the street grew from a two-day community conversation in August 2015. In March a multi-use/bike lane was proposed to council members. Since then a community committee formed and with assistance from Damaris Kunkler, program director for Thrive Allen County, residents living along Ninth Street were contacted, either in person or by door hangers.
The immediate result was 40 people, who live along the street or have connections, signed a letter of support. At a community meeting on Nov. 1 16 people raised hands in support when given opportunity; four declined support, according to a presentation by Darci Croisant, a proponent.
Several citizens spoke out in opposition.
Helen Harrington said she didn’t think Ninth Street is a safe route for bicyclists, particularly those of a young age. “The street is a busy one,” she said.
Joan Perez said she travels the street daily on her way to work at Monarch Cement and opposed designating a part of it for bicycles or other slow-moving conveyances. “Some other street should be found,” she said.
Councilwoman Sunny Shreve replied Ninth Street is the only “street that’s wide enough.”
Farran said her concern was limiting parking in front of the Christian Church, where older members have parked for years for easier access to its sanctuary.
Further, Farran said, “tractors and combines often use the street,” which complicates the traffic pattern.
Councilwoman Vada Aikins said she had received several calls and a letter, all opposing a bike lane on the street.
COUNCIL MEMBERS approved a $30,000 contract with BG Consultants, Manhattan, to do a survey of Humboldt’s water distribution system, after City Administrator Cole Herder pointed out a proposed $100,000 improvement plan for the water plant should be put off. An exception: A $4,800 project for inject sodium permanganate to discourage zebra mussels. An infestation of the mussels was found when raw water intakes were examined earlier this year. He will send in paperwork today that has a good chance, Herder said, of attracting a $30,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to pay for the system-wide survey.
The water plant is 35 years old and is approaching its life expectancy, he added, and the city’s water storage towers need painting inside and out, which will cost about $500,000. The city has spent about $50,000 a year for Band Aid work within the water system, and if that were put to revenue bond payments, little more would be needed each year at current interest rates.
Meanwhile, the city will learn early in 2017 if it has qualified for USDA and Community Development Block Grant funding for a sewer system improvement, waiting in the wings and estimated at about $6 million.
He won approval to spend $5,000 for BG consultants to examine ultra violet treatment of sewage to destroy E. coli bacteria before treated water is released to the Neosho River.
The proliferation of upcoming expenses were just about too much for Shreve.
“It’s scary,” she said. “We have to find ways to get more people in town, to raise our tax base,” as well as ramp up utility consumption and attendant city revenue.
Shreve pointed out that such things as the bike lane should be supported by members of the council and community. “We have to have ways to make the community more appealing” to possible residents.
IN OTHER news, council members:
— Applauded Mark Criger for his 16 years as a volunteer firefighter during a brief retirement ceremony.
— Learned Humboldt’s cost for providing health insurance coverage for employees would cost $190,766.88 in 2017, 3 percent less than this year’s $196,709.28. “I think Humboldt is the only city in southeast Kansas to see its health insurance premium go down,” Herder said.
