By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Rates for city of Hays utilities customers will be going up.
The city’s wastewater treatment plant, 1498 E. Highway 40 Bypass, must be upgraded to meet stricter state permit requirements of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The project is estimated to cost about $28 million.
Hays must have the new wastewater treatment plant operating by Jan. 1, 2018. The city was fined $18,000 in 2012 by the Environmental Protection Agency for excessive levels of phosphorous and nitrate. The current facility was built in 1953.
City Finance Director Kim Rupp has determined the Kansas State Revolving Loan Fund is the most cost effective option to fund the project.
During Thursday night’s work session, city commissioners voted to hold a public meeting Thursday, July 16, to explain to residents the purpose of the wastewater facility plan. The public meeting is a requirement in applying for the loan. Stan Christopher with HDR Engineering of Lee’s Summit, Mo., the city’s Owner Representative on the project, will make the presentation.
The meeting will include discussion of the new proposed effluent limits, the evaluation of treatment alternatives, the costs to construct the proposed alternatives, the costs to operate the facilities, and the anticipated impacts on the sewer user rates. Environmental impacts of the project will also be discussed.
The public meeting will be part of the July 16 city commission work session which starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main St.
In other business Thursday night, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution accepting the final plan known as the Tebo First Addition, located at 43rd and General Hays/Vine St.
Jesse Rohr, PIE Superintendent, told commissioners the two existing structures on the property will be torn down. The location is the site where a new Italian restaurant, Pasta Jay’s, is to be built, along with new retail development.
“With the infrastructure already in place, this falls into our ‘Strong Towns’ model,” Mayor Eber Phelps said. “It’s a good example of ‘infill.'”