ELLIS–Ellis City Council members will consider bids for the purchase of Tasers at their Mon., Nov. 7 meeting.

CLARIFICATION: Ellis Police Chief Taft Yates clarified Friday afternoon that his department has had Tasers for seven years, but that equipment has reached the end of its life expectency.

“What we’re considering doing is trading in our current Tasers and upgrading to the current model,” he said.

They city council also hear a report from city representatives about the financial status of the Ellis Golf Club and an update on code violation issues.

The complete agenda follows.

AGENDA
November 7, 2016
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 October 17, 2016
b) Bills Ordinance #2008
c) Manual Journal Entries for April, May, and June
(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)
3) SPECIAL ORDER
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Recommendation from Planning Commission Regarding Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction Area
b) Consider Approval of Contractor’s Pay Estimates #4 and #5 for the Waterline Improvement Project
c) Consider Bids for Trimming Trees at Campground
d) Consider Bids for the Purchase of Tasers
e) Consider Approval of Application for License to Sell Cereal Malt Beverages
f) Report from City Representatives on Ellis Golf Club
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Comparative Water Report
(2) Department Update
2) Police
(1) October Monthly Activity Report
(2) November Staff Calendar
(3) Report on USD 388 Presentation
(4) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Draft Minutes from City Committees
(2) Financial Reports for April, May and June
(3) Quarterly Recycle Report
(4) Department Update
4) Attorney
(1) Update on Code Violation Issues
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
7) EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
8) ADJOURNMENT

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

City staff bid the Hays employee 2017 health insurance program recently and vetted 26 different proposals.

During a city commission work session Thursday night, Human Resources Director Erin Giebler said staff, with approval of the Wage and Benefit Committee, recommends a triple option plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield. The estimated cost is $1,719,500.

Giebler and City Manager Toby Dougherty believe the city is “lucky to have a premium increase in the single digits. Any year you get that is pretty amazing,” Giebler said.

“As we move forward and continue to absorb more increases, employees are just going to have to pay more. That’s just the way it is,” Dougherty said.

The increase isn’t just market-driven, he added, although that is part of it. It’s also utilization.

“We’ve had some pretty high-dollar claims the past few years–the law of averages,” Dougherty said. “If we get lucky and have a good claims year and lots of people take the high deductible plan, we could possibly come back next year with very similar arrangements (for 2018.) That’s what we’re hoping for.”

Dougherty and commissioners were quick to point out most groups are facing hikes in health insurance premiums.

“It’s no secret that every employer, state government and the Affordable Care Act all have been hit with really high premium increases,” Commissioner Henry Schwaller said. “I’m with the state health plan and I’m not satisfied.  I have to pay way more out-of-pocket than I ever have before and there are a lot more loopholes but I’m still very lucky to have it.”

Staff is also recommending the city provide a one-time $150,000 to match employee contributions to health savings accounts. The city has a $9,500  average-per-employee cap on health insurance.

Commissioners will consider the recommendation at a upcoming meeting.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The first step in reconstruction of 8th Street between Milner and Vine Streets has been approved by the Hays city commission.

A $68,880 design contract–the low bid–with Driggs Design Group of Hays for engineering services was approved at the Oct. 27 commission meeting.

The project is part of the 2017 Capital Improvement Plan with an estimated cost of $2.5 million.

8th Street is classified as a minor arterial road constructed of three lanes of concrete with curb and gutter, according to Asst. Public Works Director John Braun.

“Much of the pavement is cracked and deteriorating. The curb and gutter is in disrepair and the existing sidewalks and curb ramps are not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant,” Braun informed commissioners.

The project also includes the upgrade of water services along this section of 8th street during the reconstruction.

8th Street west of Milner was reconstructed in 2006.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

An overnight house fire in Ellis resulted in one fatality.

According to Ellis Police Chief Taft Yates, emergency responders were alerted at 11:02 p.m. Wednesday evening to a house fire in the northwest area of Ellis.

Yates said the fire was extinguished by 11:30 p.m. with residual smoke.

“There was one survivor and one fatality,” Yates said. “The fire is under investigation by the state fire marshal and Ellis Police Department.”

No other information is being released at this time.

In addition to the Ellis fire and police departments, Rural Fire Co. #6, the Ellis County Sheriff and Ellis County EMS also responded.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Significant changes for the livestock and feed industries will go into effect January  1, 2017.

According to Ellis County Extension Agriculture Agent Stacy Campbell, the Veterinary Feed Directive or VFD being issued by the Food and Drug Administration, will change the steps producers need to take to provide antimicrobials in feedstuffs.

“Planning ahead will be key, in adjusting to the new procedure,” Campbell says. “To prepare, producers need to become familiar with the regulation and the associated procedures.”

The Ellis County Extension Office, in cooperation with KSU College of Veterinary Medicine, will present information about the Veterinary Feed Directive Tue., Nov. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the K-State Ag Research Center in Hays. Cost of a meal is five dollars and an RSVP is due by Thu., Nov. 10. by calling (785) 628-9430, or email Theresa at [email protected]u. Walk-ins are welcome although cost at the door is $10 with no guarantee of a meal.

The following evening Wed., Nov.16 another VFD program will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Midland Railroad Hotel in Wilson. Cost of meals and materials is $10. RSVP by Mon., Nov. 7 to (785) 483-3157 or email [email protected].

In collaboration with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension, the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University has developed a new website, VFDInfo.org, which houses modules specific to producers, feed mill operators, veterinarians and distributors. Experts from each sector address concerns and questions to ease the transition under new regulations.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The recent fundraiser by Hays Academy of Hair Design for Ellis County Relay For Life was personal.

The school’s marketing director Len Melvin, along with students and staff, presented an over-sized check for $773.12 Tuesday to RFL Committee member Sharon Leikam.

“One of our instructors, Nicole Kroeger, is a cancer survivor and one of our current students, Rachel Amerin, from Plains, has been diagnosed with cancer, and Rachel is here every day,” Melvin said.

“Most of the money raised by Relay For Life goes to American Cancer Society research to find new treatments and to prevent cancer in the first place,” Leikam explained to the group.

Some of the monies stay local.

“Hays is the hub in northwest Kansas for cancer treatment. Sometimes patients and their families need a place to stay during treatment and we can pay for a motel room for them,” she added.

Leikam’s daughter, Deb Alvarez, is a nurse in the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute at HaysMed and a co-chair of the local Relay For Life which was held Oct. 22.

“Within the last two years, a new drug has been developed that targets lung cancer,” Leikam said, “thanks to research by the American Cancer Society.”

For the fundraiser, Hays Academy of Hair Design picked a Tuesday in October–which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month–to donate half of the day’s proceeds to RFL.

The students themselves help raise funds year round, according to Melvin. It’s called #On Wednesdays We Wear Pink.

“On the first and third Wednesday of each month, we’re wearing pink–a color associated with breast cancer awareness. The students buy special pink T-shirts and then pay three dollars as a RFL donation to wear jeans those days,” Melvin said.

“It’s an industry where we can do this,” Melvin said to Leikam, as she thanked him for the donation and the actual check.

The donation from Hays Academy of Hair Design put the 2016 Ellis County Relay For Life fundraiser at a little more than $35,000.

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

November begins a packed two months of holiday-themed events in Hays along with many other activities.

Janet Kuhn, Convention Marketing Manager for the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, has some of the highlights.

For a complete updated calendar of events in Hays, go to the CVB website.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

It was a hot Halloween in Hays.

According to official statistics from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town, yesterday’s high temp of 92° broke the record of 86° set in both 1938 and 1950.

Russell also set a new record high for Oct. 31 of 87 degrees. The previous record was 85 degrees in 1950.

Goodland and Colby also had new high temperatures for Oct. 31.

Today’s weather forecast calls for cooler, fall-like temperatures in western Kansas.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The annual alley cleanup in Hays is starting to wind down. Collection of unwanted goods began Mon., Oct. 24.

Click on the map to see progress through Fri., Oct. 28.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

A new record high for the date was set in Hays Friday.

According to official statistics from the K-State Agricultural Research Center, the thermometer climbed to 91 degrees. That surpasses the old record–barely–of 90 degrees back on Oct. 28, 1922.

Several records highs were recorded in Kansas Friday.

Sunday’s weather forecast is for a cooler day, with unseasonably warm temperatures returning Monday.