Kansas Municipal News
CARES Act Landlord Incentive Program launched in Pittsburg
The City of Pittsburg Public Housing Authority has launched a new landlord incentive program aimed at increasing affordable housing options for families in Pittsburg. The program reimburses landlords participating in the Section 8 Rental Assistance program for eligible repairs up to $1,000 per unit. This new program is made possible thanks to grant funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Source: City of Pittsburg
Treasury Yields Touch Multi-Month Highs
U.S. government-bond yields hit their highest levels in more than four months, following signs of progress in Washington toward a deal on a roughly $2 trillion coronavirus relief package. The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note settled at 0.815%, according to Tradeweb, compared with 0.796% Tuesday. That marked its highest close since early June, just before a summer surge of coronavirus cases. …Yet powerful forces continue to suppress Treasurys yields, keeping them near historic lows. Though the economy has rebounded from its sharp contraction earlier in the year, the path of its recovery remains uncertain in the midst of the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets
Wichita Firefighters take off to assist with Colorado fire
Wichita Fire Department Chief Tammy Snow confirmed Thursday that four firefighters and one structure truck will be heading to Colorado to assist with the East Troublesome fire. This is southwest of Estes Park, Colorado. Chief Snow said WFD firefighters will be assigned to help with structure fires, not fighting the forest fire. Chief Snow said they are scheduled to be there for 72 hours.
Source: KSN-TV
Hutchinson Fire Department crew headed to Colorado to assist with wildfire
The Hutchinson Fire Department shared on its Facebook page that based on a request it received Thursday morning for mutual aid through the Kansas Forestry Service for assistance with a growing fire in Colorado — HFD firefighters took off Thursday afternoon and are expected to reach Granby, Colorado Thursday night. The Hutchinson Fire Department shared they deployed a team of four wildland certified firefighters and one Type 1 Engine. The growing fire is named the East Troublesome Fire. The East Troublesome Fire is only 5% contained and growing rapidly with high winds and Red Flag conditions.
Source: KSN-TV
Leavenworth Municipal Court offers diversion program to address mental health
Leavenworth city commissioners were briefed this week on a new Municipal Court diversion program for people with mental health problems. "We continue to deal with issues regarding mental health as a public safety issue," Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens said. He addressed commissioners when they met Tuesday for a study session. He said Leavenworth police officers responded to 166 mental health calls last year.
Source: Leavenworth Times
New water meters to gauge usage more accurately in Marysville
The new water meter system gradually being installed by the city of Marysville will allow residents to more accurately gauge their water use. “The thing I like about this system is that if somebody’s got a problem in a business or house or something, flags are going up at city hall. You don’t have to wait your 30 days for them to go out and read the meter,” said council member Kevin Throm.
Source: The Marysville Advocate
Overland Park won’t limit recording of public comments, but may require speaker sign-ups
The cameras can stay on for now during the open mic time at Overland Park City Council meetings, but early next year the council may require speakers to sign up in advance. The council’s Finance, Administration and Economic Development committee revisited the rules for the public comment sessions and decided to actively pursue the advance sign-up in a resolution that would be considered by the council near the end of this year.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Olathe firefighters deliver hundreds of winter coats to children in need
Temperatures are dropping, and that means it may soon be time to pull on a winter coat. However, some families simply don’t have any, and they may not have the funds to get them. That’s why local firefighters dropped of boxes and boxes of warmth at the Olathe School District today. “A lot of people think, you know, Johnson County is so affluent that we don’t have the same social issues here as somewhere else, but it’s definitely there,” Kristopher Camp, with Olathe Professional Firefighters Outreach, said.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Salina-area economics looking good despite COVID-19
When it comes to the Salina economy, there’s a little bad news.Overall, the city’s prospects are booming. The bad news is the coronavirus pandemic. "The 800-pound gorilla is the COVID," said Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Salina Community Economic Development Council. "We’re going to have to live with it, for how long we don’t know." Motels, hotels and restaurants have taken a real hit, said Robinson…
Source: News – Salina Journal
Meet Samantha Garrett, the new ‘face of Crawford County’
Samantha Garrett grew up in Crawford County, attending Southeast High School and Pittsburg State, where she graduated in December of 2018 before taking a job as marketing manager for Jock’s Nitch Sporting Goods. In the past couple of months, though, Garrett has taken on a set of responsibilities that are new not only to her, but also to her new employer — which is technically every citizen in the county. Since mid-August, Garrett has been Crawford County’s public information officer — a position that did not exist before she took the job, and which was created primarily in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as county officials saw a need to improve communication with the public.
Source: Pittsburg Morning Sun
Pittsburg consultant suggests building a conference center at Kansas Crossing
Pittsburg could benefit from building a $24 million, nearly 50,000 square foot conference center, a consulting firm hired by the city and Crawford County told the city commission this week ."You’ll recall back in April we talked a little bit about a big gap in our hospitality industry that has really become a big driving force of our local economy, and that gap is the lack of an adjoined hotel-conference space here in our community," …
Source: Pittsburg Morning Sun
Lawrence Community Police Review Board continues process to strengthen oversight of complaints, stresses need for outside investigation
The Lawrence Community Police Review Board is moving forward on changes to strengthen oversight of complaints against police and to ensure that more information about complaints is available to the public. As part of its meeting Wednesday, the board voted unanimously to advance the draft of a new ordinance laying out the board’s powers for a final legal review with city attorneys. A division of the police department, the Office of Professional Accountability, decides what constitutes a complaint and conducts the investigation, and board members agreed that it was critical for the board to be able to request an independent investigation if the board disagrees with the conclusion of the police department’s investigation.
Source: LJWorld.com.
City of Lawrence to soon begin providing utility assistance to those who have lost income due to the pandemic
City of Lawrence residents whose income has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic can soon apply for assistance in paying their city utility bill. The city has been awarded $500,000 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES, for an assistance program to help utility customers with economic hardship due to COVID-19. The program will help residents cover utility bills incurred between March 1 and Dec. 10, and will begin accepting applications on Nov. 1, according to a city staff memo.
Source: LJWorld.com.
‘I am now cancer free.’ Grateful Merriam Police Cpl. Phil Lewis returns to work
After 22 months away, Merriam Police Cpl. Phil Lewis has returned to work following treatment for colon cancer. It was a long road back, because Lewis suffered a series of medical setbacks after being diagnosed in January 2019. “Unfortunately, nothing went as planned, and I experienced a lot of complications from the numerous surgeries and treatments I had,” the 17-year police veteran said in a news release. “Although my recovery was anything but routine, it was successful, and I am now cancer-free.”
Source: KC Star Local News
Lawrence City Commission approves incentives for pretzel facility that will add nearly 300 jobs
City leaders have approved tax breaks and other economic incentives for a project that will bring a pretzel production facility and close to 300 jobs to Lawrence. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to approve an approximately $4.4 million economic incentives package for VanTrust Real Estate for an approximately 150,000-square-foot production facility for Indiana-based Pretzels Inc., which is expanding its operations to Lawrence.
Source: LJWorld.com.
USDA Invests $31,900 in Community Infrastructure in Glasco, Kansas
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $31,900 toward a new backhoe for the city of Glasco…. The city of Glasco will use the $31,900 grant to assist with purchasing a John Deere backhoe for the Glasco Public Works Department. This project will allow the city to have reliable equipment to continue providing maintenance services for its nearly 500 residents, including fixing the streets, water line leaks, moving rocks and snow, among other projects. This community partnership is made possible by the additional contribution by the applicant of $26,100.
Bond Insurance Returns to the Muni Market in a Big Way
The decimated municipal-bond insurance industry is having a renaissance. Weakened by Covid-19, state and local borrowers are using insurance at their highest rates in more than a decade. This type of upfront protection offers a promise from insurance companies to pay investors if the municipality defaults. Overall, the share of newly issued muni debt carrying insurance reached 7.13% in the second quarter and was 6.8% in the third quarter, up from an average of 4.72% in the decade before the pandemic, according to Municipal Market Analytics data. Fueling the trend is a drop in local government creditworthiness that has left public officials looking for ways to keep down borrowing costs.
Source: WSJ.
Housing incentive sweetened in Ark City
Arkansas City commissioners approved a special tax incentive Tuesday in hopes of luring builders to the new Compass Point housing development. A proposal presented to the commission called for a 90-percent tax rebate on the first $150,000 property value for 10 years. That is an increase over the city’s current tax rebate program, which allows 75 percent for seven years. After a brief discussion, elected officials approved the resolution, but also raised the property value cap to $250,000.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Squirrel population sparks power outages in Winfield
An increased squirrel population, combined with older infrastructure, has led to a spate of power outages and interruptions in Winfield. City employees have been dealing with problems caused by the critters on a main electrical circuit, which covers an area roughly from Ninth to 19th avenues and from Andrews to Mound streets, according to a post Friday on the city’s Facebook page. The city is trying to alleviate the problem by identifying areas of the circuit that are having the most issues with squirrels so they can make changes to the infrastructure.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Municipal Bond Trends for October 21, 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.
The bond market is starting to wake up with interest rates headed higher
The bond market appears to be waking up. After trading in a close range since June, Treasury yields are starting to break out of their range and look set to edge higher. The 10-year yield reached a high of 0.834% early Wednesday morning and was hovering just at the 0.80% level in afternoon trading. “This is an inflection point in the sense that stimulus is coming. It’s not if, it’s when, and we’re getting closer to the point of I think no matter who wins the presidency you’re going to get fiscal stimulus,” said Jim Caron, head of global macro strategies at Morgan Stanley Investment Management. “It’s just a matter of how much and what the process is.”
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Allen County celebrates SPARKS check
Allen County gets $192,500 from funding allocated to Kansas counties. About 20 businesses and 20 nonprofits will receive the money. Allen County commissioners received a check for $192,500 to represent CARES/SPARK funding allocated to Kansas counties, at their meeting Tuesday. About 20 local businesses and 20 local nonprofits will receive the funds. Thrive Allen County CEO Lisse Regehr also discussed with commissioners using additional SPARK funds to install touchless faucets and other amenities at public buildings connected to the landfill office, noxious weed building and three senior center buildings.
Source: The Iola Register
Norton’s COVID-19 infection rate highest ever recorded in Kansas
A severe and deadly outbreak of COVID-19 that has ravaged the Norton community is by far the worst recorded in Kansas since the start of the pandemic, health officials said Wednesday. Gov. Laura Kelly called the outbreak a “stark reminder” that the threat of COVID-19 is real, even in rural areas. She said she was directing state resources to assist with the outbreak. “Outbreaks are not isolated incidents,” Kelly said. “For months, many have mistakenly shared the idea that this virus would never reach our rural and lower-population communities. Now, it is worse in those towns and counties than it is in our cities.”
Source: Kansas Reflector
Wichita’s Bike Share Program Resuming Under New Operator
After shutting down this spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wichita’s bike share program will resume later this year under a new operator. Michigan-based Tandem Mobility will take over the Bike Share ICT program from Zagster. The company filed for bankruptcy in March, leaving the bike docks scattered around Wichita empty for months. Tandem will provide 200 bikes, maintain the bike stations and provide customer support, including a mobile app for riders.
Source: KMUW
Wichita mask ordinance expires, county mask ordinance still in effect
Wichita’s mask ordinance expires at midnight. However, the city will continue to follow Sedgwick County’s Emergency Public Health Order which requires residents to continue to use masks in all public places, including all City of Wichita facilities. Learn more about Sedgwick County’s mask requirements and health exceptions on their website. As the city no longer has a mask ordinance in effect, the city will close its mask hotline and email service this week. Questions regarding the mask order and other health and safety orders should be directed to the county.
Source: KSN-TV
Topeka City Council rescinds controversial plumbing amendment
The Topeka City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to rescind controversial plumbing amendments and reconsider how the amendments to the plumbing code should be worded. Deputy Mayor Tony Emerson made the motion to reconsider two amendments he proposed after hearing concerns from businesses in the community. “Although my amendments solved a few immediate problems their wording let some plumbing contractors think their livelihood was being threatened,” Emerson said at the Oct. 20 city council meeting. “I can assure you that was not the intent.”
Source: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal
Mayor: Topeka has done well addressing poverty, but there is still more to do
Mayor Michelle De La Isla joined mayors from across the country Wednesday to discuss eliminating poverty in their cities. De La Isla boasted about what Topeka has done so far, but said there is more work to be done as “poverty is everywhere.” “We are the richest nation in the world with 328.1 million people, yet contrasted with other nations we have 10.5% of people in America that are living in poverty,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director of the United States Conference of Mayors at Wednesday’s virtual roundtable.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Kindergartners exempted from COVID-19 mask mandate, commission delays action on bars
Sedgwick County has quietly altered its mask mandate to no longer require kindergartners to mask up in school, it was revealed Wednesday. The County Commission also decided Wednesday to delay action on one commissioner’s proposal to rescind an early curfew on bars and nightclubs and to make the county’s COVID-control orders, including the mask mandate, voluntary again. During Wednesday’s meeting, the county released a rewrite of an order issued on Friday by Dr. Garold Minns, the county health officer and dean of the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Roe 2020 project remains on track with residential striping completed
After nearly five months of construction, Roeland Park’s largest infrastructure project in the history of the city remains on track for completion by Thanksgiving 2020. Why it matters: Roe 2020 is a $10 million renovation of the city’s main thoroughfare, Roe Boulevard, from northern city limits to southern city limits. The residential portion of the street — south of 51st Street — is on schedule to complete major construction milestones within the next few weeks. The project is bringing eight-foot sidewalks, a completely repaved and restriped street, new landscaping and for many Roe Boulevard residents, new or partially-new driveways.
Source: Prairie Village Post
USDA Invests $50,000 in Community Infrastructure in Concordia, Kansas
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $50,000 toward new seating for the historic Brown Grand Opera House in Concordia. … This Rural Development investment will be used to purchase seating for the historic Brown Grand Opera House in Concordia, Kansas. The current seating in the opera House is breaking and finding parts for repair has become increasingly difficult. This project will allow the opera house to purchase new seats. Additionally, the second balcony will be returned to its original bench-style seating and 432 new seats will go in the orchestra and first balcony. Upon completion, the opera house will benefit nearly 9,600 people with a safe and accessible educational theater experience, while preserving historical infrastructure. This community partnership is made possible by the additional contribution by the applicant of $160,067.
Municipal Bond Trends for October 20, 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.
Health official: COVID now widespread in Reno County community
COVID-19 is now widespread in Hutchinson and the Reno County Community, the county’s interim Health Officer warned on Tuesday, and people need to step up the oft-repeated protection measures to mitigate it. “People don’t understand what a huge problem we have,” said interim Reno County Health Department Co-Director Karen Hammersmith during a weekly Tuesday morning Zoom call. There are currently 18 positive COVID patients admitted to the local hospital, including three people who are now on ventilators. At noon on Tuesday, the county reported its 12th death. That’s eight deaths in in the past 13 days. Reno County’s positive case numbers are high, in part, because of large outbreaks in communal living with the county, including the state prison, county jail, and a couple of nursing homes.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Bike Share ICT to get on the road again with new operator after COVID-19 bankruptcy
Rental bikes will soon be rolling on the streets of Wichita again, after the COVID-19 pandemic bankrupted the previous operator of Bike Share ICT. The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a contract with a new operator for bike rentals, a company called Tandem Mobility. That firm operates the KANcycle program that serves several cities in north-central Kansas, including Salina and Concordia, according to its website. Wichita has been without a rent-a-bike service since May when the previous contractor, Zagster, declared bankruptcy and ceased operation. Council member Becky Tuttle, who ran Bike Share ICT in her previous job at the Greater Wichita YMCA, said she was delighted by the system’s comeback.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Display violated city’s sign ordinance
Larger-than-life hay bale version of President Trump changed after it exceeded size limits for political promotions. A political display on U.S. 54/Madison Avenue got a lot of attention this past week. Too much, actually. The display, composed of four large round hay bales and painted to represent a larger-than-life version of President Donald Trump, exceeded the city’s limits on political signs. It was an unusual type of sign, though, and an unusual situation, Codes Enforcement Office Greg Hutton said. “That was a first,” he said.
Source: The Iola Register
Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office partners with Ring home security
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with home security company Ring in an effort to make the community safer. Ring devices capture video of suspicious activity or a crime. Device owners will now have the ability to share these videos with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office utilizing the Neighbors App available free for download at the App Store or Google Play. As an identified public safety user of the Neighbors App, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office can post information about crime and safety alerts, view and comment on public posts within our jurisdiction, and use the video request feature to ask Ring to request video recordings from Ring device owners who are in the area of an active investigation.
Source: KSN-TV
‘He is ready to go back’: Officer shot in Lyons making recovery alongside wife in hospital
Three days after he was shot in the line of duty a Lyons police officer making a shocking recovery. “He is alive,” says Cami Ryan. Sgt. Cory Ryan, a Lyons police officer since 2012, took three bullets responding to a 911 call including one in the face. “Literally millimeters of difference and we would be having a very different conversation right now,” said Ryan’s wife. Moments before a flood of armored vehicles, sharpshooters, and ems arrived on the scene Ryan was dragged from the danger by someone nearby and rushed to the hospital where he has been defying the odds ever since. “They have used words like impressive and miracle and they are just shocked at how well he is recuperating in just a short amount of time,” Ryan said.
Source: KSN-TV
Harvey County extends mask order until rescinded
The Harvey County Commission voted unanimously to extend a local order requiring face masks to be worn in Harvey County in a continued effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The order was extended until such time it is rescinded, superseded or amended. The order requires individuals to wear a face mask over their nose and mouth in any indoor or outdoor public space where a social distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained at all times. New Sedgwick County order will allow bars to open until 1 a.m. starting Oct. 22
Source: KSN-TV
Long-time Ford dealership burns down in Syracuse
Davis Motors a long-time Ford dealership in Syracuse was destroyed in a fire overnight. The city clerk says that business was a total loss and has been in the community for over 75 years. Several agencies battled the blaze.
Source: KSN-TV
‘We Have To Help Ourselves’: Why Rural Winfield, Kansas, Is Taking Charge Of Its Energy Future
Electric cars aren’t a common sight in rural Kansas — yet. But the town of Winfield — population 12,000, about 45 minutes southeast of Wichita — knows that will inevitably change. “We’re going to see the electrification of vehicles across the country,” said City Manager Taggart Wall. “So how do we stay on the leading edge of that and learn as the industry grows, rather than try to be retroactive and catch up?” Last year, the city began offering $1,500 rebates to residents who installed charging stations in their homes. And earlier this month, Winfield cut the ribbon on its first public charging station, situated in front of Shindig’s Bar and Grill downtown. It’s a “destination location,” says Mayor Phil Jarvis. “A lot of people will drive here from Wichita or other places to eat at Shindig’s,” he said. “So we thought, ‘Well, we’ll try here.’ It’s on a major highway going through town, and just to see how much it’s used. “We really don’t know at this point.”
Source: KMUW
Fort Scott looking to change dog ordinance
Fort Scott is looking to change the verbiage on an ordinance regarding dogs. At the last city commissioners meeting, a resident voiced her concerns on the area’s pit bull laws—saying it should be changed to a vicious dogs ordinance. Commissioners believed the ordinance should be changed to reflect that not all pit bull are vicious. Under a new proposed ordinance, animal control would be allowed to step in if they deemed any dog dangerous. Fort Scott is looking to change the verbiage on an ordinance regarding dogs. Kevin Allen, City Commissioner, Fort Scott, said, “There’s things in there that say if an animal patrol officer has been called a certain number of times, that dog will be confiscated and taken care of, if it’s attacked someone, there’s procedures to handle it.” The new ordinance is set to be presented at Tuesday night’s city commission meeting. Fort Scott is looking to change the verbiage on an ordinance regarding dogs.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Shawnee County Parks & Rec wants residents to vote on Family Park design
Shawnee County Parks + Recreation is asking for more feedback from locals in its second phase of planning for the new Family Park. The department posted an online survey to find out what people want from the new facility. HTK Architects, who designed three layouts for the park, will also ask the public to vote on their favorite in the survey. Family Park is located in the 2200 block of SW Urish Road. “A critical component of the planning process is gathering public and stakeholder input concerning potential passive and active recreational opportunities in Family Park,” said Zach Snethen, principal at HTK Architects.
Source: KSNT News
Fairway modifies tree ordinance following large tree removal on Suwanee Road
The Fairway City Council last week approved modifications to its tree ordinance, which will no longer require a special city council meeting for a tree to be removed. The ordinance as previously written required city staff to get city council approval prior to removing a feature tree, which is defined as a tree with a trunk that is at least 30 inches in diameter. Under the modified ordinance, city staff can work with KC Arborist, the tree company the city has worked with for years, to determine whether a feature tree needs to be removed based on if it is dead, dying or dangerous.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Governor Laura Kelly Celebrates 90 New Jobs in Dodge City at Nor-Am Cold Storage Grand Opening
Governor Laura Kelly today applauded the announcement of a new, 148,000-square-foot Nor-Am Cold Storage facility in Dodge City. This is the sixth facility in the Midwest for Nor-Am and second in Kansas, with the other in Elwood. The new Dodge City facility is Nor-Am’s largest. Governor Kelly joined Rob Adams of Tippmann Construction, Nor-Am CEO Greg Brandt, Dodge City Manager Nick Hernandez and Secretary of Commerce David Toland for a ribbon-cutting ceremony today. “Nor-Am is an outstanding, family-oriented company, and its cold-storage capabilities are a critical component in the safe distribution of the high-quality food products Kansas is known for,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Between its two locations, the company will play an essential role in our state’s efforts to keep food on the plates of families statewide and nationwide. I am pleased to welcome Nor-Am to another Kansas community.” The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art freezing equipment, high-density racking, semi-automated pallet shuttle technology with nearly 17,000 pallet positions, and a 50,000-square-foot processing area. The new facility will bring 90 new full-time jobs and $30 million in capital investment to Dodge City and Ford County.
Ark City has a 150th logo, but celebration is slow-go
A specially designed logo will be featured during the celebration of Arkansas City’s 150th anniversary. The logo was designed by local resident Liz Shepard, who was chosen after a bid for proposals. City public Information Officer Andrew Lawson said the logo will be featured on special flags and banners, and other printed materials.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Overland Park to name street after police officer Mike Mosher, who was slain in May
The city of Overland Park is renaming a street for police officer Mike Mosher, who was killed in the line of duty in May. Monday night, the City Council unanimously agreed to change the name of 123rd Street, between Metcalf Avenue and Blue Valley Parkway, to Mike Mosher Boulevard. That section of street is near the spot where Mosher died in a shootout with a suspect. “It’s a great idea. I’m excited that we can honor Mike in a timely manner,” Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez said at Monday’s meeting. “It was the ultimate sacrifice. Mike’s a hero. And I just want to thank everybody for the hard work that’s gone into this.”
Source: Joco 913 News