The Hays City Commission voted in favor of moving forward with two projects designed to support increased bicycle traffic in the city limits.  Both projects passed with a vote of 4-0-1.  Commissioner Henry Schwaller IV abstained from voting on each measure.

While Schwaller’s concern over the on-street bike paths stemmed from the process the project has gone through up to this point (and having 10% of the project cost be just from the design) he was very clear why he abstained from the 2nd project which involved putting a bike path on the levee.

“Again, I want this project just as badly, I want to ride my bike on that. But, to pour a concrete lane on a levee, it shouldn’t cost $50,000 to design it.  I’m sure there’s something special and miracle here that I’m missing.  I want the state to be more efficient and do its job and focus on core services and not force us to spend $100,000 to pour a sidewalk on a levee.  It’s all I want, and I dream of it. I’m voting no.”

The Commission’s vote will allow the City Manager to enter an agreement with Wilson Company for the design of the levee trail in the amount of $49,238 to be funded out of Capital Projects.