Kansas Municipal News
Overland Park Arboretum will open $22M visitor center this weekend
After years of planning, the new $22.7 million visitors center at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens will open to the public this weekend. Named after a major donor to the project, Janet Long, the LongHouse Visitors Center will be the new entrance to the 300-acre arboretum. When guests enter the 21,000-square-foot building, they’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the gardens, ponds and natural scenery. The new center includes a gift shop, space for exhibits, meeting rooms and a café, as well as various rental spaces that can be used for weddings and community events.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Russell under mandatory water usage reduction
The City of Russell on Saturday called for a mandatory reduction in water usage. A news release from the city says Big Creek is one of the city’s two water sources and has stopped flowing over the lowhead dam immediately downstream from the city’s intake structure. This development caused the city to move to a Stage 2 Water Warning. Here are the following mandatory water conservation measures for the use of potable water from the City’s municipal water supply system:
Source: KSN-TV
At least 71 Kansas public schools have 4-day week schedules this year. Here’s where
More Kansas public school students than ever are attending classes only four days per week. Data from the Kansas State Department of Education lists 71 public schools with four-day weeks this year, up from 69 schools last year and just 56 the year before. These schools are located in 31 different school districts, mostly located in the southern and western portions of the state. New to the list this year is the West Elk school district, where two schools are adopting 4-day schedules for the first time.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Police, code enforcement shut down an illegal animal rescue in Parsons
Parsons Police Department and the city’s code enforcement officer have shut down an illegal animal rescue in Parsons. Community Service Officer Ricky Thompson has been conducting an investigation into the well-being and treatment of dogs in the 500 block of North 25th Street in Parsons. He learned about a potential illegal number of dogs in the area. While investigating Thompson met with the homeowner who had claimed to be running a nonprofit animal rescue. Thompson gathered details of the apparent business and contacted City Attorney Ross Albertini and the city Code Enforcement Officer Tyeler Riggs. Thompson and Albertini reviewed pictures of the animals and their living conditions.
Source: Parsons Sun
JoCo election office says it’s too late for Prairie Village petitions
It’s too late for any of the Prairie Village petitions to make it onto the Nov. 7 ballot, says the county election office. In a statement issued Friday evening regarding the three resident-led petitions, Johnson County Election Commissioner Fred Sherman said it was too late to add any additional items on the upcoming general election ballot. The statement came as the legal case over the petitions’ fate remains unresolved. The city and the group of residents pushing the petitions were still waiting Friday to receive a final ruling from Johnson County District Court Judge Rhonda Mason, who is deciding whether any of the three petitions are legally valid to put before voters.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Knife competition comes to Columbus, KS
The steel was sharp, the atmosphere charged with excitement, as Columbus, Kansas played host to an exhilarating Knife Competition today. This unique event brought together blade enthusiasts, forging aficionados, and fans of the hit TV show “Forged in Fire” for a day filled with impressive displays of craftsmanship and skill. The competition not only showcased the talents of those who participated but also reinforced the importance of passing down the tradition of bladesmithing to future generations.
Source: KOAM News
City commission to discuss future downtown plans
Manhattan city commissioners will go over the Beyond Tomorrow Downtown Plan during Tuesday’s upcoming meeting. Senior planner Ben Chmiel will present an update to the improvements made in downtown and present upcoming projects. Commissioners will take no action during the meeting because it is a work session.
Source: themercury.com
Is Wichita’s disorderly conduct law unconstitutional? Kansas Supreme Court to decide
The Kansas Supreme Court is poised to consider whether a provision of Wichita’s disorderly conduct ordinance unconstitutionally limits freedoms of speech and assembly protected under the First Amendment. On Tuesday, the court will hear an appeal brought by Gabrielle Griffie, the Project Justice ICT organizer who was sentenced to probation for her role in demonstrations demanding accountability after the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The city accused Griffie of planning the protest to engage in “disorderly conduct,” more specifically, engaging in “noisy conduct tending to reasonably arouse alarm, anger or resentment in others.” Griffie argued that the law in question infringes on a wide range of protected activities.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Municipal Bond Trends for September 8, 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.
Kansas property tax increases have homeowners objecting and legislators looking at new laws
Despite record-breaking temperatures, an overflow crowd of frustrated taxpayers crammed into the Shawnee County Commission chambers recently to voice concerns about rising property taxes driven largely by growing home values. … It’s a scene playing out across the state as local governments hold public hearings on their budgets required by state law. Local budgets continue to rise and some taxpayers are frustrated as their property taxes increase and they feel their voices aren’t being heard. The interest shows that legislative action in recent years didn’t resolve concerns over rising property taxes. Lawmakers, local officials, and taxpayers alike are gearing up for action in the next legislative session. But local government officials are pushing back against the concerns, saying the budget growth is needed to simply provide the same services. “Inflation hurts the county as well as individuals,” said Bill Riphahn, chairman of the Shawnee County Commission. “We are consumers. We buy trucks. We buy asphalt. We buy all sorts of things. What hurts the general consumer hurts us as well.”
Source: The Lawrence Times
Minneapolis building kept alive as The Farm and the Odd Fellows meeting place
he Farm and the Odd Fellows has transformed a century-old building to help “plant and cultivate relationships” in the Minneapolis community. Sitting at the corner of Second and Sheridan Streets in downtown Minneapolis, this business, which opened in May of 2021, isn’t just one thing for the community, but six different and unique pieces and parts, including a coffeehouse, pickleball court, brewhouse, brewpub and games environment, all in one location. The Farm and The Odd Fellows, 205 W. Second St. opened in 2021 to be a place for the community of Minneapolis to gather. The century-old building was renovated but continues to keep much of its history alive with details like original wooden floors and tin ceilings. Lynda Schneider, general manager at the Farm, said this place has been in the works for a few years for owners Ashley and Keir Swisher, who completely renovated the Odd Fellows building during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We actually opened the coffee café (and the pickleball court) in May of 2021,” Schneider said. “I believe the Seed (opened) right around the same time.”
Source: Salina Journal
Experience life as an inmate during this Saline County event celebrating its new jail
Those who might wonder what it is like to spend a night in jail will have the opportunity to try it in early November. The Saline County community is invited for a Slumber in the Slammer event hosted by the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, where participants will experience life as an inmate without the usual prerequisite of breaking the law. Among other benefits, the event will aim to help spread community awareness of how inmates are treated and the day-to-day routines that take place in a jail facility.
Source: Salina Journal
Pittsburg Middle School unveils new facilities & more after $16.5 million bond project
PITTSBURG, Kan. — The historic Pittsburg Middle School building unveils some newly completed renovations Friday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of the $16.5 million bond project. New additions include a fully renovated auditorium and flexible learning spaces. Over the last ten years, administrators say certain sections of the 1921 building were unable to house students and staff. The new space now allows the middle school to function at full capacity. … “So we have a lot of open collaborative spaces. It was also built in such a way that if we do need to put up walls for additional classrooms as our student population continues to grow, we can do that, but we will function at capacity in this building, and we needed this space to grow,” said Richard Proffitt, Superintendent.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Update on Fort Scott water warning
“Because dry conditions normally can lead to fires,” said Dave Bruner, Fort Scott Fire Chief. That’s a big reason why officials with the Fort Scott Fire Department and School District are trying to limit their water usage. City officials announced water storage has fallen below 70% capacity on Tuesday — and will not recover in the usual amount of time. “We are on water conservation efforts right now, our lake levels are really low, they’re probably as low as they’ve been historically. And so the city has put out that they want us to conserve water,” said Destry Brown, Fort Scott School District Superintendent. Destry Brown is the superintendent of the Fort Scott School District and says they are going from watering the school’s soccer fields and courtyards multiple times a day — to once every other day for only 15 minutes. And the Fort Scott Fire Chief tells us — the department has to cancel their city-wide fire hydrant test, which they usually do every year.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Bridge projects in Kansas benefiting from BIL revenue
Bridge projects across Kansas are getting a boost thanks to two local bridge improvement programs benefiting from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Thirty-five local and off-system bridge projects across the Sunflower State will receive a combined total of $42.3 million – which combined with matching funds from the awarded cities and counties, comes out to $48.8 million. Governor Laura Kelly along with Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed announced the projects in Dodge City on Thursday. KDoT’s Off-System Bridge program (OSB) awarded $20.5 million in Fiscal Year 2025 funds to 20 projects. The Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program (KLBIP) awarded $21.8 million in Fiscal Year 2024 KDOT funds to 15 projects – with 16 bridges to be replaced plus 12 more to be removed.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Municipal Bond Trends for September 7, 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.
A love for community: Local historian Charlie Troutner shares his passion for his hometown at Edgerton museum
Edgerton History Museum prepares for 10th anniversary in October Tucked away on the other side of City Hall on Nelson Street in downtown Edgerton sits a two-story house holding all the historical treasures of stories from the city’s past. Local lifetime resident and historian Charlie Troutner has meticulously curated artifacts, scraps, donations from residents past and present to share the story of Edgerton. Troutner said he volunteers out of love. “I feel like it is important for our residents to know the history of the town they live in…”
Source: Gardner News
More motions and requests for jury filed in the Pot-Bellied Pig case
The owner of Ginger the Pig requested an advisory jury to help hear the case as well as filed two separate motions to dismiss the case and strike information from the complaint against them. The City of Newton since May 10 has been in the process of seeking to remove a pot-bellied pig owned by Jessica D.Grigoreva. The City holding the pig is not allowed within the City by ordinance. During past public meetings, Grigoreva previously stressed the pig’s importance to her family and its service as an emotional support animal for her son. She said the family had had the pig for two years.
Source: Harvey County Now
Johnson County Government celebrates 166th anniversary of first meeting
The old courthouse, designed by famed Kansas architect George Washburn, was in operation from 1891-1952. A cornerstone from the courthouse is part of the Johnson County Square. The first meeting of Johnson County, as an organized local government initially led by an appointed “county tribunal,” is celebrating its 166th anniversary on Thursday, Sept. 7. Members of the tribunal were John T. Ector, John Evans and William Fisher Jr. They were appointed by Kansas Territorial Gov. Robert J. Walker. Dr. John T. Barton (founder of Olathe) was appointed county treasurer.
Source: Johnson County Kansas
Housing frustration prompts call for new city government in Prairie Village
Prairie Village residents soon will vote on a proposal that could restructure city government and remove multiple elected officials from office. After two days of testimony last week, Johnson County District Judge Rhonda Mason ruled Wednesday that one of three resident-led petitions can progress onto the November ballot. Earlier this summer, Stop Rezoning Prairie Village, a resident group opposing city-proposed housing initiatives, began collecting signatures on three petitions: one to restructure city zoning and two that would reshape how city government operates.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
New program helps juvenile offenders in Reno County
A new project in Reno County called Project YES (Youth Empowerment Services) works with juvenile offenders ages 10-17. “A lot of times we hear parents that really are struggling and need or want additional help with their kids,” Jessica Susee, Juvenile Intake and Assessment supervisor, said. “And they have done everything that they know to do, and they just need some additional support.” The program helps the juveniles to make positive changes and good life choices so they don’t have repeat offenses.
Source: KSN-TV
Sedgwick County workers get 8-weeks paid parental leave
As of Wednesday, the Sedgwick County Commission has adopted a parental leave policy for County employees. Eligible Sedgwick County employees can get eight weeks of paid leave after a birth, adoption, or placement of a foster child in their home. Before the commission voted, the County had no parental leave policy. Parents could use their paid sick leave or vacation pay to cover some of the time off. If they wanted a longer time, they could use the Family and Medical Leave Act, which is unpaid but protects their jobs. The County’s chief human resources officer, Sheena Schmutz, said adopting a parental leave policy could help the County improve staffing levels. She asked the commissioners to approve the eight weeks of paid leave.
Source: KSN-TV
Galesburg Days will be Sept. 15 and 16
Galesburg Days, which celebrates the town’s history and community, will take place next Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15 and 16. Most events take place on Saturday, Sept. 16. On Friday, Sept. 15, the Galesburg Relief Fund building will have an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. The building is north of the middle school. The celebration kicks off Saturday, Sept. 16, at 7:15 a.m. with a 5K cemetery run.
Source: Parsons Sun
Alumni recall Allen Community College’s early days
With Allen Community College set to celebrate its centennial anniversary, the Register spoke with several former Red Devils on why ACC remains a special place in their hearts. Today, we speak to Red Devil alums George Catron, David Heard, Gary Hoffmeier, Ken and Kit McGuffin and Gary McIntosh. All attended Allen when it was still Iola Junior College, and located on the third floor of Iola High School. Ken McGuffin compared the third-floor environment to a New York City cocktail party, with hundreds of students, often shoulder to shoulder, moving from class to class.
Source: The Iola Register
Municipal-Bond Investors Pay a Hefty Price for Not Being Taxed
Municipal-bond investors are paying a greater premium than should be expected for the “pleasure of not being taxed,” a new study finds, often negating the bonds’ benefit. In a perfectly priced world, a muni bond would pay interest equivalent to a Treasury bond minus the investors’ tax burden on the Treasury and adjusted for liquidity and credit quality of the issuing state or municipality. But munis pay investors even less than that, according to the study, which appeared in a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper in June. On average, the study found, the yield of the muni bonds was nearly 15 basis points, or 0.15 percentage point, lower than what would be explained by their favorable tax status. “Investors are willing to accept a lower interest rate on their munis, which is the same as paying more,” says Francis Longstaff, professor of finance at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and co-author of the research. “It’s like they’re paying an extra tax-avoidance fee” for munis, just as they’re willing to pay more for the safety of Treasurys, he says.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets
Hoisington looking at city-owned pound
After about two decades of outsourcing animal control services to the local veterinary clinic, the City of Hoisington is looking to go back to self-service. At last Monday’s meeting of the Hoisington City Council, City Manager Jonathan Mitchell told council members that Hoisington Veterinary Hospital will terminate its city animal control contract effective Dec. 31, and so the city needs an alternative solution up and running by the first of the year. City council discussion of alternatives began in early August, when Mitchell informed council members that fees for services from the Hoisington Veterinary Clinic would be going up. Investigating the prospect of a city-owned facility ensued. Mitchell told the council that the city now has a limited time to find another alternative, and there are other time-sensitive issues to iron out of the city wants its own facility.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Shawnee adjusts fireworks rules — Here’s what’s different
The city of Shawnee is making some adjustments after the first summer of the city allowing for the limited sale and usage of fireworks. On Monday, the Shawnee City Council voted 7-1 to make a series of amendments to the city’s fireworks ordinance. Most notably, the city shortened by a day the time for when fireworks can be sold legally around the Fourth of July. The city is also exploring whether to drop its lottery for handing out permits to sell fireworks and instead use a system that prioritizes vendors who are local and have sold fireworks with good reviews in the past.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Streetlight inventory reviewed for the City of Edgerton
Edgerton city officials are reviewing the community’s streetlights as they develop plans to modernize them after a 2022 citizen survey showed residents were dissatisfied with the quality and number of streetlights throughout the city. … The city has 294 streetlights within its city limits. Of those, 120 residential street lights are 10 to 15 years old and owned by Evergy, but leased to the city. The lighting at Logistics Park and the Homestead Street interchange bridge are owned by the City of Edgerton. …[engineer’s] staff used a collector app to document each fixture with photographs and looked at inventory types of poles and lights, rated them from poor to good.
Source: Gardner News
Buhler High School ‘leading by example’ during sports official shortage
The high school football season kicks off this week amidst a shortage of referees from the middle school level all the way up to varsity. There’s one high school in Reno County that’s trying to do something about it. Buhler High School has a half dozen teachers and administrators who also serve as game referees and officials. It’s also one of only a handful of schools across the state that is offering a class in sports officiating. The classrooms and hallways at Buhler High School are filled with current and possibly future football and basketball referees. “Within a few walking steps, there’s three of us that are on a football crew together. We have another crew member on our crew that’s at the middle school. And we have a retired teacher who’s our white hat who’s in our building every day doing some things,” says teacher and girl’s golf head coach Brennan Torgerson.
Source: KSN-TV
Splash Pad opening postponed amid supply chain issues, water crisis
The Strong City Splash Pad opening will be delayed, amid a statewide water crisis putting strain on many communities’ water supply. Wednesday evening, the Strong City Council made the decision to postpone the opening of the new splash pad, which was tentatively set to open over the Labor Day weekend before supply chain issues delayed the final touches on the pad. With the severe drought conditions threatening the state’s water supply, the grand opening could be postponed until next year. “With so many struggling during these extremely dry days and delays in some equipment, we will more than likely save our grand opening for Spring,” Mayor Lydia Simmons said in a Facebook post. “Huge thanks to those who have worked so hard and volunteered their time. What a great community we live in.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
‘We want to stay in the area’: Burlington breaks ground on new chips manufacturing plant
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, along with Coffey County commissioners and leadership from Secure Semiconductor Manufacturing, broke ground on a new 30,000 square foot facility Friday afternoon. The facility will be located just north of the Coffey County Airport on U.S. Highway 75. SSM is a microelectronics manufacturer who will primarily supply semiconductor components for EMP Shield and other semiconductor manufacturers across the United States as part of a $1.9 billion investment that includes a partnership with Flint Hills Technical College and area high schools to provide the necessary training for potential employees. Gov. Laura Kelly announced the project in February. SSM’s $20 million investment into the region is projected to create 64 jobs, and along with producing semiconductor components, the company will also provide rapid prototyping for other manufacturers across both U.S. defense and private sector applications.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Wichita Public Library opens library card design contest
The Wichita Public Library is asking for designs from customers for three new library cards that will be introduced next year. A contest is underway through 5 p.m. on Friday, October 27th for people in three age categories to submit designs. The categories are kids ages 5-12, teens age 13-17, and adults 18 and older. The rules call for one entry per person and the artwork must be in color, original and not published elsewhere, and it should be free of copyright restrictions. … The public will choose the winner in each category on social media platforms. The winners will be announced in January and the cards will go out in February, 2024.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Russell gets over $2 million from FEMA for power upgrades
The city of Russell has been awarded over $2 million from a grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s “Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities” program. A news release from FEMA says the grant program is intended to help states, local communities, tribes and territories fund projects that reduce the risks from disasters and “emphasize the need for resilient infrastructure.” Russell received a total of $2,039,650 to fund the project’s second phase, which will rebuild the entire power distribution system from north Russell city limits from St. John Street to Culp and 9th Street to the 1900 block of North Main. In all, 124 FEMA grants totaling $1.8 billion in federal cost share were chosen among all 10 FEMA regions in 38 states, including 115 communities, one Native American tribe, territories and the District of Columbia. Final grant figures will be available when the projects are completed.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita considering policy for fines regarding retaliatory landlords
Wichita is considering fines for landlords who retaliate against tenants who are otherwise in good standing. The proposed ordinance introduced Aug. 22 to City Council would penalize landlords who evict or raise rent within six months of a tenant’s complaint to the city or landlord about housing conditions. It would not apply to tenants who are late on rent or fail to uphold other tenant responsibilities. The council has not yet voted on the ordinance. State law makes it technically illegal for landlords to retaliate against tenants for complaining to city inspectors. But there is no agency to enforce the rule. “There’s nowhere to make complaints other than some kind of discrimination complaint,” said Nate Johnson, an assistant city attorney for Wichita. The proposed ordinance is based on a similar one Topeka passed in July.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Kansas $451 million project to spread high-speed internet statewide
Jade Piros de Carvalho sits in the control center of an ambitious $451 million, five-year initiative to deliver high-speed connectivity to tens of thousands of Kansans left behind by an internet revolution intersecting commerce, education, health care and entertainment. Piros de Carvalho, director of the Kansas Office of Broadband Development, was appointed in 2022 after working for internet service provider IdeaTek and serving on the Hutchinson City Council, including three terms as mayor. Her job with the state is to facilitate growth in affordable, reliable internet for homes and businesses. Passage of federal legislation prompted the National Telecommunication Information and Administration to earmark $451 million to Kansas for the purpose of narrowing the digital divide.
Source: KAKE – News
Local residents paint-by-the-numbers to create latest community mural Friday night
If turnout for the latest community mural project in downtown Emporia is any indication, the city is quickly becoming a destination for artists around the area. At least, that’s the hope of local painters and owners of A&A signs Alex and Andrea Polzin who facilitated the paint-by-the-numbers mural at Trolly House Distillery as part of Emporia’s latest First Friday Art Walk Friday evening. The mural encompassed much of what makes up Emporia from depictions of the Flint Hills to a space dedicated to local veterans. The mural was separated into sections and local residents all had the opportunity to paint said sections giving what Polzin hopes is a sense of community ownership over the project.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Celebrating three signs of progress in Garden City
The City of Garden City is celebrating progress on several long-term projects. There were three ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Tuesday. Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed, Garden City Mayor Deb Oyler, and other community leaders participated. The first ribbon-cutting ceremony was at the new traffic signal at Kansas Highway 156 and Jennie Barker/Mary Street. The busy intersection previously had stop signs. Reed said KDOT doesn’t usually hold ribbon-cutting ceremonies for traffic signals. “But this is a particularly important one, as it really marries the growth in the city system along with traffic on our state system,” he said. “We’re making investments in your community to help continue to grow Garden City and southwest Kansas.” The next ribbon cutting was at the 8th Street Public Art Project, in front of The Arch/El Arco.
Source: KSN-TV
The toys are back in town: JoCo libraries restart this unique children’s program
Stripes will never be eligible for a library card but will be a very important patron Sept. 12 at the Lenexa City Center Library. Stripes is a toy — an orange tabby cat from Shawnee — signed up for the first of the Toys Night Out events offered this fall at Johnson County Library locations. Toys will be dropped off at a branch in the afternoon and picked up the next morning. In between, the toys will be doing what librarians do: working at a desk, going through the book sorter and shelving books. All the while, library staff will be taking photos of the toys’ adventures. When the children pick up their toys, they will receive the list of library materials curated by the toy that they can then check out, and either printed photos or a digital slide show of their toy’s adventures the night before.
Source: Joco 913 News
Judge rules 2 of 3 Prairie Village petitions can’t go on ballot — Here’s the one that can
A Johnson County judge says two of three resident-led petitions in Prairie Village don’t meet the legal requirements to be put on this November’s ballot, but ruled that a third petition could go before voters. Johnson County District Court Judge Rhonda Mason issued her ruling in District 4 court Wednesday morning, saying both a petition aimed at limiting development in single-family neighborhoods and a petition that would have remade the city’s form of government — removing six current councilmembers in the process — did not pass muster to be placed on the ballot. However, Mason ruled that a third petition that aims to abandon the city’s current “mayor-council” form of government does comply with state statute and can be put before Prairie Village voters.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Overland Park wants to require concrete on some new streets — Here’s why
Overland Park wants to require developers to pave new residential and collector streets with concrete. The potential change, which city leaders and staff have discussed over the past few months, would likely cut down on the disturbance from street maintenance over time and reduce the city’s use of chip seal as a road resurfacing and maintenance tool. “It’s a small step, but it’s a step in the right direction,” said Public Works Director Lorraine Basalo late last month. Since Overland Park north of Interstate 435 is mostly built out, the concrete street requirement would primarily impact new neighborhoods being built in the southern half of the city. Recently, the Overland Park City Council Public Works Committee unanimously supported the change in the city’s Design and Construction Standards Manual for concrete streets. Now, the greater city council will have to weigh in on the shift to concrete streets in Overland Park’s design criteria.
Source: Prairie Village Post
In JoCo city feuding over housing, voters to decide on abandoning form of government
Prairie Village residents in November will get to vote on whether to abandon the city’s mayor-council form of government, a Johnson County judge ruled Wednesday. But if that were to pass, nothing would change, according to the city’s legal counsel. City Attorney David Waters said state law requires a city’s form of government to remain in place until a new one is adopted. It’s a complicated next step in a protracted political battle in the northeast Johnson County suburb, where a group of homeowners has sought to restructure the city government, limit mayoral powers and cut the number of City Council seats in half. The group, PV United, which formed to oppose the city’s affordable housing initiatives, submitted three ballot initiatives last month.
Source: Joco 913 News
Municipal Bond Trends for September 6, 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.
As debate over housing rages, development in Shawnee cools
Shawnee is at odds with itself over where future multifamily projects should be built — or if they belong at all in the city. Over the past few years, debates over how to develop the remaining parcels of land within Johnson County’s third largest city and reimagine its older sectors that are ripe for redevelopment have grown fierce and hostile. These debates have led to confusing processes where projects are left in limbo and neighbors scramble to block what they see as objectionable proposals in their backyard.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Kansas is rich with small-town papers
Another 50 subscriptions would help Rita Sharp sustain her small-town newspaper. Sharp has owned the weekly Lucas-Sylvan News since 2012. It covers the towns of Lucas in Russell County and Sylvan Grove, 12 miles away in Lincoln County. Sharp’s paper has weathered the coronavirus pandemic, the rise of social media as a source for news and advertising, and the aging and shrinking population in Lucas (population 337) and Sylvan Grove (population 285). Without missing an issue even when the pandemic closed schools, city and county businesses, and events, Sharp continued publishing. She mails about 450 copies a week to local residents and readers across the country, a circulation that keeps dropping. Sharp inserts ad flyers and applies address labels by hand every week before mailing.
Source: The Iola Register
Lawrence police now offering vouchers rather than tickets for some defective equipment stops
If a Lawrence police officer pulls you over for having a taillight out, you might get a voucher to get it fixed instead of a ticket. LPD and its Blue Santa charity have partnered with Lights On!, a Minnesota-based program that aims to help prevent equipment violations from sending people who are already financially stressed on a downward spiral that could mean someone paying a ticket rather than buying food; being unable to afford a repair and getting another ticket; or even winding up in jail because of outstanding tickets and fines, which can then lead to losing employment or housing, among other issues.
Source: The Lawrence Times