HOISINGTON — A group of concerned citizens approached the city council with a proposal to upgrade Pride Park. They would add shelters, parking, a new playground and refurbish the restrooms and basketball court, as well as add landscaping.
They anticipate having to raise $80,000. The group will begin fundraising efforts with a Hog Feed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Park.
Spearheaded by Chris Brinley, he said, "It will be good for the community." He said the Friendship Meals building looks wonderful. However, "the park looks like no one has cared for it for 50 years," he said.
Council member Chris Smith remembered it from when she was a child and she said it used to be a wonderful park.
The members of the group range in age from Boy Scouts to senior citizens.
"People concerned for the community wanted a project we could all work that would be beneficial to the community," he said.
In other business, the council has three options for filling the position of former council member Don Gordon. They can accept letters of interest, select the member based on the most recent election results or appoint an elector.
The council agreed to accept letters of interest with the understanding that this position is up for re-election in April.
Several members of the community were present to discuss the problem of individuals with large numbers of dogs that exceed the existing ordinance. They also wanted the number of animals allowed to be reduced to four. City Manager Jonathan Mitchell will work on a new ordinance.
The residents expressed concerns about children walking down blocks that have up to 20 dogs living on the street. They also would like to see enforcement increased.
City Code Enforcement Officer Don Doerschlag updated the council on the status of 171 S. Main. The roof on the back building has been collapsed. The owner said that they had collapsed the roof so they could proceed with a metal roof. The council voted to deem the structure as dangerous. If demolition or repair is not completed by Nov. 1, the council can raze, repair or improve the structure with costs levied to the owner.
The council agreed to hold a show cause hearing to determine whether the garage at 223 E. First St. is dangerous or unsafe. The vehicle that was once housed in the garage was holding it up, and the garage is in danger of collapsing on city wiring.
The 1986 fire pumper truck has a mechanical problem. Fire Chief Jim Sekavec believes that the vehicle has many useful years left in it. The council will repair it with repairs coming in at $1,000.
There are remaining funds left from the water treatment plant upgrade. The remaining money, $29,000, needs to be spent. The council agreed to spend $10,952 for electric work at the well houses and $2,300 for jar testing equipment. Mitchell suggested adding the remaining $16,000 to $84,000 of city funding to purchase a PLC system which would operate the water treatment plant and all of the telemetry.
The city has an existing PLC, but it is old and out-of-date. The only company that can repair it comes from Kansas City. The issue was tabled.
Mitchell said funds have been set aside for this since 1998.
The engineering design will cost $25,000 for the Safe Routes to School. The city agreed to pay $12,500 with the school being asked to pay the remainder.
The Kindscher Mule Barn owner is planning to move with his family to Hoisington and have three full-time employees and three part-time staff. The council is considering making the store a Community Improvement District.
The city is bidding on a 1999 International Dump Truck. The council will get the truck for $18,000.
The council approved spending $12,250 to repair the old Detter building black wall.
In final business, the city received a letter from Rod Harms saying that he was paying the current bill under protest and that he would be closing more of his properties as the leases and reservations were fulfilled.
