By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Three agreements that will enhance development efforts in Hays were approved by the Hays City Commission at its meeting Thursday night.
A public hearing for proposed expansion of the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan in Hays drew no public comments during Thursday's Hays City Commission meeting.
Commissioners approved a resolution to amend the district's area to include housing and commercial structures built in 1980 and earlier to incentivize improvements in older areas of town, including north Vine Street.
Guidelines call for a minimum residential property investment of $25,000 that is then eligible for property tax rebates of 65 percent for 10 years. Commercial properties require a minimum investment of $50,000, which is eligible for rebates of 95 percent for 10 years. Rebate amounts are based on the incremental increase in property values resulting from the project.
Also approved was an agreement with Werth Development Group, Hays, developer of WDG Addition, for the construction of public water and sewer mains along Hall Street to the WDG Addition north of Interstate 70.
The city, per its development policy, will pay $359,260 toward oversizing the water and sewer lines to 12 inches from 8 inches for future development.
The development policy also allows for a developer to recoup a proportionate share of the original construction costs from any future user connecting to or benefitting from the water and sewer improvements made by the developer for a period of 10 years after improvements are made.
Commissioners agreed to the Werth Development Group's request for an extended period of 18 years.
"We've all agreed that growth is what we want," said Commissioner Alaina Cunningham.
"If any development to the north or east of there is going to occur without this development, they're going to incur all of the cost. So, it's hard for me to think that the person that puts in the first cost should not have a chance to recoup some of that," she said. "I'm having a hard time finding the true con to 18 years."
The addition is subdivided into two lots. The north lot, comprised of 25 acres, is to be the location of the National Guard Readiness Center. There is no current development plan for the south lot.
An engineering services agreement for The Grove housing development north of HaysMed was also approved with Driggs Design Group, Hays, for $152,800. The project comprises 2,600 feet of water line, sanitary sewer and street improvements.
Grow Hays is developing the mixed housing and community center in The Grove Addition. Construction is expected to begin this summer. It will be built in one phase as a planned development.
Three proposals for Essential Air Service at the Hays Regional Airport were submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
"They basically subsidize the flights to the actual air carrier for smaller, rural communities like Hays that wouldn't necessarily have the service if the program didn't exist," said Jamie Salter, airport director.
The current contract with SkyWest expires July 31.
Salter recommended the city continue its relationship with the SkyWest, which has been in Hays since 2014.
"They've provided safe, reliable jet service," she said.
The contract would be for another three years.
City commissioners signed a letter of support for the SkyWest bid for continued 14 roundtrip flights per week to Denver and Chicago.
Water Conservation Specialist Holly Dickman provided a review of the city's 2023 water conservation programs and incentives. Turf conversion rebates from water-intensive cool-season grasses to warm-season grasses, which use less water, increased considerably. The exchange of old inefficient showerheads for new low-flow showerheads and rebates for high-efficiency toilet installation also increased from last year.
City Manager Toby Dougherty said Friday in a Morning Blend interview that even as the R9 Ranch long-term water project progresses, water conservation will always be a priority in Hays.
In other business, commissioners:
• Approved general nuisance and inoperable vehicle abatements at 1111 Centennial Blvd., and an inoperable vehicle abatement at 206 E. 14th
• Approved a low bid for a paper and cardboard recyclables baler and conveyor from Reaction Distributing, Ontario, Canada, for $124,811
• Approved mayoral appointments of Natashia Cecil and Stacey Smith to the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board
• Reviewed the January 2024 financial statement
• Heard a monthly progress report of department projects and activities, and heard a preview of upcoming events in Hays