Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. North northwest wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east northeast in the afternoon.
Tonight A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 61. East northeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Wednesday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 71. East southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 63. East southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Thursday A 20 percent chance of showers before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South southeast wind 10 to 13 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.
Thursday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.
The Hays Police Department is asking the public’s assistance in locating 28-year-old Matthew “Matt” J. Alvis regarding felony eluding and felony drug violations.Alvis allegedly led officers on a pursuit last Saturday around 7:13 p.m. that went through parts of Hays and Ellis County.
The pursuit ended with Alvis ditching the vehicle and fleeing on foot.Officers were unable to locate Alvis Saturday evening.
If you have information on the whereabouts of Matt Alvis, call the Hays Police Department at (785) 625-1030.
The weekly U.S. rotary rig count from Baker Hughes was unchanged Friday at 1,057 active rigs. Texas added three rigs while three fell off the list in New Mexico. Independent Oil & Gas Service reported 14 active oil and gas drilling rigs in eastern Kansas, an increase of two rigs. The count west of Wichita was unchanged at 30. Drilling is underway at two leases in Barton County and one in Stafford County. Operators are about to spud one well in Barton County and one in Stafford County. They’re moving in completion tools to two wells in Barton County, six in Ellis County and one in Stafford County.
Kansas operators filed 60 permits for drilling at new locations last week, 41 in eastern Kansas, 19 west of Wichita including one new drilling permit in Ellis County and one in Stafford County. The total so far this year is 1,103 new drilling permits across the state.
Independent Oil & Gas Service reported just eight well completions for the week, all of them west of Wichita, six of them dry holes, including one dry hole completed in Russell County. Operators have completed 950 wells so far this year. Of the 518 completions west of Wichita so far this year, 159, more than 30%, were dry holes.
TransCanada still has work to do before it can break ground on the embattled final leg of the Keystone oil pipeline system. The Rapid City Journal reports the company filed petitions last month for eminent domain property rights in South Dakota. Petitions for condemnation were filed against separate parcels of land owned by two families, at least one of which promises a court fight. The company says it has not yet secured easements on state land in South Dakota, but has 94% ownership of the easements on private property.
Dwindling pipeline take-away capacity is bolstering oil-by-rail traffic (OBR) in the U.S. and Canada. According to the Association of American Railroads, OBR traffic was up more than 15% over the same week a year earlier. The cumulative total is up 10% year-on-year, to an average 10,532 car loads per week. Canada’s total oil-by-rail traffic has jumped nearly 15% compared to a year earlier.
This week’s auction of US Gulf Coast energy leases generated $178 million in winning bids, with Exxon Mobil, BP, Hess Corp and four others bidding on 144 parcels. That’s about one percent of the more than 14,000 parcels offered up for bid.
Voters in Oklahoma will decide is the state should set aside five percent of its oil and gas tax revenue for tough times. State Question 800 would create the “Oklahoma Vision Fund,” a trust fund designed to provide long-term stability in a state where spending has been anything but stable. It’s supporters say it’s also designed to keep future lawmakers from using it for special projects. The Governor issued a proclamation last week placing the matter on the ballot November 6.
For the third consecutive Wednesday, announcements from the government sent prices tumbling last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a 6.8 million barrel increase in domestic crude oil inventories over the previous week. EIA said domestic production gained 100-thousand barrels to a rounded figure of 10.9 million barrels per day. Crude oil imports increased another million barrels per day last week. We’re importing about one percent above the average from last year at this time.
North Dakota has a record number of oil wells in production, but actual production has dipped slightly from the state’s record-high May totals. Preliminary numbers from the Department of Mineral Resources show the state pumped nearly 1.25 million barrels per day in June from 14,778 wells. Regulators say the state’s operators are still burning off 17% of the natural gas produced at oil wells. That again falls short of the statewide goal of 88% capture starting in November.
A new report from the research firm DrillingInfo shows oil producers in the state of Texas are burning off record amounts of natural gas at the well head. The report suggests drillers don’t have adequate pipeline capacity to move the associated gas to market, a problem which could slow down the state’s all-time-high oil production.
A report in the Texas Tribune asserts that energy regulators, industry groups and other experts are playing down the potential impact if Mexico follows through on the new president’s promise to end fuel imports. That would be a big hit to the Texas economy, but the report suggests Mexico “…has a long way to go to wean itself off fuel imports.” Sources also said they don’t see Mexico severing ties with a top trading partner.
Iran’s state-run oil company reduced official prices for September sales to Asia across all grades. Bloomberg reports the light crude pumped by OPEC’s third-largest producer will be sold at its steepest discount to rival Saudi Arabia in 14 years. The Saudis are also cutting their prices to the prized Asian market to lure more customers as they increase supply.
UPDATE: As of 3:10 p.m. Monday, Walnut Street was reopened to traffic, the city of Hays reported.
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Effective immediately, Walnut Street between 12th and 13th streets will be closed to traffic while crews are making repairs from a water leak and brick repairs on the street.
For more information, contact the Department of Water Resources at 785-628-7380.
Another soaker in Hays overnight Saturday resulted in an official 1.45 inches of rain as measured at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town.
August has been a wet month so far with 5.30 inches of rain falling. Precipitation for the year to date is at 23.85 inches.
More showers are in the weather forecast this week, starting Tuesday evening, along with cooler temperatures.
ELLIS – The 2019 budget was unanimously approved by Ellis city council members during their August 13 meeting.
The council also unanimously approved an increase in sewer rates and sanitation rates for customers.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
August 13, 2018
PUBLIC HEARING – 2019 BUDGET DOCUMENT
General Government: Financial – 2019 City of Ellis Budget
Mayor David McDaniel requested a motion to open the public hearing. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to open the 2019 budget hearing. The motion carried 4-0, and the 2019 budget hearing opened at 7:00 p.m. Mayor McDaniel stated the proposed budget has been published the required amount of time and that tonight is an opportunity for the citizens of Ellis to comment on the proposed budget for 2019. There being no public comments, Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to adjourn the budget hearing. The motion carried 4-0. Mayor McDaniel closed the budget hearing at 7:03 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, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, and Dena Patee. Also present were Public Works Water Operator John Leiker, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler. Council member Bob Redger, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, and City Attorney Olavee Raub were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Steve Brull, Verda Flinn, Chad Pritchett, Tammy Leiker, Barbara Perkins, Margie Mickelson, Sam Polifka, Glenn Kohl, and Gary Luea.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on July 16, 2018, Bills Ordinance #2050, and the June Manual Journal Entries. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chad Pritchett, Ellis Community Foundation, requested permission to proceed with the Foundation’s project, in partnership with the Ellis Railroad Museum, to build a permanent structure to house and protect the miniature train. The Foundation is also requesting the removal of four Cottonwood trees, two of which are dead, to facilitate the project.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Financial – 2019 Budget
Mayor David McDaniel noted that the budget hearing for the proposed 2019 budget document was held earlier in the evening with no opposition from the public voiced. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the 2019 City of Ellis budget document as presented. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Contract
Further consideration of the bid submitted for the lease of a tract of land south of the sewer plant was tabled until City Attorney Olavee Raub could present a map of the land in question.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Acting Foreman John Leiker explained the repairs needed to the north truck route on 2nd Street from Washington to Madison. Council discussed the cost estimates to repair all of 2nd Street versus just the north lane where the majority of the semi-trucks travel. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman provided cost estimates for concrete and steel material in comparison to asphalt. The Public Works Department recently completed a patch on the affected area on 2nd Street with stock materials and in-house labor. It was the consensus of the Council to table consideration of further repairs until the weather dries out and until the current patch starts to deteriorate.
NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Zoning
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve an application for change in zoning of 808 Washington Street from Chad and Tricia Pritchett. The property is currently zoned Central Business District (C-1), and the applicant requests a zoning change to Single Family Residential (R-1). It was the Council’s consensus to move forward with the zoning change and to consider approval of the ordinance at the August 20th Council meeting.
Municipal Court: City Code
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Ordinance No. 1431 adopting the 2018 Edition of the Standard Traffic Ordinance. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Municipal Court: City Code
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Ordinance No. 1432 adopting the 2018 Edition of the Uniform Public Offense Code. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Tourism: City Code
Council member Dena Patee moved to approve Ordinance No. 1433 formally establishing the Tourism Fund in the City’s general ledger and allowing the fund to receive disbursements from the State of Kansas. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Financial
Council member Dena Patee moved to approve Resolution No. 548 providing for an adjustment to the fixed percentage increase in the utility rates. Council member Susan Eaton seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The Resolution increases sewer rates by 5% and sanitation rates by 3%. There is no planned increase in water utility rates.
General Government: Financial
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 549 authorizing City employees to use the City’s credit cards. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. The Resolution has been updated due to changes in City staffing.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
During the recent Ellis County street project on Washington Street, the City had to force truck traffic to the southbound parking lane while manholes were reset in the driving lane. From 5th Street to 6th Street, ruts were created by the heavy trucks due to the wet base from recent rains and a waterline break in the area. The contractor offered to repair that portion of the street while they were still in the area. Due to the regular meeting being postponed a week, Mayor David McDaniel approved the repair prior to Council consideration. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to ratify the repairs completed by Coughlin, Inc. in the amount of $1,200.00. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Committee
Each year, the City has an opportunity to designate a representative to act as the voting delegate at the League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference in October. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to designate Jolene Niernberger as the voting delegate for the City of Ellis. The motion carried 5-0, with Council member Jolene Niernberger abstaining. Council member Dena Patee then moved to designate David McDaniel as the alternate voting delegate for the City of Ellis. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works: Training
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve trench safety and confined space training for Travis Roland, Joe Kreutzer, and Steve Homburg on August 29th – 30th, and for Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to attend the Kansas Floodplain Managers Association meeting September 5th – 6th. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for July and the August Staff Calendar. Interviews will be conducted on August 25th to fill the vacancy in the Department.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the June Financial Statements, the Health Insurance Savings Report for July, and the minutes from the recent Planning Commission meeting.
Attorney
City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler requested an executive session at the end of the meeting to update Council on an outstanding code violation case.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel discussed a recent incident regarding downed limbs in the alley between Walnut and Monroe Streets. Mayor McDaniel stated he ordered Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to remove the limbs, in which Mr. Scheuerman declined stating current City policy does not allow the City to compete with licensed private contractors. He also argued it wouldn’t be fair to provide the free service to some private residents, when other residents have paid to have their limbs removed. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner stated Mr. Scheuerman’s hands are tied due to current ordinances in place, while Council member Susan Eaton expressed the fact that Mr. Scheuerman disobeyed an order from the Mayor. Mayor McDaniel stated that Mr. Scheuerman will be written up for not following his direct order even though he was following City policy. It was the consensus of Council to further discuss the situation in an executive session when Mr. Scheuerman was present.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss an ongoing code violation case pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2) with City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler present. The open meeting will resume at 8:30 p.m. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
ELLIS – Ellis City Council members will hear an update tonight from Ellis County Fire Chief Darin Myers about storm warning sirens.
The outdoor warning systems in the county are approximately 40 years old and need to be replaced. The cost of replacing the system will be approximately $182,700. Myers has said it will be funded through capital reserves. He will also discuss the plan with Ellis County commissioners during their meeting at 5 p.m. today in Hays.
In other business, council members will consider approval of an ordinance to rezone 808 Washington Street, as well as the Ellis Community Foundation’s miniature train project.
The complete agenda follows.
AGENDA
August 20, 2018
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)
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from Regular Meeting on August 13, 2018
Bills Ordinance #2051
(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.)
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
SPECIAL ORDER
Update on Storm Sirens – Ellis County Fire Chief Darin Myers
Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Dustin Vine
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Consider Approval of Ellis Community Foundation’s Miniature Train Project
Consider Bid for Land Lease
Consider Approval of Ordinance Rezoning 808 Washington Street
About 135 youth attended the 21st annual Outdoor Youth Festival on Saturday at the Hays City Sportsmen’s Club.
Youth were able to practice casting, shooting skeet, shooting a paintball gun, shooting different bow types as well as air rifle, muzzleloader and small-bore rifles.
A free lunch was provided by Eagle Communications and the Hays Chapter of Pheasants Forever.
Youth were awarded prizes, including guns, fishing tackle and outdoor equipment.
The Ellis County Commission on Monday will consider a plan to replace outdoor weather warning systems throughout the county.
According to information presented to the commission by Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers, the outdoor warning systems in the county are approximately 40 years old and need to be replaced.
The cost of replacing the system will be approximately $182,700. Myers said it will be funded through capital reserves.
In other business, the commission will add a shop foreman position to the list of high-demand premium jobs and consider a resolution to reduce county commissioner pay by 5 percent.
Monday’s commission meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday at the Ellis County Administration Center.
AGRA — The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin a guardrail replacement project on a portion of U.S. 36 in Phillips County the week of Aug. 20.
Crews will be replacing the guardrail on the viaduct over the Kyle Railroad located approximately 2 miles east of Agra. Traffic will be guided through the work zone via flaggers during daylight hours and minor delays not exceeding 5 minutes should be anticipated. Work is expected to be completed by the end of October, weather permitting.
Mission Construction is the primary contractor for the project with a total contract cost of approximately $199,000. Sub-contracts were also awarded to Whitney Construction and Farms and Fulsom Brothers Inc.
RPM Speedway will have Military Appreciation Night in conjunction with the regular season race Saturday, Aug. 25.
Thanks to Pfeifer Dozer Service of St Peter, all active duty, former or retired military, Reservist or National Guard members will be admitted free to the grandstands with military ID on Saturday. Thanks also to Stan Dreilng, James Motor Co., and Heim Body Shop of Hoxie for free General Admission for kids 12 and younger with parent or guardian. GA for all others 13 and older will be $10.
Pits will open at 4 p.m. Pit pass for adults 13 and older will be $25 and kids 12 and younger $10 with parent or guardian.
GA will open at 5 p.m., hot laps at 6 p.m., with races to follow.
Race fans are encouraged to wear their red, white and blue in support of our troops and to remember our veterans.
The 5 regular IMCA classes, Mods, Stocks, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks & Sport Compacts plus the Crazy Cruisers will take the track for the evening.
Four Quilts of Valor will be awarded during the night to an active service member or veteran.
The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover active service members and veterans touched by war with a comforting and healing Quilt of Valor.
