SMITH COUNTY- Two Kansas men were injured in an accident just before 11:30 a.m. on Monday in Smith County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 International semi driven by Larry Dee Krouse, 49, Smith Center, was southbound on E Road four miles south of Kensington.

The semi struck a 2012 Nissan in the driver’s door.

The Nissan driven by Shane A. Russo, 45, Salina, was eastbound on 210 Road, rolled and came to rest on its wheels in a cornfield.

The semi rolled and came to rest on its passenger side.

Krouse and Russo were transported to the hospital in Smith Center.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

By RANDY GONZALES
FHSU University Relations

The awards just keep coming for online learning in the Department of Political Science at Fort Hays State University. This time, FHSU has been named best in the country.

“Best Degree Programs” recently released the top 30 colleges in the nation for 2016 for best online Bachelor’s of Political Science degree programs. The ranking — with Fort Hays State No. 1 — was created by reviewing school rankings by Forbes Magazine, the Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report. An important component was undergraduate tuition cost.

“I was just thrilled,” said Dr. Shala Mills, chair of FHSU’s Department of Political Science. “We have been recognized before, but to be No.1 in the country, I was really delighted.”

Dennis King, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, said the award reflected efforts in different areas of working together for the students.

“I think this ranking is a result of all the hard work from everybody across campus, focused on continuous improvement,” King said. “We strive to keep education affordable both online and on campus.”

Previously, the political science department was ranked No. 2 nationally in its Master of Liberal Studies (Public Administration concentration) online program by GetEducated.com. Also, the department was ranked No. 11 nationally by Social Science Careers for its online Bachelor of Arts in Political Science program.

“All three of these awards are recognized in online programming, and all three of them are recognizing programming for its quality and affordability,” Mills said. “To me, when I see these three awards, I’m personally just really proud of Fort Hays State University and also of our department.”

Mills praised both the full time and adjunct faculty as well as Micki Armstrong, the department’s online degree program advisor.

“Just very proud of our institution and all the people who helped make that ranking possible,” Mills said.

King said another notable online achievement for FHSU should take place this fall with the launching of online degree programs in accounting and computer science.

“The accounting program is going to be priced like our other undergraduate programs, which should make it hundreds of dollars less per credit hour,” King said. “It makes it an amazing deal for any student who wants to study online.”

ELLIS–Ellis High School is getting some financial support from the Ellis Police Department to fund the purchase and installation of security cameras in and around the school.

Council members approved the $2,000 request by Police Chief Taft Yates and EHS Principal Corey Burton during their July 5 meeting.

In other business, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman advised the council of a letter from Kansas Rural Water Association regarding rising THM levels in the city’s water level.

Scheuerman said he and the KRWA question if the timing of the water sample testing may be affecting the results.

Trihalomethanes (THM) are a group of four chemicals formed along with other disinfection by-products when chlorine or other disinfectants used to control microbial contaminants in drinking water react with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in water, according to the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA).

The complete meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes July 5, 2016

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary 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.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Ron Keithley was unable to attend the meeting; therefore, his agenda item under Special Order will be removed.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Dan Pyle, Buck Driggs, Doreen Timken, Sharon Disney, Glen Keller, Brandon Tippy, Pauleen Edmonds, Nan Brown, Dena Patee, Corina Cox, Travis Kohlrus, Guy Windholz, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Margie Mickelson, Steve Ferland, Tammy Schumacher, James Miller, Todd Walker (arrived 8:00 p.m.), and Charlene Weber (arrived 8:10 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on June 20, 2016 and Bills Ordinance #2000. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor David McDaniel noted that due to Council’s admonishment of allowing a resident additional time during Public Comments, the 5-minute limit will be enforced without exception.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Aaron White with the Ellis County Coalition was not in attendance to present the Coalition’s 2017 Budget request.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Dan Pyle presented the 2017 budget request for the Ellis Recreation Commission. The Commission requested $5,000 to upgrade the Creekside Park dugouts. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Travis Kohlrus presented the 2017 budget request for the Tourism Task Force. The Task Force is requesting $16,000 out of the transient guest tax funds to establish a twelve month marketing campaign for Ellis tourism. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation. Mr. Kohlrus also inquired if the Council wanted to continue with the volunteer group acting as a task force, or formalize into a City committee.
Public Works: Personnel
Brandon Tippy read a prepared statement regarding a recent interaction with Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, updated Council on the Waterline Improvement Project. Mr. Driggs proposed a change order adding a flushing hydrant and additional waterline in the Baughman Street area. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to accept the proposed change order for the Waterline Improvement Project at a cost not to exceed $8,500, with funds to come from the USDA loan proceeds. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
General Government: Contracts
Tammy Schumacher and James Miller presented three options for installing WIFI in City Hall, including leasing or purchasing the equipment. Council discussed whether the City Shop needed to be included in coverage. Council asked Ms. Schumacher to present an additional proposal excluding the City Shop so they can consider additional options.
NEW BUSINESS
Street: Financial – CDBG Funds
Corina Cox, Northwest Kansas Planning & Development, provided a timeline of events to initiate the Community Development Block Grant funding process for the Street Improvement Project. Once Council approves the Environmental Review Report, notice is published in the paper and the public is given a 14-day comment period. At that point, the City may then make a request for the release of funds from the State and another comment period is given to the public. Once the second comment period passes, the City may let the project for bids. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the Environmental Review Report for CDBG Project No. 16-PF-016. The motion passed 6-0.
Executive Session
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 15-minute executive session was proposed starting at 8:17 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with City Attorney Olavee Raub, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, and Steve Ferland present. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed. The Council returned to open session at 8:32 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Clerk: Accounting/Billing
City Clerk Amy Burton entertained questions from the Council regarding the monthly utility billing and delinquent shutoff process. An unusual number of residents stated they did not receive their past due notices for June. Ms. Burton did visit with the Post Office regarding the issue and the Clerk’s office will watch to see if a problem continues to occur.
Sanitation: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested guidance from Council on how to handle special pickups requested by volunteer groups rather than the resident. Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to obtain permission from the resident before performing the special pickup, and to let the volunteer groups know ahead of time that there are sanitation fees involved. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to not bill the resident at 1406 Maple Street for special pickup charges due to not having the owner’s permission prior to the pickup. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion failed 2-4, with Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Bob Redger voting in favor of the motion, and Council members Bret Andries, Gary Luea, Jolene Niernberger, and John Walz voting opposed. Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to contact the volunteer group supervisor to see if funds are available for the sanitation charges.
Water: Repair/Acquisition
Mr. Scheuerman presented two bids for the purchase of waterline valves to replace several of the inoperable valves in the infrastructure. Council member John Walz moved to accept the low bid from Municipal Pipe Services in the amount of $16,800, with funds to come from the Water Depreciation fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Police: Special Project
Police Chief Taft Yates presented a request from Ellis High School Principal Corey Burton for financial support to partially fund the purchase and installation of security cameras in and around the school. After further discussion, Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the request from Ellis High School for $2,000, with funds to come from the Police Department budget. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member John Walz abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Water
Mr. Scheuerman explained a letter received from Kansas Rural Water Association regarding rising THM levels in the City’s water supply. Depending on the results of the latest monitoring test, KDHE may require the City to issue a public notification of the rising chemical levels for the second, and perhaps even the third, quarters for 2016. Mr. Scheuerman and the representative from KRWA question if the timing of the sample testing may be affecting the results.
Ground Water Associates has requested an extension from the Division of Water Resources for additional time to provide information regarding the City’s pending application for water rights.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for June and the July staff calendar. Chief Yates reported no major fireworks issues, but reminded residents to please clean up the streets of fireworks debris.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the updated Roster of Appointments for the City’s internal committees and several other external boards and committees with City representatives.
The Monthly Health Insurance Savings Report was reviewed.
The 2016 General Obligation Refunding bonds will close on July 6th. The projected savings on the refunding of the 2006 General Obligation and Revenue bonds is approximately $650,000.
General Government: Special Meeting
Ms. Burton will check with Galen Pfeifer, Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, regarding scheduling a budget work session either July 12th or July 19th. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner noted she will be out of town the week of July 11th.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub noted she will be absent the August 1st Council meeting. City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler will attend the meeting in her absence.
Ms. Raub reported she will draft a policy offering procedures for investigating department complaints outside of the Police Department, which is under a separate Internal Affairs policy. She noted the Internal Affairs policy should be updated as well.
Mayor Update and Announcements
General Government: Special Meeting
Mayor David McDaniel reminded Council of the Facility Tour Work Session at 1:00 p.m. on July 9th. Council will meet at City Hall to start the tour.
The League of Kansas Municipalities training session on KOMA/KORA is August 5th in Hays. All Governing body members are encouraged to attend.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.