News – Page 2302 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Manhattan City Commission approves Community Improvement District (CID) for Mall

info2018-11-06T09:18:12-06:00November 6th, 2018|

The Manhattan Town Center (MTC) submitted a petition to establish an additional 0.75% sales tax at the mall shopping center to fund future improvements and upgrades to the interior and exterior common spaces, which the City Commission approved after a public hearing on October 23. The sales tax will likely begin in April 2019, and last for 22 years. The mall will make improvements on a "pay-as-you-go" basis, meaning the City of Manhattan will collect the three-quarter cent sales tax proceeds and distribute to the mall annually. The mall wouldn't be able to make improvements until funds are available. MTC has [...]

Shawnee County to seek bids for corrections department food, commissary services

info2018-11-06T09:14:00-06:00November 6th, 2018|

Shawnee County Corrections Director Brian Cole said he is happy with the job Philadelphia-based Aramark Correctional has done providing food and commissary services the past several years for his department. Still, Cole told county commissioners Monday the fiscally responsible thing for them to do would be to see what other agencies have to offer. “It’s all about accountability and providing quality services and being responsible to the taxpayers,” he said. Commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer subsequently voted 3-0 to authorize Cole to solicit bids separately from companies interested in providing food and commissary services to his department after [...]

Leawood will get public input on idea of relocating old city hall building on Lee to current city hall land

info2018-11-06T09:13:09-06:00November 6th, 2018|

Leawood city leaders are inviting the public to provide input on the possible relocation of old city hall near 96th and Lee Boulevard. City administrator Scott Lambers said the city doesn’t have details yet on what the move would look like. Rather, the intention of the meeting is to present an overlay of the site so the public can see it and provide input before any firm plans are made. Those plans include a potential new fire station on the property. “This is really just getting a sense of people’s opinions,” Lambers said. “We don’t have any plans right now because [...]

Shawnee planning commission to consider renewing landfill operations permit

info2018-11-06T09:02:15-06:00November 6th, 2018|

A special use permit for the company operating the landfill in western Shawnee is up for review. The Shawnee planning commission tonight will consider renewing a special use permit for Deffenbaugh Industries to continue operating the landfill at the southwest corner of Holliday Drive and Interstate 435. Deffenbaugh is a subsidiary of Waste Management. If the planning commission recommends renewing the special use permit — and the council approves it — then Deffenbaugh will be allowed to continue landfill operations for the next 15 months. A city staff report indicates that the landfill’s anticipated life is 41 years, from its inception [...]

Wellington council to vote on new animal ordinance which specifically define ‘dangerous’ dogs

info2018-11-06T09:01:11-06:00November 6th, 2018|

The Wellington City Council will be voting this Tuesday on a new animal ordinance that will literally bring more “teeth” to the existing law for those citizens with vicious and problematic animals — especially dogs. The new ordinance, if adopted, will also more closely define what type of animals Wellington citizens are allowed to have within the city limits. One of the biggest changes under the proposed stipulations is giving animal control officers the authority to immediately address the viciousness of a dog and take immediate action – which includes the option of killing it. (Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Finney County loosens regulations on electronic signs

info2018-11-06T08:51:23-06:00November 6th, 2018|

The Finney County Commission on Monday approved an amendment to the county’s zoning regulations regarding signs and outdoor advertising, altering the rules on electronic message boards and signs in residential areas. Prior to the change, the code allowed the electronic signs in residential zoning districts with restrictions regarding brightness, how long they can be used and how often the sign can change messages. The changes came in light of the boards’ evolving technology, which give owners more control over the displays, said Kaleb Kentner, neighborhood and development services director. Using similar sign code ordinances from Topeka and Manhattan, as well as [...]

Pittsburg names new police chief

info2018-11-06T08:49:55-06:00November 6th, 2018|

Pittsburg has a new police chief. According to a release from the City of Pittsburg, after an extensive, four-month search, the City of Pittsburg has announced the selection of Brent Narges to serve as the new chief of police for the Pittsburg Police Department. According to City Manager Daron Hall, Narges was one of three finalists for the position, and his experience with the police department and focus on community partnerships were important factors in his selection. “Brent has been with the Pittsburg Police Department for 22 years and has deep ties in our community,” Hall said in the release. “He [...]

Lawrence paid $7.5M in bonuses to senior employees over past 20 years; city manager recommends phasing payments out

info2018-11-06T06:25:37-06:00November 6th, 2018|

End-of-year bonuses for senior city of Lawrence employees that typically cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars annually could eventually be phased out. City management is recommending the change; employee groups are opposed. At its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider a new policy for the city’s longevity bonus that would tier and cap the amount paid to qualifying employees beginning in 2019 and would eliminate the payments for new employees. Read more: LJworld.

Hutchinson to Receive $250,000 in Community Development Block Grant

info2018-11-06T09:47:11-06:00November 6th, 2018|

The city of Hutchinson will receive a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Kansas Department of Commerce to improve the former Stevens Building. The grant funds are part of the CDBG funding the State receives from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. The building’s owners will provide $115,400 in matching funds to make needed repairs to the building. Built in 1876, the Stevens Building is the oldest building still standing in Hutchinson. The restoration will include local business Evolution Salon, Spa, and Boutique expanding business into the building. “Restoring the Stevens Building is exactly the sort of [...]

Two Pottawatomie County retailers intend to appeal their 2018 property appraisals based on the “dark store theory”

info2018-11-05T10:48:21-06:00November 5th, 2018|

Two Pottawatomie County retailers — Menards and Academy Sports — have said they intend to appeal their 2018 property appraisals. The move is an indication that promotion of the “dark store theory” of property appraisal is alive and well in Kansas, county appraiser Lois Schlegel told county commissioners Monday. The “dark store theory” is an appraisal technique being promoted nationwide by large retail chains which claim they are treated unfairly in the property appraisal process. Their buildings, the theory claims, should be valued as if they were vacant and available for sale to a future hypothetical user rather than as a [...]