ELLIS – Following a public hearing, Ellis city council members voted unanimously Jan. 2 to condemn two properties in town. A 45-day extension to address violations was granted to a third property owner.

Council members also unanimously adopted the  2015 International Building Codes for building, electrical, and fire regulations. Three additional ordinances have yet to be considered. Those ordinances would implement the updated International Plumbing Codes, International Mechanical Codes, and the International Existing Building Codes.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes January 2, 2018

PUBLIC HEARING ON UNFIT PROPERTIES

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to enter into the Public Hearing.  The motion carried 5-0.  Mayor David McDaniel declared the Public Hearing open at 6:30 p.m.  The purpose of the Public Hearing is in regards to  whether or not the properties at 210 E. 11^th, 208 W. 12^th, and 1309 Fauteux should or should not be condemned and ordered repaired or demolished.  City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler stated the Resolution regarding the Public Hearing has been published the required number of times in the Ellis Review, and each property owner was notified of the Public Hearing by certified mail.  Two of the certified mailings were returned as undeliverable.

Viola Burns, property owner of 210 E. 11^th St., contested the certified letter and believes the property is not dilapidated nor a fire hazard.  Annette Ellis, daughter of Ms. Burns, added that the house is not vacant and that she and her husband are at the house at least once a week.  All of their belongings are in the house.  Ms. Ellis does not believe the property is a fire hazard, as there are no working utilities in the house.  Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman discussed several of the major concerns with the property.  Ms. Zeigler read the definition for dangerous and unfit structures and believes this property meets the definition, as defined by City Code.  A discussion ensued on the definition of occupancy versus using a property for storage.  Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to provide a detailed list of structural items in violation for Ms. Burns and the Council.

There were no representatives for the property at 1309 Fauteux and the house has been vacant for approximately 14 years.  There are numerous structural concerns with this property.

Ms. Zeigler stated she has been in contact with Maria DelaRosa, daughter of the property owner of 208 W. 12^th Street.  Her father, Refugio DelaRosa, is currently out of the country with no plans to return.  The family cannot afford to rectify the structural violations with the property.  Ms. DelaRosa told Ms. Zeigler that a potential buyer has surfaced again for the property and asked for two weeks to determine if the sale will materialize.

There being no further public comments, Mayor David McDaniel closed the public hearing at 6:58 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members 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 Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler. Council member Bret Andries was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Nickole Byers, Allan Reiter, Gary Luea, Norma Keller, and Glen Keller.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on December 18, 2017 and Bills Ordinance #2036.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Norma Keller, 1406 Maple St., asked why the City removed her Black Walnut trees during the culvert cleanout.  Mayor McDaniel noted that Ms. Keller has filed a formal complaint with the City and the claim will be investigated.  It was also noted that Ms. Keller signed an easement document allowing the City to enter the property.

Gary Luea, 1807 Spruce, asked for the City to consider advertising in True West magazine.  Ellis is considered a “western” town and Dodge City and Abilene have advertisements in the current issue.  Mr. Luea felt the publication might be a way to expand visibility of Ellis outside of the area that Eagle Communications reaches.

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

None

SPECIAL ORDER

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

General Government: Violations

Council further discussed the properties at 210 E. 11^th, 208 W. 12^th, and 1309 Fauteux. Ms. Zeigler explained that if Council determines that the properties are unfit structures, a resolution would need to be drafted and approved with Council’s determination of why the structure should be condemned.  Once the approved resolution is published, the City can move forward with removal of the structure.

Regarding the property at 208 W. 12^th, Maria DelaRosa has requested Council delay a decision for two weeks to determine if a potential sale materializes.  Since the condemnation process will take in excess of two weeks because the resolution must be approved and published, Council decided to move forward with the process.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to have City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler draft the resolution declaring the property at 208 W. 12^th to be condemned, and to approve the bid from Flatlander Dirtworks, LLC in the amount of $5,100 to remove the structure.  The motion carried 5-0.

Council believes the property at 1309 Fauteux has been vacant since the early 2000’s.  There is no floor in the house, the garage is full of junk, and there are numerous structural concerns.  The property owner has not responded to City correspondence and the house could be determined to be abandoned as well.  Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to have City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler draft the resolution declaring the property at 1309 Fauteux to be condemned, and to approve the bid from Flatlander Dirtworks, LLC in the amount of $5,500 to remove the structure.  The motion carried 5-0.

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to grant a 45-day extension, effective immediately, to Viola Burns at 211 E. 11^th to address the stated violations for the property.  The motion carried 5-0.  The extension period will end February 16^th and Council will readdress progress on the violations at the February 19^th Council meeting.  Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman will provide Ms. Burns and the Council a report with the cited violations.

Tourism: Contract

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the 2018 advertising contract from Eagle Community TV in the amount of $4,200, and the 2018 advertising contract from Eagle Radio in the amount of $2,448, with funds to come from the transient guest tax funds.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Building Codes

Council performed a second reading on three ordinances adopting the 2015 International Building Codes for building, electrical, and fire regulations.  Both the City Trades Board and Planning Commission have expressed support for the ordinances.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Ordinance No. 1424 adopting the 2015 IBC for Building Regulations.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1425 adopting the 2015 IBC for Electrical Regulations.  The motion carried 5-0.  Council member Jolene Niernberger then moved to approve Ordinance No. 1426 adopting the 2015 IBC for Fire Regulations.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman noted that three more ordinances will be presented for consideration in the near future.  Those ordinances will implement the updated International Plumbing Codes, International Mechanical Codes, and the International Existing Building Codes.

NEW BUSINESS

Sewer/Sanitation: Accounting/Billing

Dustin Vine acquired D&B Body Shop effective January 1, 2018.  Council member Dena Patee moved to approve the Application for Local Incentives for D&B Body Shop, LLC.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Financial

Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 542 waiving Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for financial statement reporting for 2018.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Committee

Mayor David McDaniel announced that he and Rose Tway have resigned from the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to appoint Emily Mattheyer and Leonard Schoenberger to the vacancies on the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.  The motion carried 5-0.  Committee member Jolene Niernberger informed Council that the Committee was awarded a Midwest Energy grant to help purchase iPods to use at the Good Samaritan Center, as it has been shown that listening to music improves memory function.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period October 10^th to November 10^th.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for December and the January Staff Calendar.  The new police radios should arrive next week and once received, the new Explorer will be delivered to Ka-Comm to have equipment switched out and installed.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the draft minutes from the Water Advisory Committee.  Ms. Burton invited discussion on the Railroad Roundup Program.  Interest has been stagnant and the program generates less than $250 per year.  Council discussed highlighting the program in the Town Crier to make residents more aware of the program, and possibly changing the beneficiary to the Lakeside Campground or Swimming Pool, or even an outside source like the Ellis Food Bank or Community Foundation.

Attorney

With the Public Hearing earlier on the unfit structures, City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler had no further updates on code violation cases.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel asked for each Council member to bring three ideas to the January 8^th Council meeting on what they would like to see accomplished or done different in 2018.  Each Council member will be asked to express their ideas verbally for discussion.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 5-0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

 

Cottonwood District

Cover crops have been a hot topic lately when it comes to weed suppression and grazing livestock. There are many options to consider when finding out what cover crops to plant, how they can enhance your operation, and what your desired outcome is for using them.

There will be a Cover Crop School offered by the Cottonwood Extension District on January 10th in Hays and Great Bend.

The Hays school will be held at the Ellis County Extension Office meeting room located at 601 Main Street in Hays starting at 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. with a meal following.

The Great Bend School will be at the American Ag Credit Building located at 5634 10th Street in Great Bend from 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. with a light meal served.

Dr. Anita Dille, professor of Weed Ecology at Kansas State University will discuss her research on weed suppression using cover crops. She will discuss how different mixes of cover crops suppressed weeds and what covers are recommended depending on your cropping system.

Dr. Jaymelynn Farney, Southeast Area Beef Systems Specialist for K-State Research and Extension, will discuss her research pertaining to using cover crops in a livestock production system. She will cover grazing covers as well as baling for future use. Farney will also talk about recommended cover crops to maximize forage for livestock, and future research projects.

To learn more about cover crops, come join us on January 10 in either Great Bend or Hays. This program is free to attend but RSVPs are requested by January 8 for meal counts. Please RSVP for either program at 620-793-1910 or 785-628-9430, or email us at [email protected].

CALVING SCHOOL JAN. 9

The ultimate goal of and cow/calf operation is to produce and raise a live calf. When it comes to calving, timely assistance can cut calf death losses by half and help boost the cow’s reproductive health after delivery. To educate producers on minimizing potential losses related to calving, Cottonwood Extension District will be hosting a Calving School in Great Bend on January 9th starting 10:00 am.

Dr. AJ Tarpoff, K-State Research and Extension Beef Veterinarian will begin the program on Recognizing Signs of Calving Difficulties and Managing a Difficult Calving. He will also have a demonstration cow on site to show how to manage a difficult calving when you need to intervene. Dr. Justin Waggoner, K-State Research and Extension Southwest Area Beef System Specialist will be presenting Nutrition and Winter feeding in conjunction with Body Conditioning Scores in your cattle herd. Finally, Alicia Boor, Cottonwood Extension District Livestock agent will have a refresher on Body Conditioning Scores in cows and heifers.

To learn more about calving and body conditioning, come join us on January 9th at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center at 592 NE K-156 Highway north of Great Bend. This program is free to attend, but RSVPs are needed for a meal. Contact 620-793-1910 by January 5th.

The Hays Police Department responded to 0 animal calls and conducted 30 traffic stops Wed., Jan. 3, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance – General–100 block E 19th St, Hays; 3:21 AM
Welfare Check–3000 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 6:48 AM
Civil Dispute–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 12/29/17 5 PM
Found/Lost Property–200 block W 10th St, Hays; 11:01 AM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1200 block Fort St, Hays; 1:37 PM
Shoplifting–2900 block Broadway Ave, Hays; 1:40 PM
Found/Lost Property–600 block E 6th St, Hays; 11 AM; 6:41 PM
Suspicious Activity–100 block W 20th St, Hays; 6:53 PM
Burglary/business–400 block E 19th St, Hays; 1/1 6:30 PM; 1/2 3:30 PM
Water Use Violation–1100 block E 43rd St, Hays; 10:02 PM
Suicidal Subject–2700 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 10:52 PM

Western Kansas Human Resource Management Association will hold its meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Robbins Center (Eagle Communication Hall), One Tiger Place.

Registration is from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m., with a short business meeting starting at 11:30 a.m. The program for the February meeting will be “Human Capital Strategy: Controlling Conflict,” presented by Ruth Bealer, Midwest Energy.

The program will be submitted for HRCI and SHRM continuing education credits. If interested in attending as a guest, RSVP to wkhrma.shrm.org no later than noon on Feb. 9.

WKHRMA is an affiliate chapter of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), a local professional organization for persons engaged in personal or human resource management.

For more information on WKHRMA, visit wkhrma.shrm.org.

BUNKER HILL — A popular local program returns for a new season on Smoky Hills Public Television in 2018. Doctors on Call, back for its 13th season, will premiere January 9 at 7:00pm.

Doctors on Call is a program that provides medical information on a variety of different topics. Medical professionals from throughout the state travel to Bunker Hill to provide information and answer questions from the viewing audience. Questions can be called in during the show or emailed prior to the broadcast. The doctors selected each week have expertise in the topic chosen for that program.

Some of this season’s topics include women’s health, chiropractic care, immunotherapy, pain management, cardiology, physical therapy and dry needling. Due to its popularity in past seasons, this season will again include episodes dedicated to pet health. A schedule of the programs and past episodes are available at smokyhillstv.org.

Last season’s Doctors on Call was awarded by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, helping Smoky Hills Public Television win Non-Metro Station of the Year for the second straight year.

To submit questions electronically on a specific topic, viewers can send an email to [email protected]. Questions submitted through email must be received by noon on the day of the show. During the program, viewers can call I-800-337-4788.

Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. North northeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. Wind chill values as low as 3. East wind 6 to 8 mph.

Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Wind chill values as low as 4. South wind 6 to 13 mph.

Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. South wind 5 to 9 mph.

Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north northwest in the morning.

Sunday NightMostly clear, with a low around 24.

MondaySunny, with a high near 52.