Fire station project advances

By JUDD WEIL

Staff writer

Hillsboro’s Public Building Commission took another step toward construction of a new fire station Tuesday, approving issuance of a request for qualifications for construction management services on the estimated $4.6 million project.

The proposed 15,000-square-foot station would include five drive-through bays, one single-load bay and 5,200 square feet of office and operations space.

Construction companies have until 2 p.m. Aug. 5 to submit qualifications. A working group will score proposals and recommend a construction manager to the commission Aug. 18. The selected firm would help finalize plans and negotiate a guaranteed maximum price.

At an ensuing Hillsboro City Council meeting, Angela Schwerdtfeger of TCW Broadband asked the city to contribute $1,500 toward development of a new Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce website by Ad Astra Directive.

Members took no action on the request.

Merit raises of up to 1% were approved for eligible permanent full- and part-time employees. They will appear in employees’ Aug. 6 paychecks.

A proposal to require seat belts, lights, turn signals, and mirrors on golf carts operated on city streets was delayed until Aug. 4 so police chief Jessey Hiebert could field questions about inspections and enforcement.

Administrator Danielle Bartel said the Kansas Water Office had agreed to provide the remaining $10,000 needed for a Marion Reservoir buoy project.