City council hears proposal to replace police dept. vehicles
By JOSIE BARTEL
Contributing writer
Hillsboro Police Chief Dan Kinning came before the city council Sept. 18 to discuss replacement of two vehicles in the police department fleet.
Kinning told council members the 1999 Dodge Intrepid he drives is smoking and running rough. He said the engine probably will need to be replaced in the near future. The car has 62,000 miles.
He also said the 1999 Ford Explorer that currently is used by Brad Richards as the K-9 unit is still having problems. Kinning said it has been costly to maintain since it was involved in a roll-over accident. The SUV has 92,000 miles on it.
Kinning's proposal called for the department to keep the Ford Explorer as a reserve and to trade in the 1998 Chevrolet Lumina that currently is the reserve car.
He said if the Explorer is taken off full-time service it will last that much longer.
The city engineer presented a report on several streets that need work before winter sets in, including portions of Ash, Main, F, Briarwood Lane, Bradford and Parkway Courts in Carriage Hills, Adams, A, Jefferson, and Elementary School Circle Drive.
Four repair processes will be used, including concrete crack and joint seal, asphalt crack seal, asphalt patching, and chip seal.
Concrete crack and joint seal and chip seal are more labor and equipment intensive, and likely will be started as soon as possible.
He reported that finishing touches on the Tabor College project have been completed and the bid price differed from the actual cost. There was an increase of $3,650.90 and the city owes the contractor $26,729.98 for finishing the project.
The council will draw from the revolving funds account for these payments.
A prospective buyer has shown interest in a plot in the Hillsboro Business Park, so city engineer has been working with options to expand East Orchard Drive north of the former AMPI building. The latest proposal replaces a cul-de-sac with direct access to U.S.-56.
The council liked this proposal as it provides more access to Hillsboro from the highway.
In addition, this proposal would make this area more valuable and attractive, which may bring more business opportunities and jobs for the community.
In other business the city council:
— Approved vouchers totaling $195,179.6.
— Granted renewal of a liquor license for R&D Liquor Store.
— Agreed to a zoning change from Agricultural District to Highway Commercial District on the corner of Ash and U.S.-56. The tract of land contains approximately 20.13 acres.
