HUMBOLDT — Solar panels may be on the horizon for three of Humboldt’s buildings. Council members gave City Administrator Cole Herder the green light to further investigate adding the panels to its sewer and water plants and atop city hall.
A federal program, the Residential Clean Energy Credit, which expires on July 4, would pay 30% of their installation expenses, Herder said.
Herder figures energy savings would pay off the cost of the panels within five to 10 years, “and we’d have savings going forward after that.”
Council member Blake McDaniel was most concerned about the expected lifetime of the panels and whether they’d get their money’s worth out of the investment.
Council member Doug Ames told Herder to “do the research and let’s figure it out from there.”
CINDY Holingsworth, a volunteer who has been instrumental in spearheading the town’s new animal shelter/pound, requested Council members approve the shelter placing an abandoned railroad car within proximity of the shelter at 700 S. 1st.
The 8-foot by 40-foot railroad car is a gift to the shelter, Holingsworth said, and would be used to store the shelter’s supplies, including dog and cat food. 
At issue is whether that violates the city zoning ordinance. Holingsworth, a former Council member, noted she has counted five such shipping containers placed around town.
That’s probably right, Herder said, noting that at least a couple of Humboldt residents were given permission to place the containers on their properties under the condition they upgraded their appearance with siding or the like.
Unfortunately, that has not happened.
McDaniels worried that granting permission would “open the door” for others to place abandoned shipping containers on their property rather than construct a storage facility.
Herder said he thought city codes addressed the issue but could not find such a reference.
“We have always considered them a blight,” he said.
Were the Council to approve the request, it would require Council members to approve a variance in its zoning regulations, advised Fred Works, city attoryney.
His recommendation was for Council members to first review its zoning ordinance and whether it should specifically address such containers and then consider Holingsworth’s request.
A COLORFUL rendition of flowers will adorn the east side of the Cannon Park storm shelter.
Council members voted unanimously on a drawing submitted by a Humboldt High School art student to use as a paint-by-number activity for visitors and others participating in the May 2 Kansas Sampler Big Kansas Road Trip. Absent were Council members Robert Bingaman, Otis Crawford and Tim Francis.
