Kansas Municipal News
Detter: Experience near metro areas, rural settings will help in new role as Emporia assistant city manager
Mark Detter says he sees a lot of potential, which is why he moved back to Kansas to become Emporia’s next assistant city manager. Detter tells KVOE News Emporia is in a solid economic position, in large part because of its manufacturing base. Detter also sees Emporia’s educational base and events as attractions for people wanting to spend time here. Detter has been serving as the city manager in Valdez, Alaska, but he also has been a prior city administrator in Rose Hill and Andover — bedroom communities for the Wichita area. He says his experience in those settings will help him here.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
City of Emporia hosts landlord and tenant seminar Tuesday
A special seminar Tuesday afternoon sought to help local landlords and tenants find common ground when it comes to rental agreements and everything that goes with it. The City of Emporia welcomed Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. Tenant and Landlord Program Manager Abigail Panecatl who presented the informational seminar. Panecatl says the focus of the tenant and landlord program is to ensure both individuals are adequately informed as to the responsibilities that fall to them when entering into a rental agreement.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Overland Park’s fire chief retires — Here’s what happens next
The process of finding Overland Park’s next fire chief is underway following the official retirement of Fire Chief Byran Dehner in March. The city has begun steps to fill this prominent role, which city officials say “leads the fire department, ensuring high-quality fire protection for Overland Park and surrounding communities.” He became the head of the Overland Park Fire Department in 1994 and served as its leader through a period of growth and change.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Lawrence City Commission to consider contract for permanent design of Old West Lawrence traffic devices
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider an agreement for the final design of devices intended to slow and reduce traffic in Old West Lawrence. The first round of the “traffic calming” pilot project in November 2021 caused some frustration for many residents of the neighborhood, as some temporary barriers forced people to turn at certain intersections rather than drive straight down streets, among other confusion. But the project first came about because many residents were concerned about safety, and drivers speeding through the neighborhood.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Interim parks director Thompson promoted to Manhattan assistant city manager
Wyatt Thompson, who has served as the Manhattan city government’s interim parks and recreation director for the past year, will join the City Manager’s Office as an assistant city manager, City manager Ron Fehr announced the change Monday. Thompson will be handling project management and supervision of the division leaders in building services and at the animal shelter. Today also is the first day on the job for Aaron Stewart, who was hired in March to replace former parks and rec department director Eddie Eastes, who retired in May 2022.
Source: themercury.com
Municipal Bond Trends for April 17, 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, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.
HEAL Projects Breathing Life into Downtowns Across Kansas
A new strategy of timely investments in Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants rolled out by Governor Laura Kelly’s administration are fueling many of these success stories. Funded by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation — which is dedicated to strengthening communities and particularly in rural areas — the HEAL matching grants are critical tools in revitalizing downtown districts and making them more economically vibrant.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Johnson County Library goes fine-free
In a major milestone, Johnson County Library is no longer assessing daily fines for overdue materials. Patrons checking out books, DVDs or other materials from any of the library’s 14 branches no longer have to worry about the assessment of a fine for items returned after their due date. In addition, existing overdue fines have been removed from most patron accounts, and fees older than seven years have been waived.
Source: Johnson County Kansas |
Winfield 150th celebration signs available
The Cowley County Historical Society Museum is now celebrating Winfield’s 150 years by selling “Happy Birthday, Winfield!” yard signs for $20. “Our signs were designed by Bobby Valentine and printed by Cardinal Sign,” said Cindy Goertz, chairperson of the 150th event committee. “They are truly a work of art. They will look great in your yard or in your business window.” Signs can be picked up at the museum, 1101 Mansfield, from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce office, 123 E. Ninth Ave., and Do It Up Studio, 110 E. Ninth Ave., will also have signs available.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Shook retires as clerk for Arkansas City
Lesley Shook has officially retired as City Clerk after more than two decades of service to the City of Arkansas City. Shook’s final day with the city was March 27. She was honored with a reception at City Hall. Shook began her career with the city in 1995 as an administrative secretary. Lesley was introduced as the City Clerk in 2008. Retirement plans include gardening and travel. A New Jersey native, Shook looks forward to more visits with her east coast family. Shook also plans to spend time with her granddaughter, Olivia, who lives with Shook’s son, Zach, and his wife, Abby, in Wilmington, N.C.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
The status of new cybersecurity laws proposed in Kansas
As employers in the private and public sectors adjust to the advent of flexible work over the last two years, they’re simultaneously trying to protect their organizations from attackers looking to steal and sell data. 2021 was a year defined by significant cyberattacks that crippled infrastructure and shut down hospitals, schools, and municipal governments. It’s the same year the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies gasoline to millions living in the Northeast U.S., was hobbled by a ransomware attack that triggered a gas panic and elevated prices for consumers.
Source: Wichita Eagle
A new museum in Amelia Earhart’s Kansas hometown honors her pioneering legacy in flight
Pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart spent part of her childhood in Atchison, Kansas. Now her hometown is celebrating her life and adventures with a new museum that opens this weekend. The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum showcases 14 interactive science and technology exhibits, celebrates the trailblazing aviator and features a Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft named Muriel. Earhart flew an identical plane when she and her navigator, Fred Noonan disappeared on her doomed, final flight around the world in 1937. Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. As crowds gathered outside the museum Friday, Karen Seaberg, founder and president of the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation spoke to a small crowd of donors. “I want you to raise your glass and give a toast to Amelia and Muriel,” Seaberg said.
Source: KCUR News
Johnson County Library is ditching late fees and wiping out all overdue book fines. Here’s why
Johnson County Library patrons were liberated Thursday from fines that build up for keeping books and other materials past their due dates. The Johnson County Library Board voted unanimously — and with applause — to discontinue charging 30 cents for each day an item is overdue. The library also will forgive overdue fines that were already on the books. By Friday morning, patrons with JoCo Library’s mobile app were able to see $0.00 under the “Fees due” tab. Board members said the embarrassment of the fines had been discouraging people from ever returning items or coming back to use the library.
Source: KCUR News
‘We want development.’ KCK approves new downtown project with hopes of revitalization
A long-delayed plan to redevelop a key property in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, has been given another opportunity — though it might be the last. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday unanimously approved a development agreement with Willie Lanier Jr., who plans to demolish the now-closed Jack Reardon Convention Center. In its place, he aims at building a new apartment complex with ground-floor retail space and a small meeting space.
Source: Kansas City Star
LaHarpe talks strengths, struggles
For all of the good in town — neighbors helping neighbors, infrastructure upgrades, etc. — LaHarpe still has plenty of issues that, if not addressed, will eventually threaten the community’s future. So said a small group of residents who gathered this week for a community conversation, hosted by Thrive Allen County. The hour-plus powwow tackled the town’s strengths and struggles, with plenty to boast about, but often with a blunt assessment on what needs help. First the good news. A small but ambitious set of volunteers has helped with several improvements in recent years, from LaHarpe PRIDE handling annual clean-up day projects, helping install several additions to the city park, including a zipline and playground apparatus; and the LaHarpe Days Committee becoming more active on a regular basis in order to fund the summer festival.
Source: The Iola Register
Tech center in LaHarpe offers open house
Anyone who’s curious about the Regional Rural Technical Center in LaHarpe will have a chance to see the facility and equipment at an open house on Tuesday. The tech center will be open from 1 to 3 p.m. for prospective students, and from 3 to 6:30 p.m. for the community. Representatives from participating colleges will be available to explain programs and answer enrollment questions. High school juniors and seniors, and adults can take courses at RRTC earning certificates in a variety of areas. Next year, the center will offer CNA, phlebotomy, wind, automotive, welding, and construction programs.
Source: The Iola Register
Learn about Lawrence’s new housing discrimination protections at upcoming meetings
Landlords, tenants and anyone who’s interested can learn more about the City of Lawrence’s new protections for people using housing vouchers during three upcoming meetings. The Lawrence City Commission on Feb. 14 voted to approve an ordinance change that bars landlords from discriminating against prospective tenants and denying them housing based solely on their source of income. Landlords will also be prohibited from discriminating based on people’s immigration status, and against people who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and/or stalking.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Derby looks at new policy on pet ownership
Based on recent updates to its priority list, the City Council reviewed some new options for policy on pet ownership in Derby during its April 11 meeting. Currently, per city policy, a maximum of four dogs and four cats (6 months or older) are allowed in residential homes in Derby. Hannah Chegwidden, assistant to the city manager, researched the policies and processes of other communities to bring back to the council for feedback during its most recent meeting. Reviewing the policies of other first class cities, staff reported that all have some sort of limitation on pet ownership – with Derby being on the higher end of the spectrum. The most dogs allowed by any city is four (in line with Derby’s current policy), though Chegwidden said a majority have lower limits of two to three dogs per household. Of the new options presented, one would be to change the ownership limit to six total pets – with no limitations on cats versus dogs.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Amelia Earhart museum looks to make dreams take flight
Hundreds visited the new Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum in Atchison, Kansas, on its opening day to learn about her life in a creative way. The $17 million project allows patrons to have an interactive experience with various parts of Earhart’s life through state-of-the-art technology. Many companies assisted in making this project a reality, including Dimensional Innovations, which helps make the museum experience hands-on. It also allows patrons to participate in a virtual reality flight.
Source: www.atchisonglobenow.com
Altamont to try new water meters as part of a pilot study
The Altamont City Council on Thursday heard that the city is going to try to pilot a new water meter program. When the city completed a water line replacement project in 2015, the water meters did not get changed out, Altamont City Administrator LeaAnn Myers said. The water meters in place now have moving parts. “Now they have ultrasonic water meters. They don’t have any moving parts, stuff doesn’t slow down. They are supposed to catch low-flow water usage through there. Along with that they offer an AMI, an automated reading system that we could pull the readings into the city office, versus our guys having to go out … and get those readings,” Myers said. “With that program, it also offers a customer portal. You can track your water usage yourself.”
Source: Parsons Sun