Emporia city commissioners have extended the city’s mask ordinance.
Commissioners quickly approved the agenda item after it was formally presented by City Attorney Christina Montgomery. Mayor Danny Giefer called this the right move for the time.
Aside from extending the ordinance to Nov. 21, there were no changes to the document. This means masks are required for indoor and outdoor spaces where people can’t maintain six-foot social distancing bubbles, healthcare settings and public transportation. Businesses and nonprofits must have their employees, customers and visitors wearing masks if they are in spaces where social distancing can’t be followed or in areas where food is prepared or served.
Separately, commissioners approved Carlson Construction to handle a water main project involving Elm from Sixth to Newman Regional Health and Ninth from Elm to Lawrence. Commissioners also approved an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for an upcoming improvement project at Sixth and Prairie. Commissioners also increased two fees for transactions at the Transfer Station, installing a $10 per ton fee for commercial brush and raising the fee for processed tires from $7.25 a ton to $25 with a $10 minimum. The new fee structure is effective Jan. 1.
