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Residents address shared facility
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: February 19, 2015

They asked for it and they got it.

Architects putting together a proposed community center sought input from Valley Center residents, and they heard several ideas.

Some of the couple dozen people who came to City Hall Feb. 17 wanted the city's next community center to have various sizes of meeting rooms that can be used for a variety of activities, such as wedding receptions, family reunions and other gatherings.

Some wanted a large kitchen to prepare food for big gatherings.

Most wanted a storm shelter.

One resident said the rooms should have good acoustics so people can carry on conversations. Another wanted a "quiet" room.

Architects with Spangenberg Phillips Tice were hired by the city to put together a proposed community center that would house the city's library and its senior center and contain multi-purpose spaces that could be rented to the public.

The facility would replace the current Community Building in Lions Park, which serves as the senior center.

The city council has not given final approval to the community center. However, a committee was established to study the possibility. It's unclear how much it would cost. The soonest it would take shape is 2017.

Some senior citizens who use the senior center regularly for activities feared they would lose their gathering space during construction.

They told Gina Loomis, a partner with Spangenberg Phillips Tice, that they didn't want an interruption in services.

"We go two or three times a week to play cards, and that's part of my life," one woman said.

Some in the audience said they wanted the community center to have computers and WiFi technology and possibly a coffee bar. A few said they would like one of the rooms to have a big-screen TV so it could host movie and sports watch parties.

Some suggested that chairs and tables be lightweight and easy to move, so the center's rooms could serve multiple functions.

"We're trying to draw the community together in one building," Loomis said.

She said a survey was posted online for residents to answer questions and make suggestions. Architects also talked with the senior center's director and the library board in separate meetings to get input.

Loomis said results of the meetings and the survey will be presented to the Community Center Committee Feb. 19.

Meanwhile, Brad Teeter, also a partner with Spangenberg Phillips Tice, said a concept design and a budget will be presented to the Valley Center City Council on May 19.

Drainage project moves forward

The Valley Center City Council Feb. 17 voted unanimously to move forward with a massive stormwater drainage project despite a pricetag that was bigger than anticipated.

Council members voted 7-0 to accept a bid from Utility Contractors Inc. for the Ford Street (77th) and Meridian reconstruction project.

Work will start in March and is expected to be finished in October.

The project will start with the construction of a large detention pond on property the city owns south of Ford Street.

It will include the reconstruction of Ford, Ramsey and Meridian from Ford to Main Street. Underground stormwater drainage system will be constructed and sidewalks added to Meridian and Ford.

It is expected to dramatically improve stormwater drainage in the heart of the city, something that has plagued the city since its inception. The project will do away with the so-called Baxter Springs low-lying drainage area on South Meridian, which is the site of frequent flooding and stalled vehicles.

While all council members supported the project, the dilemma facing the city is the cost.

After the city received bids on the project, they discovered it would run about $6.5 million, or about $1.2 million more than expected.

In February 2013, the city issued $5.4 million in general obligation bonds to pay for the work.

City Administrator Joel Pile came to the Feb. 17 meeting prepared with options.

He said the city's capital improvement fund has about $800,000 remaining from a previous project that received federal funds, so that could be used to whittle down the overage, leaving about $395,000 to cover.

He said the city could issue additional debt in the 2016-17 capital improvement plan, which would have to be paid for through additional monthly stormwater utility fees that residents pay, a property tax increase or a combination of the two.

City council members agreed that they couldn't stop the project now. They will decide later how to make the numbers work.

They also opted for the more expensive option of concrete roads rather than asphalt, which added another $140,000 to the pricetag. Officials said concrete adds about 15 to 20 years to the lifespan of a road surface. Council members agreed that it was worth the additional investment.

Pile said when the project is finished, Ford Street should attract additional development, which would help the city's tax base. He also hinted at a $9 million apartment complex development that may take place in the area. He said the city council will learn more about the potential development at a future meeting.

In other business Feb. 17, the council:

•Voted 7-0 to accept Mayor Mike McNown's reappointments of Casey Carlson and Mike Bonner to two-year terms on the Economic Development Board.

•Voted 7-0 to renew tax abatements for National Plastics Color and Retro Systems.

•Voted 7-0 to accept a report from the Valley Center Recreation Commission about the revenue and expenses at the city swimming pool for 2014. The VCRC manages the city-owned pool. The pool lost $15,709 in 2014, an amount the city will repay the VCRC. City council members said they didn't like the shortfall, but the amount was less than it has been in most years. Last year, however, the shortfall was under $10,000.

•Learned the fire department had received a $5,800 grant that will be used to purchase firefighting tools as well as water rescue gear.

Local heroes

A Valley Center firefighter and a Valley Center police officer were honored by the Valley Center American Legion Post 73 Feb. 17.

Legion officials presented firefighter Josh Tormey and police Det. Jay Grayson with man of the year awards. Their names will be presented to state American Legion officials for consideration on the state level.

"You have two great guys here," said Gary Hauck, with the American Legion.

Tormey has been a firefighter/EMT with the fire department since 2008. He holds an associate's degree in fire science from Hutchinson Community College and is working on a bachelor's degree.

Chief Lonnie Tormey said Josh Tormey is one of Valley Center's top performers. He had the highest attendance to emergency calls in 2014.

Grayson was hired by the police department in July 2007. He was the first African-American officer to work for Valley Center.

Grayson was commended for his compassion for victims of crimes as well as his desire to be fair and helpful to those accused of crimes.

Grayson regularly visits senior citizens as well as schoolchildren.

"Jay cares about people no matter who they are," said Sgt. Lloyd Newman, who nominated Grayson. "… He is truly in law enforcement because he has a heart to help others."





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