By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission discussed a Kansas State 911 Board grant that funds indoor and outdoor geographic infrastructure mapping during its Wednesday meeting.
Ellis County Communications Director Jeff Ridgway said the program aims to improve emergency response by allowing dispatchers and first responders to view detailed floor plans.
Dispatchers will specifically be able to pinpoint the exact room or location of a 911 call.
"Other potential aspects of this project even tie into connecting to the camera system of some of the schools or facilities if they elect to provide those resources to first responders," Ridgway said.
Local facilities eligible for grant funding include:
• Public and private K–12 schools
• Public post-secondary educational institutions
• Government buildings
• Mass gathering sites
• Health care facilities
Ridgway said four local schools were approved in the first round of funding: Hays High School, the new Hays Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary School and Thomas More Prep-Marian.
Ridgway said the definition of mass gathering sites is open to interpretation since the grant does not provide clear guidance.
Ridgway said the Kansas Legislature plans to renew the program annually until all schools and post-secondary schools are mapped.
"The goal from my perspective locally is that priority would be on our schools and then focus on our government buildings, whether it be like the Ellis County Administrative Center, the law enforcement center, the courthouse, Hays Medical Center and Fort Hays, which would be a big undertaking in itself," he said.
Commissioner Michael Berges agreed with Ridgway’s plan to prioritize mapping schools first before moving on to other facilities as more funding becomes available.
Other business
The commission also approved a request of the Ellis County Public Works Department to assist the city of Schoenchen in repairing a ditch along Front Street. The cost estimate is $758.
The commission approved a conditional-use permit for Tilman Infrastructure to construct a cellular tower and telecommunications equipment at 753 Vincent Ave. in Victoria.
Steve Pfeifer, a landowner in the Suburban Estates development, discussed with the commission road improvements for the neighborhood and the possibility of establishing a community improvement district to help fund them.