By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

If you live in Ellis County, you’re invited to attend one of three town hall meetings to be held this week by the United Way of Ellis County (UWEC).

The purpose of the meetings is to gather input from people of all ages and backgrounds for community goals and expectations when it comes to social and human services, according to UWEC Executive Director Sherry Dryden. Three core areas will be addressed–education, health and financial stability.

“For many years the United Way has taken feedback from other entities and from United Way worldwide. But we need to hear it from the citizens directly,” Dryden said. “This way we will be able to set our focus on areas that community members have experienced and see that we need to address.

“We are looking to have business professionals, moms, dads, grandparents, children, employers, employees, and social/human service agencies in attendance. Those who have received services, those who have given services, those who have given information for resources of services and those who are kind of aware of services but aren’t familiar with them, and yet they see other needs,” she added. “Really, anyone who has a concern in the social/human service area for Ellis County.”

The town hall meetings are scheduled for Tue.  June 6,  5:30-7 p.m.;  Thu., June 8, 8:30-10 a.m.; and Sat., June 10, 9-11 a.m. All meetings will be held in the Hays Hadley Center, 205 E. 7th St. in the first floor conference room. Directional signs will be posted.

Later this month, the United Way will conduct a community needs assessment survey as a result of the town hall meeting outcomes.

“We want to be able to address it by the time we do our 2018 campaign kickoff which will be at the end of August,” Dryden said. “This will help strengthen not only the United Way of Ellis County but also our 15 partner agencies, and open the door for other entities to have more of a collaboration overall.”

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Kansas legislature passed a bill in 2015 that moved local elections to November. Local elections were previously held in April.

The change at the state level required a change at the local level for many city officials in Kansas.

Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood explained how the city of Hays handled it.

“In order to account for the move to Nov. elections, the city extended the terms of current commissioners that were scheduled to expire in April 2017. There are three commission seats that are up for election in Nov. The three candidates who receive the most votes in the Nov. 7 general election will take office in Jan. 2018,” Wood said.

All Ellis County candidates are now required to file with County Clerk and County Election Officer Donna Maskus. There are two ways to file for election.

Candidates must submit a declaration of intent to become a candidate, accompanied by a $20 fee, or submit a nomination petition signed by 50 qualified electors, or one percent of the qualified electors of the city of Hays, whichever is less.

“In the past they were able to go to their city offices but that law was changed last year and all filing fees went to $20,” Maskus explained. Candidates may also file at no cost with a petition signed by qualified voters.

Filing deadline is Thu., June 1 at noon.

Open seats in Ellis County are as follows:

CITY
ELLIS–Mayor, Treasurer, 3 council seats
HAYS–3 city commission seats (top 2 vote-getters elected to four-year terms; third highest vote-getter receives two-year term)
SCHOENCHEN–Mayor, 5 council seats
VICTORIA–Mayor, 3 council seats

SCHOOL DISTRICTS
ELLIS USD 388–3 seats
VICTORIA USD 432–3 seats
HAYS USD 489–3 seats

A Tue., Aug. 1 primary election would be triggered if there is one candidate more than double the number of open seats in any race. Voter books for the primary election will close Tue., July 11.

The final day to register to vote is Tue., Oct 17 for the Tue., Nov. 7 election.

This year for the first time in Ellis County, residents will also have the opportunity to vote for Ellis County Extension Council members.

“It’s the newly formed Cottonwood Extension District #17,” Maskus said, “a joint district with Ellis and Barton counties.”

There will be two extension council positions voted on in the November general election.

Extension council candidates will still file in the Ellis County Clerk’s office although they have an extended deadline of noon Fri., Sept. 1. “Since they’re only on the November ballot, the filing deadline is different,” Maskus explained.

The filing deadline is also Sept. 1 for residents in four Improvement Districts, again because they are only on the November ballot.

IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
BIG CREEK
PRAIRIE ACRES
MUNJOR
SUBURBAN ESTATES

The names of candidates filing for office are available on the Ellis County website, www.ellisco.net, along with other information about the upcoming elections. If you have any questions, call the county clerk office at (785) 628-9410.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The annual Ellis County wheat variety Demonstration Plot Field Day will be held Wed., May 31, beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a free meal in the Victoria city park.

This year’s demonstration plot has 15 varieties planted side by side north of Victoria at the intersection of Fairground Road and 330th Ave.

K-State Research and Extension specialists will discuss each variety.

“There is always something in the plot to see and learn from whether it is about the individual varieties, insects or diseases that are sometimes spotted in the plot,” said Stacy Campbell, Ellis County Extension Agricultural Agent.

Featured this year is a nitrogen sensor test plot using both sensors hand-held and UAVs  (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) for nitrogen management.

“There’s actually in agriculture now sensors that you can walk, drive or even fly over crops at certain times. It measures the amount of green and the amount of canopy and can tell you if you need more nitrogen or not, based on your yield goals,” Campbell explained.

The technological process, now three years old, can somewhat replace soil testing.

“It’s kind of why the technology was developed. We realize there are a lot of farmers that don’t soil test. This is somewhat of a substitute way to do that,” said Campbell. “It’s used in southern Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, but I think there’s some area for it to fit here and they’ll talk about it.”

Another test plot examines the use of phosphorus. “We know we need phosphorous for wheat and I think we forget sometimes we need it for the other crops, too,” Campbell said.

Several local businesses are sponsoring the free meal immediately following the field day.

In case of inclement weather the field day will be moved indoors to the Victoria VFW Hall, 204 E. Main Street.

All interested people are invited to attend. No RSVP is necessary.

For more information call the Ellis County Extension office at (785) 628-9430.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The city of Hays is hoping to more people will soon be applying for positions with the city which have been difficult to fill the past few years.

The police and emergency communications departments are constantly looking for qualified applicants to fill their positions.

“On average the police department has three vacant positions and the communications department has one vacant position,” Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood told city commissioners last week. He also noted several city employees have left the organization to live in smaller communities.

Salina, Newton, Hutchinson and Derby have relaxed their employee residency requirements, according to Wood, resulting in larger applicant pools.

All city of Hays employees are currently required to live within Ellis County. The city manager, assistant city manager and department heads must live within the Hays city limits. All public safety employees must live within the planning boundary–three miles outside of Hays.

City staff recommended relaxing the residency requirements to find and retain employees. City commissioners agreed.

The proposal: (a) The City Manager, Assistant City Manager and all department directors employed by the City shall live within the City limits. (b) All other City employees shall live within whatever jurisdiction or venue or distance from the City as determined by the City Manager.

“I think it’s really important to stay competitive with areas around us,” said Commissioner Sandy Jacobs. “If they can do this in other areas, we should be able to as well. I know it’s difficult for Police Chief Scheibler (to find new employees). If this aids in him getting a better applicant pool, I’m all for it.”

Vice Mayor James Meier said he had talked with the spouse of a current Hays police officer who said the family wants to purchase a home in Victoria or Ellis. “I think this change is good,” Meier said.

Mayor Shaun Musil pointed out a number of people live in other towns “30 and 40 miles out” and work in Hays.

“My wife is a school teacher and there’s people who drive as far as Phillipsburg to Hays for many years,” Musil said. “To me, opening up the pool is just common sense.”

Currently there are 19 city employees out of 181 who live outside of the town.

“We don’t think employees are going to live outside of the city or move right of way,” Wood stressed. “We do want to compete. If we can one or two employees here or there in the police department, that’s farther ahead than we are today.”

Commissioner Lance Jones agreed with relaxing the requirements, but said he preferred the city commissioners retain the authority to do determine the restrictions. “I’m okay with this. I think this needs to happen for recruitment purposes. It’s expensive to live in Hays,” Jones added. “But the way we’re funded, people who live in Victoria or elsewhere and work in Hays, we’re going to get their sales tax.”

The city of Hays general fund is financed through the city sales tax, the only town in Kansas to do so.

Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve an ordinance that would amend the employee residency requirement to allow the city manager to determine residency requirements based on response times.

Commissioner Henry Schwaller was absent from the meeting.

SHPTV

BUNKER HILL – This summer Smoky Hills Public Television is working with public libraries throughout central and western Kansas to conduct summer reading programs through the Share a Story project.

Share a Story helps children become better readers by inspiring adults to read to children every day. Research shows that activities like these do make a difference. Children who are read to everyday, from birth on, do better in school, become good listeners and writers, and have better language, critical and imaginative skills.

Share a Story is a 45-60 minute program geared toward children ages 2-7. Each program consists of viewing a short clip from a PBS children’s program, reading a related book and doing a simple activity. Each participant receives his or her own book and related materials. The programs begin May 31. The complete schedule is available at smokyhillstv.org.

Simple, fun daily activities like reading aloud, story telling, rhyming, singing, exercise, drawing and acting, teach young children language and literacy skills – and that’s what Smoky Hills Public Television’s Share A Story is all about!

2017 Share A Story Schedule

May 31:
10:00am @ Hoxie

June 6:
10:00am @ Oakley
2:00pm @ Kirwin
4:00pm @ Phillipsburg

June 7:
9:00am @ Goodland
10:00am @ Plainville
10:15am @ Goodland

June 8:
10:00am @ Grinnell
2:00pm @ Ness City

June 12:
10:00am @ Hays

June 13:
10:00am @ Sylvan Grove

June 14:
10:00am @ Russell
11:00am @ Russell
2:00pm @ Jennings

June 15:
10:00am @ Logan
10:00am @ Norton

June 20:
10:30am @ Natoma
10:30am @ Ellsworth
2:00pm @ Great Bend

June 21:
10:00am @ Luray
1:00pm @ Hoisington

June 26:
10:00am @ Oberlin

June 29:
10:00am @ WaKeeney

July 3:
9:00am @ St. Francis
10:00am @ St. Francis
11:00am @ St. Francis

July 6:
10:30am @ Quinter

July 7:
9:00am @ Palco
10:00am(MT) @ Sharon Springs

July 10:
10:00am @ Hill City

July 12:
10:00am @ Stockton

July 26:
9:00am @ Ellis

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Thursday evening’s severe thunderstorm that blew through Hays left some minor damage in its path.

A crop duster plane tied down at the Hays Regional Airport was pushed into a nearby airplane hanger, according to Ovid Siefers, airport manager.

“Winds of a little more than 70 mph went through and broke the plane tie-downs, blowing the spray plane southeast. The tail end hit on a hanger,” Siefers reported Friday morning.

The plane still had unrepaired tail damage from an April 6 storm, Siefers added. He said the plane is not locally owned.

According to Flight Aware, the spray plane is owned by Novasoar in New Orleans.

Lightening sparked a house fire at 418 E. Fifth just before 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, received 1.07 inches of rain. Catherine reported 1.18 inches.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Annual outdoor watering restrictions in Hays will begin Thu., June 1 and remain in effect through Sat., Sept. 30. Outside watering will be prohibited between 12 noon and 7 p.m., when evaporation is at its peak. The directive affects city water customers and those with private water wells.

One exception to the restriction is a watering permit for a lawn newly planted with warm-season grass.

“We’re just in our prime time for buffalo and Bermuda grass. The soil temperature is warming up,” said Jason Riegel, Hays Water Conservation Specialist. “That stuff likes the heat.”

The city is again offering a “Cash For Grass” rebate program.

The program will pay $1 per square foot up to $1,000 per property for the conversion of well-maintained cool-season grass to a less-water intensive type landscape. Artificial turf is eligible as well as xeriscaping with mulch and rocks, and warm-season grasses such as buffalo and Bermuda.

Buffalo grass, a species native to the High Plains, has many benefits. It needs 73% less water than cool-season fescue (seen extensively in Hays)  thanks to its deep root structure. It also boasts less fertilizer and mowing needs than cool-season grasses.

Both residential and commercial properties may apply for the program. There are a few rebates available for properties using a private property well, according to Riegel.

“The first year of the program we didn’t allow private well users. But in the last couple of years we decided to allow a limited number. We definitely don’t see as much water savings, of course. We have no way of metering that water,” he explained.

Residents interested in the rebate program need to have their property pre-inspected.

“We’ll come by and talk, take some measurements and let you know how much you’ll be eligible for,” Riegel said.

More information is available on the city’s website, www.haysusa.com, or calling Riegel at (785) 628-7350.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Spring is here and the Downtown Hays Market will reopen for the season this weekend, Sat., May 27.

“We actually promote it as a farm and arts market,” according to Sara Bloom, executive director of the Downtown Hays Development Corporation (DHDC).

“You’re going to see a lot of produce, of course, and you’re also going to see grass-fed meat, along with handmade arts and crafts such as jewelry and pallet art. You’ll also see a lot of baked goods such as rolls and sweet breads.”

Bloom is hoping this year for the first time breakfast will be served. “We’ll have a vendor who plans to sell breakfast items and coffee in a little gathering area,” she said. “We’re excited to launch that.”

The market opens at the end of May and continues Saturdays until the end of October in the parking lot at 10th and Main. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

“That’s a long growing and selling season so we encourage people to come regularly. Every week there will be different produce and products for sale.”

Bloom estimated there are between 20 and 30 vendors at each market. “Not everybody is here every time,” she added.

Participation for vendors is free.

The Farm To Fork dinner is a fundraiser for the Downtown Hays Market. The evening of fine food, fellowship, and live entertainment will be held Thu., June 1 and Fri., June 2 in the the historic Strand Theatre, 1102 Main Street. The meal will be prepared by Gella’s Executive Chef, Manuel Hernandez, and feature local ingredients provided by vendors of the Downtown Hays Market. Friday’s seating is sold out. Tickets are still available for Thursday.

The money raised during Farm To Fork is used to promote the downtown market and waive vendor fees. “This is the second consecutive year vendors will not have to pay a fee to participate in the market and sell their products and produce,” Bloom said.

Information for market vendors is available on the DHDC website, www.downtownhays.com.

Rules and regulations required by the state of Kansas regarding food safety, licensing and retail sales tax at farmers markets are on the site as well as the vendor participant form used by DHDC.

“We do follow all the Kansas regulations for farmers markets,” Bloom emphasized. “We turn in the sales tax forms which some area markets do not.”

For more information, call DHDC at (785) 621-4171.

ELLIS–With one year left in the Ellis County half-cent sales tax, school superintendents would like to see it extended and earmarked for capital improvements in each school district.

Ellis USD 388 Superintendent Bob Young discussed the proposal at Monday’s Ellis City Council meeting.

The tax sunsets July 1, 2018. Ellis County school superintendents have discussed extending it for up to 25 years. Each school district in Ellis County–Ellis, Hays, and Victoria–would receive a prorated portion of the sales tax proceeds based on the number of students in each district.

Young said each district superintendent is asking their respective city to support the initiative in order to encourage the Ellis County commission to put the proposed education sales tax on an election ballot.

Ellis city council members expressed their support of Young’s continued discussion with the other school districts.

In other business, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported presented the wastewater treatment plant is treating double the amount of water the city is producing, taking in more water than city customers use. Department employees are looking for where the infiltration is occurring and how to solve the issue.

Council members also heard a presentation about the 2017 employee health insurance renewal. Premiums for the city of Ellis increased approximately 5.1%, much less than the 16% industry-wide increase.

The complete May 15 meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
May 15, 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, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Julie Yarmer, Lori Miller, Glen Keller, Chad Pritchett, Robert Young, John Walz, Jessica Shank, Joy Fischer, Dennis Bollig, Lyle Johnston, Kris Bollig, Pat Bieker, Millie Karlin, Doreen Timken, Westin Vine, Robert Schmidtberger, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Gary Luea, Pam Dietrich, Angie Ward, Jim Carthew, Tracy Andrews, Mary Jo Walz, Steve Arthur, Travis Kohlrus, Darcy Kozisek (arrived at 7:35 p.m.), Paulette Harp (arrived at 7:35 p.m.), Pauleen Edmonds (arrived at 7:45 p.m.), Buck Driggs (arrived at 8:15 p.m.), and Justine Benoit (arrived at 8:15 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on May 1, 2017, Bills Ordinance #2021, and the December 2016 manual journal entries. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Robert Schmidtberger, Victoria, addressed Council on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers are working on beautifying a Habitat house on the south end of town and requested the City consider donating a truck load of dirt to the residence to help with the landscaping project.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Report
Fire Chief Dustin Vine thanked Council for the purchase of the used radios from the Hays Fire Department. Five of the City’s volunteer firefighters have passed the Firefighter 1 training course.
Personnel: Benefits
Lori Miller, Heartland Retirement & Benefits Consulting LLC, and Julie Yarmer, Freedom Claims Management Inc., presented the 2017 employee health insurance renewal. The renewal premiums increased approximately 5.1%, much less than the 16% industry-wide increase. United Health Care and Blue Cross Blue Shield provided the most competitive rates for the umbrella portion of the policy. Ms. Miller reported that the City’s partially self-funded structure of providing employees’ health insurance coverage has saved the City over $120,000 over the last two years from that of a fully insured plan.
General Government: Special Project
Bob Young, USD 388 Superintendent, discussed potential funding options for the District’s capital improvement projects. The current County half-cent sales tax sunsets July 1, 2018. Ellis County School superintendents have discussed extending this half-cent sales tax for up to twenty-five years and have the proceeds earmarked for education. Each school district in Ellis County would receive a pro rata portion of the sales tax proceeds based on the number of students that attend each district. By having this potential sales tax help fund capital improvements, any additional bond issue needed could be minimal. Each district superintendent is asking their respective city to support this initiative in order to encourage the County Commission to put the potential education sales tax to a ballot election. It was the consensus of Council to support Mr. Young continuing discussions with the other Ellis County School superintendents in pursuing the education sales tax election.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Jessica Shank, representing the Senior Companion program at Fort Hays State University, thanked the Council for past support and presented the Senior Companion 2018 budget request. Ms. Shank requested consideration from Council for $4,076, the annual support cost of one senior companion volunteer. Joy Fischer presented the budget request for the Foster Grandparent program. Ms. Fischer requested consideration from Council for $1,000 to partially support one foster grandparent to serve in Ellis. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Steve Arthur, Director of the Ellis Public Library, presented the Library’s 2018 budget request of four mills of the assessed valuation, $2,500 for employee benefits, and $2,000 for library programming. The Library is also requesting additional funds for capital improvements, personnel, and projects totaling $12,000. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Travis Kohlrus presented the 2018 budget request from the Ellis Alliance. The Alliance is requesting $12,500, a decrease of $1,500 from 2016. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Pauleen Edmonds presented the 2018 budget request for the Ellis Community Foundation. The Foundation is requesting consideration for $10,000 in funding, the same amount as last year. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Chad Pritchett presented the 2018 budget request from the Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home & Museum. The Chrysler Museum is requesting $17,500, an increase of $2,500 to help fund some needed repairs to the museum. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Glen Keller, Chairman of the Ellis Railroad Museum, presented the 2018 budget request of $16,000 for consideration, the same amount as last year. Mr. Keller informed Council of several repairs that need addressed at the City-owned building, and he will present a formal list prior to budget preparation. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
Parks: Committee
Doreen Timken and John Walz presented the PRIDE Committee’s schematic of beautifying Memorial Park. The Committee hopes to revive existing flower beds and plant new shrubs and flowers as well. The Committee consists entirely of volunteers and completed Phase 1 last year with the removal of the rotted railroad ties and trimming of the lilac bushes. The Committee would now like to start Phase 2, which is the planting phase. The Committee will be responsible for watering the flowers, but the Public Works Department will mow and weed eat the park as usual. The Committee is asking for the donation of mulch, street bricks to build a border in the park, permission to rototill and plant in the specified areas, and for the Public Works Department to supply barricades to allow volunteers to repaint the sunflowers on the main traffic ways. Council member Bob Redger moved to authorize the PRIDE Committee to proceed with the beautification plan for Memorial Park as presented. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. Upon a call for the vote, Council members Bret Andries and Bob Redger voted in favor of the motion, Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Dena Patee voted opposed to the motion, and Council members Susan Eaton and Jolene Niernberger abstained due to perceived conflict of interest, as they serve on the Committee. Mayor David McDaniel, broke the tie vote by voting in favor of the motion; therefore, the motion carried 5-2.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Streets: City Code
Council member Dena Patee moved to approve Ordinance No. 1420 renaming Cottonwood Avenue to Cottonwood Street. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
City Attorney: Contract
Council considered the revised contract from Raub & Zeigler, LLC for City legal services. The law firm will perform up to 18 hours of legal services for the flat fee of $2,500 per month. Olavee Raub serves as the City Attorney, while Cassy Zeigler is the City Prosecutor; however, they will interchange roles as needed due to absence. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the proposed contract from Raub & Zeigler, LLC as presented. The motion carried 6-0.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Gary Luea, Chairman of the Water Advisory Board, updated Council on the status of securing an additional water source for the City. At the last meeting, City Clerk Amy Burton reported the City has received the permits for the appropriation of water for the two wells northwest of town. Mr. Luea reported the next step would be to purchase the land where the wells are located. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to authorize the Water Advisory Board to proceed with the appraisal and negotiations for the purchase of land from the property owners. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Bob Redger abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest, as he serves on the Committee.
NEW BUSINESS
Streets: Special Project
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, updated Council on the status of the Street Improvement Project. The majority of Phase I of the Dorrance and Cottonwood construction work should be completed by the end of the week, weather permitting. The total project is approximately 50% complete, and the contractor is approximately two weeks ahead of schedule.
Streets: Special Project
Justine Benoit, Grant Administrator with the Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, presented the second set of pay applications for the Street Improvement Project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to approve Contractor’s Pay Estimate #2 to Vogts-Parga Construction, LLC in the amount of $218,449.71 for the Street Improvement Project. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the invoice from Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission in the amount of $4,875 for grant administration services for the Street Improvement Project. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Dena Patee moved to approve Request #2 for Payment of CDBG Funds in the amount of $125,022.34 for the Street Improvement Project. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner then moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the related documents for the Street Improvement Project. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Campground: Special Project
Lyle Johnston, representing the Ellis Alumni Association, requested the donation of campground passes to award as hole prizes during the Alumni’s annual golf tournament. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the donation of six campground passes for the Ellis Alumni Association’s golf tournament. The motion carried 6-0.
Sewer: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented three bids for a Hach colorimeter for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The device will test for different chemical compounds and allow the operator to make chemical adjustments more efficiently, thus possibly reducing the amount of chemicals used. All three bids are for the exact amount, therefore Council member Bret Andries moved to purchase the Hach DR900 colorimeter from the Hach Company in the amount of $1,341, with funds to come from the Sewer Utility fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Clerk: Acquisition
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the purchase of 20,000 utility billing pressure seal forms from Hamlin Creative Consulting in the amount of $2,077.20, with funds to come from the Water Utility, Sewer Utility, and Sanitation funds. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Zoning
The proposed location for the Ellis Baptist Youth fireworks stand is in the Central Business District, a zone which does not allow the sale of products of a combustible nature. The City’s Zoning Ordinance provides Council the ability to approve a Temporary Use Provision in any zone for seasonal sales events. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the Temporary Use Provision for the seasonal sale of fireworks by the Ellis Baptist Youth at 826 Washington. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Benefits
The City’s policy for employee group life and disability insurance is up for renewal. The renewal premiums remain the same as the current rate – $8.25 per full-time employee, per month. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to approve the renewal of the group life and disability insurance coverage with the Advance Insurance Company of Kansas. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Benefits
Council discussed the information received from Freedom Claims Management Inc. earlier in the meeting regarding the renewal of the City’s employee health insurance policy. The premiums for the Blue Cross Blue Shield umbrella policy are slightly less than the United Health Care renewal premiums. Council tabled further discussion of the health and dental care renewals to the next Council meeting.
General Government: Contracts
Executive Session
At the previous meeting, City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that the lessee of one of the City’s agriculture leases has defaulted due to nonpayment. Ms. Raub requested an executive session to discuss the City’s options with the lease. A 5-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:37 p.m. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to recess to executive session under Attorney-Client privilege with City Attorney Olavee Raub and City Clerk Amy Burton present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 9:42 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Post Executive Session
Council member Bob Redger moved to accept the payment from the lessee to cure the default on the agriculture lease and to reinstate the terms of the lease dated February 28, 2013. Council member Susan Eaton seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for March 10th – April 10th. Council questioned why the percentage of water accounted for continues to decrease.
Mr. Scheuerman reported that the Wastewater Treatment Plant is treating double the amount of water that the City is producing, meaning that the Wastewater Treatment Plant is taking in more water than the City uses. The Department is searching for where the infiltration is occurring and how to solve the issue.
Sewer: Special Project
Mr. Scheuerman discussed the construction of the sewer sludge pit at the Wastewater Treatment Plant that Council approved back in March 2016. The project was originally approved as not to exceed $5,000; however, expenditures to date exceed $15,000 and the sludge pit is still not completed. Mr. Scheuerman explained that the design changed from dirt berms to concrete stem walls, resulting in the increased costs. Council expressed concerns that the body was not informed of the design change and the increased costs until after the fact. Mr. Scheuerman shared that even with the overage, the project is still less than the engineer’s estimate of $60,000 to have a contractor construct the sludge pit. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to ratify the expenditures to date of constructing the sewer sludge pit, and to increase approval of the total project to $23,000, with up to $13,000 to be funded out of the Capital Improvement Fund. The motion carried 6-0.
Executive Session
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 15-minute executive session was proposed starting at 10:04 p.m. Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded 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 5-1, with Council member Jolene Niernberger opposed. The Council returned to open session at 10:19 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented an update for the Police Department. Bicycle safety classes have been conducted at both elementary schools.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the December 2016 financial statements consisting of the Statement of Accounts, Treasurer’s Report, and the Security Deposit worksheet.
The City has received the annual dividend check from EMC Insurance in the amount of $17,846.09.
Swimming Pool: Repair/Maintenance
City Clerk Amy Burton reviewed correspondence received from Natare Corporation regarding the recent repairs made to the liner at the swimming pool. The work completed was not found to be under warranty and the City owes the company for the work performed.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub updated Council on the status of the pending code violation cases. Two of the properties have a hearing scheduled in municipal court on May 19th, and one is set to be demolished.
Ms. Raub has dictated a letter to the complainant in a report filed involving a police officer and the complainant’s dog. Ms. Raub will offer more information when the letter is finalized.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel read two letters received from individuals praising the Ellis Police Department. One letter thanked Chief Taft Yates for helping them find a residence located within the street construction area; and the other letter commended the Department for their actions at a recent school event.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 10:43 p.m.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

More people were ‘Flying Hays’ in April.

According to Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood, enplanements at the Hays Regional Airport were up 27 percent year-to-date.

Still, it needs to be better.

“We have about 25 to 30 people that fly out every day, but we have the capacity to take out over 100 people every day, so we’re still not meeting the capacity that we have,” Woods explained. “So, we encourage anyone who wants to fly to at least check out Hays and see if the rates and schedule will work for them.”

In order to hit the mark of 10,000 passengers a year, which qualifies Hays for additional funding from the Federal Aviation Administration, an average of 833 people need to fly out of Hays each month.

Tickets for United flights can be booked at www.flyhays.com.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Greg Sund, the Hays public works director, has resigned from that position to take a job in Colorado.

Sund’s resignation is effective at the end of the month, confirmed Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood Wednesday afternoon.

“We have not discussed yet what the process will be to fill the position,” Wood said.

Sund has been offered and accepted the position of city manager for Trinidad, Colorado. He was one of two finalists.

Sund has been the Hays public works director for nearly two years, since June 2015. Previously he served as the first Ellis County administrator from 2010 to 2015.

Assistant Public Works Director John Braun said he expects an interim director will be appointed, “probably me,” while a national search is underway to fill the director’s position permanently.

Sund was not available for comment.