Kansas Municipal News
Overland Park council advances idea of toll lanes on U.S. Highway 69 for further study
A proposal to build toll lanes down the middle of a part of U.S. Highway 69 will move forward for a deeper study, the Overland Park City Council has decided.
The council, meeting as a committee of the whole, learned Monday that an initial study shows that the pay lanes would reap enough for the toll equipment. In one scenario, toll lanes would also pay for some of the construction cost.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Leawood says resident who prompted closure of city hall has tested positive for COVID-19
A resident suspected of having contracted the coronavirus who visited Leawood City Hall last week has tested positive for the disease, the city confirmed this afternoon.
Leawood announced on Friday it was closing city hall until further notice “after the city learned of a possible COVID-19/coronavirus exposure.” The administration said today that the facility would remain closed tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, as work continues to disinfect the site.
“The residents and city employees who were in direct contact with the subject are being notified by county and state health officials. City employees are following every recommendation of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” reads a statement from the city. “The Mayor and City Council want to express their deep appreciation to our residents for their display of patience and calmness during this extraordinary period.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly freezes home and business evictions during coronavirus threat
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has quietly signed a sweeping executive order freezing mortgage foreclosures and rent evictions in Kansas during the global coronavirus pandemic.
“This administration will do whatever it can to assist Kansans in these challenging times, and that includes allowing Kansans to retain their homes and businesses to avoid immediate danger to their health, safety and welfare,” the order reads.
“In order to mitigate the economic effects of the spread of COVID-19, I hereby direct and order all financial institutions operating in Kansas to temporarily suspend the initiation of any mortgage foreclosure efforts or judicial proceedings and any commercial or residential eviction efforts until May 1, 2020,” the order continued.
(Read more: Local News |)
Health department director: Obeying quarantine order is ’patriotic duty’
Saying it’s a "patriotic duty," Shawnee County’s health department director encouraged residents Tuesday to obey an order issued by the county health officer requiring anyone meeting any of five specific criteria to self-quarantine for 14 days in an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus."I’m appealing to everyone’s sense of community and duty to follow these rules and do the right thing," said health department director Linda Ochs.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Kansas orders all K-12 schools to close for the rest of the school year
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has ordered all of the state’s K-12 schools to close for the remainder of the school year, moving instruction online as the state responds to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Kelly and the state Department of Education held a news conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss developments and recommendations related to COVID-19.
“This difficult decision comes comes after close consultation with the education professionals here today who represent local school boards, school administrators and local teachers,” the governor said.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Talking about The Thing
Yes, The Thing touches everything.
COVID-19 affects the muni bond world in some fairly obvious ways. The general mandate is “everybody do less.” Decreasing activity in general translates to decreased business revenues and decreased tax revenues, which means less money available to repay bonds. This has set the disclosure world ablaze, as securities lawyers ponder what to say to the market about the pandemic. That very practical question is far beyond the bounds of this blog and will be dealt with ad nauseum elsewhere, such as this piece in The Bond Buyer.
(Read more: The Public Finance Tax Blog)
Dealing with the School Shutdown: What do parents do now?
It’s a new reality–one we really couldn’t see coming. Concerns over the spread of COVID-19 prompted Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to order the closure of schools statewide for the remainder of the school year. It’s the first order of its kind in a nation scrambling to stop the spread.Online learning will be taking place statewide, but kids won’t be in classrooms. What is a parent to do?
(Read more: KMBC)
Can Local Governments Enforce Quarantines? Should They?
As states confirm more cases of the new coronavirus disease, local health officials are requesting that people who have tested positive and those who’ve come in close contact with them isolate themselves at home for 14 days. Many states have laws that give health department directors the authority to enforce a quarantine on individuals who pose a threat to public health. And if people defy a court-ordered quarantine, they could face fines and criminal charges. Health officials rarely need a court order to require people to remain at home. But after learning that the father of a 20-year-old woman who tested positive for COVID-19 took his younger daughter to a high school dance, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said the county could seek one.
(Read more: KCUR)
Gov. Kelly imposes CDC limit of 50 people at gatherings, Kansas documents 11 cases
Gov. Laura Kelly issued an executive order Monday to immediately ban gatherings of 50 or more people in Kansas churches, restaurants, concerts, recreational facilities and other venues for eight weeks to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statewide mandate aligned with recommendations Sunday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid large crowds.
“This is an essential step to further encourage social distancing and to stem the spread of the virus,” Kelly said at the Capitol. “When we slow the spread of the virus, we are flattening the curve. The steps we are taking are designed to flatten that curve and keep communities safe.”
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Johnson County, WYCO/KCK and neighboring metro governments mandate closure of restaurants, bars, movie theaters due to coronavirus risk
The governments of Johnson County, Kan; Jackson County, Mo.; Kansas City, Mo., and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan. on Monday evening collectively agreed to implement measures to close restaurants, bars, taverns, clubs and movie theaters in their jurisdictions for 15 days. The closures begin effective at 12:01 a.m. on March 17. Exceptions are delivery, pickup and drive-through service.
The jurisdictions agreed to revisit the decision on April 1 with an evaluation of conditions at that time.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Municipal Bond Trends for March 16, 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.
AG Derek Schmidt: KOMA requirements remain in effect amid COVID-19 response
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is offering guidance to state and local governments on how to comply with the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA) if in-person meetings of any public body are replaced with remote meetings by telephone or other communications equipment amid the developing federal, state and local response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Nothing in state law allows for the suspension of the KOMA or its open government requirements,” Schmidt said. “In fact, in times like these, it’s more important than ever to ensure government remains open and accessible so Kansans are able to observe and understand how responses to an emergency situation are being developed.”
(Read more: Kansas Attorney General News Releases)
Finney County Health Department setting up mobile coronavirus testing center
The Finney County Health Department is working to set up a mobile coronavirus testing center.
The center isn’t operating yet and when it does, will only be used if needed, and if more testing resources become available. The idea with the center is for it to serve the same function as the health department.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Parsons Municipal Building closed to public
The Parsons Municipal Building is one of the many facilities that has been either closed to the public or restricted because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Parsons Recreation Commission also is closed, and the Parsons Public Library has suspended its activities. The Labette County Sheriff’s Office is considering changes for inmate visitations.
While workers will still report for their jobs, the city of Parsons blocked the public’s access to the Municipal Building following the close of business on Monday.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Round 2: Pittsburg, KS vs. Watertown, SD
Welcome to the second round of the fifth annual Strongest Town Competition! This contest is our annual celebration of the towns and cities across North America (and even the world) who are building stronger communities, even in times of uncertainty and change.
We’re down to our top eight contestants, and for this round, we asked them to cut back on the text and instead send us five photos, with a caption for each explaining how it illustrates the strength of their city.
Check out the photo submissions from two of our elite eight contenders below, and cast your vote at the bottom of the page!
(Read more: Strong Towns Blog)
City of Emporia issues restrictions for municipal buildings
The city of Emporia released a coronavirus (COVID-19) schedule and operations of City Buildings on Monday afternoon.
City Offices are highly recommending the public have limited access to the building and departments. In conjunction with the recommendation of health officials these schedules will remain in effect until further notice.
The City of Emporia is working toward keeping employees and the public safe by discouraging crowds and encouraging distances of at least 6 feet of each other for a period less than 10 minutes in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
Louisburg City Hall to close to combat coronavirus
City Hall will close to the public beginning March 17, 2020, to follow the White House directive of “15 Days to Slow the Spread” of the coronavirus.
If you need to make a utility payment, please drop your payment in the drop box located next to the doors on the west side of the building. You may also pay online and those instructions are in the next News & Announcement brief.
(Read more: Louisburg, KS-Newsflash)
Kansas lawmakers moving to extend unemployment benefits
Kansas lawmakers are moving to give unemployed workers an extra 10 weeks of benefits and allow them to start collecting the relief a week earlier than normal.
The House commerce committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would allow people who’ve filed for unemployment benefits since Jan. 1 through April 1 to receive 26 weeks of benefits instead of the 16 weeks now allowed.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Prairie Village mayor declares local state of emergency, giving city authority to close businesses if necessary
Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson on Monday declared a local state of emergency for the city in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The declaration will prompt the closure of city hall and the public works administration building to the public starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Additionally, it gives the city the authority to order business establishments, including bars and restaurants, to close temporarily; and to enforce the governor’s recently announced statewide restriction on gatherings of 50 or more people.
The city council will convene at a special session Wednesday afternoon to discuss the length of the emergency declaration.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)
Millions across the US wake up to massive shutdowns to curb spread of coronavirus
Americans face increasing stringent guidelines about social distancing and group gatherings and some governments are now telling residents not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary.
Despite Fed cut, global markets roiled; short-end munis face pressure as investors seek cash
Even after the Fed cut rates to near zero, the stock market plunged Monday, setting off automatic circuit breakers that shut down trading. Short-end munis were being blown out with yields rising as much as 20 basis points on the short end as investors seek cash.
The globe is facing a pandemic that is testing what financial markets, governments, and individuals can reasonably handle.
The municipal finance industry is dealing with minute-by-minute news of state-wide school closures, shuttered restaurants, curfews and canceled events. New issues are increasingly being put on the day-to-day calendar.
Governments are trying to assess the financial impacts on their budgets and planning how they deal with the very real lost revenues from this virus. New York City noted that it will likely see a $3.2 billion decline in less revenue over the next six months.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)
Eleven coronavirus cases found so far in Kansas, 6 in Missouri. Experts expect more.
Since early March, cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 have been reported in Kansas and Missouri. Worldwide there have been more than 170,000 confirmed cases, with at least 3,700 reported in the United States.
As the number of confirmed cases in the Kansas City region continues to grow, state and local leaders have issued emergency declarations. In an effort to limit the spread of the virus, municipal, state and federal leaders have place restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather in a location.
On Monday, Johnson County health officials announced they had eight confirmed cases. Missouri has reported seven cases.
(Read more: Kansas City Breaking News, Crime & Sports |)
Topeka’s ‘tent city’ moving indoors after securing $100,000
The City of Topeka has secured $100,000 that will allow homeless residents of a tent city to move to indoor housing if they want to.
The money came from Valeo Behavioral Health Care in Topeka, according to their CEO, Bill Persinger, Jr. He said that the organization gave the $100,000 to the city to finance housing vouchers for the homeless after receiving an extension on an existing grant. Valeo is among several city, state and private organizations that make up Topeka’s Homeless Task Force.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
US tells older people to stay home, all ages to avoid crowds
The White House on Monday urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants as part of sweeping guidelines meant to combat an expected surge of coronavirus cases.
President Donald Trump and the coronavirus task force released the guidelines as the U.S. government moved to try to blunt the impact of the virus, racing to bolster testing and aid even as financial markets fell and Americans scrambled to reorder their lives.
Among the new recommendations: Over the next 15 days, Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people, schooling should be at home and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided. If anyone in a household tests positive for the virus, everyone who lives there should stay home.
(Read more: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Could Wichita-area schools last into June because of coronavirus?
Most Wichita-area school districts are on spring break this week, but parents already are asking what comes next if schools close because of concerns about coronavirus and COVID-19.
The Kansas Department of Education so far hasn’t issued any directive to close schools. But Sedgwick County on Monday declared a state of local disaster emergency and banned gatherings of 50 people or more.
Education Commissioner Randy Watson said widespread school closures could mean a longer school year for students and teachers, among other options.
(Read more: Local News |)
City of Wichita announces closures and schedule changes
The City of Wichita announced Monday that they will be closing a number of public facilities and cancelling some City events for the next two weeks. The City will also be taking additional preventative measures to protect City Hall visitors and City employees.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Sedgwick County declares state of emergency, limits gatherings to 50 people
In response to the growing public health concerns related to COVID-19, Sedgwick County officials Monday declared a local state of local disaster emergency and announced that public gatherings larger than 50 attendees are prohibited in the county until further notice.
The local disaster emergency was activated because of an imminent threat from contagious disease. The declaration gives the county government the flexibility to manage operations in a rapidly changing environment and will make federal and state assistance available. The county’s Local Emergency Operations Plan has also been activated, allowing for collaboration between public safety organizations, local health officials and other community stakeholders.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Sedgwick County postpones most traffic court cases until April 6
The Sedgwick County District Court is postponing traffic court to April 6. or until further notice.
There will be no morning or afternoon traffic walk-in dockets until April 6th, 2020 or until further order of the court, per Chief Judge Jeffrey Goering.
The traffic docket includes traffic court cases set for disposition or an appearance on a summons.
If you have a traffic case, you will have thirty (30) days from the date that traffic court resumes to appear on your case.
If the court extends this notice beyond April 6, 2020, additional notices will be posted by the court.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Johnson County Library closes branches to the public
Johnson County Librarian Sean Casserly announced Saturday that the system would be closing its branches to the public through Tuesday, March 31 in an effort to minimize the risk of transmitting COVID-19. “The Library serves and employs a number of at-risk populations, with an average of 38,000 patrons per week entering our facilities,” Casserly wrote. “Johnson County Library wants to do everything it can to help protect our community and curb this viral outbreak.” During the closures, overdue fines will not accrue. Current holds will be made available to patrons when the branches reopen.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)
CDC recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States
Guidance as of 3/15/2020
Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.
This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.
Read more: CDC.
Federal Reserve cuts rates to zero and launches massive $700 billion quantitative easing program
The Federal Reserve, saying “the coronavirus outbreak has harmed communities and disrupted economic activity in many countries, including the United States,” cut interest rates to essentially zero on Sunday and launched a massive $700 billion quantitative easing program to shelter the economy from the effects of the virus.
The new fed funds rate, used as a benchmark both for short-term lending for financial institutions and as a peg to many consumer rates, will now be targeted at 0% to 0.25% down from a previous target range of 1% to 1.25%.
Facing highly disrupted financial markets, the Fed also slashed the rate of emergency lending at the discount window for banks by 125 basis points to 0.25%, and lengthened the term of loans to 90 days.
Read more: CNBC.
Municipal bonds calmer on Friday as national emergency declared
After a week in which all markets faced a historical whirlwind from the COVID-19 spread, Friday marked a somewhat calm tenor for the municipal market.
Uncertainty still abounds for the public finance space, as just before the market close, President Trump declared a national emergency. Meanwhile, states and cities across the country are closing schools, courts, national sporting events, and cutting back public transit. But Friday, at least, provided some reprieve from the five previous volatile days.
Triple-A benchmarks were steady, with some even seeing a few bumps, while participants await a new week in which issuers will see whether they can access the market.
Read more: Bond Buyer.
Municipal Bond Trends for March 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 officials ask schools to close, tell travelers to quarantine at home
Gov. Laura Kelly on Sunday asked K-12 schools in Kansas to close for the coming week, allowing time for a task force of educators to develop a long-term plan for completing the school year under intensifying concerns with COVID-19.
The governor said she was “strongly recommending” but not mandating the shuttering of schools to allow each district to decide the best course of action. However, she said she expects all districts will comply.
Meanwhile, the state health department issued recommendations for travelers to quarantine at home if they visit certain areas of the country.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Nine people, including six in Johnson County, have preliminarly tested positive for COVID-19 in Kansas
A man in his 50s in Johnson County preliminarily tested positive for the new coronavirus, the sixth case confirmed in the Kansas county since the outbreak began, officials said Sunday.
The origin of the man’s infection remained unknown. He was doing well in isolation at home and his family was in quarantine, according to the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
The department said it would get in touch with anyone who was in close contact with the man. The presumptive positive case was tested at a state laboratory; the results will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for verification.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
In coronavirus fight, Kansas and Missouri hold ‘awesome’ powers to isolate you
Kansas and Missouri hold sweeping, authoritarian-like powers to separate from their friends, families and communities anyone who has coronavirus or has been exposed to it.
Health officials can order you to stay in your home or keep you in a secluded location. Neighborhoods and even entire cities can be locked down. You can be prosecuted for non-compliance.
Neither state has invoked these broad powers so far. But measures that just a few weeks ago seemed to be the stuff of dystopian novels and movies are becoming reality in the United States and around the world.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
A self-quarantine seems brutal when you’re not sick with coronavirus – but it really is for the greater good
Why do experts think that quarantines and canceled events are a good idea for getting control of the spread of the coronavirus, especially when it involves people who are not sick?
It’s all in the numbers and how quickly they grow.
Health officials are trying to avoid a rapid spike of cases that could overwhelm the health care system by “flattening the curve,” or spreading out the number of coronavirus cases over a longer period.
In many respects, it’s not whether the situation is going to get worse, but how quickly.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Andover City Facilities Closed to the Public – All City services remain operational
The City of Andover takes the health of our community and public servants who serve our community extremely seriously.
As such, in response to the 03/12/2020, KDHE notification of a presumed positive case of COVID-19 in Butler County, as of today, Friday, March 13, 2020, all City of Andover facilities and spaces are temporarily closed to the public until further notice.
All City services remain operational and all City employees remain available …
(Read more: Andover – News Flash – Andover City News)
Moratorium on water service shut-offs considered in Topeka
Topeka City Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz is calling for the city to put a moratorium on water shut-offs in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
The city’s mayor and council on Tuesday will consider a proposal Ortiz is sponsoring in an effort to enable customers who are at risk of losing their city water service to continue washing their hands with soap and water.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Johnson County declares state of emergency, places restrictions on gatherings of 250+ people
Johnson County Chair Ed Eilert on Friday declared a state of emergency as a result of to the coronavirus pandemic, a move that allows the country government to access resources to aid personnel responding to the illness.
Additionally, the declaration gives Eilert the authority to establish rules designed to limit the potential spread of the disease. Among those are a declaration prohibiting public gatherings of more than 250 people.
Exceptions to the prohibition include:
- Governmental and judicial functions
- Healthcare facilities
- Private business operations
- Religious and faith-based activities
- Weddings and funerals.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Wellington City Manager addresses closing of the local hospital
The closing of Sumner Community Hospital is unfortunate for our community and a sad day that the City had hoped would never come. A local hospital is an important and vital facility in any community. The financial difficulties of our local hospital have been ongoing for a number of years. It was the hope that Rural Hospital Group (RHG) would be able to overcome the difficulties and be successful in the longer-term plans to construct a new and financially sustainable hospital….
The City has dedicated and well-trained Paramedics and EMTs on staff to serve the community and patient care will continue at the highest level.
(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)
Winfield, Ark City working to keep more limited recycling program
Arkansas City commissioners met with Winfield City Manager Taggart Wall during a study session Friday to discuss possible options for the recycling program. Both communities share the cost of the program, but expenses have been increasing each year due to the lack of a market for recycled material.
Currently the unsorted and often contaminated items are being hauled to Waste Connection in Wichita, where 60 percent of those materials end up in the landfill. Wall said the employees at that center do not separate the clean recyclables from the contaminated materials, and will just send them to the landfill.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
Leawood closes City Hall after learning of possible coronavirus exposure
Leawood closed its City Hall on Friday after officials learned of a possible coronavirus exposure.
Capt. Brad Robbins, a spokesman for the Leawood Police Department, said someone who was potentially exposed to the virus had been at City Hall, at 4800 Town Center Drive. The building in Johnson County is now closed to all nonessential personnel, he said, out of an “overabundance of caution.”
“Police and fire stations are still active and responding,” he said. “But City Hall is the building the most people would go to for services. They decided to close City Hall until we can get a better handle on what has happened.”
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Sedgwick County Zoo is closed until further notice due to COVID-19
The Sedgwick County Zoo has announced that it will be closed to the public until further notice.
The zoo said the temporary closure is a precautionary measure to limit the spread of coronavirus. The zoo is closed as of 5 p.m. Friday.
“Our primary obligation is to provide for the care of our animals,” the zoo said in a news release. “Our core staff will continue to provide care for our animals and operate the critical systems of the Zoo.”
(Read more: KAKE – News)