By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

So, it turns out the two new Hays monument signs that will be erected on I-70 cannot include the word “America.”

City commissioners were considering 10 different designs for the huge limestone markers by Tobin Rupe Stoneworks in Wichita, some of which read “Hays, America” as the city location.

However, commissioners found out during their meeting Thursday night that the Kansas Department of Transportation does not allow such verbiage.

“KDOT has a policy for city-owned signs in their right-of-way, like these would be,” City Manager Toby Dougherty explained. “It (must say) ‘Welcome to The City’ or ‘The City of Blank Welcomes You’ with all or a portion of the (city’s) logo involved within it. So, yes, we think ‘Hays, America’ would be out.”

Compounding the decision difficulty, commissioners were given six more designs to consider just prior to the start of their meeting. The artwork had been submitted by Scott Gross, an artist who has done other work for the city.

After Rick Rekoske, Convention and Visitors Bureau director, reviewed all 16 designs, commissioners voted 3-1 for one of Gross’s designs, which reads simply “Welcome to Hays.”

The 18′ by 10′ welcome signs will be placed just east of Commerce Parkway on the north side of westbound I-70, and on the south side of I-70 between Exit 157 and the Hall Street bridge for eastbound traffic approaching Hays.

Tobin Rupe Stoneworks was the low bidder for the two signs for a total of $48,300, considerably less than the original budgeted amount of $90.000. The money comes from the CVB budget and is generated by the guest bed tax.

Commissioner Henry Schwaller was absent from the meeting.