By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

After last week’s discussion of the Downtown Hays Development Corp.’s funding levels, Hays city commissioners voted 4-0 Thursday to retain the downtown group’s 2015 budget level of $53,655.

During budget meetings, the commission decided to budget that amount, but decided to place a “placeholder” on the funding until the funding was discussed.

At Thursday’s regular meeting, commissioners brought up concerns about communication problems that downtown merchants had with DHDC, partly due to the fact that most of the board members don’t work in the downtown area.

“I’ve heard from some merchants and individuals that the DHDC gets very little input from the people that actually work downtown and own businesses,” said Commissioner Ron Mellick. “There is a core of people that are involved in the day-to-day operations, but there are also so many that are not.”

He added some merchants didn’t even know who the DHDC executive director was and felt disenfranchised from DHDC’s activities. Recently rehired Executive Director Traci Stanford said she wants to mend relationships and educate merchants about the services DHDC offers through a “Beat the Bricks” campaign, where she and another board members visits with each downtown merchant.

Mellick and Vice Mayor Eber Phelps also brought up issues with the boundaries of the downtown area, noting people have approached city officials with different boundary definitions of the downtown area. According to Mellick, after talking with several individuals, “very few people” know the difference between the Chestnut Street District and the downtown area.

“Most people think of the downtown as Main Street from 17^th to the South Main Street Bridge, and one or two blocks on each side of it.” Mellick said. “I think what DHDC’s perception of downtown is compared to what the general public think varies greatly.”

Phelps also said drawing a boundary could help with accountability issues when sales tax figures are factored. According to information handed out at last week’s work session, downtown sales tax collections make up approximately 10 percent of the city’s general sales tax collections.

“The Chestnut Street District will not change due to the fact that it is a nationally registered historic district,” Stanford said. “But we will be  re-evaluating what (the DHDC) encompasses and the people we go out for.”

Concerns also were aired about the the location of the DHDC office, which is located in the Hays Welcome Center at 27^th and Vine. Mellick noted the distance made some people and merchants feel a sense of disconnect from DHDC.

“A lot of these people get 15-, 30-minute breaks, and they would like to go into speak with DHDC personally and not have to call them,” he said.

Stanford mentioned that, since last week’s work session, there already have been talks about moving the DHDC office downtown.

“It was vital to be down with the leadership that is in the welcome center right now when we first started.” Stanford said. “Those relationships are still vital, but we know we need to be downtown with these merchants.”

According to Stanford, several other policy changes already have been made including plans for a a restructuring of the DHDC board. She said she was excited the DHDC was able to keep their funding and plans to keep having conversations with commissioners to help grow the downtown area.

“Nationally, statewide and locally, downtown is where all the action is,” Mayor Henry Schwaller said. “We’ve had a lot of improvements down there, and I don’t see this as a glass half empty — it’s a glass half full. Almost every week, there is an article in a national publication about what is going on in downtown Hays.”

Commissioners vote to retain the funding level by a vote of 4-0. Mayor Henry Schwaller abstained due to a conflict of interest because he had helped create the group’s marketing plan.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Participants fought back tears as they fought to keep the wind from extinguishing their flames at a candlelight vigil marking the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Approximately 40 people took part in the somber event, held on the campus of Fort Hays State University on Thursday night.

FHSU Student Government President Arin Powers was just an elementary student the day the attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania., killed 2,977 people.

On that fateful Tuesday morning in 2001, Powers remembered not really grasping the events unfolding on television — but as the years passed, she learned how strong “we are as a country” in the ability to overcome tragedy.

“As another September 11th comes to a close, it is important to look to the future and also remember the past, appreciate those around you and live your daily lives with determination and optimism,” she said, “knowing that the only thing that can conquer the dark is the light.”

Following Powers’ speech, the crowd watched a short film of the powerful scenes from 9/11 that included the hijacked jets hitting the World Trade Center towers and the rescue efforts that followed.

The vigil ended with the crowd joining to sing, “America, the Beautiful.”

The event was sponsored by Fort Hays State University’s American Democracy Project and Tigers in Service.

The Hays Police Department conducted 22 traffic stops and received four animal calls on Thursday, Sept. 11, according to the HPD activity log.

Abandoned vehicle, 300 block Elm, 12:46 a.m.
Water use violation, 2700 block Hall, 2:03 a.m.
Open door/window, 100 block East 27th, 6:17 a.m.
Animal at large, 2500 block East 21st, 6:56 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident/private property, 2300 block East 13th, 7:50 a.m.
Disturbance, 4300 block Vine, 8:10 a.m.
Burglary/vehicle, 100 block West 12th, 8:17 a.m.
Counterfeit currency/documents, 1000 block East 27th, 9:38 a.m.
Burglary/business, 100 block East Eighth, 10 a.m.
Motor vehicle accident, 1200 block Canterbury, 11 a.m.
Animal at large, 300 block East 15th, 11:59 a.m.
Open door/window, 200 block West 17th, 1:03 p.m.
Domestic disturbance, 600 block East Fifth, 2:13 p.m.
Found/lost property, 2500 block Felten, 2:52 p.m.
Found/lost property, 27th and Canterbury, 3:53 p.m.
Welfare check, Hays, 5:09 p.m.
Assist, 4300 block Vine, 5:28 p.m.
Welfare check, 4300 block Vine, 6:36 p.m.
Driving under the influence, 1400 block Ash, 11:32 p.m.
Domestic disturbance, 200 block East 17th, 11:34 p.m.
Aggravated assault, 1000 block East Eighth, 11:56 p.m.

By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

At Thursday night’s Hays City Commission meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the purchase of  400 polycarts, along with 50 extra wheels and hinge pins at the price of $21,450.

The carts will be acquired from Rehrig Pacific Co. of DeSoto and funds for the purchase will come from the Solid Waste Reserve fund.

According to Public Works Supervisor I.D. Creech, current polycarts have been in use since 2008, and the physical demands sometimes cause them to break. Additional carts also must be provided to new residential customers.

The new polycarts come with a 10-year warranty but the city is required to provide field replacements due to the fact the carts cannot be immediately replaced because they are a special run for the company.

By a vote of 2-3, commissioners voted down an amendment to the purchase that would have switched the color from blue to an earth tone.

ELLIS — An Ellis Police Department officer’s employment was terminated and Police Chief Taft Yates was reprimanded during an Ellis City Council special meeting Wednesday night.

Mayor Lyle Johnston called five executive sessions, a total 75 minutes, for personnel matters of non-elected personnel to discuss performance and disciplinary matters.

Following the fifth executive session, in which City Attorney Olavee Raub, police chief Yates and Officer Jon Geiger were present, council members voted unanimously to ratify and adopt the immediate termination of Geiger.

Council members also voted unanimously to ratify the written reprimand of Chief Yates for placement in Yates’ personnel file.

Johnston said Thursday he “could not comment because of the need to protect the privacy of non-elected personnel.” Johnston also said Wednesday’s actions “conclude the matter.” No other details about the incident or reason for the officer’s termination are expected.

Geiger, a certified law enforcement officer from Colorado with four years experience, was approved for hire on Jan. 2 by Ellis Police Chief Taft Yates.

Following several executive sessions during the Sept. 2 regular meeting, city council members voted to suspend Geiger with pay pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

Johnston said that investigation was conducted by him and the Ellis city attorney.

The complete special meeting minutes follow.

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ELLIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Minutes September 10, 2014

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council members Ron Johnson, Gary Luea, Dave McDaniel, Jolene Niernberger, Terry Redetzke, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
PUBLIC PRESENT
Doreen Timken, Jon Geiger
PURPOSE OF SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Lyle Johnston stated the purpose of the special meeting is to approve a test drill agreement form and to address personnel matters, inclusive of any executive sessions, if necessary.
a) Review and Approve Test Drill Agreement Form
Council discussed the amount of compensation to offer landowners for the ability to drill test holes on their property. Council member Gary Luea feels $300.00 per site is a fair offering. Council reviewed a proposed “Permission to Drill and Option Agreement” to serve as the contract between the landowner and the City. Section 6 should be modified in two places to read two years from the date of completion of the test well, rather than one year. The City will ask for use of a 5 acre tract, but could reduce that if necessary. Council member John Walz moved to approve the “Permission to Drill and Option Agreement” with the modification to Section 6 replacing “one year” with “two years.” Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion, Council discussed whether or not to have the Agreement notarized. Council member John Walz then amended his motion to allow Mrs. Luea to notarize the Agreement on site upon the City Attorney determining no conflict of interest would exist. Council member Ron Johnson amended his second. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 6-0.
Council member Dave McDaniel then moved to authorize Council member Gary Luea to negotiate test drill sites with landowners and to offer up to $300.00 per test drill site with money to come from the Capital Improvement – Water Exploration Fund, and to authorize the Mayor to sign documents related to the “Permission to Drill and Option Agreement.” Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
b) Executive Sessions
Mayor Lyle Johnston called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 30-minute executive session was proposed starting at 7:15 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member Dave McDaniel moved and Council member Ron Johnson seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel to discuss performance and disciplinary matters with the City Attorney present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 7:45 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor Johnston called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 15-minute executive session was proposed starting at 7:47 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Terry Redetzke seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel to discuss performance and disciplinary matters with the City Attorney present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 8:02 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor Johnston called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 8:06 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member Ron Johnson moved and Council member Dave McDaniel seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel to discuss performance and disciplinary matters with the City Attorney and Police Chief Taft Yates present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 8:16 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor Johnston called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 8:18 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Dave McDaniel seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel to discuss performance and disciplinary matters with the City Attorney and Police Chief Taft Yates present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 8:28 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor Johnston called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 8:29 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member Terry Redetzke moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel to discuss performance and disciplinary matters with the City Attorney, Police Chief Taft Yates, and Officer Jon Geiger present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 8:39 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
c) Address Discipline Recommendations and Implement Disciplinary Action
Council member Terry Redetzke moved to ratify the termination of Officer Jon Geiger, as issued by Chief Taft Yates on today’s date, and to adopt termination, effective immediately, as the appropriate resolution to the findings of the investigation for which Officer Geiger was on suspension. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
Council member John Walz moved to ratify the written reprimand of Chief Taft Yates as presented and prepared by Mayor Johnston, and allowing the Mayor to sign and place the reprimand in Chief Yates’ personnel file. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Terry Redetzke moved and Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Light rain likely this morning, chance light rain this afternoon. Unusually cool. Slow warming trend this weekend, slight chance showers and thunderstorms Monday. Warmer by Wednesday.

Today Rain likely, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 52. North wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North northeast wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Saturday Sunny, with a high near 65. Light south southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph.
Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind 9 to 15 mph.
Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73.