HOISINGTON — The Hoisington City Council revisited a discussion that began at the May 23 meeting concerning when it is acceptable to set off fireworks, and what procedure residents should go through in order to have a block party to celebrate Independence Day.
While Council Member Karen Van Brimmer opened with a proposal to limit fireworks only to Sunday, July 3, allowing out-of-town visitors a chance to enjoy and then travel home the following day, the rest of the council did not voice agreement.
Hoisington residents at the meeting were divided between those who preferred to have only one day of fireworks, and those who felt two should be allowed because July 4 falls on a Monday, and it would allow families to make more of the weekend with two days of celebration. After further discussion, the council approved a motion to allow fireworks to be discharged in the city on Sunday, July 3 from noon until 11 p.m., and on Monday, July 4 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Any discharge outside of those hours would be punishable by fines.
City Manager Jonathan Mitchell noted that law enforcement has a difficult time following up on complaints. Council member Chris Smith suggested that if residents take advantage, perhaps in a coming year the council will simply not allow fireworks to be discharged at all, which is within their scope of power to do.
Next, it was determined block parties would be allowed only on Monday, July 4. Residents must submit an application to the city, with everyone affected by a road closure, whether owners or simply occupants of those properties signing they are in agreement with holding the party.
Mitchell announced EMS Director Scot Flemming will be traveling to pick up the city’s new ambulance this week, and it is scheduled to be on display at the Hoisington Chamber Coffee on Thursday, June 16.

Other items of discussion and actions taken included:
* A CMB Consumption Permit was approved for St. John the Evangelist Parish for their parish picnic on Sept. 24 starting at 6 p.m. at the horseshoe pit area and the shelter.
* Jonathan Mitchell was re-appointed the voting delegate for the Kansas Municipal Gas Association.
* Barney Kruse was appointed the permanent alternate delegate for the KMGA.
* Craig Dassow from Clubine and Rettele Chartered CPAs made the annual audit presentation. The audit report was approved as presented.
* A discussion concerning the city’s recent decision to withdraw from the CDBG grant cycle revealed the administrator for the grant application hired by the city had misjudged the severity of the government’s decision to throw out several surveys that had been altered for the 2016 grant. After consultation with the grant committee and the EPA, it was determined it would be in the city’s best interest to sit out a grant cycle and reapply in 2017. Mitchell will contact the EPA and ask for an extension on the date of compliance for the city’s lagoons.
* The 2017 Governing Body Budget priorities was presented. These priorities will be considered as the city sets a budget for the next fiscal year. The finalized budget must be presented to the state by Aug. 25.
* The council approved the renewal of its agreement with CIC Peopleware, the software it has been using for several years for accounting.
* During his City Manager’s Report, Jonathan Mitchell commented that Union Pacific, Rotomix, and the KDHE are close to an agreement, and could resolve the ongoing problem of transferring property to Rotomix as early as the next 45 to 90 days.
* The council approved Appropriations Ordinance, no. 1402.