Kansas Municipal News
Starbucks to take the spot of closed Arkansas City bowling alley
Less than two months after a beloved bowling alley closed in Arkansas City, the city says a Starbucks will take its place. Hillcrest Lanes closed on December 30. Melissa Zimmerman and her family announced two weeks prior that the doors would be shut for good after six decades. Richard and Patricia Doffing owned the bowling alley for 30 years. The Cowley Post reports the city recently approved building permits for construction of a Starbucks. A spokesperson for the city said the developer is Brandon Haverty of ReCor Properties out of Mission, Kansas. Construction equipment arrived at the site last week. It’s unclear when the Starbucks, located at 2400 North Summit, will open. Starbucks’ website indicates it will be Ark City’s first.
Source: KAKE – News
Restaurant files lawsuit against Salina over burger-esque mural
The Cozy Inn restaurant filed a lawsuit on Monday against the City of Salina over a mural on the side of its restaurant. The business is located at 108 N. 7th St. in Salina. Last year, the city told the restaurant that a mural on the side of the building violates the sign code policy. The mural features “burger-esque flying saucers piloted by aliens with blasts of ketchup and mustard.” It forced the business to put the project on pause. The mural remains unfinished. In the filing, the restaurant’s owner, Steve Howard, claims the code violates free speech under the First Amendment and allows for “discriminatory enforcement.” Howard is asking for a permanent injunction to stop the city from taking action against the restaurant and the mural. According to the lawsuit, he is not suing the city for money and wants to complete the mural. The lawsuit says that on Feb. 8, the city sent a letter “which neither granted nor denied a permit” and placed his application “on hold until a review of the sign regulations is complete.” The City of Salina released a statement after being notified of the lawsuit. The city believes its current sign code enforcement is legally justified. It said there have been ongoing conversations about The Cozy Inn sign and possible policy changes. “In establishing sign regulations, communities are attempting to set up a set of standards that can be equally and fairly applied across all property owners, businesses, tenants, etc., that are within the same zoning district,” the city statement said. “Nationwide, this has frequently resulted in regulations similar to what Salina has in place that establish a ratio of signage numbers and size based on building or street frontage to maintain a level of proportionality to the building.”
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas bill would prohibit use of eminent domain to build solar farms
Utilities would be prohibited from taking private land using eminent domain to build solar farms under legislation Kansas lawmakers weighed Monday. Eminent domain authority allows governments or utility companies to take private property for public use, including to build roads, bridges and power lines. Property owners are still compensated at market value but can have their land taken if they don’t agree to sell. The practice has come under scrutiny, especially in Missouri, as developers prepare to build a high-voltage transmission line from Kansas to the Indiana border. But a bill the Kansas Senate Utilities Committee heard Monday would prohibit the use of eminent domain to build solar panels on private land. Utilities are already prohibited from using eminent domain to build wind farms. “It makes sense to us to send that to solar, as many of our members are being approached for a number of solar facilities,” said Jackie Garagiola, associate counsel for the Kansas Livestock Association. The bill was backed by farm and livestock groups and one fourth-generation farmer who said her family’s land is being taken by eminent domain for a transmission line. The farmer, Rochelle Smart, also urged the committee to prohibit use of eminent domain for large power lines. Smart said companies had been allowed to “bully” landowners to sell easements to allow power lines to be built on their land. “These power lines go directly through the middle of our farms and ranches,” Smart said. “This is vital land to our operations.” Kimberly Gencur Svaty, a lobbyist for the Advanced Power Alliance, said the organization, which represents renewable energy and transmission line developers, was neutral on the bill. The companies the alliance represents don’t have eminent domain power. They largely construct and sell generation facilities or the power from them to utilities.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Sedgwick County Commissioners hear cell tower proposals
Discussions on proposed new cell towers dominated the Sedgwick County Commission meeting Wednesday morning, and one tower was denied while another was approved. Commissioners voted unanimously to deny a project for a cell tower to be installed near Colwich. The tower was proposed for a site near 53rd Street North and 167th Street West. Several nearby residents told commissioners the 120-foot tower would have a negative visual impact on the area and it would affect property values. Commissioner Jim Howell said the tower was out of character for the neighborhood. The Colwich Planning Commission had recommended denial, while the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission had recommended approval with conditions. Developers said the tower was needed to fill gaps in cell coverage. Developers also asked for a conditional use for a 140-foot tower near 31st Street South and Maize Road. There were no protest petitions, but one resident spoke to the commission and said the tower would have a negative affect on his home 500 feet away. Commissioner Sarah Lopez said felt the tower would be inconsistent with the single family zoning of the property where it would be located. Commissioner Jim Howell felt there were no concerns with land use or property values, and he moved to approve the permit, going along with a 12-0 vote by the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. Commissioners voted 3-2 with Lopez and Commissioner David Dennis voting no.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
County concerned city’s housing incentives could affect property taxes
Riley County commissioners on Thursday expressed concerns about how Manhattan’s potential housing incentive programs could affect county property tax income. The city’s proposal to use an estimated $8 million in sales-tax revenue to provide incentives for increasing workforce housing would decrease the county’s property tax collection for a set number of years — such as 7, 14 or 25 years — though the county would not be responsible for paying for any of the incentives. County commissioner John Ford said during an intergovernmental meeting the majority of the county’s budget comes from property taxes, and it can’t use sales taxes to bolster that budget. Additionally, a 41% property tax abatement already affects the county’s revenue from that source. City commissioners Peter Oppelt and Karen McCulloh argued that using incentives to develop more housing in Manhattan would generate a good deal of money for the county in the long term. “It’s some (lost) property tax for a period of time, but the rewards will be a much more vibrant workforce, much more availability for housing for people so we don’t have periods with long commutes, and I just think (it’s) a more positive environment for Manhattan and Riley County,” McCulloh said. Deputy city manager Jason Hilgers added that the county loses money by not having enough housing in Manhattan, thus requiring some people who work in town to commute from Pottawatomie County, where they pay their property taxes. Furthermore, he said dollars from vehicle taxes “rival property taxes.”
Source: themercury.com
These ethanol plants want to bury CO2 in Kansas to cut their carbon footprints
Two companies seek to build the first sites in Kansas where carbon dioxide emissions get pumped deep underground to keep them out of the atmosphere, a practice that proponents argue will combat climate change but that many environmental groups oppose. The fledgling carbon sequestration industry is picking up pace globally, and geologists say rock formations beneath Kansas offer a bonanza of suitable locations for it. “Kansas has abundant geology that would be compatible with long-term permanent CO2 storage,” said Brendan Bream, a senior scientist at the Kansas Geological Survey. The Kansas Geological Survey envisions conducting a county-by-county study to identify suitable areas. The two proposals for the state’s first carbon sequestration wells are linked to ethanol plants in central Kansas. They’ll need to pass muster with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The proposals come amid a national trend of corn ethanol makers racing to access federal tax incentives that could make or break an industry at risk of being sidelined by newer biofuels with smaller carbon footprints. The wells would also mark a new chapter in Kansas’ foray into the world of carbon capture. So far, the state has three CO2 pipelines in southwest and southeast Kansas, and one well that repurposes the emissions from a Garden City ethanol plant into a tool for forcing hard-to-get fossil fuels out of the ground.
Source: KAKE – News
Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $16.5M for Short Line Rail Projects to Improve Agricultural Supply Chain
Governor Laura Kelly announced today that nearly $16.5 million will go toward 17 short line rail expansion and rehabilitation projects. These investments, made through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Rail Service Improvement Program (RSIP), will improve the state’s agriculture supply chain. “These needed rail infrastructure improvements will lift up rural Kansas and, in doing so, will maximize the economic potential of the entire state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By strengthening agriculture supply chains, my administration is helping our farmers and ranchers connect to regional, national, and international markets.” RSIP recipients will use the funds for expansion and capacity improvements, major track rehabilitation, and rail replacement. These projects support rail improvements that enhance safety, expand carload capabilities, reduce truck traffic, increase operating speeds, and improve operating efficiencies. State funding for the 17 projects will be enhanced by a 30% match from each recipient, resulting in a total rail infrastructure investment of more than $23.5 million. The program received 26 applications requesting more than $39 million in total costs through IKE, the state’s 10-year bipartisan transportation program. “Rail service lessens the number of trucks that would otherwise be on local roads and Kansas highways, which reduces roadway maintenance and rehabilitation needs,” Secretary of Transportation Calvin Reed said. “Having different modes of quality transportation strengthens our state and creates new economic development opportunities for Kansas communities.”
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas
Newton Schools announces updated plans for new playground
After receiving the majority of the necessary funds, Slate Creek Elementary announced to its students the plans to build a larger inclusive playground than originally expected. Slate Creek Elementary works with a number of students with disabilities throughout the county with the Harvey County Special Education Cooperative. Many of these students use wheelchairs and other mobility aids and communication devices. The current playground isn’t equipped to accommodate them. Tenae Alfaro, Slate Creek Elementary’s principal, gave an update to the students, announcing the plans for the playground. Students were selected to press a button and show the increases in funding the school had made over time. Alfaro said she was proud of the students for their commitment to the cause and was confident they could reach their final goal. The playground will have a surface that wheelchairs can use. The current playground has an inaccessible sand ground. The playground will also have a communication panel for students who use communication devices. In 2021, students at Slate Creek began fundraising for an inclusive playground and raised an initial $20,000. Fundraising efforts continued throughout the community with an original goal of $450,000 for a smaller playground. In November, the organization handling fundraising, All Together Now, tripled donations they received with the help of the Newton Community Foundation and the Asbury Park Community Foundation. Fundraising surpassed that number significantly, and the school has raised $600,000. They now plan to build a larger playground, which is already 85 percent funded and will cost $710,000 total.
Source: Harvey County Now
Municipal Bond Trends for February 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.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $770 Million for Rural Infrastructure Projects During Investing in America Tour
During a visit to Edgecombe County, N.C., a Rural Partners Network community, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden today announced that USDA is funding 216 projects in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands to bring high-speed internet, clean water, state-of-the-art infrastructure and economic growth to rural communities as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The new projects, totaling $772.6 million in investments, will benefit more than 1 million people living in remote areas of the country by providing reliable high-speed internet access, clean, safe water and a range of support for rural families, agricultural producers and small businesses. Secretary Vilsack and Neera Tanden announced the awards during the Rural Prosperity town hall at Edgecombe Community College as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s fourth Investing in America tour. Many of the projects announced today were made possible through historic investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Today’s announcement comes just months after USDA announced a Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant to equip 10 telemedicine stations throughout Edgecombe County. “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is transforming our country for the better – reaching communities in every corner of the United States, including those that have too often been left behind,” Secretary Vilsack said.
Source: USDA – Latest News Releases
Municipal Bond Trends for February 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.
Narcan vending machine gives Hutchinson tool to prevent overdose deaths
Hutchinson will soon have a vending machine available that dispenses free Narcan so the public will have quick access to life-saving intervention in opioid overdoses. The vending machine will be officially introduced 11 a.m. Thursday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Crossover Recovery Center, 400 W. 2nd Ave. A new naloxone vending machine is located at Crossover Recovery Center, 400 W 2nd Ave. to provide free public access to emergency opioid overdose medication. Residents can access the free naloxone by simply entering their ZIP code. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.
Source: Hutch News
Privatizing cemetery upkeep in Galena
The City of Galena has something in the works when it comes to its cemeteries. It’s accepting bids from contractors to privatize upkeep at the three it currently owns and maintains “The Old Galena,” “Oak Hill,” and “Hillcrest” cemeteries. … “We believe that the cemeteries deserve the utmost respect, and they need to look pristine all the time. We do our best to keep, to make that — although sometimes we fall short. So, our hope is that by putting out for bid, we will have some contractors put some bids in that are within our budget — that they can handle the mowing and maintenance season,” said Galena Mayor, Ashley Groves.
Source: KSNF/KODE
McAnarney agrees to Marion’s interim city administrator role
There’s a new position ahead for Mark McAnarney, if only for a short period of time. McAnarney has reached an agreement with Marion city officials to serve as the city’s interim city administrator. The Marion County Record says McAnarney begins his work Thursday. The Record also says McAnarney will work three days a week at a full-day rate of $488 per day or a five-hour maximum of $244 per day. Employee benefits will not be included. Marion had been looking for a city manager after the resignation of Brogan Jones on Nov. 15. There is currently no word on when the city plans to have a permanent city administrator named. McAnarney, meanwhile, served the city of Emporia for over 30 years, first as assistant city manager starting in 1989 and then as city manager in 2013. He retired in late 2021. He also served as Neodesha’s interim city manager between October and mid-January. McAnarney has agreed to talk with KVOE News this week about his decision.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
New $20M Overland Park police training facility back on table
Overland Park is almost ready to move ahead on a new Overland Park Police Department training facility and some other major public safety investments. In the city’s draft capital improvement plan list for 2025-28, the city has budgeted nearly $20 million for the new facility. Overland Park plans to build the new training center at police headquarters, on the W. Jack Sanders Justice Center campus located at 12400 Foster St.
Source: Johnson County Post
Brown County commissioners meet with planning committee over survey results
The Brown County commissioners-Richard Lehmkuhl of District 1, Lamar Shoemaker of District 2 and William Pollock of District 3-met with Brown County Planning Commission members-who included Bill Vonderschmidt-on Monday over results collected from the survey conducted by Olathe-based ETC Institute. The commissioners and Planning Commission met with ETC Director of Community Research Jason Morado via Zoom call about the 2023 Community Survey that was conducted in Brown County. Morado gave some specifics of the survey. “The survey was five pages long,” Morado said. “On average, it takes residents about 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. The survey was administered by a combination of mail and online to Brown County households.” Morado also added that the sample size included 803 completed surveys, a 95% level of confidence and that demographics of the survey responded reflected the actual population of Brown County.
Source: County Government | hiawathaworldonline.com
North Newton pursuing public transportation
Harvey County entities have been meeting to talk about a transportation planning grant. That’s what North Newton City Administrator Kyle Fiedler told North Newton City Council members during their regular Monday night meeting this week at City Hall. Those entities include North Newton, Newton, Harvey County, Bethel College, USD-373, NMC Health, Prairie View, United Way, Chamber of Commerce, housing authorities and several others. “The plan would help identify options for transportation in Newton and North Newton,” Fiedler said. “Options could include a fixed schedule route that a bus runs through both communities or an on-demand service, where a person requests a ride and the vehicle drives to their location to pick them up.” Following some discussion, the council voted 5-0 to move forward to apply for the grant. Fiedler told the council some Bethel College students have difficulty finding transportation options, and Bethel College thought they’d benefit from having a transportation service in the community. “I’ve kind of kept this in the back of my mind, saw this opportunity, reached out to Bethel, Newton, Harvey County and some other partners to potentially submit a grant for planning,” Fiedler said. No one really jumped at the opportunity, saying no one has the time to put in an extra five or 10 hours per week to coordinate the planning. Since Fiedler isn’t full time, he said he could pick up those 10 hours and that the grant would cover those additional hours.
Source: Harvey County Now
Manhattan discusses housing in newest downtown plan
City commissioner Karen McCulloh says downtown development plans need to focus more on creating housing. During a presentation on the city’s updated Beyond Tomorrow downtown plan at Tuesday’s commission meeting, McCulloh said there should be less emphasis on building office space and more on developing residential areas. She pointed to the higher rate of people working from home since the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for this. “It appears to me that we seriously need to put more housing in every nook and cranny down there,” McCulloh said. Senior planner Ben Chmiel, who presented the most recent version of the Downtown Tomorrow plan, said in every focus group he and the other planners conducted, community members said more housing is a need. “I think that area really can be something very special because we kind of have a blank palette there,” McCulloh said. “If we really go in and develop that area, we could do some interesting housing.” Commissioner John Matta said a previous commission had concerns that creating too much housing could cause congestion in the area and exacerbate parking difficulties. Mayor Wynn Butler agreed with Matta that developing housing is necessary, but he doesn’t want to see it affect traffic or parking in the area. He also said he’d like to get electric trollies that look like the old-fashioned trollies to use as shuttles from downtown to the parking garage or some other large parking space.
Source: themercury.com
Pittsburg Ascension Via Christi transfers ownership to Mercy
Mercy Joplin announced Thursday they will take over Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg – and planning for that transition is now underway. Mercy Hospital administrators expect it will be official in about four months – and there are already some goals for the future mercy hospital in Pittsburg. They plan to expand primary care options, saying there aren’t currently enough for the market. And Mercy Hospital officials expect to offer more choices for patients in need of specialty medical care. “We want to strengthen the current specialists that they have. They’ve got really good physicians. We’re going to do that with recruitment, some outreach and satellite clinics with our specialists, maybe offer some virtual options as well,” said Jeremy Drinkwitz, Mercy Joplin President. The transition plan doesn’t include any cuts, meaning all current programs and employees in good standing will continue after mercy takes over.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Did your teeth just rattle over that pothole? Here’s how to report it to Wichita, county
Unexpectedly driving over a pothole is not a fun surprise. Not only are potholes nuisances, but in some cases they can also cause significant damage to your vehicle. According to auto club AAA, in 2021, damage caused by potholes cost more than $26 billion in the U.S. The average cost that year for pothole damage was about $600 per repair, according to the same release. While you may not be able to avoid potholes during your morning commute, there are ways to report them to ensure the city of Wichita knows where repairs are needed. Anyone can report a traffic issue, including potholes, online at wichita.gov/1013/Report-an-Issue. You can also use the same website to report an ethics complaint, a nondiscrimination ordinance complaint, nuisance reporting and more. To report potholes, click “new request” on the map underneath “report an issue.” From there, type in the location of the pothole. Once you verify the address, you will get a list of categories, and one of those options is “report a pothole,” which you should select and submit. There’s also an option to download a photo. Alternatively, you can email the complaint to traffic@wichita.gov or call 316-268-4013. The location of the pothole should be included. You can also report potholes through the city’s app. There you can check recent pothole reports and see if the city has responded to the reports.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle