Mayor Richard Clark called the Feb. 20 Howard City Council meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. with council members Martin Hunter, Shilo Crupper, Derek Cookson, Gary Harrod and Jerrad Pope present. Also present was City Gas Superintendent Clay Hunter, Shari Kaminska and Clerk Joanna Hunter.
Moton by Harrod, seconded by Pope to approve minutes of Feb. 5 meeting. Carried 4-0, Cookson abstained.
Kaminska, Elk County Community Development, addressed the Council. She discussed the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge with trade-show open to public on Feb. 28 from 9-11 a.m. at Elk Valley school in Longton. She next explained the Housing Assessment needed for future grant and funding opportunities and invited the Council to approve participation in the County project at no cost. The assessment will require several volunteers and is expected to take about three months to complete after started. Kaminska also spoke on the Elk County Neighborhood Revitalization project that is currently open. Any Elk County property owner doing $10,000 or more in construction or improvements of real property is invited to fill out an application for tax rebate at the County Appraiser’s Office. 2024 Kansas Infrastructure Hub grants were also noted, specifically the sidewalks and trails portion and a program called Trail-In-A-Box that the City Clerk agreed to research along with other opportunities that may benefit the City.
Motion by M. Hunter, seconded by Harrod that the City participate in the Elk County’s Housing Assessment. Carried 5-0 C. Hunter, gave the Council an update on the most recent annual KCC safety audit and steps taken to remain in compliance.
Motion by Cookson, seconded by Harrod to approve payment of city bills of $4,904.87. Carried 5-0 Motion by Harrod, seconded by Pope to hire Cornerstone Regional Surveying in Independence to do a property survey at approximate cost of $2,500. Carried 5-0 Motion by Cookson, seconded by M. Hunter to order more culverts and bands for street and ditch work. Carried 5-0 Also discussed was: 2023 KDWP Lake Fisheries report; Lake toilet – Clerk will check with State on funding availability and Councilmembers will review other requirements; Security Cameras; Emergency generators; Considering future flooring replacement at Cox Building; City Codes regarding clearing property of junk and visibility for drivers at corners.
Motion by Pope, seconded by Harrod to adjourn. Carried 5-0 meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. The council also met on March 4. The next meeting of the Howard City Council is Monday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Submitted by: /s/Richard P Clark, Mayor /s/Joanna Hunter, City Clerk
