By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 Board of Education discussed technology upgrades for administration and heating and air conditioning systems at Monday’s work session and now will vote on the two issues at next week’s board meeting.

The board heard from Scott Summers, director of technology, about the proposed computer purchases.

“At Rockwell we’ve started experiencing issues,” he said, speaking on the need to replacing aging systems.

“It was a little more than I wanted with the laptops,” Summers said, but in order to make the systems work efficiently the purchase is necessary.

The upgraded systems will “make them future-proof.”

In all, the board will vote on a purchase of 28 Dell laptops at $823.93 each and 17 desktops at $646.17 each, with system upgrades totaling $41,211.

At that price, the district is remains under the technology purchase budget for the year.

The board also heard from Rusty Lindsay, director of buildings and grounds, about the second round of bids for the Hays Middle School HVAC system.

After earlier rejecting the sole bid, the district opened the bids again with different requirements.

The administration is now recommending to the board a bid from Glassman Corp. for the project at $1,360,085.34 to replace the HVAC system.

It was the lower of the two new bids on the project.

The board will vote on that measure at next Monday’s meeting, as well.

City of Ellis

ELLIS–Ellis city council members have approved a bid from APAC-Kansas, Hutchinson, modifications to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Council member Gary Luea voted against the motion during the Jan. 4 meeting.

The council also approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance increasing the city’s portion of court costs assessed to $54.00, which would raise the total court costs charged to $75.00. Bob Redger voted again the motion. The revised ordinance will be considered for approval at the next city council meeting.

The complete Jan. 4, 2016, minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes January 4, 2016

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Gary Luea, Heather Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
Council member Gary Luea requested an executive session at the end of the agenda.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Craig Stockebrand, Doug Goetz, Steve Homburg, Cheryl Kinderknecht, and Glen Keller.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on December 21, 2015 and Bills Ordinance #1988. Council member Heather Luea seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Doug Goetz and Craig Stockebrand, Wilson and Company, reviewed the Bid Tabulation Summary from the recent bid letting for the modifications to the City’s wastewater treatment plant. The apparent low bidder was APAC-Kansas, Hutchinson, KS. When asked about liquidated damages, Mr. Goetz stated that the industry standard of $500 per day will be charged after 250 calendar days has passed from when the Notice to Proceed is issued. Mr. Goetz also reviewed the Summary of Project costs and explained the $25,000 contingency allowance which is standard on retro-fit type projects. Wilson and Company would have to approve the contractor using the contingency funds prior to disbursement. City Attorney Olavee Raub stated she is waiting for Penco Engineering to supply her with the legal description for the wastewater treatment plant so she can complete the Site Certification for KDHE. Ms. Raub stated the Council could wait to award the contract, or award the contract contingent on approval of the Site Certification. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Heather Luea seconded a motion to award the contract for the wastewater treatment facility improvements to APAC-Kansas, Hutchinson, KS, contingent on KDHE approving the site certification. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
General Government: Financial
Council considered a resolution calling for an election to renew the one cent sales tax designated to service the general obligation bonds on the water treatment plant. City Attorney Olavee Raub stated the timeline for a sales tax election is specific in that the resolution may not be approved any sooner than 90 days prior to the election. This Council meeting is at day 91; therefore, Council will need to wait to consider approval of the resolution until the January 18th Council meeting. This item will be tabled until the next meeting.
General Government: City Code
Council performed a second reading of a proposed charter ordinance transitioning the City from April to November elections. Ms. Raub stated the proposed charter ordinance still provides for staggered two-year terms and will take effect for November 2016. Council member John Walz moved to approve Charter Ordinance No. 24 transitioning to November elections beginning in 2016. Council member Gary Luea seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Mayor David McDaniel allowed to vote on Charter Ordinance matters.
NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Financial
Council considered a resolution exempting the City from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles’ requirements for financial reporting. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 518 waiving GAAP financial reporting requirements for 2016. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: City Code
Council considered a proposed ordinance providing for an additional regular Council meeting each January. With governing body elections transitioning to November, the newly elected will take office the second Monday in January, hence the reason an additional meeting is necessary. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1395 providing for an additional regular Council meeting the second Monday of each January beginning in 2017. The motion carried 5-0.
Municipal Court: Fines/Fees
Council performed a first reading of a proposed ordinance increasing the City’s portion of the court costs assessed to $44.00, which would raise the total court costs charged to $65.00. City Attorney Olavee Raub explained the Education Fund portion of the State court costs has increased from $0.50 to $1.00. It would also be an opportune time to consider raising the City’s portion of the court costs as well, due to adding an additional court date per month and the increased Municipal Judge fees as a result. The City has not raised court costs since 2010 and the City’s court costs are one of the lowest in the area. Council member Gary Luea moved to revise the proposed ordinance to amending the City’s portion of the court costs to $54.00, making the total court costs assessed $75.00. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Bob Redger voting opposed. The revised ordinance will be considered for approval at the next Council meeting.
General Government: City Code
Any time the City annexes property into the city limits, Kansas Statutes require the City to adopt a resolution re-defining the boundaries of the City. In 2015, the City annexed property south of Lakeview Street. Council member John Walz moved to adopt Resolution No. 519 re-defining the boundaries of the City of Ellis. Council member Heather Luea seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Gary Luea voting opposed.
Street: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported only sixteen city blocks are left to be crack patched and sealed during the 2016 Street Rehabilitation Project. Three of those blocks are included in the Waterline Improvement Project, and three other blocks involve Dorrance and Lakeview Streets, leaving only eleven blocks for the current rehabilitation project. Since the polymer seal used on the streets lasts five to six years, the City would have two years before having to begin crack patching and sealing the streets again. With favorable pricing of oil and asphalt right now, the City could perform a major rework of Dorrance from 13th Street through Lakeview in between starting the street sealing again. As an alternative, Mr. Scheuerman also reported a stretch of the brick street along Washington needs reworked. The Council could choose to perform that rework instead of Lakeview Street. Council member Gary Luea stated he would prefer to rework the brick street, due to more traffic on that street, and requested Mr. Scheuerman provide cost estimates of each alternative for consideration. Mr. Scheuerman will provide cost estimates of both options for the next meeting.
Street: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman contacted Penco regarding a possible survey performed years ago on the alleyway in the 800 block of Washington Street. No records were found of the survey. Mr. Scheuerman explained the difficulties in getting the alley to drain properly, including buried utility lines, turning points in the drain, and the size of the pipe, among others. Mr. Scheuerman will research options to remedy the drainage issue for further discussion.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Mr. Scheuerman reported he will begin interviews next week for the vacant grounds position in the Department.
Midwest Energy plans to take down the Christmas stars on Wednesday.
Mr. Scheuerman will attend the Smoky Hill/Saline River Advisory Board meeting on January 8th.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the December Activity Report and the January staff calendar.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reported she will conduct interviews January 6th – 8th for the vacant Clerk II position.
The City solicited pricing from three restaurants in town for the City’s Christmas party. Only one venue submitted pricing that would not exceed the allowance set by Council.
Attorney
City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler will attend the February 1st Council meeting to observe. Ms. Zeigler will then attend the February 15th meeting in City Attorney Olavee Raub’s absence.
Mayor Update and Announcements
An organizational meeting of the PRIDE Committee will take place on January 9th at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall.
The annual St. Mary’s Carnival will be held January 31st at St. Mary’s school.
Council will schedule a joint work session with the Trades Board on January 19th at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor David McDaniel hopes to have appointments to the vacant position on the Cemetery Committee and Planning Commission for consideration at the next meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session to discuss property acquisition. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:17 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to recess to executive session to discuss property acquisition with the City Attorney present. The motion carried 5-0. The Council returned to open session at 9:27 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.

City of Hays

The Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Wed,, Jan. 13, at 8:15 a.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main Street.

Agenda items include a public hearing for a variance request from Hays Medical Center for a monument sign, and a variance request from James and Shawn Mulkey for reducing the east sideyard building setback to construct a carport at 210 E. 17th Street.

The complete meeting agenda can be seen here.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Fort Hays State University’s annual 13-city program of recognizing scholarship winners for the next academic year will kick off in Wichita on Sunday, Jan. 24, with a program at the Marriott, 9100 Corporate Hills Drive, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

The Hays SRP is scheduled for Mon., Feb. 8.

The highlight at each event is the recognition of scholarship winners.

High school juniors and seniors and transfer students in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado have been invited to Student Recognition Program’s in their areas. The programs are held in communities across Kansas, in southern Nebraska and in Denver to accommodate area students and their parents and guardians.

Any student who lives outside the designated SRP areas is welcome to attend the nearest SRP but must RSVP by calling 1-800-628-FHSU (3478) or (785) 628-5673 or by signing up online at www.fhsu.edu/admissions/srp. The FHSU Alumni Association requests RSVPs for the receptions no later than a week in advance of the SRP date.

Receptions hosted by the FHSU Office of Admissions in each locale include dessert or pizza buffets provided by the FHSU Alumni Association. Students and their parents have the opportunity to mingle with FHSU faculty, staff and administrators and with area FHSU alumni before and after the scholarship presentations.

Many high school seniors and transfer students will receive certificates for a variety of scholarships awarded to them by FHSU.

FHSU alumni and other interested community members are also encouraged to attend.

Scholarships to be awarded at the SRPs include the $3,500 Presidential Award of Distinction, the $2,000 University Scholar Award, the $1,500 Hays City Scholar Award, and the $1,000 Traditions Scholar Award. All are awarded only to incoming freshmen enrolling in college for the first time, but each is renewable provided students maintain the minimum required academic standing.

One-time awards recognized at the SRPs are the $1,000 Transfer Student Scholarship and the $900 or $500 Academic Opportunity Awards, given to scholars by individual academic departments.

Each SRP event features a multimedia presentation by FHSU President Mirta M. Martin and three drawings — a $400 FHSU Student Recognition Program Scholarship, a $500 textbook scholarships and another for an iPad. Four $400 SRP scholarships are awarded at the reception in Hays.

The SRP schedule includes the area served at each program site.

Wichita, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Marriott, 9100 Corporate Hill Drive. Dessert will be served. The Wichita SRP serves students from 19 south-central and southeast Kansas counties: Barber, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cowley, Crawford, Elk, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Reno, Sedgwick, Sumner, Wilson and Woodson.

Salina, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, at Lakewood Middle School, 1135 Lakewood Circle. Pizza will be served. Students from eight counties are invited to Salina: Chase, Clay, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Marion, McPherson, Ottawa and Saline.

Beloit, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at Beloit High School, 1711 Walnut. Pizza will be served. The Beloit SRP is for students from the Kansas counties of Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Republic and Washington and from the cities of Osborne and Downs in Osborne County. Students from the Nebraska counties of Clay, Jefferson, Nuckolls and Thayer are also invited.

Phillipsburg, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Huck Boyd Community Center, 860 Park St. Pizza will be served. Students invited to this SRP are from Norton, Phillips, Smith and Graham counties and from the cities of Stockton and Palco in Rooks County.

Denver, 2 p.m. Mountain time Sunday, Jan. 31, at the Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec St. Dessert will be served. The Denver SRP serves students from all Colorado counties except for Bent, Baca, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Kit Carson and Prowers counties, which are served by SRP programs in Colby and Garden City.

Hays, 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at FHSU’s Memorial Union, 700 College Drive. Dessert will be served. The Hays SRP serves students from Ellis and Trego counties and from the cities of La Crosse in Rush County; Natoma in Osborne County; Plainville in Rooks County; and Ransom in Ness County.

Holdrege, Neb., 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at The Tassel, 1324 Tilden St. Pizza will be served. Students from 14 Nebraska counties are invited to the Holdrege SRP: Adams, Buffalo, Dawson, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Hall, Harlan, Kearney, Lincoln, Phelps, Red Willow and Webster.

Great Bend, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at Great Bend High School, 19th and Morton. Pizza will be served. Students invited to the Great Bend SRP are from Barton, Pawnee, Pratt, Rice, Russell and Stafford counties and from the cities of Bison and Otis in Rush County.

Overland Park, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at the Doubletree Hotel, 10100 College Blvd. Dessert will be served. The Overland Park SRP serves students from 12 eastern Kansas counties: Allen, Anderson, Atchison, Bourbon, Doniphan, Douglas, Franklin, Johnson, Leavenworth, Linn, Miami and Wyandotte.

Topeka, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at the Ramada Inn, 420 SE Sixth St. Dessert will be served. Topeka serves students from 14 counties: Brown, Coffey, Geary, Jackson, Jefferson, Lyon, Marshall, Morris, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee and Wabaunsee.

Colby, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, at Colby High School, 1890 S. Franklin. Pizza will be served. Students from nine Kansas counties, two Colorado counties and four Nebraska counties are invited to the Colby SRP: Cheyenne, Decatur, Gove, Logan, Rawlins, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas and Wallace in Kansas; Cheyenne and Kit Carson in Colorado; and Chase, Dundy, Hayes and Hitchcock counties in Nebraska.

Garden City, 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, at Garden City High School, 2720 Buffalo Way. Dessert will be served. Garden City serves students from 13 southwest Kansas counties and four southeast Colorado counties: Finney, Grant, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Kearny, Lane, Morton, Scott, Seward, Stanton, Stevens and Wichita in Kansas; and Baca, Bent, Kiowa and Prowers in Colorado.

Dodge City, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, at Dodge City High School, 2201 W. Ross Road. Pizza will be served. The Dodge City SRP serves eight counties — Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Ford, Gray, Hodgeman, Kiowa and Meade — and Ness City in Ness County.

 

DSNWK

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK) was recently announced as the recipient of a $90,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

The grant award will be used for a new roof at Prairie Developmental Center in Atwood, three new air conditioning units for the Administrative offices in Hays and the construction of a Hygiene Room at Frontier Developmental Center in Norton.

The need for a roof at Prairie Developmental Center in Atwood has been put on hold for many years. This roof has never been replaced since DSNWK purchased the building in 1986 and is in dire need of replacement due to age and deterioration. The new air conditioning units are needed due to excessive age as these units are among the original units installed when the building was constructed in 1984. Due to the growing accessibility needs of the individuals served at Frontier Developmental Center in Norton, DSNWK has needed to renovate space within the Center where personal care and laundry supports can be better provided to meet the needs of the individuals served there. This new fully accessible Hygiene Room would include a roll-in shower, service sink, toilet, sink and washer and dryer equipment.

“We are always very appreciative of the Hansen Foundation for their on-going support of DSNWK and the people we support with developmental disabilities. This grant award is a tremendous support of our Mission of providing the highest in quality services for northwest Kansans with developmental disabilities,” said Jerry Michaud, DSNWK President.

Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas is a private, not for profit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the 18 counties of northwest Kansas. DSNWK has been providing quality services and programs to the area for more than 45 years.