City votes to hire engineer for complex's sewer services
By KALEY CONNER
In a 4-1 vote Thursday, the Hays City Commission hired an engineer to help determine how the city should provide sanitary sewer services to the future sports complex.
Four companies submitted proposals for design services, and city staff had recommended hiring Olsson & Associates, the same company overseeing the sports complex development.
The study will evaluate the current and future demands for sewer services to determine if a new lift station will need to be constructed.
It remains unclear if that will be a simple project only for the sports complex and Fort Hays State University's neighboring soccer stadium, or if the city will need to construct a larger station to address future developmental needs.
In a 4-1 vote, the commission opted to contract with Salina-based Wilson & Co. instead. While Olsson & Associates offered a lower fee for the simpler design project, Wilson & Co. offered a flat rate of approximately $25,000 for either option, and the lowest bid for design of the more complex project.
"I just have this feeling we're going to do more than we think we're going to have to do," Commissioner Barbara Wasinger said. "I think we're better off having someone that says, 'This is what we're going to charge you, no differences. This is where we're going.' "
Mayor Ron Mellick dissented, saying he would prefer to contract with the other company.
The study will be funded partly by the half-cent sports complex sales tax, with other funds coming from the city's water sewer fund and Fort Hays State University, proportional to the benefits each entity receives. Construction costs are not yet known but also would be split between the three funding sources.
It originally was hoped the sports complex could receive sewer services from the Prairie Acres Sewer District, but no agreement was reached.
Commissioner Henry Schwaller IV said the city will continue its efforts to make sure the overall project is completed on time and is consistent with community expectations.
"Whether we like it or not, we are now the guardians of this project. ... We've got to build the facility that looks like the facility that was pledged," he said. "And it has to look like $8 million, if not more. It has to look good. And we can't let sewer lift stations slow us down."
In other business:
* Commissioners approved a new 20-year master plan for Hays Regional Airport, as provided by Bucher, Willis and Ratliff. The Federal Aviation Administration paid 95 percent of costs, leaving the city's share at nearly $9,000.
The study suggests enplanements will increase at a rate of 2.9 percent annually, and the number of based aircrafts also is expected to grow. The document also prioritizes improvement projects and identifies areas for possible facility expansion.
* The commission agreed to cap employee health insurance at $9,500 per employee, beginning in 2011. The city also contracted with Blue Cross Blue Shield for 2010 health insurance coverage.
* Local provisions regulating solicitors and peddlers within city limits were repealed.
* New bleachers for Glassman and Stramel ball fields were purchased in the amount of about $21,200.
* Changes were made to the city's garbage collection and disposal ordinance.
* In a 5-0 vote, the commission approved a loan agreement for construction of a rain garden at Skyline Draw. A construction bid in the amount of about $130,000 also was approved for the project, which received funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The bid came in $37,000 higher than anticipated -- the project will move forward only if the Kansas Department of Health and Environment extends the loan agreement. The city's share of costs is expected to be about $41,300.