Kansas Municipal News
Catalpa Park is going to the dogs
Catalpa Park… in Arkansas City, will soon become a safe place for dog owners to take their pets and allow them to get some exercise. The city’s Municipal Project Manager Nick Rizzio said the cost will be minimal and the renovation is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Overland Park approves $49.3 million in STAR bonds for Bluhawk’s first phase
Vertical construction can begin on the $1 billion, 300-acre Bluhawk development now that it has won a key financing approval. On Monday evening, the Overland Park City Council approved Overland Park-based Price Brothers Management Co.’s request for $49.3 million in sales tax revenue (STAR) bonds for vertical construction on the multisport complex’s $72.7 million first phase. The development is located at 159th Street and U.S. Highway 69. The City Council also approved the issuance of economic development revenue bonds (EDRBs) that will not exceed $113.6 million to build the entire complex in multiple phases.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Shawnee city manager resigns
The Shawnee city manager announced Sept. 26 that he’ll resign at the beginning of November, according to his resignation letter which says he and the city council disagree on a “path and vision for the future” for the city. Nolan Sunderman, who started as assistant city manager in 2016 and was promoted to city manager in 2018, said he will start a new job in public service later this year. His last day will be Nov. 1. During his tenure, Sunderman worked to create two major city development plans that sought to prioritize diverse housing options, thriving businesses and inclusive communities among other issues, including the Imagine Shawnee Strategic Vision and the Achieve Shawnee Comprehensive Plan.
Source: KC Star Local News
Local police depement is supporting October’s Best Cancer Awareness Month
The Parsons Police Department is supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing pink mourning bands over their badges. These bans are reserved for officers that have passed or were killed on duty. “A normal mouring band is black in color but with pink being the color for breast cancer awareness it is fitting for this month that our mourning bands are pink,” according to Deputy Chief Dennis Dodd. Breast Cancer Awareness Month was created to spread awareness and raise funds for research, prevention, treatment, and finding a cure. The Parsons Police Department is raising awareness to help fellow staff members that have been affected by this deadly disease.
Source: KOAMKOAM
‘They don’t expect it’: Kansan builds an antique park in his backyard
Imagine a six-story treehouse overlooking a nearly-life-sized dinosaur and a man-made pond. An Augusta man’s dream of collecting and sharing historical pieces with the world has become a reality. “You know, as a kid, you always want a big playground. I never had a big playground, so I decided, what the hell, I will build my own and go from there,” said Jason Lee Bradley. Bradley, a professional landscaper, started working on what he calls Preservation Acres six years ago at his home a couple of miles east of Augusta.
Source: KSN-TV
14 Kansas towns want Tank of the Year title
Some Kansans towns are very proud of their water towers, and they hope people will vote for them in a national contest. Tnemec, a company that makes protective coatings, is holding its annual Tank of the Year contest. The entries come from across the U.S., including 14 in Kansas: Augusta, Baldwin City, Beattie, Pittsburg, Hugoton, Johnson County, La Crosse, McPherson, Neodesha, Preston, Russell, St. John, Tonganoxie, Valley Center. People can vote online until Oct. 14. You can vote daily. On Oct. 17, the company will announce the tank that won the People’s Choice nomination. Then, a Tnemec committee will choose 11 other finalists. The committee will then decide which water tower becomes the official Tank of the Year. It will make the announcement on Oct. 21.
Source: KSN-TV
Topeka park improvements added to general election ballot
Gage Park could see new improvements starting as early as January. Shawnee County kicked off its Vote Gage Park campaign. As part of the General Election on Nov. 8, voters have the chance to decide whether to change how the county pays for improvements, renovations and even some additions in Gage park. If voted on, the campaign will replace property taxes with a sales tax at an increment of .02% of a penny. These taxes would fund all improvements for the park, zoo and the Children’s Discovery Center.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Prairie Village amends housing recommendations in response to mounting opposition
The Prairie Village City Council on Monday unanimously voted to amend controversial housing recommendations, altering one of the item’s language around multi-family housing, as opposition to the recommendations — which have yet to be publicly acted on — continues to mount among some residents. The council on Monday voted on an item brought forward by Councilmember Ian Graves, the chair of the city’s ad hoc housing committee that originally crafted the recommendations, which proposed that references to multifamily housing in the first recommendation be removed.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Johnson County hopes to display 1951 time capsule contents
Following its discovery last year and official unveiling in May, Johnson County is working to put together a potential museum display of items recovered from a 1951 time capsule. The 71-year-old time capsule was discovered during the demolition of the former Johnson County Courthouse last year. The time capsule, which came in a small copper box, was originally placed in a wall of the old courthouse on May 7, 1951.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Public safety career fair attracts many from area
Approximately 200 people attended the Public Safety Career Fair on Sept. 29 on the Southwestern College campus. Students from Augusta, El Dorado and Udall, visited the exhibits along with Southwestern students. Many area agencies were represented, along with the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Internal Revenue Service Investigative Unit.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Paola USD 368 conducting survey about failed bond election
Paola USD 368 is conducting a survey that school district officials hope will bring more clarity as to why a majority of mail-ballot voters chose not to support the district’s recent $40 million bond proposal. The proposed projects included a variety of improvements and maintenance work at each of the school district’s aging buildings, but the bond proposal failed by 77 votes. There were 1,583 “No” votes and 1,506 “Yes” votes in the September special mail-ballot election.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
USDA Seeks Applications to Improve Solid Waste Management for People in Rural Areas
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that the department is accepting grant applications to reduce water pollution in rural areas through improvements to solid waste management.
Applications are being accepted under the Solid Waste Management Grants program. USDA provides these grants to organizations that offer technical assistance or training to help rural communities manage solid waste sites and eliminate water pollution. The program is one of the many ways USDA promotes a healthy community and environment with loans and grants that ensure people, children and families have clean water and safe sewer systems to prevent runoff and pollution.
Eligible applicants include public bodies, nonprofit organizations, federally recognized tribes and academic institutions in rural areas and towns with 10,000 or fewer residents. Special consideration may be given to projects serving areas with fewer than 5,500 or 2,500 people, multiple states or lower-income populations.
USDA expects to make approximately $4 million available through the program. Funds may be used to:
- Evaluate current landfill conditions to identify threats to water
- Provide technical assistance or training to enhance the operation and maintenance of active
- Provide technical assistance or training to help communities reduce the amount of solid waste coming into a landfill.
- Provide technical assistance or training to prepare for the closure and future use of a landfill
Projects must be completed within 12 months.
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, 2022.
USDA is offering priority points to projects that advance key priorities under the Biden-Harris Administration to help communities create more and better market opportunities, advance equity and combat climate change. These extra points will increase the likelihood of funding. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/priority-points.
Salina airport hosts U.S. Aerobatic Championships
Some of the best pilots from across the nation have returned to Salina to compete in the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships this week. Each year, the event brings in pilots to compete across five different categories with opportunities to earn spots in flight teams that compete further, and a shot at being named the United States National Aerobatic Champion.
Source: Salina Journal
Final configuration of Old West Lawrence traffic-calming project to be installed soon
A much debated traffic control effort in Old West Lawrence continues, with the third and final configuration of the pilot program set to be installed soon. The revised configuration of traffic calming devices results in fewer turn restrictions and adds other new features, such as planters that take up a portion of the driving lane. The new configuration will be installed next week, weather permitting, according to an announcement in the city’s newsletter. The third configuration is based on the recommended plan from the members of the Old West Lawrence Traffic Safety Team, according to the project website.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for October 3, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
New recycle trailer for City of Claflin arrives early
Last week, the City of Claflin received a welcome Christmas gift a little early. Robert Gunder, who has been assisting the city with obtaining a new trailer for its recycling program, said that while they were expecting delivery around December or January, the trailer arrived this week. It is currently parked in front of the Claflin City Building and a plan to get it pressed into service as quickly as possible is being discussed. Claflin Mayor Mike Urban credited Gunder with getting the ball rolling on the project earlier in the year.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Lisa Lewis: New Fort Scott City Clerk
Lisa A. Lewis, 56, is the new Fort Scott City and Municipal Court Clerk, as of Oct. 1, when Diane Clay retired. Lewis and husband, Tony, are new to Fort Scott. The Lewis’s came in 2021, having lived in Chicago and raised their four children there. From 2019 to 2021 they lived in Queen Creek, AZ but decided they liked Midwest living better than the desert, so decided to move to Kansas, she said. She started working at the city of Fort Scott as administrative support in January of 2022 working with Jackson Tough and Tourism as well as City Hall.
Source: Fort Scott Biz
Independence officials ask residents to cut back on water usage
Due to persistent drought conditions, Engineers with the City of Independence ask residents to conserve water heading into the Fall months. According to City Engineer, John Garris the Verdigris River which is the City’s primary source of water has been struggling to meet the City’s needs. In the upcoming fall months, the water demand will lessen and he said, the citizens should conserve as much water as possible since the forecast still shows a lack of heavy rainfall.
Source: KOAMKOAM
Baxter Springs fundraiser serves food to equip reserve officers
The Baxter Springs Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office held the annual Back the Badge Fundraiser outside of American Bank. The group planned to feed 1,000 people. … This event helps fund all the necessary equipment for reserve police officers, who completely volunteer their time serving the community. Without fundraisers like these, reserve officers have to pay for their own uniforms and equipment.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Some extra help for the Baxter Springs Police Department, in Reserve Officers
A Southeast Kansas community has some extra help for its police department. “27 years ago I started as a reserve police officer here in Baxter Springs Kansas, so it has a very special place because from there, I built a career that has spanned the course of different departments to, you know, led to me retiring from Joplin Police Department to becoming Chief of the department I started at, so it’s very special,” said Brian Henderson, Chief of Police, BSPD.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Shawnee to study traffic in city’s increasingly busy K-7 corridor
Because rapid growth along Kansas Highway 7 is causing a noticeable uptick in traffic, the Shawnee City Council has decided to commission a study of traffic patterns that could help them decide which roads need upgrades and when. Driving the news: The city council voted unanimously last week to award a $77,580 contract to Olsson Associates of Overland Park to look at the seven-plus miles of the highway that runs from the northern county line to just south of West 83rd Street.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Bishop Miege, other JoCo private schools would move up a class in sports with new ‘multiplier’ rule
A proposed rule change to how Kansas high schools are classified for sports competitions could have a big impact on some Johnson County private schools that have had a lot of recent on-field success, including one of the state’s winningest athletic programs, Bishop Miege. Driving the news: The Kansas State Board of Education earlier this month voted 6-4 to send the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s proposed class “multiplier” rule to the state legislature, which will have the final say on whether to enact it.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
OZtoberfest fills Wamego with lions, witches and little dogs, too
Downtown was filled with little lions and green-faced witches during Wamego’s annual OZtoberfest Saturday. The community fall festival celebrates the legacy and influence of the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” and 1900 book it was based on, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” by L. Frank Baum. Parts of the book and film are set on a farm in rural Kansas that is home to the main character, Dorothy Gale, and her dog, Toto. Kara Holle, Wamego Chamber of Commerce director of events and tourism, said she estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people roamed downtown Wamego Saturday. She said it’s hard to determine exactly how many people attend the event each year.
Source: themercury.com – RSS Results in news of type article
Treasury yields tumble for a second day, with 10-year rate below 3.6%
Treasury yields fell across the board on Tuesday as stock markets rose to kick off the fourth quarter while investors continued to digest the unexpected slowdown of U.S. manufacturing. The benchmark 10-year Treasury was down 6 basis points to 3.5854% at around 4 a.m. ET, after having surpassed the 4%-mark last week. The yield on the policy-sensitive 2-year Treasury fell to 4.0224% as it traded 8 basis points lower.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Great Bend OKs sidewalk cost-share program
With the understanding that sidewalks are important to the community, the Great Bend City Council Monday night approved the SAFE (Safer Access for Everyone) Sidewalk Program. “We know this is a key need in our community,” said City Administrator Kendal Francis. A survey conducted earlier this year by the city’s Quality-of-Life Committee identified the public’s desire for a cost share program to assist property owners with needed repairs of public sidewalks. The plan provides both residential and commercial property owners a 50% reimbursement of labor and materials up to $800 (corner lots are eligible for up to $1,600). If the repairs are self-performed, the plan will only reimburse for materials, City Administrator Kendal Francis said.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
‘It’s been too long without picking up people’s trash’: Haysville city leaders calling for solution to trash problems
After months of complaints against a local trash service, Haysville city leaders are calling for the owner’s license to be revoked. … The owner of the company blames a lack of staff and broken-down trucks. Problems he says he’s been dealing with since early this year. “Right now, it’s just blowing around creating a health hazard,” said Haysville Mayor Russ Kessler. The mayor says it’s time. He’s going to ask the council to revoke Best Value’s license at the next city council meeting.
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita BOE given proposed solutions for overcrowding at Southeast High School
The Wichita Board of Education (BOE) was given a presentation on proposed solutions for the concern of overcrowding at Wichita Southeast High School at their meeting on Monday, Oct. 3. The presentation reveals that the school is more than 100 students over capacity this semester. Possible solutions provided include allowing special transfers to Northeast Magnet High School and allowing some students to attend Heights High School. Another possible solution would be changing district boundaries. That solution would have to be further discussed and voted upon.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita announces two out-of-state finalists for police chief
The city of Wichita named two out-of-state finalists for the Wichita Police Department’s top position on Monday afternoon, according to city spokesperson Megan Lovely. The candidates are Mario Knapp of Miami and Joseph Sullivan of Philadelphia. Both candidates have decades of experience in law enforcement; neither is actively employed by a police department.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Developer wants De Soto to add 2,800 acres to its annexation
The boundary for redevelopment efforts on the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant in De Soto could be expanded soon. On Thursday, the De Soto City Council will consider an amendment to the city’s predevelopment agreement with Sunflower Redevelopment Group to annex additional property into the city limits. In November, the City Council approved the annexation of roughly 6,000 acres within the former ammunition plant. Now, the developer is requesting the city annex an additional 2,800 acres — or about 2,100 football fields of land — south of 127th Street on the 9,000-acre former ammunition plant property.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Salina’s waste is being checked for COVID-19 and other diseases
As part of a nationwide initiative, scientists from two of the top research institutes in America are studying what is being flushed down the toilets of Salinans right now. Salina is taking part in the Wastewater Sewer Coronavirus Alert Network (WastewaterSCAN), a program led by researchers at Stanford University and Emory University, that monitors infectious diseases, such as the one that causes COVID-19, by sampling and analyzing the genetic material from the city’s wastewater treatment plant, one of only two places in Kansas.
Source: Salina Journal
Kansas Roads Are Among the Most Dangerous in the Country
Traffic deaths are on the rise in the United States, according to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An estimated 20,175 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes from January through June 2022, the most in the first half of any year since 2006. (Here is a look at the deadliest year for car wrecks since seat belts became law.) The latest increase in traffic fatalities comes as Americans are spending more time on the road. U.S. drivers traveled 43.2 billion more miles in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.
Source: Atchison Globe Now
How Wichita Public Schools handle concussions in high school football
There was a law passed back in 2011 that requires all schools to immediately remove an athlete from a game or practice in any sport if they are showing any signs of a concussion or head injury. That’s just part of the work done to try to ensure these athletes are suffering potentially life changing injuries. The handling of concussion injuries is on a lot of people’s minds after Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took a hard hit and had to be carted off the field in Cincinnati Thursday night. “Everybody’s noticed that his hands went into spasm,” said Cody Barnett. “That’s a neurological reaction.” Barnett owns Bodyworx Physical Therapy in east Wichita. He says watching that hit, he could immediately tell what was wrong. “So automatically think either brain injury or spinal cord injury was something like that.”
Source: KAKE – News
Woofstock draws crowd to Sedgwick County Park
A large crowd filled Sedgwick County Park for the 2022 Woofstock celebration Saturday. The annual fundraiser helps provide care for over 16,000 animals every year. In addition, the event featured live music, food, vendors, freebies, games, and giveaways. The’s the Kansas Humane Society’s largest fundraiser of the year. “It makes a really big difference. We are a nonprofit, so all of our funding comes from either our adoption fees or donations. It really helps take care of the animals, their medical needs, just their basic care like food, and it also keeps our building running so that the animals can stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter,” said Carlene Dick with the KHS.
Source: KSN-TV
Mayor Whipple pushes for extra layer of oversight at Wichita Police Department
Mayor Brandon Whipple says it’s time for elected officials to step in and provide additional oversight of the Wichita Police Department amid an escalating feud between police leaders and the city manager’s office. The composition of the proposed task force and the scope of its authority remain to be seen. But some City Council members aren’t convinced the committee is necessary. Whipple, a Democrat, says he and two fellow council members will serve on the task force alongside a city lawyer and Wichita’s newly hired internal auditor, Kristina Rose.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
State Cornshucking Contest set for Oct. 8
One of the most celebrated agricultural events in Kansas will be taking place in Atchison County as the 2022 Kansas State Cornshucking Contest will be in Lancaster Saturday, October 8 at 8 a.m. Registration will be $10 at the entry beginning at 8 a.m. with diverse competitions including teams, novice, Golden Agers, Girls and Boys Youth, Women, and Men in ages of 21-49, and women and men ages 50 and over. Long-time competitor in the event John Scherer is hosting the event at his cornfield and said he is excited to have the contest in Atchison county instead of it usually being in Oakley which is an almost five-hour drive from Atchison.
Source: News | atchisonglobenow.com
Johnson County Commission approves pay raise for sheriff’s deputies
The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved raising the starting pay for deputy officers at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. County officials hope to reduce the number of vacancies in the sheriff’s office as a result of the pay bump. What’s different: Under the newly-approved pay plan, deputies will generally have a new minimum hourly wage of $27.50, which amounts to an annual salary of $57,200.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Emporia runway extension may provide economic boost
It’s not exactly a case of “give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.” But if you give Ken Adams five feet, he might ask for 500. “We’re now past the milestone of a 5,000-foot runway, at 5,004,” the Emporia Municipal Airport Manager said. The paving of five extra feet this past summer fulfilled a long dream for Adams. Federal Aviation Administration rules require a runway that’s 5,000 feet long and 100 feet wide for general aviation. “It hasn’t been cycled through and published into the charts yet,” Adams said. “It’s noted that it is there.” The next airport chart cycle should occur within the next six months. Adams believes the news of that extension will be an economic boost.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Wichita police records problem leads to a warning from the state
A state official has told the Wichita Police Department that the city could lose out on millions of dollars in road funding if a major backlog of reports isn’t resolved. In response, the city has brought in extra staff and authorized overtime to help address the situation. The problem is with crash reports, which police fill out after a wreck. The reports detail what happened and who was involved.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Around 2,000 attend Muddy River Music Festival in Atchison
The Muddy River Music Festival saw a successful turnout in Atchison with many artists entraining those in attendance at the Atchison riverfront. The event ran for about eight hours with performances starting at 1:30 with some notable names being Clare Dunn, The Lazy Wayne Band, and Jeremiah Johnson. The Founder of the Muddy River Music Festival Scott Weinmann said the success of the event went above and beyond what he had hoped for.
Source: News | atchisonglobenow.com
New exhibit celebrating 150th anniversary of KCK opens at Wyandotte County Museum
The Wyandotte County Museum is featuring a new exhibit in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Kansas City, Kansas. On Oct 22, 1872, Kansas City, Kansas, was formally incorporated, but at that time it was far from the Kansas City, Kansas, of today. “The Original Kansas City, Kansas,” exhibit will feature a series of early maps, facts and images from the city’s earliest years. It will provide visitors with a glimpse of several important stories related to the city’s early development and growth. “The Original Kansas City, Kansas” exhibit will be on display at the Wyandotte County Museum from Oct. 1 until Feb. 18, 2023.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Municipal Bond Trends for September 30, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Wamego goes ‘Toto-ly Gingham’ for 2022 Oztoberfest
Downtown Wamego transformed Saturday in celebration of the beloved tale ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ The annual Oztoberfest returned for 2022 with a ‘Toto-ly Gingham’ theme, shutting down a portion of Lincoln Ave. for a full day of performances, contests and other activities for all ages — and all featuring an Oz-ey overtone. One of Wamego’s major yearly events, the city has become known for its penchant for the fantastical works of L. Frank Baum. Columbian Theatre and Oz Museum Executive Director Clint Stueve opened the morning by expressing happiness that the Wamego tradition is continuing on in spite of challenges that have impacted tourism and hospitality industry businesses over the past couple years, also thanking those who have contributed to the organization such as International Wizard of Oz Club President Jane Albright and Johnpaul Cafiero — whose family contributed much of the collection making up the Oz Museum.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Why is Bourbon County Shrinking?
It is not hard to discern how this happened. At the beginning of the 20th Century, the industry relied upon horses and mules for the heavy lifting around the farm; these animals, which required care and feeding as well, were replaced by about 5 million tractors and other vehicles and implements. This mechanization, along with improved methodologies, has driven farm consolidation; while the number of farms in the USA has dropped 63%, the average farm size has increased by 67%. Additionally, in 1930, about one-third of farmers earned off-farm income; 70 years later, that number was 93%. The impact on rural American has not only been devastating in terms of population, but culture. In 1900, about 60% of rural Americans were farmers; the number is about 20% now, and 10% in BB. Once culturally dominate in rural communities, they are now relegated to the sidelines.
Source: Fort Scott Biz
Pratt linemen in Florida to help restore power
After two long days on the road, linemen from Pratt, Kansas, are finally in Florida. The five members from Pratt arrived Friday at midnight. Once they got to their hotel, it was stuck without power, and they spent the night in their trucks. “About half of (the City was) out of power,” said lineman Jamie Huber. Dozens of linemen from across the country are in Bartow, Florida, to restore power after Hurricane Ian.
Source: KSN-TV
Bell that was part of USS Wichita presented to city
A bell that was part of the USS Wichita was presented to the City of Wichita on Friday afternoon. Wichita received the bell as a gift from the American Legion Post 292 in Somerville, Tennessee. The bell was received from the widow of a Navy chief who passed away years ago. It has been in Tennessee since. “Shortly, about three days after the funeral, his widow approached us and gave us the bell to the USS Wichita. It turned out he was the last senior chief of the USS Wichita when it was sailed into to be decommissioned. So, he took the bell with him rather than be scrapped,” said Jeffrey Kenneth Malone, American Legion of Somerville.
Source: KSN-TV