City will consider paying part of sports complex study
By KALEY LYON
Discussion of a proposed sports complex will continue at Thursday evening's Hays City Commission meeting, 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
The board will consider funding half the cost of an architectural engineering study, as requested by the sports complex committee.
"We've estimated the cost of the study at approximately $35,000," City Manager Toby Dougherty said. "They've asked the city pay $17.5 (thousand)."
The project, however, is not headed by the city of Hays.
The complex would be located at the intersection of the U.S. Highway 183 bypass and Old U.S. Highway 40.
Current plans for the project include a partnership with Fort Hays State University -- the university's soccer stadium, to be constructed by fall of 2010, would be included in the complex.
The committee presented the project to commissioners at last week's work session, and also requested the commission vote to include a quarter-cent or half-cent sales tax to fund the project on the November election ballot.
Commissioners declined this request, and encouraged the committee to begin a petition to have the special question added.
Efforts to collect such a petition are underway.
"We are moving forward and we have a petition drive team put together," said Gina Riedel, executive director of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, this morning.
City Attorney John Bird said last week the committee would have a minimum of 45 days to collect the signatures, and a valid petition would need signatures of 10 percent of registered voters.
Other agenda items include:
* Scheduling a public hearing for the 2008 budget, which has a mill levy of 26 mills.
* An ordinance restricting the use of portable storage units/shipping containers.
* Possible withdrawal of a motion objecting to the closure of a portion of 41st Street. The objection was made until an easement could be obtained.
* Annexation of property located at 1210 E. 43rd into city limits.
* Purchase of two dump body beds, as budgeted for in 2007.
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