ELLIS–It took the vote of Mayor Dave McDaniel to break a tie vote of Ellis city council members last Monday and approve renewal of the city’s employee health insurance policy with United Health Care. Both options, United and Blue Cross Blue Shield, included increased deductibles for the umbrella policy.

Renewal of the employees’ dental insurance policy with Blue Cross Blue Shield was approved unanimously, noting that premiums had decreased slightly.

The council also heard from Ellis County Emergency Manager and Fire Chief Darrin Myers about the county’s policy regarding sounding of outdoor warning sires during severe weather.

The complete meeting minutes are below.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes June 5, 2017

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
Mayor David McDaniel would like to table consideration of committee appointments until the next meeting.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Buck Driggs, Justine Benoit, Jim Heit, Philip Martin, Dustin Mattheyer, Dan Pyle, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Julie Yarmer, Gary Luea, Darin Myers, Glen Keller, Brad Leiker (arrived at 7:35 p.m.), and Charlene Weber (arrived at 7:43 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on May 15, 2017 and Bills Ordinance #2022. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jim Heit questioned why the tornado sirens did not go off during the last severe weather storm.
Dustin Mattheyer inquired on the timeline for the final cleanup of the street improvement project and when the contractor would be supplying dirt and grass seed for the areas disturbed during construction.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
Industrial Development: Special Project
Philip Martin, City Representative for the Ellis Industrial Development Corporation, reported the EIDC has obtained the old hotel. A potential buyer is interested in the location; however the buyer would prefer an empty lot. The EIDC is requesting City assistance with petitioning the Ellis County Commission to waive the landfill fees for demolition debris. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to ask the Ellis County Commission to consider waiving the landfill fees on the demolition debris of the old hotel for the purpose of economic development. The motion carried 6-0.
Sanitation: Accounting/Billing
Dan Pyle, Superintendent of the Ellis Recreation Commission, petitioned the City Council to consider waiving the sanitation fees for weekly grass pickup. Previously, the Commission dumped the grass clippings from the ballfields and soccer fields along the tree line; however, the grass pile started on fire a few weeks ago. The Commission has agreed to purchase a dumpster to store the grass clippings. Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to waive the dumpster pickup fees for the Ellis Recreation Commission for once a week pickups during the grass season. The motion carried 6-0.
SPECIAL ORDER
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Mr. Pyle continued by presenting the Recreation Commission’s 2018 Budget Request. The Commission is requesting $5,000 for upgrades to the dugouts and ballfields. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Policy
Darin Myers, Ellis County Fire Chief and Emergency Manager, spoke on the County’s policy of when to sound the outdoor warning sirens. Chief Myers specifically discussed the recent severe storm where tornadoes were rumored to have been in the area. Numerous storm spotters and emergency responders were stationed around the boundaries of Ellis and there was not a single report of identified rotation; therefore, the sirens were not activated. Ellis County has a lower elevation than some areas in the state and the National Weather Service radar only picks up weather patterns higher above the county. Therefore, the NWS has informed Chief Myers to rely more on the County’s trained weather spotters over a radar-indicated threat. Chief Myers told Council they can either instruct the County to activate the sirens anytime a severe weather warning is issued, or to only sound the sirens when a reported funnel cloud, either through radar or trained storm spotter, is threatening the area. Once activated, the 40-year-old sirens cycle every 10 minutes as long as the storm is threatening the area. It was the consensus of the Council to continue with the current policy of only sounding the outdoor warning sirens when a reported threat is imminent.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Personnel: Insurance
Julie Yarmer, Freedom Claims Management Inc., was in attendance to once again review the proposal for the employees’ health insurance policy and answer questions from Council members. Both options presented (either renewing with United Health Care or switching to Blue Cross Blue Shield) would raise deductibles for the umbrella policy. The Freedom Choice plan continues to work well for the City, saving the City a considerable amount of money over the last two years. After a lengthy discussion regarding coinsurance percentages and deductibles, Council member Bret Andries moved to renew with United Health Care for the employees’ health insurance policy. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for the vote, Council members Bret Andries, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger voted in favor of the motion; Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton and Dena Patee voted opposed to the motion. Mayor David McDaniel broke the tie by voting in favor of the motion; therefore, the motion carried 4-3.
Personnel: Insurance
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to renew the employees’ dental insurance policy with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Premiums for the dental policy decreased slightly. The motion carried 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Streets: Special Project
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, updated Council on the progress of the Street Improvement Project. Normally, the contractor will perform final grading and seeding towards the end of the project; however, Mayor David McDaniel requested the contractor expedite that process due to residents’ inquiries. Mr. Driggs reported the Trego County Rural Water District is requesting the new curb at the corner of 10th Street and Cottonwood be torn out. From an engineer’s perspective, the added curb and radius provides protection for pedestrians and defines the driveways for vehicles. It was the consensus of Council to leave the curb as constructed citing pedestrian safety and that the curb is located in the City’s right of way. Mr. Driggs added that no opposition was voiced regarding the curb at the public hearing held at the beginning of the project. The project continues to run ahead of schedule.
Streets: Special Project
Justine Benoit, Grant Administrator with the Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, presented the third set of pay applications for the Street Improvement Project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Contractor’s Pay Estimate #3 to Vogts-Parga Construction, LLC in the amount of $193,599.98 for the Street Improvement Project. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Request #3 for Payment of CDBG Funds in the amount of $106,479.94 for the Street Improvement Project. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the related documents for the Street Improvement Project. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
The Kansas Department of Commerce will be here on June 8th to conduct the Project’s first monitoring visit.
Water: Special Project
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, presented the seventh and final pay application for the Waterline Improvement Project. This pay application releases the retainage held throughout the project. Council member Bret Andries moved to approve Contractor’s Pay Estimate #7 to APAC in the amount of $40,550.79 for the Waterline Improvement Project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the related documents for the Waterline Improvement Project. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Land Disposition
Mayor David McDaniel stated that representatives from the Ellis Golf Club were to appear to see if the City might be interested in selling land that surrounds the club house and cart sheds. Being that no representatives were present, this item will be tabled until a future meeting.
Public Works: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman wanted to discuss a drainage issue on the south side of the golf course; however, since Ellis Golf Club representatives were not present this item will be tabled until a future meeting.
Sewer: Acquisition
At the last meeting, Council approved the purchase of a Hach colorimeter for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The final invoice included a freight charge in the amount of $66.39; therefore, Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to ratify the invoice from Hach Company in the amount of $1,407.39. The motion carried 6-0.
Sewer: Acquisition
Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the purchase of a 3,000 lb. tote of aluminum chlorohydrate ACH for the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $1,140, plus any applicable chemical fees, with funds to come from the Sewer Utility Fund. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Financial
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the engagement letter from Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball for assistance with preparing the 2018 budget document. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Special Highway/Sewer: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for the purchase of tires for the front loader. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the low bid from Golden Belt Coop for the purchase of four tires in the amount of $4,111.24, with funds to be split between the Special Highway and Sewer Utility funds. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
At the last Council meeting, Robert Schmidtberger, representing Habitat for Humanity, asked for the City to consider a request to haul a load of dirt to a house on South Walnut to help with a landscaping project to beautify the property. It was the consensus of Council to deny the request.
As budget season approaches, Mr. Scheuerman requested that Council consider putting aside funding for maintaining the 80-year-old dam at the campground and for repairing and maintaining the City’s brick streets. The dam is well past its life expectancy and is experiencing some holes in the structure. Brick streets are very expensive to maintain, but the City has not put money aside to help maintain and repair these streets. Both projects are important to the community.
The Council has set up a Facility Inspection tour for June 22nd at 4:00 p.m.
Work continues on the sludge pit at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Department is waiting on a part to finish repairing the water main break by the cemetery and golf course.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for May and the June Staff Calendar. The Department recently attended a refresher course on field sobriety testing.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Health Insurance Savings Report for April and the draft minutes from City committee meetings. Ms. Burton recently attended the IIMC Annual Conference in Montreal, Canada. On June 1st EMC Insurance conducted the City’s annual worker’s compensation audit and this week the City will begin soliciting bids for the janitorial contract for City Hall.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub provided an update on the status of pending code violation cases. The property owner at 600 Jefferson St. has been given an additional 30-day extension.
Ms. Raub also updated Council on a citizen complaint involving a police officer and the complainant’s dog. The complaint review committee has viewed footage from the officer’s body camera of the alleged incident and has deemed the complaint unfounded.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel offered kudos to the Public Works Department for an excellent job in preparing the cemetery for Memorial Day.
Mayor McDaniel attended the Hays City Commission meeting where the Commission discussed the sales tax proposal from the Ellis County school superintendents. The Hays City Commission is not interested in supporting funding for the schools in this manner.
The old county shop has been purchased by a local resident. There has been a request to trim the trees along the county road. The area is owned by Union Pacific and maintained by the County.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 20-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:48 p.m. Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Dena Patee second a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with City Attorney Olavee Raub and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:08 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
General Government: Policy
Council member Bret Andries moved to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft a resolution providing for the discharge of fireworks from July 2nd – 4th. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

With no discussion, Hays city commissioners unanimously approved revisions to the city’s Development Policy last Thursday.

The policy consists of infrastructure guidelines for new development and was last revised nearly eight years ago, in 2009.

“The development policy supplements the regulations set forth in the city Municipal Code and particularly the Unified Development Code (UDC),” explained John Braun, interim Public Works Director.

City staff developed revisions to the policy and reviewed them with various stakeholders. The Hays Area Planning Commission unanimously approved the changes in April.

Significant changes to the Development Policy include:

1. Eliminated references to the City paying for over-sizing of infrastructure to include water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and street, which includes intersections. This was at the request of the City Commission.
2. Deleted sections requiring developers to pay the equivalent cost of an 8” line to tap into existing water or sewer mains. This was at the request of the city commission to reduce the “high cost of development.”
3. The current policy calls for 8” minimum waterline size. It makes sense to allow smaller lines once past the last possible fire hydrant; therefore, waterlines less than 8” may be allowed by Director of Water Resources
4. Alleys shall be concrete if they convey stormwater. No cost share by the City. Supported by staff to reduce alley maintenance costs and improve stormwater runoff quality.
5. Improvements to Arterial Streets will take place when the following conditions are met:

• The property along the arterial is fully or substantially developed and annexed into the City of Hays
• Traffic counts and/or road condition warrant improvements
• Sufficient funds exist to complete the improvement
•  A developer may choose to fund arterial street improvements, or the City Commission may require the developer to fund arterial street
  improvements if the future expected growth warrants the improvements. A petition for the creation of a benefit district may be submitted by affected property owners to fund arterial improvements.
• Proposed street widths are narrower to reduce construction and future maintenance costs, and for traffic calming. Street pavement width requirements would be:
  o Residential (no curb & no parking) – two 12’ lanes = 24’
  o Residential (with curb & parking) – 30’ BOC to BOC (back of curb)
  o Collector (no curb & no parking) – two 12’ lanes = 24’ (plus 3’ minimum width gravel shoulders)
  o Collector (with curb and parking) – 40’ BOC to BOC
  o Arterial Streets – Based on Engineering Study

6. UDC does not specifically require curb. Stormwater design criteria and performance standards promote the use of ditches over closed
conveyance systems.
7.  Allow for Special Assessment up to 20 years. This was requested by developers.
8. Removed Annexation Section – Consider a separate Annexation Policy.

All the detailed revisions are available here.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

There was a new agenda item during Thursday’s Hays city commission meeting. Mayor Shaun Musil called it “my new favorite item on the agenda.”

City employee promotions and new hires will now be recognized by the commission during their regular meetings which are televised live.

Water Superintendent Tim Huck introduced Steve Werth, the new evening relief operator at the water plant. This is the second time Werth has been with the city. He previously worked 15 years as a water plant operator “so he’s very experienced,” said Huck. “He doesn’t need any training, just walked in like he never left.”

Interim Public Works Director John Braun recognized two Service Division maintenance workers who were promoted from Maintenance Worker I to Maintenance Worker II.

A. J. Wickham was introduced to commissioners on the two year anniversary of her employment with the city. She was hired June 8, 2015. Patrick Martin has worked for the city about one year.

“Both of them met the qualifications and criteria to get promoted,” Braun said. “That ranges anywhere from their attitude to their proficiency in finishing concrete, asphalt patches and a myriad of other skills.”

Commissioners congratulated the employees and thanked them for taking their personal time to come to the meeting.

“I love getting to meet you guys,” Musil added.

DHDC

Leave a lasting legacy and be a building brick in our community through our Buy A Brick Program, building for tomorrow.

This program raises money through the sale of customizable bricks, cornerstones, and benches to be placed in the Downtown Hays Pavilion located at 10th and Main next to the existing grain elevators.

Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC), through private funds and grants, has already raised the necessary funds to build a stand alone outdoor pavilion as well as a public restroom facility.

The funds received from this brick campaign will go towards future maintenance and developments in Downtown Hays. Future enhancements could include a permanent PA system and splash park.

The Buy A Brick program runs May through Oct. 2017:

4” x 8” BRICK – $50 Each
12”x 12” CORNERSTONE – $250 (Only 20 cornerstones are available)
CONCRETE BENCH – $1,000 (Only 10 benches are available)

Purchases may be made at the Downtown Visitor’s Center, 106 W. 12th. Purchase forms are available online.

More information is available by calling Ashley at  (785) 621-4171.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners approved an ordinance Thursday night levying special assessments for improvements to three residential additions and an alley pavement.

The improvements are completed and will be assessed to the property owners in the following improvements districts:

• 46th Street Second Addition Phase II – Water, Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer and Street improvements; 15 year assessment of $281,774.41 split equally among 18 lots
• King’s Gate First Addition Phase II  – Water, Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer and Street improvements; 15 year assessment of $533,978.86 split equally among 23 lots
• Tallgrass Addition Phase V  – Water, Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer and Street improvements; 15 year assessment of $723,324.95 split equally among 33 lots
• S&W Alley Pavement  – Street improvements; 10 year assessment of $67,659.42 split among 19 lots according to the front footage of each lot

Per city policy, the residential developers each provided an upfront payment equal to 30 percent of the costs of the improvements. Those are considered a prepayment of a portion of the costs of each project and will not be assessed to property owners.

A public hearing was held prior to adoption of the ordinance. There were no comments.

 

HCF

For the fifth time in three years, Heartland Community Foundation has awarded grants in Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties. The grant cycle ended on May 15, 2017.

Sixty applications totaling $517,527.44 were received during the application period which ran from April 1 to May 15. Forty-three grants totaling $147,933.00 were announced this week.

Funding for the grants again was made possible by dollars from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

The Hansen Foundation is committed to the sustainability of rural America and supports 26 counties in Northwest Kansas. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation was established as a charitable organization in 1965, with the primary goal of making the communities of Northwest Kansas better places to live.
Established through a generous estate donation from Dane G. Hansen, the Foundation awards grants and scholarships every year to qualified recipients in Northwest Kansas who demonstrate a strong desire for community improvement.

Sandy Jacobs, executive director of Heartland Community Foundation said, “Again in 2017 we are seeing the needs of our communities continue to grow. We work to diligently and prudently review grants to make awards but leave the table having much yet to do. In September 2017 Heartland Community Foundation will be partnering with the Hansen Foundation on “Strategic Doing”, a project to bring together civic leaders in each of our three counties to form collaborations, even complex ones. We are excited to share more on this strategic effort during the summer months.”

Grants awarded in Ellis County were to Learning Cross Preschool – Fitness: Forging Friendships, Finding Purpose and Forever Playing Active, Hays Area Children’s Center – Infant Toddler Playground Project, Early Childhood Connections – Munjor site – Early Headstart AED, First Call for Help of Ellis County – Distribution Room, Holy Family Elementary – Kinder Prep Classroom Supplies, Dialogue Ministries – Breathe Coffee House – Interactive Technology Volunteer Project, Hays Symphony Orchestra Guild – Children’s Halloween Project, Herzogfest, Inc. – Performing Artists, Kiwanis Club of Hays – Kiwanis Park Fitness Trail, Jana’s Campaign – Building on Success: Continued Work to Reduce Teen Dating Violence in Ellis County, Hays Arts Council – Professional Theater for Children and Families, USD 489 Connections – Preschool Library, USD 432 –Victoria High School Agriculture Program, USD 489 Hope Pantry – Boxes of Food for 489 Students, USD 489 Drivers Education – Scholarship Assistance , Hays Community Theater – Final Touches, CASA of the High Plains, Inc., and Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center Basement Renovation.

Rooks County awards included: Stockton Grade School Tinkering Tigers, USD 281 Reading Initiative, City of Stockton Pocket Park – Phase 2, Plainville Fire Department Protective Gear, Sacred Heart Parish Plainville Food Pantry, Damar Community Historical Society Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), USD 271 Tiger Marching Band, City of Plainville Mosquito Sprayer, CASA of the High Plains – Defending Rooks County Children, Rooks County Healthcare Foundation Business Office Modernization and Solomon Valley Manor – Resident Living Experience Enhancement.

Trego County awards were to Trego Arts Club- Children’s Theatre Performances,
Trego County Health Department Medical Equipment Grant, Zion Lutheran Church – Trego Food Pantry, WaKeeney Housing Authority, Catholic Charities of Northwest Kansas Mobile Outreach, Prairie Faith Shared Ministry – Get Up, Get Out, Get Fit 2017, Trego County Historical Society Research Renovation Project, Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center Basement Renovation.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Hays Fire Department will soon have a new fire truck.

City commissioners Thursday night unanimously approved the $601,850 purchase of a 2016 demonstrator Rosenbauer America pumper-ladder truck from Hays Fire and Rescue Sales and Service.

The HFD 2017 budget includes $700,000 from the New Equipment Reserve for the purchase. The department will sell its 2002 pumper-ladder truck to Jon’s Mid America Fire Apparatus of Rogersville, Missouri, for $125,000, resulting in a final cost of $476,850 to replace the current truck.

“The thing that really pushes me to say this is a really good thing is the amount of money you’re getting for the existing truck,” commented Commissioner Sandy Jacobs. “I think that’s a really big thing.”

The new fire truck has a lighter duty ladder and no bucket on the front. It’s more compact than what it is replacing, and that’s the direction HFD needs to be going, Fire Chief Gary Brown told commissioners.

“A more compact pumper-ladder truck is more appropriate for the narrow streets already in the city as well as additional narrow streets anticipated in the city’s future development. It also requires about 25 percent less space to set up and operate, making the truck better to use on congested streets,” Brown explained.

“We wouldn’t be here recommending this if we didn’t think it was perfectly adequate for serving the needs of the city. One is a battleship, one is a destroyer,” he said.

“I appreciate we’re going smaller,” said Commissioner Henry Schwaller. “One of the complaints I hear is we take the bigger truck out, which we have to do to keep it operating, and it uses more oil and more energy. It’s more costly to keep it operating.”

Brown estimated the 2002 pumper-ladder truck uses about 40 percent more fuel than the more compact 2007 pumper-ladder truck the fire department will continue to use.

In other business, the commission accepted the recommendation of the $196,661 low bid from Midwest Public Risk for the city’s commercial insurance policy. The city’s current policy with BRIT Insurance expires July 1. BRIT had submitted a renewal bid of $218,088.

“The outcome translates into a zero percent increase or just $441 more than the prior period,” noted Kim Rupp, city finance director.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The annual Ellis County Relay for Life is returning to a favorite location this year.

The past three years the event was held in the fall at Fort Hay State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum and at the Big Creek Crossing parking lot. Fewer people attended those years. “October is a busy time of year with lots of things going on,” acknowledged RLF volunteer Lonny Claycamp.

This time, the local organizers decided to go back to the tried and true–late spring at the Hays Middle School track.

The 2017 fundraiser for the American Cancer Society is Sat., June 10, 3 to 11 p.m. at the HMS track, 201 W. 29th.

This is the 32nd year of Relay For Life nationally, according to Claycamp, who is a cancer survivor. The 2017 Relay has a Dr. Seuss theme with the slogan “We Don’t Like Cancer Here or There…  We Don’t Like Cancer Anywhere!!!”

“So many things with the American Cancer Society are done through financial donations to Relay For Life,” Claycamp said.

Relay For Life sponsors Hope Lodge, home-like places across the country where patients and their families can stay at no cost when they must travel out of town for cancer treatment.

“I have personal experience myself with that from last year,” he noted.

“Look Better Feel Better” is another Relay program which is dedicated to improving the quality of life and self-esteem of people undergoing cancer treatment. “A lot of people tend to lose their hair and they get depressed about that,” Claycamp said. “The program helps them to try and stay on the upbeat.”

Most of the money raised by Relays goes to research done by and on behalf of the American Cancer Society.

“The survival rate continues to grow because of that research funded by donations, getting them closer and closer to that cure. There are cures for some of the cancers now and we’re working harder towards others.”

Another change this year will come during the luminary ceremony when the names are read of people who succumbed to the disease or are still fighting it. For the first time, Relay participants will gather on the track just before dusk and light their own luminaries for those they are honoring. In previous years, RFL Committee members lit the thousands of luminaries lining the walking track.

“This way you’ve got a little more personal touch,” Claycamp said.

Saturday’s event in Hays will include the traditional survivor and caregivers laps followed by a balloon launch, with the opening ceremony kicking it off at 6 p.m.  A gift basket auction, open to the public, is at 7 p.m. Knockerball of Hays will be on site with the pay-to-play proceeds donated to RFL. Taco Shop will serve tacos at 5 p.m. with a free will offering.

The Drive FORE Cancer golf tournament, sponsored by Eagle Communications, held in conjunction with RFL is Fri., June 9, at the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course.

The Relay For Life Survivor Supper will be held in August with more details to come.

Luminaries can still be purchased. More information is available by calling Mary Ann Randa at (785) 623-1971 and on the Ellis County Relay For Life Facebook page.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Tuesday’s early evening thunderstorm in Hays yielded an official 0.42 inches of rain as measured at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town. No hail was noted.

A little more rain fell in northwest Hays where 0.75 inches was reported and 0.70 inches was recorded six miles north of Hays. The Eagle Media Center, 2703 Hall, received just a quarter of an inch.

Catherine had 0.30 inches.

The moisture total so far this year for Hays is 15.82 inches.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Hays Fire Department wants to replace its 2002 pumper-ladder truck with a 2016 demonstrator pumper-ladder truck.

City commissioners will consider approving the $601,850 purchase from Hays Fire and Rescue Sales and Service during the June 8 meeting. The new equipment reserve budget includes $700,000 for the purpose. The 2002 truck would be sold to offset the cost of this replacement.

Other agenda items for Thursday’s city commission meeting include approval of revisions to the city’s development policy and renewal of the city’s commercial insurance policy with Midwest Public Risk.

A public hearing will also be held for special assessments in the 46th Street Second Addition Phase II, King’s Gate First Addition Phase II, Tallgrass Addition Phase V and S&W Alley Pavement followed by a vote on the ordinance assessing the cost of improvements to the property owners.

The complete agenda is available here. The city commission meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Thu. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.