Council approves Lincoln Street project
Hillsboro City Council met July 20 at the city building for its regular meeting.
Rosemary Saunders of Reiss and Goodness told the council it needs to hold a public hearing about housing grant applications which are due Oct. 1. The hearing will be held Sept. 7 in conjunction with the council meeting.
Saunders also gave the council information about the water main replacement on Lincoln Street from the railroad right of way just north of First Street to south of F Street. The project will cost $311,000 which results in an estimated 83 cent increase per month per user.
The city is applying for Community Development Block Grant to help pay for the Lincoln Street project. Residents of the target area will receive surveys next week.
Saunders recommended the council ask for a 50-50 grant or no less than a 60-40 grant.
"They awarded 30 projects last year," Saunders said. "The competition is stiff"
"It's got to be done," said council member Len Coryea.
The council unanimously approved the project.
Mayor Delores and city administrator Steve Garrett will attend a Kansas Department of Health and Environment meeting Aug. 9 in Hays to present the project.
The council met July 15 for a special meeting to review a draft of the 2005 proposed budget. City administrator Steve Garrett presented another copy at Tuesday's meeting for the council to peruse.
The council will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. July 27 to accept the proposed budget which includes 41.026 mills up from last year's 41.021 mills.
Mike Ryan, chief executive officer of Hillsboro Community Medical Center, requested reimbursement from the city of $67,566 for the Telemetry Invivo/MDE. The Invivo was the lowest bid and has a longer warranty than other Telemetry units.
"Everyone seems happy with it," Ryan said.
The council unanimously approved the purchase.
Ryan also told the council that HCMC is starting a capital campaign to raise funds for improvements. Only 26 out of 96 applicants for the tax abatement were awarded. HCMC received the maximum of $250,000.
Megan Kilgore, executive director of Hillsboro Management Board, reported her office had delivered 300 Hillsboro promotional bags to Marion Reservoir, sponsored Concert on Main, and held the second farmers' market last weekend. Another farmers' market is planned for Aug. 7. HMB also will sponsor "Big Dog Days of Summer" Aug. 4 in conjunction with the sidewalk sale and Marion County Fair.
Council member Byron McCarty commended the recreation commission and recreation director Matt Dalke for holding a shooting clinic Tuesday.
"It was good. It was well done," echoed Coryea. "We need to thank Loren Hiebert for allowing us to use the land."
McCarty also brought up some problems with the city's website.
"It needs to be tweaked," McCarty said.
In other business:
— The council approved $14,572 to repair 19 manholes.
— The council approved changes in the agreement for planning services with Riggs and Associates.
— The roof of the former AMPI building has some structural damage which will increase the cost of the repair project. The removal of the lagoons at the site will begin soon.
— Workers are pouring curbs and guttering on the North Main Street project and installing a new sidewalk on the east side of the 300 block of N. Main.
— The council tentatively agreed to a change in its meeting schedule for the fall. The council will meet at 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month and at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday.
