Kansas Municipal News
Community raises concerns after City of Wichita proposes ordinance for Airbnb, short-term rentals
The City of Wichita has been looking at big changes for local Airbnb and other short-term rental owners since a deadly shooting that took place in April of 2021 in east Wichita. Thomas Carter and his wife have owned and operated an Airbnb for six months, a house that used to be Carter’s childhood home. The couple put at least $45,000 into it. Now, they say a proposed ordinance could put their dreams of expanding their business on hold…. Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC) planning director Scott Wadle says the majority of Wichita short-term rentals are in violation of the current code. “If you’re located in the majority of our residential zoning districts, you know, single family, you are required to, you cannot rent it for less than seven days,” said Wadle.
Source: KSN-TV
License plate readers coming to smaller towns in Wichita area
FLOCK cameras have been used in Wichita and parts of Sedgwick County for some time now to read license plates to locate suspects. Now the system is expanding to smaller towns like Rose Hill. “There are some valid privacy concerns, and I understand that,” said Rose Hill Police Chief Taylor Parlier. “These cameras are placed in very specific locations so as to only get the vehicle leaving. So it doesn’t see who is driving the vehicle. We can’t target individuals. We don’t have a live-stream access, so we can’t just sit there and watch the individuals that are driving or watch certain areas. It’s only meant to be reactive.”
Source: KSN-TV
Study: Kansas’ 2 biggest counties have a major difference in traffic deaths
Although Johnson County has roughly 80,000 more people, Sedgwick County currently has between two to three times the number of deadly car crashes. It’s what prompted the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) to commission an analysis last fall in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Transportation to compare crashes between the two counties. Now that the analysis has been released, several Sedgwick County Commissioners are calling for change. “There’s about eight or nine different measurements, and again, we were worse, drastically worse, on every one of those,” Sedgwick County Commissioner Jim Howell.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Visioning process continues for city of Emporia
Research continues into Emporia’s future direction. Last fall, the city and Tunica County, Mississippi, were approved to split $250,000 in funding through the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge. The early public work has already seen a round of input meetings and is into a short 10-minute survey available at rpa2023.com/emporia. City leaders and the city’s partner, Atlas Community Studios, say the survey — along with last month’s public input sessions — will develop a snapshot now to help the city later.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Chase County Commission approves application for CDBG grant to assist with construction of new fire department HQ
Chase County leadership is now awaiting word on potential grant funding to assist in the construction of a new multi-million dollar fire department headquarters in Strong City. According to Chase County Commission Chairman Tony Hazelton, the recent public input hearing held this past Wednesday gave commissioners a lot to think about as the process unfolds. Hazelton says the main focus at this time is securing Community Development Block Grant Funding through the state to help offset a portion of the estimated cost of construction.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Emporia Police Chief offers gratitude to telecommunications officers to close out National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Though National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week has wrapped up for the year, Emporia Police Chief Ed Owens says telecommunications officers are deserving of recognition and praise year-round. During a recent appearance on KVOE’s Talk of Emporia Owens spoke to the relationship between local dispatchers and law enforcement officers saying it is extremely important to ensure everyone involved in an emergency situation comes out safe. He echoed comments from Lyon County Emergency Communications Center Director Roxanne Van Gundy from last week saying “It takes a special person to do what they do.” Much like the men and women on the front lines, Owens says the work of dispatchers can take a tremendous toll on one’s mental health.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Detter: Experience near metro areas, rural settings will help in new role as Emporia assistant city manager
Mark Detter says he sees a lot of potential, which is why he moved back to Kansas to become Emporia’s next assistant city manager. Detter tells KVOE News Emporia is in a solid economic position, in large part because of its manufacturing base. Detter also sees Emporia’s educational base and events as attractions for people wanting to spend time here. Detter has been serving as the city manager in Valdez, Alaska, but he also has been a prior city administrator in Rose Hill and Andover — bedroom communities for the Wichita area. He says his experience in those settings will help him here.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
City of Emporia hosts landlord and tenant seminar Tuesday
A special seminar Tuesday afternoon sought to help local landlords and tenants find common ground when it comes to rental agreements and everything that goes with it. The City of Emporia welcomed Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. Tenant and Landlord Program Manager Abigail Panecatl who presented the informational seminar. Panecatl says the focus of the tenant and landlord program is to ensure both individuals are adequately informed as to the responsibilities that fall to them when entering into a rental agreement.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Overland Park’s fire chief retires — Here’s what happens next
The process of finding Overland Park’s next fire chief is underway following the official retirement of Fire Chief Byran Dehner in March. The city has begun steps to fill this prominent role, which city officials say “leads the fire department, ensuring high-quality fire protection for Overland Park and surrounding communities.” He became the head of the Overland Park Fire Department in 1994 and served as its leader through a period of growth and change.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Lawrence City Commission to consider contract for permanent design of Old West Lawrence traffic devices
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider an agreement for the final design of devices intended to slow and reduce traffic in Old West Lawrence. The first round of the “traffic calming” pilot project in November 2021 caused some frustration for many residents of the neighborhood, as some temporary barriers forced people to turn at certain intersections rather than drive straight down streets, among other confusion. But the project first came about because many residents were concerned about safety, and drivers speeding through the neighborhood.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Interim parks director Thompson promoted to Manhattan assistant city manager
Wyatt Thompson, who has served as the Manhattan city government’s interim parks and recreation director for the past year, will join the City Manager’s Office as an assistant city manager, City manager Ron Fehr announced the change Monday. Thompson will be handling project management and supervision of the division leaders in building services and at the animal shelter. Today also is the first day on the job for Aaron Stewart, who was hired in March to replace former parks and rec department director Eddie Eastes, who retired in May 2022.
Source: themercury.com
Municipal Bond Trends for April 17, 2023
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, Beth Warren or Henry Schmidt.
HEAL Projects Breathing Life into Downtowns Across Kansas
A new strategy of timely investments in Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants rolled out by Governor Laura Kelly’s administration are fueling many of these success stories. Funded by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation — which is dedicated to strengthening communities and particularly in rural areas — the HEAL matching grants are critical tools in revitalizing downtown districts and making them more economically vibrant.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Johnson County Library goes fine-free
In a major milestone, Johnson County Library is no longer assessing daily fines for overdue materials. Patrons checking out books, DVDs or other materials from any of the library’s 14 branches no longer have to worry about the assessment of a fine for items returned after their due date. In addition, existing overdue fines have been removed from most patron accounts, and fees older than seven years have been waived.
Source: Johnson County Kansas |
Winfield 150th celebration signs available
The Cowley County Historical Society Museum is now celebrating Winfield’s 150 years by selling “Happy Birthday, Winfield!” yard signs for $20. “Our signs were designed by Bobby Valentine and printed by Cardinal Sign,” said Cindy Goertz, chairperson of the 150th event committee. “They are truly a work of art. They will look great in your yard or in your business window.” Signs can be picked up at the museum, 1101 Mansfield, from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce office, 123 E. Ninth Ave., and Do It Up Studio, 110 E. Ninth Ave., will also have signs available.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Shook retires as clerk for Arkansas City
Lesley Shook has officially retired as City Clerk after more than two decades of service to the City of Arkansas City. Shook’s final day with the city was March 27. She was honored with a reception at City Hall. Shook began her career with the city in 1995 as an administrative secretary. Lesley was introduced as the City Clerk in 2008. Retirement plans include gardening and travel. A New Jersey native, Shook looks forward to more visits with her east coast family. Shook also plans to spend time with her granddaughter, Olivia, who lives with Shook’s son, Zach, and his wife, Abby, in Wilmington, N.C.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
The status of new cybersecurity laws proposed in Kansas
As employers in the private and public sectors adjust to the advent of flexible work over the last two years, they’re simultaneously trying to protect their organizations from attackers looking to steal and sell data. 2021 was a year defined by significant cyberattacks that crippled infrastructure and shut down hospitals, schools, and municipal governments. It’s the same year the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies gasoline to millions living in the Northeast U.S., was hobbled by a ransomware attack that triggered a gas panic and elevated prices for consumers.
Source: Wichita Eagle
A new museum in Amelia Earhart’s Kansas hometown honors her pioneering legacy in flight
Pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart spent part of her childhood in Atchison, Kansas. Now her hometown is celebrating her life and adventures with a new museum that opens this weekend. The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum showcases 14 interactive science and technology exhibits, celebrates the trailblazing aviator and features a Lockheed Electra 10-E aircraft named Muriel. Earhart flew an identical plane when she and her navigator, Fred Noonan disappeared on her doomed, final flight around the world in 1937. Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. As crowds gathered outside the museum Friday, Karen Seaberg, founder and president of the Atchison Amelia Earhart Foundation spoke to a small crowd of donors. “I want you to raise your glass and give a toast to Amelia and Muriel,” Seaberg said.
Source: KCUR News
Johnson County Library is ditching late fees and wiping out all overdue book fines. Here’s why
Johnson County Library patrons were liberated Thursday from fines that build up for keeping books and other materials past their due dates. The Johnson County Library Board voted unanimously — and with applause — to discontinue charging 30 cents for each day an item is overdue. The library also will forgive overdue fines that were already on the books. By Friday morning, patrons with JoCo Library’s mobile app were able to see $0.00 under the “Fees due” tab. Board members said the embarrassment of the fines had been discouraging people from ever returning items or coming back to use the library.
Source: KCUR News
‘We want development.’ KCK approves new downtown project with hopes of revitalization
A long-delayed plan to redevelop a key property in downtown Kansas City, Kansas, has been given another opportunity — though it might be the last. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday unanimously approved a development agreement with Willie Lanier Jr., who plans to demolish the now-closed Jack Reardon Convention Center. In its place, he aims at building a new apartment complex with ground-floor retail space and a small meeting space.
Source: Kansas City Star