Fairgrounds lease agreement approved
Staff reporter
The City of Hillsboro approved and signed a lease agreement May 2 with Marion County Fair Association.
The lease was drawn by city attorney Dan Baldwin and presented to the fair board by Mayor Delores Dalke.
The fair board approved the 25-year lease for the use of the fairgrounds. The lease included the rodeo arena which had not been included in leases in the past.
The city also will be listed with the fair association on a liability insurance policy.
In other business:
— City electric customers may be asked to restrict electrical use this summer during peak hours. Consultant Scott Shreve reminded the council that Westar Energy determines kilowatt hour rates for the entire year during June, July, and August.
Shreve used an example of the summer of 2003 when Hillsboro had an extremely high peak usage that resulted in the rate for 2004 being higher than usual.
Another concern is when the city enters negotiations with Westar Energy to renew the contract. The contract comes due in May 2007.
If the city trimmed 200 kWh and 500 kWh is reduced in the remainder of the city, there could be a $12,000 cost savings for the year, said Shreve.
Alternatives that were discussed were peak day alerts if reading is high. A plan could request users to reduce usage between 3 and 8 p.m. Ways of contacting customers were discussed.
Another option would be to contact higher users — such as schools and businesses — and ask them to shave electrical use during peak times.
Dalke said peak usage was caused by air conditioners in residences and not necessarily the larger electrical users. She did agree that if larger users were to participate in a peak shaving program it might encourage individuals to do the same.
She added that residents may be looking at a 20 percent increase in electrical services.
Dalke asked if other communities were charging more for summer usage. Shreve said some are but most are "blending" the charges with fuel adjustments.
Steve Garrett, city administrator, said he, Shreve, and city personnel will formulate a plan for the council to consider.
— Dalke requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. When the meeting reconvened, Dalke announced that a contract was extended with Garrett through October, Garrett's anniversary date.
The extension will be drawn by Baldwin and will include the council's expectations of the position.
Contracts for the administrator's position will be reviewed on an annual basis.
— Pay estimates were approved for Hillsboro Family Aquatic Center. They were $395,346 to Carrother's Construction Co. LLC, and $10,685 to Burbach Aquatics, Inc.
— Pay estimates for the water treatment plant also were approved. They were $355,660 to Utility Contractors, Inc., $20,328 to EBH Engineers, $1,265 to Clear Water Equipment, LLC, and $2,119 to USA Bluebook.
— The council approved two proclamations to recognize National Hospital Week May 7-13, and National Nursing Home Week May 14-20.
— Public Building Commission elected councilman Matt Hiebert as chairman of the commission.
The next regular meeting will be at 4 p.m. Monday instead of Tuesday at city hall.
