Ellis Co. Commission gives go-ahead for Old U.S. 40 work to begin

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission approved and signed contracts at Monday’s commission meeting giving the go-ahead for construction to begin on the western portion of Old U.S. 40.

Last month, the commission approved the bids for phase one and two of the project, from Yocemento to Ellis, totaling $1.7 million.

At Monday’s meeting Tom Bennett, vice president of BG Consultants, the engineer on the project, estimated with two alternates, the project will cost $2.2 million dollars.

Sporer Land Development of Oakley was awarded the contract on phase one of the project for $609,995.71. Phase one consists of widening culverts and installing more guard fence, Bennett said.

APCA-Kansas was awarded phase 2 for $1,132,667.41. The majority of phase 2 is hot-mix asphalt surfacing.

But without extra funds and some cost savings, the county will not be able to do both alternates. The commission estimated Monday the county has approximately $1.95 million left from the bond to pay for the entire Old U.S. 40 reconstruction project.

Construction on the east portion of Old U.S. 40, from 280th Avenue to Toulon Road, was completed last year at a cost of approximately $2.7 million.

In other business, the commission:

• Approved, effective Nov. 1, the proposed fire resolution combining Companies 2 and 3 and Companies 6 and 7. The commission also approved a bill of sale giving the current Company 3 building, at 2150 B. Saline Rive Road, Plainville, on the Schmeidler ranch, back to landowners.

• Approved a resolution seeking bids for the EMS building at 1009 Cody.

• Approved the purchase of a sprayer for $10,613 from Fairbanks Equipment of Wichita for the Noxious Weed Department.

During the Public Building Commission meeting, the commission approved accounts payable in the amount of $902,319.74 for architectural, construction and professional services and the 2014 audit report.

Commissioner Dean Haselhorst, during a building progress report, said he believes the EMS, Rural Fire and Emergency Management Departments will be able to begin moving into the Emergency Services Building on Thursday.

Haselhorst and one of the general contractors plan to do a final walk-through Wednesday evening.

The commission also scheduled a special meeting for an executive session Thursday at 3:30 p.m.