For the fifth time, the city of Emporia’s mask ordinance has been extended.
The ordinance was extended unanimously by commissioners during their recent action session Wednesday evening. The ordinance will now continue until Mar. 23 with no changes.
The ordinance requires residents to mask up at either indoor and outdoor public places where social distancing can’t be maintained and any time residents are receiving healthcare services. City Commissioner Susan Brinkman says commissioners remain hopeful that we are nearing an end of the need for mitigation strategies such as mandatory mask-wearing as COVID numbers continue a steady downward trend in recent weeks.
Until that time, however, she says mask use has been one of the most useful tools in the city’s COVID mitigation arsenal. She went on to say evidence is showing that the benefits of mask-wearing have extended beyond just the fight against coronavirus.
Separately Wednesday evening, commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of property at 1503 E. Logan Ave for a cost of $1 million by a vote of 3-2. The property purchase garnered an abundance of conversation during the commission’s study session last Wednesday and did not appear to find favor with at least two commissioners, Brinkman and Becky Smith.
Last week Smith stated that she felt there was no need for the purchase of additional land as the city already has an abundance in its possession which has seen tremendous growth over the past several years. However; Wednesday evening Smith was one of three commissioners to vote in favor of the purchase stating that while she was initially wary of the acquisition, research and discussions over the past week gave her more insight into the potential benefits the purchase could bring to the community.
Smith went on to state for those concerned about the sheer cost of the purchase, the funds being utilized are set aside specifically for occasions such as this.
Brinkman and Mayor Rob Gilligan were the two no votes. Gilligan says his decision came down to the fact that there are no immediate plans for utilizing the property at this time.
Commissioners Jon Geitz and Danny Giefer both voted in favor of the purchase.
In other business, commissioners approved a conditional use permit related to the Emporia Rescue Mission’s pending move of it’s Men’s Shelter from to the former Amend Girl Scouts Center at 1236 E. 12th Ave. Commissioners approved the CUP 4-0 with one abstention due to a conflict of interest, much to the pleasure of Rescue Mission Director Lee Alderman.
Alderman says the next immediate step in the process will be some minor maintenance updates at the new facility. Alderman is hopeful they will be fully moved into the new facility by June.
The Emporia City Commission will next convene next Wednesday for a study session at 10 am inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
