By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The two water towers in Hays are scheduled for repainting next year.

Local artist Dennis Schiel painted large historical murals on two Hays buildings and is proposing to do the same on the city’s larger one million gallon water tower just east of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

According to City Manager Toby Dougherty, in order to accommodate Schiel’s schedule for painting the mural wrap, the tower repainting would need to be completed in 2018.

There are adequate funds available to repaint both water towers this year. One company would be hired to do both projects. “It’s an economy of scale,” Dougherty explained.

The 500,000 gallon water tower at 55th and U.S. Highway 183 was constructed in 1994. The Sternberg tower was built in 1974 and recoated in 1997. The paint is 21 years old and flaking which Dougherty said could expose lead if not addressed.

“This was actually noted back in the ’90s, the last time the tower was repainted,” Dougherty noted. “At that time they had the discussion of whether to cover it or to remediate the lead. They chose to cover it.

“The covering has held up well, pretty much for its useful life, but now we’re at a point where we need to remediate the lead.

“That entails essentially draping the entire water tower because you cannot have that lead dust contaminant polluting the area. So they’ll have to drape the tower, sand it down, remove all the lead paint, contain it, remove it off-site, and then repaint the tower. It’s quite an involved process,” Dougherty added.

It’s also much more expensive, with a cost estimate of $550,000, while the smaller north tower repainting is estimated to cost $100,000.

Hays city commissioners will consider Schiel’s mural proposal during their Thursday work session.

Other agenda items include discussion of a temporary traffic roundabout at the intersection of 27th Street and Canterbury Drive. Mayor James Meier has suggested the possibility of a mini-roundabout being installed after the restriping of Canterbury to three lanes which will be done later this year as part of the 2018 Street Maintenance Plan.

The complete March 1 agenda may be seen here.

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

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Yes, it was warm in Hays Tuesday, and yes, the temperature did reach a new record high for the day.

According to official statistics kept by the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town, the mercury soared to 79 degrees yesterday, just barely breaking the former record for Feb. 27 of 78 degrees reached in 1932 and again in 2016.

The overnight low was 32 degrees.

Wednesday’s weather forecast calls for a much cooler and blustery day with a high near 40 degrees.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The duties of a Kansas state representative include meeting with visitors at the state capitol in Topeka.

Rep. Eber Phelps (D-Hays, 111th Dist.) recently met with several Hays constituents and posed for pictures with them.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Part of the 2018 Street Maintenance Project in Hays will include restriping a portion of Canterbury Drive from four lanes to three lanes.

The diamond grinding work, awarded to Diamond Surfaces Inc. of Rogers, Minnesota, includes grinding Canterbury Drive from 13th to 27th Street. Restriping of 27th Street will remain the same four lanes. However, Canterbury will be reduced to three lanes.

Hays Projects Director John Braun says the change will provide a safer driving environment and will allow the traffic signal at 22nd and Canterbury to function properly.

“It will be similar to what we did on 13th Street and Hall Street in the recent past,” Braun told city commissioners last week. “It aligns the north and south through-lanes at 13th Street.”

Braun called the “how and why of the 22nd and Canterbury traffic signal operation still a bit of a mystery” in terms of engineering and design.

“It was readily apparent shortly after the light was installed that in order to get opposing green left turn arrows from both directions at the same time you can’t have the two lanes going through.”

Braun said staff talked several times about reducing the traffic pattern to one lane in each direction at the 22nd and Canterbury intersection with left turn lanes.

“What we opted to do was to only give the green arrow westbound because that’s where the majority of the left turns were going,” he explained. “You can’t provide protected turns with two through-lanes without having a dedicated left turn lane.”

Mayor James Meier pointed out the situation is similar to 13th and Vine as it was prior to 13th being restriped to three lanes.

“I’ve had this discussion with a lot of people who want us to just turn the left turn light on to fix it. But I don’t think they’re remembering how 13th and Vine used to function,” Meier said.

Previously, 13th and Vine operated with “split phasing,” according to Braun.

“That’s where northbound traffic on Vine would get a green light and green left turn arrow and they’d go. Then they would have to stop and southbound on Vine would get the two green lights, whether they were turning left or not,” Braun recalled.

“I personally think 13th and Vine functions much, much better now than it did before,” Meier added.

Commissioner Shaun Musil expressed concern about the change to three lanes on Canterbury, particularly at the 13th Street intersection used by many young drivers going to and from Hays High School. “I don’t agree with it but I do trust staff and you believe it will work better,” Musil said. “I drive that street every day and don’t see big problems with it. This really makes me nervous what we’re doing there. But we’ll see.”

Commissioner Henry Schwaller IV pointed out traffic accidents on south Hall Street, which passes three schools, were reduced after Hall was restriped to three lanes.

Musil remained worried about Canterbury. “I think there’s going to be issues. I hope I’m wrong,” he said.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Bids were awarded by the Hays city commission last week for the 2018 Street Maintenance Program.

The five contractors with the low bids for the five types of work that will be done this year are:

• Circle C Paving and Construction, LLC, Goddard, in the amount of $211,705.40 for seal coat
• Vance Brothers, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, in the amount of $402,079.66 for micro-surfacing
• Diamond Surface, Inc., Rogers, Minnesota, in the amount of $296,483.88 for diamond grinding
• Morgan Brothers Construction, Inc., LaCrosse, in the amount of $164,058.30 for curb and brick repair
• Sweeney’s Pavement Maintenance, LLC, Hays, in the amount of $35,535 for polypatch

The total of the five contracts is $1,109,862.24 to be funded out of Special Highway. Funding for the chip seal of the sports complex and various park roads will come from Special Parks and Sports Complex Funds respectively.

Going forward, future street work will be prioritized by “keeping the good streets good,” Projects Manager John Braun told city commissioners.

“Back in 2005 we did an in-house assessment. We surveyed the streets, came back and rated them, then put all the information together and came up with a five-year plan,” Braun said.

In 2011 an outside firm using a computer model was hired that “gave a good benchmark of the general condition of the streets in a little bit comparison than what we did in-house. The algorithm didn’t care whether it was a Monday morning or a Friday afternoon or if it was hot or cold when they did the assessment.”

Another street assessment in 2016 provided an indicator of how streets were faring since 2011.

“It showed that the street condition was getting better. However, on an individual street-by-street basis, we were still having to go in and evaluate each street on its own merits,” Braun said, “and we couldn’t necessarily specifically depend on the computer factoring in everything.”

For now, Braun doesn’t see the need to hire another outside evaluation.

“We have a benchmark. I think we have the expertise in-house and the experience that we can go out and pick the streets that are best to maintain,” Braun said. “We have the methodology now where we are keeping the good streets good, instead of letting them get bad and spending a lot of money to rebuild them.”

Braun knows there are still some streets that “just have to get worse and then we are rebuilding them,” but added “we’re really working hard to make sure the streets that are in good condition stay in good condition.”

FHSU University Relations

Seventy-five students have been selected to serve as New Student and Family Orientation Leaders for the 2018 spring and fall semesters.

These 75 students were selected from a pool of 125 applicants. New Student and Family Orientation Leaders will staff pre-enrollment sessions for freshman and transfer students during the spring as well as Tiger Impact Fall Orientation Weekend during August.

The student leaders will help new students and their families become familiar with campus resources by creating a welcoming atmosphere, assisting in the pre-enrollment process and answering questions.

Students are listed alphabetically by hometown with classification and majors.

ABILENE (67410): Jenna Klein is a junior majoring in biology.
Sammi Stewart is a freshman majoring in biology.

BELOIT (67420): Emily Brandt is a senior majoring in political science.
Drake Kee is a sophomore majoring in biology.
Garrett McBlair is a junior majoring in accounting.
Jasmine Turley is a junior majoring in cellular and molecular biology.

BERRYTON (66409): Criquet Smith is a sophomore majoring in geography.

BRIGHTON, Colo. (80603): Dane Murzyn is a sophomore majoring in organizational leadership.

CHARLESTON, Ill. (61020): Nicholas Wood is a sophomore majoring in finance.

COLBY (67701): Carter Morrison is a sophomore majoring in biology.

COUNCIL GROVE (66846): Colin McIver is a senior majoring in management information systems.

COZARD, Neb. (69130): Graham Applegate is a senior majoring in management.
Bryce Nemeth is a junior majoring in biology.

DENTON, Neb. (68339): Ayla Tschetter is a sophomore majoring in nursing.

ELKHART (67950): Yessi Gonzales is a senior majoring in elementary education.

ELLIS (67637): Landon Younger is a senior majoring in chemistry.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (80528): Denice Lastra-Blanco is a freshman majoring in organizational leadership.

GARDEN CITY (67846): Mariel Asebedo is a sophomore majoring in medical diagnostic imaging.
Erik Chaparro is a sophomore majoring in psychology.
Kaitlin Smith, is a junior majoring in agronomy.
Ray Urbina is a junior majoring in exercise science.

GLADE (67639): Erika Norris is a senior majoring in elementary education.

GOODLAND (67735): Aaron Avelar is a junior majoring in management.

GREELEY (66033): Allison Lickteig is a sophomore majoring in history education.

GREENSBURG (67054): John Colclazier is a senior majoring in political science.
Tierra Cooper is a freshman majoring in nursing.

HAYS (67601): Max Befort is a senior majoring in music education.
Matea Gregg is a junior majoring in communication studies.
Cody Kreutzer is a junior majoring in theatre.
Carla Parra-Martinez is a senior majoring in public relations.
Emily Prine is a junior majoring in business education.
Adam Schibi is a senior majoring in accounting.
Morgan Weber is a sophomore majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

HUTCHINSON (67502): Anna Deal is a sophomore majoring in psychology.
Derek Dreher is a sophomore majoring in information networking and telecommunications.

ISHASI AKUTE, NIGERIA: Precious Ohanson is a graduate student majoring in nursing.

JUNCTION CITY (66441): Megan Stenstrom is a freshman majoring in elementary education.

KANSAS CITY (66102): Melanie Arellano is a senior majoring in social work.
Ricardo Zamora is a senior majoring in management.

LARNED (67550): Corrine Quick is a senior majoring in biology.

LEAVENWORTH (66048): Megan Rust is a senior majoring in organizational leadership.

LEXINGTON, Neb. (68850): Danielle Lindeman is a freshman majoring in nursing.

LIBERAL (67901): Marina Arenivas is a junior majoring in human resource management.
Edna Galindo is a junior majoring in social work.
Jasmine Hernandez is a junior majoring in athletic training.

LIMON, Colo. (80828): Veronica Younger is a senior majoring in nursing.

LYONS (67554): Kayla Reid is a senior majoring in organizational leadership.

MAPLE HILL (66507): Madeline Muller is a senior majoring in biology.

MCCOOK, Neb. (69001): Abigail Soncksen is a freshman majoring in nursing.

MCPHERSON (67460): Brittanee’ White is a sophomore majoring in biology.

MERINO, Colo. (80741): Kayelani Kirschbaum is a senior majoring in biology.

NORTON (67654): Raenee Patterson is a junior majoring in organizational leadership.

OLATHE (66062): Haydee Reyes is a senior majoring in organizational leadership.

OTTAWA (66067): Carlie Snethen is a senior majoring in organizational leadership.

OZAWKIE (66070): Kailee Gibson is a senior majoring in chemistry.
Madison Kueny is a senior majoring in geography.

PHILLIPSBURG (67661): Bhumika Bhakta is a sophomore majoring in nursing.
Liz Leidig is a junior majoring in nursing.

PLAINVILLE (67663): Joey Raat is a junior majoring in technology studies.

RIVERTON, Neb. (68972): Bailey Lewis is a junior majoring in accounting.

SABETHA (66534): Larisa White is a junior majoring in social work.

SALIDA, Colo. (81201): Jesse Schoenfeld is a freshman majoring in elementary education.

SALINA (67401): Fatima Contreras is a sophomore majoring in graphic design.
Quinn Munk is a sophomore majoring in organizational leadership.

SOLOMON (67480): Bryson Homman is a freshman majoring in interior design.

STRASBURG, Colo. (80136): Josie Hemphill is a freshman majoring in English literature.

TOPEKA (66609): Kaylin Haines is a junior majoring in human resource management.
TOPEKA (66617): Sami Montgomery is a senior majoring in biology.
TOPEKA (66606): Osiris Nunez is a freshman majoring in sociology.
TOPEKA (66610): Samantha Shafer is a junior majoring in management.

TRIBUNE (67879): Jessica Mendoza is a sophomore majoring in nursing.

WAKEENEY (67672): Cheyenne Nickelson is a sophomore majoring in health and human performance.

WICHITA (67216): Kaylene Cabrera is a sophomore majoring in technology studies.

WRIGHT (67882): Collin Cox is a freshman.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Now that the Salina Liberty indoor football team has a sponsor in Hays, officials are hoping word spreads about the existence of the professional team just down the road.

“A lot of people don’t even know professional football is being played in the area,” said Mike Wagner, the Hays contact for Salina Liberty.

Salina Liberty General Manager Francis Flax, Owner/Partner Roy Lawrence, and Wagner, a Hays resident, met Monday with Danny Herman and Marcus Hilger of the Golden Q to move forward with a sponsorship by the popular sports bar and grill for team’s 2018 season.

“The Golden Q is a very well-known establishment both locally and across the state and is recognized as one of the best bar and grills in the area. We would like to thank Danny and his staff for coming on board with us this season and look forward to seeing him and his staff at our games,” Wagner said.

Salina Liberty starts its third season in the North Division of Champions Indoor League in a face-off with their I-35 rivals, the Wichita Force, Saturday, March 3, at Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina. The first 500 fans will receive a free Salina Liberty T-shirt. It’s the first of six regular season home games for the 2018 season.

“With new head coach Heron O’Neal and a full roster of several returning players and new signed players, the Liberty are looking forward to a great year of football,” Flax said in a news release.

“Our games offer fun for the whole family with many contests that take place during media time outs and half-time,” Wagner said. “After each game, you are welcome to walk out on the field to meet the team, mascot Sideline Sam and get your favorite player’s autograph.”

More information about Salina Liberty is available on their Facebook page or by contacting Wagner at 785-259-5573.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Although the amount raised for the United Way of Ellis County (UWEC) 2017 campaign was short of its $450,000 goal, “we did reach $395,000, which does make an impact in Ellis County,” said UWEC Executive Director Sherry Dryden. The campaign concluded Jan. 31.

The goal for the past three years was $450,000. The past two years, $415,000 was raised during each campaign.

For 2017, the United Way opened up the application process and now has 15 partner agencies. For years, there was little change to the number of core groups supported by UWEC. A community survey found people “asking for more agencies to participate,” Dryden said, “so we opened up the application process.”

The volunteers who make up the CARE Council reviewed all the applications, conducted site visits, and made recommendations to the United Way board.

“Based on their recommendations, we did add a couple of agencies, which is exciting.” However, Dryden stressed “each agency must have community impact and we need to make sure we’re going in a direction that truly benefits our communities in Ellis County.”

The agencies have a level of accountability that must be met throughout the entire year.

“That also is a process of the CARE Council as well as the board of directors, seeing how and what the agencies are doing.”

Every United Way agency must follow United Way Worldwide guidelines. Flexibility is allowed to meet the needs of each specific region. “Guidelines for one part of the United States versus rural Kansas are going to be a little different,” Dryden pointed out.

The local United Way, like many other charitable organizations, is concerned about a potential drop in donations this year under the new federal tax plan.

The standard deduction for individuals and families is nearly doubled — $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples. People who have routinely deducted their charitable contributions might stop giving if they no longer get a tax savings from the gifts.

On the other hand, most Americans are now getting a larger paycheck thanks to the tax plan approved by Congressman. “Why not donate that ‘extra’ money to the United Way?” suggested Dryden, adding that the strategy will play a role in the 2018 United Way campaign.

According to Dryden, less than 20 percent of the campaign fund is used for administrative costs.

The UWEC annual meeting will be held Thu., March 8, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the first floor conference room of the Hadley Center, 205 E. 7th. The public is invited to attend.

“The United Way of Ellis County is grateful for all the business and individual partners, both new and existing who gave this year,” Dryden said. “New events such as Power of the Purse, the Pumpkin Patch Roll and Fun Run, and a new format for Dine Out Days have been great for filling some of the shortfall areas experienced by the United Way.”

Another new opportunity for the United Way was formation of the Wonder Women League (WWL) affinity group, which has planned another Power of the Purse event on April 18. “This is the 65th year for the United Way of Ellis County and some exciting plans are in the works for fun events throughout the year.” More information is available on the United Way Facebook page and website www.liveunited.us.

See an extended interview with Sherry Dryden and UWEC 2017 Campaign Chair and WWL co-chair Nancy Jeter with Mike Cooper on Community Connection.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays mayor James Meier is feeling more positive about the new governor’s awareness of the city’s long-term water project with the R9 Ranch in Edwards County.

Meier and City Manager Toby Dougherty were in Topeka last week to update Hays state representative Eber Phelps (D-111th Dist.) about the project progress. Andrew Wiens, chief policy officer on Gov. Jeff Colyer’s staff, also met with Meier and Dougherty.

“We had a good meeting that lasted more than an hour,” Meier reported Thursday night during the city commission meeting. “I felt like he asked really good questions.”

Meier thinks the governor, a Hays native, and his staff now better understand the city’s position and that “we’re ready to get things moving.”

“The overarching message I conveyed to the governor’s representative was essentially there’s no disagreement between the city and DWR (Division of Water Resources) over major or minor problems there may be with the R9. We’ve come essentially to an agreement on all points when it comes to the change application. That’s why we don’t really see why there’s the delay in getting the change order issued.”

Meier noted no promises were made in the meeting. “They still need to talk to DWR and the Agriculture Department to find if they have any concerns.”

Still, Meier is hopeful the bureaucratic process will begin moving more quickly. “I think we’re seeing some good progress.”

The city employs a lobbying group, Capital Strategies of Topeka, specifically for water exploration issues. The yearly contract is $36,000 paid  with the half-cent water sales tax. According to Meier, “once the R9 passes all regulatory hurdles, we’ll terminate the contract.”

The application to change water use from agriculture irrigation to municipal was filed with the Division of Water Resources nearly three years ago.

The cities of Hays and Russell are co-owners of the R9 Ranch, purchased in 1994 as a long-term solution to water needs for the towns. Hays owns 82 percent of the ranch; Russell owns 18 percent.

The state’s Water Transfer Act has never been triggered. Hays is the first entity to make such a request. The city began the regulatory process in February, 2014.