By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The Hays City Commission will vote on financing for several new development projects during its meeting on Thursday.
Kim Rupp, finance director, will present ordinances and resolutions in the process of issuing general obligation bonds and temporary notes for the projects, including:
• Automated water meter infrastructure — $3.6 million
• Police department and municipal court facility — $6.85 million
• The Grove Reinvestment Housing Incentive District — $3.675 million
• The Grove economic development grant — $825,000
• Construction of infrastructure at Interstate 70, Exit 161 — $4 million
"This authorizes the bonds to be issued to pay costs of improvements and allows the city to levy for debt service, if necessary," Rupp said.
In a separate discussion, Doug Williams, Grow Hays executive director, will update the commission on construction at The Grove, which is south of HaysMed on Canterbury Drive, and the associated Reinvestment Housing Incentive District.
Jesse Rohr, public works director, will present a rezoning request for the proposed Lincoln School apartment complex, 1906 Ash, from a public and institutional district to a residential multi-family district.
The owner of the property, Hays developer Michael Graham, is proposing remodeling the former elementary school into apartments and also constructing a residential multi-family housing development on the surrounding property.
A low bid award will be recommended for the Hays Regional Airport terminal passenger parking lot expansion. The airport has been seeing record enplanements, and the parking lot needs to be enlarged for a second time since 2018.
Estimates are for another record high of 17,000 passenger boardings in 2025.
Parking at the airport is free.
Morgan Brothers Construction of La Crosse was the low bidder at $248,019.
The complete Aug. 28 agenda is available here. The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.