Kansas Municipal News
From toxic sludge to lush park? Johnson County weighs cost of taking over old factory
Tucked away in southeastern Johnson County, a wooded path curves around the Blue River. The quiet pocket of nature has become a makeshift bike trail for some, and a tempting after-school hangout for nearby Blue Valley students. But abandoned since the 1990s when it was the site of a multi-million-dollar environmental cleanup, the land also has seen explorers get injured, and a fatal crash at the railroad tracks near it. Now, conservationists and some local officials are urging Johnson County to take over the 35-acre site near 164th Street and Mission Road. They want the county to turn it into a new park connected to its trail system, improve safety, remove invasive species and finish ecological remediation to restore the soil and water quality. “You don’t have to drive very far in southern Johnson County to see the bulldozers converting natural areas and former agricultural land into subdivisions,” said Bill Blessing, a board member for the nonprofit Heartland Conservation Alliance. “The ability of the county to conserve land for the use of current and future residents is rapidly being diminished due to the pace of real estate development. We see this as a closing window of opportunity to conserve natural land.”
Source: Joco 913 News
City of Goddard plans to build pedestrian bridge across highway 54
The Goddard city council has approved plans to build a pedestrian bridge going over highway 54 in order to give citizens a safe way to cross from the north side to the south side. Walking across highway 54 is dangerous with lots of cars driving through at all hours of the day. There are already signs telling people not to cross but people do it anyway. That’s why people who live in Goddard want a pedestrian bridge to go across the highway. “We’ve lived here for almost 11 years and it’s always a topic of conversation either within the city or on social media. Everyone wants a bridge,” said longtime resident Tracy Wolf. Wolf thinks this bridge will help open up the community. “People can walk across Kellogg to get to the walking trails. They can walk over to get some ice cream from you know Braums or Dairy Queen or Starbucks. It just gives the opportunity to connect both sides,” said Wolf. The city is one step closer to this dream becoming a reality. The city council approved plans for a bridge to be built and go across the highway between 183rd street and 199th street.
Source: KAKE – News
Roofing manufacturer bringing 150 jobs to Newton
Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that GAF, a Standard Industries company and North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, will invest more than $300 million in Newton by constructing a new shingle plant. The estimated 275,000-square-foot facility will create more than 130 high-skilled manufacturing jobs in management, engineering, and operations. GAF has more than 4,800 employees and operates in 30 locations across the U.S. producing commercial and residential roofing and waterproofing products and services for customers throughout North America. The Kansas Logistics Parks in Newton will be the company’s first location in Kansas. With one in four homes in the United States protected by a GAF roof, this investment enables the company to add residential roofing manufacturing capacity and enhance best-in-class service to customers nationwide. “GAF’s expansion into Kansas once again showcases our status as a national leader in advanced manufacturing,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The company’s innovative production methods and proven track record of community involvement make it an ideal partner for Newton and the entire state.” Construction is expected to begin in June 2024, with production anticipated to begin in 2027. The company expects to reach full production capacity by mid-2029.
Source: KAKE – News
German company to join Panasonic mega development in De Soto with $110M battery plant
A German company is joining the massive Panasonic development in De Soto, to work on site producing containers for the company’s electric vehicle batteries. H&T Recharge leaders say the company will be a supplier for Panasonic’s battery plant, working in De Soto through a “factory-in-factory approach.” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced the development this week, saying the company is expected to invest $110 million and create 180 new jobs in De Soto. “My administration is dedicated to making Kansas the best place for businesses to start or grow,” Kelly said in a news release. “H&T’s decision to co-locate with Panasonic is proof that the work we are doing to attract business is paying off.” Panasonic recently signed a long-term agreement with H&T to supply lithium-ion battery cans. In De Soto, the company will install four production lines on site at the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, just south of Kansas 10 Highway. Japanese electronics company Panasonic’s 4-million-square-foot battery plant is under construction, on 300 acres. Officials have said the $4 billion project could result in as many as 4,000 new jobs.
Source: Joco 913 News
Geographic wonders: Sign up for poster project and illustrate beauty of JoCo’s parks
If you have artistic talents and want a place to show them off, Johnson County Park & Recreation has a project for you. It’s gearing up for its second annual poster project promoting local parks. Applications to be part of it are due March 26. Styled after the Works Progress Administration posters for national parks of the late 1930s and early 1940s, this year’s batch of posters will feature Antioch Park, Ernie Miller Park, Mill Creek Streamway Park and Stilwell Community Park. The idea is to make sure the parks “represented geographic diversity across Johnson County, some of our older parks mixed with some of our newer parks,” said Susan Mong, superintendent of culture for Johnson County Park & Recreation District. Last year’s featured parks included Shawnee Mission Park and Big Bull Creek Park. The county has been selling posters, notecards and postcards of last year’s designs both online and at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center. Interested artists should have a background in graphic design or illustration, but a huge professional portfolio is not a necessity to compete. Even students can apply just by showing examples of pieces done in the past.
Source: Joco 913 News
Pittsburg adopts stricter lawn parking rules
Pittsburg city commissioners approve a measure keeping vehicles off of lawns. At a commission meeting earlier this month, an ordinance banning the parking of vehicles on lawns, grass, or landscaped areas was adopted by commissioners. City leaders say several factors led to the move, including vehicle safety, environmental concerns, and the impact on city infrastructure and utilities. “When there are vehicles, whether they’re inoperable or they’re operable, they’re running vehicles, or they’re used daily parked in the front of a home, in the yard, you know, that’s going to be where your utilities are running. That’s not meant to have a vehicle on top of utilities,” said Kim Froman, Director of Community Development and Housing, City of Pittsburg. The first offense will lead to a $25 ticket, with fines increasing for each additional offense.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Bourbon County’s sales tax vote approaches
In less than two months, Bourbon County residents will head to the polls to decide the fate of a county-wide sales tax. “We want the public involved in this. We want them to help make this decision. That’s why we put it to a vote,” said Jim Harris, Bourbon County Commissioners Chairman. The one-quarter cent tax would be used to establish and operate an emergency department in Bourbon County. “We’re negotiating today with health care providers. We’ve got to show that we will have some funding to sign agreements with them because they’re not going to come here and $750,000 a year just because they like us,” said Harris. Bourbon County hasn’t had emergency health care services since Via Christi closed its emergency department in Fort Scott in December of last year. “Our goal is to have the special election get the funds coming in. We are negotiating with some health care providers today, 24 seven So we’ve got to start raising funds because we know we’re going to move forward. We have to subsidize it,” said Harris. If approved, the sales tax would last five years and is expected to generate 750 thousand dollars.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Governor Kelly Announces More than $76M Investment by Marvin, Creating 600 Jobs in Kansas City, Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that Marvin, a premium manufacturer of windows and doors, has selected Kansas City, Kansas, as the future home of its latest manufacturing facility. Marvin is investing $76.5 million to build a 400,000-square-foot facility in the Scannell 435 Logistics Center. Upon completion in 2025, Marvin anticipates employing approximately 100 team members in full-time positions across its manufacturing, fabrication, and assembly divisions to produce the company’s industry-leading fiberglass window and door solutions. With progressive annual growth, Marvin expects to employ a 600-person workforce in Kansas City by 2028. “Marvin’s investment emphasizes that my administration’s approach to attracting business into our state is working,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We are delivering on our commitment to making Kansas the best place to live, work, and raise a family.” Marvin conducted extensive research across multiple states before selecting Kansas City, Kansas, for this development. A strong workforce, state and local commitment to education, a collaborative approach to economic development, and compatibility all contributed to Marvin’s final selection.
Source: Sunflower State Radio Network
Gamblers excited for Golden Circle casino opening in Park City next year
This week, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission gave an update on when to expect the highly anticipated Golden Circle to open in Park City. “Just the thrill of it all, you know. Just the unknown. Not knowing if you’re going to win or lose,” said Kim Craig. People who enjoy spending time and money at slot machines have different reasons for why they do it. For Craig, it’s about more than just the thrill. “Just the getaway. It’s a getaway. It’s like, you don’t have to think of anything else while you’re in there,” said Craig. That’s why she was so excited this week when KRGC finally nailed down a solid timeline for when the new historic horse racing facility will open in Park City. “Their estimated go-live date is September of 2025,” said KRGC representative Brandi White. It all started in 2022 when owner Phil Ruffin hired an auction company to sell everything inside the old Greyhound Park that closed in 2007. Ruffin pulled the plug on the sale last minute before announcing his new plan to turn it into Golden Circle. “They will open with 1,000 historical horse racing machines and a simulcasting facility. They’ll also have a pizza by the slice, a deli, a smoothie bar, a rooftop patio, and they intend to open with an entertainment amphitheater,” said White. White explained in the meeting how the casino will be a totally new experience for gamblers like Craig.
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita breaks ground on new wastewater facility
On Friday, the City of Wichita broke ground on a new wastewater center, which is part of the Biological Nutrient Removal program (BNR). The BNR is the second-largest infrastructure investment in the city’s history, costing $357 million. The project is expected to be completed by 2027. The project is focused on improving the Arkansas River water quality, rehabilitating critical infrastructure and addressing the strong odor that has plagued the southside of Wichita for years. “The smell gets like stronger and stronger depending on like the week, and it gets like I’m just so nose blind, I don’t really smell it anymore, but I see people coming in my store with like their shirts over their noses because the smell is just so strong and overpowering,” southside Wichita Dollar General Manager Michael Loper said. The City says coverings will be placed over some of the clarifiers to help reduce the odor. “Basically putting lids on the clarifiers, doing some processing things differently. They’re going to help with the outer control. That part should be in place by 2026. Spent a lot of time talking, and the people in the neighborhoods and the areas that spend time down here and there’s certainly ready for that,” Director of Public Works Gary Janzen said.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita may pull public notices from the Wichita Eagle. But will that hurt transparency?
The City of Wichita could soon become one of the largest cities in Kansas to withdraw its public notices from its paper of record. The City Council wants to review the city’s contract with McClatchy, the Wichita Eagle’s parent company. The surprise move at the council’s first evening meeting came at about 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, when only half a dozen attendees were still in the audience. “No citizen is reading a legal notice in the newspaper anyway,” council member Dalton Glasscock said. “I’ve never done that. I can guarantee you most citizens aren’t doing that anyway.” The city currently spends $150,000 a year to publish the legal notices, which deal mainly with zoning cases, changes in city ordinances, budget issues and other city happenings. Representatives at McClatchy declined to comment. The Kansas Press Association, which collects all of the state’s public notices through its media partners and archives them, says publishing notices in the paper helps keep local governments accountable. “There’s a lot of benefits to keep it in a third party, but number one is transparency,” KPA Executive Director Emily Bradbury said. Some council members pushed back against the notion that $150,000 a year – about .02% of the city’s annual budget – is a waste of taxpayers money, especially when it comes to transparency.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for March 22, 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 March 21, 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.
Newton City Clerk Denise Duerksen has been named City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year
City Clerk Denise Duerksen has been named the 2024 Mildred Vance City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year for the State of Kansas. This award is presented each year to a City Clerk or Finance Officer who has made significant contributions to the State association, the profession and their community. Denise has worked for the City for almost 33 years and has served as city clerk since 2007.
Source: City of Newton
Municipal Bond Trends for March 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 March 19, 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.
A painting on the side of Cozy Inn that prompted a lawsuit against the city of Salina will remain unfinished and the city won’t take action against it for the time being. The Salina City Commission voted to approve a stipulation in the Cozy Inn vs. City of Salina case during a special meeting Monday. … According to the stipulation, this “status quo” means that the city won’t take any enforcement action against Cozy Inn as long as the hamburger shop won’t take “further action to complete the sign” while the case is pending in the U.S. District Court.
Source: Salina Journal
Small-town renaissance: Rising leaders help two Kansas communities defy expectations
There’s a commonly held belief that small, rural Kansas communities are evaporating from the windswept plains, plagued by a dwindling, aging population, and haunted by pressures of a modern world. Don’t tell that to the residents of Chase, population 390 in Rice County, and Pawnee Rock, population 190 in Barton County. Long dismissed, even mocked, as wide spots along U.S. Highway 56, folks there are making their stand, spurred by an influx of new families. “We’re proud of where we are from,” said Chase Mayor Tom Kizzar. “There’s not much left, but we are going to go down swinging. We’re doing alright. We’re trying.”
Source: KAKE – News
Groundwater measurement results mixed in western Kansas
Preliminary groundwater level measurements compiled by the Kansas Geological Survey show mixed results for western and south-central Kansas in 2023, with some areas in the northwest and west-central part of the state experiencing increases for the first time in three or more years. “In the Ogallala portion of the High Plains aquifer, the aquifer had a chance to ‘reset’ in 2023, given some timely rains in the summer months,” Brownie Wilson, KGS water-data manager, said. Measurements in those areas reflect a rebound from lower-than-normal groundwater levels caused by the extreme drought conditions seen in 2022.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Leawood moves ahead with renovations at 2 major city parks
New shelters at Leawood City Park and playgrounds at Tomahawk Park got unanimous approval Monday from the Leawood City Council. The new fixtures will update structures that are decades old, said Chris Claxton, director of city parks, recreation and cultural arts.
Source: Johnson County Post