Kansas Municipal News
Facility study, potential building recommendations ahead for USD 251 Board of Education special meeting Wednesday
Facility matters are ahead for the USD 251 North Lyon County Board of Education. The board has a special meeting at 6 pm Wednesday. The foundation of the meeting — pun intended — is a 30-page facility study recently conducted by G Kent Stewart of Manhattan, including enrollment trends, building overviews, maintenance and results from past referendums on new school facilities over the past decade. Board members will discuss those items, as well as the survey’s recommendations — maintaining the capital outlay levy and considering a new engineering study or follow-up study of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems — as well as potential choices for the district’s future, including taking no action, consolidating with a nearby district, building a new high school instead of a new all-encompassing K-12 building, replacing the temporary classrooms at Northern Heights or building a six-room addition to the high school before removing three of the portable classroom units.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Beer, airports and license plates: Topeka wanted these laws. Here’s how they impact you.
Some changes are coming to the capital city — if you like to drink beer, flash your license plate or fly from an airport, that is. The capital city will be affected by three bills Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law in the past week, all of which were promoted by Topeka or Shawnee County officials as important to the city and region. One is designed to allow a better experience for public alcohol consumption, while another would create a license plate emblazoned with the Topeka city flag. A third would allow the city’s two major airports to more easily be improved — though it wasn’t without controversy in the Legislature.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for April 25, 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.
Lawrence school board opposed to 4-day week in the near future
Switching to a four-day student/five-day staff school week could save the Lawrence school district money and provide more plan time for teachers, according to some staff members, but it raises equity concerns for families and students. School board members said Monday they don’t believe the district in the near future will be ready to consider the switch. Jayci Roberson and Jessica Rohrberg, co-chairs of the district’s calendar committee, presented to the board during Monday’s meeting. They shared a report of the committee’s work on the four-day student/five-day staff week, which will not be implemented next year but may be considered for future years.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Families ask City to allow their pets
Jessica Grigoreva addressed the Newton City Commission on Tuesday night, asking that the city let her family keep its potbellied pig. Potbellied pigs are not allowed in the city, and she would have to give the pig up if the current ordinance was enforced. “We’ve had her for two years, and she is part of our family,” she said. “We love her a lot.”
Source: Harvey County Now
New book explores interesting facts, places to visit in Kansas
There are some facts about the Sunflower State many people don’t know. Although the author of the newly released book, “Secret Kansas: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure,” lives in Goodland, she has traveled throughout the state finding out about an insect museum, the first airplane that didn’t fly and the 1879 tornado that might have inspired “The Wizard of Oz.” “I like to find out little stories that people don’t know about,” said Roxie Yonkey, the author of “Secret Kansas.” “And I get to the joy of finding out this secret, like whoever knew this.”
Source: Hutch News
Lenexa installs new electric vehicle chargers
Electric vehicle owners can now conveniently charge their cars while working out, attending a meeting or enjoying a meal on the Lenexa civic campus. The City of Lenexa recently installed four electric vehicle chargers in the Lenexa civic campus parking garage. They’re located just south of the garage’s Winchester Street entrance.
Source: City of Lenexa
Here’s what ‘smart’ traffic signals in east Wichita corridor could mean for drivers
By the end of 2024, some traffic signals in east Wichita will be equipped with radios that allow them to communicate back and forth with smart vehicles. “Right now, it’s really nothing more than letting a driver know when a signal is about to change, which should provide a safer environment and help drivers make better decisions,” Public Works Director Gary Janzen said. The high-tech signals will be installed on Greenwich Road from Central to Kellogg. Janzen said eventually, signals may be able to advise drivers what the optimum speed is to hit more green lights along the corridor. The new technology won’t be used to to track vehicles that run red lights or speed through the intersection, Janzen said. “The focus and purpose of this technology is for traffic safety only.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
USD 501 will be first in Kansas to offer district-wide free lunches
Topeka USD 501 will offer free lunches to all students starting next school year – and it’s the first district in Kansas to do so outside of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nicole Jahnke, USD 501’s general director of child nutritional services, said the idea behind providing students with free lunches is to eliminate lunchroom inequity. Jahnke said it’s an every day mission to offer nutritious food to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. “If you have a child in primary school and they have breakfast and lunch with us, they’ll be saving just under $700 a year per student,” Jahnke said. “And if you have a child in secondary school, it’ll be even more than that. So, it’s quite a big savings.”
Source: KSNT 27 News
Significant Kansas drought affecting farmers and consumers
Since last year, the state of Kansas has experienced a drought. This drought is one of the most significant the Sunflower State has seen in quite some time. While the drought is more so affecting the western part of the state, that doesn’t mean we’re not feeling it right here in northeast Kansas. Last month was one of the driest months that Kansas has seen in 128 years. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the state only saw an average of 0.54 inches in total precipitation. That’s down 1.51 inches from normal. “March was the 14th driest month since 1985,” K-State Research and Extension Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent Leroy Russell said. “We’re hoping April kind of picks back up. Let the farmers in where they can do the farming, work the ground and get the corn in.”
Source: KSNT 27 News
Governor Kelly Announces Awardees of Nearly $50 Million of Infrastructure and Economic Development Grants
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced awardees for the second round of the Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) economic development grant program. Thirty-eight awardees will receive a share of nearly $50 million in BASE grants, which will be used to address infrastructure and economic development needs where solutions were delayed or slowed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Kansas Department of Commerce reviewed more than 400 applications from the first round and more than 100 new applications from the second round. In total, more than $2 billion in funding was requested for the nearly $50 million program, demonstrating both the need for this program and the many opportunities that exist throughout the state.
“To continue our record-breaking success in attracting businesses and creating jobs in Kansas, we must invest in infrastructure and economic development,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “That’s exactly what these grants do, and I’m proud that we were able to work together, across party lines, to continue driving our state forward.”
The second round of the BASE grant program, as approved by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee, offers matching funds to address economic development opportunities with the goal of expanding the state’s base of businesses and residents.
“The State of Kansas is determined to strengthen as many communities as we possibly can,” Senate President Ty Masterson said. “These BASE grants will get more vital community projects back on track, while transforming the state’s economy.”
Funds will support infrastructure investments associated with economic development projects. In addition to funds awarded, the BASE program has generated $44 million in matching investment by public and private stakeholders for awarded projects.
“The infrastructure projects this round of funding supports will foster prosperity for future generations of Kansans,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins said. “The SPARK Committee focused on projects that set the stage for strategic long-term growth through thoughtful and targeted planning.”
County and local governments, economic development organizations, local chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders were eligible to apply for the second round of the BASE grant. Applications not awarded from the first round were also considered in the second round. There is a minimum 25% applicant match requirement and applicants were required to document how the project was delayed or affected negatively due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Communities throughout our state will receive long-lasting benefits as a result of the BASE grant program,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Local leaders proposed specific solutions to address needs in their communities and these focused investments will continue to propel our state’s historic economic growth.”
For a list of BASE grant recipients and more information on the program, click here.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
On-Demand bus service could spread throughout Topeka
Topeka’s new micro transit service has been up and running for nearly three months now. City leaders tell 27 News that while the program is still in its early days, the response so far has been promising. Now, the city is working to get the word out to even more people about the new service. Keri Renner is the Director of Marketing and Communication for Topeka Metro. She says Metro-On-Demand, or MOD, offers a more personalized mass transit option than traditional bus service. Topeka’s buses run either every hour or half hour, and travelers must go to a bus station or bus stop to catch a ride. That can make catching a bus difficult for many travelers.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Kansas shakes up liquor laws: Gov. signs alcohol bill
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed a bill that includes several changes to state alcohol laws. The governor signed House Bill 2059, which amends several provisions of the Kansas Liquor Control Act, the Kansas Cereal Malt Beverage Act and the Club and Drinking Establishment Act. One of the more highlighted features of the proposal is the expansion of common consumption areas in the state. This would allow for local governments to have more flexibility in designating areas for drinking.
Source: KSNT 27 News
School board votes 4-3 to close Walton Rural Life Elementary School
The Newton School Board has voted 4-3 to close Walton Elementary School. The board meeting was held in the auditorium of Newton high school because of the number of people who wanted to publicly voice their opinions. Board members and administrators say revenue and the size of the building can’t keep up with the school remaining open. “With the data and information related to enrollment decline versus the cost to run facilities, and the fiscal resources available, the board of education would like to pursue the adoption of the resolution to close the Walton Rural Life Center at the end of the 2022-2023 school year,” said board Vice-President Melissa Schreiber.
Source: KAKE – News
Federal funding to advance technology in Andover one year after tornado
Nearly a year after an EF-3 tornado ripped through Andover, Sen. Jerry Moran announced Monday federal funds for education and law enforcement in the city. In total, $385,000 will be allocated to the Andover Police Department, and $200,000 will go toward the Andover School District. “Everything was empty,” Prarie Creek Elementary school art teacher Jamie Clark said. “There was nothing on the boards, nothing on the walls.”
Source: KSN-TV
Pittsburg community members discuss needs in town
Area residents in Pittsburg on Monday gathered to discuss changes and improvements for the community through the year of 2030. Area Chamber of Commerce officials say, the discussions will be taken into consideration and the group will come back in the fall to present projects for the community. This was the first one of the community conversations. Another one all Pittsburg residents can attend will be Thursday, April 27th at Meadowlark Elementary School at 6pm.
Source: KOAM News
Baxter Springs students will soon have a 4-day school week
It’s going to be a shorter week with longer days for Baxter Springs students. The Baxter Springs School District will adopt a four-day school week. The Tuesday through Friday schedule will begin with the start of the new school year (2023-2024). The Superintendent David Pendergraft says the new schedule is designed to give students an extra day off. He also says the main reason for the transition is due to the lack of qualified staff. “Over the years, the number of applicants that are applying has been diminishing across the board, and we’ve experienced some of our upper-level courses where we’re having a hard time getting qualified applicants,” said Pendergraft.
Source: KOAM News
Mission monitoring situation after bank moves to foreclose on Mission Gateway site
Mission Mayor Sollie Flora says the city is keeping a close eye on the situation after a New York bank sued to foreclose its mortgage on the Mission Gateway property. The civil suit was filed Tuesday, April 18, in Johnson County District Court by Metropolitan Commercial Bank. The suit names as a defendant Aryeh Realty, which owns the long-troubled development at the confluence of Johnson Drive, Roe Avenue and Shawnee Mission Parkway on the site of the former Mission Center Mall.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Prairie Village City Council to dig into much-discussed housing recommendations
The Prairie Village City Council Monday night is set to take its first deep dive into how the city’s controversial housing recommendations could impact single family-zoned districts. That has proven to be one of the thorniest topics of debate around the recommendations since they were first rolled out last summer. Tonight’s meeting comes as the city continues to navigate the increasingly fraught public discussion over how to address ballooning housing costs in the Johnson County suburb.
Source: Prairie Village Post
With Fire Departments Struggling for Volunteers, States Respond to the Alarm
When firefighters show up to a blaze or medical emergency across much of the United States, they most likely are volunteers. It’s also likely the department is understaffed, struggling to replace old equipment and facing uncertainty about its next generation of firefighters. “So much of our country relies on the volunteer fire service,” said Kimberly Quiros, chief of communications with the National Volunteer Fire Council, a nonprofit advocacy organization. “Right now, we’re seeing less volunteers and more calls [for emergency response], but a lot of communities don’t have the tax base and support to switch to a career staffing model.”
Source: Route Fifty – All Content