[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6514650,"mediaKeyId","5028248-76529c6d4d150cb8d7dd0dad58a3a83c","parentId",5028248,"title","Code enforcement: 36 grass violations, two condemnations and 26 hazard structures identified in May","audioSeconds",241,"startMs",913000,"endMs",1154000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028248-76529c6d4d150cb8d7dd0dad58a3a83c&start=913&end=1154","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028248-76529c6d4d150cb8d7dd0dad58a3a83c/thumbnail_913000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6514650/Herington/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Code-enforcement-36-grass-violations-two-condemnations-and-26-hazard-structures-identified-in-May","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514650-20003d98ed63a1b02789c312349662e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192911&Signature=Eln2DuuoxgoyOsWrHEPmSOk-6frg7b0aNqjanOUgQI2fIDSC8eOafGtWcqspDCYM6lVDvSFu6w~XRXiGUH6wkaAmtMC1XA6XyVesly36cRQA-Q4rEmf4BNtLFuhZ5bPGYE~7JAROsaGYjJ~GNFOJI8AQnUj09htp54yAQmgY7ST1taB953ETu-DJuExCI5feni3oQaPZNbKtLjs~iZ-nvvtsyl0-gAJHlw8RVMLnHCf3hXS77t9zuNGD5vsTDfkp5bmSD2-cCgN6ABXgUKtEX1chvbi33rczltaTOuD3JAf7MZosfyXoG~OY-5uf3XVHn5zndE~7s6zTLOSWTo4RsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Herington, KS","date","2025-06-18T12:03:29Z","article","Herington’s code enforcement staff reported at the June 17 meeting that inspectors issued 36 grass violations in May, of which 11 were resolved after verbal contact. Staff also reported two houses condemned for living-condition violations and a preliminary inventory identifying 26 hazardous structures across the city.

Why it matters: Unsafe structures and untreated hazards create public-safety issues and concentrated blight that can affect neighborhoods and city maintenance costs.

Staff provided a monthly permit and enforcement summary: four building permits, three electrical permits, five plumbing permits, one mechanical permit and three roof permits were issued in May. Inspectors conducted 67 inspections tied to those permits. Code staff said the hazard list includes open holes in roofs, partially collapsed sheds and other “true hazards” that will require prioritized attention.

Commissioners asked staff to produce a prioritized “hit list” that distinguishes high-priority public-safety hazards and structures on main roads from lower-priority issues. The manager and code director (Vinny) said they will collaborate with Thatcher (staff) to finalize the ranking and present an actionable plan.

Staff clarified policy differences for excavation permits: the city’s ordinance covers excavation on public property and requires prompt restoration; private excavations are treated as the owner’s liability and may be addressed under property-maintenance codes if they create an attractive nuisance or collapse risk.

What’s next: Staff will form a prioritized list of hazardous structures, propose a stepwise enforcement/abatement plan and propose budget or staff resources needed to address high-priority items. The commission directed staff to return with the plan at a future meeting or workshop.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Herington - City Commission Meeting 6/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported 36 grass violations, two condemned houses and a list identifying 26 hazardous structures across Herington during May; commissioners asked staff to prioritize a hit list and return with an enforcement plan.","taxTitle","Herington, Dickinson County, Kansas","taxId",61725,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6514655,"Herington authorizes insurance for vacant hospital and discusses marketing, land split and records cleanup",364,1791000,2155000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028248-76529c6d4d150cb8d7dd0dad58a3a83c&start=1791&end=2155","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028248-76529c6d4d150cb8d7dd0dad58a3a83c/thumbnail_1791000.jpg","/articles/6514655/Herington/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Herington-authorizes-insurance-for-vacant-hospital-and-discusses-marketing-land-split-and-records-cleanup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514655-2313ddcaa1db65a4e6de498c022c04a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192911&Signature=OhUn3f20D8JTS8Z11ffb~mmGbZpxl49-ivnUWOh2XzBTvxWyNWr1hYYKehTNvXNVtMKkD1tA~qzuX87~Hsy9oVB5gc8wAlL9PfAxkFAiWtjuYJ-JQ-NXDgAz5BWvm3ZmNaj16TprNEL~KT3qRVriNV6iT6w4vuf8XF0q0pfoR5sYA0R12NxmkpUtVmqi4M9o8l8gGEai3iDmzfnSg7cFcz1Xpqm~He6uk4cbx7-SSB24g3jX~h6qIoRfi09QJp6yDrqCgqpbNoukhuHEo6MVVb-PLi2ebw7YXOysoZ6b7m3tlMFfeb89NLN8dcspExUt7rZZNp5w-Pa4beTtEjzjzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Herington City Commission on June 17 authorized payment of up to $22,874.24 to maintain an insurance policy on the vacant 45,000-square-foot former hospital at 100 East Helen Street and discussed strategies to market and manage the property while it remains in city ownership.

Why it matters: The hospital is a large city-owned asset that strains storage and maintenance resources. Insuring the structure protects the city from major liability while staff pursues a sale or redevelopment options.

City staff told commissioners the policy amount is a minimum to protect the city’s liability exposure and does not include theft coverage, which would substantially increase the premium. Staff said replacement-value estimates for the building are closer to $3.1 million; the insurance payment approved is intended to keep the building insured while marketing and cleanup proceed.

Commissioner Bates described conversations with a statewide commercial real-estate firm that specializes in South Central Kansas and recommended relisting the building with parameters that would encourage reuse consistent with community goals (for example, avoiding outright sale for low-value storage uses). The city manager and staff said a relisting likely will be open for six months to a year to actively seek suitable buyers.

The commission discussed splitting the land behind the hospital when marketing the building and retaining the parcel containing the helipad. The fire chief noted the city has alternate landing sites and that the helipad’s retention would not be a gating issue for prospective buyers.

Staff also flagged a more immediate maintenance task: clearing out two outbuildings and stored records inside the hospital. Commissioners and staff discussed sensitive medical records and X-rays; staff said some records had been transferred to the Board of Healing Arts but other documents remain and may require secure shredding. The commission directed staff to identify safe options for disposition and to progress cleanup with an eye to potential salvage value from X-rays while ensuring HIPAA and other privacy obligations are met.

What’s next: Staff will complete cleanup planning, obtain bids or options for secure shredding or salvage, supply the commission with recommended sale parameters for the broker and confirm the insurance payment and policy details.

","The commission authorized up to $22,874.24 for insurance on the 45,000-square-foot former hospital at 100 East Helen Street, heard a proposal to relist the property with a commercial broker, and discussed splitting the parcel, retaining the helipad portion, and safe disposition of records and X-rays.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6514660,"Herington officials revisit plan for satellite fire facility to improve ISO rating; 2-bay building estimated at about $3.04 million",0,819000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028248-76529c6d4d150cb8d7dd0dad58a3a83c&start=819&end=819","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028248-76529c6d4d150cb8d7dd0dad58a3a83c/thumbnail_819000.jpg","/articles/6514660/Herington/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Herington-officials-revisit-plan-for-satellite-fire-facility-to-improve-ISO-rating-2-bay-building-estimated-at-about-304-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514660-14d623836a978fbee6211a33421cdbf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192911&Signature=HyZPMs96RS8S3HdWPv2WTuAHOQnAWnWnMda4oKFpEtnuoy3Ml6EcgQXJG8tsl2DulcOE~mexclYdRFHnhupmaDBvivTAg-xVsygjCZaGkY3wmLG0IVuctbXtMMnQhsLd8e8K34Y4rnbV9fp-Q9HfnW7XEYmjeacM5MhUB4tHBbhdopyqtBie0pclBvobG8NcG12HL-ikMH2XOVJD~y2UMeAwxPkKWnil1SQGK0UdA40DQ5qyk4wfBuKaB05A-m2wDjrjGFghlH2ATsVrkBQzrZ4~PyxsIPn7Mn5kr0GSdQutUolALPdwZj4uzCzBGqBLgJtzu4JWiOCzh79L7v3itg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire department leaders and commissioners discussed placing a staffed fire vehicle or new station near the airbase to improve the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating for properties outside the five-mile service area.

Why it matters: A lower ISO rating can reduce insurance costs for commercial property and improve response metrics for residents and businesses in parts of the city that currently receive lower ratings.

The fire chief reported May incident statistics and described the operational rationale for a satellite presence: properties served outside the current main station perimeter receive a higher (worse) ISO classification; a local unit could lower that classification for nearby properties. The chief estimated that locating a staffed apparatus near the airbase would reduce an area rating from the mid-to-high 9 range to a 4, comparable to the city limits.

Staff provided a conceptual cost for a two-bay building with heat and insulation at approximately $3,035,000. Commissioners and staff discussed potential funding sources, including sharing costs with the airport, packaging the construction with planned hangar work, or adding the project to a future capital or budget package. The chief noted that a better ISO rating delivers the largest insurance savings to commercial operations and some benefit for residential rates.

Commissioner discussion emphasized funding constraints; the project did not make this year’s budget and will require further planning. The city manager said staff could assemble more detail for the next budget workshop. The commission directed staff to develop options and cost breakdowns to present at an upcoming budget workshop.

What’s next: Staff will prepare a funding and project options package for the next budget workshop, including potential phasing, partnership with airport projects and staffing/training implications. No formal appropriation or contract award was made at the meeting.

","The commission discussed a plan to base a fire truck near the airbase to lower the local ISO rating; staff estimated a two-bay building with heat and insulation would cost about $3,035,000 and said funding options will be explored at the next budget workshop.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6514665,"Herington commission approves fireworks, concrete contract and insurance payment; tables trash-contract addendum; sets wastewater hearings",1130,235000,1365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028248-76529c6d4d150cb8d7dd0dad58a3a83c&start=235&end=1365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028248-76529c6d4d150cb8d7dd0dad58a3a83c/thumbnail_235000.jpg","/articles/6514665/Herington/Dickinson-County/Kansas/Herington-commission-approves-fireworks-concrete-contract-and-insurance-payment-tables-trash-contract-addendum-sets-wastewater-hearings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514665-2f5d93305b7658875d7992caa1713fee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192911&Signature=c9kB~oPP3F22PLHtvhihnVowxgK-4WBvdXD1Sgn2wwaJxDMOixkavTMosr-G~kS3LmfLa3W7R1Q3b7M-qyhKijp53ErwoWQvkntfhhZd8kGhRLFqTd6eOrmlc3h1wjkBu21o4e4H0-Wy6Dq9wxcBRiYsID9hx0Dut09A34xAJ2uwUXcmKixZdHT-NkZlKVzvq3~X1rskOfK7Jq-BOsEDh65B-NXZ3beYvHY~ZYuVp5J3sFA7~2fzeUj1q0zz-0otK5AUg9tXzkarp6Vr4FLs0BLRsgzh95WXaOnzg39zkK2pHvFI4GeAKkwxwnQJ-EuQYQ3DZlBY3cuVH9ZwmJp2Sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Herington City Commission on June 17 voted to allow a fireworks display at the Tri County Free Fair, accept a packaged concrete bid for multiple small repairs, authorize insurance for the vacant hospital property at 100 East Helen Street and schedule two public meetings related to a wastewater treatment loan application. The commission voted to table a proposed addendum to the trash-billing contract for further staff review.

Why it matters: The actions set short-term operating plans (fireworks and concrete repairs), preserve the city’s legal and financial protection for a large vacant building, and move the wastewater project into a formal public-review phase. Tabling the trash-contract addendum delays a possible automatic fee increase requested by the hauler.

Votes at a glance
- Fireworks display at Tri County Free Fair (July 12): Motion to approve the display and authorize signatures passed; recorded votes included Commissioners Naylor, Scott and Bell voting yes; the mayor recorded an abstention. (Motion and second recorded during the meeting.)

- Concrete work and projects — packaged bid from Loren’s/Lorenzo Mason: The commission approved awarding a bundled set of small concrete repairs at a discounted price of $24,480 (original bid $27,200). Funding was described as approximately $9,500 from the street/concrete line item and the remainder charged to water department funds. The motion passed on a roll call with commissioners voting aye.

- Trash-billing contract addendum: Commission motion to table the addendum to the next regular meeting passed after commissioners expressed uncertainty about language in the addendum that referred to incremental automatic increases “per billing cycle.” Staff will return with clarification.

- Insurance for 100 East Helen Street: The commission authorized payment for property insurance not to exceed $22,874.24; staff said the policy would be arranged through Smart Insurance (payable via Burns & Wilcox in the procurement chain). The policy does not include theft coverage and reflects insuring the building toward replacement value rather than purchase price.

- Wastewater treatment loan application meetings: The commission voted to schedule a public meeting on July 15 and a public hearing on August 5 to advance a loan application for phase 2 of the wastewater treatment facility. Staff said final loan funding would not clear until January 2026 and the city is exploring bridge-loan options in the meantime.

- Resolution initiating eminent-domain proceedings: The commission approved a resolution declaring necessity to appropriate private property for public use and directed staff to file the matter in district court as the first step of an eminent-domain process.

What’s next: The commission asked staff to return with clarifying language on the trash addendum, additional budget detail tied to the concrete work and the fire-station funding discussion, and documentation needed to proceed with the loan application and eminent-domain filing. The items approved will be implemented under the signatures and administrative steps authorized at the meeting.

","At its June 17 meeting the Herington City Commission approved a fireworks display permit for the Tri County Free Fair, awarded a small concrete contract, authorized insurance for the vacant hospital building and scheduled public meetings on a wastewater loan application; the commission tabled a trash-billing contract addendum for further review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Code enforcement: 36 grass violations, two condemnations and 26 hazard structures identified in May

Herington authorizes insurance for vacant hospital and discusses marketing, land split and records cleanup

Herington officials revisit plan for satellite fire facility to improve ISO rating; 2-bay building estimated at about $3.04 million

Herington commission approves fireworks, concrete contract and insurance payment; tables trash-contract addendum; sets wastewater hearings