Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Few short-term rentals have registered with Wichita since the city passed regulations last year

The first deadline for owners of short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO to get a license from the city of Wichita has passed, and only 13 properties have registered so far. Five short-term rentals have their license, while eight properties have a license pending, according to a city database of short-term rental licenses from last week. The March 12 deadline only applied to owner-occupied properties, according to the city. Short-term rentals where the owner does not live on-site still have until Sept. 12 to be in compliance. The city is aware of more than 400 short-term rentals in Wichita, said council member Brandon Johnson. It is unclear how many of those are owner-occupied. Johnson said the city isn’t strictly enforcing the March deadline to get licensed right now, but he predicts leniency will go away as the September deadline gets closer. “Right now, we are just trying to make sure as many people know – and especially now that that deadline has passed – to let them know that they are out of compliance and try to get them in compliance,” Johnson said. “We try to do what we can to make sure folks get into compliance voluntarily before we hit them with the enforcement, especially as this is something new.” The regulations that passed last September require licensing, a fee, liability insurance and a set maximum occupancy limit. They also permit the city to fine owners up to $500 a day for operating without a license.
Source: KLC Journal

Push emerging to recognize gap-filling community paramedicine

Kansas emergency medical workers respond at a moment’s notice, no matter if they just sat down for dinner or laid down to sleep. Many are volunteers with full-time jobs and families. First responders in the Sunflower State are trained to deal with a multitude of calamities, from traffic crashes to plummeting blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and everything in between. But they often provide non-emergency care that doesn’t receive much recognition or funding. Emergency health care professionals across the state are working to bring awareness to non-emergency practices long implemented by local ambulance crews and paramedics, for the purpose of categorizing those services to potentially receive state and federal funding. The practice is called community paramedicine, and for Deb Kaufman, former Sheridan County EMS director, it’s just another phrase to convey what her staff of 20 volunteers have been doing for years. “It takes a lot of dedication,” she says. “We don’t fill all the needs (of our community), we still have patients who need additional care who aren’t getting it.”
Source: KLC Journal

Tornado touches down in Westmoreland [VIDEO]

A tornado touched down in Westmoreland on Tuesday afternoon about fifteen miles north of Manhattan damaging homes and buildings, displacing many and also leading to the fatality of one individual and several injuries. The tornado touched down around 4:40pm following the issuance of a tornado warning by the National Weather Service in Topeka. At 4:43pm, reports came in saying the tornado had damaged homes in the area, particularly around Walnut Street. The tornado finally dissipated around 4:50pm leaving many without power, approximately 925 in the city of Westmoreland. (…) At this time, a number of power outages are still active in Riley, Geary, Pottawatomie, and Wabaunsee Counties according to Evergy. Pottawatomie County has also issued a notice that county offices will be closed on Wednesday. Rock Creek Schools have announced that they will not be in session on Wednesday to allow time for families to recover from the Westmoreland tornado. The National Weather Service has announced that it will also dispatch personnel to Nemaha, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, and Jefferson Counties to conduct storm surveys. Results will be posted as they become available.
Source: 1350 KMAN

More rules proposed for owning dogs, cats in Wichita, including mandatory microchipping

A new proposal could require Wichita pet owners to microchip their cats and dogs. Jan Jarman, assistant city attorney, presented the recommendation from an Animal Control Advisory Board subcommittee last week during a Wichita City Council workshop at City Hall. “We think it would help get animals back into their homes when animals are found running the streets,” Jarman said at the April 23 workshop. “If every animal was required to have a microchip, it would help us keep them out of the shelter, which is our goal, and we think we could implement that.” A microchip is roughly the size of a grain of rice and is implanted between a pet’s shoulder blades. The chip includes a 15-digit code with the owner’s information, but does not have GPS or tracking capabilities. “It is the best thing your animal can have, other than a collar and ID tag, for any rescue, shelter, or vet to return them to you,” Jordan Bani-Younes, director of communication with the Kansas Humane Society, said in an email to the Wichita Eagle. According to Bani-Younes, 1 in 3 pets go missing over their lifetime, and having a microchip could help return pets to their owners. The proposals will likely be presented to the council in early June, City Spokesperson Megan Lovely told the Eagle via email.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Municipal Bond Trends for April 30, 2024

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Municipal Bond Trends for April 29, 2024

Kansas Supreme Court: Cities and counties may enact broad zoning ordinances and procedures so long as they do not violate state zoning statutes

Cities and counties may enact broad zoning ordinances and procedures so long as they do not violate state zoning statutes. State zoning statutes do not prohibit zoning authorities from treating applications for multi-family residential planned unit developments as zoning amendments governed by K.S.A. 12-757. Zoning authorities are not prohibited from applying the protest provisions of K.S.A. 12-757(f)(1) to multi-family residential planned unit development applications. When neighbors file a valid protest petition against a zoning amendment pursuant to K.S.A. 12-757(f), the zoning authority can only approve the amendment by a 3/4 majority vote. If a zoning authority fails to approve a protested zoning amendment by 3/4 majority vote, the protested zoning amendment is denied, and the processes for resubmission of failed zoning amendments in K.S.A. 12-757(d) are inapplicable.
Read the case: AUSTIN PROPERTIES, LLC v. CITY OF SHAWNEE

Municipal Bond Trends for April 26, 2024

Kansas sets higher bar for police seizure after accusations of for-profit policing

Kansas reformed civil asset forfeiture — the law enforcement tactic of seizing property suspected of being used in a crime — to be more limited in scope and requiring higher standards of evidence. … The legislation comes after a committee made up of legislators, litigators, law enforcement and local government officials conducted a study on civil asset forfeiture in 2023. The study found that Kansas law enforcement agencies collected over $13 million during about 2,000 incidents over a three-and-a-half-year period.
Source: Hutch News

SculptureTour Salina 2024 kicks off with UNwrap Party

The 2024 SculptureTour Salina is almost here and downtown visitors can have a chance to see all of this year’s pieces of art after they are unwrapped over the weekend. The UNwrap Party begins at 11 a.m. May 4, with all 22 sculptures simultaneously unwrapped throughout downtown Salina. After the unwrapping, people are encouraged to find a walking tour ballot and taking a walk on the full Sculpture Tour, seeing all 22 of this year’s pieces.
Source: Salina Journal

Municipal Bond Trends for April 25, 2024

Feds approve $452 million Kansas broadband plan

Kansas is getting $452 million in federal funds to be used to expand broadband across, and state officials are getting closer having shovels in the ground on infrastructure projects. … With the approval, Kansas can now designate project funding areas where applicants can competitively bid to provide service. Bidding will begin in July, but in the mean time, the state will open a pre-registration portal for applicants to start submitting documentation of their qualifications and capabilities.
Source: Hutch News

Municipal Bond Trends for April 24, 2024

Local artists bring vibrancy to Pittsburg ArtWalk

Pittsburg is gearing up for a burst of creativity as local artists and organizations prepare to showcase their talents at the upcoming Pittsburg Artwalk. Set against the backdrop of a festival-like atmosphere, the event promises live music, art demonstrations, and a host of community activities, drawing in residents and visitors alike.
Source: KOAM News

New Pott County ECODEVO director discusses first few months on the job, Scorpius meeting

The new director of the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation (ECODEVO) has hit the ground running in her first three months on the job. Shanna Goodman, of Wamego, was hired in January to succeed long-time former director Jack Allston, who retired in late 2023 after nine years on the job. She says the first three months on the job have been spent learning and understanding who’s who among organizations and their priorities. She says she’s been set up for success already getting to understand the Pott County 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Source: 1350 KMAN

8 towns battle series of grass fires

Firefighters from a wide area spent most of Monday afternoon battling three fires in the western portion of the county. Hillsboro, Goessel, Lincolnville, Durham, Florence, Herington, and Ramona fire departments, which comprise the Marion County task force, as well as Canton all were sent to grass fires near the McPherson County line. Others that helped Monday were Ag Service, the sheriff’s office, and county emergency medical services.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal

New safeguards on Kansas police seizures of property coming after Kelly signs reforms

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday signed into law the most substantial overhaul of the state’s civil asset forfeiture rules in years, the latest effort by lawmakers to reform law enforcement seizures of property. The controversial but widespread practice allows police to take property they believe is connected to a crime before anyone is charged or convicted. Kansas law enforcement seized $3.91 million of property in 2023, with approximately $2.38 million forfeited.
Source: Wichita Eagle

Affordable housing plans in Prairie Village

After months of protests, a court fight and a contentious election, Prairie Village is once again considering plans to amend zoning laws to allow for more housing — but now only limited types in commercial areas. … Chris Brewster, a city planner, said the latest plans call for allowing mixed-use residential projects in commercial areas, something that is currently restricted. Such projects could include adding apartments above office or retail space.
Source: Joco 913 News

Need help finding way around Olathe? City’s new sign project aims to give directions

Olathe is developing new signs designed to help people find their way and locate unique places and notable features across the city. Earlier this month, the Olathe City Council gave the greenlight to a project to place new wayfinding signs for parks and trails as well as for the downtown area and places that are unique to Olathe.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post

Wichita gets U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Wichita will host the 2025 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January, according to a Visit Wichita news release. It will be the first time the U.S. Championships will be held in both Wichita and the state of Kansas, the release said. … The event is set for Jan. 20-26 at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Source: Hutch News

Pottawatomie County signs disaster declaration for storm damage in St. Marys area

Pottawatomie County Commissioners signed a disaster declaration Monday, following severe storm damage in the eastern part of the county late last week. Emergency Management Director Jennifer Merrow says the National Weather Service was on site Friday week assessing damage in St. Marys. Weather officials estimate a downburst, that included wind speeds of up to 95 mph, impacted the area around the high school, where roof damage was reported. Storms led to power outages Thursday and Friday, with Bluestem reporting damage to at least eight of its power poles. If the State of Kansas should decide to provide public assistance through FEMA, the disaster declaration will cover any damages as long as the county reaches the required threshold.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Wichita school district could consider bond issue, consolidation plan

Consultants hired by Wichita public schools say the district needs to reduce its number of buildings by more than 25% over the next two decades. That could involve a massive bond issue or series of bonds to build and renovate schools — though none of the options include price tags just yet. And it likely will mean closing many older, smaller schools. David Sturtz with Ohio-based Woolpert, formerly Cooperative Strategies, presented four options during community meetings Monday. They range from a “no bond” option to an extensive building and renovation plan that would take 15 to 20 years. All options include closing and consolidating up to 19 buildings. Sturtz said many Wichita schools are too old to fix, or they weren’t designed for the way students learn today. “It is an opportunity to reimagine what your schools look like,” he said. “An era of rebuilding is here.” Wichita school board members are collecting feedback from residents this week and will explore options in detail during a workshop next month. In June, they’ll vote on a long-term facilities master plan. The board voted last month to shutter two middle schools and four elementary schools at the end of this academic year because of declining enrollment and a $42 million budget deficit.
Source: KCUR News

Baxter Springs Fire Department celebrates groundbreaking for new facility

An empty lot on the corner of 17th and Military Avenue in Baxter Springs will soon be home to a new fire station. Ground was broken today on the new facility for the Baxter Springs Fire Department. U.S. Representative Jake LaTurner helped make sure one million dollars in federal funding was approved in the Fiscal Year 24 appropriations package to go toward building it. A representative from his office and Senator Tim Shallenburger were on hand for today’s event, as both helped in the process of securing both federal and state funding for the three-million-dollar project. The new fire station will eventually replace the aging station just six blocks away. That facility is almost 100 years old, and a new fire station will allow the department to grow. “Our current station today, we’ve outgrown it. We have equipment sitting outside. This allows us to put our equipment indoors where we can keep it protected. Ready to go for our community,” said Gunnar Wixon, Baxter Springs Asst. Fire Chief. The specs of the building have not yet been finalized, but planners say it will be bigger than the current facility.
Source: KSNF/KODE

Reining in the rogue pear trees

Many Midwest ranchers, park workers and homeowners work nonstop to control disruptive plants from faraway places. In an excerpt from the podcast Up From Dust, Celia Llopis-Jepsen of the Kansas News Service reports on policy changes meant to help. Biochar is a hot topic in sustainable agriculture — it looks like charcoal, but actually sequesters carbon through an ancient farming technique. Kate Grumke from Harvest Public Media has the story on how the old process is finding new life.
Source: KCUR News

Valley Center works with pair of Wichita developers on 130-acre development

For the past five years, some parts of Valley Center have seen some wet circumstances. City administrator Brent Clark tells the WBJ that he has been working on resolving a drainage issue from 93rd Street North to 7th Avenue since the winter of 2019. He explained that the lack of drainage causes stormwater drops from the west side of Meridian Avenue, causing concern for residents. “We’ve had quite a few residents that have been very upset over the years in our community,” he said. Now that ownership of the property in the targeted area has changed, Clark and a pair of established Wichita developers have two solutions for the drainage concerns — a mixed-use development and 15 acres worth of ponds. The development is called Harvest Place and it has 130 acres of land which sprawls from the southeast corner of Meridian Avenue to 93rd Street. About 100 acres of the land is owned by Wichita developer Lou Robelli, who is recently known for his work in Park City. Robelli is partnering with Eric Gilbert, who owns home building companies Artistic Builders and Liberty Communities. The remaining 30 acres of the land is owned by Valley Center, according to Clark.
Source: Wichita Business Journal

Hillsboro makes progress in strategic goals

Progress in the city’s strategic plan was the topic of conversation in the April 16 Hillsboro City Council meeting. The council discussed updates in the various sectors they have set goals in. For the childcare center, City Administrator Matt Stiles told the Council that they now have three bids. “They’re still over the budget but a little bit closer. So there’s still a gap in what’s been raised and what’s available through grant funds and what the project anticipated cost is. So the H4C group is now working to try to figure out how we’re going to close that gap,” said Stiles. “I would anticipate that we’ll probably still approve the bid move forward, but they’ll probably want to look at some USDA funding, some kind of gap to fill that gap and then try to raise money to repay that. So that’s kind of how it’s looking right now. It’s really interesting that we talked about this as a board from the time we started this one year, it ended up going up almost $600,000 in cost.” The plan is to award the bid in May with a timeline of about a year for the construction to be completed. “So we’d be looking at the middle part of next year,” said Stiles. Housing has also had a good amount of progress. There will be another public meeting for the Mennonite Housing Project on April 30 at City Hall. If that project is supported there will be 24 units, duplexes, two and three-bedroom models.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

County clarifies EMS transfer policy

The Marion County Board of Commissioners heard from EMS Director Chuck Kenney about the Interfacility Transfer Policy. “There’s been several different policies over the last couple years. Some conflicting with other agreements,” said Kenney. “We had a transfer policy that was adopted in August of ’22. And then we had the policy that the board adopted in December of ’22 that had some charges associated with it, like fees and everything that Brad [Jantz, county attorney] drafted. And then after that we had the service agreements with the hospitals. And so some of the things that are in those service agreements are in conflict with the standard policy and the most recently adopted transfer policy,” said Marion County Administrator Tina Spencer. Some of the conflicts have revolved around mileage and costs for ambulances. “What I’ve been doing is basically the 60 mile thing, working with both hospitals. I’ve been taking bits and pieces out of the previous policies and agreements and kind of just working as a patient advocate really. So this is tidbits from all the policies and agreements summarized into one form so we have something in reference to go and actually look at and kind of clear the pond a little bit,” said Kenney.
Source: Hillsboro Free Press

A New Mural Welcomes Visitors to Fort Scott.

Local artists who spent several days in the production of this mural on Wall Street, across from the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce office at 231 E. Wall Street. From left, Kadra Nevitt, Hayden Travis, Bre Eden, Katie Hueston, and Kate Freeman. For their part, five local artists worked on a mural to beautify downtown Fort Scott, during the Fort Scott Clean-up Day on April 22. The five artists began working on Friday, April 19, work continued until Monday evening. “This specific mural was designed to not only showcase the Bourbon County landscape, but be a beautiful backdrop and photo op next to the new arch welcoming visitors into Downtown Fort Scott.,” Kate Freeman, a member of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division, said. “It took about a month, to locate a space, talk to all parties involved, create a design, and execute a plan,” she said. “I would like to thank the Bourbon County Arts Council for donating funds to purchase paint and supplies for the mural.” The three sections of the mural are from actual photos from Bourbon County. “I used these photos as references for the sketch,” Freeman said.
Source: Fort Scott Biz

Wichita looking at changes to animal regulations

Wichita City Council members will be looking at changes to regulations governing pets and animal services. The recommendations were made by a subcommittee of the city’s Animal Services Advisory Board that looked at a variety of issues, and staff members presented the recommendations to the City Council during a workshop discussion on Tuesday. There was a recommendation to license dogs and cats, but assistant city attorney Jan Jarman said the staffing is not available to support the licensing of cats, and there is more work to do to license dogs in the community. She said the better option will be to work on dog licensing rates and look at cat licensing at a later time. There’s a recommendation to keep the licensing fee at $15 for dogs that have been spayed or neutered, and raising it to $40 or $50 for dogs that haven’t been spayed or neutered. The discount for fencing or microchipping would be eliminated. Citizens could also get a license for up to three years, depending on the animal’s vaccination. Another recommendation would be to mandate microchipping for dogs and cats, to make it easier to return lost animals to their homes. There’s also a recommendation to allow three dogs and three cats per household, and any more pets would require an animal maintenance permit.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

Topeka contemplates city manager in special meeting

The city council had another special session to again discuss the two finalists for the vacant city manager position. The choice is down to Alan Howze of Kansas City, Kansas and Robert Perez of Dallas, Texas. Both candidates have over 20 years of experience working in leadership positions for local governments. At a press conference Tuesday morning ahead of the special session, Mayor Padilla and Nienstedt said they were confident no announcement would be made, which held true. No information was provided following the two-hour meeting. KSNT 27 News spoke to district 8 Topeka councilman Spencer Duncan, who says there is no need to rush the decision. “We are moving forward, you know you can do things fast, or you can do things right,” Duncan said. “And we are trying to be very deliberate in these discussions because we want to get this right. It’s important for the city, it’s important for people who work in the city, and so that’s really all this is. It’s nothing but us just making sure that we’re checking every box.” Interim city manager Richard Nienstedt has held the job since last July, when previous city manager Stephen Wade was terminated. According to the city, Wade had an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.
Source: KSNT 27 News

Lenexa has a new master plan for parks and recreation — What’s in it?

The framework for the next decade of development for Lenexa’s Parks and Recreation department is in place. On April 16, the Lenexa City Council unanimously accepted the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Last updated in 2012, the plan is a living document that sets goals and objectives, and shapes policies to help guide the future development of the city’s parks and recreation department over the next 10 years. “It’s certainly not something we just put on a shelf and never look at again,” said Logan Wagler, parks and recreation director. “It’s something we use on a daily basis, almost — how we plan our programs, operate our facilities and, most importantly, capital planning and future investments going forward.” Working with the Olathe-based consulting firm Landworks Studio, Lenexa Parks and Recreation built the plan around more than a year of feedback they gathered from residents through open houses, focus groups and online platforms.
Source: Johnson County Post

Nichols named new Junction City Police Chief

A new police chief has been appointed in Junction City. According to a Tuesday release from the City Manager’s office, Kirt Nichols will assume that role effective immediately. The 33-year-old veteran of JCPD has served as Captain of Operations for the past four years and was interim police chief for four months in late 2019. The city is also re-creating the position of Assistant Police Chief and has appointed Cory Odell to that position. Odell has been with the department since 2009 and most recently served as a Captain on the force since 2021. The shakeup in the police department comes amid the recent departure of former Chief John Lamb earlier this month. The city has been mum on his departure only to say that it engaged with a third party to interview employees and review information to determine if city policy had been violated during his tenure.
Source: 1350 KMAN

Municipal Bond Trends for April 23, 2024

Municipal Bond Trends for April 22, 2024

Wichita district wants bond issues to rebuild, consolidate schools

Wichita school officials want to know if voters would support a series of bond issues to rebuild and renovate schools over the next two decades. On Monday, consultants hired by the school board laid out four options ranging from a major investment in 27 new or renovated schools to doing nothing but focusing on deferred maintenance needs at existing buildings. All four plans outlined by the Ohio-based firm Woolpert include consolidating either 18 or 19 schools — a process district officials say is different than a closure because students and staff at low-attendance schools would all be moved together into a different building.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle

Cost to buy JoCo hotel being eyed for homeless shelter goes up

Buying a La Quinta Inn and Suites in Lenexa to convert it into a homeless shelter is going to cost more and may take longer than expected — should the county commission ultimately go ahead with the move. The growing cost and elongated timeline are due to an increase in the amount required to buy out the hotel and a delay in finding an entity to run it.
Source: Johnson County Post

Visiting commissioners impressed with Crawford County

County Commissioner Carl Wood said he enjoyed attending the recent Kansas County Commissioner Association Conference at Kansas Crossing this past week, adding that he learned a lot. Commissioners were offered classes in state law, media relations, budgets, and many other subjects. But what made the biggest impression on Wood was how impressed other commissioners from around the state were with Crawford County. Ranking 11th in population out of 105 counties, Crawford is not on the same level as Johnson, Wyandotte, or Sedgewick Counties in terms of resources, but the county still makes a big impression across the state.
Source: Morning Sun

Emporia PD unveils fleet redesign to boost visibility

The Emporia Police Department is rolling out a striking redesign for its 13-vehicle fleet, aimed at enhancing visibility and community engagement. The decision to update the department’s vehicle aesthetics came after careful consideration and collaboration within the department, according to Police Chief Ed Owens, as the department’s new vehicles become available through a fleet agreement with Enterprise Leasing.
Source: Emporia Gazette

Leawood taps department veteran Brad Robbins to be next police chief

Leawood police Capt. Brad Robbins will become the new chief of police beginning May 4, the Leawood City Council has decided. Councilmembers unanimously approved Robbins’ appointment during a special meeting called Wednesday afternoon for that purpose. Robbins, a 29-year veteran of the Leawood police department, has most recently served as support services division commander, supervising the investigation, traffic safety and community education units. He has also acted as the department’s public information officer.
Source: Johnson County Post

Parsons OKs rental, parking laws

The rental registration ordinance requires owners of all rental dwelling units in the city limits to be registered beginning July 1. These owners also must maintain accurate and complete registration information, modifying the registration within 30 days of any change. … Eventually, the city wants to implement inspections of rental units to make sure they meet codes, but this ordinance was the first step of many to achieve that. The second ordinance restricts parking on front yards and streets. The ordinance does not affect side or back yards.
Source: Parsons Sun

New Clerk Coming to City of Uniontown

Shawn Vincent will start as the new City of Uniontown Clerk on April 29. Vincent, 50, lives near Uniontown and operates a small cow/calf farm. He graduated from high school in Manhattan, KS, and is currently working on a bachelor’s degree…. Sally Johnson, who has been the clerk for 11 years will be training Vincent full-time until the week of May 20, then will continue training part-time “and do other things that have been put on the back burner until the end of the year,” she said.
Source: Fort Scott Biz

Supreme Court debates whether cities can make sleeping outside a crime

Several Supreme Court justices on Monday questioned the wisdom of an Oregon city’s ordinance that penalizes homeless people for sleeping in public, but the court’s conservative majority seemed wary of having federal courts intervene…. “The city’s hands will be tied [if the lower decision stands]. It will be forced to surrender its public places as it has been,” Theane Eangelis, an attorney for Grants Pass, told Chief Justice John Roberts during a two-and-a-half hour argument. “The Ninth Circuit has effectively imposed a municipal code … to regulate what the city can do in its public spaces.”
Source: Route Fifty – All Content

Hesston Dog Park moving closer to center of city

After receiving requests from residents, Hesston is moving its dog park . The dog park is currently located at 505 W Lincoln Blvd. It is moving to the city center by Hickory Park located at 400 E Hickory St. which has a playground. “Families will now be able to exercise their dogs while their children use the adjacent playground, creating a whole family experience,” said city administrator, Gary Emry, in an email.
Source: Harvey County Now

Bel Aire low-income housing complex aims to address senior housing shortage

An affordable senior living complex opened on Friday in Bel Aire, but before doors opened, it was already full with a large waitlist. Homestead Affordable Housing has launched 14 projects like this one across the state in an effort to meet the needs of low-income seniors looking for a place to live. The one in Bel Aire has 36 units, which are already full. The non-profit now has 170 people on the waitlist, searching for an alternative. “We’re doing everything we can to make the units more affordable rent,” said Homestead Affordable Housing President Tom Bishop. Bishop said their 14 properties in Kansas provide the opportunity for low-income seniors to live comfortably. “The lowest targeted rent is 30% of area median income. For one bedroom, I think that’s $305 a month,” said Bishop. George and Regina Wilson were the first ones to move into the property. They said their former homeowner raised the rent, and they could no longer afford the monthly payment. They said they are now thankful to have their new community in Bel Aire. “It really took the stress away. When they put that key in our hand, it was really a blessing,” said Regina Wilson.
Source: KSN-TV

Small Kansas breweries call new law a ‘big win’ for sales

Green Frog Brewing has been open for about a month in the small town of Douglass. On Friday, they already had customers at four in the afternoon. “We do some traditional styles and we do brown ales and red ales. Peanut butter porter. Honey beer,” said Jay Sanderson, head brewer at Green Frog. “Open for four weeks, it has gone really, really well. Business has gone way better than we thought it would have. We sold out of four beers already so I am brewing faster than, the sales are going up faster than I can stay up. Which is a great problem to have.” Sanderson said they have invested in more equipment to make more beer. And they may need it now that they can sell beer outside their own doors without having to use a distributor in the wake of Kansas House Bill 2421 being signed into law. The bill allows microbreweries to distribute their own beers and hard ciders to clubs and restaurants as well as at public venues. “And people are like, wow, where’s the beer from? It’s from this place in Douglass,” said Sanderson. “Now, with the new law going in on July 1st, we can take our beer to take it out to bars, restaurants, places where it will generate more foot traffic in here for us.” Sean Willcott brews beer and offers it for sale in northern Kansas with Willcott Brewing & Taproom of Holton. “It was very challenging to get our product to market. There’s a reason Kansas ranks 49th in the country for beer production,” said Willcott on Friday. “This is Kansas Craft Beer Week, so this is a perfect time for such a huge industry win.”
Source: KSN-TV