By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The month of June brings summer fun throughout Hays.
Melissa Dixon, Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Executive Director, has a look at some of the highlights.
An updated calendar of events is available on the CVB website www.visthays.com.
MANHATTAN — Approximately 420 young men from across the State of Kansas, all of whom will be entering their senior year of high school this fall, are anticipated to participate in the 2019 session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy. The event, in its 82nd year, is underway through Friday, June 7, at Kansas State University in Manhattan.
One of the attendees is Levi Hickert, a student at Hays High School.
The ALBSKLA is for young men who will enter their senior year of high school in the fall of 2019. It provides a relevant, interactive, problem-solving experience in leadership and teamwork that develops self-identity, promotes mutual respect and instills civic responsibility. Boys State is a “learning by doing” political exercise that simulates elections, political parties and government at the state, county and local levels, providing opportunities to lead under pressure, showcasing character and working effectively within a team. It’s also an opportunity to gain pride and respect for government and the price paid by members of the military to preserve democracy.
o Opening Ceremonies, 2:45 p.m., McCain Auditorium
o Swearing in of KBS mayors, 7 p.m., Assembly Area (Marlatt Hall parking lot [northeast of building on Claflin Road])
o Party Caucuses, 7:45 to 10:15 p.m., Cardwell Hall, Room 101 (Federalist Party [considered to be the more conservative party]), and Umberger Hall, Room 105 (Nationalist Party [considered to be the more liberal party]) — Each party will select their candidates for the six state offices and formulate their party platforms. This is not open to the public.
o KBS National Guard training at Fort Riley, Kan., 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. This is not open to the public.
o KBS Governor candidates’ debate, 1 to 2 p.m., Wefald Hall
o Announcement of KBS general election winners for state offices and swearing in ceremony, 7 p.m., Assembly Area
o KBS Governor’s Inaugural Address, Talent Show and keynote speaker, Adrion Roberson, 7:15 p.m., McCain Auditorium
o Flag Retirement Ceremony, 7:15 p.m., World War II Memorial in front of McCain Auditorium
o KBS Band and Chorus Concerts, followed by Boys Nation candidates’ speeches, 7:45 p.m., McCain Auditorium
o Closing Ceremonies, noon to 2 p.m., McCain Auditorium
The American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy is an interactive simulation that teaches high school seniors-to-be the value of democracy and civic duty. Participants form mock governments and campaign for positions at the city, county and state levels. After the elections, participants find out firsthand the difficult decisions made daily by those in government through a series of challenging simulations. Delegates, nominated to attend by their high school counselors and other influential people in their lives, are sponsored by American Legion posts and various civic organizations from across the state. All delegates demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities in student government, athletics and/or other activities.
The Boys State program was founded by Legionnaires Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card in Illinois in 1935, and was first held in Kansas two years later in Wichita. The Kansas program moved to the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1963 and remained there until 1991. The following year, it moved to its current location at Kansas State University in Manhattan. For more information about the American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy, visit https://kansasboysstate.com/ or https://ksbstate.org/.
– SUBMITTED –
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
May was a wet month in Hays, with a little more than eight inches of rain recorded.
According to official statistics from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town, Hays received 8.06 inches of rain last month. That’s just less than two and half times the average 3.24 inches for May.
Year-to-date moisture is at 11.69 inches.
That puts Hays already ahead of the amount usually recorded by the end of June, which is 11.27 inches according to the 151 year average.
The forecast from the National Weather Service office in Dodge City calls for a chance of daily rain through Thursday.
ELLIS – The Ellis City Council will tonight consider approval of the Planning Commission’s goals and objectives for the Ellis Comprehensive Plan.
Other meeting agenda items include approval of Freedom Choice Health Insurance provisions and Vision Care Direct Plan for city employees.
The complete June 3 agenda follows.
AGENDA
June 3, 2019
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)
(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.)
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Despite the opposition shown by a standing-room only crowd at Thursday night’s Hays City Commission meeting, homeowners in northwest Hays were unable to convince a majority of commissioners to change their minds about the planned extension of West 37th Street.
As part of the $9.3 million project to build four traffic roundabouts on north Vine Street, West 37th would be extended to the west from Vine and West 41st would be realigned to meet that extension. A new public street would be constructed south of the new intersection to maintain access to the existing gas station south of West 37th.
Four traffic roundabouts are to be constructed on Vine Street/U.S. Highway 183 at 32nd/33rd, 37th, 41st Streets, and a partial roundabout at the eastbound exit ramp of Interstate 70.
Representing the Hays 37th Street Association, homeowner Ryan Rymer said the group’s chief concern is keeping the neighborhood safe from increased traffic.
“It’s one in which you can raise a family, where the hustle and bustle of Vine Street is distant, the concerns of through-passing criminals are few, crime occurrence is low, homes are affordable, and they are not likely to flood. The potential of a connection to Vine Street negates all the reasons why we chose this area,” Rymer told the commission.
Stop signs at 37th and Fort and 35th and Fort were recently changed at those intersections to now stop east/west bound traffic. The switch was made at the suggestion of City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs, who lives on 38th, as a compromise within the proposal.
“I think their concerns about traffic going through their [neighborhood] quickly can be waylaid if [traffic on 37th] has to stop at Willow, then they have to stop at Fort, then they have to stop at Skyline,” she said last week.
Jacobs told the Hays 37th Street Association on Thursday she still supports the street extension as part of the North Vine Street Corridor Improvement Project.
“I’ve been fact finding. I’ve done a lot of soul searching. I’ve driven up and down those streets,” Jacobs said. “I trust the city staff and I trust our engineers and I trust the people that are bringing these plans before us and recommend to us what is the best.”
Before he spoke, Rymer presented a petition with signatures of more than 100 residents opposed to the street extension.
The discussion started with a review of the 37th/Skyline/41st configuration by City Project Manager John Braun who explained the city has three basic options: Close 41st Street, reroute 41st between Phillips 66 gas station and the Baymont Inn, or connect 37th at Skyline.
The 37th/Skyline connection is favored by the city and “this has been the desired connection to Vine Street since the 2012 Comprehensive Plan,” according to Braun.
“The problem on the Vine Street corridor is the frontage roads. They do need to be disconnected or set back further from Vine. The situation will only get worse [with the installation of roundabouts] and it’s something we do need to address,” he said.
Another of the residents’ representatives, Daniel LaBarge, and the commission both agreed during the meeting the number one goal is to connect 41st Street. The presentations by LaBarge and Rymer drew applause from the audience. Several other people also spoke against the proposed plan, also mentioning possible drops in property values.
The city and its engineering firm WSP first considered an initial concept of disconnecting the frontage roads and reconnecting 41st between Phillips 66 and Baymont Inn.
“This design was initially pursued due to the uncertainty of [the status of] the former Ambassador Hotel property,” said Braun. “Upon further examination, this option proved to be undesirable.”
Braun explained why the first two options were discarded, outlining the pros and cons of each scenario.
Closing 41st Street would cost between $890,000 and $1.5 million – the least expensive construction cost among the three options – while isolating and disconnecting existing businesses and also hinder future property development. It would also push more traffic to 32nd and 33rd Streets.
Rerouting 41st between the gas station and motel is the most direct reconnection of 41st to Vine. It would cost approximately $1.8 million. It has a narrow right-of-way and would require more property be taken from nearby businesses. The gas station fuel tanks and canopy would have to be relocated. “There’s a higher probability for congestion in that area,” Braun noted.
Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil opposes the 37th Street extension to Skyline.
“I’ve said from day one, and I know I’m odd man out here, that I thought this is a bad idea. I see no gain. If there was a gain for my community, I’d be 100 percent for this,” he said.
Musil made a motion to support the second option of rerouting 41st between Phillips 66 and Baymont Inn. The motion died for lack of a second.
Knowing all the drawbacks of the other options, the commission earlier decided on moving forward with the 37th and Skyline option, according to Braun.
The cost is estimated at $1.6 million and is in line with the Comprehensive Plan.
“This allows for the best traffic flow, facilitates future development of adjacent properties and does not impact existing businesses. It does allow convenient access to Vine from residential neighborhoods, limits the right of way acquisition to vacant properties and there’s no taking of active business properties. And there’s less utility conflicts with this option.”
Many residents in the affected neighborhoods have been in contact with Braun, other city staff and the city commissioners the past few weeks.
Braun talked about some of their questions, pointing out that 37th would not become an arterial thoroughfare or be widened but “simply provide access to Vine and parking would not be removed.”
Braun said Skyline can and does handle two-way traffic “just fine now and will continue to do so in the future.” That statement drew chuckles of disagreement from the audience.
Traffic will likely increase on 37th, Braun acknowledged, but “it will not be significantly more. Most people will continue using 33rd and 41st Streets as they do now.” Signs prohibiting truck traffic would also be posted.
Newly appointed commissioner Eber Phelps, who has served two previous terms, recalled previous street projects on 17th and 27th where residents feared would increase traffic accidents, but did not.
“[This is] almost like déjà vu,” Phelps said.
Many residents on 32nd and 33rd Streets have been in contact with Commissioner Ron Mellick, he told the audience.
“Many people on 34th, 35th, 36th, 37th, and 38th use 32nd and 33rd to access Vine now. … The only thing they’re asking is residents on 37th help shoulder and share a little of the traffic load,” Mellick said.
Mayor Henry Schwaller told the association he empathizes with them.
“The fear of the unknown is huge,” he said. “It’s possible that all those things [you’ve expressed concern about] could happen, but the probability is low. And I do admit there are some problems. But there really no clear alternatives that will benefit everyone. … We will do our best to configure this in a way that’s safe.
“Yes, there are some things we didn’t address. Those are speculations. We don’t know.”
When the North Vine Street improvement project design first began, Schwaller said he asked “why are we connecting this neighborhood to Vine Street?”
“The reason wasn’t just because of 41st. The thought by staff and other city commissioners was that you’d like to go to Vine Street,” he told the 37th Street area residents. “That would be beneficial…now you won’t have to go down to 32nd and 33rd, and go through two roundabouts. Now you’ll just have one. I’m not defending it. I’m just telling you the discussion that was had at the time.”
Schwaller has previously said he opposes the current traffic roundabout plan and has voted against related agenda items.
“It was thought the neighborhood would like access to Vine Street in a more efficient way and it is not [purposely designed] to let more people into your neighborhood. Might that happen? Yes. I don’t think it will happen as often as you believe it will.”
Schwaller also noted the plan allows for quicker access north of town, including to the Highway 183 Bypass and the Ellis County landfill.
By the end of next week, 60 percent of the corridor design will be complete, Braun reported. Final plans are due by Dec. 9 with construction expected to start in the summer of 2020.
The proposed $9.3 million project would be funded by a $6 million federal grant and a dedicated 20-year 2 percent increase in the transient guest tax.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Evening and late night thunderstorms rolled through Hays again Thursday.
Another 0.74 inches of rain was officially recorded May 23 at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.
So for in May, 6.91 inches of rain has fallen in Hays. The average for the entire month is 3.24 inches.
Year-to-date moisture is 10.54 inches. Historically, Hays will see an average of 7.81 inches of moisture by the end of May.
Rain in Hays is generally considered a good thing, but the regularity of recent rainfalls has brought a negative consequence to the city.
Kim Rupp, finance director, reported to the Hays city commission Thursday night that in April month-to-date water consumption by city customers was down 22%.
“That translates to a decrease of 8.3% in water revenues and 66.5 % in conservation rate revenues to the city,” Rupp told commissioners. “Year-to-date total consumption and revenue are down 9.2% and 2.1% respectively.”
“The year-to-date rainfall compared to last year is likely contributing to the decrease [in water use by city customers],” Rupp added.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The Hays city commission will discuss a portion of the North Vine Corridor Improvements project during their meeting tonight, specifically the 37th/Skyline/41st connection.
Staff will present a detailed review of the connection to Vine Street, the options explored and the underlying factors that led to the choice.
During last week’s work session, Commissioner Sandy Jacobs, who lives in the area, suggested an alternative to the current plan.
“I’ve been driving the area, looking for some possibilities,” Jacobs said, adding that she has talked to City Manager Toby Dougherty about her idea. “There’s two sets of stop signs up there, one at 35th and Fort and one at 37th and Fort. They actually stop north/south traffic.
“I think it would be a good idea to consider changing the direction of those stop signs.”
Jacobs said she and the other commissioners have heard from residents in that area.
“I think their concerns about traffic going through their [neighborhood] quickly can be waylaid if [traffic on 37th] has to stop at Willow, then they have to stop at Fort, then they have to stop at Skyline,” she said.
“If I were driving it, I would route myself around 41st where there is no stop sign,” Jacobs said. “I’d like to recommend that we look into that and possibly move forward with that.”
“They [stop signs] can easily be switched around,” said Dougherty.
Four traffic roundabouts are to be constructed on Vine Street/U.S. Highway 183 at 32nd/33rd, 37th, 41st Streets, and a partial roundabout at the eastbound exit ramp of Interstate 70.
In addition, the corridor project calls for W. 37th to be extended west to the new development area and for West 41st — the west frontage road — to be realigned to meet West 37th further west than the existing intersection location. A new public street would be constructed south of the new intersection to maintain access to the existing gas station south of West 37th.
Nearby homeowners spoke to the commission last month about their opposition to the proposed 37th Street extension, citing concerns about increased traffic and the possibility of falling property values.
Other agenda items for May 23 include:
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hal, 1507 Main.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Hays has already seen lots of rain this week and more is in the weather forecast.
According to official records at the K-State Agricultural Research Center, 1.16 inches of rain mixed with a little bit of small hail, was measured in Hays Tuesday, May 21. Limited street flooding was reported.
On Monday, 1.75 inches of rain fell.
So far this month, Hays has received 6.17 inches of rain. The average rainfall in May is 3.24 inches.
Year-to-date moisture is 9.80 inches, surpassing by two inches the 151-year cumulative average moisture by the end of May of 7.81 inches.
The National Weather Service in Dodge City is forecasting rain in Hays each day through Tuesday, May 28.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
It was a rainy spring weekend in Hays.
Rainfall measurements recorded at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town were 0.13 on Friday and another 0.63 Saturday evening for a weekend total of just over three-quarters of an inch.
So far in May Hays has had 3.26 inches of rain. The year-to-date moisture total is 6.89 inches.
The weather forecast from the National Weather Service in Dodge City is calling for rain through Thursday.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect from 1 p.m. Monday through early Tuesday afternoon for Ellis and Rush counties.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
“It’s déjà vu all over again.” That was the welcome from City Commissioner Ron Mellick to new City Commissioner Eber Phelps Thursday night.
Phelps was sworn into office by City Clerk Brenda Kitchen prior to the work session.
He was unanimously appointed during last week’s meeting to fill the unexpired term of James Meier who resigned May 2 to take a job in Wichita. The seat is up for re-election in November.
“I’m glad we have your experience back here,” Mellick told Phelps. “We have budget coming up and a lot of decisions and I’m sure your input will be very well taken.”
Phelps joked that “first thing when I walked in” the door of city hall he was handed a copy of the 2020 budget.
Phelps has previously served twice as a Hays city commissioner. The first time was from 1990 to 1996 and then again from 2012 to 2016, when he was selected to fill a vacated seat.
Last November, Phelps was defeated in his bid for re-election to the Kansas 111th District House of Representatives by Hays resident Barb Wasinger. He had served 18 years in the state legislature.
Phelps is an employee of Glassman Corporation.
HFD
The Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Thu., May 16, 2019 in the area of KSU Ag Research Highway 183 Bypass to Bison Road between 240th and 260th Ave., the area from Vine St. to Commerce between 8th St. and Reservation Rd., and the area of Canterbury to Commerce between 8th St. and 13th St. to include the Hays Regional Airport.
This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.
Inspecting fire hydrants ensures that the valves operate properly and that there is no damage or obstructions that will prevent or interfere with the prompt use of fire hydrants in an emergency. Firefighters are also checking the pressure and volume of water mains in each neighborhood for firefighting purposes. The associated flushing of water mains allows chlorine to be distributed throughout the system to eliminate bio-filming in the water mains.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Bicycles have the same rights – and responsibilities – as motor vehicles on Kansas streets and highways.
“Bicyclists must obey the same traffic safety measures as cars, whose drivers need to yield to bicycles appropriately as necessary,” says Stefan Gildemeister, Hays Master Police Officer. Gildemeister is also program coordinator and bike team leader for the Hays Police Department (HPD) Bicycle Patrol.
May is National Bicycle Safety Month.
HPD encourages bicyclists of all ages to wear a helmet. “It can make such a big difference as we’ve seen in some accidents involving bicyclists,” Gildemeister said. “The majority of head injuries that happen during those types of accidents can be prevented or greatly reduced by wearing a properly fitted helmet.”
The bike you ride should be properly fitted to you and make sure the brakes are working before you ride. “We want to be sure bicyclists can stop and try to avoid those type of accidents.”
It’s a good idea to wear bright or reflective clothing, especially during limited visibility at dawn and dusk.
Night time rides require by state law a white light on the front of the bike as well as a red rear reflector. “We also encourage some type of red steady or flashing light on the back of your bicycle,” Gildemeister added, “making you that more visible to cars.”
Hays has seven designated bike routes and two concrete bike paths throughout town as part of Bike Hays.
There are also bike lanes outlined on many city streets.
“Those are specifically for bicyclists. They’re not meant for pedestrian traffic or runners.”
Nor are the bike lanes meant for drivers.
“There are some areas where the driving lanes have been decreased slightly in order to make room for those bike lanes but there’s still plenty of room for cars to pass by [the bikes] as we normally would for traffic. … Those bike lanes in some areas are set over far enough we still have legal street parking for vehicles. The bike lane would usually be between the street parking and the actual driving lane in the street.
There shouldn’t be any reason for cars to be driving in those bike lanes.
Just as vehicle drivers drive defensively, bicyclists also should ride defensively.
“Stay alert and focused on the road,” stressed Gildemeister. “Try to anticipate what others do, especially those cars around you. The quicker you can notice that potential conflict, the quicker you can try to react to avoid a potential injury or crash.”
Bicyclists must share the road, ride the same direction as vehicle traffic, and obey the same street signs, signals and road markings.
Gildemeister says HPD is seeing more bicyclists wearing headphones while listening to music as well as talking on their phone and steering with one hand.
Although that’s not against the law, HPD discourages it. “We want to make sure their eyes and ears are on the roads and making sure they’re paying attention to the surrounding traffic, limiting potential hazards.”
Bike riding on sidewalks is prohibited in business areas by city ordinance. Intersections are the most common areas where bike accidents occur, according to Gildemeister.
There are currently six bike officers with HPD.
In the next few weeks, Gildemeister says the bike officers will be expanding their normal patrol range and will have brighter emergency lights installed on their bikes.
By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The city of Hays is in the process of developing a fire/rescue training facility south of the newly remodeled wastewater treatment plant.
Money was budgeted for the project and the Hays Fire Department also received a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan, to finish the work.
In the past 18 months a fire training tower and burn box have been purchased and a substantial concrete pad was poured.
The final key component is a classroom at the site.
“It allows for the fire departments using the facility to do classroom learning before the training and then possibly debrief after the training,” says Toby Dougherty, city manager.
The city contacted the Fort Hays State University Department of Applied Technology and instructor Kris Munsch, whose students construct a garage each year.
“I reached out to Kris Munsch to see if they would have an interest in a joint project because essentially what we’re looking at is an oversized garage with restrooms, and Kris was excited about the project.”
City staff would provide assistance such as site grading and concrete work.
City commissioners will hear about the project proposal from Munsch and Fire Chief Ryan Hagans during their work session Thursday.
If the commission supports the idea, the plan calls for design by FHSU construction management students in the Fall 2019 semester with construction by the students in the Spring 2020 semester.
NCK Tech was also approached about the project to assist with plumbing, heating, and HVAC.
Dougherty says it “solely depends on the size of the class whether or not they can do their existing tasks and do any existing tasks. It’s going to be a ‘wait and see,’ but we’d like to have the involved as well.”
Other agenda items for the May 16 work session include discussion of the following:
Eber Phelps will also be sworn into office. He was appointed last week by the city commission to fill the unexpired term of James Meier who is moving to Wichita.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
