By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
A unique set of new playground equipment is expected to be installed early next year in Massey Park, 17th and Allen.
The existing equipment was installed in 2002 and has a 20-year lifespan.
Jeff Boyle, parks director, told Hays city commissioners Thursday the current equipment is deteriorated and in poor condition, with some attachments requiring removal. Replacement parts are no longer available.
He presented a recommended bid award of $119,363 to Aspire 2 Play, Kansas City, which is slightly less than the budgeted $120,000.
The equipment has two large slides, an enclosed rope climb tunnel, several agility components and a separate play piece for younger kids.
The commission plans to discuss parks management during its 2026 retreat.
"We take that to heart," Boyle said. "We think the four master plan parks (established in the early 2000s) should have nice playground equipment in them."
The four parks are 7 Hills, 33rd and Hillcrest; Aubel Bickle, 30th and Sherman; Sunrise, 19th and MacArthur; and Massey, 17th and Allen.
"These are the main parks for each quadrant of town," Boyle said.
Commissioners will consider a vote on the proposed playground equipment at their Oct. 23 meeting.
2025 Sewer cleaning and inspection
Jeff Crispin, water resources director, presented the plan for the 2025 sanitary sewer annual cleaning and inspection.
About 22 miles of sewer in southwest Hays will be cleaned. The city has 110 miles of sewer lines and 2,172 manholes.
"Not every city does this," Crispin said. Problems that can be caused by the lack of sewer cleaning include sewer backups, manhole overflows, public exposure to raw sewage and regulatory fines.
Crispin recommended the low bid of $145,022 from CC Steel, LLC, Fargo, North Dakota, with a budget authority not to exceed $150,000.
Commissioners will vote on the recommendation next week.
Consent to deannex plat of DK Ranch Addition
Property owners BJKT LLC and Sing Along Ranch LLC of the undeveloped DK Ranch Addition have asked to deannex and vacate the land in west Hays and to replat and annex land along Columbine Drive, ultimately annexing the new Smoky Hill Plains Addition.
DK Ranch Addition is a large lot development that was platted in 2013, but never developed. The property was sold and is now being replatted into a more efficient residential subdivision.
The owner also purchased the adjacent undeveloped lots along the west side of Columbine Drive (Country Club Estates Sixth Addition), which is not currently annexed. The proposed Smoky Hill Plains Addition Plat will include those lots.
"This deannexation request, which the city has never done before, is just a way to clean up the legal description," said Jesse Rohr, public works director.
He also said he spent time with the city attorney, Don Hoffman, to make sure the request was defined correctly.
Commissioners will vote on the consent request next week. Property owner Don Tillman, Hays, was present in the audience but did not speak about the project.
Commissioner Comments
Rodeway Inn Update
In response to a question from Shaun Musil during commissioner comments, City Manager Toby Dougherty said the former Rodeway Inn, 3404 Vine, which was ordered closed by the Kansas Fire Marshall in 2024, is still making progress toward being sold by the owner, HKHR Hospitality Inc.
"We've been working with Grow Hays on this," Dougherty reported, "but are preparing for the city to abate the property if necessary."
Remembering Hays Police Sgt. Scott Heimann
"It's been a difficult time for the family and friends, the police department and the community at large," said Mason Ruder, commissioner. "Scott was an amazing guy."
"I've lived here my whole life," said Sandy Jacobs, mayor. "I can't remember a time I ever said this whole community is sad."
Executive session
At the end of the work session, the commission adjourned into a 15-minute executive session to discuss the possible acquisition of real property.
No action was taken.