By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN

dobrien@dailynews.net

John Bird wants to be fair to everyone. That's why he changed his mind on a matter involving acquisition of land for wells that supply water for Hays.

At Thursday's meeting of the Hays City Commission, commissioners approved a resolution to authorize a survey and description of land to acquire property to drill more wells.

That, Bird stressed, is just the first step in a process of acquiring the necessary properties should the city and the landowners not agree on a fair price.

As part of an expansion of the Smoky Hill Wellfield near Schoenchen, the city has entered into negotiations with five property owners to obtain the necessary property at a fair market value.

The city has been making preparations for three years to expand the wellfield, and Bird -- attorney for the city of Hays -- said that in conversations with the landowners he thinks they can come to an agreement suitable to all parties.

"When we started out, in the planning stages, the intent was (for the city) to own them lock, stock and barrel," Bird said this morning. "But the owners convinced me that this was the best way."

That "best way," Bird thinks, is to come to an agreement on a long-term lease, called "a perpetual lease," with the landowners.

That way, the city has access to the 3- to 4-acre well area on the land for as long as it has wells there.

At Thursday's meeting, Mike Werth, speaking on behalf of his father, landowner Larry Werth, made it clear their family is not opposed to leasing more land. But they don't want to sell.

"We're trying to come to a compromise that allows them for more than the fair amount for the property," Bird said. "But a water utility is supported by the users, and we also represent the people of Hays. We want to find a fine balance between not overpaying and violating our duty to the citizens but not underpaying the landowner, either."

In other action Thursday, the commission accepted a proposal from J&J Architectural out of Indian Orchard, Mass., for the manufacture and installation of nine wayfinding signs at a cost of $29,700.

The signs will better inform the public of the location of several key destinations in the city.

That was not the lowest bid for the project, but the review committee thought it would be in the city's best interest to go with that company for several reasons.

J&J has experience manufacturing signs designed by the original designer of the city's wayfinding signage, and it also is partnering with a local company, Signs and Designs, for the installation of the signs.

John Braun, assistant director of public works for the city of Hays, gave a presentation on the signs, showing where they would be placed along Vine Street.

The proposal is about $10,000 less than the amount included in the public works general administration-projects budget. The remaining funds will be used for permitting, easements and other projects.

Also at Thursday's meeting, the commission approved the authorization of levying and collecting an annual tax for paying principal and interest payments on general obligation bonds of $1.2 million.

David Arteberry of George K. Baum Co., financial adviser for the city of Hays, took bids up until 2 p.m. Thursday. He was at the commission meeting that night to give his recommendation of 3.777769 percent to Commerce Bank.

The bonds are for the reimbursement of money spent by the city on the Hall Street reconstruction and 22nd Street construction projects.

The board tabled discussion of an ordinance relating to the acquisition of land and general improvement of airport property.

In other commission action, it approved:

* A $1,000 donation to the Ministerial Alliance of Ellis County to help with the annual community Thanksgiving dinner.

* The purchase of a combination sewer vac truck from Key Equipment for $241,785.

* The purchase of a sewer inspection camera system from Utility Maintenance Contractors for $51,000, in addition to an additional $1,000 for a trailer for the camera system.

* A standard traffic ordinance and uniform public offense code for Kansas cities.

The League of Kansas Municipalities publishes a revised ordinance and public offense code on a yearly basis, and Hays Chief of Police Jim Braun gave a presentation on a few changes in both the ordinance and public offense code.