Kansas Municipal News
Overland Park wants to clean up this city lake. The process is ‘kind of stinky.’
Overland Park intends to improve the water quality in its lakes, including Regency Lake in the city’s southern half this year, by dredging sediment from the lake floors. But city staff warn the process is likely to be disruptive — and probably a little stinky — for residents who live near the lake.
Source: Johnson County Post
Redevelopment plan could put affordable housing next to Panasonic
The rehabilitation of World War II-era housing could lead to more affordable options near Panasonic’s 4,000-job electric-vehicle battery plant in De Soto. Wheatland Investments Group submitted an application to the city to create a Kansas Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) covering the Clearview Village apartment complex at 36000 W 103rd St. Clearview Village, formerly known as Sunflower Village, was built in 1943 to meet the housing needs of military members working at the Sunflower Army Ammunition plant. The housing complex sits across from Panasonic’s $4 billion, 4.7-million-square-foot plant on the opposite side of 103rd Street. The ammunition plant was decommissioned in 1992, but the housing development remained. In 2014, the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places to tap historic tax credits. According to the RHID application, roughly 9% of De Soto’s almost 6,500 residents live at Clearview. The developer plans to renovate 242 existing apartments and build 99 new units. The project is estimated to cost $55 million, including about $24 million in infrastructure upgrades. An RHID allows a city to steer property tax gains created by a new development to pay for eligible infrastructure improvements. At Clearview, those improvements would include: Repairing and replacing storm and sanitary sewers, Replacing water lines, Installing fire hydrants, Adding a water connection point on Sunflower, and Road Resurfacing and repairing streets in the project site. The proposed RHID is expected to generate approximately $13.7 million over a 25-year term. In May, the project was awarded a 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit from Kansas Housing Resources Corp. After the renovation, all units in the complex will be converted to affordable housing, with rents earmarked for tenants earning between 30% to 80% of the average median income. A lagoon system is being used for sewer treatment for Clearview residents. In July, the city approved a request from Sunflower Redevelopment Group to create a special benefit district to install a new sewer line to serve the former Sunflower Army Ammunition plant property, now known as Astra Enterprise Park. The $10.6 million line will stretch about 2.8 miles from north of 95th Street southwest toward Astra Parkway and will be paid for using a special assessment levied against property owners in the district. A $60,000 special assessment would be levied against the Clearview property annually to pay for the new sewer line. If the new sewer line is not installed by the time the first new Clearview apartment is complete, the developer wants the city to approve plans for a new wastewater lagoon to be used at the site for three years before tying into the wastewater system. The City Council has not yet set a date to vote on Wheatland’s incentive application. If plans are approved, the developer would begin work in January, with construction expected to wrap up by June 2027. The renovation of Clearview is intended to help ease the demand for additional housing in De Soto. Panasonic plans to begin producing lithium ion batteries at the plant in the first quarter of 2025. At full capacity, the Japanese manufacturer aims to operate on a 24/7 schedule, with employees working in four 12-hour shifts. In March, H&T Recharge announced plans to install four automated battery can production lines within the Panasonic plant, which will create 100 additional jobs.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
KCK district OKs $180 million bond for school improvements to appear on November ballot
With buildings in disrepair and estimated construction costs mounting, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools officials are putting forward a $180 million bond issue to finance school rebuilds that voters may consider Nov. 5. The seven-member elected school board voted 6-0 Tuesday to advance a proposed investment in aging buildings that district leaders say is long overdue. In dollars and cents, the new proposal is less than half of the more ambitious plan that voters widely rejected during a single-issue special election three months ago. And district leaders say its passage would not increase the tax rate, a major sticking point during the last round. Potential projects under the revised plan include Central and Argentine middle schools. Each could be razed and built new at a combined estimated cost of $132.7 million. Elementary schools Silver City and Noble Prentis could be knocked down and built as one for an estimated $38 million. Also proposed is a $7 million addition for classroom space at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science. In May, Kansas City, Kansans voted 58% to 42% to reject a larger bond issue that would have invested $420 million toward building five new schools along with millions in other expansions and maintenance needs. Roughly 8% of registered voters cast ballots. Proponents highlighted the needs around the district, where some students take daily classes in outdoor trailers, and climate control is a challenge in the older buildings. The proposal faced opposition from residents concerned with the effect the bond issue would have on property taxes. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com After a return to the drawing board, district leaders developed two alternative plans and started shopping them in recent weeks. The $180 million option, which officials say should not increase the tax rate, was offered alongside a costlier one with a gentler increase than the initial proposal. During the public meeting Tuesday, Wanda Brownlee Paige, a board member and opponent to the earlier and costlier option, said she believes the smaller capital plan is “reasonable.” “We have to consider that people are struggling, and it doesn’t mean that they don’t care,” said Paige, who last week won a Democratic primary to be an incoming Kansas House representative next year. “I think everybody in this room wants better schools, wants better things. But those of us who live in this city, who pay taxes, they’re killing us, and there’s not a lot of options.” Rachel Russell, a board member since 2022, said the building of newer and better schools is one way the community can attract more residents to live in Kansas City, Kansas and widen the tax base. “Regardless of where you stand, I have no doubt that people in KCK care about our schools, care about our kids,” Russell said, adding: “I understand that we want to take care of folks who are already here, but the biggest investment that we can also make for the people who live here is also creating a community where other people want to be a part of as well.” The push for a bond to pass comes as construction costs are projected to rise and some board members have questioned what level of support the state will provide for capital projects in the future. For example, the rebuilds of Central and Argentine have already increased by roughly 7% in a scenario where the bond issue is approved in November, according to the district’s figures. The state’s responsibility for repaying bonds issued for the project would amount to roughly 31% of cost. The step is not the last before the question ends up on the November ballot. Over the coming weeks, the district faces a series of deadlines for publication of legally required notices, approval from the state’s education department and submission of documents to the county clerk. All questions appearing on the ballot must be submitted to the Wyandotte County Election Office by Sept. 3.
Source: KC Star Local News
Debate over Wichita paid parking is intensifying
The debate over paid parking coming to downtown Wichita is intensifying. Some business owners and members of the public are left with questions. The exact cost is still unknown, but Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson said he believes it will start at 75 cents an hour. Others said their frustration wasn’t about feeding the meter but how the city announced it on Saturday in a social media post with very few details. Russell Arben Fox, a professor at Friends University, said his frustration came from the lack of critical details. “The fact they rolled this out with a lot of those specifics as yet undetermined was really unfortunate,” said Arben Fox. He added, “If people have to plan for a change in how they run their business, in how they arrange their commutes, all sorts of things like that, they want to have some specifics.” Arben Fox said Wichita’s assistant manager was apologetic in Thursday’s meeting. He believes it is important for people to get on the same page. “Despite all the noise and the fury, there’s actually some really productive conversations going on, and I was happy to be a part of one today,” he said. Ray Uriarte, who owns a barbershop in Delano, said employees will have to deal with paying to park during long shifts but welcomes the change if it improves the city. “This area is definitely growing a lot. I feel like with the city growing and downtown getting more people here, it’s going to end up happening,” he said. Johnson said he welcomes the feedback. “Most of us were expecting some form of questions, some push-back, some engagement question. I’m personally excited to see so many people care about it, and I’m hoping that we see attendance at the coming meetings pretty high,” he said. The next and final meeting is Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building. Wichita City Council will bring the topic back around for discussion on the agenda in early September.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas will pay $50,000 to settle a suit over a transgender Highway Patrol employee’s firing
Kansas will pay $50,000 to settle a federal anti-discrimination lawsuit filed by a former state Highway Patrol employee who claimed to have been fired for coming out as transgender. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and eight leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature unanimously approved the settlement during a brief online video conference Thursday. The state attorney general’s office pursued the settlement in defending the Highway Patrol, but any agreement it reaches also must be approved by the governor and top lawmakers. Kelly and the legislators didn’t publicly discuss the settlement, and the amount wasn’t disclosed until the state released their formal resolution approving the settlement nearly four hours after their meeting. Kelly’s office and the offices of Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins did not respond to emails seeking comment after the meeting. The former employee’s attorney declined to discuss the settlement before state officials met Thursday and did not return a telephone message seeking comment afterward. The lawsuit did not specify the amount sought, but said it was seeking damages for lost wages, suffering, emotional pain and “loss of enjoyment of life.” The ex-employee was a buildings and grounds manager in the patrol’s Topeka headquarters and sued after being fired in June 2022. The patrol said the ex-employee had been accused of sexual harassment and wasn’t cooperative enough with an internal investigation. The lawsuit alleged that reason was a pretext for terminating a transgender worker. The settlement came four months after U.S. District Judge John Broomes rejected the state’s request to dismiss the lawsuit before a trial. Broomes ruled there are “genuine issues of material fact” for a jury to settle.
Source: KSN-TV
Sedgwick County commissioner wants county-wide sales tax to tackle property tax relief
Leaders from 15 Sedgwick County communities met in Wichita to tackle property tax relief. Wednesday’s meeting was only an informational meeting for leaders. No decision or action was taken. The idea is to create an eighth, quarter, or half-cent county sales tax to decrease property taxes. Community leaders want relief for property owners without cutting funding for public programs like the zoo and the arts. Sedgwick County Commissioner Ryan Baty believes a county-wide sales tax is the answer. “We could see an $8, $10, $12 million property tax reduction if we use a quarter-cent or half-cent sales tax,” said Baty. Baty is only on board if revenue from the added sales tax goes directly toward cutting property taxes. He believes most leaders at the meeting are on the same page. “The mood in the room, if we can do it together, let’s give it a shot. I think everyone, all the cities, including the country, are experiencing the same challenges. The cost of government is increasing,” said Baty. That looks different for every city in the country. Ashley Velazquez, Kechi’s mayor, said they use their sales tax to fund a city project. She wants community feedback before making a change. “Figure out language and how that would affect residents before we truly decide if substituting a mill levy is really beneficial for our residents,” said Velazquez. Wichita resident Chris Pumpelly is opposed to raising the sales tax but said it could be the right move. “Raising taxes is a bitter pill, but investing in ourselves is a long-term strategy that our kids and grandkids are going to thank us for,” said Pumpelly. Commissioner Baty plans to get public input, but dates and times for that are not yet decided.
Any change would have to go up for a public vote before being implemented.
Source: KSN-TV
Community health worker project helping rural Kansas
A common goal of improving health in rural areas is bringing together leaders from higher education and medical providers. The Community Health Worker Project at Kansas State University focuses on sustaining the health and safety of rural Kansans and people working in agriculture. The project is meant to serve as a gateway to help rural residents manage chronic conditions, prevent injuries and reduce risks of getting sick. “A community health worker who understands the hard work that has to be done if you’re on a ranch or farm, having to look at the equipment maintenance, having to look at some of the -you’ve got to be seasonally ready, especially if you’re doing crop production,” said Elaine Johannes. The goal is to expand the project into 16 counties.
Source: KSN-TV
Severe storm rips roof off home in Soldier
Another severe overnight storm left a couple in Soldier without a roof. Ron Youngs said he and his partner Pamela Powell were waiting out the weather at a friend’s house. They said it’s a good thing they weren’t at home. “I went around town to see if there was tree limbs down in the intersections,” Youngs said, “or if there was anybody who might need some help. And after I made my rounds and came home, I realized the entire roof of my house was laying in my driveway.” The couple took shelter with Thomas Cott and his wife. Cott said when Youngs called to tell him about the damage he went to help right away. “Me and my wife and another one of our friends come down here,” Cott said. “We was here until midnight or 12:30 moving all of their personal belongings out of the front of the house.” Cott told 27 News he even took off work the next day to help pick up. When asked what made him take the time to help, Cott said Youngs would do the same. “He’s my friend,” Cott said. “If it happened at my house I’m pretty confident he’d be there to help me as well.” Youngs said he appreciates any support the community can provide. The couple said Dennison State Bank set up a relief fund in Powell’s name. The bank can be contacted directly for monetary donations. Youngs also says they’ll provide information on the Holton community Facebook page about other ways people can help.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Gage Park named ‘top green space’ in HGTV article
A Topeka park is the only Kansas park to be listed in a recent HGTV article. HGTV recently came out with a story naming the best public parks, gardens and nature centers in the United States. The HGTV story “50 States of Public Parks, Gardens, Arboretums and Nature Centers” highlights parks with the top green spaces that are free and open to the public and also have activities for families. Gage Park in Topeka is the only park in the Sunflower State to be recognized on this list. The article highlights the variety of sights and activities that Gage Park has to offer. Some key spaces of the park that are mentioned are the Reinisch Rose Garden, dog park, volleyball courts, tennis court and ball field. The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, Gage Park mini-train and carousel rides are also mentioned as family-friendly activities that are in or near the park. To read the article and see what other U.S. parks are mentioned, click here.
Source: KSNT 27 News
City of Randolph victim of $40k fraud
The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) said the City of Randolph was the victim of a scam after being defrauded out of $40,000. On Tuesday, Aug. 13 RCPD was called to report fraud in the 300 block of Stockdale Drive in Randolph. The city was listed as the victim after a suspect posed as a consulting group and defrauded the city, according to a daily report from the RCPD. If you have information on the thefts you can contact Crime Stoppers. Using Crime Stoppers you can remain anonymous and qualify for a $1,000 cash reward. 27 News reached out to the city for comment but was redirected to the RCPD due to it being an active investigation.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Pittsburg pool plays host to paddling pooches
Residents take one last dip in the city pool with their pooches at the Pittsburg Aquatic Center Wednesday evening. With daytime heat index in excess of 100 degrees, the water was a welcome relief to human and canine. Parents brought their fur babies — and the regular ones too — for a final dip in the ole cement pond. Divided into two one-hour segments based on size, doggies got to play from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Typically the last public event of the summer, the pool will close until next Memorial weekend.
Source: Morning Sun
Rock River Rapids and Derby Shores — how will the Derby waterparks be different?
If you’re feeling the heat in Derby this summer, the city could cool you down in more ways than one. Plans were announced in April for a summer groundbreaking for Derby Shores, a $160 million private development that would add another aquatic experience to the rapidly growing Wichita suburb. The development would add an approximately 4-acre man-made lagoon with a beach and water slides, a 300-unit apartment complex, an RV/glamping park, a 50-unit senior living facility and other developments at 63rd Street South and Rock Road. The development would be a mile from the city’s long-standing municipal waterpark, Rock River Rapids. Rock River Rapids opened in 2004 after residents passed a half-cent sales tax, and the waterpark celebrated its 20th anniversary this summer. The city discussed potential repairs and improvements in a June City Council meeting for the waterpark, including plans for short-term repairs to the children’s pool area, pump systems and additional shades. For the long term, the city highlighted investing in rebranding the park and adding new technology. “But it also has to be rethought to meet the new generation’s desires and goals,” Derby public works director Robert Mendoza said in an interview. “… What was exciting 20 years ago is not so exciting to a lot of the teenagers that we have in Derby today.” Costs for short-term repairs ranged from $100,000 to $300,000, and $15 to $20 million for long-term investment in rebranding and innovation. City Council will authorize Tuesday $17,200 in replacements for the waterpark. Derby Shores is being developed by a group that includes Wichita businessman Dave Murfin, Kansas City-based STAR bonds developer Rick Worner, and Genesis Health Clubs owner Rodney Steven II. A quarter of the project’s cost, $32.4 million, is being funded by STAR bonds, a mechanism for Kansas municipalities to fund major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects by allowing them to recapture some of the state sales tax revenue created within the area. The other 75% of funding will be private investment, the group said in April. The city approved the STAR bond project plan in May 2022, followed by a sale of the bonds in June. Murfin and Steven did not respond to the WBJ requests for comment. Derby city manager Kiel Mangus said residents have asked about similarities between the two projects since the approval of Derby Shores two years ago. Mangus said the city waterpark is a cheaper option — $10 for day passes with season passes ranging from $60 to $75. According to a private 2022 feasibility study that was part of the STAR bonds application, Derby Shores could cost $45 per person in daily admission costs. No season pass projection was made. “It’s like comparing apples to oranges,” Mangus said. The projects, he said, target different population demographics. He said Rock River Rapids is a community recreational waterpark run by the city’s recreation commission and is intended for Derby residents. According to the waterpark’s 2023 annual report, 70% of its around 78,000 visitors last year were Derby residents, with 30% coming from Wichita, Haysville and other nearby cities. The city generated approximately $758,000 in revenue by September. Derby Shores, meanwhile, is a private investment planned to attract out-of-state tourists with the help of STAR bonds. The feasibility study showed that Derby Shores is expected to host 248,000 annual visitors — around 75,000 in its first year after construction — with 50% coming from more than 100 miles away and 40% from another state. The development is also projected to generate $3.4 million in revenue. Mangus said while both destinations impact taxpayers, Rock River Rapids solely uses sales tax dollars of the city whereas Derby Shores will be using state sales tax dollars. Mangus said that Derby Shores has yet to break ground. He said the city is awaiting design plans after introducing site plans earlier this year. “I think it is a good thing that they could cohabitate functionally in our community because I don’t believe our audiences are the same,” Mangus said of the Derby Shores project.”
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Sedgwick County Commissioners set precedent for commercial solar in approved regulations
Sedgwick County finally has an answer for its commercial and utility-based solar projects — one that brings a year’s worth of deliberation to a temporary stop. Sedgwick County Commissioners approved 4-1 Wednesday updated regulations that prohibit solar projects within urban areas of influence in the county — defined as urban areas of land with development growth — with some additions: Increase the maximum project size from the proposed 1,280 acres to 1,500 acres. Increase maximum contiguous land sections for a commercial project location from four to six areas. Increase the distance between an unattached area of a project to the concentrated project area to one mile. The new rules are likely an end to Chisholm Trail Solar Energy Center, a 750-acre solar project proposed by Chicago developer Invenergy between Colwich and Maize. “The alternative solar regulations approved by the Sedgwick County Commissioners today included several provisions that impact the current plans for Chisholm Trail Solar Energy Center,” an Invenergy spokesperson told the WBJ in an email. “We are evaluating these newly introduced regulations and will make decisions on any necessary project updates in the coming weeks.” Commissioner David Dennis, whose district includes Colwich, said he proposed the recommendations that were provided by the joint city-county Metropolitan Area Planning Department because the existing policy “left too many significant variables on a case-by-case basis” and added a “political aspect to each decision” on commercial solar projects. “That’s not the right way to do things,” he said in the meeting. He said the new regulations address the adverse impacts of commercial solar projects on public safety, economic and commercial development, and aesthetics of specific areas, communities and the entire county. A debated portion of the regulation centered around a no-waiver position, which eliminates the possibility of commercial solar developers requesting regulation items to be waived for their specific projects. Commission chair Ryan Baty requested the no-waiver be lifted to allow flexibility to entertain some conditional use permits for commercial solar projects. “I have some heartburn on the no waiver because not all applications are going to be the same, not all properties are going to be the same, not all projects are going to be the same,” he said. Dennis, meanwhile, disagreed with the change in waiver regulations. “I’ll guarantee you that there will be a conditional use put in immediately to waive the urban growth area between Maize and Colwich and now it goes political,” he said. Commissioner Jim Howell, the sole vote against the motion, said regulations are “going the wrong way” by enlarging project sizes to a maximum of 1,500 acres. Howell said he would prefer if the sizes of these projects were reduced by half, to around 640 acres. “I’m not anti-solar (but) I’m not so sure this is the right time to do this,” he said. “I would rather see us observe what happens in other places and let the technology mature a little bit. We can come back in a couple of years and maybe reconsider this.” Maize mayor Pat Stivers and Colwich mayor Terri Nicholson spoke in support of the regulations tied to urban areas of influence. “As a community, we are absolutely not opposed to solar, and we think small solar projects even near our city are a viable option where cities and solar can coexist,” Stivers said. “We are concerned about what a 500-acre project or bigger project would do to the city of Maize. We fully support the recommendation.” Commissioners agreed that there is room for adjustments in establishing urban areas of influence. “I fully admit that if you look at our entire county, there are areas that are urban areas of influence that probably shouldn’t be, that need adjustments,” Dennis said.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
“Just don’t forget about us”: Mayor Kovacic pleads for commission to help city of Stark
Stark Mayor Jeff Kovacic spoke at Tuesday’s Neosho County Commission meeting voicing concerns over finances for his community. Stark has a population of 67 residents. Kovacic listed the community’s responsibilities to the taxpayers. Valuation in Stark is about $264,000, meaning a mill levied generates about $264. Kovacic said that 99 percent of the town’s tax money goes toward insurance. While some things in the town generate money, the tax money mostly goes to paying other bills, he said. Kovacic asked the commission for a portion of the payment in lieu of taxes from Neosho Ridge Wind. The commission has given some of this money to a number of other entities in the county. “In our community a comparable amount of money would have a double or triple impact that it would in some of the bigger communities,” Kovacic told the commission. “Extra projects and equipment are just not on the table for the revenue that we have without putting undue hardships on our residents.” With the money, the community would be able to maintain roads, city property, community buildings, a ballfield and its waste lagoons. Commissioner Gail Klaassen said she initially thought the commission should contribute to every community in the county. Being in the middle of the county budget sessions, the commissioners were unable to say what they could provide for Stark but that they would have an idea in a month during their next budget session. “Just don’t forget about us,” Kovacic said. “It seemed like when we went through the list it was definitely clear that you forgot that area and that’s why I’m here today.”
Source: www.chanute.com – RSS Results in news,news/* of type article
Municipal Bond Trends for August 14, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. 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.
Droessler fills role
Robby Droessler recently assumed the role of Iola’s parks and cemetery superintendent. He ascended into the position after long-time parks and cemetery boss Berkley Kerr retired this summer. Want to feel old? Robby Droessler, Iola’s newly minted parks and cemetery superintendent, was having a recent conversation with a seasonal employee of his who helped with mowing during the summer before returning to school in the fall. The chat steered to Iola’s 2007 flood, which filled Riverside Park with 10 feet of floodwater and ultimately resulted in construction of a new swimming pool and a new community building. “He didn’t remember anything about it,” Droessler said. That’s when it clicked. The high-schooler was still in diapers when the flood occurred. “That’s making me feel old,” Droessler, 32, laughed. “Of course, he wouldn’t remember it.” DROESSLER ascended to the superintendent’s position after long-time parks and cemetery boss Berkley Kerr retired this summer. It marked the latest step up the city’s ladder for Droessler, who started with the city 12 years ago on the back of a trash truck. He did that for a little more than a year, before getting promoted to Iola’s street and alley department. Droessler enjoyed the work there, but after about five years, he saw an opening for an operator within the parks crew. “I figured I was looking for something different, a little change of scenery,” he recalled. Droessler proved to be a quick learner, particularly under Kerr, who recognized Droessler’s problem-solving abilities, but more importantly, his work ethic. Not long after that, Droessler was promoted to Kerr’s chief assistant. Then, after a couple of years of hinting he was about to retire, Kerr made it official near the end of 2023 that he was going to step down in 2024. What followed was a nine-month cram session to learn the ins and outs of the job. “Berkley trained me on every aspect he could think of, from budgeting, to navigating computers, shift and supervisory issues, and overseeing equipment.” Kerr stepped down June 30. Droessler was hired the next day. “I still had to go through the application process,” he noted, “But I think it showed to them that I was able to run a crew for about a year as the assistant. It was new to me then, but I took to it pretty quickly.” Now, it’s Droessler’s turn to dispense knowledge to what he describes as a “very green” crew. Of the six employees — including Droessler — four have been within the department for less than a year. Fortunately, Droessler has another long-time employee, Doug Clark, around to share institutional knowledge to his young crew. “I’m very happy with the crew we have,” he said. “Everybody is catching on very quickly. They have great motivation and a great work ethic.” AS PARKS and cemetery’s superintendent, Droessler is charged with maintaining more than 200 acres of city property, spread among Riverside, Cofachique, Meadowbrook, Cedarbrook and South Elm parks, a pair of disc golf courses and the Prairie Spirit Trail and Missouri Pacific walking and biking trails that run within Iola’s city limits. Droessler’s department also is responsible for preparation of grave sites at Highland and Old Iola cemeteries, and the mowing and weed eating at both properties, a Herculean task in itself. “It takes about two weeks to weedeat Highland Cemetery alone,” he notes. Because his seasonal employees have returned to school, it means Droessler also will join his crew on mowers and whatnot through the fall. “We’re definitely still in our busy season,” he said. Eventually, once fall and winter arrive and the grass grows dormant, the focus shifts more on maintenance on the city’s three community buildings — oh, he’s in charge of scheduling rentals of those, too — and repairing any equipment showing signs of stress. The crews shift gears to do things like paint projects during the winter, and trim trees along trails or within the park; straighten grave stones and reseed portions if necessary. “The list is endless,” he said. “And it only grows.” Droessler also works in league with Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jason Bauer on occasion, “and vice versa, if we need help,” he said. Droessler’s bond with Iola extends well beyond his 12 years as a city employee. His father, Bob Droessler, was a 30-year officer within the Iola Police Department before retiring in June, about a week and a half before Robby earned his latest promotion. “He started when I was 3 years old,” Droessler said, recalling his youth spent patrolling the ball diamond at the park. “Now my kids are down here,” he said. (Droessler has coached his son’s youth squad the past several summers, including as head coach in 2024.) “I love it here,” he said. “I was born and raised here. I’ve already told them at City Hall I’m looking to retire here. It’s a great place to work.”
Source: The Iola Register
Crawford considers solar farm
Crawford County commissioners are considering a proposed $500 million solar farm that would generate not only energy but also millions in tax revenues, according to the Pittsburg Morning Sun. John Copyak of Shasta Power, based in Bend, Ore., introduced the plan to commissioners earlier this week. The 1,500-acre site woud be between Arma and Frontenac and be centered on an existing power station, the Sun reported. Construction would require 200 workers, with a dozen permanent jobs required to maintain the site. The farm is slated to generate 200 megawatts, enough to power 50,000 homes, according to Copyak. The solar farm is expected to generate $4 million to $5 million in property taxes each year over the next 35 years, divided primarily between the county and school districts. In addition to property taxes, the county will also receive 1 percent of the sales taxes generated by the solar farm, according to The Sun. The solar farm is clean energy. No noise, dust or air pollution is created in the generation of power. Additions to the current site will include battery storage and some minor modifications to tie the solar panels into the existing grid. A moratorium on all new construction of wind and solar is currently in effect in Crawford County until commissioners update its 20-year plan, according to the Sun.
Source: The Iola Register
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation asks federal court to resolve jurisdiction dispute with sheriff
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in a federal lawsuit accuses the Jackson County sheriff of threatening to arrest tribal police over a tax dispute with a gas station on the reservation. The lawsuit against Sheriff Tim Morse signals an escalation in longstanding tensions over law enforcement jurisdiction on the nation’s land. Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation chairman, said the sheriff does not collaborate with the nation. “We have really had a checkered past with Jackson County, specifically the sheriff,” Rupnick said, noting Morse and his wife are former employees of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. In late May, the lawsuit says, Jackson County sheriff’s officers interfered with tribal police who were trying to serve cease and desist orders at Snak Atak. The nation alleges the gas station failed to charge and report tribe-specific taxes. Last week, the nation was granted an order of exclusion, allowing tribal police to escort management from the business and to close its doors. Snak Atak opened in March in the space formerly known as Indian Country Mini Mart. It sits just off northbound U.S. Highway 75, within the bounds of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation reservation. Prairie Band Potawatomi Tax Commission officials arrived on site after several months of the business selling “contraband cigarettes” — which means they don’t have the tribal tax sticker — and failing to submit necessary reports, the lawsuit says. The court filing alleges tax commission officials were denied access to investigate the store. Tax commission officials left to seek a cease and desist order. When they returned to the business on the same day, May 28, with tribal police to serve the order and to chain the doors of the business, Jackson County sheriff’s officers arrived and told tribal officials they could be subject to arrest if they did not leave. “Our civil regulatory authority is absolute within the boundaries of the reservation,” Rupnick said. “Plus (Snak Atak) agreed to abiding by our laws.” According to the court filing, Snak Atak applied for, and the tax commission approved, liquor, tobacco, business and motor fuel licenses. The licenses state the applicant “be bound by and comply with all laws of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and do hereby consensually submit to the jurisdiction of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.” Raja Rain, manager at Snak Atak, said he did not know about the implications of his store with Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the tribal police until they showed up at the business in May. Rain said, in an interview before the shuttering of his business, he was not part of the permitting and paperwork phase of the business, but has managed the store since it opened. “We don’t mind paying the taxes, but they need to make it clear: are we paying state or tribal?” Rain said. “They need to figure out to who we need to pay the taxes.” Rain said he pays taxes to the state and has “everything legal,” since he and the owners are not members of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. The nation maintains that tribal membership is irrelevant to following its laws if a business is on the reservation. Rain expressed concerns about maintaining the business if it has to pay additional taxes. “We came to have a business,” Rain said. “How (are) we going to survive?” Rupnick said the business, which is registered as Wamego Store LLC, did not appeal the cease and desist order in Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation District Court. Prairie Band Potawatomi Tax Commission officials returned in June on two additional occasions to investigate compliance, according to the order of exclusion. The order of exclusion, granted by the nation’s district court to the tax commission, restricts the business from operating on the reservation and permits tribal police to escort employees from the reservation and to secure the business. The tax commission and tribal police enforced the order without interference from sheriff’s officers on Aug. 8, according to a press release from the nation. “They’ve pretty much made their own bed,” Rupnick said in an Aug. 7 interview with Kansas Reflector. “So I think that it’s time for us to end our relationship with them.” Snak Atak’s attorney did not return requests for comment. The lawsuit against Morse points to the jurisdictional disagreement at Snak Atak, but cites several additional instances, some related to parking violations, where Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation argues county law enforcement overstepped its bounds by dealing with civil, rather than criminal, actions. The complaint says Morse and his office have “repeatedly and intentionally overstepped their lawful authority and interfered with the nation’s authority over activities on its reservation.” Morse did not respond to requests for comment. The nation, according to its complaint, seeks a declaration from the sheriff that the department lacked the authority to interfere at Snak Atak and lacks civil jurisdiction within the reservation, as well as a permanent injunction prohibiting sheriff’s officers from interfering in the nation’s civil-regulatory jurisdiction on the reservation. “You would think that you would want to work together,” Rupnick said. “If you don’t have to dispatch an officer down to the reservation, why not try and work together with that?” Public Law 280, established in 1953, gave Kansas civil and criminal jurisdiction on tribal lands, which, according to a University of Nebraska Lincoln publication, led “to virtually continuous disputes” and “jurisdictional uncertainty between tribal, city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.” Native advocacy groups have called for the end of the law, claiming it cedes power from the tribal police to the county. Rupnick said the same. Rupnick said he has tried to develop a memorandum of understanding with the sheriff to establish which entity has jurisdiction where, but he said Morse was unwilling. He said he hopes the lawsuit can help forge a greater understanding and collaboration between the law enforcement agencies. “We shouldn’t be adversaries,” Rupnick said, “Of course, I don’t want crime, but I also don’t want my sovereignty infringed upon either.”
Source: Kansas Reflector
City repeals old code
John Clark, chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), appeared before the city commission to ask for the repeal of City Code 1975 Section 26-76 which prevents a committee member petitioning the city for funds for economic development if that member remains on the committee and up to one year after. While Clark said he understood and agreed with the original intent of the section, he said it should not apply to the EDAC given the fact that members of other committees and boards, including the city commission, often recuse themselves from voting if there is a conflict of interest. The same standard should be applied to the EDAC. The EDAC is an advisory board. It has no direct control over the funding of economic development projects. It simply recommends projects to the city commission whose members approve or deny the request. According to Clark, preventing members of the EDAC from presenting economic proposals can prevent prominent business leaders in the community from joining the committee and using their expertise to decide on the best proposals. Going forward, should Section 26-76 be repealed, EDAC members who do have a proposal will, as a matter of custom and propriety, excuse themselves from any discussion and vote to recommend their proposal to the city commission. This issue has recently come to light because of a request from Kannarr Eye Care to expand their operations into the downtown area. Dr. Shane Kannarr is a member of the EDAC. The commission ultimately agreed and voted unanimously to repeal Section 26-76 from the city code.
Source: Morning Sun
Girard City Council talks homelessness
From passing ordinances to the de-annexation of a property, the Girard City Council discussed several items at Monday’s meeting. But as in so many towns and cities, of late, the topic of homelessness was raised during council comments. Second ward councilman Lucas Stansbury opened the discussion noting that he had heard of individuals camping at the former location of Mini-Stop close to the four-way intersection of K-7 and K-47. “It’s just more prevalent. Start thinking about what we need to do with homeless,” he said. City attorney Steve Angermayer added, “We’re aware … We’ve talked about it.” “Recently, the United States Supreme Court granted the cities authority to limit where people can camp. There are anti-camping ordinances based on zoning,” added Angermayer. “So that’s how it’s going to be enforced. So you can deal with some of the issues that our larger municipal organizations are dealing with on a very, very frequent basis but it’s filtering down to the small municipalities as well because these people have cell phones. “… I have a feeling it’s going to be left to the individual jurisdiction on how to deal with a homeless situation … I haven’t seen too much from the league (of municipalities) either on it. It’s fairly new, it’s a fairly recent thing, and it’s becoming very prevalent so we’re going to have to deal with it at some point and pass anti-camping statutes.” Girard Police Chief Seirra Roberts added that the current ordinance states that “the only way that you can stay the night in the city of Girard is the city park.” But that may be a problem at some point, and we may have to address it,” said Angermayer. “… It’s a national byway for bicyclists. If you look on the bicycle map, this is a destination as you’re going east to west or vice versa and there’s people in the United States that start on one coast and ride to the next and they rely on this map for their next destination, where they are going to camp. It is not, however, a destination for homeless people. So we are probably going to have to deal with that. It’s coming.” When it comes to helping the individuals reportedly seen at four-way intersection, Chief Roberts added that they are assisting them to “find their way.” “We are currently working on trying to figure out a way to help them find their way,” she said. The next Girard City Council meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26, at the Girard City Hall on the southeast side of the building, located at 120 N. Ozark St. Council meetings may also be viewed on YouTube by searching for “City of Girard, Kansas.” For more information, contact Girard City Hall at 620-724-8918. Source: Morning Sun