Kansas Municipal News
Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2023-5: Designating city website as “official city newspaper”; exceptions
K.S.A. 12-1651(a) requires second and third class cities to designate an official city newspaper for the publishing of official city business, provided the newspaper meets the qualifications set forth in K.S.A. 12-1651(b). However, under the home rule provisions of the Kansas Constitution, Kan. Const. Art. 12, § 5, which allows cities to exempt themselves from nonuniform acts of the legislature, a city may exempt itself by charter ordinance from the requirements set forth in K.S.A. 12-1651 because the statute is not uniformly applicable as it applies only to second- and third-class cities. … As to the question of whether a city of the second class may instead designate its webpage as its “official city newspaper,” we see nothing in state law that prohibits a second class city, once it has exempted itself from K.S.A. 12-1651 by charter ordinance, from publishing official city business on its own website. However, we would note that publication by website would not be sufficient where some other form of publication is specifically mandated.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions
Sedgwick County, Wichita address opioid crisis
The city of Wichita and Sedgwick County are pooling money they’ll receive from opioid settlement funds in order to strategically distribute them throughout the area. In a request for proposal, the local governments are looking for an agency that will create a strategic plan for how to distribute an estimated $15.5 million from the settlements over the next 13 years. “Our goal with this RFP is to be able to inform the commission and the council, the best way to spend that money to have the biggest, greatest impact on the opioid problem,” Deputy County Manager Tim Kaufman said.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Valley Center schools busting at the seams: bond issue could fix problem
Middle school teachers gear up for the upcoming school year as they engage in team building exercises on Monday at Valley Center Middle School. As they prepare, they also have concerns about overcrowding within Valley Center schools. According to Valley Center School District Superintendent Greg Lehr, passing the $73.9 million bond issue will allow the district to make necessary changes. “Part of that will be a new elementary school so we’ll have four elementary schools in the district. We’ll add twenty classrooms up at the high school and then we have a bunch of little additions to our middle school,” said Lehr. Lehr said an April 2022 study revealed they would have about 3100 students by 2027. They exceeded that with 3200 students at the end of the 2022-23 school year.
Source: KAKE – News
City of Wichita cracking down on illegal slot machines
There is an evidence section for Wichita police that has nearly one thousand illegal slots. More are likely on the way as the WPD continues to confiscate the machines. “For probably close to ten years in Wichita, we have seen an increase in gambling, illegal gambling,” said WPD Captain Travis Rakestraw. City Council Member Jeff Blubaugh said the city will take up tougher penalties and a way to get tough on business license holders on Tuesday. “It’s time to do something,” said Blubaugh. “They’re a real problem throughout the city, specifically in my district. And they really prey on people that maybe are lower income.”
Source: KSN-TV
Winfield storm cleanup still weeks away from completion
The City of Winfield is working to clean up damage from Saturday’s storms. Many neighborhoods still have large amounts of debris. City Manager Taggart Wall says completing the process will likely take many weeks. Lots of residents have joined in on the efforts. “In a town like Winfield, I’m never surprised to see neighbors come together and help neighbors. We’ve got folks from the rural areas that have come into town to help people pull together and try to get back on their feet,” explained Wall. For some, Saturday’s storms left them devastated. The Cowley County Fair had multiple trailers destroyed and chicken cages thrown across the barn.
Source: KSN-TV
110 mph wind causes damage in Kansas town of Almena
The National Weather Service in Goodland said a high-end supercell thunderstorm produced straight-line wind of 110 mph in the town of Almena in northwest Kansas. The storm moved over the town in Norton County around 7:45 p.m. on Saturday. As it moved into town, the storm intensified. The storm also had hail ranging from golf ball to tennis ball-sized hail. The wind caused damage to trees ranging from limbs being blown down to tree trunks being snapped.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas sees smallest wheat crop in half a century
This summer’s wheat harvest is finally coming to a close in Kansas after weeks of delays, and it’s the smallest crop for the state since 1966. Farmers were up against weather-related challenges this year. Wheat needs a lot of moisture when it’s planted in the fall and actively growing in the spring. However, in the summer, it needs to be dry for harvesting. This year, the weather did the opposite of what was needed. The fall and spring were dry, which made some crops so stunted farmers gave up on them entirely. About 15% of crops were abandoned, compared to the 5% abandoned in a typical year, according to the Kansas Wheat Commission.
Source: KSN-TV
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