By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
An agreement for the R9 water pipeline easement acquisition services was approved by the Hays City Commission during its Jan. 11 meeting.
The recommendation came from John Braun, R9 project manager, for the low bid of $1,079,374 by O. R. Colan Associates, Charlotte, N.C., to be funded out of the water sales tax reserve fund.
The city will pay another $29,000 for the lease of the company's propriety computer program.
Construction of the 66-mile pipeline will run from the cities of Hays and Russell's wellfield at the R9 in Edwards County to the Hays Smoky Hill River water wellfield south of Schoenchen.
Russell owns 18 percent of the R9 Ranch.
The bid proposals were reviewed by the city's project engineer Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City, as well as city staff.
According to references contacted by the city, "... ORC is not noted for sending [land] tracts excessively for condemnation," Braun said. "We also discussed the rate of diminishing returns, which is sometimes involved in the negotiating process. Someone who doesn't sign the paperwork within 90 days probably isn't going to come to an agreement within 120 days. Many times, they don't actually sign until the city or whatever the entity is, actually files the intent to condemn, and that's the incentive for [the entity] to take action.
"So we feel ORC's proposal is in the best interest of the city."
Survey notifications are to begin this month, although actual surveying is subject to weather conditions.
Land appraisals through a consultant hired by the Hays city attorney's office would be done in May and June of 2024.
Offers to land owners will be made by the end of August and acquisition of easements will be completed by the end of the year.
Any parcels not acquired by Dec. 31, 2024, would be turned over for consideration of condemnation.
"That would provide adequate timing for construction bids in June and July 2025," Braun said. "The construction phase and crop damage settlements would begin in the fall of 2025."
Construction of Hays' third fire station, 1732 W. 41st St., is expected to be completed in March. Commissioners approved a budget of $280,500 for the purchase of fixtures, furnishings and equipment. Most of the money — $200,000 — will come from the city's share of the Ellis County ¼ cent sales tax. The remaining $80,500 is from the city's 2010 sale of its property near 33rd Street and Sherman Avenue.
Public Works Director Jesse Rohr recommended awarding a bid for four Freightliner Model 108SD dump trucks for the service division to Truck Center Companies, Wichita, for $804,525, which was approved by the commission. The money will come from the new equipment reserve fund. Each truck is equipped with a snowplow, two have sand/salt spreaders, and one has a brine applicator.
Commissioners also approved Rohr's requests for a general nuisance abatement at 409 Riley St. and a demolition abatement for 3809 Post Road.
In resident comments at the beginning of the meeting, a resident requested the city investigate allowing the use of golf carts on Hays streets. Commissioners asked city staff to gather relevant information for discussion at a future work session.
Mayor Shaun Musil was absent from the meeting, which was lead by Vice-Mayor Sandy Jacobs.