Becky Kiser – Page 86 – Hays Post Archive

🎥 Marketing of early morning flight return to target businesses

Posted on August 27, 2016August 26, 2016

SkyWest, flying as United Express, at the Hays Regional Airport — Marketing of the reinstituted early morning flight at the Hays Regional Airport will focus on business travelers.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

After operating without an early morning flight at the Hays Regional Airport since January 2015, SkyWest/United Express will reinstate the popular 6:40 a.m. weekday departure beginning the first week of January 2017.

The city of Hays received confirmation of the decision by SkyWest August 19.

City Manager Toby Dougherty is delighted about the change. He anticipates the schedule modification will also apply to the weekend.

“When SkyWest instituted services as United Express in Hays in August of 2014, we had a very similar schedule. The plane spent the night here, left early in the morning for Denver, a mid-day turn around, and then came back late at night. In Jan. 2015, SkyWest had to make some modifications in their fleet and they had to move the plane to a place where it could be more lucrative from a business standpoint to spend the night. They chose to move the overnight portion to another airport…the (subsequent) 10 o’clock arrival in Hays and 10:35 departure we have in the morning is about as early as they can get it when the plane doesn’t spend the night here,” Dougherty explained.

“Evidently the decision has been made that it’s more lucrative to put it here in Hays, and I believe, it’s also in hopes of increasing ridership, increasing passengers to Hays Regional Airport.”

Dougherty has the same hope.

“It’s been no secret that we at the city have been a little frustrated by the amount of passengers that have been utilizing the Hays Regional Airport,” he said.

“Back four, five and six years ago, we were approaching 10,000 annual passenger boardings with Great Lakes–a very unreliable airline flying old equipment on a somewhat unreliable schedule. And, it was an extremely expensive ticket because it was always an add-on ticket. You paid your price to get from Hays to Denver and back and then you paid the price of your ticket to somewhere else,” Dougherty pointed out.

Yet, Hays has averaged fewer annual boardings–about 8,000–the past two years with SkyWest.

“SkyWest flies top-of-the-line 50-passenger regional jets, gets to Denver International Airport in 40 minutes. Fares are very competitive with United Airlines. You book your ticket online at United.com. It’s a seamless, dynamic pricing so you’re not paying the leg to Denver and then somewhere else,” Dougherty said.

He understands the schedule can be a challenge if trying to get to some certain destinations, but believes “by-and-large, it was still a good schedule.”

After doing some research, it became apparent the number of business travelers was down more than the numbers of leisure travelers at the Hays airport. A survey of the local business community revealed the lack of an early morning flight was the number one reason for the downturn. Price was mentioned but not as significant.

All of the information was shared with SkyWest by Airport Manager Nathan Marcucci.

For months, the city had already been encouraging local and area businesses to “Fly Hays” whenever possible, sending a message of “use it or lose it.”

“We didn’t dream SkyWest was going to put the early morning flight back in January,” Dougherty said in amazement. “Evidently they see potential and have reinstituted it.”

The city continues to encourage increased ridership, especially for business use.

“I understand a little bit about the economics of what it takes to fly a jet in and out of the Hays Regional Airport and it’s extremely expensive. Even with the Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidies they’re getting from the federal government, you still depend on passengers to make this route profitable.”

During the first five months SkyWest was in Hays and providing the early morning departure, “we didn’t exactly rush back to utilize it as a flying public,” Dougherty noted.

There’s a back story to that.

“We were coming off a couple negatives–negative number one was Great Lakes. Great Lakes was a terrible airline and they did not serve our community very well, especially the last couple years they were here. They had a flight completion percentage of somewhere around 50 percent towards the end–meaning half the flights wouldn’t even go,” Dougherty recalled.

Great Lakes then discontinued its service before SkyWest began its contract awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, leaving Hays without commercial air passenger service for four months in 2015.

“We know that had an effect on our flying public and when SkyWest came in under United Express…we were slow to come back and they saw the (financial) possibility of moving the (overnight) plane somewhere else after five months. It was highly unlikely to me they were going to preemptively move it back.

“Evidently they see the potential. They’ve heard the feedback from some of the larger businesses–Fort Hays State University, Hays Medical Center–and they see the potential in what a morning flight could provide.”

Promotion and advertising the use of the Hays Regional Airport will continue and even ramp up, according to the city manager.

“The analogy I used in a recent staff meeting was McDonald’s McRib campaign–‘You asked for it. The McRib is back.’

“Well, Flying Public, you asked for it. The early morning flight is back and that’s what we have to promote.”

Although Dougherty personally has never found it difficult to overcome the mid-morning versus early-morning departure, he understands going some places can be difficult.

“I think some people got caught in the traffic of trying to come back to Hays where you had to be in Denver at noon or 1 p.m. (Mountain Time) in order to catch that last flight back. That’s where it could be really difficult. If you’re coming from an east coast location, it may be difficult to get out of there early enough to get to Denver to come back.

“So, the late arrival that comes with the RON–Remain Over Night–with the plane staying overnight in Hays, that late arrival is just as important to flexible schedules as the early morning departure is. They kind of go hand-in-hand.”

Part of the promotional campaign, marketed by the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, focuses on affordability.

“When you take in account the time to drive to Wichita, Kansas City, or Denver, it can be affordable to fly out of Hays. If you’re a leisure traveler with family members, you have to consider the costs of drive time, meals, parking and maybe a hotel stay versus the additional $100 to $200 per ticket.

“If you’re flying on business–usually it’s just one person or maybe two–the business also has to value the employee’s time, the productivity, perhaps paying mileage if the employee has to drive, the expenses that come with travel, the employee being out of the office (for a longer time). Therefore the convenience becomes a lot more affordable for a business.

“It’s been the business community saying this airport is absolutely critical to our success. That’s why this latest outreach has been at the business level….we think they got a little used to driving to other airports and didn’t give Hays the full consideration they should have.”

In an email to Hays Post Thursday, City Commissioner James Meier said he’s starting his own marketing campaign.

“I have asked city staff and other city leaders to please stop talking about SkyWest and to start talking about United or United Express so we have a unified, clear message to send to the public.

“I think by talking all these years about ‘SkyWest’ that people are thinking about ticketing and pricing in terms of the old Great Lakes where people had to get a ticket to Denver and then a second ticket to wherever they were going. With Great Lakes it was ‘add-on pricing,’ meaning they paid a fair on United and then another fare to Great Lakes.

“This isn’t the case with SkyWest as SkyWest operates completely under the United system. Flying from Hays now is no different than flying from Wichita, Kansas City, or anywhere else there is United,” reminded Meier. “You may change planes… but it’s all one ticket because it’s all United.”

Meier said he thinks the flying public is checking prices to Denver “because that’s what they’ve always done, and then deciding the price is too high, not realizing they need to price their ticket from Hays to their final destination.”

According to Meier, all the United ticket prices he’s checked “are $350 to $450 round trip to pretty much anywhere in the U.S. from Hays.”

Heads up: Hall Street north of 27th is now 3 lanes, not 4

Posted on August 25, 2016

A contractor for the city of Hays began restriping north Hall Street as three lanes Thursday afternoon.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Drivers on their Friday morning commute to school or work in west Hays need to pay extra attention.

A contractor for the city began working late Thursday afternoon to restripe north Hall Street between 27th and 41st from four lanes down to three lanes.

Hays Assistant Public Works Director John Braun said Thursday night the middle lane turn arrows may not be placed until Monday.

“It will be an adjustment for drivers,” Braun acknowledged, “although studies show it is a safer traffic configuration.”

He noted that when east 13th Street between Vine and Canterbury was re-striped to three lanes in late 2013, some people complained but have since realized the traffic is more efficient.

Milling and an asphalt overlay on the north section of Hall Street was completed earlier this month.

🎥 Early morning flight to return at Hays Regional Airport in January

Posted on August 25, 2016August 25, 2016

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty said he “was shocked,” although in a good way, when conformation came last Friday that an early morning flight would be reinstated at the Hays Regional Airport by SkyWest/United Express in early January 2017.

“They are reinstituting the early morning departure with the late arrival,” Dougherty said.

The plane will originate in Hays with the first flight to Denver International Airport at approximately 6:40 a.m. There will be a mid-day turnaround, meaning the plane will come back into Hays, unload passengers and board new passengers, and then head immediately back to Denver. There will be a late arrival in Hays at about 10 p.m. with the plane remaining overnight, then leaving again the next morning on the same schedule.

The Monday through Friday schedule is scheduled to start the first week of January.

Dougherty had not yet seen a weekend schedule. “On the weekends where we only have one flight in and one flight out, I assume it’s going to be a morning departure with a later arrival because I would assume the plane will spend the night in Hays on the weekends as well.”

The schedule change was a SkyWest decision and Dougherty is not aware of their process or strategy leading to it.

He is, however, very happy with the change.

Passenger boardings at the Hays airport have been averaging 8,000 a year since SkyWest service began in Aug. 2014. In Jan. 2015, SkyWest made modifications to its fleet and as a result, dropped the early morning flight out of Hays.

Boardings four, five and six years ago with then-provider Great Lakes, which Dougherty called “an unreliable airline,” averaged 10,000 passengers a year. He hopes SkyWest ridership will increase with the return of the early morning flight out of Hays.

Use of the Hays airport for business trips has fallen off although pleasure flights remain stable.

The city, along with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, “reached out to the business community to find out why they weren’t using the Hays airport as often,” Dougherty said.

“Feedback showed a lot of people lamented not having that morning flight and claimed that was their biggest barrier. We understand there are times it’s not going to work out, but when it does, we need the business community to use the Hays airport.”

Price was also mentioned in the recent online survey, the results of which was shared with SkyWest/United Express by Hays Airport Manager Nathan Marcucci.

“Evidently, they were listening,” Dougherty said.

“We had reached out to the business community with the message that if you want the morning flight back you’re probably going to have to earn it with higher utilization before they’re going to put it back.

“We didn’t dream they were going to put it back in January. Evidently, SkyWest sees potential in the Hays morning flight and they reinstituted it. Now, I hope our passengers appreciate it and utilize the Hays Regional Airport whenever possible.”

Although “there’s never a guarantee in the airline industry, right now, SkyWest has indicated to us it is their intent for this to be a permanent move. But if we don’t respond as a flying community and enplanement levels stay somewhere to what they are, the next time they need the jet somewhere else overnight, it’s probably gonna get moved. The way we can make it permanent is by utilizing it,” Dougherty emphasized.

Price will always be an issue flying out of Hays, he acknowledged. “We will never be cheaper than Denver, Wichita, Kansas City, Dallas–places like that with many more flights a day.

“It costs a lot of money to fly any plane in and out of the Hays Regional Airport.”

And yet, there’s still more good news for Hays passengers.

“I do know SkyWest has reached out to United and they are in the process of lowering fares for the future. In conjunction with the morning flight, they’re having a lower fare rollout–across the board, if they can.

Dougherty said he’s already aware of some people who booked flights after January 1 finding fares significantly cheaper in some cases as compared to December travel for the same flight.

“All we can ask is for the flying public to check United.com for flights out of Hays first,” he urged.

🎥 City to consider adoption of updated zoning/subdivision regs and zoning map

Posted on August 23, 2016August 23, 2016

City Commissioner Lance Jones takes a closer look at the proposed revisions of the Hays zoning map.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“There’s always a transition no matter what,” acknowledged Hays Director of Public Works Greg Sund, “and the Neighborhood Conservation Zones are in there to make the transition as easy as it possibly can be.”

The city of Hays is updating its zoning and subdivision regulations for the first time since 1974. After more than two years of work, the result is a new user-friendly Unified Development Code (UDC) and a revised zoning map.

Both documents were approved by the Planning Commission following public hearings and recommended for approval to the city commission.

Major changes to the revised Hays zoning map include new Neighborhood Conservation (NC) Zones. Sund called it “a really innovative approach to zoning.”

Greg Sund, Public Works Dir., explains the concept of Neighborhood Conservation zones.

“It takes all of the existing residential areas of town and puts them in specific zones so they are protected in whatever the zoning allowances were before the (new) law is adopted. Oftentimes when you go through a complete rewrite (of zoning codes) like we’re going through now, a lot of properties can be dropped into what’s called a non-conforming condition. By doing these Neighborhood Conservation areas…it keeps all of their zoning the way it is and all of the abilities they have, plus it also gives them some of the extra-added benefits of the Unified Development Code (UDC),” Sund explained.

Commissioner James Meier asked if “somebody comes in and buys several properties–a half block or a full block whether it has existing housing on it or not–say, the development on (west) 33rd Street that’s happening right now, and it’s in a Neighborhood Conservation district. Say they want to make some change to it that doesn’t fit that current NC district. So then that’s gonna have to go through rezoning and this map is going to change, right?”

“If they want to change the use of the area, it would have to be rezoned,” Sund answered. “The Neighborhood Conservation protects the people that are using it for what it’s historically been used for. But if you want to change it, you need to involve the neighbors and ensure they have opportunity for input–things like that.”

Another new zone that has been established is Mixed Use.

“If someone wants to make changes that aren’t allowed in their current zone, we would be happy to look at establishing some of the Mixed Use zones to promote more variability,” Sund said. “We want to encourage development.”

“Absolutely,” agreed Vice Mayor Shaun Musil.

The new Residential General (RG) zone will “push together a lot of those zones that are more separate in the current code,” Sund said, “and it makes far more options for development in the future. We don’t have R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4. We’re pushing them into the Residential General zone.”

revised zoning maps — Side-by-side comparison of the current and proposed Hays zoning maps.

The current zoning map includes properties that are undeveloped and unplatted but zoned 30 or more years ago, according to Sund, which would revert back to Agricultural zones. “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to have a zone of Industrial if the property owners don’t really ever intend to do anything with it. And if they ever do, we can come back and look at rezoning it again. It’s easier for the current zone to match what the use is instead of projecting something on a property owner they don’t want.”

“It was pretty common the way zoning was done 30 years ago, being proactive and setting zones anticipating where the city wanted to develop and how to develop, ” Sund added.

Project consultant Brett Keast, Kendig Keast Collaborative, reviews highlights of the zoning changes with Hays city commissioners July 21. — Project consultant Brett Keast, Kendig Keast Collaborative, reviews highlights of the zoning and subdivision changes with Hays city commissioners July 21.

City commissioners will consider adoption of the new UDC and the revised zoning map as recommended by city staff and the Planning Commission during their meeting Thu., Aug. 25. A representative of the project consultant, Kendig Keast Collaborative, will attend the meeting.

The commission meeting will start one hour late, at 7:30 p.m., to allow city officials to participate in the annual Campus-To-Core event welcoming college students to Hays.

The Aug. 25 agenda can be seen here.

At The Rail: Putting a price tag on adequacy

Posted on August 22, 2016

By MARTIN HAWVER

While we’re all waiting for that 9 a.m. Sept. 21 hearing before the Kansas Supreme Court on the K-12 school finance lawsuit—and the likely post-general election decision—there are some interesting issues floating around the Statehouse on the Gannon vs. Kansas case.

This portion of the near-eternal battle between Kansas school districts and the state is over just how much money the state needs to spend on K-12 education. The test? It’s the constitutional requirement that “the Legislature shall make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests of the state.” That means making sure that all school districts have enough money to meet the educational standard set by the Legislature, and that the Legislature appropriates enough money to make sure they can.

That standard is the one Kansas lawmakers recently bought into when they adopted the so-called “Rose Standards” for accomplishment. Those standards? They mirror closely those adopted by Kentucky in 1989 after a school finance lawsuit. Yes, that sounds a little old, 1989, but they sound pretty good.

Those standards for computing whether schools are doing their job—and whether the state is providing enough money to allow schools to do that job—may be a little difficult to test. Among those standards: communication skills; knowledge of economic, social and political systems; understanding of governmental processes; knowledge of one’s own mental and physical wellness; grounding in the arts; and sufficient preparation in academic or vocational fields to enable students to choose a career and enter either higher education or the workplace.

Now, those all sound like the skills that we want Kansas schoolchildren to carry out of their high schools along with their diplomas. Doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

The state is just starting to test schoolchildren on those skills, and those tests are still being touched-up so that we can tell whether those students are meeting those goals, or some percentage of students are meeting those goals so we can believe we’ve given them a good start for the rest of their lives.

But, that hearing is going to be Sept. 21, and the whole issue gets a little intense because measuring those standards will be difficult. Figuring out what meeting those standards will cost in districts which range from just a few square miles to hundreds of square miles will be tricky. You gotta get the kids to the school building and make sure that they’re fed enough that they aren’t hungry during maybe that class where they are being “grounded in the arts.”

Oh, and while the court will be considering whether it can come up with a number that it will require the Legislature to meet on financing schools, chances are slim that it will be able to, say, subtract the cost of football or basketball or debate or such from the Legislature’s responsibility to provide equal opportunity for the state’s 278 school districts to offer those Rose standard teachings to the students.

It all gets very complicated, and while the school districts challenging the state’s level of funding for K-12 maintain that they don’t have enough state money to meet those standards, the state is maintaining that they have enough money if they’d just spend it on teaching those Rose standards in the classroom with less administrative costs.

What’s the right number for the court to order lawmakers to pony-up? Is that—you gotta love the word— “justiciable.” This spring’s decision by the court that the Legislature wasn’t equitably appropriating its share of Local Option Budgets and capital outlay funds was relative simple. It was a matter of long division that the Legislature probably should have known wasn’t right. But to make sure the Legislature fixed that relatively simple “equity” issue, the Supreme Court did have to threaten to close the schools if lawmakers didn’t fix it.

That equity issue was simple, and relatively cheap—about $42 million or so in additional state funding to fix. But putting a pricetag on adequacy so school districts have enough money to teach to those Rose standards—some estimates are $500 million or more in additional funds—yes, things get complicated quickly.

The Legislature is waiting to see what number the court comes up with…if it determines that it can determine just what adequacy is going to cost.

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com

W. Kan. communities awarded Mental Health Substance Use Prevention grants

Posted on August 21, 2016August 17, 2016

KDADS

TOPEKA–Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Acting Secretary Tim Keck announced the award of 17 grants totaling $580,000 for the Kansas Prevention Collaborative – Community Initiative (KPCCI).

Grantee organizations will use these funds to address the problems of underage drinking and/or youth marijuana use and to produce sustainable system changes in their communities to discourage those behaviors.

Secretary Keck recognized the importance of addressing substance abuse concerns locally and in an integrated fashion, saying “Data at both the state and national level underscore that a comprehensive prevention effort is the most effective approach. Research also shows a strong correlation between binge drinking and depression and suicide.”

“We know that underage drinking and other substance use is oftentimes associated with multiple behavioral health issues, so this grant will allow communities to utilize data to better understand these complex relationships,” Secretary Keck said.

“This funding will allow us to enhance our local-level prevention efforts by increasing capacity across the state,” said Sarah Fischer, Director of Prevention and Promotion Services at KDADS. “It will help communities analyze and address the presence of risk factors that can contribute to behavioral health concerns, such as adverse childhood experiences, divorce, poverty and low educational achievement.”

The 17 Kansas coalitions awarded grants include:

· Central Kansas Partnership, Barton County

· Finney County Community Health Coalition Inc., Finney County

· Haysville Healthy Habits, Sedgwick County

· Safe Streets Wichita, Sedgwick County

· Jefferson County Alliance of Service Councils, Jefferson County

· Manhattan Area Risk Prevention Coalition, Riley County

· Marion County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, Marion County

· CATCH Coalition, Meade County

· Morris County Anti-Drug Task Force, Morris County

· Olathe Communities That Care, Johnson County

· Drug Free Osage County, Osage County

· Quality of Life Coalition, Dickinson County

· Reno County Communities That Care Coalition, Reno County

· Coalition for Children and Families, Rice County

· Substance Abuse Task Force, Safe Streets, Shawnee County

· Rossville Safe Streets, Shawnee County

· Sumner County Community Drug Action Team, Sumner County

The grant initiative is designed to allow communities to address local alcohol and marijuana concerns but also to explore how behavioral health concerns such as suicide and problem gambling, and depression can impact youth and adult drug use.

Communities will utilize the Strategic Prevention Framework model designed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to assess their local needs, build capacity and create a plan during this 10-month planning grant award period.

The coalitions awarded grants will be supported in their efforts by KDADS and its partners in the Kansas Prevention Collaborative (KPC).

About the Kansas Prevention Collaborative

The Kansas Prevention Collaborative was created in 2015 in an effort to integrate and innovate behavioral health prevention efforts. A partnership of several different state, educational and provider agencies, the KPC’s goal is to expand prevention efforts to be more inclusive of mental health promotion, suicide prevention and problem gambling education and awareness, as well as to increase the availability of resources to adequately fund local-level prevention and promotion strategic plans. For more information, see https://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/behavioral-health/consumers-and-families/services-and-programs/kpc.

The KPC’s new website can be viewed here: https://kansaspreventioncollaborative.org.

🎥’It’s all good,’ although ‘S.S. Pokémoney’ was a little pokey

Posted on August 20, 2016August 19, 2016

pokemoney boat — Kelly Fross, customer service representative, Darla Braun, senior vp, and Shelby Crabill, bank teller, in front of their Bank of Hays ‘S.S. Pokémoney.’

Pokémon

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Everywhere you looked during the first-ever Hays Duck Derby last week, there were smiling faces.

The new fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County brought an estimated 1,000 adults and youngsters to the Hays Aquatic Park Aug. 10 to enjoy the fun and sun.

Even Darla Braun, Bank of Hays Senior VP, had a smile on her face although she was about to face a daunting challenge.

According to Braun, “we struggled to come up with a theme and we wanted it to be somewhat bank-related. I’ve got two teen-aged boys that love Pokemon.” So Braun dug out one of her boys’old Halloween costumes and then “we named our boat the ‘S.S. Pokémoney’,” she said with a completely straight face. Kelly Fross, Bank of Hays customer service representative and Shelby Crabill, bank teller, struggled to look fierce as they sat beside Braun in front of their boat prior to the Soggy Bottom Challenge.

Braun credited her husband Jeff for the boat design–“he has one similar to it at home, and he said this is the way to go.” The three women, their significant others, along with Bank of Hays CEO Randy Walker and his son built the S.S. Pokémoney in the Braun’s garage using cardboard and duct tape as required by the race rules.

There was no water testing of the hand-built craft ahead of time–“we were afraid it might sink,” Braun admitted with a laugh. It would also be the first time Braun had paddled a water craft.

“We think Big Brothers Big Sisters is just a great organization and that we would do anything to help them out,” said Fross, “so this is just one more way that we could have fun while trying to help them out.”

ducks andrea 1 — (Photo courtesy Andrea Clinkscales)

Proceeds from the 15 Soggy Bottom Challenge participants, buyers of the more 5,000 ducks in the Duck Derby and the Duck Dash for Kids, along with a hot dog feed, went to BBBS–a little more than $45,000.

“I just can’t believe it,” BBBS Executive Director Jenny Bates exclaimed. “”It was so great to see it all come together. It was amazing!”

Despite Braun’s strategy “to win,” the the S.S. Pokémoney did not win any of the three boat races in the HAP lap pool.

“Well, it didn’t go like planned,” she said, after clambering out of the boat with a hand up from Bank of Hays Loan Officer Josh Dreher.

“That’s harder than it looks,” Braun said as she panted to catch her breath. “And, you were going against the wind,” Dreher pointed out.

Although she struggled using the oars, Braun made it to the other end of the pool without taking on any water, “other than what maybe what I threw in with the oars,” she laughed.

“It’s all good, for a good cause.”

The new fundraiser for BBBS will replace the annual Christmas 4 Kids telethon held in early December.

Gary Shorman, Eagle Communications, Nancy Jeter, BBBS volunteer, Jenny Bates, BBBS Exec. Dir.

Cadence, Callie and Colton Dickey volunteer at the kids games.

Eating under the shade trees at Early Childhood Center

Jared, Karl and Mark Rack load up on hot dogs before racing their Northwestern Printers pontoon.

Dan Pfannenstiel of Woody’s BBQ checks the grill.

Emcees Gary Shorman and Mike Koerner, Eagle Communications

🎥 Portion of Oak Street waterline to be replaced

Posted on August 19, 2016August 18, 2016

johnny oconnor — The existing water main line on Oak Street between 20th and 26th Streets is more than 60 years old, according to Hays Utilities Dir. Johnny O’Connor.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The existing four-inch water main line on Oak Street between 20th Street and 26th Street is more than 60 years old and needs to be replaced.

It also has a history of leaks and does not provide adequate fire protection, Johnny O’Connor, Hays Director of Utilities, told city commissioners Thursday night.

O’Connor recommended accepting a low bid of $444,777 from J Corp of Hays to replace the waterline with an eight-inch PVC line and make necessary pavement repairs, and also for additional pavement work to replace other areas of failed concrete on Oak Street. The pronject work was budgeted at $500,000.

If city commissioners approve the bid at their next regular meeting, the work could begin in mid-October for 90 working days. O’Connor anticipated winter weather might stretch the project anywhere from four to six months.

Disruption to the public though, would be minimal, and nearby property owners would be notified ahead of time.

“We should be able to maintain through-traffic to the residences, but half of the road (Oak St.) will be taken out of service because we’re moving the (water) line from the edge of the road to the center of the road for better alignment and less connections to service that area,” O’Connor said.

He also told commissioners the residences “will always have water.”

“The new line will be put in and when we’re ready to tie-in we’ll notify everybody and then that tie-in will be done.”

This will be the third and final phase of the 2013 Waterline Projects and is part of the Capital Improvement Plan in Hays.

Ellis sewer, sanitation rates to increase Nov. 1

Posted on August 18, 2016

ellis wastewater treatment plant 1 — Ellis wastewater treatment plant

ELLIS–Sewer and sanitation rates will go up for Ellis customers beginning with their Nov. 1, 2016, utility bills. The increases were approved 4-1 by the Ellis city council during their Aug. 15 meeting.

An ordinance approving automatic utility rate increases also passed by a 4-1 vote. Those will become effective Nov. 1, 2017. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed the three measures.

The council also talked about making changes to the City Complaint and Claim form which is used by residents to file a complaint or claim for damages. City Attorney Olavee Raub explained the current form does not address a complaint filed against a department head. Council members also talked about the need for a third party on the investigatory panel. Raub will make revisions to the policy for discussion at the next city council meeting.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes August 15, 2016

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Gary Luea was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Mayor David McDaniel requested the addition of an executive session under attorney/client privilege.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Doreen Timken, Charlene Weber, Glen Keller, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Mark Lorimer, Kyle Bahr, Dena Patee, Craig Seibel, Nan Brown, Martin LaBarge, Brent Cain, and Matt Gabel.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on August 1, 2016, Minutes from the Special Meeting on August 8, 2016, and Bills Ordinance #2003. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mark Lorimer spoke to Council about concerns with the Public Works Department and the timeframe for employees in that department to obtain certifications.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Brent Cain, 2013 Walnut Street, discussed with Council the drainage problems he is having at his residence due to runoff from the alley and field to the east of his residence. Mr. Cain has taken preventive measures by rocking areas of his residence, but is asking the City to consider installing curb and guttering on that street to help further alleviate the drainage problem. City Attorney Olavee Raub stated the City’s Policy on Guidelines for Infrastructure provides that it is the developer’s responsibility to install the curb and guttering. Council directed Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to obtain proposals for an engineering study to estimate a cost to correct the Walnut Street drainage problem, as the issue extends north to the 20th Street park area as well.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Contracts
Kyle Bahr, Golden Belt Telephone, presented a proposal to install WIFI at City Hall. Mr. Bahr presented both purchase and lease options for different coverage areas in the building. Council discussed the different options and the need for WIFI if Council would transition to electronic Council packets. Council directed City Clerk Amy Burton to obtain cost estimates for eight laptops to use at Council meetings.
General Government: Training
Council member John Walz reported that Gina Smith, FHSU Kelly Center Director, is able to hold an entity-wide training session on September 14th from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Ms. Smith is able to perform the training at no charge to the City. City staff and governing body members are encouraged to attend.
General Government: Policy
City Attorney Olavee Raub reviewed the current City Complaint and Claim Form. The form serves a dual purpose for residents to either file a complaint or claim for damages. Ms. Raub recommended separating the two purposes into different forms as different information would be needed for each. Procedures would still be needed if the complaint was on a department head as the current form does not address that situation. Council also discussed who should serve as the third party on the investigatory panel. The individual should be a neutral party and would need to sign a confidentiality agreement. Council suggested the Mayor appoint an outside consultant to serve as the third party, subject to Council approval. Council discussed not setting a timeline for completion of the investigation; however, status updates will be made to the complainant and governing body every 30 days. Ms. Raub will make revisions to the policy for further discussion at the next Council meeting.
Sewer: City Code
Council member John Walz moved to approve Ordinance No. 1405 amending the sewer rates. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed. The amended rates will be effective with the November 1, 2016 utility bills.
Sanitation: City Code
Council member John Walz moved to approve Ordinance No. 1406 amending the sanitation rates. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed. The amended rates will be effective with the November 1, 2016 utility bills.
Water/Sewer/Sanitation: City Code
Council discussed an ordinance providing for automatic utility rate increases. City Clerk Amy Burton requested the effective date be changed to November 1, 2017 due to the Utility Clerk’s workload requirements at year-end. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1407 providing for automatic annual increases to the utility rates, with the effective date adjusted as presented. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
NEW BUSINESS
Sewer: Special Project
Council reviewed the fifth set of Pay Applications for work performed to date on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve Pay Application #5 to APAC in the amount of $100,785.59. The motion carried 5-0.
Council member Jolene Niernberger then moved to approve Pay Request #5 to the Kansas Department of Health & Environment in the amount of $100,785.59. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Council member John Walz moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the necessary pay documents for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Water: Special Project
Council reviewed the second set of Pay Applications for work performed to date on the Waterline Improvement Project. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Contractor’s Pay Estimate #2 in the amount of $44,871.29. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Council member John Walz then moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the necessary pay documents for the Waterline Improvement Project. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Municipal Court: City Code
Council member John Walz moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1408 incorporating the 2016 edition of the Standard Traffic Ordinance. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Municipal Court: City Code
Council member Bob Redger moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1409 incorporating the 2016 edition of the Uniform Public Offense Code. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for chlorine for the Water Treatment Plant. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to accept the low bid from Brenntag for 10 – 150 lb. containers of chlorine at a cost of $1,135, with funds to come from the Water Utility Fund. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman presented two bids for a new sewer lift station. The lift station will replace the failed St. Mary’s lift station that caused the emergency response last week. Both stations proposed have top mount pumps for safety purposes. Council discussed how to pay for the new lift station. City Clerk Amy Burton reported there are not adequate funds in the Sewer Utility or Sewer Depreciation Reserve Fund to purchase the new lift station. Kansas Department of Health and Environment has contacted Mr. Scheuerman and will allow the City to add the cost to our open wastewater project loan. The other option would be to take the funds out of the Old Electric monies and have the Sewer Utility fund repay those funds. Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to accept the proposal from Haynes Equipment for the Gorman Rupp Lift Station in the amount of $41,666.95, plus any additional electrical and mechanical installation costs, with funds to come from the open KDHE loan. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
Water: Policy
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner reported the Governor has removed the drought status for the entire State of Kansas and questioned if the City still qualifies for Stage 2 Water Warning under the City’s Municipal Water Conservation Plan, or if a different status would be more appropriate. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported that four of the City’s water wells are not online right now due to rising chemical levels; however, the other four wells are currently handling the demand. Mr. Scheuerman does not believe the City meets any of the triggers listed in the Plan for Stage 1 or Stage 2 water restrictions. City Attorney Olavee Raub added that if the City removes the water conservation restrictions, the City still has ordinances in place restricting the water of vegetation from noon to 7:00 p.m. year-round and prohibiting the waste of water. The City would also relinquish authority over private well owners. After further discussion, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft a resolution removing the City from water conservation restrictions. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Water
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period June 10th to July 10th. The latest water well levels were also reviewed. Mr. Scheuerman has contacted Union Pacific Railroad on the drainage issue at 10th Street and Spruce.
Water: Training
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to allow Mr. Scheuerman to attend Floodplain Management Training in Mulvane on September 7th – 9th. The motion carried 5-0.
Sewer: Insurance
EMC Insurance has been contacted regarding the failed St. Mary’s lift station to see if a claim could be filed.
Licenses/Permits
Council opened discussion once again on education requirements for contractors. Mr. Scheuerman plans to attend the Hays Trades Board meeting in November and will revisit contractor licensing with Council after that meeting.
Campground: Special Project
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner inquired about the status of bids for the campground expansion. Mr. Scheuerman reported that the contractors only have conceptual drawings, not specific plans, on which to draw up proposals. After discussion, City Attorney Olavee Raub suggested Council establish a Campground Committee with the various contractors to discuss details of the expansion.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates updated Council on his Department. Several officers participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser last weekend. Sergeant McCollam began her new position August 13th.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reported the Dog Days of Summer event was a success. The Pool closed to the public August 12th; however, the Ellis High School sports teams have asked to use the pool this week for sports conditioning.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub has been in contact with Natare regarding the warranty on the pool liner. Ms. Raub brought to Council’s attention an article in the latest Government Journal regarding social media and e-hostility with government.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel reported that both the Trades Board and the Senior Advisory Committee have a vacancy to fill.
Mayor McDaniel will attend the Kansas Mayor’s Association on August 24th.
With Labor Day the first Monday in September, the next Council meeting will be Tuesday, September 6th.
Mayor McDaniel and Council members John Walz and Jolene Niernberger gave an update from the recent KOMA/KORA training they attended in Hays.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session under attorney-client privilege. A 15-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:42 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to recess to executive session under attorney-client privilege with the City Attorney present. The motion carried 5-0. The Council returned to open session at 9:57 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor David McDaniel called for an additional executive session under attorney-client privilege. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:58 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to recess to executive session under attorney-client privilege with the City Attorney present. The motion carried 5-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:08 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m

🎥Updated zoning map to include Neighborhood Conservation Zones for older areas of Hays

Posted on August 17, 2016

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The Unified Development Code (UDC), the update of the city of Hays’ zoning and subdivision regulations, includes some new and different zones.

City commissioners will take a look at the revised zoning map during Thursday’s work session.

“In order to adopt the Unified Development Code, we also have to update the zoning map,” explained Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood.

The updated map includes the current three-mile zone–now known as the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)–around the Hays city limits. Commissioners recently agreed to reduce the boundary as requested by Ellis County.

“It’ll probably take three weeks or maybe a month before that is all finalized,” Wood said.

The UDC has been in process for more than two years. Updating a zoning code typically results in a number of properties that don’t conform to the new code.

“One of the things they’re doing now is creating zones that will encompass some of those older areas of town, so they are not non-conforming,” Wood said. “Neighborhood Conservation Zones will be put in place in some of the older parts of town, so that as soon as Hays adopts the code, those properties don’t become non-conforming. It’s kind of new and innovative as far as zoning codes go.”

The UDC will include typical business, residential, higher-density residential zones, which will remain the same although their names will change somewhat. The requirements within each differ.

“The whole goal of the Unified Development Code is to make things more flexible,” Wood pointed out.

“It makes things easier for developers. It makes things easier for property owners. If homeowners want to expand their house, it should make things quite a bit easier under the Unified Development Code than it was in the past.”

A draft of the revised zoning map can be seen here.

The Aug. 18 city work session agenda is available here. Commissioners will also consider a bid award for the Oak Street waterline replacement between 20th Street and 26th Street.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

HPD Activity Log August 15 & 16

Posted on August 17, 2016August 17, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and 15 traffic stops Mon., Aug. 15, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Counterfeit currency/documents–1200 block Vine, Hays; 8/12 10:30 AM; 6:30 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 10 AM
Criminal Damage to Property–3300 block Willow St, Hays; 8/13 8 PM; 8/14 8 AM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–500 block W 16th St, Hays; 1:29 PM; 1:37 PM
Intoxicated Subject–500 block W 36th St, Hays; 3:44 PM
Civil Dispute–200 block W 10th St, Hays; 4:32 PM
Suspicious Activity–500 block W 16th St, Hays; 8:31 PM
Juvenile Complaint–1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 8:31 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and 13 traffic stops Tue., Aug. 16, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Traffic Stop–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:01 AM
Domestic Disturbance–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 7:02 AM
Animal At Large–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 7:12 AM
Water Use Violation–1700 block Henry Dr, Hays; 7:13 AM
Warrant Service (Fail to Appear)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:27 AM; 8:45 AM
Contempt of Court/Fail to Pay–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:27 AM; 8:45 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–400 block W 5th St, Hays; 9:22 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–2700 block Vine St, Hays; 10:14 AM
Animal At Large–100 block E 17th St, Hays; 11:59 AM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–100 block E 19th St, Hays; 12:21 PM
Burglary/residence–400 block W 18th St, Hays; 12:40 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:17 PM
Criminal Threat–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 1:56 PM
Water Use Violation–2600 block Vine St, Hays; 2:10 PM; 2:25 PM
Found/Lost Property–1300 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 2:25 PM
Theft (general)–1300 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 2:28 PM
Disturbance – General–1100 block E 22nd St, Hays; 3:52 PM
Civil Transport–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 3:57 PM
MV Accident-Private Property–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 4:32 PM
Shoplifting–1900 block Vine St, Hays; 8/1 12 AM; 8/16 4:48 PM
Burglary/vehicle–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 8/14 2:10 AM; 7 PM
Bicycle – Lost,Found,Stolen–800 block Ash St, Hays; 2 AM; 4 PM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 3:45 PM
Animal Call–1300 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 7:27 PM
Found/Lost Property–Hays; 7:30 PM
Burglary/residence–1300 block W 27th St, Hays; 7:50 PM
Welfare Check–2500 block Sherman Ave, Hays; 8:37 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and 13 traffic stops Tue., Aug. 16, 2016, according to the HPD Activity Log.

🎥Street grinding in Hays halted to find out why bumps are occuring

Posted on August 16, 2016August 16, 2016

Unsuccessful diamond grinding on Canterbury one block south of 13th Street.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Recent maintenance work to grind down bumps on parts of Canterbury and 27th Streets in Hays was not successful.

The company hired to do the work — Interstate Grinding of Garden City, which was subcontracted by APAC of Hays — did not meet expectations and the project was halted.

As part of the 2016 Street Maintenance program, diamond grinding was performed last month on sections of the concrete pavement on Canterbury between 12th and 13th and on 27th from Vine to Sherman. According to Public Works Director Greg Sund, “even after two passes, there is still about a 5/8 of an inch dip.”

“We (the city and the contractor) didn’t know at the time how much of a deflection was being caused by the warping of the street,” Sund told city commissioners last week. “When they ground the surface off the top of the street, it still leaves these dips. It’s because the street itself is warping — raising in the middle of each panel and down on the sides.”

The warping is so rare, it’s not even rated by the company doing a pavement assessment for Hays, Sund added.

“We don’t know why it’s happening. It’s happening on more than one street,” he said.

Interstate Grinding has previously done successful work in Hays and for the Kansas Department of Transportation. Sund reported the company owner said this particular project is only the second time in his 13 years of grinding that he’s not been able to achieve the results desired by the project owner.

Instead of moving ahead with a different contractor to finish the job for an additional $168,000, city commissioners directed Sund to first find out why the bumps are occurring.

Sund assured city commissioners the pavement problems “are not a public safety issue.”

🎥 $38M City of Hays budget approved for ’17; outside agencies warned of looming cuts

Posted on August 12, 2016August 12, 2016

Sales tax revenues are projected a continued decline in 2017, according to Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays city commissioners unanimously approved the 2017 budget of $37,990,318 following a public hearing Thursday night.

The mill levy still remains at 25, although that required some belt-tightening. Commissioners issued a warning to outside agencies that receive city funding to expect cuts in that funding in 2018.

City Manager Toby Dougherty again outlined the 2017 budget highlights:

25 mill cap maintained
Balanced budget
No hiring of more full-time employees
No salary increases for employees
Continues funding of reserves and payment of cash for large capital projects
Full funding of Street Maintenance Program
Reconstruction of Eighth Street and Allen Street projects schedule moved up in Capital Improvement Plan
Emphasis on sustainability to take care of capital assets

Dougherty also noted the “continued shallow decline in sales tax revenues.”

“We are budgeting a reduction of $250,000. … We offset that with $300,000 in expenditure cuts,” Dougherty explained. “We’re still $50,000 ahead of the game and, with our unreserved fund balance and the cushion we have in there, if we do have that protracted decline (of sales taxes) … we’re OK with that, too.”

Commissioner Henry Schwaller said it was “important to point out the vast majority of the city’s revenue comes from sales tax.”

“Over 10 years ago, we decided we would no longer rely on property taxes to fund the general operations of the city,” Schwaller recalled.

“We are the only city that actually has this kind of mechanism whereby which we fund our general fund with sales tax revenue strictly,” Hays Mayor Eber Phelps pointed out.

After thanking Finance Director Kim Rupp and city staff for their work on the budget, Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil said, “I think it’s important we do everything we can to get raises for city employees next year.” He referred to Commissioner Lance Jones’ comments in an earlier meeting about city funding for outside agencies.

“I’ll be honest with you. I think that’s probably going to be where we cut next year,” Musil said.

“You’re reading my mind, Commissioner,” interjected Schwaller.

“We can’t give money we don’t have,” said Commissioner James Meier, who praised the recent work of city employees in the wake of a major water leak July 4th and the July 13 storm damage.

“We tried to do a reset on these outside agency funding requests a long time ago,” Schwaller said. “I think, for the first time, our expectation going into 2017 that there are no guarantees for any outside funding in 2018 and that we start with a fresh slate.

“It doesn’t matter what they got this year. They have to justify what they want, and what they’re going to do with it, and what the outcomes are. I don’t see that happening anymore.”

Commissioners agreed the outside agency funding issue should be discussed within the commission between now and the next budget cycle,” discussing it publicly as this is the standard moving forward,” Commissioner James Meier said.

“It’s not an entitlement program. It’s over,” added Schwaller.

Commissioner Lance Jones clarified he “didn’t bring up the issue because he was frustrated with any agency.”

“I just don’t understand the city’s funding of the DHDC (Downtown Hays Development Corporation). I don’t see how they’re any different from the (Hays Area) Chamber of Commerce, whom we don’t fund at all, and who does a lot for our community, like the DHDC does,” Jones said.

“Yes, definitely. I think we have to look at the outside agencies a little harder next year if it comes down to the same budget crunch that we’re looking at right now,” Jones agreed with his fellow commissioners.

City funding in 2017 for the seven outside nonprofit agencies remained at the 2016 levels for a total of $437,508. That’s the same total amount distributed for social services, economic development and quality of life groups each year since 2014.

City of Hays 2017 Budget Outside Agency Funding

Care Council: $164,000
FHSU Scholarship Program: $100,000
Ellis Co. Coalition for Economic Development: $87,550
Downtown Hays Development Corp.: $53,655
Ellis Co. Historical Society: $11,621
Hays Arts Council: $11,182
Wild West Festival: $9,500