Kansas Municipal News
KDHE announces recipients of $333k in waste reduction grants
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is pleased to announce the recipients of the solid waste reduction grants. Grants totaled $333,037.56 and were awarded to 14 different cities, counties and organizations. The solid waste tire reduction grant is used to support projects related to the development and operation of recycling, source reduction, waste minimization and solid waste management public education programs. The grants are funded by revenue collected through the solid waste tonnage fee; a $1.00/per ton of solid waste disposed at any solid waste disposal area in the state. A list of the map of awards is available here.
Source: KDHE
As water dries up, SE Kansas communities enact mandatory water conservation
In parts of southeast Kansas heat and parched conditions are drying up the water supply for several Kansas communities. This week, people living in Chautauqua County and parts of Montogmery and Elk Counties are under mandatory water conservation measures. That means no watering lawns, washing cars or filling pools. Kathi Barlow has seen the impact of the drought drying up the land. “People just say they haven’t seen it at this point ever. It’s hard. Yeah, it’s bad,” said Barlow.
Source: KWCH
Municipal Bond Trends for August 4, 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.
Municipal Bond Trends for August 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.
Olympics in Moscow, Kansas?
Efforts to boycott the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow did not go well. No alternative site was picked. In the midst of all this, here came Moscow, Kansas, with what it hoped was the answer. The 250 people in town started passing out bumper stickers. They wanted to keep the games in Moscow, if not Russia, then Kansas. At Moscow International airport, they expected big crowds, if they could find a plane that seats more than one. “We have a man who works at the post office,” said Doug Bell. “He knows all about air mail. And then there’s the guy who cleans the sewer tanks here. He knows all about rapid transit.”
Source: Bob Dotson on LinkedIn
Council to ponder declaring McPherson’s seat vacant
Should the Great Bend City Council Ward 4 seat currently held by Brock McPherson be declared vacant due to his continued absences? That question will be before the council as it meets Monday night. It will consider using for the first time an ordinance created to deal with these sorts of issues, one crafted because of McPherson’s lack of council participation. Should a vacancy be declared, Mayor Cody Schmidt “with advise and consent of the council” will begin the process of finding a suitable elector for appointment at the next council meeting Monday, Aug. 21, the agenda for Monday night reads.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
‘Right thing to do’: Wichita police award eight citizens for response during stabbing
Isaac Stegman was in west Wichita driving home from work when he saw something he had never seen before: an accident in which one driver was out of his vehicle and stabbing the driver inside the other vehicle. Both people involved were men. The victim had a woman and two children in his vehicle. Stegman, who owns a carpentry business, turned his truck and trailer around, parked in the road and got out to help. By the time he arrived, the victim was on the ground, the suspect held at gunpoint by another bystander. He quickly used his shirt and belt to make tourniquets on the 30-year-old man’s leg and arm. The man had been stabbed elsewhere as well.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Valley Center named Purple Heart City
Following in the footsteps of Derby and Haysville, Valley Center become the third city in Sedgwick County in the span of roughly one year to officially be declared a Purple Heart City. An official proclamation was made at the Sedgwick County Commission meeting on Aug. 2. The official proclamation serves as a statement of support for military personnel, veterans and families of those who have served through the Armed Services in recalling one of the oldest military decorations still given out.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Local 911 call centers address staffing issues
Across the country, 82% of 911 call centers are understaffed. Here in Sedgwick County, the emergency communications department has experienced similar issues. The Sedgwick County 911 Call Center has experienced a time when staffing dipped below 65% capacity. A new $430,000 renovation started in April to address the concern. The project is now complete and its staff will move into the updated facility as soon as next week. The updates include knocking down walls to create more space for additional new hires. Additionally, updates to flooring and other parts of the building were put into place to make the staff feel more comfortable.
Source: KSN-TV
McPherson Fire Department gets enough donations for baby box
The McPherson Fire Department announced Friday it has received enough donations to pay for the installation of a baby box. A news release says several donations were received through the McPherson County Community Foundation: Newborn Safety Device page, Countryside Covenant Church, A local family trust (who wished to remain anonymous), and A McPherson firefighter and their family (who wished to remain anonymous). MFD says they were also contacted by Oliva Fetsch, who lost her sister Vanessa Leite in April this year. She donated the remaining amount needed to install the box in Leite’s honor.
Source: KSN-TV
Proposed ordinance would allow Wichita police chief to suspend business licenses for bars, clubs
A new ordinance the Wichita City Council will consider on Tuesday would allow the Wichita police chief to suspend business licenses for bars and clubs. According to the City of Wichita, the ordinance would create consistent criteria for the suspension of licenses at bars and other businesses that sell alcohol. The filing says the ordinance would address deficiencies by adding provisions that allow the chief of police to immediately suspend a license when violent criminal conduct occurs to the extent there is a credible safety risk to the public if the business remains open.
Source: KSN-TV
What these new Kansas road signs mean
Drivers along four Kansas roads have noticed new yellow signs recently. The sign message is “Safety Corridor — Increased Enforcement,” and the ultimate goal is to reduce crashes. The Kansas Department of Transportation says the Safety Corridor Pilot Program is new and will run through 2028. KDOT chose four corridors for the pilot program based on crash history, availability of additional law enforcement, and input from local traffic safety partners.
Source: KSN-TV
Lawrence releases final site design for pallet shelter village
Lawrence leaders have finalized the site design for a pallet shelter village to address homelessness in the city. The shelter will be located at 256 N. Michigan St., just south of Interstate 70 west of the Kansas River. The city plans to create 50 pallet shelters that are each 64 square feet. Each cabin will have heating and cooling. The village will also have shared restrooms, showers, laundry and office space, plus bike and vehicle parking. The final design also shows a community tent area and a proposed fence line. Supporters have previously said the village is a key piece in community efforts to end homelessness in both Lawrence and Douglas County.
Source: KSN-TV
KU launches plan to address nursing shortage; Hospital nursing vacancies peak
As hospitals struggle to recruit nurses and the demand for nursing heightens, the University of Kansas is starting a new initiative to tackle the mounting healthcare labor issue in Kansas. The university’s School of Nursing is forming a new center that will address shortages of nurses and nursing faculty in Kansas. The university’s announcement comes as Kansas hospitals are coping with their highest vacancy rates for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in more than 20 years.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
Lawrence City Commission’s first meeting with consent agenda change is Tuesday; here’s what the change looks like
Members of the public no longer have the option to pull most items from the Lawrence City Commission’s consent agenda. There’s one item on Tuesday’s agenda that can be pulled. The consent agenda is a long list of items that are generally approved in one motion unless a commissioner or member of the public asks to pull something for discussion. Under a change commissioners approved last week, community members may only pull certain items that are designated as “quasi-judicial.” Deputy City Attorney Randy Larkin said last week that this distinction typically includes items where the commission is asked to apply city ordinance to a request with a specific set of facts — similar to the way judges interpret the law to decide legal arguments.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Riley County presented with survey results for proposed 4-day work week
Riley County Public Information Officer Vivienne Leyva presented commissioners Thursday with results of a July public survey, regarding a potential switch to a 4 day, 40 hour work week. Leyva spoke about the first question on the survey. Close to 2,000 respondents took the survey, with greater than half saying the new schedule would make Riley County offices more accessible for them. Question 2 asked preference for extended hours to conduct business. About 22 percent of digital respondents to the survey said visiting early morning or late evening would be better, with a small amount preferring evenings.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Moundridge City Administrator Murray McGee has announced that he is stepping down; becoming CEO of INK
Moundridge City Administrator, Murray McGee has announced that he is stepping down September 1st after 8 years with the City. McGee has accepted the Chief Executive Officer position with the Information Network of Kansas. INK is a public/private partnership charged by the Legislature with expanding the amount and type of Kansas government information available to the public. … The City Council are starting immediately to conduct a search for a new Administrator. Mayor Kevin Schmidt thanked McGee for his service and expressed his confidence in the City staff who are stepping up to help with the transition during this period.
Source: Moundridge
City of Wichita has given out over $100k in rebates
On Jan. 10, the Wichita City Council approved $100,000 in rebates for citizens who have bought water- and energy-efficient devices in 2023. That number was increased to $125,000 on July 5, as the City Council approved additional funds if the $100,000 was exhausted before Oct. 31. City officials say so far, the City of Wichita has approved rebates for 1,242 water-efficient devices, totaling $112,960.06. The Lawn Care Rebate Program is intended to lower the use of gas and diesel-powered lawn equipment and provides a $50 rebate for residents who purchase new non-combustion lawn equipment and recycle their old combustion equipment. City officials say the City of Wichita has used around $300 for the lawn rebate. It’s possible that the lower number is due to the lack of rain and as a result the decreased need to maintain lawns.
Source: KSN-TV
Home sales are down in Kansas, but you can still expect to pay more in Wichita
Homebuyers in Wichita should expect to navigate a “very competitive” market, according to one real estate site, even as sales slump statewide compared to last year. Tight inventory has driven prices up in many areas and contributed to a seller’s market. Wichita’s median home listing price is $275,000 as of June, which is a 14.6% increase from last year, real estate site Realtor.com reports. Average Wichita homes were selling for about 3% above asking price in June, and most homes are selling after about 28 days on the market. The average home value in Wichita was $186,579 in June, according to the Zillow Home Value Index. Home values are up 5.9% in Wichita compared to last year.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Kingman power outages bring community together
Power outages hit large parts of Kingman during the hottest part of the day yesterday and the day before, but the incidents have only brought the community closer together. The outages hit most of the northwestern part of the city, which is where Julie Wollen lives. She was coming home from work with her husband Tuesday when she noticed something was off. “We came into the house, I’m like, ‘It’s warm in here,'” Wollen said. “My husband’s like, ‘Well, it’s 103 degrees out,’ and I’m like, ‘Well, we have no power.” The City set up a cooling center for affected residents and free rides to help them get there. “One of our city bus drivers came into work and started running the public taxi,” said Adrian Harrel, the City of Kingman’s mayor.
Source: KSN-TV