By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“We are working like crazy. They have moved a lot of trees.”

Hays Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood said Tuesday morning city crews expect to finish picking up curbside tree limbs and sawed up trees on the east side of Vine Street–Zone 1–and hope to move into Zone 2 later today. Zone 2 is on the west side of Vine in the north part of Hays.

“They moved about 45 dump truck loads of trees out on Friday to the Ellis County Transfer Station,” Wood said, “another 60 Monday and we’ll continue to work until we get it done.”

He anticipates that will be at least through this week and likely into next week. “It’s a process.”

“Downtown is the worse (hit) part of town and we haven’t gotten to that part yet.”

“Just about any employee who can be spared” along with Hays parks and public works crews are working to pick up the aftermath of the July 13 early morning storm that downed trees, limbs and did some building damage. No injuries were reported. The National Weather Service reported 82 mph wind gusts recorded at the Hays Regional Airport just before the weather equipment was damaged by debris.

“We’re taking care of our essential functions and then everybody else is out moving trees,” Wood said.

Typically, the landfill tree pile is burned off, according to Wood, and he expects county employees to do the same with the additional big pile once it’s all moved into the right spot.

Hays employees helped direct traffic in and out of the landfill Friday and Monday.

“We were the ones bringing in all the trees,” Wood said with a smile.  “It’s been a very good working relationship with the (county) guys out at the landfill.”

 

ELLIS–The Ellis City Council will meet Tue., July 19, for a 2017 work session. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Ellis City Hall.

By RANDY GONZALES
FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Potential future nurses were on the Fort Hays State University campus last Wednesday, July 13, for the Nightingale Experience. FHSU’s Department of Nursing hosted 33 high school students interested in learning more about a career in nursing.

“This is to get high school students aware of what nursing actually is and get them associated with Florence Nightingale, who she was and the work she did,” said Jana Zeller, associate professor of nursing.

The students first saw a film on Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. They then participated in a scavenger hunt during which they learned more about different aspects of nursing. The students went to a movie in the evening before staying overnight in one of FHSU’s residence halls. On Thursday, students toured Hays Medical Center and shadowed nurses there.

“The students really enjoy it,” said Natasha Werth, assistant professor of nursing. “Some of the students actually want to do it their junior and senior year because they had such a positive experience. I think they appreciate shadowing at the hospital and seeing what nurses do.”

FHSU started the Nightingale Experience in 2002. Part of the special event is a hands-on exercise using different instruments a nurse would use. During Wednesday’s scavenger hunt at Stroup Hall, for example, the students practiced using a stethoscope on an advanced simulation mannequin which can do everything from simulating breathing to having swollen ankles and more.

“I didn’t realize you could hear the breath as it inhaled and exhaled,” said Blake Harris, who will be a junior this fall at Holton High School.

Kaylee Line, a Lakin senior, is considering nursing because of her sister.

“My little sister has heart problems,” Line said. “I always kind of wanted to learn more about it and become a nurse for cardiologists.”

Logan sophomore Melissa Leiker is using the Nightingale Experience exactly as intended.

“I’d been kind of interested in nursing but I really didn’t know much about it,” Leiker said. “I decided this would be a good chance to learn more.”

The students also get a chance to see the FHSU campus while learning more about the nursing curriculum.

“It gets them on campus, to experience campus life,” Zeller said. “They get to experience Hays as a community, which is also nice.”

The Nightingale Experience also involves student facilitators.

“It gets them into the department, and we also involve students who are in the nursing program as part of the experience,” Werth said. “They get to talk with the students.”

Werth is also the NGAP (Nursing Guaranteed Acceptance Program) coordinator. High school seniors can apply for the program and receive a guaranteed seat in FHSU’s nursing program as long as they meet the grade point average and ACT requirements.

“I follow them all the way through and they don’t have to be on a waiting list,” Werth said. “We only accept 30 students every semester.”

To learn more about FHSU’s Department of Nursing visit www.fhsu.edu/nursing.

ELLIS–An update on financing of the city’s waterline improvement project will be heard by Ellis City Council members during their meeting tonight.

In other business, the Ellis Recreation Commission 2015 financial statements will be reviewed, and the council will consider creating an official Ellis Tourism Committee.

The complete agenda follows.

AGENDA July 18, 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 July 5, 2016
b) Bills Ordinance #2001
(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
a) 2017 Budget Request – Ellis County Coalition
b) Discuss Possible Utilities Connection – Larry Parke
c) Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Denis Vine
4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a) Consider Installation of WIFI at City Hall
b) Update on Special Pickup Charges
5) NEW BUSINESS
a) Consider Approval of Pay Estimate #1 and Authorize Mayor to Sign Documents for Waterline Improvement Project
b) Discuss Relocation of Fire Hydrant on Dorrance Street
c) Consider Approval of Payment Application #4, KDHE Pay Request #4, and Authorize Mayor to Sign Documents for Wastewater Treatment Plant Project
d) Consider Approval of Cereal Malt Beverage License – Ellis Fire Department
e) Discuss Creation of City Tourism Committee
f) Consider Approval to Purchase Water Treatment Plant High Speed Pump
g) Discuss Cameras for Public Works Department
6) REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
a) Administrative
1) Public Works
(1) Comparative Water Report
(2) Department Update
2) Police
(1) Department Update
3) City Clerk
(1) Ellis Recreation Commission 2015 Financial Statements
(2) June Health Insurance Savings Report
(3) Update on USDA Financing for Waterline Improvement Project
(4) Department Update
4) Attorney
5) Mayor Update and Announcements
(1) Reminder of KOMA/KORA Training on August 5th
(2) (Enc) Letter from LKM
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
7) ADJOURNMENT

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Although there are several stipulations that must be met first, the proposed downtown Hays pavilion proposal got a nod of approval from Hays city commissioners Thursday night. The vote was four to one, with Commissioner Lance Jones opposed.

“If the city can come up with a lease agreement with Union Pacific railroad, I’d like to see the project move forward,” said Vice-Mayor Shaun Musil. The pavilion is a joint project of  the Downtown Hays Development Center and Fort Hays State University.

The entire process hinges on reaching that lease agreement for the property at the east edge of Union Pacific Railroad Park, 10th and Main.

DHDC would pay for the pavilion and restroom materials, including a sidewalk, safety fencing and landscaping.  The city would provide in-kind labor, and pay for water and sewer lines, using guest tax monies from the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).   Similar to how the Hays Dog Park was financed, Musil said the DHDC monies must be in place first before the project would begin.

DHDC Executive Director Sara Bloom thanked commissioners for addressing and voting on the the project.

“Anything you agree to tonight, we’ll, of course bring back to our board and make sure they are in agreement with any of the changes as well,” she told the commission.

Commission James Meier asked Bloom if there was anything specific in the motion DHDC would have trouble achieving.

“The sidewalk, maybe,” Bloom replied. “We know that’s at least a $10,000 expense that we would have to add to our budget. That may be a sticking point for the board.”

DHDC is a non-profit group funded by donations and grants.

The total project cost is estimated at about $192,000.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Getting kids prepared to go back to school can be expensive.

To help allay some of those costs, the Ellis County First Call For Help “Backpacks For Kids” program provides new backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies and personal hygiene items to low-income families in Hays.

Nex-Tech and Nex-Tech Wireless are in three locations today until four p.m. collecting donations of school supplies as well as cash from the public at Walgreens, Dollar General and Walmart.

“It’s a lot more expensive than it used to be,” said Nex-Tech Wireless Compliance Manager Cindy King Friday morning at Walgreens. “My kids were several years apart, so I didn’t have to spend so much money all at once.”

King and Mara Mattheyer, Nex-Tech Wireless product technician, were greeting customers as they approached the Hays USD 489 school bus parked near the store entrance, handing out lists of needed school supplies and accepting donations of purchases just made in Walgreens.

Hays resident Jim Strine made a special stop to donate cash.

“I just heard about this on the radio,” he said as he handed over his donation to Mattheyer.

This year there are needs for at least 650 backpacks, according to First Call For Help. The distribution is Thu., Aug. 4, in the Hadley Center.

School starts Wed., Aug. 17.

For a list of needed items click here.

 

 

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Preparation for the city of Hays’ 2017 budget was done differently this year.

According to City Manager Toby Dougherty it was turned over to the Finance Department and its director Kim Rupp, and “it’s worked out pretty well.”

“Kim adapted very quickly and he’s taken to the role, so kudos to him,” Dougherty said. “It went pretty smooth.”

Dougherty outlined the budget highlights during last week’s city commission work session.

“The budget itself is 25 mills, so no mill increase,” he stressed, “and it’s balanced, as usual.”

No new city employees will be hired next year and reserves continue to be funded.

The street maintenance program is fully funded for 2017 and there was good news for future projects.

“Due to prudent cash management practices, we have been able to move up the reconstruction of 8th Street from Milner to Vine to 2017, and the projected reconstruction of Allen Street from 8th through 22nd Street to 2018,” Dougherty reported. “So these are essentially two years ahead of schedule on both street projects, and paying cash for them.”

Dougherty added sustainability on everything is emphasized going forward, “taking care of our capital assets.”

A more detailed review of the proposed 2017 budget will be presented during tonight’s city commission meeting.

The July 14 agenda is available here.

UPDATE AT 9:40 P.M.

Midwest Energy will be back at it Thursday morning bright and early:

“Final post of the night… Crews are wrapping up and for safety reasons, are starting a rest period but will be back on the job first thing in the morning. There are still pockets of homes in Hays without power, as well as in rural areas of Ellis and Russell Counties. Please check with friends or neighbors who may be without power tonight and if you’re able to help with a generator or freezer space, please do. Thanks to all the crews from other MWE cities who came to help; we hope to have more restoration tomorrow. Stay safe out there!”

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By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Midwest Energy reports the power was restored to Victoria at 7:24 p.m. Wed. night.

They estimated it will be “some time still” for Catherine to be restored because a few power poles are still down on Toulon Ave. north and south of Interstate 70.

There are some homes just north of I-70 back on the grid that are back on the grid. MWE crews are still setting replacement power poles and will continue working into the evening.