Kansas Municipal News
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