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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS This page was created to keep the public informed of the many inquiries received at City Hall and through public comment. Information listed here in response to questions or concerns can also be obtained by calling 724-8918. Why did we hire a Community Development Director and what exactly does this person do?
This position has been in creation for approximately a year and a half. It was funded using the salary of an employee who resigned and the partial salary of an employee who retired so that no additional funding would be required. The desire of the council was to fill this position with an experienced professional. A statewide search was conducted to fill this position through the League of Kansas Municipalities.
This position is responsible for Code Enforcement, Safety, and Flood Plain Management, all of which fall into the category of “Community Development”, not to be confused with “Economic Development”. Each is different, but complements one another. In addition to the primary duties, this position is assigned other work on an as needed basis.
What is the status of the Golf Course project?
Our goal is to have the clubhouse open April 1, 2010, but likely will not make that date. Until it is ready to open the old clubhouse will remain in operation without interruption of service to the public. As with all projects, unexpected and unaccounted for expenditures have made their way into the project. However, the original budget for the project still remains at $275,000 with a 15% contingency option. The contingency adds an additional $41,250.
The original engineering estimate for this project was $275,000 to renovate the old clubhouse (1,000sf) and add another 800sf for the grille and seating areas. Under the engineer’s proposal, no other work would have been done beyond the clubhouse work. City Council approved the current plan in order to “stretch” our investment. In comparing the proposal by the engineer to our plan using essentially the same budget, we were able to add nearly 8,000sf of new facility(s), and address much needed work on the course. The cost per square foot under the engineering proposal would have been $153 per square foot. Under the approved plan the cost was reduced to nearly $41 per square foot…a substantial savings. When the Sports Complex is opened will there be a charge for use? The answer is no. The complex will operate no differently than it did previously. It is entirely free to the public based on a first come basis, first use basis. The complex has been modified somewhat in the types of activity offered. The previous confirguration included two tennis courts and two basketball courts. The new complex will feature one tennis court, two half-court and one full-court basketball courts and a skate park. Since this complex will be brand new we anticipate use will be up substantially and will post signage pertaining to public courtesies in using the facility. Signage will be placed on the entry to the courts and within the skate park. Does the "Energy Charge" on my utility bill pay for the Golf course and Sports Complex projects ? The answer is no. The energy charge on the utility bill is explained in the next question. The Golf Course project was funded through a law suit settlement payment recieved. The council approved this project approximately one year ago with a budget of $275,000 to include an additional 15% for contingency. The project is being built in-house in order to stretch our dollars. Because of that reason the project is taking longer because our staff is working on the project in addtion to their day-to-day responsibilities, including emergency response to water leaks, electric outages, etc. By using our staff on this project we have saved significantly compared to the oringinal engineering estimates, while increasing the amount of work that could be accomplished. A win-win for the community. The Sports Complex project was estimated at nearly $550,000. The council voted to fund this project through a loan not supported by charging a user fee. When the project was let for bids, the chosen bid was approximately $380,000. Since the bid was awarded we have made upgrades to the facility which added a little over $6,000 for additional improvements. The addition of public restrooms and a picnic pavillion is still under consideration by the council. What is the Energy Cost line item on my electric utility bill? The Energy Cost (EC) was designed to recover increased power supply costs that are caused by the fluctuations in the price of fuel to produce energy or purchased energy. Some utility agencies refer to it as a "fuel adjustment". Energy is a commodity, and like every other commodity it is subject to the laws of supply and demand. When demand is high or supply is short, costs go up. The EC gives utilities the ability to deal with ongoing energy cost changes without having to make frequent changes to the base rate structure. Most electric and natural gas utilities use an energy cost adjustment to offset the fluctuating energy costs. In January 2009 the City Council approved Ordinance #1219 which restructured electric rate charges, rate classes, and added the Energy Cost (EC). The ordinance eliminated a declining block rate schedule which encouraged users to consume more energy because the more you used, the cheaper it was priced. The new rate schedule is based on the basic rate (cost of service) and the energy cost (our cost for power) and assigns costs equally to all users in each rate classification and encourages conservation. Why are utility deposits required? I’ve recently heard there is a sports complex project planned for the community. Where is it being built and when? The Sports Complex will be built at the existing location at Carbon and Forest Streets. Site preparation entails the removal of a few trees, playground equipment, sidewalks on the north and west side, fencing around the basketball and tennis courts, the lighting, and all netting and goals. The site preparation work could possibly begin as early as June 1, 2009. During the transition phase of site preparation and beginning construction the number of courts available to the public will be reduced to one basketball court only. The engineering firm has estimated that the project could go to bid as early as September 1, 2009 with a projected completion date of January 2010. The project will include a new tennis court, two half-court basketball courts, a full court basketball court, a small skate park, new perimeter lighting, perimeter and interior fencing, rest stations, water fountains, off-street parking, landscaping, and new sidewalks. uBdget permitting, a restroom will be added. Please keep in mind the dates mentioned above are flexible based on the engineering tempo. As soon as we have a start date to begin site preparation, we will post it on the website. What is "Safe Routes to School" and what will it do for the community? Safe Routes to School is a federally funded program managed through the State of Kansas Department of Transportation. Commnunities all across the nation are eligible to apply for grant funding used to enhance travel routes our children use for going to school and back. It is a partnership project involving the City of Girard and USD 248. In 2009 the City applied for phase one grant funding. The City was awarded a grant in the amount of $14,940 to hire an engineering firm to study routes children use traveleling to and from school. The phase one project has been completed and will go before council for review in the coming weeks. After approval the study will be submitted under phase two for another grant in an amount up to $250,000 to fund the recommended improvements. Some of the recommended improvements are additional sidewalks, raised crosswalks, pedestrian crossing warning flashers, flashing school zone assemblies, replacing all school crosswalks to ensure visibility, replace all school zone signage and install a pedestrian bridge handrailat the location of Water Street and Prairie Avenue. Phase two applications are to be submitted before October 2009. Cities awarded grants will be notified prior to the end of 2009 with anticipated project start dates shortly thereafter.
Any questions you may have concerning the city are welcomed by calling City Hall at 620-724-8918. |
