Now that the sun is out and the temperatures are warming, Hays residents may want to start watering their yards and landscapes.
That’s not yet necessary, according to Hays Water Conservation Specialist Holly Dickman. Thanks to plentiful rains earlier this month, the soil is saturated.
“Only water when necessary,” Dickman stresses.
“Water deeply and infrequently during this time of year to encourage deep, drought tolerant roots. If we get good root systems under our turf grass, our trees, our shrubs, our flowers, we will be less in need of irrigation later on in the summer when it gets really hot and dry.”
You can check the soil saturation using a probe, such as a long screwdriver. When the probe hits resistance, it’s likely hit dry soil – the depth to which the moisture has reached.
Dickman recommends turfgrass or lawns be watered to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, while flowers and vegetable gardens should be watered to a depth of 8 to 12 inches. Trees and shrubs sold be watered to a depth of 12 to 18 inches where the bulk of their roots are located.
“Watering much deeper than these recommendations is a waste of water,” says Dickman.
It’s best to water early in the morning to take advantage of lower wind speeds, less evaporation and higher humidity levels.
“Watering at this time of day also allows plant leaves to dry off quickly, lessening the threat of potential disease problems,” Dickman added.
Limited outdoor watering hours will be in effect from June 1 to September 30 in Hays. No outdoor watering will be allowed between noon and 7 p.m. by city water customers or those with private water wells.
The Kansas Dept. of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources issues the control order for private wells at the request of the city of Hays.
Jeff Crispin, water resources director, with a map of Hays’ water wells
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Six municipal water wells for the city of Hays will be professionally rehabilitated this summer.
City commissioners approved a $67,230 low bid last week with Layne Christensen, Kearney, Neb. for the cleaning work.
Four of the six wells — YE-1, C-20T, S-8, S-16, S-19, and S-23 — are located in the Smoky Hill River well field south of town near Schoenchen. C-20 is located near 16th and Milner in the middle of Hays. YE-1 is in northwest Hays near Enersys.
The professionals are called in when in-house maintenance can no longer improve a well’s performance, according to Jeff Crispin, water resource manager.
“Professional rehabilitation is periodically required during the life of a well as groundwater contains bacteria and minerals which causes wells to plug. Screens, gravels, gravel pack, and formations may become blocked, reducing the capacity and efficiency of the well,” he told the commission.
Examples of before and after well rehabilitation
Crispin also noted the work would be completed before July 1 when temperatures rise and water use increases.
“We have enough wells that we can shut down the rehabbed wells for a few days,” Crispin assured commissioners. “Obviously, we’re not running all of our (32) production wells at the same time.”
Also during the May 9 city commission meeting, the issuance, sale and delivery of $65,000 in general obligation bonds was approved for Heart of America Second Addition and King’s Gate First Addition.
Finance Director Kim Rupp said Heart of America prepaid $277,836.51 for water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer and street improvements included in the extension of Ninth Street east to Commerce Parkway Some homeowners in Kings Gate First Addition also prepaid their improvement district assessments for a new park, which totaled 82,163.49.
That left a small bond issuance of $65,000 which was purchased by Bank of Hays.
In other business, the commission approved the mayor appointment of Reese Barrick, Sternberg Museum of Natural History director to his fourth term on the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Advisory Committee. John Griffith, Comfort Inn & Suites North, was also appointed – for the first time – to an unexpired term on the CVB Advisory Committee.
Low bids from DHC (Dustin Hynes Construction) of Hays were approved by the Hays city commission Thursday night for new sidewalks at Rolling Hills Park – $26,841.90 – and at 13th and Canterbury – $35,135.53.
Both projects will offer safer options for walkers, Jeff Boyle, director of parks, told commissioners.
“At 13th and Canterbury, generally speaking, all of these areas that are basically just grass and dirt right now are going to be connecting to existing sidewalks at the Hays Recreation Commission (HRC) and Hays High School,” said Boyle.
One section of the sidewalk on the north end of HRC will be eight foot wide instead of the standard five foot width in anticipation of a proposed multi-use path to be built in east Hays. “We’re just trying to plan ahead,” he explained.
“That concept will actually be brought back to the commission later this year during the 2020 budget process,” interjected City Manager Toby Dougherty.
The southwest corner of 13th and Canterbury is a vacant lot which is for sale.
Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller, who abstained from the vote, said he is one of 11 owners of the property.
“Some people think as mayor, I’m getting a free sidewalk. I didn’t ask for the sidewalk. I didn’t know about the sidewalk,” said Schwaller. “In fact, I kinda don’t want the sidewalk.”
Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil pointed out that current city policy requires developers to put in sidewalks.
“This is a situation where we are addressing past oversights,” Dougherty said.
“The current development policy says that if you build a property out, you put a sidewalk in. For example, if you’re in a residential area you have three years from 50% build-out to put the sidewalk in to eliminate the connectivity issues.”
“This was a remnant of the policy that said if it’s not built-out, you don’t put a sidewalk in, and we’re not going to take into consideration what gets built-out past that,” explained Dougherty.
“So what happened here is we had a somewhat undeveloped intersection – there’s actually still two corners of this intersection that are still undeveloped – and we built a high school on one quadrant and Hays Rec Commission on the other quadrant.
“The mindset back then was we’ll just put the sidewalk in whenever we deal with it. It’s led to some of the areas we’ve been addressing over the last few years in the sidewalk program. We’re trying to infill areas that were developed.”
He cited as an example another area in east Hays where a sidewalk was installed last year between Indian Trail and Donald.
“You had a sidewalk going through a commercial corridor, and then nothing, because it was undeveloped, and then residential housing that goes a quarter mile to the east to a park without thought of how you’re going to get there. There was, and is, a well-worn path in all these areas where people are actually (walking). That’s how we identified all these areas. We looked where the paths were in the dirt.”
Rolling Hills Park, bordered by 41st Street to the north and Autumn Lane to the east, has no connecting sidewalks for pedestrian traffic.
“We want to go from the existing curb cut sidewalk area all the way down 41st. It’ll actually drop off down into the park area and go all the way to Autumn Lane where it will turn south,” explained Boyle. “That’ll provide full connectivity for everybody in the neighborhood to get up to the walking path on 41st. We’ve seen a lot of folks trying to walk on 41st Street and it’s just not safe.”
Commissioner Sandy Jacobs agreed.
“I’m really happy that we’re doing this. It is a dangerous area and there are a lot of people up there walking.”
Former Hays city commissioner Eber Phelps has been appointed to fill the unexpired term of commissioner James Meier.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Hays city commissioners on Thursday unanimously voted to appoint former City Commissioner Eber Phelps to the unexpired term of James Meier.
“I really believe that we should have the people vote for them, but we don’t have a choice now by state statute,” said Vice-Mayor Sean Musil who made the motion to appoint Phelps.
“I think Eber Phelps — that guy cares so much about this community. He’ll do a great job in the seven months remaining. That’s why, in my opinion, we should appoint him,” Commissioner Ron Mellick seconded Musil’s motion.
Meier’s seat is up for re-election in the Nov. 5 general election. He vacated the position May 3 and will be moving to Wichita. By state law, the city commission has 10 days to appoint the replacement.
“A lot of changes going on right now,” said Mayor Henry Schwaller, “and one of them is the city manager working solo. There’s no assistant city manager. So bringing someone up to speed (about city commission activities) would be rather challenging for all of us at this point.”
Phelps will be sworn into office at the May 16 work session.
Schwaller said several people contacted commissioners to express interest in the position.
A developer is interested in opening a travel plaza at I-70 Exit 157 in Hays. (Google image)
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
“There’s signs on the interstate that this truck stop is coming and I don’t have an update for the people. Do you have an update on it?” Vice-mayor Sean Musil asked Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty Thursday night at the end of their meeting. “I’d just like to know what’s going on.”
Dougherty had a few answers for city commissioners.
“We were contacted several months ago by an entity wishing to develop the property into a travel plaza, a hotel, restaurants, a rather large development,” Dougherty said.
The property, owned by Dan Hess of Hess Services, is at I-70 Exit 157 on the west side of Hays in the northwest corner. Hess Services is located north of the property on 230th Ave.
“We discussed with them what would be required for a formal application for economic incentives (from the city),” Dougherty said. “As the commission knows, that’s a process the developer needs to follow.”
According to Dougherty the developer has paid a $5,000 non-refundable deposit and signed a funding agreement with Grow Hays.
“That puts them in contact with our bond counsel Gilmore and Bell. Working with their counsel and our bond counsel, a term sheet is developed that outlays the specifics of the project – what’s the project going to look like, what’s the dollar amount, what’s the financial incentive asked for, what’s the time frame of this – and that transitions into the formal application for any of the incentives and then any incentive process would start.
Dougherty has had discussions with the developer he told the commission, “but we do not have the necessary information to put the term sheet together.”
“Right now, it’s in the developer’s hands. We’re just waiting for the developer to provide that information. We’d like to get a term sheet in front of you as quickly as possible so you can talk about the specifics and hopefully transition this into an actual (financial) incentive request.”
Musil said he’s had a lot of people asking him about the project and hadn’t heard anything about it for awhile.
“When you see billboards go up announcing it’s going to happen, you’re excited about it,” said Mayor Henry Schwaller.
“Absolutely,” agreed Musil. “I support that.”
“We are excited,” added Commissioner Sandy Jacob.
After the meeting, Musil and Commissioner Ron Mellick said they’ve both seen three billboards on I-70 between Salina and Hays that advertise a travel plaza opening in Hays in 2019.
Former Hays city commissioner Eber Phelps has been appointed to fill the unexpired term of commissioner James Meier.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Hays city commissioners tonight unanimously voted to appoint former city commissioner Eber Phelps to the unexpired term of James Meier.
“I really believe that we should have the people vote for them, but we don’t have a choice now by state statute,” said Vice-Mayor Sean Musil who made the motion to appoint Phelps.
“I think Eber Phelps – that guy cares so much about this community – he’ll do a great job in the seven months remaining. That’s why in my opinion we should appoint him.” Commissioner Ron Mellick seconded Musil’s motion.
Meier’s seat is up for re-election in the November 5 general election. He vacated the position May 3 and will be moving to Wichita. By state law the city commission has 10 days to appoint the replacement.
“A lot of changes going on right now,” said Mayor Henry Schwaller, “and one of them is the city manager working solo. There’s no assistant city manager. So bringing someone up to speed (about city commission activities) would be rather challenging for all of us at this point.”
Phelps will be sworn into office at the May 16 work session.
Schwaller said several people contacted commissioners to express interest in the position.
Another half-inch of rain in Hays the past 24 hours brings the three day total to 2.50 inches, according to the official weather report from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town. That amount is also the total for May.
So far in 2019, Hays has received 6.13 inches of precipitation.
Ellis swimming pool tour May 6 (Photo courtesy Travis Kohlrus)
ELLIS – Following a tour of the municipal swimming pool prior to their meeting, Ellis City Council members voted Monday to approve a $170,000 engineering contract with Lamp Rynearson, contingent upon Community Development Block Grant funding for a new pool.
Justine Benoit, grant administrator with Northwest Kansas Planning and Development, told the council if the city is awarded the grant, the state allows 90 days to accept the grant, one year to sign a contract with a general contractor, and two years to start the project. The grant application must be submitted by May 15.
In other business, a new file server purchase from Eagle Technology Solutions for $6,765.34 along with monthly backup and disaster recovery option at $125 per month were approved for the Ellis Police Department.
Also approved was the Blue Cross Blue Shield policy renewal for employees’ dental plan, and term life and accidental death and disability plans. The dental plan increased 1 percent.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
May 6, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Martin LaBarge, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner was present by telephone from 8:00 p.m. – 8:20 p.m. Council member Steve Ferland was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Glen Keller, Barbara Perkins, Justine Benoit, Joy Fischer, Jessica Shank, Millie Karlin, Nicole Carroll, Susan Schlichting, Ashley Rohleder, Dennis Bollig, Nancy Wright, Sheresa Brull, Ellie Brull, Grace Brull, Kristy Rhoden, JT Rhoden, Doreen Timken, Beth Schiel, Zach Schiel, Andy Smith, Vicki Doyle, John Dollil, Karista Pugh, Madison Gottschalk, Michelle Gottschalk, Abigail Mattheyer, Melvin Kinderknecht, Emily Mattheyer, Freda Fisher, Pat Bieker, Pam Dietrich, Sam Polifka, Vernie Pritchett, Craig Seibel, Margie Mickelson (arrived at 7:55 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on April 15, 2019, Bills Ordinance #2068, and the Manual Journal Entries for January, February, and March. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
City Clerk: Award/Proclamation
Mayor David McDaniel read a Proclamation declaring May 5 – 11, 2019 as the 50th Anniversary of Municipal Clerks Week.
SPECIAL ORDER
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Jessica Shank, representing the Senior Companion program at Fort Hays State University, thanked the Council for their past support and presented the Senior Companion 2020 budget request. Ms. Shank requested consideration from Council for $3,973, the annual support cost of one senior companion volunteer. The request represents a decrease of $113 from the previous year. Joy Fischer presented the 2020 budget request for the Foster Grandparent program. Ms. Fischer requested consideration from Council for $3,718 to support one foster grandparent to serve in Ellis. The request represents an increase of $2,718 from the previous year. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
Committee: Special Project
The Ellis PRIDE Committee partnered with the Ellis High School KAYS organization to participate in a pilot program to obtain a youth’s perspective in conjunction with the State-wide PRIDE Committee’s First Impressions program. Nicole Carroll, KAYS Sponsor, and students Karista Pugh, Madison Gottschalk, Michelle Gottschalk, and Abigail Mattheyer gave a PowerPoint presentation highlighting their project of possible ways of beautifying Ellis and also noting existing positive aspects of the city.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Swimming Pool: Contract
Prior to the meeting, Andy Smith, engineer with Lamp Rynearson, met with available Governing Body members and interested community members at the Ellis Municipal Pool to tour the current facility and visually highlight concerns noted in the Preliminary Engineering Report. Mr. Smith entertained additional questions from the Governing Body from that tour. After discussion, Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the engineering agreement with Lamp Rynearson in the amount of $170,000.00, contingent upon Community Development Block Grant funding. Upon a call for further discussion, Justine Benoit, grant administrator with Northwest Kansas Planning & Development, stated that if the City is awarded CDBG funding, the State allows 90 days to accept the grant, one year to sign a contract with a general contractor, and two years to start the project. The grant application must be submitted by May 15th. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 5-0, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner voting by telephone.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported on the Cedar Lane lift station project. There is an existing 10’ easement that the work could be completed in without the need to obtain additional easements from the adjacent property owners. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested approval to proceed with the project by allowing him to upgrade the existing Loveless pump. Council member Martin LaBarge moved to approve upgrades to the existing Loveless pump in the amount of $2,500, with funds to come from the Sewer Depreciation Reserve fund. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Police: Acquisition
Police Chief Taft Yates presented two bids for the purchase of a new computer server for the Police Department. Craig Seibel, Eagle Technology Solutions, was on hand to answer questions from Council. After discussion, Council member Bret Andries moved to purchase a Dell PowerEdge T140 file server from Eagle Technology Solutions in the amount of $6,765.34 along with the monthly backup and disaster recovery option at $125 per month. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. The monthly backup option will be charged to the Police Department’s budget, as well as $2,500 of the file server purchase, with the remaining $4,265.34 to be taken out of Special Machinery.
General Government: Committees
Mayor David McDaniel reviewed the current City committee appointment roster and announced his new appointments for 2019. Several vacant positions remain and Mayor McDaniel hopes to have them filled by the next meeting. It was the consensus of Council to table approval of the roster of appointments until the next Council meeting.
General Government: Licenses/Permits
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the Fireworks Permit Applications from the Ellis Baptist Youth Group and the Ellis Softball/Baseball Association, contingent on each applicant submitting proof of liability insurance. Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0, with Council member Bret Andries abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.
Personnel: Benefits
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the policy renewal rates for the employee’s dental plan and term life and accidental death and disability policy. Both policies are through Blue Cross Blue Shield. The dental plan reflects a 1% increase in premiums, while the life and AD&D policy premiums are unchanged. Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Blue Cross Blue Shield dental and term life and accidental death and disability policies as presented. Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Public Works: Disposal
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested approval to sell several of the Department’s vehicles and the cargo bed from the newly purchased 2011 GMC Sierra. Council member Martin LaBarge moved to authorize the sale of the 1988 Chevy 1-ton, the 2004 Ford F-250 ¾-ton, the 1990 Ford ¾-ton, and the cargo bed from the 2011 GMC Sierra on the Purple Wave auction site. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Sanitation: Repairs/Maintenance
Council member Bob Redger moved to ratify the invoice from Staab Repair in the amount of $1,496.94 for repairs to the 1999 Ford F350. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Campground: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for storm sewer supplies for the Campground Expansion Project. Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the low bid from Municipal Supply in the amount of $4,240.73, for storm sewer materials. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Mr. Scheuerman announced the City was the successful bidder for one of the pickups being sold by sealed bid from Golden Belt Telephone Company. The City purchased a 2011 GMC Sierra ¾-ton pickup with the high bid of $16,914.00.
Council member Bob Redger inquired if the Department could possibly repair the curb at 10th Street and Monroe by Golden Belt Coop.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Department’s Monthly Activity Report for April and the May Staff Calendar
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the monthly financial statements for January, February, and March 2019 and the draft minutes from the recent Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals and Campground Committee meetings.
Individuals interested in running for Mayor, City Council, and City Treasurer must file with the County Clerk by noon on June 3rd.
The City received payment from the City of Brownell for two of the City’s old storms sirens. It was the consensus of Council to deposit the proceeds of the sale back into the Capital Improvement Fund.
Mr. Scheuerman and Ms. Burton met with David Barber, USDA Loan Specialist, regarding left over funds from the USDA Waterline Project in 2016. The funds may either be applied to the existing loan, or expended on additional improvements to the USDA project. It was the consensus of the Council to explore additional improvements to the waterline infrastructure.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that Senate Bill 105 allowing cities to select an earlier date to swear in newly elected officials is not in effect until July 1st; therefore, a draft resolution will be presented in June for consideration.
Ms. Raub will be absent at the June 3rd Council meeting. City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler will attend the Council meeting in her absence.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Council member Jolene Niernberger provided a summary of legislative updates from the League of Kansas Municipalities Leadership Summit. Ms. Niernberger stressed the importance of residents completing the 2020 Census Survey, as federal grant dollars received by the City could be negatively impacted by an inaccurate census.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Martin LaBarge seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Six of the city of Hays’ 32 municipal water production wells are slated for rehabilitation this year.
Hays city commissioners are expected to award the low $67,230 bid to Layne Christensen Co., Kearney, Neb., during their Thursday meeting.
Regular maintenance is performed on all the city’s water wells, according to Jeff Crispin, water resources director, but at some point a professional well service company must be used for a more extensive procedure.
Crispin likes to compare the wells’ operation to that of a drinking straw.
(Click to enlarge)
“If you pinch off the bottom of that straw, or you put something in place in the bottom of that drink, it’s harder for you to get that drink up and out,” Crispin said to city commissioners.
Four of the six wells — YE-1, C-20T, S-8, S-16, S-19, and S-23 — are located in the Smoky Hill River well field south of town near Schoenchen. C-20 is located near 16th and Milner in the middle of Hays. YE-1 is in northwest Hays near Enersys.
There’s no single answer for how often a water well should be professionally rehabilitated.
“The usage, media and formation are all factors that play into how often we should have it completed,” according to Crispin. “We have some wells that we don’t use much, based on a right, and how that well performs means we may use other wells more extensively. But that doesn’t mean every year we need to come back to do six wells every year.”
Crispin plans to establish a performance baseline report with video for each of the city’s water wells similar to what has been done for sewer line cleaning.
“The city in 2013 started sewer line cleaning on a regular basis. We created a baseline video — a baseline cleaning — so we know that in 2013 this area of town was hit.
“As we move forward, we continue this process and we make sure our wells are all performing as they should.”
Routine maintenance by city staff takes a couple of days.
“They go through the process of acidizing that well and then the next day disinfecting that well. We’re just basically putting the fluid into the ground, pulling it back out, pushing it back in. We’re not getting down into that well and doing methods a professional company would be able to do.”
The last major rehabilitation on the six selected wells was completed between 1998 and 2007. The Smoky well field was expanded in 2007.
The six water wells scheduled for professional rehabilitation are outlined in yellow.
Well rehabilitation is periodically required during the life of a well because groundwater contains bacteria and minerals which cause well plugging. Screens, gravel pack and formations may become blocked, reducing the capacity and efficiency of the well. The buildup reduces the amount of water that can be pumped to the surface. The contractor will pull the pumps for inspection and make repairs as needed.
“The contractor will be required to do a performance test first so you know what your baseline is,” Crispin explained as he described the process.
“A camera will be lowered into the well to inspect the screens at the bottom of the well. High pressure jetting, chemical treatment and mechanical methods will be used to clean the screens and formations at the bottom of each well. Once complete, the well will be performance tested and they will provide us an efficiency report compared to ‘like-new status.’ ”
Rehabilitating water wells extends the life of each well, reduces electricity, and the costs to produce water.
“We have enough wells that we can shut down the rehabbed wells for a few days,” Crispin assured commissioners. “Obviously, we’re not running all of our production wells at the same time.”
Smoky wells 8, 19 and 23 are in their own buildings.Wells C-20T, YE-1, and S-16
The Ellis area also received about an inch of rain, and up to 1.2 inches fell in the Victoria area, according to reports.
Most of Russell County received more than an inch of rain, with the heaviest falling in the southeast portion of the county, where there was a report of 2.45 inches in the gauge.
ELLIS — Immediately preceding their meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m., Ellis City Council members will tour the municipal swimming pool with Andy Smith of Lamp Rynearson engineering.
Later in the evening during the actual meeting, the council will consider approving an engineering contract with Lamp Rynearson for swimming pool improvements.
In new business, the council will consider approvals of the purchase a computer server for the police department, of Blue Cross Blue Shield employee benefit polices, and storm sewer bids for the Lakeside Campground expansion project.
The complete Monday, May 6, agenda follows.
AGENDA
May 6, 2019
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS
City Hall – Council Meeting Room
TOUR OF SWIMMING POOL WITH ANDY SMITH, LAMP RYNEARSON AT 6:30 P.M.
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)
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from Regular Meeting on April 15, 2019
Bills Ordinance #2068
Manual Journal Entries for January, February, and March
(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.)
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
Municipal Clerks Week Proclamation
SPECIAL ORDER
2019 Budget Request – Foster Grandparent and Senior Companions Programs
First Impressions Presentation – PRIDE Committee
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Consider Approval of Engineering Contract with Lamp Rynearson for Swimming Pool Improvements
Update on Cedar Lane Lift Station Project
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Approval to Purchase Computer Server for Police Department
Consider Approval of 2019 Committee Appointments
Consider Approval of Fireworks Permit Applications
Consider Approval of Blue Cross Blue Shield Employee Benefit Policies
Consider Approval to Sell Public Works Vehicles
Consider Ratification of Repairs to 1999 Ford Truck
Consider Approval of Storm Sewer Bids for Campground Expansion Project
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Administrative
Public Works
Department Update
Police
Monthly Activity Report for April
May Staff Calendar
Department Update
City Clerk
Monthly Financial Statements for January, February, and March 2019
Elm Street between 5th and 6th Street will be closed to traffic during business hours Tuesday and Wednesday.
M&D Excavating will be removing trees associated with the planned reconstruction of Elm Street later this summer.
Elm Street is part of the city’s upcoming major street reconstruction project that also includes sections of Ash Street and 4th Street near Fort Hays State University’s Lewis Field Stadium.
According to Project Manager John Braun, the work is budgeted for $1.64 million in the 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and will include upgrade and replacement of storm sewer inlets, the old water main from four inches to eight inches as well as new water services along Ash Street. Pavement will be replaced along with any failed curb and gutter, and sidewalks and/or ADA curb ramp issues will be fixed. The total project length is approximately 3,100 linear feet.
FHSU requested the reconfiguration of parking along a portion of Elm Street south of Lewis Drive. The cost to add approximately 15 angled spaces along the west side of Elm Street will be reimbursed by FHSU.
Morgan Brothers Construction, La Crosse, was awarded the $1,338,054.93 low bid for the reconstruction project. The current schedule calls for construction to begin in May and be completed within 180 calendar days, with the Elm Street portion of the project to be completed prior to Aug. 20.
Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller, who is a business instructor at FHSU, noted classes start Aug. 19 and students will likely begin moving in Aug. 14.
“They’ll need that road (Elm Street) to get to the dorms. So do we have five days wiggle room?” Schwaller asked Braun.
“I think so,” Braun responded.
Although Elm will be entirely shut down, there will still be a way for traffic to access campus.
“There’s a paved alley that is aligned up across from the parking lot behind the Comeau Catholic Campus Center and the United Methodist Campus Center. …which will help with the efficiency.
“We do anticipate that part being done well in advance of the deadline.”
The entire project is scheduled to be done in November.
Water Resources Dir. Jeff Crispin hands departing city commissioner James Meier his name plate.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Last week was the last Hays city commission meeting for James Meier. He is moving to Wichita to become the in-patient pharmacy manager at Saint Francis hospital.
Meier was given a plaque and key to the city in thanks for his service as a commissioner.
“I have really appreciated serving with all of you and previous commissioners too,” Meier said, “and also the city staff. They’re the folks that don’t get a lot of attention but they really do make all of us look really good. They’re very thoughtful.”
The city commission will appoint a replacement to Meier’s unexpired term at their Thursday meeting. Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller says several interested residents have contacted commissioners.
Also departing is Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood whose last day with the city was April 26. Wood is the new deputy city manager for Salina.
City Manager Toby Dougherty says no selection process is yet in motion for Wood’s replacement.
“The position will be vacant for a period until I determine it’s time to open the position up publicly, and at this time I haven’t determined when that’s going to be.”
By BECKY KISER
