Kansas Municipal News
Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau unveils new trolley
The Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau has unveiled a new “Big Blue” trolley. The organization has been operating a red trolley for a decade that shuttles visitors on tours of the historic Old West town. The new 30-seat trolley features padded seating, vivid video displays, etched glass windows, and enhanced audio features, according to the bureau. “We’ve been eagerly anticipating this moment for over a year, and it’s truly exciting to finally welcome our new trolley to Dodge City,” said Megan Welsh, director of the Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Our beloved big red trolley has created lasting memories for thousands of visitors, but in recent years, we’ve faced mechanical challenges and difficulties in locating replacement parts promptly. Don’t worry, though—our iconic red trolley isn’t being put out to pasture. It’s simply taking a short break for some tender loving care before rejoining our fleet for special events, private charters, and busy tour days.”
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita City Council amends drought response plan ordinance
The Wichita City Council narrowly passed an amendment to the drought response plan ordinance. It passed 4-3. The ordinance lets the city manager take multiple factors into consideration when determining the drought stage. Right now, it is based on the 12-month average water level at Cheney Reservoir. The amendment widens the criteria to include weather trends and water demands. Before Tuesday, water restrictions would kick in when water levels were below 70% at Cheney Lake. At the start of last month, our 12-month average was right at 70.1%. After Tuesday’s vote, the city manager decides whether to implement Stage 2 drought restrictions, considering Cheney Lake water levels. However, Cheney residents in the area say they want stricter restrictions faster. Seeing Cheney low is a rare sight. “The lowest I’ve seen the lake was in 2013 when it was eight feet low, so I would hate to see it get that low again,” said Cheney Lake Association President Jon Lovett. Those living by the lake are limited in what they can do in the water this summer. Conditions are only getting worse.
Source: KSN-TV
Free public parking? You’ll see a lot fewer spots in downtown Wichita next year
The vast majority of free public parking in downtown Wichita will soon be replaced with metered stalls and other pay-to-park options. Even public parking structures that have traditionally been free, including the Old Town garage, will charge customers beginning on Jan. 1, 2025. The city is also introducing higher meter rates and a fleet of private parking enforcers responsible for ticketing violators. It’s the realization of a plan to turn Wichita’s downtown parking system into a self-sustaining operation that can support its own repairs and upkeep through user fees while encouraging quicker turnover in parking spaces near high-traffic businesses and restaurants. “Having metered parking might help our business. It might hurt it. Mainly, it will cut down on the time that people take when they do park,” said Austin Kitchen, who works at Hatman Jack’s in Delano. “The more we turn over the traffic, it could be better, yeah. I’m not exactly thrilled about the meters going in, but it could improve things.” The city will charge between $0.75 and $2 an hour for metered parking.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Topeka band continues 18-year tradition summer shows
Orchestrated in perfect harmony, the Topeka Community Band has their second performance of the season. The Community Band has been a summer tradition in the Capitol City since 1996, and still continues to pull in a crowd. The old-fashion fun is directed by retired army bandmaster Stephen Patterson. KSNT 27 News spoke to Patterson who explains on what inspires him to continue every summer. “The crowd, always the crowd. The love for the music we play and the band members show up and have a great time as well.” If you missed your opportunity this month, don’t worry, The band will be performing in Garfield Park Gazebo on July 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Safe Haven Baby Box initiative launched by Salina Fire Department
The Salina Fire Department is launching an initiative to bring a Safe Haven Baby Box to the community. This initiative, which has been spearheaded by Mayor Bill Longbine with the support of the Salina City Commission, city manager Mike Schrage and the SFD was announced by fire chief Tony Sneidar Wednesday. … Founded by Monica Kelsey in 2015, Safe Haven Baby Boxes Inc. provides devices for safe newborn surrender, installed in fire stations or hospitals with alarms for immediate emergency response. Sneidar said the box will also be fully compliant with the Kansas Safe Haven Law.
Source: Salina Journal
Burlingame looks to make some city-wide upgrades
Tuesday, June 18, Burlingame released a strategic plan to revitalize the city. The city of around 950 people plans to revamp their downtown, while recruiting new businesses and homeowners to the area. … Burlingame also hopes to renovate its downtown street, which the city says is the widest brick road in the United States. The plan is scheduled to be completed by 2027.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Zaragoza vs. Johnson County (Tort Claims Act)
1. The recreational use exception to the Kansas Tort Claims Act, K.S.A. 75-6101 et seq., is not limited to outdoor areas or to areas intended for physical activity.
2. The recreational use exception to the Kansas Tort Claims Act depends on the character of the property in question and not the activity performed at any given time; the plain wording of the statute only requires that the property be intended or permitted to be used for recreational purposes, not that the injury occur as the result of recreational activity.
3. Immunity under K.S.A. 75-6104(o) extends to a parking lot integral to public property intended or permitted to be used as a park, playground, or open area for recreational purposes, including a library.
4. To constitute wantonness the act must indicate a realization of the imminence of danger and a reckless disregard or a complete indifference or an unconcern for the probable consequences of the wrongful act.
Source: KS Court of Appeals
License reading cameras catch a crook
A stolen truck out of Wichita showed up on Great Bend’s license plate reader cameras last Tuesday, June 11… On Thursday, police tracked the truck down and then were able to track down a camper that was in La Crosse. … “So, the license plate cameras work very well.”
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Municipal Bond Trends for June 20, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Municipal Bond Trends for June 18, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Kansas lawmakers approve massive incentives to attract the Chiefs, Royals
After hours of heated deliberations, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to create special tax incentives for major sports teams to build stadiums in Kansas. The bill will go to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk. While the governor previously said she wasn’t trying to recruit the Chiefs, she praised the plan in a statement, calling it a bipartisan initiative to drive economic growth.
Source: Johnson County Post
Salina Fire Department to install Safe Haven Baby Box
The fire chief in Salina says the department will install a Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station 1, and donations are needed to make this a reality. “The Salina Community Safe Haven Baby Box Initiative is crucial project in the community that will offer a secure, anonymous option for parents in crisis to surrender their newborns,” Chief Troy Sneidar Jr. said. Safe Haven Baby Boxes are installed in the exterior wall of a fire station or hospital. An exterior door automatically locks when a newborn is placed inside, and an interior door lets a medical staff member secure the baby from inside the building.
Source: KAKE – News
City names its website Wichita’s official newspaper but will still use print, too
The Wichita City Council has voted to name its own website, Wichita.gov, the city’s official newspaper for the publication of legal notices. But it will also continue to publish the notices in print. City Council member Becky Tuttle introduced an amendment Tuesday to preserve the practice of publishing copies of ordinances and notices of official actions in a third-party publication.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Noise is one of biggest concerns with potential BESS
The Halstead Planning and Zoning Commission returned to its discussion of battery energy storage systems (BESS) after missing the special and regular meetings scheduled in May due to severe weather conditions. The city is considering a request by Concurrent, a company out of Texas that is leasing land in Halstead’s industrial park, to consider amending the city’s zoning regulations to allow for BESS so they can streamline their process of installing one on the leased land.
Source: Harvey County Now
Walton Township doing what it can to combat multiplying sinkholes
It’s still growing. That’s what Walton Township Trustee Mike Spangler said about the sinkholes on Osage Road north of Northeast 72nd Road on Monday. Unfortunately, it’s sinkholes, plural, with one on each side of the road. And yes, both holes overlap with the road. The road has been temporarily closed for nearly two weeks, but people continue to drive between the holes.
Source: Harvey County Now
Investigators find cause of Garden City house explosion
A house explosion that injured a person in Garden City Saturday evening was caused by a natural gas leak, according to investigators. The State Fire Marshal and the Garden City Fire Department say the leak was ignited when the victim turned on the stove. They say the issue was isolated to the gas line inside the home. The investigation is continuing.
Source: KSN-TV
Commerce Announces $390,000 in Emergency HEAL Grant Funding
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced more than $390,000 in Emergency Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (E-HEAL) grants has been awarded to five recipients. More than $770,000 private local matching funds will be added to that total, to help bring rural downtown buildings back from likely demolition or collapse – and rehabilitate them back into productive use. The Emergency HEAL program provides resources to address sudden and urgent needs of communities with buildings that are at risk of imminent loss, that are causing damage to surrounding downtown buildings, and/or have significant damage due to fire, storms, wind, water, etc. are eligible projects. Projects are to be completed within two years.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Kansas Main Street Selects Eight Rural Communities for New Housing Grant
Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland today announced eight inaugural grant recipients of the Residential Opportunities on Main Street (ROOMS) program. A total of eight projects in Designated Kansas Main Street communities are receiving $50,000 each to create a total of 35 new residential units in the upper floors of downtown buildings.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Municipal Bond Trends for June 17, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Merriam homeowners got surprise tax cut last year due to ‘clerical error.’ Will taxes go back up in 2025?
Merriam residents are likely to see a sharp increase in their municipal tax rate next year. The city is considering an increase of 3.736 mills for its 2025 mill levy — or local tax — rate. That would bring the city’s municipal mill levy to 26.665 mills overall, according to early budget presentations from city staff. That relatively sharp increase comes after a “clerical error” on budget forms last year submitted to the county and state unintentionally slashed Merriam’s 2024 property tax rate by more than four mills, from 27.665 mills down to 22.929 mills the year before. Before that mistake, the Merriam City Council had approved lowering the 2024 property tax rate by 0.25 mills to 27.415 mills, the first proposed change to the mill levy the city had approved in more than a decade. But the error made it a bigger change than expected, actually cutting the 2024 mill levy rate by 4.48 mills, a much more dramatic decrease than the city intended. Still, the proposed tax increase for next year will leave the city’s mill levy rate below the level it was at before last year’s unexpectedly large cut.
Source: Johnson County Post