Golf association requests parking lot improvements
Hillsboro City Council met Tuesday night in special session.
Carl Long, Mike Ryan, and Roger Fleming, representing Hillsboro Golf Association board, addressed the council about improvements to the golf course parking lot.
Reiss and Goodness Engineers of Wichita provided an estimate of what it would cost to add curbs, gutters, asphalt, sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, and striping to the parking lot. The estimate was $59,025 for construction costs and $20,975 for engineering and other costs for a total of $80,000.
The golf association asked the city to fund 100 percent of the project.
"We don't come to the council to ask for help to maintain or replace equipment," said Carl Long.
The golf association manages its own finances. Its income comes from golf programs, tournaments, and fees.
"The golf association manages its own finances," said Roger Fleming. "We don't ask the city for money unless we pay it back. We're trying to improve the facilities but the cost is beyond our budget capabilities."
According to Long, the golf association has 125 members. Family memberships cost $300 per year. Single memberships are $250 a year.
Many of the maintenance and improvement projects at the course are done by volunteers. Gary Andrews is the only full-time employee at the course.
"We have a capital improvement plan and the money is spoken for for five years," said city administrator Steve Garrett. "That can change but the council will have to discuss where the improvements to the golf course parking lot fit in."
"We need to talk about this," said mayor Delores Dalke. "We'll put it on the agenda for the spring. The improvements to the parking lot would be nice. We just need to figure out if we can do it."
There were no engineer's report, Hillsboro Management Board report, or board appointments.
Matt Hiebert, council member, Garrett, Dalke, and representatives from Marion will attend a meeting today (Thursday) about the water plant feasibility study.
"If no one wants to proceed, then we're done," said Garrett. "Early reports show there is some interest."
According to Garrett, a representative from FEMA has recommended building a retaining wall around the electrical box at Willow Glen. After some discussion, Garrett said he would contact the representative again about a different solution to the problem.
"Raising the electrical box makes more sense," said Dalke.
Garrett reported the city should receive reimbursement of $4,500 for storm damage.
"The street department is ready for winter," Garrett said. "We'll use salt this year instead of sand."
Garrett made a motion to go into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss trade secrets.
No action was taken.
