Council approves contracts for projects
Staff reporter
Hillsboro City Council approved a variety of contracts Oct. 4 during a special meeting.
Business included:
— The council approved a contract with EMG at $1,000 per month for services related to negotiations with Westar Energy. City administrator Steve Garrett told the council the city had "very little leverage" to negotiate its contract which comes up for renewal in spring 2007.
The EMG consultant also will assist in electrical load reductions, and explain contracts and options.
Funds will be used from the electrical department.
— The city will pay $18,804 for remaining work on the Lincoln Street water line replacement project with seeding of the affected areas being checked by city officials.
Councilmen Matt Hiebert and Len Coryea expressed concerns about the condition of front lawns and wanted to be assured the areas will be reseeded appropriately.
In conjunction with the water line project, the council also approved engineering inspection costs of $1,933, by Reiss & Goodness Engineers of Wichita.
— Invoices for the city's water treatment plant improvements were approved.
Paid invoices were $14,310 with Pittsburg Tank & Tower Company of Henderson, Ky.; $176,400, Utility Contractors Inc., Wichita; $90,959, APAC-KS, Shears Division of Hutchinson; and $30,088, EBH & Associates, Great Bend.
— The National Incident Management System (NIMS) was approved by the council to be used by the city for planning, responding, recovery, and mitigating from both natural and manmade disasters within the county.
A second resolution also associated with disaster response was approved to provide assistance to other counties, cities, and townships in case of disaster.
These resolutions must be in place for government entities to receive federal funds when catastrophes occur.
— Voluntary dues of $1,157 will be paid by the city to Kansas Municipal Utilities to fund the KMU Westar Transmission Rate Case Intervention.
The funds will be used to challenge Westar Energy's request to increase transmission fees.
The funds will be paid from the electrical fund.
— A membership with the National League of Cities was renewed. The cost was $691 for the annual membership based on population.
Dalke said it was important for the city to continue membership because it places the city's name on numerous mailings. She said other progressive cities are members and Hillsboro should continue.
— An addendum to the city employees' personnel policy was approved which requires city council approval for the disposal of city property.
The council will review and consider the adoption of an updated policy at a future meeting.
— Megan Kilgore of Hillsboro Management Board, reported work continues with two prospective businesses.
Arts and crafts revenues were lower than previous years, Kilgore said, which possibly could be due to fewer vendors.
— Approval of a shared use agreement and improvement payment agreement between the city and USD 410 were tabled until the school board had a chance to review.
— Garrett reported the city's airport runway will be striped after its sealed. D Street also will be striped.
— Filming of Sunflower Journeys at the old mill will continue.
— Water tower improvements will be completed next week, Garrett said. He was pleased with the progress at the water plant.
— Garrett said a request for a zoning change and plat approval for Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church will be presented to the council at the next meeting.
— Vouchers for $186,921 were approved. One voucher with Hillsboro Ford was held until Garrett could determine if payment should be made.
