By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Instead of having to fly west out of Hays to Denver to then fly east on another plane, airline passengers will have another option this spring.

“We received official notice today from SkyWest Airlines that the flight to Chicago is in the United booking system, available April 9th,” City Manager Toby Dougherty reported to city commissioners Monday night.

“To the flying public, the Denver flights, the early morning flight and the late night arrival, are still roughly the same. The mid-day turnaround will be a little more advantageous for the flyer. It will happen a little earlier in the day than it did before,” Dougherty said.

Then he gave details about the flight many business and pleasure travelers alike have been asking for.

“There’ll be a Chicago flight that leaves at 11:30, or maybe 10:30 in the morning, arriving in Hays around 1:30 or 2 in the afternoon. There’s another flight that comes from Denver, stops in Hays, and then goes on to Chicago, arriving in Chicago a little after 5 p.m.,” said Dougherty.

Chicago flights can be booked online at united.com beginning April 9, 2018.

Dougherty told commissioners Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Melissa Dixon, who was in the audience, will work with SkyWest on ways the city can help promote the new flight and get the word out.

The additional flight at the Hays Regional Airport is part of a new SkyWest contract at the Salina Regional Airport.

SkyWest’s proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Salina passenger air service contract included adding a flight that would benefit both Salina and Hays. The swing flight from Chicago to Denver will stop in Salina and Hays each way.

Dixon said Friday the number of passenger boardings at the Hays Regional Airport in 2017 “just missed” the 10,000 mark, which would have made the city eligible for $1 million in airport funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.) Otherwise, the city receives just $150,000 from the FAA annually.

The city is hoping the new flight to Chicago will help increase boardings enough in 2018 to surpass 10,000. The last year that happened was 2011, when 10,912 passengers flew out of the Hays Regional Airport.

ELLIS – Following a public hearing, Ellis city council members voted unanimously Jan. 2 to condemn two properties in town. A 45-day extension to address violations was granted to a third property owner.

Council members also unanimously adopted the  2015 International Building Codes for building, electrical, and fire regulations. Three additional ordinances have yet to be considered. Those ordinances would implement the updated International Plumbing Codes, International Mechanical Codes, and the International Existing Building Codes.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes January 2, 2018

PUBLIC HEARING ON UNFIT PROPERTIES

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to enter into the Public Hearing.  The motion carried 5-0.  Mayor David McDaniel declared the Public Hearing open at 6:30 p.m.  The purpose of the Public Hearing is in regards to  whether or not the properties at 210 E. 11^th, 208 W. 12^th, and 1309 Fauteux should or should not be condemned and ordered repaired or demolished.  City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler stated the Resolution regarding the Public Hearing has been published the required number of times in the Ellis Review, and each property owner was notified of the Public Hearing by certified mail.  Two of the certified mailings were returned as undeliverable.

Viola Burns, property owner of 210 E. 11^th St., contested the certified letter and believes the property is not dilapidated nor a fire hazard.  Annette Ellis, daughter of Ms. Burns, added that the house is not vacant and that she and her husband are at the house at least once a week.  All of their belongings are in the house.  Ms. Ellis does not believe the property is a fire hazard, as there are no working utilities in the house.  Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman discussed several of the major concerns with the property.  Ms. Zeigler read the definition for dangerous and unfit structures and believes this property meets the definition, as defined by City Code.  A discussion ensued on the definition of occupancy versus using a property for storage.  Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to provide a detailed list of structural items in violation for Ms. Burns and the Council.

There were no representatives for the property at 1309 Fauteux and the house has been vacant for approximately 14 years.  There are numerous structural concerns with this property.

Ms. Zeigler stated she has been in contact with Maria DelaRosa, daughter of the property owner of 208 W. 12^th Street.  Her father, Refugio DelaRosa, is currently out of the country with no plans to return.  The family cannot afford to rectify the structural violations with the property.  Ms. DelaRosa told Ms. Zeigler that a potential buyer has surfaced again for the property and asked for two weeks to determine if the sale will materialize.

There being no further public comments, Mayor David McDaniel closed the public hearing at 6:58 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members 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 Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler. Council member Bret Andries was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Nickole Byers, Allan Reiter, Gary Luea, Norma Keller, and Glen Keller.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on December 18, 2017 and Bills Ordinance #2036.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Norma Keller, 1406 Maple St., asked why the City removed her Black Walnut trees during the culvert cleanout.  Mayor McDaniel noted that Ms. Keller has filed a formal complaint with the City and the claim will be investigated.  It was also noted that Ms. Keller signed an easement document allowing the City to enter the property.

Gary Luea, 1807 Spruce, asked for the City to consider advertising in True West magazine.  Ellis is considered a “western” town and Dodge City and Abilene have advertisements in the current issue.  Mr. Luea felt the publication might be a way to expand visibility of Ellis outside of the area that Eagle Communications reaches.

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

None

SPECIAL ORDER

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

General Government: Violations

Council further discussed the properties at 210 E. 11^th, 208 W. 12^th, and 1309 Fauteux. Ms. Zeigler explained that if Council determines that the properties are unfit structures, a resolution would need to be drafted and approved with Council’s determination of why the structure should be condemned.  Once the approved resolution is published, the City can move forward with removal of the structure.

Regarding the property at 208 W. 12^th, Maria DelaRosa has requested Council delay a decision for two weeks to determine if a potential sale materializes.  Since the condemnation process will take in excess of two weeks because the resolution must be approved and published, Council decided to move forward with the process.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to have City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler draft the resolution declaring the property at 208 W. 12^th to be condemned, and to approve the bid from Flatlander Dirtworks, LLC in the amount of $5,100 to remove the structure.  The motion carried 5-0.

Council believes the property at 1309 Fauteux has been vacant since the early 2000’s.  There is no floor in the house, the garage is full of junk, and there are numerous structural concerns.  The property owner has not responded to City correspondence and the house could be determined to be abandoned as well.  Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to have City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler draft the resolution declaring the property at 1309 Fauteux to be condemned, and to approve the bid from Flatlander Dirtworks, LLC in the amount of $5,500 to remove the structure.  The motion carried 5-0.

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to grant a 45-day extension, effective immediately, to Viola Burns at 211 E. 11^th to address the stated violations for the property.  The motion carried 5-0.  The extension period will end February 16^th and Council will readdress progress on the violations at the February 19^th Council meeting.  Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman will provide Ms. Burns and the Council a report with the cited violations.

Tourism: Contract

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the 2018 advertising contract from Eagle Community TV in the amount of $4,200, and the 2018 advertising contract from Eagle Radio in the amount of $2,448, with funds to come from the transient guest tax funds.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Building Codes

Council performed a second reading on three ordinances adopting the 2015 International Building Codes for building, electrical, and fire regulations.  Both the City Trades Board and Planning Commission have expressed support for the ordinances.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Ordinance No. 1424 adopting the 2015 IBC for Building Regulations.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1425 adopting the 2015 IBC for Electrical Regulations.  The motion carried 5-0.  Council member Jolene Niernberger then moved to approve Ordinance No. 1426 adopting the 2015 IBC for Fire Regulations.  Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.  Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman noted that three more ordinances will be presented for consideration in the near future.  Those ordinances will implement the updated International Plumbing Codes, International Mechanical Codes, and the International Existing Building Codes.

NEW BUSINESS

Sewer/Sanitation: Accounting/Billing

Dustin Vine acquired D&B Body Shop effective January 1, 2018.  Council member Dena Patee moved to approve the Application for Local Incentives for D&B Body Shop, LLC.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Financial

Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 542 waiving Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for financial statement reporting for 2018.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Committee

Mayor David McDaniel announced that he and Rose Tway have resigned from the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to appoint Emily Mattheyer and Leonard Schoenberger to the vacancies on the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.  The motion carried 5-0.  Committee member Jolene Niernberger informed Council that the Committee was awarded a Midwest Energy grant to help purchase iPods to use at the Good Samaritan Center, as it has been shown that listening to music improves memory function.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period October 10^th to November 10^th.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for December and the January Staff Calendar.  The new police radios should arrive next week and once received, the new Explorer will be delivered to Ka-Comm to have equipment switched out and installed.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the draft minutes from the Water Advisory Committee.  Ms. Burton invited discussion on the Railroad Roundup Program.  Interest has been stagnant and the program generates less than $250 per year.  Council discussed highlighting the program in the Town Crier to make residents more aware of the program, and possibly changing the beneficiary to the Lakeside Campground or Swimming Pool, or even an outside source like the Ellis Food Bank or Community Foundation.

Attorney

With the Public Hearing earlier on the unfit structures, City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler had no further updates on code violation cases.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel asked for each Council member to bring three ideas to the January 8^th Council meeting on what they would like to see accomplished or done different in 2018.  Each Council member will be asked to express their ideas verbally for discussion.

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

CITY OF HAYS

Rep. Eber Phelps (D-Hays) 111th Dist., and 40th Dist. Sen. Rick Billinger (R-Goodland), will attend the Thu., January 4, Hays city commission work session to give a preview of the 2018 Kansas Legislative Session.

Other agenda items include a report of the City of Hays/Hays Recreation Commission (HRC) annual joint meeting. According to Hays Parks Director Jeff Boyle, the city commission will be asked to approve a $28,519.39 reimbursement for an operating loss at the Hays Aquatic Park and Wilson Pool.

The amount is slightly higher than in years past due to low attendance. In a memo to commissioners, Boyle said he believes “most of the lower attendance can be attributed to the early and mid-summer rains which kept temperatures down and patrons away.”

Conversely, the city-owned Bickle/Schmidt Sports Complex operated by HRC saw a $33,054.93 profit in 2017.

Commissioners will also hear requests for purchases of a service division dump track replacement and a recycling truck in the solid waste division.

The complete agenda may be seen here.

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

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

In mid-November, Hays police took three reports of skimmers found on local ATMs and gas pumps.

“I’ve learned more about skimmers recently,” said Lt. Brandon Wright of the Hays Police Department. “I wasn’t aware that skimmers can be planted inside some of these machines that you never see from the outside. You would never know that it’s there until the charge shows up on your account.”

External skimmers are devices put over the top of the credit card slot on an ATM, gas pump, or something similar.

“The external skimmer reads the card strip as it passes through to the original equipment. They look a little suspicious,” Wright advised. “If something about the machine looks funny to you, just beware, especially if you touch it and it moves, if it doesn’t appear to be part of the original equipment.”

Newer technology has led to skimmers “that now can be placed inside the equipment in some cases. You can’t see them from the outside.

“Because of that, you need to keep an eye on your financial card accounts,” recommended Wright. “Look out for suspicious transactions, transactions that you didn’t make, and report them to your bank immediately. You should also report them to your police department. You should regularly check your credit report as well, to make sure you haven’t become a victim of identity theft.”

ATMs, operated by banks, usually have higher security, including cameras, because they contain a lot of cash. Cameras at gas pumps are becoming more common.

“If you believe somebody has stolen your credit or debit information and made an unlawful charge on your account, call the police department. Sometimes those are mistakes and not criminal activity, but a lot of times they are criminal.” Wright acknowledges such cases are difficult to solve. “Usually it takes working with both your bank and the police department to identify the criminal and try to get some justice.”

There are a lot of ways people can get your financial information.

“It can be purchased online by criminals. Maybe you’ve handed your card over to purchase something. A person can obtain the information that way. Always be suspicious if somebody walks away from you with your card. Be observant and watch what they’re doing.”

During the first six months of 2017, the number of compromised ATMs and point-of-sale devices jumped 21 percent in the United States, compared to the first six months of 2016, according to data from FICO Card Alert Service.  The number of compromised cards soared 39 percent during the same time.

“You can never completely protect yourself from something like that. You’ve got to regularly check your accounts,” Wright emphasized.

 

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

In 2016, 40 Protection From Stalking (PFS) orders were filed in Ellis County according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).

The KBI reports 32 PFS orders were filed in 2015 in Ellis County and 36 in 2014.

Hays Mayor Shaun Musil read a proclamation last week recognizing January as National Stalking Awareness Month, alongside Ashley Hecker, community service coordinator for Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. Ellis County Sheriff Ed Harbin was in the audience for the declaration.

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

According to statistics provided by Options, in one of five cases, stalkers use weapons to harm or threaten victims, and stalking is one of the significant risk factors for femicide (homicide of women) in abusive relationships.

Modern technology including cell phones, GPS, cameras, and computer spyware, is also used by stalkers to monitor and track their victims.

Victims suffer anxiety, social dysfunction and severe depression at much higher rates than the
general population, and many lose time from work or have to move as a result of their victimization.

Based in Hays, Options serves 18 counties in northwest Kansas. The non-profit organization is working with communities to better combat stalking by raising awareness of the problem, and encouraging communities to adopt multidisciplinary responses by teams of local agencies and organizations, and to provide comprehensive victim services.

Hecker is scheduled to participate in similar proclamations with officials in Stockton Jan. 8, in Phillips County Jan. 9, and Jan. 31 in St. Francis.

If you or someone you know is a victim of stalking, help is available. Call the Options 24-hour helpline at (800) 794-4624 and speak to a trained advocate. You do not have to go through this alone.

ELLIS – Tonight’s meeting of the Ellis City Council will be preceded by a public hearing about unfit properties. Then during the regular meeting, council members will take up the unfinished business of determination on unfit properties.

In other business, approval of 2015 International Building Codes (IBC) for building, electrical, and fire regulation will be considered.

The complete Jan. 2 agenda follows.

 

AGENDA

January 2, 2018

REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS

City Hall – Council Meeting Room

 

PUBLIC HEARING ON UNFIT PROPERTIES AT 6:30 P.M.

BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)

• CONSENT AGENDA
  1. Minutes from Regular Meeting on December 18, 2017
  2. Bills Ordinance #2036

(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda.  By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes.  If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson.  ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment.  Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)

• PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
• SPECIAL ORDER
• UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  1. Consider Determination on Unfit Properties
  2. Consider Approval of 2018 Advertising Packages from Eagle Radio and Eagle Cable TV
  3. Consider Approval of 2015 International Building Codes for Building, Electrical, and Fire Regulations
• NEW BUSINESS
  1. Consider Approval of Application for Local Incentives for D&B Body Shop, LLC
  2. Consider Resolution Waiving Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
  3. Consider Appointments to Senior Citizens Advisory Committee
• REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
  1. Administrative
     • Public Works
       • Comparative Water Report
       • Department Update
     • Police
       • Monthly Activity Report for December
       • January Staff Calendar
       • Department Update
     • City Clerk
       • Draft Minutes from Water Advisory Committee
       • Department Update
     • Attorney
       • Update on Status of Code Violation Cases
     • Mayor Update and Announcements

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

• ADJOURNMENT

 

 

NIDIS

BOULDER, Colo. – As of Dec. 26, abnormal dryness or drought are currently affecting approximately 3,825,000 people in Kansas, which is about 100% of the state’s population.

Just three months ago, nearly 60 percent of Kansas had no drought, thanks to abundant spring rains across much of the state.

All of northwest Kansas is abnormally dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Moderate drought conditions start just south of Ellis County, to include Rush, Ness and Barton counties.