HOISINGTON - Code Enforcement Officer Dolores Kipper presented a report to the Hoisington City Council Monday night on her efforts to combat residential blight over the past year. She asked the council for their blessing to move forward on a campaign to enforce owners requirement to replace broken glass on windows, rather than simply boarding up the openings. Paint, or rather, the lack of, was another point of the discussion. Council members encouraged Kipper to approach property owners with copies of the International Building Code ordinances the city has adopted, and to remind them of the need-based grant dollars available if they need assistance to purchase paint and supplies.
Projects happening around the city are moving forward, Mitchell said. Friday, Nov. 18, representatives from KDOT will meet with city staff for a final walk-through on the Main Street project. Once all parties have signed off, the city can request reimbursement from the state, and Mitchell said he anticipates there will be no delay in receiving funds.
The city’s request to conduct a census survey has been approved, so the city will move forward with another CDBG application for the sewer lagoon. But before the survey begins, Mitchell asked the council to seriously consider hiring an administrator and identifying a reliable group of temporary employees to conduct the survey. He also stressed the importance of detailed training for volunteers in order to avoid problems and deliver a clear message to residents why the survey is being done. The previous application was thrown out because volunteers did not conduct the survey according to CDBG guidelines. Mitchell estimated the cost of doing the survey may cost the city between $3,000 to $4,000, most of which will be to pay survey takers.
At the end of the year, the term of one of the city’s two appointees to the Hoisington Recreation Commission, is set to expire. She has indicated she does not wish to continue, so the city will need to appoint a new person. Two names have been suggested, Jeff Williams and Kara Birzer. Mitchell will present letters from both candidates to council members before the next city council meeting, and decision will be made then. Terms are four years long. Mitchell noted that currently, the gender balance of the commission includes three men an two women. He asked the board to consider if they wish to continue to keep the commission balanced to reflect the make-up of the city.
City Manager Jonathan Mitchell reported he received a request by a Hoisington couple who would like to acquire the two large lots at the north end of McKenna Meadows. They would like to build up the land, which currently sits in the flood plain, and build two new homes, but when pressed could not supply a time line for the build. Currently, they are building another property in town. The council, which also acts as the city’s Land Bank board, indicated they would be open to hearing a formal proposal if one were presented.
Finally, Mitchell said the city may be approached for a Community Development Grant by owners of the old Duckwalls building. They are considering putting a new metal roof on the building, which currently houses part of Kindscher’s Mule Barn. The roof, he said, has been an ongoing problem, an the owners are feeling that rather than continued repairs, it may be time for a whole new roof at this time. The city currently has a pool of funds, $5,575, which could be used for community development purposes such as this, he said.

Other items of discussion and actions taken included:
* The council approved revised Title VI policies and procedures suggested by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Every three years, the city must review these policies as part of their ongoing relationship with KDOT.
* City offices will be closed Nov. 24 and 25 in observance of Thanksgiving. The next city council meeting will be at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 28 at the Municipal Complex.
* Talks have also begun with townships concerning the proposed fire district, and will continue over the next couple of weeks.
* The revised elections ordinance will be ready for review at next city council meeting.
*An Assistance to Firefighters Grant(AFG)will be submitted this month for new respirators for all 17 firefighters. The newest ones in use now are 15 years old. If received, the grant will pay for 95 percent of the cost.
* County cartographer B.J. Wooding provided the city with legal descriptions requested by KDHE for the pending Environmental Use Control that is holding up the final sale of city property to Roto-mix. Delays due to short-staffing at KDHE continue to hold up progress, and Mitchell said a contract extension would be needed.
* Work at the Municipal Complex on the HVAC system has begun, and rooftop units over various departments are already live.
* The city’s new vac truck has been purchased and will be delivered sometime after Thanksgiving.
* Main Street Christmas lighting will take place on Friday, Nov. 25. There will be new LED lighting on all business fronts, and older incandescent lighting on the stars. The Chamber of Commerce is accepting donations for new lighting.