Lincolnville city council pursues Kan-Step grant
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
Lincolnville City Council heard a presentation at a special meeting Monday by David Mueller of Tampa explaining the Kan-Step grant program. It is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing.
The council has been pursuing for some time ways to construct a new community building. A Kan-Step grant provides money for materials, but the labor is provided by the community with no additional city costs or taxes. Grant money does not have to be repaid.
After some discussion, the council approved a motion made by David Schneider and seconded by Scott Gutsch authorizing Clerk Jane Pigorsch to submit a pre-application to Marilyn Graham, who heads the Kan-Step program.
The pre-application lists three people to spearhead the project: David Schneider, Brian Owens, and Anita Svoboda.
It also details other projects the city has undertaken, such as a new fire station, park rest rooms, and an annual Octoberfest.
It lists equipment owned by the city and lays out reasons for a new building, such as the condition of the present building, state fire marshal concerns, and need for a new well. It also details how a new building could be used.
Mueller said he learned about the Ken-Step program while he was president of Kansas Rural Water Association. He seemed relatively confident that the city could receive a grant. There is no application deadline. He implied the grant could be approved and a new building constructed within a relatively short time.
Project leaders will be contacting people who use the community building, area businesses, and individuals to assess their willingness to volunteer resources and labor.
"This takes the community's help to make it fly," said Pigorsch. "We need volunteers from throughout the area."
Anybody who wants more information may contact Pigorsch at 620-924-5746 or Schneider at 620- 924-5755.
