ELLIS–Longtime Ellis Fire Chief Denis Vine is retiring. His last day on the job is Jan. 4. Mayor David McDaniel hopes to make an appointment to the position at the Jan. 3 city council meeting.

The city will let bids Jan. 18 for the street improvement project, with the contract expected to be awarded by March 1.

The complete Dec. 19, 2016, meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes December 19, 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, Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Glen Keller, Susan Eaton, Buck Driggs, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Dustin Vine, Westin Vine, and Luke Karlin.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on December 5, 2016 and Bills Ordinance #2011, with the exception of the invoices from Don’s Electric & Rewind and Vic’s Equipment Service, which will be considered later on the agenda. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Luke Karlin appeared before the Governing Body to submit a formal complaint to the Mayor regarding the Police Department.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
Public Works: Violation
The Governing Body entered into a Public Hearing at the request of property owner Luke Karlin for the environmental code violations cited at 600 Jefferson Street. The purpose of the Public Hearing is for the Governing Body to hear evidence regarding the cited code violations, and to determine if the violations cited are valid. City Attorney Olavee Raub and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reviewed the items needing addressed in the violation notice. Ms. Raub would like to research if skirting on mobile homes is required in the City’s zoning ordinances. Therefore, Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to continue the Public Hearing regarding the code violations cited at 600 Jefferson Street until the next Council meeting on January 3, 2017. The motion carried 6-0.
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Training
Fire Chief Denis Vine reported that six volunteer firefighters have expressed interest in the Firefighter I class administered by the Ellis County Rural Fire Department. The 160-hour class is at no cost to the City and the firefighters will be allowed to use the City car to travel to Hays for the training. Council member John Walz moved to compensate the six volunteer firefighters at the local training rate of $25 per day for each day attending the training. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Exit
Fire Chief Denis Vine announced his retirement from the Ellis Fire Department effective January 4, 2017. The Department will hold a retirement reception on January 7th from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus hall. Mayor David McDaniel hopes to make an appointment to the position at the January 3rd Council meeting.
Tourism: Committee
Cheryl Kinderknecht, representing the City’s Tourism Committee, presented an advertising proposal package from Eagle Community Television, Eagle Radio and Main Street Media at a total cost of $6,948. The advertising will highlight various Ellis community events throughout 2017. After much discussion, Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the contracts with Eagle Radio ($2,448), Eagle Community Television ($3,600), and Main Street Media ($900) for a total cost of $6,948, with funds to come from the transient guest tax monies. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner abstaining due to conflict of interest.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water: Special Project
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, updated Council on the status of the Waterline Improvement Project. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and Mr. Driggs performed a walk-through with the APAC representative and determined final punch list items for APAC to complete. The project did extend six days past the contract date and the City has the option to collect liquidated damages in the form of $150 per day. Council members Gary Luea and Holly Aschenbrenner noted that there were weeks when APAC wasn’t even on the job site and the project sat dormant. Mr. Driggs reminded Council that when the contract was bid out, the City agreed to allow APAC to work other jobs within the City’s project in order to get more favorable pricing. Mr. Driggs presented the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Mayor to sign, recognizing the completion of the project with the exception of the few items noted on the document. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to waive charging APAC the $900 in liquidated damages for the six days the company was over the contract date. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea voting opposed.
Street: Special Project
Mr. Driggs continued by sharing the projected timeline for the Street Improvement Project. The advertisement for bids will start late next week with the bid letting on January 18, 2017. Mr. Driggs hopes to present the bids to Council on February 6th and award the contract by March 1st. Council directed Mr. Driggs to request completion of the project by August 31st.
General Government: City Code
Council performed a second reading on proposed ordinances establishing time limitations on building, electrical and plumbing permits, and acknowledging that applications for permits and renewal are subject to the fees set forth in the fee schedule. Council member Jolene Niernberger made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1411 regarding time limitations and fees for building permits. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1412 regarding time limitations and fees for plumbing permits. The motion carried 6-0. Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1413 regarding time limitations and fees for electrical permits. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Policy
Council revisited the 2017 Personnel Policies and Guidelines. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the document as presented. Upon a call for discussion, Council member Gary Luea expressed concerns with the section establishing provisions for employees and the concealed carrying of weapons. City Attorney Olavee Raub stated the City is not allowed to prohibit employees from carrying concealed weapons, and the policy simply establishes provisions if an employee chooses to do so. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 5-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner voting opposed.
NEW BUSINESS
Fire: Repair/Maintenance
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to ratify the invoice from Vic’s Equipment Service in the amount of $1,008.41 for the annual inspection and service on the fire trucks. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Council reviewed the invoice from Don’s Electric & Rewind for wiring the new St. Mary’s sewer lift station. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to ratify the invoice from Don’s Electric & Rewind in the amount of $3,846.64, with the invoice to be submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for inclusion with the revolving loan. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Committee
Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to appoint Sylvia Kinderknecht as the City’s representative to the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development board of directors. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton highlighted the proposed revisions to the current Utility Services Policy. One proposed revision makes minor changes to the landlord agreements, and an inspection fee will now be charged for utility service requests for real estate property inspections. Other proposed revisions simply clarify current policy. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the Utility Services Policy as presented. The motion carried 6-0.
Police: Acquisition
Police Chief Taft Yates requested permission to purchase a used Ford Crown Victoria from another law enforcement agency. The vehicle would be used as a supervisor vehicle and also act as a backup vehicle when needed. Currently, Chief Yates uses his personal vehicle to respond to calls when not on duty. In these situations, Chief Yates is not covered under the City’s insurance policy. The backup vehicle would not be included in the vehicle replacement rotation schedule and would only be replaced when needed. After further discussion, Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to purchase the used Crown Victoria for the Police Department at a cost not to exceed $3,000, with funds to come from the Police Department budget. The motion carried 4-2, with Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Gary Luea opposed.
Water: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the City’s Public Water Supply Emergency Operating Plan for review. The Plan has been updated for well supply data and contact information for key personnel. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the 2017 Public Water Supply Emergency Operating Plan as presented. The motion carried 6-0.
Clerk: Accounting/Billing
Council member John Walz made a motion to authorize the City Clerk to pay vendor invoices due and payable at year-end. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Financial
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Fee Information Listing for review. Council discussed changes to the current water tap fees, utility application fee, and delinquent utility penalty percentage. Several of the fees are set by ordinance; therefore, in order to adjust certain fees, ordinances would have to be adopted referencing the fees to be charged to the Fee Information Listing. Council proposed several increases to fees that haven’t changed in over ten years. Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft ordinances modifying the wording in Code Sections 15-108 and 15-119 to set fees per the Fee Information Listing as adopted by Resolution. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Policy
The Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank Board of Trustees proposed removing the stipulation that leave must be continuous in order to draw from the Bank. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank Program document as presented. The motion carried 6-0.
Special Machinery: Financial
City Clerk Amy Burton discussed the benefits and drawbacks of the General Fund departments (Police, Fire, Park/Cemetery, and Swimming Pool) transferring any excess budget authority to the Special Machinery Fund. By transferring the money to the Special Machinery Fund, those funds can be held for future equipment purchases, thus possibly reducing a future transfer or mill levy increase to help fund those needs. On the other hand, the transfer moves “unrestricted” monies in the General Fund, to a “restricted” status within the Special Machinery fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to transfer 50% of the General Fund departments’ excess budget authority to the Special Machinery Fund. Upon a call for discussion, Council member Gary Luea stated that with the tax lid looming he would like to see a larger percentage transferred in that equipment needs may be harder to fund in the coming years. Ms. Niernberger amended her motion to increase the transfer to 75% of the General Fund departments’ excess budget authority to the Special Machinery Fund. Mr. Walz amended his second. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 6-0.
Campground: Special Project
Due to the length of the agenda, Council requested this item be tabled until the January 3rd Council meeting.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman briefly discussed future infrastructure needs and the funding mechanisms available.
Mr. Scheuerman reported that Charlie Kinderknecht no longer recycles the aluminum cans. The City can take the cans to Coors in Hays for $.20/lb or to Rohr’s Recycling in LaCrosse for $.37/lb. All aluminum can proceeds are given to the Ellis Rotary Club for scholarships and community projects. It was the consensus of Council to take the cans to Coors in Hays and to continue to submit the proceeds to the Ellis Rotary Club.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported that he and Officer Chris Krom presented to the Ellis Rotary on the use of the Taser. All officers have certified with the new Tasers. The Department has set up a new Facebook page to help keep citizens informed.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reviewed the Campground Committee’s minutes from their recent meeting. The City’s final assessed valuation from the County increased from earlier estimates, thus reducing the City’s mill levy from 71.156 to 71.008. Ms. Burton highlighted points from a recent webinar she attended on Ethics and Civility.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub provided an update on outstanding code violation cases. Ms. Raub also reviewed the inquiry letter submitted to the Attorney General regarding Council member-elect Dena Patee.
Mayor Update and Announcements
None
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 10:04 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 for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with City Attorney Olavee Raub and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:14 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
POST EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to authorize Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to offer incentive based pay to an employee. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post

Taco Shop, 333 E. 8th,Hays, offers many different avenues in which to place or receive your order, and at the turn of the new year, will offer one more entity to make ordering a little bit more easy.

Taco Shop will welcome in 2017 with a new online ordering app where customers can place orders right from their phones.

“It’s something that has been in the back of my mind for a while now and we felt that you have to connect to the younger group, and really, the older group has caught on to the technology, and it’s just a simpler way to order,” said Bob Long, manager.

The app can be downloaded on both Apple and Android devices by searching Taco Shop or Hays Taco Shop

The Taco Shop app made a small launch in early December, but is still in the beta testing mode right now. Long hopes that this month they can have a bigger launch with some specials involved.

“We’ve taken some orders through the app already with the little advertising we’ve done with it,” Long said. “There is still some fine tuning that needs to be done, changes to the menu, and just smoothing out the process.”

Long was able to work with Simply, LLC, which has designed other mobile apps for businesses in Hays including The Golden Q and Golden Griddle.

Long was able to tell Simply what he wanted, such as pictures of the food next to the order, and Simply was able to make it happen.

“Everyone who has came in here has commented on our menu and the pictures and how they like it so we wanted the app to give the customers a view of what their food will look like,” Long said.

Taco Shop’s business model is already set up with a delivery and pick up system, so, according to Long, there were not any real big changes that needed to be made.

“It integrates right into our regular flow; it’s nice in that regard,” Long said.

To help the process, customers will receive notifications sent to their phone telling them how their order is coming along.

Long says customers will receive notifications when the Taco Shop has received their order, when the order is completed, and when the order is out for delivery, if the customer has chosen that option.

Taco Shop will still offer in-store pick up, pick up through the drive-through window, and phone call ordering.

“The phone service will still be offered because there are limitations to what the app can do. Some of our customers have pretty complex orders, or they have bigger orders where they need to divide the check, which cannot be done on the app,” Long explained.

In the future, Taco Shop plans to add another entity to its order system, allowing customers to order straight from the restaurant’s website, but the online app needs to be ironed out first, says Long.

“That feature will come along, but it’s one step at a time and we want the app to be fully functional first.”

The new phone app is not the only surprise Taco Shop has for its customers in 2017.

Taco Shop will also be unveiling a new menu item, the Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla.

“It might be a new goal here to add a new menu item each year,” Long said.

“Most of our menu items are just different variations of each other, but not many of our items get bacon, so this is a big change for our menu.”

By Meg Wingerter

More offenders are completing the sexually violent predator treatment program in Kansas, but state officials say they still need a bigger building to house those in treatment.

The program, based at Larned State Hospital, attempts to treat offenders who have completed their prison sentences but who were found to have a mental or personality disorder that placed them at a high risk of committing another violent sexual offense.

A Legislative Post Audit report found the program could run out of space as early as 2017. As of mid-December, the program had 261 patients. Its capacity, including reintegration facilities at Osawatomie State Hospital and Parsons State Hospital, is 264.

Tim Keck, interim secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, told a legislative committee last week that the department is looking into expanding the sexual predator treatment program into the building currently housing the Larned Juvenile Corrections Facility, which is scheduled to close early next year. Some renovations will be necessary, he said, but the department still needs to determine what they are and how much they will cost.

Kim Lynch, KDADS senior litigation counsel, said the department is examining options to reduce the program’s population or add more beds.

While offenders aren’t supposed to be confined for life, more have died than completed the program. Eight offenders have been released and 28 have died.

Mike Dixon, chief forensic psychologist at Larned State Hospital, said they have changed the program to increase the odds offenders will complete it. Participation in treatment is up, with 90 percent of offenders in the program expected to take part in January, he said.

The changes include reducing the process from seven steps to three tiers, where offenders go through therapy and learn skills to live in society without committing another sexual offense, Dixon said. In the second tier, they can go on supervised outings, and in the third, they move to a reintegration facility and have to get a job, transportation, housing and a therapist in the community before being released, he said.

“When they get to tier three, they’re pretty much self-sufficient,” he said.

As of mid-December, 18 offenders were on the third tier, Dixon said. Four completed the program this year, bringing the total to eight since the program started in 1994, he said.

The program staff now also assess offenders to determine their risk of committing another sex crime, their intellectual capabilities and factors like personality traits, addictions and trauma that could complicate their treatment, Lynch said. The results determine the kind of treatment they receive, she said.

“Say they have an anger management issue. Then they’ll get anger management treatment,” she said.

Before, all offenders received the same treatment, just at varied paces. Now, offenders with intellectual disabilities are in a separate track that emphasizes role-playing to counteract antisocial behavior, Lynch said.

Offenders also can learn skills they will need to live independently, such as budgeting, using a computer and interviewing for a job, Lynch said. Those skills could make it easier for offenders who complete treatment to transition to living independently, she said.

“Once residents were transferred (for reintegration), they felt they didn’t have the skills to be placed into society,” she said.

Meg Wingerter is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach her on Twitter @meganhartMC