Kansas Municipal News
City and County join forces to track overdose deaths within Wichita
An increase in overdose deaths has resulted in the Sedgwick County Health Department working with the City of Wichita on wastewater surveillance. Everything you can imagine comes through this Wichita wastewater plant but the city and county are hoping to identify five high-risk drugs. “From here on in, we’ll be able to begin analyzing that data to show where there might be where there are spikes in the community,” said Sedgwick County Health Director Adrienne Byrne. Through wastewater surveillance, the city hopes to track cocaine, methamphetamines, nicotine, fentanyl and xylazine. Byrne said these samples from the wastewater are sent to the company, Biobot who then tests the water for these drugs. Byrne added, “This cannot identify any particular street, any house, it is the community, the whole community with where the wastewater is going and being sampled.” Once they receive the data, Byrne said it will show if there has been a massive dump of drugs or a spike in usage within that community. She said drug use has been a problem for a long time and added, “Prior to the last five years, the focus really was on methamphetamines, that was the highest used in Sedgwick County in Wichita but fentanyl and other opioids have far surpassed that.”
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita will now pay residents up to $100 to buy electric lawn equipment
For the third year, the City of Wichita has allocated funds to provide rebates for the replacement of lawn care devices for new, non-combustion equipment. In a news release on Thursday, the city said up to $100 rebates are available for residents of Wichita and surrounding counties who purchase new non-combustion lawn equipment and recycle their old combustion equipment. Up to a $30 rebate is available for mulch blades, no recycling required. “Clean air is an important part of staying healthy,” the city said in a release. “Gas- and diesel-powered lawn equipment produces emissions that impact our air quality. A typical gas lawnmower is estimated to produce six times the emissions as the average passenger vehicle. These emissions contribute to ground-level ozone and pollution, which can be harmful to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions like asthma.” The City of Wichita receives grant funding from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide education, outreach, and programming to the public on air quality and health. The program encourages individuals to replace combustion lawn equipment with electric or battery-powered lawn equipment by providing a $100 rebate if requirements are met.
Source: KAKE – News
City of Pittsburg breaks ground on new mini golf course
On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, the City of Pittsburg held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate breaking ground on a new mini golf facility at the Four Oaks Golf Course, 910 Memorial Drive, Pittsburg. City officials, key stakeholders, and donors attended the ceremony and shared details about the future of the grounds. According to the City of Pittsburg, the brand-new mini golf facility is made possible through private donations and grant funding from the Skubitz Foundation, Pritchett Trust, and the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks Land and Water Conservation Fund. The new mini golf facility is expected to open by summer of 2024, weather permitting.
Source: KOAM News
Wichita residents, housing experts discuss city housing issues
Wichita residents and housing experts spoke about housing issues in the city Monday night. The Wichita Journalism Collaborative, which KSN is part of, hosted the event. A panel took questions from the audience and discussed the need for more homes in the community. The panel consisted of: Danielle Johnson, Executive Director of Wichita Habitat for Humanity, Dr. Stanley Longhofer, Professor and Director of Wichita State University Center for Real Estate, Pete Najera, President and CEO of United Way of the Plains, and Sally Stang, Director of Housing and Community Services for the city of Wichita. The housing inventory in Wichita dominated the discussion at the community listening session. The city estimates that our area needs up to 50,000 housing units, both affordable and otherwise, to meet the housing needs of our community. Longhofer says some of the need could be addressed with smaller twin homes, duplexes or townhomes, which could require zoning changes. He also said it is important to renovate housing in the community. “As we find solutions and as we develop new affordable housing, how are we making sure that housing stays quality in the future and we’re maintaining it,” said Longhofer.
Source: KLC Journal
Haysville to vote May 7 on sales tax renewal
A special election will be happening in Haysville. A renewal of the 1% city sales tax will be voted on. The money would be used to improve streets as well as parks and recreational amenities in the city. Residents voted down a similar measure in November. The mayor says the key difference is that this one would return 10% of the sales tax to residents as a “property tax reduction.” Voting will take place on May 7. “Without a sales tax continuation, street repairs and upgrades will take longer, and we won’t be able to make all the enhancements to parks and recreational facilities that citizens are asking for,” said Haysville Mayor Russ Kessler. “The sales tax also lets us collect money from people who live outside Haysville and use it for community improvement.” More information will be provided by the city in the upcoming weeks.
Source: KSN-TV
Financing options reviewed for potential courthouse repairs
Miami County commissioners are reviewing funding options, including financing, to pay for needed repairs to the Miami County Courthouse. Last fall, voters chose not to support a proposed quarter-cent sales tax to renovate and expand the Miami County Courthouse. Proposed plans involved renovating the existing courthouse and constructing an extension where the old sheriff’s office is located next door. The extension would have provided sufficient space for two additional courtrooms and secured parking, and the estimated cost of the project was between $21 million and $25 million, according to county documents. Commissioners are now focused on just making needed repairs to the 125-year-old building. Issues include the roof, windows, HVAC system, electrical system, security, technology and a lack of space, especially after the 6th Judicial District gained two new judgeship positions last year. Miami County Administrator Shane Krull recently asked financial advisor Greg Vahrenberg, managing director of Raymond James, to give the Miami County Commission financing options for courthouse repairs.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Commerce renews effort to win incentives for electric, hydrogen vehicle assembly plant
The Commerce Department is making another run at a major piece of economic development legislation that would help the state attract an electric vehicle or hydrogen-powered vehicle manufacturing plant. Bob North, legal counsel for the department, appeared before the House Commerce Committee on Thursday to pitch the legislation that’s intended to build on the tax incentives provided to Panasonic two years ago. The bill also could be used to bring a national headquarters for an electric battery plant as well as a manufacturer of electric or hydrogen-powered motor vehicles.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
Council lifts pit bull ban, adds ‘reckless owner’ penalty
Last week, the Clay Center City Council approved removing the breed-specific ban that includes pit bulls from its vicious dog ordinance and added that language that leads to a stiffer penalty for repeat offenders. The measures passed with one council member, Daton Hess, voting against. The new language, which City Attorney Dusty Mullin described as pertaining to “reckless animal owners” calls for a measure that can lead to the owner being banned from owning animals for five years if they have three separate offenses within a certain period. He explained this process isn’t a criminal one, but rather an administrative one that would involve such an owner receiving notice and having a hearing before the council if they request one before being banned.
Source: www.ccenterdispatch.com – RSS Results in news,local/* of type article
Municipal Bond Trends for February 29, 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.
Local association educating public on importance of controlled burns
In prairielands like Kansas, if there’s a lot of smoke in the air, there’s a good chance that a fire has started, but one organization wants the public to know that not all of these fires are wild. The Smoky Hills Prescribed Burn Association (PBA) has grown to around 45 members in its three years of existence in north central Kansas. Its main purpose is the promotion, assistance and education on the safe and responsible use of fire as a management tool and to be a resource to assist landowners and land managers with the necessary means to organize and conduct prescribed burns.
Source: Salina Journal
National League of Cities, founded in Lawrence, celebrates 100th anniversary with city leaders
Leaders with the National League of Cities on Thursday were in the city where their organization was founded to celebrate a century of connecting and providing services to municipal officials across the U.S. …. a delegation from the NLC is in Lawrence this week as part of a cross-country roadshow celebrating the organization’s centennial. Lawrence, the first stop on the tour, is where the NLC was founded in 1924 on the University of Kansas campus. Clarence Anthony, the CEO and executive director of the NLC, is one of the leaders with the visiting delegation, and he presented a commemorative plaque to three members of the Lawrence City Commission — Mayor Bart Littlejohn and commissioners Amber Sellers and Brad Finkeldei — who were present for the group’s visit to City Hall Thursday afternoon.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for February 28, 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.
Lessons in population health from small-city Kansas
Mahbub Rashid sees cities differently than most people. And you might say the dean of the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design ought to do that. But Rashid has taken spatial analysis of urban development to the cutting edge of technology — and this view of small-town Kansas suggests to him that much more can be done to promote the health of people who live there. Rashid’s new book, “Built Environment and Population Health in Small-Town America: Learning from Small Cities of Kansas” (Johns Hopkins University Press), looks at how lifestyle behaviors and health indicators are associated with spatial planning and design factors in 36 small Kansas cities with populations between 2,500 and 49,999. Rashid measured the size and density of each city, its distance from a large city, its daytime population change and the average commuting time of its residents – and he found that all these factors seem to affect how population health is associated with the built environment there.
Source: University of Kansas
Goat remains on the lam in Harvey County
… Sheriff’s Deputy RJ Wagner responded to a call asking for assistance in wrangling a goat that was on a person’s property … Wagoner reported spending about five minutes with the property owner, getting a rope around the goat and leading it to a lean-to pen. He said the property owner planned on trying to find the goat’s owner. He left and said between 10 to 15 minutes later, he received a call that the goat had escaped. As of Tuesday, it had yet to be located.
Source: Harvey County Now
Sedgwick County homeowners see higher property appraisals again
Sixty percent of Sedgwick County homeowners will see higher tax appraisals when notices are mailed out March 1. Despite the bad news for three in five residential property owners, it’s actually the lowest proportion of appraisal increases since 2018. Appraisals went up for 80% of homeowners in 2023 and 88% in 2022. This year, the average median increase is 8%. Only 1% of the county’s 183,359 residential parcels declined in value. Tax appraisal increases are driven by sales of new and existing homes. “We still have shortages of housing. The unbalance between supply and demand is there and it pushes up those prices,” County Appraiser Mark Clark told the County Commission on Wednesday. Climbing valuations could lead to higher property taxes unless the County Commission lowers the mill levy. Even so, property owners will have a chance to appeal appraisals. The median sale price for a home in Sedgwick County increased to $243,200 last year — up just over 8% from $225,000 in 2022. The first year the county’s median price point topped $200,000 was 2021. The median price point for an existing house in 2023 was $223,000, compared to $382,770 for a new build. Home sales decreased by 16.8%, which Clark attributed to relatively high interest rates and high residential property prices. “You have property owners that don’t want to give up a mortgage with a rate of 3.5 percent or less for a mortgage that is 6.5 percent or greater,” he said. “The bottom line is, some potential buyers are forgoing the purchase of a home and are waiting for lower rates. At the same time, some potential buyers are becoming acclimated to these rates and they are simply choosing to buy smaller homes.”
Source: KLC Journal
Topeka could hire new city manager by May
Topeka is getting closer to finding a new city manager. City leaders gave an update Tuesday on where the hiring process stands. Interim City Manager Richard Nienstedt said the city has received 42 applications for the position. The governing body reviewed each of those candidates during executive session at its Feb. 20 meeting. Nienstedt said the council hopes to select finalists at its March 19 council meeting. Once the finalists are announced, Nienstedt said in-person interviews should begin the second week of April. These interviews will involve multiple opportunities for the public to give feedback to council, including panel discussions and a community meet and greet event. Nienstedt said if the process goes according to plan, Topeka should have a new city manager by mid-May. “I want you understand this is entirely the council’s decision,” Nienstedt said. “So hopefully, they’ll work through those candidates, and you’ll have a new city manager by then that this community can look forward to.” Mayor Michael Padilla encouraged the community to attend these public events and give feedback on the candidates and selection process. Padilla said he wants to see diverse turnout that represents the population of Topeka.
Source: KSNT 27 News
With complaints about noise, trash and booze, Johnson County city cracks down on Airbnbs
Shawnee is the latest city in the metro to crack down on Airbnbs and other short-term rentals in response to neighborhood complaints. The Shawnee City Council for months has debated whether to tighten restrictions on short-term rentals — or even outright ban them in residential areas — due to mounting complaints about noise, parking, alcohol and trash at Airbnb and Vrbo locations. And on Monday, the council voted 7-1 to add new regulations, joining a growing number of cities nationwide, and one of the first in Johnson County, to do so. Owners of such rentals have advocated for regulations that allow them to continue operating in Shawnee. But other neighbors have pleaded for a ban in single-family neighborhoods or harsher rules. Owners of short-term rentals must pay a $500 fee to obtain a special short-term rental license, which can be revoked for 24 months if regulations aren’t followed. Violators can also face $500 fines or six months jail time. In addition, the rentals can only house a maximum of two adults per bedroom, plus an additional adult, for a maximum of 10 guests total. The rental home’s agent, or operator, must live within 40 miles of the property. The city ordinance also spells out noise, parking and health regulations. The short-term rentals cannot be used for receptions or parties.
Source: Joco 913 News
Neighbors can’t take the racket, so a Johnson County city is taking down pickleball nets
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Pickleball was soaring in popularity to become America’s fastest growing sport. Courts started multiplying throughout Kansas City, becoming a staple of parks, community centers and new entertainment complexes. And with high demand, Prairie Village — already needing to resurface its tennis courts at Windsor Park — decided to restripe for pickleball. But nearby neighbors say they can only take so much. Many say the constant “pop, pop, pop” reverberating through their neighborhood has been a headache since the courts were completed last June, at the park near Mission Road and south of 71st Street. While the paddleball-adjacent sport has won the hearts of active residents, it’s also led to noise complaints, neighborhood disputes and even lawsuits, both in Johnson County and across the country. Searching for a solution, the Prairie Village City Council has considered spending money on sound proofing panels to block the noise, or repainting to bring back the quieter game of tennis.
Source: Joco 913 News
National League of Cities Kicks Off ‘Roadshow’ Celebrating Organization’s 100th Anniversary
One hundred years ago, in 1924, the National League of Cities (NLC) was founded in Lawrence, Kansas at the University of Kansas. To commemorate this historic milestone, NLC, will kick off its Centennial Roadshow: 100 Years, 100 Cities, with the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration, the League of Kansas Municipalities, and the City of Lawrence, Kansas for a day-long celebration at the University of Kansas. As the site of NLC’s founding, Lawrence, Kansas will serve as the first stop in a nationwide roadshow organized by NLC. The roadshow will include stops at 100 cities in every region of the country, aimed at spotlighting the diversity, resilience, and transformation of America’s local communities. The roadshow will culminate at NLC’s City Summit conference in Tampa, Florida in November 2024. “It’s an honor to kick off the National League of Cities’ Centennial Roadshow in Lawrence, Kansas, where this great organization was founded,” said Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities.
Source: www.nlc.org/contents/rss-feed
Johnson County residents tried to stop controversial park sale. But judge sides with city
The city of Westwood will move forward with selling its lone park so it can be redeveloped into retail and office buildings, now that a Johnson County judge has ruled that a resident petition aiming to stop the sale is invalid. Judge David Hauber on Friday sided with the city, deciding the residents who submitted the petition failed to meet several legal requirements to place the sale of the park on the ballot. Without being required to hold a public vote, city officials say they will now complete the sale this summer to pave the way for the redevelopment project. The sale of the city’s only park has caused ongoing controversy in Westwood, with several residents concerned about losing the 1-acre Joe D. Dennis Park at Rainbow Boulevard and 50th Street to private development. After months of debate, the Westwood City Council in October voted 5-1 approving plans for a mixed-use development on 8 acres, including the park. In addition to building the office space, Johnson County-based Karbank Real Estate Company and the city have reached an agreement to replace Joe D. Dennis with a new 3.8-acre park. The site also includes the former Westwood View Elementary School, as well as a piece of vacant city property, previously occupied by the Westwood Christian Church.
Source: Joco 913 News