The Hays Area Planning Commission will conduct two public hearings beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday to consider changes in the Unified Development Code regarding development density.
The commission will also consider setting a Nov. 18 public hearing for a requested zoning change to accommodate a proposed travel plaza.
City staff has proposed eliminating the minimum area required for a proposed lot development, allowing developers more flexibility in providing lots for businesses with different uses. Staff believes it would make the use of land more efficient and potentially increase the density of developments.
The current minimum size of a parcel for a hotel/motel new development is three acres. Staff believes the requirement is too restrictive if not that much space is needed, provided the other requirements are met.
A second public hearing will address parking in new developments.
Staff is recommending adding proposed language to the UDC to allow limited on-street parking to be counted toward total parking requirements.
The benefit would be less impervious surface and potentially reduced costs for new construction of stormwater requirements.
In other business, the commission will consider setting a public hearings for a request to rezone a portion of 700 W. 48th from C-2 (Commercial General) to A-L (Agricultural).
According to information provided to the commission, this property was formerly Mid Kansas Auto Auction. Owner Mark Ottley has changed business plans for the location and is requesting a change of zoning.
A second public hearing date will be set for a request to rezone a 35-acre tract of land on 230th Ave. owned by Hess Land LLC and a 4.4 acre tract owned by the city of Hays at 5890 230th Ave. from A-L (Agricultural) to C-2 (Commercial General). The location is the northwest corner of the 230th Ave. and 55th St. intersection near the Interstate 70 Exit 157.
The comprehensive plan identifies the area as Business Park, which includes a mix of commercial and light industrial uses.
According to information provided to the commission, a development group has come forward with plans to develop the property that would accommodate local and the traveling public.
The properties are not in city limits and will be requesting annexation. There are no city utilities at the properties. The developer plans to extend water and sewer utilities across I-70. The developer will also be making improvements to 230th Avenue and 55th Street as part of the project.
Aerial comparisons of the wastewater project (Photo courtesy city of Hays)
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
“Finished early, under budget, and it exceeds performance expectations. That doesn’t happen every day, but it happens with good leadership.”
That was Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller’s summation of the newly renovated Hays wastewater treatment plant during Thursday night’s city commission meeting.
Commissioners, city department heads, KDHE representatives and project principals from Burns and McDonnell and CAS Constructors, the design/build team, and owner’s representative HDR toured the $30.272 million water reclamation and reuse facility earlier in the day.
The work began May 31, 2017, and was completed Sept. 15, two months ahead of schedule with no change orders and no injuries to workers or employees. It was also $400,000 under budget.
Tests of average nutrient discharge levels conducted since April are much improved compared to the old plant.
“The limit of 10 on nitrate and nitrite has been running at about 1.4, ammonia is less than half and phosphorus is right at the limit,” reported Stan Christopher of HDR Engineers, the city’s owner-representative on the project. The phosphorus system was pushed hard during performance testing, dropping the level to 0.167 percent.
“That’s likely to be considerably below any future limit you’re going to see during the life of this plant,” he added. “That’s state-of-the-art numbers.
“I think you can be proud that this is going to give you a sustainable future for many years to come.”
KDHE issued a two-year permit Sept. 1 for the new plant. EPA will make no changes to the effluent discharge allowable levels during the life of the city’s 20-year loan for the project, according to City Manager Toby Dougherty.
The city was fined $18,000 in 2012 by the EPA for excessive levels of phosphorous and nitrate.
“We have fought for years to meet those regulations,” said Commissioner Ron Mellick, “and now we can kind of sit back and enjoy that we don’t have to worry about that from certificate to certificate.”
Energy consumption at the plant, which now uses ultraviolet disinfection rather than toxic gaseous chlorine, has decreased about 20 percent, according to Jason Riegel,Water Reclamation and Reuse superintendent.
The plant, with a new entrance at 755 General Custer Road, also has a new name — Chetolah Creek Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility.
“We used to call them wastewater treatment plants or sewer plants,” said Jeff Keller of Burns and McDonnell engineers.
“I think this name is a nice statement, especially in an area of Kansas where water can be scarce,” Keller said to the commission. “Having that recognition you’re doing the right thing, that you’re recovering the water. You’re not just putting it back into the environment cleaner than it started but you’re making it available for all sorts of beneficial uses. It makes this whole project a green solution.”
Water reuse is expanded with an additional 750,000 gallons of reclaimed water storage basins. Treated effluent is reclaimed for irrigation at sports fields and the municipal golf course. Effluent water is also available to the community through an adjacent fill station.
“After touring the plant today — and I hope the community gets to see it at some point — seeing all the reuse, the recycling and reclamation that goes on there, that in itself ties in to our whole mission that we’ve had in this community for 20 some years now as far as our water conservation goes,” said Commissioner Eber Phelps.
“You’re getting dramatically cleaner water, dramatically improved environment, much safer plant for your employees and for your community, and 20 percent less in operating costs,” Keller pointed out. “A lot of that has to do with new technology that got implemented.”
This is the biggest public works project ever completed by the city of Hays and the first time it used the design/build process.
“No change orders is unbelievable on a project this size with that length of time,” commented Commissioner Sandy Jacobs, “and that’s really impressive.
“We know how good our staff is here, we know how good of a job they do. What they’ve done with you and you with them, this collaborative effort, has been something to really enjoy watching and seeing how well you all worked together,” Jacobs added. “I’m extremely proud of all of you and thank you very much for that.”
The Hays wastewater plant was originally constructed in 1953, expanded in 1967, and last improved in the early 1990s. It remained open and operating normally during the recent 17-month renovation.
The plant had to be overhauled to meet future nitrogen and phosphorus limits mandated by KDHE and the Environmental Protection Agency.
In August 2015, the Hays City Commission approved tripling the sewer rate over a six-year period to help pay for the plant upgrade. The city has 20-year, $30.26 million loan agreement through the KDHE Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund Loan to pay for the project.
Jeff Crispin, Dept. of Water Resources director
Mike Kline, wastewater treatment facility operator
Jason Riegel, Water Reclamation and Reuse Superintendent
Jeff Keller, Burns & McDonnell
Travis Stryker-CAS Constructors, Toby Dougherty-Hays City Manager, Stan Christopher-HDR Engineers, Henry Schwaller-Hays mayor, Shaun Musil-vice mayor, Jeff Keller-Burns & McDonnell, Eric Farrow-HDR Engineers, Sandy Jacobs-city commissioner, Ron Mellick-city commissioner, Eber Phelps-city commissioner, Jeff Crispin-Dept. of Water Resources director
The sun was shining brightly this morning for the opening of the 47th annual Hays Oktoberfest, despite a brisk northwest breeze and a wind chill of 26 degrees.
Organizers were prepared for the drastic weather change and had set up propane heaters in nearly every booth and tent dotting the Municipal Park grounds.
The opening ceremony included a welcome from members of the local Volga German Society, Nick Werth and Tom Haas. Hass noted the Volga German immigrants who settled in Ellis County from Russia approximately 150 years ago kept their town names the same.
“We wouldn’t be here without them,” declared Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller IV, who is of Volga German descent.
Oktoberfest is a shared celebration with Fort Hays State University’s homecoming.
FHSU student Leon Dammert is from southwest Germany, near Frankfort. He talked about how friendly Hays is and “something you should be proud of.”
“It’s the same for FHSU. They really welcome the international students,” Dammer said. “Oktoberfest for me is a fest for family and friends to have fun.”
Werth presented $500 scholarships from the Volga German Society to students Kreighton Meyers, NCK Tech and Alexandra Herman, FHSU.
For the first time, Oktoberfest has been expanded to a two-day celebration. The grounds will close at 7 p.m. tonight.
Saturday morning will feature a German Market during the Downtown Hays Market in the Union Pacific Pavilion 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Following the FHSU Homecoming Parade, the fun gets underway again in Municipal Park with family-friendly games, more polka music, and of course, homemade German food. Oktoberfest will end at 4 p.m.
This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Schoenchen resident John F. Werth, who perished in a cropdusting airplane crash in August. Werth was a leading member of the local Volga-German Society.
Polka dancing with the Joe Dolezal Band
Terry Brull sings the FHSU alma mater song.
Sady Gottschalk, NCK Tech Dean
Fr. Joshua Werth blesses the food and people at Oktoberfest.
Jackie Maxwell sings the national anthem.
Lee Dobraz, Ellis Co. Historical Society
Leon Dammert, FHSU student from Germany
FHSU president Dr. Tisa Mason welcomes the crowd.
Ellis County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes
Catherine the Great of Russia, aka Cheryl Glassman
John Moeder is thanked by Nick Werth of the Volga German Society for his support of Oktoberfest.
Tom Haas, Volga German Society
Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller taps the keg.
Oktoberfest toast
Armband IDs
Randy Gonzales of the Ellis Co. Historical Society
Facilitator Betty Johnson talks with Guy Windholz about an intergenerational facility.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Designing a strategic plan for the future of Ellis County drew the biggest interest and group during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Strategic Doing Re-Start for Ellis County.
Volunteers gathered at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Hays to winnow down the number of project ideas for community improvements generated at a meeting last month.
As attendees enjoyed bierocks and green bean dumpling soup, facilitator Betty Johnson, Lawrence, polled the group for their top topics. Many of the people had been at the first meeting and others were there for the first time.
The voting yielded eight more areas of interest.
• More after-school activities for middle and high school students
• Decreased domestic violence and human trafficking
• Increased volunteerism in Ellis County
• Reaching out with help and understanding of mental health and anxiety
• More childcare providers
• Improved cultural diversity
• A multi-generational center
• Mentoring young entrepreneurs.
The nine groups spent more than two hours talking about what they could do. Discussions began with broad suggestions and then narrowed to specific action items with deadlines.
A spokesperson from each group explained the purpose of their project and the plan to move it forward.
The group working on a strategic plan for the future of Ellis County.
“Our next steps through April of 2020 is to create a visioning process,” said Henry Schwaller, referring to the Ellis County strategic plan. “It will begin with a large meeting to get as many (residents) to the table as possible to tell us what they want this community to look like over the next five years.”
A much smaller group of three people is working on providing fun hands-on STEM learning projects after school for students in sixth grade through high school.
Many students participate in sports after school, but there’s a gap in other activities, according to the group, and they want to help fill the void.
“We want to ask kids if they’d rather learn how to build a video game instead of just playing them,” said Alan Wamser. As the IT manager at HaysMed, Wamser has a vested interest in the project.
“If we can get a college intern with IT experience and bring them in, they’re the most successful,” he said.
Alan Wamser, Amanda Legleiter and Shae Veach coordinate the date for another group meeting within 30 days.
“And kids love to make YouTube videos and podcasts,” added group member Amanda Legleiter
The career exploration opportunities would involve teaching by local IT professionals as well as students and instructors at Fort Hays State University and NCK Tech.
“It could be similar to 4-H with the older kids or students teaching the younger ones,” Legleiter said.
“With mentoring, the kids may go on to FHSU to major in computer science or graphic design,” said the group’s spokesman, Shae Veach, HaysMed vice president of regional operations. “STEM activities can lead to scholarships, empower these students with confidence and possible local careers.”
The trio also tossed around ideas for funding and sustainability of the program as well as who will be stakeholders.
MacKinzie Foster outlines “Can We Just Talk?”
The group interested in mental health issues is working on “Can We Just Talk?,” bringing together people who are willing to listen and people who need to talk about their problems.
Kansas has had a record number of domestic-related homicides, according to Shaelin Sweet, community advocate for Options, who spoke for the group wanting to curtail domestic violence and human trafficking.
“That’s not a record we want to be breaking. The ultimate goal is for domestic homicides to go down and that will happen through education of law enforcement in the community,” she said.
Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler is a member of the group.
“I’m walking around this room and the focus in these groups is just amazing to me,” said Sandy Jacobs, HCF executive director. “We want to be all the resource to you we can. If you need help finding meeting sites, if you need help getting information out, anything you need just call our office.”
By 8:30 p.m. each table had talked through and filled out a Strategic Doing Action Pack from Purdue. The university’s Agile Strategy Lab offers training and certification in Strategic Doing.
According the to university’s website, Strategic Doing enables people to form action-oriented collaborations quickly, move them toward measurable outcomes, and make adjustments along the way.
Johnson is a certified facilitator in the Strategic Doing process.
“It’s been tried and proved. It’s used globally. We have used it in so many large, large operations as well as small,” she told the crowd. Johnson’s position is funded by the Hansen Foundation.
Erin Hughes, HCF assistant, looks at the plan from the mental health/anxiety awareness group with Jayne Inlow and Patrick McGinnis.
Erin Hughes was hired in June as a part-time assistant to Jacobs. Hughes will compile information completed by the groups. The results will be presented and project work updated at the next Strategic Doing meeting six months from now.
In the meantime, the nine groups are to meet every 30 days or so to review their progress.
Jacobs also encouraged the groups to invite other Ellis County residents to join their causes.
“If you know people that want to get involved after you begin talking about it in the community, for goodness sake, bring them into your group and get it started,” she urged.
Facilitator Betty Johnson talks with Guy Windholz about an intergenerational facility.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Designing a strategic plan for the future of Ellis County drew the biggest interest and group during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Strategic Doing Re-Start for Ellis County.
Volunteers gathered at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall in Hays to winnow down the number of project ideas for community improvements generated at a meeting last month.
As attendees enjoyed bierocks and green bean dumpling soup, facilitator Betty Johnson, Lawrence, polled the group for their top topics. Many of the people had been at the first meeting and others were there for the first time.
The voting yielded eight more areas of interest.
• More after-school activities for middle and high school students
• Decreased domestic violence and human trafficking
• Increased volunteerism in Ellis County
• Reaching out with help and understanding of mental health and anxiety
• More childcare providers
• Improved cultural diversity
• A multi-generational center
• Mentoring young entrepreneurs.
The nine groups spent more than two hours talking about what they could do. Discussions began with broad suggestions and then narrowed to specific action items with deadlines.
A spokesperson from each group explained the purpose of their project and the plan to move it forward.
The group working on a strategic plan for the future of Ellis County.
“Our next steps through April of 2020 is to create a visioning process,” said Henry Schwaller, referring to the Ellis County strategic plan. “It will begin with a large meeting to get as many (residents) to the table as possible to tell us what they want this community to look like over the next five years.”
A much smaller group of three people is working on providing fun hands-on STEM learning projects after school for students in sixth grade through high school.
Many students participate in sports after school, but there’s a gap in other activities, according to the group, and they want to help fill the void.
“We want to ask kids if they’d rather learn how to build a video game instead of just playing them,” said Alan Wamser. As the IT manager at HaysMed, Wamser has a vested interest in the project.
“If we can get a college intern with IT experience and bring them in, they’re the most successful,” he said.
Alan Wamser, Amanda Legleiter and Shae Veach coordinate the date for another group meeting within 30 days.
“And kids love to make YouTube videos and podcasts,” added group member Amanda Legleiter
The career exploration opportunities would involve teaching by local IT professionals as well as students and instructors at Fort Hays State University and NCK Tech.
“It could be similar to 4-H with the older kids or students teaching the younger ones,” Legleiter said.
“With mentoring, the kids may go on to FHSU to major in computer science or graphic design,” said the group’s spokesman, Shae Veach, HaysMed vice president of regional operations. “STEM activities can lead to scholarships, empower these students with confidence and possible local careers.”
The trio also tossed around ideas for funding and sustainability of the program as well as who will be stakeholders.
MacKinzie Foster outlines “Can We Just Talk?”
The group interested in mental health issues is working on “Can We Just Talk?,” bringing together people who are willing to listen and people who need to talk about their problems.
Kansas has had a record number of domestic-related homicides, according to Shaelin Sweet, community advocate for Options, who spoke for the group wanting to curtail domestic violence and human trafficking.
“That’s not a record we want to be breaking. The ultimate goal is for domestic homicides to go down and that will happen through education of law enforcement in the community,” she said.
Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler is a member of the group.
“I’m walking around this room and the focus in these groups is just amazing to me,” said Sandy Jacobs, HCF executive director. “We want to be all the resource to you we can. If you need help finding meeting sites, if you need help getting information out, anything you need just call our office.”
By 8:30 p.m. each table had talked through and filled out a Strategic Doing Action Pack from Purdue. The university’s Agile Strategy Lab offers training and certification in Strategic Doing.
According the to university’s website, Strategic Doing enables people to form action-oriented collaborations quickly, move them toward measurable outcomes, and make adjustments along the way.
Johnson is a certified facilitator in the Strategic Doing process.
“It’s been tried and proved. It’s used globally. We have used it in so many large, large operations as well as small,” she told the crowd. Johnson’s position is funded by the Hansen Foundation.
Erin Hughes, HCF assistant, looks at the plan from the mental health/anxiety awareness group with Jayne Inlow and Patrick McGinnis.
Erin Hughes was hired in June as a part-time assistant to Jacobs. Hughes will compile information completed by the groups. The results will be presented and project work updated at the next Strategic Doing meeting six months from now.
In the meantime, the nine groups are to meet every 30 days or so to review their progress.
Jacobs also encouraged the groups to invite other Ellis County residents to join their causes.
“If you know people that want to get involved after you begin talking about it in the community, for goodness sake, bring them into your group and get it started,” she urged.
Hays city commissioners will hear a final report during their meeting Thursday. Earlier in the day they’ll tour the reconstructed facility at 755 General Custer along with Kansas Department of Health and Environment representatives.
Work on the plant, formally known as Chetolah Creek Water Reclamation and Reuse Facility, began in May 2017 in order to meet future effluent requirements mandated by KDHE and the EPA.
Throughout the project, representatives of HDR Engineers, the city’s owner’s representative, has presented regular progress updates to the commission.
In other business, Jesse Rohr, public works director, will discuss the Ellis County floodplain remapping project.
The Kansas Division of Water Resources (DWR) and FEMA began the project in February, 2018, to update the 1986 maps currently in use.
According to Rohr the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are expected to be at least 10 times more accurate and will utilize digital tools when evaluating properties for flooding risk.
Draft maps will be available for public feedback during an open house 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Sternberg Museum.
After approval, the final floodplain maps are scheduled to become effective by the summer of 2021.
The complete Oct. 10 agenda is available here. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
2018 Hays Alley Cleanup (Photos and video by Hays Post)
City of Hays
The 2019 Annual Alley Cleanup will consist of one and only one sweep through the city beginning Monday, Oct. 21.
No set schedule has been established; however, residential curbside services will be first with residential regular alley services following.
The city-wide general schedule for alley services will start after curbside collections are completed. The number of employees committed to the task may vary from day to day; therefore, crews are unable to predict when they will be by a residence. City crews have a 20-minute time limit per residence. Any items remaining after 20 minutes of pickup will be the responsibility of the property owner.
As in years past, the city WILL NOT pick up tires and hazardous waste. Tires should be disposed of at the Ellis County Landfill, and hazardous waste items should be disposed of at the Ellis County Hazardous Waste Facility. Please call 628-9460 or 628-9449 for detailed information.
The annual Alley Cleanup Program is an opportunity for residents to discard items that would not be picked up in normal trash collection. Alley cleanup is for city of Hays residential customers paying for refuse services.
Waste should be placed in four separate piles in preparation of the alley cleanup.
The piles should be organized in the following manner:
1.Tree limbs and brush (no longer than 12 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter); bamboo bundled in 4’ lengths; all yard and garden waste MUST be bagged
2.Construction and Demolition Debris, i.e., lumber, drywall, bricks, sinks, wires, etc. (please pull or bend over nails and place small quantities of concrete, bricks, and plaster in containers)
3. White Goods/Metals, i.e., guttering, siding, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, metal swing sets, propane tanks for grills, etc.
4. Municipal Waste (all other items), i.e., furniture, carpet, TVs, computers, etc.
**TO AVOID WRONGFUL PICK UP, “TREASURED ITEMS” SHOULD BE TAGGED OR REMOVED FROM THE COLLECTION AREA**
Help make the city of Hays alleys clean and safe for all.
Free disposal of tree limbs is available for Hays residents at the Ellis County Sanitary Landfill, 1515 W 55th, Monday to Friday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is selling purple lightbulbs at several Hays businesses in conjunction with the national Purple Light Nights campaign, which began in Covington, Wash.
“The idea behind it is to help bring awareness to the number of people who experience domestic violence,” said Jennifer Hecker, Options executive director.
“It’s to send a message out in the month of October that we will not tolerate, we don’t want domestic violence in our community and we’re here to support those who are suffering in silence right now,” she said. “We’re celebrating those who’ve come out the other side of domestic violence and to let people who are now experiencing it know there is a place to go and a community of people here to support you.”
Homeowners are encouraged to replace their regular porch lightbulbs with a purple lightbulb this month. Businesses can show their support by placing purple string lights in their store windows.
Purple lightbulbs supporting Options are available for $2 at Breathe Coffee House, Simply Charmed, Be Made and H2o Float Cryo Massage.
A new awareness event this month is a poetry reading co-hosted by Options and Sigma Tau Delta, Fort Hays State University’s international English Honor Society chapter.
The free event is part of a regional conference in Hays. It will held 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 at Breathe Coffee House, 703B Main.
People can come and read a piece of literature or poetry that they’ve written or just listen.
“The pieces don’t have to be about domestic violence but what we find a lot of times with poetry specifically is that the medium truly lends itself to people who have been oppressed and have been traumatized,” said Shaelin Sweet, community advocate and an English major. “It’s a very good outlet for that creativity and that hurt, but also for that strength and that power to flow.”
The nonprofit agency serves 18 counties in northwest Kansas and provides free confidential services.
“We don’t force people to report to law enforcement. All of our services are survivor-driven. Their participation is voluntary,” Hecker explained.
Help is also available to family and friends of abuse victims who often don’t know what to say or not to say to their loved one.
“We’re here to help people navigate through this very difficult time and to make sure victims have full wrap-around support to help them move into the healing phase.”
MANHATTAN — A public hearing will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2019, to consider the adoption of proposed regulations regarding water use. The hearing will be held in room 124 on the first floor of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, 1320 Research Park Dr. in Manhattan.
The hearing will consider a proposal to repeal K.A.R. 5-21-7, which adopted change in use rules applicable only in Western Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 1; repeal of this rule would result in the statewide rule (K.A.R. 5-5-9) being applied within GMD 1.
The other proposed regulations — K.A.R. 5-25-2, 5-25-4, and 5-25-22 — will assist water users in Big Bend Groundwater Management District No. 5 in developing an augmentation project.
The R9 Ranch in Edwards County, owned jointly by the cities of Hays and Russell as a long-term water supply, is located in Groundwater Management District No. 5.
The proposed regulations can be found on the KDA website: agriculture.ks.gov/PublicComment. Written comments can be submitted online at this site as well.
All interested persons may attend the hearing and may present comments either orally or in writing, or both. In order to give all parties an opportunity to present their views, it may be necessary to request that each participant limit oral presentations to five minutes. Individuals wishing to participate by teleconference may go to either the KDA Garden City Field Office or the KDA Stafford Field Office on the date and time of the public hearing.
Any individual with a disability may request accommodation to participate in the public hearing and may request a copy of the quarantine in an accessible format. Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least five days prior to the hearing. For more information, including special accommodations or a copy of the regulations or their economic impact statement, please contact Ronda Hutton at [email protected] or 785-564-6715.
MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources (KDA-DWR) will host two public meetings on Monday, October 21, 2019, to share information related to upcoming action responding to the impairment complaint by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.
Water rights owners in the area were sent notice this week of the KDA-DWR plan to regulate water rights. The meetings will review the anticipated regulation and the ongoing work with local stakeholders to develop a Water Conservation Area (WCA) that will provide flexibility in use for those regulated water rights.
Groundwater Management District 5 and the R9 Ranch in Edwards County (owned by the cities of Hays and Russell as a long-term water supply) are included in Zone A.
According to Toby Dougherty, Hays city manager, “only a small portion (few acres) of the R9 is in the Rattlesnake basin. Whatever the result of the Quivira impairment claim, it should have little, if any, effect on the R9.”
All area residents are welcome to attend one of the two meetings. KDA also plans to livestream the presentations and archive them on their website.
The public meetings will take place at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Stafford County Courthouse Annex, 210 E. 3rd Ave. in St. John. Both meetings will include the same information.
More information related to the impairment complaint and investigation findings, the planned water administration, and plans to develop a WCA to provide flexibility can be found at agriculture.ks.gov/Quivira. Questions can also be addressed by calling KDA–DWR’s Stafford Field Office at 620-234-5311.
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Phillip Lindsay ran for 114 yards, Denver’s defense forced three turnovers and the Broncos got their first win under Vic Fangio by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 20-13 on Sunday.
Joe Flacco completed 14 of 20 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown as Denver (1-4) raced to a 17-0 lead in the second quarter and held on for the 500th victory in franchise history.
Los Angeles (2-3) struggled most of the day and had two turnovers inside the Denver 5. The Chargers got within 17-10 midway through the fourth quarter, but Denver’s Brandon McManus put it out of reach with a 46-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining.
Chase McLaughlin’s 32-yard field goal brought LA back within a touchdown with 15 seconds remaining, but Denver recovered the onside kick to put it away.
Philip Rivers was 32 of 48 for 211 yards with two interceptions. Melvin Gordon was held to 31 yards rushing in his first game back after a holdout. Fellow running back Austin Ekeler had 15 receptions for 86 yards.
The Broncos dominated from the start and scored touchdowns on their first two drives for the first time in 17 games. Lindsay’s 4-yard run up the middle marked the first time Denver scored on its opening drive this season. The Broncos didn’t have a play over 20 yards on the first drive over the first four games. But Flacco had a 26-yard strike to tight end Jeff Heuerman and Lindsay had a 21-yard gain off left guard to put the Broncos deep in Chargers territory two plays into the game.
After a Chargers punt, Denver took a two-TD lead when Courtland Sutton went 70 yards up the left sideline. Sutton caught the ball at the Chargers 45, slipped out of an attempted tackle by Rayshawn Jenkins and then eluded a diving Roderic Teemer for this third touchdown in the past two games.
McManus added a 40-yard field goal to give Denver a 17-0 halftime lead.
Los Angeles had two chances to score in the first half, but came up empty both times. New kicker McLaughlin’s 48-yard field goal was partially blocked midway through the second quarter. Ekeler then was stopped at the Broncos 1 by Kareem Jackson and fumbled as he tried to reach the goal line. It is the first time since 2012 the Chargers have been shut out in the first half at home.
The Chargers’ red zone woes continued in the third quarter. Kyzir White’s interception of Flacco gave them the ball at the Denver 7, but Rivers tried to throw it into double coverage and was picked off by Alexander Johnson in the end zone on third-and-goal from the 2.
The Chargers finally get on the board with 31 seconds remaining in the third quarter when Desmond King returned a punt 68 yards. It is the second punt return TD in his career, the eighth player in franchise history with multiple scores.
Los Angeles closed to 17-10 on McLaughlin’s 45-yard field goal with 6:52 remaining.
SLOW RETURN
Gordon had 38 scrimmage yards in his first game back after a 64-day holdout due to a contract dispute. The Chargers got him involved quickly with a 4-yard screen pass on their first play. Gordon reported back on Sept. 26 and was activated prior to last week’s game at Miami but did not play.
The Chargers came into the game averaging 103.5 rushing yards but were held to 35. The Broncos allowed 225 yards to Jacksonville’s Leonard Fournette a week ago and had the third-worst run defense.
INJURIES
Broncos: CB De’Vante Bausby was strapped to a backboard and taken off the field on a cart during the second quarter. He was injured when he collided with Johnson while making a tackle on Ekeler. Bausby was taken to a local hospital and was reported to have movement in his arms and legs. … LB Justin Hollins suffered a knee injury during the second half.
Chargers; C Mike Pouncey suffered a neck injury during the first half and did not return.
UP NEXT
Broncos: return home to face Tennessee next Sunday.
The Ellis County Strategic Doing Re-Start drew approximately 100 people to Hays on Sept. 9.
At a followup meeting on Oct. 8, “we’ll begin uncovering needs, wants, visions, dreams and plans of the great group of folks who attended,” said Sandy Jacobs, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation.
Jacobs encouraged any interested Ellis County resident to attend next week’s meeting.
“We need you to participate whether you attended the first meeting or not. Your input is extremely important to the process of defining Ellis County now and in the future,” she said.
The overriding theme last month was the senior community, according to Jacobs.
A number of attendees organized themselves into a specific group to address issues for seniors. They talked about retirees moving into Hays from rural areas, intergenerational childcare, neighborhood community centers, and memory care units available outside of medical care facilities.
Others talked about the need for a larger domestic and sexual violence center, regional transportation, especially for seniors and youth, and recreational activities for middle and high school age students.
An entire wall was papered with sticky notes on which project suggestions were written by the participants.
Facilitator Betty Johnson has compiled the information into themes and will return with them Tuesday. Johnson’s position is funded by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in Logan.
“We will share the six to eight themes and people can pick one they want to be a part of. That’s when the groups will actually form again,” explained Jacobs.
A project doesn’t have to be grandiose.
She points to last year’s “The Neighbor Project” as an example, which came from the theme of becoming a more inclusive community.
“I think the group was first looking at a grand outcome. Then they understood it’s a step at a time.
“Rather than creating new events to bring people together, they would take themselves into an existing event and bring conversation cards and a table for people to sit around and talk. Bringing people together who had never met each other or reaching out and inviting different ethnicities to be a part of what they’re doing.”
Jacobs says she gets goose bumps thinking about what “The Neighbor Project” is doing.
“Just one step at a time, they’re quietly taking care of business and I’m really proud of them.”
After meeting recently with Johnson, the group is working on a new project called “Donuts on the Drive.” They’ll provide the donuts and coffee, set up in a neighborhood yard, and invite all the nearby residents to join together.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea. It’s all about gathering people.”
Strategic Doing Re-Start begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 2350 E. 8th St. A meal will be served. RSVP to [email protected] or call 785-621-4090.
“If you have or know of a project that has stalled, is needing to uncover resources or just wants more participants , come join us,” urges Jacobs. “Let us help find what you need.”
2018 Hays Alley Cleanup (Photo and video by Hays Post)
CITY OF HAYS
The 2019 Annual Alley Cleanup will consist of one and only one sweep through the city beginning Mon., October 21.
No set schedule has been established; however, residential curbside services will be first with residential regular alley services following.
The city-wide general schedule for alley services will start after curbside collections are completed. The number of employees committed to the task may vary from day to day; therefore, crews are unable to predict when they will be by a residence. City crews have a 20-minute time limit per residence. Any items remaining after 20 minutes of pickup will be the responsibility of the property owner.
As in years past, the city WILL NOT pick up tires and hazardous waste. Tires should be disposed of at the Ellis County Landfill, and hazardous waste items should be disposed of at the Ellis County Hazardous Waste Facility. Please call 628-9460 or 628-9449 for detailed information.
The annual Alley Cleanup Program is an opportunity for residents to discard items that would not be picked up in normal trash collection. Alley cleanup is for city of Hays residential customers paying for refuse services.
Waste should be placed in four separate piles in preparation of the alley cleanup.
The piles should be organized in the following manner:
1.Tree limbs and brush (no longer than 12 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter); bamboo bundled in 4’ lengths; all yard and garden waste MUST be bagged
2.Construction and Demolition Debris, i.e., lumber, drywall, bricks, sinks, wires, etc. (please pull or bend over nails and place small quantities of concrete, bricks, and plaster in containers)
3. White Goods/Metals, i.e., guttering, siding, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, metal swing sets, propane tanks for grills, etc.
4. Municipal Waste (all other items), i.e., furniture, carpet, TVs, computers, etc.
**TO AVOID WRONGFUL PICK UP, “TREASURED ITEMS” SHOULD BE TAGGED OR REMOVED FROM THE COLLECTION AREA**
To avoid creating a nuisance, please DO NOT set any items out before October 7.
Help make the city of Hays alleys clean and safe for all.
Free disposal of tree limbs is available for Hays residents at the Ellis County Sanitary Landfill, 1515 W 55th, Monday to Friday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
By BECKY KISER
The comprehensive plan identifies the area as Business Park, which includes a mix of commercial and light industrial uses.
