CITY OF HAYS

The city of Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Thu., March 23, 2017 in the area of South Hwy 183 to 6th St. between West Hwy 183 and Ash St. and Hwy 183 to 10th St. between Fort St. and Milner St. Also the hydrants located on the HHS Campus.

This is part of a coordinated effort by the City of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.

Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes. The associated flushing of water mains allows chlorine to be distributed throughout the system to eliminate bio-filming in the water mains.

Slight discoloration of the water supply may be encountered although there will be no health risks to the consumer. All reasonable efforts will be taken to minimize the inconvenience to the public. Drivers are asked to avoid driving through water discharging from a fire hydrant during the short flushing period.

For more information please contact the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

As part of the spring workshop series from the Management Development Center at Fort Hays State University, a workshop on effective presentations will be offered from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, in the Memorial Union’s Stouffer Lounge on the FHSU campus.

“Effective Presentation Skills” will teach participants how to create and deliver engaging presentations. Instruction will include effective public speaking skills, organizing and planning presentations, using effective verbal and nonverbal delivery, managing public speaking anxiety, and implementing best practices for creating and using visual aids.

Participants will have an opportunity to practice these skills and receive feedback on their presentation styles and designs from the presenter, Dr. Rose Helens-Hart, assistant professor of applied business studies at Fort Hays State University.

Each person who completes the workshop will receive a completion certificate. The cost is $119. Registrations received prior to March 24 are appreciated. Hays Area Chamber of Commerce members are eligible for a 15-percent discount.

Registration is available online at https://www.fhsu.edu/cob/mdc/Effective-Presentation-Skills(1)/. To learn more about this workshop or receive discount codes, contact Conni Dreher by phone at (785) 628-4121 or by email at [email protected].

By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post

With the string of wildfires that plagued the state of Kansas in early March that burned 650,000 acres across the state, ABATE of Kansas District 6 is putting on a Poker Run, Sunday, April 9, to help support wildfire victims in several counties in northwest Kansas.

ABATE of Kansas District 6 serves Trego, Ellis, Russell, Rush, Barton and Ness counties — all of which were affected by the string of wildfires.

Russell County had 1,600 acres burned, Ellis County had 6,000 acres burned, and homes were lost in Ness County. To help with the relief of the fires, Barton County exhausted 40,000 gallons of water and Trego County provided manpower and resources.

ABATE is calling the event “Wildfire Fun Run,” and Rebecca Hardman, district representative, hopes the community will support the event.

Wildfire Fun Run will start in Ellis at the Ellis Golf Club, 1301 Spruce, and will end at the Horseshoe Bar and Grill, 1002 E. Eighth, Hays.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. in Ellis with a $10 donation with kickstands up at 11 a.m.

Half percent of the money raised will go to the cause, with 35 percent going to first, and the last 15 percent going to second.

All cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome. In the event of inclement weather, all cards may be drawn at final stop.

For more information on the event, visit ABATE’s Facebook page.

Submitted

Since 1988, hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in Walk MS events across the country raising critical funds and awareness for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This year, the cumulative fundraising is expected to surpass $1 billion.

“Walk MS is a joyous gathering with a wonderful ‘we’re in this together’ feeling,” said Cyndi Zagieboylo, President and CEO of the National MS Society. “Every participant, volunteer, donor and sponsor is helping to drive us toward this exciting $1 billion milestone. Together, we are accelerating progress in making life-changing breakthroughs so that each person with MS can live her or his best life.”

Hundreds of people are expected to raise more than $9,500 at Walk MS: Hays on April 22. Walk MS is an opportunity for people living with MS and those who care about them to connect, join together, and be inspired. In 2016 alone, nearly 300,000 people at more than 550 locations across the country walked to create a world free of MS, raising nearly $50 million.

Genentech, Novartis and Sanofi Genzyme are national sponsors of Walk MS.

WHEN: April 22, 2017 – Site opens at 9:30 a.m.; walk begins at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Fort Hays State University at Gross Memorial Coliseum – 600 Park St, Hays, KS 67601

PARTICIPATION/ VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION: Visit walkMS.org, call 855-372-1331 or email [email protected].  

WHY: Walk MS unites teams of families, friends, neighbors and co-workers to raise funds that drive groundbreaking MS research, provide life-changing services and guarantee a supportive community for those who need it most.

HASHTAGS: #walkMS and #WalkTogether

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are leading to better understanding and moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million worldwide.

ELLIS–Ellis Mayor Dave McDaniel was called on Monday to cast his vote in order to break a tie vote by city council members regarding a proposed new class addition to the Limited Contractors definition in a city ordinance.

The Ellis Trades Board had recommended adding a “Minor Construction” class to the Limited Contractors definition. Trades Board Chairman Dale Giebler told the council he hoped the modification would assure residents the contractors they hire have the skill set to perform the work for which they were hired.

Council members were split 3-3 on the vote. Mayor McDaniel voted in favor of the motion. It was approved on a 4-3 vote.

A second recommendation from the Trades Board was to increase fees for new contractor licenses to $75. The fees had not been increased in more than 15 years. Council members voted unanimously in favor of the fee hike.

Monday’s meeting started with a 15-minute executive session with Aaron White, director of the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development (ECC) and Sylvia Kinderknecht, Ellis’ representative on the Coalition. No action was taken.

Following the executive session, White updated the council about the ECC’s current projects and developments.

In other business, Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus announced the entire city of Ellis has been changed to Ward 1 for election purposes. She said voters will not notice any change, but the modification will reduce costs and time for election officials.

The complete March 20 meeting minutes are below.

DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
March 20, 2017

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, Dena Patee, and Bob Redger. 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
Mayor David McDaniel requested an Executive Session with Aaron White, Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Buck Driggs, Mark Karlin, Bernice Karlin, Nancy Wright, Dale Giebler, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Glen Keller, Sylvia Kinderknecht, and Aaron White.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 6, 2017, the Minutes from the Special Meeting on March 6, 2017, and Bills Ordinance #2017. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session to discuss confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties. A 15-minute executive session was proposed starting at 7:33 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to recess to executive session to discuss confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties with City Attorney Olavee Raub, Ellis County Coalition representative Aaron White, and City of Ellis representative for the Ellis County Coalition Sylvia Kinderknecht present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 7:48 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
SPECIAL ORDER
Economic Development: Committee
Aaron White, Ellis County Coalition, updated Council on the Coalition’s current projects and developments. The Ellis County Rehabilitation Program and the Workforce Development Program are fairly active and there seems to be quite a bit of general retail interest for the area.
Fire
Fire Chief Dustin Vine was unable to attend as he was attending a grass fire call south of town.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water: Special Project
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, reviewed the various change orders related to the 2016 Waterline Improvement Project. The project incurred $54,953.10 in change orders to purchase additional valves, relocate several hydrants and meters, and install additional service lines. The total project, including change orders, was completed below the engineer’s estimate of costs. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the Change Order Justification Report for the 2016 Waterline Improvement Project. The motion carried 6-0.
Street: Special Project
Mr. Driggs continued by presenting the contract documents for the 2017 Street Improvement Project. Vogts-Parga Construction was awarded the contract and may start construction as early as next week. A pre-construction meeting will be held March 22nd at 2:00 p.m. Door hangars with contact information for the contractor, Driggs Design Group, and the City will be distributed to affected residents. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to authorize Mayor David McDaniel to sign the Street Improvement Project contract documents. The motion carried 6-0.
Water: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reviewed a City map with the proposed locations for additional waterline replacement. Mr. Scheuerman suggests the City apply for matching Community Development Block Grant funds to facilitate the project. Council member Bob Redger questioned the replacement of the waterline on 15th Street from Washington to Monroe. Mr. Scheuerman will research the condition and age of that line and report back at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Fire: License/Permit
Council considered a Fireworks Permit Application for the Ellis Softball/Baseball Association. Council member Bob Redger questioned if the City could prohibit certain types of aerial fireworks. The Council was hesitant to approve the application this early due to the current drought conditions and recent wildfires. The County recently enacted a burn ban as well. It was the consensus of the Council to revisit the application at the May 1st Council meeting, but to offer priority to this application over any others filed later.
General Government: Licenses/Permit
Council discussed the recommendation from the Trades Board to add a “Minor Construction” class to the Limited Contractors definition. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and Trades Board Chair Dale Giebler explained how the proposed modification would affect current and future licensed contractors with the City. Mr. Giebler hopes the modification will give residents peace of mind that the contractors they hire have the skill set to perform the work they were hired for. Council member Bob Redger moved to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to modify the existing ordinance for the recommendation from the Trades Board adding the “Minor Construction” classification. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for the vote, Council members Bret Andries, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger voted in favor of the motion, and Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton and Dena Patee voted opposed. Mayor David McDaniel voted in favor of the motion, therefore the motion carried 4-3.
General Government: Fees
Council then considered the Trades Board’s recommendation to increase the fees for new contractor licenses to $75. Renewals of current licenses would remain at $50. Both licenses are for a 2-year period. The license fees have not increased for over fifteen years and the fees charged are considerably less than surrounding areas. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to modify the existing contractor licensing ordinances to reference the licensing fees to the Fee Schedule as set by resolution, and to modify the Tree Trimmer License to a biennial renewal. The motion carried 6-0.
Street: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman proposed a small street seal project for 2017. The areas proposed would be the dirt and sand streets that the Department spread millings on a few months ago. The seal would cost approximately $14,000 with Ellis County assisting the Department with labor and equipment. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner stated the streets should be left as is, as the roads were already improved by adding the millings. It was the consensus of the Council to revisit the project later in the summer to determine funding available after the completion of the Street Improvement Project.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Mr. Scheuerman reviewed a report illustrating the gallons per minute for each of the City’s water wells and the current well depths.
Swimming Pool: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman reported that the municipal swimming pool has lost approximately 150,000 gallons of water over the winter. A representative from Natare, the company that sold the City the pool liner, was supposed to be in contact with Mr. Scheuerman to discuss the problematic leaks, but has not contacted him to date. The Council will await the Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 report to review the costs of the options available.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates provided an update from his Department. The Department has participated in Law Enforcement Trauma training, and the Department, along with the Ellis Fire Department, provided Stranger Danger and Ident-a-Kid programs for pre-school children.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented draft minutes from the February and March Tourism Committee meetings.
The wrap on the billboard at mile marker 211 has been replaced to reflect the correct exit.
The City has advanced to Round 4 of the League of Kansas Municipalities Hometown Showdown Photo contest. Voting for Round 4 will begin at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Ms. Burton updated Council on the status of legislative bills affecting local governments.
Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus announced that the entire City of Ellis has been changed to Ward 1 for election purposes. Voters will not notice any change, but the modification will reduce costs and time for the election officials.
The Courthouse Preservation Committee has announced the ribbon cutting and re-dedication of the building will be May 12th at 10:00 a.m.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub gave an update on outstanding code violation cases. The properties on Washington will go to trial April 7th. The 10th Street property complaint has been remediated. A complaint has been filed for 600 Jefferson and Ms. Raub offered options for the City regarding the property on Fauteux.
Street: Repair/Maintenance
Ms. Raub updated Council on the drainage issue at 21st Street and Walnut. She has spoken to the landowner of the property to the east of 2013 Walnut. The landowner also has property to the south of the area. The landowner is willing to modify the terracing of the field to help divert the drainage another direction. This may not completely alleviate the issue but should help with the drainage occurring from an average rainfall.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel reported approximately fifteen individuals attended the Town Hall Meeting with Senator Rick Billinger, and Representatives Ken Rahjes and Eber Phelps.
The League will hold a Management Training Institute on public finance on March 30th in Russell.
The new concrete parking lot at Love’s Travel Stops has increased the amount of water draining onto the D&B Body Shop property. Council member Bob Redger questioned if the City could widen the draw to accommodate the increased water. The draw belongs to the State so Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman offered to contact the State to see if they would be willing to work with the property owner.
The Tourism Committee has two vacancies since Holly Aschenbrenner and Josh Eaton have stepped down. Mayor David McDaniel requested Council members bring him names of individuals to contact to see if they would be willing to serve.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

Today A slight chance of drizzle before noon. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Very windy, with a south wind 16 to 21 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Tonight A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 7pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Windy, with a south southeast wind 24 to 29 mph decreasing to 18 to 23 mph after midnight.

Friday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 64. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 15 to 20 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon.

Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Windy, with a north northwest wind 20 to 25 mph.

SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 62.

Saturday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 38.

SundayA 50 percent chance of showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.