City OKs project reimbursement for wastewater treatment plant
Final payment held until design is approved
Staff reporter
Hillsboro City Council approved reimbursements of $115,982 March 21, for improvements to the city's wastewater treatment plant.
The council previously had approved the payments and this was a reimbursement from Kansas Department of Health & Environment as part of the city's loan.
Council members expressed concerns regarding design charges of nearly $100,000, and a final design yet to be approved by the state.
It was determined to hold the remaining $50,000 owed to EBH & Associates until the design is approved.
In other business:
— The council approved a municipal policy regarding donations. The council will not make monetary contributions to civic groups or other entities unless said contributions are for a specific municipal purpose or service, and a written agreement between the two entities specify the purpose.
This includes the purchase of advertisement in calendars, yearbooks, and other publications made by civic, school, or church groups.
Requests must be made with the city administrator who is authorized to determine if the purpose or service meets the policy requirements.
— The purchase and installation of doors on the high-service pump house at the city's water treatment plant up to $3,000 were approved.
— A grant agreement with USDA Rural Development was approved for the water plant improvement project for a total of $3,470,000. Of that amount, $1,920,000 is a loan and $1,550,000 is a grant through rural development.
— Hillsboro Community Medical Center was reimbursed $33,741 by the city for the hospital's addition and remodeling project that recently was completed.
— City administrator Steve Garrett asked the council to consider changes to the city's cross connection control policy to allow a more aggressive approach to preventing ground water from seeping in with treated water.
In the past, back-flow prevention was voluntary by property owners with irrigation or sprinkler systems. Garrett explained he didn't want the city to do the inspections or testing.
He will present options to the council at a future meeting.
— A premium of $51,629 was proposed by IMA of Kansas Inc. for property and liability insurance from EMC Insurance Companies. Last year's premium was $47,901. The slight increase was contributed to an increase in property values for the city's water plant, equipment, and fixtures at Memorial Ball Park.
The city is waiting for another proposal before making a final decision.
Prior to the council's regular meeting, a public hearing was held to evaluate the performance of a water line replacement project funded with grant funds from Community Development Block Grant program.
This hearing was the final step before closing the grant. The city did not hear any negative comments regarding the project.
— Garrett reported the city's swimming pool was progressing on schedule and recently passed a leak test, and Kansas Department of Transportation will schedule a meeting with the city to discuss location of road signs to direct motorists to Hillsboro.
The next council meeting will be at 4 p.m. April 4 at the city building.
