Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Topeka Mayor calls upon community to support its children

In the wake of recent attacks on youngsters that were caught on video, Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla asked Tuesday that the people of this community proactively support its children.

“I’m calling all of us in our community, take a look at the children that we have around us, and let’s figure out a way that we can all support these kids and maybe these parents that may be working two or three jobs, or maybe the situation becomes that they don’t have a parent in the home to give them the example that they need to make the proper choices,” the mayor said.

She added: “This is our community. These are our kids. We must constantly be thinking of how to invest in our kids.”

Kansas Suicide Rates Are Climbing, Especially In The State’s Most Rural Areas

The number of suicides in northwest Kansas increased by more than half in recent years.

Twenty counties in the region saw suicides climb by 57% from 2014 through 2018.

That jump comes in a part of the state where people already die by suicide at a higher rate than in the rest of Kansas.

In Kansas “frontier” counties — places with fewer than six people per square mile — about 26 people a year out of every 100,000 die by suicide. Statewide, Kansas sees fewer than 18 suicides per 100,000 people, according to a report by the Kansas Health Institute

And overall, Kansas had 555 suicides in 2018, up 2% from the previous year. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the 2018 suicide rate was the highest in 20 years.

(Read more: Here)

Cellphone app to be available in Shawnee County to keep children safe

Keeping children safe is the purpose of a cellphone application that the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office is arranging to have made available here.

Shawnee County Commissioners Bill Riphahn, Kevin Cook and Aaron Mays voted 3-0 Monday to acknowledge Sheriff Brian Hill had notified them that his office was paying $500 to Covington, La.-based OffenderWatch to provide “Virtual Safe Neighborhood” services in Shawnee County.

The Virtual Safe Neighborhood program will enable Shawnee County citizens to buy a smartphone application that will allow parents to know if a registered offender attempts to contact their child, Hill told commissioners last week in a memorandum.

Pott. County Commission discusses potential Manhattan sales tax; receives flu update

Pottawatomie County Commissioner Pat Weixelman commented on Manhattan City Commission discussions about taking on a city-wide sales tax during a meeting Monday.
If the city-sales tax were to become a reality, the Manhattan City Commission may no longer require the Riley County Commission’s approval before pursuing economic development projects on the Pottawatomie County side of the city.Weixelman says if this were to happen, the Pottawatomie County Commission should pursue an agreement where their approval is required for these types of projects.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Company says they’re ready to invest $1.5 billion in Wichita Riverfront, including Kansas’ first skyscraper

$1.5 billion in a proposed development in downtown Wichita… That’s the incredible amount of construction and growth a company is vowing to bring here, including a 40+ story hotel. So is it realistic? Or just pie in the sky?
Just for some perspective, the Epic Center is currently the tallest building in Kansas, standing 320 feet and 22 stories tall. The proposed hotel would nearly double that.
But that’s not the only thing the plan includes.
A company called Penumbra International LLC announced its plans to invest $1.5 billion in Wichita’s Riverfront.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Hutchinson woman speaks out after dog attack

A Hutchinson woman is out of the hospital after two dogs attacked her. While she is back home, her recovery is just beginning.

The bandages on Tina Stapleton’s legs are a reminder of what happened to her on Monday.

“I was a little terrified that they might do exactly what they were thinking about doing,” said Stapleton.

…

When police arrived, they tried to contain the dogs in the backyard. That’s when police said one of the dogs charged at an officer who fired one shot inuring the dog. Police said the dogs were a pit bull mix.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Kansas Senate moves to restrain county appraisers

Senators in the Kansas Legislature on Tuesday embraced sweeping changes to restrain county appraisers and property valuations that increase local tax burdens.

The Senate passed legislation that would prohibit appraisers from increasing property valuations because of normal maintenance made to the property. They also couldn’t raise valuations while valuations are being appealed.

Other bills that received favor would mandate training for county appraisers and members of the State Board of Tax appeals and would ban someone from serving as county treasurer or appraiser if they previously had been removed from such a position.

Additionally, public hearings and notices would be required for some local tax increases.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Unique bench installed at Starlight Park in Greensburg

A new bench installed at Greensburg’s Starlight Park last Saturday is approximately 7-feet-long and curved into the shape of a question mark. It is made out of carbide steel and painted with truck-bed liner paint to assure sustainability. The bench follows the path of the stars in the design used in other pieces with constellations cut out in the seat.
“We wanted a place where people could come and sit and enjoy things that are happening on Main Street, or just sit in peace and enjoy the artwork,” said Public Arts Committee (PAC) member Thomas Derstein.” “We wanted a bench that was a piece of artwork as well as a place to sit.”
(Read more: Kiowa County Signal)

Municipal Bond Trends for February 24, 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 lawmakers reject lower penalties on pot possession

ansas legislators aren’t ready to declare that marijuana possession never should be a felony, rejecting proposals Monday to lower penalties for third-time offenders and to release others from prison.
The House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee voted 7-4 against a bill that would make possessing marijuana a misdemeanor, no matter how many times someone was convicted. Kansas law currently says a third conviction is a felony that can be punished by up to 14 months in prison, though offenders often receive probation.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Pittsburg seeking city flag design submissions

The Pittsburg Downtown Advisory Board is inviting the community to be a part of the town’s history.

The board has announced they are looking for design submissions for the city of Pittsburg’s flag.

The Southeast Kansas town has no record of ever having a flag.

The city has been working on its Imagine Pittsburg 2030 iniative, which pushes for growth and innovation in the community.

How low can they go? Muni yields tumble, hit lows again

Municipal bonds yields continued their descent and once again rewrote the record books, as the flight-to-safety movement on fears of COVID-19 that took place Friday picked up right where it left off.
Stocks were down in excess of 3% at press time while Treasury yields sank further, as spooked investors fled risky assets, such as equities, into safer investments like municipal and Treasury bonds.
“How low can they go? That’s the real question,” said one New York trader. “We have gotten barely any positive news on containment, curing or stopping the virus. Until we do, this is going to be the reaction markets will have.”
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

As plastic bag bans go into effect, some question the unintended consequences

Bans on single-use plastic bags — one of the most pervasive sources of pollution — are taking effect in cities and states across the U.S. as efforts to combat global plastic production pick up.
But while the moves are being lauded by environmentalists and the local governments that support them, some are questioning whether the move will be effective, primarily because of the unintended environmental consequences associated with replacement materials such as paper, thick plastic and reusable bags.
Plastic bags were widely introduced to American consumers in 1979 and were marketed as preferable to paper because they are durable, waterproof and have many functions, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
(Read more: KAKE – News)

Shawnee County Parks and Rec reviewing proposals to develop Family Park master plan

Shawnee County Parks and Recreation is getting ready to take a big step on the multi-million dollar Family Park project.

Parks and Rec Director Tim Laurent said the county is currently reviewing 11 proposals from firms to develop a master plan for the park.

“We’ll have to go to the county commission and get their blessing, but once that happens, and I think that could happen hopefully within the next two weeks roughly, then we’ll get to work with whoever is chosen,” Laurent said.

(Read more: KSNT News)

After nearly $700,000 in billing errors discovered in 2017, city report says new system is preventing future mistakes

It has been more than two years since serious errors were discovered in the city’s miscellaneous billing process, and city officials say a recent staff review shows improvements made since have eliminated those errors.
Since then, the city has created a master list of the city’s more than $25 million of annual miscellaneous billings, which include lease payments, inspection fees, building permits, dumpster rentals and other agreements handled outside of the city’s regular billing processes. The city also now has a master list of all miscellaneous billings and conducts a review of those billings annually.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

10-year Treasury yield plunges to lowest since 2016 amid escalating coronavirus fears

Treasury yields tumbled on Monday as investors run for cover amid fears that the coronavirus is spreading globally.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to price, plunged 8 basis points to 1.3856%, its lowest level since July 2016. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond plummeted to a new all time low of 1.8321%.
“The most important number in the US Treasury market has become 1.3180% – the all-time record low yield mark set in the aftermath of Brexit,” Ian Lyngen, BMO’s head of U.S. rates, said in a note Monday. “If that level is breached, look out below.”
Spiking coronavirus cases in Italy, South Korea and the Middle East sparked fears of further spread beyond China. South Korea put the country on its highest alert level on Monday as infections surpassed 760 and deaths rose to seven.
Read more: CNBC.

Municipal bonds are safe haven amid stock market plunge

The municipal market rallied up to 7 basis points on Friday following Treasuries while equities continued to sell-off on COVID-19 fears as it spreads around the globe.
The muni 10-year landed at 1.09% and the 30 at 1.69%. U.S. Treasury yields plummeted as the 10-year hit the lowest since September at 1.47% and the 30-year hit an all-time low of 1.88% then moved up to 1.91% as of press time.
While COVID-19 has had an impact on all markets, including munis, Matt Fabian, partner and Municipal Market Analytics, said that he believes the virus impact is like the “fifth or sixth reason as to why muni yields are dropping like a rock.”

“There just continues to be more money than bonds and that is the fundamental reason for the sinking yields,” he said.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Municipal Bond Trends for February 21, 2020

New hometown signs recognize Kansas astronaut

NASA astronaut and Kansas native Nick Hague has been honored by his hometown.

Kansas Department of Transportation crews put up some new signs, right outside the northwest Kansas town of Hoxie. The signs read, “Hoxie: Home of Nick Hague.”

Hague went on a seven-month mission in space and was awarded the Russian Order of Courage for his actions during a failed launch.

(Read more: KSNT News)

New bill may make it easier for Kansans to vote

The Ethics, Elections and Local Government Senate committee are considering a bill that would make voting more accessible for Kansans.

SB412 allows all Kansas residents to apply for permanent advanced voting status, instead of just registered voters with disabilities as it currently stands.

“We are trying to make voting as accessible, and frankly as easily accessible, as we can,” Sen. David Haley (D-Kansas City), member of the committee, said.

The hope is that this encourages more Kansans to vote, such as Miguel Colon of Topeka.

(Read more: KSNT News)

Organizations working to bring health care to rural Bourbon County

A community collaboration in Bourbon County is working to bring a health care clinic to a small town.

Lynne O’Harah, District One Commissioner, Bourbon County, said, “It’s been kind of a journey for us.”

A journey to increase access to healthcare in rural Bourbon County–with talks starting nearly a year ago.

Mark Warren, Uniontown Ruritan Club Member, said, “About the possibility of starting a rural health clinic here in Uniontown.”

“It’s somethig that’s been lacking in our area for lots and lots of years, many years.”

Group’s vague plan for Century II includes $1.5 billion to repurpose building

A plan proposed for the future of Century II comes with more questions than answers for the group that says it’s offering $1.5 billion to repurpose the historic building.
The group of private investors proposing the plan is called Penumbra International, LLC. The group says its proposal won’t take any tax dollars from the public and includes an aerospace museum, an observation Ferris wheel, a 40-story convention hotel, an aquarium, and more.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Officials celebrate industrial park partnership

“As a southeast Kansan it really is a terrific day to come home and to celebrate this first domino that’s falling at Great Plains Industrial Park,” Toland said. “We’re getting this win and it’s the first of many that are going to come here.”

Toland recalled meeting with some people from Parsons during a trip to Atlanta when he was working in Washington, DC, several years ago.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Kansas law enforcement wary of legalizing 0.3% THC products

Kansans for Hemp co-founder Kelly Ripple said Friday state statute ought to be brought into compliance with federal law by legalizing products with up to 0.3% of the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

The 2018 farm bill signed by President Donald Trump authorized development of industrial hemp nationwide. It also exempted hemp from Schedule 1 definitions of marijuana in all 50 states. Essentially, the federal government legalized sale of 0.3% THC products.

Ripple said Kansas law enforcement restricted sale of cannabinoid products online or purchased elsewhere with as little as one hundredth of a percentage point of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

Kansas bill would stop Wichita from banning plastic bags

Kansas lawmakers are considering a bill that would stop cities from banning single-use plastic bags, a measure that could hamstring a task force recently formed by the Wichita City Council.

The state’s GOP-led House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development approved a bill Friday that would prohibit local governments from imposing any tax, fee or outright ban on paper or plastic single-use bags and plastic straws. It could go to the full House for debate as early as next week.

Wichita is one of a handful of Kansas communities, including Lawrence, Salina and Prairie Village, that has started considering bans on plastic products. Lobbyists for the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, grocers, restaurants and convenience stores say they’re worried that inconsistent rules across the state would burden businesses.

(Read more: Local News |)

School communities customize building plans

No two schools in the Shawnee Mission School District are alike, but each school’s objective is the same. All Shawnee Mission schools are working to ensure each student has a personalized learning plan that will prepare them for college and careers, with the interpersonal skills they need for life success.

Each unique school community in the Shawnee Mission School District will customize and create its own plan, in line with the district strategic plan and objectives. Each school must have a plan that works specifically for the students they serve.

Recently, individuals representing each Shawnee Mission school community met at each of the five high schools across the district for a District Site Council meeting. Every school in the state of Kansas is required to have a site council, which participates in the school’s accreditation process through the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) model. Parents, students, principals, and staff members gathered to study and plan their school’s customized school building Plan and discuss continuous improvement using the KESA model.

(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Ark City recycling program in jeopardy

Arkansas City commissioners are taking a hard look at the city’s recycling program as the market for recycled material dries up and costs to the city increase.
Commissioners this week discussed the possibility of following changes recently adopted by the City of Winfield.
Beginning this spring, Winfield will only accept corrugated cardboard for curbside pickup. Other material can be dropped off at the Strother Field recycling center.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

KCK school leaders celebrate bond refinancing of $30 million while new school construction progresses

You don’t often hear of school districts saving money.

That’s what one metro education system said it’s doing, saving $30
million off a huge bond debt approved by voters.

The sound of power tools from a construction site is welcome in several Wyandotte County neighborhood.

The Kansas City, Kansas, School District is in the process of building five new schools, using a lion’s share of $235 million in bond money. Voters signed off on that loan with a 79% approval in late 2016.

Now Dr. Charles Faust, KCK Schools Superintendent, said his district is building and saving cash, too.

“$30 million is what it cut from the loan,” Foust said.

(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Kansas counties’ websites may lack security against hackers

Many Kansas counties’ websites may be at risk for cybersecurity attacks due to lacking basic protocols that make it easier for hackers to impersonate websites.

Out of 105 Kansas counties, only eight of them have websites ending in .gov, a domain extension only government officials can control. Sixty counties’ have URLs starting with “http” rather than the more secure “https.”

Security concerns have become more prominent as local governments have become frequent targets in ransomware, where hackers hold data hostage in exchange for money.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

No signs of slowing down municipal bonds as benchmark interest rates again hit record lows

The muni market saw a frantic flurry of deals come in Thursday and the market got technically stronger, the secondary was active and new muni yield lows were reached in both the 10- and 30-year maturities.
“Before COVID-19 munis were already seeing a ton of demand and now we are seeing the extra, safe harbor and flight-to-quality demand with people moving money from equities to munis,” a New York trader said. “[The virus] isn’t going away anytime soon and now it is impacting the supply chain, which can only negatively affect equities.”
…
Meanwhile, a New York trader noted that next week is shaping up to the biggest week all year in terms of issuance.
“We are looking at a huge week next week and there should be something for everybody and with yields at all-time lows, issuers will be kicking themselves if they don’t sell debt at this current levels,” he said.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)

Municipal Bond Trends for February 20, 2020

Abilene’s tribute to Eisenhower gets a makeover

The story of President Dwight D. Eisenhower began in Kansas. Now, 200,000 people a year visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home in the neighborhood where he grew up in Abilene.
Over the years, an entire campus has grown up around the family home. It recently reopened after a renovation project. The makeover includes interactive displays and the flexibility to rotate exhibits.
“It gives us the opportunity to be a little bit more flexible with the artifacts,” said Dawn Hammatt, the director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home. “We can rotate our artifacts more simply and that will give the visitors a different experience when they come.”
(Read more: KSN-TV)

Grant program could bring internet access to rural communities

Surfing the web, checking in on social media, or watching online videos – these are all things Kansas lawmakers want to make more readily accessible for the entire state of Kansas.

A bill has been proposed that would establish a grant program to help get broadband internet access to Kansas communities. Under the bill, cities and counties can apply for grant funding through the Department of Commerce. Communities would be selected based on need, population, cost and time the project would take.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Great Plains Industrial Park receives first loaded train cars in over 40 years.

State leaders were in Southeast Kansas today to celebrate the arrival of the first loaded train cars at the Great Plains Industrial Park in more than 40 years.

Brad Reams, Park Director, said “Great Plains has a great story and we’re adding another chapter.”

Parsons was the place to be Thursday as state leaders visited Great Plains Industrial Park for a ribbon cutting and throwing of the switch.

“This chapter is bringing the rail up to the condition to where it can handle weighted loads and specifically starting with wind components and that will cascade into other economic development opportunities.”

Two dozen of Kansas’ regional airports share $14M in federal grants

Two-dozen airports in Kansas won the federal grant lottery and will be investing $14 million in repair, update and expansion projects.
The biggest recipients in western Kansas included Garden City Regional Airport, which is in line for $1.7 million to install pavement markings to upgrade airfield safety. The Hays Regional Airport was awarded $1.4 million for acquisition of runway guidance systems.
“Kansas airports are vital to the regional economies throughout Kansas, connecting communities large and small and providing necessary supplies and emergency medical services for rural areas across the state,” said U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan.
(Read more: The Leavenworth Times)

Cowley County employees concerned over concealed carry want changes

Some Cowley County employees have asked commissioners to reconsider the county’s concealed carry policy.
The commissioners, at their January work session, asked county administrator Lucas Goff to investigate the state’s current gun-carrying policies and report to them. They gave no indication that they would consider changing the county’s current policy, but asked only for information which will probably be discussed at another work session, Goff said.
At the work session, some county employees said they had received the concealed carry training and thought that covered them in the courthouse.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Feral feline favorable functions

Every town has its population of feral cats. Let me be clear right up front, when I say feral cats, I’m referencing cats that live on the streets or in the fields, that are unsocialized and quite possibly have never had an “owner,” not Fluffy that rolls around in a paper sack on the living room floor and cuddles with you at night.
Over the years many towns and states have adopted programs to trap and neuter feral cats to keep them from reproducing. That’s good, but then most are turned loose once again to live back on the streets and in the fields. Cats are ferocious and efficient hunters, and if they live near grain elevators, feedlots etc., where there are lots of rodents, they can be extremely helpful.
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)

The modern earthquake era looks to be ending … mostly

On Aug. 16, the second day of the school year, students in the Burrton district felt the shake of a 4.2 magnitude earthquake. They knew exactly what to do: hide under their desks until it stopped.
It was a fairly new procedure, as the district, which is halfway between Hutchinson and Wichita, hadn’t conducted its first drill until the end of the 2018-19 school year.
“They just adapted beautifully,” the district’s superintendent Joan Simoneau said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better crisis situation, especially on the second day of school.”
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)

KS lawmakers discuss bill preventing cities from banning single-use plastic bags

Lawmakers at the Statehouse Thursday discussed a bill that in part, would ban cities in Kansas from banning single-use plastic bags.
In Kansas, Wichita, Salina and Lawrence are among the cities looking to evaluate a ban on plastic bags like the ones commonly used at the grocery store.
Many advocating for the plastic-bag ban cite environmental concerns.
(Read more: KWCH News)

State officials celebrate Parsons industrial park partnership

State Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz and Secretary of Commerce David Toland visited southeast Kansas Thursday for a ribbon cutting and ceremonial throwing of a switch to mark the arrival of the first loaded train cars at the Great Plains Industrial Park in more than 40 years. "As a southeast Kansan it really is a terrific day to come home and to celebrate this first domino that’s falling at Great Plains Industrial Park," Toland said.
(Read more: Pittsburg, KS – Morning Sun)

Horton Commission lays plans for potential healthcare return

The Horton City Commission met for the first time in February, and heard a report from a meeting between Mayor Bryan Stirton, Commissioner Wade Edwards and City Administrator John Calhoon, and Atchison Hospital CEO Jeff Perry.
Calhoon reported that he is confident that the purchase of Horton’s hospital is complete, and Perry said he will attend a future meeting of the Commission to discuss plans to re-open the Horton clinic. Calhoon stated that Perry would like to hold an open house prior to opening, and the Commission planned to call a Special Meeting the day of the open house and adjourn from City Hall to attend the open house.
(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)

Marion County planning commission to tackle wind farm regulations

County planning and zoning officials will direct their thoughts to Article 27 of wind energy conversion systems overlay district regulations during coming meetings in the hope of resolving controversy that arose in recent months over the regulations.

Much of the controversy has been spurred by regulations regarding the distance wind turbines must be set back from public roads, property lines of neighboring property, and residential structures not included in the permit area.

Concern from nonparticipating landowners spurred them to ask the board to look at Article 27, said planning and zoning commission chairman Derek Belton.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Hillsboro stands to lose if Census misses people

Hillsboro could lose as much as $46,220.40 in federal funding for each household not counted in the 2020 Census, a spokeswoman from the Kansas League of Municipalities told city council members Tuesday.

Census numbers are used both for redistricting the U.S. House of Representatives and allocation of federal funds.

“Millions and billions of dollars are involved,” Wendy Stark said. “The information will impact the population for 10 years.”

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Engaged citizens, investment in Old Town, and honors all around at Lenexa Mayor’s 2020 State of the City address

A happy and engaged citizenry, paired with continued investment from commercial developers are the outcomes of a long-term “pro-growth” attitude in Lenexa, Mayor Michael Boehm said Wednesday in his 18th State of the City address.

Citizen satisfaction survey results consistently rank Lenexa higher than the average city in the metro area over such services as public safety, parks and recreation and snow removal, as well as its long-term vision of planning growth throughout the city, Boehm said.

“When you see outstanding results time after time, it might be tempting to think that great outcomes are easily achieved; this is simply not the case,” Boehm said. “Our tremendous results are the work product of dedicated individuals who work to make our community exceptional.”

(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Osawatomie’s city manager position attracts 50 applicants

The city of Osawatomie’s search for a new city manager has attracted dozens of applicants.
“We had a total of 50 applicants for the city manager (position),” Mayor Mark Govea said Friday, Feb. 14.
(Read more: The Miami County Republic)