GRAHAM COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just after 8 a.m. Friday in Graham County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Chevy Equinox driven by Janessa K. Lentz, 24, Almena, was southbound on U.S. 283 five miles south of Edmond.

The driver fell asleep, the KHP reported. The Chevy crossed the center line and struck a northbound 2007 International semi driven by Lonnie E. Crottinger, 64, Dodge City.

Lentz was transported to the hospital in Hill City. Crottinger was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“I approved it before and I’ll approve it again.” “And I’ll be right there with you.”

Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller and City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs were quick Thursday night to reiterate their support of the Blue Sky Acres Addition final plat.

The property 2.5 miles south of Hays and on the west side of Highway 183 is adjacent to seven residential properties and is currently undeveloped farm ground. The plat is comprised of six lots, ranging in size from 2.5 to 3 acres, slated for residential development. Rezoning of the 20-acres property from agricultural to residential suburban was approved by the city commission Jan. 14, 2016.

On April 18, 2016 the final plat was reviewed and approved on a 6-1 vote by the Hays Area Planning Commission.

The Ellis County Commission, on a 1-1 vote, did not approve the request by property owner Mary Ann Unrein. She sued the commission and Commissioner Marcy McClelland. A judge ruled in favor of the commission and McClelland who was defeated in the next election.

On March 18, 2019, the county commission unanimously approved the final plat on a 3-0 vote.

Ron Mellick, city commissioner, attended last month’s county meeting. “They addressed all the issues very well so I don’t see any reason not to move it on.”

“Fine example of why elections matter,” added James Meier, who is up for re-election to the city commission. “This is clearly within the jurisdiction of the county.”

The city commission will vote on the final plat during its April 11 meeting.

Hays is involved because the property is located within 3 miles of the city limits, in the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).

“In that three mile district we have authority over the zoning and then we have to approve all the plats,” explained Jacob Wood, assistant Hays city manager.

“We still don’t do building inspections or anything like that. It’s really just about the property and the use of the property.

“We’ve already actually approved the zoning. The plat, which is kind of the map or layout of what that property will look like once they develop it, that is something the city has a say in as well.”

Jesse Rohr, Hays public works director, told the city commission that Blue Sky Acres will have private roads to be built and maintained by the developer and adjacent lot owners. The subdivision will be accessed with existing entrances off Highway 183. The plat includes dedication of road and alley right-of-ways.

 

 

Drees: “Instead of him serving 32 months in prison and releasing him, he has been under supervision now for 18 years.”

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By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

In 2001, Friar Ron Gilardi pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent liberties with a 14-year-old student at Thomas More Prep-Marian school.

However, Gilardi was not sent to prison. He ended up at a private treatment facility in Missouri along with other priests and friars who had been removed from the ministry based on sexual abuse charges.

Gilardi’s case was groundbreaking at the time, said Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees, who is also a Catholic and TMP graduate.

Gilardi was prosecuted before the Boston Globe investigated and revealed widespread sexual abuse in the Boston dioceses and the systemic coverup by the church of sexual abuse by clergy.

Gilardi was accused of sexually abusing a male student from Texas in 1993 and 1994. The student was 14 and 15 years old at the time. The young man recovered repressed memories of the abuse in 1999 during a counseling session, Drees said.

Under the sentencing guidelines at the time, Gilardi, as a first-time offender, would have been facing a prison sentence of 32 months. With good behavior, he could have been released in 27 months, Drees said.

But as part of Gilardi’s plea agreement, he was ordered to the Vianney Renewal Center in Dittmer, Mo., a private ministry that includes behavior health treatment. Drees said Gilardi was to remain on the locked grounds of the center at all times.

After 32 months at the center, Gilardi remained at the Vianney Renewal Center for two additional years on probation. His probation for the Hays case ended in March 2006.

“He remains under supervision even to today by the Capuchin order,” Drees said. “He is still under supervision and still does not have access to any children. He is not allowed to perform any ministry duties as a priest, so he is basically reduced to a life of prayer and penance.

“Instead of him serving 32 months in prison and releasing him, he has been under supervision now for 18 years.”

Drees likened Gilardi supervision under under the Catholic church as equivalent to him still being under probation with the court.

The family of the victim was consulted at the time about the terms of the plea agreement and agreed to the conditions of Gilardi’s sentence, Drees said.

He noted the Gilardi’s case was prosecuted in public court and his sentence was likewise open to the public, adding several media outlets did stories about the case.

Even today, Drees said he feels comfortable with the plea agreement and the final outcome for the case. He said agreeing to a deal that sent Gilardi to the Vianney Center was in no way an attempt to divert public attention from the case.

“It was a way to have him appropriately punished, and in this case, instead of the taxpayer paying to have him locked up, the order is paying to have him locked up,” Drees said.

He continued, “Just the opposite. I don’t think it is a way to hide it. I don’t think it is in any way lessened. He has been supervised for 18 years now.”

Gilardi, 71, is living at a similar center called RECON, also known as the Wounded Brothers Project, with at least four other convicted clergy sex offenders, all of whom are listed on the Missouri sex offender registry. Two of the men listed on the sex register are Capuchins, but did not serve in Kansas. The home is in rural Missouri near Roberstville, southwest of St. Louis.

Fr. Joseph Mary Elder, communications director for the Capuchins, visited Hays on Tuesday night for a listening session about sex abuse in the order.

He said was asked about RECON and the Vianney Renewal Center and said he couldn’t answer questions about the centers because they were run by a private Catholic ministry — the Servants of the Paraclete — and not the Capuchins.

The St. Louis Dispatch has been covering the Vianney Renewal Center and RECON for years. In a story in 2015, the publication reported the Servants of the Paraclete had purchased homes from neighbors of the center who expressed concerns about decreased property values because of sexual offenders.

The St. Louis Dispatch has also questioned the level of supervision and security at facilities at Vianney and RECON.

The Servants of the Paraclete have a troubled past. The order took in priests with histories of sexual abuse at its Jemez Springs, N.M., facility in the 1960s and 1970s. The New Mexico center is now closed. Some of the clergy who were treated at the facility were returned to service in New Mexico, resulting in a flood of sexual abuse reports and lawsuits in the dioceses.

Hays Post tried to contact RECON, but the only contact information that could be found for the center was a non-functioning email.

Hays Post also attempted to contact the Vianney Renewal Center, but a phone call was not returned.

Eagle Communications Inc. announced this week the acquisition of Salina-based Mid America Productions.

The professional audio-video production house has been in business since 1983 creating video content for a variety of business partners, as well as event support, photo services, web design and data transfer services.

The three-person crew of Corey McKee, Karl Sneath and Kevin Bourne bring 55 years of combined video production and editing experience to Eagle.

“Eagle strives every day to help businesses succeed by connecting them to their customers,” said Travis Kohlrus, Eagle Communications vice president. “We believe the addition of MAP to the Eagle portfolio can enhance the level of service we can provide from training and recruitment videos to legal and documentary videos, continuing our quest of keeping our communities … connected.”

“The video production company, started in 1983 by my late husband, Rick Weber, will continue to operate at 1510 E. Iron in Salina. It’s very rewarding to know that MAP and its employees will continue to provide professional video and multimedia services to our many customers and corporate clients,” said Mid American Productions owner/manager Judy Weber. “I am very thankful to have had such dedicated and knowledgeable employees over the years, and I wish them and Eagle every success.”

Mid America Productions’ portfolio can be seen HERE.

“I’m excited for this acquisition,” said Katie Dorzweiler, Eagle Marketing Solutions director. “For over 15 years, Eagle has been creating high-quality, award-winning video production services to main street businesses. With the addition of Mid America Productions, we can now offer long-play commercial video serving both the internal and external promotional needs of our clients. Video is increasingly relevant for businesses to market themselves through television, online search engines and through social media. Eagle is now well positioned to provide clients access to all of these platforms.”

Eagle Communications Inc. is a Kansas-based Broadband Services and Media Company with over 280 employee-owners. The company operates 28 radio stations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, as well as broadband systems in 60 Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado communities. The company also offers e-business solutions, web hosting, telephone service, high-speed internet, and wireless internet in most service areas. For more information log on to www.eaglecom.net.

Disclosure: Eagle Communications is the parent company of Hays Post.

OFFICE OF REP. WASINGER

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Transportation has pledged to match $1 million in funding for road improvements in Ellis County’s Northwest Business Corridor, contingent on approval of a grant the county has made to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan.

Rep. Barb Wasinger (R-Hays), 111th District, brought together a coalition of federal, state, county and city leaders in February to see the road first-hand, tour businesses whose operations are affected by the road, and asked all parties to work together for a solution.

“I’d like to thank Congressman Marshall, Commerce Secretary Toland and Deputy Transportation Secretary Douglas, as well as Senator Billinger, Representative Rahjes, and our county and city commissioners for their work on this project,” Wasinger said.

“Commitment of these funds from the state, along with previously approved Ellis County funding, are moving this project forward. We’re hopeful the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will favorably consider the county’s grant application, and help make these improvements a reality.”

The Northwest Business Corridor, which includes 230th Avenue between 1-70 and Feedlot Road, as well as Feedlot Road from 230th Avenue to U.S. Highway 183, has long been eyed for improvements.

In particular, 230th Avenue is a narrow limestone road that sees hundreds of vehicles and heavy trucks daily, including traffic from Pertl Feeders, Hess Services, Midwest Energy and Ellis County Concrete.

Poor sight lines, drainage and erosion have made the road dangerous for the volume of traffic it serves.

Improvements along the corridor are also essential for a travel plaza planned for the area, and could help alleviate truck congestion once roundabouts on Vine Street are completed.

When Fort Hays State University grad Addy Tritt decided to help Nebraska flood victims by buying out the remaining inventory of the Hays Payless store, she wasn’t thinking about the attention she would receive.

And no one could have expected just how much attention would be attracted to the Hays Post story.

Tritt has been in contact with news organizations ranging from Good Morning America to CBS News and the story has been republished in dozens of news outlets worldwide.

Just some of the national news organizations that published Tritt’s tale include Huff Post, CBS News, BBC News, the New York Post, the New York Daily News, Better Homes and Gardens, The Hill, the U.K. Daily Mail, USA Today, CNN, Fox News, Business Insider, Good Morning America and People. Dozens more local and regional news organizations also republished the story.

Tritt’s good-news article jumped the pond, as well, and was published in the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail.

The story has also been published in several languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Indonesian and Vietnamese, among others.

ELLIS – A public hearing regarding construction of a new municipal swimming pool was conducted by the Ellis City Council Monday evening prior to the regular council meeting.

The Kansas Dept. of Commerce is offering a special round of grant funding for small city swimming pools.

A new pool for Ellis is projected to costs $1.85 million. The city can apply for a maximum $1 million state grant with a local match of $850,000.

It was a 3-2 vote later in the meeting on a resolution for Ellis to apply for the Community Development Block Grant funds.  Council members Steve Ferland and Bob Redger were opposed.

In other business, the city accepted a $50,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan, for the campground expansion project.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

April 1, 2019

PUBLIC HEARING – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT – SWIMMING POOL

Swimming Pool – Grant

Mayor David McDaniel opened the public hearing regarding swimming pool improvements at 7:00 p.m.  Justine Benoit, Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission, provided details of the Department of Commerce special round of funding for small cities swimming pools.  The State has set aside $20 million for this once-in-a-lifetime grant opportunity.  The project is expected to cost $1,850,500, with a maximum grant award of $1,000,000 and a City cash match of $850,500.  The City hopes to apply for other local and regional grants to offset the cash match.  Several residents appeared to offer opinions and ask questions regarding the proposed project.  Mayor McDaniel closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council member Martin LaBarge was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

Mayor David McDaniel requested Council’s ratification of the City’s acceptance of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant for the Campground Expansion Project.

PUBLIC PRESENT

Justine Benoit, Darrell Romme, Verda Flinn, Dan Pyle, Jeff Wolf, Glen Keller, Barbara Perkins, Juno Ogle, Nickole Byers (arrived 7:55 p.m.) and Devin Henderson (arrived at 7:55 p.m.)

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 18, 2019 and Bills Ordinance #2066.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Swimming Pool: Grant

Justine Benoit, Northwest Kansas Planning and Development, presented the proposed contract for administrative consulting services.  The contract is contingent upon Community Development Block Grant funding.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the contract with Northwest Kansas Planning and Development for grant administrator services in the amount of $20,500, contingent upon CDBG funding, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Special Projects fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Steve Ferland opposed.

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner then moved to authorize Mayor David McDaniel to sign the related grant documents for Community Development Block Grant funding. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Steve Ferland opposed.

Swimming Pool: Grant

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 554 certifying the City of Ellis has legal authority to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.   The motion carried 3-2, with Council members Steve Ferland and Bob Redger opposed.

Swimming Pool: Grant

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 555 assuring the Kansas Department of Commerce that funds will be provided for the operation and maintenance of the grant-funded improvements to the swimming pool.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 3-2, with Council members Steve Ferland and Bob Redger opposed.

General Government: Insurance

Darrell Romme, Romme Agency, reviewed the 2019 general insurance policy for the City.  The City incurred over $165,000 in losses the prior renewal period, much of that in worker’s compensation claims.  The last several years the City has received a return on premium based on the insurance pool’s losses, with almost $20,000 refunded last year.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the 2019 renewal of the City’s insurance policies from Romme Agency in the amount of $121,873.00.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Sanitation: Accounting/Billing

Dan Pyle, Ellis Recreation Commission, requested Council approval to waive sanitation fees for weekly grass disposal.  Council member Bob Redger moved to waive the weekly grass sanitation fees indefinitely for the Ellis Recreation Commission.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Pyle continued by requesting Council approval to utilize a City dumpster and to waive weekly trash dumpster fees at 501 West 6^th.  The Commission mows the property around the shop annex and also pays a portion of the electrical charges.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to allow the Commission use of a City dumpster and to waive sanitation fees for weekly dumpster service at 501 West 6^th in exchange for in-kind services provided by the Commission.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Streets: Policy

Council reviewed the proposed Emergency Route Plan.  Several questions arose and it was the consensus of Council to table consideration of the plan until Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub can meet to further discuss.

Sewer: Repair/Maintenance

City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that after further investigation into the property affected by the Cedar Lane lift station project, only one property owner is involved.  The project may also fall within an existing easement and further research will be completed to determine the exact property line.

General Government: City Code

Ms. Raub presented the suggested revisions to the proposed ordinance regulating the sale of cereal malt beverages and beer.  Council suggested revising Section 10 (c) to also set the special event fees by resolution.  Council member Bret Andries moved to approve Ordinance No. 1438 regulating the sale of cereal malt beverages and beer, with the revision to Section 10 (c).  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0. Council then discussed increasing the license fees to $100.00 for a General Retailer, $75.00 for a Limited Retailer, and $50.00 per day for special event fees.

General Government: Policy

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the proposed Donation Policy.  Council suggested revisions to the Eligible Applicants and Funding Criteria sections.  Ms. Burton will present the revised policy for consideration at the next Council meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Tourism: Contract

Ms. Burton presented the 2019 renewal contract for the City’s five Lamar billboards.  The total annual contract increased 17% and the renewal now includes a preemptive clause that the City’s billboards may be canceled from the contract at any time if another advertiser offers a higher rent payment.  Council replaced all of the billboard wraps last year.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the contract with Lamar in the amount of $9,750.00 with funds to come from the Tourism Fund and to direct the Tourism Committee to research additional sign options by January 1, 2020.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Financial

Council member Bob Redger moved to approve Resolution No. 556 authorizing employees and City officials to use the City’s credit card.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Clerk: Acquisition

Council member Steve Ferland moved to approve the purchase of 20,000 pressure seal utility billing forms from Hamlin Creative Consulting in the amount of $2,120.00, with funds to come from the General-Administration fund.  Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Streets: Repair/Maintenance

Council member Bob Redger moved to ratify the invoice from APAC in the amount of $703.87 with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Street fund.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0 with Council member Steve Ferland abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.

General Government: Disposition

Emergency Manager Darin Myers has a potential buyer for the City’s old warning sirens.  Council member Bret Andries moved to authorize the sale of the City’s five outdoor warning sirens.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman inquired if the Council was still interested in applying for the Community Development Block Grant for replacement of a section of waterlines in the City.  It was the consensus of Council to proceed with the grant application.

Mr. Scheuerman reported that the engine in the 1-ton dump truck has recently failed.  Repairs are estimated at $3,000 – $7,700.  Mr. Scheuerman will provide more accurate repairs costs at the next Council meeting.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for March and the April Staff Calendar.  The Department will host the annual prescription drug takeback program on April 27^th.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton reported that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently inspected the City’s burn site and it was found to be in compliance with the Kansas Open Burning Regulations.

Campground: Grant

The City was awarded a Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant in the amount of $50,000 for the Campground Expansion Project.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to ratify the Mayor’s signature accepting the grant.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Attorney

Mayor Update and Announcements

Council member Bob Redger requested the engineer for the swimming pool improvement project attend a future Council meeting to further discuss the project.

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner noted that the Community Block Party has moved from Play World to Swimming Pool Park.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Steve Ferland moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 5-0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

TMP-M

Four students from TMP-Marian High School traveled to Wichita with entries for the Kansas State Science and Engineering Fair on Friday, March 29.

The Kansas Science Fair is a great opportunity for young people to advance to higher levels in leadership and problem solving.

Carlos Schwindt, Nathan Stark, and Ben Pfannenstiel cooperated on an entry which examined the water quality of Big Creek at various locations and times. Their project was awarded the Gold Medal in the Environmental Science Category and also qualified as the Kansas Entry in the National Competition for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize to be held this summer.

Ian Chiu researched the behavior of a chemical system as it produced electrical energy over an extended period of time. He was awarded a Bronze Medal in the Energy and Chemistry section of the competition.

“What a great showing for those students! How cool to have three of them qualify for the National event. Well done Randy Brull, Science Department and all of their teachers,” said Chad Meitner, principal.

COLBY — The Thomas County Attorney on Thursday issued a warning about an email scam circulating through the county.

The email advises recipients they have received a traffic ticket and that they are required to pay online.

“This is a scam!” the Thomas County Attorney’s Office said in a social media posting. “If you have questions about the legality of your ticket, please call the Court Clerks directly!”

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Thomas More Prep-Marian students this week completed the Can Your Class food drive, collecting 3,105 food items for the St. Joseph Food Bank.

Spanish teacher Melissa Pinkney came up for the idea for the drive. The students were challenged to bring enough food to fill up the doorway to their classrooms. The class that donated the largest amount of food earned a free class period with popcorn.

Pinkney said she was shocked by the students’ response to the challenge.

It was a tight competition, but Mr. Denton’s senior and sophomore English classes won the competition.

The junior class delivered and sorted the food for the pantry during its academy period.

“I know Renee Michaud at the food pantry was very thankful. When we brought the food, the room was quite bare,” Pinkney said.

Learning about service and charity are important aspects of the TMP education, Pinkney said.

“I think for the younger generations, they have to experience the service. That helps them in their mind make connections to the community, but also TMP is about giving back,” she said. “That is one of our main goals is to teach about service and how important it is.”

KDOT

The Kansas Department of Transportation expects to begin work on a pair of bridge repair projects along I-70 in Ellis County the week of April 8.

Crews will be repairing the bridges carrying westbound I-70 over K-247 at exit 145 in Ellis and U.S. 183 at exit 159 in Hays. Traffic will be reduced to one lane through the construction zones with a reduced speed limit of 60 mph. Minor delays not exceeding 5 minutes should be expected.

PCI Roads LLC is the primary contractor for both projects. Work is expected to be completed by the end of August, weather permitting.

HFD

The Hays Fire Department will be inspecting and flow testing fire hydrants on Fri., April 5 in the area of Highway 183 Alternate and Willow St. between 27th St. and 41st St.

This is part of a coordinated effort by the city of Hays to inspect all fire hydrants in the city and flush all water mains annually.

HFD

HaysMed will be conducting a series of small controlled burns on its hospital grounds, 2220 Canterbury, Friday, April 5, beginning at 8 a.m.

These burns are a natural weed and vegetation control to care for the prairie grasses.

The Hays Fire Department will be staffing a fire truck and be on standby for this burn.