Kansas Municipal News
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
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 22, 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.
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
This Southeast Kansas museum showcases mining industry in new exhibit
A new exhibit at a Southeast Kansas museum is showcasing the history of the mining industry. The Miners Hall Museum is hosting the Southeast Kansas Coal Camp – West Mineral exhibit. A presentation of the history was hosted by David R. Wallace. The exhibit contains photos, maps, coins, and high school uniforms – giving people an in-depth look at the impact that miners had. “I’m genuinely interested in what has happened here and how this all developed, what happened with the mining, why people come here, where they came from, what they did, when they came here, and how they lived and how they related to each other. It’s an amazing story and it’s our story,” said David R. Wallace, Presenter. The “Coal Camp – West Mineral” exhibit will be on display until June 23.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Emporia takes proactive measures as EPA announces landmark ‘forever chemicals’ regulations
For the first time ever, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a national regulation targeting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Often termed “forever chemicals,” PFAS have permeated air, water, and soil, posing enduring environmental and health risks. “Drinking water contaminated with PFAS has plagued communities across this country for too long,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, according to a CBS News report. The regulations will have sweeping effects across the country, including municipalities like Emporia. City of Emporia Communications Manager Christine Torrens told The Gazette this week that the city is working proactively to address concerns regarding PFAS chemicals in drinking water. “The City of Emporia has sent water samples to KDHE to determine the current levels of PFAS chemicals present,” she said. “While the results are pending, city staff is in communication with KDHE to promptly receive the findings. It’s worth noting that the water provided to residents not only meets but surpasses KDHE standards, earning awards for its quality over multiple years.” According to CBS News, the new EPA regulations mandates testing for six specific PFAS chemicals in public water systems, aiming to shield over 100 million Americans from potential health hazards associated with PFAS exposure.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Municipal Bond Trends for April 19, 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.
Pittsburg proposes neighborhood names and boundary definitions
The city of Pittsburg is considering a significant overhaul to its neighborhood designations, aiming to name each area and establish clear boundary lines. The initiative, spearheaded by the Neighborhood Advisory Council, seeks to enhance community pride and foster a sense of shared ownership among residents. The council recently launched an online survey to gather feedback on the proposed changes. According to community development specialist Sarah Runyon, the primary objective is to create a stronger sense of identity within each neighborhood. “Maybe there is a way that you identify your neighborhood that we don’t know about,” she stated. “This gives us an opportunity to do that.”
Source: KOAM News