Council approves franchise fee, bond sale resolution and other routine items; sets public hearing on mall CID

Council members approved several ordinances and resolutions at the April 15 Hutchinson City Council meeting, including a franchise-fee ordinance with Black Hills Energy, authorization to proceed with the sale of 2025 general obligation bonds, and a funding agreement with the mall owner. Council also set a public hearing for May 6 on a proposed Community Improvement District (CID) for Hutchinson Mall Phase 2.

Why it matters: The actions advance financing and administrative steps for city projects and private development that could affect infrastructure funding and downtown/economic development plans. The council’s approvals give staff authority to proceed with bond issuance, finalize a franchise agreement and accept a developer-funded agreement as the CID process moves toward a public hearing.

What the council approved

- Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda by motion and roll call vote (see vote record below). The consent agenda covered routine administrative items listed on the meeting packet.

- Ordinance: Franchise fee for transportation of natural gas by Black Hills Energy — approved. City Attorney Paul Brown summarized the ordinance as an update of prior language with no change to rate or term. Council approved the ordinance by roll-call votes (Richardson, Garza, Fast, Meggers and Mayor Goss recorded as “Yes” on the roll call included in the…