Other items of discussion and actions taken included:
• Approval of Annexation Ordinance No. 1532, formally annexing the sewer lagoons and the proposed wetlands cell site into the City of Hoisington.
Agreed to accept possession of the building soon to be vacated by Subway restaurant. (See related story.)
• Discussed the need to appoint a member to the Hoisington Recreation Commission. The seat currently held by Kim Kindscher will end at the end of the month, and while she has stated she would serve another term, the council opted to take applications from interested parties. The reason is because earlier, when the spot now occupied by Jeff Williams was open, a number of people showed interest in serving and applied. The council stressed that they have been happy with Kindscher’s service, and she is welcome to also apply again, but that they felt this would be the most fair way move forward.
• The trolley driver for the Friendship House, Linda Ruble, has resigned, effective immediately. Shifts are being covered by Darlene Stos and Gary Shook until a replacement can be found. The city will now be advertising in November for two positions, trolley driver and Friendship House director.
• The Hoisington Food Bank has requested the trolley operate late on days when the food bank will be open in late afternoon. This will be on a trial basis to see if there is enough interest.
• The Hoisington EMS announced they are recipients of a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant. The grant will cover the cost to acquire two mechanical CPR devices which will allow the technicians to perform other advanced life saving techniques. These devices will supply both of the city’s ambulances with equipment that could potentially prolong and improve a patient’s quality of life by providing high quality CPR during cardiac arrest.
• The Hoisington Police have two new part-time officers that are undergoing training now to fill in for a full-time officer who will be the police academy in Hutchinson until February.
BY VERONICA COON
vcoons@gbtribune.com
HOISINGTON — Wanda Madden, a Hoisington resident with an interest in genealogy, brought an observation to the attention to the Hoisington City Council. She made her request at the Monday night city council meeting that the city consider officially naming Hoisington’s cemetery, and post a sign with the name. This way, as people research and post their findings online, there will be visual proof of where a grave marker can be found.
“I have seen pictures to the entry to the cemetery in Hoisington on the internet, but the cemetery has no signage to prove it is in Hoisington,” she said. She suggested using the wildlife-themed signs along Hoisington’s Main Street for a design for an arched iron sign over the west entrance to the cemetery. That entrance, she pointed out, is the one most commonly used by visitors, and is the one that funeral processions enter by.
City Manager Jonathan Mitchell volunteered to gather estimates for a sign, but experience from his term in Ellsworth led him to believe such a sign could cost upwards of $15,000 to have made. He also noted that the city has been saving for a new fence around the cemetery, and perhaps that project could be moved up and a sign incorporated into the plan, should the council agree.
Other maintenance issues concerning the cemetery were also briefly discussed. Karen Van Brimmer, council person for Ward 3, asked if there is a plan to trim the windbreak on the north side of the cemetery. People have complained that entering there, their cars get scratched when they turn. Mitchell said city workers would begin pruning that north end soon. The council authorized Mitchell to get estimates for the proposed sign.Delete -Merge Up
During his monthly update, Mitchell shared all is on track for completing the Roto-mix transfer later this month. Also, the candidate for Eagle Scout has arranged to begin labor on the restroom renovation at Pride Park on Saturday, Oct. 14, and continue every weekend throughout the month until the project is complete.
The city’s new high-density lime water softening system is expected to finally be delivered this week, and installation will begin the week of Oct. 16. Mitchell is still hopeful the project will be done by the end of the year.
The KMEA has approached the city concerning a wind energy product they are researching, and asked if the city might be willing to contract for wind power. The proposal is currently under review to see if it makes financial sense for the city, Mitchell said.
Also, a resident has requested permission for their travelling volleyball team to utilize the city auditorium for practices, and to install equipment at their expense that will remain in the floor. The council concurred with Mitchell that if they can raise the money on their own, the city is agreeable to the arrangement.
