Kansas Municipal News
Cities to receive $18.5 million for road improvement projects
Thirty-six projects that will improve intersections and roads in Kansas cities have been selected for funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP), which funds improvements to state highways that extend through cities. The cities will receive a combined total of approximately $18.5 million in funding under the CCLIP for these 36 projects. This total includes $8.9 million in state fiscal year 2022 and $9.6 million in state fiscal year 2023. Under the CCLIP, a city is required to contribute up to 25 percent of the project cost based on its population, though some cities contribute significantly more. Cities under 2,500 in population aren’t required to provide a match. Projects in this program may fall into one of three different categories including Surface Preservation (SP), Pavement Restoration (PR) or Geometric Improvement (GI).
(Read more: Western Kansas News)
Here’s what it takes to make this city a bright spot in the Johnson County
People joke about “tract mansions” and “Johnson County beige,” which have come to symbolize the sometimes unwelcome uniformity of suburban Kansas City. Roadways promote monotony, too. Four-lane thoroughfares are everywhere in Johnson County — punctuated by medians, turn lanes, fast-food joints and big box stores. “Where am I, again?” a motorist might ask. Not so in Merriam, a short drive from Olathe, Overland Park or just about anywhere in JoCo.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Amid COVID pandemic, no raises for Sedgwick County workers, spending remains flat
Sedgwick County is planning to freeze employee pay next year as it attempts to climb out of the economic hole brought on by the COVD-19 pandemic. “As we look at what’s going on with our community, with our economy, we know that we have to be exceptionally lean,” Sedgwick County Manager Tom Stolz said before presenting his budget recommendations to county commissioners Wednesday. A big part of that leanness is that there will be “no raise in compensation package for any employees,” Stolz’ report said.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Gov. Kelly to sign executive order to delay reopening of schools
Gov. Laura Kelly will sign an executive order Monday that will delay the start of school until after Labor Day. Kelly made the announcement Wednesday during a news conference and said the delay will give school districts the time to finalize their own reopening plans. School will be delayed until Sept. 9. Each individual school district’s reopening plan will be based off recommendations and mandates set forth by the Kansas State Department of Education. … The State Board of Education’s guidelines call for teachers and staff to wear masks inside and suggests all students be told to wear them if they’re in middle or high school. It recommends hourly hand-washing, daily temperature checks for all staff, and limiting visitors and the movement of students. The guidelines also say all students should be observed daily for signs of illness.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Kelly: Executive order will mandate masks, temperature checks in schools
Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order that she will sign Monday regarding the delay of reopening schools will make it mandatory that school districts use masks, practice proper hygiene and perform daily temperature checks. Kelly made the announcement Wednesday during a news conference she will delay the reopening of schools and said the three-week delay will give school districts and their respective county to gather supplies including masks, thermometers and hand sanitizer. School will be delayed until at least September 9 but COVID-19 data will continue to be monitored to determine if schools can then be reopened.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 15, 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.
Andover City Council opts against mandating face masks
The Andover City Council voted 1-5 against enacting an ordinance mandating the wearing of facemasks in public during their last meeting on Tuesday, July 14. The ordinance mirrored what the Wichita City Council passed on Friday, July 3. Council Member Shelby Carselowey was the only one who voted in favor of the ordinance. “I don’t feel like we are, in our city, in such a state that we should require [a mask mandate],” Council Member Troy Tabor, who voted against the ordinance, said at the meeting. “I really have confidence in our business owners, we don’t have nearly as many businesses as Wichita, or East Wichita or even a single street in Wichita. We don’t, and the businesses I’ve been to, most of them require masks anyway. And therefore I feel like our citizens and to trust our business owners. I don’t think it’s okay for a mandate at this point.”
(Read more: andoveramerican.com)
Kingman County Places Limits on Mass Gatherings
Kingman County Health Department director Mary Schwartz cited the growing number of cases of COVID-19 in Kingman and surrounding counties on Monday when she issued an order to limit mass gatherings to 45 until Aug. 1 The order was passed by the Kingman County Commissioners with a unanimous vote, 3-0. Schwartz also talked about a potential shortage of capacity in Wichita hospitals, as well as staff shortages. She said she was concerned if Kingman County had an outbreak and needed to transfer patients to Wichita and whether there would be room or not.
(Read more: Kingman County News)
A number of Wichita restaurants reconsider plans in light of rising COVID-19 cases
Wichita restaurants started reopening in early May when all the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were lifted. But since then, cases have surged locally, and many restaurateurs are rethinking their plans. Over the past week or so — as several restaurants have closed after COVID-19 exposure among staff members — others have been making adjustments and discontinuing dine-in, delaying reopening plans or re-closing the doors. Here’s a roundup of the latest: CLOSING AGAIN Side Pockets, 600 S. Tyler: Owners of this popular west side pool hall, bar and restaurant decided late last week to close again “until further notice.” The rise of COVID-19 cases in Wichita, plus the fact that “our team has been placed in the difficult position of having to enforce the wearing of masks in our establishment,” are the main reasons, according to a Facebook post.
(Read more: Dining With Denise Neil |)
Governor Kelly shares update from Kansas Department of Labor
The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has been working with a team of specialists from Accenture for just over two weeks as they provide operational and technological assessments to improve the delivery of unemployment services. “We know there have been major issues and missteps, we’ve hit the reset button and are focusing on the future,” Governor Kelly said. “Accenture is reviewing and providing recommendations to improve the stability of our systems to make sure they are readily available to support Kansans.” While the assessment is still underway, improvements are already being implemented. Since the pandemic began, KDOL has delivered $1.2 billion in unemployment claims to nearly 200,000 Kansans.
(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)
Pottawatomie County Fair to go on with adjustments
The Pottawatomie County Fair will go on, but with some adjustments due to COVID-19. The Fair Board, in consultation with the County Extension Office and recommendations with the Pottawatomie County Health Department announced plans Tuesday with some modifications. It will be open to the public July 30 through August 2. Some activities will be reduced to maintain safe social interaction. The fair board is asking attendees to check schedules carefully as some events have changed. Among them, the open class is restricted to just Pottawatomie County residents. All rabbit competitions have been canceled due to a rabbit disease outbreak.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)
Masks now required by law in Reno County
The Reno County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday morning to restore the governor’s order requiring masks or other face coverings to be worn in public. The Tuesday vote rescinds an earlier resolution to not uphold a state of Kansas executive order. As a result, the state order is now in effect in all of Reno County. “We’re trending in the wrong direction,” Nick Baldetti, the county’s health department director, said at the meeting. “From my perspective, I’m really concerned. “Every individual has the responsibility to do their part to make sure everyone is safe.” This latest development makes not wearing a mask in public anywhere in Reno County a civil infraction enforceable by civil fines and or other legal remedies.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
If mask mandate doesn’t get it done, what’s next for Sedgwick County, Wichita schools?
A Sedgwick County commissioner signaled Tuesday that the county may have to take stronger action to contain the coronavirus with the start of the school year about a month away. In a weekly update on COVID-19, commissioners got a grim report from County Manager Tom Stolz: rising coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, percentage of positive tests — a litany of data trending in the wrong direction. “I don’t want to shut anything down, but I want my child to go to school and be safe,” said Commissioner Lacey Cruse, who’s pushed for stronger action than the county’s largely voluntary response to virus prevention. “But the reality is we’re going to send thousands of children back to school — and we shut school down when our cases weren’t even as high — and now we’re trying to send them back?
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Wichita City Council approves $250,000 in HVAC, plumbing upgrades for Century II
Century II is getting some upgrades. The Wichita City Council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to spend $250,000 to install a new a heating, ventilation and air conditioning rooftop unit on Expo Hall, replace hot and cold water circulation pumps through the building, and fix other mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural problems. The repairs — which are paid for using transient guest tax, or hotel “bed tax” funds — are part of maintenance backlog at the Century II complex. The city has earmarked $250,000 annually for the next 10 years to tackle the projects.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 14, 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 board endorses historic preservation status for Century II, former library
The Wichita Historic Preservation Board on Monday nominated the Century II Performing Arts building for state and national historic status, despite separate requests to delay the decision from the city manager and from local business interests that want to tear down and replace it. The board also nominated the former Central Wichita Public Library building for historic status, which could serve as a roadblock to tearing down the buildings and allow them to receive state and federal preservation grants. The action came three days after activists seeking to save the round, blue-roofed structure from demolition presented more than 17,000 signatures on an initiative petition that could force a public vote on the fate of the Century II and the nearby former library.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Advocates call for group that investigates racial profiling complaints in OP to raise profile, improve transparency
The fact that there’s a culturally diverse citizen advisory board in Overland Park that looks into complaints of racial profiling by police came as news to Linnaia McKenzie this spring. A life-long city resident and co-founder of the Advocacy and Awareness Group of Johnson County, McKenzie, had been organizing an event in Downtown to raise awareness and support Black Lives Matter when she first heard the city had such a thing. She wouldn’t be alone. Even people heavily involved in city policing issues acknowledged that most people probably don’t know about the board.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Integrated Roadways begins research phase with local businesses for smart technology showcase in Lenexa City Center
A project to deploy smart pavement in Lenexa City Center is moving forward as planned. Local company Integrated Roadways is working through design and research of smart infrastructure technology in and around Lenexa City Center, just west of I-435 at 87th Street Parkway and Renner Boulevard. The $8.5 million project is a public-private partnership that will result in real-time traffic monitoring of five intersections. Smart road technology includes precast concrete sections that have embedded fiber optics and digital technology. The installations allow vehicles to connect to the internet and provide real-time traffic monitoring as well as a full record of traffic history.
(Read more: ShawneeMission Post)
Johnson County Fair canceled due to COVID-19
The Johnson County Fair will have to wait until next year. The Executive Fair Board made the decision to cancel this year’s festivities, according to a post shared on the Johnson County Fair Facebook page. “After extensive planning, consultation and due to circumstances outside of our control, the Executive Fair Board regrets to report that the 2020 Johnson County Fair arena events, carnival, parade and public events are canceled,” the post reads. 4-H projects, youth livestock show and livestock auction will continue to take place with details released at a later date.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)
Textron Aviation reducing workforce by 800
Textron Aviation today announced its reducing its workforce by 800 employees, with the majority of the job losses happening in Wichita. A statement from Textron said the cuts include layoffs and additional periodic furloughs that will last through the remainder of 2020. Textron Aviation blames the cuts on existing market conditions and “evolving global economic uncertainty.” Textron Aviation has approximately 9,000 workers in Wichita.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
North Newton passes mask ordinance
North Newton will become the first community in Harvey County to mandate residents wear masks in public and within businesses. The council voted 5-0 Monday night to pass a mask mandate. “It is very similar to the one that was passed by the City of Wichita,” City Attorney Greg Nye said. The ordinance is also similar to the one the Newton City Council did not pass. The ordinance requires people to wear masks in public spaces when they are unable to consistently space more than six feet from others. That ordinance would be extended to Bethel campus but not private homes, offices, or churches. People are also required to wear masks indoors in businesses. Businesses are required to have employees wear masks in the presence of customers, food, or in areas they cannot space by more than six feet.
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
Competitive Bidding Leads to Better Pricing on Municipal Bonds
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) today published research findings on the pricing benefits of increased competitive bidding activity in the municipal securities market. …
“Given the scant research on this matter to date, we aimed to explore if higher numbers of competitive bids lead to better pricing terms for issuers,” said Wu. “Our findings confirmed our expectations. We found that as competitive bidding activity increased, the primary offering spread of the winning bidder declined. In other words, the more competitive bids an issuer received during the primary offering process, the more favorable their selling price and yield cost tended to be.” The MSRB examined the competitive bidding activity in the municipal securities market during the primary offering process over the 10-year period from 2009 through the first half of 2019. The MSRB found that the average number of competitive bids received gradually increased over the past 10 years, from an average of 4.4 competitive bids per issuance in 2009 to an average of 5.7 competitive bids per issuance in the first half of 2019, and that the winning bidder’s primary offering spread was negatively correlated with number of bids received.
Read the details at MSRB.
Contact our Municipal Bond Advisors at Ranson Financial Group to seek competitive rates on your next bond issue.
Wichita hospitals could hit capacity this month with COVID-19 patients, mayor says
Wichita hospitals could hit their capacities this month as the number of COVID-19 patients surge, the mayor said Monday. Mayor Brandon Whipple’s warning comes as the Sedgwick County Health Department reports that “both hospitals,” presumably Wesley Healthcare and Ascension Via Christi, are converting rooms to intensive care units. But that action reduces the capacity for other patients.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 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.
Kansas State Fair canceled amid virus concerns
There will be no Kansas State Fair in 2020. The state fair board voted to cancel this year’s event amid concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The reversal comes just a week after the board had initially voted to continue with the fair. However, concerns from vendors and the community led them to adjust plans, with nearly half of the vendors cancelling amid worries about delays with travel quarantines, difficulties in putting crews together and the cancellations of other fairs, including Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The board says it is still interested in finding a way to safely hold its livestock and 4H event. Riley County Extension Director Gary Fike announced last week that most activities at the Riley County Fair had been switched to a come and go format, including the cancellation of its 4H exhibit in addition to the cancellation of the carnival and Kaw Valley Rodeo.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)
Tax revenue increases despite pandemic
Despite dire predictions regarding tax collections due to the COVID-19 lockdown, both Edgerton and Gardner have seen an increase in sales tax revenues year to date. “After all the doom and gloom that was predicted, it’s a pleasant surprise to see sales tax collections coming in above last year’s numbers,” said Karen Kindle, Edgerton finance director. “As essential businesses, LPKC played a significant role as the largest contributor of city sales and keeping the Edgerton economy running. We’re in good financial shape, but we will continue to monitor these revenue sources and make changes if needed.” Gardner has also seen an increase in sales tax revenue. “Gardner’s two largest sales tax generators are Walmart and Price Chopper,” said Matt Wolff, Gardner finance director. “Most grocery stores have seen an increase in sales during the pandemic. …”
(Read more: Gardner News)
K-State Announces Budget Cuts, Furloughs
Multiple Kansas State University colleges and units will implement administrative furloughs as one of several ways the university is addressing financial challenges for the upcoming fiscal year. The financial challenges are the direct result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. K-State President Richard Myers outlined steps the university is taking to reduce nearly $37 million in costs, including the administrative furloughs, terminating and eliminating positions, voluntary salary reductions, using cash reserves, and cutting operating expenses. Coupled with the emergency furloughs the university administered in May and June, 1,868 employees will be affected. The furloughs will provide the university with $8.65 million in short-term cost reductions.
(Read more: WIBW News Now)
Draft of School COVID-19 Regulations for Fall Released
Draft safety guidelines for school this fall from the Kansas State Department of Education say students, teachers, and staff should wear masks, but that students up to fifth or sixth grade shouldn’t be required to wear them unless local officials mandate it, the Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle are reporting. The draft guidelines about how to reopen schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic were shared with superintendents, and are expected to be formally presented to the State Board of Education this week. The guidelines say everyone should wash their hands when arriving at school and every hour afterward. Space should be made in classrooms to allow social social distancing. Locker use is discouraged, and staggered transition time between classes is recommended for those schools that choose to use them.
(Read more: WIBW News Now)
A final farewell: Celebration says goodbye to Garden City’s Big Pool
The Big Pool did not open for a 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but local officials felt the need to celebrate the end of an era and to help people say goodbye, so a farewell celebration was held Saturday. Jennifer Cunningham, Garden City assistant city manager, said it was disappointing that a 2020 season couldn’t be held, but the city hopes the farewell celebration helped soothe the sting. “It’s been such a place that held memories for so many different ages and we knew since we couldn’t open that we wanted people to be able to get in here one last time, to go through the bath house, to stand in the deep end to get their picture taken, whatever they might want or need to do to celebrate the last days of this facility,” she said.
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)
GCCC Awarded Over $130,000 in State Tax Credits
Garden City Community College has been selected by the Kansas Department of Commerce to receive Community Service Tax Credits in the amount of $130,708. The program will allow the GCCC Endowment Association to sell 70% tax credits towards the purchase of two mobile anatomage tables that the college will share with about a dozen local western Kansas high schools, according to GCCC President Dr. Ryan Ruda. “We are grateful to the state of Kansas for their support of this worthy project,” said Dr. Ruda said. “This program ensures that we can help provide cutting edge biological health science education with state-of-the-art tools to the students in our region.” Anatomage tables provide three-dimensional, high-resolution mapping of both human bodies and select animal cadavers. They are generally more precise than traditional cadaver labs.
(Read more: Western Kansas News)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 10, 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.
Harvey County’s Old Settlers scaled back to just fireworks
There won’t be a Grand Parade at Old Settlers this year. There won’t be a Great Race or Little Great Race, or a community picnic on Sunday afternoon. At this point, the 133rd annual Old Settlers Festival will only consist of a fireworks show on Saturday, Aug. 8. “We plan, unless something drastically changes due to an outbreak, to only have fireworks,” Old Settlers committee member Cory Harrington said. As recently as late June, the Old Settlers Committee had still been planning on holding a nearly normal schedule of events, but then the county began seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases. They made the difficult decision to scale back the festival on Thursday. “We all have a passion for the festival,” Harrington said. “Many of us committee members grew up attending it. It’s gut-wrenching to cancel something like this.” Harrington said the Old Settlers committee would meet again in two weeks to reassess where Harvey County is at with COVID-19.
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
GRDA, City of Coffeyville recognizing hometown heroes
“Heroes work here.” That is the message the Grand River Dam Authority and City of Coffeyville are sharing to recognize the essential employees who have continued to meet critical needs in their hometowns throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Critical needs for any community include electricity, water and sewer as well as other municipal services. GRDA has been the wholesale electricity supplier for City of Coffeyville since 1999. “Each time we turn on a water tap or flip a light switch, we automatically expect it to work,” said GRDA Chief Executive Officer Dan Sullivan.
(Read more: Coffeyville, KS – News Flash)
High energy ready to explode at Pretty Prairie Rodeo
Nothing is going to stop an 83-year-old-rodeo if the people in Pretty Prairie can help it. The Kansas Largest Night Rodeo in Pretty Prairie, Kansas will take place from July 15-18, with adult tickets starting at $11. “People are locked down and ready to get out,” said Jon Stucky, president of the Board of the rodeo. “Cowboys are looking for places to go.” Barrelman, John Harrison is ready to prime the crowd with a mixture of energy and humor. Harrison is a three-time recipient of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Comedy Act of the Year and has appeared in Pretty Prairie before.
(Read more: Kansas Agland – The Garden City Telegram)
Hutchinson community invited to help paint downtown mural
The Hutchinson community is invited to help paint a mural beginning July 18. Designed by local artist Deanne Martin, the mural will be painted on the south side of the building at 304 N. Main. Located in the Santa Fe District, it will incorporate elements of the Hutchinson flag and the Santa Fe Railway. Painting will continue every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and every Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. until the mural is complete. Participation is open to the public and all supplies and materials will be provided, thanks to a $2,500 Make it Greater Grant from the Hutchinson Community Foundation awarded to the Hutchinson Sculpture Art Walk Committee, a part of HutchRec.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Choose Topeka program attracts newcomers, continues to see interest
A little more than six months into the capital city’s Choose Topeka incentive program, Greater Topeka Partnership staff overseeing the initiative consider it a success. According to Barbara Stapleton, the GTP’s vice president of business retention and talent initiatives, 20 applicants — some of whom brought family with them — have moved to Topeka so far this year with help from Choose Topeka. She said people have moved to the capital city from Indiana, Texas, Nevada, Missouri, Tennessee, Nebraska, Iowa, Georgia, Minnesota, Colorado and elsewhere in Kansas.”It’s really exciting,” Stapleton said. “I hear people talking about how they really like what they see about what Topeka has to offer.”
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
The need to expand hometown meatpacking facilities
As the United States’ meat supply chain wavered during COVID-19, cattle prices came down and feed lots swelled to capacity. Ranchers looked to small- and medium-sized processors to harvest their animals, but across the country, these businesses were in short supply. Many who had a two- to three-month wait before the pandemic, now have more than an eight-month wait. In some locations nationwide, including in western Kansas and Alabama, the wait to process an animal is more than one year. Some state agencies and legislators in Washington are trying to figure out how to help the supply chain. “No state has enough slaughter and processing plants for what the current market demands are,” said Christopher Young, executive director of the American Association of Meat Processors. “It’s an ongoing situation we need to rectify.”
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Study identifies Kansas as promising state for wind energy development with little impact on wildlife
An analysis released this month by a nonprofit environmental group with global reach identified Kansas as a promising place in the United States to develop wind energy without destroying natural habitats unique to the Great Plains. According to the new “Site Wind Right” interactive map published by The Nature Conservancy, Kansas is one of 17 states in the central U.S. — all part of an area known as the “wind belt” — where renewable wind energy sites could be developed to generate a combined total of more than 1,000 gigawatts of wind power. And all that power could come from wind farms developed on land that would have low impact on nearby wildlife. “That’s a lot of potential energy — comparable to total U.S. electric generation from all sources today,” said Mike Fuhr, director of The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma, another wind belt state.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Topeka to consider banning use of ’no knock’ search warrants
Local elected officials plan this coming week to consider banning the use of “no knock” search warrants in Topeka and extending a Shawnee County state of disaster emergency. … The city’s mayor and council plan to consider Councilman Spencer Duncan’s proposal to ban the use of no knock warrants while also putting in place requirements regarding the use of body cameras during the execution of search warrants and the retention of data recorded by those cameras. The Topeka Police Department has not used no knock warrants “for a long, long time,” Police Chief Bill Cochran said in a recent Topeka Capital-Journal podcast.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Shawnee County: Some restaurants may still offer dine-in service between 2 and 3 p.m.
The Shawnee County COVID-19 Response Team announced a revision late Friday afternoon to a restriction that took effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday requiring bars and restaurants that serve food to stop offering dine-in service between 2 and 3 p.m. to enable them to carry out deep cleaning. Such establishments may still offer dine-in service if “deep cleaning and sanitation can be performed safely without interrupting” that, COVID-19 Response Team incident commander Dusty Nichols said in a news release.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Wichita’s nearly $1 billion water and sewer overhaul could be finished by 2027
Wichita is moving dirt for a new water treatment facility and planning to upgrade its sewage treatment plant by 2027 in a nearly $1 billion infrastructure overhaul. The Northwest Water Treatment Facility — near the Sedgwick County Zoo at 21st and Hoover — is still being designed by Wichita Water Partners, a group of contractors awarded the project in a controversial selection process. The new plant is needed to replace the city’s existing plant, which is 80 years old and has a high risk of failure, city officials have said.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Decision expected Monday on whether Kansas will have a state fair this year
The Kansas State Fair Board will meet on Monday to reconsider its decision to hold this year’s event after a large number of vendors indicated they will not participate in September. “What happened is after the board made the decision, some of the vendors who previously told us they were a go for this year indicated they are seriously reconsidering it,” Kansas State Fair general manager Robin Jennison said. “We had a number of vendors call and say they weren’t going to come,” Jennison said. “It was getting to the point we were not going to be a fair that people expected for the state fair.”
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Fire district board to remain in control for now
The question of who is the governing body of the Leavenworth County Fire District No. 1 has been answered for the moment in Lansing, at least while a lawsuit is pending in District Court. District Judge David King announced Tuesday that he was issuing an order to preserve what he called the status quo until he can have a hearing on a petition for a declaratory judgment. This order requires the governing of Fire District No. 1, which provides fire department services to the city of Lansing and Delaware and High Prairie townships, to remain under the control of its existing board of trustees. In a petition was filed last week on behalf of Leavenworth County commissioners, the commissioners argued an interlocal agreement concerning Leavenworth County Fire District No. 1 expired Tuesday and control of the fire district should now shift to the county commission.
(Read more: McPherson Sentinel)
Roeland Park adopts ad hoc committee, professional services for police policy review
The Roeland Park City Council on Monday evening took further steps to conduct a review of police policies. The council approved an Ad Hoc committee and an agreement with Lexipol, which provides public safety policy and training solutions for law enforcement and first responders. The public safety policy service will guide the committee through its review process and update the department’s current policies, according to city documents.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Merriam Town Center becomes destination for Wyandotte County RideKC microtransit line
The Merriam Town Center is now an eligible destination for the RideKC 199 microtransit service area, previously servicing only Wyandotte County. The expansion offers riders a connection between Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, in addition to “access to jobs, healthcare, education, grocery and retail,” according to RideKC’s website. It went into effect beginning July 6, and is a bi-county collaboration. “This is a cooperative effort between Wyandotte and Johnson Counties to provide access to affordable, convenient public transportation,” the website reads.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)