Hill City locks up prison decision

Aldermen did not mince words at the July 28 Hill City Common Council meeting as they said a hard no thank you to the idea of submitting a proposal for a state prison in Hill City.

Mayor Tana Nichols thanked Rep. Tim Goodwin for his presentation at the last Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting but said “we will not be pursuing the idea at this time.”

Nichols and the remainder of the council said anyone can put anything on the HCCC agenda and that they were surprised at the discussion item they heard on July 14. Nichols assured the public that the council was “not here to debate the  issue” but rather that it is “a non issue.”

 Council president Lori Miner said she had spoken to representatives from Box Elder learning why it withdrew its proposal.  She said the matter had “too many moving parts” and was not a “viable option” for Hill City to consider.

Alderman Ethan Walker said the only reason to even consider the idea in the first place was to help pay for city infrastructure.

“I’ve heard two people  in support of it and probably 200 against it,” Walker said, adding it was not “in the best interest of constituents.”

Nichols said “as a council we did our due diligence…it’s gone.”

She added that voters need to trust that this council would  not “do anything to hurt this community.” 

The council and Nichols were applauded by the public for their openness in the matter.

Aldermen approved an additional $4,000 for the Benesch contract  for a total of $14,000.

Walker said the town is trying out the contracted  services of Benesch, who is  “acting as planning and zoning.”

The council also approved the propane bid of Enning, which was a full $10,000 less than other propane proposals.   Alderman Justin Thiry called the company “very good.”

American Tower backed out of a deal the town negotiated just a short time ago. City administrator Nate Anderson says the company countered with a one-time bonus of $7,500 in lieu of a 10-year guaranteed contract he had negotiated.  No other changes were made. 

Finance officer Stacia Tallon told the council if it chose not to do anything  with the lease request they would lose out on the $7,500. Anderson recommended the council vote for the lease extension, which includes the $7,500 one-time signing bonus, a term escalation and a lease expiration of 2085.

Council members also approved  up to $50,000 for  the purchase of a new Bobcat. The money was previously budgeted for a dump truck which was never purchased. The new machine will be bigger than the current machine to have “both options at the shop,” says director of public works Justin Asher. He is also looking at a bucket for the machine and says a motor grader attachment would be “helpful” but “pricey.”

Miner asked that a letter be drafted from the town attorney to the Boys and Girls Club to review its  contract. The club’s CEO will be notified ahead of time to avoid any potential conflict, similar to the one with the seniors in the past.

“I just want to avoid them thinking they’re getting kicked out,”said Thiry.

Anderson has also met locally with Boys and Girls Club employees on the state of the building. 

Anderson also says a plat correction may come to HCCC concerning a lot in Bull Run subdivision due to a recent survey and property line  setbacks.

The HCCC will meet again Aug. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Note this is a date change from the normally-scheduled August meeting. This will also be the first reading of the town budget.