HOISINGTON — The Hoisington City Council voted Monday night to allow fireworks on July 3, 2011 from 1-11 p.m. for this year only. The shut-down times will be enforced.

The decision was made because July 4 occurs on a Monday, and residents thought their company would want to leave Monday evening instead of shooting the fireworks.

The city ordinance was changed to allow for exceptions to the stated policy.

In addition, streets can only be blocked off for one day only from 4-11 p.m. Contact the city for more information.

The next item addressed was the property at 271 W. Broadway. The owners were present. The council voted to give them 30 days to demolish the property. Don Doerschlag, city code enforcement officer, said that the house contained asbestos which will require special care during the tear-down.

The home owner was given until July 15, 2011 to tear the house down or the city would go in and demolish it.

The residence at 723 E. 4th has become an immediate hazard, said Don Doreschlag. The roof has caved in. "It could fall at any time," said Doerschlag. The house will be torn down immediately for a cost of $3800. The main driveway, garage and sidewalk will be left intact.

The building at 161 S. Main Street will be barricaded off. "The property has become unsafe," Doerschlag said. Limestone brick has become loose, and there is an open hole in the back of the building. Also, it will also be required that the vehicles parked behind the facility be moved.

An issue has developed with cracking in the concrete at the north end of Main Street. City workers will take intermediate measures and fill the cracks. The estimated cost of replacing the concrete would be 893,186.68. City Manager Jonathan Mitchell was authorized to seek a Geometric Improve Grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation for $657,385.40. Hoisington would match 20 percent or $235,801.28. The project would start July 1, 2014.

The remaining funds would be pulled from the Street Project Fund which earn revenue from the local half-cent sales tax.

Mitchell reported that attendance was up dramatically at the pool, and that people from the hotel are using the pool. This year-to-date, 3,761 people have used the pool. Last year, the number was 1,700 year-to-date.

Work is still proceeding on the water treatment plant. A system called the PolymerMiniblend System was purchased for the mixing of chemicals

The council held an executive session to discuss the acquisition of property. No action was taken.