By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Residents wishing to drive UTVs, or utility task vehicles, on Hays city streets, will soon have an easier process in permitting the request.
The current ordinance approved by city commissioners requires inspection by the Hays Police Department with an annual fee of $100, plus registration.
This year the city approved golf carts to be driven on certain city streets and no inspection or registration is necessary.
Commissioners recently discussed amending the UTV ordinance to mirror the less restrictive golf cart ordinance.
"City staff has already discussed this very issue, and I appreciate the opportunity to bring it forward," said Don Scheibler, police chief, at Thursday's city commission work session.
"The amended UTV ordinance would repeal existing registrations, licenses and fee requirements," he said. "It does not remove any requirements for safety equipment or the insurance requirements and the drivers must still follow the rules of the road," he said.
UTVs may travel on 35-mph city streets but not highways, according to state ordinance.
Scheibler estimated the city registers approximately 27 UTVs annually, bringing in about $2,300 dollars.
"By the time the community service officer schedules the appointment, brings them in, does the inspection, and the records clerk enters the tag data, it's really a financial wash."
Scheibler called the police department an enforcement agency, not an registration agency.
"We've been able to do it for the ordinance requirements, but if we could stop doing it, that'd be helpful."
The police have issued about 60 UTV tags, although about half of those were not renewed by the owners.
Scheibler said to date no tickets have been issued to UTV drivers.
Mayor Shaun Musil said he's talked to one local seller of UTVs who believes they may sell more UTVs if registration and inspections are eliminated.
"That'd mean more sales tax for the city," said Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor.
The city of Hays' general fund is primarily financed by the city sales tax.
Commissioners will vote on the changes at the June 13 meeting.
An update on the proposed construction delivery method for the new police station and municipal court facility, was presented by Collin Bielser advise, deputy city manager.
Design-build is a construction delivery method that brings together the architectural/engineering team and construction company at the beginning of the project. The early collaboration can reduce change orders and other minor oversights typical of a multi-million dollar building project. The early collaboration also results in a condensed project schedule.
The city has purchased the Astra Bank building at 1100 Fort and will remodel the facility.
Hays police and Ellis County law enforcement have jointly occupied the space at 105 W. 12th since 1976.
In other business, commissioners:
• Heard a recommended low bid of $227,740 for four pickups from Lewis Ford of Hays for the public works and water resources departments.
• Heard a recommended low bid from Mayer Specialty Services, Goddard, not to exceed the budget of $150,000, for rehabilitation of 102 manholes.
• Heard a recommended low bid for sanitary sewer cleaning and inspection by CC Steel, LLC, Fargo, North Dakota, to perform light cleaning and video inspection of 22.2 miles of sanitary sewer.
• Heard an update from Bielser that June 13 will be the date for a public hearing and an ordinance levying a 2% district sales tax for the proposed Vernie's Trux-N-Equip community improvement district, and approving the development agreement with the city, located northwest of the intersection of 48th Street and General Hays Road.