Kansas Municipal News
Kansas and Missouri have 256,000 lead pipes. EPA wants them removed within 10 years.
An individual holds a lead pipe, a steel pipe and a lead pipe treated with protective orthophosphate. The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule requiring water utilities to remove lead pipes decades after new ones were banned. (EPA) Utilities in Kansas and Missouri would have to pull hundreds of thousands of lead pipes out of the ground within 10 years under a proposed rule the Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday. The EPA announced a proposed update to the lead and copper rule strengthening President Joe Biden’s earlier goal of eradicating lead pipes. The proposed rule also would lower the limit on lead in water by one-third. “Lead in drinking water is a generational public health issue, and EPA’s proposal will accelerate progress towards President Biden’s goal of replacing every lead pipe across America once and for all,” EPA administrator Michael Regan said in a news release. For much of the 20th Century, utilities were permitted to install lead service lines, the pipes that carry water from water mains under the street into homes. The EPA banned them in 1986, but utilities have never been required to remove existing pipes. In fact, some utility companies don’t know where the remaining lead service lines are. Estimates as to how many remain vary widely. The EPA estimates Missouri has 202,112 remaining lead service lines while the environmental nonprofit the Natural Resources Defense Council estimates more than 330,000. In Kansas, the EPA estimates 54,107 lead pipes remain while the NRDC believes there are more than 160,000.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Colwich residents asked to avoid flushing “flushable” wipes
Residents in Colwich are being asked not to flush “flushable wipes” because of a backup in the city’s sewer system. The city reported the problem on Tuesday and put a post on social media showing the effect of flushable wipes on sewer systems. The post is asking residents to flush only toilet paper. The city also posted a graphic saying that such items as paper towels, disposable diapers, dental floss, plastics and cigarette butts should not be flushed down the toilet.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Municipal Bond Trends for December 1, 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.
Overland Park developing pilot to encourage more diverse housing
Overland Park, like many other Johnson County cities, is exploring ways to encourage more diverse housing options for its current and future residents. City staff and a team of consultants from MBL Planning are developing a pilot program that aims to make it easier to get such projects through the planning process with something called pattern zoning. Under the pilot program, Overland Park would keep a collection of 24 pre-designed homes that are “permit-ready,” Planning and Development Services Director Leslie Karr said. Those designs would be available for any resident to use for free on any lot in the city that carries the corresponding residential zoning designation. She said that this pilot, once it’s active, can really simplify the process and open the market up to smaller developers or private citizens who want to build this type of housing but might lack the money to get through the traditional permitting process.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $15M Available to Connect Kansans to Digital Devices and Public Wi-Fi
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that applications are open for the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program. A total of $14.7 million in grant awards will be available to organizations addressing the challenges of broadband accessibility, affordability, and device availability. “Every Kansan deserves the opportunity and the resources to thrive in today’s modern economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By increasing access to the internet through devices and public Wi-Fi, ADOPT is equipping Kansans with the tools necessary to participate and compete in our highly connected world.” More than 153,000 Kansans are without high-speed internet subscriptions because of barriers such as infrastructure limitations, affordability issues, and lack of access to devices and technical support. The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) is rolling out the comprehensive ADOPT program to combat these challenges. “Expanding broadband access by bringing public Wi-Fi and digital devices to underserved areas will open doors to education, remote work, health care, and more,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This game-changing program ensures reliable access for those who need it most — which not only connects communities but fosters economic growth.” ADOPT is divided into two key categories: Equipment Distribution and Public Wi-Fi.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
EPA releases proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday released its proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The expected proposal would amend the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions and establish new mandates for lead pipe including a requirement for U.S. water systems to replace all lead service lines within 10 years. The proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements will reduce the lead action level and amend tap sampling protocols utilized by water systems. Key provisions include achieving 100% Lead Pipe Replacement within 10 years, locating legacy lead pipes, improving tap sampling, lowering the Lead Action Level, and strengthening protections to reduce exposure. The proposal would also require water systems to communicate more frequently and proactively with consumers about lead service lines and the system’s plans for replacing the lines. The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements are central to the whole of government approach detailed in the Biden Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. The Biden EPA has also touted its $15 billion investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead service lines, provide technical assistance to communities, and support the development of a national inventory of lead service lines.
Source: Water Finance & Management
Governor Kelly Announces $28.5M for High-Speed Internet Infrastructure
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $28.5 million in grants were awarded to 12 entities through the Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) program. The LINC program provides strategic funding for crucial aspects of broadband connectivity to reduce the cost of internet service, increase availability, and improve performance. “LINC is another step forward in our promise to connect all Kansans, including in rural areas, to high-speed internet,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We are empowering communities with high-speed broadband infrastructure, unlocking greater economic growth, increased access to telemedicine, and expanded educational opportunities. ” With matching funds from service providers, the total broadband investment in LINC is expected to surpass $33.9 million. LINC will provide opportunities for increased internet adoption by focusing on funding for Broadband Infrastructure, enabling end-user locations with a minimum of 100/20 Mbps speeds, Internet Exchange Point facilities to improve the overall internet access service quality for all Kansans, and Middle Mile infrastructure to reduce overall costs in delivering broadband to end-users. “As we continue to lead the nation in business development, robust broadband becomes even more critical for attracting new businesses and remote workers to the state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We will continue to work with partners across Kansas to ensure all communities have the high-speed broadband they need to compete and succeed.”
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas
Mulvane to repay $7 million to casino
Based on valuations set by the Sumner County appraiser and appeals filed by the Kansas Star Casino, an agreement was recently approved by the Sumner County Commission to resolve tax issues dating back a decade, according to The Mulvane News. Each year since its opening in 2011-2012, the Kansas Star Casino has appealed its property taxes set by Sumner County, which were deemed too high each time. Now, with the agreement in place, local taxing authorities – including Sumner County, the city of Mulvane, USD 263 and more – are set to resolve the appeals for 2014, 2016-2017 and 2019-2023. Payments will be refunded over four years, without interest, per the agreement. Mulvane’s total payback figure over four years comes to $7,268,566.58.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Winfield plans to help workers find jobs after closure of manufacturing facility
Nearly 200 workers in Winfield are expected to be out of work in the coming months. The city says Silgan Dispensing Systems will close its Winfield plastic manufacturing facility. Silgan handed out notifications about the layoffs to employees this week, saying layoffs begin in January. The closure of the Winfield plant is part of a larger trend, according to Wichita State University’s economic development and business research director. “When I look at this sector of plastics, it has been declining over the last five years,” said Jeremy Hill. “It declined about four percent over the last five years.” … Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall said the closure came out of left field. “As recently as 11 months ago, we were working with the company on expansion plans here in Winfield,” Taggart said. Now, the city is trying to prevent big losses. “Priority number one, to replace these lost jobs here in Cowley County,” Taggart said.
Source: KSN-TV
Leawood tightens sports court rules following noise complaints
The city of Leawood has put new rules in place for residents looking to put private sports courts in their backyards. The Leawood City Council last week approved an amendment to the city’s development ordinance requiring new setback and neighbor notification requirements for building new tennis or pickle ball courts. The amendment approved last week requires residents to notify any neighbors by mail within 200 feet that they want to build a sports court. It also requires the court to be screened from neighbors by evergreen landscaping. The midpoint of the court must also now be closer to the owner’s house than to any neighbor’s houses, with a minimum setback of 20 feet from all property lines. City planning staff began looking into pickle ball noise mitigation after residents voiced concerns about noise and bright lights coming from residential pickle ball courts last year. City staff and the Leawood Planning Commission explored a number of options for addressing those concerns, such as cutting back permitted court lighting hours and raising the minimum distance from neighboring property lines.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Mission creating more bike and pedestrian connectivity
The city of Mission will host two public open houses Wednesday that will offer more details about the city’s ongoing bicycle, pedestrian and trail connection study. The focus of the study is to develop a connected network of on- and off-street bicycle and micro-mobility facilities. It also addresses pedestrian-specific concerns such as safety at major street crossings, access to certain destinations and sidewalk and path continuity. The study will result in a plan for a proposed design and appropriate infrastructure in major corridors around the city.
Source: Prairie Village Post
PSU, KBI to build $40 million crime center
Plans are being made for Pittsburg State University and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to partner on a project to build a $40 million regional crime center and laboratory near the PSU campus. The center would serve law enforcement and provide education for future forensic scientists and criminal justice professionals, the university announced Thursday. Plans have yet to be completed, but the center will be located in the Pittsburg Research Park near South Rouse Avenue. The area already houses research and testing laboratories for PSU and is a short drive from the main campus. The initial timeline slates groundbreaking in January 2025 and completion in July 2026.
Source: www.joplinglobe.com
Municipal Bond Trends for November 30, 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 Panasonic plant construction, hiring set for busy 2024
Roughly a year after Panasonic officially broke ground on its $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto, Kansas, construction crews still have more than a year of work to go before the targeted opening in the first quarter of 2025. But, Panasonic officials say the senior leadership team is in place, 34 engineers have already been hired and are training at the company’s Gigafactory plant near Reno, Nevada, to help set up and open the De Soto facility. The workers who will be on the line on day one are expected to be hired in January and February, and spend much of 2024 training up to be ready to run the Kansas facility. “Anyone wanting to be a part of advanced manufacturing, we’ll have opportunities at all levels,” said Panasonic Vice President of Human Resources Kristen Walters. That’s why she says the company is already working closely with local community colleges and four-year institutions to mold degree and certification programs to teach the skills Panasonic will need. Those programs will allow entry-level workers to advance through the ranks, helping prolong a career in manufacturing either within Panasonic or at one of the region’s other manufacturing businesses. The goal is to spread those programs around the region to help draw workers that already live in the metro, around 50 miles around the plant.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for November 29, 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.
Merriam latest Johnson County city to take up short-term rental issue
Merriam is the latest Johnson County city to discuss short-term rentals like AirBnBs or Vrbos and how to potentially regulate them. With city staff over the past year receiving questions and listening to concerns about short-term rentals from councilmembers, planning commissioners and residents alike, the city council decided to discuss the issue for the first time on Monday night. … Bryan Dyer, the city’s community development director, told the city council on Monday that there are currently 13 licensed short-term rentals that the city knows of in Merriam city limits. While it is difficult to track short-term rentals, Dyer said, he knows there are a couple more short-term rentals that are coming on the market soon.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Fed’s Barkin says rate hikes are still on the table if inflation doesn’t continue to ease
Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin said Wednesday that policymakers need to retain the option of raising interest rates if inflation doesn’t show enough progress coming down. Markets largely expect the Fed has stopped raising rates and will start cutting in 2024. But Barkin said he’s not ready to commit to a particular policy path with so much uncertainty in the air. “If inflation comes down naturally and smoothly, awesome, you know, there’s no particular need to do anything with interest rates if inflation steps down,” he told CNBC’s Steve Liesman during an interview at the CNBC CFO Council Summit. “But if inflation is going to flare back up, I think you want to have the option of doing more on rates,” Barkin added. “I guess the bigger point is, there’s no precision that anyone can point to at exactly what the level of rates that exactly handles inflation and exactly the way you want to handle it. So you’re constantly trying to adjust on the fly as you learn more about the economy.”
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Fed’s Waller expresses confidence that policy is in the right place to bring down inflation
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Tuesday he’s growing more confident that policy is in a place now to bring inflation back under control. There was nothing in Waller’s prepared remarks for a speech in Washington, D.C., that suggests he’s contemplating cutting interest rates, and he noted that inflation currently is still too high. But he pointed out a variety of areas where progress has made, suggesting the Fed at least won’t need to hike rates further from here. “While I am encouraged by the early signs of moderating economic activity in the fourth quarter based on the data in hand, inflation is still too high, and it is too early to say whether the slowing we are seeing will be sustained,” he said. “But I am increasingly confident that policy is currently well positioned to slow the economy and get inflation back to 2 percent.” The commentary comes two weeks before the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee’s Dec. 12-13 policy meeting. Markets largely expect the committee to hold its key lending rate steady, but Fed officials have stressed the importance of remaining vigilant on inflation and keeping their options open.
Source: Economy
Investors See Interest-Rate Cuts Coming Soon
Wall Street is gearing up for rate cuts. Twenty months after the Federal Reserve began a historic campaign against inflation, investors now believe there is a much greater chance that the central bank will cut rates in just four months than raise them again in the foreseeable future. Interest-rate futures indicated Monday a 52% chance the Fed will lower rates by at least a quarter-of-a-percentage point by its May 2024 policy meeting, up from 29% at the end of October, according to CME Group data. The same data pointed to four cuts by the end of the year. Investors, battered by the Fed’s efforts to slow the economy, have reacted by driving the S&P 500 up nearly 9% this month. That is despite the wagers reflecting different possible paths for the economy, not all of them favorable for stocks. One place where rate-cut bets are showing up is in the bond market, where yields on longer-term bonds have retreated further below those on short-term ones. Treasury yields largely reflect expectations for what short-term rates set by the Fed will average over the life of a bond. As a result, such a move is typically viewed as a warning of a looming recession, with investors betting the Fed will need to slash rates to stimulate growth.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets
Your Local Newspaper Might Not Have a Single Reporter
The Gleaner, the local newspaper in Henderson, Ky., has sections focused on features, sports, news and opinion. What it doesn’t have: a single reporter on staff. The publication is one of the “ghost newsrooms” that increasingly dot the American media landscape—newspapers that have little to no on-the-ground presence in the localities whose name they bear. It is a sobering development in an industry that has been brought to its knees by the rise of digital media and large technology companies. The Gleaner newsroom once bustled with a staff of around 20. Now, it doesn’t have an office—it was closed a few years ago—and most of its content comes from other publications owned by its parent company: Gannett, home of USA Today and over 200 local news outlets including the Courier & Press of nearby Evansville, Ind. What coverage there is of Henderson, a northwestern Kentucky city of about 30,000, is left to a few freelancers—including a husband-and-wife team that averages a few stories a month for the Gleaner, which publishes five days a week.
Source: WSJ.com: US Business