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Ellis council OKs funds for FHSU water festival

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ELLIS — The city of Ellis and Fort Hays State University will team up for a water festival in the spring.

The Ellis City Council on Feb. 3 voted to spend up to $2,500 to help supply and market the event, which is designed to educate residents about the importance of water conservation.

City of EllisCity of Ellisellis city logo

The funds will come out of the city’s water utility fund.

In other business at the Feb. 3 meeting, the council discussed options to help revitalize the downtown business district. No action was taken, but council members discussed the possibility of requiring a special-use permit for owners wanting to use storefronts for storage only.

Here are the compete unofficial minutes of Monday’s meeting of the Ellis City Council:

• • •

DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

February 3, 2014

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members John Walz, Jolene Niernberger, Loran Gottschalk and Terry Redetzke.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council members Jeff Wolf and John Leiker were absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

City Clerk Amy Burton noted that due to the impending snow storm, Bartlett & West Engineers will not be present; therefore, the Special Order item on Water Exploration will be struck from the agenda.

PUBLIC PRESENT

Buck Driggs, Ryan Augustine, Brian Raub, Sean Simmons, Ron Johnson, Glen Keller, David McDaniel, Gary Luea, John LaShell, Michelle Wiesner, Henry Wiesner, Jim Carthew, and Rene Norris.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from Regular Meeting on January 20, 2014, the Minutes from Special Meeting on January 27, 2014, and Bills Ordinance #1942. Council member Terry Redetzke seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

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

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Capital Improvement: Repair/Maintenance

Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, reported the City should hear in the coming weeks on USDA funding for the waterline improvement project, with construction to begin in Fall 2014 or Spring 2015.  With the waterline improvement project progressing, Mr. Driggs inquired of Council’s intent on moving into Phase 2 of the overall project – street improvements in the affected area.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Terry Redetzke seconded a motion to authorize the pursuit of Community Development Block Grant funds for street improvements.  Motion carried 4-0.

General Government: Special Project

Ryan Augustine presented a proposed site map for the City’s website and provided suggestions for additional pages not currently included.  Mr. Augustine also provided a summary of services offered and proposed fees.  Council took no action.

Sewer: Repair/Maintenance

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for rehabilitation of the St. Mary’s lift station.  Council member John Walz moved to accept the low bid from Mayer Specialty Services in the amount of $8,792.30 with the hopes that mobilization costs of up to $1,500.00 may be deducted if scheduled in conjunction with other work in the area.  Funds for the rehabilitation will come from the Sewer Utility Fund.  Council member Loran Gottschalk seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Water: Special Project

The City and the Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 Team plan to hold a water festival this spring educating residents on the importance of water conservation.   Council member Jolene Niernberger made a motion to approve funding for the water festival at an amount not to exceed $2,500.00 for advertising and supplies, with funds to come out of the Water Utility Fund.  Council member John Walz seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

General Government: Building Code

The Council discussed the downtown business district and what could be done to revitalize the area.  Council considered a special use permit for those owners wanting to use their storefronts solely for storage.  Current owners would be grandfathered in from obtaining a permit.  City Attorney Olavee Raub noted the City can require compliance with the environmental code but needs to be cognizant of the floodplain regulations as well.  No action was taken.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Water: Repair/Maintenance

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported that he has received correspondence from Utility Service Company regarding a question on if the painting of the exterior of the water tower is included in their current contract with the City.  He will forward the existing contract to City Attorney Olavee Raub for review.

Sewer: Disposal

Mr. Scheuerman shared with the Governing Body a memo from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment dated February 2007, regarding the possible relocation of the outfall of the Wastewater Treatment Plant to Big Creek.  Last meeting, Council questioned if the City’s wells would recharge more rapidly if the effluent water from the Treatment Plant was relocated to Big Creek.  In the referenced memo, KDHE was concerned that relocating the effluent water to Big Creek would cause the nutrient levels to increase, causing algal blooms and render the creek unsafe for fishing, wading or boating.  Mr. Scheuerman does not feel at this time the City is capable of reducing the nutrient concentrations to an acceptable level.

Sewer: Special Project

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reviewed the Energy Assessment on the Wastewater Treatment Plant prepared by Wichita State University.

Sewer: License/Permit

Mr. Scheuerman reviewed with Council upcoming changes in the requirements needed for the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant permit.  Certain nutrient levels would have to be reduced in order to be compliant with the new regulations.  By September 30, 2014, the City must submit to KDHE a plan and designs of any upgrades necessary to the Plant to reduce the nutrient concentrations to an acceptable level.  Wilson & Company will meet with Council in March to review a draft of a proposed plan and cost assessments.

Water: Repair/Maintenance

Director Scheuerman reviewed the Comparative Water Report through December 10, 2013.  Layne Christensen has tested three wells and they appear to be working well, but Mr. Scheuerman is awaiting the full report.

General Government: Building Code

At the January 20, 2014 meeting, Council asked Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to begin inspections on the downtown buildings.  Mr. Scheuerman assessed one block of the downtown area and reported that many of the buildings have environmental concerns and are unstable and in need of major repairs to ensure the safety of the occupants and pedestrians.  However, in this one block the property needs to be properly surveyed to determine the legal description for the owners.  City Attorney Olavee Raub will contact a surveyor to obtain a cost estimate to get the property surveyed.  The City would like to collaborate with the property owners to find a solution to address the safety and environmental concerns.  Council asked Mr. Scheuerman to inform the property owners of the areas that need addressed without citing them with a formal complaint at this time.  Attorney Raub noted the City should consider budgeting for blight structures if property owners refuse or are unable to make the necessary repairs in the future.

Personnel: Entry

Mr. Scheuerman would like to hire Tyler Watson for the vacant sanitation position.  Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the hiring of Tyler Watson for the General Public Works Employee I sanitation position at a probationary wage of $11.84 effective February 17, 2014.  Motion carried 4-0.

Streets: Repair/Maintenance

Mr. Scheuerman informed Council that the 1991 Ford tandem axle truck is in need of repair.  If the engine needs replaced, early estimates put the repair upwards to $15,000.00.  To upgrade the truck to a newer model with 100,000-200,000 miles on it could cost the City on average $30,000.00.  Mr. Scheuerman noted the City does not adequately budget contingency funds in the case of equipment failures.  The truck needs to be fixed or replaced as it is vital to the City fleet, yet funds are not readily available in the Special Machinery fund.  It was the consensus of Council to have Mr. Scheuerman obtain a cost estimate on what repairs are needed to fix the truck

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented the February officer calendar.  One addition to the calendar is training on the new Enterpol records management system on February 26, 2014.  Chief Yates also wanted to clarify that the annual Enterpol support fee of $1,900.00 would not start until March 2015.  Officer Jon Geiger has completed his field training and will attend the KLETC reciprocity class March 3rd – 7th.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the December 2013 and 4th Quarter 2013 Treasurer’s reports.  The annual rabies clinic was held January 25th with thirty-one dog tags sold and immunizations administered.  Ms. Burton then inquired of Council’s intent on whether to open the municipal pool this year.  It was the consensus of Council to operate the pool in the 2014 season.  Council member Loran Gottschalk suggested exploring an option of bussing kids over to the Hays Aquatic Park in the future.  Ms. Burton reminded the Governing Body of the K-State Community Board Leadership Series later in February.  She also reported she has received an email from IdeaTek regarding their interest in obtaining a franchise agreement with the City for a fiber optic build within Ellis.  Ms. Burton then informed Council of Senate Bill 304 limiting the ability of cities to lease public facilities for the purpose of delivering telecommunication service to customers.  The hearing on the bill has currently been postponed.

MAYOR/COUNCIL

Council member John Walz thanked Henry and Helen Fischer and the Alumni Association for allowing the City the opportunity to consider the vacant building on 2nd Street.  Mr. Walz provided a brochure to the Governing Body on the Kansas PRIDE program.  The focus of the program is to build community pride by meeting with residents to determine what they would like to see to better the community, and then collaborate with City organizations to take action.  Mr. Walz would like to schedule a separate meeting with interested parties to review the program.

Council member Jolene Niernberger responded to a resident’s concern at the last Council meeting that a previous Council had already approved the payoff of the fire truck.  Ms. Niernberger could not find evidence that a motion to that effect had been recorded in the official minutes for that time frame; therefore, the current Council did the right thing in taking action.  Ms. Niernberger also wanted to thank Police Chief Taft Yates for his recent presentation to a group of Vietnam veterans in Hays.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Terry Redetzke moved and Council member Loran Gottschalk seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

Ellis searches for new water supply (VIDEO)

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ellis city logoBy BECKY KISER
Hays Post

ELLIS — The city of Ellis remains in a Stage 3 water restriction, which means no outdoor watering of any kind.

“It’s tough, but residents have adjusted well,” said Mayor Lyle Johnston. “I’ve seen people hauling water in to water their grass.”

The city also is offering a free low-flow showerhead exchange program.

Johnston acknowledged these are short-term fixes:

The city has created a five member Water Advisory Board, which is spearheading the effort of looking for a new long-term water supply.

“They’ll advise the city on when and how to go for a different water source,” Johnston said.

You can find out more about the Ellis water situation on the ECTV Forum this week on Eagle Community TV Channel 14 following Hays Post News at 6 p.m.

Water weighs heavy as Ellis County considers budget priorities

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By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Ellis County commissioners laid out their budget priorities for 2015 at a special meeting Wednesday afternoon.

Among the items the commissioners identified were economic development and zoning in an effort to expand business opportunities in the county, and public safety.

Public safety also was discussed, focusing on Interstate 70 traffic.

“With Hays PD and our Ellis County Sheriff’s Department, I think we are very fortunate to live in Ellis County. I think they do a good job,” said Commissioner Dean Haselhorst.

All three commissioners agreed that how paid time off in certain departments is handled will be a major issue this year.

The commissioners also agreed water was one of the biggest issues facing Ellis County in the future.

“We can talk lots and lots of things as a body, but the No. 1 influence on what we are going to do in Ellis County is water,” Commissioner Swede Holmgren said. “We need to be creative about saving water but also improved use and distribution of water.”

Commissioner Barbara Wasinger said it would be a good idea for the county to take some of the ideas the city of Hays and offer certain incentives for replacing showerheads and toilets with more water-efficient appliances.

Holmgren added the commission do not want the water situation to deter people from moving to and building businesses in the community.

NW Kan. counties included in disaster declaration (UPDATE)

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WASHINGTON — Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 37 counties in Kansas, including Ellis County, as natural disaster areas due to severe and ongoing drought.

“Kansas continues to face one of the worst droughts since the Dust Bowl,” Roberts said. “The lack of rainfall has had a devastating impact on our crops, and our ranchers are facing severe hardship due to a lack of available feed caused by the drought. I applaud the USDA for continuing to recognize this hardship, and I am pleased that Kansans can tap into vital USDA resources and rebuild their farms, ranches and communities.”

“The USDA’s Disaster Designation is welcome news at a time when Kansas producers — who contribute to an affordable food supply across the globe — are experiencing the results of a devastating drought,” Moran said. “In spite of the exceedingly dry conditions, this designation will mitigate the drought’s effects and enable farmers and ranchers to continue their agricultural operations.”

USDA designated Cheyenne, Clark, Comanche, Decatur, Ellis, Finney, Ford, Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Lane, Logan, Meade, Morton, Ness, Norton, Pawnee, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Scott, Seward, Sheridan, Sherman, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Trego, Wallace and Wichita counties as disaster counties.

Farmers and ranchers in the following eight counties in Kansas also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous: Barber, Barton, Edwards, Kiowa, Osborne, Russell, Smith and Stafford.

These counties will now be eligible for important disaster programs, such as the emergency loan program administrated by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). These programs will help the farmers and ranchers of Kansas make it through one of the most difficult growing seasons on record.

Affected farmers should contact their local FSA office for more information.

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UPDATE: 12:43 p.m. Jan. 16

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Federal officials have designated portions of 11 western and central states as primary natural disaster areas because of a drought.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement Wednesday includes counties in Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Kansas, Texas, Utah, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Oklahoma and California.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement that he sympathizes with farmers and ranchers who are dealing with the lack of rain and snow, and assured them that the USDA will stand by them.

The designation means eligible farmers can qualify for low-interest emergency loans from the Agriculture Department.

Counties adjacent to those that are affected also are eligible for assistance.

The United States Drought Monitor reports that while storms have dumped rain and snow in the East, droughts are persisting or intensifying in the West.

Salina residents ask for flouride-free water

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By JOSH BARNHART
Salina Post

SALINA — Residents showed up in droves at Monday’s Salina City Commission meeting to protest fluoride in the city water supply.

Those participating provided information alleging fluoridation of the water causes diabetes, heart disease and also effects the nervous system.

A study was mentioned giving information that fluoride could take up to 20 years before the effects are seen in the body.

Participants asked the Salina city commissioners to immediately withdraw fluoride from the water supply.

One person asked the commissioners outright if they are for or against fluoride. When Commissioner Aaron Householter was asked directly, he stated regarding the anti-fluoride debate, “Everything you discuss today is a tenth of the truth, all the info presented could be found on a Google search. … If we submerge ourselves in water, we might drown.”

Officially, commissioners Householter, Jon Blanchard, Barb Shirley and Randall Hardy agreed they are in favor of fluoridation. Kaye Crawford said she will withhold her decision at this time.

Household water conservation — let’s all do our part

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None of us care to pay more for utility bills and although water may still be relatively inexpensive to an average homeowner. We can all take measures to try and lessen our water use for the good of our pocket book, environment and future generations.

Strides have been made by all of the cities in Ellis County and the area. For instance water conservation measures have saved the City of Hays approximately 298,485,500 gallons of water (916 ac ft.) annually or $28.4 million. These savings have extended the estimated life expectancy of Hays water resources 20 to 50 years.

Conserving water in the bathroom is a good start to water conservation. Did you know that older toilets use as much as 20 gallons of water per person per day? For example, people often do not realize that the toilet accounts for the largest single use (28 percent) of water in the home. Replacing an old toilet with a newer one can save an average household an estimated 8,000 to 22,000 gallons of water in a single year, this water and energy savings will ultimately pay for the new toilet!

Tips on ways to conserve and prevent high water bills:

Install an ultra‐low‐flow toilet. It uses just 1.6 gallons per flush, compared to older toilets that use 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush. Toilets labeled “WaterSense” can use 50 to 80% less water.

Approximately 20 percent of toilets leak. Check for leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If the dye shows up in the bowl after 15 minutes, your toilet has a leak. Fix it and save up to 600 gallons of water per month.

Replace the flapper for an inexpensive solution to toilet leaks.

Place 1 or 2 one‐quart bottles filled with water in the tank of an older toilet. It could save you as much as 1,000 gallons of water per person, per year.

Repair showers and faucet leaks in your sink or bathtub faucets by replacing the rubber O‐ring or washer inside the valve.

Take a quick shower rather than a bath and save about 20 gallons of water each time! Bathing ranks third highest for indoor water use and the second highest for home energy use. Some additional household water saving tips:

Test your shower flow. A water‐efficient showerhead can save 15 gallons of water during a 10‐minute shower — 1,800 gallons a month for a family of four. If your shower fills a one‐gallon bucked in less than 20 seconds, consider replacing it with a low‐flow shower head (less than 2.5 gallons/minute). (Check with your city to see if they offer rebate programs – such as replacement to low‐flow shower heads, faucet aerators and high efficiency washing machine). The city of Hays web site is www.haysusa.com.

Turn off the water when shaving or brushing your teeth. It will save an average of 5 gallons per person, per day.

Run clothes washers and dishwashers only when they are full; save up to 1,000 gallons a month. Consider replacing your older washing machine or dishwasher with an Energy Star one. If you have a dishwasher made before 1994 you’re paying an extra $40 a year on utility bills and using about 10 more gallons of water per cycle. A high efficiency washing machine uses about half as much water and less energy as a conventional one.
Check for leaks in your pipes by turning all water sources off and reading your water meter. Wait a half‐ hour or so and take another reading from the meter. If the dial has moved, you have a leak.

Listen for dripping faucets and toilets that flush automatically. Fixing a leak can save up to 500 gallons of water per month.

How much water do I use?

Check out your personal daily water‐use volume with an interactive questionnaire online at https://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/sq3.htm

For further water saving tips contact your local K‐State Research & Extension County Office or Stacie Minson, Big Creek Middle Smoky Hill Watershed Specialist, at (785) 814‐7100.

Stacy Campbell is Ellis County agricultural agent with Kansas State Research and Extension.

Topeka considers water purification upgrades

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TOPEKA (AP) — Topeka officials are talking about making improvements to the city’s water purification process after struggling to comply with strict new guidelines.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reported water in Topeka itself is still in compliance. But three suppliers that receive water from the city recently received notice from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that their levels of haloacetic acids were higher than the state allows. Haloacetic acids are byproducts created from chlorine water filtration.

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified the possibility that some people who drink water containing high levels of the acids over several decades could have an increased risk of cancer.

City officials indicated in a news release that they had seen the problem coming and are considering options.

Boil advisory issued for Kansas community

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a boil advisory for the public water supply located in the city of Thayer in Neosho County.

The city water supply experienced a loss of pressure in the water system due to an operational malfunction. When such a loss of pressure occurs, it is possible for contaminants to enter the system. Chlorine residuals may also drop to levels that are inadequate to protect against bacterial contamination.

Effective immediately, customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation, or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

Officials will send notifications when the boil advisory has been rescinded.

Area water, wastewater treatment operators certified by state

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TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Water has certified 39 water treatment operators and 27 wastewater treatment operators from August to December. These operators represent community and public water supply facilities across the state.

Kansas has more than 1,000 community and public water supply facilities that require a certified operator. Individuals who operate water treatment plants must meet minimum training standards to assure water is properly treated so it is safe to drink. Wastewater treatment plant operators must also be trained so they can operate wastewater treatment systems and prevent the release of excessive pollutants.

“Trained water and wastewater treatment operators play a significant role in protecting public health and preserving the environment,” said KDHE Secretary Robert Moser. “These Kansans have displayed commendable efforts to protect our waters.”

The following individuals were certified from northwest and north-central Kansas.

Water operators
Russ Beach, Phillipsburg; Jeff Cart, Salina; Christopher Frack, Norton; Keri Griswell, Salina; Glenn Quested, Salina; and Jason Rothenberger, Osborne.

Wastewater operators
Darin Martin, Claflin, and Richard Simmons, Salina.

Crews to measure Kansas groundwater

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LAWRENCE (AP) — Crews are undertaking an annual effort to monitor changes in groundwater levels in western and central Kansas.

The University of Kansas said Tuesday the Kansas Geological Survey will measure 510 wells early next month. The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Water Resources will measure an additional 897 wells.

The monitoring focuses on the massive High Plains aquifer system, which consists largely of the Ogallala aquifer. Data is used by landowners, state and federal agencies, local groundwater management districts, private entities and the public.

From the winter of 2011-12 to 2012-13, water levels in the entire network declined by slightly more than 2 feet on average. Southwest Kansas was the hardest hit area, with an average decline of 3.56 feet.

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