HOISINGTON — At its regular meeting Monday evening, the Hoisington City Council heard a presentation from Nickie Lee, Efficiency Kansas team leader. Two programs are available, Efficiency Kansas and the Weatherization Assistance Program, to provide home weatherization assistance as cost savings measures.
"The sole purpose is to encourage efficiency," said Lee. "A lot of people don’t know about this." The Weatherization Assistance Program is a low-income grant that does not have to be paid back. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more funds have become available.
Qualifications for that program are income-qualified for those at 200% of the poverty level. This program is of no charge to the client.
Weatherization services may include: weather stripping caulking around doors and windows; cleaning, testing and repairs or replacement of refrigerators, heating and cooling systems; adding insulation to walls, ceilings and foundations; and infiltration reduction.
Local service providers supply the work. To apply for this program, contact Interfaith Housing Services, 877-447-5927. An energy audit is required.
The Efficiency Kansas Program works differently. "Efficiency Kansas is a revolving loan program that will stretch out income," Lee said. "The City will act as a through-point for the money. The amount invested will be the amount of project savings."
The program was developed by the Kansas Energy Office. A comprehensive energy audit is also a requirement of this program. The program is designed so that the cost of all improvements is covered by the estimated energy saving for the term of the loan, up to 15 years. The program is available to residences and small businesses using residential-sized heating and air conditioning equipment.
The obligation for the loan will remain with the meter which is repaid through the City utility billing. If the home is sold, the new owner will be responsible for the loan.
The city will incur no liability for bad loans, but Efficiency Kansas does require that the loans only be issued to those that have had a good payment record for the previous 12 months.
"An affidavit will be filed with the county," said Lee, once the home has been accepted into the Efficiency Kansas program. New owners must be informed of the obligation. More information is available at www.efficiencykansas.com.
"It is really good to offer to citizens’," said Council Member Jim Sekavec. "It could help drastically on our bills."
In its business meeting, the council approved the Efficiency Kansas program. The program will take effect for the City of Hoisington on Jan. 1, 2011 to allow for the city to set up billing.
The council updated its drug and alcohol testing policy. An employee involved in a reportable injury accident, an accident that results in property damage in excess of $1,000 or a negligent incident or action by an employee causing a major disruption of utility operations shall be required to submit to an a drug and alcohol test administered by the City’s Workers’ Compensation Physician within eight hours following the incident.
City Manager Jonathan Mitchell reported that 417 of city meters have been upgraded to radio read. Crews will continue to work on this. Upgrades continue at the water treatment plant, and they are shooting for a Thanksgiving completion date.
For $3,000, the city can purchase 18 trees to replace those that were cut down for the new hotel. The cost includes delivery, planting, and a one-year warranty. The trees will include maple, elm, oak, spruce and other trees. They will be 1 and 1/4 in diameter.
Mitchell also updated the council on the status of the serving food in the Scout House. No special license is required for family groups.
In final business, the council:
•Toured the new hotel. It is scheduled to be finished in mid-March, 2011.
