The city of Emporia is strongly recommending local residents adhere to Governor Laura Kelly’s recent mandate for the wearing of masks as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
During the Emporia City Commission’s regular action session Wednesday afternoon, City Attorney Christina Montgomery presented information regarding the city’s ability to enforce the governor’s order that is tentatively set to go into effect at 12:01 am Friday morning. According to Montgomery, the Emporia Police Department will not have the authority to enforce the order through criminal penalties.
This is due to the compromise reached by lawmakers and Governor Laura Kelly last month which eliminated all criminal penalties for cases such as this. Montgomery says while the compromise eliminated the potential for criminal penalties, potential civil repercussions are still possible for violating the order.
Montgomery asks that residents refrain from contacting the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center to voice complaints about individuals not wearing masks. People with concerns need to call Lyon County Public Health at 620-208-3741.
In other business, commissioners approved a rezoning request for a 2.4-acre parcel of land north of 1200 Whittier Place Lane. The request is to rezone the property from C-3 restricted commercial to R-3 high-density residential for the development of affordable housing through the Whittier Apartment Complex project which has been in development for the past three years according to city zoning specialist Joe Foster.
This is the second phase of the project with construction plans to be unveiled at some point in the coming months. Foster says once the project is complete, the complex will provide a number of benefits to the city of Emporia.
Separately Wednesday, commissioners approved authorization for an ordinance designating main trafficways and main trafficway connections within Emporia. Additionally, commissioners approved main trafficway improvements and over $1.3 million in general obligation bonds for work at 30th Ave, Funston Street, 5th Ave and Soden Road.
A timeline for when those projects will begin and conclude has yet to be announced.
The Emporia City Commission will reconvene next Wednesday for a study session inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
