The city of Emporia is set to expand communication with local residents with the rollout of a new mass notification system.
According to City Communications Manager Christine Johnson during the Emporia City Commission’s regular action/study meeting Wednesday, beginning next week the city will be utilizing the CodeRed mass notification system for non-life threatening emergency situations and general notifications. This includes water line breaks, street closures and the like.
Johnson says increased communication with local residents has been a major goal for the city in recent months and this is a great tool to help reach that goal.
Severe weather and other major emergencies will not be part of the notification process at this time according to Johnson. However, she says that can change if the county chooses to opt into the system.
CodeRed will go live next Monday and residents can sign up for notifications either online or through the CodeRed app. Johnson will join KVOE’s Talk of Emporia next Wednesday to further discuss the system’s implementation.
In other business Wednesday, commissioners also approved the issuance of a second community improvement district for the Emporia Land Development LLC. Pavillions project. The first CID was approved in 2016 and with the second now in place, the entire Pavillions project will be subject to a two percent sales tax.
City Manager Trey Cocking says the second CID is the result of increased inflation and rising material costs.
In other business Wednesday, commissioners also approved an ordinance allowing for the residential ownership of chickens within the city limits. The ordinance will allow residents to own no more than four chickens so long as they obtain a permit and the chickens remain enclosed in a coop or run. Additionally, the ordinance only allows for the ownership of hens, no roosters will be permitted.
Commissioners approved the ordinance 4-1 with commissioner Jamie Sauder voting against the ordinance saying it is a certainty the allowance of residential chickens will lead to an increased nuisance for the community. Separately commissioners approved:
*KDOT CCLIP award for mill and overlay work on US Highway 50 from Graphic Arts to Prairie Street.
*Purchase of automated solid waste collections truck from Key Equipment for $354,439.
*Licensing agreement with 700 Block LLC for property located at 714 Commercial Street.
The Emporia City Commission will next convene on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 10:30 am inside of the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium
