Humboldt council approves event permits, $1,400 tourism donation and $315,856 water‑project pay request; Thrive announces $1.4M housing grant

The Humboldt City Council on Feb. 9 approved several routine and event matters and heard multiple staff updates.

Patrick Zirjacks of Thrive Allen County described a $1.4 million, four-year home-rehabilitation grant intended to help roughly 50–65 county homes with safety and energy upgrades. Zirjacks said eligible homeowners meeting income limits up to 80% of area median income (approximately $42,000 for individuals to $88,000 for larger families) could receive 100% funding for eligible repairs, including window and siding replacement, insulation, HVAC upgrades, roof and foundation repairs, and accessibility ramps; applications open Feb. 17, 2026.

Sheri Modlin, the city's Code Enforcement Officer, told the council she issued 81 letters in 2025 for yard maintenance and nuisance violations (51 mowing notices and 19 for health nuisances or inoperable vehicles). The city contracted mowing on 19 properties and demolished 18 houses last year; four properties remain pending tax sale for cleanup.

Damaris Kunkler of A Bolder Humboldt received council approval to reserve the square for Water Wars on Aug. 1, 2026, and to lease Camp Hunter for the Middle of Everywhere festival Sept. 4–7, 2026 with a street closure for a car show. The council also approved a $1,400 donation from the economic development budget to support the Big Kansas Road Trip tourism event that the Kansas Sampler will host in Humboldt May 2, 2026.

City Administrator Cole Herder asked the council to approve pay request #22-1372, application #4, to NPL Construction for $315,856 for the Water Project; the council approved the payment. The council selected a large paw‑print design and to add an 'S' to 'Cub' for the water-tower logo rather than leaving the tower blank. Herder also nominated a delegate (Jeremy Bulk) and alternate (Chaz Sanchez) to the Kansas Rural Water Association annual meeting; the nominations were approved.

Herder discussed House Bill 2745, which would cap most local tax increases at 3% unless voters approve a higher amount and would provide incentives from a $60 million poverty-relief fund; Herder said the measure could complicate municipal budgeting and infrastructure planning. Herder also announced that A Bolder Humboldt received an MIH award to build eight homes, that the animal shelter is nearing completion with an anticipated open house, and that the city's financial audit is scheduled for March 5.

The council adjourned at 7:18 p.m.