By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Hillsboro City Council approved hiring Mike Conduff, author of “The On Target Board Member” to present a one-day seminar for members of various city boards and support staff.

City Administrator Larry Paine suggested the seminar because of issues between public board members and support staff. The seminar will cost $2,750, and one year of coaching by e-mail and phone will cost an additional $750.

Paine has the credentials to teach such a seminar, but it could create conflict because of his proximity to the situation.

City to counter offer

The city received a contract from Randy Crawford and Lori Lalouette Crawford seeking to purchase lots 20 and 21 in block 1 of the Willow Glen addition for $6,500 total. The city’s asking price for lots in the subdivision has been $5,000 per lot.

Paine recommended the city counter the offer. They do not intend to build on the lots, Mayor Delores Dalke said.

Council member Bob Watson said he would be flexible if there were plans to build, but because that isn’t the case, he wanted to stick to the $5,000 asking price. The council approved a $5,000 per lot counter offer.

In other business:

• Watson said Citizens State Bank of Moundridge plans to open an office on Main Street in Hillsboro, with Watson at the helm.
• Midway Motors has applied for a building permit for its new location, but the permit has not been issued yet.
• Political party events will be permitted to use the Scout House, but will be required to pay a fee. State statute says political events are by default prohibited from city buildings, but cities can opt to allow them.
• Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk, and Loyd of McPherson will conduct the city’s annual audit and single audit. The annual audit will cost $11,092, and the single audit — which is required for federal funds — will cost a minimum of $5,000.
• Dalke appointed Katherine Defilippis to the Hillsboro Tree Board with council approval.
• The Tabor College Student Activities Board received clearance for the Taborstock music festival to last until 10 p.m. May 8.
• Council members met in closed session for 35 minutes to discuss personnel. No action was taken on return to open session.

The next council meeting will be April 20.