City makes final payment for Main/Grand Street improvement
The Hillsboro City Council gave city administrator Steve Garrett authorization to make the final payment of for the Main Street Improvement Project to APAC-Kansas, Inc. Bob Privetera explained the specific improvements the contractor made this past week to some of the brick work at the southwest corner of Grand and Main.
Garrett said, "They still have to fix some of the minor problems, but at this point these are knit-picky items."
Council member Leonard Coryea questioned Privetera about the water problem business owners experienced earlier this fall. Privetera said that APAC checked for pockets beneath the brick work and used a new product, instead of sand, that hardens with moisture.
Discussion of the matter continued as Coryea asked if once final payment was made, could the city hold the contractor accountable for improvements.
Garrett assured council members that the contractor has earned a level of trust with the city and that the work is under warranty until September.
Privetera suggested that Garrett conduct a walk through of the work a month or two prior to the September warranty expiration. Garrett concurred.
Final payments were also made to Reiss & Goodness Engineers in the amounts of $15,458.13 and $1,187.43.
In other business the council approved a resolution of intent to refinance two outstanding Industrial Revenue bonds issued in 1991 and 1998 respectively to Golden HF (Barkman Honey Company) not to exceed $2 million.
"The city is not taking on any other obligations by signing the resolution of intent," said Garret.
The city is required to have a public hearing of this matter which has been set for Dec. 16 at 4 p.m.
Brent Barkman expressed his appreciation to the council for working with the company. "This will allow us some growth," said Barkman.
Garrett proposed an amendment to the city's personnel policy to allow employees to obtain coverage through their spouse's employer and receive reimbursement. The city's current policy states that "No employee shall be entitled to a cash payment in lieu of health care insurance coverage."
Garrett explained that this change could actually save the city money. "It's not going to be a huge savings, but it's more than pocket change. It's a win-win situation."
The cost reimbursement to the employee will be treated as additional compensation through payroll. Payroll taxes on this amount will be a cost to the employee.
Mayor Delores Dalke advised the council to consider drawing up a document verifying that employees are given the option of waiving insurance coverage. "We need to make sure that [employees] sign that they've given up insurance of their own free will," said Dalke.
In his report to the council, Garrett reported on the water plant and sewer projects. Garret also updated council members on a proposal from Kansas Wind Power asking the city to sign a letter of intent. This would require the city make a two year commitment to the company without being able to negotiate with other companies. Garrett recommended that the council "turn down" the letter of intent.
The city of Lehigh has also requested contracting fire protection from the city of Hillsboro. Garrett said that details would be developed in the months to come.
Garrett also expressed concern about possible changes to the Open Meetings Act that would open city personnel records. No discussion followed.
Finally, Garrett reported that the Windover housing development is moving forward. Zoning applications will be reviewed in December.
