Kansas Municipal News
New Interactive Map Shows Train Derailments in Communities Across the US
Today, the National League of Cities (NLC) launched an interactive map showing the frequency of train derailments across the country. The map allows users to see an overview of derailments and dive deeper into details on specific incidents. “With rail tracks running through the middle of thousands of cities, towns and villages, derailments are a big concern for residents who want to keep their families and businesses safe,” said Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities. “Our new rail map shows what local leaders already know to be true – train derailments and safety issues are happening far too often and in far too many places. Every day in the U.S., an average of three trains derail with as many as half potentially carrying hazardous substances. Communities are calling on Congress to move legislation to ensure that rail moves safely in America.”
Source: NLC
Wall Street Backs Off Bets on Fed Rate Cuts
Persistent strength in the economy has wrong-footed bets that the Federal Reserve will make large interest-rate cuts this year, potentially undermining a key element of support for the 2023 stock rally. Derivatives markets show investors now expect the Fed’s target rate to sit at 5% at year-end, according to Tradeweb, up from just above 4% last month. Previous expectations that rates would fall before December helped boost markets this year, particularly shares of large technology companies. … Friday’s jobs report was just the latest setback for investors who have repeatedly underestimated U.S. growth in the face of rate increases. Inflation has also proved far more stubborn than investors had guessed it would be 12 months ago. Last summer, year-ahead inflation bets projected a rapid fall to the 2% inflation range beginning in the middle of 2023. The latest reading of the consumer-price index was 4.9%.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets
Governor Kelly Announces 14 Rural Communities Receiving Funding for the Creation of New Murals
Governor Laura Kelly today announced 14 communities will receive funding through the Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural and Public Art grant program. The $76,071 in grants awarded will allow communities to create 38 new murals and public art projects that engage community residents and create a place for the community to gather and enjoy. Since 2021, the Office of Rural Prosperity has funded more than 43 murals in 25 communities. “Our Rural Mural program continues to gain momentum as a way to showcase and celebrate small towns across Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
La Crosse Celebrates the Grand Re-Opening of its Grocery Store with State and Local Support
When the La Crosse grocery store closed in August of 2022, Rush County Economic Development jumped to action to restore this critical service in their county. Brad Penka let us know that, with its closing, it left the entire county without a grocery store within a 25-mile radius and would be a huge burden on the families of La Crosse and Rush County. With the collaboration of many different entities and groups, a new owner was found, grants were applied for, funds were gathered, and we are excited to announce their Grand Re-Opening on March 1, 2023! The Rush County Economic Development applied for and was awarded a TEFFI:SEED grant in the amount of $49,125. This grant was made possible by the Kansas Department of Commerce and is being managed in partnership with the Office of Rural Prosperity.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Chase County discusses worker shortage during meeting Wednesday
Short-staffing was the headline of the Chase County Commission meeting Wednesday morning at the Courthouse. EMS director Scott Harris presented commissioners with a budget request, telling commissioners that this year, his crew’s requests were very specific. Harris said each year before he brings his budget to the commission, he asks his staff what changes they would like to see. While previous years elicited the response of more money, Harris said this year, his staff was focused on increasing staffing.
Source: Emporia Gazette
UNBOUND Gravel brings unprecedented impact to Emporia community
As more than 4,000 gravel enthusiasts and their support crews descend upon Emporia for the 17th annual UNBOUND Gravel weekend, local economic development and tourism experts say the continued impact on the area is undeniable. The value of that impact was upwards of $6 million in 2018. Visit Emporia director LeLan Dains said while he doesn’t have firm numbers to cite just yet, the financial impact has only increased five years later.
Source: Emporia Gazette
City of Russell Fire Chief hospitalized after explosion
Russel City Manager Jon Quinday said that shortly after 9 p.m. on Friday the fire department was called to 1706 N. Main Street for a structure fire. After Fire Chief Dylan Riedel arrived on scene the fire caused an explosion. Riedel was taken to Russell Regional Hospital then later transported to Via Christi in Wichita. The Kansas State Fire Marshall was asked to help in the investigation.
Source: KAKE – News
Johnson County is recruiting gardeners to help prevent flooding in Kansas City
Kansas City sits at the intersection of many rivers — the Missouri River separating downtown from the Northland, the Kansas River in Wyandotte and Johnson counties, and Turkey Creek, the Blue River, Mill Creek and Brush Creek forming a spider web across the bistate area. And this is no accident, said Heather Schmidt, the stormwater program manager in Johnson County. “Whenever anybody develops or settles anywhere, they want to be by the stream,” Schmidt said. “It’s their water source, and it’s their source to get things away. And that’s always been problematic, because they also get flooded out.”
Source: KCUR News
El Dorado PD seek community heroes!
For many law enforcement departments, bullet resistant vests for K-9s are not in the budget. Instead, departments rely on nonprofit assistance to acquire the protective gear. Nonprofit Keeping K-9s in Kevlar accepted the responsibility to bring the community together and help fund El Dorado Police Department’s newest officer, K9 Rico, for a (bullet resistant) Kevlar vest involving community assistance with their donations. The non-profit seeks community heroes to assist in funding K9 Rico’s vest. Vests costs $2,784. Nonprofits are the way most departments receive K-9 Kevlar vests.
Source: Andover American
Historic Mural Coming to Downtown Fort Scott
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce is preparing to bring a historic mural to downtown. “The first Kansas colored infantry was sworn in on the parade grounds here at Fort Scott, shortly after the Emancipation Proclamation, and so this is a story that has always been in Fort Scott’s legacy,” said Rachel French. The mural will honor this infantry, who were the first African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. According to the Fort Scott National Historic Site, Kansas was the first northern state to recruit, train, and send African American soldiers into combat during the Civil War.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Baxter Springs approves UTVs, golf carts on city roads
The Baxter Springs City Council passes an ordinance permitting UTVs and golf carts to be driven on the city streets. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and get their UTV or golf cart insured. The vehicles must also pass an inspection, and the Baxter Springs Police Department will conduct those Wednesday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., or on Saturdays by appointment. Once that is complete, drivers will be required to pay a license fee of $25. The vehicle must also have a seat and seat belt, head and tail lights, turn signals, rearview mirrors, and mufflers.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Municipal Bond Trends for June 2, 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.
What’s next for downtown Topeka? Here’s what developers say about buildings still vacant
Downtown Topeka has seen progress over the years, but there’s still more room for growth. In the past five years, major projects include The Pennant opening in March 2018, The Cyrus Hotel opening in 2019, Evergy Plaza opening in March 2020, new pocket parks and more. Highly anticipated projects still to come include the two-story restaurant lounge Ta.Co at 735 S. Kansas Ave., a revived restoration project for Jayhawk Theatre and a new Polk-Quincy Viaduct. Ashley Gilfillan, president of Downtown Topeka Inc., said downtown is getting back to a sense of community and walkability. “Yes, it’s the economic development of it in stores, buildings and residents,” Gilfillan said, “but I think that it also offers a culture and kind of like a home feeling in place making.”
Source: CJonline
Lakin To Open a New Daycare
The city of Lakin is excited to announce their newest project – City Builders Daycare. … childcare is an issue here in our community and across the nation… The City Council voted to take a city owned building that is underused and created a space that will have a lasting impact on our children and our families… We are fortunate enough to have several quality daycares here in town that we are collaborating with, and not competing with. We are planning for a middle of June opening date.
Source: Lakin Independent
Lawrence to discuss enforcement, fines and cost of proposed ban on single-use plastic bags
After expressing support earlier this year for moving forward with a ban on single-use plastic bags, city leaders will soon review particulars of a draft ordinance, including the process, fines and costs associated with enforcing the ban. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive an update on the single-use plastic bag draft ordinance and provide direction to city staff regarding potential next steps. The city estimates it will cost about $31,000 annually to enforce the ban, and a structure for fines for violations has been laid out.
Source: LJWorld
South Hutchinson selects Jeff Schenk to be city administrator
The South Hutchinson City Council voted unanimously to hire Jeff Schenk to be the next city administrator at Friday night’s special meeting. Schenk brings more than 15 years of public sector service to the role, having most recently served as the interim director of engineering for the City of Hutchinson. Schenk manages more than $25 million in capital improvement projects each year and has been intimately involved with the Woodie Seat bridge replacement project. “He was our unanimous pick because he possesses a unique blend of skills, relevant infrastructure experience, and solid relationships within the region,” said Mayor Brian Garretson.
Source: Hutch News
City of Topeka considers providing some residents property tax relief
Topeka’s mayor and city council next month will consider providing property tax relief to property owners who meet guidelines that include having a total household income of $37,750 or less. Council policy and finance committee members Spencer Duncan and Hannah Naeger voted 2-0 Thursday to recommend the mayor and council approve the proposal involved. … Duncan’s proposal would enable eligible property owners to receive a rebate of the property taxes they pay that are levied specifically by Topeka’s city government. … Under Duncan’s proposal, the city would make the rebate available to all residents who pay city property taxes … and had a total household income of $37,750 or less.
Source: CJonline
Ten small towns in Kansas to include on your summer road trip in the Sunflower State
With the warmer months of the year approaching, and summer vacation plans afoot, it can be hard to narrow down the best way to spend time with friends and loved ones. One way to celebrate a much-needed time out of the office this season is behind the wheel, enjoying the freedom of the open road and interesting stops that come your way. In Kansas, some of the most interesting stops come via hard-to-beat small town atmospheres that are rich in culture and history, with unique forms of entertainment and recreation.
Source: Salina Journal
Great Bend addresses filling vacancies
What can the Great Bend City Council and mayor do if a member of the governing body fails to attend meetings? As of now, very little, but the council Monday night will consider an ordinance to remedy this. “We’re just looking at what’s in the best interest of the city,” Mayor Cody Schmidt said. “We want to put something in play that protects the city and the council.” … The city’s legal team noted the city can pass an ordinance that allows for the replacement of non-qualifying or non-functioning members, which is much less cumbersome and expensive [than going through the recall process]. They are recommending an ordinance be passed to allow the governing body to “promptly and efficiently replace a non-qualifying or non-functioning member.”
Source: Great Bend Tribune
From Murals to Housing Incentives: The Impact of the Rural Champion Project in Wallace County
In October, Lissa Sexson was hired by the County of Wallace to serve as the Rural Champion, or point-person, to move forward efforts of Community Development within the county. Prior to being awarded the Rural Champion grant, Wallace County had not had any official form of community or economic development in close to 15 years.
Some areas of emphasis for the Rural Champion project were defined broadly as: housing, the economy, and establishing a sustainable structure to move Wallace County Community Development forward with after the Rural Champion stipend. With broad support throughout the county, much work has been initiated and gaining momentum.
One of the first projects Lissa participated with was Rural Mural grant through the Office of Rural Prosperity. This grant was able to help make 3 beautiful murals happen throughout the county and Lissa was the artist of one of the murals that were completed.
Focusing on the primarily agricultural economy of Wallace County, community development has hosted Russell Plaschka with the Kansas Department of Ag for a community conversation focused on ag growth. Additionally, a second, follow up community informational meeting was also had with Plaschka which included Sammy Gleason with the state trademark program, From the Land of Kansas.
Christy Preston with Network Kansas was able to speak with County Commissioners regarding their programing and opportunities that come from being an E-Community. Wallace County Community Development plans to apply for E-Community status prior to the April 4th deadline.
In addition to looking broadly at future economic potential, there has also been a push by Wallace County Community Development to maintain and enhance current businesses through a Storefront and Signage Incentive Program. Between funding from the county, the Wallace County Foundation, and cash-match from award recipients, the Incentive Program could provide $30,000+ worth of visual updates to Wallace County businesses.
Looking at housing, Wallace County Community Development has been working through the Housing Assessment Tool (HAT) with a volunteer advisory committee. This is a self-assessment process that thoroughly gathers local and regional housing data, as well as also considers local input from the community.
Wallace County Community Development is also working through establishing and funding a set of Housing Incentives identified as priorities, including demo of dilapidated properties, spur redevelopment, encourage painting, motivate the sale of vacant homes, and more.
Establishing a brand for Wallace County Community Development and creating lines of communication has also been part of the Rural Champion project. Currently a quarterly newsletter is released, an email contact list is expanding, and there is an effort to be active on social media.
Wallace County Community Development has also laid the groundwork for a community book club starting in March featuring “13 Ways to Kill Your Community”. Each discussion will then be led by a community organization, including the Wallace County Foundation, Wallace County Chamber of Commerce, and Wallace County Visitors Bureau.
To learn more about this and the 11 additional Rural Champion pilot projects, visit https://www.kansascommerce.gov/orp/ruralchampions/.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce