News – Page 1910 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

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)

Sedgwick Co. Commission to vote to add full-time EMS staff in Clearwater

info2019-12-18T20:13:02-06:00December 18th, 2019|

One city in Sedgwick County could be getting a new full-time EMS staff by 2020. The City of Clearwater does have a dedicated Emergency Service volunteer but they are unable to provide transport. That could soon change. “As we know, with most emergency calls, the first few minutes are the most critical. We do need to have coverage nearby and obviously sophisticated well-trained medics,” says Michael O’Donnell, Sedgwick County Commissioner. (Read more: KSN-TV)

Solar panels on Sedgwick County building will have to wait

info2019-12-18T20:10:36-06:00December 18th, 2019|

The future of a Sedgwick County-owned building getting its first solar panels will have to wait. After some back and forth on Wednesday, the Sedgwick County Commission decided to put roughly $247,000 to the side while commissioners wait on an energy audit. Commissioner Lacey Cruse had initially pushed to take bids on putting solar panels on either the Sedgwick County Tag Office or the Extension Office. A presentation for commissioners showed a return on investment would occur within 14 to 19 years, but Commissioner Jim Howell mentioned that the presentation didn’t include replacing parts that had a 15-year life. He didn’t [...]

Wind farm moratorium voted down by commission

info2019-12-18T20:05:59-06:00December 18th, 2019|

Although commissioner Dianne Novak is still sticking to her guns, a moratorium on wind farm development failed Monday on a vote of three to one, with commissioner Jonah Gehring not casting a vote in favor or against. County counsel Brad Jantz presented a proposed 120-day moratorium resolution at Monday’s meeting. Novak questioned the resolution having that short of a time frame. Jantz said the time frame could be longer if commissioners wanted. “There’s nothing magic about that 120,” Jantz said. (Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Roeland Park enters into JoCo watershed organization, one week after Merriam

info2019-12-18T20:03:37-06:00December 18th, 2019|

The Roeland Park city council on Monday approved a watershed agreement with Johnson County as part of the county’s new stormwater management program. Working together is the county’s approach with the updated program: watershed organizations are created across city boundaries to allow for collaboration on projects that may impact more than one city. Roeland Park and 11 other cities, including Merriam and Mission, are part of watershed area 1, which is impacted by Turkey Creek and Bush Creek. “The city is not obligated [to enter the agreement], it doesn’t cost the city anything out of pocket,” Public Works Director Donnie Scharff [...]

Manhattan moving forward with construction of new Douglass Recreation Center

info2019-12-18T20:00:42-06:00December 18th, 2019|

The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday committed to some big dollar improvements on both the north and south sides of the city. First, in a 4 to 1 vote, the commission approved a $4.3 million construction contract for a new Douglass Recreation Center. It includes a $400,000 contingency, which came in under expectations. The center will be another piece in a complex of recreation buildings, featuring a 3-lane elevated track and programmable to accommodate an 84-foot basketball court, two NCAA volleyball courts and two pickleball courts alongside community and fitness rooms. Mayor Mike Dodson says the walking and biking activity throughout [...]

Franklin County OKs zoning for renewable energy

info2019-12-18T21:40:49-06:00December 18th, 2019|

Franklin County’s next frontier may lie with renewable energy. As of now, there are no renewable energy companies doing business in the county, but officials believe it is only a matter of time. County planning director Larry Walrod and the county planning commission developed building codes and zoning guidelines for companies wanting to come into the county. Walrod began reviewing other county policies months ago. “It has been a lengthy process,” Walrod said. “We have reviewed it pretty thoroughly. I had information from at least 14 counties. We have had input in at least one solar development.” (Read more: News - [...]

Lawrence Public Library to eliminate overdue fines; accounts can still be blocked for overdue items

info2019-12-18T21:45:38-06:00December 18th, 2019|

The Lawrence Public Library board voted to eliminate fines for overdue books and other media beginning next year, but not before hearing concerns from some residents. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to eliminate late fines from the library’s circulation policy. Library patrons would still be charged for lost or damaged items. Patrons would be blocked from checking out additional books and materials once an item became two weeks overdue, but return of the overdue item would immediately restore access. Read more: LJWorld.com.

Lawrence City Commission to consider moving forward with pilot program for electric scooters

info2019-12-18T16:28:10-06:00December 18th, 2019|

City leaders will soon decide whether to move forward with a pilot program for electric scooters. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider issuing a request for qualifications for the scooter pilot program. City staff plan to select up to two companies to participate in the pilot program, which calls for a deployment of 500 scooters for six months, according to a city staff memo to the commission. If commissioners decide to move forward with a pilot program RFQ, additional steps would follow should they decide to conduct the pilot, according to the memo. Read more: [...]

Lawrence City Commission to discuss possible transition to 100% renewable energy

info2019-12-17T21:34:42-06:00December 17th, 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.