By Michelle Leidy-Franklin
TSnews
ARGONIA – The Argonia City Council has approved the city’s first tiny home.
John Hester purchased two empty lots in the 200 block of North Plum and presented plans for construction to the city council during the council meeting on Monday, May 10.
Hester’s plan is to place a pre-fabricated tiny home on a permanent foundation centered on the south lot. He also will be pursuing permission to build an identical building on the north lot to house a barber shop. The lots are zoned residential and plans will be presented next month to determine if the barber shop can be approved.
The city council agreed the construction of a home on the property would be an improvement. Hester said he also plans to do some additional maintenance on the property, including taking down some trees and putting in a storm shelter where an old cellar is located on the lot.
Hester said he plans to start construction on the home as soon as possible but planned to wait until August to start on the barber shop. The permit for construction of the home was approved during the meeting. While the council said they did not see a problem approving the barber shop, they will review plans in June for approval at that time.
In other business:
• The council approved road work for the cemetery to include up to $1,500 for new rock. Melvin Stephens and Dale Berry will be making the repairs and expect to need no more than two truck loads of rock to take care of the east drive. Holes and muddy areas will be repaired.
• Lifeguards have been set up for training and Pierce anticipates having enough guards to be able to open the pool for the season.
• The council approved paying $859.42 in dues to the Sumner County Economic Development.
• Full Moon Bar and Grill received approval to host a beer garden at Argonia Days, to be held on Saturday.
• Council members approved paying a $818.83 bill from Cummins Sales and Services for repairs to a city lift pump done in August 2020. Pierce said she had received estimates but no invoice. Services were completed and she agreed that the city owed the money.
• The council approved the replacement of an old sprayer. The city will get a new portable sprayer that will be loaded on the back of a truck and will have no booms.
• The city maintenance department received approval to jet one of the city lagoons that was plugged.
• Discussions were held about the future of the city rodeo grounds. There are two groups that have expressed interest in using it. One would like to host future rodeos and one would like to start a demolition derby. Because the demolition derby could pose a hazard to animals in a rodeo held after an event, the city will have to decide on one or the other. Both groups cannot host at the rodeo grounds. No decision was made.
• Pierce updated the council on the progress of Argonia Days. She was able to secure the bouncy houses from 2020 that the city had already paid a deposit on. The company was willing to apply the credit to this year’s event, saving the city money. Additional events have been added and Pierce said Argonia Days will be big this year.
