By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Requests for economic development incentives by two local housing developers will be voted on by the Hays City Commission at its meeting this afternoon.
Hays developer Michael Graham is asking for multiple incentives for the historic Lincoln School and its grounds, 1906 Ash.
They are an ordinance establishing a reinvestment housing incentive district (RHID), a development plan of housing and public facilities in the district and approval of a development agreement.
Graham plans to renovate the former Lincoln school building into a 26- unit apartment complex and construct seven additional structures on the property, with four living units in each structure.
Graham also requested a resolution of intent to issue industrial revenue bonds for a state sales tax exemption for the project and a resolution of support for Kansas Housing Investor Tax Credits (KHITC) of $840,000.
Tallgrass First Addition Phase 6
GK Real Estate Development, LLC, Ellis, has petitioned the city for street, stormwater, water and sanitary sewer improvements to an area of 24 lots in the Tallgrass First Addition Phase 6 through the use of a benefit district. The area includes Rolling Hills Drive, and portions of East 19th and East 20th streets.
The engineer’s estimate for total construction costs is $1.6 million.
Seventy percent of the special benefit district costs would be allowed to be special assessed to property owners, with the remaining 30% being paid in full by the developer prior to the award of the construction contract.
An active builder in Ellis, this would be GK Real Estate Development's first project in Hays.
The resolution to establish the benefit district along with an engineering services agreement with Driggs Design Group, Hays, for $31,500, will also be voted on.
Debt collection services
Jami Breit, city clerk, requested to change to using a collection service for utility and abatement debts to the city. All fees associated with the collection agency would also be assessed to the customer.
Currently, the city uses a program through the State of Kansas for debt collection purposes, but Breit told commissioners last week a collection agency service is a "cleaner process."
More than $30,000 is owed in outstanding debts by city customers.
Hays Municipal Court is already using a collection agency and has a better success rate, Breit said.
Nex-Tech right-of-way
Nex-Tech transitioned from providing traditional franchise services and is now providing broadband services only.
An updated right-of-way use and occupancy agreement is required to allow Nex-Tech legal access to operate in city-owned right-of-way.
The complete Aug. 13 agenda is available here.
The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.