SALINE COUNTY- Fire officials are working to determine the cause of a weekend fire in a semi parked at a truck stop in Salina.
Just before 10p.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to reported of fire at the Phillips 66, 2140 West Crawford, according to Battalion Chief Derrick Herzog.
Another truck driver saw flames coming from a semi parked on the lot. He ran to alert a man sleeping in the back of the vehicle.
The semi was completely destroyed and flames scorched the side of another tractor-trailer parked nearby.
It is believed the fire started in the truck’s engine, according to Herzog.
The vehicle was not running at the time and the truck had been parked in the lot for about four hours.
The semi was completely destroyed and flames scorched the side of another tractor-trailer parked nearby. There were no injuries.
Name of the driver and additional detail on the fire were not available early Monday.
L-R – standing: Jack Gerstmann, Morgan Gertsmann, Jackson Bjornstad, Christian Wetter, Chase Mundell, Brady Hutchison, Dustin Braun, Wade Buck, Anthony Walters, Raile Blackburn, Justin Underwood, Josh Pounds, Davin Smith, Jose Vital, Aaron Elsasser, and Tanner Schwartz L-R kneeling: Randy Jordan-TEECA Sponsor, Danea Buschkoetter, Heather Clevland, Devin Thomas and Eric Deneault, TEECA Sponsor (Click to enlarge)
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
A team from Fort Hays State University won the national VEX Robotics Championship and was the overall top team at the 79th International Technology and Engineering Education Association annual conference recently in Dallas.
Five top-three finishes – first place in robotics plus three second-place and a third-place finish – put FHSU first overall among the 17 colleges and universities competing. Second, with four top-three finishes each, was Pittsburg State University and Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. The College of New Jersey, Ewing, and Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., were third with three top-three finishes.
“Hard work, dedication, determination, and persistence has paid off for a very deserving group of young men and women,” said Eric Deneault, assistant professor of applied technology and lead sponsor for FHSU’s student Technology and Engineering Education Association team.
Results from the five competitions in which FHSU finished in the top three:
Robotics: 1. Fort Hays State
2. Ohio Northern University, Ada
3. University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls
Problem Solving:
1. Brigham Young 2. Fort Hays State
3. Northern Iowa and Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, Mass.
Transportation: 1. Pittsburg State 2. Fort Hays State
3. Montana State University, Bozeman
Technology Challenge:
1. Brigham Young 2. Fort Hays State
3. Fitchburg
Live Manufacturing:
1. College of New Jersey
2. Pittsburg State 3. Fort Hays State
Fort Hays State competed in seven of the conference’s eight challenges, which included, in addition to the five above, competitions in Educational Display, Teaching Lesson and Communication Turn-in.
One student also brought home an individual award.
L-R: Eric Deneault- TEECA Sponsor, Aaron Elsasser, and Department Chair, Kim Stewart
Aaron Elsasser, McPherson (67460) senior, a 2013 McPherson High School graduate, was named the 2017 Maley Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award from the Foundation for Technology and Engineering Educators. The award recognizes outstanding performance and dedication to his work and to TEECA during his undergraduate career at FHSU.
Robotics:
The VEX Robotics Competition required the teams to play on a 12-foot-by-12-foot field. Two alliances – one “red’ and one “blue” – composed of two teams each, compete in each match. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing alliance by arranging stars and cubes in the zones and by hanging robots on a bar. A bonus is awarded to the alliance that has the most points at the end of the autonomous period.
Points are also awarded in the driver control mode. At the end of both rounds, the points are totaled and a winner advances. The FHSU team participated in 29 qualifying rounds, ultimately finishing with the No. 1 overall seed. In bracket play, FHSU “trounced” the competition all the way to the top, needing only two of three scheduled rounds to claim a national championship, said Deneault.
VEX Robotics Championship
The FHSU team had one of the most elaborate and interactive robots competing in the ITEEA National VEX Robotics Tournament and went on to defeat the defending national champions, said Deneault.
The team:
Davin Smith, Assaria (67416) junior, a 2014 Southeast of Saline High School graduate, captain; Devin Thomas, Russell (67665) junior, a 2014 Russell High School graduate, engineer, programmer and driver; Christian Wetter, Concordia (66901) junior, a 2014 Concordia High School graduate, engineer and mechanic; Jose Vital, Garden City (67846) senior, a 2013 Garden City High School graduate, machinist and document specialist.
Deneault said that the university’s Student Government Association deserves thanks for its support. “The SGA has afforded us the opportunity through equipment request funds to help build our robotics program from nothing into a nationally recognized program in just three years,” he said.
“This junior team continues advance and promote FHSU in the finest ways. I look for bigger and better things in the future from this experienced team,” said Deneault.
The team’s performance at nationals coupled with more than a hundred hours of build time earned it the opportunity to compete in the VEX Worlds competition in Louisville, Ky., said Deneault.
Problem Solving:
In the Problem Solving competition, the challenge requires students to build a model bicycle and motorcycle parking garage unit. The model was to go on display for the owner of AT&T stadium in Dallas, Texas, Jerry Jones, as a potential marketing item to encourage individuals to ride to the game instead of drive.
The TEECA team developed the structure of the model using the department laser engraver, 3D printer, vinyl cutter, CNC wood router and lathes.
The team:
Tanner Swartz, LaCrosse (67513) senior, a 2014 LaCrosse High School graduate, captain; Brady Hutchison, Hays (67601) sophomore, a 2015 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, engineer and developer; Danea Buschkoetter, Campbell, Neb., (68932) junior, a 2015 Blue Hill High School graduate, technician; Morgan Gerstmann, Lincoln (67455) senior, a 2013 Eudora High School graduate, document specialist; and Wetter, draftsman and technician.
Raile Blackburn during Transportation competition.
Transportation:
The Transportation competition challenge was to fly a quad copter from a docking station with straw prisms, match boxes, short straws, short dowel rods, and ping pong balls to a target zone and drop them. The greatest challenge was to design and engineer the mechanism for picking up and dropping the wide array of objects.
The team’s second-place finish matched last year’s finish.
The team:
Raile Blackburn, Superior, Neb., (68978) senior, a 2012 Superior High School graduate, captain; Joshua Pounds, Concordia (66901) senior, a 2013 Concordia High School graduate, flight specialist; Justin Underwood, Eudora (66025) junior, a 2014 Eudora High School graduate, engineer; and Chase Mundell, Walsh, Colo., (81090) junior, a 2014 Walsh High school graduate, designer.
Technology Challenge:
The Technology Challenge contest, usually a quiz-bowl format in a single-elimination process, tests knowledge about the core concepts of technology, the profession of technology education, and pedagogical concepts such as curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This year’s team qualified for the championship round, the first time an FHSU team has gone that far in 11 years. The Tiger team lost, by a single point, a tiebreaker match to Brigham Young University.
The team:
Wade Buck, Grinnell (67738) senior, a 2013 Wheatland High School graduate; Jack Gerstmann, Lincoln (67455) freshman, a 2016 Eudora High School graduate; Blackburn and Morgan Gerstmann.
Live Manufacturing
Live Manufacturing:
In the Live Manufacturing competition, the task was to design and develop a picture frame and set up a manufacturing run to produce a final product. Our Live Manufacturing product was arguably the best product in the room.
The team:
Heather Cleveland, Gypsum (67448) senior, a 2014 Southeast of Saline High School graduate, captain and documentation specialist; Anthony Walters, Hays (67601) senior, a 2013 Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate, drafting and design specialist; Dustin Braun, Clay Center (67432) senior, a 2013 Clay Center Community High School graduate; drafting and design specialist; Jackson Bjornstad, House Springs, Mo., (63051) senior, a 2012 Northwest High School graduate, jig specialist and inspector; Buck, design engineer; and Elsasser, design engineer.
Gerald E. Brown, passed away Friday, April 21, 2017, at Trego County Lempke Memorial Hospital. He was 82 years of age. Gerald was born September 10, 1934, in the town of Brownell, to Jesse and Amelia (Keil) Brown.
Upon graduation from Utica High School, Gerald worked for his dad on the farm until being drafted in the Army. After proudly serving our country, Gerald farmed in Trego County for the remaining years of his life. He loved farming, reading, hunting, nature and taking drives in the country.
Gerald will be dearly missed by friends and family. He is survived by his sister Janelda Harkness of Ness City; a number of nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Keith D. Brown and two sisters Jessie (Jean) Schoshke and Wilma J. Hopkins.
A private family service will be held at the Brownell Cemetery, with inurnment to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Trego Lempke Assisted Living. Checks made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Terrance (Terry) Lane Antenen, age 79, passed away April 23, 2017 at Via Christi Hospital, St. Francis Campus, Wichita, Kansas. He was born on September 19, 1937 in LaCrosse, Kansas the son of Durward and Velma (Reinhardt) Antenen of Bazine.
Terry was a rancher and cattleman. He was raised in the First Baptist Church of Bazine and later a member of the First Baptist Church of El Dorado.
He married Gayle Coppoc in Larned, Kansas on August 23, 1958.
He is survived by his wife, Gayle of the home; daughters, Kathy and her husband Terry Rebel of Great Bend, Lori Hildreth of El Dorado; son, Lane and his wife Cyndee of Angleton, TX; grandkids, Jeremy Antenen, Garrett and Rebecca Rebel, Ty and Melissa Rebel, Whitney (Hildreth) and Tom Carruthers, Lindsey Hildreth, and Cory and Sara Hildreth; great grandchildren Wes, Connor, and Adalynn Rebel, Jaxon and Knox Rebel, Eli and Emma Carruthers, and Emerson Hildreth; brother, Alan and LaDonna Antenen and sister, Dixie and Duane Stenzel.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Mickey Lee.
Family visitation at Fitzgerald Funeral Home,Ness City on Tuesday, April 25 from 6-8 p.m. Graveside funeral service at Crandall Cemetery, Bazine on Wed., April 26, 11:00 a.m.
Memorials to First Baptist Church, Bazine and Christ Pilot Me Hill, Bazine.
Ethel Jean Woofter, 92, Colby, died Sunday, March 19, 2017, at Holmes Lake Manor, Lincoln, NE. She was born June 18, 1924 in Junction City, KS to Joseph and Jesse (Ackard) Schonberner.
She married Duane Woofter on September 25th, 1941 and they celebrated their 75th anniversary last fall. They were proud to be residents of Colby most of their life until their move to Lincoln to be closer to family. She was a homemaker and enjoyed many activities over the years, including square dancing, playing bridge, preparing large family dinners and especially watching her children and grandchildren perform or compete in various activities. She rarely missed a wrestling match. Ethel Jean and Duane belonged to the same pinochle club for over fifty years. Her legacy was being the best mother, grandmother and great-grandmother possible.
Survivors include her husband Duane, now living in Lincoln, NE, son Dennis (Sheila) Woofter of New Market, MD, daughter Glenda (Jim) Bade of Lincoln, NE, son John (Dorothy) Woofter of Wichita, KS and son Wayne (Gera Lou) Woofter of Hays, KS. She was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Susan Woofter. Ethel Jean had twelve grandchildren and twenty three great grandchildren.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 29th at Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel, 745 S. Country Club Dr, Colby, KS 67701. Family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 the morning of the service. Burial will follow in Beulah Cemetery, Colby.
Memorials, in place of flowers, are suggested to the Thomas County Community Foundation for the benefit of the Colby High School Wrestling program, in care of the funeral home so they may be acknowledged.
Approximately 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside America’s borders. Markets in the United States will continue to evolve to meet domestic consumer demand, but the vast majority of the future growth in food and agriculture markets will be made through exports. And the best way to boost prices for American producers now and in the future is to export more of our agriculture products to these foreign markets.
Our country has begun to reevaluate its trade commitments and how we can put Americans first. For Kansas’ economy, America first means selling what we produce here around the globe. Keeping and creating jobs domestically is critical; but in agriculture, where American producers already have the advantage, protectionist trade policies make little economic sense.
Our farmers and ranchers produce the safest, highest-quality products in the world. Despite this advantage, we are in the midst of one of the worst economic downturns in farm country since the Great Depression with farm income down nearly 50 percent since 2013 and expected to continue its decline.
The 2016 harvest in Kansas and across much of the country produced record-breaking yields, but unfortunately, there are still large piles of wheat, corn and other grains sitting on the ground next to grain bins filled to capacity. Kansas farmers need more markets to sell the excess supply of food and fiber they produce. Meanwhile, only 90 miles from our shore, Cuba and its 11 million people offer a significant opportunity for increased exports. As in years past, I am again championing legislation that would lift our nation’s Cuba trade embargo so we can improve the outlook for American farmers and ranchers.
Cuba imports the vast majority of its food. In fact, wheat is Cuba’s second largest import, second only to oil. And when we don’t sell to Cuba, another country does. While our unilateral trade barriers block our own farmers and ranchers from filling this market, willing sellers such as Canada, France and China benefit at American farmers’ expense.
It costs about $6 to $7 per ton to ship grain to Cuba from the United States. It costs about $20 to $25 per ton of grain to ship from the European Union. However, this competitive advantage that our farmers ought to have when selling to Cuba is eliminated by regulations related to the embargo that drive up the cost of dealing with the United States.
To understand what we are missing out on, consider our current trade relationship with the Dominican Republic, another nearby Caribbean nation with a comparable population, income level and diet. Between 2013 to 2015, the Dominican Republic imported an average of $1.3 billion in U.S. farm products. During the same time, Cuba imported just $262 million. That difference represents a billion dollars of exports that U.S. farmers are missing out on because of our trade restrictions on Cuba. There is a clear and substantial potential for increased exports if we lift the trade embargo.
My bill, the Cuba Trade Act, would amend our country’s laws so American farmers can operate on a level playing field with the rest of the world. I often say: In Kansas, we will try anything once – sometimes twice or even three times. However, when we have been trying something for more than five decades and it has yet to work, it is time to change direction.
The Cuban embargo was well intentioned when it was enacted. Today, however, it only serves to hurt our own national interests by restricting American freedoms to travel and to conduct profitable business. If we’re truly committed to putting America first, lifting the embargo is the strategic choice. I encourage my colleagues to recognize the need for this change, and to join me in my effort to open the Cuban market for the good of the American people.
A version of this op-ed previously ran in Cuba Trade Magazine on April 9, 2017.
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo’s government has obtained a five-minute cell phone video that shows the gruesome murders of two United Nations experts who were killed last month while investigating human rights abuses.
In the video shown to journalists on Monday, a group of young men identify themselves as members of the Kamwina Nsapu militia.
American Michael Sharp, Swedish national Zaida Catalan and their interpreter Betu Tshintela went missing March 12 in central Congo and their bodies were found two weeks later.
Sharp is the son of Hesston Kansas College Bible faculty members John and Michele Sharp.
Three others working with the team remain missing.
Congo’s government has vowed justice for the victims and arrested two suspects, though one escaped custody.
More than 400 people have been killed and more than 200,000 displaced since government troops killed the militia’s leader in August, according to the U.N.
ELLIS–Water leakage problems continue with the liner of the Ellis municipal swimming pool.
The liner was purchased in 2009 from Natare Corporation, Indianapolis, and the city has had difficulties with the company not following through with repairs.
During the April 17 Ellis city council meeting, members reluctantly agreed to the company’s requirement of a signed repair agreement and a 50 percent deposit of $1,666.48 prior to on-site inspection of the pool liner. In a written memo, Natare Corporation Field Operations Mngr. Scott Calwell told the council if the liner is determined to be under warranty after inspection, the company will refund the deposit.
Council members also approved a $10,000 donation to the Ellis Community Foundation for a new $48,000 pool slide, contingent on the slide being installed before May 30, 2017.
At the request of Fire Chief Dustin Vine, the council voted to approve purchasing three used Motorola 2500 radios from the Hays Fire Department at $400 each and retiring two older Johnson handheld radios.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
April 17, 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, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Mayor David McDaniel requested an Executive Session at the end of the meeting.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Buck Driggs, Darrell Romme, Glen Keller, Westin Vine, Myles Vine, Dustin Mattheyer, Nan Brown, Kassi Brown, Pauleen Edmonds, Margie Mickelson, Justine Benoit, Cheryl Kinderknecht, and Gary Luea.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Dena Patee moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on April 3, 2017 and Bills Ordinance #2019. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dustin Mattheyer requested Council consideration to purchase a pallet of sod for him to replace the sod that was disturbed during construction with the Street Improvement Project.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
Gary Luea, 1807 Spruce, stated he was originally placed on the agenda to request City assistance with a project on his private property; however, he instead requested that Council revisit the legality of their motion on spreading millings on the private drive commonly referred to as West 14th Street.
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Acquisition
Fire Chief Dustin Vine presented the monthly report for the Fire Department. Hays Fire Department has used Motorola radios available for $400 each. These radios retail for $3,200 if purchased new. Chief Vine requested approval to purchase three of the used Motorola radios and to retire two of the older Johnson handheld radios. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to authorize Fire Chief Dustin Vine to purchase three used Motorola model 2500 radios from Hays Fire Department at a total cost of $1,200 with funds to come from the Fire Department budget. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Insurance
Darrell Romme, Romme Agency, reviewed the City’s renewal for property, automobile, workers compensation and liability insurance. The City is in a pool with approximately 400 other cities with populations less than 17,500. This year’s premium increase is less than 1%. Dividend checks are returned to the cities depending on the pool’s loss ratio. Last year the City received a dividend check around $16,000. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to approve the insurance policy as presented and to approve the invoice to Romme Agency in the amount of $98,969. The motion carried 6-0.
Swimming Pool: Special Project
Pauleen Edmonds and Nan Brown, representing the Ellis Community Foundation, gave an update on the fundraising efforts to purchase and install a swimming pool slide at the municipal pool. Just over half of the funds needed for the $48,000 project have been received through donations and a $10,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen foundation. The Foundation is requesting a City donation in the amount of $10,000, with the Foundation unrestricted funds covering the remaining $12,000 needed. Council asked to table consideration until later in the meeting in order to discuss the repair agreement with Natare Corporation on the swimming pool liner.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Personnel: Policy
City Attorney Olavee Raub presented the amended provision in the Personnel Policy for compensating Public Works Department employees for responding to alarm calls on their personal phones after business hours. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the amended provision as presented. The motion carried 6-0.
Streets: Special Project
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, updated Council on the progress of the Street Improvement Project. Spruce and Dorrance Streets are currently under construction and then the contractor will move to Cottonwood Avenue. Council discussed Mr. Mattheyer’s request during Public Comment for the City to purchase fescue sod to replace the sod disturbed during the construction on Spruce Street. Mr. Driggs stated that generally the property owner is responsible to make repairs when property located in the City’s right-of-way is disturbed. The contractor has agreed to place dirt and grass seed; however, if the property owner requests sod, the City should be cautious in setting precedent for individual resident requests. Mr. Driggs stated he is willing to honor Council’s direction if they choose to allow individual requests from residents during the project, otherwise he will direct the contractor to follow industry practice. It was the consensus of Council to follow the general practice and not set precedent with individual requests for repairs. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner added that for the City to purchase fescue sod for a resident would go against the City’s encouragement of planting warm season grasses as well.
NEW BUSINESS
Streets: Special Project
Mr. Driggs continued by presenting two change orders for the Street Improvement Project. The first change order is to replace 50 linear feet of sanitary sewer line on Spruce Street at the Good Samaritan Center. The Mayor approved the request prior to the meeting due to time constraints on the progress of the project. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to ratify Change Order #1 for the Street Improvement Project in the amount of $1,500. The motion carried 6-0.
Mr. Driggs then presented Change Order #2 expanding the project on Cottonwood Avenue through the intersection at 12th Street. This will maximize additional grant monies available due to the contractor’s bid being under the engineer’s estimate. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Change Order #2 in the amount of $19,331.50. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
Streets: Special Project
Justine Benoit, Grant Administrator with the Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, presented the first set of pay applications for the Street Improvement Project. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve Contractor’s Pay Estimate #1 to Vogts-Parga Construction, LLC in the amount of $32,492.25 for the Street Improvement Project. The motion carried 6-0.
Ms. Niernberger then moved to approve the invoice to Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission in the amount of $4,875.00 for grant administration services for the Street Improvement Project. Ms. Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to approve Request #1 for Payment of CDBG Funds in the amount of $22,745.74 for the Street Improvement Project. The motion carried 6-0.
Ms. Aschenbrenner then moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the related documents for the Street Improvement Project. Mr. Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Fees
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the updated fee schedule for approval. The various types of contractor licenses have been increased to $75, per recommendation from the Trades Board. The fees have not been increased for almost ten years. Also, police reports have been increased from $4 to $5 to match the fee charged for accident reports. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 535 adopting the Schedule of Fees. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Bret Andries abstaining due to a perceived conflict of interest.
Swimming Pool: Repair/Maintenance
City Attorney Olavee Raub reviewed correspondence received from Scott Calwell, Field Operations Manager for Natare Corporation. The company is requiring a signed repair agreement and a 50% deposit in order to inspect the liner at the swimming pool. Once inspected, if the liner is determined to be under warranty, the company will refund the deposit. The City has had issues with Natare Corporation since the liner was purchased in 2009 regarding the company not following through with repairs and correspondence. Council members expressed frustration that there was no choice but to sign the agreement in order to even have the company come inspect the liner. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion authorizing the Mayor to sign the Service, Inspection, Maintenance & Repair Agreement with Natare Corporation, to pay the deposit required in the amount of $1,666.48, and to pay the remaining portion of the total cost estimate of $3,732.96 if needed. Funds not exceeding $3,732.96 will be paid out of General-Swimming Pool account. The motion carried 6-0.
Swimming Pool: Special Project
Council revisited the donation request from the Ellis Community Foundation for the pool slide. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner asked if the $10,000 request could be part cash and part in-kind services for labor and materials. Ms. Edmonds replied the Foundation would prefer the full requested donation, in addition to the Public Works Department providing assistance in the construction of the concrete pad and additional fencing. Once all the funds for the project are committed, the Foundation can call the company and schedule installation of the slide, preferably for this pool season. Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve a $10,000 donation to the Ellis Community Foundation for the pool slide, contingent on the slide being installed before May 30, 2017, with funds to come from the Special Machinery fund. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Dena Patee abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.
Swimming Pool/Sewer: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for the purchase of calcium hypochlorite for the Sewer Plant and Swimming Pool. Council member Bret Andries moved to accept the low bid from D. Gerber Commercial Pool Products in the amount of $7,445, with $6,845 coming from Swimming Pool funds and $600 coming from the Sewer Utility Fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman updated Council on the numerous projects currently underway. Work continues on the Sewer Plant sludge pit and tree and branch cleanup work was completed around various sites around town.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates gave an update on his Department. Chief Yates invited Council members to attend the DARE graduation at Washington Grade School on April 21, 2017 at 10:30 a.m.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Health Insurance Savings Report for March. Blue Cross and Blue Shield has submitted the renewals for the employees’ dental and life insurance policies with a 1% decrease in premiums. Midwest Energy has contracted with TMD to change out the electric meters in Ellis. The TMD trucks will be in town in late April and the work will take several weeks.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported there have been no changes in the status of pending code violation cases. Council entered into a discussion regarding a letter Ms. Raub submitted offering ways to reduce the amount of time spent on City business. Some of the suggestions included reducing the number of Council and committee meetings that Ms. Raub attended, requesting Council to stop micromanaging the department heads, which leads the department heads to confer with her office, asking Council members to be well prepared for meetings, and to use caution in airing grievances regarding the City and its employees on social media. After much discussion, it was the consensus of Council to have Ms. Raub continue to attend all Council meetings, but to only attend committee meetings upon request from the Committee Chair. Council also suggested Ms. Raub redirect employees’ concerns to the Mayor, unless a legal issue is present. Finally, Council asked Ms. Raub to push the Council to give her more direction in developing policy or drafting ordinances to reduce the number of revisions needed for Council to approve the final document.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel requested discussion on a letter received from the property owners on the private drive referred to as West 14th Street. Several council members felt the letter expressed ungratefulness of the City’s willingness to help and were concerned with some of the questions the letter posed. The Council’s motion clearly stated the City would spread the millings at no charge; however, the residents questioned if the City would now be providing the millings and if they needed to appear at future Council meetings to propose further work. Ms. Raub noted that she contacted property owner Ross Wichman to inquire of his willingness to allow the City to spread the millings; however, Mr. Wichman never responded. Council member Bret Andries expressed concerns of encountering legal problems in the future with possibly being responsible for maintaining the millings since the City spread the material. After further discussion, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to withdraw the previous motion made on April 3rd to spread millings on a portion of the private drive referred to as West 14th Street after further reconsideration. The motion carried 6-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 30-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:41 p.m. Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to recess to executive session to discuss 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 10:11 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:12 p.m.
The United Way of Ellis County is pleased to partner with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce to present Board Walk on Sat., April 29th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the first floor conference room of the Hadley Center, 205 E. 7th.
This workshop is focused for new and existing board members and administration to help enhance your organization. It will cover the following topics:
Board Types Establishing a mission
Strategic Planning Recruitment and Retention
Basic Human Resources Polices/By-Laws
Leadership Types Transparency
Contingency and Succession Planning Understanding Financial statements/responsibility
The workshop is presented by Tammy Wellbrock, Executive Director, Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and Sherry Dryden, Executive Director of the United Way of Ellis County.
Registration is free by contacting the United Way of Ellis County at (785) 628-8281 or Hays Area Chamber at (785) 628-8201 or by email at [email protected].
The fifth annual 5K “Run/Walk to Help Children Talk” will be on Saturday, April 29, hosted by Fort Hays State University’s Herndon Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic in partnership with the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. at the north end of the FHSU Quad between Rarick and Martin Allen halls. A one-mile walk will be available for participants not wanting to run in the 5K.
The race will start at 11 a.m., and lunch will be served after.
Proceeds will go toward scholarships for children’s services and clinic materials. The Herndon Clinic is part of the university’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
All ages are welcome. Children are encouraged to attend, as the Delta Zeta sorority will have child-friendly games available.
“We hope that you will consider supporting children in need of speech-language services,” said Breanna Taylor, program specialist in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “There are many ways you can help.”
The early registration deadline is April 18. Registration is $15 for FHSU students, $20 for adults and $10 for children. After the early deadline, registration increases by $5. Registration includes lunch and a T-shirt.
RILEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are investigating a suspect on alleged rape charges.
Just before 5p.m. Friday, police arrested Rondal Michael Genzel, 35, Ogden, at a home in the 500 Block of 12th Street on a warrant alleging rape involving a victim under the age of 14, according to the Riley County Police Department arrest report.
Genzel remained jailed Monday on a $100,000 bond.
He has a previous conviction in 2011 for Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a child, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
There’s been a significant jump in gasoline prices locally, even as the state and national averages are now heading the other direction. Gasoline prices in Hays and Great Bend were up to $2.29/gallon Monday. AAA reports the average price across Kansas for a gallon of regular was down two tenths of a cent to $2.263. The national average dropped one tenth to $2.419.
Baker Hughes reported 857 active drilling rigs across the US last week, an increase of five oil rigs and five targeting natural gas. The count in Canada wasdown 19 to 99 active rigs. Independent Oil and Gas Service tells us there were 14 active rigs east of Wichita, up seven, and 27 in western Kansas, up one. They’re drilling at two sites in Barton County, drilling is about to comment at one site each in Barton and Ellis County, and they’re moving in completion tools at sites in Barton, Ellis and Stafford counties.
Independent Oil and Gas reported 27 new well completions last week, 451 so far this year. There were nine new completions east of Wichita and 18 in western Kansas. Barton County reported three completions. Two of them were dry holes. There were two in Ellis County, one of the was a dry hole. And, Russell County reported two completions with one dry hole.
There were 27 permits filed across Kansas for drilling at new locations, 441 so far this year. There were eight new permits filed in eastern Kansas and 19 west of Wichita, including two each in Barton and Russell counties.
Reuters reports some big new bets in the oil patch by investors who lost big last year due to bankruptcies in the industry. In the first quarter of this year, private equity funds raised $19.8 billion for energy ventures. That’s nearly three times the total in the same period last year.
EPA will reconsider a rule on greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas operations. The agency said it would also delay its compliance date. The American Petroleum Institute and the Texas Oil and Gas Association, among others, petitioned the EPA a year ago to reconsider the rule limiting emissions of methane and other pollutants from new and revamped oil and gas wells and systems. The agency said it would delay the June 3 compliance date by 90 days and take public comments in the meantime.
President Donald Trump’s efforts to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement has drawn opposition from some of the world’s largest oil producers. BP, Chevron, Shell and Exxon-Mobil have all signaled their reluctance to pull out of the COP21 accord. Each called it an effective first step toward an effective global framework. Observers note another reason: the agreement’s crackdown on carbon emissions favors natural gas over coal.
The latest energy survey from the Federal Reserve of Kansas City shows modest growth in energy jobs throughout the Fed’s tenth district, which includes Kansas and Oklahoma. Only about 13% of oil and gas firms responding to the survey said they had fewer employees in the first quarter of this year, while about 44% reported increases and the same number reported no change. The employee index showed growth for the second quarter in a row, following eight quarters of negative or unchanged job growth.
Bloomberg reports some of the major crude-producing countries have reached an initial agreement to extend output cuts. OPEC and other major suppliers have failed, after three months of limiting production, to achieve their target of reducing oil inventories below the five-year historical average. Saudi Arabia’s oil minister said Thursday the producers pledged to reduce output for six months starting in January, but didn’t identify or specify the number of countries in the initial deal for an extension.
The state-owned oil company of Oman is now reportedly conferring with some unidentified banks in an effort to offer its own initial public stock offering, following in the footsteps of Saudi Arabia. The country’s oil minister says they hope to attract more foreign investment.
The government reported last week that light oil from tight shale formations accounted for more than half of the 8.4 million barrels per day produced in the U.S. last year. The Energy Information Administration noted this is the second year in a row that light oil had driven the increases in domestic production, with most of it coming from Texas.
Petra Nova, a new carbon-capture facility, is now online outside Houston. The billion-dollar project is expected to capture 90% (1.6 million tons) of CO2 emissions from a coal-fire power plant. That carbon dioxide will then be transported 81 miles to an oil field in Jackson County, Texas, where it will be used for enhanced oil recovery. The San Antonio Current newspaper reports the project will help produce an estimated 60 million barrels of oil, roughly three times the field’s current capacity.
