City of Humboldt, Kansas

The City has purchased and installed a new storm siren to provide better fire and storm warning to resident’s in the north part of Humboldt. Located in Cannon Park, the siren will be tested on Wednesday, November 23rd at noon. Once the test is completed, the old siren will be relocated to the swimming pool area to improve warning coverage to the south part of Humboldt. If you have any questions, please contact City Hall at 620-473-3232.”

The City Planning Commission will meet Monday, November 7th, 7 PM at City Hall to discuss the final draft of the Humboldt Comprehensive Plan. The Plan covers strategy for future growth outside the City limits including commercial and residential growth. The public is invited to comment. If you have questions, please contact City Hall at 620-473-3232.

Camping is allowed at Camp Hunter at $5.00 per night (pay at City Hall). No tents are allowed and there is a five-night limit. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Camping Permits available at City Hall, 725 Bridge. After hours and on weekends, Camping Permits available at the Water Plant, 14 Bridge Street.

The City of Humboldt will be accepting sealed bids for the following City vehicles: 1998 Ford Crown Victoria and a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria, both non-operational with engine damage. Will be sold as is. Can be seen at Humboldt Police Department. Sealed bids must be turned into City Hall, 725 Bridge, Humboldt, KS 66748, by noon on October 19, 2011. The City of Humboldt reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

The Humboldt Rebuilding the Public Square steering committee met with a review team recently to highlight their progress and seek accreditation with Public Square Communities, LLC. Highlights from the meeting included:

The Rebuilding the Public Square steering committee hopes to hear final word on completion of the accreditation process later this month. If you are interested in hearing more, please contact City Hall.

Excel Development has broke ground to build twelve new housing units for senior s over the age of 55. The project will include six duplex houses to be rented to income qualified seniors. The site is located on the north side of Humboldt just west of the Arrow Wood Lane Residential Care Facility. Plans are to complete the housing units by early 2012. For information, contact City Hall.

Public Works Moves to Summer Hours

Starting June 1, 2011, the public works department will be scheduled from 7 AM to 4 PM until further notice. For information, please contact City Hall.

The City Council approved an agreement with an outside animal control company to place multiple traps around Humboldt in an attempt to capture feral cats and other wild animals. If you are having trouble in your neighborhood with feral cats or other wild animals, contact the Humboldt Police Department at 620-473-2341

The City has added a new Neighborhood Revitalization area effective February 1st. Property owners that make improvements to their house or business may apply for tax refunds in the Central Business District and/or west of 9th street within the City limits. For more information, contact City Hall at 620-473-3232.

City Hall and the Police Department are now open at their new location at 725 Bridge Street. Business hours are from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday thru Friday. For those wanting to make payments after hours, use the drive thru drop box area on the south side of the building.

Local Citizens Share Ideas at Healthy Ecosystems Conference

Sherry Davis, Healthy Ecosystems Healthy Communities project coordinator, asked those who attended the Humboldt Healthy Ecosystems (HHE) community meeting, Oct. 23, to express their reasons for living in Humboldt. The most often mentioned were: friends, family, religious values, history and social environment, a good place to raise kids. Civic enthusiasm, and safety were also mentioned. The group discussed the many natural resources and community assets Humboldt offers. Concern was expressed regarding the loss of some wild life and fish. Some of the potential projects for HHE water quality project were: fishing enhancements on the river; river trail; create sitting areas on trail with native stones; natural amphitheater with native stone at river park to use for outdoor classroom; safe public access to the gravel bar on west side of river; stabilize the river bank; educational campaign to prevent storm water impacts on water quality. For more information, contact City Hall at 620-473-3232.

City Water Line Project Update

The City water line project is over 60% complete. Water lines on the north side of Humboldt are now installed and in use. Work continues in the downtown and south side of the City. If the weather cooperates, the project should be completed by December. The contractor will also restore all damaged property and right-of-way to their original condition.

Wi-Fi Now Available At City Parks

The City’s free Wi-Fi access through wireless internet is now up and running at selected City Parks. Computer laptops can connect to the internet at City Square Park, Cannon Park, Camp Hunter and Centennial Park. For more information, contact City Hall.

Wellness Exercise Circuit Trail Now Open

The new wellness exercise circuit trail is now open at Centennial Park. Dedicated in September 2010, the circuit includes nine different types of outdoor exercise equipment good for both the young and old. Funded by a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, the trail is designed to improve the overall health of the community.

River Park Fishing Area Now Open

The City’s River Park fishing area is now completed and open to the public. Located on the west side of Neosho River, the Park has added a fishing dock with steps that lead to the dam area. Also added were picnic tables and a sign honoring Fred Tillman in memory for his support in helping complete the project.

City Passes New Animal Control Ordinance

The City now requires persons and pet-owners to pick up animal excrement on public and private property including public right of way such as sidewalks or streets. Fines up to $500 may be imposed on violators. City lease laws also remain in effect and animal owners must keep areas clean where animals are housed. Registrations and vaccinations for rabies are also required. For more information, contact City Hall or the Police Department.

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 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.

City Now Accepting Online Payments

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.

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).

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.

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.

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 (2010), Humboldt ranks 11th with a cost per household of $77.29. 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 $1,144.66. Other local cities surveyed include Chanute, $407.18 per household, Iola $379.27, Fredonia $116.98 and Yates center $83.45, 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.