Kansas Municipal News
UNBOUND Gravel brings unprecedented impact to Emporia community
As more than 4,000 gravel enthusiasts and their support crews descend upon Emporia for the 17th annual UNBOUND Gravel weekend, local economic development and tourism experts say the continued impact on the area is undeniable. The value of that impact was upwards of $6 million in 2018. Visit Emporia director LeLan Dains said while he doesn’t have firm numbers to cite just yet, the financial impact has only increased five years later.
Source: Emporia Gazette
City of Russell Fire Chief hospitalized after explosion
Russel City Manager Jon Quinday said that shortly after 9 p.m. on Friday the fire department was called to 1706 N. Main Street for a structure fire. After Fire Chief Dylan Riedel arrived on scene the fire caused an explosion. Riedel was taken to Russell Regional Hospital then later transported to Via Christi in Wichita. The Kansas State Fire Marshall was asked to help in the investigation.
Source: KAKE – News
Johnson County is recruiting gardeners to help prevent flooding in Kansas City
Kansas City sits at the intersection of many rivers — the Missouri River separating downtown from the Northland, the Kansas River in Wyandotte and Johnson counties, and Turkey Creek, the Blue River, Mill Creek and Brush Creek forming a spider web across the bistate area. And this is no accident, said Heather Schmidt, the stormwater program manager in Johnson County. “Whenever anybody develops or settles anywhere, they want to be by the stream,” Schmidt said. “It’s their water source, and it’s their source to get things away. And that’s always been problematic, because they also get flooded out.”
Source: KCUR News
El Dorado PD seek community heroes!
For many law enforcement departments, bullet resistant vests for K-9s are not in the budget. Instead, departments rely on nonprofit assistance to acquire the protective gear. Nonprofit Keeping K-9s in Kevlar accepted the responsibility to bring the community together and help fund El Dorado Police Department’s newest officer, K9 Rico, for a (bullet resistant) Kevlar vest involving community assistance with their donations. The non-profit seeks community heroes to assist in funding K9 Rico’s vest. Vests costs $2,784. Nonprofits are the way most departments receive K-9 Kevlar vests.
Source: Andover American
Historic Mural Coming to Downtown Fort Scott
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce is preparing to bring a historic mural to downtown. “The first Kansas colored infantry was sworn in on the parade grounds here at Fort Scott, shortly after the Emancipation Proclamation, and so this is a story that has always been in Fort Scott’s legacy,” said Rachel French. The mural will honor this infantry, who were the first African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. According to the Fort Scott National Historic Site, Kansas was the first northern state to recruit, train, and send African American soldiers into combat during the Civil War.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Baxter Springs approves UTVs, golf carts on city roads
The Baxter Springs City Council passes an ordinance permitting UTVs and golf carts to be driven on the city streets. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and get their UTV or golf cart insured. The vehicles must also pass an inspection, and the Baxter Springs Police Department will conduct those Wednesday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., or on Saturdays by appointment. Once that is complete, drivers will be required to pay a license fee of $25. The vehicle must also have a seat and seat belt, head and tail lights, turn signals, rearview mirrors, and mufflers.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Municipal Bond Trends for June 2, 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.
What’s next for downtown Topeka? Here’s what developers say about buildings still vacant
Downtown Topeka has seen progress over the years, but there’s still more room for growth. In the past five years, major projects include The Pennant opening in March 2018, The Cyrus Hotel opening in 2019, Evergy Plaza opening in March 2020, new pocket parks and more. Highly anticipated projects still to come include the two-story restaurant lounge Ta.Co at 735 S. Kansas Ave., a revived restoration project for Jayhawk Theatre and a new Polk-Quincy Viaduct. Ashley Gilfillan, president of Downtown Topeka Inc., said downtown is getting back to a sense of community and walkability. “Yes, it’s the economic development of it in stores, buildings and residents,” Gilfillan said, “but I think that it also offers a culture and kind of like a home feeling in place making.”
Source: CJonline
Lakin To Open a New Daycare
The city of Lakin is excited to announce their newest project – City Builders Daycare. … childcare is an issue here in our community and across the nation… The City Council voted to take a city owned building that is underused and created a space that will have a lasting impact on our children and our families… We are fortunate enough to have several quality daycares here in town that we are collaborating with, and not competing with. We are planning for a middle of June opening date.
Source: Lakin Independent
Lawrence to discuss enforcement, fines and cost of proposed ban on single-use plastic bags
After expressing support earlier this year for moving forward with a ban on single-use plastic bags, city leaders will soon review particulars of a draft ordinance, including the process, fines and costs associated with enforcing the ban. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive an update on the single-use plastic bag draft ordinance and provide direction to city staff regarding potential next steps. The city estimates it will cost about $31,000 annually to enforce the ban, and a structure for fines for violations has been laid out.
Source: LJWorld
South Hutchinson selects Jeff Schenk to be city administrator
The South Hutchinson City Council voted unanimously to hire Jeff Schenk to be the next city administrator at Friday night’s special meeting. Schenk brings more than 15 years of public sector service to the role, having most recently served as the interim director of engineering for the City of Hutchinson. Schenk manages more than $25 million in capital improvement projects each year and has been intimately involved with the Woodie Seat bridge replacement project. “He was our unanimous pick because he possesses a unique blend of skills, relevant infrastructure experience, and solid relationships within the region,” said Mayor Brian Garretson.
Source: Hutch News
City of Topeka considers providing some residents property tax relief
Topeka’s mayor and city council next month will consider providing property tax relief to property owners who meet guidelines that include having a total household income of $37,750 or less. Council policy and finance committee members Spencer Duncan and Hannah Naeger voted 2-0 Thursday to recommend the mayor and council approve the proposal involved. … Duncan’s proposal would enable eligible property owners to receive a rebate of the property taxes they pay that are levied specifically by Topeka’s city government. … Under Duncan’s proposal, the city would make the rebate available to all residents who pay city property taxes … and had a total household income of $37,750 or less.
Source: CJonline
Ten small towns in Kansas to include on your summer road trip in the Sunflower State
With the warmer months of the year approaching, and summer vacation plans afoot, it can be hard to narrow down the best way to spend time with friends and loved ones. One way to celebrate a much-needed time out of the office this season is behind the wheel, enjoying the freedom of the open road and interesting stops that come your way. In Kansas, some of the most interesting stops come via hard-to-beat small town atmospheres that are rich in culture and history, with unique forms of entertainment and recreation.
Source: Salina Journal
Great Bend addresses filling vacancies
What can the Great Bend City Council and mayor do if a member of the governing body fails to attend meetings? As of now, very little, but the council Monday night will consider an ordinance to remedy this. “We’re just looking at what’s in the best interest of the city,” Mayor Cody Schmidt said. “We want to put something in play that protects the city and the council.” … The city’s legal team noted the city can pass an ordinance that allows for the replacement of non-qualifying or non-functioning members, which is much less cumbersome and expensive [than going through the recall process]. They are recommending an ordinance be passed to allow the governing body to “promptly and efficiently replace a non-qualifying or non-functioning member.”
Source: Great Bend Tribune
From Murals to Housing Incentives: The Impact of the Rural Champion Project in Wallace County
In October, Lissa Sexson was hired by the County of Wallace to serve as the Rural Champion, or point-person, to move forward efforts of Community Development within the county. Prior to being awarded the Rural Champion grant, Wallace County had not had any official form of community or economic development in close to 15 years.
Some areas of emphasis for the Rural Champion project were defined broadly as: housing, the economy, and establishing a sustainable structure to move Wallace County Community Development forward with after the Rural Champion stipend. With broad support throughout the county, much work has been initiated and gaining momentum.
One of the first projects Lissa participated with was Rural Mural grant through the Office of Rural Prosperity. This grant was able to help make 3 beautiful murals happen throughout the county and Lissa was the artist of one of the murals that were completed.
Focusing on the primarily agricultural economy of Wallace County, community development has hosted Russell Plaschka with the Kansas Department of Ag for a community conversation focused on ag growth. Additionally, a second, follow up community informational meeting was also had with Plaschka which included Sammy Gleason with the state trademark program, From the Land of Kansas.
Christy Preston with Network Kansas was able to speak with County Commissioners regarding their programing and opportunities that come from being an E-Community. Wallace County Community Development plans to apply for E-Community status prior to the April 4th deadline.
In addition to looking broadly at future economic potential, there has also been a push by Wallace County Community Development to maintain and enhance current businesses through a Storefront and Signage Incentive Program. Between funding from the county, the Wallace County Foundation, and cash-match from award recipients, the Incentive Program could provide $30,000+ worth of visual updates to Wallace County businesses.
Looking at housing, Wallace County Community Development has been working through the Housing Assessment Tool (HAT) with a volunteer advisory committee. This is a self-assessment process that thoroughly gathers local and regional housing data, as well as also considers local input from the community.
Wallace County Community Development is also working through establishing and funding a set of Housing Incentives identified as priorities, including demo of dilapidated properties, spur redevelopment, encourage painting, motivate the sale of vacant homes, and more.
Establishing a brand for Wallace County Community Development and creating lines of communication has also been part of the Rural Champion project. Currently a quarterly newsletter is released, an email contact list is expanding, and there is an effort to be active on social media.
Wallace County Community Development has also laid the groundwork for a community book club starting in March featuring “13 Ways to Kill Your Community”. Each discussion will then be led by a community organization, including the Wallace County Foundation, Wallace County Chamber of Commerce, and Wallace County Visitors Bureau.
To learn more about this and the 11 additional Rural Champion pilot projects, visit https://www.kansascommerce.gov/orp/ruralchampions/.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Saline County begins deep dive into budget, with a focus on trimming expenses
Saline County’s Board of Commissioners began to look at a preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with a focus on trimming down expenses and limiting potential tax increases. Department heads and other county staff presented their requested portions of the budget at the commission’s weekly meeting May 30. In the next couple months, the county will continue to revise and refine the budget, narrowing the requests made by the county departments and non-county entities. Last week, the commission got a brief first look at the preliminary budget. At that time, County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes noted property-tax supported fund requests were initially 16.66% higher than what was adopted in 2023. Among other county staff, the commissioners noted that kind of increase is not possible.
Source: Salina Journal
City raises concerns about water supply as Wichita records driest spring in decades
Wichita is in an exceptional drought. Thursday, Wichita officials talked about measures to stave off the drought during a briefing that had to move inside because of rain. “I know it’s raining, but we do have to talk about our drought situation here in Wichita and this region,” Mayor Brandon Whipple said. Joining Whipple was Don Henry, assistant utilities department director of Wichita Public Works & Utilities. Henry said the day’s rain may mean short-term improvements in greener grass, but the threat of the drought still looms. “I know that the farmers will appreciate the rain, but in terms of public water supply and managing that through a drought, we have to keep our eye on Cheney Reservoir.” That reservoir accounts for nearly half of Wichita’s drinking water. Its levels are affected not only by the amount of rainfall, but also by the amount of run-off that reaches Cheney.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Wichita warned about political sign ordinance
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is warning the city of Wichita that it’s not adhering to a state law regulating the placement of political signs during an election. Kobach last week sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Whipple flatly stating that the city’s sign code was illegal. The letter points out that under state law, a city may not prohibit the placement or the number of political signs on private property or in the right of way for 45 days before an election and two days after the election.
Source: Sunflower State Journal
Atchison Firefighters wrap up May with unusual rescues
Some might say that several out-of-the-ordinary calls for rescues Atchison Firefighters responded to during the month of May mostly resulted in “purr-fect” outcomes. Chief Patrick Weishaar, Atchison Fire Department, reported three of these rescues involved cats that were not the “cat in the tree” like firefighters normally respond to. The latest of these occurred Tuesday, May 30, at about 4:30 p.m. at the AFD station located at 218 N. Sixth St.
Source: www.atchisonglobenow.com
Baxter Springs Historical Society breaks ground on Route 66 roadside park
Members of the Baxter Springs Historical Society broke ground recently on a future Route 66 roadside park. It will adjoin the Route 66 Visitors Center and provide parking for downtown Baxter Springs, a mural wall and a statue commemorating Baxter Springs’ heritage as the first cowtown in Kansas. “I’m incredibly excited to start work on this project,” Jordan Adams, Historical Society Board president, said in a statement. “This will serve as a fantastic gateway to downtown shops and restaurants while highlighting the colorful history of our area.” The historical society noted the community’s diverse history, from being a stop on the Black Dog Trail to William Quantrill’s raid on Fort Blair during the Civil War to its place on Route 66.
Source: www.joplinglobe.com