Quaker Park is no longer for sale.
Emporia City Commissioners made it official during their regular action meeting Wednesday morning by unanimously approving a resolution to rescind its previous action from March that placed the property on the city’s surplus property list in preparation for a possible sale or transfer. This action led to a large response from residents who organized and submitted a “valid and timely petition” garnering several hundred signatures.
Commissioner Susan Brinkman tells KVOE News that “community action” played a significant role in the commission’s decision to rescind its previous action. She adds that while there are no immediate plans for future park improvements, she believes any input on those efforts should come equally from the city and residents.
City Manager Trey Cocking and petition organizer Eric Paul will be discussing the Quaker Park saga and potential plans during KVOE’s Q&A with Trey segment on Monday, May 20 at 11:05 am.
In other business Wednesday, commissioners approved contracts for materials for the Southeast Waterline Transmission project. Commissioners awarded a better than $1.7 million bid to Olathe Winwater for package A which includes the pipe and fittings for the project.
Municipal Supply of Wichita was awarded contracts for packages B and C of the project which include accessories such as fire hydrants, valves and meter brass totaling more than $592,000 combined. While the material contracts are now in place, the city has yet to select a contractor for the project.
Public Works Director Dean Grant says that selection will likely come within the next seven months. He adds that awarding material bids prior to having a contractor selected is not the standard order of procedure.
The new transmission line will go from 12th and Garfield to the Industrial Park 3 water tower. Designs are still in process for the project.
In separate action Wednesday morning, commissioners awarded the 2024 Emporia Street Rehab project to APAC Kansas Shears Division for better than $783,000.
*Request to exchange federal funds under the Federal-Aid Fund Exchange Master Agreement for 2024.
*Change order for the Mechanic Street parking lot reconstruction.
During their regular study session, commissioners reviewed a rough draft review of the city’s strategic plan and discussed, and later approved, an alternate bid for the upcoming Street Rehab program. The Emporia City Commission will next convene on Wednesday, May 15 at 11 am inside of the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
