By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays City Commission approved a plan repairing sewer lines in the city at its meeting Thursday night.
The plan includes repairing 1,943 linear feet of sanitary sewer lining and 55 internal point repairs at multiple locations across the city. The low bid is $153,140 from Mayer Specialty Services out of Goddard.
Based on favorable pricing and available budget capacity, staff has confirmed pricing for 35 additional internal patches. The recommended total project cost is $254,640, including 55 total patches.
The city had budgeted $350,000 for the project this year.
Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty said any saving will go back into water and sewer capital improvement projects. He said the need for these capital projects still are outpacing revenue, despite headway the city has had in sewer system repairs during the last seven years.
Because the money in the sewer capital fund comes from sewer fees, the savings have to stay in that fund and can't be transferred into the general fund, Dougherty said.
This year's work is generally between Hall and Vine Streets and from 33rd Street south to Fort Street.
Bonds
The Hays City Commission approved a resolution to issue $6 million in general obligation bonds to fund the Tallgrass Phase 4 infrastructure improvements.
Bonds will also be issued to permanently finance the infrastructure improvements at Interstate 70, Exit 161.
The Tallgrass Phase 4 bond funds will be paid back through an RHID, which comes from future property taxes paid by homeowners in that addition. The RHID should not affect taxes for the city as a whole.
Fireworks
During public comments, Hays resident Ruben Schuckman expressed his concern about fireworks discharge and cleanup during the Fourth of July holiday.
Schuckman said he had to clean fireworks debris from his gutters, roof and yard. He also noted that veterans and pets have issues with the loud noises from the fireworks.
"Hays has the reputation across the state of Kansas of being creative to solve water problems," he said. "Why can't Hays be on the cutting edge and be the leader with ingenious, fresh, new ideas with the fireworks problems?"
The commissioners urged residents to be good neighbors and clean up after themselves. They also urged resident who might have fireworks issues to reach out to their neighbors and speak to them before calling the police or city.
Commissioner David Vilaysing said he would be happy to help pick up fireworks trash. He also suggested civic groups, such as the Boy Scouts, could be asked to help the elderly who need assistance.
City Commissioner Shaun Musil said he was contacted by some of Schuckman's neighbors, and they said he was taking picture of them, and the they felt uncomfortable.
"Maybe just go talk to your neighbors," he said.
He said the city either has to have fireworks or not at all.
"If we don't have them, there's going to be, I would say, more than 50% of this town really pissed off at us," Musil said.
Vice Mayor Alaina Cunningham said she received several emails thanking the city for allowing fireworks.
Mayor Mason Ruder said, "I don't think you're going to be able to legislate being a neighbor. ... You've got to actually communicate with one another and understand your actions can can affect people. The best way is to communicate and come up with a solution together."
Budget
Vilaysing also said he has been digging through the proposed budget.
"Maybe we can find some creative ways to save," he said.
He added, "People want reductions. They don't want the budget to stay flat. They don't want revenue neutral. They want to be taxed less."