City doesn't favor CKC-owned walking trail
By JENNIFER WILSON
News editor
A walking trail along the former railroad corridor is an attractive idea — but more complex issues are involved.
That's what the Hillsboro City Council discussed last Tuesday evening at their bimonthly meeting.
Four members of Hillsboro's Linear Trail Committee — Paul and Elaine Jantzen, Renee Matz, and Gordon Mohn — were on hand at the meeting to discuss a proposed walking trail along the railroad corridor. The corridor runs west into town between Second and First streets.
At the Council meeting, these committee members brought a proposal that would develop a walking trail of three blocks, beginning at Lincoln Street, heading west, and stopping just beyond the new post office at Ash.
They requested $5,000 from next year's city budget for the project. The funds would be used to landscape the area.
In addition, the committee requested that the city donate manpower and machinery to level out an eight-foot-wide walking path, level sharp banks, and dump limestone onto the path to form a walking surface.
According to the committee's proposal, "Landscaping enthusiasists will be invited to improve the habitat in a park atmosphere
But the City Council was concerned that even if city funds were used for the trail, the actual land would still be owned by the Central Kansas Conservancy.
The CKC owns the right to use abandoned Union Pacific railroad paths for community parks and trails. They're involved with the "Rails for Trails" program, which, in the past, has caused considerable controversy in Marion County.
Money is already tight, said City Administrator Steve Garrett. Funding the project might require an increase in the mill levy.
"I'm not sure that we can commit at this time," Garrett said.
Outside of money considerations, the desires of the city should also be taken into consideration, the council said.
The trail committee would need feedback from the city — especially feedback from those landowners whose property borders the railroad corridor, said councilmember Matt Hiebert.
But perhaps the greatest problem would be the ownership of the land. CKC would own the land, but the city would pay for the upkeep.
Hillsboro had a similar situation with the Dari-ette, Garrett said.
Also at the meeting, the City Council decided to draw on a letter of credit from a California bank to cover special assessments for a Hillsboro subdivision.
According to the county treasurer's office, the owner of the unsold lots at the Willow Glen subdivision failed to pay approximately $30,000 of special assessments. Half of that amount was due on June 20, and the company failed to pay.
They also failed to pay the first half of the special assessments for the Dec. 20 due date, according to the county treasurer's office.
The unsold lots are owned by Eldred Kunkel Associates, out of San Jose, Calif.
To cover the amount, the city will draw on a $119,000 line of credit held by the Cupertino National Bank and Trust in Cupertino, Calif, according to Garrett.
Consulting engineer Jerry Rayl said that the city should seriously think about whether or not it will renew the line of credit next year.
"If I was a bank, I'd be sitting here thinking that I probably wouldn't," Rayl said.
In other council business:
— Trash rates may be cut for Hillsboro homes and businesses, thanks to the county's purchase of the waste transfer station in Marion this spring.
Formerly, the city had charged $6.25 per house and $10 per commercial business to cover transfer station fees paid to KC Development. Those fees now will be dropped, Garrett said.
— July 22 should mark the first date of construction on South Washington. The street's drainage system will be overhauled by APAC Construction of Wichita, who will get paid nearly $94,000 for the job by the City of Hillsboro. APAC was the lowest bidder.
The city will begin its deconstruction work on that area the week of July 15, Garrett said. After July 22, APAC has 45 days to complete the project.
— The city may seek a police grant that would allow Hillsboro to hire another police officer.
Garrett said that he'd like to look into obtaining the grant, which would require matching funds from the city. Right now, Hillsboro has four officers in addition to Chief Dan Kinning.
When Kinning was promoted to chief, his previous position of detective was never filled, Garrett said. Right now, Kinning works overtime hours on a salary basis in order to keep up with the department's workload.
— The city will soon be hiring for a new position: electric groundman.
Prior experience in the electrical field is not necessary for the job. Since it's entry-level, the new hire will learn as he goes, Garrett said.
