By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

No changes will be made in the new employment contract for members of the Hays Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 513.

The city and the union had been at an impasse on the 2016-2018 employment contract since June 3 and a subsequent mediation was unsuccessful.

During a hearing at Thursday night’s city commission meeting, representatives of both sides presented their concerns.

Representing the union was Harold Schlectweg, Wichita, who said employees wanted formal input each year into how much they pay and how much the city contributes for health insurance. City Manager Toby Dougherty reminded commissioners they had already determined the $9,500 cap per employee would not change for the next three years.

Following the hearing, city commissioners voted unanimously to keep the 2016-2018 employment contract as is. Local 513 represents employees in Public Works, Parks and Utilities.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A hearing will be conducted during tonight’s Hays City Commission meeting in which representatives of Service Employees International (SEIU) Union Local 513 and city staff will explain their positions regarding the 2016-2018 employment contract.

Three items remain to be agreed upon, according to City Manager Toby Dougherty. Those are health insurance, paid time off, and termination of the agreement, as listed in the factfinding report.

Impasse was declared on June 3; a mediator was brought in with no success.

“According to the Public Employee/Employer Relations Act, we then requested that the director of PERB request a factfinder to be appointed,” Dougherty said.

The factfinder, Rex Wiant of Kansas City, was appointed, a hearing was held Sept. 17 and the factfinding report was submitted to Dougherty’s office Sept. 28.

“By state law, the factfinding report remains confidential for 14 days to allow the parties to come to agreement. If the parties don’t come to agreement, the report is made public and the city commission by statute is required to hold a hearing on the matter,” Dougherty explained.

The factfinding report and the complete Oct. 22, 2015, meeting agenda can be seen here.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Following the state legislature’s approval of a new law this year, the city of Hays will be transitioning from April elections to November elections in odd years only.

All Kansas cities will be holding their local elections in November–the Tuesday following the first Monday in November–to coincide with the date of national elections. The change is intended to increase voter turnout in the state.

Assistant Hays City Attorney Todd Powell told Hays City Commissioners last week the law also contains provisions relating to elections of city officials including the election date, the beginning of the term of office for newly elected commissioners, filing deadlines and primaries.

“The newly elected commissioners take their seats the second Monday in January rather than in April. As it applies to the current Hays city commission, the terms that expire in 2017 will actually expire in January of 2018. And the terms that expire in April of 2019, will end in January of 2020,” Powell explained.

According to Powell, the city must adopt three ordinances to comply with the new state law. City commissioners will consider the recommendation during their Thursday, Oct. 22 meeting.

The meeting agenda can be seen here.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The suggestion for angle parking on Seventh Street by two business owners on the west end of the street, just off the Fort Hays State University campus, came about during recent discussion by Hays City Commissioner Lance Jones who favored converting West Seventh and Sixth streets to two-way traffic.

The other commissioners declined to support Jones’ recommendation, although they directed city staff to investigate the angle parking suggestion for the north side of the street. Parallel parking would remain on the north side.

The study results of Seventh Street from campus to Main Street will be presented during tonight’s Hays City Commission work session.

According to City Manager Toby Dougherty, staff will recommend against the idea.

“We took a lot of vehicles down there and looked at the angles, clearances, driving lanes, the requirements in order to put angle parking in,” Dougherty said. “While it would yield a few more parking spaces, city staff feels it doesn’t warrant the change because of other issues it would bring.”

Those issues include a concern raised by Hays Fire Chief Gary Brown.

“If they have to respond to a fire requiring the ladder truck, it has outriggers that need to be laid down. If we create a 10-foot-wide driving lane filled with parking, the fire truck won’t be able to put the outriggers down, and that could delay a response until cars are moved out of the way,” Dougherty explained.

Another cost factor would be removing the concrete median in the middle of the street.

Other agenda items for the work session include a discussion of transitioning to November elections. During 2015, state legislators passed a bill that moves city elections from April of odd years to November of odd years.

Fact-finding reports and the SEIU contract for 2016-2018 will be reviewed.

Public Works Director Greg Sund will present a replat of Lots 1 and 2 and Arnhold Drive in Arnhold’s Industrial Addition, and rezoning of Lots 15 and 17, Block 6, of HP Wilson Addition, 117 E. 7th Street, from C-O (Office and Institution District) to C-2 (General Commercial and Service District).

Jeff Boyle, Director of Parks, will talk about plans for a new play unit and restroom in Kiwanis Park, 17th and Harvest.

The complete Oct. 15, 2015, agenda can be seen here.

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

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Ya gotta eat. Do your stomach and the community a good deed.

Today is “Dine Out Day” with the United Way of Ellis County and the Golden Q Sports Bar and Grill, 809 Ash, Hays.

Residents are encouraged to help with “Uniting Our Community” by dining at the Golden Q Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The restaurant will donate a portion of the proceeds from their Wednesday Cheeseburger Special to the United Way of Ellis County.

This year’s fundraising goal is $490,000.

Last Friday, UWEC Executive Director Sherry Dryden announced the campaign has reached the 40 percent mark.

ELLIS–Non-compliant decorations and monument placement in Mount Hope cemetery were discussed by the Ellis City Council during their Oct. 5 meeting. Council members directed the cemetery committee to further review both issues.

City Clerk Amy Burton announced the city saved an estimated $9,500 between July and September by switching to Freedom Claims Management, Inc. for the city employee health insurance.

The council also accepted the resignation of Assistant Fire Chief David Honas, effective October 7.

The complete Oct. 5 meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES October 5, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Heather Luea was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Buck Driggs, Terri Fischer, John LaShell, Janice Dinkel, Glen Keller, Sheri Wiesner, Tim Flax, Bob Muirhead, and Tim Kohlrus.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on September 21, 2015, Bills Ordinance #1982, with the exception of the Kart-Man invoice to be considered under New Business, and the August manual journal entries. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
Mayor David McDaniel presented Employee Service Awards to Tim Kohlrus, Jr. (10 years) and Jolene Niernberger (5 years).
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Special Event
Fire Chief Denis Vine reported the bonfire at the Homecoming festivities had to be cut short due to increasing winds. Several volunteer firemen drove the fire trucks during the Homecoming parade.
Volunteer firemen will visit the elementary students on Thursday for activities in recognition of Fire Prevention Week.
Fire: Training
The Ellis County Fire Chief’s meeting is Tuesday in Hays. On Friday, the KU Fire Search and Rescue Unit will provide entry level training for area firemen. The District 5 Fire meeting will be held in WaKeeney October 27th.
Personnel: Exit
Mayor David McDaniel read a letter of resignation from Assistant Fire Chief David Honas, effective October 7th.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Street: Contract
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, presented the contract for engineering services for the 2016 Street Improvement Project. The contract is contingent on the City receiving Community Development Block Grant funds to help fund the project. Mr. Driggs noted that in Exhibit A the project on Cottonwood Street is from 10th to 12th Streets, not 10th to 11th as the exhibit reflects. All three street segments will be bid as one project. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the Agreement for Professional Engineering Services with Driggs Design Group in the amount of $103,468.00 for the 2016 Street Improvement Project. The motion carried 5-0.
Electric: Contract
Tim Flax, Midwest Energy, presented a proposed lease agreement between the City and Midwest Energy for property located on 6th Street north of the existing substation. Midwest Energy would like to construct a 180’ tower on the property to serve as a data hub. City Attorney Olavee Raub reviewed the regulations in the Zoning Ordinance and believes Midwest Energy would need to make application to the Board of Zoning appeals for a zoning variance to construct the tower. Council reviewed the lease agreement and requested adding verbiage about removal of the facility if Midwest Energy ceased operations. Council member John Walz moved to approve the lease agreement with Midwest Energy with the revisions as proposed. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Municipal Court: Violation
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported on the dangerous dog case taking place in Ellis Municipal Court. Judge Wichman signed the order Friday, October 2nd instructing the defendant to pay the fines and impound fees within 7 days to have the dogs released. The court order was served on the defendant that same day. If the dogs are released, the defendant must present proof of where the dogs are moving to, as they are not allowed to stay in Ellis.
NEW BUSINESS
Cemetery: Committee
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to appoint Dan Wickham to the vacancy on the Cemetery Committee. The motion carried 5-0.
Cemetery: City Code
Council considered a proposed ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1361 specifying monument placement in Mount Hope Cemetery. Ordinance No. 1361 states monuments shall be placed on the inside edge of the exterior end grave space boundary. The proposed ordinance would allow the Public Works Director discretion to place monuments in line with existing monuments, rather than strictly on the inside edge of the exterior end. The proposed revision would only apply to the existing original cemetery. Monuments placed in the new section would still have to be compliant with Ordinance No. 1361. Although the Ordinance was recommended to Council by unanimous vote of the Cemetery Committee, committee members Terri Fischer and John LaShell expressed dissent with the proposed ordinance to Council. After further discussion, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner suggested the Cemetery Committee further review the proposed ordinance before Council consideration.
Water: License/Permit
The City’s authorization to regulate private domestic wells expires on December 31, 2015. The City’s Water Conservation Plan provides for the City to request authorization to regulate private domestic wells while in Stage 2 or Stage 3 from the Kansas Division of Water Resources. Authorization allows the City to hold private domestic well owners to the same water restrictions as other residents. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to authorize Mayor McDaniel to sign the letter to the Chief Engineer of the Kansas Division of Water Resources requesting an extension of the City’s authority to restrict domestic water wells. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
Sanitation: Acquisition
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to ratify the invoice from Kart-Man, LLC in the amount of $1,063.49 with funds to come from the Sanitation Fund. The motion carried 5-0.
Special Machinery: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented a single axle truck for consideration. The truck is located in Minnesota and has 106,000 miles on it. The listed price is $26,900, but the seller is offering the truck for $25,700 plus $950 freight. No warranty is offered. The Council budgeted $40,000 for this purchase in 2015, and Mr. Scheuerman would like to put the remaining funds toward the purchase of a tandem axle truck budgeted for purchase in 2016. Council member John Walz moved to purchase the 2000 Sterling L7500 from Zimmerman Truck Sales in the amount of $26,650 with funds to come from the Special Machinery Fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works:
Water
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Reports for the periods July 10th – August 10th and August 10th – September 10th.
Mr. Scheuerman attended the Smoky Hill-Saline Regional Planning meeting where the committee adopted long-term water supply goals for the region. The first action item is to reduce the sediment and total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations within the lakes and streams within the Smoky Hill-Saline Planning region.
Streets: Special Project
Council reviewed the letter to be presented to the Ellis County Commissioners thanking them for allowing the Ellis County Public Works Department to assist the City with the annual chip seal project.
Mr. Scheuerman reported the City is in the process of obtaining easements from the property owners for the sidewalk/crosswalk project at 18th Street and Monroe. Midwest Energy has verbally agreed to award the City a $1,000 grant to help fund the project. The school district has agreed to remove the snow from the sidewalks as needed.
A portion of the street collapsed on 10th Street near Dorrance. The area has experienced water main breaks in the past. Repairs will be made this week.
Campground: Special Project
Council inquired about dredging the creek since it is quickly drying up. In the past, the Army Corps of Engineers frowned upon dredging the creek, but Mr. Scheuerman believes their approach may be changing.
Mr. Scheuerman reported he has received a grant application from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism for construction of the dock.
Council instructed Mr. Scheuerman to contact KDWP&T for ideas on maintaining the dam. The size of the dam precludes it from being under the Corp of Engineer’s regulations. The dam has several large cracks and has weeds growing out of it.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for September. The Department had 103 new incidents, including assisting an outside agency in recovery of a stolen vehicle and assisting the Federal Marshals in locating a felony absconder. Officers Moeder and Wechsler completed Taser training and Officer McCollam attended narcotics officer and active shooter training.
Chief Yates also presented the October staff calendar.
Chief Yates received notice from Lewis Ford that by the time the 2015 Ford Taurus was ordered, all of the 2015 models were spoken for. Therefore, Lewis Ford will order the 2016 model at no additional cost to the City or reduction in trade-in value. Delivery may be delayed until January in order to get the new model.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reported the City offices will be closed October 22nd to conduct the annual inventory.
Council members are to RSVP to the City office by October 16th if they wish to attend the League of Kansas Municipalities Regional Supper in Goodland.
General Government: Zoning
Greg and Dawn Schmidt have made application to the Planning Commission to have 806 Washington rezoned from General Commercial to Single-Family Residential. The Council must be notified because the City office is within 200’ of the property. The Commission will hold a hearing on the re-zoning application on October 26th at 7:00 p.m.
Personnel: Benefits
City Clerk Amy Burton presented summaries of the savings to the City by switching to Freedom Claims Management, Inc. for the City employee’s health insurance. The City has cumulative estimated savings of $9,519.86 from July to September.
General Government: Financial
Ms. Burton presented the August financial statements consisting of the Statement of Accounts, Treasurer’s Report, and Security Deposit Worksheet.
General Government: Committee
Ms. Burton enclosed the draft minutes from the Cemetery Committee, Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Safety Committee for Council to review.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub announced Greg Saindon will be retiring at the end of October. Mr. Saindon served as City Attorney for many years. There will be a retirement party on October 23rd to celebrate Mr. Saindon’s retirement.
Ms. Raub reminded Council she will be absent from the October 19th Council meeting due to training.
Mayor/Council
Mayor David McDaniel is going to visit with the elementary schools about the annual “If I Were Mayor” contest held by the League of Kansas Municipalities. Contest winners are recognized at City Hall Day in Topeka in January 2016.
Mayor David McDaniel and Council members Jolene Niernberger and John Walz will represent the City of Ellis at the League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference this weekend in Topeka.
Council member Bob Redger expressed concerns over a notice published in the Ellis Review giving residents until November 1st to remove non-compliant cemetery decorations. Mr. Redger stated he didn’t care how long it takes to mow the cemetery; survivors should be able to memorialize however they choose. City Attorney Olavee Raub stated the notice published follows the language in the City Code, and Ms. Raub was at the Cemetery Committee meeting when the members agreed to publish the Code language. Committee member John LaShell suggested the City hire a part-time employee to take care of just the cemetery. The Cemetery Committee will revisit the growing problem of non-compliant decorations at the next Cemetery Committee meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:53 p.m.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“Awesome.” That’s how co-director Theresa Hill described last week’s annual fall canned food drive for the Community Assistance Center.

“The top and bottom shelves are also filled (above and below the main shelving.) It hasn’t been that way for awhile,” Hill said with a smile as she pointed out the food items stacked up high and down low.

Hill herself was filled with praise for the Hays High DECA students who coordinated volunteers for the Oct. 6 “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat” in Hays under the direction of club sponsor Shaina Prough.

“We have more than 10,000 new non-perishable food items and we’re shooting for 15,000,” Hill said.

Volunteers in Victoria will conduct their food drive next Saturday, Oct. 24.

“There were more DECA kids than ever here to help, along with 28 to 30 Hays Lions Club members. Our shelves were bare–it was horrible.”  Hill hopes the spring food drive by mail carriers will do as well.  “We need it.”

Ellis County residents may still donate non-perishable food items to the CAC, 208 E. 12th in Hays, to be included in the fall drive.

“We’ll keep track of it through the end of October,” Hill said.

The CAC is now open longer hours, from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Hays Fire Department has a free smoke and carbon monoxide detector program for low-income residents, funded by the Kansas State Fire Marshal office.

“We want every bedroom to have a smoke detector and also to have them outside living areas,” said Firefighter Brandon Zimmerman.

“So if anyone does not have that in their home because they can’t afford to buy the detectors, contact the fire department and we’ll schedule a time during the day that works best for them and us and we’ll come out and put them in.”

HFD will also change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for Hays residents who are unable to do it themselves–“the elderly or disabled,” Zimmerman added.

He also recommended monthly tests of the alarms and to change the batteries when Daylight Saving Time changes twice a year, in the fall and the spring.

For more information about the smoke and CO detector program, call the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The first full week of October is observed nationally as “Fire Prevention Week.”

This year’s theme is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep” and encourages Americans to have working fire and carbon monoxide alarms near each bedroom.  Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are asleep, according to the National Fire Protection Association.  In Kansas, the rate is even higher–nearly two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night, according to the state fire marshal.

The Hays Fire Department is visiting all the schools in Hays Monday through Friday, with demonstrations of its mobile fire safety house to students in kindergarten through second grade.

“The children are educated on basic fire safety and how to react to a fire in their home,” said Firefighter Brandon Zimmerman.

“We talk about basic home safety and what to do when in school when the fire alarm sounds We have a smoke machine in the mobile fire safety house. We can actually smoke up the room so they can see how the smoke travels down and they crawl under the smoke. We teach them everything they need to know–to feel the room door with the back of their hand.

“It’s a good process for them to go through,” Zimmerman added.

Third-graders are given the “Great Escape Challenge.”

“Every third-grader draws us a poster. It’s a floor plan of their house with all their smoke alarms and CO (carbon monoxide) alarms in their house, hazards in their house, and their escape plan and meeting place–with the idea of ‘get out and stay out’ in case of a fire,” he explained.

One student from each third grade class is chosen to have the best escape plan and invited to the Hays fire station on Saturday, Oct. 24. The students will be presented with T-shirts, get to eat supper with the firefighters, tour the station and take a ride up high in the HFD Ladder 1 fire truck bucket.

“They get to see Hays from the air. It’s usually a pretty good hit with the kids,” Zimmerman said with a smile.