Kansas Municipal News
Pittsburg approves purchase of garbage trucks for public trash service
The city of Pittsburg approved the purchase of two garbage trucks for a total of $489,996 to help operate a public trash service. They also approved the purchase of 500 96-gallon poly carts, 50 2-yard dumpsters, and 50 4-yard dumpsters for a total of $97,108. The city is investing in a publicly operated trash service in the wake of issues residents have been having with CARDS Recycling and Waste Management. Officials say the public service will be another option for residents. KOAM will continue following the progress and updates for residents concerning the City’s planned trash service.
Source: KOAM News
Fire departments speak out against proposed OSHA regulations
First responders like firefighters are known to be in dangerous jobs. But OSHA, the federal agency that set and enforces standards for workplace conditions is hoping to help make those work environments as safe as possible. According to OSHA, the “existing safety and health standards do not adequately protect the emergency response workforce from these hazards.” The federal agency has proposed a set of new regulations that would replace the current fire brigade standard implemented in 1980. “From what I can gather from OSHA is they’re wanting to combine a whole bunch of, like, 22 guidelines into one mandate. Mandate is a little scary,” says Kevin Theilen, Deputy Fire Chief of the Duenweg Fire Department. Fire departments and associations across the country are now speaking out against the proposed standards, including the National Volunteer Fire Council and the Firefighter Association of Missouri. “No one is discounting that there could be room for improved firefighter safety, and the National Fire Protection Association plus other standards are a valuable guide in getting there but not as a club which could and “WILL IN SOME CASES” cripple some departments and potentially close others in low populated areas due to extraordinary budget limitations,” wrote the Firefighter Association of Missouri in a response to the OSHA proposal.
Source: KOAM News
AGCO downsizing due to weakening demand in agriculture industry
AGCO states they are reducing their salaried workforce by about 6% due to weakening demand in the agriculture industry. The company is not saying what locations are being affected. AGCO is estimating that they will spend $150 million to $200 million, which includes severance payments and employee benefits. They expect that amount to be spent this year and in the first half of 2025. The company said the decision to reduce its workforce is not related to the shift in production to Mexico, which was announced earlier in June. “Hesston will continue to manufacture Massey Ferguson windrowers, large square balers, combines and combine headers using the more than $28 million in investments made in the Kansas facility since 2021,” said AGCO in a statement to KSN. “Those investments have focused on updating and modernizing Hesston’s systems and equipment. By streamlining the Hesston portfolio, our goal is to secure a profitable future for the plant.”
Source: KSN-TV
A Mammoth mitigation plan
Killing two birds with one stone. This was the idea behind Mammoth Sports Construction’s presentation at Monday evening’s joint meeting of the Iola City Council and school board. Riverside Park poses flooding issues for the city and USD 257 has a need for ballfields that can still be utilized following heavy rains. The solution? Synthetic turf fields, bigger holding ponds and larger pumps to mitigate and redirect flood waters, according to Mammoth. The scope of the $3.733 million project includes an artificial turf softball, baseball, and football field that will help store flood waters during a major storm event. The fields would operate as water detention areas from which water would be redirected north of the football field and west to a detention pond in a picnic area. From these locations, the water would then be pumped beyond the park’s levee to the north and west. The fields would include layers of sand and rock, with trenches. In times of heavy rains, the runoff would be stored in a perimeter drain that reroutes the water to a holding pond.
Source: The Iola Register
SE Kansas under drought watch, Galena enacts emergency measures
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly put all of Southeast Kansas under a “drought watch” on Monday. A water drought emergency ordinance continues in Galena. It came from the state through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and required the city to establish three stages of water conservation measures in case of an emergency. The city uses wells and is working on getting another one up and running. “I hope everybody, myself included, is conscious of their water usage – because I think we take a lot of things for granted – and at any time, something could turn on the dime,” said Ashley Qualls Groves, Galena Mayor. The city uses Missouri American Water as its backup source in the case of an emergency.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Sedgwick County regulators hold up giant solar farm on Wichita’s outskirts amid objections from neighbors
Sedgwick County appeared poised to follow its ban on wind farms with widely vetted regulations that would allow acre after acre of solar panels pumping renewable energy into the electrical grid. Instead, the county still has a moratorium on the construction of large-scale solar farms. “Boils down to a simple phrase: not in my backyard,” said Walt Chappell, a solar power booster and longtime critic of local government. The stall leaves the industry frustrated and some environmentalists upset that objections from neighbors who’d be near a proposed Chisholm Trail utility-scale solar project west of Maize may have blocked the project. Sedgwick County needed regulations for the relatively new form of industrial development — and it got high marks from the industry and federal agencies for what the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission drafted. But after the county was confronted with a specific solar farm proposed for the northwest suburbs of Wichita, local officials balked in March and extended the county’s moratorium for six months.
Source: KSN-TV
New expressway officially opens in SE Kansas
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has officially opened the newly constructed U.S. 166/400 four-lane expressway, improving travel from Baxter Springs to the Kansas-Missouri border. This long-anticipated development is set to streamline traffic and enhance connectivity in the region. Currently, eastbound traffic on the new lanes is limited to a single lane until the final placement of pavement markings is completed. Motorists are advised to follow the signs and exercise caution as work continues. As construction activities are still ongoing in the project area, KDOT urges drivers to stay vigilant, obey traffic signs, and adhere to reduced speed limits to ensure safety for all.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Riley County firefighters host ‘forced entry’ training
Firefighters in Riley County came together to host a ‘forceful entry’ training session Tuesday evening. The firefighters were given a vacant home to use during the training. Workers filled the home with fake smoke to simulate an actual house fire, which firefighters forcefully entered to put out the source. Riley County Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Russel Stukey told 27 News the two most important things firefighters need to remember when forcefully entering a burning building are safety and following procedure. “Do the least amount of damage as possible, but enough to get the job done, to get us in the building safely and have a safe way to get out,” Stukey said. “And then also to perform ventilation operations which is to get the heat and smoke out of the structure.” ‘Forceful entry’ training is just one of several training sessions firefighters in Riley County attend each month.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Per Federal compliance requirements, local law enforcement communication channels to become encrypted effective July 8
With identity theft and cybercrime becoming a more pressing concern almost daily, local law enforcement will be making major changes to radio traffic to help safeguard personal information. According to Lyon County Emergency Communications Center Director Roxanne Van Gundy, effective July 8 all radio transmissions for local law enforcement — Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Emporia Police and Emporia State University Police and Safety — will become encrypted. Van Gundy says a significant amount of personal data is communicated over the airwaves when it comes to emergencies. She says many have access to these law enforcement channels whether through police scanners or apps and while the majority are likely just trying to stay informed, there are those with more sinister intentions. While speaking with KVOE News Tuesday, Van Gundy stressed this is not a local decision but rather a Federal compliance mandate that has been in place for several years. However; the Kansas Highway Patrol has recently moved to enforce this compliance across all digital radio users.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Zoning moratorium among items up for consideration when Lyon County Commissioners convene Thursday
Lyon County Commissioners will consider signing a resolution that would establish a moratorium and suspend any applications related to zoning, land use and building permitting within Lyon County during their regular action meeting Thursday. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the Lyon County Planning and Zoning Board to review zoning regulations related to medical buildings. It was reported earlier this month that Stormont Vail Health had purchased land to build a new multi-million dollar medical facility in the county, however, calls for confirmation from KVOE to Stormont have not been returned. Commission Chairman Rollie Martin tells KVOE News the resolution being considered Thursday was drafted by the county commission and not by any local or outside agency. Consideration of the resolution comes the same week it was announced that mediated conversations between Stormont and Newman Regional Health had come to a close. Martin declined further comment until after Thursday’s meeting.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Equipment super load coming to Emporia soon
Just how big is the equipment super load moving through Emporia on Tuesday morning? The city of Emporia Facebook page says the boiler is 22 feet tall, 22 feet wide and 216 feet long — or over 70 yards. It also weighs 660,000 pounds. The equipment stopped in Madison overnight on its way from Oklahoma to California. It is using Kansas Highway 99 north to reach Emporia. The city of Emporia has already made several traffic adjustments, temporarily disabling the stoplights at 12th and Merchant starting Monday and detouring northbound traffic on Merchant — starting at 12th — east to Burlingame Road once the load leaves town Tuesday morning. The city’s Public Works Department is also taking this opportunity to work on the Commercial Street traffic signals at fifth and Seventh, starting at 8 am Tuesday. There will be traffic control present at both intersections. 4 Rivers Electric Cooperative has also planned for service interruptions south and north of Emporia, including Road L north to US Highway 56.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Diverse event schedule helping Emporia tourism efforts: ‘We have found our home in the unexpected’
Late spring and early summer are typically busy times when it comes to Emporia’s event schedule, and this year has been no different. Emporia has seen record-setting participation with Unbound Gravel, as well as heavy attendance for the Pro Disc Golf Association Masters and Dynamic Discs Open disc golf tournaments. This week has the National Teachers Hall of Fame induction process and Emporia Pride overlapping. Next week has the Kansas Shrine Bowl. Visit Emporia Director LeLan Dains says it’s important to have what he calls diversity in the event schedule. That diversity has helped to drive Emporia’s transient guest tax receipts to record levels the past two years. The city of Emporia also recently increased the transient guest tax, also known as the hotel bed tax, from 7 percent to 8 percent. Dains says the May 2024 transient guest tax receipts were the highest in the history of Emporia tourism at $108,000, in part because of that rate increase. Dains says the Visit Emporia budget comes from those funds and gets used for marketing and communications, as well as investments in the Emporia Arts Center and Emporia Granada Theatre and specific events.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
City looking at staff reductions to address revenue shortfalls
As Manhattan faces a revenue shortfall, one city official suggests staff reduction could be a solution. The city will have just over $1 million in revenue remaining near the end of 2025, and officials previously have said they’d rather not see numbers dip below $10 million in the general reserve. Interim city manager Jason Hilgers said reducing staff has been an effective solution in the past. “There are different ways we can look at revenue,” Hilgers said. “But I think historically, pressure really comes on reductions in people because people are primarily what compromises the city. It’s individuals out delivering services as opposed to a lot of contractual services or commodities that are engaged, embedded in our budgets as well.” Other city officials have offered some solutions. Commissioner Karen McCullough suggested raising the mill levy, while commissioner John Matta cautioned against the approach because it could raise taxes. New commissioner Jayme Minton has said the city needs to get its financial situation under control. Hilgers said the city may have to pursue staff reduction, though cutting off services could be a major issue. He said officials usually look at reducing the size of their government departments so the city can decrease some of its financial obligations.
Source: themercury.com
City commission adopts 20-year parks and rec master plan
The Manhattan city commission at Tuesday’s meeting unanimously approved the adoption of the Move MHK! parks and rec master plan. The plan includes long-term goals and visions, including updates to various parks and prioritizing the construction of an indoor aquatics facility. The plan and Tuesday’s vote didn’t approve any specific action. (City commissioners in recent meetings have been considering putting a sales tax measure on the November ballot to fund an indoor aquatics and rec facility. That specific proposal is separate from the master plan.) Commissioners adopted the master plan, which the Move MHK! steering committee and parks and rec advisory board recommended for approval. The plan included four additional recommendations from the advisory board. The recommendations are revisiting the combined indoor pool and rec facility versus an aquatic-only facility; revisiting the proposed City Park location; forming an intergovernmental partnership with the Manhattan city government, Riley County government, USD 383 and K-State regarding an aquatics facility; and requesting clear financial costs. Commissioner Karen McCulloh said she wants to support the advisory board’s decision to include the recommendations.
Source: themercury.com
Work set to begin this year on ‘Gorilla Rising’ improvements
With a new downtown site chosen for Pittsburg State University’s Kelce School of Business, and funding secured from private and public sources, work is poised to begin on the Gorilla Rising project. The $50 million initiative, announced last year, will move the college of business downtown, embedding upper-level business students in the Pittsburg business community. It also will transform the historic Besse Hotel, which has been vacant for many years, into student apartments on the upper floors, with a mix of public and office space, including the Center for Reading, on the first floor. About 60 student housing units will be located on the upper floors of the Besse Hotel. Work began there this week to prepare it for renovation. The site for the college of business has changed since planning for the project began, from Fifth and Broadway to 216 N. Broadway. That site was previously home to the All Aboard Foundation. The existing building will be razed and a new building suited to student and faculty needs will be built in its place. The site also allows for parking in a lot next to the building.
Source: www.joplinglobe.com
Parts of Kansas once tried to secede and form ‘West Kansas.’ It helps explain our politics today
Secession movements in places like eastern Oregon continue to make headlines today, but back in the 1990s, parts of western Kansas made an effort to secede that previewed the political divisions that still cause people in the U.S. to consider cutting ties from their governments. In Kansas, the effort involving nine southwest Kansas counties all started with a disagreement over school funding policies. After people in western Kansas felt a new school funding law adversely affected rural schools, some residents of the nine counties were so upset that they petitioned to leave the state. They proposed a new state called West Kansas. In the heart of one of those counties, tucked behind endless rows of corn and milo, Sharon Concannon takes a trip down memory lane, thumbing through a book of newspaper clippings and documents from the time. The navy blue book’s cover exclaims, “Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore” in large white letters. The laminated book documents the reactions to a secession movement that grew out of the region 30 years ago.
Source: KAKE – News
Olathe church’s plan to build splash pad and playground could fill parks ‘gap’
Splash pads and pickleball courts may be on their way to south Olathe. During its meeting earlier this month, the Olathe Planning Commission unanimously recommended rezoning for a new recreational area on the property of Living Hope Church of the Nazarene, 18550 W. 175th St. The church’s plans envision a playground, splash pad, four pickleball courts, walking trails, canopies and parking for church congregation activities, all on the northwest corner of West 175th Street and South Ridgeview Road. Once complete, the area would be open to the public but owned by Living Hope Church. The city staff’s report on the proposal states, “This project helps meet several goals of the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan including improving the City’s parks and recreation provisions for the surrounding areas and addressing a gap in recreational fields such as pickleball courts and splash pads.”
Source: Johnson County Post
One key to a good life: Community helped Lenexa with details of this 2024 parks plan
Trails, pools and pickleball courts all have big roles in how Lenexa exercises and plays. And those vital elements of a good life just got a refresh in the city. “The benefits and importance of parks and recreation are almost endless,” said Lenexa Parks & Recreation Director Logan Wagler. “Parks and recreation is vital for fostering healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities. It provides numerous physical, mental, social, environmental and economic benefits, making them essential components of urban and suburban planning. “Investing in parks and recreation facilities ensures a higher quality of life for all residents, promoting overall well-being and community cohesion.” Lenexa City Council this spring adopted the 2024 parks and recreation master plan after more than a year of research and community input. Lenexa Mayor Julie Sayers is pleased with the community response.
Source: Joco 913 News
City of Manhattan facing shortfall in revenues
The city of Manhattan is facing a revenue shortfall, which could affect the city in several areas over the next few years. A number of solutions to the problem has been discussed such as raising the mill levy which was proposed by commissioner Karen McCulloh. Others like commissioner John Matta has cautioned against an approach due to the possibility of a tax increase. Commissioner Jayme Minton has said the city needs to get its financial situation under control. Interim city manager Jason Hilgers says that the solution that has been used in the past is reductions in staff. Hilgers says that this may have to be a solution as cutting off services could be a major issue for the city. The city has just over $1 million in revenue remaining near the end of 2025. City officials have stressed repeatedly in the past that they would rather not see revenues dip below $10 million in the general reserve. Hilgers said that the city usually looks at reducing the size of staff in government departments so the city can lower some of its financial obligations.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Sedgwick County Files Disaster Declaration for Park City Fire
The fire at the Evergreen Recycling Plant continues to burn and Sedgwick County has signed a disaster declaration regarding the fire for at least the next seven days. The disaster proclamation will allow the county to seek additional state resources to fight the fire, which is contained but could continue to burn for several days. Sedgwick County Emergency Management has said air support from the state should be flying in from Salina to help fight the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Source: 101.3 KFDI