Pipes, poles and sewer work to begin at McKenna Meadows

HOISINGTON — The Hoisington City Council met at its regular meeting on Monday. The council approved the infrastructure bids from McKenna Meadows. These bids include $4,733.37 for supplies for a four inch water main installed by city workers, $18, 755.23 for electric materials and equipment, curb and guttering from Christian Specialities for $25,175 which includes drive over curbs for driveways and $33,050 for a sewer bid from A&F Enterprises.
The Hoisington Chamber of Commerce will provide $12,000 from the Community Enhancement Fund to help pay for the project, which the council accepted.
City Manager Jonathan Mitchell reported that there was interest in a fourth lot and possibly a fifth in the addition. The lots will have no special fees
Council Member Jim Sekavec had some questions about the free lots in a discussion that grew heated. “I’ve got a problem,” said Sekavec. “We have got a $100,000 in that (project) people will be getting for free.”
Council Member Brian Wilborn disagreed, saying that the return would outweigh the small investment in terms of property taxes, utilities and school reimbursements for children in the school district. He also said that housing is the city’s major problem.
Mitchell then asked for direction from the council so that individuals interested in the property could proceed,  voting to approve the bids 5-2 with Council Member’s Jim Sekavec and Gerald Donovan voting nay.
In addition, the council voted to name the street in Mckenna Meadows as North Vine.
On a sad note, the council opened the meeting with a moment of silence for Janice Aylward, the wife of Council Member Mike Aylward who passed away on Monday.
In other business, the council discussed possibly privatizing the trash service.
Stutzman’s Refuse & Disposal Waste Connections of Hutchinson would provide uniform polycarts and they would match current rates for a set term so the city doesn’t have to spend $325,000 on a new trash truck. In addition, they will provide a clean-up week.
The single stream recycling system used by the company is primarily automated. This means that items such as glass are separated by machinery.
The council authorized entering into negotiations with the trash service, but expressed concern about the future of the Hoisington employees. There are two full-time and one part-time.
In final business, the council:
•Approved a proposal from Christians Specialties for curb and gutter replacement on the north and east side of the city building for $35 per linear feet for 325 feet.
•Approved a proposal from Riggs Associates for $25,730 for planning for a comprehensive plan and review of zoning regulations at an hourly rate.
•Approved giving city employees the half day before Christmas the day off.