City approves invoices for hospital remodeling project
Staff writer
Mike Ryan, Hillsboro Community Medical Center CEO, presented invoices Jan. 17 to Hillsboro City Council for reimbursements on the hospital remodeling project. Ryan presented an invoice from Coonrod and Associates Construction Company in the amount of $82,127.97, the final invoice for services from Howard and Helmer Architects for $1,900.28, and an invoice for healthcare/bedside chairs and radium occasional tables to Triad Manufacturing in the amount of $8,801, for a total of $92,829.25.
Ryan said these were the final three bills he would bring the city council.
After hearing from city clerk Jan Meisinger that the account balance for the hospital remodeling project on Dec. 31, 2005, was $240,454.05, the council voted to approve payment of the invoices.
Council member Len Coryea asked Ryan if problems with heating and air conditioning in the x-ray unit were part of the remodeling project. Ryan said there were repairs being made to the air conditioning in the x-ray unit, but those had nothing to do with the project.
Ryan brought a proposal to the council for the purchase of a coagulation analyzer. The new machine would perform testing to monitor blood thinners and screen for cardiac therapy, stroke therapy, and diagnose blood clotting factor deficiencies.
Ryan said the equipment purchase was part of the capital budget in the amount of $13,000. The estimate Ryan brought to the council from Beckman Coulter was $11,200, which was under budget. The council approved the proposal for the purchase of the coagulation analyzer.
Ryan said the hospital board had voted to approve an upgrade to the HCMC fire alarm system. The estimated cost would be between $10,000 and $11,000. The upgrade would involve some design changes. Ryan said he would bring more information to the council at a later date.
City administrator Steve Garrett requested a policy update for the city's severe weather procedure policy.
The policy would require the city to attempt to notify HCMC, Parkside Homes, Unified School District 410, Tabor College, Country Haven Inn, Vogt's Hometown Market, and others to be determined at a later date in the event of severe weather.
An attempt to notify these constituencies is important because they may not hear tornado sirens, said Garrett.
"Sirens are for outside use," said Garrett. "They are not meant to penetrate indoors."
The council asked Garrett about the possibility of a new siren on the north side of town. Garrett said he had been looking into that issue. He said the cost would be between $5,000 and $6,000 and he would bring more information at a later date.
The council approved the change to the city severe weather procedure policy.
Council approved a policy that provides guidelines for purchases made by the City of Hillsboro.
The policy requires purchases to be from local vendors, when possible. If more than one local vendor is available, the city will request a bid or quote. A 10 percent price differential will be granted to local providers.
Council approved resolution 2006-01 to waive general accepted accounting principals in the preparation of financial statements and financial reports for the city of Hillsboro for fiscal year 2006.
Garrett presented the council with an invoice from Kansas Municipal Utilities in the amount of $2,470 for membership dues. Meisinger said last year's dues were $2,314. According to Garrett, dues are based on kilowatt hours sold. Garrett said KMU helps the city stay on top of its gas, water, and electric issues. The council approved payment of the dues.
Garrett said the city had received grant paperwork from the state for airport improvements.
Acting mayor Shelby Dirks signed the agreement, upon approval of the council.
Vouchers totaling $191,293.66 were approved for payment.
The next city council meeting will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
