UPDATE: As of 3:10 p.m. Monday, Walnut Street was reopened to traffic, the city of Hays reported.
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Effective immediately, Walnut Street between 12th and 13th streets will be closed to traffic while crews are making repairs from a water leak and brick repairs on the street.
For more information, contact the Department of Water Resources at 785-628-7380.
Another soaker in Hays overnight Saturday resulted in an official 1.45 inches of rain as measured at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.
August has been a wet month so far with 5.30 inches of rain falling. Precipitation for the year to date is at 23.85 inches.
More showers are in the weather forecast this week, starting Tuesday evening, along with cooler temperatures.
ELLIS – The 2019 budget was unanimously approved by Ellis city council members during their August 13 meeting.
The council also unanimously approved an increase in sewer rates and sanitation rates for customers.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
August 13, 2018
PUBLIC HEARING – 2019 BUDGET DOCUMENT
General Government: Financial – 2019 City of Ellis Budget
Mayor David McDaniel requested a motion to open the public hearing. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to open the 2019 budget hearing. The motion carried 4-0, and the 2019 budget hearing opened at 7:00 p.m. Mayor McDaniel stated the proposed budget has been published the required amount of time and that tonight is an opportunity for the citizens of Ellis to comment on the proposed budget for 2019. There being no public comments, Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to adjourn the budget hearing. The motion carried 4-0. Mayor McDaniel closed the budget hearing at 7:03 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, and Dena Patee. Also present were Public Works Water Operator John Leiker, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler. Council member Bob Redger, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, and City Attorney Olavee Raub were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Steve Brull, Verda Flinn, Chad Pritchett, Tammy Leiker, Barbara Perkins, Margie Mickelson, Sam Polifka, Glenn Kohl, and Gary Luea.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on July 16, 2018, Bills Ordinance #2050, and the June Manual Journal Entries. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chad Pritchett, Ellis Community Foundation, requested permission to proceed with the Foundation’s project, in partnership with the Ellis Railroad Museum, to build a permanent structure to house and protect the miniature train. The Foundation is also requesting the removal of four Cottonwood trees, two of which are dead, to facilitate the project.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Financial – 2019 Budget
Mayor David McDaniel noted that the budget hearing for the proposed 2019 budget document was held earlier in the evening with no opposition from the public voiced. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the 2019 City of Ellis budget document as presented. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Contract
Further consideration of the bid submitted for the lease of a tract of land south of the sewer plant was tabled until City Attorney Olavee Raub could present a map of the land in question.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Acting Foreman John Leiker explained the repairs needed to the north truck route on 2nd Street from Washington to Madison. Council discussed the cost estimates to repair all of 2nd Street versus just the north lane where the majority of the semi-trucks travel. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman provided cost estimates for concrete and steel material in comparison to asphalt. The Public Works Department recently completed a patch on the affected area on 2nd Street with stock materials and in-house labor. It was the consensus of the Council to table consideration of further repairs until the weather dries out and until the current patch starts to deteriorate.
NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Zoning
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve an application for change in zoning of 808 Washington Street from Chad and Tricia Pritchett. The property is currently zoned Central Business District (C-1), and the applicant requests a zoning change to Single Family Residential (R-1). It was the Council’s consensus to move forward with the zoning change and to consider approval of the ordinance at the August 20th Council meeting.
Municipal Court: City Code
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Ordinance No. 1431 adopting the 2018 Edition of the Standard Traffic Ordinance. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Municipal Court: City Code
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Ordinance No. 1432 adopting the 2018 Edition of the Uniform Public Offense Code. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Tourism: City Code
Council member Dena Patee moved to approve Ordinance No. 1433 formally establishing the Tourism Fund in the City’s general ledger and allowing the fund to receive disbursements from the State of Kansas. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Financial
Council member Dena Patee moved to approve Resolution No. 548 providing for an adjustment to the fixed percentage increase in the utility rates. Council member Susan Eaton seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The Resolution increases sewer rates by 5% and sanitation rates by 3%. There is no planned increase in water utility rates.
General Government: Financial
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 549 authorizing City employees to use the City’s credit cards. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The Resolution has been updated due to changes in City staffing.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
During the recent Ellis County street project on Washington Street, the City had to force truck traffic to the southbound parking lane while manholes were reset in the driving lane. From 5th Street to 6th Street, ruts were created by the heavy trucks due to the wet base from recent rains and a waterline break in the area. The contractor offered to repair that portion of the street while they were still in the area. Due to the regular meeting being postponed a week, Mayor David McDaniel approved the repair prior to Council consideration. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to ratify the repairs completed by Coughlin, Inc. in the amount of $1,200.00. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Committee
Each year, the City has an opportunity to designate a representative to act as the voting delegate at the League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference in October. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to designate Jolene Niernberger as the voting delegate for the City of Ellis. The motion carried 5-0, with Council member Jolene Niernberger abstaining. Council member Dena Patee then moved to designate David McDaniel as the alternate voting delegate for the City of Ellis. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works: Training
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve trench safety and confined space training for Travis Roland, Joe Kreutzer, and Steve Homburg on August 29th – 30th, and for Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to attend the Kansas Floodplain Managers Association meeting September 5th – 6th. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for July and the August Staff Calendar. Interviews will be conducted on August 25th to fill the vacancy in the Department.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the June Financial Statements, the Health Insurance Savings Report for July, and the minutes from the recent Planning Commission meeting.
Attorney
City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler requested an executive session at the end of the meeting to update Council on an outstanding code violation case.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel discussed a recent incident regarding downed limbs in the alley between Walnut and Monroe Streets. Mayor McDaniel stated he ordered Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to remove the limbs, in which Mr. Scheuerman declined stating current City policy does not allow the City to compete with licensed private contractors. He also argued it wouldn’t be fair to provide the free service to some private residents, when other residents have paid to have their limbs removed. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner stated Mr. Scheuerman’s hands are tied due to current ordinances in place, while Council member Susan Eaton expressed the fact that Mr. Scheuerman disobeyed an order from the Mayor. Mayor McDaniel stated that Mr. Scheuerman will be written up for not following his direct order even though he was following City policy. It was the consensus of Council to further discuss the situation in an executive session when Mr. Scheuerman was present.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss an ongoing code violation case pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2) with City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler present. The open meeting will resume at 8:30 p.m. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
ELLIS – Ellis City Council members will hear an update tonight from Ellis County Fire Chief Darin Myers about storm warning sirens.
The outdoor warning systems in the county are approximately 40 years old and need to be replaced. The cost of replacing the system will be approximately $182,700. Myers has said it will be funded through capital reserves. He will also discuss the plan with Ellis County commissioners during their meeting at 5 p.m. today in Hays.
In other business, council members will consider approval of an ordinance to rezone 808 Washington Street, as well as the Ellis Community Foundation’s miniature train project.
The complete agenda follows.
AGENDA
August 20, 2018
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS
City Hall – Council Meeting Room
BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from Regular Meeting on August 13, 2018
Bills Ordinance #2051
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
SPECIAL ORDER
Update on Storm Sirens – Ellis County Fire Chief Darin Myers
Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Dustin Vine
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Consider Approval of Ellis Community Foundation’s Miniature Train Project
Consider Bid for Land Lease
Consider Approval of Ordinance Rezoning 808 Washington Street
About 135 youth attended the 21st annual Outdoor Youth Festival on Saturday at the Hays City Sportsmen’s Club.
Youth were able to practice casting, shooting skeet, shooting a paintball gun, shooting different bow types as well as air rifle, muzzleloader and small-bore rifles.
A free lunch was provided by Eagle Communications and the Hays Chapter of Pheasants Forever.
Youth were awarded prizes, including guns, fishing tackle and outdoor equipment.
The Ellis County Commission on Monday will consider a plan to replace outdoor weather warning systems throughout the county.
According to information presented to the commission by Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers, the outdoor warning systems in the county are approximately 40 years old and need to be replaced.
The cost of replacing the system will be approximately $182,700. Myers said it will be funded through capital reserves.
In other business, the commission will add a shop foreman position to the list of high-demand premium jobs and consider a resolution to reduce county commissioner pay by 5 percent.
Monday’s commission meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday at the Ellis County Administration Center.
Victor (Vic) Francis Kinderknecht, 81, of WaKeeney, KS, passed away on August 18, 2018.
Vic was born in Ellis, KS on June 18, 1937, to Jacob and O’tillia (Bittel) Kinderknecht. He graduated from Ellis High School. Upon graduation, he left to join the Army and was stationed in Germany.
Vic was married to Sylvia (Eberle) on October 18, 1967, in Ellis, they were married 42 years.
Vic worked as a car salesman for Harries Motor Co and Unruh Chevrolet for over 35 years. Vic enjoyed time with family and friends, playing Pinochle, and sharing his love and knowledge of history and politics. Vic never knew a stranger and had many friends. He had a passion for the outdoors and growing things, even tending the garden at Long Term Care. Music was a joy in his life as he loved to play the piano and accordion by ear. Vic loved to share his collection of over 300 nutcrackers. He was also actively involved in Christ the King and was a 3rd degree Knight.
Vic’s faith was his stronghold and foundation for his family and life and has passed so much of his faith onto his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild.
Vic is survived by four daughters; Sara (Darren) Dunn, WaKeeney; Michelle Wilson, Oakley; Tina (Brad) Walt, WaKeeney; Edwina Kinderknecht, Seiberg, Germany; and a son, Eric (Mandie) Kinderknecht, WaKeeney; 12 grandchildren, Kylie (Jordan) Bleske, Kacie and Dillon Dunn, Cameron Staples, Katelyn Wilson, Austin, Hannah, and Kelsey Kinderknecht, Carson and Brecken Walt, a great-grandchild; Kelton Bleske; brother; Ralph Kinderknecht, sister; Beatina Weber and many other family and friends.
Vic was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sylvia; six brothers and three sisters.
Visitation will be Monday, August 20, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a parish vigil service and rosary following at 7:00 p.m. at Schmitt Funeral Home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at Christ the King Catholic Church, WaKeeney. Burial will follow in the Christ the King Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Trego County-Lemke Memorial Long Term Care outside garden or Hospice of Phillipsburg. Contributions may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.
The family of Vic wishes to thank Dr. Gordon Lang, WaKeeney LTC staff, Mary Stithem, and Regina and Jody of Hospice.
KANSAS CITY (AP) – Kansas City police are investigating three separate homicides over a 12-hour span.
Police are investigating 3 more murders after a violent weekend –photo courtesy KCTV
Police found 36-year-old Gabriel Edgar on Interstate 435 around 3:45 a.m. Sunday. About an hour later, police say a man was shot and killed. Police say the third victim was found shot to death around 3 p.m. Sunday.
Police spokesman Lionel Colon says it has “been a tragedy of a week.” Police haven’t released information about a motive or suspect in any of the cases. Colon says police “rely on the community to come forward and help us fill in the blanks.”
HASTINGS, NE – Eldon Duane Gilbert, 85, formerly of Smith Center, KS passed away on Thursday August 16, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Hastings Village in Hastings, NE. He was a retired police officer.
He was born the son of Lois (Biggs) Deircks & Loyd Gilbert on January 30, 1933 in Lebanon, KS.
Eldon served many years in law enforcement including two terms as the Smith County Sheriff, the City of Smith Center Chief of Police, a security officer in Denver, CO, City Marshall of Logan, KS as well as various other jobs such as a school bus driver, laundry mat and snack shop owner and a semi driver.
He is survived by his son Terry Scott of Oakley, KS; a grandson Brayden; a sister Laneta Karsting of Hastings, NE; Brother in law Dale Scott of Albuquerque, NM; nephew Col. Tory Scott (Diane); nieces Connie Gledhill (Bruce), Linda Johnson and Julie Richards (Greg).
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Betty Scott.
AGRA — The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin a guardrail replacement project on a portion of U.S. 36 in Phillips County the week of Aug. 20.
Crews will be replacing the guardrail on the viaduct over the Kyle Railroad located approximately 2 miles east of Agra. Traffic will be guided through the work zone via flaggers during daylight hours and minor delays not exceeding 5 minutes should be anticipated. Work is expected to be completed by the end of October, weather permitting.
Mission Construction is the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of approximately $199,000. Sub-contracts were also awarded to Whitney Construction and Farms and Fulsom Brothers Inc.
RPM Speedway will have Military Appreciation Night in conjunction with the regular season race Saturday, Aug. 25.
Thanks to Pfeifer Dozer Service of St Peter, all active duty, former or retired military, Reservist or National Guard members will be admitted free to the grandstands with military ID on Saturday. Thanks also to Stan Dreilng, James Motor Co., and Heim Body Shop of Hoxie for free General Admission for kids 12 and younger with parent or guardian. GA for all others 13 and older will be $10.
Pits will open at 4 p.m. Pit pass for adults 13 and older will be $25 and kids 12 and younger $10 with parent or guardian.
GA will open at 5 p.m., hot laps at 6 p.m., with races to follow.
Race fans are encouraged to wear their red, white and blue in support of our troops and to remember our veterans.
The 5 regular IMCA classes, Mods, Stocks, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks & Sport Compacts plus the Crazy Cruisers will take the track for the evening.
Four Quilts of Valor will be awarded during the night to an active service member or veteran.
The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover active service members and veterans touched by war with a comforting and healing Quilt of Valor.
