Brad Matkin is new Fort Scott city manager
Brad Matkin was officially chosen as the new Fort Scott City Manager Tuesday evening. The vote to approve his contract, which was not available prior to press time, passed 4-1 ... Source: Fort Scott Tribune
One of 3 sites in Sedgwick County could have electronic gambling machines
Sedgwick County will soon have a new gaming facility with historical horse racing machines at one of three potential sites: Towne West Square in west Wichita, Wichita Greyhound Park in Park City, or at a planned $160-million entertainment complex in Park City. Sports betting legislation signed into law in Kansas last year cleared the way for the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission to license an operator of up to 1,000 historical horse-racing machines in Sedgwick County. Source: Wichita Business Journal
Wichita delays action on tobacco ordinance
Wichita City Council members have delayed action for a week to consider language in an ordinance that will establish new penalties for people who sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. The ordinance eliminates the criminal penalty for people under 21 to possess tobacco, but law enforcement officers can still confiscate tobacco items. The ordinance will create a minimum fine of $200 and a maximum of $1,000 with six months in jail for retail employees who sell tobacco to minors. There’s also a $250 penalty for a business that sells tobacco to underage people, and that fine can be [...]
Harvey County will consider changing rules at county parks
The Board of Harvey County Commissioners got their first look at revised regulations for the county’s three parks Thursday morning. Commissioners didn’t take action, but the revised regulations will be brought back before them next week. The regulations will more clearly define when park staff and law enforcement can have someone removed from park grounds for behavior that is illegal, dangerous or unreasonably disruptive. County Administrator Anthony Swartzendruber said the park regulations were last updated in 2019. He said the new regulations would go into effect April 1, which is when the annual park passes go on sale, if commissioners approved [...]
Kelly admin wants extra funding for STAR Bonds. Critics say that’s proof it doesn’t work
For years, a controversial sales tax incentive in Kansas has been billed as a way to build transformational tourist destinations that draw visitors from across the region. Kansas STAR Bonds have helped to build well-known attractions like the Kansas Speedway and Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. But state leaders have often over-promised and under-delivered on STAR Bonds projects, allowing the bonds to fund more mundane uses like adding new turf to soccer fields or creating shopping centers. The program is now at risk because of its reliance on local taxpayers to pay off project debts. Source: Kansas City Star
Consultants recommend City of Lawrence allocate $1.4M in grant funds to affordable housing
Statistics and survey responses made clear that affordable housing is Lawrence’s most pressing need in order to alleviate and prevent homelessness, consultants told the city commission on Tuesday. The city has been allocated about $1.64 million in federal HOME-ARP funds, but it must provide a plan for how it’s going to spend those dollars by March 31. Consultants received survey responses from 918 Lawrence and Douglas County residents. Of those responses, 38.5% identified construction of new affordable rental housing units as their highest priority for the HOME-ARP funds. Source: The Lawrence Times
Overland Park to hold special sales tax election for street upgrades
Overland Park is now set to hold a special mail-in election this June asking voters to approve a dedicated sales tax that would go towards improving aspects of the city’s aging infrastructure. Notably, city officials say funds raised by the tax would also allow the city to reduce its reliance on chip seal, the controversial road resurfacing method. The Overland Park City Council Monday night unanimously approved putting the proposed 3/8-cent special sales tax up for a vote. If approved, the new tax would be an increase from the city’s current 1/8-cent sales tax, which is set to expire in March [...]
Wichita’s historic former Firehouse No. 7 in Riverside to be auctioned
An unusual building is up for auction in Riverside this month. The 2,112-square-foot property at 901 N. Porter Ave., which is at the northwest corner of Franklin and Porter, was built as Wichita’s Firehouse No. 7 in 1922. “That’s really got a lot of history to it,” said auctioneer Rick Brock of McCurdy Real Estate & Auction. According to the Kansas Firefighters Museum archives, the $25,000 station initially had four firefighters assigned there. Source: Carrie Rengers: Business Columns & Blogs |
Century II switching to digital payment system for parking
Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center is partnering with ParkMobile to offer daily and event parking payments through the mobile app. The center says that visitors can now pay for on-demand parking digitally at the Century II parking lots east of the venue and south of the former library. “Being located in Downtown Wichita, our venue is at the heart of a high-traffic area,” said Chris Whitney, General Manager of Century II. “By integrating ParkMobile’s digital parking payment system, our guests can now park at our events in a more seamless and efficient manner. Visitors will use ParkMobile for daily [...]
Gary Janzen, new Wichita Director of Public Works and Utilities
“From water infrastructure, to road maintenance, to snow and ice removal, Public Works touches every facet of our community. Mr. Janzen has helped our Public Works Department make enormous progress on the City’s infrastructure during his tenure. We look forward to Gary’s continuing service to the community,” said City Manager Robert Layton. Source: KAKE - News