By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

November activities in Hays include many holiday fun events as the fall season hits its stride.

Melissa Dixon, executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, has some of the highlights.

For an updated calendar of activities, check the CVB website www.visithays.com.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

All five Hays city commissioners say they support a proposed historic mural to be painted on the Sternberg water tower by local artist Dennis Schiel.

Ron Mellick voted Thursday against a letter of support from the city which Schiel will utilize in applying for a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan.

Mellick said he was “embarrassed that Mr. Schiel is going to Dane G. Hansen with only a letter of support from us and no financial commitment.”

Mellick noted many Hays parks and the new playground equipment that will be installed at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex have been supported by the city with financial matches.

“We have civic groups in the city that adopt city parks and regularly come to us wanting us to match their money to do improvements within the city parks, and we do that,” Mellick said.

“I wonder how many of these things would have happened if we’d only gotten a letter of support from these entities.”

“The thing I’m suggesting is that there are possibilities of using alternate resources than just immediately going to the city,” said Sandy Jacobs. “I’m not against the project.” She added that Melissa Dixon, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), believes the mural would be a destination attraction.

“I like the project,” agreed Shaun Musil. “I just don’t like us funding it.”

“Dennis’s work is world-class and it certainly speaks to the history of our community. There’d be nothing like it in the Midwest,” Vice-Mayor Henry Schwaller said.

Schwaller agreed with Mellick’s contention made at the last commission meeting. “We spend a lot of money advertising our town on billboards and I really question the effectiveness of it because you’re going so quickly. And they make no sense. Not a problem with CVB, but they’re awful.

“This is something that is very clear and it says exactly what we are. It doesn’t say ‘Eat. Stay. Dine. Shop.’ From an artistic standpoint it’s phenomenal. It’s also great from a promotional and destination standpoint.

‘I understand you don’t like the order of this. I get that,” Schwaller said to Mellick. “But I do want to give him some options and see what happens.”

Last week Schiel presented two smaller, less expensive mural alternatives to his original design.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It’s been a wet October in Hays, and with less than a week remaining in the month, the seven-day weather forecast is calling for more rain on Oct. 31.

Another 0.56 of rain fell Tuesday into Wednesday morning, according to the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.

Combined with 0.03 of snow that fell Oct. 14, the total amount of monthly moisture recorded as of Oct. 25 is 6.72 inches.

The year-to-date moisture is 34.44 inches.

As of Oct. 10, “the moisture amount puts 2018 as the 6th wettest year in Hays in the past 125 years” according to record keeper Joe Becker at the research station.

The Hays Police Department responded to 6 animal calls and conducted 14 traffic stops Fri., Oct. 19, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Battery – Domestic–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:15 AM; 1:25 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block W 6th St, Hays; 4:49 AM
Burglary/business–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:50 A; 3:10 AM
MV Accident-Private Property–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 10:55 AM
Juvenile Complaint–300 block 323 W 12th St, Hays; 11:16 AM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block E 19th St, Hays; 11:21 AM
Burglary/residence–2400 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 11:15 AM; 11:25 AM
Dead Animal Call–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 11:34 AM
Burglary/business–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 10/3 10:54 PM; 10:56 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block Northridge Dr, Hays; 12:17 PM
Theft (general)–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 2:59 PM
Disorderly Conduct–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 3 PM; 3:30 PM
Theft (general)–1000 block W 27th St, Hays; 5:28 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–200 block W 11th St, Hays; 6:07 PM
Suicidal Subject–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 6:17 PM
Burglary/residence–1700 block Sunset Trl, Hays; 10/18 9 AM; 10/19 8:30 AM
Burglary/residence–2400 block Main St Terr, Hays; 6:49 PM
Theft (general)–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 2:43 PM; 3 PM
Credit Card Violations–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 10/18 2:03 PM; 10/19 2:04 PM
Suspicious Person–1900 block E 25th St, Hays; 7:03 PM
Burglary/residence–2400 block Main St, Hays; 7:51 PM
Burglary/residence–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 8:51 PM
Burglary/residence–2700 block Canal Blvd, Hays; 10:52 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 20 traffic stops Sat., Oct. 20, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Battery – simple–800 block Ash St, Hays; 12 AM
Traffic/Driving Complaint–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 12:40 AM
Disturbance – General–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 1:02 AM
Drug Offenses–400 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:50 AM
Missing Person–300 block W 33rd St, Hays; 1:56 AM
Criminal Transport–400 block S Santa Fe, Salina; 4:19 AM
Suspicious Activity–2500 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 5:30 AM; 5:40 AM
Animal At Large–400 block E 21st St, Hays; 8:18 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:30 PM; 1:33 PM
Theft (general)–200 block W 9th St, Hays; 1:36 PM
Theft (general)–200 block W 8th St, Hays; 1:58:13 PM; 1:58 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 8:10 PM
Driving Under the Influence–2700 block Hall St, Hays; 9:39 PM; 9 PM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 9:43 PM
Drug Offenses–500 block W 17th St, Hays; 11:38 PM
Disturbance – Noise–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 11:48 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 4 animal calls and conducted 10 traffic stops Sun., Oct. 21, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 12 AM
Drug Offenses–700 block Walnut St, Hays; 12:56 AM
Disturbance – General–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:01 AM
Disturbance – Noise–400 block E 21st St, Hays; 1:22 AM
44 – Traffic Stop–700 block Elm St, Hays; 2 AM
Driving Under the Influence–800 block Main St, Hays; 2:12 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–200 block W 10th St, Hays; 2:55 AM
Rape–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 3:20 AM; 3:29 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:03 AM
Domestic Disturbance–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 11:52 AM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 2 PM; 2:50 PM
Civil Dispute–400 block W 37th St, Hays; 2:54 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–1300 block E 32nd St, Hays; 10/20 8 PM; 10/21 3 PM
MV Accident-Private Property-Hit and Run–1600 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 4:51 PM
Suspicious Activity–1300 block Lawrence Dr, Hays; 6:36 PM
Suspicious Activity–2900 block Ash St, Hays; 6:53 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–200 block E 15th St, Hays; 8:28 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 9 animal calls and conducted 25 traffic stops Mon., Oct. 22, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Mental Health Call–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 5:40 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–1000 block E 26th St, Hays; 8 AM; 8:40 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–1700 block Sunset Trl, Hays; 8:54 AM
Found/Lost Property–300 block Mopar Dr, Hays; 10/19 8 PM; 9:15 PM
Suspicious Activity–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 11:50 AM; 11:57 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–9th and Fort St, Hays; 12:38 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9/14 12 PM; 10/18 3 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 2:22 PM
Suspicious Activity–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 3:10 PM
Animal At Large–800 block Commerce Pkwy, Hays; 3:41 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:44 PM
Animal At Large–300 block W 15th St, Hays; 4:47 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 6 PM; 6:10 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–17th and Main St, Hays; 6:55 PM
Drug Offenses–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 8:30 PM
Welfare Check–4500 block Larned Cir, Hays; 8:40 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 15 traffic stops Tue., Oct. 23, 2018, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 12:57 AM; 1:23 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1000 block Vine St, Hays; 1:13 AM
Animal At Large–1700 block Anthony Dr, Hays; 7:41 AM
Theft (general)–5th and Riley, Hays; 12:44 PM
Welfare Check–400 block Oak St, Hays; 2 PM; 2:18 PM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 4:20 PM; 4:40 PM
Suicidal Subject–2200 block E 22nd St, Hays; 4:40 PM

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Now that we’re well into autumn and Hays received several rainfalls earlier this month, it’s time to shut down automatic irrigation systems for the season.

Holly Dickman, water conservation specialist for the city of Hays, says it may be tempting to water lawns and landscapes during occasional warmer days, but doing so can actually be harmful to plants and turfgrass.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have abundant rainfall this year,” Dickman said. “The soil for the most part is saturated so additional irrigation is not necessary. It can actually do some damage to those root systems and cause problems down the road.

“We’re having cooler temperatures and the growing season has essentially come to an end.”

Soil that is kept constantly saturated deprives plant roots of needed oxygen which can lead to stressed and poorly functioning root systems.

“Unhealthy roots ultimately lead to unhealthy plants.”

Dickman also noted the recent hard freeze caused many trees to quickly drop their leaves but there’s no need for raking.

Instead she recommends waiting until the soil is slightly dry and then using the leaves as organic matter for a more water efficient landscape.

“A simple way to give existing turfgrass some organic matter is to shred those fallen leaves with a mulching mower,” Dickman said, “and allow them to filter down into the turfgrass.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

An update on the progress of the Hays wastewater treatment plant rebuild will be presented to city commissioners at their meeting tonight.

Other agenda items include presentation of service awards to city employees by Mayor James Meier.

The commission will vote on three staff recommendations to renew the employee health contract for 2019 with Blue Cross Blue Shield, replacement of police uniforms, and to pay for half of a new playground unit at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex.

Three items regarding the Hays Regional Airport will be considered – an airport master consultant agreement required by the Federal Aviation Administration, new snow removal equipment, and a design contract for rehabilitation of the airport apron.

Commissioners are also expected to sign a letter of support for the proposed historical mural on the Sternberg water tower.

The complete Oct. 25 agenda is available here.

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

ELLIS – Several longtime employees of the city of Ellis were honored by the city council during their meeting last week.

In other business, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman told council members his department is continuing the process of locating underground water leaks. The Kansas Rural Water Association has been assisting in the project.

The complete Oct. 15 meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

October 15, 2018

 

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, 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 Dena Patee was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Glen Keller, Myles Vine, Faith Scheck, Nickole Byers, and Gary Luea (arrived at 7:36 p.m.)

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 1, 2018, Bills Ordinance #2055, and the September Manual Journal Entries.  Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

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

Personnel: Award

Mayor David McDaniel presented the annual Service Awards to employees who attained milestone anniversaries with the City.  Awards were presented to City Treasurer Faith Scheck (10 years), Police Chief Taft Yates (5 years), and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman (5 years).  Clerk I Margie Mickelson (15 years) and Fire Lieutenant Brandon Pfeifer (10 years) were unable to attend.

SPECIAL ORDER

Fire: Report

Fire Chief Dustin Vine reported he has not yet received updated comparable bids to replace the roof at the old fire station.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Streets: Event Request

Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application and Event Request for Traffic Control for the annual Trunk or Treat event to be held at 9^th and Jefferson Streets on October 31, 2018.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Ellis Rotary will host a ribbon cutting for the joint dock project on October 17^th at 11:00 a.m.  Mayer Service will be in town October 24^th for the annual sewer cleaning.  Doorknockers will be distributed to affected residents.

Water

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period August 10^th – September 10^th.  Council members expressed concerns that the percentage of water accounted for continues to decline.  Mr. Scheuerman stated that the Kansas Rural Water Association assisted the Department in locating a couple of underground leaks; however, he has no other suggestions on how to locate additional possible breaks.  Council requested Mr. Scheuerman contact KRWA for additional assistance.

Training

Mr. Scheuerman requested approval for John Leiker and Brad Leiker to attend water training in Hays on November 1^st and for himself to attend the Kansas Association of Code Enforcement conference in Mayetta on November 7^th – 9^th and the Kansas Water Office Annual Meeting in Manhattan on November 13^th – 14^th.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the stated training opportunities for Alan Scheuerman, John Leiker and Brad Leiker.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates reported that he canceled the two scheduled interviews for the vacant position in the Department.  The Department will help with the annual Trunk or Treat event held on October 31^st.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Health Insurance Savings Report for September and the September Financial Statements.  Council will conduct a work session to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan on November 7^th at 6:30 p.m.

Attorney

City Attorney Olavee Raub reported her office is waiting on a call from Mr. Bird regarding an ongoing code violation case.  Ms. Raub requested an Executive Session to discuss contracts for the Water Exploration Project.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel discussed a joint project between the PRIDE Committee and the Ellis High School FFA to provide improvements to Memorial Park.

The State has approved a 34% increase in the registration fees for dog pounds.

Veterans will dedicate the new walkway at Memorial Park on November 11^th at 1:00 p.m.

Mayor McDaniel and Council member Jolene Niernberger updated Council on the recent LKM Annual Conference they attended in Topeka.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

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 contract revisions pursuant to the acquisition of real property exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(6) with City Attorney Olavee Raub and Water Advisory Committee Chair Gary Luea present. The open meeting will resume at 8:33 p.m.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 5-0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The 18th annual Hays Alley Cleanup started Monday.

Residents were allowed to begin putting out their unwanted junk two weeks ago.

Items not normally picked up during the regular refuse collection were to be placed in the same location as the trash pickup for city customers.

Curbside pickup is being done first. Then workers from several city departments will move into the alleyways.

Parks Department employee Mike Windholz was working curbside collections early Tuesday morning, aided by Tanner Wulf of the service division.

The duo was using a pickup and trailer for smaller items. Windholz said a larger truck is reserved for construction debris.

Crews will make just one sweep across Hays with no specific timetable, according to Marvin Honas, solid waste superintendent, and spend no more than 20 minutes in each location.

“This is a great opportunity to clean out your shed, attic, garage, basement or whatever else you might have,” Honas said.

There is no cost to customers.

Residents should sort their items into four piles:

1. Tree limbs and Brush–No longer than 12 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter

2. Construction and Demolition Debris–Lumber, drywall, bricks, sinks, tubs, wires, fencing, etc. (Please pull or bend over nails and place small quantities of concrete, bricks, and plaster in containers)

3. White Goods/Metals–Guttering, siding, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, metal swing sets, etc.

4. Municipal Waste (All other items)–Furniture, carpet, TVs, foam, etc.

Items that will not be collected are tires, batteries, household hazardous waste, or medical waste.

For more details, contact the Hays Solid Waste Department at 785-628-7350 or check the city’s website.

The Hays Optimist Club will distribute Merriam Webster dictionaries to Ellis County sixth-graders and their teachers Wednesday and Thursday.

This is the 34th year for the giveaway according to project chairman Gary Wentling.

“During that time, 11,969 dictionaries have been given away,” Wentling said in a news release. “That equates to over $71,800 to the youth of Ellis County.”

The project is made possible from the annual sales of natural Christmas trees by the Optimist Club.

“Please stop by the Optimist Tree Lot in the Walmart parking lot, 4302 Vine, and make an investment in the youth of Ellis County by purchasing a natural Christmas tree,” added Wentling. “Help us help the future generation of this great county.”

The Optimist Christmas Tree Lot will open Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.