City of Humboldt, Kansas

The Gail's Angels Foundation supports mothers with breast cancer who support an autistic or special needs child. Anthony Greco and Rob Bonora began a walk across the country on June 1st, raising awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle while raising money for the Gail's Angels Foundation. This journey will take them through Humboldt on or about July 28th. Please read this attached letter for more information. You may also find more information about the Coast to Coast for a Cure project by going to www.coasttocoastforacure.com

City Receives Health Foundation Grant for Centennial Park

The City has received a $25,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation to place exercise equipment at Centennial Park. Outdoor equipment will be placed at the south end of the park to promote healthy fitness for both young and old alike. Work to complete the new exercise equipment circuit trail is scheduled for this summer.

The City of Humboldt is seeking interest in the proposed senior housing project, click here for brochure. If you think you qualify, are 55 or older and would be interested in living in this type of housing, please open the Senior Housing Survey, complete and return to City of Humboldt, PO Box 228, Humboldt, KS, 66748, or drop off at City Hall, 701 Bridge Street, as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please call the City offices at 620-473-3232.

Members of the Humboldt Housing Action team went to Hutchinson recently to look at single family housing built by the Kansas Department of Corrections. Ranging in one to three bedroom energy efficient houses, these units can be delivered to sites at a lower cost. Local Public Square Communities including Humboldt are being introduced to this program to see if these could help with their housing needs. The state is to provide more information regarding designs and transportation costs. Shown below are examples of housing built at the Hutchinson Correctional facility.

The River Park Project is making progress with the construction of the new fishing dock on the west side of Neosho river. Plans include steps to the fishing area along with new security lighting and limited access to the river sand bar. If the weather cooperates, the City hopes to complete the project by spring fishing season. Other improvements are also being planned for the park. For more information, contact City Hall at 620-473-3232.

The Allen County Animal Rescue Facility (ACARF) is located in LaHarpe on Highway 54, and will soon be up and running. Although the building itself is completed, more funding is needed for such items as dog pens, cat cages, stainless steel worktables, wash vats and office equipment. Donations are being requested and may be mailed to ACARF, P.O. Box 16, Iola, KS, 66749. For additional information, please call Art Chapman at (620 496-2222, (620) 496-2627 or (620) 496-7711.

Construction begins on the City water line project during February. Plans are to replace old water lines, fire hydrants and to include new water system valves to better help maintain the system. The project is expected to take several months to complete. If you have questions, please contact City Hall at 473-3232.

The City is now accepting utility payments and court payments online. There are two separate websites for each type of payment.

To pay utility bills or court fines, go to the following websites:
Utility bills: www.humboldtutilitypay.com
Court fines: www.humboldttix.com

To make payments, you will need your utility bill, police issued ticket, and a bank debit or credit card. A fee is added to all payments. For more information, contact City Hall at 473-3232.

New City Hall Plans Approved

The City Council has approved plans for renovations to the new City Hall to be located at 725 Bridge Street in Humboldt. Included in the plans will be an elevator and rest rooms to make the building handicap accessible. Also being considered is a new court and conference room on the main floor. The City has applied for a USDA grant to assist with the project. Bid requests will be taken in January with final action on the project scheduled for February. Once construction is started it is hoped that City Hall and the Police Department can be moved to the new location by April or May 2010.

Wi-Fi Coming To City Parks

Internet access using Wi-Fi will soon be available at all City Parks including the youth baseball complex. Those with lap top computers will be able to visit one of our City Parks, click on Kwikom Hotspots and have wireless access to the internet. Locations include Cannon, Camp Hunter, Centennial and City Square parks. The Sweatt and Manion baseball parks will also have Wi-Fi access. For more information, contact City Hall.

The City Council has chosen Luminous Neon of Hutchinson to replace the old Emprise Bank time and temperature sign with the City’s logo and seal. Plans also include phase I remodeling which will include an elevator on the south end of the building for ADA access. Both City Hall and the Police Department are making plans to move into the new location after the first of the year. For more information, contact City Hall.

River Park Project

The City of Humboldt continues to work with local volunteers to make improvements to its River Park located on the Neosho River. Plans include a new fishing dock, improved security lighting and emergency access in the park area on the west side of the river. Local volunteers are also raising funds to help with other improvements including areas for picnickers, campers and others wanting to use the park. For more information, contact City Hall at 620-473-3232.

NOTICE
You can’t smell gas in its natural state, so your gas department adds a distinctive odor to make leaks easier to detect. Natural gas is clean, safe and efficient but, if you smell gas in your home, even if you don’t use it, there are certain things you should do.

If the odor of gas is light, the source of the leak is probably one of your gas appliances. Occasionally pilot lights will blow out, so first check each of these. While you’re doing that make sure each of the burners of your range and oven are turned completely off, in most cases, these two checks will solve the problem.

If the odor grows stronger and you can’t locate the source, here’s what to do:

** VENTILATE your home by opening windows and doors. Doing this will prevent a concentrated build-up of gas in your home.

** EXTINGUISH all open flames. Don’t use matches. Don’t smoke. Don’t cause any sort of spark of combustion. Don’t turn on or off light switches or use electrical or battery-powered equipment that might create a spark (such as an electric garage door). Do not use the phone.

** GET OUT of your house and call us from an outside phone. Wait there until our service representative arrives.

However slim the chances of danger, don’t take risks. Give us a call.

BETWEEN 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Call 473-3232 or 473-2441, Monday-Friday
On weekends or holidays and after 5:00 p.m., Call 473-3131
GAS DEPARTMENT – CITY OF HUMBOLDT

DIG SAFE
The City of Humboldt has many gas, water and sewer lines buried in the street parking, alleys, and utility easements in various locations in the City. The customers also have buried lines from the meters to the building.

Don’t excavate, fill, grade, deep plow, bore or plant trees until you make a toll-free call, so these lines don’t get damaged or anyone get hurt.

Have the area checked out, prevent damage, inconvenience and costly interruptions. There is no charge for locating underground utility lines.

Call the Kansas One-Call System at 1-800-DIG-SAFE (1-800-344-7233).

The State of Kansas and the City of Humboldt offer tax and rebate incentives to new and existing businesses. In addition to sales and property tax exemptions, property tax and sales tax rebates, including revolving loans, are now available to business wanting to locate or expand in Humboldt. Click here for Business Development flyer information.

Waste Tire Material Installed

Kansas Department of Health and Environment has announced that the City of Humboldt has received a grant in the amount of $18,722 to purchase waste tire materials in selected City parks. The grant was one of over 75 reviewed by the Governor’s Solid Waste Grants Advisory Committee which totaled over $743,685. Materials have been installed under the playground equipment located at Humboldt’s Cannon and Centennial Park to improve safety and reduce the risk of injuries. Materials have been provided by the waste tire grant. For more information, contact City Hall at 473-3232.

CITY PRESENTS ITS ANNUAL BUDGET FOR 2010

The City of Humboldt has reviewed its budget for the 2010 year. A hearing has been scheduled for August 10, 2009, 7 PM at the Humboldt Library to hear public comments. Detail information regarding the budget is available at City Hall, 701 Bridge Street. Click here for the budget summary.

Highlights from the 2010 budget include:
• Tax levy rate proposed is $63.752 mills per $1,000 in assessed valuation
• Total expenditures for all funds - $3,865,533
• General Fund expenditures - $999,302
• Property taxes requested - $387,133
• 2% increase in employee salaries per City salary plan. No cost of living adjustment
• New lease obligations for street sweeper, police car and City Hall building
• No utility rate increases except for the sewer fund
• Assessed valuation is down 1.5% to $6,072,512

CITY RECEIVES BIKE ROUTE GRANT FROM KANSAS HEALTH FOUNDATION

Humboldt has received a grant award in the amount of $5,993 from the Kansas Health Foundation to help pay for the costs to designate City bike routes connecting its parks, ball fields, swimming pool and local schools. One of 55 grant recipients across Kansas, the grant will pay for the labor and materials to install over sixty bike route and warning signs. The City wishes to thank the local wellness committee and Thrive Allen County for its assistance in helping to get the grant and their continued efforts to promote healthy fitness for all our local citizens. Click here for map of bike route.

CITY FINANCIAL REPORT

Each month, the City will show on its web page its current financial report and debt summary. The cash summary work sheet which shows each existing governmental and utility fund including any current capital improvement projects. The cash summary also shows totals for outstanding obligations and transfers made for the month. The debt summary includes the current principal balance, annual payment and maturity date for each City debt obligations.

If you have any questions, please contact City Hall at 620-473-3232.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 2008 REGIONAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PRESENTATION

First Impressions 2008 Regional Leadership Academy Presentation (This link is to a Microsoft Power Point presentation. If you are unable to view the file, click here to download a free Power Point viewer)

NOTICE:

TREE & BRUSH BURNING AREA
The City of Humboldt tree and brush burning area near the City Waste Water Treatment Plant is used ONLY for trees, limbs and brush. It is NOT for garbage, tires, car parts or lumber. To prevent the State from shutting down the burn area (if the trash dumping continues), the City will be forced to limit access and hours of operation of the burning area.

CITY OF HUMBOLDT EXPLORES BUSINESS INCUBATOR PROGRAM

With the help of the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University, the City is conducting town forums to obtain input from local and area residents on views concerning development of new businesses in Allen and Neosho Counties.

These meetings will provide information to the City as it explores the possibilities of establishing a business incubator facility in Humboldt. Such a facility would provide space and management support services for startup businesses until they are able to move to a permanent facility located in Humboldt, Allen or Neosho Counties.

Statistics show that 8 out of 10 new businesses fail during the first 18 months. Business incubator programs are designed to support the new business with legal, financial, secretarial, computer and marketing and other services to help them through the critical stages of starting a successful business venture.

Business incubators have been conducted across the country assisting 27,000 successful startups, which now employ more than 100,000 workers and generate over $17 billion in new revenues.

The next town forum is scheduled for July 22nd from 2-4 PM at the Humboldt Library at 916 Bridge Street. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Larry Tucker, City Administrator, (620) 473-3232 or Kathryn Richard, Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State University, (620) 235-4920.

CODE RED WEATHER ALERT AVAILABLE FOR ALLEN COUNTY CITIZENS

Allen County now has access to Code Red Weather Alert for all citizens that have a local telephone number. And you can even include your cell phone number.

If you would like to have advance warning of any severe storms, flood activity or ice storms in your work or home area, sign up today by going to www.allencounty.org.

Keep your business and family safe. Sign up for Code Red Weather Alert today. For more information, please see attached.

HUMBOLDT PROPERTY TAXES COMPETITIVE IN SE KANSAS
Southeast Kansas Property Taxes Per Household Income

Recent information provided by the Kansas League of Municipalities shows that the City of Humboldt property taxes per household (capita) income are competitive in Southeast Kansas.

Of twenty-six (26) area cities surveyed in Allen and surrounding counties, for the current tax year (2009), Humboldt ranks 11th with a cost per household of $73.32. There are ten other area cities that rank higher than Humboldt with the City of Pittsburg the highest with a cost per household of over $1,100. Other local cities surveyed include Chanute, $461.62 per household, Iola $375.00, Fredonia $112.41 and Yates center $78.57, see attached chart.

Per capita income is the average total income of all members in a household as determined by the United States census bureau.

Rural towns in Kansas can be good choices for new business and property owners when it comes to property taxes. Many of the same services are available, plus school districts offer quality education in smaller communities.

If you have questions, or need more information, contact the Humboldt City Hall at 620-473-3232.

LOANS AVAILABLE THROUGH USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The USDA Rural Development office has both direct and guaranteed loans available for income qualifying homebuyers in the Humboldt and Allen County area. 100% financing is available with no down payment required.

The USDA Rural development also can guarantee loans made with other lenders and offer 102% of the market value of the home. Again, no down payment is required, income requirements are higher and with the extra loan value, closing costs can also be financed.

The down payment financial assistance program through the State of Kansas is also available with these loans and can substantially reduce your monthly mortgage payments.

For more information, contact the USDA Rural Development office at (620) 275-0211.

To encourage housing and building improvements in Humboldt, the City has adopted a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. The Plan provides for tax refunds to any property owner who makes at least $3,000 in improvements to residential housing, or at least $5,000 in improvements to commercial or industrial buildings, which are located in the designated eligible areas of the City.

How Does the Plan Work?
Any eligible property owner who wishes to make improvements must first obtain an approved building permit from City Hall. When the improvements have been completed, the building permit is submitted to the County Appraiser for appraisal of the improvements made. If the appraisal of the improvements is at least $3,000 (residential) or $5,000 (commercial/industrial), the County will set aside money to refund future taxes paid by the property owner on the value of the new improvements.

How Long Will The Property Tax Refunds Last?
The Plan provides for a 100% tax refund if the additional tax paid on the value of the new improvements during the first six years and a limited refund for the next four years. The amount of the refund will be determined by how many other taxing districts in addition to the city agree to participate in the plan (i.e. USD 258, Allen County and Allen County Community College.)

What Areas of Humboldt Have Been Designated for Improvements?
To be eligible for the tax refund, the improved property must be located either in the Central Business District defined as between Neosho and Cherokee streets and between 6th and 10th streets (highlighted in blue), or located South of Bridge Street to the City limits (highlighted in green). See map below.

When Can I Expect My Tax refund?
For improvements that are completed before January 1, 2009, the County will issue refunds beginning in December, 2009, or 30 days after the 2008 property taxes are paid. For any improvements completed after January 1, 2009, the refunds will be issued similarly in 2010.

How Can I Find Out More Information?
If you would like more information about the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, please contact City Hall at (620) 473-3232, or write:
City of Humboldt
P O Box 228
Humboldt KS 66748

"Start and support new things." "Grow by building on our assets." "Engage non-involved citizens - especially young adults." "Build future opportunities for youth to return."

These were some of the hopes shared by members of Humboldt's newly formed Public Square Steering Committee at their first meeting last Thursday. Present were Kay Bolt, Melissa Hunber, Paul Finney, Jeremy Weilert, Pam Maloney, Walter Wulf, Jr., Mayor Robert Sharp and Cole Herder. Also joining the discussion were Vada Aikens and Janice McCullough who reported on the recent Kansas Communities Conference in Salina. "Leaders of 13 other communities were there, and some of them are starting from the bottom - like Greensburg. It was inspiring to feel their excitement, and it made me appreciate how much we already have going for us," Aikens told the group.

Kansas Communities LLC, represented by Terry Woodbury and Rick Behrens, will facilitate the Public Square process which will begin interviewing over 70 citizens in January. Woodbury, President of Kansas Communities LLC, said his mission is to "rebuild the Public Square in Kansas, one community at a time." The Public Square refers to building cooperation among all four sectors -- Business, Education, Health & Human Service, and Government.

After the interviews, a Community Conversation will generate a wide range of improvement ideas for the Humboldt area encompassing the school district. Then, a Vision Retreat of some 40 leaders will produce goals and set Action Teams in motion to work on those goals.

"It's all about citizens working together for the common good," Woodbury said, "and staying focused on taking what's already working, then making it better." Woodbury urged people to go on his website, www.kscomm.net, and see what other communities are accomplishing.

The Steering Committee is raising $3,500 of seed money to get the process started. The City and School District have pledged $1,500 and Steering Committee members are inviting businesses, organizations and individuals to match the city and school district to raise the remaining $2,000 to get started. "It's important for the seed money to come from all sectors," explained Woodbury. "This involves the entire community: healthcare, schools, churches, businesses - everybody."

Contact any member of the Steering Committee or City Hall at 473-3232 to make a contribution and to learn more about this exciting new venture.