By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

DP Management will not say which retailers will come to the Hays Mall once improvements are made to the property.

The topic was an item of discussion during Hays City Commission meetings late last year as city officials debated a sales tax increase that will be used to fund the improvements. But Josh Vickery of DP Management said discussions are happening to bring new retailers to the Mall.

“Over 10 different retailers are working out details,” Vickery said. “Basically when we work out a lease, we’ve got to find out if their stay is going to work out financially, because each tenant wants different improvements and that all correlates to the rent they’re paying.”

Vickery also said DP is in the process of receiving bids for the improvements. Interior improvements could begin within the next month and exterior renovations will commence in the spring once the weather is warmer.

 

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

At Monday’s USD 489 Board of Education meeting, February’s Best of the Best Awards were awarded to Lincoln Elementary counselor Eva Junk and Hays High School junior Michael Ploutz.

Junk was nominated by Lincoln Elementary principal  Elaine Rohleder, who praised Junk as a “caring and positive role model” who has worked at Lincoln for the past 20 years.

“Every day, I am amazed at her ability and enthusiasm for counseling and her love for the children,” Rohleder said.

Ploutz was nominated by HHS Spanish teacher Lora Haynes for his “passion for the music” and being an “awesome young man.”

Haynes said Ploutz is a member of the HHS Chamber Singers, participates in the annual HHS musicals and has had “many opportunities” in to share his musical abilities with others across the country.

For more information and to nominate a USD 489 staff or student click HERE.

 

By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

Next week, Hays city commissioners will vote on a new CID policy that will require applicants to provide at least 25 percent of the capital for any projects.

The new legislation was prompted by the passage of a 1-cent sales tax hike at the Hays Mall in November. The developer, DP Management, has said it will not provide any extra funds for the project besides the revenue from the CID.

A similar ordinance is used in Salina, and other municipalities in Kansas have policies that require as much as 40 percent from an owner or developer. During the commission work session Tuesday night, Commissioner Kent Steward said he supports completely eliminating any tax incentives for businesses.

“I don’t do that in the sake of levity. I invite you to research tax abatements, and you will not find a scientific study that supports it,” said Steward, who is not seeking re-election in the upcoming spring elections.

Commissioner Shaun Musil supported the policy and said he would “have a hard time” voting in favor of another CID until the results from the tax increase at the Hays Mall are known. Vice Mayor Eber Phelps warned the policy could end up as a faulty, “one size fits all” approach.

“We might have to reconsider it, because it’ll be a totally different era, business or whatever the case may be,” Phelps said.

Commissioners will vote on changing the policy at next week’s regular meeting.

KANSAS WATER OFFICE

TOPEKA — In December 2014, Regional Goal Leadership Teams consisting of nine to 11 individuals per region were identified by the Kansas Water Authority (KWA) to represent the 14 planning areas for Kansas. To begin the eight month process, orientation meetings were held recently by each of the Regional Goal Leadership Teams appointed to address water supply goals for each region and deemed successful.

Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty is chairman of the Smoky Hill-Saline regional group. Ellis Public Works Director Alan Schuerman and Ransom resident Bill Scott are also members of the Smoky Hill-Saline group.

The role of each team is to participate in a public scoping process in their region, develop and draft water supply goals for their region based on public input and available resource condition information. To assist with the process, trained facilitators from Kansas State University Research and Extension as well as the Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy will be helping with the goal development.

“On behalf of the KWA we appreciate the dedication of all the individuals across our state who want to address our water supply issues,” said KWA Chair Gary Harshberger. “I agree wholeheartedly with the guiding principle of the Water Vision that locally driven solutions at the grass roots level have the highest opportunity for long term success.”

Public meetings will be held for each region to hear input from stakeholders and citizens to assist with drafting the goals for the future water supply needs in each region. Recommended water supply goals should seek to implement the following Vision statement:

Kansans act on a shared commitment to have the water resources necessary to support the state’s social, economic and natural resource needs for current and future generations.

“We appreciate the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” said Gregg Hadley K-State Research and Extension Assistant Director for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Development. “The KSRE mission is to help Kansans balance use and protection of natural resources today and into the future, making this a good partnership during this eight month process.”

The Teams will present the proposed draft regional water supply goals to the KWA in May 2015. The KWA will provide advice towards further development of the regional goals with final goals to be approved by the Authority in August 2015.

For more information on the upcoming public meetings to be held in March, to review the timeline for the goal setting process or read the final version of the Long-Term Vision for the Future of Water Supply in Kansas, visit www.kwo.org.

The Hays Recreation Commission is seeking more adult volunteers to coach in its spring sports program.

According to HRC Sports Director Keith Smith, 39 head coaches are needed immediately.

“That is about 325 kids that will not get to play this spring without someone stepping forward and coaching,” Smith said in a news release.

Smith also said it’s “not an excuse” if you don’t know anything about soccer or flag football.  “We can teach you all you need to know. We can help you set up practices and give you drills and games to play so you are all set for the season,” he said.

Coaches are needed in the following areas:

5/6 Girls Soccer – 4 coaches
5/6 Boys Soccer – 6 coaches

7/8 Girls Soccer – 6 coaches
7/8 Girls Soccer – 6 coaches

9/10 Girls Soccer – 3 coaches
9/10 Boys Soccer – 4 coaches

11-14 Coed Soccer – 2 coaches

6-8 Flag Football – 5 coaches
9-12 Flag Football – 3 coaches

“We would like to thank the head coaches who have already volunteered to give their time to coach this spring,” Smith added.

To sign up as spring sports coach, call the Hays Recreation Commission at (785)623-2650 or email [email protected].

FHSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS

Rebecca Johnico, a Wichita sophomore majoring in international business at Fort Hays State University, is studying at Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, South Korea, under a Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship.

Gilman scholarships, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, are awarded through a competitive application process to Pell Grant recipients who want to study abroad.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

RUSSELL–Russell USD 407 is conducting a mail ballot election regarding its Local Option Budget (LOB).

Legislation passed by state lawmakers last spring allowed the USD 407 Board of Education (and any others in Kansas) to increase their LOB up to a maximum 33% for the current academic year. To maintain the 33% LOB, the state requires voter approval.

Russell school board members estimated the increase will generate approximately $127,000, offsetting a loss in state aid and without raising the local mill levy. If the mail ballot fails, the LOB will revert to 31% and USD 407 board members say they will have to identify approximately $130,000 in program cuts and/or allocations.

According to information from the school district printed on fliers that have been distributed throughout the community, approval of the keeping the 33% LOB would not increase Russell County property taxes at the current valuation.

A mail ballot LOB increase election in Hays USD 489 last June was defeated nearly two to one.

According to Russell County Clerk Mary Nuss, ballots will be mailed to registered voters in USD 407 today, Wednesday, Feb. 18 and must be marked, signed and received at the Russell County Clerk’s Office by 12 noon Tuesday, March 10.

Russell USD 407 operates four attendance centers: Simpson Elementary, Bickerdyke Elementary, Ruppenthal Middle School and Russell High School. All are located in Russell.

Relatively warm the next few days followed by winter weather for the weekend.

Today Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 37. North wind 6 to 13 mph.
Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Northeast wind 7 to 9 mph becoming southeast in the evening.
Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Southeast wind 8 to 14 mph.
Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. East southeast wind 7 to 13 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Southwest wind around 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Friday Night A slight chance of rain before midnight, then a chance of snow and freezing drizzle. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35.