HOISINGTON — After the Cottonwood Extension District cancelled the Jets 4-H club’s hosting duties for Hoisington Chamber Coffee on Thursday morning, the city stepped in to host the event. The cancellation occurred due to restrictions set in place by Kansas State University Extension earlier during the pandemic shutdown that ended all face-to-face activities until July.
No change to the location, scheduled to occur at the City Auditorium was needed. The Chamber has been hosting face-to-face coffees since June 4, after over two months of virtual events.
City Manager Jonathan Mitchell gave coffee goers an update on a number of city projects, including plans for a virtual dog park dedication and the upcoming opening of the City Pool. Becky Steiner, a city council person and Chamber member, noted that equipment is available at the Hoisington Rec for people to check out who want to play pickleball and disk golf at Bicentennial Park as well.
Mitchell added that the city will have a dedication of some kind as soon as the sign for disc golf hole six is either returned or replaced. The sign was stolen shortly after its installation.
Mitchell stated at a previous council meeting that no charges will be pressed if the sign is replaced. It can be done anonymously, otherwise, the city will need to purchase a new sign, valued at around $100.
Little was said about Hoisington’s upcoming Labor Day celebration. The Labor Day committee will meet Tuesday to discuss plans for the event, according to Mitchell. The weekend will be the subject of a discussion item at the next City Council meeting on Monday, June 22.
Visitors to Chamber Coffee saw firsthand the temporary location for council meetings, as well as the Hoisington Municipal Court. Changes to the city administrative offices were on full display following the coffee for anyone who wanted to take a look. Plexiglas partitions have been hung from the ceiling as a barrier between staff and the public, and floor markings make it easier to maintain a safe social distance.
According to Mitchell, when the council approved provisions to assist city personnel in the advent a person were infected or exposed to a person with COVID-19 and needed to self-quarantine or care for a family member who had contracted the disease, no one would have guessed how much it would be utilized.
“The city has 29 full-time staff members,” Mitchell said. “Five of our staff members have been given time off.”
In addition, one volunteer and one part-time staff member were granted time off because of possible exposure. Mitchell shared this to illustrate how the pandemic has had an impact on day-to-day activities, and why now, as the end of June approaches, the council will be looking at a compressed meeting period to draft the budget for fiscal year 2021.
The annual audit of the city’s financial reports have yet to be completed, and they are necessary before any plans can be made for the next year. Expect to hear more about this at the June 22 meeting.
Finally, a reminder from the police chief, Kenton Doze. Fireworks within the city limits will only be allowed on Saturday, July 4.
