City council purchases property
Hillsboro City Council approved Tuesday night the acquisition of property on North Lincoln Street and an option to buy 80 acres on Kanza (Ebenfeld) Road.
The Lincoln Street property includes the last two houses on the east side of North Lincoln and a vacant lot, including 312, 314, and 316 N. Lincoln, which were purchased for $24,000. The city already owns two lots to the south, 306 and 308 N. Lincoln.
"The city won't build there," said mayor Delores Dalke.
The area is part of the revitalization district, with five years remaining on the 10-year program, which allows a tax rebate for improvements on property. Property owners must apply to participate in the program.
"We purchased the property to help improve the neighborhood," said city administrator Steve Garrett. "Now we can control what it looks like. We also have land available for housing but there are no immediate plans."
The 80 acres of land on Kanza is the west one-half of the northwest quarter of section 12 township 20 and range 2, just south of Ag Service. The asking price of the land, which belongs to Clariece Schroeder, is $136,000 and the city has placed a $1,000 option to buy the land between now and September 2005.
The city has no formal plans for the land.
The council also approved the Professional Engineering Corporation feasibility study for Marion and Hillsboro. The feasibility study is to determine the future of the water systems in both cities.
The feasibility study will cost $25,000 and a state grant will pay for half with Hillsboro and Marion each paying $6,250.
The study will make a recommendation if the cities should each build new water plants or update existing ones, build one new water plant to serve both cities, or update one water plant to serve both communities.
"The state is requiring new regulations for water plants," said city administrator Steve Garrett. "Kansas Department of Health and Environment gave us grant money to study what will work best for both communities."
The EPA deadline for water plant updates is Jan. 1, 2005.
The Hillsboro water plant was updated in 1980 when the Marion plant was built.
In other business:
— Deferred League of Kansas Municipalities code of procedure.
— Deferred agreement with John Riggs for comprehensive plan.
— Approved payment of engineering statement to Reiss & Goodness for $2,520 and pay estimate #1-APAC for $20,491.20.
— Approved $17,938 for roof repairs and $35,000 to excavate ponds and lagoons at AMPI.
