HOISINGTON — Hoisington Main Street in the downtown area and out to the Rotomix plant will be undergoing construction this summer to replace aging water lines. The brick in the parking areas will be replaced with concrete on Main Street, from Third Street to First Street, the City Council decided on Tuesday at its regular meeting.
In a 6-2 vote, the council will spend approximately $345,584 plus the cost of a performance bond and associated tax. The project will come with a completion date of Aug. 30.
The water main on the west side of the street is estimated to have been installed in the 1930s and has had several leaks. In addition, service water lines run under Main Street making repairs difficult, according to City Manager Jonathan Mitchell.
He said to put the bricks back would be cost prohibitive. Pavers Inc. had the lowest bid and will receive the contract.
Don Doerschlag, code enforcement officer, gave a report on dilapidated housing. He said that five property owners have agreed that the housing on their property needs to be torn down and will proceed on their own. Doerschlag said he told the property owners that they must make regular progress on the tear downs. These include a property at N. Elm, N. Pine, W. Broadway, W. 1st, and E. 4th St.
The council discussed the property at 469 W. 2nd St. Doerschlag reported that the house had a leaking roof and the roof was caving in on the porch. A boarded up window had been covered with tin. Some trash and debris had been removed and the garage roof had been repaired, Doerschlag said.
The owner was present and said they had been working on the nearly every weekend. She said the house was full of items from a business they used to own.
The council voted 6-2 to proceed with demolition. Doerschlag will get bids for the next property meeting.
Doerschlag also said that bids have been accepted for tear down of the property at 264 W. Railroad. An individual was present and said he is considering purchasing the property and handling demolition. The council approved giving him a couple of weeks to make his decision and inspect the property.
In other business, the city decided to form a utility task force to determine if relief can be brought for electrical rates. They would like to include two council representatives and five members of the public, including the largest users of electricity in town. The group will evaluate utility operations and provide recommendations to the governing body.
The council also discussed council priorities for 2013. Most of the priorities are the same from last year.
The council priorities are:
• To keep the trolley running.
• Work towards ADA compliance at all public facilities.
• Fund city operations first.
• Maintain current staffing levels.
• Develop a city master plan for growth and development.
• Maintain electrical rates.
• Improve current parks.
• Pursue grants for economic development.
In final business, the council:
• Received a thank you note from Hoisington Main Street Inc. for support of the Wetlander’s Festival.
• Heard a report from Mitchell that he had found a commercial trash service that would pick up recycling.