The following was published on the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development’s Facebook page. It has been reprinted here with permission of Aaron White, ECC Executive Director and author of the below post.

“First, let me say that we are seeing some exciting possibilities right now.  We have had several national retailers reach out to us, and we have also started discussions with others.  This can be a lengthy process, sometimes lasting a year or more. With the dollar figures involved in a large project, no one is willing to move too quickly.

“I would like to take this time to clear the air regarding some retailers.  Hays has not turned away retailers, in particular Target.  Retailers have a set of requirements for a community to be an eligible site.  The last discussion with Target was in 2008.  Target said they are focusing on sites with 85,000 within 4 miles of a location.  The only community with that density in the whole state is Kansas City.  These requirements can change, as the economy shifts.

“Hays is willing to work with potential projects.  We are doing so with one right now. Unfortunately, Hays does not have deep pockets to direct towards retail recruitment.  National chains riding a wave of popularity, such as American Eagle, will often require a building free of charge.  Large mall developers and large communities may be able to give away millions in real estate and infrastructure, but small communities like Hays cannot.  We will continue to identify and work with prospects that are suited for our region.  We have several things going for us as a community: one of the highest retail pull factors in the state (and yes, companies do pay attention to those figures), substantial growth in retail sales since 2008, and a trade area population of over 75,000.  As we continue to show retailers our strengths, we can expect some good success stories in the future.

“Another area I wanted to address is restaurants in Hays.  A lot of comments have been made about the expansion of fast food instead of nice sit-down restaurants.  A lot of that problem can be attributed to the franchise process and requirements. Most of the national chain restaurants are not corporate stores, but franchises.  Let’s look at Buffalo Wild Wings as an example: a new owner is required to open a minimum of 2 stores.  Based on current land and construction costs, building a 4,000 square foot BWW (this is the minimum size allowed) will run about $1 million per store.  On the finance side, BWW requires a new owner to have $750,000 in liquid assets per store, and $1.5 million in net worth per store.  New owners cannot borrow more than 80% of the project cost. So what we have is an owner that must have $3 million in net worth, $1.5 million in liquid assets, and $300,000 of that must be cash.

“There are chains that have even more restricted requirements.  This is why it is a challenge to bring certain chains here: finding a buyer who has the experience and finances to build the restaurant is tough. We continue to identify investors who already have the franchise and are interested in this area.  It is a long process, but we are seeing some interest.

“Patience and persistence is the key for this community. As the economy recovers from the last few years, companies will be in a growth mode again. We will also continue to work with locals who are interested in starting a business. I encourage everyone to explore our boutique shops, particularly in the downtown area. You may be surprised at what you find.”

Dr. Edward H. Hammond, FHSU president, unveiled a comprehensive update to the university master plan for faculty and staff during a special meeting Wednesday afternoon in the Memorial Union.

The proposed plan, which would be used to plan future growth of the FHSU campus, now goes to the Kansas Board of Regents for consideration at its September meeting.  The revised master plan considers five distinct areas of campus: the Quad, the South Academic Precinct, the West Academic Precinct, the West Campus and the South Residential Precinct.  Below are highlights of the proposed plan for each area.

The Quad

• Rarick Hall is in need of interior renovations.
• The Old Power Plant is recommended for renovation and continued use as an academic building or art gallery.
• Future expansion of the Memorial Union could provide for additional event space and meeting rooms.

The South Academic Precinct

• To improve pedestrian safety and to better connect the academic buildings in the South Precinct to the Quad, South Campus Drive between College and Lyman Drive is recommended for closure and replacement with a pedestrian-only mall.
• Construction of the new Center for Networked Learning will allow removal of the Center for Media Studies (formerly Heather Hall), creating a stronger campus setting between Forsyth and Malloy.

The West Academic Precinct

• The facilities services complex and the President’s Residence may eventually be relocated to allow a better use of this centrally located area of campus.
• New academic facilities would provide a better connection for residents coming from West Campus housing across the proposed Big Creek bridge onto the central campus.
• Removal of the facilities complex would allow for expansion of the parking areas west of the Memorial Union.
• Another new parking area west of Stroup Hall would offset the loss of parking from the South Campus Drive closure.

The West Campus

• The 60 acres north of Gustad Drive have been identified as the site for new student housing to replace the existing housing in Wiest Residence Hall.
• A third pedestrian bridge across Big Creek is recommended to provide a direct walkway from the new housing site to the Quad.
• An improved Gustad Drive would provide potential locations east and west of Big Creek for an International House.
• The West Campus will also accommodate future housing beyond the initial 400-bed community, plus a long-range relocation site for the facility services complex currently located west of the Union.
• Other recommended improvements include an addition to Cunningham Hall and a site for a new childcare facility, relocating the Tiger Tots facility currently located in Rarick Hall.

The South Residential Precinct

• A future residence hall is recommended on the current Wiest site to take advantage of the dining capacity available in the McMindes dining facility.
• The Wiest site will provide surplus parking for this area of campus.

Another huge garage sale fundraiser for Friends of the Hays Dog Park has something for just about everyone, and their dogs.

Gently used treasures along with some new items are being brought in by donors tonight until 10p.m. to the south end of the Hays Mall.

The sale is from 1-8p.m. Friday and Saturday 8a.m.-1p.m.

“We are so excited about this garage sale,” says FHDP officer Laurie Mortinger.

“The money for Phase 1 of the dog park, about $32,000, has already been raised.  We have a tentative date to go in front of the Hays City Commission in late October to request permission to begin building.  The funds we raise this weekend will put us well on the way to financing Phase 2 , about $42,000.”

From furniture and household goods, to collectibles and Christmas lights, there are a lot of bargains to be had.

Local businesses have donated numerous new items to be raffled and there are silent auctions for a brand new dog house, donated by Fur Is Flying, and a puppy sculpture made by limestone artist Pete Felten.

Ellis County Law Enforcement officers have seized over 2.5 pounds of Crystal Methamphetamines as part of a drug bust in Hays and Ellis.

According to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, members of the Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, Ellis Police Department and Hays Police executed four search warrants at two residences in Hays and two in Ellis Thursday.

The warrants were an extension of an ongoing narcotics trafficking investigation which yielding the arrest of a 46 year old woman and three men ages 25, 39 and 39.

The suspects were booked into the Ellis County jail with charges pending upon completion of the investigation. In addition to the meth, officers seized drug paraphernalia and an undisclosed amount of cash.

8 a.m. Friday    The Rooks County Attorney’s office is expected to release additional details in this arrest on Friday.

7:40 p.m.  The female suspect arrested by Plainville Police will be booked into jail shortly. We will report additional details as they become available.

6:40 p.m. The vehicle was stopped at Buckeye Road.  Additional details on the chase will be reported as soon as they are released.

 

6:22 p.m. Law enforcement authorities from Rooks and Ellis County are chasing a vehicle south on US 183.

The vehicle is reportedly from Texas and has been the subject of a chase for almost 20 minutes.  Officers were hoping to block traffic at 55th and Vine Street.

Stay tuned to Eagle Radio and Check Hays Post for more details as they become available.

Hungry and naked.  That’s where we’d be without agriculture.

Most of the USD 489 fourth-graders attending Kids Ag Day have no idea what that means.  They do now.

Thursday’s 15th annual Kids Ag Day at the at the Harold Kraus Farm south of Hays, included information about sunflowers, corn, soybeans and wheat, along with the farm equipment it takes to plant and harvest those crops.

At least two of the 23 Lincoln Grade School fourth-graders are living on a working farm, according to their teacher Amanda Callahan.  Most have never been in the country.

” It’s a fantastic learning experience for all the class, and even me,” she laughs.

This is Callahan’s third year to take her fourth-grade class to Kids Ag Day, hosted by the Ellis County Farm Bureau Association.

Landowner Harold Kraus, a longtime farmer and former Kansas Soybean Commission board member, demonstrated a rain simulator which depicts soil erosion.

“That’s one of the first science lessons we’re studying in class,” says Callahan.

“Seeing the ground actually erode in this demonstration brings the lecture to life.  The kids can better understand the concept and will remember it longer.”

See more tonight on Hays Post Eagle Community TV Channel 14.

 

 

Work crews from the Stockton Correctional Facility will be helping with several public works projects in Ellis the next two months.

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported to city council members Tuesday the schedule availability of the Stockton Correctional Facility inmates.  Scheuerman plans to use the work crews for assistance with the road project, the Big Creek cleanup, and the cemetery during September and October.

Below are the complete minutes from Tuesday’s meeting.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL  REGULAR MEETING

Minutes of  September 3, 2013

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  Present were Council members John Walz, John Leiker, Jolene Niernberger, and Terry Redetzke.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council member Loran Gottschalk was unable to attend.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Buck Driggs, John Begler, Dustin Mattheyer, Charlene Weber, Dave McDaniel, Glen Keller, Joyce Carthew, Jim Carthew, Dave Honas, and Guy Riedel

CONSENT AGENDA

Councilmember Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from Regular Meeting on August 19, 2013 and Bills Ordinance #1932. Councilmember Terry Redetzke seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Dustin Mattheyer asked Council the procedure on how to make a records request.  City Clerk Amy Burton explained he can come to the City Clerk’s office and fill out a records request form.  Lengthy searches may be subject to a nominal research and copy fee.

John Begler requested permission from Council to use his private well to water down his foundation every 2-3 weeks to facilitate the closing of the doors and windows in his older home.  City Attorney Olavee Raub noted that home maintenance is not specifically addressed in the City Code; however, Council has allowed home maintenance watering before.  It was the consensus of Council to allow Mr. Begler to water his foundation as long as he informed the Ellis Police Department prior to the watering.

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Clerk: Training

Charlene Weber, Assistant City Clerk, provided Council with a summary of a recent WKHRMA seminar she attended regarding recruitment and retention of employees.  The process of retaining current employees by offering competitive salaries and benefits is more cost effective than the recruitment process of advertising, interviewing, and training new employees.  It is important to effectively recruit employees to match the organization’s goals.  The job must be able to fit into the potential employee’s service/life culture.  An employer can train a skill set, but not behavioral, ethical or organizational traits.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Capital Improvement: Repair/Maintenance

Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, discussed with Council the draft of the Preliminary Engineering Report for the waterline improvement project.   Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman would like to add to the project approximately 900’ of 8” waterline to the south end of town to facilitate pressure problems during continued development.  Mr. Driggs noted the addition will add 30-45 days to the project and approximately $50,000 in cost.  Councilmember John Leiker moved to amend the draft of the Preliminary Engineering Report and to expand the current waterline improvement project to include the additional 900’ feet of 8” waterline on Monroe from 17th Street to 19th Street.  Councilmember Terry Redetzke seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.  Mr. Driggs then discussed the need to hold a public hearing on the proposed project to entertain questions from the public.  It was the consensus of Council to hold the public meeting on October 7, 2013.

Public Works: Special Projects – Big Creek

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reviewed the schedule of availability of the Stockton Correctional Facility work crews.  Mr. Scheuerman plans to use the work crews for assistance with the road project, the Big Creek cleanup, and the cemetery throughout the months of September and October.

General Government: City Code

Council revisited the proposed cemetery ordinances outlining modifications to current City Code.  Councilmember Terry Redetzke moved to approved Ordinance 1359 amending Section 12-121 Vaults; Ordinance 1360 amending Section 12-127 Decoration of Grave Spaces; and Ordinance 1361 amending Section 12-128 Monument Specification.  Councilmember John Walz seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Parks: Event Request

Councilmember Walz moved and Councilmember Redetzke seconded a motion to approve the Public Property Permit Application received from the Ellis Baptist Church requesting the use of Memorial Park on September 4, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.   Motion carried unanimously.

General Government: City Code

Council reviewed a draft of a proposed ordinance allowing for small automatic rate increases for water service.  This would avoid large “catch-up” increases every few years.  City Attorney Olavee Raub noted that the percentage increase needs to be premised by a research study and documented on how the City arrived at the number used.  It was the consensus of the Council for Ms. Raub to continue to explore how to implement this type of ordinance.

Clerk: Special Projects

Mayor Lyle Johnston addressed Council on the need to revamp the City’s webpage.  Council discussed asking for proposals to design and maintain the City’s website.  It was the consensus of Council to not use any funds to advertise the request for proposals but to use word-of-mouth.  City Clerk Amy Burton added that the City is due for re-codification of the City codes and ordinances.  Many companies now offer immediate on-line availability as ordinances are adopted.  Currently, if residents visit the webpage to research a City code, they do not see if any ordinances have subsequently amended that code.  The Council directed Ms. Burton to obtain bids for re-codification with the option of on-line availability.

Water: Repair/Maintenance

City Clerk Amy Burton presented a proposal from Layne Christensen for annual water well and pump maintenance inspections.  Councilmember Terry Redetzke moved to accept the Water Well and Pump Maintenance Agreement with Layne Christensen for $215.00 per well, plus mileage, with funds to come from the Water Utility Fund.  Councilmember John Walz seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

Swimming Pool: Acquisition

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented bids for a DuraMax Duo Commercial Pool Cleaner.  Aqua Products, K.C. submitted the low bid of $4,325.00.  Mr. Scheuerman noted that companies are offering more competitive prices at the end of the season versus springtime.   It was the consensus of Council to table the item until later in the year to determine if funds are available.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Personnel: Salary

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested that Council revisit the additional pay for certifications within the Public Works department.  The State requires the City to have certified personnel operating the City’s water supply system and currently the City only has one person certified in each of the wastewater and water systems.  Mr. Scheuerman feels by increasing the certification pay from $0.25 per hour to $0.50 per hour may help keep the current certified staff the department has, and help motivate other staff to begin the process of becoming certified.  Councilmember Jolene Niernberger moved to increase the certification pay in the Public Works department to $0.50 per hour for current certified staff and those that accept the opportunity to become certified in wastewater and water supply systems.  Councilmember John Walz seconded the motion.  Upon the Mayor’s call for further discussion, Councilmember Terry Redetzke stated he is not in favor of raising one department over another, when other departments have certified staff but do not receive any type of certification pay.  Upon a call for a vote, the motion failed 2-3 with Councilmembers Niernberger and Walz voting in favor and Councilmembers Redetzke and Leiker voting opposed.  Mayor Johnston broke the tie by voting opposed to the motion, stating that all departments’ certification pay should be reviewed.

Sewer: Repair/Maintenance

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman noted that Mayer Specialty Services will be performing their annual contract servicing of the sewer system on September 18, 2013.

Water

Director Scheuerman reviewed the water well depth charts with Council.  Well 12 measurements have been in question over the last several weeks and Mr. Scheuerman reported that the department has switched over from measuring using the State suggested air system to using tape to determine if more accurate measurements can be obtained.  Councilmember Niernberger asked Mr. Scheuerman if he could report to Council what the depths of the wells were when they were first drilled.

Mr. Scheuerman reviewed aerial maps of the ground that was the source of concern brought forth by a lessee of the City at a previous Council meeting.  The lessee complained of the corner “rounding” over time and requested that the corner be squared off to slow drivers down.  Mr. Scheuerman pointed out by the aerial map that the corner has not changed significantly in over 20 years.  The lessee is also requesting that ditches be installed but Mr. Scheuerman feels that will limit access points to the leased ground and be cost prohibitive.  Mr. Scheuerman will continue to visit with the lessee to determine the best course of action.

Street: Repair/Maintenance

Director Scheuerman asked for authorization to purchase asphalt for road maintenance.  A single load is within the purchasing authorization for department heads, but if he needs two or more loads, per current purchasing policy, Council approval will be necessary.  Councilmember John Walz moved and Councilmember Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion that due to the expedient nature of the expenditure to facilitate street repairs that Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman is authorized to purchase patch material in an amount not to exceed $1,300.00.  Motion carried 4-0.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented the September officer calendar.  Officer Casey recently attended a three day training seminar on investigation skills.  The tire house will be started in September and the decals are now on the new vehicle.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton reported that the City is looking to partner with Fort Hays State University’s Health and Human Performance Department in finding an upper level student to take the role as the City’s swimming pool manager.   The City was awarded a FHSU Leadership 310 team to research and help develop a low-flow shower head program.  Ms. Burton then touched on an article recently published on Hays Post and the Hays Daily News explaining the dire outlook of the area aquifers.  The City needs to continue to do what they can to conserve water for the long-term.

Attorney

Personnel: Policy

City Attorney Olavee Raub reported she has completed a draft of the City’s revised non-regulated drug testing policy and hopes to have it available for review at the next Council meeting.

City Attorney: Training

Ms. Raub would like to attend the League meeting on October 11, 2013 in Topeka.  Councilmember John Walz moved and Councilmember Terry Redetzke seconded a motion to approve City Attorney Olavee Raub to attend the League meeting on October 11, 2013 in Topeka and to pay her registration fee and hotel for one night.  Motion carried 4-0.

MAYOR/COUNCIL

Councilmember John Walz asked if the Ogallala Aquifer was a viable source of water for the City.  He suggested the City also talk to Trego County Rural Water District to see if the City could tap into their system or how much it would cost the City to purchase water from them.  Mr. Walz suggested the area Mayors meet to discuss ways each surrounding community can do their part to preserve water sources.  He asked if there would be a way to ask residents to reduce the square footage of yards that are grass and encourage residents to move towards xeriscaping.

City Attorney Olavee Raub noted that the Application for Temporary Permit submitted to the Kansas Division of Water Resources by Guy Riedel has raised some questions.  Ms. Raub will contact the Division of Water Resources to try to answer Council’s questions.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel.  A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:55 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess.  Councilmember Terry Redetzke moved to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with Council present.  Councilmember Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.  The meeting recessed at 9:55 p.m.  The Council returned to open session at 10:05 p.m.  No action was taken in executive session.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilmember Terry Redetzke moved and Councilmember John Leiker seconded a motion to adjourn.  The motion carried 4-0.  The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.