Submitted

The K-State Agricultural Research Center – Hays will host the 102nd edition of Roundup with registration and trade show beginning at 9 a.m. April 21. The head count for the noon meal will be taken at 10 a.m.

The program is slated to start at 10 a.m. in the auditorium. A steak luncheon will be provided at noon with the program wrapping up at 3:00 p.m. Presentations will include a beef cattle market outlook, observations on the persistence of Old World Bluestems, Management Minder – an extra hand to help you plan, Anaplasmosis: the disease, prevention and control, Management and nutrition considerations for beef cows grazing dormant native range and Comparison of different insecticide application techniques for horn fly control in cow/calf operations.

Roundup is the major beef cattle education and outreach event sponsored by the research center. It has been held each year since 1914 with the exception of 1945 when German prisoners of war were housed in the livestock research area. Results of the beef cattle research have been reported to the agricultural community through an ongoing series of publications that began with a mimeographed circular in 1913.

Roundup reports have been published almost every year, making it one of the longest series published by any public research agency.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

The Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Kansas Collegiate DECA chapters are hosting a car show with all proceeds benefiting MDA from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, at Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine St., Hays.

“This is the first car show in the country that will be raising money for MDA in collaboration with Collegiate DECA,” said Felix Albl, president of Fort Hays State University Collegiate DECA. DECA and MDA have a relationship that spans over four decades.

“Join us for an afternoon full of cars, food, music and fun,” said Albl.

Registration for vehicles is $30. Participants who register vehicles by April 25 will receive a free 2016 MDA Car Show T-shirt. T-shirts will also be for sale at the car show.

Car show participants can register online at www.carsformda.com and contact Albl at [email protected] with questions.

ELLIS–Good news for Ellis as it searches for additional water sources. City council members heard an update on the special project at their April 4 meeting.

Brad Vincent, Ground Water Associates, told the council Ellis has received permits from the Kansas Department of Agriculture for two approved well sites. The city has until December 2017 to complete waterworks installation at those sites. Vincent also reported an additional test hole was drilled in the vicinity and preliminary results are very good.

The complete April 4 meeting minutes follow.

DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes April 4, 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, 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 Bob Redger was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
By consensus, Council approved adding discussion regarding a hydrant purchase, an update from Ground Water Associates, and consideration of the Public Works Director’s attendance at training in Salina.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Terri Fischer, Brad Vincent, and Glen Keller.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 21, 2016, with the correction noted, Minutes from the Special Meeting on March 22, 2016, Minutes from the Special Meeting on March 24, 2016, and Bills Ordinance #1994. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner 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
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented cost estimates for the various 2016 street projects. Council member John Walz moved to approve the 2016 street projects as presented at a cost of $61,935, contingent upon approval of the City’s request for assistance from Ellis County. Council member Gary Luea seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Petition
At the Council meeting on March 21st, Council directed City Clerk Amy Burton to check with the City’s auditors regarding the Ellis Golf Club’s request to use the City’s tax exemption status to purchase equipment. Ms. Burton reported that the auditors advised the City against that practice.
General Government: Financial
Council considered engagement letters with Gilmore & Bell for bond counsel services and disclosure compliance services. Ms. Burton reported the City is not currently engaged with any other firm for these services. The professional services would include the refunding and annual disclosure requirements for the 2006 General Obligation and Revenue bond issues. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the engagement letters with Gilmore & Bell for bond counsel and disclosure compliance services. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Financial
Council member John Walz moved to approve Resolution No. 524 authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Refunding bonds to refund the 2006 Water System Revenue Bonds. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Council member John Walz moved to approve Resolution No. 525 offering for sale the 2016 General Obligation Refunding Bonds. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion authorizing the Mayor and the City Clerk to sign the required refunding bond documents. The motion carried 5-0.
Personnel: Policy
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the amendments to the Personnel Policy and Guidelines Manual regarding provisions for employee certifications. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner questioned if Council should consider individual certifications to be included in the Manual, rather than give the Department Heads full authority. Council discussed that the maximum additional pay regardless of the number of certifications achieved is $.50 per hour more. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 5-0.
Public Works: City Code
Council reviewed additional amendments to the various proposed ordinances providing for contractor licensing. After further discussion on each of the ordinances, Council member Gary Luea moved to approve Ordinance No. 1398 amending provisions for building contractors. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Public Works: City Code
Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1399 amending provisions for electrical contractors. The motion carried 5-0.
Public Works: City Code
Council member John Walz moved to approve Ordinance No. 1400 amending the provisions for plumbing and gas-fitting contractors. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Public Works: City Code
Council member John Walz moved to approve Ordinance No. 1401 amending the provisions for lawn sprinkler contractors. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Public Works: City Code
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner requested that consideration of amendments to the proposed ordinance providing for work by property owners be tabled until the next Council meeting.
Public Works: Licenses/Permits
At the March 24th Special Council Meeting, Council discussed FEMA’s “50% Rule”. Essentially, a property owner may not make improvements to a structure in excess of 50% of the structure’s value within the same year. Council questioned if that meant a calendar year, or twelve months from the building permit date. At that meeting, both the Public Works Director and the City Attorney recommended the City adopt a policy defining a year as one year from the date of issuance of the building permit. FEMA representative Steve Samuelson concurred with the City. Therefore, Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adopt the recommended timeframe of one year from the date of issuance of the building permit for those structures that fall under FEMA floodplain regulations.
Sewer: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented cost estimates to construct a sewer sludge containment site at the current wastewater treatment facility. Council member Gary Luea moved to approve the construction of the sewer sludge containment site at a cost not to exceed $5,000 with funds to come from the Sewer Depreciation fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. Mr. Scheuerman then informed Council that he is having difficulty finding a replacement tube to the sludge auger due to its uncommon size. He also noted that the sludge belt press is not working properly and needs to be repaired.
Cemetery: City Code
City Attorney Olavee Raub presented revisions to the proposed ordinance amending provisions for decoration of grave spaces at Mount Hope Cemetery. A provision has been added for veteran’s emblems and shepherd’s hooks. Also, the allowed timeframe for decorations to be displayed has been extended to seven days before through seven days after the stated holiday. It was the consensus of Council to table consideration until the next Council meeting in order for the Cemetery Committee to review the proposed ordinance at their upcoming meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Water Exploration: Special Project
Brad Vincent, Ground Water Associates, provided an update on the City’s search for an additional water source. The City has received permits from the Kansas Department of Agriculture for the two approved well sites. The City has until December 2017 to complete the waterworks installation at those sites. An additional test hole was drilled in the vicinity and preliminary results are very good. Mr. Vincent will complete the water right application with the Division of Water Resources to further explore that site.
General Government: Financial
Council member John Walz moved to approve Resolution No. 526 authorizing employees to use the City credit card. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
Parks: Event Request
Council member John Walz moved to approve the Event Request for Traffic Control and the Public Property Permit Application for the Walter P. Chrysler Car Show to be held on June 4th at North Chrysler Park. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Parks: Event Request
Council member John Walz moved to approve the Noise Permit Application, Event Request for Traffic Control, and the Public Property Permit Application for the use of Chrysler Park, contingent on approval of a Cereal Malt Beverage license application, for the annual Riverfest event to be held on June 11th at Chrysler Park. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Swimming Pool: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for chlorine briquettes for the swimming pool. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the low bid from D. Gerber Commercial Pool Products for 3,600 lbs. of chlorine briquettes in the amount of $8,496, with funds to come from the General Fund – Swimming Pool. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Campground: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman proposed adding more rock to the campground sites as it had not been done for four to six years. Council discussed possibly replacing the rock with millings or crushed concrete, as it would be less expensive. After further discussion, Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to add more rock to the campground sites at a cost of $4,826.25, with funds to come from the Campground Fund. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman reported that every two years the interior of the water tower should be inspected. The City could choose to drain the water tower to have it inspected and painted, or choose to undergo an underwater inspection, as it did two years ago. It is recommended that the water tower be drained and fully inspected and painted every four years. Council member John Walz moved to continue with the underwater inspection of the water tower for the current inspection period. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Emergency Preparedness: Meeting
Council member John Walz suggested Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Ring visit with City personnel to review and update the City’s Disaster Response Plan. Once the Mayor finalizes annual Committee appointments, the Disaster Recovery Team will set up a meeting with Mr. Ring to review the plan.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for a new hydrant by Love’s Travel Plaza. Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the low bid from Municipal Supply for a new hydrant and adaptors in the amount of $1,625.24 with funds to come from the Water Depreciation Fund. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works: Training
Mr. Scheuerman requested approval to attend mechanical code enforcement training. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve Mr. Scheuerman’s attendance at code enforcement training in Salina on April 9th. The motion carried 5-0.
Water
Mr. Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period February 10th – March 10th. The percentage of water accounted for is down, indicating possible underground leaks. Mr. Scheuerman will continue to monitor and is hopeful the Waterline Improvement Project will increase the percentage accounted for once completed.
Mr. Scheuerman reported that Water Operator John Leiker has successfully completed his Water certification test. Brad Leiker will act as Operator in Training.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the April Staff Calendar and the Monthly Report of Activity for March. The Department will partake in radar training and certification in April. The annual Girls with Guns and Fathers, Sons, and Daughters with Guns will take place April 23rd and April 30th, respectively. Also on April 30th Ellis County will hold its annual drug take-back event.
Personnel: Entry
Chief Yates announced the hiring of Avery Smith to fill the vacancy in the Police Department. Mr. Smith will begin employment on April 11th at a probationary wage of $15.58 per hour.
City Clerk: Disposal
City Clerk Amy Burton requested approval to sell the HP printer and print cartridges replaced by the new copier. Council member John Walz moved to approve the sale of the Clerk’s HP 4100 printer and two printer cartridges through an auction site. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Swimming Pool: Entry
Ms. Burton noted that she will be extending the deadline for summer pool applications. Currently, there have not been enough applications turned in to open the pool.
General Government: Insurance
Ms. Burton reported that she has received the estimated renewal notice from Romme Insurance on the City’s insurance policy. It appears the City’s premiums have increased approximately 4 ½%.
Attorney
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel reminded everyone to vote on April 5th. The polls will be open at the VFW from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Committee appointments are usually made in April. Mayor McDaniel encouraged Council members to offer suggestions for the appointments.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and 13 traffic stops Monday, April 18, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Burglary/vehicle–1700 block Haney St, Hays; 4/146 5:30 PM; 4/18 7:30 AM
Wildlife Incident–300 block Main St, Hays; 12:01 PM
Wildlife Incident–3500 block Hillcrest Dr, Hays; 12:03 PM
Criminal Trespass–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 12:25 PM; 12:40 PM
Wildlife Incident–100 block E 22nd St, Hays; 1:03 PM
Criminal Trespass–100 block W 18th St, Hays; 12:40 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1200 block US 183 Hwy, Hays; 1:09 PM
Suspicious Activity–500 block E 20th St, Hays; 2:48 PM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–2200 block General Hays Rd, Hays; 5:42 PM
Identity Theft–4400 block Tam Ct, Hays; 9:23 PM

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Fort Hays State University’s Department of Art and Design will host the 42nd Annual High School Art Exhibition from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 20, in the Gross Memorial Coliseum Arena.

The day also features a sidewalk chalk art competition in the Rarick-Martin Allen Hall courtyard. Approximately 60 schools and more than 1,500 students are expected to attend the art exhibition.