Kansas Municipal News
Committee recommends City of Lawrence nix sustainability board, consolidate others
A committee’s revised plan to update the city’s many boards recommends that the Sustainability Advisory Board and Public Incentives Review Committee be dissolved, among numerous other changes. Over the last several months, the Board and Commissions Structure Committee has been tasked with limiting the number of city advisory boards, committees, commissions and task forces to 10, not counting those that are required by state statutes. In a previous draft recommendation, the committee suggested consolidating 13 boards down to five and nixing another. The update comes after an online questionnaire and two listening sessions.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Lawrence community memorializes victims of Quantrill’s Raid as 160th anniversary approaches
Lawrence community members gathered at the Watkins Museum of History Saturday morning for the annual reading of the names of known victims who died in Quantrill’s Raid. Monday, Aug. 21 will mark 160 years since the proslavery forces attacked the town, largely considered an antislavery stronghold, killing between roughly 160 and 200 people and destroying much of the property. The town quickly rose from the ashes as the people rebuilt. Anthony Boynton, writer and member of B.L.A.C.K. Lawrence, gave an original reading during the event. He said it was a poem written from the perspective of someone who knows history has been whitewashed.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Why the Era of Historically Low Interest Rates Could Be Over
Despite the Federal Reserve’s raising interest rates to a 22-year high, the economy remains surprisingly resilient, with estimates putting third-quarter growth on pace to easily exceed its 2% trend. It is one of the factors leading some economists to question whether rates will ever return to the lower levels that prevailed before 2020 even if inflation returns to the Fed’s 2% target over the next few years. … At issue is what is known as the neutral rate of interest. It is the rate at which the demand and supply of savings is in equilibrium, leading to stable economic growth and inflation. … Analysts see three broad reasons neutral might go higher than before 2020.
Source: WSJ.com: US Business
Municipal Bond Trends for August 18, 2023
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 wants public feedback on its plan to expand broadband internet access
Kansas is seeking feedback on an initiative that will focus on getting underserved locations across the state better access to high-speed internet. The state announced early this month that the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (referred to as BEAD) initial proposal is available for public viewing and feedback as the state develops a five-year action plan. The initial proposal makes up “Volume 1” of the plan, with Volume 2 and the five-year plan working to identify served, unserved and underserved areas throughout the state. … The deadline to provide feedback is Aug. 30. The form can be accessed here.
Source: Salina Journal
Tiny town of Yoder to welcome thousands to celebrate its heritage
Set for Saturday, Aug. 26, in Yoder, Kansas, Yoder Heritage Day began in 1989 as a celebration of the town’s centennial. A few years later in 1992, a committee was formed to continue organizing a similar event to bring people in and celebrate Yoder, and it is now established as a tradition for both locals and travelers. “The goal of our event is to showcase the Yoder community and the Amish and Mennonite heritage of the Yoder community,” said Mervin Fisher, advertising manager. “It is a homecoming reunion for former Kansans where we provide a great family-friendly atmosphere with no alcohol and it is free to get in and all events are free to watch.”
Source: Hutch News
Here’s what Farm Bill means for Kansas farmers as deadline nears
Members of Kansas’ congressional delegation say they remain optimistic about the fate of the once-every-five-year Farm Bill — though there is an acknowledgement that lawmakers could blow their Sept. 30 deadline in advancing the key agricultural package. Extensive negotiations over the bill, which must be passed once every five years, are commonplace, as are delays requiring a short-term extension of the many programs that must be authorized. Kansas officials have made clear their desire to see a deal reached sooner rather than later. “I know the rest of the delegation is working every single day to make certain that that happens,” said U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kansas. “We have to protect crop insurance for our farmers. We have to provide certainty for them. We are going to work diligently to get this done.”
Source: CJonline
Topeka targets domestic violence with specialized prosecution
Domestic violence survivors have become increasingly engaged with Topeka’s criminal justice system since the city attorney’s office last January started a new program focusing on domestic violence, says a professional who works in that field. … Kelly Trussell, chief prosecutor for the city attorney’s office, said the program implements a more specialized and personalized approach to handling cases of misdemeanor domestic battery. The program’s presence reflects that Topeka’s city government is “absolutely invested” in giving whatever help it can to alleged victims of that crime and their families, she said.
Source: CJonline
Wellington Deputy City Clerk achieves CMC designation
Congratulations to Deputy City Clerk Martha Pennington on receiving her Certified Municipal Clerk designation. To earn this certification, Martha committed to a multi-year course of study sponsored by the City Clerk and Municipal Finance Officers Association of Kansas and Wichita State University. This designation is a significant accomplishment for Martha and demonstrates her commitment to her profession and the community.
Source: City of Wellington
Why this group is building fences to highlight beauty of rolling hills in Wabaunsee County
Every spring and fall, about 15 people get together to build fences out of native limestone in Wabaunsee County. They also build friendships. The group has become like a band of brothers and sisters, Chuck Kidd told The Capital-Journal. Kidd is among participants in biannual workshops the Native Stone Scenic Byway Committee has held since 2007 to teach people how to preserve the heritage of the area’s historic stone fences. For three days each spring and fall, Rocky Slaymaker trains participants on how to build and preserve those fences. They also work at each session on a specific project to create or reinforce a stone fence while stacking the rocks like pieces in a puzzle.
Source: CJonline
Shawnee County mulls measures to ban unauthorized camping, require leashes on dogs
Shawnee County commissioners moved Thursday toward potentially banning unauthorized camping on county property and requiring leashes for dogs in the county’s parks and on its trails. Commissioners Aaron Mays, Kevin Cook and Bill Riphahn heard county counselor Jim Crowl present the first reading of a proposed home rule resolution sponsored by Riphahn regarding unauthorized camping. They then heard Tim Laurent, the county’s parks and recreation director, present the first reading of a proposal sponsored by Commissioner Aaron Mays that would require dogs on park properties to be controlled by leash.
Source: CJonline
McLouth City Clerk achieves MMC designation
McLouth City Clerk Kim Everley recently earned the prestigious Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation from IIMC, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Inc. The MMC program is the second and more advanced of the two professional designations granted by IIMC. The MMC program is an advanced continuing education program that prepares participants to perform complex municipal duties. The program has an extensive and rigorous educational component and a professional contribution component. The MMC applicant must demonstrate that they have actively pursued education and professional activities. The designation is granted only to municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirements and have a record of significant contributions to their local government, their community, and state.
Fed officials see ‘upside risks’ to inflation possibly leading to more rate hikes, minutes show
Federal Reserve officials expressed concern at their most recent meeting about the pace of inflation and said more rate hikes could be necessary in the future unless conditions change, minutes released Wednesday from the session indicated. That discussion during a two-day July meeting resulted in a quarter percentage point rate hike that markets generally expect to be the last one of this cycle. However, discussions showed that most members worry that the inflation fight is far from over and could require additional tightening action from the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee. “With inflation still well above the Committee’s longer-run goal and the labor market remaining tight, most participants continued to see significant upside risks to inflation, which could require further tightening of monetary policy,” the meeting summary stated. That increase brought the Fed’s key borrowing level, known as the federal funds rate, to a range targeted between 5.25%-5%, the highest level in more than 22 years. While some members have said since the meeting that they think the further rate hikes could be unnecessary, the minutes suggested caution. Officials noted pressure from a number of variables and stressed that future decisions will be based on incoming data.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Governor Kelly Announces $500,000 Awarded to Emporia, Osawatomie to Revitalize Downtowns
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that two rural communities will each receive $250,000 in federal grants to assist with community development projects. The $500,000 will be matched with $1,236,632 of local funding, totaling more than $1.7 million of new investment in Emporia and Osawatomie. … So far this year, five Commercial Rehabilitation projects have been funded for a total of almost $1.1 million. Earlier announced grants are assisting Atchison, Independence, and Meriden. … The Osawatomie and Emporia Commercial Rehabilitation projects meet the CDBG national objective of revitalizing downtown commercial districts:
- Osawatomie funds will be used to fix roofing, windows, and doors and demolish an attached garage of a downtown building. The first floor will be used for commercial space, with short-term living rentals on the second floor.
- Emporia will use the grant to install a sprinkler system and roofing, repair a masonry wall, and make ADA improvements to a downtown building. The first floor will consist of office space, an art studio, and community space. The second floor will consist of short-term lodging units.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
New 911 service up & running in Marshall County
Emergency communication in Marshall County changed exponentially at 4 p.m. Aug. 9, when the county’s Emergency Communications/911 division began using Next Generation 911. Just in the last few days, the new system has allowed dispatchers to zoom in on the location of a house fire and immediately know all utility contacts. In a multi-county vehicle chase, it provided information about a Marshall County landowner who was affected when the vehicle crashed into a fence. “A click of the mouse, and I have the information I need,” said Michelle Reinhart, a terminal access coordinator for the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. Other information that comes up on the maps includes townships, fire districts, ambulance and first responders. “It will save minutes, which will save lives,” she said.
Source: The Marysville Advocate
New GCPD history exhibit at museum
The Finney County Historical Museum has opened a new short-term exhibit in the Front Door Gallery, marking the 100th anniversary of the Garden City Police Department. Entitled “A Century of Service,” the display features a collection of artifacts loaned by the police department, a few dating back more than a century, as well as a collection of 16 black-and-white photographs chronicling highlights and milestones from a century of law enforcement and assistance to the community. While Garden City relied on various watchmen, constables and marshals during the first four decades after it was founded, a full police department was established in 1923 by Chief Lee Richardson.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Sedgwick County debuts renovated 911 communications center
Following four months of construction and renovation to expand and enhance the building, Sedgwick County officially unveiled its updated Emergency Communications (911) Center earlier in August. Renovations of the county’s dispatch center addressed several key goals including expanding the workspace (from 26 to 48 consoles, to help take more calls), creating two workstations for COMCARE to provide mental health providers who will directly respond to 911 callers in crisis, allowing room for future growth and additional staffing, and providing employees with a refreshed work environment allowing them to adjust computer monitors, desk heights and even individual climate controls.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
USD 457 Garden City discusses teacher recruitment, long-term sub transitions
Teacher recruitment practices and transition programs for long-term substitutes teachers was discussed at the USD 57 Board of Education meeting Monday. Joe Alcorta, chief human resources officer of Garden City Public Schools, said certified staff, or teachers, has dropped and classified staff has risen from the 2021-22 school year to the 2022-23 school year. During the 2022-23 school year there were 558 certified staff members and 565 classified staff for a total of 1,123 employees. During the 2021-22 school year there were 621 certified staff members and 456 classified staff members for a total of 1,077 employees. Alcorta said there was a big influx of long-term substitute teachers this year, which kind of accounts for the influx of classified staff verses certified staff.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Garden City approves changes on days of operation for liquor retailers
Staff, with assistance from the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce, reached out to existing retail establishments, the liquor stores and their owners, and Chamber members, to determine the level of interest in making changes to the city’s code to more closely resemble the state statutes, Hurtado said. In total, 249 surveys were received, and of those 76% were interested in allowing Sunday sales except for Easter Sunday, 88% were interested in allowing sales on Memorial Day, 88% were interested in allowing sales on Labor Day and 87% were interested in allowing sales on Independence Day. The proposed ordinance change would allow for sales on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, Hurtado said. A separate ordinance would have to be drafted by city staff if the commission wanted to allow liquor sales on Sunday.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Cosmosphere named Tripadvisor 2023 Travelers’ Choice award winner
The Cosmosphere International Science Center and Space Museum in Hutchinson has been named a Tripadvisor 2023 Travelers’ Choice award winner. The award recognizes the Cosmosphere as one of the top 10% of attractions worldwide. It’s based on the consistently positive reviews the museum and center has received over the past 12 months. “When a recognized travel expert, such as Tripadvisor, conducts research that places an organization in the top tier of attractions worldwide, it is an incredible validation and source of pride, said Senior Vice President of Communication and Chief Development Officer Mimi Meredith in a news release. “We hope all the people of Kansas are as proud as we are that the Cosmosphere has again been recognized as one of the best attractions on planet Earth.”
Source: KSN-TV