🎥 City commission to review Hays parking regulations Thursday

Hays city commissioner will talk about potential changes to the city's parking regulations at its Thursday work session. Photo by Pixabay

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

After receiving complaints from the public, the Hays City Commission will talk about possible modifications to the city's parking regulations at its Thursday work session.

Commissioners have received complaints about residential streets being used for parking and long-term storage of recreational vehicles, oversized vehicles, and vehicles associated with home-based businesses.

As part of the parking discussion, city staff is adding a few "cleanup" items, said Collin Bielser, deputy city manager.

"It is the goal of city staff to get feedback on what, if any, changes the city commission would like to see made to the city's parking regulations," he said.

Those changes would then be brought back for commission consideration at a later work session.

The commission will also hear a recommendation of an agreement for the R9 pipeline easement acquisition services.

Eight firms submitted proposals in May 2023, which were shortlisted to two firms, 4D Acquisition & Consulting (4D), Onsted, Michigan and O. R. Colan Associates, LLC (ORC), Charlotte, N.C.

In August 2023, the commission approved a contract for pre-acquisition services with 4D Acquisition & Consulting (4D), Onsted, Mich.

R9 Ranch water pipeline map between Edwards County and Schoenchen wellfield south of Hays. City of Hays

Over the past couple months, the 66-milee pipeline route has been selected and a procedures manual for acquisition has been developed.

4D Acquisition & Consulting and O.R. Colan Associates, LLC (ORC), Charlotte, N.C., were the two companies submitting proposals on Dec. 8 for easement acquisition services.

Bids for land easement acquisitions for the R9 Ranch water pipeline. The large price difference was noted as ORC having a more streamlined approach than 4D when negotiating with property owners.  City of Hays — Bids for land easement acquisitions for the R9 Ranch water pipeline. The large price difference was noted as ORC having a more streamlined approach than 4D when negotiating with property owners. City of Hays

City staff is recommending the low bid of $1,079,374.25 from O. R. Colan Associates, which would be funded out of the water sales tax reserve fund.

O. R. Colan Associates is also recommending use of its software suite to manage easement acquisition documents at an additional cost of $29,000.

Also on the Thursday's agenda are consideration of

• Purchase of fixtures, furnishings and equipment for the new fire station at cost not to exceed $280,500. Completion of Hays' third fire station, 1732 W. 41st St., is scheduled for May.

• Award of bid for four Freightliner Model 108SD dump trucks for the service division to Truck Center Companies, Wichita, for $804,525. Each truck is equipped with a snowplow, two have sand/salt spreaders, and one has a brine applicator.

• Hear requested general nuisance abatement at 409 Riley St. and a demolition abatement for 3809 Post Road.

The complete agenda is available here.

The work session starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main St.