HOISINGTON — The Hoisington City Council met at its regular meeting on Monday night and discussed at length developing its own pound as a cost saving measure.
“The Hoisington Vet Clinic does a good job,” said Don Doerschlag, animal control officer. “It’s a way to save money only.”
As part of a powerpoint presentation, 383 calls were received by  the police department relating to animal control during 2012. There were 110 impounds.
Animals were returned to the owner 187 times. Thirty-nine were put down for 2012.
The current impound fee is $9 per day with euthanasia fees ranging from $23 to $30 if the animal is not placed.
Doerschlag said that with their own impound facility, he would have time to work on catching the feral cats that have become a problem.
The building under consideration is a prebuilt metal building with insulation heat/air conditioning. It comes with doors and windows and will have a concrete pad 20 feet by 30 feet.
The council tabled discussion.
McKenna Meadows
In addition, the Hoisington Land Bank approved a formal agreement for a transfer of property to the new landowners on Monday.
Crews are installing the sewer lines, and water, electric and phone lines will go in next. Addresses have been assigned.
City Manager Jonathan Mitchell said that he hopes to contact interested parties this week. May 15 is the goal date to have the installations done except for the curb.
“I’m excited to see it moving forward,” Mitchell said.
Council Priorities
The City Council once again completed a survey to determine the top four priorities in several categories for 2014 that they would like to see some focus.
They were:
 Overall:
•Maintain financial stability of city; work toward competitive electric rates; maintain current mill levy; maintain current levels of service to customers.
Community Facilities:
•Research options to renovate/replace pool; install or improve sidewalks around public facilities; improve existing pool; maintain existing pool.
Economic Development:
•Pursue grants; invest in bringing businesses to town; increase the size of innovation and growth fund; increase tourism and marketing efforts.
Community Development:
•Continue to crack down on blight; explore water supply options; develop city master plan; explore housing options for growth.
Staff:
•Provide staff with the tools to be successful.
•Maintain current staff; Maintain wages for staff; Increase current staffing levels.
Community Organizations:
•Fund city operations; Support chamber; Fund senior citizen’s programming; Support hospital and Foundation.
Outside Organizations
•Maintain current support for chamber; Increase support to chamber; Maintain current support of HMSI; Increase level to HMSI.
Infrastructure
•Pursue grants to improve infrastructure; Work toward ADA compliance at public facilities; Identify new water sources; Make mandatory improvements.
Electricity
City Manager Jonathan Mitchell reported that the city may be able to shed a portion of its excess base load. Meade is considering joining the Power Pool. Mitchell said they hope to have a contract by next month.
Finally, the council discussed a sidewalk ordinance which would require sidewalks to be replaced when the old ones are torn out.