Hillsboro council planning session is May 4
Staff reporter
Shelby Dirks and Byron McCarty were sworn in Monday as Hillsboro City Council members. Both members were re-elected to the council in the April 6 election.
A planning session will be held following the regular council meeting on May 4.
Agenda for the planning session will include budget, city policies, and funding for future water projects.
The council approved an amendment to an ordinance exempting ad valorem taxes for Container Services, Inc.
The proposed project that exempted the business from paying all property taxes was not completed until January 2004. Since the project was incomplete in 2004, tax exemption is not allowed in 2004. Projects do not go on the tax roll until completed.
The board of tax appeals made the request to the city to amend the ordinance. The amended dates for the tax abatement are Jan. 1, 2005 through Jan. 31, 2014.
Darrell Driggers of Container Services, Inc., was present at the meeting and said it will not impact the business to pay the full taxes.
Steve Garrett, city administrator, updated the council on Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church site.
Garrett said he had asked the church to designate individuals to represent the church. Garrett said he received a list of names but has not heard from anyone on the list. Therefore, he assumes there are no plans at this time.
As zoning administrator, Garrett said the process for the church is simple.
The church presents a plan to Garrett. If the plan is approved as presented, a building permit would be issued.
Zoning issues can be resolved with a variance and can be obtained through the board of zoning appeals. The decision of the appeals board is final.
If a zoning change is requested, the city's planning commission would review and approve with final approval from the city council.
"There are stories floating around," said Garrett, "but we need to work with the facts."
Garrett added he feared speculation is not helping the process for the church.
Robert Privatera, engineer with Reiss and Goodness, reported the pre-construction meeting was held for the North Main Street project.
The official start date is June 14 with completion set for August. Construction could begin sooner when contractor is ready.
The council approved Garrett signing the notice to proceed documents once the contract has been assembled.
In other business:
— An invoice from Evans, Bierly, Hutchison and Associates for engineering design work for water system improvements was not approved for payment.
The original contract was reviewed and it was determined a payment is not required at this time.
— Garrett reported representatives from Burbach Aquatics met with city pool personnel to discuss community needs.
"We will need to radically change operations and maintenance with the new pool," said Garrett.
— A meeting was held with townships regarding fire protection, Garrett said. All agreed there was a need to change the current system. Copies of the Lehigh/City of Hillsboro contract were distributed as a possible option. Garrett said another meeting is planned.
— Megan Kilgore, director of Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and Hillsboro Management Board, reported there will be a Hillsboro booth at the Kansas Sampler Festival May 1 and 2 in Newton.
Kilgore distributed flyers for the 120th birthday, family folk festival, and all-school reunion. The celebration will be Memorial Day weekend, May 28-31.
— A proclamation was approved proclaiming April as fair housing month. The proclamation encourages and supports fair housing for all Kansas residents and equal housing opportunities for all Hillsboro residents.
— Francis Rhodes was appointed to Hillsboro library board.
— Garrett encouraged council members to attend a leadership summit in May in Wichita. The summit is sponsored by the League of Kansas Municipalities.
The next regular council meeting will be at 4 p.m. May 4 in council chambers.
