Becky Kiser – Page 43 – Hays Post Archive

BOWERS: 2018 Senate Scene Week 5

Posted on February 12, 2018

36th Dist. Sen. Elaine Bowers (R-Concordia)

SENATE HIGHLIGHTS

This week marked the fifth week of session. The Senate held floor debate on Tuesday and Wednesday and passed out eleven pieces of legislation. Our Committees will continue to meet through next week then work the bills passed out of committees on the Senate Floor before turnaround when the bills voted on in the Senate are sent to the House. The House bills voted on and passed on the House floor are in turn sent to the Senate for more review and hearings. To date, we have passed out fifteen Senate bills with seventeen Senate Confirmations votes for agencies and boards positions.

GOVERNOR COLYER’S FIRST ADDRESS TO KANSAS LEGISLATURE

On Wednesday Governor Jeff Colyer gave his first address to the joint Kansas legislature. His speech took place exactly one week after he was inaugurated into office. He praised legislators for their service to Kansas and pointed out issues they have been tackling such as sexual harassment and government transparency. Governor Colyer talked about the major issues facing the legislature this year and divided them into three categories: reform, jobs, and education. He also discussed the four executive orders he signed Thursday to increase transparency within the executive branch. Like Governor Brownback did at the State of the State in January, Governor Colyer expressed the need for an end to the constant education lawsuits in Kansas.

FLOOR ACTION

KANSAS MONEY TRANSMITTER ACT: Senate Bill 284 modifies the Kansas Money Transmitter Act.

STATE BANKING CODE: Senate Bill 283 would amend several sections of the State Banking Code. One of those changes being that on and after July 1, 2018, the bill would amend the requirement that a person proposing to acquire control, or a bank or trust company undertaking a merger transaction, submit an application 60 days prior to the proposed change of control or merger transaction.

30-DAY PRIOR NOTICE REQUIREMENT PROVIDED TO A MEMBER BEFORE EXPULSION FROM A CREDIT UNION: Senate Bill 292 adjusts law relating to the expulsion of credit union members. The bill would authorize the president, general manager, or any other credit union employee designated by the board of directors to expel a credit union member from the credit union under certain circumstances.

PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD: Senate Resolution 1762 is a resolution recognizing that pornography is a public health hazard that leads to a broad spectrum of individual and public health impacts and societal harms.

US-50 HIGHWAY FORD COUNTY: Senate Bill 256 designates a portion of US-50 in Ford County, from the east city limits of Dodge City to 118 Road (near the city of Wright), as the SGT Gregg Steimel and PFC Richard Conrardy Memorial Highway.

CHANGES TO THE STATE BANKING CODE: Senate Bill 335 would amend and create law to incorporate savings and loan associations and savings banks into the State Banking Code. The bill would repeal the existing Savings and Loan Code.

REPEALING THE PROHIBITION ON SATURDAY PROCESS SERVICE: Senate Bill 288 repeals the statute making it a misdemeanor, subject to a fine of $100, imprisonment in the county jail up to 30 days, or both, thus allowing court papers to be served on Saturdays.

UPDATING SUBSTANCES INCLUDED IN UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT: SB 282 adds several drugs and modifies drug classes to the schedules of controlled substances.

JOINT LEGISLATIVE TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE: Substitute Senate Bill 285 would establish the Joint Legislative Transportation Task Force (Task Force) to study Kansas’ transportation system.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CONCERNING APPLICANTS: Senate Bill 180 creates a process for disclosure of a law enforcement officer applicant’s files if the candidate has been employed by another state or local law enforcement agency or governmental agency.

NONDISCRIMINATION OF ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: House Bill 2343 creates new law regarding nondiscrimination in access to organ transplants for individuals with disabilities.

COMMITTEE ACTION

KANSAS AMUSEMENT RIDE ACT

On Tuesday, a trailer bill was presented for the Kansas Amusement Ride Act. The original Kansas Amusement Ride Act was passed in April 2017 as SB 70. The bill was intended to provide quality assurance that amusement rides were safe and regularly inspected. The bill regulates inspections, insurance, and fees. The amendment was introduced Tuesday, to adjust the regulations that are impacting small community based amusement rides. Due to the new rules, many small towns have had to cancel fairs because of increased regulations. One of the main concerns is the regulation on inspections. The amended bill, SB 307, would provide various new regulations that would benefit small county and town fairs in Kansas. Many of the fairs are donation and volunteer based or ran by nonprofit organizations. One proposed change would update the definition of a home-owned amusement ride to, “be owned and operated by a nonprofit, community-based organization that is operated less than 20 days in a year and operated at only one location per year.” The amendment will decrease regulations for small amusement rides while continuing to ensure the quality and safety of rides for Kansans.

Kansas ROZ

Rural Opportunity Zones are seventy-seven counties in Kansas that have been authorized to offer one or both of the following financial incentives to new full-time residents with Kansas income tax waivers for up to five years and student loan repayments up to $15,000. To be eligible for Kansas Income Tax Waivers, individuals must have established residency in a ROZ county on or after the date the county became part of the program, lived outside Kansas for five or more years immediately prior to establishing residency in a ROZ county and earned less than $10,000 in Kansas Source Income in each of the five years immediately prior to establishing residency in a ROZ county. Senate District #36 has seventy-four approved and twenty-eight approved sponsored participates to date. Republic, Rooks and Smith County lead the district in this very popular rural program in Kansas. The total number of participants since the beginning of the program in Kansas at the end of 2016 was 494.

FROM THE STATE LIBRARY

Find reliable and age appropriate information online with Britannica – Public Library https://kslib.info/eor from the State Library of Kansas. Three levels of learning (Children, Young Adult, and Reference Center) offer continually updated entries, multimedia, primary –source material, maps, and links to expert websites. Double–click any word in the article for the definition to pop up with audio pronunciation. Also available at https://kslib.info/eor, Britannica – Academic includes more scholarly content. Another link https://kslib.info/kids takes you to Britannica – School for learning about any subject for all grades and reading abilities.

If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas. Most people will be automatically recognized as inside Kansas and will not need this step. Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.

VISITORS FROM SENATE DISTRICT #36

The last few weeks have been very busy with visitors from home daily here in the Capital City. On Tuesday, the Kansas Bankers, Kansas Fire Fighters and the State Independent Telephone and Rural Independent Telecommunications Coalition held their annual legislative day and reception. Rural economic leaders presented success stories of rural development to the Senate and House Commerce Committees and held receptions for all legislators in the evening. Members from the Travel Industry Association along with Kansas American Legion and VFW and County Treasurers met with their legislators also during the week. The Kansas Press Association and Kansas Farm Bureau members held their annual meeting and had lunch with legislators in the Capitol.

LEGISLATIVE WEBSITE

Please visit www.kslegislature.org to follow any legislation or to review Senate and House journals and calendars. You will be able to search for bills and legislators in all districts plus research papers and historical articles on this very helpful website.

Thank you for the honor of serving you!

Senator Elaine Bowers
Kansas State Capitol Building
Room 223-E
300 SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66612
[email protected]
785 296-7389
www.kslegislature.org

Engineering contract approved for reconstruction of 43rd and 45th Streets

Posted on February 12, 2018February 9, 2018

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The pavement on 43rd and 45th Streets west of Vine Street has been patched many times over the last 17 years. Removal and replacement of the concrete pavement is now necessary, according to Hays Projects Manager John Braun. Both streets are three lanes, constructed in 2000 as part of the Walmart Supercenter project.

City commissioners last week authorized City Manager Toby Dougherty to enter into an agreement with Driggs Design Group, Hays, in the amount of $53,628 for engineering services in the reconstruction of those portions of 43rd and 45th. The monies would come from Commission Capital Reserves.

Braun pointed out the project compliments the proposed extension of 43rd Street for new development of a hotel and convention center.

“Driggs Design Group is the engineer for the new Hilton Garden Inn development which includes extending 43rd Street to the west. Having the same engineer for both the extension and the reconstruction is logical,” said Braun.

“The proposed project is to reconstruct only the pavement and to beef up the road base, especially on 45th Street to accommodate the semi-truck delivery traffic to nearby businesses. Existing curb and gutters and driveways would remain,” he explained. A sidewalk would also be constructed along the north side of 43rd Street.

The proposed scheduled calls for a bid opening in June with reconstruction of 43rd to be completed before the end of the year. Reconstruction of 45th Street may carry over into 2019. Estimated construction cost for the combined projects is $1.74 million.

🎥 New employees introduced to Hays city commissioners

Posted on February 11, 2018February 9, 2018

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Two new city employees were introduced to Hays city commissioners Thursday night during the commission meeting.

Tobin Miller, Water Resources Distribution and Reclamation Maintenance Foreman introduced Austin Koehn, a full-time maintenance worker in his department.

Koehn started working for the city part-time in 2015 as a maintenance worker. He recently graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in agronomy.

Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler introduced Officer Austin Savage, a native of Peabody, Kansas.

Savage has a degree from FHSU in justice studies with a minor in psychology. He just completed the 14-week basic police academy at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

🎥 SkyWest bids for next 3-year contract at Hays airport

Posted on February 9, 2018

A SkyWest jet on the Hays Regional Airport taxiway.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The current Essential Air Service (EAS) contract with SkyWest Airlines, under the United Express brand, to provide commercial passenger service at the Hays Regional Airport expires July 31, 2018.

SkyWest has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for a three-year contract for the next contract period. SkyWest was the sole bidder for the Hays air service contract.

Although the EAS contract length is typically for two years, USDOT is “comfortable with the three year proposal if the city commission is,” according to Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty. If awarded to SkyWest, the contract would run from Aug. 1, 2018 through Aug. 1, 2021.

As part of the carrier selection process, USDOT asks for community input.

“SkyWest bid 12 flights a week and they’re asking for a $3.12 million annual subsidy, which is about $400,000 less than their current contract,” Dougherty told Hays city commissioners Thursday. “The U.S. Department of Transportation always weights the community comments very highly.”

Commissioners agreed to sign a letter in support of the SkyWest bid.

“I think this is going to be good for the community,” said Mayor James Meier. “It’s nice they’re doing a three-year contract so they have a little bit more stability. I think they’ve been a very stable carrier for the past four years.”

Commissioner Shaun Musil is glad to see passenger boardings “starting to come back” and is looking forward to the spring launch of an eastbound flight to Chicago. “I’m excited about this,” he added.

SkyWest will begin offering a flight from Hays east to Chicago April 9.

🎥 City establishes Hilton hotel/convention center TIF District

Posted on February 9, 2018February 9, 2018

City Finance Director Kim Rupp speaks during a public hearing for the establishment of the Hays Hotel Hilton Garden Inn TIF district.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

There were no comments during the public hearing nor from Hays city commissioners Thursday night as they unanimously approved an ordinance establishing the Hays Hotel LLC Hilton Garden Inn Redevelopment (or TIF) District.

City Finance Director Kim Rupp first reviewed the developer’s economic incentive requests for the hotel and convention center project on West 43rd Street just west of Walmart.

“The developer is requesting tax increment financing (TIF), a community improvement district (CID), and a rebate of the city’s five percent transient guest tax (TGT) generated by the project,” said Rupp.

The public hearing and ordinance were the next steps on the process required under state law to approve TIF financing for the project. The TIF district is also known as a redevelopment district.

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“The primary effect of passing the ordinance tonight is locking in the base year assessed valuation of the project site. After the ordinance is effective, any future increase in property tax generated within the TIF district boundaries will accrue to the TIF fund,” Rupp explained. The TIF fund will be held separately by the city in order to reimburse the developer for TIF-eligible project costs on a pay-as-you-go basis.

The proposed hotel/convention center TIF district is in red. (Click to enlarge)

The developer estimates the TIF would generate approximately $3.7 million in revenues over a 20-year term.

Rupp told city commissioners the “developer has indicated they cannot complete the improvements without the TIF.”

The Hays USD 489 school district and Ellis County both have the right to veto the TIF district within 30 days by a resolution stating the district would have an adverse effect on their taxing entities.

Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood has met with the school board and county commissioners. Neither group is expected to object to the TIF.

The next steps would include negotiation of a TIF project plan and a project plan with the developer. Those would be subject to commission approval at later meeting.

Phase One of the project involves construction of a full-service four-story Hilton Garden Inn with 100 rooms, an 8,400 square foot conference center/event space, a restaurant and lounge, and infrastructure improvements required to serve the site, including water, sewer, street, utilities, and pedestrian infrastructure. The developer will finance costs of 43rd Street improvements.

Phase Two of the project involves construction of a new restaurant and/or other commercial retail on the two outparcels of the project site. There is no specific time frame set for Phase Two.

Ellis city council talks land purchases

Posted on February 7, 2018

ELLIS — Land acquisition was the topic of discussion for two agenda items during Monday’s Ellis City Council meeting.

Following an executive session with members of the Water Advisory Committee, council members unanimously agreed to proceed with the acquisition of property for the water exploration project. City Attorney Olavee Raub will meet with the committee to draft the real estate contracts.

Council members also agreed to make a counter offer to the Ellis Golf Club Board which wants to purchase 1.67 acres of land at the golf course from the city. The board has offered $750 for the land which includes the parking lot and area where the cart sheds are located. Council members feel $750 is too low because the city has already incurred $2,000 survey costs and attorney fees. The city is suggesting a purchase price of $3,000 to the golf club board.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes February 5, 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, Dena Patee, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Glen Keller, John Walz, John Leiker, Barbara Perkins, and Gary Luea.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 15, 2018 and Bills Ordinance #2038. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

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

None

SPECIAL ORDER

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Water Exploration: Special Project

Executive Session

Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of the Water Advisory Committee. Council member Bob Redger moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss land acquisition related to the water exploration project pursuant to the acquisition of real property exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(6) with City Attorney Olavee Raub and Water Advisory Committee members John Leiker, John Walz, Alan Scheuerman, and Gary Luea present. The open meeting will resume at 7:48 p.m. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. No action was taken in executive session.

Post Executive Session

Council member Bob Redger moved to proceed with the acquisition of property for the water exploration project and to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to meet with the Water Advisory Committee to draft the real estate contracts. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

NEW BUSINESS

General Government: Financial

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the updated fee schedule to reflect the increase in sanitation special pickup fees due to Ellis County increasing their landfill disposal fees on February 1^st. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 545 adopting the Fee Information Listing. The motion carried 6-0.

General Government: Financial

Council member Dena Patee moved to approve Resolution No. 546 authorizing employees and City officials to use the City’s credit card. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

Special Highway: Acquisition

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the purchase of 50 – 3 lb. 10 ft. channel posts from Road Side Supplies in the amount of $1,883.00 with funds to come from the Special Highway Fund. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.

General Government: Special Project

Council discussed hosting a City block party this summer to bring the community together to enjoy food and activities. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner will chair the event and will contact the City Departments and outside groups, such as the Ellis Recreation Commission, to help plan activities and games. Council discussed holding the event over the 4^th of July holiday or in June to fill the absence of Riverfest.

General Government: Contract

City Attorney Olavee Raub recently met with Donnie Younger, representative for the Ellis Golf Club Board, regarding the possible purchase of 1.67 acres of land at the golf course. The land would include the parking lot and areas around the club house where the cart sheds are located. The Ellis Golf Club Board has offered the City $750.00 for the purchase of the land. Council felt the offer was unreasonable in that the City has already incurred approximately $2,000 in survey costs and attorney fees. After further discussion, Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to direct Ms. Raub to present a counteroffer of $3,000.00 to the Ellis Golf Club Board for the purchase of 1.67 acres of land, and for the offer to remain open for 30 days. The motion carried 6-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Personnel: Entry

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman announced that Sanitation Department employee Dominique Davis has resigned and Jason Armstrong has been hired for the vacancy.

Public Works: Training

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and staff to attend the Kansas Rural Water Association training in Wichita, Dig Safe training in Hays, and Floodplain training in Salina or Abilene. The motion carried 6-0.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for January and the February Staff Calendar. The new Ford Explorer is now in service and the new radios are currently being programmed by Motorola.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton reminded the Governing Body of the annual Rabies Clinic on February 10^th from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The City was not selected for 2018 Community Development Block Grant funding through the Kansas Department of Commerce. The City plans to reapply for grant funding in September 2018. Ms. Burton also presented the 2017 City Car Summary and the draft minutes from the City’s Tourism and Water Advisory Committee meetings. Ms. Burton met with the City’s health insurance provider to discuss the semi-annual review of the City’s plan. Actual premium costs are slightly below the figures estimated in July.

General Government: Zoning

The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a Public Hearing on February 26^th to discuss an application to build an accessory building within the required setback limits.

Attorney

City Attorney Olavee Raub reported the 45-day extension for the property at 211 E. 11^th Street will expire February 16^th, and the 30-day time limit for the property owners to remove the properties at 1309 Fauteux and 208 W. 12^th Street will expire February 14^th. All three properties will be discussed at the February 19^th Council meeting.

Executive Session

Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Dena Patee moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss a potential claim against the City pursuant to the attorney client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2) with City Attorney Olavee Raub present. The open meeting will resume at 8:39 p.m. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. No action was taken in executive session.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel presented a sample Economic Development Policy for discussion. Council requested City Clerk Amy Burton email the document to the Governing Body in order to have more time to review before the next council meeting.

On January 24^th, Mayor David McDaniel and Council member Jolene Niernberger attended the League of Kansas Municipalities Local Government Day and met with area legislators. Mayor McDaniel discussed Senate Bill 307, the Amusement Ride Act, and how it could affect the miniature train at the Railroad Museum.

On February 23^rd, Farm Bureau will host a legislative session in Ellis.

Council member Dena Patee had a local business owner express concerns that City Departments may not be shopping local first.

Council member Bob Redger and Water Advisory Committee Chair Gary Luea will set up a meeting with City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft the real estate contracts for the Water Exploration Project.

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner inquired about Midwest Energy replacing six of the City’s street light bulbs with LED lights, and what the cost difference will be to the City.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

Local knitting circle gives FHSU a warm gesture of goodwill

Posted on February 6, 2018February 7, 2018

A local knitting circle donated hats and scarves to the Fort Hays State campus.

By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN
FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Shane Keller grew up in the south central Kansas town of St. John and was well aware of how unpredictable Kansas weather is.

Nonetheless, Keller – now a senior at Fort Hays State University – admits that he doesn’t always know when to carry a stocking cap, what with Hays temperatures varying from 50 degrees early in the week to single digits just a few days later.

So he knows there are students from other parts of the United States such as California or Arizona, and other countries as well, who can get caught without proper headgear while walking to class on any given day.

That’s why Keller – a student employee at the Tiger Food Exchange at FHSU – was excited when he learned a local knitting circle wanted to donate hats and scarves to the Fort Hays State campus.

An avid knitter, Andrée Brisson got the idea from the “I’m Not Lost” project in Anchorage, Alaska, where knitters placed colorful scarves and hats in trees near a park. That project was a spinoff from the international “yarn bombing” movement where knitters around the world wrap yarn around trees as a creative way to use their leftover and unfinished knitting projects.

“Knitters have projects, and we get done and we have leftovers. Those leftovers are very easily knitted into a scarf or hat,” explained Brisson, who is part of the knitting group that meets once a week at the Quilt Cottage in Hays. “This is a useful way to get rid of our leftover yarn.”

So Brisson suggested donating items to Fort Hays State, where her husband, Dr. Greg Farley, is dean of the Peter Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics.

“Some of the Fort Hays state students come from other countries and don’t have warm clothes we need for our climate,” Brisson said. “I saw the ‘I’m Not Lost’ article, and I thought, ‘wouldn’t this be a great way to help students.’ It’s a great Fort Hays State-community bond, too.”

Bob Duffy, co-chair of FHSU’s Food and Hunger Initiatives committee, said the committee decided the best place to display the knitted materials would be the Food Pantry.

Brisson delivered a couple dozen scarves and hats to FHSU’s Food Pantry late last month. Each bore a tag that read “I’m Not Lost.” Within only a few days, there were only four hats left, and about a third of the scarves also had been taken.

“I think this is an awesome gesture on the part of the knitting club,” Duffy said. “Students sometimes struggle financially, and something like this can remove some of the stress about how to stay warm, which in turn can make it easier to succeed academically.”

Yeyette Houfek, a knitting instructor for the Quilt Cottage Knitters, said that “knitters love to knit,” and her local group is thrilled to be able to help.

“This is a wonderful project. Our knitters have donated blankets and scarves to other organizations, and this provides them another outlet to do what they love,” Houlek said. “It’s nice that this ties in with a national movement, too, and we hope as the need goes, we can share more with the Fort Hays State community.”

FHSU’s Food Pantry, located on the first floor of Forsyth Library, is well stocked with canned goods from donations in addition to fresh vegetables from Victor E. Garden on the university campus and a small supply of meat (mostly raised at the University Farm.)

More about the Food and Hunger Initiative can be found at https://www.fhsu.edu/food-and-hunger/.

The Food and Hunger Initiatives began at FHSU in 2012, and in 2014 a Healthy Living Grant from the Kansas Health Foundation provided funds for the infrastructure; the program has remained viable even after the grant money was exhausted in 2016.

The pantry is open any time the library is open, and the committee asks that people who take an item leave a tally mark on a sheet on the desk.

“When they first started this, they visited other universities, and it seemed like they had rigid hours, like only two hours a week,” Keller said. “It just seemed like it should be more flexible, and I think we get a pretty good turnout of people. We consistently get about 3,000 tallies per year.”

The goal was to create an educational environment in which students, faculty and staff could readily access healthy food as well as nutrition information. Along the way, toiletries have been added, as well as laundry items.

Now, there are knitted hats and scarves, too.

“I think this is really cool to be part of the Tiger Food Exchange and see things happening that are helping our campus community in various ways, especially like this in the cold weather,” Keller said. “Seeing one of the ‘I’m Not Lost’ tags lying around in the library tells me that people are using the scarves and hats – and staying warm.”

Weekend temperatures swing more than 50 degrees

Posted on February 5, 2018February 5, 2018

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The weekend temperatures in Hays went up — way up, and then down — way down.

Official statistics from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town recorded a high of 67 degrees Sat., Feb. 3. Although unusually warm, it was not a record high. That was 76 degrees set in 1946.

The temperature plunged overnight to a low of 13 degrees. Sunday started with a little bit of snow, 0.02 inches, yielding 0.01 inches of moisture. Sunday’s daytime high was just 15 degrees, 52 degrees colder than the day before.

More roller coaster temperature changes are on the way. Monday’s forecast is calling for a high of 45 degrees. Snow should start falling late Monday night, with up to four inches of accumulation Tuesday as the daytime temp creeps up to 22 degrees.

Hays has had 6.5 inches of snowfall so far this season.

🎥 Area legislators: K-12 funding will be ‘balancing act’

Posted on February 5, 2018

Saturday’s legislative coffee featured Rep. Ken Rahjes (R-Agra), Sen. Rick Billinger (R-Goodland), Tammy Wellbrock, Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Exec. Dir., Rep. Eber Phelps (D-Hays) and Rep. Leonard Mastroni (R-Lacrosse).

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The 2018 Kansas legislative session has just completed its fourth week and the state has a new governor.

Four area legislators updated constituents Saturday morning during a legislative coffee presented by the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce in the Fort Hays State University Robbins Center.

Sen. Rich Billinger (R-Goodland, 40th Dist.) and Reps. Eber Phelps (D-Hays, 111th Dist.), Leonard Mastroni (R-Lacrosse, 117th Dist.), and Ken Rahjes (R-Agra, 110th Dist.) agreed the legislature must focus on K-12 education funding. The state faces a Supreme Court ruling determining the funding formula to be unconstitutional and inadequate.

“The Gannon decision that is in front of the Kansas Supreme Court right now is really the big emphasis and we have to have something done by April,” said Mastroni. He thinks the revenues coming into the state which have been increasing since late last year will help fund schools, “not that those revenues couldn’t decrease.”

“We’ll probably be looking at a multi-year plan,” Phelps predicted. “The first year of $150 to $200 million, we’re on track with the revenues coming in where they are now, in addition to what’s already been budgeted, that’s $200 million additional going in this year. If the trajectory of revenues keeps coming in above estimates, I think we could legitimately put together a three to four year plan. It would still have to be approved by the Supreme Court.”

Rahjes is not as optimistic and feels there are “so many unknowns. The goal right now is to keep schools open and that means working with the judicial branch as well,” he said. “My guess is, regardless of what we do in the legislature and submit to the court, the court probably won’t agree and so we’ll be back in the summer to get something done under the gun that everybody will agree to keep schools open. I hope I’m wrong but finding the number of votes we need to move things forward is going to be a challenge.”

“It’s a balancing act,” said Billinger. “Education is important but we have to balance how much money we have and where it can go.”

“Raising taxes won’t happen,” Rahjes promised.

Instead, if revenues happen to decrease, budget cuts will be implemented. There’s been talk of an 18 percent across-the-board cuts for every state department.

“If we did that, three prisons would have to be closed,” Billinger said, “and nobody wants criminals back on the streets. The Department of Corrections would have to be pulled from that plan, leaving everybody else looking at a 30 percent budget cut. There are no easy choices.”

“I noticed Judge Glen Braun (23rd Judicial District Chief Judge) in the audience cringing when the senator mentioned the 18 percent cut,” Mastroni said later. “That’s because 97 percent of the budget for the judiciary is for employee paychecks. That would shut down our courts for around 90 days, creating a backlog and all kinds of chaos.” Mastroni is a former District Magistrate Judge.

Rahjes, a member of the House Taxation Committee, is encouraging Kansans to “shop local. We need to participate in our own economy.”

One written question from the audience was about the possibility of implementing sales tax on Internet purchases and whether Kansas would urge Congress to take such action.

The issue came up last week in the Taxation Committee, according to Rahjes. “It’s a simple matter of fairness to the Mom and Pop bricks and mortar stores,” he said. Rahjes proposed such a bill last year which did not move out of committee.

Kansas has the highest food sales tax in the nation. A Senate committee last week proposed the state sales tax on food would drop to 4 percent in 2019 and 2 percent in 2020. Local sales tax decisions would still remain the business of city and county politicians.

Rahjes said he plans to introduce a similar proposal this week, with the food sales tax gradually declining to zero.

Another audience question was about hemp production in Kansas. A bill has been passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee (SB 263) that would allow the Department of Agriculture to conduct research with the state’s universities for industrial hemp production, and also permit some pilot programs.

Billinger is a member of the ag committee. He said the bill recommended Russell County as one of the pilot project participants.

“We had a lot of folks come in and testify to just let folks loose and start planting it. Then we had others concerned there was no way we could just turn them loose. It’ll take a little bit of time, but at least we’re getting started down that road. There’s many, many things that can be made from industrial hemp.” Phelps has talked to the staff at the K-State Agricultural Research Center in Hays and said the “dryland station would be an ideal place to test hemp production.”

Sponsors for the event were Midwest Energy, AT&T and the FHSU Foundation. The next legislative coffee will be in April.

Hays, area officers graduate from Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center

Posted on February 5, 2018February 2, 2018

On Friday, January 26th, Officers Brandon Bell, Nait Elkins and Austin Savage graduated from the 248th Basic Training Class at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. (Photo courtesy HPD)

KLETC

YODER — Fifty-eight new law enforcement officers graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) on Jan. 26. Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center Director Ed Pavey was the speaker for the ceremony in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.

The new officers were members of the 248th basic training class at the center. Located one mile west and one mile south of Yoder, near Hutchinson, the center is a division of University of Kansas Professional & Continuing Education.

The graduates, who began their training Oct. 2, 2017, represented 46 municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies from across Kansas.

Graduates receive certificates of course completion from KLETC and Kansas law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority. The training course fulfills the state requirement for law enforcement training. Classroom lectures and hands-on applications help train officers to solve the increasingly complex problems they face in the line of duty.

Established by the Kansas Legislature in 1968, the center trains the majority of municipal, county and state law enforcement officers in Kansas and oversees the training of the remaining officers at seven authorized and certified academy programs operated by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

About 300 officers enroll annually in KLETC 14-week basic training programs. The center offers continuing education and specialized training to more than 10,000 Kansas officers each year.

Graduates who granted permission to release their names are listed below by agency.

Allen County

Iola Police Department; Dominick Haen; patrol officer; Iola

Barber County

Barber County Sheriff’s Department; Matthew Woods; deputy; Medicine Lodge

Barton County

Hoisington Police Department; Chelsey Hachmeister; patrol officer; Hoisington

Butler County

Benton Police Department; Britt Liggett; patrol officer; Benton

Butler County Sheriff’s Office; Caleb Nitcher; deputy; El Dorado

Cherokee County

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office; Judah Ellis; deputy; Columbus

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office; Taylor Ludwig; deputy; Columbus

Cheyenne County

Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office; Gunner Helton; deputy; St. Francis

Crawford County

Pittsburg Police Department; Bailey Jones; patrol officer; Pittsburg

Pittsburg Police Department; Ashley Williamson; Patrol Officer; Pittsburg

Dickinson County

Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department; Vaun Stivers; deputy; Abilene

Doniphan County

Elwood Police Department; Alexander Campbell; patrol officer; Elwood

Doniphan County Sheriff’s Department; Nathaniel Keller; deputy; Troy

Doniphan County Sheriff’s Department; Daniel Rathmann; deputy; Troy

Ellis County

Hays Police Department; Brandon Bell; patrol officer; Hays

Hays Police Department; Naithan Elkins; patrol officer; Hays

Hays Police Department; Austin Savage; patrol officer; Hays

Ellsworth County

Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Department; James Sandell; deputy; Ellsworth

Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Department; Frederick Smith; deputy; Ellsworth

Geary County

Junction City Police Department; Brenda Agriesti; patrol officer; Junction City

Junction City Police Department; Amanda Mancuso; patrol officer; Junction City

Harvey County

Harvey County Sheriff’s Department; Austin Sontag; deputy; Newton

Jefferson County

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Brady Adams; deputy; Oskaloosa

Leavenworth County

Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office; Adam Turner; deputy; Leavenworth

Linn County

Pleasanton Police Department; Benjamin Smith; patrol officer; Pleasanton

Lyon County

Emporia State University Police Department; Hector Amado; patrol officer; Emporia

Miami County

Miami County Sheriff’s Office; Devon Dozier; deputy; Paola

Miami County Sheriff’s Office; Colin LaFrance; deputy; Paola

Paola Police Department; Zachary Mathies; patrol officer; Paola

Osawatomie Department of Public Safety; Jonathan Sliter; patrol officer; Osawatomie

Miami County Sheriff’s Office; Thomas Yeast; deputy; Paola

Mitchell County

Beloit Police Department; Jessy Bliss; patrol officer; Beloit

Montgomery County

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; Zachary Farmer; deputy; Independence

Coffeyville Police Department; Andrew Rexwinkle; patrol officer; Coffeyville

Neosho County

Chanute Police Department; Jon Deal; patrol officer; Chanute

Neosho County Sheriff’s Department; Jake Johnson; deputy; Erie

Osage County

Carbondale Police Department; Justin Kreshel; patrol officer; Carbondale

Pratt County

Pratt County Sheriff’s Department; Maranda Hacker; deputy; Pratt

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism; Matthew Sobczynski; natural resource officer; Pratt

Reno County

Hutchinson Police Department; Daniel Nowlan; patrol officer; Hutchinson

Hutchinson Police Department; Michael Ruebke; patrol officer; Hutchinson

Russell County

Russell County Sheriff’s Department; Tracey Kuntzsch; deputy, Russell

Saline County

Salina Police Department; Dustin Birdsong; patrol officer; Salina

Scott County

Scott County Sheriff’s Department; Jade Daniels; deputy; Scott City

Sedgwick County

Park City Police Department; Shane Alexander; patrol officer; Park City

Wichita State University Police Department; Patrick Bruce; patrol officer; Wichita

Derby Police Department; Erik Donham; patrol officer; Derby

Sedgwick County Courthouse Police; Humberto Estrada; patrol officer; Wichita

Andale Police Department; Robert McClelland; patrol officer; Andale

Wichita Airport Authority Safety Department; Christopher Soukup; patrol officer; Wichita

Shawnee County

Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control Division; Jennifer Peck; special agent; Topeka

Sumner County

Conway Springs Police Department; Briar Hedgepath-Shaffer; patrol officer; Conway Springs

Wilson County

Fredonia Police Department; Greg Boicourt; patrol officer; Fredonia

Woodson County

Woodson County Sheriff’s Office; Scott Hockman; deputy; Yates Center.

Ellis city council to discuss water exploration, golf club real estate

Posted on February 5, 2018February 2, 2018

ELLIS – Ellis city council members will discuss a real estate contract with Ellis Golf Club representatives during their meeting tonight.

The council will also hear an update about the water exploration project from the Water Advisory Committee.

In other business, Mayor Dave McDaniel will discuss an Ellis Industrial Development Corp. business incentive document.

The complete agenda follows.

AGENDA

February 5, 2018

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 January 15, 2018
2. Bills Ordinance #2038

(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. Update on Water Exploration Project – Water Advisory Committee
NEW BUSINESS
1. Consider Resolution Updating Schedule of Fees Assessed
2. Consider Approval of Resolution Authorizing Credit Card Users
3. Consider Purchase of Channel Posts
4. Discuss Hosting Community Appreciation Event
5. Discuss Real Estate Contract with the Ellis Golf Club
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
1. Administrative
  - Public Works
    - Consider Approval for Staff to Attend Training
    - Department Update
  - Police
    - Monthly Activity Report for January
    - February Staff Calendar
    - Department Update
  - City Clerk
    - Publication Notice for Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing
    - Reminder on Rabies Clinic
    - Results of Community Development Block Grant Awards
    - 2017 City Car Annual Report
    - Draft Minutes from City Committees
    - Department Update
  - Attorney
    - Update on Status of Code Violation Cases
  - Mayor Update and Announcements
    - Discuss EIDC Business Incentive Document
    - Update from LKM Local Government Day
    - Update on HB 307 Regarding Amusement Rides

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

ADJOURNMENT

🎥 City hears more about Hilton TIF; public hearing Feb. 8

Posted on February 2, 2018February 2, 2018

Ellis Co. Coalition Exec. Dir. Aaron White looks on as Hays Finance Director Kim Rupp explains the TIF request to city commissioners.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Hays school district, as well as Ellis County, have veto power over the city of Hays’ desire to establish a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district to benefit the new Hilton Garden Inn and convention center project at Vine and 43rd streets.

Both the county and school district receive property tax money from the land in question.

Asst. City Manager Jacob Wood talked to school board members Monday during their meeting.

“They don’t anticipate they’re going to take any action so it shouldn’t come up again,” he told the Hays city commission Thursday. Wood will discuss the TIF with Ellis County commissioners during their Feb. 5 meeting.

City Finance Director Kim Rupp reviewed the TIF request from Hays Hotel LLC. “The TIF would be for a 20-year term on a pay-as-you-go basis. The developer is not asking the city to issue bonds for the project. “They’re pursuing their own financing,” Rupp said.

The developer estimates the TIF would generate about $3.7 million in incremental property tax revenues over the 20 years.

Rupp also noted the TIF would not include the capture of sales taxes generated at the site, which is usually done. “The retailers sales taxes collected would go to the intended taxing authorities as any other normal sales tax would,” he explained.

After development is completed, a new assessment on the property would be done by the county, establishing a new tax revenue.

“The state will keep its 1.5 mills, Hays USD 489 keeps its 8 mills for school capital outlay and its 20 mills for school finance,” Rupp explained. The school district would not receive an increase in property tax for its supplemental levy of 14.92 mills or its .646 mill declining enrollment levy, which is only good for one more year—the 2018-19 school year.

The remainder of the tax increment would be reimbursed to the developer for TIF eligible costs, which include financing and infrastructure improvements, such as water, sewer, roads and parking.

The public hearing will trigger a 30 day period in which USD 489 and Ellis County may veto creation of the TIF District.

TIF District for Hilton Garden Inn and convention center

“The school district or county could adopt a resolution saying the TIF will have an adverse effect the respective entity. If such a resolution is adopted and delivered to the city, by state law the city commission must terminate the TIF District,” Rupp told commissioners.

If the commission passes the ordinance and neither the county nor the school district exercise a veto, the next steps would include a negotiation of a TIF project plan and development agreement between city staff and the developer. The commission would review those documents for approval at a later meeting.

The city commission will conduct a public hearing at its Feb. 8 meeting and then consider approving the ordinance establishing a TIF district, which is also called a redevelopment district.

🎥 Mayor ‘disappointed’ incoming gov. didn’t meet with city officials about R9 water

Posted on February 2, 2018February 2, 2018

Hays Mayor James Meier (left) shares his frustration with fellow commissioners about the slow regulatory process by the state in the R9 water project.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays Mayor James Meier is frustrated.

He’s also disappointed the incoming Kansas governor, Jeff Colyer, who visited his hometown of Hays Wednesday, did not meet with city officials.

“We do have something going on that does involve the governor’s office and that’s the R9 water project, which has been slow in getting regulatory approval,” Meier said Thursday evening during closing comments of the city commission work session.

“We filed the change applications with the Division of Water Resources (DWR) nearly three years ago.”

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

The change applications from agricultural use to municipal use were filed in June, 2015. The city began the regulatory process in February, 2014. The R9 Ranch, south of Kinsley and 78 miles from Hays, is being converted to native grass as agricultural irrigation water wells are shut down and equipment removed.

Meier acknowledged the state’s Water Transfer Act has never been triggered and Hays is the first entity to make such a request.

“In order to get to that point of discussion, the change applications have to be approved. I think DWR has had ample time to really fetter out this project. It started long before any of us were here.”

“We’ve looked everywhere (for a long term water supply) and this is the best option moving forward for the town. This is a project that needs to be supported for the local community and the region. It needs to be ushered through the bureaucratic process,” Meier stressed.

“The chief engineer at DWR works for the governor, indirectly. It’s become clear to me proper resources have not been allocated to our change application process at DWR.

“I personally was somewhat disappointed the governor came to Hays to kick off his governorship and we were given no opportunity to discuss R9 or our change application process with the governor.”

Meier said the city has “used its local lobbyist to try several times to set up a meeting with the governor and have been unsuccessful in doing so in order to discuss our needs and our challenges to get this through the bureaucratic process.”

Meier actually knows the DWR Chief Engineer, David Barfield, who lives in Lawrence. Meier attended the same church as Barfield when he was a student at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

“He’s a good guy,” Meier quickly noted. “While I’ve never met Governor Colyer, everything I’ve heard and seen about him says he’s a person of character. I believe they both want to do the right thing.

“But it needs to be pointed out that this is the right thing to do. The resources need to be allocated. This is a priority for the city of Hays and the region, and they need to be ushering this through the bureaucratic process sooner rather than later.

“More than two years is long enough, if you ask me. If we don’t have water we’re not going to grow.”

Meier added he hoped Colyer would “listen to local officials, the community, and to the needs that we have” as the new governor and as he campaigns for re-election.

In an email to Hays Post following the commission work session, Meier recalled a meeting last year in Washington, D.C., between city commissioners and federal representatives. Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts, as well as Congressman Roger Marshall “personally met with us for the sole purpose of discussing the R9. They took time out of their very busy schedules to make us and the R9 project a priority.

“For over a month we’ve been unsuccessful in arranging a meeting with the then-Lt. Gov. to discuss the R9 regulatory delays, so I just find it troubling that he would come to Hays for a photo op and yet not find time to discuss an issue that will affect our community for the next 50 years.”

While in Hays Wednesday morning, Colyer attended Mass at TMP-Marian, his alma mater, held a roundtable discussion with team members at Westside Alternative School, and then ate lunch at Al’s Chickenette. He was back in Topeka for his swearing-in ceremony at 3 p.m.