HOISINGTON — The Hoisington City Council, at its regular meeting last week, passed an ordinance disallowing the storage of vehicles or parking  in the front yard on residential property. The ordinance went into effect last Friday.
In addition, no driveway or improved parking surface can cover more than 40 percent of a front yard.
The provisions do not apply to temporary parking. Violations can results in a fine from $100 to $500.
In other business, as the city begins budget season, the council discussed council priorities. The city will hold budget meetings throughout the month of July.
The overall council priorities were: protect water supplies; wastewater facility upgrades (lift station and lagoons); maintain existing infrastructure (streets, water, sewer, electric); city financial stability; funding operations; maintaining Emergency Medical Services and local control; maintain public parks and recreational facilities; maintain current police coverage; decrease debt; grow community; and clean up community.
The council also ranked which organizations should receive city funding. They were: funding city operations; Hoisington Chamber of Commerce; Clara Barton Hospital Foundation; Hoisington United Way; volunteer groups; Hoisington Main Street Inc.;  and school related organizations.
Critical community projects were: exploring water supply options; energy efficiency projects; crack down on blighted properties; replace the swimming pool; addressing vacant commercial properties; ADA compliance at all public facilities; improving community sidewalk; expanding infrastructure to Warner Property for future development; improving existing parks; improving the cemetery; implementing a downtown streetscape project; and stalling welcome signs at community gateways.