Wednesday, November 15, 2023
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At right, a map shows the 22 residential lots of the Cedarbrook Third Addition. Iola’s city council agreed Monday to sell the lots to Jennifer Chester and Blake Boone, below, owners of Lakeview Investment Properties LLC. Work to extend streets and utilities at the north edge of town, above, continues. REGISTER/TIM STAUFFER
CEDARBROOK: SOLD Mother-son duo purchase all 22 lots; have 10 years to develop properties By TIM STAUFFER The Iola Register
In a major boost to Iola’s efforts to address its housing shortage, city council members voted Monday to sell all 22 residential lots in the Cedarbrook Third Addition to Lakeview Investment Properties, an LLC owned by Jennifer Chester and son Blake Boone. Earlier this year, the coun-
cil agreed to spend $1.7 million to extend utilities in the addition at the north edge of town. “I know it’s a lot of money,” Mayor Steve French said at the time. “It’s a gamble to build it and sit back and wait.” It appears the gamble will pay off. Chester and Boone told the Register they believe they can build three to five homes a year and have plans to begin as soon as January.
Humboldt cautious of misuse in gift program By SUSAN LYNN The Iola Register
HUMBOLDT — Though it may have tugged at the heartstrings of the community, the Humboldt Police Department has no business organizing an Adopt-a-Grandparent gift-giving effort, advised city attorney Fred Works. Simply put, organizing the project and delivering gifts are not the force’s responsibility and to do so “while on the clock,” is not a good use of taxpayer money. Works did not rule out the department’s participation, but that it be done on a volunteer basis and after hours. “Nobody’s saying this can’t be a project. But from the standpoint of a public use doctrine of taxpayer dollars, this is not a function of the city,” Works said. “This should not be part of a police officer’s job, nor should the police or anybody in the city be soliciting” gifts for the effort. Works’ opinion threw cold water on the hopes of Danica Modlin, a Humboldt High School senior and daughter of Sheri Modlin, who works for the police department. Danica appealed to city council members to reinstate the program, recalling the joy it gave her when accom-
Vol. 125, No. 286 Iola, KS $1.00
Danica Modlin address Humboldt City Council members Monday evening. REGISTER/ SUSAN LYNN
panying her mother to deliver the gifts. “I wish I could put into words the joy on the officers’ faces in giving back to the community,” she said. “And the older people smiled ear to ear, some even cried, because they were so touched.” “Sadly, last year we didn’t get to do it because of the fear of asking for donations. But that’s what a community is for,” she said. The Adopt-a-Grandparent program began in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when many of the elderly townsfolk were unable to get out and about or were See HUMBOLDT | Page A3
Terms of the contract stipulate 16 single-family homes to be built on 16 lots that are already served with utilities. On the other six, which are zoned two-family residential, Chester and Boone could build duplexes, but both said they would prefer instead to build up to three larger homes. Those six lots are currently served only with city water; Chester and Boone would bear the costs
of extending the road, sewer and street/storm sewer. Chester and Boone have 10 years to develop the lots; if they fail to do so, the land reverts back to the city. The 22 lots will be sold for $1,000 each, paid at closing. But with each home Chester and Boone sell, they’ll pay the city an additional $6,500 per lot. Thus, if all lots are developed and sold, the city will receive $165,000 total.
DISCUSSION on the contract was short. At the onset, council member Carl Slaugh mentioned he would like to debate the issue before a vote. “We’re shocked, Carl,” quipped fellow council member Kim Peterson. “I didn’t want you to be disappointed,” Slaugh responded dryly. “In general, I would like See SOLD | Page A3
District to install cameras at stadium By VICKIE MOSS The Iola Register
The football stadium at Riverside Park will get security cameras after vandalism earlier this year. USD 257 board members approved the purchase of eight cameras to be stationed around the stadium, including at entrances to the bandstand and on the scoreboard. The cameras use infrared technology for nighttime activity and can be recorded and monitored from a remote location. Because the stadium is not climate controlled, the control system will need to be kept off site, either at the board office or high school, requiring the district to extend internet services to the stadium. That had been the sticking point, Ben Prasko, the district’s technology coordinator, said. He received bids from LaHarpe Telephone and Kwikom. LaHarpe Telephone’s bid was thousands of dollars higher because it would require building more infrastructure. Kwikom’s bid allows the district to upgrade to faster speeds and potentially offer the stadium as a “hotspot” for the community and visitors. Kwikom’s installation fee was estimated at $1,500 but would have a monthly service fee. Board members mostly
Ben Prasko, technology director for USD 257, discusses a camera security system at the football stadium at Riverside Park. REGISTER/VICKIE MOSS
seemed to like the idea of having a hotspot, particularly to make it easier for fans to live stream sporting events such as football games and track meets. Board member Tony Leavitt, however, pointed out the stadium is used only a few months a year and encouraged thinking of additional ways to use the stadium and justify the expense. The camera system costs $3,200, in addition to the Kwikom bid. Robin Griffin-Lohman voted against the proposal. She questioned if the camera technology would be sufficient to obtain a criminal conviction and didn’t think the purchase was
justified. Prasko said he believed the cameras would meet the district’s needs in the event of criminal activity. Last summer, the press box was damaged and a microphone sound board was stolen amid a spate of vandalism. Teenagers were later arrested. The board also approved another technology request from Prasko with the purchase of three screens and projectors for the commons areas at Iola Elementary School. The projectors were taken out of the bond issue during construction as a cost savings measure, but teachers expressed how useful they would be. The district will spend $21,950 from its capital outlay fund. Bowlus repairs
Dan Kays, director of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, told board members about recent repairs at the facility that required him to transfer $20,000 from investment dividends. The heavy doors to the main lobby have long been a concern, he said, with hinges that no longer meet the resistance requirements. He was concerned patrons could get hurt. At recent events, an usher had to open and close the doors because of those concerns. Eventually, Kays said, See DISTRICT | Page A4
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