By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

GALENA, Kan. — The Galena City Council on Tuesday night began planning for new restrooms in the Southeast Kansas Nature Center in Schermerhorn Park.

Linda Phipps, an organizer for the nature center, told council members that two of the three restrooms at the nature center are primitive and don’t meet state standards.

“They’re basically holes in the ground,” Phipps said.

The council approved a plan suggested by Phipps to apply for a grant from the Cherokee County Conservation District for a septic system. She said the conservation district would pay 60 percent of a septic-system project, up to $2,100.

Phipps said the city must submit its application by Monday, with the project to be completed by the end of September, if it’s approved. The council gave Phipps authority to proceed with the grant application.

Councilman Todd Martin said the plumbing isn’t the only problems with the restrooms.

“It’s a lot more complicated,” Martin said. “They’re going to have to be totally knocked down and replaced.”

Martin said none of the restroom buildings are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mayor Dale Oglesby said the city should begin by completing the septic system, then consider ideas for replacing the buildings.

“I think it’s obvious we’re going to have to build new restrooms,” Oglesby said.

Oglesby also asked Phipps to consult with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks about restroom designs and ways to make them resistant to cold weather.

On another matter related to the nature center and park, police Chief Larry Delmont said police will begin this weekend enforcing rules against drinking alcohol in the park. He said officers would provide a warning before issuing citations.

In other business Tuesday, the council: