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Author: Tracy Roberts

EPA PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is seeking public input to update the EPA cleanup level for lead contamination in soils at residential properties across the Cherokee County National Priorities List (NPL) Superfund Site. EPA is proposing to lower the residential cleanup level at affected residential properties to align sitewide cleanup levels with a more stringent threshold of 400 parts per million (ppm) for lead in soil. This is down from the prior 800 ppm action level (and 500 ppm cleanup level) used during past EPA residential yard cleanups in Cherokee County. For more information, please see the attached EPA Public Notice and Fact Sheet (with links to the online versions, below).

  • Public comments on the Proposed Explanation of Significant Differences will be accepted for 30 days from Jan. 28 through Feb. 28, 2023. On Jan. 28, the ESD and supporting documents will be published online for public review at the weblink included below. Site information is available to the public at web repositories; please visit EPA’s Site Profile page (click on Site Documents & Data, then on Administrative Records): www.epa.gov/superfund/cherokeecounty (Click Here to view the ESD and the Administrative Record File.)
  • Send written comments to: Elizabeth Kramer, Community Involvement Coordinator, Office of Public Affairs (ORA/OPA), EPA Region 7, 11201 Renner Blvd., Lenexa, KS 66219; or by email at r7-tsmd@epa.gov. EPA also established a voicemail box for accepting oral comments at 913-551-8755. Direct questions about the Proposed ESD and requests for site information to: Elizabeth Kramer, phone: 913-551-7186; or Todd Campbell, Remedial Project Manager, phone: 913-551-7115; they can also be reached toll-free at 1-800-223-0425 or by email at r7-tsmd@epa.gov.

LINKS: For More Information, see EPA’s Fact Sheet and Public Notice online, at:

  1. Public Notice: https://www.epa.gov/ks/cherokee-county-national-priorities-list-npl-superfund-site-cherokee-county-kansas
  2. Fact Sheet: https://www.epa.gov/ks/cherokee-county-national-priorities-list-npl-superfund-site-cherokee-county-kansas-fact-sheet-1
2023-01-EPA-Fact-Sheet-Cherokee-County-Proposed-ESD-Final-1-PageDownload
2023-01-28-EPA-ESD-Cherokee-County-SUPR-Public-Comment-Period-Public-Notice-FINAL-1-page-PDFDownload

HOUSING INCENTIVE APPLICATION

This application can be emailed to t.roberts@galenaks.gov or dropped off at the City Clerks office at 211 W 7th St. Galena, Kansas 66739. For more information contact us at 620-783-5265 ext. 6. Below you will also find a form that can be submitted online for approval. Please attach all supporting documents.

Housing Incentive Program Application

Residential Economic Incentives for newly constructed residential structures with a value of $50,000 and greater.
Applicant Name
Applicant
Applicants Mailing Address
Address of New Residence
Purpose of New Residence
This can be found on the Cherokee County Website or any tax document.
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 5 files.
Upload all supporting documents. Proof of ownership. Plot Plans. Etc.

Housing Incentive Program Application
Residential Economic Incentives for newly constructed residential structures with a value of $50,000 to $100,000.
NCRS is defined as follows: Single-Family, duplexes and multi-family structures. Land value shall be added to the value of any NCRS calculations for purpose Ordinance 20-13, the county appraisers value shall be used for determining value to be added.
1. $1200.00 water and sewer benefits. Trash service fee, sewer equipment fee, meter rent and a $75.00 deposit still apply. If the total of $1200.00 is not used in two (2) years, the credit expires.
2. Building permit fees will be reduced to one half of normal cost. All building inspections will be completed, and all inspection fees will be paid before the Certificate of Occupancy will be signed.
3. Water and sewer tap fees will reduced to half of the regular tapping fee as set by
Ordinance. If the build is not completed, it is the builder’s responsibility to reimburse
the city for the cost of the taps.
4. The city shall waive any special assessments for mowing on land that was conveyed by the City or private party to anyone who builds an NCRS. Provided the owner did not receive any of such fees while the property was under such owner’s ownership. The owner may ask the Council if past fees incurred can be waived.
5. The city will pay $750.00 to builder and $750.00 to buyer of any NCRS after all paperwork is completed and presented at the next scheduled City Council Meeting. Residential Economic Incentives for newly constructed residential structures with a value greater than $100.000.
1. $1200.00 water and sewer benefits. Trash service fee, sewer equipment fee, meter rent and a $75.00 deposit still apply. If the total of $1200.00 is not used in two (2) years, the credit expires.
2. Building permit fees will be waived. All building inspections will be completed, and all inspections fees will be paid before the Certificate of Occupancy will be signed.
3. Water and sewer taps will be waived. If the build is not completed, it is the builder’s responsibility to reimburse the city for the cost of the taps.
4. The city shall waive any special assessments for mowing on land that was conveyed by the City or private party to anyone who builds an NCRS. Provided the owner did not receive any of such fees while the property was under such owner’s ownership. The owner may ask the Council if past fees incurred can be waived.
5. The city will pay $1000.00 to builder and $1000.00 to buyer of any NCRS after all
paperwork is completed and presented at the next scheduled City Council Meeting.
Housing Incentive Program Application
Documents required:
1. Completed NCRS Application
2. Completed Building Permit
3. Copy of Plans
4. Waiver Request for Special Assessments
Guidelines:
Builder to Occupy or Rent:
 A building permit must be issued
 NCRS application must be completed and submitted

Certificate of occupancy must be received within 365 days of building permit issue date.
An extension may be requested prior to expiration and is subject to City Council.
Approval
The resident must be used as owner occupied or rent

         Rentee(s) will not receive any incentives
This program will only apply to the original applicant and is non-transferable.
All completion documents must be turned in to the City Clerk’s office to receive cash
incentive.
The new residence must be connected to available city services.
Property titling must be in the individual property owner’s name.
Buyer:
Must have a signed executed contract for a new residence
NCRS application must be completed and submitted.
Buyer must be first occupant and the residence must be used as owner occupied.
This program will only apply to the original applicant and is non-transferable.
All completion documents must be turned in to the City Clerks office to receive cash
incentive.
The new residence must be connected to available city services.
Property titling must be in the individual property owner’s name
Documents required upon completion of and/or sale of NCRS:
1. Buyer settlement statement from Title Company or equivalent
2. Completed application for City Services with Deposit
3. Parcel details from Cherokee County

Boil Water Advisory Rescinded for the City of Galena

https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=502

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Galena public water supply system located in Cherokee County. The advisory was issued because of a waterline break resulting in a loss of pressure in the distribution system.  Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.   

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory. 

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Galena indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.   

For consumer questions, please contact the water system at 620-783-5265 or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage:  kdhe.ks.gov/waterdisruption.  

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