At its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24, the Hines Common Council followed the planning commission’s recommendation and approved a conditional use permit for a recreational vehicle (RV) park on Highway 20.

Jon and Maryn Murphy of Medford applied for the permit and plan to put the RV park in on five acres south of the city, on the east side of the highway.

Mr. Murphy stated that the parcel of land already has access from the highway, and there wouldn’t be any permanent homes in the park. The majority of units would be pull-through units, large enough for a motorhome towing a vehicle behind it, and there are also plans to put up horse stalls in the park.

He said the park will be covered by either grass or asphalt, rather than gravel, and they are planning to put in an office/store, showers, and restrooms. The Murphys also plan to meet with a civil engineer to move the plan along.

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The city received three bids for putting in an automated, underground sprinkler system in the main park. The bids were submitted by Paul Everett Bradley Landscape Services, Harney Lawn and Irrigation LLC, and Kenyon Enterprises. After reviewing the bids, the council voted to accept the bid from Harney Lawn and Irrigation LLC.

Once the sprinkler system is installed either this fall or next spring, depending on weather, the city will put out another request for bids for a similar sprinkler system in the park area located to the south of city hall.

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City Administrator Kirby Letham reported that he recently attended a meeting with state transportation and law enforcement officials regarding safety concerns. The two main concerns that arose were the need for better lighting on roadways and speed control for cars entering city limits.

Letham told the council that new security cameras were installed at city hall and at the main park, and upgrading the technology at city hall is continuing.

In upcoming meetings, Letham plans to discuss the water-system improvement project, a proposed gas tax to be used for city street maintenance, lights for the main park, and ordinances regarding abandoned buildings and becoming a Certified Local Government to promote historic preservation.

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In other business, the council:

• approved the purchase of a 2014 Ford F-150 pickup for the public works department for about $21,500;

• accepted an offer from Sage DesignWorks to paint a mural on the bathrooms at the main park. The council voted to pay for the materials in the amount of $362. Councilor Hilda Allison asked if monies the city receives from the transient lodging taxes could be used for the cost, and Letham said he would check into it;

• approved a business license for Harney Lawn and Irrigation LLC;

• held a discussion on the possibility of spraying for mosquitoes. Councilor Gary Miller said a few residents told him there are incidents of West Nile virus in the county and asked if the city was considering spraying. It was explained that the council looked into controlling the mosquito population previously, and the cost and effectiveness were prohibitive.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at city hall.