By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The local service group Women Who Lead will present proposed improvements and updated amenities to Hays' Sunrise Park, 19th and McArthur Road, during Thursday's city commission meeting.
The nonprofit organization recently adopted Sunrise Park and wants to pursue grants and fundraising opportunities to upgrade the park's existing amenities.
Phase 1 would include upgrading the existing infield conditions on the two ballfields and repairing the backstop on one of the fields, adding three additional holes to the disc golf course, adding a kiosk and signage to the disc golf course, installation of a solar light on the new park sign, and a new basketball court.
Phase 2 would involve replacing the existing playground equipment with new and updated equipment. According to Jeff Boyle, parks director, the equipment needs to be replaced as it is more than 20 years old.
During the recent commission retreat, commissioners discussed the need for an updated parks master plan and how the city will continue to pay for upgraded amenities and playground equipment.
A joint meeting with the Hays Recreation Commission will be scheduled later this spring.
In other business, the commission will consider setting a public hearing date for a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District Heart for Phase 4 of the Tallgrass 2nd Addition project northeast of 22nd Street and Wheatland Drive.
The local developer, Heart of America, has requested the district and proposes that the city finance and construct the district-eligible costs related to the project. The city would utilize district revenues to offset its costs.
Heart of America would also provide a deposit equal to 30% of the projected infrastructure costs. The deposit could be utilized by the city to pay for the infrastructure costs or to pay debt service on general obligation bonds issued for the project costs.
If the Reinvestment Housing Incentive District is created, the fund would collect incremental property tax revenues for a maximum period of 25 years, an estimated $6.8 million.
Jesse Rohr, public works director, will present several minor amendments and updates to the public building code for adoption.
They include:
• Exempting permit requirements for small buildings, for fences smaller than 120 square feet and six-foot tall fences, and for certain decks.
• Removal of fire sprinkler requirements for one- and two-family dwellings.
• Allowing low ceiling lofts and alternative stairways or ladders so the loft can be accessed with standard stair requirements.
• Code non-compliant stairways in existing buildings will be allowed to remain the same during remodeling or made to be compliant.
• Battery storage systems and electric vehicle chargers in residential homes.
Commissioners will also consider the mayor's recommendation appointing Al Klaus to a four-year-term on the Hays Housing Authority Board.
The complete agenda is available here.
The meeting begins at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.