Kansas Municipal News
New zoning code could bring in different events around Century II
More special events could be coming to downtown Wichita. The City Council unanimously passed a zoning change on Tuesday, which not only removed outdated zoning but also opened up the facility to more events and opportunities in the area around Century II. It came about after an artist began to fight to keep his shop in Old Town, and a group looked into holding a tattooing convention there, but the Central Business District prohibits tattooing. A few months after Afterlife Tattooz opened in Old Town, the owner got a letter from the City telling him tattoo shops were not allowed in his part of town. After gathering support from the Old Town Association, the tattoo shop asked the City to change the zoning to allow tattooing in Old Town, which was approved by a vote 7-0 in September and went on to the second reading. The tattoo and piercing convention is planned for spring. The change now gives the area more flexibility, but the City Council still has to sign off on each special event.
Source: KSN-TV
Prairie Village moving ahead with plan to build new city hall
Prairie Village is moving forward with plans for a new city hall — unchanged from a design the previous city council supported before last fall’s elections altered the makeup of the governing body. During the first discussion of the new city hall facility in 2024, the city council on Tuesday decided to ultimately exclude two proposed changes to a roughly $30 million design that the previous council had asked city staff to explore last year. The plan backed by the council calls for a completely new 18,000-square-foot city hall building on the south side of the parking lot outside the current municipal complex. In addition, a new municipal courtroom would be built as an addition to the police department where the current city hall is on the north side of the municipal complex.
Source: Johnson County Post
Panasonic answers concern Kansans to pay for electricity infrastructure serving De Soto plant
Panasonic executives involved in construction of the $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant at De Soto said Tuesday the facility would begin production in early 2025 and negotiations continued with Evergy on delivery of electricity to manufacturing space occupying 4.7 million square feet. The company broke ground in July 2022 on a project backed by up to $1 billion in state economic incentives with the promise of employing 4,000 people in production of lithium-ion batteries used in vehicles. In testimony to the House energy committee, Panasonic said the December decision not to build a comparable plant in Oklahoma didn’t indicate presence of supply-chain or market-force challenges capable of undermining the Kansas plant. “We are extremely committed to our growth and development in Kansas,” said Tina Jeffress, a Panasonic group manager for sustainability and energy. “We do not anticipate any issues when it comes to ultimate market demand for our product. This is a generational investment in Kansas and as you can see from how quickly we are putting steel in the ground and developing other infrastructure on site, we are full speed ahead when it comes to this project.” Panasonic, the battery supplier to electric vehicle maker Tesla, said installation of steel framing in De Soto on one side of the two-wing plant was 93% completed, while steel components on the second wing were 44% completed. Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat, said the cost of building electricity substations and miles of electricity transmission lines to accommodate Panasonic would be paid by consumers in Evergy’s central region, which included Emporia, Topeka and Wichita. Typical ratepayers in Johnson County where the plant has been located wouldn’t be part of that rate obligation, he said.
Source: KAKE – News
Halstead expands funding to revitalize downtown
After seeing some businesses struggling to maintain their buildings downtown, the City of Halstead started a grant program for these businesses. The grants, known as “DRAGON Grants,” provide businesses with between $1,000 and $10,000. Reimer said that, in the past, the city allotted $40,000 for grants each year, but the city council voted to expand that to $50,000 for 2024. City Manager Ethan Reimer said these grants are a way for the city to provide some support to businesses in the community that they don’t get elsewhere. “It’s a recognition of the fact that some of our larger businesses qualify for tax reductions from the state, but smaller businesses that are anchors on Main Street don’t have that,” Reimer said. “This was started to help them and give them access to funding.” Funding comes from the city’s General Fund Expenditure, which also funds the Community Foundation and the Old Settlers Festival. Reimer said the city prefers grants being used to fix exterior facade issues and to bring buildings up to code. The grants are flexible, however. Reimer said they could be used for everything from fixing structural issues to buying new machinery. Startup costs, like buying new machinery, do require a business plan.
Source: Harvey County Now
Lawrence city commissioners express support for updates to land development code, hope to implement it this year
City commissioners on Tuesday received an update on the city’s new land development code, which aims to update zoning regulations to allow for more sustainability, affordable housing and equity. Elizabeth Garvin of Clarion, a national land-use consulting firm, gave a presentation to commissioners outlining the work of city staff, planning commissioners and a steering committee for the updated code. The city began work to update the land development code in 2022 and is hoping to implement the new one this year. Currently, the project is in its third of four stages, which is drafting the new land development code. One of the major goals of the new code is to encourage density and affordable housing in Lawrence. A lack of affordable housing has been a major focus in Lawrence and has prompted the approval of new developments and millions in funding. Tuesday’s presentation outlined a variety of changes to help abate Lawrence’s affordable housing shortage. The plan encourages smaller lots and more residential density as well as a flurry of other items aimed to increase flexibility for residential developments, including the addition of density minimums for residential lots. One major change in the code allows for up to four units to be built on one single-family lot.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Johnson County application window opens for Senior and Disabled Veteran Property Tax Relief program
Johnson County residents who are 65 or older or are a disabled veteran and who meet income and other requirements may now apply for up to $200 in property tax relief. Residents can now apply to participate in the new program online by completing the application form and submitting it, along with proof of income and/or disability status. The form can be submitted in person, by email or by postal mail. Those interested in participating in the program should submit the application before the April 15 deadline. Residents must be at or below income limits and have a home with a maximum appraised value of $384,600. A complete list of Income and other program requirements is available on the county’s website. In 2023, the Board of County Commissioners authorized $500,000 in funding for the county to provide this new pilot program to offer property tax relief to low-income seniors and disabled veterans. “As property values continue to increase, we know that property taxes can be a particular hardship for some members of our population, particularly those on a fixed income,” said Mike Kelly, chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. “We hope this initiative will help provide some relief to as many seniors and disabled veterans as possible.” While this program covers only the county’s portion of a resident’s property tax bill, other property tax programs are also available through the state.
Source: Johnson County Kansas |
AGCO’s Hesston facility welcoming back furloughed employees
AGCO said in a news release Friday facility the critical updates to the facility in Hesston went live on Jan. 1, and the company is welcoming back furloughed employees. The news release says the upgrades required all production areas to be shut down and that employee furloughs were not demand-related. “During this time, AGCO has worked to provide impacted eligible employees with supplemental pay and retention bonuses,” AGCO said in the release. The employees’ return will happen in waves The first group returned to work the first week of January, an additional wave returned the following week, and the rest of the employees will return over the course of the first quarter as production ramps up.
Source: KSN-TV
Newton Fire/EMS practicing ice rescues on frozen Spring Lake Pond
Newton Fire/EMS is practicing ice rescues on Spring Lake Pond, which has frozen over. “We don’t often get weather like this that we can afford as a training and the real-world experience with the ice, so we’re taking advantage of it,” said Newton Fire/EMS Division Chief Zane Hansen. Hansen says they cut a hole in the ice to simulate a rescue and then have a crew go out in ice suits to rescue a “victim.” “They’re gonna have the ice suits, and we’re gonna tether them to rescuers on the shore. So they’re gonna move out to the ice, trying to disperse their body weight, get out to the victim, get into the water and get them out of the water as quickly as possible,” said Hansen. He says they have to practice ice rescues as people are on the ice pretty often because they don’t understand the dangers of it. “I believe several years ago, I can’t recall, I know we went out on an ice rescue where we rescued four victims out of the ice, three that passed away,” said Hansen. Hansen says people don’t know how thick the ice is. “So what’s out in the middle could be a lot thinner than what’s on the edges. Right at the edge, you think the ice can hold you, but you get 10 feet out, and it doesn’t support your weight. And then you’re in big trouble. Big trouble pretty quickly,” said Hansen. If you fall on the ice, he says you only have minutes to survive.
Source: KSN-TV
Commission discusses wind project moratorium
The Labette County Commission may consider extending the current moratorium on the construction of wind harvesting projects in the county. The current moratorium ends in April, commissioners were told, and discussed if voting on the issue in March would provide enough time for legal publications to notify the public about the decision. The board attorney said that would provide enough time. The commission enacted the 15-month moratorium by resolution in late November 2022. The purpose is to allow the county planning committee to get zoning regulations in place. Foster and Associates, hired to assist with the process, is still working on the zoning regulations, and that’s one step in the process to get the regulations approved and in place. Commission Chairman Terry Weidert said the planning committee may not be ready with zoning regulations for the commission to consider before the moratorium expires. He just didn’t want the commission to run out of time to extend the moratorium if it needed it. After discussion, commissioners agreed to reconsider the matter in March to see how much progress the planning committee makes toward zoning regulations.
Source: Parsons Sun
Halstead fire crews battle large fire in bitter cold
Harvey County fire crews battled a large fire in bitterly cold temperatures early Tuesday around 12:20 a.m. at an automotive repair shop. Halstead Fire/EMS said the fire happened on Halstead Road just south of U.S. Highway 50. Upon arrival, crews discovered the building had flames throughout and through the roof. Pictures from Halstead Fire/EMS show flames engulfing a metal-framed building. Several fire crews, including Newton Fire/EMS, were called to help battle the fire. Halstead Fire/EMS said the state fire marshal was on scene. There is no word on what started the blaze. The investigation is ongoing. No injuries were reported.
Source: KSN-TV
Is Wichita affordable for single renters? This report says it’s the top city in the US
If you’re a single renter looking for more affordable cities to live in, you may want to take a close look at Kansas. According to a report by apartment rental company RentHop, Wichita was ranked the most affordable city for a single renter in the U.S. The company conducted the December report by measuring median nonfamily household incomes, city population counts, advertised prices for studio apartments and year-over-year changes to studio prices. The median cost of a studio apartment in the Air Capital is $565 a month, Renthop says in the report, meaning the average person would have to spend 17.65% of their annual income on rent every year. For comparison, New York City is the most expensive place for single renters, according to Renthop, with residents having to spend about 71% of their annual income on rent in the city. According to a separate report from GoBankingRates, the average single person in Kansas needs to make $47,379 annually to live comfortably, which would make the state sixth in the country for lowest living wage. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the median household income in Wichita (in 2022 dollars) is $60,712. The poverty rate in the city sits at 15.5%. While Wichita may have been named the most affordable city by RentHop, the cost of rent is rising across the U.S., including locally. A report from late 2022 from NAI Martens indicates rent prices in Wichita rose 1.8% in 2022 and 9.4% in 2021.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
‘We care about each other’: Topekans weigh in on city’s homeless initiative
Community leaders are moving into the next phase of addressing the city’s homeless population. On Tuesday, the ‘Homeless Initiative,’ partially led by design chair Brianna Sylver, held an ideation session to brainstorm solutions to Topeka’s homeless problem. “The goal is to come up with seven to 10 different solutions,” Sylver said. “Typically, those will range in terms of short-term versus long-term solutions.” The City of Topeka brought Sylver in to help manage the entire process. The best way, in Sylver’s opinion to approach this, is by involving as many people as possible. Topeka residents and community leaders spent for several hours offering input and sharing ideas. Members from organizations like the Topeka Rescue Mission (TRM) , Topeka City Council and the Boys’ and Girls’ club were in attendance. Attendees brainstormed in small groups by writing their ideas out on tables covered in butcher paper. “I saw a tremendous amount of passion, hope, excitement,” Brian Cole, the director of the Shawnee County Department of Corrections said. “I saw a lot of energy of wanting to solve this problem to serve those that need these valuable resources.” Then, representatives from each small shared those ideas with the whole, and everyone eventually voted on the best ones. “Kudos to the city for bringing folks together from all walks of life to come and talk about solutions and to really again, helping human beings,” Derik Flerlage, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) director of family health said. Sylver’s team will test out some of the brainstormed solutions in the near future. She also said there will be more chances for Topekans to share their voices throughout this process.
Source: KSNT 27 News
City Council votes for more input on overturning LLC contribution ban
The expected City Council overturn of a 2-week-old ban on contributions to city of Wichita election candidates from limited liability companies and corporations took a detour Tuesday. The Council voted 5-2 to refer the ordinance change to members’ district advisory boards, which offer advice and recommendations to each of the six members representing specific areas of the city. Mayor Lily Wu and Council member Becky Tuttle voted to ask for the DAB input, along with the three remaining members who voted for the initial ban Jan. 2 — Maggie Ballard, Mike Hoheisel and Brandon Johnson. New members Dalton Glasscock, who asked last week to reassess the ordinance, and J.V. Johnston voted against. Wu and Tuttle still seem likely to join Glasscock and Johnston as a majority overturning the LLC contributions ban. Wu had more than 100 LLC and corporate donations in winning November’s general election, and Tuttle voted against the ban during the last Council meeting with a Democratic majority. But the ordinance took on new language Tuesday that Glasscock said will increase transparency, if overturned.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Clay Center City Council passes grant policy
In a meeting that lasted about five minutes, the Clay Center Council swore in Mayor Jimmy Thatcher and recently-reelected council members and approved one agenda item last week on Tuesday, Jan. 2. The sole agenda item that was approved outside the consent agenda was a grant management policy that directed City Clerk Kerry Rozman how to handle grant funds received through a grant applied for by Grow Clay County.
Source: www.ccenterdispatch.com – RSS Results in news,local/* of type article
Bobcats spotted by Johnson County officials at Shawnee Mission Park
Two bobcats were spotted roaming Shawnee Mission Park on Tuesday. Johnson County Park and Recreation (JCPRD) Natural Resource staff took pictures of two bobcats walking through the park while doing deer density research. They snapped the rare photo while surveying the area for deer on the south side of Shawnee Mission Park. The “elusive bobcats are secretive but highly adaptable to the urban environment of Johnson County,” JCPRD said on X. A bobcat bit a woman in 2022 after she picked up the wild animal off a Liberty, Missouri, road. It’s a friendly reminder not to approach these majestic animals, even if they seem harmless at first.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Topeka asks every resident to begin flushing water
The City of Topeka is asking residents to flush possibly contaminated water to restore fresh water for customers. While the City of Topeka, and parts of Shawnee County are still in a Boil Water Advisory, Utilities staff with the City of Topeka are asking all customers, if able, to flush their water. According to a press release from the city, flushing water through their water supply systems could help to make sure fresh water makes it to every residence. The time it takes to flush a system thoroughly varies depending on the size of a building or home. To properly flush, customers should turn on all indoor faucets in a home or business for about 10-15 minutes. This time frame flushes approximately 40 gallons of water through a customer’s system. According to the city, regular uses of water, like taking a shower or doing laundry, are effective methods of flushing. For homes and businesses with larger water heaters, the city advises that you flush your system for an additional 10-15 minutes. The City of Topeka Utilities Director Sylvia Davis explained at Tuesday’s city council meeting that the city has no plans to compensate customers for flushing their systems. “For our highest-rated customers, those folks that pay the highest water rates, you’re talking about 20 to 25 cents,” Davis said. “So, as we were talking about potentially giving out credits, it would end up costing us way more to generate those credits.” The Boil Water Advisory will remain in place until city staff had met all of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) testing requirements and have lifted the advisory, according to the press release. The KDHE requires 100 samples to be collected throughout the city, and have to come back clear of any contaminates.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Municipal Bond Trends for January 16, 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.
Topeka water customers asked to start flushing lines to end boil water advisory quicker
Topeka’s city government late Tuesday encouraged city water service customers to start “flushing” water through their supply systems to help ensure that fresh water reaches every customer and the boil water advisory ends more quickly. Flushing a system varies based on the size of a building, the city said on its Facebook page. “Generally, customers should turn on all indoor faucets in their home or business for 10-15 minutes to flush approximately 40 gallons of water through their system,” it said. “Due to outdoor weather conditions, consider using only indoor faucets like sinks, tubs, toilets and other washing appliances.” For homes or businesses with larger water heaters, flush for an additional 10-15 minutes, the city said.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for January 12, 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.
Study looks at ambulance response times in Shawnee County
Ambulance response times appear to be getting worse in Topeka. That’s according to a Wichita State University study, but American Medical Response is pushing back on those claims. The percentage of “late calls” by AMR, Shawnee County’s ambulance service, nearly doubled between 2020 and 2022 in “Zone 1,” which covers most of Topeka, Topeka City Council members were told Tuesday by Tom Jenkins, project associate and technical expert for the Public Policy & Management Center at Wichita State. Jon Antrim, AMR’s regional director, took issue with that…
Source: CJonline