By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners Thursday will discuss exercising the city’s option to purchase property near Interstate 70 and Commerce Parkway.

In April 2018, the commission purchased an 18-month irrevocable option to buy 91 acres in the southheast corner of the 27th Street and Commerce Parkway intersection at the east I-70 Exit 161. That option expires September 19 of this year.

The property, currently owned by the Cathy A. Braun Revocable Trust of Hays, has significant potential for future retail, commercial, and business park development.

According to a memo from City Manager Toby Dougherty, the cost to exercise the option is the original price of $800,000, less the credited option payment of approximately $17,500 if paid the day following the regular March 14 commission meeting, and prorated taxes of $108. The total remaining purchase price would be $782,608 plus shared closing costs and title insurance.

Staff is recommending the city commission approve the purchase.

Commissioners will also see an engineering design proposal to build an additional waterline under I-70 to the north. There is currently just one 16-inch water main going under I-70 to the 500,000-gallon water tower constructed in 1993.

The lowest cost proposal is from Kaw Valley Engineers, Junction City, for $59,860. It would be funded from Water Capital.

The project is included in the Capital Improvement Plan within the 2019 Budget.

On April 1, Kansas laws change to allow for the sale of beer with up to 6% alcohol under Cereal Malt Beverage (CMB) Licensing.

Commissioners will review an ordinance amending the current City of Hays Code of Ordinances to include the reference to 6% beer.

There are no changes needed to CMB licensing procedures or qualifications in the City Clerk’s office, according to Kim Rupp, finance director. All current CMB licenses in Hays will remain in effect and will automatically qualify under the new ordinance.

Rupp will also talk about improvements which have been completed in two areas:

• Heart of America Second Addition (Resolution No. 2016-010) – Water, Sanitary
Sewer, Storm Sewer, and Street improvements (extension of 9th Street east to Commerce Parkway)
• King’s Gate First Addition (2012-004) – Park improvements (south of I-70 between Hall Street and the Highway 183 Bypass)

The city will begin the process of assessing property owners in the improvement districts.

Heart of America Second Addition will be a fifteen-year assessment of $277,836.51 spread against each lot.

King’s Gate First Addition will be a ten-year assessment of $82,163.49 split equally per square foot within the improvement district.

The complete March 7 agenda is available here.

The work session starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.