$11 million for a hike and bike trail

The city most likely won't pay the full $11 million. This we know. So, how they gonna do it? Let's first set the stage a little.

Back in Oct. '06 the city asked for bids by engineers to develop a plan for this project. Baughman Co. was hired. After their deadline to finish was not met, their contract was renegotiated. They finally came through with a plan. Their excuse for taking so long? "We were busy."

They recommended ways to pay for it.
Any number of 80-20 matching grants from the Kansas Department of Transportation
Department of Wildlife and Parks
Kansas Safe Routes to Schools Program
Property tax.
Sales tax.
General obligation bonds.

20% of $11 million is $2.2 million.

Amount set aside for streets. $1,050,258
After setting aside $50,000 each for curb repairs and sidewalk replacement, $700,258 will be available for the 2008 Street
Maintenance Program.
PROJECT: Main Street – 20th Street to 25th Street
FISCAL YEAR: 2008

Thats a drop in the proverbial bucket for what is truly needed around here

I may not take sides on the windfarm issues, but I damn well do here. When they get the hike and bike trail done we can all drive on it till they fix the streets. I understand the business areas of town are important to them when it comes to streets, but part of the reason I just replaced an exhaust system on my vehicle was dragging across the ice ruts on side streets. And I don't drive a car that sits close to the ground either. I was scraping bottom in a SUV. And the thaw and re-freeze from all that crap destroys the pavement. That lack of maintenance for the residential areas is disgaceful when they are talking about spending more on beautification projects, and recreation.

I know some of you consider it an inconvienence when you have to scoop out what maintainers push to the sides of the street, but you won't like foot deep potholes either.

I enjoyed the written facts from justoo in regard to the taxes that will be paid for the bike trail and I understand ratzilla's problem with the horrible streets this town never improves adequantly. I've seen 3 men with a red City of Hays pickup shoveling cold asphalt into a hole and tamping it with the shovel and they actually believe that will solve the problem? The public works department are unqualified to properly do anything it seems. I've had to have my vehicle's wheels realigned because of the ruts in the city streets. It's sad they can't correctly do what they are paid for.

I have an idea. Everyone get their wheels aligned, their mufflers replaced, and whatever other car damages you can tie to the streets lack of repair, and send the city of Hays copies all the bills.


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like they would pay.

Do they not have to go through every piece of mail the receive from residents? Don't they have to answer questions when asked? When's the next election? You got rid of a few last time, didn't you? Why not let the rest know they can be voted out, too?

They dont care.

I'm sure you're probably right.

The city wanting to use the Kansas Safe Routes To School grant money for this project ticks me off. This is a recreational hike/bike trail. To pretend that anyone is going to use it for transportation to and from school is absurd.

I would agree that the city should apply for those grants, but they should be used on the infrastructure that people actually use to get to and from schools. The sidewalks in the SW part of Hays are in bad shape and could benefit greatly from that funding.

How can they use grant monies for purposes not spelled out in the grant? Wouldn't it have to be used for school route improvement?

I suspect the city is using "creative" financing. Part of the proposed route is the dike behind FHSU and TMP. Of course, any student that will bike or walk to school would have to go out of their way to use this facility.

suzyr wrote:

How can they use grant monies for purposes not spelled out in the grant?

actually once you get the "grant monies" you can say the other "project fell through" and use them however you want, they don't have to be returned.

Some of the streets in the SW part of Hays look like they haven't been redone since the 60's. The wire mesh under the concrete is exposed in many places.

Justoo wrote:

I suspect the city is using "creative" financing. Part of the proposed route is the dike behind FHSU and TMP. Of course, any student that will bike or walk to school would have to go out of their way to use this facility.

I'd think a safe route to school would be more important for grade school, and middle school anyways. Most high schoolers don't walk or bike to school, and most of the guys that might pose a threat to FHSU students are probably someone they party with anyways.

Not that I think its a good use of 11 million dollars... But-

At one time there was talk of a bike/ hike trail going from Sternberg (where it is now) to the FHSU campus. I think that it started out of a leadership class project.
What's the rest of the proposed route on this trail?

I totally agree with suzyr in regard to needing new City Commissioners as we need drastic changes and hope the new elected commissioners will realize this present City Manager was trained by the prior personnel. This bunch put the Manager in the position without other interviews to seek a well qualified personable individual????

Does anyone ever see any street improvements attempted? Do they even know how to do such?

Please post here when you see any improvements.

They are currently replacing the water line between 20th and 25th on Main Street.
WHen they have completed the water line upgrade, they will replace the concrete in that same area.

Last week they had APAC come through and spread tar and rock in random places on our street.