Kansas Municipal News
Johnson County to begin enforcing truck traffic restrictions in parts of the county on Feb. 20
Monday, Feb. 20, Johnson County will start enforcing truck traffic restrictions on certain narrow gravel and chip seal roads in unincorporated Johnson County. The use of operation of any commercial vehicle or any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or Gross Combination Weight Rating of 16,000 pounds or greater are prohibited on the roads designated on the map below. “No truck” signs are posted in those areas. Various city, county and state law enforcement agencies will enforce the truck traffic restrictions. A violation will lead to a $200 fine.
Source: Johnson County Kansas
Hutchinson Regional cites lasting pandemic effects, cost increases as causes for layoffs
Hutchinson Regional Medical Center has announced that it will be laying off 85 employees due to the healthcare landscape being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing supply costs, lower health insurance reimbursement rates and decreased patient volumes compared to pre-pandemic days. Interim CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System Jeff Egbert said that the reduction is necessary as they continue to navigate the substantial and lasting financial impacts of the global pandemic. “These challenges aren’t unique to Hutchinson,” Egbert said. “Many hospitals and healthcare systems across our nation are facing similar challenges, including many in the Midwest. We are confident that this necessary step will help ensure a secure and stable future for our organization and the patients we serve across Kansas for generations to come,” said Egbert.
Source: KAKE – News
Revamped Lenexa skate park’s new name has history behind it
The skate park in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa will bear a name with some local historic significance — Rolling Magic. Last week, the Lenexa City Council unanimously supported the previously unnamed skate park’s new moniker. It’s the first step of what’s expected to be a complete revamp of the aging facility. The name Rolling Magic alludes to a 1970s-era privately run skate park that’s long since closed. It was located near 95th Street and I-35 and is now the site of a vacant lot.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Lawrence City Commission to vote on proposed ordinance change aimed at helping people find housing
Lawrence city commissioners are set to vote Tuesday on proposed changes to city ordinances that advocates say could help people secure housing. Commissioners — for the third time in recent months — will discuss the proposed change, which creates a protected class based on source of income. That means that landlords could not discriminatorily deny someone housing just because their rent money will come from a housing voucher, settlement, benefit, subsidy, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher and more. The ordinance also provides protection for tenants regardless of their status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Sedgwick County home sale prices dip as volume continues year-over-year drop trend
That Sedgwick County monthly home sales experienced a year-over-year volume drop in January is not a new development, as a once-hot housing market has cooled in recent months. The median sale price decreasing compared to the previous year is. That’s what the latest South Central Kansas MLS data shows, with the median sale price moving down 2.6% year over year to $190,000. The county’s 388 homes sold came in 24.7% fewer than January 2022. While Sedgwick County didn’t see a single year-over-year median price drop in 2022, Stan Longhofer, Wichita State University Center for Real Estate director, said a one-month move like this does not mean a home-value depreciation trend is happening.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Riley County proposes new fees regarding land use regulations
Riley County planning director Amanda Webb proposed two new land use fees as part of an ongoing review of the department’s fee structure at Monday’s Riley County Commission meeting. The proposed fees would be $100 for administrative adjustments and exceptions. Both of these categories were part of the new land development regulations that took effect in January 2022. Webb said the administrative adjustment fee applies to the process of bringing existing structures in the county into compliance with the land development regulations. She said these adjustments are done in house by the planning department and are similar to property boundary line adjustments and lot splits, which both carry $100 fees.
Source: themercury.com
USD 413 looks to overhaul summer school program
Potential changes to the USD 413 summer school program could soon become a reality. During the Feb. 6 Board of Education meeting, Assistant Superintendent Matt Koester said that he and Taryn Sigler, After School program coordinator, have explored ideas that offer greater flexibility to students and staff participating in the program. “Our whole discussion was about carrying our after school program to the summer time and redesigning our summer learning program to be more week-by-week based,” he said.
Source: Atchison Globe Now
Park City and developers consider potential STAR bonds district
The group already has been working on plans for an almost $500 million tourist destination for more than a year and a half. [Developer Matt] Baty said they’ve “put together a model that we think is going to be a regional and national draw.” The central piece of the district is a potential aquarium. “We’re in conversations with several operators about their potential interest,” Baty said. There likely would be other entertainment venues, including a museum, and two multipurpose facilities as well. Residential is a possibility as well along with hotels, restaurants and retail. Park City administrator Sean Fox called it all “pretty amazing.”
Source: Wichita Eagle
Old library in downtown Wichita vandalized
It’s where thousands in Sedgwick County went to get their COVID shots. But, now it’s become a target for vandalism. Damage was done to several windows at the downtown library over the weekend. The damage looks like a rock or something was thrown through one window. The others are boarded up. But, the city says it’s going to take steps to protect this site. And that it’s looking further down the road for what will go here next. “Looks like a lot of damage,” said Halle Brittain, a Valley Center resident. Five windows at the Old Library have been replaced with boards. Another, with a hole and cracks, has been taped up. Residents say it’s a sitting target.
Source: KAKE – News
City says cases handled by Louisburg judge without law license are still valid
All acts of former municipal judge David Ruder while he was in office are valid and enforceable despite the fact that he was serving without a valid law license for 20 years, according to the city of Louisburg. Ruder recently resigned after reportedly allowing his law license to lapse but continuing to serve as a municipal judge for the city of Louisburg. The city of Louisburg made the initial announcement in a social media post Monday, Jan. 23, stating that Ruder began serving as the Louisburg Municipal Court judge in 2008.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
KDHE issues stream advisory for Marais des Cygnes River near Osawatomie
Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a stream advisory for the Marais des Cygnes River near Osawatomie, Kan. The stream advisory is a result of an ongoing inflow and infiltration issue near the city of Osawatomie’s wastewater treatment plant. The advisory has been issued because potential elevated bacteria and contaminants may be present in the Marais des Cygnes River near the city. Anyone who lives or has activities near this stream is advised to not enter the water or allow children or pets to enter.
Source: Osage County News
Fed’s Bowman expects more rate hikes to reach inflation goal
The Federal Reserve will likely have to keep raising interest rates to rein in price growth, which could slow economic expansion and affect the jobs market, Governor Michelle Bowman said. “We are still far from achieving price stability, and I expect that it will be necessary to further tighten monetary policy to bring inflation down toward our goal,” Bowman said Monday at a community banking conference in Orlando, Florida. “Doing so will likely lead to subdued growth in economic activity and some softening in labor-market conditions.” She said restoring price stability is essential to support a sustainably strong labor market. … Fed officials lifted their benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 4.5% to 4.75% on Feb. 1. The smaller move followed a half-point increase in December and four 75 basis-point hikes prior to that. Officials in December forecast rates peaking at 5.1% this year, according to their median projection. They will update those estimates next month.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Lawrence Police, FBI to address fentanyl crisis during community forum
It’s time to have the talk, according to the Lawrence Police Department. The department is joining forces with the FBI, the Lawrence School District and the Douglas County District Attorney to discuss what it calls the “fentanyl crisis” in the community.
Source: KSNT 27 News
$850,000 Funding Announced for Downtown Building Revitalization
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $850,000 has been made available to fund a new round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants. The HEAL program, which is funded by the Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation, provides grants to small communities across the state to revitalize downtown buildings.
The HEAL program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:
- New or expanding businesses
- Housing
- Arts and culture
- Civic engagement
- Childcare
- Entrepreneurship
“Downtowns throughout Kansas are already making dramatic and visible improvements because of this popular program,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Our partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation is creating even more opportunities for communities to bring their historic buildings back to life and strengthen their local economies.”
HEAL is intended to close financial gaps in restoring underutilized properties and making downtown districts throughout the state more economically vibrant. Applicants must show that submitted projects have potential to become economic drivers in the community.
Eligible applicants must be organizations applying on behalf of building owners and may include designated Kansas Main Street programs, economic development organizations, cities, counties, 501c3 or 501c6 organizations, and local community foundations.
Private building owners should contact their local organization to work in partnership on the application and to identify buildings that are strong candidates for the HEAL program. The buildings should be underutilized, valuable to the historic fabric of the downtown district and have a feasible plan for adaptive re-use.
“Contributing to the HEAL program alongside the Department of Commerce is a natural fit for our foundation’s mission,” said Lindsey Patterson Smith, President of the Patterson Family Foundation. “Downtown areas are often the heart of communities of all sizes, and we believe rural downtown spaces especially will benefit from improvements to their beauty, safety, and greater accessibility.”
HEAL matching grants will be awarded for either façade or building construction projects. Communities that received a previous HEAL grant are not eligible to apply in this round.
Proof of matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application. The application window opens February 13 and closes March 31 with award notifications at the end of May.
Information about the HEAL grant program and the online application can be viewed at www.kansascommerce.gov/heal.
Municipal Bond Trends for February 10, 2023
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, Beth Warren and Henry Schmidt.
Board will vote Monday on whether to sell a former Wichita school to private developers
A former Wichita school that has sat vacant since 2011 could be sold to private developers if school board members approve the contract at Monday’s meeting. The former Price Elementary property at 6123 E. 11th Street, later renamed Blackbear Bosin Academy, would be sold to Garvey Ventures LLC for $500,000. The building was built in 1956 and sits on more than six and a half acres near 13th and Woodlawn. Garvey’s vice president of finance Aaron Wiechman said that if the sale is approved by the school board, developers will likely repurpose the property for housing.
Source: Wichita Eagle
$50 million project announced to downtown Pittsburg’s Block22
A new building, a two-story pavilion, redevelopment of the historic Besse Hotel… Pittsburg State University announces some big changes in the Block22 neighborhood. It’s the “Gorilla Rising.” PSU is working with the City of Pittsburg and local businesses on a new initiative they hope will strengthen the local business district and provide students with new and unique learning experiences. The University estimates the cost of the project to be about $50 million. … One part of the new initiative is adding a new building to the PSU Kelce College of Business. Officials say the building currently leased by BMO Harris Bank will be the footprint of a new building at Fifth and Broadway. As part of that new building, PSU will partner with the Colonial Fox Theatre to share space in a two-story pavilion. The Theatre already planned a space like that to accommodate a lobby expansion and theatrical support.
Source: KOAM News
Manhattan unveils, dedicates new $22.5 million joint maintenance facility
The City of Manhattan proudly unveiled their new joint maintenance facility during a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday. City Manager Ron Fehr delivered some opening remarks about the $22.5 million building that will now house over 100 employees from various departments and facilities across the city. Fehr said the facility provides significantly more space and resources than these departments had previously.
Source: 1350 KMAN
New bill addresses county nuisance enforcement
Hearings will begin in the state senate’s Local Government Committee at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in Topeka about SB-162, a bill granting counties greater authority to enforce nuisance ordinances similar to those enjoyed by cities. The bill is sponsored by Riley County, but has gained the attention and support of other counties in the state, including Crawford. According to Crawford County Counselor Jim Emerson, county governments used to have, or at least believed they had, the power to enforce the clean-up of nuisance properties that posed a danger to the public. That assumption was severely curtailed in the 2012 court decision Barnes v. Board of County Commissioners of Cowley County.
Source: Morning Sun
Daniel Farley is hired as the next South Haven School Superintendent
Wellington High School graduate Daniel Farley has just been hired to be the South Haven School Superintendent. He will begin his tenure on July 1, 2023. The USD 509 South Haven School Board of Education made the hire this week. Farley is currently serving as the Director of Special Programs at USD 353 Wellington school district. Mr. Farley has broad educational experience as a teacher and administrator. He also served as Assistant Director of Sumner County Educational Services/Principal of Sumner County Academy for two years and was also the Assistant Principal at Clay Center Community High School for two years.
Source: Sumner NewsCow