TOPEKA—Governor Sam Brownback issued the following statement Thursday after learning of the death of Nicodemus resident Gil Alexander, 60, whose inspirational story behind finding a kidney donation gained nationwide attention and was featured in the 2013 Brownback family Christmas card.
“Gil was a deeply respected member of the community, brilliant farmer, talented musician, and a good friend. His story touched thousands of lives, and he worked with passion to bring the importance of organ donation to the public conscience,” Governor Brownback said. “I’m happy I have the pleasure of knowing him and so saddened about his passing and the loss for the community of Nicodemus.”
Alexander farmed a large swath of land originally homesteaded by his great-grandfather Samuel Garland, who was born into slavery in Mississippi and later served as a Buffalo Solider stationed at Fort Leavenworth.
Alexander’s reputation was as a good neighbor, known for supplying sensible advice and serving as a pillar of the community. He was involved in developing the Kansas Black Farmer’s Association, and he served on the local library board. He also was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Nicodemus, playing piano and singing in the choir.
Rob Robinson and Gill Alexander, together in Nicodemus Dec. 8, 2012, after Robinson donated a kidney to Alexander on Nov. 26.
He gained nationwide attention in 2013 when media shared the story of his friendship with Rob Robinson, a Mississippi man who had knocked on Alexander’s door asking to hunt on his property. The two men formed a close relationship. Robinson found he was a perfect match to donate a kidney to Alexander, and ended up saving his life that way. Later, the two advocated on behalf of organ donation together, including through a 2014 visit with Governor Brownback at the Kansas statehouse.
See the 2013 Hays Post interview of Alexander and Robinson in Nicodemus in which Alexander said “Nobody but God could put us together like that.”
Alexander’s funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday at First Missionary Baptist Church in Nicodemus. Memorial contributions can be made to First Missionary Baptist Church, Nicodemus.
An update of proposed traffic roundabouts on north Vine Street will be presented to Hays city commissioners during their meeting tonight.
Other agenda items include adoption of the 2018 employee pay plan and job classification as well as selection of the low bid for light cleaning and video inspection of 100,528 linear feet of the sanitary sewer.
Department heads will also introduce new employees and recognize internal promotions.
Prior to the meeting at 6:15 p.m., Mayor Shaun Musil will sign a Constitution Week proclamation. Several members of the local Courtney-Spalding Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be present for the signing.
The complete meeting agenda for Sept. 14 is available here.
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
UPDATE at 3:30 p.m.: Saturday’s public forum with the Kansas Legislature’s Women’s Caucus has been canceled.
According to Kathy Rome, the two Republican lawmakers have had a change in their schedules and will not be able to attend. Rome says organizers hope to reschedule the event.
The newly organized Hays/Russell chapter of Women for Kansas is helping to sponsor a public forum Saturday featuring a bipartisan group of female state lawmakers who helped to find the solution to the tax issue this past legislative session.
Representatives Cindy Holscher (D-Olathe), Stephanie Clayton (R-Overland Park) and Sydney Carlin (D-Manhattan) of the Kansas Legislature’s Women’s Caucus, will speak about how and why the caucus formed. The women will also discuss important legislation of the 2017 legislative session, upcoming elections and share the strategic vision of the caucus.
Perhaps most importantly, the trio will talk about how to get more people involved in politics.
The basis of that, according to Kathy Rome of Hays and a member of the local Women for Kansas chapter, is getting people registered to vote.
“We had a voter registration booth at the Ellis County Fair this summer,” Rome said.
The group is forming a leadership team comprised of several women from Hays and Russell. Although they have not yet set a schedule of regular meetings, Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus and Russell County Clerk Mary Nuss recently spoke to the chapter about election laws in Kansas.
Rome, a former teacher, is the northwest Kansas Uniserv Director for the Kansas National Educators Association and has long been aware of politics at the state level. She first learned about the Women for Kansas group during the 2014 gubernatorial election and attended their convention in Wichita.
“It sounded like an organization I’d like to be involved with,” she said, “and ever since then, I thought it would be nice if we could get a group going in our area.”
Rome talked with several women, including former State Senator Janis Lee, who expressed interest in the idea. Core members of the leadership team include Hays residents Rome, Lee, Dawn Berry, and Celeste Lasich and Russell resident Ann Blessin-Deyoe.
“Anybody is welcome to join our group. It is definitely bipartisan,” Rome added. “We just focus on the issues that are going on locally.”
The Hays/Russell chapter of Women for Kansas plans to host a speaker in November to address Medicaid in Kansas, which is “a concern of many people” Rome believes. They also will help with a Oct. 17 local candidate debate in conjunction with Fort Hays State University and the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce prior to the November general election.
For more information about joining the Hays/Russell chapter of Women for Kansas call Rome at 785-259-1456, Berry at 785-483-2066, Lasich at 507-530-3671, or Blessin-Deyoe at 785-483-2066.
The Kansas Bipartisan Women Legislators Forum is Saturday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Stouffer Lounge of the Fort Hays State University Memorial Union. The public is invited.
The event is sponsored by the FHSU groups Phi Kappa Phi, Student Government, Collegiate Democrats, and Collegiate Republicans, the FHSU Political Science Department and the Hays/Russell chapter of Women for Kansas.
Bryan Zollinger, owner of Synergy Supplements and HHS boys basketball Rule 10 coach
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Bryan Zollinger is excited to be back in Hays after nearly 30 years and “bring his coaching career full circle.”
The 51-year-old got his start coaching 28 years ago as an assistant to Rick Keltner, the Hays High School boys basketball head coach.
Zollinger went on to Atwood High School where he was the head basketball coach and assistant football coach to Dan Lankas during a portion of Lankas’ 17 winning seasons with the Atwood Buffaloes. Later, Zollinger moved to the junior college ranks as both an assistant and head basketball coach. The last 10 of those years were at Seward County Community College in Liberal where Zollinger coached the SCCC Saints to five Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Western Division championships and two regional championships. During that time Zollinger coached six All-Americans and won nine Coach of the Year awards.
“After 23 seasons in the trenches of college coaching and becoming a father, I felt it was time to make some changes that were more conducive to raising my daughter,” Zollinger said. “It was creating a lot of stress in my life. I was torn between what I needed to do as a college coach and being home with my daughter. I didn’t think I was doing the right thing as a coach or as a single dad. Ultimately, I felt the right thing to do was choose family.”
Synergy Supplements, 1702 Vine
Thus, the recent move back to Hays where his parents Joe and Euleta Zollinger and his sister Amy Wasinger live, and the decision to start a small local business.
His five-year-old daughter is in kindergarten at O’Loughlin Elementary School where Wasinger teaches third grade. “We moved up here from Liberal, the only home she’s known, to be around mom and dad and my sister and her family. It’s been wonderful,” he said with a smile. “I felt this was the best place to raise my daughter and to try to put down some roots and build something for my daughter’s future.”
Zollinger recently opened Synergy Supplements, 1702 Vine, which offers nutritional supplements of all kinds for all goals.
“My interest in starting this business was born out of my love for helping people reach their goals in sports,” he explained. “I’ve been studying exercise and nutritional supplementation for most of my adult life and this seemed like the best way to continue to pursue that passion, albeit in a somewhat different fashion.”
Customers of Synergy Supplements asked for essential oils to be stocked.
Zollinger’s interest in nutritional supplements began when he was a high school athlete to stay healthy and help improve his performance on the court. Since then, he says, “it grew into a passion. Whether people want to lose weight, get stronger, address a certain health concern or perform better in competition, we can help.”
A selection of bodybuilding products is also available at Synergy Supplements and Zollinger is offering essential oils at the request of customers. “I’m learning it’s a very popular thing.”
“The biggest portion of our store is aimed at general wellness, the health aspect,” Zollinger said. “Weight management, controlling cholesterol, men’s health, women’s health, all types of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and different things to just keep you healthy.” If you can’t find what you want, Zollinger will order it from his distributors.
Product lines include Life Extension, Doctor’s Best, NOW, Bio Nutrition, Health from the Sun, Nature’s Alchemy, Mushroom Wisdom, Plus CBD, Nature’s Way, Terry Naturally, Optimum Nutrition, and BSN. According to Zollinger, most of the products are derived from foods and natural plants. Old ‘”folk remedies” are making a comeback, he says. “Cod liver oil is popular again.”
One of his most popular supplements is Curamin, an all natural, non-addictive supplement used to relieve pain, one of the best-selling products in the industry.
Zollinger encourages people to discuss their health history with him, including medical prescriptions and other supplements they take, in order to customize the supplements to each individual and to avoid interactions.
As a baby boomer himself, Zollinger is hyper-aware of the body’s changes as we age. “Women going through menopause, men with prostate problems, the immune system gets a little bit weaker and we can’t fight infections as well as when we were younger. There can be bladder problems and also problems with the thyroid. Sometimes it gets out of whack and that affects all the hormones in your body.”
Everybody has a flagging energy level occasionally. Zollinger says you don’t have to consume high doses of caffeine to become more alert. “There are things available now that increase your body’s natural energy production in different ways that don’t make you jittery or high-strung.”
There are also natural sleep remedies using milk peptides that are “much milder than prescription sleep aides and don’t give you that hangover effect the next morning.” he said. “They’ve isolated these compounds that you can take 20 to 30 minutes before you go to sleep. You get a better night’s sleep and don’t wake up feeling groggy.”
Cookies that are good for you from Lenny & Larry’s Complete Cookies.
Most people spend money on products to make themselves look good on the outside. Zollinger is more concerned about the inside. He firmly believes vitamin and mineral supplements are an “investment in your health and your body,” he said. “If you’re not healthy and can’t enjoy your life, that affects everything else.”
After high school, Zollinger played college basketball at SCCC and Grand View College in Des Moines, Iowa. While attending Fort Hays State University in the late 1980s to finish his teaching certification, he played throughout Kansas on traveling teams.
And, Zollinger is still coaching. “It was also a blessing that when I got back to Hays I was contacted by Rick Keltner who let me know he had an opening on his staff if I was interested. I’m excited to be a part of this community again, and hopefully, to help HHS and Coach Keltner build on their tradition.”
Synergy Supplements is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information is available at www.synergysupplementsks.com and on Facebook or by calling 620-482-0536.
City commissioners talk about how to increase sales tax revenues in Hays.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Hays city commissioners spent more than a half hour during their Thursday night work session talking about how to grow the local economy.
Commissioner Henry Schwaller had requested the agenda item to specifically address how the city can help increase sales tax revenues which fuel the General Fund.
First acknowledging the price downfalls in oil and agricultural commodities, coupled with a dramatic change in the retail store environment, Schwaller then concluded “we need to take action. It’s going to take something special.”
Schwaller presented a list of American new store openings by U.S. retail industry chains with planned expansions through the year 2020, including ALDI, T.J. Maxx and Dicks Sporting Goods. “It’s pretty clear that even though we have a large number of commercial vacancies now, most notably in a 40-year-old shopping mall, these retailers are not going into a mall. Their model is different. So what are we willing to do to recruit a retailer?”
“I think we have to be careful about giving the farm away,” said Mayor Shaun Musil, “but I think we’ve got to be looking at everything, not just retail.” Musil also mentioned high land prices which he said “seems like a big problem, whether it’s true or not. It’s all the city ever hears about (concerning commercial development.”)
Earlier this week the city announced it will give away the two acres it owns for development of a mixed-use facility between Fort Hays State University and downtown Hays. “I think it’s a great step forward,” Schwaller said.
Commissioner Sandy Jacobs cautioned against using a “broad brush format” to recruit retailers. “Everyone is going to have a different idea of what they want.”
She told commissioners the Salina Central Mall is losing its Dillard’s store and “they’re going to change how they look at the mall. They’re going to restructure that north end of the mall where Dillard’s was and it’s going to have outside entrances. … I think of Town Center in the southern part of Kansas City.”
“If we truly know a business wants to be here, we should be on their doorstep talking to them,” Jacobs emphasized. “We need to let them know we want them to come to our community.”
Schwaller asked if the city should send a representative to the national trade show of retailers. Commissioner Lance Jones suggested the city might create a new employee position to “do economic development and go recruit businesses.”
Jones was more concerned about a need for affordable housing. “People don’t want to bring their families here and live in houses that have been retrofitted for college kids, and that’s what our housing is. We don’t have apartments for families and we don’t have affordable houses.”
Vice-Mayor James Meier, the city’s representative on the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, was also concerned about “unrealistic” land prices. He had a larger question about slow population growth. “How do we grow our 20,000 population to reach 25,000 people,” Meier asked. “We’re a regional hub with a population that’s not quite large enough (to entice retailers) with a unemployment rate that hovers around three percent. You can look at those things in a positive light, but from a retail point, I think those things are not positive.”
Meier then brought up something city staff has talked about with the Hays Area Planning Commission, calling it “one of the best things we could do in the short term, and that’s to improve the north Vine corridor access.”
“It’s something we can actually do, that is within our realm, to open up access to businesses that are on Vine. By doing that it will open access to property that has not been developed, both north and south of the interstate.”
City Manager Toby Dougherty said KDOT is interested in Hays’ proposal for 3 traffic roundabouts on north Vine St.
City Manager Toby Dougherty interjected with some good news.
“We finally this week got KDOT (Kansas Department of Transportation) approval for the roundabout concept we’ve been tweaking for the past year,” Dougherty told commissioners.
“We’ve already talked to the property owners along there. So, I think it’s time to find out what’s it going to cost to build this. It would dramatically increase access throughout the corridor.”
Dougherty has been monitoring traffic on Vine Street since demolition of the former Ambassador Hotel, 3603 Vine, began early this year. “It’s like the old ‘Frogger’ video game, trying to get out of the west side. That’s not sending a positive message to visitors.”
An update will be presented at next week’s regular meeting. The preliminary plan calls for creating three traffic roundabouts on north Vine Street.
Although Schwaller had asked at a meeting last month if the city wanted to help pursue development of a convention center, no mention was made of it Thursday.
City commissioners will discuss options for increasing sales tax revenues and a possible convention center Thursday.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
Thursday’s agenda for the Hays city commission work session includes a discussion of what the city’s role should be in helping to increase sales tax receipts.
The city’s General Fund is financed exclusively by sales tax revenues, helping keep down the mill levy. Hays is the only city in Kansas to finance its General Fund this way.
Commissioners will also discuss whether to assist in pursuing a convention center in Hays. Both topics were suggested by Commissioner Henry Schwaller during the Aug. 10 regular meeting.
“What can we do to grow our sales tax?” Schwaller asked his fellow commissioners.
“What role would the city commission like to play as a catalyst to increase retail development? We’d all like another grocery store. We’d all like other places to shop. What role could we play in that with our economic development policy?”
Schwaller asked another question related to economic development.
“Would we like to take another attempt to have a developer build a convention center? These are things, that if we were able to do them successfully, would create more traffic to Hays and more revenue.”
“I second that,” Commissioner Sandy Jacobs commented quickly.
“I do, too,” said Mayor Shaun Musil, adding that he has a concern about economic development. “We (commissioners) have been pretty loud about it that we’re not happy with what’s going on. I think we need to be part of it, if we can be.
“A lot of people don’t think a convention center is important, but there are others who think it would be very important. I’d like us to explore every avenue possible. I don’t think the city should every own it,” Musil emphasized. “I think it would be a big plus for our community.”
No specific options for a convention center have been identified at this time, according to Assistant Hays City Manager Jacob Wood.
“It’s something the city has talked about for a long time and there have been proposals on the table in the past,” Wood said during a Tuesday news conference. “There’s nothing in the works right now, but it seems like the commission may be interested in doing something down the road.”
The former Ambassador Hotel and Conference Center, 3603 Vine, closed Dec. 1, 2015. The facility hosted a number of small conventions in Hays over the years while it was a Ramada property and as a Holiday Inn Holidome. The structure has been demolished and debris is currently being removed from the site.
Other agenda items for the Sept. 7 work session include discussions of the employee 2018 pay plan and job classification and a sewer cleaning bid. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.
W. 10th Street development project between Ash and Elm
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
“Land cost should not be an issue,” said Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood Tuesday as he announced the “West 10th Street Development.”
The city-owned property on the north side of West 10th between Elm and Ash Streets, plus a lease for adjacent parking, will be given to the developer selected by the city.
Requests for proposals (RFPs) are being sent out for the project to developers across Kansas. A link will also be available on the city’s website, www.haysusacom. “We’re excited about this here at the city,” Wood said during a news conference.
The location, just north of the railroad tracks and within easy walking distance of Fort Hays State University (FHSU) and the downtown Hays commercial district, was previously owned by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR).
“We’re interested in any kind of mixed-use development, such as a retail store on the bottom floor and apartments up above, multi-family residential, or a commercial development,” Wood explained.
(Click to enlarge)
The city owns the 1.26 acre site, along with a 0.93 acre lease secured from UPPR for parking. It sits one block from the downtown Hays commercial district and a little more than one block from the FHSU campus.
According to Wood, the area historically was used for parking by the old railroad passenger train depot. As he understands it, the depot “just kind of disappeared overnight. Union Pacific tore it down without giving much notice to anybody (after it was no longer used.) The city did purchase that property and it’s really just been used for parking ever since.
“We want to develop as much of the site as possible. If the city were to require someone to put in a bunch of on-site parking, that means there’s less space for the building. Since we have parking across the street (to the south), they don’t have to worry about that.
“The intent is to leave this thing as wide open as we can and see what we get,” said Wood.
The city has reserved the right to cancel the RFP or select none of the proposals submitted.
“We’re going to let the developer decide what to put there. City staff will review it and then the city commission will make a decision and some kind of agreement.”
Wood acknowledged high land prices in Hays can hinder development.
“People really complain about the price of land here. That’s the biggest thing we hear from outside developers is that the cost of land is too expensive. So this is an opportunity. The cost of land is pretty cheap if it’s free,” he said with a grin.
The city also thinks the land location is good, within one of the most visible corridors in the community.
“We’ll just have to see what the developers think, if that’s a good location, halfway between FHSU and downtown,” said Wood. “It’s gonna have to be something they want to do, what they think the market can bear, and also something the city commission thinks will work in that area.”
The property is in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, an area eligible for property tax rebates on the increased value of the property once the project is complete.
Gov. Brownback talks about 1,600 new jobs coming to northeast Kansas with the addition of a $320 million Tyson poultry complex.
OFFICE OF GOV.
TOPEKA – In rponse to strong consumer demand for chicken, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) today announced plans to build a $320 million poultry complex in eastern Kansas.
The company will construct a processing plant, hatchery and feed mill near the city of Tonganoxie, in Leavenworth County, which will employ approximately 1,600 people and contract with northeast Kansas farmers and ranchers to raise chickens. The operation, currently scheduled to begin production in mid-2019, will produce pre-packaged trays of fresh chicken for retail grocery stores nationwide.
“More people want fresh food and as one of the world’s leading protein companies, we’re well-positioned to provide it,” said Tom Hayes, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “We believe this new operation, which will incorporate the latest production technology, will enable us to meet the sustained growth in consumer demand for fresh chicken.”
The poultry plant will be capable of processing 1.25 million birds per week, increasing Tyson Foods’ overall production capacity. The payroll and payments to farmers from the new operation, along with its purchase of grain and utilities, is expected to generate an annual economic benefit to the state of Kansas of $150 million.
“Kansas will be an outstanding home for this Tyson complex,” said Governor Sam Brownback. “Growing Kansas means we must grow the food and agriculture sector which accounts for nearly 45 percent of the state’s economy. The far-reaching impact of this development will be felt by farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and communities throughout eastern Kansas. This is a step in the right direction to further diversify and grow our state’s economy.”
The Governor emphasized the importance of local-level support for economic development. “Kansas is known throughout the world for our commitment to animal agriculture and for our communities which offer an exceptional place for companies of this quality to find a talented workforce in a business-friendly environment.”
“Tonganoxie is looking forward to a successful partnership with Tyson Foods,” said Tonganoxie Mayor Jason Ward. “We have planned for a development of this type for many years by making strategic investments in public infrastructure targeted to support future industrial growth. This project will bring much anticipated opportunities for local residents to enjoy the quality of life benefit of working close to home. Tyson has a long history of support for small towns and local markets. They will be a great fit for our community.
Mark Loughry is a former Hays assistant city manager.
“The Leavenworth County Board of Commissioners is excited that Tyson Foods will be opening a state-of-the-art poultry processing facility in southern Leavenworth County,” said Mark Loughry, Leavenworth County administrator. “This represents a significant investment by Tyson and creates new jobs at the plant for our citizens. More than that, it provides an opportunity for area ag producers that was previously unheard of in Kansas.”
Loughry is a former employee of the city of Hays working as assistant city manager, city clerk, finance director, and information technology director during 2000-2009.
“We believe eastern Kansas is the right location because of the availability of grain and labor, as well as access to our nationwide customer base that is accessible through the state’s top-notch transportation network,” said Doug Ramsey, group president of Poultry for Tyson Foods. “We’re grateful for the tremendous support we’ve received for this project from Governor Brownback, as well as leaders from the City of Tonganoxie, Leavenworth County, the Leavenworth County Development Corporation, and a host of other city, county and state officials.”
Tyson Foods anticipates purchasing about 300 acres of property south of Tonganoxie and currently plans to break ground sometime this fall. The company will work with outside contractors to build the plant, hatchery, feed mill and related infrastructure and expects the construction project to involve hundreds of workers. Farmers and ranchers who have interest in raising chickens for the new poultry complex are encouraged to go to www.growwithtyson.com for more information.
Earlier this year, Tyson Foods announced it was moving to No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) in its Tyson® branded retail chicken products, making it the world’s largest producer of NAE. The Tonganoxie plant will be part of the continued expansion of the company’s NAE offerings.
Tyson Foods currently operates facilities in six Kansas communities, employing about 5,700 in the state with an annual payroll of more than $210 million. In its 2016 fiscal year, Tyson Foods paid Kansas cattle suppliers more than $2 billion and hog suppliers more than $1.3 million. The company estimates its total statewide annual impact for fiscal 2016, including grain purchases, utilities, property taxes and charitable contributions to be more than $2.4 billion.
About Tyson Foods, Inc.
Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 114,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.
ELLIS–The Ellis City Council will meet in regular session tonight, Tue., Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Agenda items include a Comparative Water Report from the Public Works Department and information about joining the Tree City USA program.
The complete agenda follows.
AGENDA
September 5, 2017
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)
1) CONSENT AGENDA
a) Minutes from Regular Meeting on August 21, 2017
b) Bills Ordinance #2028
(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.)
2) PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
a) Presentation of Certified Municipal Clerk Plaque
3) SPECIAL ORDER
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Consider Agreement for Administrative Consulting Services with Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Approval of Credit Card Resolution
b) Consider Approval of Street Seal Project
c) Consider Approval of Contract with Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Comparative Water Report
(2) Department Update
2) Police
(1) Monthly Activity Report for August
(2) September Staff Calendar
(3) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Tree City USA Program Information
(2) Draft Minutes from Committee Meetings
(3) Department Update
4) Attorney
(1) Update on Status of Code Violation Cases
(2) Update on Citizen’s Claim for Damages
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
7) ADJOURNMENT
Whether you’re looking for heart-pounding races at the RPM Speedway or the more sedate surroundings in the Ellis County Historical Society Museum and its two new exhibits, you can find it all in Hays during September.
Melissa Dixon, Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, has the highlights.
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For details and an updated community calendar, call the Hays Welcome Center at 785-628-8202 or check the CVB website www.visithays.com.
“Strategic Doing” will be happening during the next two months in the three counties served by the Heartland Community Foundation–Ellis, Rooks, and Trego.
“The mission of HCF is to meet the charitable needs of our communities through responsible investments,” HCF Chairperson Susan Bowles recently told Hays city commissioners. HCF enables donors to fulfill their charitable desires and is building a permanent endowment.
HCF works with the Greater Salina Community Foundation. “They help us ensure these investments are quality and that they are sound,” she added.
The foundation supports communities through grants, awards and scholarships.
Recent financial support to HCF from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan, has “given us an opportunity to provide funds to all three counties, and especially to Ellis County and the city of Hays,” Bowles said.
The Hansen Foundation has asked that “Strategic Doing” meetings be set up in the three counties by HCF to bring community members together and identify priority projects for communities in the member counties.
“We will create goals, develop action plans, and ultimately, see that the action plans are accomplished.
“Ensuring that we have successful participation, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will provide for the Heartland Community Foundation $1.2 million for our three counties over the next four years.
“That’s a lot of funds that can come our way,” Bowles said with a smile.
Hays residents Susan Bowles, chair, and Dr. Kendall Krug, board member, Heartland Community Foundation
Bowles stressed the meetings are open to the public and encouraged city commissioners to attend the Ellis County meeting. It will be held Monday, Sept. 25, 6-9 p.m., in the Fort Hays State University Robbins Center. Dinner will be provided. RSVPs may be made by calling Sandy Jacobs, HCF executive director, at 785-621-4090. Jacobs is also a Hays city commissioner.
“I’m sure on a weekly basis you are all contacted about needs we have in our community. It would be wonderful if you could bring those concerned people to the meeting,” Bowles suggested to commissioners.
“We want you to share this with the community,” she urged. “We hope to have great participation and ultimately, determine what the needs are in our community, how we can financially support them and see that they really do happen.”
“Strategic Doing” will be held Sept. 12 in Rooks County and Oct. 16 in Trego County.
ELLIS – The Ellis Railroad Museum will get a sprucing up thanks to Ellis resident Sam Pyle. As part of his Eagle Scout project, Pyle will clean out the museum, patch the floor, and paint the floor and walls. Glen Keller of the Ellis Railroad Museum recently introduced Pyle to Ellis city council members and said the museum will purchase needed supplies.
In other business at the Aug. 21 council meeting, Water Advisory Committee member Gary Luea reviewed the Water Exploration Project. Luea said Ellis is ahead of most cities looking for water and has already secured additional water rights.
Following Luea’s presentation, an executive session was held to further discuss the water exploration project and the acquisition of real estate. No action was take during the executive session.
No public comments were made during a public hearing for the proposed 2018 waterline project. An engineering agreement with Driggs Design Group of $79,865.36 was approved for the plan. The work is contingent upon Ellis receiving Community Development Block Grant funding for the project.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
August 21, 2017
PUBLIC HEARING – 2018 WATERLINE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Water: Special Project
Mayor David McDaniel opened the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, provided an explanation of the proposed 2018 Waterline Improvement Project, as illustrated on the project boards. The City will submit a grant application in September to partially fund the project with Community Development Block Grant funds. No objections from the public were noted; therefore Mayor David McDaniel closed the public hearing at 7:08 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, and Dena Patee. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Bob Redger was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Glen Keller, Justine Benoit, Buck Driggs, Nickole Byers, Dan Pyle, Sam Pyle, Brian Raub, Gary Luea, and Cheryl Kinderknecht.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on August 7, 2017, Bills Ordinance #2027, with the exception of the bill from Larned State Hospital, and the July manual journal entries. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Glen Keller, Ellis Railroad Museum, introduced Sam Pyle to the Council. Mr. Pyle plans to renovate a room in the Museum by cleaning it out, repatching the floor, and painting the floor and walls as part of his Eagle Scout project. The project has already been approved by both the Museum Board and the Eagle Scout committee. The Museum will purchase any supplies needed. Council members thanked Mr. Pyle for his work on the project.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Report
Fire Chief Dustin Vine provided an update for his department. Brianna Witchey, Volunteer Firefighter, is taking a grant writing class and will be able to help the Department with their grant application for the air packs.
Personnel: Entry
Chief Vine announced that Brad Deines has been voted onto the Department to fill one of the three vacancies.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Street: Special Project
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, presented the Change Order Justification Report for the Street Improvement Project. All punch list items have been completed and the project ended up approximately $30,000 under the grant award. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the Change Order Justification Report as presented. The change orders totaled $11,919.50. The motion carried 5-0.
Street: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Driggs informed Council that he is unable to determine the cause of the settling of the Dorrance Street bridge until the sidewalk panels are removed. Once the panels are removed, Mr. Driggs can inspect underneath and propose a plan to stabilize the bridge and sidewalk. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Susan Eaton seconded a motion to have the Public Works Department remove the sidewalk panels on the Dorrance Street bridge to determine the underlying settling issues. The motion carried 5-0.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Gary Luea, Water Advisory Committee, reviewed the timeline of events leading up to the current status of the Water Exploration Project. The Project is important in that future droughts are certain to occur and may extend for longer periods of time, putting even more strain on our current water source. Mr. Luea stated that Ellis is ahead of most cities looking for water in that the City has already secured additional water rights.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel requested an executive session to further discuss the water exploration project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10-minutes to hold a discussion prior to the acquisition of real estate pursuant to the acquisition of real property exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(6) with City Attorney Olavee Raub, Gary Luea and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman present. The open meeting will resume at 8:01 p.m. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. No action was taken in executive session.
POST EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to have Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman obtain bids to survey the land around the water well property. The motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Water: Contract
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, presented his contract for services for the proposed waterline project. The contract is contingent on the City receiving Community Development Block Grant funds. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to accept the Agreement for Professional Engineering Services for the 2018 Waterline Improvement Project from Driggs Design Group in the amount of $79,865.36. The motion carried 5-0.
Water: Special Project
Justine Benoit, Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission presented two resolutions for the proposed 2018 Waterline Improvement Project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 538 certifying the City’s legal authority to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds and authorizing the Mayor to sign the related documents. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Council member Jolene Niernberger then moved to approve Resolution No. 539 assuring the Kansas Department of Commerce that the City will provide for continual maintenance and operation of the waterline system to be financed with CDBG grant funds. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Water: Contract
Ms. Benoit continued by discussing Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission’s contract for administrative grant services for the proposed waterline project. This item will be tabled to give Council time to review the contract.
General Government: Contract
City Attorney Olavee Raub presented two bids to survey the Ellis Golf Club to determine the City’s property lines. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to accept the bid from Driggs Design Group in the amount of $1,500 to survey the Golf Club. The motion carried 5-0.
Streets: Event Request
Ellis Scouts Pack 115 has requested permission to close Washington Street between 14th and 15th Streets on August 27, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. for their annual soapbox derby. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Susan Eaton seconded a motion to approve the Public Property Permit Application for Ellis Scouts Pack 115 as presented. The motion carried 5-0.
Streets: Event Request
The Ellis Chamber of Commerce has requested permission to close Washington Street between 10th and 11th Streets on September 9, 2017 from 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for their annual Vintage on the Bricks event. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion to approve the Public Property Permit Application for the Ellis Chamber of Commerce as presented. The motion carried 5-0.
Sewer: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for the purchase of chemicals for the sewer plant. Council member Bret Andries moved to accept the low bid from Brenntag for a 3,000 lb. tote of aluminum chlorohydrate in the amount of $1,140 plus $150 shipping/handling with funds to come from the Sewer Utility Fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Capital Improvement: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman presented two bids from local contractors for the repair and replacement of the south access door of City Hall. The existing wood frame door will be torn out and replaced with a steel frame and door. Council member Dena Patee moved to accept the low bid from Stan Honas to perform the repair work in the amount of $5,400, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement Fund. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Contract
Connie Waldschmidt has agreed to continue with the City’s janitorial contract at the same price. City Clerk Amy Burton presented the proposed contract with minor revisions. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to approve the contract as presented. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Policy
The City has received increasing complaints on residents parking vehicles on their property. Current city codes prohibit non-operable vehicles from being parked for periods of time; however, the City doesn’t have regulations regarding operable vehicles. After discussion, it was the consensus of Council to not propose any additional regulations prohibiting operable vehicles on the owner’s property.
General Government: Special Project
Council member Bret Andries asked about the Tree City USA Program and the requirements to rejoin the program. The City has lost many trees over the last several years due to age and storm damage. City Clerk Amy Burton will provide information regarding the program at the next Council meeting.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period June 10th – July 10th. The Kansas Rural Water Association is working with the City to determine why the percentage of water accounted for is decreasing.
The Department sent 4-5 employees to WaKeeney for several days to help with cleanup from the recent hail storm. Mr. Scheuerman thanked Dean Gottschalk for his assistance in hauling the City’s backhoe back and forth from WaKeeney.
The repairs on 6th Street have been delayed due to sending part of the Department to WaKeeney to help with storm cleanup.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reminded residents to pay attention to the school zones with school starting this week. Several members of the Department will help with the muscular dystrophy fundraiser at Casey’s General Stores.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the July Financial Statements consisting of the Statement of Accounts, Treasurer’s Report, and Security Deposit worksheet. The draft minutes for the July and August Tourism Committee meetings were included, and Ms. Burton reviewed the Health Insurance Savings Report for July. Eight applications have been received to date for the vacant Clerk II position, and Ms. Burton has started interviewing candidates.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported three pending code violation cases. Negotiations are underway between the property owner and the potential buyer for the property on 12th Street that suffered fire damage.
Vogts-Parga has agreed to pay Mark Flax $197.34 for damages to his rental property during the Street Improvement Project. Vogts-Parga is requesting a release from further liability prior to payment to Mr. Flax.
Ms. Raub will meet with the Museum Board presidents on September 7th to finalize proposed revisions to the lease agreements.
Attorney: Training
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to approve Ms. Raub and City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler to attend the City Attorney’s Association of Kansas Fall CLE meeting on September 15th in Wichita. The motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Update and Announcements
On September 23rd, a gubernatorial candidate will hold a town hall meeting at the Ellis High School auditorium.
The Senior Advisory Committee is co-hosting an event on August 28th at the Good Samaritan Center on quality of life and living wills. Randy Clinkscales will be presenting the program.
The League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference is September 16th – 18th.
Personnel: Policy
Mayor David McDaniel asked for Council to consider granting an extension for City Clerk Amy Burton to use 47.5 hours of her vacation leave after her September 10th anniversary date. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to approve extending the deadline for Ms. Burton to use her remaining vacation leave to December 31st. The motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
Brandon Coleman of HDR Engineering, the city’s Owner’s Representative for the wastewater treatment plant remodel.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
“We’re about three months into the project and it’s just kind of getting underway.”
Brandon Coleman, HDR Engineering, is assistant project manager for the reconstruction of the Hays wastewater treatment facility. He gave a status update to city commissioners during their Thursday night meeting.
The plant must be overhauled to meet future nitrogen and phosphorus limits as required by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Environmental Protection Agency. The Design/Build team for the $28.4 million project is Burns & McDonnell and CAS Constructors.
The most visible change at the site, 1498 E. U.S. Highway 40 Bypass, is construction activity. A new south entrance and access road have been built, a water reuse filling station relocated and there has been demolition of trickling filter and DAF equipment.
The public can watch the work via a live web camera installed by city workers on the northwest corner of the site looking to the southeast. The YouTube channel is available on the city’s website. Currently, excavation is underway for the influent pump station.
According to Coleman, the Phase 1 demolition, scheduled for July 1 to October 20, got a late start.
“They’ve switched to go to five 10-hour work days and have since made up some of those delays and actually think they’ll finish ahead of schedule,” Coleman reported.
Excavation for the influent pump station
The excavation, to be done between July 14 and October 13, is also about two weeks behind schedule but “that work is not on the critical path so it won’t affect the construction schedule overall. The contractor is aware of it and trying to watch the schedule,” he said.
Notice to proceed with the upgrade was issued May 31, 2017. The project is scheduled for completion August 29, 2019.
In other business Thursday night, commissioners approved the low bid of $27,400 by Swaraco Reflex, Mexia, Texas, for reflective glass beads to be used on runway markings at the Hays Regional Airport.
According to Airport Manager Ovid Siefers, bead reflectivity issues have resulted from a combination of an inadequate paint machine being used and lower than recommended bead application rates. On May 11th, the city commission approved the purchase of a new paint sprayer, which will address the application deficiency. The purchase of reflective glass beads will address the material deficiency.
