By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Good financial news was shared with Hays City Commissioners during their meeting Thursday night.

In the process of readying for Thursday’s sale of $1.01 million in general obligation bonds, the city learned it has earned a Standard & Poor’s AA rating on the bonds.

David Arteberry with George K. Baum and Associates, the city’s financial advisor, told commissioners city staff “did a great job in being prepared for the rating call–they really represented the city well. Additionally, I think you all need to be congratulated–as well as staff–for your financial responsibility.”

“An AA rating is an excellent rating, particularly for a city that’s not attached to a metro area. It’s really uncommon,” Arteberry explained.

Two bids for the bonds were received for the bonds–from UMB Bank and Commerce Bank. They are “two of the most active purchasers of bonds in this region and offer and bid at the most aggressive levels on a lot of bond issues,” according to Arteberry.

The lowest interest rate bid came from UMB Bank at 3.006673%, Arteberry reported.

Commissioners then unanimously voted to approve an ordinance and resolution to authorize issuance of the bonds at that interest rate.

The bonds will be paid from special assessment revenues received by the city as property owners within the Golden Belt 5th Addition and 46th Street 2nd Addition improvement districts pay their tax bills.

“These bonds are being sold to pay for a special benefit district in one of the residential subdivisions. Although they are general obligation bonds, the city is not going to repay them. The property owners will pay them,” Commissioner Henry Schwaller pointed out. “If they don’t, they will be attached to the properties.”

“The residents of Hays are not obligated to pay these taxes,” he emphasized.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Watering restrictions in the city of Hays went into effect June 1 and continue through Sept. 30.

No outside watering is allowed from city sources or private wells between noon and 7 p.m. and no water may escape business or residential property.

With regular rain showers falling this spring and memories of last June’s 9.45 inches of rain which set the Smoky Hill River flowing, it’s easy to think the drought in Hays is over.

Not so, according to Bernie Kitten, Director of Utilities.

“The water levels (in the city’s wells) are quite high.  We should make it through the summer without any trouble.  But there is still a drought–we haven’t broken that yet,” Kitten said.

According to official weather records kept by the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town, Hays remains about 12 inches behind in average rainfall since 2010.

As of June 10, 8.81 inches of rain has been recorded in Hays this year–about one inch below average.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“It’s sad,” said Ellis County Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent Susan Schlichting.

Kansas agriculture officials issued an order Tuesday prohibiting movement of Kansas poultry in an effort to prevent the spread of a devastating form of bird flu.

The order effectively cancels all poultry-related shows and events through the rest of this year. That includes the annual Ellis County Fair, July 11 to 18, at the Ellis County Fairgrounds.

Project leaders, barn superintendents and Ellis County Fair Board members are talking about options for actively engaging 4-H’ers who have poultry projects at the fair.

“We’ve talked about encouraging them to videotape their poultry project and that is something we could share at the fair or asking them to put together notebooks or displays about their birds. There are also poultry judging skill-a-thons,” Schlichting said.

The Ellis County Fair Board meets next Thursday, June 18.

“I think we need those decisions made fairly soon so the kids have plenty of time to get after them,” she added.

The timing of the Kansas Department of Agriculture order is poignant. The Ellis County 4-H poultry project participants just got their meat birds this past Saturday from Orscheln Farm and Home store in Hays.

“That’s one of the really fun things they do in the poultry project. Orscheln donates babies and the kids raise them up and learn how to care for them. They bring them to the fair and get to have them judged, get to sell them in the (livestock) sale — none of that will happen this year.”

There’s something else that won’t happen which Schlichting finds sad.

Colton Pfannenstiel, a member of the Good Hope 4-H Club and the son of fair board president Jill Pfannenstiel, is “very much into his poultry,” according to Schlichting.

“He got a harness for his chicken because he wanted to be able to walk his chicken around the fairgrounds,” she laughed. “So I’m sure he is just bummed.”

Schlichting said an email she got from the statewide 4-H office who “talked about them still having discussions of what they were going to do with the state fair.” The 2015 Kansas State Fair is Sept. 11-20 in Hutchinson.

“I’d written to the specialist and he indicated that at one point they talked about at least the meat pens–going in (the poultry) and showing and then going on to a packing plant and being processed immediately–but nothing has been decided,” she said.

No chickens will be shown in Ellis during the Ellis Jr. Free Fair in August, and that also means “no chicken-catching event,” according to Dena Patee, executive director of the Ellis Alliance.

“The fair board is already making plans for new events,” Patee said.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“It’s a line in the sand,” USD 489 school board member Greg Schwartz said Tuesday night during teacher contract negotiations.

“The board has no interest in binding arbitration,” Schwartz reported to representatives of the Hays National Education Association.

The current contract includes an “Arbitration of Interests Option” for unresolved issues in the negotiation procedure for teachers, in which the “arbitrators decision will be binding on both parties.”

“We’ll look at other means such as mediation or a hearing officer,” Schwartz added.

Kim Schneweis, HNEA co-chair, said “We want to stay with arbitration. It’s quicker, cheaper and more private than a public hearing.”

“But we (USD 489) are a public agency,” countered Schwartz. There was disagreement between the sides whether lawyers would necessarily be involved in either scenario or whether there would be cost savings to the district.

“We’ve used binding arbitration once in 25 years,” according to Kathy Wagoner, HNEA co-chair.

Due process was also addressed.

“The board is willing to look at a new process which gives teachers a right to a hearing before the board,” Schwartz said.

Hays school board members spent 90 minutes in executive session Monday evening at the end of their work session to discuss teacher contract negotiations.

The members, absent President James Leiker, reversed their idea of changing the Leave Policy to Paid Time Off (PTO).

“The board wants to remove PTO language and the Leave plan would remain as it is in the current contract,” Schwartz informed the teachers group.

USD 489 also wants to cap accumulated sick leave buyout at 80 days, a move that would also change some longtime employees’ state KPERS retirement monies.

“There is no cap today,” Schwartz said.

“That’s a big step out of the lines,” replied union committee member Zach Butte, “and changes our perspective.”

Butte said he will regroup his Leave Committee “to consider what we might be missing.”

“I don’t want to minimize the importance of what the whole objective is of education,” said Schwartz, “but you guys are fighting for contract rights, and we’re trying to protect the district and provide those benefits and the pay that we can so we keep and retain teachers but also to spend as little on that as possible so we have it (money) to make sure we have enough teachers, so that we have additional programs, we have classroom supplies, so we can cut fees for parents so they don’t have to pay for enrollment — which they’re not supposed to anyway.”

“Those are all the aspects we’re looking at and we can’t do that unless we shift the money — there’s no way to do it. We have one means to raise additional money and it’s failed twice,” he added.

USD 489 patrons rejected a proposed 1 percent increase in the Local Option Budget (LOB) a year ago in June and also in April 2009, according to Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus.

One major issue not addressed this week was salary negotiations. It’s expected to be discussed at the next meeting.

Negotiations are scheduled to resume Tuesday, June 23, at 5.p.m. in the Rockwell Administration Center.  The meeting will be broadcast live by Hays High School on Eagle Cable TV Channel 13.

BY BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The city of Hays will take bids for the purchase of approximately $1.01 million of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015A on Thursday, June 11, at the city commission meeting. Commissioners must approve an ordinance and resolution to authorize issuance of the bonds.

Final versions of the ordinance and resolution, as well as final payment terms on the bonds, will be made available by George K. Baum & Co., the city’s financial advisor, and Gilmore & Bell, P.C., the city’s bond counsel after the sale of the bonds and before the commission meeting.

The bonds will be paid from special assessment revenues received by the city as property owners within the Golden Belt 5th Addition and 46th Street 2nd Addition improvement districts pay their tax bills.

Finance Director Kim Rupp reported last week the city received a Standard & Poor’s AA rating on the bonds.

The other agenda item for Thursday’s meeting is to hear and consider accepting the 2014 audit by Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball.

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

See the complete agenda here.

Kansas Department of Agriculture

MANHATTAN–Kansas is becoming known around the country as the dairy frontier. The industry is continuing to experience exponential growth, rising by 6.1 percent in 2014, making Kansas one of the fastest growing dairy states in the United States. Showing appreciation for the hardworking dairymen and women who toil 365 days a year to provide wholesome and nutritious dairy products, Gov. Sam Brownback has declared June as Kansas Dairy Month.

Rural Hays resident Stephanie Eckroat of the Kansas Dairy Association was present for the proclamation signing in Topeka.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments Kansas dairymen have made to make our state one of the fastest growing dairy states,” Governor Brownback said. “Last year, Kansas produced over 3.1 billion pounds of milk, which equates to nearly 350 million gallons of milk. Kansas dairymen are doing their part to supply the growing demand for dairy products around the world.”

Kansas is home to over 325 dairy farms and 143,000 dairy cows. With spacious land areas, an adequate climate and readily available feed to dairymen, it is highly suited to the dairy industry. In 2014, the value of milk produced in Kansas was $746 million. Kansas dairy farmers help support and stimulate their individual communities and the state’s economy.

During the proclamation signing, Gov. Brownback also recognized the important work of the National Dairy Council which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The National Dairy Council has provided important community and school programs and partnerships with local food banks, and has been a dedicated supporter of nutrition research and education.

A vision of the Kansas Department of Agriculture is to advocate for and promote the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer and economic contributor. Proclaiming the month of June as Kansas Dairy Month helps promote and advocate for an important sector in Kansas agriculture.

Follow the Kansas Department of Agriculture on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about Kansas Dairies and celebrate the industry all through the month of June.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays USD 489 Superintendent Dean Katt said Monday night he’s “still feeling pretty good” about the school district’s 2016 fiscal year budget projections.

He presented the financial reports during the school board work session in the absence of Financial Director Tracy Kaiser.

The General Fund and Local Option Budget (LOB) was at $401,668 as of Monday, June 8.

All school districts, along with the rest of the state, are still awaiting the new budget and their state funding from the Kansas legislature.

The school funding proposal has changed several times, starting with block grants which would mean about $300 less per student in USD 489. There’s also been talk of across-the-board cuts of up to 6.2 percent.

“The big threat now is that they will do allotments. What that equates to, I don’t know,” Katt said.

“Honestly, I don’t know where we’re going to be,” Katt told board members. “Obviously that’s a concern. I’m hoping if they do make those (allotments) it isn’t on base state aid per pupil, and it’s on state aid. That way it kind of protects us just like the other cut did whereas we don’t receive that much state aid.”

“Right now, I don’t know how (the legislature) makes a huge cut in any school district, with certified staff already under contract,” Katt added. “It’d be very difficult.”

Tuesday will be the 110th day of the 2015 legislative session, already the longest in state history.

In other business, Rusty Lindsay, Director of Buildings and Grounds, updated the progress and timeline of a new system to clean the district’s school building rooms and floors during the summer break. Cleaning of Hays High is underway.

With input from incoming board members Paul Adams and Luke Oborny sitting in the audience, the board also agreed to schedule a special meeting to resume discussion of the facilities needs recommendation plan which includes a proposed $100 million bond issue.

The board went into three 30-minute executive sessions to discussion teacher union negotiations. No action was taken after the final session.

Board president James Leiker was absent from the work session.

Contract negotiations between the Hays USD 489 Board of Education and the Hays National Education Association will continue Tuesday, June 9.

Items for discussion are expected to include salary increases.

The negotiations meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Rockwell Administration Center, Toepfer Board Room.

The meeting will be aired live by Hays High School on Eagle Cable TV Channel 13.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, by the Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals for an exception for a special use permit to convert a motel to studio apartments.

The request by Steven R. Mongeau of Rooks County Holdings, LLC and Vigneshvarai, LLC, is for the former Budget Inn Motel , 810 E. 8th Street.

According to Mongeau, the proposed apartments would be leased at street market rate with a blend of students, seniors and working residents.

The apartment styles would be efficiency to accommodate one occupant, and one bedroom to accommodate a maximum occupancy of two.

Mongeau is also requesting the existing office space with a drive‐through, as well as Rooms 128‐138 (facing Vine Street) be available for office/retail uses.

Drought tolerant landscaping is planned for the inoperable pool area.

Rooks County Holdings has completed similar conversion projects in Stockton.

The public hearing is scheduled for 8:15 a.m.  June 10 in the city commission chambers at Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

See the complete agenda here.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Discussion of a potential $100 million bond issue for Hays USD 489 facilities needs will resume Monday during the school board’s work session.

The Facilities Needs Committee and HTK Architects presented a final recommendation report to the district Sept. 15 after a two-year review process. The plan addresses issues of safety and security, deferred maintenance, and the need for more education space.

Click HERE for the committee’s recommendations report.

In other business, Finance Director Tracy Kaiser will present the worker’s compensation insurance options and the board will also review the student and staff handbooks for approval.

The work session starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Rockwell Administration Toepfer Board Room.

See the complete agenda HERE.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Downtown Hays Market opens for the season Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. in the 10th Street parking lot between Main and Fort Streets.

This is the third year for the market which features fresh produce and local crafts.

Downtown Hays Development Corporation Director Sara Bloom told Hays City Commissioners Thursday night there will also be new attractions this year.

“There’s going to be something for everyone to do on every Saturday,” she said.

“This Saturday specifically will be Children’s Day. We’re going to have face painting and a special presentation by the Hays Master Gardeners…we’re really trying to make it a family event this year.”

Bloom talked about the market during the DHDC presentation requesting $53,655 in funding from the city in 2016.

This is also the first year local food trucks have been invited to participate in the market.

The Downtown Hays Market is open 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday mornings and starting June 10, Wednesday evenings from 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. through October.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The first requests by outside agencies for funding from the city of Hays next year were presented Thursday night during the city commission work session.

Each group was allotted five minutes on the agenda to make their appeals but were not actually timed by the commissioners.

“I don’t have a stop watch,” said Mayor Eber Phelps. “This is the honor system and the honor system has a five-minute limit,” he joked.

Seven groups from three areas–-Social Services, Economic Development and Quality of Life–-are asking for a total of $468,755 from the city in 2016.

The Fort Hays State University Scholarship Program is asking for a $25,000 increase from last year’s award, for a total $125,000.

Also requesting increased funds in 2016 are the Ellis County Historical Society, up $379 to a total $12,000, and the Hays Arts Council, up $818 to $12,000.

Funding requests from the four other groups remain the same as they received in 2015:
Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development–$87,550
Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC)–$53,655
Wild West Festival (WWF)–$9,500
Hays Sister Cities Advisory Board–$5,050

A $60,000 budget request was also submitted for Alcohol Tax funds by the United Way of Ellis County CARE Council.

The 2016 budget is expected to be completed in August.

In other business, City Finance Director Kim Rupp reminded commissioners the city will take bids for the purchase of approximately $1.01 million of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2015A on Thursday, June 11, the next regular commission meeting. Commissioners must approve an ordinance and resolution to authorize issuance of the bonds.

Final versions of the ordinance and resolution, as well as final payment terms on the bonds, will be made available by George K. Baum & Co., the city’s Financial Advisor, and Gilmore & Bell, P.C., the city’s Bond Counsel after the sale of the bonds and before the Commission meeting.

The bonds will be paid from special assessment revenues received by the city as property owners within the Golden Belt 5th Addition and 46th Street 2nd Addition improvement districts pay their tax bills.

Rupp also reported the city this week received a Standard & Poor’s AA rating on the bonds.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Bike lane lines and bike route symbols are now in place in much of downtown Hays, just in time for Thursday evening’s “ground painting” event at 11th and Main celebrating the start of the second and final phase of the Bike Hays project.

Hays mayor Eber Phelps and his wife Joni, bicycled from their home to the site. Hays
vice-mayor Shaun Musil and Commissioner Lance Jones also arrived on their bikes. Even former Hays City Commissioner Ron Mellick was in the crowd with his bike.

Phelps gave a short welcome speech to other local bike riders and the many Kandango bicyclists who started their 4-day backroads tour in Hays.

“Use the bike lanes,” Phelps said in an encouraging tone.

“To all those people who’ve been telling me nobody rides their bike in Hays, I will point out that in the United States since 2003, people commuting to work on their bicycles has increased 62 percent. We want to try and match that in Hays.

“Everybody–get out there and ride their bikes.”

Bike Hays backpacks and temporary tattoos were given away during the block party sponsored by Gella’s, which included live music and food.

The crowd of bicyclists and on-foot supporters posed for a Bike Hays promotional picture shot from high above.

Phelps, Musil and Jones then biked four blocks north on Main Street to Hays City Hall where they had a short time to rest before the 6:30 p.m. start of the city commission work session.

In 2012, thirty‐five public meetings with hundreds of participants were held as part of city of Hays Comprehensive Plan process.  The public expressed an overwhelming desire for a bike system in Hays.

The Bike Hays plan was funded with federal and state transportation dollars augmented with local alcohol tax dollars along with storm water funds.  No property or sales tax monies were used for the project.

The Bike Hays Biking Guide lists 9 routes and paths, approximately 2.75 miles of concrete path and 18 miles of on-street segments, throughout the community.