HOISINGTON – After a tour of the electrical plant, the Hoisington City Council returned to its regular meeting site Monday night. The consent agenda included mayoral appointment of Leona Karst and Michael Alyward Sr. to the Hoisington Commission on Aging. The council also approved two cereal malt beverage consumption permits for Conrad’s Christmas parties on Dec. 13 and Dec. 23 at the Hoisington Friendship House.
Municipal Pound contract
The council had an update from the City of Hoisington’s Municipal Pound Committee. The Municipal Pound Committee has been gathering information for the city regarding options for the community’s municipal pound.
The existing contract with the Hoisington Veterinary Hospital (HVH) will expire at the end of the year and the HVH has requested changes to the existing contract. According to committee and Council member Darren Reinert, state law changed regarding the release of animals by veterinarians.
“Vets have to release animals to owners at their request. That is why the HVH wanted a new contract,” he said. The new contract leaves animals in the custody of the city with HVH as just the holding facility.
Owners will need to contact the City Office to pay fees to get a receipt. In turn, they will take the receipt to the HVH to pick up their pet.
The Municipal Pound Committee has held numerous meetings with the veterinary hospital and presented a draft contract Monday night. Besides the paperwork change, the other issue was a base $500 monthly fee paid to HVH.
Reinert explained that HVH will hold four kennels open for use by Hoisington animal control pickups. The monthly fee covers the cost of HVH being not able to use those for customer’s animal boarding.
The final issue dealt with HVH only holding one vicious dog at a time. The council was concerned that a problem might happen if two or more vicious animals were picked up at the same time.
Animal Control Officer Dolores Kipper explained that the term “vicious” is not used often. Most cases are considered dog bite cases.
The problem is when the animals are not current on vaccines and city tags. In those incidents, the Barton County Health Department tells Kipper what the procedure will be.
In those cases, the animal will need held on a rabies watch hold at a facility for 10 days with the owner responsible for the boarding fees. If the animal is current with shots and tags, then the owner can hold the animal at home for the quarantine.
The contract has a 90-day clause. Should either party find that the contract is not adequately dealing with the animal control issues, the contract can be ended in 90 days. City Attorney John Horner said, “I recommend that HVH sign and then the Mayor sign the contract and see what issues emerge.” A new contract could be made at that time.
Unsafe properties
The next item of business included Kipper, who is also the code enforcement officer, providing an update of the property located at 408 E. First St. The property owner Janet Hood attended. Kipper reported on the progress that Hood has made with repairs.
Council member Jim Morris agreed that progress had been made. “But, I would like to see more,” he said.
After a few comments by other council members about paint and windows, Reinert said, “our question is whether this is a safe structure. Is it safe for the public?”
Council members nwere agreement with their concerns with the stability of the front porch. They voted to revisit the safety of the property on March 6, 2024, with the focus on the pilings of the front porch.
Council member Carrol Nather said, “I fear it will fall back into disrepair.”
Hood responded, “I will keep it up. I don’t want to do this over again.”
Kipper was asked to provide some information regarding a few additional properties that may require repair. Kipper identified three more properties that caught her attention. They are:
412 E. Second – the Council asked for further investigation
421 E. Second – shed. Some debris removed but building not improved although requested.
701 E. Third – garage. No improvement but the owner may be interested in ICE - Incentivize Community Enhancement.
It provides funds for demolition (up to $1,500), home repair, sidewalk replacement, tree removal and paint to be purchased locally (up to $200-300). It is income based and they may own only one property in Hoisington. The city pays a percentage of the actual costs.
272 W. Broadway – had a fire in August cause by faulty electrical box. No insurance so no repairs have been started.
Transformers
The council then began discussion of the bids received for the transformers that would provide service to the power plant and water plant. The city had awarded bids to purchase these two transformers previously and found that one of the bids submitted did not meet the specifications.
The city worked with their engineer to revise bids. The two firms that submitted bids are T&R Electric ($51,357) and Sunbelt Solomon ($64,305). The council accepted the bid for T&R Electric.
Updates
• City Cemetery - The columbarium pad needed repacked and to be poured. While the city started the project, Scot Christians Construction volunteered to do the pour.
• There were some calls that the recent concrete work left the 200 block of E. Second Street rough, so the city will have an engineer look it over.
