Allen County commissioners approved, in a split vote, participation in a three-year renewal of Iola’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program. JOE WEINER asked that the speed limit on old U.S. 169 north of Humboldt be lowered to 45 miles per hour for 600 feet into the 55 mph zone as a safety measure.
Shonda Jefferis, Iola code enforcement officer, proposed the renewal last week. No action was taken when Commissioner Rob Francis moved for county participation and Chairman Dick Works didn’t second the motion. Commissioners Gary McIntosh wasn’t at the meeting.
Tuesday, McIntosh made the motion, Francis seconded, Works remained in opposition.
Works’ contention is that the tax breaks are not an incentive for homeowners to make improvements to their properties. He also regards the program as unfair to those who don’t live within the program’s boundaries.
Only those who live in the blighted areas of Humboldt, Moran and Iola may apply for the funds. Each city designates the areas for improvement.
Property owners making $5,000 or more in improvements to residential or commercial properties receive 100 percent rebates for five years, minus 5 percent the county charges for administrative fees. Taxes then are phased in at 20 percent a year thereafter.
Iola’s renewed program will run through Oct. 31, 2015.
“My only concern is the way the program is run (in Iola),” McIntosh said. “It was done poorly before. I think we should keep an eye on it.”
McIntosh was referring to some applications being improperly filed.
The program affects all local taxing entities, city, county, school district and the community college.
He said Embridge, which will lay a large-diameter oil pipeline across Allen County in a project starting in Illinois and running to Oklahoma, intends to use his property north of Humboldt as a pipe yard.
Trucks will leave U.S. 169 at its intersection with K-224, go the old highway and then north to a farm road that gives access to Weiner’s property.
“There will be quite a few semi truck loads coming and going each day over the next two to three years,” Weiner said, starting in the next few days with heavy equipment to set up the yard.
Pipe will be delivered in 80-foot sections.
The pipe yard on his property will be one of three in eastern Kansas, Weiner said, and the largest in the state.
The preponderance of heavy truck traffic should dictate a lower speed limit to the advantage of other motorists, he said.
Bill King, director of Public Works, said he had concerns about damage the trucks might do to the county road (old U.S. 169) and suggested a wider entry point to the farm road off the old highway.
Weiner talked in terms of Embridge widening it to 40 feet; King thought 80 feet would be better.
King said heavy trucks making a sharp turn would slide and twist on the pavement, doing damage.
Commissioners said they would include Sheriff Tom Williams — he was out of town Tuesday morning — in deciding whether to lower the speed limit and agreed that King should participate in decisions about the road entrance.
Embridge already has positioned large electric warning signs north of Humboldt.
Spruce up plan OK’d
