Kansas Municipal News
Johnson County will fine businesses that flout Covid-19 rules
Johnson County is looking to crack down on businesses breaking rules aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19. In a 4-3 vote, commissioners agreed to start fining business owners who don’t follow a new public health order. The new order does not make it possible for any one person to be ticketed for not wearing a mask. What it does do is a create a way for the county to hold business owners accountable for blatantly disregarding the mask order, social distancing and required closing time.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Harvey County cancels Trappers Rendezvous
Trappers Rendezvous, one of the largest events in Harvey County and the largest event hosted by Harvey County West Park each year, will not happen in 2021. For more than 30 years, thousands of Boy Scouts from multiple states have spent a weekend in January camping, trading and participating in Scout activities at West Park.
Source: News – The Hutchinson News
Shawnee County commissioners tighten COVID-19 restrictions
The Shawnee County commissioners voted to close bars and restaurants at 9 p.m. and suspend all organized sports until Dec. 15. The county commissioners were voting whether to adopt the health department’s order that limited mass gatherings to 10 people when Gianfranco Pezzino, Shawnee County health officer, amended the health order to include language tightening restrictions on restaurants, bars and sports.
Source: Political – The Topeka Capital-Journal
Derby STAR bond still in its formative years
Developer Rick Worner of National Realty Advisers has had his hand in a number of STAR bond projects – not just Derby’s. Worner was involved in one of the first STAR bond projects in the state – the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City – and currently has his hands in a few in the Wichita area. With Derby, he noted he looks at current national and global trends to help decide what can further be added to the STAR bond district. For example, Worner mentioned aquariums (which are not actually allowed to be developed as STAR bond projects). If an aquarium opened in London or Atlanta and was drawing hundreds of thousands of people, he said he would dig deeper into its development potential in Derby.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Giordano reflects on 28 years with the JCPD as she prepares to retire
In the late 1970s, a little girl sits on the floor, staring at the television, enraptured. On the screen, a popular police drama — Cagney and Lacey — plays out, as Detective Christine Cagney and Beth Lacey work to crack the case, fighting both bad guys and sexist stereotypes as they go…. The girl is longtime Junction City Police Department Capt. Trish Giordano, now about to retire from police work after 28 years with the JCPD. In her career, Giordano was the first woman on the JCPD to be promoted to sergeant, then later to lieutenant and most recently to Captain of Investigations. The desire to be a police officer sprang, she said, from a steady diet of police shows on television when she was a child, but her life in law enforcement didn’t start until her mid-20s, when then-officer Capt. Kirt Nichols urged her to apply.
Source: Junction City Union.
Could Johnson County COVID violation cost you $500? Officials to vote on enforcement
Johnson County officials will decide on Thursday whether persistent violators of new COVID-19 restrictions should receive a citation and $500 fine. The Johnson County Board of Commissioners narrowly voted last Friday to order a mass gathering limit and midnight curfew on bars and restaurants, in an effort to slow the rapid spread of coronavirus. But officials have yet to decide how to enforce the rules. Since the pandemic began, the county has concentrated on educating the public on safety precautions rather than doling out any punishments.
Source: Joco 913 News
No more fee for Spring Hill residents registering their cats and dogs
Starting next year, Spring Hill residents will no longer be required to register their cats and dogs and pay a fee to do so. Mayor Steven Ellis raised the idea again in October after being called about a dog that had broken loose and bitten someone, causing a serious injury. The owner had never registered the animal. “This is a tax on responsible people,” Ellis told the City Council, adding that the fees generate a small amount of revenue compared to the cost of collecting them.
Source: Joco 913 News
Last of Johnson County districts sends older students to online classes amid COVID-19
Following the lead of all other districts in Johnson County, Olathe schools will move older students to online classes later this month due to rising COVID-19 cases. Olathe officials announced Wednesday that middle and high schoolers will return to remote learning after Thanksgiving on Nov. 30 through the end of the semester on Dec. 18. Elementary students will continue learning in classrooms full time. Middle and high school sports are allowed to continue. “With rising community spread and the number of staff members in quarantine, it is becoming more challenging to operate our buildings. Even with the incredible efforts of all of our staff and students, this remains a challenge,” district officials said in the announcement.
Source: Joco 913 News
Treasury yields slump amid state coronavirus restrictions
U.S. Treasury yields fell on Thursday as the country’s death toll from the coronavirus topped 250,000 and states sought to impose restrictions in order to curb the spread of the virus. … Treasury yields dipped as confirmed deaths from the coronavirus in the U.S. surpassed a quarter of a million, at 250,537, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. A handful of states and cities in the U.S. are closing nonessential businesses, limiting public and private gatherings and imposing mask mandates to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Municipal Bond Trends for November 18, 2020
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.
Mangus retiring from Winfield after 31 years
After 31 years working for the City of Winfield, assistant to the city manager Gary Mangus will retire on Dec. 11. Mangus began working for the city in February 1989, helping set up a central purchasing department under then-city manager Rick Cotton. Mangus was purchasing coordinator for two years, before becoming assistant to the city manager in 1991. He has held that position under four city managers (eight including interim managers).
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Huge grass fire battled in eastern Cowley
All Cowley County fire departments responded to a large grass fire before noon Tuesday south of Dexter. When the first responders arrived they reported the fire was more than a mile long, according to radio communications. Fire units staged at 241st Road and 266th Road, then created a perimeter from the origin of the fire to U.S. 166 Highway in attempts to keep it from jumping the highway due to high winds. Winds ranged from 15 to 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Once water tankers were able to extinguish the fire at U.S. 166, they began moving east toward the intersection at K-15 Highway. By 1:30 p.m., trucks and tankers began breaking off for other grass fires reported in the county, one near Atlanta and another between Udall and Oxford.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Don’t wait on contact tracers to notify others, official said
With the number of cases under investigation by contact tracers piling up, health officials ask that people who know they have a confirmed case of COVID-19 go ahead and reach out to people they have been in close contact with to let them know. And if waiting on test results due to symptoms, isolate. The county added 93 more positives since yesterday afternoon’s report, pushing the community active case count to 896. Meanwhile, the number of cases under investigation by contact traces, who work to determine the exposure route and notify likely close contacts, has reached 685.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Wesley CEO says 10% of his COVID patients dying; Sedgwick County leans toward toughening rules
Saying their hospital is overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients — 10 percent of whom will probably die — officials of Wesley Medical Center pleaded with the Sedgwick County Commission to do much more to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the community. And it looks like the hospital officials may get much of what they’re asking for, with commissioners urging their health officer to draft an order with more restrictions on businesses and private gatherings. Dr. Lowell Ebersole, medical director for the Wichita area’s second-largest hospital system, presented a list of recommendations to strengthen the county response to the viral pandemic. Several echo Gov. Laura Kelly’s stay-at-home order from earlier this year, which was gutted by the state Legislature in late May and early June.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Gov. Laura Kelly issues new statewide mask mandate, adding teeth to anti-coronavirus directive
Gov. Laura Kelly responded to surging coronavirus infection Wednesday with a statewide executive order on face coverings that grants county commissions the option of accepting the governor’s version, crafting their own standard or rejecting new limits entirely. Counties would have one week to pass their own nuanced ordinance before automatic implementation of Kelly’s mask protocol, which would go into effect the day before Thanksgiving. There is concern among health professionals that gatherings during the holiday could turn into superspreader events, but those same officials insist people wear masks, wash hands and keep their distance if compelled to attend family events. Kansas counties and cities that have implemented mask requirements will be exempted from Kelly’s revised executive order and can keep their existing rules, she said.
Source: Kansas Reflector
With prior order in place, JoCo exempted from Gov. Kelly’s new statewide mask mandate
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly responded to surging coronavirus infections Wednesday with a statewide executive order mandating people wear a mask in public and requiring county commissions to take a public vote if they want to reject the mandate or craft their own measures. Counties have one week to pass their own measure or accept her public-safety directive, which goes into effect the day before Thanksgiving. Kelly signed a comparable mask order in July that lacked instructions for a local government vote, and nearly four of five counties determined masking was unwarranted to stem the tide of COVID-19.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Shawnee set to write city’s first long-term plan in 33 years — and officials want residents’ input
Shawnee is seeking public input on a comprehensive plan to update the city’s development guide and vision. Shawnee city staff recently launched a survey as the first step to garner public opinions on things like shopping, entertainment, dining and nightlife; services and city amenities like parks and recreation; and also development of the city’s housing stock. The survey also asks participants to weigh in on critical issues facing the city, including “NIMBYism” and fear of change, a lack of a unified city plan, trust among residents and government and division on the Shawnee City Council.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Wichita schools ask city for help as COVID surges among teachers threatens closures
The Wichita school district is calling for help from the city as teachers and school staff are contracting COVID-19 at an alarming pace, causing staffing shortages that could force some school buildings to close. “The District is in the process of considering closing of a number of school buildings due to a shortage of staff at those buildings,” USD 259 leaders said in a letter to the Wichita City Council on Tuesday. “If something in the community does not change soon, the District will have to consider closing additional buildings.” There are more absent teachers and paras than there are substitutes. When a school nurse misses work during the surging coronavirus pandemic, the school goes without. And the COVID situation is getting worse.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Hays chef creates Kansas-made market on Main Street — next door to his new barbecue joint
When Ellis County native Philip Kuhn was 9, he was through with eating grilled cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He decided to start cooking some specialty items for his four siblings. At 33, armed with years of experience, a culinary degree and a successful downtown restaurant, Kuhn is ready to be inventive again. Along with opening a barbecue restaurant, he’s starting a specialty market, which includes meats and homegrown lettuce produced in his basement. Kuhn learned how to make bierocks from his great-aunt Vi and how to fry bacon from his grandmother. After graduating from Hays High School, he attended culinary school at the Art Institute of Colorado and worked for restaurants in Dodge City and Hutchinson. Five years ago, he headed home to Hays to open his own restaurant, The Press.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Local entities teamed up to entice the business to locate in Humboldt
Murphy Tractor & Equipment, one of John Deere’s largest construction and forestry dealers in North America, is up and running in Humboldt. It’s the company’s 30th location…. Indeed, a variety of players teamed up to entice Murphy to move to Humboldt. Allen County commissioners provided $335,000 to aid Humboldt in extending utilities to the 30-acre industrial tract. B&W Trailer Hitches, Monarch Cement Company and the county also provided in-kind participation, with Humboldt maintenance workers and B&W resources replacing contracted labor.
Source: The Iola Register
Fire chief hangs up his helmet
Iola Fire Chief Tim Thyer has seen a lot of changes over the 33 years he’s worked for the department, but the basic mantra remains the same: “Put the wet stuff on the red stuff.” But thanks to technology, Thyer said, “We just have new ways of applying the wet stuff.” Go back to 1987, though, and things were quite a bit different. In January 1987, then-Fire Chief Clarence Hydorn interviewed him for a full-time position, though Thyer wouldn’t actually be hired for another six months.
Source: The Iola Register
Municipal Bond Trends for November 17, 2020
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.
Wyandotte & Jackson Counties Coordinate COVID-19 Response
Wyandotte County, Kansas & Jackson County, Missouri Coordinate COVID-19 Response to Reduce Regional Spread. Leaders with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, and Jackson County, Missouri, have coordinated to issue local health orders in response to a strong resurgence of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in the region. The Unified Government Public Health Department’s (UGPHD)s new Local Health Order will lower capacity at businesses and restrict gatherings to ten or fewer people. This new Order will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2020, and will remain in effect until it is extended, rescinded, replaced, or amended.
Source: Edwardsville, KS – News Flash
When Buhler couldn’t serve lunch, rival school McPherson stepped up
Buhler and McPherson schools may be rivals on the field, but they’re partners in education. When Buhler High School needed help bringing lunch to students at the high school, USD 418 stepped up. Last Wednesday morning, Buhler High School food staff received word that they all needed to begin quarantining due to close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Gatherings in Reno County now limited to 10, with exceptions
The Reno County Commission, on a split vote, agreed Tuesday to allow a county health order to be put in place to limit the size of gatherings in the county to 10 people. The order contains the same exceptions as an earlier order that limited gatherings to 100 people, as long as a minimum of 6 feet of social distancing can be maintained, interim Reno County health officer Karen Hammersmith advised the county commission.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
New ‘storymap’ has trove of info on Sedgwick County COVID crisis; here’s where it’s at
Amid major increases in Sedgwick County’s COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the county has created a “storymap” to help residents understand the threat better. The storymap offers far more detail than the county’s COVID dashboard, which has until now been the main source of public information on the local impact of the pandemic. The storymap was demonstrated to county commissioners by epidemiology project manager Kaylee Hervey at a staff meeting Tuesday. Using the storymap, residents will be able to see a much clearer picture of the spread and impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the community, she said. One of the new features is a “toggle map” allowing people to instantly compare case rates and testing rates by ZIP code.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Garden City Public Schools Foundation Awards Mini-grants To Teachers
The Garden City Public Schools Foundation Grant Squad awarded $200 mini-grants to help teachers enhance their classrooms on Monday, November 16. The Grant Squad presented the checks to the teachers virtually this year to follow the district’s operational level protocols to keep everyone safe. The virtual presentation can be found on the district’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gckschools/. The grants are awarded to help support learning initiatives in the classrooms and at the schools.
Source: Greater Garden City » Feed
Firefighters contain large grass fire in Cowley County
Firefighters responded to a large grass fire burning in Cowley County Tuesday afternoon. Fire crews said the fire started from someone burning trash when the wind caused the fire to spread quickly and burning over 100 acres before it was contained. No one was hurt and no property was damaged due to this fire. The state has two Black Hawk helicopters on standby in case they are needed to fight grass fires Tuesday and Wednesday.
Source: KSN-TV
Sedgwick County: Conducting anonymous survey on COVID-19 vaccine
Sedgwick County announced Tuesday they are conducting an anonymous survey where residents in south-central Kansas, including Sedgwick County, can complete an anonymous survey to estimate how many people will get a COVID-19 vaccine. In a news release Tuesday, Sedgwick County stated the survey responses will help the Sedgwick County Health Department plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution and information. The Health Department partnered with KU School of Medicine – Wichita to create the survey. Regional and county-specific results will be analyzed by the KU School of Medicine – Wichita.
Source: KSN-TV
Topeka municipal court closes, efforting to reduce coronavirus spread
The Topeka Municipal Court is closing its doors in an attempt to reduce the rate of community spread in Shawnee County, according to a news release. Starting Wednesday, Nov. 18, the court is canceling all dockets and trials. These cases will be rescheduled after its planned reopen on Dec. 4., according to a news release. The court will still conduct jail hearings through video conference on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Topeka Municipal Court will also remain open for walk-ins Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. People are encouraged to use online and mobile services whenever possible to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Source: KSNT News
City of Hays offices closed because of COVID-19 concerns
Effective November 19, 2020, and until further notice, City of Hays buildings will be closed to the public. This includes all departments except for the Hays Regional Airport, which will remain open to accommodate commercial air service and general aviation, as well as the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course, which will remain open for play, but with limited clubhouse access.
Source: News – The Hays Daily News
Hutchinson crews assisted in battling challenging Harvey County wildfire
Hutchinson Fire Division Chief Doug Hanen on Monday described some of the challenges firefighters faced with a large wind-whipped wildfire over the weekend in Harvey County. The Department sent two brush units and an operations chief to assist at the Wheat State Fire, while Buhler sent five units as part of a multi-count task force. Harvey County officials reported the fire burned some 5,000 acres. The Hutchinson crews were on the scene for more than eight hours …
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Lawrence to consider increasing fees charged to Black Hills Energy to use public property
Lawrence leaders will soon consider increasing some of the fees the city charges a natural gas provider to use city property, potentially affecting the rates the company charges its Lawrence customers. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider adopting fee changes in the city’s franchise agreement with Black Hills Energy. Under its current agreement with the city, Black Hills does not pay permit fees to use the city’s right of way, and the city is recommending it begin paying such fees so as to be in line with other such agreements the city has, among other changes, according to a city staff memo to the commission.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for November 16, 2020
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.
Wichita schools make Thanksgiving break longer because of COVID effects on staffing
Wichita schools will close for the entire week of Thanksgiving due in large part to the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on staffing. “This disease is out of control in our community, and we are feeling the impact of what is happening in our community inside of our schools with the COVID illnesses alongside the quarantine,” Superintendent Alicia Thompson said. “It has been a rough couple of weeks. “The USD 259 Board of Education voted unanimously at a special meeting Monday afternoon to extend the fall break for the full week of Thanksgiving, Nov. 23-27. The vote was 6-0, with Ron Rosales absent.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Pezzino recommended everyone stay at home. County commissioners have no plans to mandate that suggestion.
On Saturday, Shawnee County health officer Gianfranco Pezzino recommended, but didn’t mandate, that people shelter in place as COVID-19 cases surge across the county. County commissioners all said the virus needs to be taken seriously but said there is no plan to mandate a shelter-in-place order in the near future. “We got to keep businesses going, we need to keep our schools rolling and I think that is critical to our functioning in life,” said Commissioner Bill Riphahn.
Source: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal
Reno County moves into COVID-19 High Alert for first time
The number of positive COVID-19 case in the Reno County community hit 720 on Monday – more than tripling in less than three weeks and pushing the county for the first time into its highest alert level. Another 162 positive cases were confirmed among county residents since Saturday, and contract tracers at the health department are now backed up more than 520 cases – which is about the number of new cases added in just the last week. The active case count overall, including those in prison, remained at 979. That despite more than 600 cases reclassified as recovered in the past week.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Wichita hospitals holding COVID patients in ERs as surge outnumbers available beds
Wichita hospitals are so overloaded with COVID-19 patients that some are being held in emergency rooms while waiting for beds to open up, according to the county’s top public health official. Dr. Garold Minns, Sedgwick County health officer and dean of the Kansas University Medical School-Wichita, outlined the situation Monday morning during a media briefing with the University of Kansas Health System. “I just got a text saying the ERs are sitting down there with COVID positive patients just sitting in there on gurneys waiting for a room to open up,” Minns said. “So it is getting to the crisis — I hate using that word — but it’s getting to the crisis level.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
After decades without easy access, Merriam Drainage District gets own website, cell phone
The Merriam Drainage District, a special district charged with maintenance of Turkey Creek in northeast Johnson County, ended decades of relative inaccessibility by recently setting up its own website and buying its own dedicated cell phone. … The district was established in 1946 to manage Turkey Creek and its course through Merriam and Shawnee. Although the district shows up on some Johnson County property owners’ annual taxes, many residents aren’t aware of it or its responsibilities — or that its completely separate from the city of Merriam.
Source: Prairie Village Post
‘Like living next to a rock quarry’ — Shawnee residents frustrated with excavation near Woodland and SM Pkwy that could last 10 years
Much to the dismay of residents in a quiet Shawnee neighborhood, a local excavating contractor is planning to spend the next five to 10 years removing rock and leveling a hill for a potential commercial development near Shawnee Mission Parkway and Woodland Drive. Several neighboring homeowners largely oppose the project, mostly out of concern for the noise level while crews flatten the hill. Neighbors are also frustrated that the project will appear to take the better part of a decade to complete. They fear having a negative impact on their property values and trouble reselling their homes.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Local businesses unhappy with NCAA tournament’s move out of Wichita
On Monday, the NCAA announced they will be moving the 2021 Men’s Basketball tournament to a single site to better ensure COVID-19 safety for the teams. That decision means that InTrust Bank Arena will no longer be hosting first and second round games this spring. The NCAA men’s tournament was last in Wichita in 2018. It was estimated to have brought in anywhere from $9 to $12 million to the city.
Source: KAKE – News
State lawmakers again urged to crack down on property tax hikes
Legislators appear receptive to again considering a measure forcing local governments to provide more public notice when seeking to raise property taxes as part of a broader slate of economic recovery efforts. An attempt to pursue that goal last session failed after Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed legislation mandating taxpayers be shown how any changes to the property tax structure would affect their tax bill, as well as a public hearing and vote on the matter. It came as part of a broader COVID-19-related tax relief bill but Kelly zeroed in on the property tax component in her veto message.
Source: News – Wellington Daily News – Wellington, KS
City of Dodge City transitioning to remote services and appointment only
The City Hall offices will be open by appointment only beginning Monday, November 16, 2020. All services will remain operational during this time; however, access to staff will be by appointment or through remote service access. Municipal Court office will continue to be open until November 23, before moving to appointment only. “Maintaining our services and municipal responsibilities while being cautious towards the health and safety of our staff and residents has been a top priority throughout this pandemic,” Hernandez said. “That has not changed. At this time, we feel it is best to limit the traffic in and out of our facilities. We will continue to adapt and improve as the situations change.”
(Source: Western Kansas News)
Municipal Bond Trends for November 13, 2020
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.
Johnson County limits gatherings, restaurant and bar hours to slow COVID-19 spread
After a meeting of nearly six hours, a divided Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Friday approved new limits on public gatherings, plus set a curfew on bars and restaurants, in an effort to slow the exponential rise in COVID-19 transmission. But what the board approved, with a 4-3 vote, is a weaker version of an order proposed by Health Officer Joseph LeMaster, who warned that skyrocketing new cases are causing hospitals to reach capacity and school districts to return to online classes. The order limits gatherings to 50 people, or 50% capacity of a venue, whichever is fewer. But the board voted to include broad exemptions — shops, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, fitness centers, health care facilities, churches and funeral homes. The restriction also does not apply to private gatherings.
Source: KC Star.