HOISINGTON — The Hoisington City Council decided at its regular meeting last week to continue the animal control options the way they currently are. The city currently takes all stray animals to the Hoisington Veterinary Hospital. The council  had looked at a proposal to take care of the animals by the city as a cost saving measure, but turned it down.
In other business, the city will be send some of its electrical surplus base load to Meade for the last six months of 2013, although City Manager Jonathan Mitchell said it will be a nominal amount. The council approved this contract.
The council approved a Cereal Malt Beverage Consumption Permit for the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce for a beer garden at the Mud Run and the Labor Day Celebration.
Mayor Clayton Williamson declared May 19-25 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Hoisington. He read the proclamation and recognized the local Emergency Medical Services department.
“We value the efforts of our first responders,” said Mitchell.
EMS Director Craig Sowards has organized an EMS Week Open House. It will be from 2-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22 at the EMS station. This event is open to the public to meet the staff and volunteers, tour the ambulances, and enjoy some free giveaways.
The city approved vacating all of Fourth Street east of the east right-of-way line of Maple Street extended north from the northwest corner of Block Three to the south line of Block One in the Cheyene Heights addition to the City of Hoisington. An easement was retained for utility and public services purposes. Mitchell said that this was a policy that was meant to have been completed a few years ago after the tornado, but never had been completed.
The city and Clara Barton Hospital and Clinic entered a memorandum of understanding to allow Clara Barton to become a part of a drug discount program. This will offer broader services to the community, according to Mitchell.
Finally, the police department is working on acquiring grant funds to offset the cost of an additional police for next year’s budget. The EMS department continues to work on ideas to recruit new volunteers.