The Emporia City Commission has continued its mask mandate through early April with no alterations, however, there is now a question as to whether or not the city will still be in the “mandate game” past that point.
During the commission’s recent action meeting Wednesday evening some commissioners expressed a desire to allow the city’s mask mandate to expire and allow Lyon County’s Public Health order to be the sole governing document as it pertains to mitigation against coronavirus. Mayor Rob Gilligan proposed extending the mandate for three weeks to Apr. 10, two days after the county’s order is set to expire.
Gilligan says this will give the city time to monitor the county’s decisions on the public health order and adjust accordingly.
Commissioner Susan Brinkman says she was fully intent upon entering Wednesday’s meeting to allow the city’s mandate to expire and fully turn the control on mask mandates over to the Lyon County Commission, however:
Both Brinkman and Gilligan say the city’s next steps upon the expiration of the current mask mandate will be heavily dependent on what moves the county decides to make in the coming weeks.
In other business Wednesday evening, commissioners authorized Mayor Gilligan to execute a grant agreement with Family Promise of the Flint Hills. The agreement pertains to a recent emergency solutions grant the city received on behalf of Family Promise from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation totaling more than $139,000.
The grant funding will help the agency provide emergency shelter, food and needed essential services such as case management, life skills training, counseling and assistance in obtaining housing and employment.
Additionally, commissioners approved two bids, one for a remodeling project for the water department and the other for the 2021 Chip Seal program and appointed members to the Emporia Library and Golf Advisory boards.
The Emporia City Commission will reconvene for a study session next Wednesday inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
