City considers estimates for infrastructure
Staff reporter
Engineer's cost estimates for a storm sewer and water line replacements were taken under advisement by Hillsboro City Council.
Bob Privetera of Reiss and Goodness Engineers of Newton, reported estimates March 7 per the direction of the council. The improvements were requested by Tabor College as part of the college's building development plan.
Steve Garrett, city administrator, had said at previous meetings that some of the older water lines needed to be replaced.
The cost estimates for a storm water sewer on Madison Street was $52,000; water main replacement on Madison Street from D to A streets was $150,000; and water main replacement on Adams Street from D to B streets was $80,000.
Which entity pays for which improvement will be determined in the future.
In other business:
— An annexation of 1.9 acres of land to be used for Tabor College expansion project was approved.
— Pay estimates for the family aquatic center were approved for $227,512 to Carrothers Construction Co. Inc., Paola.
— Water plant improvement pay estimates were approved for Utility Contractors, Inc. of Wichita, in the amount of $349,815. EBH & Associates, of Great Bend, engineers for the project, also were paid $23,102.
— Bank bids were reviewed and Central National Bank of Hillsboro was awarded the bid.
The city proposed two rates to the three local banks — a percentage plus the 91-day treasury bill rate published in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day of each quarter or a percentage less the 91-day treasury bill rate.
The city also requested information pertaining to charges for direct deposit and wire transfers.
Central National Bank and Emprise Bank of Hillsboro both offered .050 percent more than the treasury bill rate but Emprise Bank charged $5 per file for direct deposits and 10 cents per item for direct debits, and $10 per wire transfers. Central National Bank charges $15.69 for wire transfers.
Hillsboro State Bank's bid was two percent less than the treasury bill and did not charge for the other specific services.
It was noted the city would save between $450 and $500 annually by not paying a direct deposit charge. The only time a wire transfer will be utilized will be for grants, said Garrett.
— Pool furniture will be purchased from Lumatec. Fifty lounge chairs for a total of $6,095 was approved.
— Extensive discussion was heard regarding uses of leftover funds for the city's water treatment plant improvements. In the end, the council approved peroxide equipment, granulated activated carbon equipment, and a chlorine line.
Approximately $81,000 will be available for other improvements that were not budgeted.
The council discussed the possibility of replacing a third raw water pump, two high-service pumps, and other pertinent items.
Senior water plant supervisor Morgan Marler will be included in discussions before any decisions are made.
— A decision was tabled regarding the renewal of the city's property and liability insurance.
John Kullman of IMA of Kansas, Wichita, presented a premium reduction of 16 percent from the previous year.
A premium of $47,909 was proposed by EMC Insurance Companies through IMA for 2006-07, compared with $55,662 for 2005-06.
The new family aquatic center caused a slight increase in property insurance values, said Kuhlman. The council asked Kuhlman to include water treatment plant improvements.
The insurance will cover city-owned properties with a total $8.4 million replacement cost, not cost value.
Kullman also wanted to present a premium bid March 27 from a second company.
— The city had requested proposals from American Energies Pipeline LLC of Wichita and Atmos Energy, Kansas, of Olathe regarding proposals from the companies to lease a four-inch pipeline from the former AMPI building.
American Energies Pipeline submitted a proposal for a 20-year lease at a base lease price of $4,000 per year and a fee of five cents per 1,000 cubic feet for transporting or a one-time payment of $75,000 for the first term.
Atmost Energy submitted a bill of sale where the company would purchase the line from the city for $10,000, and pay the city $1,000 per customer per year for new connections.
Garrett was instructed to contact American Energies Pipeline to finalize the deal.
— The council will discuss a proposed city policy for entities requesting donations from the city.
The proposed policy would not allow the council to make monetary donations or contributions of any kind to individuals, civic groups, or other entities unless the contribution was for a specific municipal purpose or service. A written agreement would be drawn between the two entities to specify purposes.
The policy would be extended to apply to purchases of advertisements in calendars, yearbooks, or other publications. Requests are to be made to the city administrator who would determine eligibility.
— April has been declared Fair Housing Month by the city council.
Garrett requested the declaration to meet required activity for a Community Development Block Grant used for the Lincoln Street project.
The next regular council meeting will be at 4 p.m. March 21 in the city building.
