Kansas Municipal News
Garden City airport terminal project progressing
The new terminal project at the Garden City Regional Airport is progressing. Rachelle Powell, director of aviation at the GCRA, said the initial investigation into the project began in 2016. … The new terminal will be built in the same foot-print of the existing facility but will nearly triple in size, Powell said. It will be longer and wider and will also have a partial second story that will house the restaurant facility as well as extra seating where people can come watch airplanes and will include a baggage belt and a larger hold room. Once constructed the new terminal will have two gates, one will have a jet bridge that can accommodate anything from a regional jet with 50 seats up to a 747 with 150 seats, Powell said. Additionally there will be a ground-boarding option that can accommodate any size aircraft.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Salina bus manufacturing company closing
After being in central Kansas since the 1950s, ElDorado Bus, a division of Forest River Inc., will close its facility in Salina. Forest River issued a Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification (W.A.R.N.) Act Notice to employees this week telling them the operation at 1655 Wall St. in Salina will close. The notice said the closure is because of a reduction in business caused primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility is set to close during a 14-day period from May 10 to May 24 and termination of employment will occur during this time as well.
Source: Salina Journal.
Municipal Bond Trends for March 11, 2021
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Grants available through Main Street
When Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly reinstated the Kansas Main Street program in late 2019, 25 communities that had been part of the program — including Holton — were “grandfathered back into” the program, according to Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce executive director Ashlee York. Last year, however, plans to give the state program and its participating communities a boost were hampered by COVID-19. But now that the pandemic appears to be leveling off, Chamber officials have announced their intent to utilize the state program’s “resources and tools needed to breath new life into our community and district.” That’s according to a statement issued Monday morning by the Chamber board that Kansas Main Street is offering three new grant programs to benefit upper-floor housing, arts programs and new business development in downtown districts.
Source: Holton Recorder
Banks and mutual funds increase their holdings of municipal bonds
Banks and mutual funds increased their holdings of municipal bonds in 2020, followed by a strong increase of holdings by exchange-traded funds. Bank holdings increased to $513 billion from $472 billion from 2019, an increase of 9%. That was among several growth trends that stood out from the Federal Reserve’s flow of funds report covering the final quarter of 2020, released Thursday. “That’s consistent with a long-term trend of banks increasing their appetite for municipals and keeping more municipals on their balance sheet,” said Michael Decker, vice president of policy and research at Bond Dealers of America. “That’s the biggest part of the answer of who is buying these bonds.”
Source: The Bond Buyer
Every Johnson County teacher who wanted a COVID shot has gotten one, officials say
As more students return to classrooms, Johnson County health officials report that all educators who want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine have gotten their first dose. Since the county began vaccinating school staff at the beginning of February, 15,000 educators and child care workers have received the first of two shots. In public schools, more than 74% of staff members have been vaccinated, along with 72% of private school staff and 65% of child care workers, the department said Thursday. Health officials expect those numbers to grow as more teachers and staff members indicate interest in receiving the vaccine, which is voluntary.
Source: Joco 913 News
Shawnee County grassfires continue for 5th straight day
The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office is starting traffic control and advising motorists to stay clear of 61st and Shawnee Heights Road after a controlled burn grew untamable. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Dispatch center confirmed there was smoke over the road. Although the red flag warning has been lifted, the Topeka Fire Department is asking for no burning in Topeka because of the danger of fire spreading.
Source: KSNT News
As Overland Park explores solutions to U.S. 69 congestion, toll road bill faces skepticism in Topeka
Johnson County transportation liaison Josh Powers can make public safety, economic development and convenience arguments for reliance on tolls to pay for construction of express lanes on what might be the busiest four-lane highway in Kansas. He’s talking about U.S. 69 that slices a north-to-south route through Overland Park. It routinely suffers congestion during rush hour. Overland Park officials approached the Kansas Department of Transportation about widening the highway to six lanes. New northbound and southbound lanes would be referred to as “managed” lanes, which would be a first for Kansas.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Governor Laura Kelly visits McFarland to Celebrate $5 million in Grants to Expand Broadband to Homes, Businesses Statewide
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that through the Broadband Acceleration Grant Program, 14 broadband improvement projects totaling $5 million will improve access to high-speed internet for homes and businesses in 18 communities statewide. “Broadband access has been an overlooked problem in Kansas and across the country for years – but my administration knows it’s a game-changer, particularly for rural and underserved areas of our state,” Governor Kelly said. “These grants use an aggressive timeline to support urgent broadband needs that came to light during the pandemic. We’re committed to ensuring every Kansan has access to the connection they need for telehealth, virtual school, and to ensure business can compete in an increasingly digital-focused economy.” The Broadband Acceleration Grant program was created in 2020 to bring critically needed broadband access to Kansas communities. Funded through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE), the Office of Broadband Development administers the program to make more ‘last-mile’ connections possible across the state.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach urges residents to get vaccinated in final State of the City address
Overland Park Mayor Carl Gerlach, who has been in office since 2005, gave what is likely to be his last State of the City address earlier this month. Gerlach, who last month said he would not seek re-election this year, used the annual event March 3 to highlight ways the city has tried to overcome hardships created by the pandemic and stay unified in the midst of unprecedented challenges. The speech is normally given at a live, in-person event but was pre-produced this year and put online due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Gerlach’s address had a valedictory tone as the Johnson County native tried to wrap up a decades-long career in Overland Park city government.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Sedgwick County opens COVID-19 vaccine to postal, grocery and restaurant workers
Sedgwick County has opened up all of Phase 2 of its COVID-19 vaccination plan, now allowing people such as postal, grocery and restaurant workers to get the shot. Phase 2 was previously broken up into three part, 2A, 2B and 2C. As of Thursday, they are all combined. Click here to see if you’re eligible and here to schedule an appointment online. County Manager Tom Stolz said the county has administered about 75,000 doses in the community.
Source: KAKE – News
Kansas communities set for broadband improvements following first round of state grants
Critically needed broadband will soon be available to more than a dozen Kansas communities after the first-round recipients of a state grant program were announced Thursday. The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program, created in fall 2020, aims to increase broadband access across the state through a 10-year, $85 million investment. The program is operated through the office of broadband development in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy transportation program. The initial round provided $5 million in total grant awards to 14 companies in 18 communities; each company matched the state grant it received.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Energy assistance program expanded
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is being expanded to help Kansas residents with high utility bills, according to Gov. Laura Kelly. Gov. Kelly announced Thursday that the application deadline for LIEAP assistance is being extended to May 28. Also, income requirements for the program are changing from 130 percent to 150 percent of the federal poverty level, according to the governor’s office. For example, a household of four that makes $39,300 a year or $3,275 a month would qualify for LIEAP assistance.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Topeka agrees to pay $335,000 to settle lawsuit linked to 2016 police SUV crash
Topeka’s city government has agreed to pay $335,000 to settle a lawsuit over an April 2016 crash in which a vehicle driven by an undocumented immigrant was hit by a Topeka police SUV, which allegedly went through a red light while responding to a call with its lights and siren on. The city paid that amount in the suit pursued by motorist Jesus Meza and his passenger and niece, Meyra Meraz Aguirre, said Molly Hadfield, the city’s media relations director.
Source: CJonline.com.
Garden City applies for state loan for utility help
The Garden City Commission applied for a utility low-interest loan program through the state of Kansas for assistance in financing high utility costs incurred during the extreme winter weather in February at a special meeting Wednesday. The cold weather incurred just over $10 million in additional expenses to the city’s electric utility…. Mike Muirhead, Garden City Public Utilities director, said the loan program is available to any city in Kansas that has incurred extraordinary costs due to the weather.
Source: Garden City Telegram.
Sedgwick’s new flag design unveiled
Sedgwick’s very own flag is coming soon to a flagpole near you. Leigh Charles and Janise Enterkin were chosen as co-winners of the flag design contest from January, with part of each submission appearing in the final design. It primarily uses Charles’s idea, while also including the main element of Enterkin’s. “Mine started out a lot busier, with more things from the community,” Charles said. “But I thought, as a flag, it needed to be simplified and have bright colors.” She chose to incorporate red and black, based on Sedgwick’s school colors, and she made the triangles on either side yellow to match the yellow in the city seal at the center.
Source: Harvey County Now
Sedgwick police department now carrying tasers
The Sedgwick police department has a new tool to help fight crime. They received 15 tasers from one of the larger police agencies in the Kansas City metro area, according to police chief Brian Daily. Along with the used tasers, the department received additional cartridges, training cartridges, and holsters. Daily said the tasers are enough for each officer to carry one with several kept in reserve.
Source: Harvey County Now
$36 million contract to rebuild the worst part of Wichita’s worst freeway bottleneck
In a piece of good news for some long-suffering commuters, the state of Kansas has just accepted a $36.3 million bid to rebuild the worst part of Wichita’s worst freeway bottleneck — the North Junction interchange of I-135 and I-235. The bid will allow Dondlinger Construction to start work next month on a flyover bridge linking northbound 135 to westbound 235, said Tom Hein, Wichita spokesman for the Kansas Department of Transportation. “That’s really the bottleneck every night, with the loop ramp being such a tight turn and (drivers) having to weave into traffic from westbound 254,” Hein said.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
KDHE issues guidance for vaccinated Kansans
In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance issued Monday for those who have been vaccinated, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is issuing similar guidance in Kansas. The KDHE said two weeks after Kansans receive their completed COVID-19 vaccination, residents may begin to gather in their private homes with other fully vaccinated people, in small groups, without masks or social distancing. A completed vaccination refers to two dozes of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or a single Johnson & Johnson dose. The guidance also allows for vaccinated people to gather in private homes with unvaccinated people so long as the unvaccinated people are from a single household and are at low risk for developing severe disease.
Source: KAKE – News
Sedgwick County moves to phase 2A of COVID-19 vaccination plan
Sedgwick County has moved into phase 2A for COVID-19 vaccinations. This group includes people like veterinarians, employees at meat processing plants, childcare workers and more. Margo Jones is the owner of Kids World Childcare Center in east Wichita. She’ll be getting her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine this weekend. “I’m looking forward to it. I encourage all of our daycare providers and everyone who’s working with children to go ahead and get that vaccine. Just to keep yourself healthy, keep children healthy and make sure that everybody’s staying safe.” On Tuesday, Sedgwick County announced it will be moving into a new phase of the vaccination plan. The complete list of who’s eligible in the new tier can be found on the county’s website.
Source: KAKE – News
KDOT worker finds alligator carcass in Sumner County
The carcass of an American Alligator was reportedly found in the Ninnescah River in Sumner County. According to a social media post from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), a KDOT worker discovered the deceased animal. A local herpetologist told KDWPT the alligator carcass is around three-years-old.
Source: KAKE – News
Municipal Bond Trends for March 10, 2021
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
U.S. 10-year yield could spike ‘well above’ 2% in the next three months, strategist says
The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield is likely to hit 2% by the end of the year but could spike “well above” that in the second quarter, according to ING senior rates strategist Antoine Bouvet. Bouvet told “Street Signs Europe” on Wednesday that the envisaged re-opening of the economy in the second quarter, when it’s hoped the vast majority of the U.S. population will be vaccinated against the coronavirus, will result in strong retail sales on the back of the U.S. government’s stimulus package. All these factors will “contribute and conspire towards optimism in the market and then towards that spike in U.S. Treasurys,” Bouvet said, expecting yields to reach a “minimum” of 2%.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
City Commission discusses future of housing in Emporia
The Emporia City Commission discussed updates to its Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) policy to address the housing shortage in Emporia during its study session Wednesday morning. Special Projects Coordinator Jim Witt explained that about 53% of local households could afford houses priced at $150,000 and that this data point would help guide the commission in moving forward with making decisions in regard to housing. However, he also said that the variability of housing prices would be important to consider as well. “That’s the second point, I think, to be made is that the rising costs of housing — affordable materials, etc. — is going to impact whatever we do,” Witt said.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Ellinwood City Council reviews February energy emergency
Meeting Tuesday, the Ellinwood City Council received updates from city staff regarding expected cost related to the energy crisis in mid-February caused by extreme cold weather. City Administrator Chris Komarek said there are still several unknown variables when it comes to expenses. “This is related to both the wholesale purchase of power and the usage within our own infrastructure,” said Komarek. “One of the main issues at hand will be the bills we will be sending to our citizens and businesses on April 1.” He added that, depending on what the increase might be, the city will need to decide on the type of adjustments to pay agreement policies and how long to offer extensions.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Lawrence bar owners, students excited for new COVID guidelines, loosened restrictions
More counties in Kansas are beginning to loosen their COVID-19 restrictions. Douglas County is the latest area to follow the trend. Under the new order, mass gatherings increase from 25 to 50 people and food and drink venues can return to normal business hours. Social distancing and masks are still required, and indoor capacity limits will remain at 50%.
Source: KSN-TV
Mayetta votes in favor of sales tax increase
People in Mayetta voted in favor of a one-half percent sale tax increase in a special election Tuesday. The current sales tax will increase to 1.5% and will start April 1. This increase will help cover the cost of extending a city sewer line to the new Dollar General store. It’s currently under construction on Mayetta’s west city limits. Revenue from the sales tax will also be used for general street maintenance, sidewalk construction and repair.
Source: KSNT News
Lawrence City Commission votes to set 11 p.m. end time for meetings, approves other meeting rule changes
The Lawrence City Commission has voted to amend rules governing its meetings in an effort to improve their efficiency and prevent them from running late into the night. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the commission voted 3-0, with commissioners Stuart Boley and Jennifer Ananda absent, to adopt an amendment to the section of city code related to meetings of the governing body and a new resolution that lays out the commission’s meeting rules and procedures. The changes include the addition of an 11 p.m. end time, which can be overruled, where there was no end time before. Mayor Brad Finkeldei said that while he was not a big fan of how the 11 p.m. end time was set up, the changes had been the consensus of the commission and they were worth a try. Finkeldei said he thought some of the other changes approved, such as those made to how work sessions and the consent agenda work, would also help the commission’s meetings run more smoothly.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Jetmore woman launches internet company to overcome the digital divide in her rural community
It started as a retirement idea in 2016 and has since made a significant difference in the community. Susan Nuss, a lifelong Jetmore resident, has created her own internet company, helping her town stay on the digital map. Nuss has nearly 30 years of experience in the internet world. Launching her own company to serve those she grew up knowing has been a dream of hers. She created Black Dragon Networks, LLC. Black Dragon Networks, LLC is a minority, woman-owned engineering company rooted in Hodgeman County. It specializes in bringing high-speed internet to rural, remote areas of the state. Many of the areas of focus are communities that have been overlooked by other carriers, leaving them with little to no service.
Source: KSN-TV
Average price for a new home in Johnson County? $558,000 as property values rise
As buyers face a bidding war over Johnson County’s limited housing inventory, new homes are selling for $558,000 on average, according to a county appraiser report. Factor in existing homes as well, and the average sales price of a single-family home was $394,000 in 2020, the appraiser said. Last month alone, according to the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors, the average sales price soared to more than $411,000. “This year, we just don’t have the inventory,” said Marti Lilja, a real estate agent with Keller Williams, adding that the pandemic delayed a lot of construction. “We’re so behind. There are so many buyers who still need houses, it’s going to take a while before everything gets caught up.”
Source: Joco 913 News
Ark City students headed back to school five days a week
Students in the Arkansas City public school district will return to classrooms five days a week starting with elementary grades March 22. The USD 470 school board made the decision Monday night. Middle and high school students will start the full in-person schedule April 6. The students currently are going to schools four days a week with Wednesday a remote learning day.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Reno County leaves mask order in place three more weeks
The Reno County Commission will leave in place the governor’s mask mandate for the county until at least March 30, when the board will take it up for discussion once again. Local health officials asked the commission on Tuesday to leave the order in place at least for another month, to allow more employees in high contract critical jobs to be vaccinated against the virus.
Source: Hutch News.
Municipal Bond Trends for March 9, 2021
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Kansas to move to next vaccination phase in 4 weeks or less
Kansas’ top health official says the state could finish vaccinating seniors and essential workers and move on to the next phase of coronavirus vaccinations in the next month. Dr. Lee Norman said Tuesday that the state could reach the third phase in four weeks or sooner. The next phase includes people aged 16 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at severe risk if they are infected with COVID-19, including cancer and Type 2 diabetes, as well as workers in critical industries such as information technology and government.
Source: KSN-TV
Parsons celebrates 150 years
There was a sesquicentennial celebration Monday in Southeast Kansas. We spoke with the families who’ve called Parsons their home for generations. Marilyn Smith, Parsons Resident, said, “Everybody was community built, everybody was friends with everybody.” This was a major day for the city of Parsons 150 years ago. Dave Mattox, Parsons Historian, said, “On March 8th, 1871, the very first lots were sold in Parsons at the KATY Freight Depot. They were looking for a junction point for the two KATY lines, and Parsons ending up being that junction.”
Source: KSNF/KODE
Lowes launches ‘100 Hometowns’ project to improve communities
A company dedicated to improving homes now wants to improve communities. Lowe’s, the retail chain, is celebrating its centennial and is promising to spend $10 million on 100 neighborhood projects.”It might be a community center that needs revitalization, a garden, a block, something that has maybe fallen into disrepair, something that has been subject to the many natural disasters we know,” says Lowe’s executive vice president Marisa Thalberg. Thalberg says the projects come at a time when Americans need a sense of community.
Source: KSN-TV
Topeka councilman proposes repealing after midnight license for businesses
Topeka councilman Spencer Duncan is asking city council to repeal the “After Midnight” license required for businesses to operate from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. In the last several weeks, businesses have been notified that they will need to renew the After Midnight license. Duncan said he was approached by a constituent who owns a bar in his district, District 8. According to Duncan, the fee may bring in a total of roughly $5,000. He believes the labor it takes to approve the licenses costs more than the revenue it brings to the city.
Source: KSNT News
Shawnee County Health reports more than 21,000 vaccinated
The Shawnee County Health Department reported that as of March 2 approximately 21,073 individuals, 65 and over, have been vaccinated in Shawnee County. As of March 5, 250 mass transportation and child care workers were vaccinated. Stormont Vail Health, The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus, GraceMed, VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System and the Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD) released a statement on March 9 that they have met their goals based on the number of vaccine doses they received.
Source: KSNT News
Sedgwick County prepares to start up a second COVID mass-vaccination clinic
As supplies of coronavirus vaccines and personnel to give the shots improve, Sedgwick County is planning to start a second mass-vaccination clinic, officials said Tuesday. The new clinic is projected to start on a three-day-a-week basis and would allow the county to give about an additional 4,500 shots a week, said Deputy County Manager Tim Kaufman. He said the second site will be possible because Kansas Department of Health and Environment will soon provide more vaccine and lend the county additional trained personnel to administer shots.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Humboldt district strategizes spending
Humboldt school officials are creating a strategic plan on how to use $366,000 in federal relief funds. The district recently received $366,000 in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds as part of the federal CAREs Act. Now the challenge is to create a strategic plan for how to spend it. On Monday, Superintendent Kay Lewis shared with board members an intricate color-coded “map” of the plan thus far, which included feedback from staff. Some possible items include increasing community engagement post-COVID, hiring literacy specialists, developing curriculum, improving internet and boosting student social and emotional health.
Source: The Iola Register
Positive Connections: Hutchinson man’s wheels keep turning, celebrates 57 years in almost century-old bicycle business
Nearly 100 years later and the wheels at Harley’s Bicycles in Hutchinson are still spinning. “Our business actually started in 1922, so this is about our 99th year in business,” said owner Bob Updegraff. Updegraff hadn’t even graced the earth when the original shop opened, but some might say he was born to take it over. He was introduced to the business at a young age.
Source: KSN-TV
No yolking… chickens are back in Sabetha
Housing chickens within the city limits of Sabetha has been approved. This decision comes after a brief discussion held at the Sabetha City Commission Monday, March 8. … [Mayor] Clark said he had one email that was opposed to chickens and then had several people who were in favor. Clark asked [city administrator] Allen what the normal procedure was for getting a permit. “It would be like a building permit,” Allen said. “You would have to apply for a chicken permit and have a design on it and the required setbacks.” As for checking on people meeting the requirements of the permit, Allen said they won’t be counting chickens everyday, but will look into it if a complaint is made.
Source: Sabetha Herald
Western Kansas school district stops requiring masks
Face masks are no longer required in one school district in Ford County. The Spearville Schools board of education voted Monday night, 5-1, to amend the COVID policies adopted at the beginning of the school year. Along with no longer requiring masks, the board amended the use of plexiglass shields in the classroom. “Effective immediately, masks will no longer be required in the buildings. However, if any staff or student still wishes to wear a mask, they are more than welcome to continue to do so,” said the district in a post on Facebook.
Source: KWCH.
Municipal Bond Trends for March 8, 2021
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Much of Kansas to see higher electric bills
Much of Kansas will likely see higher electric bills as a result of February’s deep freeze while utility customers in the Kansas City area could get refunds. The difference has to do with how two different divisions of utility giant Evergy fared during the brutal cold. The company’s Kansas Central division had to spend an additional $100 million to buy power. Meanwhile, Evergy’s Metro Division that serves the Kansas City area was able to generate $60 million in extra revenue because it was able to generate surplus power and sell it to other utilities.
Source: KSNT News