Site is only obstacle for new lagoon
The Hillsboro City Council heard Tuesday from Jim Kohman of Evans, Bierly, Hutchison and Associates, P.A., consulting engineers of Great Bend, about the wastewater facilities improvements contract.
The engineering firm will do a geo- technical investigation on the land east of town that the council has an option to purchase. The council is proposing building a lagoon on the 80 acres but must first determine the ground water level and type of soil.
According to Kohman the state has approved the city's new sewage plant and the only obstacle is a site.
"The are new regulations," said Kohman. "We need to drill to find out the ground water level. It is critical."
City administrator Steve Garrett questioned Kohman what affects the recent 10 inches of rain might have on the ground water level.
"The state wants to know the average water level," said Kohman. "The amount of rain you had runs off pretty quickly. Rain like that does not soak in unless there is more than normal rainfall this year."
The contract for engineering services for wastewater facilities improvements will cost the city $28,000.
"Hillsboro needs a spot for a lagoon or you need to upgrade the mechanical plant," Kohman said.
"The mechanical system will be expensive," Garrett said. "The lagoon system makes some of that expense go away. The lagoon system also lessens some of the day-to-day problems."
According to Kohman the lagoon system has a 40-50 year life while a mechanical plant has 20 years.
Kohman advised the council to get an application in to Rural Development Administration.
"We are two years behind on the water plant," said mayor Delores Dalke. "That project is totally out of hand. I want to be sure we meet requirements with this project."
The council unanimously approved the contract with EBH.
The council approved paying a bill for $53,480.05 from APAC-Kansas, Inc., for work on Main Street from an area north of First Street to the south line of Third Street.
Surveys to residents on Lincoln Street have been sent and some have been returned. The surveys are necessary for the city to qualify for a Community Development Block Grant.
Dalke and Garrett will attend a Kansas Inter Agency Committee meeting in Hays on Aug. 10, along with RoseMary Saunders and Bob Previtera of Reiss and Goodness Engineers.
Jared Jost, president of Hillsboro Management Board, invited council members to attend the Oct. 6 chamber luncheon.
"We'd like for the council members, the mayor, and city administrator to attend the chamber luncheon and be on the program," Jost said.
Chamber members would then have the opportunity to ask questions of city council members.
Dalke, Garrett, and Morgan Marler, water plant superintendent, met with the United State Army Corps of Engineers recently about the water problems at Marion Reservoir and will meet with them again in August.
"It was a good meeting," said Garrett. "There were no recommendations but some short-term treatments were eliminated."
Council member Len Coryea addressed the water drainage problems on Floral Street, across from the American Legion building.
"We're after a sure fire fix," Garrett said. "We need to take a closer look at the problem."
Dalke told the council about a Kansas Department of Transportation Geometric Design program the city can apply for to help fix the traffic problems on Highway 56.
"We need to fill out that application and send it in soon," said Dalke. "We need to do our part before we have another Highway 50."
The city would request changes in Highway 56 from Industrial Park to just past Country Haven Inn.
"I've already heard from others that the state won't consider lowering the speed limit through that section," Dalke said. "We'll have to ask for a four-lane section of highway."
In other business:
— Approved Diane Claassen and Dale Mayfield as Hillsboro Housing Authority members.
— Approved Janet Whisenhunt and Maura Wiebe as Hillsboro Public Library board members.
— Approved Keith Collett as municipal judge Steve Garrett as city treasurer, and Dan Baldwin as city attorney.
— Garrett will hire Kansas Muncipalities Utilities to cathodic protection check on gas lines. The check is against electrolysis which causes holes and breaks in gas lines.
— Garrett and Dalke will meet with officials from Peaboyd soon about an increase in rates.
The council will hold a budget hearing at 4 p.m. Aug. 10 in the city building.
