By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
With no comment during the public hearing, Hays city commissioners approved the issuance of industrial revenue bonds for a $7 million building project planned by A&A Coors, Hays.
The business, 823 E. Eighth St., wants to build a new 43,000-square-foot warehouse/distribution facility in the industrial park, Ninth and Commerce Parkway. Construction is expected to start this summer, with completion anticipated in mid-2026.
Industrial revenue bonds use the city as a conduit. They do not affect the city's debt limit or taxpayers. A&A is also requesting a 10-year property tax abatement as well as a sales tax exemption on materials, estimated at $38,812.
Bid awards were also approved for two street projects:
ā¢ $136,483 to Morgan Brothers Construction, La Crosse, for parking lot and access improvements at the water resources facility, 1000 Vine.
ā¢ $101,420 to C-Hawkk Construction LLC, Eudora, for pavement markings on Hall Street, East 13th Street, and the Vine Street roundabouts.
Commissioners approved mayor appointments to two volunteer boards:
Toby Dougherty, city manager, also talked about the new state law allowing year-round fireworks sales in Kansas.
"What it means for you right now is nothing," Dougherty said, "because it does cede local control back to the sale and use term. So your ordinances that are in place would provide for that.
"If we do have a year-round fireworks vendor that wants to set up a permanent shop, we may have to look at minor ordinance changes that would look at that because everything now is set up for seasonal (sellers)."
Hays' ordinance allows for the sale and use of fireworks from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 2-4.
"I've had people ask me since it's year-round sale, can they pop them year-round," said Mayor Sandy Jacobs, "and the answer, of course, is no."
Dougherty also said he would be talking with the Kansas Water Office on Monday about possible postponement of the city's recent request for a water release from Cedar Bluff Reservoir in light of this week's rains.
The release was scheduled for May 5.
Vice-Mayor Mason Ruder was absent from the meeting.