RENO COUNTY – Law enforcement and fire investigators say they have determined the cause of The Highlands fire in Reno County is suspicious in nature.
In a media release Friday, officials confirmed the fire was 95 percent contained. Two people were in the the fire that burned approximately 5585 acres. All evacuations have been lifted. The residents were allowed back into the area after 3 p.m. on Thursday and the area was reopened at 6:00 p.m. to the public
Per the local disaster declaration, open burning is not allowed in the area.
Officials also reminded residents that had a question about their insurance coverage or were having an issue with their insurance company can contact the Consumer Assistance Hotline is 1-800-432-2484 or you can visit www.ksinsurance.org.
Flames from the fire can be seen looking west to Fairport Tuesday evening. (Photo courtesy Bill Ring)
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
The final figures are in for the damage done during this week’s two-day wildfire in Ellis and Russell counties. They’re higher than originally estimated.
Following a meeting this morning, Ellis Co. Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers said 6,000 acres of grassland burned in northeast Ellis County and 1,600 acres burned in western Russell County. The total is 7,600 acres.
“The fire was 100 percent contained Wednesday afternoon. No structures were lost,” Myers said. “We did get reports of 6 cattle killed and another 11 injured, some of which may have to be euthanized.”
The information will be reported to the state.
The fire started about 3 p.m. Tuesday near Codell Road in Ellis County between Catharine and the Saline River, just five miles from the Russell County line. High gusty winds pushed the fire east through rough terrain and into western Russell County, south of Fairport. Residents of the small town were advised to evacuate their homes.
Late Tuesday evening, Ellis Co. Commission Chairwoman issued a local disaster proclamation for the county.
“That opens up options for me as Emergency Director in being able to pull in additional resources which are outside of my budget authority,” Myers explained. There is a limit, though. “No Black Hawk helicopters which cost about $5,000 to $6,000 an hour,” he added.
Rooks County did utilize helicopters this week to scoop up water from Webster Lake in fighting a large wildfire west of Stockton.
What may be of the most help following the disaster declaration is qualifying for state grants. Myers said his office has applied for two grants which would benefit Ellis County and possibly land owners. Certain criteria have to be met including whether homes were evacuated.
“This appears to be an accidental fire. A disconnect failed on a lightning arrester at an oil lease site. The disconnect shorted out, started to spark and started nearby grass on fire,” Myers said earlier.
Russell county commissioners declared a ban burn Friday morning which will stay in place until it is repealed.
A proposed burn ban is on the Mon., March 13 meeting agenda for Ellis county commissioners.
According to Myers, several area counties including Rooks, Trego, Ness and Graham counties have already issued burn bans or are in the process of doing so.
Reports that Gov. Sam Brownback may soon be leaving the state to take a United Nations post have lawmakers and others at the Statehouse talking about how things might change with Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer in charge.
Like Brownback, Colyer is a socially conservative Republican who has championed efforts to restrict abortion and rein in government spending. He also led the Brownback administration’s controversial initiative to privatize the state’s Medicaid program and fought efforts to expand eligibility for the program.
Still, the 56-year-old plastic surgeon from Overland Park remains somewhat of a blank political canvas.
That has many lawmakers and lobbyists asking: Who is Jeff Colyer?
“That’s really the big question,” said House Minority Leader Jim Ward, a Wichita Democrat. “He served in the House for two years and didn’t leave much of a footprint. He wasn’t in the Senate long enough to leave a footprint, and he’s been kind of a backroom guy for Governor Brownback.”
Colyer won a seat in the Kansas House in 2006. He moved to the Senate in 2008 but served only two years there before Brownback selected him as his running mate for the 2010 campaign.
‘Will it happen to me?’
Both Brownback and Colyer declined comment on a possible hand off when questioned by reporters Thursday after a public event at the Statehouse. A grinning Colyer joked that he remained focused on becoming “the longest serving lieutenant governor,” in state history, a milestone he would reach this summer.
“So, I’m just doing my job,” he said. “I’m just focusing on my job.”
However, in what could either have been a slip of the tongue or an intentional signal about what was to come, Colyer twice referred to himself as governor during a Feb. 9 speech to Republicans gathered to nominate a candidate in the 4th Congressional District.
During the speech he said the Trump administration had invited him and “other governors” to Washington, D.C., to discuss state policy priorities. A few minutes later, in another reference to the meeting, Colyer recalled “sitting there with a half a dozen other governors” and talking about the privatized Medicaid program that he had helped to implement in Kansas.
A noticeable change in Colyer’s schedule and interaction with lawmakers also signaled to many that a change could be in the offing. In a December article in the Wichita Eagle, Colyer acknowledged the possibility that Brownback could leave.
“When you sign up for this job, you’ve signed up for that situation,” Colyer said. “It’s happened before and it’ll happen again in the future. Will it happen to me? I’m going to do my job now.”
Prior to jumping into politics, Colyer was perhaps best known for the humanitarian work he did with the International Medical Corps. He was featured on “60 Minutes” in 2002 for traveling to Sierra Leone to surgically remove scars from children forced to fight in that country’s civil war. Rebels abducted the children and burned brands into their skin so that they could be returned to the fighting if they ran away.
Interviewed by Christiane Amanpour, Colyer said his desire to “make a difference” motivated him to do volunteer work for IMC around the globe.
“They (the children) look at you and you can see it in their eyes,” he told Amanpour. “They’re reliving those items in their eyes, and it’s a very sad thing. God knows what they’ve been through.”
An opportunity for healing?
Colyer’s humanitarian work is a reflection of his commitment to service, said former Rep. Steve Brunk, a social conservative who now lobbies for the Family Policy Alliance.
“He’s a highly intelligent, dedicated, generous man,” said Brunk, who sat next to Colyer on the House floor during the two years they served together.
While the lieutenant governor is loyal to Brownback and shares many of his conservative views, Brunk said Colyer might attempt to “hit the reset button” with the Legislature if he becomes governor.
“There is some estrangement in the relationship now, so this may be an opportunity for some good healing and to move forward in a productive way,” Brunk said.
The tensions between Brownback and lawmakers stem from a budget crisis that many believe was triggered by income and business tax cuts that the governor pushed through the Legislature in 2012 when conservatives controlled both houses.
That is not the case anymore. Moderate Republicans and Democrats ousted many of the governor’s conservative allies in the 2016 election by promising to fix the budget problems that have forced cuts in spending on higher education, social programs and highway projects.
Relations reached a flashpoint recently when Brownback vetoed a bill that rolled back many of his signature tax cuts. The House quickly voted to override the governor’s veto, but the Senate fell three votes short. However, most observers believe the votes needed to override in the Senate are within reach.
Brownback has been “the biggest obstacle” to making progress on a budget solution, Ward said.
“Hopefully the lieutenant governor won’t be so wedded to these policies,” Ward said.
House Majority Leader Don Hineman, a moderate Republican from Dighton, is also among those who think Colyer might be more open to compromise.
“The present governor is probably more personally invested in one particular view of how to solve the problem,” Hineman said. “Possibly, Lieutenant Governor Colyer would be more amenable to other options. But that’s speculation.”
The timing of any change also is in question. If President Donald Trump nominates Brownback to be ambassador to the United Nations agencies for food and agriculture, the U.S. Senate would have to confirm him. That, Hineman said, could take weeks or months.
But if things move more quickly, Hineman said he believes Colyer would be ready to take the reins of state government.
“He has been meeting on a regular basis with Senate Majority Leader (Jim) Denning and myself,” Hineman said. “So, we’ve established a relationship. And if it turns out this way, I look forward to working with him.”
Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of kcur.org, Kansas Public Radio and KMUW covering health, education and politics in Kansas. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks.
Hays, Kansas – Elmer E. Pfeifer, age 70, died Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Via Christi Village Hays, Kansas. He was born June 12, 1946, in Fremont, Nebraska to Leo Joseph and Catherine (Lattigan) Pfeifer.
He was a janitor at Fort Hays State University for 28 years and retired in 2011. He was a veteran of the US Air Force, attended the Fort Hays Campus Center, Hays, Kansas and a member of the Sunflower Polka Club. He grew up in Aurora and Concordia, Kansas and was a 1965 graduate of Notre Dame High School Concordia, Kansas.
Survivors include three brothers, Vernon Pfeifer, Garden City, KS; Leonard Pfeifer, Merriam, KS; Alfie Pfeifer and wife, Karen, Mesquite, TX; two sisters, Verna Lee Musselman and husband, Leon, Clay Center, KS; Trish Ardissone, Wichita, KS; two step sisters, Dorothy Hayes, Lynchburg, Virginia; Blanche Stanley, Raytown, MO; two step sister-in-law, Joan Colman, Dodge City, KS; Fern Coleman, independence, MO; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his step mother, Ruth Dye-Coleman; one sister-in-law, Liz Pfeifer; three step brothers, Leonard Dye, Henry Coleman, Donald K. Coleman; three step sisters, Aileen Stanley, Velma Jackson, Helen Mumma.
Services are 10:00 A.M. Monday, March 13, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church Hays, Kansas.
Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas with military honors by the Hays V.F.W. Post No. 9076.
Vigil service is at 7:30 P.M. Sunday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Visitation is from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. Sunday and from 9:00 to 9:45 A.M. Monday at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.
Memorial to Fort Hays Sate University Nursing Department in care of the mortuary. Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via e-mail to [email protected].
Emporia, Kansas- Harold M. Windholz, age 68, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at the Pinnacle Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Salina, Kansas.
He was born February 2, 1949, in Hays, Kansas to Louis and Henrietta (Hoffman) Windholz. He married Paula (Estabrooks) in 1979. To this marriage brought their daughter, Leona and they had their son, TJ.
He owned and operated H & T Trucking Company in Emporia for over 35 years. He was an avid Jay Hawk fan. Before his illness he enjoyed camping, boating, his grandkids and being with his family and friends. For those who have a family member suffering from Alzheimer’s Dementia we extend our hopes and prayers.
Survivors include his wife, Paula Windholz, of the home; one son, TJ Windholz, Emporia, Ks; one daughter, Leona Hernandez and husband, Robert, Kansas City, MO; his mother, Henrietta Windholz, Hays, KS; his twin brother, Gerald Windholz and wife, Mardi, Thornton, CO; two sisters, Carol Conway and Dick Pietro, Scottsdale AZ; Lisa Haffner and husband, Chuck, Wichita, KS; one sister-in-law, Vicky Phillips, Salina, KS; four grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and several nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father and one great granddaughter.
Services are at 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 20, 2017, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, 2901 East 13th Street Hays, Kansas. A private family inurnment will be at a later date.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. Monday, at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church with a rosary at 10:30 A.M. Monday.
Memorial to the Alzheimer’s Association of Central and Western Kansas in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601. Condolences can be left by
guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via e-mail to [email protected]
ELLIS–The Ellis city swimming pool is showing its age.
Leadership students at Fort Hays State University are working with city officials to come up with options for the aging municipal pool and the continuing structural leak.
At the March 6 city council meeting, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported approximately 70 percent of the city’s waterlines are antiquated and should be replaced. Scheuerman recommends the city consider another waterline project. The council directed Scheuerman to draft a priority list of waterlines in most need of replacement and estimated project costs.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes
March 6, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, 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. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Katelyn Neer, Glen Keller, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Gary Luea, and Charlene Weber.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on February 20, 2017 and Bills Ordinance #2016. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Swimming Pool: Special Project
Katelyn Neer, representing the Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 Team, explained the Team’s semester project of exploring and researching options for the City’s aging municipal pool and the continuing structural leak. The four areas they are researching include (1) a complete reconstruction of the pool; (2) tearing out the existing pool liner to repair the structural cracks, and then replacing with a new pool liner; (3) replacing the pool with splash pads; and (4) completely shutting down the facility.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Council entered into a lengthy discussion regarding a resident’s request to spread millings on the private drive often referred to as West 14th Street. City Attorney Olavee Raub stated she could not find where the City would be prohibited from competing with private contractors; however, she cautioned Council on setting precedent for others making similar requests. City Clerk Amy Burton reported that prior to the meeting she requested input from other cities on how they handle requests for labor and equipment assistance. All but one city responded they charge the residents for any work performed, and the one other city refuses to compete with private contractors, and simply declines the requests. Ms. Burton also received guidance from League of Kansas Municipalities Staff Attorney Eric Smith who cautioned the City about setting precedent as well, and reminded the City of the Public Purpose Doctrine which states that public dollars should not be spent for private purposes. Since the roadway in question is not platted as a street, the City could be in violation of the Public Purpose Doctrine if the City performs the work free of charge. Council member Dena Patee feels the City should help the five residents that live off of the private drive and added that the driveway is treated as a street and even has a street sign. However, it was noted that the only reason a street sign was placed at the entrance to the drive was due to the U.S. Post Office requiring it for mail delivery. Ms. Patee then questioned the City laying millings on private driveways on Cottonwood Street. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman responded that the sanitation truck damaged the driveways in those instances and asphalt, not millings, was used to repair what the City damaged. Mr. Scheuerman has since instructed the sanitation truck drivers to no longer enter those properties; the residents must bring their poly carts to the edge of the street. Council member Jolene Niernberger agreed that if the City damaged the property, then the City should fix what it damaged; and concurred with Mr. Scheuerman that perhaps the residents on West 14th should bring their trash poly carts to Dorrance Street to avoid damage to the drive. Ms. Niernberger added that she is concerned about setting precedent for other residents to request the City to repair their private property. Council member Bob Redger questioned why the residents don’t have the contractor who is delivering the millings, just spread them as well. He added that if the City is to spread the millings, then the residents should pay the City to do the work. City Attorney Olavee Raub stated if the City wants to be responsible for maintenance of the drive, then the City should make the drive a platted street. That process would include legal costs, acquiring right-of-ways, and then the costs to add curb and guttering and street material. Those costs could then be charged evenly to the residents through special assessments. Council member Susan Eaton feels the residents should be given the option on if they would like the private drive to be platted as a street, knowing there will be costs involved. Council member Dena Patee moved to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to send a letter to the affected residents on West 14th to gauge their interest in making the private drive a platted street. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Ms. Raub reported that she and Mr. Scheuerman met with the property owner at 2013 Walnut St. regarding the ongoing drainage issue in his area. One solution that might offer some relief would be to add a grassy ditch to the east of his property. That would require the City to acquire right-of-ways in order to build the ditch. This option would likely not alleviate the problem completely due to the elevation of the owner’s house in regards to the property to the east. Council inquired on who would be responsible for the costs to build the ditch. Ms. Raub explained that normally the developer and/or the property owner would be responsible to ensure adequate drainage; however, the City’s infrastructure policy would allow the City to contribute up to 30% of the costs. Another issue with building the ditch is that the water still has to be directed somewhere, as there is no storm drain in the area. Having the water directed to the east or the north could hinder future development. Ms. Raub stressed building the ditch would only be a band-aid, and that installing a storm drain would be the only real solution to alleviating the drainage issue on South Walnut Street. Mr. Scheuerman added that the house should have been built approximately 16” higher than it was to ensure proper drainage. Council member Bob Redger asked if the City could cite the developer for not adhering to the standards. Ms. Raub noted the property owner is currently talking with the developer on the issue. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to authorize City Attorney Olavee Raub to explore acquiring the necessary easements and right-of-ways to build the ditch on the east side of the property. The motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Special Machinery: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for a generator that would power City Hall and the Fire Station in the case of a power outage. One of the bids is for a generator powered by natural gas, while the other bid is for a diesel powered generator. The City would need to provide the concrete foundation for the stand. Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the low bid from Don’s Electric & Rewind for a Kohler 38kw natural gas generator at a cost of $21,000, with $2,500 to come from the Special Highway fund and $18,500 to come from the Special Machinery fund. Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Personnel: Policy
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested Council consideration in compensating staff members that respond to the water and wastewater SCADA system alarm calls through their phone instead of physically visiting the plant. Most alarm calls can be handled in 5-15 minutes. Council member Bret Andries moved to revise the Personnel Policy to provide for one-half hour minimum compensation, per occurrence, for those employees that respond to SCADA alarm calls through their phone. All calls will be verified by the Public Works Director and noted on their timecard in order to receive compensation. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman discussed his memo to Council members alerting them of grant opportunities to facilitate needed infrastructure improvements. He would like Council to discuss possible projects now, as the grant process is quite lengthy. The City has the ability to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds for the next several years. With CDBG funds, however, the City must be able to provide matching funds. Those grant applications are due in the fall. Mr. Scheuerman recommends Council consider another waterline project, in that approximately 70% of the City’s waterlines are antiquated and should be replaced. Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to draft a priority list of which waterlines are in most need of replacement and estimated project costs.
Wastewater: Financial
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the formal documents to delay the first payment of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment revolving loan. Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the First Amendment to the Loan Agreement delaying the first payment date to March 1, 2018, and authorizing the Mayor to sign the corresponding documents. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman discussed the need to replace an 8” valve on 15th Street by the water tower. This particular valve stops water from entering or exiting the tower. An insta-valve will cost $5,800-$6,800, and a team valve will run upwards to $8,800. A team valve allows the Department to cut out a section of pipe to make the repairs, while an insta-valve is all one piece, the pipe cannot be removed. Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Susan Eaton seconded a motion to purchase a team valve at a cost of $8,800 with funds to come from the Water Depreciation Reserve fund. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Mr. Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period January 10th – February 10th.
Council then discussed an email received by Mr. Scheuerman from a citizen expressing concerns over a variety of issues. One item noted was the mowing of the area by the Police shooting range. In the past, the County has mowed the area along the ditches and also sprayed for the noxious weeds. The City does not normally perform that type of maintenance, unless the County asks for additional assistance. Council requested Mr. Scheuerman get a quote from the County for spraying the nuisance broadleaf weeds. Council also asked for Mr. Scheuerman to get a quote to crush the concrete currently at the concrete pile at the corner of Old 40 Highway and Cedar Lane. Normally, the contractor prefers to have 5,000 yards of concrete before traveling to Ellis to crush the concrete. Mr. Scheuerman estimates the City has approximately one-half that amount. The City uses the crushed concrete for alleys and other minor street repairs. Council also inquired if the City could then move the concrete pile to the area by the burn pile. Mr. Scheuerman reported the construction of the permanent sludge site at the Wastewater Treatment Plant has been started. The project is expected to be completed around mid-June. Once completed, the sludge at the temporary site at Old 40 Highway and Cedar Lane will be hauled off and the temporary site will no longer be used. Regarding the citizen’s concerns about the posts and tires at the Police shooting range, Chief Yates explained the Department has lost all volunteers to work on the tire house. He plans to tear down the posts and tires and use the materials to reinforce and increase the height of the shooting range walls.
Mr. Scheuerman then shared with Council the report received from KDHE regarding the 3-year audit on the City’s water system. There were no major deficiencies noted and the City complied with the public notices regarding the TTHM levels found in the water supply. KDHE praised the citizens of Ellis for their water conservation practices, even when the water restrictions were lifted.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reviewed the Monthly Activity Report for February. The number of incidents decreased, but the severity of the incidents increased. Chief Yates also presented the March Staff Calendar. Sergeant McCollam is currently attending training with the Kansas Narcotics Officers Association. Chief Yates will present a scam awareness seminar to the public on March 9th at Ellis High school.
Chief Yates then stated he has heard there was a Council member questioning how the Department is handling certain cases. He urged Council members to contact the Department if they have proof of incidents occurring; but, to also realize that the Department cannot violate people’s rights in investigating alleged incidents.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reminded Council members to RSVP if they are interested in attending the Ellis County Conservation District’s Local Working Group meeting on March 8th.
The Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals draft minutes from February 27th were reviewed.
Ellis has made it past Round 1 of the Kansas Hometown Showdown photo contest. Round 2 has Ellis competing against the City of Lawrence. Ms. Burton urged everyone to get on the League of Kansas Municipalities Facebook page and “like” the City’s photo.
The legislative hearing on the tax lid protest petition has been postponed until Thursday, March 16th. If passed, the legislation would remove the automatic election requirement and shift to an election only if a valid protest petition was filed.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub gave an update on pending code violation cases. The violations cited on the property on 10th Street have been addressed; therefore, that case has been dismissed. A complaint has been filed on 1309 Fauteux but Ms. Raub has tried for months to locate the owner, without success. The structural defects cited at 822 Washington and 1024 Washington will go to trial on April 7th. Ms. Raub noted that despite allegations of individuals living at 822 Washington, which is zoned as commercial property, three different agencies have been inside the location in recent weeks, and all three agencies found no evidence of individuals taking up residence at that location.
Ms. Raub reviewed her official statement regarding the issue of incompatibility of office and the Attorney’s General’s opinion. The Attorney General actually declined to issue an opinion because there was no evidence that the organizations involved constituted a public office, therefore, no incompatibility can exist, due to the common law doctrine.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel noted that the 2016 Annual Report for the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Program was included in the packets for review.
Mayor McDaniel urged Council members to attend the Town Hall meeting in Council Chambers on March 11th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The Citizen Complaint Review Board met and discussed seven different complaints. Status letters will be sent to the complainants.
Mayor McDaniel noted that three of the Ellis City volunteer firefighters travelled to Ransom to assist with the wild fires.
The first Lenten Breakfast will be held at the Methodist Church on March 8th at 6:45 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:54 p.m.
A recent picture of Brian provided to Wichita Police by his family.
SEDGWICK COUNTY – Wichita police department officials on Friday provided an update in the recovery process of injured officer Brian Arterburn.
He is improving each day, according to a social media report. “Brian, his family, and the Wichita Police Department appreciates the community support and prayers during this tough time.
He will be going to rehab soon.
Arterburn, a 25-year-veteran of the police force suffered injuries to his chest, abdomen and brain, after he was run over by a suspect in a stolen SUV in early February.
Police encouraged everyone to continue to keep Brian and his family in your thoughts and prayers for continual improvement.
Ellis City and Ellis County governing bodies meet in a joint session in Ellis March 6
ELLIS–Members of the Ellis City Council and the Ellis County Commission held a joint special meeting Monday in Ellis.
The governing bodies discussed areas of mutual interest including roads and bridges, water issues, and EMS, Rural Fire, and Sheriff services.
There are 1,400 miles of county road and 201 bridges.
Ellis Co. Public Works Director Bill Ring said his department is finishing up repairs to the Baughman Street bridge in Ellis, using steel beams rather than wood. Repairs to the 10th Street bridge are forthcoming.
Darin Myers, Ellis Co. Fire Chief and Emergency Manager, reported the department is currently drafting an Operating Procedures manual to have consistent procedures in place with Ellis and Victoria for mutual aid calls. The County Emergency Operating Plan is also being updated. That plan is required to be completed by mid-2018.
The full meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Minutes March 6, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the special meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, Dena Patee, and Bob Redger. Also present were City Clerk Amy Burton, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC PRESENT
Phil Smith-Hanes, Jonathan Zweygardt, Darin Myers, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Dean Haselhorst, Kaley Conner, Bill Ring, Kerry McCue, Barbara Wasinger, Glen Keller, Gary Luea, Asher White, Marcy McClelland and Donna Maskus.
PURPOSE OF SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor David McDaniel stated the purpose of the special meeting is to meet with Ellis County officials to discuss County assistance with roads and bridges, cooperation with the County on water issues, and collaboration with the County for EMS, Rural Fire, and Sheriff services.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Ellis County Director of Public Works Bill Ring reported the 1,400 miles of county roads have taken a beating with the dry weather conditions. The Department is finishing up repairs to the Baughman Street bridge in Ellis. The County has repaired the bridge with steel beams rather than wood. The engineer’s estimate to repair the bridge was approximately $62,000 for a contractor to perform the work, and approximately $28,000 for the County to perform the repairs. Insurance proceeds of $13,000 have offset a portion of the costs. The Council inquired about repairs to the 10th Street bridge. Mr. Ring explained that he can’t give a timeline for repairs to that bridge. There are 201 bridges in the County, and Ellis only has one of those bridges. Twenty-five bridges in that total have exceeded their life expectancy and are in need of attention. City Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman praised the County for maintaining a great working relationship with the City and thanked them for their annual assistance with the City’s street maintenance projects.
Water: Special Project
County Administrator Phil Smith-Hanes noted the County does not provide water utilities to any residents. Both the County and the City of Ellis have written a letter of support for the City of Hays and their R9 Ranch Project. That project has been delayed at the State level due to its unprecedented nature. County Commissioner Barbara Wasinger added that even though the R9 Ranch is a City of Hays project; they are hoping for the project to provide a water source for the region.
Fire
Ellis County Fire Chief and Emergency Manager Darin Myers reported that fire crews have been sent out to neighboring counties to combat the wildfires. Chief Myers had to turn down several requests for mutual aid to some communities to ensure adequate firefighters remained available in Ellis County. The Commissioners will consider a burn ban for the County at the next Commission meeting. The Department is currently drafting an Operating Procedures manual to have consistent procedures in place with Ellis and Victoria for mutual aid calls. The County Emergency Operating Plan is also being updated. That plan is required to be completed by mid-2018. Chief Myers then discussed the new communication system purchased for dispatch services. The system should be up and running by mid to late April.
Ambulance
Director of Emergency Management Services and Health Administrator Kerry McCue explained how the crews stationed in Ellis and Victoria may get relocated closer to the center of the County for a period of time when other ambulances get called out. The Ellis crew is usually the last to move due to distance. The average response time for EMS callouts is 4.3 minutes. The big news at the Health Department is mumps. The Department has seen ten suspected cases with one positive case. Mr. McCue reminded everyone to practice good hygiene and to stay current on vaccinations. The current Health Department location on Main Street in Hays may be relocated closer to the EMS station on 22nd Street. Currently, Mr. McCue has offices in both locations.
Sheriff
In Sheriff Ed Harbin’s absence, Detective Chuck White reported the Department continues to assist other communities as they can. He commented on the good working relationship with Police Chief Taft Yates and the other officers. In return, Chief Yates thanked Detective White for their assistance on cases and for covering Ellis as needed.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
With the majority of grassfires now under control across the state, response teams and assets that deployed to assist local authorities are being demobilized.
According to a media release, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management reduced staffing in the State Emergency Operations Center to a partial activation level at 7 p.m. Thursday night. It will remain staffed at this level until further notice.
Governor Sam Brownback Thursday signed Executive Order 17-01 to assist fire relief efforts throughout the state. The executive order facilitates the immediate delivery of large quantities of hay, feed, fencing materials, and other relief supplies by waiving certain motor carrier regulations.
The Kansas Livestock Association is working with private donors to provide hay for cattle in counties that suffered extensive loss of grazing lands and baled hay. Anyone wishing to donate to these efforts should contact KLA. Information is available on the KLA website
Fire crews continue to work active fires in Clark County (70 percent contained), Comanche (90 percent contained), Ellis (98 percent contained), Reno (95 percent contained), and Rooks (97 percent contained). Fire crews will continue to monitor all fires for hot spots and flare-ups. According to figures from local county officials across the state, the estimated total number of acres burned now stands at approximately 711,950acres.
KDEM officials are reminding Kansans the potential for grassfire still exists in many areas of the state due to dry weather conditions. Although there is no statewide burn ban, residents are urged to contact their local emergency management or sheriff’s office to find out if a burn ban exists in their area. The best practice under current conditions is to refrain from burning anything outdoors.
The Kansas National Guard has two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with collapsible 660-gallon water buckets assisting ground fire crews in suppressing fires in Clark County. Two CH-47 Army Reserve Chinook helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft from the U.S. Forestry Service have also been conducting water drop operations. Since these missions began, the aircraft have dropped approximately 263,410 gallons of water.
The Chinook helicopters and the fixed-wing aircraft will demobilize today. Two Black Hawks will remain in Clark County to assist ground crews.
KDEM advises anyone wishing to contribute to ongoing disaster relief efforts to donate cash to disaster relief organizations rather than donating goods. Officials recommends Kansans donating to reputable disaster relief organizations of their choice or local organizations within the affected communities.
Education: Gannon Case Supreme Court Decision
On Thursday, March 2, 2017, the Kansas Supreme Court gave its ruling on the Gannon VI Case. In its decision, the Court held that the Classroom Learning Assuring Student Success Act (CLASS) enacted in 2015 by the Legislature, does not meet the structured requirements in being constitutionally adequate. For K-12 education finance, the CLASS Act currently will expire on June 30th, 2017, and the Court prefaced that the Legislature must enact a new school financing system by that date.
The Court held that the State must demonstrate that such a financing system is “reasonably calculated to address the constitutional violations” of the adequacy requirement while also satisfying the equity requirement, which were addressed in a special session in 2016. Referring to Article 6, the Court stated that the Constitution of the State of Kansas stipulates the Legislature to “make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state.” This requirement contains both adequacy and equity components that must be satisfied for a constitutional school finance formula.
In Gannon v. State (Gannon I), the Kansas Supreme Court determined that the adequacy component is satisfied “when the public education financing system provided by the Legislature for grades K-12 is reasonably calculated to have all Kansas public education students meet or exceed the Rose standards, which are seven capacities of learning.
Special Joint Wildfire Committee
A Special Joint Committee of the House of Representatives and Senate was convened on Thursday, March 7th, 2017. The meeting, which heard testimony from members of the Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Department of Agriculture, and Kansas Emergency Management Administration, served as a valuable briefing for Committee members on the current state of counties affected by the wildfires currently plaguing the state. Kansas counties suffering considerable damage from fires are Ford, Rooks, Clark, Ness, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Russell, and Comanche.
It was also learned that roughly 646,950 acres had been burned thus far by the fires for a total cost of $1.2 million. If you want more information on this issue, you can call the Kansas Livestock Association at (785) 273-5715 or visit their website at KLA.org. The Department of Agriculture also has a link, agricutlture.ks.gov/wildfire.
House of Representatives in Action: Bills Pass the House
The House of Representatives passed five important bills dealing with various issues in the state during the week prior to last week’s recess. The first bill being House Bill 2158 which passed on Tuesday, February 22, 2017, revises the deadlines for the acceptance of advance voting ballots.
House Bill 2153 ensures that moneys received under statutory provisions for specific purposes are kept as separate funds from other governmental purposes and creates a notification system for moneys received by state fee funded agencies. Second was House Bill 2140, which authorizes the governor to enter the Great Plains Interstate Fire Compact which increases the state government’s capacity to respond to fires in the state. The fourth bill, House Bill 2076, was passed on Thursday, February 23, 2017. The bill creates the Seat Belt Safety Fund to educate children on the benefits of seat belts and increases the fine for adult seat belt violations from $10 to $30.
The last bill passed on Thursday, was House Bill 2148. The bill enables the creation of distinctive autism awareness and 4-H foundation license plates for vehicles. These bills passed out of the House and we will now see how they proceed through the legislative process in the Senate.
Contact Information
As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, visit www.troywaymaster.com or email me at [email protected]. Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse, please let my office know.
It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.
Troy L. Waymaster, (R-Bunker Hill) is the 109th Dist. State Representative and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Flames from the Fairport fire can be seen in the west Tuesday evening. (Photo courtesy Bill Ring)
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
RUSSELL–Russell County has declared a burn ban.
The county commissioners and county attorney met in a special session Friday morning to sign the proclamation. County Clerk Mary Nuss says the burn ban will remain in effect until it is repealed.
The ban was issued after a large wildfire that started in northeastern Ellis County Tuesday afternoon moved into western Russell County near Fairport. Residents of Fairport were advised to vacate their homes.
According to Russell/Ellsworth County Emergency Manager Keith Haberer, about 1,200 acres were burned in Russell County during the two-day fire.
Ellis County Commission Chairwoman Barbara Wasinger says about 5,000 acres of grassland burned in Ellis County. There is currently no burn ban in Ellis County.
The full proclamation is below.
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-3
NOW ON THIS 10th day of March, 2017, the Board of County Commissioners of Russell County, Kansas met in regular session with a quorum present.
WHEREAS, the grassland and croplands of Russell County, Kansas, form an important part of our economy, and provide for protection of watershed, forage for livestock, refuge for wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Wildfires endanger these resources, real and personal property, and the lives of residents and visitors in these areas. Extremely dry and windy weather conditions have created an extreme fire hazard in the grassland and cropland of Russell County, Kansas. Fires have been reported throughout the county and have caused substantial damage. Once started, these fires are difficult to control and strain volunteer fire department and manpower and resources. The fire danger is “extreme” in this county. The dry conditions and fire danger will continue unabated until sufficient rainfall occurs across the area.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY resolved, proclaimed, directed, and ordered by the Board of County Commissioners of Russell County, Kansas, pursuant to K.S.A. 48-932, that a state of local disaster emergency exists for the above reasons and that the following acts are prohibited within boundaries of this county by all citizens and visitors:
1) Careless use of smoking materials, including cigarettes, cigars and smoking pipes. The discarding of such objects shall be in a manner to preclude fire threat from smoldering remains.
2) Building, maintaining, attending or using any open fire. Exemptions are stoves, fireplaces, campfires, and propane or charcoal barbeque grills that are contained in an upright fully covered grill in developed recreational sites or residential areas.
3) Prescribed burning of all fence rows, fields, wild lands, ravines, trash and debris.
4) Outdoor use of all other fires including fireworks, for any reason.
A knowing and willful violation of this order shall constitute a class “A” misdemeanor according to K.S.A. 48-939, and any person convicted of such violation shall be punished as provided by law. Costs shall be incurred according to K.S.A. 19-101e. The Russell County Clerk shall immediately notify Russell County’s emergency management director, law enforcement officers, and fire officials of this order and shall also notify both print and radio representatives who normally cover Russell County.
This Proclamation shall be in full force and effect from and including March 10, 2017 until repealed by the Board of County Commissioners of Russell County, Kansas.
BE IT SO RESOLVED.
WITNESSS OUR HANDS BELOW SET FORTH THIS 10TH DAY OF MARCH, 2017.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF RUSSELL COUNTY, KANSAS
Hays, Kansas – Elmer E. Pfeifer, age 70, died Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Via Christi Village Hays, Kansas. He was born June 12, 1946, in Fremont, Nebraska to Leo Joseph and Catherine (Lattigan) Pfeifer.
