ELLIS – In a Jan. 14 meeting filled with reorganization of appointments for the new year, the Ellis City Council unanimously elected Holly Aschenbrenner as Council President. City Clerk Amy Burton administered the oath of office to newly elected council members Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, and incumbent Jolene Niernberger.

Mayor David McDaniel announced the consultant updating the Ellis County Comprehensive Plan will hold a meeting in Ellis Thu.,  January 31 at 8:00 a.m. to gather input for the city.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

January 14, 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, Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, and Police Chief Taft Yates.  City Attorney Olavee Raub was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

Personnel: Entry

City Clerk Amy Burton administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Council members Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, and Jolene Niernberger.

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

Mayor David McDaniel requested the addition of consideration of the purchase of vehicles for the Public Works Department.

PUBLIC PRESENT

Sam Pyle, Dan Pyle, Glen Keller, Joleen Fisher, Guy Riedel, Guy Windholz, Nickole Byers (arrived at 7:35 p.m.), Pauleen Edmonds (arrived at 7:35 p.m.), and Travis Kohlrus (arrived at 7:42 p.m.)

CONSENT AGENDA

None

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Guy Windholz, representing the Bukovina Society, thanked Council for their support and work on the Campground Expansion Project.  The Society receives many visitors that are staying at the campground.

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

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Museum: Special Project

Sam Pyle presented a slide show of the renovations made to the basement of the Railroad Museum for his Eagle Scout project.  Council member Jolene Niernberger congratulated Mr. Pyle on earning the impressive Eagle Scout designation.

NEW BUSINESS

Personnel: Position

Council member Bob Redger made a motion to elect Council member Holly Aschenbrenner as Council President.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

General Government: Policy

Annually, the Council designates the official newspapers and official banks for the City to use.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to designate the Hays Daily News and Ellis Review as official newspapers; Equity Bank and Golden Belt Bank as official banks within the City limits; and Emprise Bank and Commerce Bank as the official banks outside the City limits.  Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Tourism: Contracts

Joleen Fisher, representing the Tourism Committee, presented the 2019 advertising packages for the City.  The proposal includes Eagle Community TV, Eagle Radio, Central Brochure Distribution, and the Ellis Review.  Council requested that the television advertising be refreshed more often, and for the Committee to possibly look into adding directional signage for the museums and campground.  Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the 2019 advertising proposals from Eagle Community TV ($4,200); Eagle Radio ($2,448); Central Brochure Distribution ($600); and the Ellis Review ($1,000) for a total of $8,248, with funds to come from the Tourism Fund.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

General Government: Financial

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Resolution No. 552 authorizing employees and City officials to use the City’s credit card.  Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Special Machinery: Acquisition

Council member Bret Andries requested consideration of the purchase of two pickups for the Public Works Department tonight due to the time frame involved.  The second pickup is available for purchase at auction on Friday.  Guy Riedel, Auto Standard owner, is offering to sell a 2015 Ford F250 at a price of $19,900, or $18,500 if two trucks are purchased.  The second truck, a 2012 Ford F250, would be sold at a price of $15,500.  Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman stated he was not aware of the specifications of the second pickup until late afternoon, and does not believe it is a viable choice for the Department; however, he has looked at the 2015 Ford truck and believes it would be a good fit for the Department.  Since Mr. Scheuerman is not interested in the 2012 Ford up for auction on Friday, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner requested more time to review the purchase of the vehicle.  Also, the City’s purchasing policy states that competitive bids must be received for purchases exceeding $10,000.  Mr. Riedel feels confident he will be able to find a second pickup to fit the City’s needs and would be willing to sell the 2015 Ford for the reduced price.  Council member Jolene Niernberger made a motion to purchase the 2015 Ford F250 from Auto Standard, LLC in the amount of $18,500, with funds to come from the Special Machinery Fund.  Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Mr. Scheuerman asked if the new Council was interested in continuing the annual street seal maintenance program.  The program seals approximately 40-45 blocks a year, encompassing the entire City over the span of six years.  It was the consensus of Council to continue the program.  Mr. Scheuerman will present cost estimates at the next meeting.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates reported that Officer Kolas began employment on January 7^th and has already qualified on the Department’s firearms and taser.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton requested that the Governing Body complete the Authorization to Release Personal Contact Information that was included in their Council packet, and to check available dates to hold Council orientation.

Attorney

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel presented a Resolution declaring the City’s intent to remain in the Kansas PRIDE Program.  Council requested the Resolution be inserted into the Council packets for the next meeting.

The consultant updating the Ellis County Comprehensive Plan will hold a meeting in Ellis on January 31^st at 8:00 a.m. to gather input for the City.

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner asked if the Council was interested again in sponsoring the meal for the Community Block Party.  It was the consensus of the Council to support the event.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 6-0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

An activity update from Clay Craft of Retail Strategies will be presented Thursday night during the Hays city commission work session.

“About a year ago, the city contracted with Retail Strategies, [Birmingham, Alabama,] to provide a retail recruitment and retention program for the city,” said Jacob Wood, assistant city manager.

“They’ll provide an update of what they’ve done the past year, the representation they’ve had for the city of Hays at national conferences, and some of the contacts that they’ve had with retailers.”

In other business, commissioners will hear details of a rezoning request for vacant property located at the southeast corner of 22nd and Wheatland Streets from Neighborhood Conservation District NC.3 to Commercial General District C-2.

The property is currently zoned to allow multi-family housing. “I believe the property owners are interested in putting in some kind of childcare/daycare facility on the property,” said Wood.

The rezoning request had already been approved by the Planning Commission.

Other agenda items include the annual report of the NCK Tech Big Creek Technical Training Center and the city commission rules of procedure review.

The complete Jan. 17 agenda is available here.

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

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Now that the biggest capital projects of the Ellis County Public Building Commission (PBC) have been completed, the group plans to shorten its meeting schedule for 2019.

The group has been gathering monthly. Capital Projects Manager Phillip Smith-Hanes, who is also the Ellis County Administrator, is recommending a change to bi-monthly meetings after February.

Smith-Hanes says window film tint on the front windows and a lock set on a back door still need to be installed at the Extension office building at 601 Main, which was remodeled.

He told the PBC Monday night those two items are in progress.

“I have signed the final change order,” Smith-Hanes said. “I’m happy to report it is a deductive change order. We did not use about $11,150 of our contingency account.”

Smith-Hanes expects the change order to be paid at the PBC’s February 11 meeting.

The PBC is comprised of President Dean Haselhorst and Vice-President Butch Schlyer, who are Ellis County commissioners, along with Secretary Donna Maskus, the Ellis County Clerk, and Ellis County Treasurer Lisa Schlegel as treasurer.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Two new Ellis county commissioners were sworn in to office Monday evening, prior to their first meeting which was primarily a reorganization of commission appointments for the new year.

Butch Schlyer, R-Hays, was elected to the First District seat formerly held by Marcy McClelland. Dustin Roths, R-Hays, was appointed in December by Republican Party precinct chair members to fill the Second District seat vacated by Barb Wasinger, who was elected 111th District state representative.

Schlyer is the retired longtime Ellis County Health Administrator.

“I am glad to be here. I had to defeat some very worthy opponents in the primary as well as the general election,” Schlyer noted. “And I just want to assure the public I will make very fair decisions, what’s in the best interest of the public as well as what’s in the interest of this Ellis County organization and its employees.”

Roths is owner of Diamond R Jewelry in downtown Hays. He said he got some “pretty good advice” from Wasinger about his decision-making as a commissioner.

“That advice was to think of my kids when I decide things because ‘you’re tough, intelligent and diligent.’ So I’m going to take that and run with it and try to do the best job I can do.”

Roths also commended the Ellis County staff and employees he’s been meeting.

“There’s a lot of people doing a lot of things in the county,” Roths said, “and it looks like we have a very dedicated work force and that’s exciting to me.”

The trio voted to retain Third District Commissioner Dean Haselhorst, R-Hays, as chair of the board for 2019, while Schlyer was appointed vice chair.

“As chair, I want to welcome both of you,” Haselhorst said. “We get to attend a lot of things together. I’m looking forward to that and your sharing of the knowledge you each have to make Ellis County a better place.”

Roths was appointed Ellis County representative to the boards of Northwest Kansas Community Corrections and Northwest Kansas Juvenile Service, Schlyer to the boards of High Plains Mental Health and Northwest Kansas Planning & Development, and Haselhorst to WorkforceONE CEOB.

The Public Building Commission meeting was held immediately following the county commission meeting. Haselhorst was again appointed president, with Schlyer named vice-president.

ELLIS – It’s a new year and the Ellis city council will begin it by administering the oath of office to newly elected officials during their meeting Monday night.

Other routine reorganization items for the calendar year will also be addressed.

A report about the railroad museum Eagle Scout project is also scheduled.

The complete agenda follows.

 

AGENDA

January 14, 2019

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS

City Hall – Council Meeting Room

 

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)

ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

• CONSENT AGENDA

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. Report on Railroad Museum Eagle Scout Project – Sam Pyle
• UNFINISHED BUSINESS
• NEW BUSINESS
  1. Election of Council President
  2. Designation of Official Newspapers and Depositories
  3. Consider Approval of 2019 Advertising Packages
  4. Consider Approval of Resolution Authorizing Use of Credit Card
• REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
  1. Administrative
     • Public Works
     • Police
     • City Clerk
       • Review Annual Council Information Forms
       • Discuss Dates for Council Orientation
     • Attorney
     • Mayor Update and Announcements

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

• ADJOURNMENT

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The year’s first snowfall in Hays measured an official 6 inches according to the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.

The winter storm started with rain Friday morning, followed by a little bit of sleet and then developed into snow mid-afternoon, which continued for more than 12 hours. The rain/snow mix yielded 0.85 of moisture.

Minimal wind resulted in little to no drifting of the snow, still a Winter Storm Warning was in effect until 9 a.m. Saturday.

City of Hays crews were busy plowing streets Friday night, concentrating first on the emergency snow route.

Friday’s high temperature was 33°; the overnight low was 28°.

(Video courtesy Matthew McCune)

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Season passes to the Hays Aquatic Park and Wilson Pool were up significantly in 2018, while general admission was down slightly.

A season financial report was presented to the Hays city commission Thursday night by Jeff Boyle, parks director, and Roger Bixenman, Hays Recreation Commission (HRC) superintendent.

The city contracts with HRC to manage the pools. Separate city general fund budgets pay for maintenance of the pools, along with the operating contract. The contract stipulates any operating loss or surplus incurred by HRC will be shared 50/50 as long as the HRC’s portion of the loss does not exceed $26,000.

The 2018 total HRC loss was $39,337.40 of which the city will pay 50 percent, or  $19,668.70.

Commissioners unanimously approved the HRC reimbursement request after Shaun Musil asked what effect there would be on attendance if admission was raised by one dollar.

“I don’t think it would hurt attendance,” Bixenman responded. He noted adult admission was raised three or four years ago.

“We are affordable.  We’re doing the early bird season passes now,” said Bixenman. “It’s a great place to go.”

Currently, HAP admission rates are $3 for children and $4 for adults 18 and older. Wilson’s rates are both one dollar less.

Attendance at the Hays Aquatic Park increased in 2018 with 49,670 patrons compared to 48,238 in 2017. Wilson Pool also saw an increase in attendance to 4,058 patrons in 2018 compared to 3,772 in 2017.

Attendance at Wilson during the 2018 season was the second highest in history.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners will decide Thursday whether to approve a resolution for improvement of East 41st Street from Home Depot east to Vineyard Park.

A 3/4-cent sales tax was enacted April 1, 2005, for the Home Depot Transportation Development District (TDD), which currently includes Home Depot, IHOP, Hampton Inn, Town Place Suites by Marriott, the former JT Travel Plaza and a yet-to-be developed area for 47,000 square feet of retail space.

The TDD tax outperformed projections allowing for the 2004 TDD bonds financing the Phase I improvements to be called early and completed in January 2018.

Special Counsel Kevin Wempe with Gilmore & Bell has determined the 3/4-cent TDD sales tax could continue until March 2027 to fund a portion of Phase II improvements.

Phase II includes grading, pavement, storm sewer and waterline along East 41st east of Home Depot to Vineyard Park.

According to Kim Rupp, city finance manager, the TDD has collected a total of $2,730,214 over the last 163 months, averaging $247,000 annually the past three years.

“Adding in an estimate for the newly developed property in the district, which includes a hotel and travel plaza, we project that TDD sales tax revenue to increase to $282,000 per year. Based on these provisions, we agree that the current annual TDD sales tax collections would support debt service,” Rupp wrote in a memo to the commission. The undeveloped property is not included in the estimate.

A low bid for the improvement project, $692,133.50 by Paul-Wertenberger Construction of Hays, will also be considered.

Other Jan. 10 agenda items include a request for annexation of 23.310 acres of property on the west side of the Highway 183 Bypass and West 33rd Street by owners Robert and Sondra Swift; a pool reimbursement request of $19,668.70 from the Hays Recreation Commission for one-half of the 2018 pool operating loss; and a report from Mehran Shahidi, Sister Cities Advisory Board member, about his recent trip to China.

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

CITY OF HAYS

The Hays Area Board of Zoning Appeals will meet Wed., Jan. 9 at 8:15 a.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

Agenda items include setting a public hearing for a request by James Werth.

Werth is requesting a two foot side yard variance to reduce the side yard building setback from the required five feet to three feet for construction of a detached garage at 3113 Thunderbird Circle.

The complete agenda is available here.

ELLIS – Ellis city council members will consider approving an ordinance during their meeting Monday night that would establish small cell antenna aesthetic standards as well as approval of a resolution to establish fees for installation of wireless facilities.

In other business, an update on the the campground expansion project will be provided and revisions will be considered to the new business utility incentive policy.

The complete agenda follows.

 

AGENDA

January 7, 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 December 17, 2018
  2. Bills Ordinance #2060
  3. November Manual Journal Entries

(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
• UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  1. Consider Approval of Ordinance Establishing Small Cell Antenna Aesthetic Standards
  2. Consider Approval of Resolution Establishing Fees to Install Wireless Facilities
  3. Update on Campground Expansion Project and Review of Project Map
• NEW BUSINESS
  1. Consider Revisions to New Business Utility Incentive Policy
  2. Consider Resolution Waiving Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
  3. Consider Approval of Purchase of Backup Submersible Pump
• REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
  1. Administrative
     • Public Works
       • Department Update
     • Police
       • Monthly Activity Report for December
       • January Staff Calendar
       • Department Update
     • City Clerk
       • Timeline for Swimming Pool CDBG Funding
       • Health Insurance Savings Report for December
       • Draft Minutes from Committee Meetings
       • November Financial Statements
       • Department Update
     • Attorney
       • Update on Status of Code Violation Cases
     • Mayor Update and Announcements
       • Update on Ellis County Comprehensive Plan

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

• ADJOURNMENT