🎥 Minor change to Hays emergency snow routes approved

Public Works Director Greg Sund explains a minor change to be made in the city's emergency snow routes. — Public Works Director Greg Sund explains a minor change to be made in the city’s emergency snow routes.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The couple of dustings of snow in Hays the past few days weren’t enough to trigger a snow emergency.

The next time city officials do issue that alert, the emergency snow routes in town will have changed slightly.

City commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to the city ordinance Thursday night.

“The reason we’re coming to you is because of the relocation of Ellis County Emergency Medical Services,” said Greg Sund, director of public works.

EMS and the county’s ambulances are now housed in the new Ellis County Rural Fire/EMS Building at 1105 E. 22nd, a short move from 1009 Cody.

The ordinance will amend the municipal code to remove the following street segments from the Emergency Snow Routes map: General Hays Road from Cody Avenue to Downing Avenue and Downing Avenue from General Hays Road to Vine Street.

The street segment to be added is General Hays Road from Cody Avenue to 22nd Street.

“This will make it easier for us to make sure the snow routes are open for the ambulances to go in and out any given time of day,” Sund explained. “Without any snow, it doesn’t make any difference, but surely we will get some.”

Several street signs designating emergency snow routes will also be moved to reflect the update, according to Sund.

snow-route-sign-with-parked-vehicle — During a declared Winter Storm Traffic Emergency, parking is not allowed on Emergency Snow Routes in Hays.

During a Winter Storm Traffic Emergency as declared by the city manager, it is unlawful to park a vehicle on any street designated as an emergency snow route.

Vice-Mayor James Meier presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Shaun Musil.