ELLIS –  The Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home in Ellis is facing some financial difficulty and has turned to the city for help.

During the Feb. 18 meeting, city council members agreed to the museum’s request for the city to take over mowing the museum property.  City employees already mow the grounds of the Ellis Railroad Museum.

The council also suggested museum board members pursue grant opportunities to help pay electricity costs.

In other business, bids received for the campground expansion project were presented by Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group. The estimated project cost of $100,474.83 does not include picnic tables or in-kind cost of city staff labor and equipment. The city council voted for the Campground Committee to proceed with a Dane G. Hansen grant application for the project.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

February 18, 2019 

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Martin LaBarge, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council member Steve Ferland was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Glen Keller, Verda Flinn, Buck Driggs, Sam Polifka, Myles Vine, Maleah Vine, and Westin Vine.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on February 4, 2019 and Bills Ordinance #2063.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Sam Polifka, Board Member for the Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home, discussed the financial struggles surrounding the museum.  At the last Council meeting, Chad Pritchett stated the Museum could save $75 per month by combining two electric meters.  Mr. Polifka presented updated information that the cost savings would actually be closer to $25 per month.

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Fire: Report

Fire Chief Dustin Vine presented his monthly activity report.  The Department is still looking for volunteer firefighters to fill vacancies in the Department.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Campground: Special Project

Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, LLC, presented cost estimates from bids received for the Campground Expansion Project.  The estimated project cost of $100,474.83 does not include picnic tables or in-kind cost of City staff labor or equipment use.  Those costs will be added in prior to submission of the application.  The deadline for application for Dane G. Hansen grant funds is February 25^th.  Council member Bret Andries moved to authorize the Campground Committee to proceed with the Dane G. Hansen grant application.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Museum: Repair/Maintenance

Council discussed the requests from the Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home to take over mowing of the museum property and to bear the expense of combining the two electrical meters.  The City already mows for the Ellis Railroad Museum and it was the consensus of Council to take over that maintenance item for the Chrysler Museum as well.  Regarding the expense of combining the two electrical meters, Council requested the Chrysler Museum explore grant opportunities such as the Ellis Community Foundation, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, or Midwest Energy, to help with that cost.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve mowing the property at the Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home.  Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Policy

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner requested additional time to review the document revising the City’s Small Cell Aesthetic Standards.  Council will further consider the document at the next Council meeting.

Sewer: Special Project

City Attorney Olavee Raub updated Council on the progress of obtaining the easements for the Cedar Lane Lift Station project.  Letters have been sent out to the two property owners affected; however, Ms. Raub has not received a response back from either property owner.

NEW BUSINESS

Parks: Event Request

Council discussed the Public Property Permit Application and Event Request for Traffic Control for the annual Chrysler Car Show.  The Public Works Department normally supplies extra poly carts; however, the number requested was not completed on the application.  Also, the incorrect street was referenced in the Event Request for Traffic Control.  Council requested the applicant make corrections to the application for consideration at the next Council meeting.

General Government: Financial

Council considered a claim submitted by Janice Leiker for reimbursement for repairing her concrete edging damaged during repair of a water break in July 2018.  The edging was within the City’s right of way.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve paying damages to Janice Leiker in the amount of $220.00 for damage done to her property within the City’s right of way.  Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Personnel: Policy

City Clerk Amy Burton and City Attorney Olavee Raub discussed proposed revisions to the City’s Catastrophic Sick Leave Program.  The Program has reached its calculated maximum value cap.  Although newly eligible employees are allowed to enroll into the Program when the cap has been reached, Ms. Burton requested clarification on how long these employees have to enroll under these circumstances.  Since the open enrollment periods occur quarterly, Council suggested a 90-day window for newly eligible employees to enroll in the Program.  Ms. Raub will make the suggested revisions to the Program for consideration at the next Council meeting.

Water: Policy

Ms. Burton presented the updated Water Emergency Operating Plan for consideration.  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recommends the Plan be updated annually.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the 2019 Public Water Supply Emergency Operating Plan as presented.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Sewer: Acquisition

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the purchase of aluminum hydrochlorate from Brenntag in the amount of $1,140 with funds to come from the Sewer Utility fund.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Streets: Acquisition

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to ratify the invoice from Crafco in the amount of $11,965.50 for street material for the 2019 Street Maintenance Program.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  Council had originally approved an amount of $11,925 at the January 21^st Council meeting.

Special Machinery: Acquisition

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for the purchase of a Skid-Steer loader.  Mr. Scheuerman recommended the low bid from Bobcat.  Council member Martin LaBarge requested additional time to consider the purchase.  The purchase will be tabled until the next Council meeting.

Special Machinery: Acquisition

Consideration of the purchase of the jack hammer attachment for the Skid-Steer loader will also be tabled until the next Council meeting.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Council member Martin LaBarge thanked the Public Works Department for their recent work in the alleys.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates reported that the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center is already full for the March and April sessions.  Currently, Officer Kolas is scheduled for the October session.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Health Insurance Savings Report for January and the updated concept plans for the swimming pool.  The City plans to apply for Community Development Block Grant funding in May.

Attorney

City Attorney Olavee Raub requested an executive session at the end of the meeting.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Council member Jolene Niernberger reported that a citizen has approached her about the City developing a dog park.

Mayor David McDaniel announced that Senator Billinger and Representative Rahjes will hold a Town Hall Meeting at the Library Community Room at 8:00 a.m. on March 1^st.

Executive Session

Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss staffing in the Public Works Department pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with City Attorney Olavee Raub, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, and City Clerk Amy Burton present.  The open meeting will resume at 9:24 p.m.  Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

Executive Session

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss staffing in the Public Works Department pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with City Attorney Olavee Raub, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, and City Clerk Amy Burton present.  The open meeting will resume at 9:30 p.m.  Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:31 p.m.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

So here it is. The answer to what you’ve been wondering about since yesterday’s blizzard.

The official amount of snow measured Sat., Feb. 23, at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of Hays is 7 inches, yielding 0.52 inches of moisture.

So far in 2019, Hays has received 1.65 inches of moisture. The seasonal snowfall to date is 25.80 inches.

Saturday’s high temperature was 31 degrees with peak wind gusts hitting 41 mph, causing drifting snow. The overnight low dropped to 11 degrees.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

With the city-imposed deadline just one week away, the R9 Ranch water project will move forward by Friday, March 1.

Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller made that announcement during Thursday night’s city commission work session saying the Division of Water Resources Chief Engineer “has promised he’s going to get the Final Master Order off his desk by next Friday.”

“We’re going to move forward. It’ll then go to review by internal counsel there at the Division of Water Resources and then handed over to the city for its review,” said Schwaller.

“I want to thank Commissioner Meier because during his term as mayor he made this a priority. That’s what really got this kickstarted. Because of him, we’ve entered this final stretch which has really gotten dragged out.”

Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil said he had reached out to Chief Engineer David Barfield earlier on Thursday.

“I personally thought it was a very good conversation and I feel like he’s definitely hearing us,” Musil said.

He thanked Schwaller and former mayor James Meier for their leadership in working with state officials to speed up the change order process which has been underway since June 2015.

“I think they are hearing us. I know it’s not as soon as we want to get it done,” added Musil, “but I think it’s happening just by your comments to get it going.”

During a Tuesday news conference detailing a personal visit with the governor on Monday, Schwaller said the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) has endorsed the long-term water project.

That was incorrect.

“I mistakenly said they had endorsed the project when really they were just involved in it to a light degree. I just want to correct the record,” he clarified.

Schwaller said KLA had asked about doing some water modeling. “We said no, we’re going to handle that. We did keep them in the loop.”

The water modeling to determine how much water would be moved from Edwards County to Ellis County and used by the cities of Hays and Russell was conducted by Black and Veatch engineers.

In May 2018, the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources released a Draft Master Order approving an application to convert water use on the city-owned property from agricultural to municipal.

Following a public hearing in Greensburg in June, DWR Chief Engineer Barfield began preparing the Final Master Order.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Overland Property Group, Leawood, plans to redevelop the former Washington Elementary School, 305 Main, and construct income-qualified housing.

As part of the process to apply for federal tax credits through the Kansas Housing Resources Corp., must request a Resolution of Support from the local governing body.

City Manager Toby Dougherty told city commissioners during their Thursday night work session “this is something that has been done previously by commissions for all the StonePost developments either planned, or the ones that were pursued but not constructed.”

Overland Property Group (OPG) has built three phases of income-qualified housing in Hays to date. Phase 1, built in 2006, is on the southeast corner of 5th and Main. Phase 2 was built in 2010 west from the school across Main Street. Phase 3 is immediately north of Larks Park on Fourth Street and was built in 2012.

The city commission has offered letters of support for all the OPG projects including for a failed project attempt on East 22nd Street in 2014. The commission also authorized a resolution of support in 2017 for an attempt to redevelop the former Fort Hays Trailer Park.

StonePost Lofts would consist of up to 20 units with 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms targeting families between 30 to 80% of the Ellis County area median income.

Commissioners will vote on the resolution during their Feb. 28 meeting.

In other business, commissioners reviewed a low bid from Murphy Tractor and Equipment, Great Bend, of $34,445.91 for a  double drum asphalt compactor. The equipment was budgeted for $37,000 in New Equipment Reserve.

Public Works Director Jesse Rohr said the compactor would be used by the Service Division for asphalt street patching, overlays and repairs.

The 39-inch drum is smaller than what is used by Ellis County Public Works.

“This is more portable for places we get into, ” Rohr explained. “Heavy enough to do the job, but not so large we can’t get it in to the job we need to do.” It will be trailered between locations.

Rohr said the equipment will also be used for subgrade compaction prior to placement of concrete patches.

“When we get into large street projects, such as the one coming up this year on General Custer, we could use this rather than our small plate compacter that guys pick up off the truck and place it down on the road. This will produce a better end product, longer end-life of the concrete or asphalt.”

The bid will be considered next week.

Kim Rupp, Finance Director, also presented the annual review of each section of the Comprehensive Financial Management Policy. The city is in compliance with all aspects of the policy.

A 10 minute executive session was requested by Dougherty at the end of the meeting for discussion of possible property acquisition. No action was taken.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Overland Property Group plans to redevelop the former Washington Elementary School, 305 Main, and construct income-qualified housing. As part of the process to apply for federal tax credits through the Kansas Housing Resources Corp., Overland Property Group must request a Resolution of Support from the local governing body.

The Hays city commission will consider that request during their work session tonight.

Other agenda items for review include a recommended bid award for a new double-drum compactor roller in the Service Division. The bid from Murphy Tractor and Equipment is for $34,445.91. The equipment would be used by the Service Division for asphalt street patching, overlays and repairs.

Finance Director Kim Rupp will also discuss the annual Comprehensive Financial Management Policy Review.

The complete Feb. 21. agenda is available here. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

KDC

TOPEKA – David Toland, Acting Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce, delivered testimony to the House Rural Revitalization Committee earlier today, focusing on challenges and how the agency can better serve communities in rural parts of Kansas.

Topics included several challenges facing rural Kansans, including population loss, business closings, and even how one defines a community as “rural.”

“If you’re in Dighton, Scott City is a big town. If you’re in Scott City, Garden City is a big town,” Toland said. “So while it’s all rural, it’s not all the same.”

Toland explained several issues the Department of Commerce has had in attempting to interact with rural communities throughout Kansas, to include the difficulty in raising awareness of Commerce programs available to aid rural areas.

He noted that while these programs are dedicated to helping rural communities, and have been successful when utilized, Commerce must do more to clearly explain what’s available to communities they aim to help.

“We talk in acronyms that people don’t understand, we communicate through mediums that rural people may not be plugged into, and we’ve failed to respond to the reality that, in many communities, the only staff person – if they have any staff at all – is a city clerk who is overwhelmed with just trying to survive the day,” Toland said.

However, Secretary Toland expressed hope for Kansas’ rural communities. In his testimony, he noted the positive steps that are being taken by state government to address ongoing rural issues.

Proposals included agencies being more flexible to rural needs. He used the example of Commerce’s Rural Opportunity Zone employer match, which was added after counties unable to secure the funds necessary to match investments asked that employers using the program provide the funds instead.

Another example centered on the Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance and its work with communities in Western Kansas. According to Toland, their system of creating alliances and relationships between rural communities is exactly the sort of model state agencies should adopt.

Secretary Toland also mentioned that state agencies should be listening more to those within the rural areas.

“Solutions are best when they come from rural communities,” Toland said. “Residents know best what can make their town better, and they have a better definition of what it means to prosper than some demographer or economist can come up with.”

Rep. Don Hineman (R-Dighton), chair of the Rural Revitalization Committee, was happy to hear the ideas Secretary Toland brought.

“His testimony made it clear that he shares my passion for rural Kansas,” said Hineman. “I look forward to working with him and the team at Commerce for the betterment of all Kansans.”

Even with the tough road ahead, Secretary Toland said there is reason to hope for the sustainability and prosperity of rural communities throughout the state.

“There is a new emphasis on rural in our statehouse, and that is good news for Kansans, regardless of where they live – rural, suburban, or urban,” Toland said. “Governor Kelly has made rural a priority, as has the legislature. This matters because what happens in rural Kansas matters to our entire state – to our economy, to our politics, and to our identity as Kansans.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Depending on which weather forecast you followed, Hays was supposed to receive up to 5 inches of snow Tuesday.

It was actually just one inch, as officially measured at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town. The white stuff, which fell with no wind, yielded 0.08 inches of precipitation.

So far in 2019, 1.09 inches of snow has fallen in Hays, with 17.8 inches to date for the season.

Tuesday’s high temperature in Hays was 22 degrees with the overnight low dipping to 13 degrees.

It was considerably warmer a year ago on Feb. 19 when the high reached 63 degrees.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners Thursday approved an ordinance to annex 23.31 acres of property located on the west side of the Highway 183 Bypass at 33rd Street. It was formerly a mobile home court.

The owners, Robert and Sondra Swift, Hays, requested annexation of the land which is approximately 500 feet from the city limits but is not contiguous.

A portion of the property being annexed is known as Creeksite Acres. Several years ago, the buildings and some infrastructure were removed from the property. The remainder of the property includes Big Creek on the west side. The entire property is located within the 100-year floodplain and any development would be required to follow city of Hays floodplain development ordinances.

Hays Public Works Director Jesse Rohr told the commission the developer plans to extend a city water main from Columbine west to the property at no cost to the city. A sewer line is located along the east side of the bypass.

Plans call for an RV park to be opened at the site according to Jacob Wood, assistant city manager.

At the beginning of Thursday’s meeting, three employees were introduced to the commission by their department heads as new hires or newly promoted.

They are Shirley McDonald, promoted to full-time from part-time administrative assistant for the Public Works Dept., Jacob Schnabel, a new Maintenance Worker I in the Water Resources Dept., and Officer Dakota Gully, who was promoted from part-time to full-time with the Police Dept.

McDonald has worked for public works for four years. “It was an easy transition,” Rohr said.

Schnabel has a bachelors degree in music from Fort State University. “He’ll also in the future be joining the Marines,” said Jeff Crispin, water resources director. “I think that’s awesome.”

Gully is from Golden, Colorado. “Like so many of the young people in our community, Fort Hays State brought him to Hays,” said Don Scheibler, police chief. “He played football for FHSU and wrestled. He has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and secondary education. I think he was on the fast track to becoming a teacher when we grabbed him up and got him interested in law enforcement.”

Both Gully and Schnabel happened to be celebrating their birthdays Thursday, which was also Valentine’s Day.

ELLIS – Ellis city council members will continue several discussions of unfinished business during their meeting Mon., Feb. 18.

Those items include an update on the Lakeside Campground expansion project, revisions to small cell tower aesthetic standards and modifications to the Cedar Lane lift station.

New business includes approval of the 2019 Public Water Supply Emergency Operating Plan and update on code violation cases from City Attorney Olavee Raub.

The complete meeting agenda follows.

 

AGENDA

February 18, 2019

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS

City Hall – Council Meeting Room

 

BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.

ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)

• CONSENT AGENDA
  1. Minutes from Regular Meeting on February 4, 2018
  2. Bills Ordinance #2063

(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)
• SPECIAL ORDER
  1. Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Dustin Vine
• UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  1. Update on Campground Expansion Project
  2. Discuss Request from Chrysler Boyhood Home & Museum
  3. Review Revisions to Small Cell Aesthetic Standards
  4. Update on Modifications to Cedar Lane Lift Station
• NEW BUSINESS
  1. Consider Approval of Public Property Permit Application and Event Request for Traffic Control – Chrysler Car Show
  2. Consider Notice of Complaint or Claim for Damages
  3. Discuss Catastrophic Sick Leave Provision for Employee Entry
  4. Consider Approval of 2019 Public Water Supply Emergency Operating Plan
  5. Consider Approval to Purchase Chemicals for Wastewater Treatment Plant
  6. Consider Ratification of Crafco Invoice for Asphalt Purchase
  7. Consider Purchase of Skid-Steer
  8. Consider Purchase of Jack Hammer Attachment for Skid-Steer
• REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
  1. Administrative
     • Public Works
       • Department Update
     • Police
       • Department Update
     • City Clerk
       • Health Insurance Savings Report for January
       • Department Update
     • Attorney
       • Update on Status of Code Violation Cases
     • Mayor Update and Announcements

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

• ADJOURNMENT