info, Author at Ranson Financial Group LLC

Manhattan City Commission approves improvements to North Campus Corridor

info2019-12-19T20:14:35-06:00December 19th, 2019|

The Manhattan City Commission has paved the way for improvements at College and Kimball Ave. as part of its North Campus Corridor improvement project. Wildcat Construction on Tuesday was awarded a $7.5 million construction contract, with BG Consultants receiving $130,500 for engineering services.The project will include complete pavement removal and replacement, widening of Kimball Ave. to six lanes with double turn lanes and longer left-hand turn lanes along College Ave. The total estimate on the project is $43 million over the next 14 years, including $20 million for street improvements and $23 million for landscaping and beautification of the area. To [...]

Small manufacturing bonds bill would raise limit to $30 million

info2019-12-19T22:47:09-06:00December 19th, 2019|

The Modernizing Agriculture and Manufacturing Bonds Act, H.R. 5422, sponsored by Reps. Stepanie Murphy, D-Fla., and Darin LaHood, R-Ill., expands the definition of manufacturing facility and eliminates restrictions on “directly related and ancillary facilities.” The issuance limit on tax-exempt private activity bonds for Industrial Development Bonds would be raised to $30 million from the current $10 million while the limitation for first-time farmers using so-called Aggie Bonds would be raised to $552,500 from $450,000. (Read more: Fidelity)

Lawrence City Commission indicates support for transition to 100% renewable energy

info2019-12-18T21:45:58-06:00December 18th, 2019|

City leaders have indicated they would like to commit to running on all renewable energy in the coming years. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received a recommendation from the Sustainability Advisory Board to adopt a policy committing to 100% renewable energy for city operations and, ultimately, the entire community. The commission voted unanimously to direct city staff to draft an ordinance to achieve use of 100% renewable energy and subsequently develop a plan of action to achieve the goal. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Residents of Big Springs voice opposition to Douglas County’s proposed zoning regulation changes

info2019-12-18T21:44:23-06:00December 18th, 2019|

Several residents of Big Springs voiced opposition to changes to the Douglas County zoning regulations, arguing the proposed changes may hinder their ability to operate businesses in that community. The Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission on Monday heard their concerns after it began discussing the county staff’s proposal for new zoning and land use regulations for the unincorporated areas of the county. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Committee presents concept for $3 million Roeland Park Community Center improvement project

info2019-12-18T20:24:09-06:00December 18th, 2019|

The Roeland Park city council last week heard a final report from a group tasked with exploring ideas for the future of the community center that calls for $3 million in interior and exterior improvements. The city’s Ad Hoc Community Center Design Committee, a temporary committee tasked with developing concepts for the facility, has worked with Kansas City, Mo.-based SFS Architecture on the design project. The goal of the project was to assess the practical needs of the community center, as well as to offer “direction for the capital investment plan and how to maximize use of the community center,” according [...]

Lawrence conducting resident satisfaction survey to inform strategic plan

info2019-12-18T21:39:12-06:00December 18th, 2019|

City leaders will soon discuss whether to commit to running on all renewable energy in the coming years. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive a recommendation from the Sustainability Advisory Board to adopt a policy committing to 100% renewable energy for city operations and, ultimately, the entire community. Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Director Jasmin Moore said cities have some of the largest utility accounts and can therefore lead by example when it comes to energy use. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Hutch to Legislature: Fund KDOT plan

info2019-12-18T20:20:55-06:00December 18th, 2019|

The Hutchinson City Council will urge state lawmakers to fully fund the Kansas Comprehensive Transportation Program. Ahead of the council’s special meeting with local state legislators at 10 a.m. Thursday, at City Hall, 125 E. Avenue B, the council on Tuesday added to the city’s legislative platform for 2020. Councilmember Jon Daveline proposed adding transportation to the platform drafted by city staff. He noted the T-WORKS transportation project to improve K-96/K-14 from Nickerson to Sterling was among more than two dozen projects delayed by the Kansas Department of Transportation because of funding. Also, Councilmember Steve Dechant suggested legislators write stronger language [...]

Topeka committee to create fire station master plan

info2019-12-18T21:39:25-06:00December 18th, 2019|

Topeka city manager Brent Trout intended to staff a proposed new fire station on S.W. 6th Avenue at no additional cost to the city by closing the current Fire Station 11 at 2000 N.W. Lower Silver Lake Road and moving its personnel and equipment to that site. But that plan sparked controversy at Tuesday’s meeting of the Topeka City Council. “This is an unfair thing to even think about doing,” said Councilwoman Sandra Clear, who represents the district where Fire Station 11 stands. Mayor Michelle De La Isla expressed concern that the proposed move would involve replacing a fire station in [...]

City to outsource social services grant funding program

info2019-12-18T20:17:47-06:00December 18th, 2019|

Topeka’s city government will outsource the program through which it provides grant funding to social service agencies. The mayor and city council voted 7-2 Tuesday evening to authorize city staff members to solicit proposals from anyone interested in operating the program through which the city provides that funding. Mayor Michelle De La Isla and council members Sandra Clear, Mike Padilla, Brendan Jensen, Neil Dobler, Jeff Coen and Mike Lesser voted in favor of the move. Council members Karen Hiller and Sylvia Ortiz voted against it, with Ortiz expressing support for the arrangement currently in place. (Read more: Local - The Topeka [...]

Proposal to add protected classes goes back to city human relations commission

info2019-12-18T20:16:24-06:00December 18th, 2019|

Topeka’s mayor and city council late Tuesday sent back to the Topeka Human Relations Commission a proposal that would add “gender identity and sexual orientation” to the list of classes protected by city code rules. The mayor and council voted 9-0, with Councilman Tony Emerson being absent because of illness, to make that move while asking the HRC to further research, review and evaluate the proposal. That proposal contains wording that is “very vague,” said Councilman Brendan Jensen. (Read more: Local Government - The Topeka Capital-Journal)

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