News – Page 2353 – Ranson Financial Group LLC

Hutch inviting proposals for hotel/convention center

info2018-09-20T09:27:40-05:00September 20th, 2018|

The city of Hutchinson is taking another swing at bringing an “upscale or upper midscale” franchise hotel and adjacent convention center to town. The 11-page request for proposals does not specify the dollar value for potential public aid, but states that the city “is prepared to offer incentives.” Possibilities range from a developer identifying the Hutchinson Mall or the Kansas State Fairgrounds as a location for a hotel and convention center - to the chance that no one submits a formal plan before the deadline arrives. “We have not had a lot of inquiries,” said Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff, about [...]

Chetopa continues study of animal zoning

info2018-09-20T09:26:49-05:00September 20th, 2018|

The city of Chetopa continued discussion of a proposed ordinance outlining where farm animals can be kept within city limits. During a Sept. 4 city council regular meeting, Chetopa resident George Davis asked the council to adopt a zoning ordinance restricting farm animals now and then work out the regulations later. The council discussed the proposed ordinance, and members of the audience expressed their concerns. The council received a copy of a petition with no signatures on it so that members could read the wording. Shane Adamson, the city’s attorney, received a copy of the city of Parsons ordinance governing animal [...]

Heavy rains cause sewer issue in Parsons

info2018-09-20T09:24:54-05:00September 20th, 2018|

A small group of neighbors talked about sewage problems during heavy rainfalls, including foul odors and bits of toilet paper found in yards, during a Monday evening Parsons City Commission meeting. City Manager Debbie Lamb said the city staff was unaware of the problem, but they will see what can be done to solve the problem. The issue is a prime example of the problem the city is trying to solve to satisfy an Environmental Protection Agency compliance order. Broken and long-neglected sanitation sewer pipes around town have allowed the infiltration of stormwater, inundating the sewer system and the wastewater treatment [...]

Salina city commissioners accept resignation of animal shelter director

info2018-09-20T09:22:56-05:00September 20th, 2018|

In a decision Salina City Commissioner Melissa Hodges called the “worst vote I’ve ever cast,” the commission approved granting the interim city manager the ability to deviate from personnel policy and accept the resignation of Salina Animal Shelter manager Vanessa Cowie, who was placed on administrative leave Aug. 15. Cowie’s resignation is effective Sept. 30. Commissioners called a special executive session at 6 p.m. Tuesday after Cowie contacted interim city manager Mike Schrage to submit her resignation Monday evening. (Read more: News - The Hays Daily News)

Mission council approves CID start date delay; construction still on schedule

info2018-09-20T09:18:56-05:00September 20th, 2018|

The Mission council has granted Tom Valenti’s request to delay the start date for an additional sales tax for Mission Gateway. After initial concerns two weeks ago, the council unanimously approved the delay, which pushes back the community improvement district’s 1 percent sales tax start date from Jan. 1, 2019, to July 1, 2020. Valenti and others on the Gateway team indicated that the delay would “align with the completion of development and the beginning of retail activity.” Councilmembers in their Wednesday meeting said concerns they had voiced in a community development committee meeting two weeks ago are now assuaged. (Read [...]

Why Wichita’s economy shrank last year while other Kansas cities grew

info2018-09-20T09:17:33-05:00September 20th, 2018|

Wichita’s economy shrank in 2017. It was the only major metro area in Kansas that didn’t grow last year, according to new federal data. And despite positive growth in some cities, the Kansas economy shrank overall. Wichita and the state can’t find enough workers, in turn limiting the ability of companies to grow and boost the economy. Across the state, job vacancies increased by 9.1 percent last year. Local leaders emphasize the need to attract workers to the region. Data released by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, or BEA, this week shows that the Wichita area gross domestic product — [...]

Lenexa council approves updated plans for Sikh gurdwara

info2018-09-20T09:15:14-05:00September 20th, 2018|

The Lenexa City Council approved the final plan for a new, $4.5 million Sikh temple — the Midwest Sikh Gurdwara — at its Tuesday night meeting. The council had put plans for the project on hold at its April 17 meeting because of concerns about the project’s design expressed by some Lenexa City Council members and nearby residents. The Lenexa Planning Commission had recommended approval of the project’s preliminary plan at its April 2 meeting. The building’s exterior will comprise precast concrete panels and brick, and three ornamental, golden domes in Sikh-style architecture will sit atop the building. The building’s parking [...]

Shawnee community development director Paul Chaffee retires after 30 years

info2018-09-20T09:13:45-05:00September 20th, 2018|

After 30 years working in community development for the city of Shawnee, Paul Chaffee is retiring as director. Chaffee was previously a city planner for Shawnee and has maintained the role of community development director for the past 24 years. His last day is Sept. 21. He said he’ll remember the people with whom he had the opportunity to work, and also the many projects they tackled together. “No two days are the same,” Chaffee said, adding that he enjoyed helping residents with questions or issues they may have. “I get to work on all different types of projects.” (Read more: [...]

String of late cancelations delays introduction of ordinance to provide legal protections for LGBTQ individuals in Prairie Village

info2018-09-20T09:12:50-05:00September 20th, 2018|

A Prairie Village city councilman’s planned introduction of a non-discrimination ordinance that would provide protections for members of the LGBTQ community was delayed Monday when a string of late cancelation by other members of the governing body resulted in a lack of a quorum for the city council meeting. Tucker Poling said he planned to introduce the non-discrimination ordinance to ensure protections for LGBTQ individuals that are not currently provided under state or federal law. The ordinance would make it illegal to discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or military status in [...]

Marysville Police Chief named finalist for top job in Riley County law enforcement

info2018-09-20T09:09:48-05:00September 20th, 2018|

Marysville Police Chief Todd Ackerman has been selected from a field of 16 candidates as one of three finalists for director of the Riley County Police Department. A public forum with the candidates was Monday at the Riley County Public Works Department building. Ackerman told the audience why he should be the next police director in Riley County. “A lot of it comes down to leadership skills. I’ve been a leader for many, many years,” Ackerman said. “I graduated college here. My wife graduated college here. We fell in love with Manhattan, and I feel with my leadership skills I could [...]