HOISINGTON — At its regular council meeting, the Hoisington City Council made a few changes to the solid waste ordinances due to the privitization of the utility, which were approved.
Stutzman will begin waste pickup the week of April 15 on Thursday and Friday for residential customers. They will pick up recyclables the first week. The company has asked that the recyclable container and the regular trash container be at least two feet apart for the mechanical pick up.
The city offices have been flooded with calls concerning the new trash pick up. No trash bags of any kind are allowed in the recycle bin.
In other business, the council discussed having its own impound facility for stray cats and dogs to save money.
City Manager Jonathan Mitchell reported that some communities have their own facility. He said that the city had impounded 110 animals last year.
Mayor Clayton Williamson said that the city used to impound its own animals, but the results were not positive. Some other city employees were against the proposal  unless a full-time employee was hired to take care of the animals.
Chief of Police Kenton Doze said that any domestic animal is supposed to be on the homeowners property under the owner’s control. Any other animal that is not is considered a stray, including cats.
Mitchell also discussed a catch and release programs where feral cats were sterilized, but the cost was prohibitive.
The council tabled the discussion.
An individual has approached the city manager with a desire to put in a scrap metal business. Mitchell said the area, south of the railroad tracks, was properly zoned for a scrap metal business. The area would be 1,000 feet from the highway, and the owner agreed to put in cedar trees on the west side. However, the area would be visible on the north side if there were no trains.
In other business, the council approved the community garden water usage of up to 15,000 per month at no cost to the garden.
Mitchell also reported that the Safe Routes to School project was done. He said the city may pursue additional funding for sidewalk improvement. He said, the construction firm, “built everything called on in the (engineering plans).”
In final business, the council heard:
•The city is still waiting on the replacement valve for the water treatment plant.
•McKenna Meadows work is proceeding and Mitchell expects work on the first house to begin in May. The city has cleaned up the area.
•April 9, 2013 was named National Service Recognition Day.
•It is time for the Council Priorities Form to be filled out again.