RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNING BODY 7 OCTOBER 2013

The Governing Body of the City of WaKeeney, Kansas met in a regular session at City Hall 408 Russell Ave at 7:00 PM with the Mayor presiding and the following members present:

Mayor Kenneth Roy and Council Members Mary Jo Clevenger, Troy Leiker, Lynelle Shubert, and Allen Weigel

BEING ABSENT: Irene Dirks

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written, printed and distributed.

GUESTS: Jody Zeman, Addie Zeman, Brittany Brock, Nicole Hendrix, Crystal Day, Diane Wagner, Dave Hendricks, Mary Ruth Hendricks, Charlie Knoll, and Janelle Miller

Jody Zeman, Trego County Economic Development Director was present before the City Council to discuss the upcoming renewal of the county wide Neighborhood Revitalization Program. Jody presented information from 2008 to the present on its effectiveness to promote new construction. The Governing Body will hold a public hearing on continuing the program in November 2013.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Hardy Howard presented Resolutions #10072013A and #10072013B in regard to the city’s CDBG demolition grant application. Resolution #10072013A authorizing Mayor Roy to sign the related documents and indicating the city’s matching funds was reviewed, whereupon, Mary Jo Clevenger motioned to approve Resolution #10072013A. Lynelle Shubert seconded. Motion carried.

Resolution #10072013B providing for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the project was reviewed. A motion was made by Troy Leiker and seconded by Mary Jo Clevenger to approve Resolution #10072013B. Motion carried.

At this time an ordinance making appropriation for the payment of claims for the month of September 2013 was read, whereupon, Allen Weigel motioned to approve claims in the amount of $209,443.46 Troy Leiker seconded. Motion carried. Warrants #9486, #9499, #9508, #9513, and #9524 were reviewed prior to approval.

MAYOR: Kenneth Roy discussed with the City Council the upcoming LKM Annual Conference in Overland Park, Kansas.

No further business appearing, the meeting was adjourned.

A proposed cut to the amount of renewable fuels available to American drivers could impact farmers and businesses across western Kansas and the nation.

The Obama administration wants to reduce the amount of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply, acknowledging the biofuel law championed by both parties in 2007 is not working as well as expected.

The new proposal announced Friday is unlikely to mean much for consumers at the pump. It could, however, cut into farmers’ profits for corn, the primary ethanol source.

The change would require almost 3 billion fewer gallons of biofuel to be blended into gasoline in 2014 than the law mandates.

Since 2007, people are driving less and fuel economy has improved. Meanwhile, next-generation biofuels have not taken off as expected.

Under current plans, the amount of biofuel required would generate more ethanol than many engines can safely handle.

The oil industry lobbied hard for the reduction.

Counterfeit money continues to show up around the region.

On Friday, the Hays Police Department received reports of counterfeit bills being passed at businesses in Hays.

The investigation led to a $100 bill being passed at Radio Shack, 4333 Vine Street on Thursday.

There was another $100 bill passed at Westlake Ace Hardware, 3300 Vine Street the same day.

Video surveillance from both stores indicates the same suspect passed both $100 bills. A 3rd counterfeit $100 bill was passed at Hastings, 3300 Vine Street, recently. Video surveillance has not confirmed the same suspect passed that counterfeit bill.

The suspect is a white male and appears to be in his 20’s or early 30’s. The suspect is less than 6 feet tall with a thin build. The suspect was wearing black pants, black and gray striped long sleeve shirt, white shoes, and a black hat. It appears the suspect is wearing a gold watch on his right wrist and necklace around his neck. He may have a bracelet on his left wrist. The suspect may also have tattoos covering both forearms.

Anyone with information or that may have contact with this suspect should contact the Hays Police Department immediately. The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Hays Police Department conducted 8 traffic stops and received 5 animal calls Wednesday November 13th according to the Police Activity Log.

Abandoned Vehicle

• 8:27 AM – Abandoned Vehicle reported in the 2900 block of Roosevelt Ave
• 9:23 PM – Abandoned Vehicle reported in the 300 block of E 24th St

Bicycle

• 9:22 AM – Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen reported in the 200 block of E 12th St

Harassment

• 10:05 AM – Harassment, Telephone/FAX reported in the 3000 block of New Way
• 8:53 PM – Harassment, Telephone/FAX reported in the 2000 block of Patio Dr

Animal Calls

• 10:16 AM – Animal Cruelty/Neglect reported in the 200 block of E 11th St
• 10:45 AM – Animal At Large reported in the 1900 block of Whittier Rd
• 4:13 PM – Lost Animals reported in the 1700 block of Henry Dr

Dispute / Disturbance

• 11:21 AM – Civil Dispute reported in the 200 block of W 10th St
• 12:25 PM – Civil Dispute reported in the 2300 block of Plum St
• 6:19 PM – Civil Dispute reported in the 1000 block of W 28th St

Identity Theft

• 10:19 AM – Identity Theft reported in the 1700 block of Haney Dr

Phone / Mail Scam

• 2:47 PM – Phone/Mail Scam reported in the 800 block of E 12th St

Suspicious Activity

• 2:50 PM – Suspicious Activity reported in the 2500 block of Vine St

Shoplifting

• 5:42 PM – Shoplifting reported in the 1900 block of Vine St

Mental Health Call

• 8:27 PM – Mental Health Call reported in the 1100 block of Ash St

Suicidal Subject
9:37 PM – Suicidal Subject reported in the 400 block of W 5th St

Battery
11:54 PM – Aggravated Battery reported in the 400 block of W 5th

Hays residents will now have to pay a higher fee if their animal gets picked up the police department.  At Thursday night’s Hays City Commission meeting, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler asked that the city allow the police department to charge higher fees that are more in-line with what the department is charged by the local animal shelter to house the lost animals.

Previously, the department could only charge residents $20 per day per animal . Now, the department can charge the actual cost of boarding, which is $25 per day per animal, to prevent losing money with each impounded pet.

According to information presented at the meeting, in 2012 the City of Hays collected $2,470.00 in fees from owners of dogs and cats that were impounded by the Hays Police Department.  Had the City of Hays had an ordinance that required the pet owner to pay the actual cost for caring for the animal, the Hays Police Department would have collected an additional $930.00.

Chief Don Scheibler added that if the owner does not claim the animal within 4 days, ownership is surrendered to the shelter, and the full financial responsibility for boarding falls on the city.

“We’re losing money on this, and I wish to tell you that there was a way to make money but there just isn’t.  It’s a service we provide to the community, in terms of caring for the dogs and cats of the community.”

The proposal was unanimously approved by the commission, with the new rates effective right away.

Pet owners are able to license their pets at the city office at 1507 Main St, which would help officers reunite lost pets with their owners in a timely manner.  Also, any pet that is not licensed in the city that is impounded would result in an additional fee being imposed on the pet owner at the time of pickup.