HOISINGTON — City Manager Jonathan Mitchell recapped the recent informational meeting concerning the proposed new fire district. While as of yet there hasn’t been any strong affirmation from the outlying townships and the City of Susank about moving forward, Hoisington Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jerry Stricker will be following up with individuals over the next week, he said.
Currently, more than half the fire calls the Hoisington Volunteer Fire Department responds to originate from outside the city, Mitchell said. The biggest concerns, which prompted the proposal, is how the volunteer fire department can continue to operate while taking on debt service for a new truck to replace one that had to be retired in 2016. Should Susank and the subscribing townships agree to the proposal, the burden of funding the fire station and maintaining the equipment would shift to the district, but would also mean a new charge for property owners on their annual taxes. This concerned some township representatives at the informational meeting, and some were uncertain they could back the proposal.
Noting a Feb. 16 Great Bend Tribune article, “Taking Their Temperature,” in which Stricker was noted as saying if nothing happened, the status quo would remain, Mitchell requested affirmation from the council about the statement. Council member Mike Aylward spoke up, and said if nothing happened, then each township would have to contribute more than they currently are. The rest of the council agreed, stating that after the current contract period is up, things cannot continue as they have been.
Should the district be created, all reserve funds now in the Hoisington Volunteer Fire Department account would be transferred to the fire district, and the vacant lots south and east of the Hoisington EMS stalls would also go to the district should it ever wish to expand, Mitchell said.

Be aware of firefighters
Later in the meeting, Council President Karen Van Brimmer and Chris Smith raised questions about volunteers responding to fires. Van Brimmer noted that she recently had out of town visitors who witnessed responders on their way to a fire, and asked why they did not have a flashing light to alert motorists. Police Chief Kenton Doze responded that lights would essentially make the vehicle an emergency vehicle, requiring city and the Sheriff to sign off on them. This could also open the city up to insurance issues. At this, Smith spoke up, noting another incident she witnessed where volunteer passed a motorist who would not allow his truck to pass, despite attempts to alert the motorist with his headlights. She also inquired about the lack of a fire siren, something that used to be sounded when a fire was reported.
The siren, it turns out, is no longer active because it was easily confused with the storm siren. Now, only the storm siren is sounded, according to Scott Fleming, EMS director.
Mitchell noted that there have been a number of fire calls lately, and volunteers have been busy. However, they are still required to follow the rules of the road, he added.
“If you see someone passing illegally, make note of it and let us know,” he said. “We will talk with them. Some out-of-towners may simply have no clue what is going on.”

Other items of discussion and actions taken included:
*The council authorized city staff to spend $145,631 to move forward with the purchase and installation of a high-density lime water softening system. More consideration will be put into sandblasting and painting the exterior of the system.
*Mitchell reported that KDHE has received a $10,000 check from Union Pacific for the Environmental Use Control Survey, and once Rotomix pays its portion of the survey, the next step will be contracts. Progress is happening.
*Two people have approached the city with interest in the $25,000 grants to build at McKenna Meadows.
*Progress is being made with CDBG surveys, and survey takers are still out, so if they visit, Mitchell asks residents take the time to answer their questions.
*Sonic will open on March 11.
*Code enforcement is stepping up efforts to ensure properties adhere to standards requiring a paint and operating windows on property. A presentation will be made at the next council meeting.
*The city is beginning a study to determine what other municipalities of similar size charge for use of their spaces. This, following the completion of the Municipal Complex HVAC project, noting the cost of utilities has gone up while the city has not raised its fee for use in some time.
With no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, March 13 at the Municipal Complex.