Kiowa County/Greensburg Update 6-13-07

KIOWA COUNTY/GREENSBURG
Public Information Update
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 8:30 a.m.

NEW HIGHWAY ROUTE. The Greensburg City Council on Monday voted unanimously to ask the Kansas Department of Transportation to begin acquiring property through town for the future route of U.S. 54. Rather than move the highway south of town as KDOT originally planned, councilmen asked that KDOT procure land between Illinois and Ohio streets, north of the existing highway. The current roadway would remain in place but would not be designated as U.S. 54. No timetable has been established for the new freeway to be built, and its design, including entrances and exits, will be determined later.

PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY, JUNE 15, to begin or commit to debris removal. After that, the city will begin evaluating properties for possible demolition. Owners would be assessed the costs associated with this removal.

PET ADOPTION SET. Pratt Humane Society’s “Adoption Days” will open for Greensburg residents only from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16 at 1402 W. First Street, Pratt. The event continues June 17-18.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS. The Greensburg Planning Commission now meets weekly at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the white tent on the square.

WASHER/DRYER SERVICE IS NOW AVAILABLE for public use at Davis Park in Greensburg and at Haviland Park under the water tower.

NEW CURFEW HOURS are 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.

KANSAS GAS SERVICE is purging natural gas lines of air, dirt and debris in Greensburg. The process will take a few weeks. Crews will block off a one-block area at a time. An odor of rotten eggs may be noticed in the area being purged. People are asked to avoid KGS-blocked areas and to not smoke, cause sparks or operate vehicles or machinery in the area while work is in process. If an odor is noticed, call 1-888-482-4950.

C&D LANDFILL NOW CLOSED ON SUNDAYS. Hours are Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

GREENSBURG HIGH SCHOOL DEMOLITION. Due to the demolition, a one block area of Iowa and Oak streets, adjacent to the school, has been blocked off until completion.

AN INSPECTION BY A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER IS NEEDED for property owners to obtain a building permit to rebuild a home or business. Call the Building and Codes Office at 620-723-4109 with questions. Building permits are issued from City Hall during regular business hours.

MEAL LOCATIONS FOR VOLUNTEERS AND RESIDENTS: Meals for volunteers and residents are now offered at these locations.
· Salvation Army in Dillons parking lot. 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Muffins and coffee are available for breakfast. Beverages are provided throughout the day. Distributing hot lunch 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and hot dinner 4:30– 7 p.m. prepared by the Kansas-Nebraska Southern Baptist feeding unit.
· Lighthouse Worship Center, 804 W. Wisconsin, will serve hot meals Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Beverages are available throughout the day.
· Methodist Church, 600 W. Lincoln, has meals available: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.-lunch and 5 – 7 p.m.-dinner. They provide snacks throughout the day.

LOST AND FOUND. A lost and found station has been set up at Greensburg City Hall. Residents are encouraged to view the inventory list during regular office hours. New items are arriving daily.

PLANT GIVE-AWAY TO BENEFIT GREENSBURG BEAUTIFICATION BOARD. Hayse Greenhouse will have a plant give-away at the Greenhouse on Oak Street. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A free-will donation will be asked to help fund the Greensburg Beautification Board’s parks and downtown projects.

NEW HOUSING PROGRAMS TO AID GREENSBURG. Reconstruction assistance programs are available through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation at 785-296-5865 or www.kshousingcorp.org.

WATER SERVICE TESTING. Officials are continuing to test and turn on the water lines to areas of Greensburg. Contact City Hall at 620-723-2751 with questions about water restoration or to report water leaks.

INVOLVED IN DEBRIS CLEAN-UP?
Never handle damaged or leaking containers. Please call KDHE at 785-296-1679 and call 911. Protect yourself with gloves, hard-soled shoes or boots and respiratory masks as necessary. If you have a cut or scratch that does not heal normally, seek necessary medical attention. Help speed up debris removal by placing it in the right of way. Keep debris at least three feet from utility poles, fire hydrants and water and gas meters. Call City Hall with debris removal questions at 620-723-2751. Free debris removal will end Friday, June 22nd.

SRS REOPENS LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIEAP) to aid residents in Kiowa, Pratt, Stafford and Edwards counties. Applications will be accepted through Friday, June 29th. The benefit is a one-time payment to help with energy bills. LIEAP applications are available at any SRS local office or by calling 1-800-432-0043.

KDHE MAINTAINS A LIST OF LICENSED ASBESTOS CONTRACTORS. Private contractors must be KDHE licensed to remove or demolish any suspected asbestos material. Call Scott Bangert at 785-296-1689 with questions.

ALL CONTRACTORS MUST REGISTER at Greensburg City Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Contract work is prohibited without registration and/or license. Contractors are responsible for hauling jobsite debris and must plug any sewer lines. Contractors are responsible for meals for their crews.

SEPARATE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND WHITE GOODS. Separate refrigerators, air conditioners, batteries, paint, pesticides, aerosol cans, propane and compressed gas cylinders from other debris and leave at the curb for removal. Place waste food items in trash bags and leave at the curb. Bags are available at the Lighthouse Worship Center and the Salvation Army at Dillon’s. Protective gloves and masks must be worn when removing food debris.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PICK-UP FOR BUSINESSES. Businesses needing to dispose of tornado-damaged hazardous materials must call KDHE at 785-296-1679.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.
*NEW JOB DEVELOPMENT SERVICE: The Kansas Department of Commerce’s KansasWorks Mobile Center is now located on the square. The RV unit has computers with internet links to job sites, and software to prepare resumes. It also can be used for classes and public presentations. For more information, call Caleb Asher at 785 296-2377.
* JOBS IN GREENSBURG: Greensburg residents are being considered for employment such as administrative assistance, general labor and other positions. Contact the Local Area I Workforce Investment Board at the Haviland Disaster Recovery Center or call 620-388-4993 or 620-388-4992. Health benefits will be offered as of July 1st.
* FIREFIGHTER POSITIONS: Local residents who were displaced by the tornado and want to work for the Fire Department can contact the Local Area I Workforce Investment Board at the Haviland Disaster Recovery Center or call 620-388-4993 or 620-388-4992.
* FEMA HIRING FOR LOCAL POSITIONS: Residents and those who worked in Greensburg and have lost their jobs are being considered for these positions. Call 770-216-3156 or 417-234-3798 or visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College.

THOSE WISHING TO VOLUNTEER MUST CALL 211 (in state) or 1-888-413-4327 (out of state) prior to arrival. Ameri Corps is organizing groups wishing to volunteer, call 314-313-4779. Volunteers must dress appropriately for hazardous working conditions.

VEHICLE REMOVAL Owners of vehicles in Greensburg that were towed to the south landfill can view the inventory Tuesday – Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FREE PHONE USE for residents and responders is provided at the courthouse square by AT&T.

GREENSBURG CITY OFFICES are located on the square. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

GREENSURG RESIDENTS can view and inspect a FEMA travel trailer and manufactured home between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the west entrance to Davis Park. A FEMA specialist will be on hand to answer questions.

ID BADGES FOR GREENSBURG RESIDENTS Residents can obtain ID badges at the Emergency Operations Center on the square. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon. Residents are asked to provide some form of identification such as a driver’s license. Badges are intended to provide residents with easier access to their property and to meal sites but are strictly voluntary.

GREENSBURG MAIL Residents can sign up for a box at the new post office. Hours are: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays: 9 – 11 a.m. Call 620-723-2341 with questions.

GREENSBURG FRAUD TASK FORCE. The Greensburg Fraud Task Force will investigate and prosecute any thefts of federal disaster relief funds. Call 1-800-KS-CRIME with tips.

FUEL IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC PURCHASE AT VOLZ OIL. The public can purchase fuel Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

KIOWA COUNTY OFFICES are located at Mullinville High School. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Health Department and Extension offices, now located on the square, are open Monday –Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Health Department number is 620-723-2136 and the Extension number is 620-723-2156.

PROGRESS REPORT:
· 6,103 registered.volunteers have contributed 47,191 hours to date.
· EPA has collected 36,309 household hazardous waste items.
· Workers have hauled 280,886 cubic yards of debris requiring 29,719 truck loads. The debris removal process is approximately 80.3 percent complete.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE:
· The Greensburg Disaster Recovery Center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
· Disaster Recovery Center at Barclay College in Haviland is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
· Small Business Administration is located on the square. Hours are Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
· FEMA is on the square Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. or 1-800-621-FEMA or www.fema.gov
· Contact U.S. Representative Jerry Moran for assistance with the federal government at 620-665-6138.

SAFETY UPDATE:
· Treat ALL power lines as if they are live. Call 911 if you observe an arcing power line.
· Leave room for emergency and military vehicles when parking.
· Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Seek immediate medical attention if you feel dizzy, nauseated or experience vomiting.
· Burning is prohibited in Greensburg. In rural areas, follow county ordinances. Burning is discouraged in high winds.
· Never enter any building that appears unsafe.
· Respiratory protection is recommended for all workers. Dust masks and safety glasses are available at the Kiowa County Health Department on the square.