RUSSELL–Two people from Nebraska were arrested Thursday evening, July 2, following a high-speed chase through Ellis and Russell counties, ending in a crash and foot chase.

According to Kansas Highway Patrol Technical Trooper Tod Hileman of Hays, a KHP trooper attempted to stop a speeding van about 6:39 p.m. Thursday, eastbound on I-70 at mile marker 157 just west of Hays in Ellis County.

A check of the van’s Nebraska tag indicated the vehicle was stolen.

The trooper followed the van until backup units arrived. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle near Victoria and the driver fled eastbound reaching speeds of 108 miles an hour.

One mile west of Russell another KHP trooper deployed spike strips, successfully flattening one tire on the van. The van driver tried to avoid the spike strips, causing the vehicle to collide with the trailer of a semi-truck.

The driver and the passenger then exited the wrecked van and started fleeing on foot to the north.

They ran into a field and were quickly apprehended near the Russell Oil Patch Museum at about 7:20 p.m.

The vehicle occupants were the male driver, Adrian Richardson, 23, Omaha, Neb., and the female passenger Taylor Spencer, 21, from Bellevue, Neb.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Western Kansans are used to blowing wind. Most people “blow it off” and continue on with their outdoor activities.

One event that would not continue in high gusty winds is Saturday’s July 4th fireworks show at the Hays Wild West Festival.

The Hays Fire Department works with the Wild West committee and the show’s pyrotechnic experts to ensure safety. According to Deputy Chief Ryan Hagans , the wind actually would have to be blowing pretty hard to cancel or postpone the WWF culminating event, and it all depends on the “height” of the wind.

“I know that sounds kinda odd. But if it’s blowing harder at 100 or 200 feet above the ground, we have to watch that… usually 20 to 25 miles an hour. A lot of that good advice comes from the person running the shoot itself, working with our county emergency manager. But it has to be a pretty good wind,” Hagans explained.

The Fireworks Spectacular is scheduled for 10 p.m. Saturday.

Eagle Radio Mix 103 will be playing patriotic music synched to the show. You can tune in to 103.3 FM to hear it.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A number of vehicles in Hays have been identified as “inoperable,” according to Assistant Hays City Manager Paul Briseno, and that’s a violation of city code.

Three vehicle abatements will be reviewed by Hays City Commissioners during their work session tonight.

“A lot of people don’t understand there is a ‘due process’ given to the property owner,” Briseno said. “We try to work with them over a number of weeks, if not months, so they can get the vehicle operable and meeting certain code requirements.

“Our staff will first have met with the owners and looked at the vehicles to ensure they’re operable–if they (the vehicles) aren’t, then this coming before the city commission is a last-ditch effort to make bring them into compliance,” Briseno explained.

The city is required to follow vehicle abatement procedures established by ordinance. Assuming those procedures were followed, the city is allowed to remove and dispose of the vehicle at the owner’s cost.

Other items on tonight’s agenda include a resolution for benefit district in Tallgrass Addition Phase 5, located on north of 13th Street near Commerce Parkway.

Commissioners will also discuss possible removal of one-way designations for 6th and 7th Streets. The item was requested by Commissioner Lance Jones.

The work session starts at 6:30 p.m. July 2 in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main Street.

See the complete agenda here.

July kicks off with the annual Wild West Fest celebration in Hays for the July 4th holiday.

Activities continue all month long with fun-filled events for local residents as well as visitors.

The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau has also launched a new trivia contest this month with questions about the city and its attractions. Winners will receive several Hays promotional items, and $25 in Chamber Bucks from the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.

Find out more from the new CVB Director Rick Rekoske:

For an updated calendar of July activities, check the Hays CVB website.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Yes, you were hot yesterday. That’s because the high temperature in Hays reached 105 degrees.

Not warm enough though for the record.

It hit 113 degrees in Hays June 30, 1933, according to official records maintained by Joe Becker at the K-State Ag Research Center just south of town.

The overnight low in Hays was 76 degrees.

One year ago–June 30, 2014–the high in Hays was a much cooler 92 degrees.

Cooler temperatures and a chance of precipitation are in the forecast for the July 4th holiday weekend.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

This will be a long, busy holiday weekend for the Hays Fire Department.

In addition to manning an extra fire truck Thursday, Friday and Saturday — the days fireworks can be sold and discharged in Hays — firefighters will be on standby at the Wild West Festival for the July 4th fireworks extravaganza.

The Hays Fire Department works closely each year with the Wild West Fest committee and the fireworks show producer, according to Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Hagans. The event “seems seamless, thanks to lots of planning,” Hagans said.

“We’ve been communicating the past two weeks. Ellis County Rural Fire, Hays Police Department, Ellis County Sheriff, Kansas Highway Patrol, Ellis County EMS…we all get together and we talk about fireworks safety at the fireworks display site. We make sure that the ground is prepared–working with Fort Hays State University. There’s lots of fire trucks out there. There’s some ambulances out there,” Hagans said.

Hundreds of vehicles will be driving and parking in the area between historic Fort Hays and FHSU Tiger Stadium, which requires coordination when they arrive for the show and then leave afterwards.

“The traffic coordination that the WWF committee does with K-DOT (Kansas Department of Transportation) to get the bypass shutdown” is another element of the fireworks show safety plan, Hagans explained.

RELATED: Already one house fire in Kansas blamed on fireworks.

The group has a final safety meeting at 8:30 p.m. prior to the fireworks show scheduled start at 10 p.m. Saturday.

One firetruck and off-duty personnel are on standby at the downtown Hays fire station during the fireworks show to respond to any fire in the city. Hagans said if a major fire were to break out in the city or in Ellis County, the trucks and and personnel at WWF will respond and the fireworks show would have to be postponed.

Hays Fire Chief Gary Brown offered these fireworks safety tips to Hays Post’s Cooper Slough recently.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Sherry Dryden started her new position Monday as Executive Director of the United Way of Ellis County.

Before she was even officially on the job, she attended last week’s annual Pacesetter kickoff luncheon and was meeting with UWEC board members and UWEC Office Manager Erica Burgess. The Pacesetter companies conduct their own internal fundraising prior to the official kickoff of the UWEC campaign late this summer.

“I’ve been involved with nonprofits throughout my professional career and as a volunteer,” Dryden said. “Now that my children are out of the house, this opportunity allows me to continue my professional growth and still remain involved with the many wonderful agencies in our county.”

She will remain busy year round, initiating some new efforts.

“I want to start meeting with the United Way funded agencies no less than a quarterly basis,” she said.

“A lot of people think the United Way is just raising money and giving some of that money to agencies and some more money comes in through a grant or whatever. There’s other ways we can all work together and help strengthen each other–bringing that unity together.

“Years ago there was some communication between member agencies to where if they had somebody come through their doors that they weren’t able to help, they were able to refer them to some other agencies as well,” Dryden explained. She hopes to “get that kind of get that cooperation going again.”

Monetary awards from grants is getting tighter, according to Dryden. She wants the UWEC to help the member agencies get additional grant resources.

“As the United Way, we’re more than ‘raise some money, give it out.’ We need to be supportive in many ways for our member agencies. We need to hear from them and be getting together on a regular basis to help keep us focused in what we need to be doing for them,” she added.

Dryden is the former human resources director at Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas.  She and her family have been a part of the Hays community since 1981.

Dryden replaced Jason Rauch, who resigned in April.

The United Way of Ellis County has a partnership with 15 agencies and will begin the 2015 campaign in August.  This year’s goal is $490,000–the same as in 2014.

(Disclosure:  Becky Kiser is the 2015 UWEC campaign chair.)

City of Russell

RUSSELL–Effective Monday, June 29, 2015 mandatory Stage III water restrictions are in place for Russell water customers.

The flow in Big Creek has been steadily declining the past few weeks. The recent small rains have not been sufficient to maintain Big Creek’s levels.

Until further notice the following water restrictions are in place:

1. Outdoor watering for residential and public grounds is prohibited except for one day per calendar week on that property’s sanitation pickup day. Watering on your sanitation pick up day is permitted only before 10 a.m. and after 9 p.m..
2. Filling or refilling residential above and/or below ground swimming pools is prohibited.
3. Washing of motor vehicles, boats and trailers on residential or public property is prohibited.
4. Washing of motor vehicles, boats and trailers on commercial or industrial property is prohibited except for commercial or industrial vehicles used in the operation of such business and washed as an ordinary and common practice in the operation of business, and except for the washing of vehicles at commercial truck and/or car washes.
5. Washing of the exterior of any building or structure on any grounds is prohibited.
6. Industrial and commercial users shall not water their lawns or non-commercial trees, shrubs and plants, except for one day per calendar week on that property’s sanitation pickup day. Watering on your sanitation pick up day is permitted only before 10 a.m. and after 9 p.m.. If such customer has multiple sanitation pickup days in a week then outdoor watering shall be permitted on only the first sanitation pickup day of the week for such customer
7. Trees, shrubs and plants held for sale by commercial and retail sellers may be watered.
8. Industrial users of water are required to reduce their consumption 25%.
9. Waste of water is prohibited. This includes permitting to run down a gutter or failing to repair a controllable leak of water due to defective plumbing.

If you have any questions about the current water status or the special use water permit program, call the Russell city building at (785) 483-6311.

ELLIS–Ellis city council members voted during their June 15 meeting to proceed with the Waterline Improvement Project with Driggs Design Group.

The project will be done in two phases in an area where most of the waterline breaks have occurred. The waterline breaks will be replaced first, using USDA funding. The streets will then be replaced using funding from a Community Development Block grant. The city will also help fund both projects.

Council members also heard the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would add an additional conservation tier for water customers during a Stage 2 Water Warning.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES June 15, 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, Heather Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested an addition under his department report to ratify a bill from Victor L. Phillips for repairs to a wheel loader.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Pauleen Edmonds, Brian Spano, Buck Driggs, Aaron White, Gilbert Kinderknecht, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Melvin Kinderknecht, Glen Keller, Nickole Byers, Lyle Johnston, Dena Patee (arrived at 7:37 p.m.), Margie Mickelson (arrived at 7:46 p.m.), and Faith Scheck (arrived at 8:10 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on June 1, 2015 and Bills Ordinance #1975. Council member Heather Luea seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Melvin Kinderknecht spoke to Council about the large downed tree in South Chrysler Park. Since the City was not able to remove the tree prior to the annual Riverfest event, volunteers spent hours cleaning up the debris with donated equipment. Mr. Kinderknecht stated the Council should thank Harold Honas and Greg Gabel for use of their equipment. He hoped there were no hard feelings between the City and the volunteers.
Nickole Byers addressed the Council on the same topic. The volunteer efforts saved the City crews hours of work and got rid of a huge eyesore in time for Riverfest. Ms. Byers stated the cleanup effort was not organized, but came about by chance. She would like for the City to thank the volunteers with Citizenship Awards, and she called for the Council to remove a reprimand from the personnel file of an employee who assisted with the efforts.
Dena Patee asked for the City to sponsor the Days Inn in the Kansas Travel Guide. The Hays Convention and Tourism Bureau pays for the hotel listings in Hays; therefore, the Days Inn would like for the City of Ellis to do the same. The cost of $82 will be discussed later in the meeting.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Glen Keller, Chairman of the Ellis Railroad Museum, presented a budget request of $16,000 for consideration in the City of Ellis 2016 budget. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Pauleen Edmonds and Dena Patee presented the 2016 budget request for the Ellis Community Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to better the lives of those that live in Ellis. The Foundation is requesting consideration of $10,000 in the City’s 2016 budget. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Aaron White presented a budget request from the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development in the amount of $4,000 for consideration in the City’s 2016 budget. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, discussed the City’s waterline improvement project. The City has been approved for $670,000 in United States Department of Agriculture funding. The project is designed to be a two-phase project with the waterlines in the specified area being replaced first using funds received from USDA, and then the streets in that same area being replaced with funding from a Community Development Block Grant. City funds will be required to supplement the agency funding. Sixty-six percent (66%) of the City’s waterline breaks have occurred in this targeted area. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported in three years the City has spent over $37,000 in waterline and street repairs just in this area. Council member Jolene Niernberger made a motion to move forward with the Waterline Improvement Project with Driggs Design Group. Council member Heather Luea seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Brian Spano, Wilson and Company, updated Council on the required improvements to the City’s wastewater treatment facility, as mandated by a compliance order issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Currently, the bid letting for materials and equipment is scheduled for January 2016; however, Mr. Spano is requesting Council pre-negotiate building materials and process equipment to possibly get a better price with costs steadily increasing. It was the consensus of Council to have Mr. Spano solicit bids on the items and report back to Council at the July 20th meeting.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman discussed an email received from Brad Vincent, Ground Water Associates, summarizing the test holes and test well sites. Nitrate levels continue to be of concern; however, Mr. Scheuerman has not received the official lab results back from KDHE. Grant funding may be available to help offset the costs of the water exploration process. However, some applications require a preliminary engineering report from a licensed engineer. It was the consensus of Council to draw up bid specifications for engineering services, but to wait until the lab results are back from KDHE.
General Government: Financial
Council member John Walz moved to approve the 2014 audit report as presented by Adams, Brown, Beran, & Ball at the June 1, 2015 regular meeting. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Insurance
City Clerk Amy Burton discussed suggestions offered by Darrell Romme, Romme Insurance, on policy changes that would possibly reduce the premiums currently paid by the City, including raising the deductibles on the property and vehicles, or adjusting the values of the older equipment and vehicles. Council questioned the high premium on the granite sign at the edge of town and requested Mr. Scheuerman further review the values of the City’s equipment and vehicles. This item will be revisited at the next meeting.
Water: Policy
Council reviewed the latest draft of the City’s Municipal Water Conservation Plan. When discussing the need for three stages, City Attorney Olavee Raub reported the template from the Kansas Rural Water Association recommends three stages, and each of those three stages should have triggers. After further discussion, Council proposed further revisions to the Plan. Ms. Raub will make the modifications and have City Clerk Amy Burton forward the revised plan to the Water Advisory Committee as well.
Water: City Code
Ms. Raub presented the proposed ordinance modifying Code Section 15-502. The proposed ordinance incorporates the definition of a commercial entity, modifies the lawn permit language to include “native” grasses, and includes language to make the lawn permit discretionary. It was the consensus of Council that with the generous allowable watering times, a lawn permit was no longer necessary and to strike the language regarding lawn permits. Ms. Raub will make the revision for the next Council meeting for possible approval.
Water: Accounting/Billing
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the proposed ordinance amending the water utility rates. The ordinance adds an additional conservation tier for Stage 2 Water Warning. Whereas under Stage 3, customers are charged triple the base rate for usage in excess of their calculated base, under Stage 2, customers would only be charged double the base rate for usage in excess of their calculated base. In addition, the calculated base would be expanded under Stage 2 allowing residents an additional 4,000 gallons before the conservation rate takes effect. Council proposed no modifications to the ordinance. This will serve as the first reading and the proposed ordinance will be considered for approval at the next meeting.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman explained that the vendor approved at the May 4th Council meeting to supply a sewer pump will not sell outside of Nebraska. He contacted Enviroline, the competing vendor, and they agreed to supply the pump at the same cost of the original vendor. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to ratify the purchase of the sewer pump from Enviroline in the amount of $3,744 plus freight. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Bob Redger abstaining.
NEW BUSINESS
Cemetery: Committee
Mayor David McDaniel would like to appoint John LaShell to the Cemetery Committee with a term expiring 2018. The position was previously held by Officer Joyce McCollam. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to appoint John LaShell to the Cemetery Committee. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Bob Redger abstaining.
General Government: Special Projects
Mr. Scheuerman read a statement prepared by City Attorney Olavee Raub extending appreciation for recent volunteer efforts in the community, and reminding volunteers to obtain approval from the City prior to those volunteer efforts in order to ensure the safety of all involved. The Council designated the Public Works Director as the point of contact for those wanting to volunteer, and Mr. Scheuerman can also help provide safety equipment if needed. Council discussed the importance of having the volunteers sign liability waivers for those efforts deemed “inherently dangerous”. Ms. Raub will draft a policy regarding volunteer work on City property. Council members sincerely thanked volunteers for their efforts and discussed recognizing volunteers with Citizenship Awards.
Parks: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman noted there is a large tree that needs to be removed in Memorial Park and several trees at the Campground need trimmed. It was the consensus of Council to have Mr. Scheuerman obtain bids for the maintenance work.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman asked for approval to purchase asphalt to repair 5-6 City blocks. Council member John Walz moved to approve the purchase of street material in an amount not to exceed $38,000 with funds to come from Capital Improvement-Streets. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Per Council’s request, Mr. Scheuerman presented bids for the purchase and installation of transducer tubes. The tubes would be placed in four of the City’s water wells to increase the accuracy of monitoring water levels. Mr. Scheuerman is proposing placement in Wells #1, #4, #12, and #13 due to their location within the City. The Council will table consideration of the purchase until budget discussions.
Water: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton presented proposed modifications to the “Base Water Allowance/ Credit” portion in the Utility Policy. The proposed revisions include language expanding the base water cushion customers would receive under Stage 2 Water Warning. Ms. Burton recommended tabling this item until the Ordinance establishing the water rates is approved to ensure the two documents correspond.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Water: Committee
Mr. Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period April 10th to May 10th and current well levels. He has been asked by the Kansas Water Office to serve on the Saline Basin Water Advisory Board. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to allow Mr. Scheuerman to serve a 4-year term on the Saline Basin Water Advisory Board. The motion carried 6-0.
Special Highway: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman asked Council to ratify repairs made to the wheel loader. Council members Gary Luea moved and Bob Redger seconded a motion to ratify the repair bill from Victor L. Phillips in the amount of $2026.03. The motion carried 6-0.
Inspections: Building Code
Council inquired why Ellis was using the 2003 edition of the International Building Codes, rather than the 2007 edition. Mr. Scheuerman explained that the City actually needs to go to the 2012 Codes; however, there are tremendous changes in that set of codes. Hays is in the process of implementing the 2012 Codes and Mr. Scheuerman would like to piggyback on Hays’ implementation. Ms. Raub added that many cities are exempting out of certain provisions in the 2012 Code so it would be beneficial to follow Hays in that respect. Council then inquired if Mr. Scheuerman had started his training to become certified in code inspection. Mr. Scheuerman noted the workload has not allowed him to start the on-line courses yet. Council would like for Mr. Scheuerman to begin the courses within the next three months.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates noted that Officer Kirby Wechsler graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center on June 12th. The Dodge Charger was in the repair shop for the last two weeks. The radiator and spark plugs were replaced at a cost of $989.16. Chief Yates explained the large invoice from Mark Augustine regarding a dangerous dog impound that involved three adult dogs and six puppies. The City has to pay the impound costs of the puppies because they were not old enough to be on their own. Chief Yates also reported on a suspect in custody that experienced an emergency medical issue. The City’s medical negotiation service saved the City 80% on the EMS invoice.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reminded Council about the Capital Improvement Plan work session scheduled for June 17th. Ms. Burton also noted that Corina Cox from Northwest Kansas Planning & Development will be picking up the CDBG Low-to-Moderate Income surveys to conduct the official tally. The contract with Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball for budget services should be available for consideration at the next meeting.
Tourism: Accounting/Billing
Council took under consideration Dena Patee’s request for the City to pay the cost for advertising in the Kansas Travel Guide for the Lakeside Campground and the Day’s Inn hotel. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the tourism listings in the Kansas Travel Guide at a cost not to exceed $200. The motion carried 6-0.
Attorney
Mayor/Council
Mayor David McDaniel reported that two Water Advisory Committee members have resigned due to how their recommendations to Council were received. On June 20th the Ellis County Historical Society will hold “The Walk to Nicodemus” which will begin in Ellis. Ellis County Emergency Management Director Bill Ring has reported there is disaster fund relief available for storm shelters. Mr. Ring will set up a meeting with Ellis representatives.
Council
Council member Gary Luea asked who is responsible for collecting the campground fees. There is a self-pay box at the campground, or the camper may pay at the City office, the City night drop box, or pay the police officer on duty.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner congratulated Dena Patee on the “We-Can” Award presented by the Kansas Sampler organization. She also would like for the City to hold another facility tour in conjunction with reviewing the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and the budget process.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor McDaniel called for an executive session to discuss property acquisition. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 10:28 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to recess to executive session to discuss property acquisition with the City Attorney present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:38 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor McDaniel called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 10:40 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with the City Attorney and Public Works Director present. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:50 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:51 p.m.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

As Hays motorists adjust to the newly marked bicycle lanes in town, Hays-based Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman is reminding highway drivers of safety rules for bicycle traffic.

Hileman, KHP Public Safety Officer for Troop D, posted the reminder on his Facebook page Saturday. Bicyclists can often be seen riding on Kansas highways during the summer months.

“If you are on a two lane road and approaching bicycles who are riding in your same direction in a no-passing zone, Kansas law now allows you to cross over the solid yellow line just enough to drive by them with at least 3 feet of clearance.

You can cross over the solid yellow line ONLY if you have a clear line of sight and it’s free of other vehicles,” Hileman wrote.

To read the 2014 Kansas statute, click here.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Rates for city of Hays utilities customers will be going up.

The city’s wastewater treatment plant, 1498 E. Highway 40 Bypass, must be upgraded to meet stricter state permit requirements of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The project is estimated to cost about $28 million.

Hays must have the new wastewater treatment plant operating by Jan. 1, 2018. The city was fined $18,000 in 2012 by the Environmental Protection Agency for excessive levels of phosphorous and nitrate. The current facility was built in 1953.

City Finance Director Kim Rupp has determined the Kansas State Revolving Loan Fund is the most cost effective option to fund the project.

During Thursday night’s work session, city commissioners voted to hold a public meeting Thursday, July 16, to explain to residents the purpose of the wastewater facility plan. The public meeting is a requirement in applying for the loan. Stan Christopher with HDR Engineering of Lee’s Summit, Mo., the city’s Owner Representative on the project, will make the presentation.

The meeting will include discussion of the new proposed effluent limits, the evaluation of treatment alternatives, the costs to construct the proposed alternatives, the costs to operate the facilities, and the anticipated impacts on the sewer user rates. Environmental impacts of the project will also be discussed.

The public meeting will be part of the July 16 city commission work session which starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main St.

In other business Thursday night, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution accepting the final plan known as the Tebo First Addition, located at 43rd and General Hays/Vine St.

Jesse Rohr, PIE Superintendent, told commissioners the two existing structures on the property will be torn down. The location is the site where a new Italian restaurant, Pasta Jay’s, is to be built, along with new retail development.

“With the infrastructure already in place, this falls into our ‘Strong Towns’ model,” Mayor Eber Phelps said.  “It’s a good example of ‘infill.'”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hiring an insurance broker last year is paying off for the city of Hays.

The city will again pay less for its commercial insurance annual premium when it’s renewed July 1.

Tanner Burns of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. told commissioners Thursday night his company “has made just shy of $9,000 in premium savings over the course of two years while still improving coverage.”

“Last year we moved your equipment breakdown coverage and your crime coverage out of the package with BRIT to other insurers who have more of a specialty in those particular lines of coverage, which resulted in a lot of the premium savings we were able to generate last year as well as better coverage,” Burns explained.

Hays Finance Director Kim Rupp admitted he “wasn’t real amenable to having different insurance companies for each line.  However, Gallagher kind of made me see the light and show that it was beneficial for us.”

“Because we did approach multiple other insurers last year, really the entire marketplace,” Burns said, “we decided this year, if we could get early favorable agreements from the incumbent insurers, we would stick with those renewals.”

“It protects the city’s reputation in the insurance marketplace not to shop every single year. Reviewing the marketplace conditions, knowing that rates were up an average of about 2% at that time, we knew we could get better deals negotiated early…ultimately delivering the $2,638 decrease this year,” he said.

Commissioners unanimously approved the Gallagher bid of $187,023 for renewing the city’s commercial insurance.  Commissioner Lance Jones was absent from Thursday’s meeting.

Covered under the policies with BRIT, Hartford, Old Republic, Hanover and National Union Fire insurance companies are:

Commercial Property
Inland Marine/Scheduled Equipment
Equipment Breakdown
Crime
General Liability
Public Entity Management Liability
Law Enforcement Liability
Employment Practices Liability
Airport Liability
Commercial Auto
Umbrella
Public Entity Cyber Liability