The Wamego City Commission heard several board annual reviews at Tuesday’s meeting.
Joni Chrest, Wamego Housing Authority, went over the annual update of the 32-unit Housing Authority. She said there are 17 applicants on a waiting list, which will be reduced by one with a recent vacancy. She added that 2012 Improvement Funds were used to renovate 10 units, with floor to ceiling paint and new carpet. The Housing Authority also renewed their contract with the Atchison Housing Authority Consortium. Chrest said this is the second year for the contract, which costs, but cuts down on administrative expenses.
John Hupe, Airport Board President, said activity at the Wamego Airport is growing. He said the biggest thing happening is receiving a 90/10 grant from the Department of Transportation for an overlay of the runway. Merl Page, City Manager, acknowledged receiving approval of the $236,000, with the State’s portion not to exceed $212,000, with the City’s portion $23,600. Page said the City will have to cover any bid amount in excess of the grant amount.
Wamego’s water tower painting project is getting closer to reality. Page said three bids were received on the project, with the lowest coming from Maguire Iron, Inc. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the amount of $79,720. Page said there are funds leftover from the original project, but not enough to cover the entire job. Page added that the amount of the bid is not much higher than a regular paint job, and will review the past tower painting projects. The Commission tabled the decision for a couple of weeks to allow for further study of different financing options.
The commission received a letter from the Planning Commission, recommending hiring a K-State student intern or other qualified individual to conduct a Sidewalk Master Plan for the City of Wamego. The elements necessary for the Plan would be an inventory of the existing sidewalk inventory, the condition of the existing inventory, and the areas where there are no sidewalks. The City’s current policy requires sidewalks on one side of the street within a neighborhood. A motion was made and approved to hire a summer intern, contingent if someone is available.
Page reviewed a request from Mande Doak, Relay for Life Event Coordinator, for use of the Recreation Complex for the September 13th event from noon to midnight. The request was approved.
The commission reappointed Tammy Hafenstein to the Juvenile Correction Advisory Board for another term. Plus, Mayor Bob Morse proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month, celebrating 46 years of Fair Housing in the City of Wamego.
In addition, Page reported the February Sales Tax numbers are down for both the City and County. He said the City was down 3 point 6 percent, and the County was down 1 point 6 percent for the same period a year ago. He said he will continue to monitor this.
