Kansas Municipal News
Who is dressing the bronze sculptures in downtown Wichita? And who is undressing them?
Years ago, Tamara Gonzales privately came up with a name for the bronze statue of a barefoot businessman standing at Douglas and Main, reading his newspaper with his pant legs rolled up and his feet cooling in a bubbling fountain. Walter. As she got to thinking about Walter, she decided he was missing something. “I don’t know if it’s a mental problem or what it is, but I saw this statue here and thought, ‘He’d be kind of cool with a pair of pants on,’” said Gonzales, a crochet enthusiast and longtime president of Wichita’s 40-member crochet guild. Pants crocheted in a rainbow of pastel yarn, to be specific. Now, Gonzales’ desire to dress Walter has morphed into a city-approved, temporary art installation in yarn that’s been turning heads since Gonzales put it up on Friday.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Hutchinson’s Smallville Con to end after 10-year run
The family that has organized Smallville Con in Hutchinson for the past 10 years has decided it cannot do it anymore. The convention was a celebration of comic books and pop culture. DC Comics hero Superman grew up in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas. In 2013, Hutchinson agreed to rename itself Smallville for one day, and the annual convention came along with it. “Smallville Con was built out of years of my family attending various conventions throughout the United States,” Jon Robinson, Smallville Con owner, said.
Source: KSN-TV
Muni Finance and the Federal Fiscal Food Fight
Deficit financing has caught up with Uncle Sam, as federal outlays for interest payments have surged to record levels and the nation’s annual budget deficit is on track to double in this fiscal year. That’s just for starters: To dampen inflation, the Federal Reserve has hiked short-term interest rates and keeps jettisoning U.S. bonds, not buying them as it had been. … In theory, the cost of high-quality muni debt should be less than the inflation rate, in light of the 30 percent tax-exemption advantage that many wealthy investors glean from them. But in today’s market, most states and localities must increasingly pay the price of near-record real interest rates in the U.S. Treasury market. Triple A issuers of 20-year serial muni bonds can slightly undercut today’s latest CPI inflation rate, but even they will pay a real interest cost if price inflation does eventually normalize to lower levels. Meanwhile, most muni issuers — almost everybody with lower ratings — are already paying a cost above inflation, albeit less than comparably rated corporate borrowers.
Source: Governing
Paola returns invaluable Peruvian artifacts
A Peruvian artifact estimated to be more than a thousand years old, well-wrapped in white tissue paper and stuck into a borrowed school duffel bag, marks the first success of a rural town’s plans to repatriate its art collection. The museum in Paola began its ongoing efforts of trying to return objects from a 38-piece collection of pre-Columbian artifacts a year ago, after first receiving the artifacts from a Kansas City couple’s trust five years ago. Pre-Columbian is a term used to describe an era of thriving indigenous art in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. “Although this is a wonderful collection, it really doesn’t have anything to do with Miami county,” said Miami County Historical Society and Museum executive board member Gordan Geldhof. “Really, the right thing to do was to repatriate them.” The collection was authenticated in 1991, when it was determined the countries of origin were Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru. After making little initial headway on the repatriation process, museum officials reached out to U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids’ office, which helped them get into contact with the four embassies in Washington, D.C.
Source: Kansas Reflector
UG approves new tax incentives for $838M Homefield project
A new wave of tax incentives will support part of a $838 million mixed-use development in Wyandotte County. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas Board of Commissioners approved plans to create a new Community Improvement District (CID) for the Homefield project in Kansas City, Kansas. The CID will cover about 146 acres of the nearly 400-acre Homefield development at 94th Street and State Avenue. Under the CID, visitors will be charged an additional 2% sales tax on purchases made in the district. The CID will include a $145 million Margaritaville hotel; $20 million Big Shots golf bar; $60 million multisport training facility developed by Homefield; 55,000-square-foot indoor arena planned in partnership with Live Nation; 30,000-square-foot interactive museum called Atlas 9 and youth baseball complex developed by Homefield.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Augusta overturns dog breed ban
On August 21st, the Augusta City Council approved the overturning of the “dangerous” dog breed under the city’s animal ordinance. The new ordinance removed all provisions that defined certain dog breeds as dangerous, meaning all breeds previously listed as dangerous are now allowed within city limits. The old ordinance, City Code Ch. 2, Article 1, 2-114 Dangerous Dogs; prohibited stated “It shall be unlawful for any person or legal entity to keep, harbor or in any way possess a dangerous dog as defined by this article within the limits of the City of Augusta, Kansas.” According to the ordinance, it made the following dog breeds illegal: the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull, The Rottweiler and the wolf hybrid or Tundra Shepherd. This also included any dog with the appearance or characteristics of these breeds or any dog kept and trained for dog fighting. “Accordingly, breeds that were previously listed as dangerous are now allowed within the city limits,” the City of Augusta said in a Facebook post on August 25th.
Source: Andover American
City of Pittsburg experiences cybersecurity incident
Over the weekend, the City of Pittsburg discovered a cybersecurity incident impacting the city’s network. This incident resulted in a temporary IT outage impacting city emails, phones, and online payments. The City of Pittsburg Incident Response Team immediately took proactive measures to protect city data and network systems. The city is working with forensic experts to fully understand the extent and implications of this incident, and to ensure that the city can operate within a safe and remediated network environment. Despite this temporary disruption, the city operations and services will continue. Public safety services, including 9-1-1 dispatch, and utility services remain operational.
Source: City of Pittsburg
Municipal Bond Trends for September 18, 2023
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Newton City Clerk awarded Master Municipal Clerk designation
The City of Newton is proud to announce that City Clerk Denise Duerksen this week was awarded her Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. This is the highest recognition a city clerk can achieve. The MMC program has an extensive and rigorous educational component and a professional and community contribution component. Through advanced continuing education programs, participants receive further development to perform more complex municipal duties. Denise has worked so hard on her continuing education to achieve this goal. In her 33rd year with the City of Newton, she has become a leader, mentor, and valuable resource for clerks across state.
Source: City of Newton
Hutchinson’s Prairie Dunes Country Club to host USGA championships
An esteemed heartland course that’s hosted several top golf tournaments in the past is back in the USGA rotation after an announcement Tuesday that it will host a pair of future championships. Prairie Dunes Country Club, in Hutchinson, Kansas, will be the host site for the 2029 U.S. Senior Open and 2032 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, the USGA announced. Hosting high-profile events is nothing new for the course, as these tournaments will mark the ninth and 10th time the Perry Maxwell treasure will host a USGA Championship, although the last came in 2006.
Source: Hutch News
Localities warn of risks in federal cuts
As the appropriations tug of war goes back and forth in Congress, municipalities are concerned about a wide range of federally-supported infrastructure projects which might end up on the chopping block. The National Association of Counties is already ringing a warning bell via a letter addressed to both chambers of Congress imploring the need to “prioritize federal investments in crucial local government activities through the appropriations process.” NACo is especially concerned about the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund running dry after a season marked with wildfires and hurricanes. Per their letter, “Without the DRF being adequately funded, recovery projects will halt as FEMA implements punitive measures stifling response efforts.”
Source: The Bond Buyer
Chase County Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee honored with flag flown over U.S. Capitol
The Chase County Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee was presented with a flag flown over the United States Capitol this week, in honor of the Chase County Courthouse. Grace Greene, Director of District Operations for the Office of U.S. Representative Jake LaTurner (R-KS) presented the committee with the flag and a proclamation by LaTurner, highlighting the significance of the Chase County Courthouse as it reaches 150 years on continuous operation.
Source: Emporia Gazette
City of Emporia supports water workers amid ongoing main break challenges
As the City of Emporia continues to grapple with unprecedented water main issues, the well-being of city crews tasked with repairing and maintaining the city’s water infrastructure remains a top priority. According to Communications Manager Christine Torrens, the city emphasized the importance of supporting workers as they dealt with upwards of 15 water main breaks throughout the week. “This week, the City of Emporia’s Underground Utility crew has implemented shift rotations to prevent an increase in stress levels and emotional strain among their staff,” she said. “We understand the toll this continuous work can have on them, so we are taking proactive steps to ensure their mental and physical well-being.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
Johnson County thrift store sued city for blocking its move. It finally has a new home
Goodwill is opening (or reopening, perhaps) in Olathe — but only after a two-year-long battle with the city. The thrift store has finally found a new home in a former Tractor Supply at 11934 S. Strang Line Road. It hopes to open by the end of the year, said Melody Herren, a spokeswoman for Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. But Goodwill had hoped to have a store open long before that. After operating at 16630 W. 135th St. for roughly 17 years, Goodwill sought to move across the street, to 16175 W. 135th St., in 2020 to “upgrade its offerings,” court documents say. An Olathe ordinance passed in 2016 derailed their plans.
Source: Joco 913 News
‘It’s an emergency.’ Midwest towns scramble as drought threatens drinking water.
James Rainbolt typically can tackle most problems at his rural water plant with some extra time or money. But he can’t fix this. “I just can’t make it rain,” he said. Like others across southeast Kansas, Rainbolt remains helpless as he watches a persistent drought dry up the local water supply. He runs a public wholesale water supply district that provides the drinking water for several cities and rural water districts. The lack of rain has been so severe that it’s now threatening the water district’s intake pipe, which brings water from a local lake to the treatment plant. As lake levels fall, the angle at which the 8-inch pipe meets a floating pump station grows steeper and steeper, stressing the flexible joint. If the joint breaks, the consequences would be catastrophic, instantly cutting the water supply for thousands of people, businesses and schools across three counties. “If we break it, we have no water. Period,” said Jack Warren, the mayor of Sedan, a county seat about 100 miles southeast of Wichita and the largest customer of the water district.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Overland Park will start allowing native plants in home lawns and gardens
Overland Park residents may soon be able to plant more native plants in their yards and gardens. The city is in the process of updating its codes to make space for planned native landscapes for their ecological and stormwater benefits. That could mean front yard gardens featuring milkweed, blue sage, native flowers and other species that once dominated the northeastern Kansas landscape. Native plants, according to Johnson County Extension, are “well-adapted to a local ecosystem” and tend to evolve in an area “without the influence of man.”
Source: KCUR News
Weir homecoming celebration highlights town’s vibrant history
This weekend, the City of Weir is joyously celebrating its homecoming. As part of the homecoming festivities, the town is taking a moment to reflect on its rich history. Presenter and host David Wallace invited community members to share their stories, memorabilia, and insights into the vibrant history of Weir. “I’ve had the involvement of the museums around town and throughout Southeast Kansas. I have involvement from the McCune Museum, The Galena Historical Museum, The Nature Center in Galena. Miners Hall Museum has really done a great job,” said David Wallace.
Source: KOAM News
City holding ribbon cutting for revitalized park in downtown Wichita
On Saturday, the City of Wichita will be holding a ribbon cutting for the Chester I. Lewis Reflection Square Park, along with a continental breakfast. The event begins at 10 a.m. with speakers and entertainment. At 11:20 a.m., the artists and architect will provide a tour of the park. Those in attendance will be able to hear from artists Ellamonique Baccus and Matthew Mazzotta, members of the Lewis family and other community partners, donors and local performers. The park is located at 205 E. Douglas Ave. Parking is available along side streets and parking garages. To view parking locations, the City recommends using Downtown Wichita’s Get Around map.
Source: KSN-TV
Baxter Springs to add 4 pickleball courts at Kiwanis Park
There’s something new coming to Baxter Springs, and it’s something that has virtually taken over many communities across the country – pickleball. City workers began the construction of four asphalt pickleball courts this morning at Kiwanis Park. Mayor Sherry Brown tells us that after a pickleball pop-up event took place recently in town, the high interest prompted the city to provide a place for residents to enjoy the sport. “Just another opportunity for families to spend quality time outdoors, exercise, spend time together and you know, we just like to make it everything we can, better for the families,” said Sherry Brown, Mayor of Baxter Springs.
Source: KSNF/KODE
‘Noisy conduct?’ Case could have implications for political protesters across Kansas
Wichita finds itself at the heart of a precedent-setting court case with statewide implications for political protesters. It involves a city law that prohibits “engaging in noisy conduct tending to reasonably arouse alarm, anger or resentment in others.” But what is noisy conduct? Who defines it, and does it involve what protesters are saying, or how they say it? Kansas Supreme Court justices are grappling with difficult questions about disruptive political expression and whether the government’s efforts to limit confrontations between citizens have a chilling effect on free speech. The case grew from 2020 demonstrations where participants were arrested for disrupting traffic and drawing on sidewalks with chalk. Wichita protesters chanted “Black Lives Matter” and “Defund the Police” as renewed calls for accountability and systemic change sparked demonstrations around the country after the police killing of George Floyd.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle