Energy efficiency standards for new construction projects in Iola will no longer be as stringent as they’ve been the past few years.
Iola City Council members on Monday voted, 6-2, to back away from using the International Energy Conservation Code’s 2012 standards, which regulate and govern mechanical, lighting and power systems on new residential and commercial structures.
Instead, the city will adhere to IECC’s 2006 standards.
The change came about after the city was approached by developers planning a new Community Health Center clinic on North State Street.
“There’s some significant costs to go from requirements from 2006 to 2012” standards, Iola City Administrator Sid Fleming said. “With this project, they’re looking at an additional $90,000.”
The added costs relate primarily to having additional light fixture controls with dimmer switches, Fleming said.
The city has heard other similar complaints, Fleming added. He noted other communities Iola’s size tend to use the 2006 standards.
The differences between the two standards do not justify the cost, he concluded.
Councilman Aaron Franklin, who cast one of the two dissenting votes, said he preferred to see Iola keep the 2012 standards and allow exemptions on a case-by-case basis.
“Focusing on energy efficiency is important for the longevity of our planet,” Franklin said.
Councilman Bob Shaughnessy cast the other dissenting vote. As a licensed contractor, he cited strengths and drawbacks from switching efficiency standards.
“The more efficient you can make it, the better off you’ll be in the long run,” Shaughnessy said. Conversely, “I don’t like having somebody telling me what I have to do. It’s probably not necessary.”
Nevertheless, he voted alongside Franklin in favor of the tougher standards..
Voting in favor of using the older, less stringent standards were Don Becker, Beverly Franklin, Nancy Ford, Austin Sigg, Jon Wells and Sandy Zornes.
“This issue has come up before,” Fleming said. “Now we can say we’re following code, rather than making exemptions we don’t have authority to make.”
COUNCIL members voted 8-0 to assist the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility’s “trap-neuter-release” campaign to help control the feral cat population in Iola.
Armed with a $5,000 grant from The Petco Foundation, ACARF has asked the city help increase its trapping efforts.
The felines would be given a quick health evaluation, neutered (or spayed), and after a 24-hour observation period, released back in the same area in which it was trapped.
To make the program run smoothly, ACARF has asked the city to acquire several new live animal traps.
The traps will be the city’s to keep, but will be used by ACARF during the TNR project.
“Our (trap) supply is kind of low, anyway,” Fleming said.
Additionally, the city will chip in $1,000 out of its animal control budget to help pay for additional neutering operations for the feral cats.
Such a cost now should pay off in the long run, Wells agreed.”It’s the only way to keep the cat population in check.”
CORONADO’S Mexican Restaurant, 1401 East St., can once again sell cereal malt beverages.
Council members approved the restaurant’s CMB license for 2017.
The license lapsed Dec. 31 because firefighters weren’t allowed access for an inspection prior to the end of 2016, one of the prerequisites for a license to sell beer.
That access for an inspection was granted in late January, Fleming said. Firefighters found a couple of “minor issues,” but otherwise gave the restaurant a passing grade.
A COMMUNITY resource guide will better assist residents in dire need of quailty housing.
Damaris Kunkle, program director at Thrive Allen County, told Council members about the resource guide’s development through the Allen County Connectors and now through Humanity House.
The need for such a guide was proven last summer in LaHarpe, when occupants of a condemned house had to find a new place to live in short order, Kunkler said.
She and Georgia Masterson, who works through Humanity House, worked with the family for about four months before a new place to live could be found.
“We worked alongside them to get quality housing as fast as possible,” Kunkler said, “and it still took four months.”
The resource guide will feature a list of agencies and organizations available to help families in need. They’ll be available at each city clerk’s office in Allen County, Kunkler said.
Kunkler also hopes to work with city code officers to help them better information notifying occupants of available resources if they are ordered out of a condemned structure.
THE CITY will dial back its efforts to rid its water supply of cryptosporidium.
Fleming explained how using three separate treatment processes removed the cryptosporidium above and beyond what are set by state and federal clean water standards.
One component — increasing ozone levels in the water — has resulted in increased levels of bromate, Fleming said.
While the bromate levels (and ozone and cryptosporidium for that matter) are all well within compliance, Water Plant Superintendent Toby Ross has recommended using less ozone to curb the bromate levels.
Council members agreed, voting 8-0 to hire Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) to oversee the new treatment process, and to determine if any other remedies should be deployed.
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite found primarily in water, and is considered by the Centers For Disease Control as a leading cause of waterborne disease among humans in the United States.
The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it difficult to remove through chlorine disinfection.
SEVERAL personnel changes were approved.
Jacqie Spradling, assistant Allen County attorney, was hired as the city’s prosecuting attorney for the Iola Municpal Court.
Also hired were Darrel Chester in the code enforcement office, Ryan Eisenbart within the Street and Alley Department and Trevor Beyer in the Parks Department.
Tom Nevans is retiring from the Parks Department.
Jason McManus has resigned from the Fire Department, while firefighter Kevin Seabolt’s contract was terminated. As per city’s personnel policy, the reason for the termination was not made public.
Dane Byerley was promoted within the Fire Department.
