Kansas Municipal News
Affordability, internet access make Wichita one of best cities for remote work, according to national publication
As Wichita strives to bring in talent, a national publication has highlighted one segment of workers who may find the city particularly attractive. Recently, a Wall Street Journal report ranked Wichita No. 9 on its list of top U.S. cities for remote workers, thanks in large part to its broadband internet access and overall affordability. “If you have a growing family, then larger, more affordable homes in a fairly large city may top your list of priorities, along with fast Wi-Fi to accommodate work-from-home and all the kids’ streaming devices. You may want to explore Wichita, Kan.; Lincoln, Neb.; and Greensboro, N.C.,” the article said, also citing Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom saying 13% of working Americans (about 25 million) are fully remote.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Wichita’s new $400M riverfront plan: Keep Century II and old library
The city of Wichita’s new, $400 million plan for the east bank of the Arkansas River downtown keeps and updates its 50-year-old anchor buildings — Century II and the former central library — while expanding current convention space. The plan unveiled Tuesday does not address a new performing arts center. But it does put an end to the $1.2 billion Riverfront Legacy Master Plan, which had momentum in early 2020 but hit a Covid-19 wall before it could be presented to city and county officials, as well as the public. The cost of the plan, unveiled Tuesday in a workshop format to the Wichita City Council, includes $55 million to repurpose 53-year-old Century II and $15 million to renovate the 55-year-old former library.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Kansas Star Casino owners vie for video horse racing with $160M Park City development plan
The owners of Kansas Star Casino have submitted an application to the state proposing the construction a new historical horse-racing gaming facility in Park City. Called Diamond Jo Park City, the proposed facility will be a $160 million entertainment district, including up to 1,000 horse-racing machines, a steakhouse, cocktail lounge, a FanDuel-themed sports bar, a meeting and convention space and what’s expected to be the first Amazon Go store in Kansas.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Rebellion against McLouth cryptocurrency data center triggers one-year application moratorium
The avalanche of complaints about threats to rural quality of life, unresolved issues of land ownership and leasing rights, an oil tank explosion that burned a truck packed with ammunition and widespread distrust of developers — even by a former white-collar criminal — compelled the Jefferson County Commission to impose a moratorium of at least one year on applications for construction of cryptocurrency processing centers. Crypto Colo Center Corp.’s proposal to boost McLouth’s economy by planting a crypto currency mine one-third of a mile north of town imploded under pressure from energy companies, Sierra Club, McLouth City Council, Jefferson County Redevelopment Office and, most significantly, dozens of area residents. They were aghast anybody would bring into their midst two dozen 40-foot shipping containers packed with energy-intensive computer servers that churned around the clock on electricity drawn from eight locomotive-sized generators fueled by natural gas pulled right out of the ground.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Municipal Bond Trends for February 28, 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.
Dog park plans slowed by ADA requirements
Catapla Park in Arkansas City is still going to the dogs, it’s just taking longer than expected. The city announced its plan last October to revamp the small park into a safe place for pet owners to let their pets get some exercise, but so far no progress has been made. Municipal Planner Nick Rizzio said Tuesday that the goal for the project had been to keep the cost minimal and have it completed before the end of the year. The project will be more expensive than he had anticipated due to the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for parking spaces, sidewalks and an entrance and exit for each gate. He said the cost is still being evaluated.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Wichita unveils new $400M riverbank plan that saves Century II and former library
Wichita has a new plan to redevelop the east bank of the Arkansas River downtown that would save Century II and the former downtown library while expanding convention center space for less than half the cost of the $1 billion Riverfront Legacy Master Plan. “This is the most excited I’ve been about the future of conventions and this complex,” City Manager Robert Layton told The Eagle. “I just finally think we hit it.” For an estimated $400 million, the city of Wichita would transform the east bank to a “new heart of the city,” Layton said. The largest cost is a $170 million expansion of the Bob Brown Convention Center. The plan also calls for investing $55 million in the iconic blue-domed Century II building and $15 million in the neighboring former library building.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Municipal Bond Trends for February 27, 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.
Southern Kansas school closed because of vandalism, threatening graffiti
The school in St. John, Kansas was closed Monday after a break-in and vandalism incident over the weekend. There was also graffiti on the walls that could be considered threatening in nature, according to a message from Superintendent Josh Meyer. A decision was made to close the St. John-Hudson school out of caution and to allow time for the clean up of broken glass and debris. Meyer said in a letter to the school community that there is no information that indicates a specific plan for violence toward anyone at the school. He said the district is taking the matter seriously and is working with St. John police. It’s not believed there is any imminent danger to staff or students.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Derby FD adapts to growing medical calls
As is in the title, Derby Fire and Rescue keeps busy with its fair share of fire calls. But a majority of the department’s work over the past few years has fallen more into the category of medical response – with roughly 60% of the annual calls for the department classified as EMS/rescue. With the increasing number of emergency medical services and rescue calls, Derby FD is evolving and continually analyzing best practices for the community it serves – both now and in the future.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Tornado damages homes in Liberal
The Seward County Emergency Management director says four to five homes in Liberal have moderate to severe damage, and another 10-12 homes have moderate damage. Director Greg Standard also told KSN one person was treated for minor injuries and has been released. Joshua Volden’s home was damaged, and he says it all happened in a matter of minutes. “The power went out, I looked over and saw stuff flying toward the windows,” Volden said.
Source: KSN-TV
Property values spike in Riley County, here’s why
Property owners in Riley County may see the value of their property rise by as much as 17% over last year’s value. The Riley County Appraiser’s Office said it mailed the 2023 Change in Value Notices (CVNs) for each of the 25,000 real estate parcels in the county Friday, Feb. 24. The CVNs reflect changes in property values prompted by fluctuations in the local real estate market and/or changes made to individual properties, such as additions or improvements.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Silicon Valley dreams clash with small town Kansas
A new business venture has embroiled the town of McLouth, Kansas. At Tuesday’s packed city council meeting, McLouth residents heard from a local natural gas company about a proposal to open a data mining center at their current location. Crypto Colo Center Corp is an oil and gas company based just outside the McLouth in Jefferson County. The company CEO says its primary source of income comes from extracting oil. The company wants the Jefferson County Commission to sign off on the proposed construction of a data mining center that would run off excess gas they currently produce.
Source: KSNT 27 News
How you can be first to ride the new Gage Park train
It’s out with the old and in with the new, but now you can be the first to ride Gage Park’s newest attraction. The new electric mini train finally arrived at the park Monday morning and Shawnee County Parks and Recreation is offering a raffle ticket for its first ride. The raffle drawing is now open to the public. Tickets will cost $1 each to enter, and the drawing will be held Wednesday, March 8. The first trip is scheduled to leave the station at 10 a.m. sharp on Monday, March 13. Winners will be contacted by phone and email and should arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. to check-in.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Here’s what Wichita’s new director says golfers can expect at city courses in 2023
Jesse Coffman says Wichita golfers have plenty to look forward to in his first full year as city golf director, including new carts, course marshals and options for buying food and drinks on the greens. Coffman took over the top job in Wichita last June after the City Council voted in March not to outsource management of the city’s four public courses to Illinois-based KemperSports. “We are in a good place financially. The pandemic kind of brought golf back to life, really,” said Coffman, who previously oversaw eight courses for the Fairfax County Park Authority in Virginia, and has also managed a resort-style Marriott golf club in Fort Worth.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
U.S. transportation secretary visits Kansas, gives speech at future Panasonic plant site
Surrounded by local and national leaders, U.S. transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg pointed to the Panasonic project as an example of rural revitalization through green energy transportation projects. Buttigieg, along with Lt. Governor David Toland and U.S. Representative Sharice Davids, among others, gave speeches Monday at the site of the future Panasonic electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto, following his attendance at the Kansas City, Missouri, airport terminal opening. Buttigieg said rural communities across America have struggled with a lack of job opportunities, influencing young people to move elsewhere for careers.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Clearwater schools interviewing superintendent candidates this week
Finalists for the USD 264 Clearwater superintendent’s position are interviewing with the board of education and visiting with the public this week. One candidate per day was being interviewed from Monday through Thursday. Each finalist is being named on the morning of his or her interview. A meet-and-greet opportunity with each superintendent will be held at 3:30 p.m. daily at the Clearwater High School commons. Candidates start their day at 10:45 a.m. by meeting with district office personnel. Following that is lunch with administrators at the central office. Candidates will then tour district buildings from 12:45 to 3:30 p.m. Following a break from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., candidates will have dinner with the board of education members in executive session. Formal interviews will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers
Commerce Makes $4.1M in Community Service Tax Credits Available
The Kansas Department of Commerce today announced $4.1 million in tax credits will once again be made available under the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP). CSP assists private nonprofit organizations and public healthcare entities undertaking major capital campaigns for projects involving: Community service, including childcare, Non-governmental crime prevention, Youth apprenticeship and technical training, Healthcare services.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Riley County to host public meeting in Keats to discuss sewer benefit district updates
Riley County officials are planning an informational meeting early next month to discuss the future of the Keats Sewer Benefit District. Commissioners created the district in 2018 after more than 51 percent of affected property owners signed a petition. “After several years of analyzing options, costs, and funding mechanisms, the County sought to move forward with sanitary sewer collection and pump to the City of Manhattan Wastewater Treatment Facility,” said Amanda Webb, Director of Riley County Planning & Development.
Source: 1350 KMAN
USD 465 seeks citizen input to search for superintendent
The Winfield Board of Education will hire the next superintendent, but they are looking for a little help from citizens within the USD 465 area. The Kansas Association of School Boards has been hired by the district to help search for a new superintendent after Nathan Reed announced he was leaving in June to take a job in Wichita. As part of its efforts, the association is conducting an online survey to find out what characteristics citizens might value in the next top administrator. The survey is linked to the usd465.com website. It was posted Feb. 14 and closes Sunday. There is not an option for a printed survey.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler