City takes steps to join electrical pool
The City of Hillsboro took the first steps Sept. 6, to join the Kansas Power Pool.
During a council meeting, the board approved a resolution and ordinance to participate in the initial phases of the formation of the organization.
Membership will provide additional options to the city regarding electrical power when the city's franchise comes up for renewal in October 2006.
Other members include the cities of Augusta, Burlington, Chanute, Clay Center, Greensburg, Kingman, Lucas, Luray, Neodesha, Russell, Wellington, and Winfield.
In other business:
— The council heard a presentation from Scott Schreive of EMG Associates.
Consideration is being given to hiring the consultant to address electrical issues that can provide ways to handle the city's electrical load at an affordable cost to customers.
— An ordinance was approved to annex a half-section of land to the city's industrial park for business expansion.
The land was owned by Margaret Melcher when it was purchased by the city.
— Councilmen Matt Hiebert and Shelby Dierks will be the city's delegates at the annual conference of the League of Kansas Municipalities Oct. 8-11 at Wichita.
City administrator Steve Garrett and city clerk Jan Meisinger are alternates.
— A Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for housing rehabilitation was approved by the council.
The grant, if approved for funding will provide $400,000 for improvements to specific areas on Second, Madison, First, and Main streets.
— Pay estimates were reviewed by the council for water line replacement on Lincoln Street. The total estimate for the project was $332,791.
Statements also were reviewed from Reiss & Goodness Engineers for a total of $7,078.
The water line has been installed with all work anticipated to be completed by mid-October.
— Wendell Dirks and Sam Garbo were reappointed to the Hillsboro Community Medical Center board of directors to serve three-year terms.
— Vouchers for $402,011 were approved.
A special meeting will be held at 6:15 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) to award the bid for the family aquatic center and a report from the city administrator.
The next regular meeting will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at city hall.
