OFFICE OF GOV.

TOPEKA – Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. Thursday appointed two new members and reappointed one member to the Kansas Board of Regents. William Feuerborn, Garnett, has been reappointed, and Allen Schmidt, Hays; and Mark Hutton, Wichita will be the newest members of the Board. Each will serve a four-year term, pending Senate confirmation, expiring June 30, 2022.

“Our higher education institutions play an important role in educating the next generation, which keeps our workforce and economy strong. The Regents ensure that the future of our state remains bright and prosperous by keeping our higher education system on track to meet these long-term goals,” said Gov. Jeff Colyer. “Bill, Allen, and Mark bring a great amount of experience and talent to the board and I am excited they’ve agreed to serve our great state.”

The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is appointed by the governor.  It is the governing board of the six state universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, 19 community colleges, and six technical colleges).

• William Feuerborn was born in Garnett, Kansas and has served on the Board of Regents since 2014. He has spent the last forty years in small business development and ranching. He also served as a State Representative in the Kansas legislature from 1994 to 2012. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University.

• Allen Schmidt is a retired U.S. Army Colonel from Hays, Kansas where he works as the Director for Development Services of Northwest Kansas. Schmidt served as a State Senator in the Kansas legislature from 2011 to 2013. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas, Master’s Degree in Psychology from Fort Hays State University and a Master of Science degree from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA.

• 

  Mark Hutton is from Wichita, KS where he was the CEO of Hutton Construction Corporation. Hutton served as a State Representative in the Kansas Legislature from 2013 to 2017. He is a graduate of Kansas State University in Manhattan, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.

“I’m excited to welcome Allen and Mark to the Board and congratulate Bill on his reappointment,” said KBOR Chair Dennis Mullin. “It’s an honor to serve our fellow Kansans in this capacity. I look forward to working with our newest Regents to support families, businesses and the Kansas economy through our higher education system.”

The Board also administers the state’s student financial aid, the Kan-ed network, adult education, GED, career and technical education programs, and the state university retirement plans. In addition, members of the Board are also responsible for approving private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions to operate in Kansas.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Ellsworth County.

On Thursday afternoon, the Kansas Highway Patrol identified the driver of the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Julie J. Goodman-Haas, 60, Idalia, Co., was eastbound on Interstate 70 just west of 18th Road.

The Jeep rear-ended a 2018 Nissan Rogue driven by Amanda G. Finney, 36, Choctaw, Ok., and both vehicles left the road.

Goodman-Haas wsa pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Parson Mortuary.

A passenger in the Jeep Christian A.  Resides, 32, Colorado, was transported to the hospital in Salina.

Finney and a passenger Matthew, 37, Choctaw, Ok, were transported to Hays Medical Center.

The survivors were properly restrained at the time of the accident. The KHP did not have details on Goodman-Haas’ seat belt usage.

CITY OF ELLIS

ELLIS – Big Creek in Ellis has been restocked with 600 bass thanks to the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Police Chief Taft Yates provided the update to Ellis City Council members during their Monday meeting.

Yates also advised there are two candidate interviews scheduled for Oct. 20 for the open police officer position.

In other business, the council unanimous approved an application for local incentives for Riverside Espresso & Café, LLC.

The complete Oct. 1 minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

October 1, 2018

 

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, Dena Patee, and Bob Redger.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Glen Keller, Mike Downing, and Doug Williams.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on September 17, 2018 and Bills Ordinance #2054.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

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

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Economic Development: Special Projects

Doug Williams, Interim Director, Grow Hays, and Mike Downing, Ellis Representative, explained the reasoning behind the name change from the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development to Grow Hays.  Mr. Williams assured the Governing Body that the organization is still committed to the Ellis and Victoria communities.  Mr. Williams and Mr. Downing continued by highlighting some of the organization’s current projects, including a youth entrepreneurial program, Brief Space, and a housing rehabilitation program partially funded by a Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Sanitation/Sewer: Accounting/Billing

Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Application for Local Incentives for Riverside Espresso & Café, LLC.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Capital Improvement: Acquisition

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids to replace the south overhead garage door.  The door was scheduled for replacement this year.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the bid from C&E Doors, LLC in the amount of $2,450 for the purchase and installation of an 11’ overhead door, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement Fund.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Parks: Special Project

Mr. Scheuerman continued by presenting bids for materials and labor for construction of the bathrooms at the park on South Walnut.  The Public Works Department will pour the concrete foundation and install the roof, and contract out the plumbing, electrical, and block work.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner inquired of soliciting bids to contract out the entire project, rather than have the City perform some of the work.  It was the consensus of Council to table further discussion so that Mr. Scheuerman can obtain contractor bids for the entire project.

Street: Repair/Maintenance

Mr. Scheuerman requested approval to perform street repairs for approximately 300’ on Lakeview Street and 120’ on Cottonwood Street.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner questioned if the County is responsible for a portion of the Cottonwood Street repairs being proposed.  After further discussion, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve street repairs to Lakeview Street in an amount not to exceed $8,000, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Street fund.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-1, with Council Member Jolene Niernberger opposed.

Public Works: Repair/Maintenance

The Mack truck is in need of front and rear axle repairs.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the repair estimate from Bruckner Truck Sales in the amount of $4,897.98 with funds to be split between the Water Utility, Special Highway, and General-Parks funds.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Council reviewed a letter from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding the reissuance of the City’s permit to discharge wastewater.  The letter recommends the City investigate and address the wastewater system’s infiltration and inflow (I&I) issues.  Mr. Scheuerman is working with Mayer Services and the Kansas Rural Water Association to detect problem areas.

Mr. Scheuerman reviewed the list of the City’s fire hydrants that have been flushed recently.  Council requested that Mr. Scheuerman share the list with the Fire Department.

Mr. Scheuerman then discussed some concerns with the recent Girl Scout event held at the campground.  Access to the men’s bathhouse was restricted and several pull-through sites were used without approval.  The Council asked for the Campground Committee to draft parameters for use of the facilities for large groups and for a letter to be drafted to the Girl Scouts.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for September and the October Staff Calendar.  Officers have been asked to serve snacks at a future 5^th Quarter event.  Chief Yates reported that on October 20^th two candidates will be interviewed for the open position.  The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism has restocked 600 bass in Big Creek.

City Clerk

Council reviewed the draft minutes from the Campground Committee meeting on September 24^th.  City Clerk Amy Burton requested a work session to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan.

Attorney

City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler requested an executive session to discuss a code violation case.  Council member Bob Redger asked for City Attorney Olavee Raub to provide a status report at the next meeting regarding the water exploration land contracts.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel and Council member Jolene Niernberger will attend the League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference this weekend in Topeka.  The League’s annual Regional Supper is October 24^th in Oakley.

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 a pending 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 8:43 p.m.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to return to 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 a pending 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 8:53 p.m.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to return to 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 a pending 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 9:03 p.m.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 6-0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.

 

 

TMP-M

Progress toward the construction of the Fr. Blaine Burkey Learning Commons in the summer of 2019 at TMP-Marian Catholic School is moving along nicely.

It has been nearly six months since more than $400,000 was contributed to the development of the Learning Commons at ACE 2018.

Two architects have been selected to help with the design and construction. DMA Architects, P.A., Salina, will serve as the Principal Architect with Gould Evans, Kansas City, Missouri, consulting on the design.

DMA Architects is currently completing the construction of three new ladies’ rooms on floors 1-3 and the remodeling of the men’s restroom on the first floor. We are excited to have Tony Rohr, class of 1980, and Gould Evans National Managing Principal and board member, involved in the Learning Commons design.

Friday, Sept. 28, the committee traveled to Kansas City to visit successful Learning Commons projects at St. Teresa’s Academy and Rockhurst High School, both designed by Gould Evans.

Making the trip were Nancy Flax (Art Teacher), Julia Meitner (Class of 2022), Tony Rohr (Class of 1980), Lane Werth (Class of 2020), Brenda Klaus (Class of 1981) and Troy Ruda (Advancement Director and Class of 1993).

Also serving on the Learning Commons Committee are Latisha Haag (English Teacher), Andy Tincknell (FHSU) and Chad Meitner (Principal).

Two Hays businesses were among the more than 1,300 nationwide to receive warning letters as part of the Federal Drug Administration’s effort to clamp down on e-cigarette sales to minors.

The FDA said the letters were issued following an “undercover blitz of brick-and-mortar stores this summer.”

Walgreens, 2600 Vine, and Southside Convenience, 703 Vine, received warning letters as a part of the effort. Neither were fined.

The FDA’s warning letter advises businesses that, during the inspection, “the establishment was in violation because you or your employee sold an e-liquid product to a minor and failed to check identification to verify purchaser’s age for a purchaser under the age of 27.”

For more form the FDA, click HERE.