Star-Journbal Editor
Bad news for the mosquitoes still buzzing for blood donors in the City of Hillsboro:
Even at $500 a whack, as long as you suckers keep showing up around town, city workers will keep slapping you down.
Since the city purchased its new fogging machine in May, mosquitoes have been sprayed along streets and alleyways three times, at $500 per application.
Pellets have been dropped into standing water to kill mosquito larvae as well.
Saying they could all tell the difference, Hillsboro City Council members June 19 authorized the spraying crew to continue its fogging operations as needed for the remainder of the summer, no matter the cost.
"I don't mind spending money to get rid of mosquitoes," said council member Shane Marler. And everyone agreed.
The fogger is operated by Hillsboro Municipal Golf Course manager Gary Andrews, who has been certified to handle the insecticide. The larvae-killing pellets are kept in trucks driven by street department workers, who drop them where needed.
Citizens can ask for pellets to be dropped in suspected trouble spots in their neighborhood by calling City Hall at 947-3162.
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In other business,
— The council held a public hearing to present $250,000 in assessment for water, sewer, street and drainage work at the Mennonite Brethren Phase I addition. No citizens were on hand to complain at the hearing, so the council resumed its meeting, and passed the ordinance, 4-0.
— After agreeing to make the city's drainage problems a priority, the council delayed moving forward with a planned road paving project next to the Hillsboro Family Aquatics Center, until the city can incorporate a broader plan to deal with the area's water runoff problem at the same time.
The council had been eager to authorize APAC-Kansas to pave the dirt road that runs east of the pool off D Street while it had its paving equipment in town for the Adams Street project.
When the road is dry, dirt and sand blow into the pool. When wet, the road is muddy and rutted. But the council voted 4-0 postpone the work until city engineer Bob Previtera can survey drainage problems in the area. That means the road will remain as is until an asphalt machine comes to town for Ash Street project later this year.
— In the engineer's report, Previtera said the Adams Street project was moving toward completion. The paving machine will arrive soon to lay the blacktop, which is the final phase of the project, he added.
— The council asked the city attorney to draft a letter to explain changes in the funeral leave policy for city employees. The new guidelines will allow employees to take up to three days specifically for funeral leave, without taking away from sick days or vacation time. In the past, funeral leave was allowed only for deaths in the employee's family. The new policy includes spouse's families as well.
— At Marler's request, the council voted 4-0 to donate up to $150 toward the grand prize at the neighborhood block parties taking place throughout the city. The grand prize winner will have his or her July utility bill paid, up to $300.
— The council received the annual audit report from a representative of the auditing firm Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, Inc., of McPherson, detailing the overall condition of the city's bookkeeping system as of Dec. 31, 2006. No serious problems were found.
— The council voted to move its next meeting from Tuesday to Monday, beginning at 4 p.m.
