Kansas Municipal News
Shawnee Airbnb owners push back against banning rentals
After months of discussion, the Shawnee City Council remains in a holding pattern on whether to regulate short-term rental properties or ban them outright. At a Shawnee City Council committee meeting on Monday, councilmembers asked city staff to explore the idea of issuing special use permits for short-term rentals, like Airbnb and VRBOs. Since the meeting was only meant to gather feedback from the community, no vote or motion was taken by the council. While previous committee meetings about short-term rentals have mostly centered on feedback from neighbors who say they have been negatively affected by Airbnbs in Shawnee, Monday’s meeting drew more short-term rental owners defending their properties. Shannon Doser, a real estate agent who runs an Airbnb with her husband in Shawnee, said banning short-term rentals would be a mistake. “If you ban these, what you’re saying is, ‘We don’t want you here. We’re not going to have tourism. We’re going to simply send those tourists to Lenexa and over to Overland Park,’” she said.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Jolene Graham selected as City of Andover Assistant City Administrator
Jolene Graham became the new Assistant City Administrator for the City of Andover as of Monday, November 27, 2023. She was chosen after interviews conducted by City Council members and City of Andover department heads. Graham served the City of Maize since 2014, most recently as the Deputy City Administrator for the past four years. During her time at Maize, she coordinated economic development for Maize Industrial Park, managed competitive grant & federal transportation awards to over $4.4 million, led multiple cross-departmental teams for policy and infrastructure planning, development and implementation and oversaw seven staff members. “We are thrilled to have Jolene join the City of Andover family,” said Jennifer McCausland, City Administrator. “She is coming onboard at a great time and has already offered fresh ideas as we look ahead to 2024 and beyond.” Graham is a Certified Public Manager from the University of Kansas, has a master’s degree in theological studies from Newman University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kansas State University. “I am very excited to have this opportunity to serve the City of Andover and work alongside the amazing staff,” said Graham. She is the proud mom of Chloe, Hannah and Vincent and enjoys working out, long walks, and good food with great conversation.
Source: City of Andover
Municipal Bond Trends for November 28, 2023
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 November 27, 2023
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.
With zoning change, this car lot would sell 5 at a time
A proposed Topeka car dealership would give new meaning to the term “small business.” The most vehicles that dealership would have for sale at any one time would be five. DreamMakers LLC would operate the business in a 12-space parking lot just north of the building it owns at 2900 S.E. Kentucky Ave, which is the site of businesses that include a real estate office. The Topeka Planning Commission voted 9-0 late Monday to recommend Topeka’s mayor and city council approve a zoning change that would enable the dealership to operate there. … DreamMaker’s application included an image showing how five available cars for purchase could be displayed in the lot, leaving its seven other spaces available for use by customers and people working at its office.
Source: CJonline
Pawnee County adopts commercial solar farm regs
The Pawnee County Commissioners, as part of agenda business Monday, adopted zoning regulations for privately developed solar farms in Pawnee County. The regulations were developed by the Pawnee County Joint Planning Commission, which conducted a public hearing on Nov. 9 to discuss changes and submit the recommended final result to the Commissioners for approval. As approved, Resolution 2023-R-10 provides a “regulatory scheme for the construction and operation of Commercial Solar Energy Conversion Systems (CSECS) and/or Commercial Solar Energy Facilities (CSEF) in Pawnee County,” subject to reasonable restrictions which will preserve the public health and safety. Both operations will be subject to the conditional use permit process.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Great Bend wayfinding signs progressing
The final hurdles for the installation of new wayfinding signage around Great Bend has been cleared, said Christina Hayes, community coordinator and CVB director, addressing the City Council Monday night. The project has been in the works since earlier this year. “The permits from the state were just approved so we’re hoping to have all those wayfinding signs installed by spring,” she said. They had hoped to have them in place by year’s end, but the licensing took longer than anticipated. The CVB will work with Mark’s Custom Signs and the Street Department. Before things can get started, though, they had to secure permitting and licensing from the Kansas Department of Transportation, necessary since some of the installations will be on state highways. There will be 15 at first (replacing the current ones which she said desperately need replaced) in different areas of the community promoting different attractions and points of interest. Thematically, the new signs will match the new large entrance signs on North Main and near Railroad Avenue and U.S. 56.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
New Marion County treasurer brings nearly a decade of experience
Tina Groening stepped to a lectern Friday morning, raised her hand, and swore an oath of office to serve as county treasurer. She comes to her position with 9½ years of experience in the treasurer’s office. She was appointed to serve out the unfinished term of Susan Berg, who died Oct. 4 of cancer after two years as treasurer. Groening had been deputy treasurer since February. More than 50 people came to watch the swearing-in, including family, friends, county commissioners, county employees, and former treasurer Jeannine Bateman, who retired in October 2021 after nearly 38 years in the office. “The dynamic T and T,” commission chairman David Mueller said. “Tina the treasurer and Tina (Spencer) the clerk.”
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Hospital wants zoning to block rivals
Hillsboro Community Hospital is asking for a zoning change that would prohibit outside out-of-town medical facilities from locating facilities within the city limits. … “When other health care organizations propose entering the local rural community to provide additional services, they are often looking to duplicate profitable service lines that are already provided by the local community hospital. These organizations call their entry into our local rural community a ‘strategic move’ or ‘plan.'” The strategy often is to create additional revenue streams back to their facility, which does not support the local rural community or county and threatens the long-term sustainability of our local community hospital.” Rooker said two out-of-town medical providers — Newton Medical Center and Herington Hospital — had come into Hillsboro. The first time, the community was told a clinic would use HCH for expanded services and admissions, but that didn’t happen, Rooker said.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Stafford PD officer recognized for life-saving event
When a life needs saving, it does not matter what size the responding department is. What matters is that there’s one level head and quick action. Andrew Buzako, who graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in March, was on duty as a full-time member of the Stafford Police Department on Oct. 8, when a report came in of an unresponsive female at a residence in town. According to Stafford Police Chief Carl Wettstein, officer Buzako was unable to make contact with anyone inside the residence upon arrival, so he broke down the front door and observed an unresponsive female on the floor. After determining that she was suffering from an apparent overdose and not breathing, he quickly administered two shots of Narcan and began resuscitation. The female was then transported to the Stafford County Hospital. “It was a fine example of quick thinking and understanding what needed to be done,” noted Chief Wettstein.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
See the unique playground in this Johnson County park opening after 6-month renovation
A popular Johnson County park will reopen soon after being closed for several months while undergoing an extensive renovation. Visitors to Gum Springs Park in Shawnee will notice lots of improvements at the park when it reopens later this year. The park at 67th and Flint Streets has undergone a $3.7 million face-lift. Renovations include the removal of an old asphalt trail and installation a new eight-foot wide concrete walking path around the perimeter of the 9.7-acre park. In addition to the walking path, improvements were made to the four baseball fields which include new fencing, updated backstops and new dugout boxes. A 30-foot-tall hot air balloon play structure, dubbed, “Lunia” is the centerpiece of a new, modern playground with play and climbing equipment from Berliner Play Equipment. Bonded rubber safety surfacing surrounds the new playground, which includes several other brightly-colored climb and play structures. A recently installed restroom building, which opened in September of 2022, is steps away from the new playground.
Source: Joco 913 News
More Johnson County residents can now keep this feathered pet in their backyards
The Overland Park City Council has agreed to permanently allow residents to keep chickens in the backyards of smaller, single-family homes. The council on Monday voted 7-3 to approve an ordinance allowing hens on lots as small as 0.2 acres, with certain regulations. The city also is establishing a permit fee to raise chickens, which would be $100 for the first year and $50 to renew it. The decision comes after a two-year pilot program, where the city tested out allowing homeowners to obtain permits to keep chickens on lots as small as a quarter-acre. Overland Park previously only allowed backyard chickens on lots that were 3 acres or larger. A growing number of cities have allowed backyard chickens since the fad picked up more than a decade ago, including Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Prairie Village, Roeland Park, Mission and several others. Proponents argue keeping chickens offers residents a healthier alternative to buying eggs in a grocery store. They contend that as long as coops are well-maintained and the fowl are taken care of, the birds can go almost unnoticed.
Source: Joco 913 News
Mulvane talks solar panel field proposal
During its Nov. 6 meeting, the Mulvane City Council considered a proposal from the Kansas Power Pool to set up a solar panel field in the city, according to The Mulvane News. While there would be no cost to the city, council would need to find 12 to 13 acres where a large array of solar panels could be located – to help reduce the cost of power for local residents. No official action was taken, but it was reported that the council was interested in the project. The Mulvane City Council directed staff to scout potential sites for the solar panels before bringing the item back for consideration.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Kansas moves ahead with $6.46 million grant program to bolster local food supply chains
The Kansas Department of Agriculture began accepting applications Monday under a $6.46 million grant program designed to improve local or regional supply chain infrastructure across the state for foods destined to be consumed by humans. The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeks to expand processing, manufacture, storage, transportation as well as wholesaling or distribution of agricultural products. The investments would be concentrated on the middle of the food supply chain, which could be defined as the area bookended by harvests and retail stores. The program would feature businesses engaged in specialty crops, dairy produce, grains for human consumption and aquaculture. It would exclude meat and poultry products funded through other USDA programs. “In order for the nation’s food system to be more resilient, there is an increased need to focus on bolstering our local food supply chain,” said Mike Beam, the state’s agriculture department secretary. He said the grant program was an opportunity to create economic opportunities for Kansas food and farm businesses and other eligible applicants, including nonprofit organizations, local government entities, tribal governments as well as hospitals and schools.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Overland Park weighs new scooter pilot after Bird’s abrupt departure
Overland Park is looking to start another pilot program with a new vendor to bring electric scooters and bikes to the city. During a recent Overland Park City Council Public Works Committee meeting, city staff and councilmembers discussed a potential path forward to continue to offer the devices now that scooter company Bird has left. Previously, the city had a two-year agreement with Bird to offer pay-to-ride electric bikes and scooters through the end of November. But the company removed all of its devices from the city by August, citing staffing woes. That move unofficially ended the pilot program with the company a few months earlier than expected. Since then, communication with the company has been spotty, Brian Shields, Overland Park’s traffic engineer said at a recent Community Development Committee meeting. Olathe city officials told the Post that its fleet of Bird scooters was removed, too.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Johnson County looks to convert abandoned factory into trail hub
Thirty years ago, the old Kuhlman Diecasting plant just south of 159th Street and Mission Road was abandoned, gradually becoming a toxic eyesore and a danger to the school children who made it their forbidden playground. Now, after years of frustration, the plant’s demolition and environmental clean up, local officials are considering making the site a trail hub that would connect bike and nature trails in the area and, they hope, improve the Blue River watershed. Johnson County Park and Recreation board members last Wednesday took a first look at some park use concepts for the Kuhlman site in unincorporated Johnson County and adjacent land owned by Overland Park. The 35.15-acre Kuhlman plant sits near a bend in the Blue River, separated from the water by a levee, but still vulnerable to flooding. It was abandoned in 1990 after the company underwent bankruptcy and it is still privately owned.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Rose Hill gearing up for annual festivities
The city of Rose Hill is set to host its annual Hometown Christmas festivities all day Dec. 9 at various locations around town. Activities are set to be hosted at the Rose Hill Recreation Center, Rose Hill school buildings, Rose Hill Public Library, Historical Museum and more. Christmas festivities set to be held that day include pictures with Santa, an ugly sweater contest, cookie decorating and hot chocolate, a North Pole petting zoo, used coat drive, carriage rides, holiday parade and more. For a full schedule of events and more information, visit rosehillchamber.org.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Solar develops flocking to Kansas, but communities are skeptical
About 10 miles north of El Dorado on U.S. Highway 77, a break appears in the rolling cattle ranches and farmland of the Flint Hills. It’s a different sort of farm – a solar farm. It supplies electricity to several small towns throughout Lincoln Township in Butler County. “We’re not anti-solar,” said Terry Lowmaster, a trustee of the township, which gets some of this electricity. “We have a one megawatt here in our backyard that benefits our local residents.” At the same time, he and other local residents protested earlier this year when a Chicago-based developer applied for a permit to build a new solar farm – a $550 million dollar, 3,500-acre project. His reasoning for his opposition to one, and not the other? The existing solar farm is just 12 acres. Plus, it’s run by a local rural electric cooperative. “They have an office downtown. The employees live in the area. Their kids go to school with our kids, our grandkids,” Lowmaster said. “It’s home, you know? It’s a community, and they’re part of it.” As technology improves and green energy policy advances, solar development in Kansas is booming. Production of utility-scale solar power in Kansas is expected to increase 34 times over in the next four years.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Halstead schools embracing new reading method
After seeing a decrease in reading scores from COVID-19, the Kansas Department of Education is funding new education for teachers, which Halstead schools are welcoming. Marcie Carr, the director of student learning at Halstead, said she’d seen the dip in scores herself among students. Carr said, during the pandemic, learning was interrupted as schools switched to remote learning, and this interruption created the dip in scores schools are seeing now. Carr said the district looked at scores to fill in gaps where students were struggling and is using the new education many staff members received to better educate students on reading. The staff have gone to “Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling” (LETRS) trainings, which the state education department funded. “The district made a huge commitment to commit our time to that professional development to ensure that instructors are aligned and implementing those best practices into their instruction,” Carr said.
Source: Harvey County Now
Municipal Bond Trends for November 24, 2023
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.
New book ‘How Salina Works’ tells stories of life and work in Salina
Mike Durall has something in common with those who are naturally curious. He likes to write about places and things he knows nothing about. He admits this in an introduction to his new book about Salina in which he peers into what keeps the growing town’s gears turning. Each page inks a story he used to know nothing about, but after connecting with the people whose lives shape those narratives, he was able to learn quite well what makes Salina special. … From stories about the Salina Sirens Women’s Roller Derby team, a narrative on managing the Rolling Hills Zoo, the Black church experience in Salina, a day in the life of a hospital emergency room, farming families, first-responders and auto service workers, ‘How Salina Works’ is a melting pot of stories from the community.
Source: Salina Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for November 21, 2023
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 November 20, 2023
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.
Trying to save an ER in rural Kansas
When the emergency room in Fort Scott, Kansas, closes next month, the next closest in-state facility will be 40 minutes away — and some patients may not make it that far. Mayor Matthew Wells says the closure shows the need for the Kansas Legislature to pass Medicaid expansion. When Fort Scott, Kansas’ Mercy Hospital closed in early 2019, the community of 7,550 people in southeast Kansas briefly lost its emergency room. Mayor Matthew Wells remembers the time without an ER clearly. Now, his town is once again in that position after the community’s stand-alone ER closed, leaving residents to travel at least 20 miles to the nearest emergency center and raising concerns about attracting new residents and businesses. Steve Kraske spoke with Wells and Kansas News Service reporter Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga on KCUR’s Up To Date about the future of health care for the community.
Source: KCUR News
Kansas City, Kansas, has a new strategic plan for balancing development and history
Urban sprawl and decades of disinvestment have created a strain on Kansas City, Kansas’ ability to grow a healthy and vibrant community. A new long-range comprehensive plan aims to reverse that trend through strategic investment and intentional development. PlanKCK will focus on 11 elements — including economic development, transit access, historic preservation, and housing — in an effort to make strategic decisions that balance equity, access, health and regeneration. “They want access to attainable housing, reliable transportation, childcare, all of those things that make community vibrant,” said Alyssa Marcy, long range community planner for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. “But in order to do that, especially under constrained resources, you have to be strategic.” Historic preservation planner Randy Greeves says that the city’s old infrastructure could be eligible to receive tax incentives for repair, creating business and housing opportunities.
Source: KCUR
Hungry for ‘braised urban squirrel’? A Lawrence, Kansas, cook-off will star wild foods
Squirrel, elderberries and pawpaws aren’t usually the stars of Kansas cuisine. But they — and other ingredients found in the Kansas outdoors — are taking center stage at Wild Foods Cook Off in Lawrence this weekend. Amy Bousman, an education specialist at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and organizer of the event, said the idea came from a similar event focused on invasive species in Oregon. “I thought, why aren’t we doing this cook-off with wild foods?” she said. “There’s so many hunters and anglers and foragers in our state, and also in Missouri, that aren’t getting to feature their skills and show what they’re capable of.” Entries will fall into six categories: wild game, wild fish, wild plants, wild mushrooms, wild sweets and wild invasive/nuisance species. Spectators are welcome to try the dishes, and each will be judged by expert chefs and foragers, too. Prizes for the top dish in each category, as well as the “community favorite,” will be awarded. The event will take place Sunday, Nov. 19 at Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center in Lawrence.
Source: KCUR
What is the Ogallala Aquifer and why is it running out of water?
Millions of years ago, sediment from the Rocky Mountains was deposited in the High Plains. Over thousands of years, water dripped below the surface creating an underground water deposit called the Ogallala Aquifer. The water — which spans from South Dakota to Texas and was once the size of Lake Huron — at one point accounted for 30% of the crop and animal production in the U.S. Kansas accounts for about 10% of the water in the Aquifer, the third most of the eight states that can access the water. The Ogallala aquifer is the principal source of water for agriculture in western Kansas. It’s not an underground lake as some believe but saturated sediments that have been deposited over the past 35 million years. When we pull water from the aquifer, it’s a bit like sucking water out of a sponge made of rock, gravel, sand and other geologic materials. High capacity irrigation, such as center pivot sprinklers, have used groundwater faster than it can be replenished. Center pivot sprinklers can disperse hundreds of gallons per minute from a well, 24 hours a day, for weeks or months on end.
Source: Kansas City Breaking News & Sports | The Kansas City Star
North Newton to light up the sky
North Newton might set the heavens aglow this holiday season because there will be a Holiday Lighting Competition for businesses and residences. “Bethel College approached me back in May, really wanting to gain some excitement and some spirit around the holiday season before students are sent back home,” City Administrator Kyle Fiedler told the North Newton City Council during its regular monthly Monday night meeting. “This also came from my first year here. The tree on Main Street that was lit up, I think a lot of customers enjoyed that. We wanted to try to encourage that, and we never came up with a program that following year.” The contest is to get people to light the exterior of their homes, Fiedler said. This is an event that would tie into Bethel’s two-week holiday calendar of events.
Source: Harvey County Now
Wichita to consider ordinance to fine landlords that retaliate
The Wichita City Council will consider fines of $250 up to $2,500 for landlords that evict tenants for complaining about living conditions. “You have to keep paying your rent. That’s state statute,” said Brandon Johnson. But Johnson wants the city to help people who pay their rent and still have unfair living conditions. He explains the proposed city ordinance would stop landlord retaliation, where he says some are getting kicked out while still paying rent. “The hope is that it makes a difference permanently,” said Johnson. “There are landlords right now that have been trying to evict folks and actually evicting them just for asking that they fix the place that they’re living in. I think that’s wrong. Hopefully, this puts an end to that behavior. And I think hitting those pocketbooks a few times will change behaviors.”
Source: KSN-TV
Firefighters save Shawnee Co. horse trapped in mud
It’s a sticky situation one Shawnee County woman will never forget. One of the horses she watches after on her property in Berryton found himself stuck in the mud on Wednesday evening. Without the help of one of her other horses, Amy Bermudez may not have found him as quickly as she did. “It was dark, 6 o’clock when I go to get the horses in, and I call for Cooper, the victim, and he doesn’t come,” Bermudez told KSNT News. “So I go to get my other horse that’s out in the yard, and when I go to get her, she normally just walks back with me. But this time, she ran the other way.” She led Bermudez straight to a pond where the 30-year-old Arabian horse was stuck. The pond, according to Bermudez, was partially dried up, but the ground was soft enough to give way when Cooper got close to it. Bermudez told KSNT she immediately called the horse’s owner upon finding him. The two thought they could get him out themselves, but Cooper’s struggles only sunk him deeper into the mud. While trying to free him, Bermudez herself got stuck in the mud, forcing the two to call the Shawnee Heights Fire Department for help. A family friend brought his excavator to dig away the muck while firefighters tried to fasten ropes to the horse to pull him to safety.
Source: KSN-TV
Ribbon cutting honors Walter Johnson’s new birthplace marker in Humboldt
A ribbon cutting in southeast Kansas honors the “Humboldt Thunderbolt.” That’s legendary, 1924 World Series Champion Walter Johnson. He was a pitcher with the Washington Senators from 1907 to 1927. A sign along US 169 as you enter Humboldt from the south, has honored the city as Johnson’s birthplace for several years. But, now it has a fresh new look. Allie Utley’s grandfather, Dick Davis, created the original marker. She felt like it was her duty to upgrade the sign. “Seemed obvious that I should be doing a project that also included my family’s legacy, so I just think I felt really compelled by the memory of my grandfather to work on this project and make sure that the story doesn’t die and that my grandpa’s memory doesn’t die with it either,” said Utley. Utley is also organizing a 100-year celebration for both Johnson and Negro League Baseball player George Sweatt. Like Johnson, Sweatt was also born in Humboldt and is a 1924 Negro League World Series Champion — he played with the Kansas City Monarchs.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Simple economics giving a major boost to Emporia sales tax collections
The City of Emporia’s sales tax collections have been on the rise throughout the past year according to Treasurer Janet Harouff. …Harouff noted the city collections have increased steadily each month this year putting the city seven percent above where it was this same time last year with a total of $5.3 million collected as of October. When asked what is contributing to this steady increase, Harouff explained it is simple economics. When asked if a decrease in inflation would mean a dip in city collections, Harouff stated that would be dependent on whether or not product makers lower their prices. She says while possible, any lowering in prices would likely not be significant. Harouff also noted that due to the high demand and low availability for certain products, basic supply and demand would likely mean a continued increase in collections for the foreseeable future. Dollars collected through the city’s one percent sales tax goes to the city’s general fund to pay for general services such as police and fire, parks and recreation, quality of life matters and economic development.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Johnson County looks to convert abandoned factory into trail hub
Johnson County officials are looking to convert the old Kuhlman Diecasting plant at 159th and Mission into a trail hub. Photo credit Roxie Hammill. Thirty years ago, the old Kuhlman Diecasting plant just south of 159th Street and Mission Road was abandoned, gradually becoming a toxic eyesore and a danger to the school children who made it their forbidden playground. Now, after years of frustration, the plant’s demolition and environmental clean up, local officials are considering making the site a trail hub that would connect bike and nature trails in the area and, they hope, improve the Blue River watershed. Johnson County Park and Recreation board members last Wednesday took a first look at some park use concepts for the Kuhlman site in unincorporated Johnson County and adjacent land owned by Overland Park. The 35.15-acre Kuhlman plant sits near a bend in the Blue River, separated from the water by a levee, but still vulnerable to flooding. It was abandoned in 1990 after the company underwent bankruptcy and it is still privately owned.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Iola: Build it and they will come
More than a year ago, Iola council members voted 7-0 to extend water, electric and streets in the Cedarbrook Addition and followed through last spring by committing $1.7 million to the project with the goal of attracting developers. It worked. On Monday, council members sold the 22 lots to the mother-and-son duo Jennifer Chester and Blake Boone. The two plan to start construction in January 2024. When all is said and done, Iola will have at least 16 single-family homes and possibly another three larger homes or three duplexes. The new development is designated as Cedarbrook Third Addition. Time and again, investments by city leaders have paid off. No place is a better example than the further development of Cedarbrook, which began with the strip of homes lining the north side of Miller Road beginning at Cottonwood and going west. Cedarbrook Second Addition was an answer to the devastation of the 2007 flood that wiped out dozens of homes primarily in the south end of town. Taking the attitude that a crisis is an opportunity in the wings, in 2008, Iola Industries purchased 66 acres of the western half of the 18-hole Cedarbrook Golf Course from owner Larry Macha, which it then turned around and sold to the City of Iola in early 2009 for its development.
Source: The Iola Register
Municipal Bond Trends for November 17, 2023
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.
New Shawnee County park may be destination playground
Plans for the anticipated Shawnee County family park — with its destination playground for older play, 16 pickleball courts and a shelter house — are moving along. The Family Park will be built at the corner of S.W. Urish Road and S.W. 21st Street between Midwest Aquatics Center and the Cypress Ridge Golf Course. Efforts to begin crafting the park began in late July 2020 after Shawnee County commissioners hosted the first public engagement phase for the planning of the park. Public feedback was requested in October 2020 for park’s potential concept.
Source: CJonline
Kansas counties need state permission to raise sales taxes. Here’s why that could change.
Kansas may make it easier for local governments to raise sales taxes. State lawmakers on a Special Tax Committee have recommended that the Legislature remove a required step for counties to get legislative permission before asking voters for a tax increase. “This was something that I’ve been looking at, actually since I was a county commissioner, realizing that the process is extremely cumbersome,” said Rep. Adam Smith, R-Weskan and the committee chair. The committee was tasked with studying various tax issues, among which was simplifying the process for counties in particular to obtain sales tax authority. “Just judging from the general temperature of the committee, I think that’s something that will move forward fairly quickly,” Smith said. “If it’s the House that gets that, we will hopefully get that sent over to the Senate fairly quickly.”
Source: CJonline
Lenexa residents get to pick the new mural coming to Old Town
As work on the Lenexa Community Center ramps up next month, the City of Lenexa is letting residents choose the mural that will grace it. Until Jan. 7, residents can vote here on what will be the next mural to greet visitors at the renovated location. The project called for designs for a 900-square-foot mural that will wrap around the southwest corner of the building. Two artists made the cut: IT-RA ICONS and Doodle Dood. Both artists hail from the Kansas City area, which was important to the project, said Logan Wagler, director of parks and recreation. “We’ve got great artists here in the Kansas City metro,” he said. “Why not tap into the local artists for this effort? IT-RA ICONS is the collaborative name for Isaac Tapia and Rodrigo Alvarez. They’ve made a name for themselves as muralists, creating pieces chosen for the new terminal Kansas City International airport and events like World AIDS Day. For their submission, they said they wanted to capture the unique feeling of the area.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Chef thinks his small-town ‘honor stands’ would also work in Wichita, plans to try soon.
His new venture works well in Strong City, a town in the Flint Hills with a population of about 400. But will chef Stan Lerner’s “honor stands” — which invite people to grab fresh-baked bread and other items from unmanned pantries and trust them to leave the correct amount of cash on the “honor system” — also work in Wichita? Lerner, who owns Chef’s Stan’s Place — a tiny one-day-a-week brunch spot he opened last year in a former church building on the edge of Strong City — will be in Wichita this week scouting out spots where he might be able to set up a few of his honor stands. Friends he’s told about his new passion project say the idea won’t work in bigger cities and that he’s taking a risk moving into Wichita. But Lerner is undeterred. “I don’t agree,” he said. “I want to show people you can do an honor stand anywhere and that it’s not just people in small towns you can trust. I think you can trust people anywhere.” Lerner, who for six months in 2021 ran Chef’s Table Roadhouse in the old Logan’s Roadhouse spot at 353 S. Rock Road in Wichita, opened his first honor stand a couple of weeks ago. He was inspired by a neighboring Strong City business — Kelly’s Bees — which has been operating its own honor stand and letting customers pick up honey and other items at their leisure. That stand even allows customers to make their own change from an open cash box kept inside.
Source: Dining With Denise Neil |
Overland Park set to permanently allow backyard chickens on some lots
Overland Park plans to permanently allow backyard chickens on smaller lots by making its backyard chicken pilot program into city code. Last week, the Overland Park City Council Public Safety Committee voted 6-0 to recommend the city adopt a new ordinance enshrining backyard chickens in Overland Park in city code. In early 2022, the city approved a temporary backyard chicken pilot program, following in the footsteps of other Johnson County cities. The proposed ordinance, which would codify it in a new chapter called “Keeping of Chickens,” does have some small changes from the short-term backyard chicken pilot. The two-year pilot allowed property owners to obtain permits for backyard chickens on lots at least a quarter-acre in size. Before the pilot program, Overland Park allowed backyard chickens by right on large lots that were three acres or larger. On smaller lots, residents could keep chickens but only through an arduous and lengthy permitting process that required earning approval from both the Overland Park Planning Commission and the city council. Under the pilot, the city clerk and animal control office managed permitting and enforcement, respectively.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
People in Fort Scott, Kansas, are trying to save their emergency room — or cope with the loss
When Fort Scott’s Mercy Hospital closed in early 2019, the community of 7,550 people in southeast, Kansas, briefly lost its emergency room. Mayor Matthew Wells remembers the time without an ER clearly. “I watched several people, two in particular that I’ve known my whole life, die with injuries sustained that very easily could have been resolved in an ER,” Wells said. Now, the town is once again in that position after the community’s stand-alone ER closed, leaving residents to travel at least 20 miles to the nearest emergency center and raising concerns about attracting new residents and businesses. Local officials are scrambling to bring in a new provider but are running into regulatory hurdles. After Mercy Hospital closed its doors in 2019, a non-profit Catholic health system based in Pittsburg, Kansas, Ascension Via Christi, stepped in to provide emergency room services. But recently, citing financial hardship and a decline in patients, Ascension announced the company would be leaving town December 20. “After exploring the options available, it was clear that this was the only option for us,” Drew Talbott, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, said in a release “There are other providers in the region positioned to serve the residents of Fort Scott and neighboring communities.” Wells said while he is thankful for the services Ascension provided Fort Scott, the departure is devastating to the community he loves so much.
Source: KCUR News
‘Utmost respect’: Kansas City, Kansas’ interim fire chief to take on full-time role
Dennis Rubin, who has served as the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department’s interim fire chief for almost six months, will soon take on the role full time. Wyandotte County’s administrator, David Johnston, announced at Thursday night’s Unified Government meeting that he has hired Rubin for the position, which he will take over in the new year. He will become the KCKFD’s 18th fire chief. “I pledge that I’ll do my very best to continue the direction that we’re going in to serve folks with dignity and pride,” Rubin told the UG’s Board of Commissioners. Before becoming KCK’s interim fire chief in June, Rubin previously served as fire chief in Atlanta, Georgia, Washington, D.C., and most recently, in small towns in Wisconsin and Virginia. Tyrone Garner, the UG’s CEO and mayor, said before he took office that there were many challenges at the fire department. But firefighters appreciate the “new type of vision” Rubin brings, he said. “The people I’ve talked to said you have their utmost respect and confidence,” Garner told Rubin. Tensions at times ran high under the prior fire administration. Last year, the head of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 64, the union representing KCKFD members, said the former chief “destroyed morale” and caused workplace issues.
Source: KC Star Local News
Residents have mixed reaction about large-scale solar farms in Sedgwick County
Should large-scale solar farms be allowed in Sedgwick County? Thursday night, the public told officials what they think. Because of a moratorium, there can’t be any solar applications until March 20th. So, Sedgwick County and the City of Wichita want to know what should happen once the moratorium has passed. “I just moved back from California. There are solar farms and wind farms. They’re ugly, they’re huge. I don’t want those farms here,” said an unnamed person who spoke during public comment. “Everybody says what they don’t want. Where do you want that electricity to be generated,” said Sedgwick County resident, Stan Bergkamp. Back in March homeowners were concerned about a potential solar development just to the north of Colwich. People living near there were among those at Thursday night’s meeting. “Across the road from me there, across the road from me there, and 2000 feet from my south fence line,” said Leory Bosch. Bosch says he’s against the idea for more than just looks. “My concern, is it’s extremely bad for Sedgwick County as a whole. Any kind of utility-scale solar is going to stifle growth and development,” said Bosch.
Source: KAKE – News
There’s a new way to talk to 911 in Stafford County
New technology is being used by Stafford County dispatchers. They now have the technology to do video calls with someone calling 911. Here’s how it works: When you call 911, the dispatcher can ask to send you a link. If you approve, you will start a live video feed from your phone to show the emergency as it’s happening. “It’s almost like having an extra person without them actually being there. To have eyes on the situation and they’ll be able to see what’s going on, or we can see something they’re not telling us,” said Stafford County Sheriff Robert Murrow. Stafford County Dispatch Coordinator Gina Schwein says this tool can help dispatchers understand an active scene. “If we have to help someone through an emergency, I can see where it would be beneficial to see what they’re doing to guide them through it,” said Schwein. Creating a second set of eyes for emergency responders. “This right here will give us the advance warning so it can be handled appropriately,” said Sheriff Murrow. Once the call is completed, all video and phone access is disconnected from dispatchers, keeping your personal information safe. The Kansas 911 Coordinating Council says 49 counties in the state are currently using this video tool, but it could expand to other counties.
Source: KSN-TV
Sedgwick County K9 killed in line of duty
A K9 with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office was killed in the line of duty Thursday afternoon. According to Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter, the K9 killed was Bane. Bane came into service with Wichita Police Officer Daniel Gumm in Dec. 2017, after Gumm’s previous K9, Rooster, was shot and killed in the line of duty. Rooster was the first WPD K9 to be killed in the WPD’s history. Officer Gumm lost his battle with cancer in November 2022, and Bane was donated to the SCSO. According to WPD Lieutenant Aaron Moses, just before noon on Thursday, the WPD domestic intervention and violence reduction team was in the area of Pawnee and Rock trying to locate a 24-year-old man suspected of robbery. Moses said the suspect was found around 12:10 p.m., but he fled on foot and into a drain, through a creek, and under the road. He then barricaded himself and refused to come out. After negotiations with the suspect failed, the SCSO and the WPD sent K9 officers into the drain. According to Moses, the dogs were on extended leashes and supplied with cameras. “There was an altercation between the suspect and the Sedgwick County Sheriff K9, and at 1:34, the K9, the Sedgwick County Sheriff K9 dog, was pronounced deceased on scene,” said Moses. Moses said they were able to talk to the suspect, and through negotiations, he surrendered around 2:40 p.m. and was taken into custody.
Source: KSN-TV