By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Paid time off (PTO) and accumulated sick time were the focus of discussion between the Hays USD 489 Board of Education and the Hays Kansas National Educators Association (H-NEA) bargaining team Wednesday night.

Zach Butte, H-NEA team member and a Hays High School teacher, presented a proposal from the Leave Committee, including a three-tier system for paying staff for unused accumulated sick leave.

Licensed professional employees who began contributing to the KPERS program prior to July 1, 1993, would be able to “use their severance pay as a part of their last three years of average salary upon retirement in that lump sum payment,” Butte explained.

Those who quality would receive $65 a day for all accumulated sick leave in excess of 20 days. These employees would be in Tier One.

Butte also explained the proposal for the remaining two tiers.

The Second Tier qualifiers who entered KPERS after July 1, 1993, would have a 100-day cap–minus the first 20 days–paid at $65 a day. There would be a limit of 50 days for the first year. Year two would be the 15 remaining days plus a new year of leave–11 days–for a total of 26 days at $65 a day.

Tier Three employees would receive $55 a day for unused days after reaching a 100-day cap.

Although both sides agreed to the idea of paid time off, there was considerable discussion about what situations and how many days would qualify.

The H-NEA union supported a separate leave pool or additional PTO for bereavement as well as serious illness leave to attend to relatives.

Board member Greg Schwarz said it would be “an accounting nightmare” for the school district to have more than one leave pool.

Lance Bickle started the meeting with a list of updated proposals from the USD 489 board, although H-NEA co-chairperson Kim Schneweis said the list included items not in the board’s notice letter to the union. “There’s no obligation to address things if they weren’t in the notice letter,” Schneweis added.

“I guess I’m looking at it, we’re trying to work this as a team,” Bickle replied. “They’re just proposals…not set in stone.”

The negotiating teams will meet again next Tuesday, May 26, at 5 p.m. in the Rockwell Administration Center Toepfer Board Room, 323 W. 12th.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Sale and use of fireworks for this year’s Fourth of July holiday in Hays needs to be decided by city commissioners at the May 28 regular meeting.

“I don’t see any problems with it,” Paul Briseno, Assistant City Manager, said Tuesday.

“Conditions are wet and the threat of fire is not as great as it has been in past years.”

According to the city of Hays Code of Ordinances, the City Commission needs to make a determination whether to allow the sale and use of fireworks at the second regular meeting in May.

Commissioners will begin their consideration during tonight’s work session.

They will also discuss a proposal to remove the Community Improvement District (CID) section from the city’s Economic Development Policy, as requested by Commissioner Henry Schwaller IV.

Other agenda items include review of a multi-year contract for sewer main cleaning with Mayer Specialty Service.

The work session is tonight, May 21, starting at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall.

See the complete agenda here.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

As Sarah Wasinger started designing the informational program for the annual Hays USD 489 retirement reception, she was struck by the number of years the honorees had worked in the school district.

The list of 27 people includes principals, teachers, para-educators, secretaries and nutrition services personnel.

“The shortest length of time was 8 years, the longest was 40 years,” said Wasinger, school board clerk and assistant to Superintendent Dean Katt.

“I decided to add up all that experience.  The total was 692 years!”

One of the retirees is Lois Britten, Wasinger’s kindergarten teacher.

“She made our class full of life,” declared Wasinger, who has some fond memories of that long ago school year.

“I still remember the baby chicks we had in the classroom which we fed and petted. It was fun. I know it’s something she continued for years with her students. Mrs. Britten also had a teepee in the room at Thanksgiving when we were learning about Native Americans,” Wasinger recalled.

Britten was honored Monday with the Best of the Best Staff monthly award by the school board.

The 2014-2015 USD 489 retirees are:

Mary Casey–8 years
Carolyn Maska–9 years
Marla Deines–15 years
Melinda Cross–15 years
Nancy Flax–15 years
Sharon Howard–17 years
Stan Dreiling–17 years
Martha Lang–17 years
Patricia Weber–19 years
Anita Pfannenstiel–20 years
Lisa Colwell–20 years
Nina McNeal–22 years
Allen Park–25 years
Jannice Hawpe–25 years
Nancy Sprock–26 years
Nancy Harman–28 years
Linda Hammerschmidt–29 years
Robin Henman–31 years
Sheryl Rader–34 years
Linda Lang–35 years
Jonita Windholz–36 years
Kathy Beyer–37 years
Kathy Harper–37 years
Janice Bunker–38 years
Lois Britten–39 years
Kathy Ubert–40 years
Jeannette Budig–40 years

The retirement reception is Thursday, May 21, at the Rose Garden Steak Haus, 230 E. 8th, starting at 6p.m.  The public is invited to attend.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The final “Best of the Best” awards for the 2014-15 school year were presented during Monday’s Hays USD 489 school board meeting.

The Student Award went to Roosevelt Elementary School fifth-grader Brayden Hines, and the Staff Award went Roosevelt kindergarten teacher Lois Britten.

Brayden’s family, including the aunt and uncle he lives with, filled the back row of audience chairs in a show of proud support.

Roosevelt school counselor Eva Junk told board members, “Brayden’s peers seek him out and adults trust him.”

He’s a member of the Roosevelt Student Council and initiated a fundraiser to “help families affected by cancer,” Junk said, “after Brayden lost his own grandfather to cancer.”

“I was totally taken aback when we raised over $1,200 in just 20 minutes,” she said with smile at Braden.

Britten was praised by Roosevelt school nurse Jeanne Hauptman for “knowing children need to be loved and cared for, even in their worst moments.

“Mrs. Britten goes the extra mile, even purchasing the clothes on their backs and the shoes on their feet.”

Britten is retiring this year after 39 years of service with USD 489.

The duo was congratulated and shook hands with the school board members as well as Superintendent Dean Katt.

Brayden and Britten were each also presented with a customized, engraved limestone post trophy and a $50 gift certificate to local restaurants.

The board of education Best of the Best award was started this academic year to acknowledge those who are “building on the best.” The monthly award is available to all students and staff in USD 489. The program will resume in October for the 2015-16 academic year.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Although there were more questions and more discussion about keyboards and platforms, Hays USD 489 school board members finally voted 5-1 for a $673,532 purchase of Surface 3 and Surface Pro 3 Microsoft Windows computer devices for Hays High School students and staff.

Outgoing board member Greg Schwartz voted against the purchase; board member Josh Waddell was absent.

The district Technology Committee’s recommendation of 820 Surface 3s for student devices, 60 Surface Pro 3s for staff devices and 88 Lenovo c50-30 Desktops for the HHS and Hays Middle School computer labs will be purchased using the state’s contract with Microsoft.

“Is this the last time we’re going to hear about computer devices?” Schwartz asked Technology Director Brian Drennon and Technology Committee members Jeannie Michaelis and Martin Straub of Hays High.

“We’ve handled a lot of machines the past few months,” said Straub, who is the HHS principal. “We feel this is the best for Hays High.

“We felt very good about the day we made the decision. We just walked away saying it seems evident this is the best machine for us,” he added, as Michaelis and Drennon nodded in agreement.

Last month, the board voted 4-2 to approve the financing of 2,100 Apple iPads for grades K-8.

Drennon, Michaelis and Straub were asked why the Technology Committee had chosen Microsoft products for the high school when the lower grades will be using Apple products.

“We really feel like Windows is the best thing,” Straub said. He also considers it an advantage for graduating seniors to be familiar with both platforms. “I think our biggest challenge and our biggest responsibility at the high school is to make our kids competitive. All things being equal, and they have great job interviews, I’m going to hire the person who can do either.”

The board also unanimously approved the lowest bid financing for $373,532 from Bank of Hays at a 1.24% rate with no closing fee. Executive Director of Finance Tracy Kaiser explained that $300,000 will also be used from capital outlay for the remaining portion of the purchase.

In other business, board members voted 4-2 to approve the Kansas State Department of Education Technology Plan.  KSDE requires school districts to submit a technology plan every three years. The Hays plan includes the district’s mission, vision, growth measures, infrastructure, utilization of technology, and policies that guide that usage.

Bickle and Schwartz voted against the measure, preferring a delay until the new school board is seated in July.

Director of Curriculum Shanna Dinkel said the district’s five-year technology plan is “a document in progress” and can be updated and amended as needed.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The technology fee at Hays High School is increasing $20 to a total of $50, while the $160 workbook/materials fee for all USD 489 students will be reduced by $25 starting in the 2015-2016 school year.

Hays USD 489 school board members voted 5-1 for the changes during Monday night’s regular meeting. Board member Lance Bickle dissented; board member Josh Waddell was absent.

Although Traci Kaiser, Executive Director of Finance, showed five options to the board, four of which decreased fees by increasing amounts, administration had recommended only the HHS technology increase.  It will generate an additional $10,732 for a total of $25,927 to cover the self-insurance for the technology devices at Hays High.

Three of the five options would have implemented a $30 technology fee at the middle school and the elementary schools.

“It would probably be the best thing to send that message–that yes, we’re going to try to  reduce fees–we’ve been talking about it.  I think we have an opportunity to do that.  I would feel comfortable with this option–reducing the K-12 enrollment fee overall by $25 and then the fee for technology at the high school would go up $20,” Katt said.

Approval of both changes will mean a net shortfall of $39,454 in textbook/materials fees which Katt and Kaiser said will be covered in the General Fund, thanks to a decrease in expenses of $768,876 for FY’16 budget projections.

Those decreased expenses include $3256,959 in staff reductions and a first year savings of $216,299 in repurposing Washington school for the Early Childhood Connections program.

In other business, board members also approved a recommended increase in meal prices of five cents for elementary lunches and ten cents for middle and high school lunches for 2015-2016.

Jessica Younker, Nutrition Services Director, told the board “if prices do not increase, the district would have to contribute $15,689 to the Food Service Fund to subsidize for low cost paid meals.”

Due to federal price equity requirements, based on the average meal price for the 2014-2015 year, USD 489 is required to raise lunch prices a minimum of $.07 weighted average, Younker explained.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Longtime Washington Elementary School Principal Allen Park submitted his retirement during Monday night’s meeting of the Hays USD 489 school board.

Park has served as the Washington school principal the past 25 years.

The Washington building, opened in 1926, will cease operation as a school today, May 19, 2015.  It is  being repurposed to house the district’s Early Childhood Connections programs beginning in the 2015-2016 school year.

Park will continue to serve as the Transition Coordinator until Oct. 2.

He has been working with students, parents and staff to transfer to one of the four other USD 489 elementary schools.  In mid-March, Park said “all teachers and 117 students have already been assigned to one of four remaining elementary schools within the district.”

Related story: Personnel transactions for May 18

In his letter presented May 18 to board members Park said, “I wanted to take this time to thank you for all of the opportunities that I have experienced working for USD #489. I have enjoyed my employment as a paraprofessional, coach, ELL and industrial arts teacher, and as the principal of Washington Elementary for the last twenty-five years. I will miss the many students, families, and co-workers that I have had the privilege to work with over the last thirty years.”

Park was also named District Migrant Director in 1990.

He has earned a number of honors the past 25 years:

Sunrise Rotary Club of Hays, 2014 Rotarian of the Year
Boy Scouts of America Area Council, 2011 Outstanding Administrator
Outstanding Administrator Technology Rich School Grant- 2004 $149,000 grant
NAESP – National Association of Elementary School Principals, 1999 National Distinguished Principal Award winner representing Kansas
KAESP – Kansas Association Elementary Principals, Distinguished Principal nominee District Five 1998
KAHPERD – Administrator Award 1998
KAHPERD – Exemplary Program of Physical Education 1997
Distinguished Principal nominee District Five
KAESP, Outstanding Focus School 1991
Leadership Hays, Inaugural class 1990

Superintendent Dean Katt said, “We are thankful for Allen’s 25 years of service to the students, staff, and parents of USD #489. Allen will play an important role as the Transition Coordinator over the next several months to ensure the Washington students and parents are able to transition smoothly into their new environments. We wish Allen the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

USD 489 board members Monday evening approved a lengthy list of personnel changes in Hays schools and facilities, including the retirement of longtime Washington Elementary School Principal Allen Park. The building is being repurposed to house the district’s Early Childhood Connections programs.

Personnel Transactions May 18, 2015

Resignations:
1. Name: Austin Leiker Position: Custodian
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: April 25, 2015
2. Name: BreAnna Slanger Position: Paraeducator
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: May 19, 2015
3. Name: Kileigh Cure Position: Asst. Volleyball Coach
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: May 19, 2015
4. Name: Kileigh Cure Position: Head Basketball Coach (Girls)
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: May 19, 2015
5. Name: Steven Grant Position: Technology Assistant
Building: Hays High School Effective: May 7, 2015
6. Name: Garrett Bland Position: CCU Leader
Building: Hays High School Effective: May 25, 2015
7. Name: Rhonda Windholz Position: 4th Grade Teacher
Building: O’Loughlin Elementary Effective: May 19, 2015
8. Name: Jenny Johnson Position: SPED Teacher
Building: Westside School Effective: May 19, 2015
9. Name: Taylor Rathgeber Position: After School Assistant
Building: Wilson Elementary Effective: May 19, 2015
10.Name: Taylor Oller Position: After School Assistant
Building: Wilson Elementary Effective: May 19, 2015
11.Name: Lindsay Eitel Position: After School Assistant
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: May 18, 2015
12.Name: Morgan Schulte Position: After School Assistant
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: May 18, 2015
13.Name: Ashley Hoover Position: Para Educator
Building: LaCrosse Elementary Effective: May 21, 2015
14.Name: Jessica Geist Position: After School Director
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: May 19, 2015
15.Name: Kristin Kurup Position: Teacher Asst./Family Worker
Building: Connections (Simpson) Effective: May 20, 2015
16.Name: Monty Smith Position: Asst. Boys Golf Coach
Building: Hays High School Effective: May 30, 2015
17.Name: John Schmidt Position: Custodian
Building: Hays High School Effective: May 26, 2015
18.Name: Emily Christians Position: SPED Para
Building: Hays High School Effective: May 19, 2015
19.Name: Jordan Koehn Position: After School Assistant
Building: Wilson Elementary Effective: May 15, 2015
20.Name: Lisa Pickering Position: SPED Para
Building: Hays High School Effective: May 19, 2015
21.Name: Brandi Roland Position: SPED Para
Building: Hays High School Effective: May 12, 2015
22.Name: Lacie Jacka Position: SPED Para
Building: Hays High School Effective: May 5, 2015

Retirements
1. Name: Sheryl Rader Position: Physical Education Instructor
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: May 19, 2015
2. Name: Nina McNeal Position: Special Education Instructor
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: May 19, 2015
3. Name: Patty Weber Position: Physical Education Instructor
Building: Lincoln and Wilson Elem. Effective: May 19, 2015
4. Name: Jannice Hawpe Position: Administrative Assistant
Building: Hays High School Effective: June 1, 2015
5. Name: Martha Lang Position: Copy Center Manager
Building: Rockwell Effective: June 30, 2015
6. Name: Kathy Beyer Position: SPED Para
Building: Lincoln Elementary Effective: May 19, 2015
7. Name: Mary Casey Position: Reading Teacher
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: May 19, 2015
8. Name: Kathy Ubert Position: Nutrition Services Admin. Assistant
Building: Rockwell Effective: July 1, 2015
9. Name: Jeanette Budig Position: SPED Teacher
Building: Lincoln Elementary Effective: May 19, 2015
10.Name: Allen Park Position: Transition Coordinator
Building: Districtwide Effective: October 2, 2015

Leave, Transfers, Other
1. Name: Gena Feldt Position: SPED Teacher
Building: Holy Family Elementary Effective: August 24, 2015
Action: 12 Week Leave
2. Name: Karla Bieber Position: SPED Teacher
Building: Hays High School Effective: August 1, 2015
Action: Transfer to Victoria Jr. /Sr. High
3. Name: Christine Weber Position: Connections Teacher
Building: Lincoln Elementary Effective: April 27, 2015
Action: 6-Week Leave (Estimated)
4. Name: Ryan Walt Position: Speech Pathologist
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: August 29, 2015
Action: 6-Week Leave
5. Name: Katty Terwort Position: ELL Para
Building: O’Loughlin Elementary Effective: April 30, 2015
Action: Termination
6. Name: Tracy Archer Position: 4
th Grade Teacher
Building: Lincoln Elementary Effective: August 12, 2015
Action: Transfer to 2nd Grade Teacher at Wilson Elementary
7. Name: Kristin Conor Position: After School Director
Building: Washington Elementary Effective: May 20, 2015
Action: Transfer to After School Assistant at Roosevelt Elementary
8. Name: Diosha Johnson Position: After School Assistant
Building: Washington Elementary Effective: May 20, 2015
Action: Transfer to After School Assistant at Roosevelt Elementary
9. Name: Kylie Powell Position: After School Assistant
Building: O’Loughlin Elementary Effective: May 20, 2015
Action: Transfer to After School Assistant at Roosevelt
10. Name: Connie Yost Position: SPED Para
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: May 11, 2015
Action: Termination
11.Name: Darlene Arnhold Position: SPED Para
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: May 11, 2015
Action: Termination
12. Name: Amanda Bayse Position: ELL Para
Building: Lincoln Elementary Effective: May 15, 2015
Action: Rescind Resignation
13.Name: Amanda Bayse Position: Lunchroom Supervisor
Building: Lincoln Elementary Effective: May 15, 2015
Action: Rescind Resignation

Employment
1. Name: Brandon Maska Position: Head Basketball Coach (Girls)
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: October 12, 2015
2. Name: Kellen Griffin Position: Head Soccer Coach (Boys)
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: March 7, 2016
3. Name: Tami Robben Position: Head Soccer Coach (Girls)
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: March 7, 2016
4. Name: Megan Bird Position: Assistant Soccer Coach (Boys)
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: March 7, 2016
5. Name: Margaret Meier Position: Assistant Soccer Coach (Girls)
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: March 7, 2016
6. Name: Emily Roberts Position: Para Educator
Building: Wilson Elementary Effective: April 29, 2015
7. Name: Erin Holder Position: SPED Para
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: April 28, 2015
8. Name: Alice James Position: SPED Teacher
Building: Ellis School District Effective: August 12, 2015
9. Name: Jerry Braun Position: Math Teacher
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: August 12, 2015
10.Name: Matthew Rome Position: Band Teacher
Building: HMS/HHS Effective: August 12, 2015
11.Name: Darren Timken Position: Custodian
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: May 11, 2015
12.Name: Margaret Meier Position: 6th Grade Math/Science
Building: Hays Middle School Effective: August 12, 2015
13.Name: Tiffany Fox Position: K-5 Elementary
Building: TBD Effective: August 12, 2015
14.Name: Marie Henderson Position: Instructional Tech Specialist
Building: District Wide Effective: June 1, 2015
15.Name: Heath Owens Position: Asst. Football Coach
Building: Hays High School Effective: August 17, 2015
16.Name: Nick Fawcett Position: PE Teacher (K-5)
Building: Wilson/Lincoln Elementary Effective: August 12, 2015
17.Name: Nick Fawcett Position: Asst. Football Coach
Building: Hays High School Effective: August 17, 2015
18.Name: Jay Sanders Position: PE Teacher (K-5)
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: August 12, 2015
19.Name: Maddy Mall Position: SPED Teacher
Building: Roosevelt Elementary Effective: August 12, 2015
20.Name: Haleigh Pippert Position: PM Teacher Assistant
Building: Connections-Munjor Effective: June 16, 2015
21.Name: Amy Kelly Position: K-5 Elementary
Building: TBD Effective: August 12, 2015
22.Name: Katherine Mai Position: Speech Language Pathologist
Building: HACC Effective: August 1, 2015

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The $673,532 computer purchase of 820 Surface 3s for Hays High School students, 60 Surface Pro 3s for HHS staff and 108 Lenovo c50-30 Desktops for computer labs at the high school and middle school computer labs, is scheduled for a vote during tonight’s meeting of the Hays USD 489 school board.

Board members will also vote on financing for the Windows computers purchase recommended by the district Technology Committee. Administration is recommending the board approve financing of $375,000 with Bank of Hays, the low bidder with a 1.24% rate and no closing fee costs.

The remainder of the PC technology purchases would be paid with capital outlay funds.

Other agenda items include a vote on the 2015-2016 school fees, including a proposed $20 increase in the technology fee at Hays High School, which would increase the fee to $50 if approved.

Administration is also recommending approval of a five cent increase in the elementary lunch price and a 10 cent lunch increase price at the middle school and high school for 2015-2016. Due to federal price equity requirements, USD 489 is required to raise lunch prices a minimum of $.07 weighted average.

The board will consider voting to approve the three year Kansas State Department of Education Technology Plan so it can be submitted to the State of Kansas.

The board will also discuss renewing membership in the Kansas Association of
School Boards at a cost of $13,145 for membership and legal assistance fund fees.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, in the Toepfer Board Room at the USD 489 Administrative Building, 323 W. 12th.

See the entire agenda here.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The city of Hays prohibits outdoor watering between the hours of noon and 7 p.m. from June 1 to September 30 every year.

Residents wanting to seed or sod a warm-season lawn during the summer can get a permit from the city, at no charge, which allows watering outdoors during the prohibited hours to establish the new grass.

Currently, the warm season lawn permits allow 10 days of additional watering with no extension.

City Water Conservation Specialist Jason Riegel told city commissioners Thursday night, “10 days isn’t always long enough,” and advocated changing the permits to allow an extension.

“The 10 day permit may need to be extended during certain circumstances to
guarantee warm season vegetation establishment, such as when it’s hot and dry or if the grass is on north facing slopes,” he explained.

“Improved varieties of Bermuda grass may take up to 14 days to germinate when started from seed.”

Commissioners voted to approve Riegel’s recommended change in the ordinance.

Now, when an extension for a warm season lawn permit is requested, city staff will make the decision based on current conditions and the type of lawn planted. Staff may then extend warm season grass watering permits for a period of 10 days as determined by an on-site inspection.

Warm season lawn permits, for grasses including Bermuda and buffalo, are granted June 1 to August 1.

Commissioners decided against increasing the cost of cool season lawn permits, which are $100, and are available August 25 to Sept. 30. Cool season grasses, which require considerably more water, include fescue and Kentucky bluegrass.  No cool season lawn permits have been sold the past two years.

“We’re not punishing cool-season lawn owners,” said Commissioner Henry Schwaller, who voted for changing the ordinance but still favors a fee hike for cool season lawn permits.

“We’re saying if you want to plant that kind of yard, you have to pay a little bit more because we’re really trying to discourage that.  We’re trying to convert everyone to warm season grass,” he said.

Riegel told commissioners 32 property owners have signed up for “Cash for Grass,” a new rebate program by the city that offers up to $1,000 for converting lawns to warm season grass.

“I did some math,” said Riegel.  There are 32 of the approximate 8,500 households in Hays participating this first year–1 in every 218 households.”  The city has budgeted enough money to fund 50 rebates.  “If we max it, that would be 1 in every 171 households.”

San Diego, where the entire population of California has been ordered to cut water use by 25 percent, has initiated a similar program.

According to Riegel, “San Diego did 350 rebates and has 490,000 households.  We have  four times the participation in Hays than what it is in San Diego.”

“We’re pretty proud of that,” added City Manager Toby Dougherty.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The crosswind runway, 4-22, at the Hays Regional Airport is the one used most by small, lighter-weight planes and will soon undergo rehabilitation.

Hays City Commissioners accepted the recommended low bid for the project Thursday night.

City staff recommended the low bid from National Sealant & Concrete, LLC of Oconto, Wisconsin, in the amount of $651,672.19, contingent upon Federal Aviation Administration grant funding.

According to Hays Public Works Director I.D. Creech, approximately 90 percent of the cost would be reimbursed by the FAA, with the city responsible for the remaining 10 percent.

The base bid and two alternates include removal and replacement of failed pavement panels, repairing spalled joints, repainting the pavement marking and resealing of all the pavement joints on the runway.

The 2015 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) included $76,340 for the city’s share of te project. Based on design costs, bids received, and anticipated construction engineering costs, the city’s actual cost would be $86,780.09, which is $10,440 over what was identified in the 2015 CIP.

“The Airport Improvement Account has adequate funds to finance the project,” Creech assured commissioners.

In addition, the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) of $4.50 per ticketed passenger departing Hays Regional Airport on United Express will be used to reimburse the city’s share over time.

“Eventually, we’ll get all the money back that we’re spending, as long as we have commercial flights at the airport,” he added.

The crosswind runway will be closed during the duration of construction. The main runway will need to be closed for short periods of time while construction occurs within the safety area; however, commercial and other air service will continue during construction.

Commissioners also approved a construction engineering agreement, “a fancy term for ongoing, FAA-certified inspections,” Creech explained, with Burns and McDonnell, the city’s airport engineering consultant. Cost is $99,780, with 90 percent to be funded by the FAA and $9,978 to be funded by the city.

Assuming the timely award of an FAA grant, Creech said construction would be completed before the end of the year.

In other business:

• Commissioners authorized offering for sale General Obligation Bonds for expenditures related to Golden Belt Estates 5th Addition and 46th Street 2nd Addition. City Finance Director Kim Rupp told the commission the approximate principal amount of bonds to be issued is $1,010,000, and the bonds are scheduled to mature in 15 years. The bid bond sale is scheduled for June 11.
• Mayor Eber Phelps read a National Public Works Week proclamation and thanked the city’s public works employees for their service.
• Phelps also read a National Bicycle Month proclamation.  Commissioners heard an update about the new Bike Hays program and Biking Guide.  A mobile app is also being developed which will show the Bike Hays routes.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

There were 159 entries in the new Water Quality Poster Contest, a partnership between the City of Hays and KSU Watersheds. The contestants worked with the theme “What’s In Your Water?”, focusing on pollutants in water that are not desirable and create the potential for water to be unsafe to drink.

RELATED: Slideshow of winning entries.

The top three winners in each age group, pre-K through college, were invited to attend the awards presentation at Thursday night’s Hays City Commission meeting.

Cell phones and digital cameras were held up high by beaming parents as the youngsters received recognition from KSU Watershed Specialist Stacie Minson and Hays Stormwater Specialist Steven Walters, and then shook hands with each commissioner.

Under the requirements of the city’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, Hays is required to provide educational offerings to the community about the value of improving water quality.

In partnership with Kansas State Research and Extension, the poster contest “What’s In Your Water?” was held. Minson commended the students for their “time, ideas, and talent in understanding water quality issues in our community.”

“I feel for this being a new project that it was a success. We look forward to next year and hope we have an even greater success in 2016,” she said.

Vice-mayor Shaun Musil noted “the fourth-graders had the most participation”–61 entries–and said he hoped the students were motivated by visits to their classes by some city commissioners and city staff made earlier in the year.

“Earlier this year, a few of us commissioners went to the schools to do water education and it was  great response from the kids.  I thought it was very interesting, if you look at the tallies of the kids who participated, it’s the fourth graders who had the most–the classes that we went in to–and I thought that was really great,” Musil pointed out.

“It was nice to see all the winners here tonight.”

The winners received Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Checks of $50 for first place, $30 for second place or $20 for third place, and a food party for their respective class.

The winning posters, judged by Ellis County Master Gardeners, Hays Optimist Club members and attendees at the Water $mart meetings, are on display in the city commission chambers at Hays City Hall, 1507 Main Street.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The recent pattern of small amounts of regular spring rains is welcome during the drought that has put the city of Hays 12 inches behind normal in average rainfall.

The showers may be welcome; the resulting weeds and overgrown lawns are not.

If property owners let the situation get out of control, the city will step in.

Section 26 of the Hays Municipal Code prohibits nuisances such as weeds or grass taller than 12 inches in height, according to John Braun, Assistant Public Works Director.

“The area of (property owner) responsibility extends to the center of the street in front or side yard, and to the center of the alley in the rear,” he explained.

“Typically, you won’t find weeds growing in the street but sometimes they do grow around the curb and sidewalk and especially along the alley.

“Property owners who do not keep control of tall grass and weeds will be sent a letter notifying them of the violation with 10 days to correct it. After that, the city will hire a contractor to abate the nuisance and charge the costs to the responsible property owner,” Braun said.

“Any legal over-the-counter, purchased at the hardware store herbicides can be sprayed in the sidewalk cracks, along the curb and alley, around the water main cover,” Braun added.

“As long as you use the amount specified and apply it according to label directions, you don’t have to worry about runoff (into the city water system.”)

Any questions about nuisance issues should be directed to the Public Works Department at (785) 628-7350.