Kansas Municipal News
Franchisees explain reasons behind McDonald’s closures in Wichita, Kingman and Anthony
The franchisee of the McDonald’s at 1050 N. Broadway that closed on Tuesday says the decision was made by McDonald’s corporate as part of an occasional “screening” the company does of all of its restaurants. The same process resulted in the closure of the McDonald’s in Kingman on the same day, he said. And Anthony’s McDonald’s also was scheduled to close on Oct. 31, but a fire earlier this month shut it down early. Michael Lane, who owns 11 McDonald’s restaurants in the area, said that the company didn’t share with him all the reasoning that led to its decision, but ultimately, he said, it was the company’s choice. “They make the ultimate decision, but as a franchisee, I have to say I understand,” he said. “There are three locations around that one that really serve 80 to 90 percent of the customers in that area, so it made sense to look at it that way and make that tough decision.” In addition to the fact that other McDonald’s restaurants are close by, including the one Michael Lane also owns at Broadway and Waterman, the dawn of digital options like ordering via app or for delivery has changed the number of physical restaurants that are needed in one area.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Valley Center Recreation and Aquatics Center will add ‘quality-of-life’ amenity for residents, city official says
A project long-discussed in a suburban Wichita community is progressing toward reality. Work on the over 40,000 square-foot Valley Center Recreation and Aquatics Center began in August and is set to wrap by the close of 2024. Valley Center city administrator Brent Clark called the project “transformational” for the city just north of Wichita. “We have a town of nearly 7,500 people, but we also have over 750 residential lots coming online,” he said. “When we’re attracting residents and new homeowners, they look for quality-of-life amenities.” It was not a quick journey to get to this point. Clark said the community had been talking about the center since the early 2000s, but the city failed multiple times in getting a sales tax increase passed that would help fund the effort. Fast-forward to early in the Covid-19 pandemic, when Valley Center made the decision to temporarily shut down its large outdoor pool. That got some in the community fired up, and Clark said that energy was able to be turned into a case for revisiting the recreation and aquatic center as a long-term benefit for the city’s well-being.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Lawrence school district to seek community input on skills graduates need
The Lawrence school district will hold two public input sessions to get the community’s feedback on how to best prepare graduates for what comes next. During its “Portrait of a Graduate” public input sessions, district leaders hope to learn the experiences and skills that community members think students should possess when they graduate. Patrick Kelly, chief academic officer, said the input will help the district “identify the postsecondary assets our community values and would expect upon graduation.” “In today’s world, the demands for students are tremendous as they move on to college, career, and adult life,” Kelly said via email from district spokesperson Julie Boyle. “It’s no longer enough to just graduate on time with the right academic credentials. The Kansas State Board of Education’s new graduation requirements include postsecondary assets aligned with the student’s individual plan of study (IPS).” Brad Neuenswander, founding director of KU’s Center for Evaluation and Educational Leadership (CEEL), and KU graduate student Sophie Robic will facilitate the input sessions. Afterward, they will provide the district with a report on the input they gathered, and administrators will share that information with the school board, Boyle said.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Saline County celebrates completion of new jail facility after decades of ongoing needs
As construction workers shook hands and exchanged greetings with government officials, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan stepped out into the cold October morning to welcome more visitors. People pulling into the public parking lot of the new Saline County jail were greeted with his smile and directions on where to park. His breath created a fog as he spoke through the 28-degree breeze. About 100 people gathered Tuesday at 800 Pacific Ave. in Salina to celebrate the opening of Saline County’s state-of-the-art jail facility. Remarks were made by nearly everyone who helped turn an idea into reality, and the ceremony was capped off by a thanks for the public’s $89 million investment and a ribbon cutting complete with giant scissors. “I’m more excited about people getting an actual tour, than I am of the ribbon cutting,” Soldan said. The Saline County community celebrated on Halloween what began two years ago, when on Oct. 21, 2021, the Turner Construction crew broke ground on some old farmland in north Salina. Since that time, the project kept within its voter-approved budget and finished within the original timeline for completion — a feat several public officials spoke about Tuesday.
Source: News – Salina Journal
Overland Park to turn old Marty Pool site into a new park
The site of the former Marty Pool in northern Overland Park is set to get a new life as a neighborhood park in the next couple of years. On Wednesday, the Overland Park City Council Community Development Committee voted 5-0 to recommend approval of a contract with landscape architecture firm Confluence to design the new park. Councilmember Sam Passer, who serves as the committee’s vice chair, was absent from the meeting. Overland Park decommissioned the pool near West 75th and Conser streets in 2022 after decades of offering neighborhood families a place to cool off in the summer. Mary Pool’s closure was part of a long-term plan laid out in the city’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan to decommission some of the city’s pools over the next couple of decades, (Pg. 36). Overland Park previously closed Roe Pool and converted it into a community park.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Affordable housing, size of city council on the line in heated Johnson County election
A chaotic past year in Prairie Village, first sparked by the city discussing affordable housing initiatives, is culminating in one of Johnson County’s most contentious elections this fall. The Nov. 7 election comes as the city considers ways the pricey suburb could allow more affordable housing, a conversation that has sharply divided the community. The debate has transformed into a deeper political battle, leading to two clear factions of candidates running for half of the City Council seats on Tuesday. The city remains tied up in a legal battle with a group of residents who call themselves PV United — first formed to oppose any zoning changes aimed at allowing more affordable housing — that filed petitions this fall pushing to let residents vote on limiting mayoral powers and cutting the council in half. The idea was especially controversial because it would have resulted in ejecting six council members from their seats mid-term.
Source: Joco 913 News
Pittsburg restores services following cyber attack
The City of Pittsburg is restoring some essential services following the cyber incident that occurred September 16, which caused an IT outage affecting online systems and phones. Utility payment systems, billing systems, and Municipal Court proceedings are now able to resume. City emails and phone systems are still affected, but should be fully functioning soon. The city’s utility payment and billing system is now back online after being unavailable for several weeks. City of Pittsburg Customer Service Department will be issuing bills for the September and October billing cycle. The city is suspending late fees and disconnections during this time. Customers can pay in person, via drop box, mail, or online. Municipal Court will also resume operations on Wednesday, November 8 at 1:15 pm (afternoon court only) at the Pittsburg Law Enforcement Center. Municipal Court was previously postponed and court-related fees were temporarily being processed at City Hall. The Municipal Court is now able to receive payments again via cash or money order at the Law Enforcement Center.
Source: City of Pittsburg
Municipal Bond Trends for November 3, 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.
Rural renewal: KU alumna restores buildings, bustle in Wilson, Kansas
The Midland Railroad Hotel welcomes visitors to Wilson today in much the same way it did over a century ago, when the town was a midway stop between Kansas City and Denver on the Union Pacific Railroad. Inside the stately, three-story limestone building with the red roof, guests still enjoy cozy accommodations surrounded by refurbished original woodwork and other trappings of a bygone era. But unlike long-ago railroad travelers, many of the Midland’s modern-day patrons consider the hotel itself the destination. “Coming to the Midland is like stepping back in time,” says Melinda Merrill, g’03, who has owned and operated the hotel since 2014 and turned the once-shuttered landmark into a renowned regional hub. “It’s a place where people can relax and get away from their day-to-day grind, and a place where people can just enjoy being in a small town.” The hotel is one of a handful of revival projects Merrill has been involved with in the rural community of Wilson, population 859, about 180 miles west of Lawrence via I-70. The structures under her stewardship, which also include a repurposed grade school and a rescued tin barn, take on new lives and, in turn, provide new opportunities for hospitality and connection in a place once short on such amenities.
Source: KU Alumni Magazine
Proposed sales tax could improve the city of Olpe
Olpe residents will soon be voting on a retailers’ sales tax in the city. On this year’s ballots, residents in Olpe will be voting to approve or deny a sales tax in the city. According to the Lyon County election office, 1/2 of 1% is the amount of sales tax that will be levied in the city of Olpe if this ballot question gets approved. The sales tax will go towards capital improvements to improve the city. Olpe City Clerk Joyce Wilson told 27 News there’s a few key projects the money from this sales tax would go to if it gets approved. If approved, the city of Olpe would add a fitness park with sidewalks, create wider sidewalks throughout the town and add parking near the football field.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Local mural artist turns a new leaf at the Hiawatha Chamber and Wenger wall
The wall facing the Arrow Twin movie theater features paintings of orange, red, and yellow-colored leaves that appear to be floating on the white wall on the metal building owned by Tim and Arthur Wenger close to Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau building across the street. Viewers taking in the sight will notice the words in the middle of the wall, which beckon them to “Fall in love with Hiawatha,” which is also the theme the Chamber used to help promote the project and Hiawatha to surrounding areas and even the nation and world at large.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com
Topeka leaders address camping ordinance status
In less than three weeks, a new camping ordinance will go into effect in Topeka. The ordinance is the City of Topeka’s effort to address the city’s homeless population, specifically, homeless camping. The ordinance goes into effect on Nov. 17, according to the city, but there is still uncertainty on exactly what it will look like. It outlines where homeless individuals can’t go, but not where they can go after it passes. “There are a lot of suggestions, put them here, put them there,” Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla said.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Fed holds rates steady, upgrades assessment of economic growth
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday again held benchmark interest rates steady amid a backdrop of a growing economy and labor market and inflation that is still well above the central bank’s target. In a widely expected move, the Fed’s rate-setting group unanimously agreed to hold the key federal funds rate in a target range between 5.25%-5.5%, where it has been since July. This was the second consecutive meeting that the Federal Open Market Committee chose to hold, following a string of 11 rate hikes, including four in 2023. The decision included an upgrade to the committee’s general assessment of the economy.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Goats to help with vegetation overgrowth in Wichita park
Wichita Park & Recreation announced that it will have Rex and his team of goats from Restoration Grazing, LLC at Oak Park starting Monday. The goats are expected to take up to a month to clear eight acres of overgrown weeds, poison ivy, and vegetation. Wichita Park & Recreation says the goats will not interfere with the disc golf course at Oak Park. “Disc golf players will probably have a lot of spectators 👀🐐😂,” said Wichita Park & Recreation. Wichita Park & Recreation welcomes the public to watch the goats in action. “We’re excited to see everyone out at the park!” said Restoration Grazing, LLC.
Source: KSN-TV
City of Wichita Library debuts new Book Bus
The City of Wichita Library debuted its new Book Bus Thursday. According to the City of Wichita Library, it was the Director of Libraries Jaime Nix’s idea to bring library services to areas of Wichita that don’t have quick access to a physical library location. The Book Bus will take to the streets in November to offer outreach programming and services to Wichita’s youngest readers. “The Book Bus will focus on early learning resources for our youngest readers,” said Wichita Public Libraries.
Source: KSN-TV
Sales tax increase to be decided by Pottawatomie Co. voters
Pottawatomie County residents will soon vote to approve or deny a retailers’ sales tax to fund projects across the county. On the ballots for this year’s general election, voters in Pottawatomie County will either vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for an additional retailers’ sales tax of 0.25% to be put into place Jan. 1, 2024. This proposed 0.25% retailers’ sales tax is in addition to the existing retailers’ sales tax of 1%.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Proposed sales tax would help Plains grocery store
Voters in Plains, in Meade County, will be voting on a sales tax to help the local grocery store. Grand Avenue Market opened in 2021. The city used a $500,000 federal loan to build the facility, and repayments start in a few weeks. Tuesday, voters consider adding a .5% city-wide special retailers’ sales tax to help pay off that debt. The money would go to the Community Enhancement Foundation of the Plains, a foundation that owns and operates the Grand Avenue Market. Store co-manager Kim Wurdeman said the money from the proposed sales tax will help them keep their doors open.
Source: KSN-TV
Ascension Via Christi Emergency department set to close in Fort Scott
The decision to close the emergency room at Ascension Via Christi in Fort Scott, Kansas, has sparked criticism from state leaders and residents alike. The move to cease emergency department operations, effective December 20th, has drawn concerns about the impact on rural healthcare accessibility and emergency services in the area. Ascension Via Christi cited several reasons for the closure, including a steady decline in emergency room visits and economic challenges.
Source: KOAM News
Emily Randel, Mission’s deputy city administrator, to leave after decade
Emily Randel, the city of Mission deputy city administrator, is leaving at the end of January. Randel has been with the city of Mission for 10 years and has worked her way up from a neighborhood services coordinator, who oversaw code enforcement and managed the grant program, to deputy city administrator over the past decade. Once she hit the 10-year mark in May, she said she saw it as a chance to evaluate next steps. Randel said she believes Mission is poised for a bright future, making it the right time to hand over her responsibilities to someone else.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Marshall Co. voters to see city sales tax question on ballots
Two towns in Marshall County are asking residents to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for the creation of a sales tax to improve city-wide infrastructure. The cities of Waterville and Blue Rapids are asking its residents to vote on a retailers’ sales tax question that will be on the ballots for this year’s general election. Each city is proposing a 0.5% retailers’ sales tax that, if approved, will take effect Jan. 1, 2024, according to information from the Marshall County Election Office. In Waterville, the city will use the funds to reconstruct, repair, maintain and improve the streets, curbs and gutters in Waterville. ….In Blue Rapids, the revenue from the 0.5% sale tax will fund general governmental services that will be provided by the city.
Source: KSNT 27 News