By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays city commissioners will meet tonight, Tue., Nov. 24, because of the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday.
Agenda items include requests to rezone the proposed Blue Sky Acres– northwest of 250th Ave. and Mount Pleasant Road south of Hays–from Agricultural to Residential Suburban; rezone 1517 Commerce Parkway from Agricultural to Light Industrial and then annexation of 1517 Commerce Parkway.
The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing October 19 for the Blue Sky Acres proposal. According to Hays Planning, Inspection and Enforcement Supervisor Jesse Rohr, several adjacent property owners spoke in opposition to the rezoning request citing concerns about water, stormwater drainage and road/access issues. The Planning Commission denied the request by a vote of six to one and recommended the city commission also deny rezoning because the request was not in line with the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
The rezoning and annexation request of 1517 Commerce Parkway by property owners Terrance and Kelly Schmidt was approved by the Planning Commission and recommended for approval by the city commission. The plan for redevelopment/infill development on the site is compatible with the Comprehensive Plan and follows the Strong Towns concept.
Commissioners will also consider ordinances and a resolution allowing for an increase in the costs, meter rates, service charges and fees for Hays water customers.
During last week’s work session, Finance Director Kim Rupp presented a recommendation for a 17 percent increase in January 2016 water bills, followed by much smaller, annual three percent increases the next ten years.
The recommendation comes from a study done by Springsted, Inc., hired by the city to conduct a comprehensive study to determine the rate increases needed in the water fund to support future anticipated operating and maintenance expenditures, debt service, capital improvements, replacements and cash reserves. The current water distribution and treatment infrastructure is underfunded. It was determined the city should be spending approximately $895,000 per year for annual water capital maintenance and repairs; however, on average, only $445,000 has been dedicated annually to that purpose.
Commissioners asked Rupp to bring other water rate proposals that are not “front-loaded” with such a large hike.
Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
The complete Nov. 24 agenda can be seen here.