Fort Hays State Honors College student Taylor Tustin was recently awarded the prestigious Mid-America Athletic Training Association Professional Undergraduate Scholarship Award.

Tustin, a Gove senior majoring in athletic training, received her award at the Mid-America Athletic Training Association Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet in Tulsa.

The Mid-America Athletic Training Association is a professional organization for athletic training that includes seven states within the Midwest.

The award is open to all undergraduate students from the seven states.

Tustin was one of two applicants to receive the award.

— FHSU University Relations

Hays woman sentenced to nearly 5 years after incident with 14-year-old

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

A 22-year-old Hays woman was sentenced to almost five years in prison after pleading guilty to having sex with a teenager at KVC Wheatland Hospital.

According to Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees, Skylar Madison Henson was sentenced earlier this month to a total of 59 months in prison after reaching a plea deal on three separate charges.

Henson was sentenced to 59 months for aggravated indecent liberties with a child, 59 months for aggravated indecent liberties with a minor and 15 months for distribution of marijuana. As a result of the plea agreement, the 59 months for aggravated indecent liberties with a minor and the 15 months on the drug charge will run concurrent to the 59 months for aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Court documents allege Henson, while working as an employee at KVC Wheatland, had sexual relations with a 14-year-old on three occasions in 2018 and also provided the juvenile with marijuana brownies. Henson was 21 at the time of the time.

Henson was also ordered 25 years of post-release supervision and 25 years of sex offender registration.

According to court transcripts provided to Hays Post, Henson’s lawyer, Olavee Raub, made a motion during sentencing for a downward departure of the sentence of 59 months for a lesser sentence.

Henson chose to testify at the sentencing and admitted that she had an inappropriate relationship with the victim and said she informed a staff member at KVC of the relationship. She also told the court she was dealing with abuse she had suffered in the past and she was addressing her issues.

“In all honesty, I’m not scared to go to prison,” Henson said. “So that’s not why I’m crying. I’m crying because there’s so many people in this court that love me and trusted me, and I hurt them and I caused pain.”

During cross examination, she testified that she knew staff members were not to have relationships with patients and that she knew the hospital is for juveniles who suffer from abuse or mental issues.

Henson also apologized during allocution to the children at KVC.

“I cared so much about them and because of my actions and my choices, I had to abandon them in one of the most confusing times of their lives,” Henson said.

Ellis County Attorney Drees argued that the 59 month sentence is an “appropriate sentence” and that Henson understood her obligations to the children at KVC.

“She knew he was a child suffering from ongoing illness,” Drees said. “She took advantage of that relationship where he was locked up in the hospital, a patient in the hospital. She was 21. He had just turned 14. She chose to have this relationship.

“We have factored in her younger years of 21 years of age,” Drees added. “We have factored in her full cooperation with law enforcement. That’s why we’re asking the court to run these (charges) concurrent.”

Raub argued that the incident was a lapse in judgement.

“If she could take it back she would, but she can’t,” Raub said.

Chief Judge Glenn Braun denied the motion for downward departure, noting the victim’s mother said “she needs to be punished.”

“The court does not believe that the evidence is substantial enough or compelling for the court to deviate from what the law mandates under these circumstances,” said Braun.

RUSSELL – Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents and the Crime Scene Response Team are investigating a shooting where an officer from the Russell Police Department was shot at a hotel in Russell.

On Thursday at approximately 8:15 p.m., information was received by law enforcement indicating a possible suicidal subject might be located in a room at the Days Inn at 1225 S. Fossil, Russell. An officer from the Russell Police Department, a deputy from the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, and a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper responded to the second floor of the hotel to conduct a welfare check on 29-year-old Taylor Malcom of Lenexa.

Preliminary information indicates that at around 8:40 p.m., as law enforcement officers knocked on the door to the hotel room and announced their presence, a shot was fired through the closed door. Within minutes, at least an additional three shots were fired from the hotel room. One of the shots fired struck a Sergeant from the Russell Police Department in his leg. No law enforcement officers returned fire.

Malcolm called 911 from inside the hotel room, and dispatchers helped convince him to surrender. At approximately 8:50 p.m., Malcolm came out of the room and was taken into police custody.

The Russell Police Sergeant was taken to a Russell hospital where he was stabilized, and was then transferred to the Hays Medical Center. He is currently in good condition, and is expected to recover.

Charges against Malcolm are pending.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The city of Hays has 13 mayor-appointed volunteer boards and committees.

In recent years, it’s become difficult to find citizens to serve on the boards and their operation has always been time consuming for city staff.

Following a discussion request by Mayor Henry Schwaller, staff research revealed some of the boards also regularly struggle to find issues to address during their monthly meetings and have effectively outlived their usefulness.

A recommendation presented at Thursday’s city commission work session suggests eliminating four of the boards and instead, relying on ad hoc committees to meet as needed for specific projects and topics.

City Manager Toby Dougherty and commissioners agreed input from the boards and committees has always been valued and desired.

“We’re very lucky to have people that volunteer to serve on all of these groups and we appreciate their work, especially when they’re serving in an advisory capacity,” Schwaller said.  “They come up with recommendations and many times, nothing happens. So for them, it’s a pretty trying exercise.”

James Meier noted he had a difficult time as mayor finding a resident to serve on the library board and he eventually posted a notice on Facebook where someone responded to the request.

Meier thinks the recommendations should be considered “not as an opportunity to get rid of these but rather to transform how we’re processing their information. So that not only are we utilizing our staff’s time efficiently, but the people that serve on these boards, their time is valuable too.”

There may be more public input if topical ad hoc groups are formed, according to Meier.

“I view this as a way to actually get more input and more people involved because it’s going to be a specific task with a specific timeline and something they’re truly interested in having input on.”

Several of the commissioners talked about having attended various committee and board meetings.

Ron Mellick said he’s seen undue pressure by board members on city staff at those meetings, recalling an incident at the municipal golf course several years ago.

“I feel sorry for staff and the fact that sometimes I think they get pressured into doing things that shouldn’t be done,” said Mellick. “I’m not picking on just the golf course. I have seen this done at several of these committees I’ve been to.”

Seven of the current 13 groups are required by state and/or federal statutes:

• Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals
• Hays Area Planning Commission
• Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Advisory Committee
• Hays Housing Authority
• Hays Public Library Board
• Hays Recreation Commission
• Northwest Kansas Community Corrections Board

Four of the six groups created by commission action are recommended to be disbanded:

• Airport Advisory Committee–Created in 1971
  • Created when Hays Regional Airport was focused on general aviation and there was very little staff knowledge
  • Valuable input on general aviation matters as well as long-term capital issues
  • Input and feedback could be gathered on an ad-hoc basis or with annual meetings
• Building Trades Board–Created in 1992
  • Has met one time the past two years; Could be folded into Board of Zoning Appeals
• Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course Advisory Board–Created in 1980
  • Create ad-hoc venues for input from Women’s and Men’s Associations as well as general membership
• Hays Beautification Committee–Created in 1988
  • Productivity limitations due to lack of funding and staff time available for projects
  • Smaller tree board, a requirement of participation in  Tree City USA program, could be created

The Sister Cities Advisory Board, created in 1998 by the city commission, serves as a valuable conduit to Hays’ sister cities in China and Paraguay.  Instead of a formal dismantling, it’s recommended the board be allowed to appoint its own members.  The city could still fund the board from the annual CVB budget.

CARE Council, organized in 1997, is the sixth commission-created group. The 12 members are  responsible for reviewing any agency requesting monies from the city’s Social Services budget and the city’s and county’s alcohol tax budgets.

Commissioners want to keep the CARE Council as is.

The commission is expected to vote on the elimination recommendations at its April 25 meeting.

Dissolution of such groups is not unprecedented.

In 2003, the city commission passed a resolution that formally disbanded 11 committees.   The Neighborhood Revitalization/Downtown Development Review Board was dissolved in 2013.

St. Norbert College

Jennifer Bonds-Raacke, Ph.D., dean of the graduate school and office of scholarship and sponsored projects at Fort Hays State University, will be the next vice president for academic affairs at St. Norbert College. She will begin on June 3.

“Dr. Bonds-Raacke immediately and expansively impressed students, faculty, staff and trustees alike with her profound and deep commitment to the St. Norbert College mission; her notable, lengthy academic record and achievements; the depth and breadth of her administrative experiences; her excellence as a teacher, scholar, and academic leader; and her compelling, captivating leadership style,” said St. Norbert College President Brian Bruess.

As vice president for academic affairs, Bonds-Raacke will oversee the college’s 141 full-time faculty and all of its academic activities and programs. In addition, the vice president of academic affairs is responsible for all curricular matters, direction of the Miriam B. & James J. Mulva Library, the college’s athletic programs, the Schneider School of Business & Economics, and eight academic centers.

“I am humbled and honored to serve as the next vice president for academic affairs at St. Norbert College,” said Bonds-Raacke. “The Catholic, liberal arts and Norbertine traditions resonate with me due to my own educational background. From the moment I stepped on campus, I experienced the Norbertine idea of communio. This authentic, deep sense of community was transparent all around me; I was at home.”

Bonds-Raacke holds the rank of tenured professor in the department of psychology, where she served as chair for seven years before assuming her current role. Her primary research interests are the psychology of mass communication, decision-making and the psychology of teaching. Prior to joining the faculty at FHSU, Bonds-Raacke served as the associate dean of the Maynor Honors College and as a faculty teaching fellow for the Teaching & Learning Center at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She has also been an assistant professor and faculty advisor of the honors program at Briar Cliff University. Bonds-Raacke obtained her Ph.D and M.S. from Kansas State University in experimental psychology and her B.A. from Christian Brothers University. She’s been married to John Raacke for more than 19 years; they have two daughters, Callie and Brooke.

Bonds-Raacke will replace Jeff Frick, who came to St. Norbert College in 2010. Frick is stepping down to pursue other opportunities in higher-education leadership. Under Frick’s leadership, great strides were made at St. Norbert in the academic affairs area of the college, including changes to the promotion and tenure process, the addition of athletic programs, curricular development and partnerships with the Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University.

ELLIS – Ellis city council members want more time to review a proposed contract with Lamp Rynearson for swimming pool engineering services.

Construction of a new municipal pool is contingent upon the city receiving a state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). A application for a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan, will also be made.

Andy Smith, Lamp Rynearson, presented the preliminary engineering report for the pool project. Although the new pool would be smaller, Smith told the council it’s more functional, with a dive well, designated area for the existing slide, lap swim areas, and zero entry.  The proposed pool would have a new pump and new piping, but utilize the current filtration system.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

April 15, 2019

 

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger.  Also present were Public Works Foreman Danny Wickham, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

Mayor David McDaniel struck the Executive Session under New Business and replaced the agenda item with Consideration of Acquisition of Personal Property.

PUBLIC PRESENT

Myles Vine, Joe Kreutzer, Glen Keller, Margie Mickelson, Verda Flinn, Andy Smith, Justine Benoit, and Nickole Byers (arrived at 7:33 p.m.)

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on April 1, 2019, Bills Ordinance #2067, and the Manual Journal Entries for December 2018.  Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

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

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Fire: Acquisition

Fire Chief Dustin Vine provided his monthly report to Council.  The Department purchased an aluminum flat bottom boat for water rescues and training.

Swimming Pool: Grant

Andy Smith, Lamp Rynearson, presented the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Preliminary Engineering Report for the proposed swimming pool project and entertained questions from Council.  The report identifies ongoing issues with the current swimming pool and explains the scope of the proposed project.  Mr. Smith explained that although the proposed pool is smaller, it is actually more functional in that there is a dive well, a designated area for the existing slide, lap swim areas, and zero entry. The estimated patron load of 238 is over double the average daily attendance at the current facility.  The proposed swimming pool will have a new pump and all new piping, but the current filtration system will be salvaged as it has usable life remaining due to a smaller pool area to service.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Swimming Pool: Contract

Mr. Smith continued by presenting Lamp Rynearson’s contract for swimming pool engineering services.  The contract is contingent on the City being awarded the Community Development Block Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce.  City Attorney Olavee Raub expressed concerns with two of the provisions regarding additional miscellaneous charges and additional services to be completed with or without written authorization from the City.  Mr. Smith agreed to strike Appendix 1 to Exhibit C regarding miscellaneous charges, and to strike the heading of A2.02 (Additional Services Not Requiring Owner’s Written Authorization) and instead incorporating those provisions into A2.01 (Additional Services Requiring Owner’s Written Authorization).  It was the consensus of Council to table consideration of the contract until the next meeting in order to give Council more time to review the document.

General Government: Policy

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Donation Policy as presented.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Sewer: Repair/Maintenance

City Attorney Olavee Raub updated Council on the proposed Cedar Lane Lift Station project.  Ms. Raub has requested documents from the Ellis County Register of Deeds’ office to determine if the project would fall within the boundaries of the City’s existing easement.

NEW BUSINESS

Special Machinery: Acquisition

In the absence of Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton and Public Works Department employee Joe Kreutzer informed Council of a sealed bid opportunity regarding the possible acquisition of two pickups for the Public Works Department.  Council budgeted for the purchase of two pickups for the Department in the 2019 budget.  One pickup was purchased in January, and funding would come from monies remaining in that budget, as well as monies leftover from the recent purchase of the bobcat.  After further discussion, Council member Steve Ferland moved to authorize Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to submit a sealed bid for two pickups in a total amount not to exceed $30,000, with funds to come from the Special Machinery fund.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  Upon a call for the vote, Council members Steve Ferland, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger voted in favor of the motion, and Council member Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, and Martin LaBarge voted opposed.  Mayor David McDaniel voted in favor of the motion, therefore the motion carried 4-3.

Parks: Event Request

The Committee for the Community Block Party has submitted applications for the use of Creekside Park for the event.  Committee member Holly Aschenbrenner amended the Event Request for Traffic Control to leave Taylor Street open for traffic, but to barricade the dirt roads leading into and out of the park.  Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application, Noise Permit Application, and the Event Request for Traffic Control as revised for the Community Block Party to be held on June 8, 2019 at Creekside Park. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

General Government: Licenses/Fees

The City’s fee schedule has been updated for an increase in the cereal malt beverage/strong beer license fees.  Council member Bret Andries moved to approve Resolution No. 557 adopting the revised fee schedule as Exhibit A.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Campground: Contract

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to accept the contract for electric service from Midwest Energy for the Campground Expansion Project.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Tourism: Contract

Lamar has presented a proposed contract to replace the vinyl on the billboard used by the City but paid for by the Ellis Chamber.  Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the contract from Lamar to replace the vinyl panel in the amount of $350.00, with funds to come from the Tourism Fund.  Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Council reviewed the Comparative Water Report for the period February 10^th – March 10^th.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates reported the Department received a letter of appreciation from the State for Officer Moeder’s participation in the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Hunter Safety Class.   Officer Smith is coordinating the annual bike safety classes at the elementary schools.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the December 2018 and year-end Financial Statements.  Council reviewed the Health Insurance Savings Report for March and the draft minutes from the recent Tourism and Water Advisory Committee meetings.  Council briefly discussed the Water Exploration project.  Trego County Rural Water District #2 would like to visit with the Committee about partnering with the City for water distribution.  City Attorney Olavee Raub will review the language in the land owner’s sales contracts to see if that would be possible.

Ms. Burton presented the budget submitted to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for the Campground Expansion Project.  Committee member Verda Flinn reported the City hopes to have the project completed by Spring 2020.

The Governor has approved Senate Bill 105 allowing cities to determine the start date of regular terms of office for elected officials.  The bill requires the start date be on or after December 1^st following certification of the election, and no later than the second Monday in January following certification of the election.  Council directed City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft a resolution for consideration at the next Council meeting in accordance with the bill.

Swimming Pool: Financial

Council asked if the Swimming Pool Committee has started the application process for the Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant for the CDBG Swimming Pool Improvement Project.  Ms. Burton reported the Committee has not started the grant process due to uncertainty of Council’s support for the project.  Council then entered into another discussion regarding the proposed project.  Council member Jolene Niernberger stated that residents have expressed concerns about the size of the new pool and the cost of the project, but that all residents have expressed an interest in keeping a pool in the City.  Council asked for Ms. Burton to find out how long the City would have to accept the CDBG grant, if awarded, and if accepted, how long the City has to complete the project.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner stated she is in favor of the project as long as the City’s cash outlay does not exceed $500,000.  Council members Bret Andries and Jolene Niernberger agreed, while Council members Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, and Bob Redger were still undecided.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner then moved to direct Assistant City Clerk Verda Flinn to prepare and submit the Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant application for the CDBG Swimming Pool Project.  Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion.  Upon a call for the vote, Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Bret Andries, and Jolene Niernberger voted in favor of the motion, with Council members Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, and Bob Redger voting opposed.  Mayor David McDaniel voted in favor of the motion, therefore the motion carried 4-3.

Attorney

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel referenced a letter received from Ellis County Administrator Philip Smith-Hanes asking for the City’s input on a proposed countywide sales tax.  It was the consensus of Council to support a half cent sales tax and for the City to receive their portion.  Council member Jolene Niernberger requested the City’s County representative come to a future meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 7 minutes to discuss staffing in the Public Works Department pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with City Attorney Olavee Raub and City Clerk Amy Burton present.  The open meeting will resume at 9:47 p.m.  Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Steve Ferland seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 6-0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m.