By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The planned redevelopment of 1012 Main St. in downtown Hays into Airbnb units took another step forward recently.
In September, local developer Tim Speno, One Twenty Seven Investments, LLC, was awarded a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Kansas Department of Commerce as part of its Commercial Rehabilitation program.
In order for the funds to be disbursed, a contract must be entered into between the city of Hays and the Kansas Department of Commerce. Commissioners agreed Thursday to vote on the contract at their Oct. 22 meeting.
Speno must match the grant with $90,626 for the total project cost.
The lower level of the building is the site of Eclectic Threads Quilt Studio, which will remain open. Renovation of the building’s second floor will involve exterior masonry, interior plumbing, HVAC and roof improvements to create three rentable rooms.
Rezoning request
Curtis Deines, superintendent of Planning and Development Division, presented a rezoning request by owner Rita Gottschalk for a portion of her property located at 3124 E. 27th St. from neighborhood conservation district to light industrial district. The site is outside Hays city limits but within the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Nearby land uses are transitioning toward light industrial, Deines said.
Staff, as well as the Hays Area Planning Commission, recommended approving the request. The commission will vote next week.
Vacate utility easement
A request has been made to vacate a utility easement within the G.S.L. Addition Replat at 3300 Vine St. The property was originally platted in 1982. The property is currently occupied by Westlake Hardware, Hobby Lobby and Furniture Outlet and Clearance Center, are requesting that the remaining easement be vacated to eliminate an unnecessary encumbrance on the property title.
The former Walmart building was constructed over the easement area in 1984, and there are no known public or private utilities within the easement.
Deines said the Utility Advisory Committee has no issue with the request. A public hearing on the easement is still to be be held as required by state law.
Commissioners will vote on the easement next week.
Golf Course Pro Shop contract
The current manager at the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course Pro Shop, Jeremy Coulter, will not be renewing his contract with the city when it expires on Dec. 31.
Parks Director Jeff Boyle has worked with Hays Recreation Commission Executive Director Matt Cook on a contract that would allow Hays Recreation to take over operations of the Pro Shop. There is no legal requirement that the contract be put out to bid, Toby Dougherty, city manager, said.
The Hays Recreation Commission currently oversees operation of the aquatic facilities, ballfields and Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex.
"Everything we've done with HRC has been great in providing recreational opportunities to our community," Mayor Mason Ruder said.
Boyle said Cook has expressed desire to get more junior golf players involved.
"They're the future of our golf course," Boyle said.
The commission will vote on the proposed contract on Oct. 22.
R9 water supply resolution
At the request of David Vilaysing, commissioner, a resolution was reviewed that expresses the intent of the governing body to use water available through the R9 Ranch supply in a sustainable and efficient manner once it is flowing, with a continued commitment to water conservation.
Dougherty pointed out the R9 water transfer agreement (awaiting more legal rulings) included the same conservation commitment as well as a voluntary additional reduction in the annual amount of water used by Hays and Russell.
Vilaysing said he wanted to especially clarify that Hays would not solicit businesses that are high volume water users.