Kansas Municipal News
Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport receives KAIP funding
Thirty-six projects have been selected for Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding for the purpose of planning, constructing or rehabilitating public use general aviation airports. “Grant programs such as the Kansas Airport Improvement Program make projects like these possible, and we are very fortunate to have been awarded three grants. It is a competitive program so I think these awards really speak to the progress that has been made with the airport,” Clinton McNemee said. The airport received $38,000 for design of the; primary apron expansion; $89,396 for construction on the new runway and $328,500 for construction of the primary apron.
Source: News | atchisonglobenow.com
New e-scooters arrive in Overland Park
Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog took a ride on a Bird scooter Tuesday afternoon around downtown to celebrate the official launch of a two-year pilot program for the electronic devices. The program is similar to other rental scooter programs in the metro, including in neighboring Prairie Village. The vehicles are electric and can be unlocked for relatively short rides with an app and an account. The pilot was approved by Overland Park City Council unanimously in early February.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Douglas County Commission to allow mask mandate to expire
As new COVID-19 cases have continued to drop in Douglas County, commissioners on Wednesday evening were set to let a countywide mask mandate expire. An emergency health order with a countywide mask mandate went into effect Jan. 7 as the county was seeing a rolling 14-day average of new cases nearly double previous pandemic spikes. That number eventually reached more than four times the previous records from November 2020, but new cases began to drop within two weeks of the mandate going into effect. Early last month, the commission had considered an option of a loosened mandate that would have required masks only for indoor gatherings where more than 500 people were present. Instead, they opted to extend the mandate until Wednesday, March 2.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Council vote halts years-long effort to outsource management of city golf courses
A decade-long effort to hire a private company to manage Wichita’s city-owned golf courses has failed again. In a 5-2 vote, the City Council decided not to contract with Illinois-based Kemper Sports, with vice mayor Becky Tuttle and Council member Bryan Frye casting the votes in favor of the contract. The decision followed about two hours of spirited public discussion, including several local golf enthusiasts who spoke against the move to privatize operations and instead advocated for the city to fill the long-vacant golf director position.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
With inflation and Ukraine, Powell must thread a needle on Capitol Hill this week to calm markets
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is tasked with telling Congress this week that the central bank will be doing more to control inflation at a time when markets expect it will be doing less. With fears over the Russian invasion of Ukraine causing turmoil in the financial world, Wall Street has quietly dialed down its expectations for Fed action. Where markets had been expecting the Fed to raise interest rates up to seven times in 2022, recent pricing now indicates just five moves. That would be the equivalent of bringing the Fed’s benchmark short-term borrowing rate up about 125 basis points, or to a range between 1.25%-1.5%.
Source: CNBC
Municipal Bond Trends for March 1, 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.
NLC First Vice President Testifies Before Congress on Success of Local COVID Relief Funds
National League of Cities (NLC) Vice President Mayor Victoria Woodards of Tacoma, Washington, testified on behalf of NLC before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in a hearing on the impact of the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). In March of 2021, President Biden signed ARPA into law, providing $350 billion to intergovernmental partners, including $45.57 billion worth of assistance for metropolitan cities like the City of Tacoma. This critical investment helped cities manage the public health emergency, address urgent community needs, anticipate long-term impacts of the pandemic, and pave the way for a more equitable long-term recovery.
Source: NLC
El Dorado PD’s Project Good Morning offers daily check-ins
The safety of our community’s citizens is a top priority for the El Dorado Police Department. One of the ways in which the Department strives to achieve this is through Project Good Morning. Project Good Morning is a service provided by the Department to check on those who need extra assistance in assuring their security and independence. Through the program, residents who sign up for the service are offered daily check-ins to be sure they are safe. “If they do not call in by the given time, we try calling them,” explained Police Chief Curt Zieman. “If contact is not made, a police officer will go to their address and check on them.”
Source: Andover American
Olathe school voters overwhelmingly OK $298M bond issue
Johnson County voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the Olathe school district’s request to issue $298.3 million in bonds to replace a middle school building and fund several facility, technology and safety improvements. Unofficial results from the special mail ballot election show the bond initiative passing with 67.7%, or 15,936 votes, in favor, according to the Johnson County election office, while 32.3% voted against it. In total, 22.6% of eligible voters, or 23,542, cast ballots. Ballots were due by noon on Tuesday. The final results will not be determined until after the canvass and after the official vote count is certified by the Board of Canvassers.
Source: Joco 913 News
House eager to overhaul loan program earmarking veterinary graduates for rural counties
Veterinarian Anna Hickert found a home in central Kansas under a program at Kansas State University allowing graduates to work off college loans in exchange for serving in a rural community starved for big-animal vets. Hickert, a 2020 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine, landed at a mixed practice caring for livestock such as cattle and horses as well as small animals that include dogs, cats and other pets. Under terms of her loan-repayment program, she can wipe out $20,000 of debt for each year she sticks with a vet practice far, far away from metropolitan areas where salaries exploded beyond $120,000 a year in a bid to meet demand. “As I continue into my career and work to build my business skills with my medical knowledge, I can confidently state that this program has an incredible return on investment,” she said.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Rent prices in Wichita have risen over 14%, study finds
A local realtor who says the driving factor behind rising rent prices is a low supply and high demand. Ryan Smith is a managing partner with At Home Wichita Property Management. He claims homes for rent are not staying on the market very long before a new tenant gets the keys. “They moved out Wednesday. I got it on the market on Friday and I had an open house on Sunday and I’m probably going to move somebody in tomorrow,” said Smith. According to a rent report from Apartmentlist.com, since the pandemic began in march of 2020, rent prices in Wichita have risen over 14 percent. Smith said it’s likely more.
Source: KSN-TV
Many Kansas school districts remove mask mandates for buses
As of February 25, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is not requiring masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs. The change comes as the CDC is going to align with the updated guidance that no longer recommends universal indoor mask-wearing in K-12 schools and early education settings in areas with a low or medium COVID-19 Community Level. At a school’s discretion, they may still choose to require that people wear masks on buses or vans.
Source: KSN-TV
Shawnee Co. Commission bumps pay for difficult to fill positions
Shawnee County will pay Department of Corrections workers more after the Shawnee County Commission approved a series of “significant pay adjustments” on Monday. According to the commission, the need to keep and hire “quality” officers required the commission to take steps to approve higher wages. The multi-level base and differential pay program can bring wages for current and new corrections officers up by $6.00 an hour on top of an enhanced base pay rate. In addition to the starting wage for a Corrections Specialist increasing to $20.24 an hour, the Commission also approved: A $1.50 hourly pay differential for all hourly staff working within the detention facilities. A $2.00 hourly pay differential for all department uniformed security staff within the detention facilities. $2.50 hour pay differential for all 24/7 security staff working within a detention facility with a vacancy rate of 25% or higher, which is considered a “crisis staffing level”.
Source: KSNT News
Wichita golf courses to remain publicly run after City Council rejects privatization
Wichita’s public golf courses will remain publicly run. The City Council on Tuesday rejected a contract with KemperSports that would have privatized operations of the city’s four municipal golf courses. The proposal failed 5-2, with council members Becky Tuttle and Bryan Frye voting for privatization. KemperSports, based in Illinois, is a national golf company that runs 120 courses, a quarter of which are publicly owned. It was chosen by a selection committee and the park board to take over the city’s system that includes Sim Park, Consolver, Auburn Hills and McDonald courses. The system had five courses until the closure of south Wichita’s Clapp Golf Course in 2019.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Labette County mulls leasing fleet vehicles
Labette County commissioners are considering leasing fleet vehicles for law enforcement and Public Works from Enterprise Fleet Management as a way to save money on maintenance costs. Commissioners discussed the matter with Sheriff Darren Eichinger, sheriff’s Cpl. Dusty Conrad and Public Works Director Sandy Krider Monday. Kenneth Olsen attended the meeting representing Enterprise. The sheriff’s office has the newest fleet of vehicles but mileage adds up quickly on deputies’ patrol vehicles, up to 35,000 miles a year.
Source: Parsons Sun
Pickleball in Lenexa keeps gaining popularity, and the city is reminding players how to properly reserve courts
With the overwhelming demand for pickleball court time and new players joining the sport every day, Lenexa city officials are highlighting a system for allowing teams and individuals to reserve courts. It’s affectionately called the “paddle saddle,” a curved plastic device with ten numbered slots hanging on the exterior fencing of pickleball courts around the city. It works like this: put your paddle in a slot in order of your arrival, denoting who’s next in line for the next available court.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Broad coalition seeks $50 million for rural housing
These should be good times for Norton County. It’s got four companies ready to invest $6 million in expansions, adding about three dozen jobs. Plus, area businesses have posted another 185 job openings. All welcome news in this northwest Kansas county with a population of 5,459. But there’s a catch. The county has so few homes available that it’s not only struggling to attract employees to fill existing openings, but fighting to meet the demands of new development. It’s a problem facing all parts of the state especially western Kansas, which has prompted a broad coalition of business and government interests to ask the Legislature for a one-time $50 million appropriation to help solve a rural housing shortage.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
Williamsburg holds second annual Mardi Gras Parade
Williamsburg held its annual Mardi Gras Parade over the weekend as an early celebration of the holiday, which falls on Tuesday, March 1 this year. Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, originated as a way for Christians to have one last day of feasting before Lent begins the next day. The city of New Orleans holds a world-famous Mardi Gras celebration each year, but for those who couldn’t make it to the Big Easy, Williamsburg held its very own mini-parade, complete with a Cajun feast. All proceeds from the dinner went to the Wellsville Community Building. The event was sponsored by the Williamsburg Community Club.
Source: The Ottawa Herald
Grant allows county to replace aging bridge at reduced cost
A state grant announced on Thursday will allow Reno County to replace an aging bridge in the southwest part of the county this year at a significantly reduced cost. The bridge on Fairview Road, crossing Smoots Creek some 7.4 miles west and 2.7 miles south of Pretty Prairie, is one of 29 around the state that will share more than $5 million in state funds as part of the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program. The current 76-foot-long bridge, consisting of four spans, was built in 1959, said Reno County Public Works Director Don Brittain. The bridge is still open, but it’s in poor condition and has a weight limit of a 7-ton single-unit truck.
Source: Hutch News
Treasury yields fall sharply, 10-year rate drops to 1.74%
U.S. Treasury yields dipped on Tuesday morning, as investors remained focused on Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell 3 basis points to 1.8044% at 4:40 a.m. ET. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond moved 3 basis points lower to 2.1435%. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has entered its sixth day. The attack has roiled global markets and seen investors look to safe haven investments like U.S. government bonds, pushing yields down. … Investors will be watching Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s testimonies to Congress this week, for any indication on whether the Russia-Ukraine conflict will affect the central bank’s plans for tightening monetary policy.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Municipal Bond Trends for February 28, 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.
Liberal celebrates International Pancake Day
March 1 is international pancake day this year. The small Kansas town of Liberal celebrates it like no other. It all started back in 1445 in Olney, England, when a woman was making pancakes to use up her cooking fats before lent. While making the pancakes, she heard the church bells ringing for the shriving service. She ran 415 yards to the church, skillet and pancake in hand. In the following years, it became a race as neighbors joined in to see who could make it to the church first to collect a kiss of peace from the bell ringer. It was brought to Liberal in 1950 when a magazine showed a picture of Olney women racing to church. Liberal Jaycee President R.J. Leete contacted the Vicar of St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church in Olney, Reverand Ronald Collins, challenging their women to race against the women of Liberal. The prize of the race in Liberal is also a kiss of peace from the bell ringer.
Source: KSN-TV
BP seeks to appeal Kansas town’s lawsuit over gas price hike
The energy company BP says in new court documents that it wants to appeal a judge’s ruling allowing residents of Mulberry to sue over sharp hikes in natural gas prices last February. The Wichita Eagle reports BP filed two court documents in the last week that indicates it wants the lawsuit dismissed. One seeks permission to appeal Chief District Judge Lori A. Bolton Fleming’s decision on Feb. 8 to let the lawsuit proceed. The second document outlines BP’s belief that it cannot be sued by residents of the town.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas first responders seek to normalize, provide relief for job-induced mental trauma
Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister says first responders carry a lifetime of scars, mental and physical, from experiences in the field that require years of healing. It is the mental traumas from the day-to-day sights that are most hazardous and difficult to overcome, he said. Armbrister testified in support of Senate Bill 491 last week, which would secure workers’ compensation for first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and shared his traumas. He shared how the emotional damage of seeing the body of a dead child dwarfs the physical injury suffered after smashing a window in a submerged vehicle. He shared on the Kansas Reflector podcast he would tell his story to make clear why supporting first responder wellness is critical, no matter how many scars it rips off. “It is absolutely worth it in order to get the legislators to understand exactly what it is that they’re talking about,” Armbrister said. “It’s really about destigmatizing the terms but also understanding that day to day, our local first responders are dealing with some s*** that ain’t nobody supposed to be dealing with.”
Source: The Lawrence Times
Lieutenant Governor Toland Announces Public Comment Period for the Broadband Acceleration Grants
Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland announced the opening of a public comment period for the Broadband Acceleration Grants. The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD), a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, has opened a public comment period for the state’s Broadband Acceleration Grant Program. The open comment period is part of an extensive review of the 36 applications submitted to KOBD that are competing for $5 million in available grant funding. The public and other interested stakeholders can participate by reviewing proposed service areas and expressing either support or specific concerns about the proposed grant projects. The program funds 50% of the total project amount, with a 50% match that results in $10 million in total investment in broadband infrastructure projects targeted for completion by October 2023.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Pott County to cover $26,000 gap to St. Marys Fire after state error on valuations
Pottawatomie County commissioners have agreed to cover a nearly $26,000 gap in funding to the St. Marys Fire Department, caused by a change up at the state level for assessed utilities. The result, which county officials say the state plans to correct in fiscal year 2023, led to a $6 million drop in valuations for properties around the Jeffrey Energy Center, in what is now the former Fire District No. 1. The county has an annual agreement with the city fire department to provide service to the rural area surrounding St. Marys. County Clerk Dawn Henry says the county received utilities in June, which is when they noticed a problem. She says the new company handling valuations for the state took over and changed how they report those values to the state.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Change of command begins for Wichita Police Department
Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay steps down this week after six years of service to the community. He told KFDI News it has been an honor to serve Wichita and he has made lifelong friends. Chief Ramsay has worked to improve relations between the police department and the community and he has put innovative methods in place to reduce crime. He said the community policing effort has made great progress and the Crime Stoppers has been a good measure of that with a record number of tips to help solve crimes. He said Wichita has been way ahead of other cities in the U.S. with regard to community policing, use of force, and how crimes are solved, and he is proud of the men and women of the department.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Nearly 90% of Sedgwick County residents can expect their property values to increase
Most homeowners is Sedgwick County can expect to see an increase in their property values after the Sedgwick County appraiser estimates nearly 90% will. Mark Clark, Sedgwick County appraiser, cites COVID-19 and supply chain issues as the other main reasons for the increase. Clark said Sedgwick County is nowhere close to a normal housing market because of how much demand there is and not enough supply. The high cost to build is contributing to that. He said 88% of Sedgwick County residents will see their property value increase. During a typical year, that number is around 7%. Many of the Sedgwick County Commissioners said they receive the most feedback from residents about this conversation and property taxes.
Source: KAKE – News
Kansas broadband developers seek applicants for $5 million in grant funding
The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) opened a public comment period for the state’s Broadband Acceleration Grant Program. The open comment period is part of an extensive review of the 36 applications competing for $5 million in available grant funding. Interested stakeholders can participate by reviewing proposed service areas and expressing either support or specific concerns about the proposed grant projects. “The intense demand for this program across Kansas reflects the widespread need for more robust broadband access in unserved areas of Kansas,” said Commerce Secretary David Toland. “We are committed to being transparent and making the best possible investment decisions for Kansas broadband infrastructure, and we invite the public to comment on these highly competitive investment decisions.”
Source: KOAMKOAM
Junction City citizens raise concerns over proposed slaughterhouse
Residents of Junction City are concerned about a proposed slaughterhouse to be built near residential housing areas. Not only would the slaughterhouse process nearly 1,000 cattle per day, but it would be two miles away from the Spring Valley Elementary School. Kelsey Mann and Susan Kamm are third and fourth-generation Junction City residents. Mann is in the process of building a house within a mile away from the proposed space. “It has taken a majority of joy away from building our house,” Mann said. “We were very excited this was going to be our forever home. Now we’re wondering if this will be forever.”
Source: KSNT News
Shawnee County homeowners may see 13.5% property value increase
Topeka homeowners could see residential market values increase by as much as 13.5%, according to Steve Bauman, Shawnee County Appraiser. During the meeting Monday morning, Feb. 28, it was announced that 2022 value notices will be mailed on March 1. According to authorities mailing the notices saved the county money. This year about 80,000 notices will be mailed, and approximately 89% of property owners will see an increase in the value of their property. Notices will only be mailed if the property owner is seeing an increase in the value of their property.
Source: KSNT News
Johnson County appraisals go out this week, and nearly all homeowners can expect another increase
Homes and apartments are still hot commodities in Johnson County this year, and that heated market is going to mean property value increases for the vast majority of homeowners, according to the revaluation report given last week by County Appraiser Beau Boisvert to the county commission. Some 97.5% of homeowners are going to see an increase in the value the county sets for property tax purposes when notices come in the mail this week. The increases will vary but the overall average for the county is 11%, he said. Only 2.4% of properties will decrease in value.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Remote work might boost rural Kansas
Darin Miller has been involved in remote work since before it was cool. A longtime engineer, Miller saw the evolution of the modern office space first hand, with more and more individuals electing to work-from-home. Coworking spaces were popping up everywhere, where employees from different companies share a common office environment. Everywhere, that is, except Kansas. “I see this and I’m like, ‘This is a huge opportunity,’” Miller said. “It’s also a huge issue if you have a great job, and you just decide to live someplace else. Because now remote work is possible. So you can have a great job located in Kansas, but that doesn’t mean people are going to be located here.” When his engineering career stalled, in 2016, Miller started Iron Clad Coworking in Wamego, which relies on remote workers as one of its core revenue streams.
Source: Salina Journal
Mulvane school board approves land purchase for future district use
After an initial search started five years ago, the Mulvane school district took action on a perceived need recently – with the school board approving a real estate purchase of 92 acres for future expansion at its Feb. 14 meeting. The land purchased sits just east of Mulvane High School (1900 N. Rock Rd.), on the other side of Country Walk Estates, comprising 92 acres of farm ground currently. USD 263 Superintendent Dr. Jay Ensley said the land acquisition would serve for “future development of schools,” with no immediate construction plans on the horizon. While previous reports stated the site would be used for a new high school, Ensley admitted “there has been no determination on what facilities the land will be used for” at this time.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Development amendment adjusts cap to $17.2 million
Council members passed the second amended and restated development agreement with the Grata Development February 21 at their council meeting. Grata Development received rezoning approval from the Gardner City Council for a $200 million mixed-use development located at the southeast corner of 175th St. and I-35 in Gardner in October, 2019. The first amendment to the agreement was passed Oct. 19, 2020. The second amendment changes include removing the developer’s de-annexation remedy, removing the issuance of CID bonds and the payment associated with the interest, increasing the common CID Cap to allow reimbursable expense in lieu of interest and clarifying the infrastructure milestones with phasing. Tyler Ellsworth, city bond counsel, said they wanted to emphasize the development agreement wouldn’t have a financial impact to the city, and they had just increased the principal and taken the interest away.
Source: Gardner News
$5,000,000 going into Kansas infrastructure
New efforts are underway to improve Kansas infrastructure. Governor Laura Kelly recently announced more than five million dollars will be going towards improving locally owned bridges across the state. This will be part of the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program. 29 projects have been announced, including two in Southeast Kansas. In Cherokee County this will involve the bridge over Brush Creek on East Maple Street outside Columbus.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Haven names new school district superintendent
Friday afternoon, the Haven Board of Education unanimously agreed to offer Craig Idacavage Haven USD 312’s superintendent position. Idacavage said he readily accepted the position and will begin his 2022-2023 term this fall. … Idacavage is currently the David Brewer Elementary School principal. “I’m at that point in my career professionally, where my family and I are ready for that next step, for that next challenge,” Idacavage said. After serving as a principal for 17 years and a teacher for more, he looked toward the superintendent position at Haven to move up in education and move closer to family in the area.
Source: Hutch News
Lawrence leaders to consider hiring architecture firm to help develop permanent version of downtown outdoor dining program
City leaders will soon consider hiring an architecture firm to help develop a long-term version of a program that has allowed downtown businesses to construct patios and outdoor dining areas in parking stalls during the coronavirus pandemic. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider authorizing city staff to proceed with development of a long-term “parklet” program with the consultation of a local architectural firm. The commission will also consider adding new regulations to the temporary version of the program.
Source: LJWorld.com
Municipal Bond Trends for February 25, 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.
Madison advances water, sewer plant backup plans
The Madison City Council faced a fuel question Friday afternoon: propane, natural gas or diesel? “I don’t think we want diesel,” Council member Earl Murphy said during a special meeting,. “It doesn’t keep in storage.” The rest of the council agreed, voting to apply for a propane generator for the city water plant and natural gas to power the city sewer plant.
Source: Emporia Gazette
WPD Launches Campaign Focusing on Social Media Drug Sales Among Juveniles
The Wichita Police Department’s Juvenile Intervention Unit has launched a social media campaign to bring awareness of drug sales by juveniles via social media. Officer Alex Avendano with the JIU created a video (below) highlighting the campaign’s focus, which it to alert parents and juveniles of the dangers of drug sales that are set-up on social media. These drug sales have resulted in shootings and/or homicides.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Emporia PD trains officers in use of Narcan
All officers within the Emporia Police Department will soon be trained in the use of Narcan, Captain Ray Mattas announced Thursday. Narcan is used to help neutralize the effects of narcotics during a drug overdose and can be vital is saving someone’s life when they are in this medical emergency. According to a written release, the Emporia Police Department responded to nine known drug overdose calls from illicit drugs between Feb. 1, 2021 — Feb. 1, 2022. Two of the overdose calls were from fentanyl, four from LSD, two from methamphetamine, two from heroine and one overdose from prescription narcotics.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Gardner growth continues despite COVID-19
Last year was marked by many successes despite the impacts of the ongoing pandemic. Through the guidance of the governing body and the efforts of staff, the City of Gardner made significant strides in increasing our economy, improving citizen services and addressing the infrastructure needs of our growing community. Residential development continues to thrive, accommodating our increased population. According to the Census results last year, more than 23,000 people now call Gardner home- a nearly 18 percent increase from the previous Census, which speaks to the need for more housing options. Last year, 134 housing units were built or under construction, adding nearly $30+ million in property valuation for Gardner. We also saw progress in private development projects, including the opening of the Warren Place Venue event space and construction of the 262-acre mixed-used Grata Development Project on the southeast side of town.
Source: Gardner News
To know Harper Kansas, you must know Rosalea, woman’s life spent preserving the prairies
To know Harper Kansas… is to know Rosalea Hostetler and to know Rosalea… you have to know her hotel. Rosalea is a Harper native, and although she’s left town a time or two in her 85 years of life, she says she’s always felt this nudge to return. Rosalea says she’s spent decades trying to preserve the history of her hometown. She hasn’t given up yet, and it’s safe to say she probably never will. “I feel sad… because I know what used to be here. I know it can rebuild and revive… Everything always changes,” Rosalea said as she walked downtown.
Source: KAKE – News
Johnson County sets public hearing date for large-scale solar farm regulations
In the next step of what has already become a contentious issue, Johnson County commissioners examined the county Planning Commission’s recommendations for the rules on large-scale solar farms Thursday. The county commission only reviewed the recommendations and did not take any action, save to set a public hearing that commission Chairman Ed Eilert suggested could go on several hours and draw as many as 100 people, based on previous hearings and the volume of emails being received.
Source: Prairie Village Post