Kansas Municipal News
Wichita to put more artificial grass in city park
A Wichita park that was once synonymous with homelessness, drunkenness and drug use is celebrating a new reality — popularity due to its new design and community events. Now, that popularity is forcing a change from natural grass to artificial turf. Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas, was remodeled and reopened in 2021 as an outdoor gathering space for residents and visitors and a place to relax between stops at nearby businesses. It has a stage, dog run, water feature, lots of natural grass and some artificial grass.
Source: KSN-TV
Oswego police make arrest in Santa heist
A rural Parsons man made his way onto not only Santa’s naughty list but law enforcement’s after stealing a $3,000 Santa from Riverside Park in Oswego and selling it. Oswego Police Chief George Elliott on Monday said Kyle Neal Kirk, 32, of 4066 Trinity Road, was arrested for the theft Saturday in Oswego when he left his home to pick up Christmas presents for his children from an Angel Tree Project at the First Christian Church in Oswego. The Oswego Police Department took the theft of the Santa on Nov. 27 seriously, devoting extensive man hours to searching for it, Elliott said.
Source: Parsons Sun
Labette County employees to receive pay raises
Labette County hourly employees will get a 17% raise and salaried employees will get a 25% bump effective the first pay period in January. Labette County commissioners decided on the wage increases after a discussion Monday prompted by a motion by Commissioner Lonie Addis for pay increases. Addis motioned for all hourly employees to get a pay increase equal to three ranges on the county pay scale. In each department, up to 33% of these employees could be considered by the department head for a four-range increase. All salaried employees would receive a 25% increase under Addis’ motion. The motion excluded the county attorney’s office, which got a bump in wages based on the action by former County Attorney Stephen Jones before he left office, and the county Juvenile Justice Authority.
Source: Parsons Sun
Shawnee Mission boosts sub teacher pay — again
Shawnee Mission substitute teachers are getting another pay increase. The district says it is still struggling to fill daily teacher absences, and the amended substitute agreement approved by the school board Monday night aims to get more subs to fill in for full-time teachers. All daily substitutes will receive an extra $20 on Fridays, a move expected to cost the district up to $140,000, according to board documents. In addition, special education substitute pay will increase to $155 daily, which comes with an expected price tag of up to a $92,000.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Humboldt girl asks city to allow poultry in city limits
If charm were the deciding factor, then there’s little doubt 8-year-old Tessa Lou Francis would have convinced Humboldt council members that she should be allowed to raise chickens at her home at 620 Sycamore. With a bow in her hair and a demeanor as sweet as candy, Miss Francis, the daughter of Tim and Kelly Francis, pleaded her case. “One benefit of chickens is that they provide healthy food, and with food being so expensive, this can save money,” Tessa Lou said. “When you go to Walmart, eggs cost $5 a dozen. But if you have chickens, you’re lucky, because you get them for free.” … Clearly captivated, council members began discussing the possibility of changing city codes to accommodate Miss Francis when City Attorney Fred Works brought them back to Earth.
Source: The Iola Register
10-year Treasury yield drops below 3.5% after inflation reading comes in lighter than expected
Treasury yields slid on Tuesday after data showed inflation rose less than expected for November. The yield on the 10-year Treasury dropped 7 basis points to 3.55%. The 2-year Treasury was last down by 12 basis points to 4.27%…. The consumer price index, which measures a wide basket of goods and services, rose just 0.1% from the previous month, and increased 7.1% from a year ago, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been expecting a 0.3% monthly increase and a 7.3% 12-month rate. … Many investors are expecting the central bank to implement a 50 basis point rate hike when its meeting ends on Wednesday. They will also be looking to Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s press conference on Wednesday for insights into the central bank’s economic expectations and policy plans.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2022-9: City regulation of propane or natural gas tanks
Synopsis: The Kansas Energy Choice Act prohibits city ordinances that restrict where propane or natural gas tanks may be used but does not prohibit the regulation of the size and placement of these tanks in all instances. Cities cannot directly enforce federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions
Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2022-8: Incompatibility of offices doctrine
Synopsis: Sheridan County has established a hospital and provided for its governance by an elected board pursuant to K.S.A. 19-4601 et seq. K.S.A. 19-205 does not preclude a person employed in the hospital as a clinic director from serving as a county commissioner. The common law doctrine of incompatibility of offices does not preclude a person from concurrently serving as Sheridan County commissioner and clinic director.
Source: Kansas Attorney General Opinions
Municipal Bond Trends for December 12, 2022
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.
Lawrence city leaders to consider barring landlords from discriminating against tenants with housing vouchers
City leaders will soon consider prohibiting landlords from denying prospective tenants based solely off their use of a government housing voucher or other forms of rental assistance, as well as other statuses. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider amending city code to “provide equal opportunity to obtain housing regardless of source of income or status as a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking,” according to a city staff memo. The commission will also receive a presentation from the Human Relations Commission regarding additional policy recommendations.
Source: LJWorld
JoCo Sheriff’s Office sees uptick in applicants after pay hike
Johnson County officials say the Sheriff’s Office has seen a noticeable increase in new applicants following a pay raise for deputies in September. Tom Dugan, the finance director for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, updated the Board of County Commissioners last week on the department’s staffing levels, saying they were seeing “many” more qualified applicants than before the pay raise.
Source: Prairie Village Post
City clearing residents out of North Lawrence homeless camp
The City of Lawrence has begun issuing notices to people to clear their campsites in preparation for closing a city-managed campsite in North Lawrence for those experiencing homelessness. Originally, the city estimated that the camp… would be in place until March 12, at which time the city anticipates opening a longer-term campsite in another, yet-to-be-determined location. However, the city also recently said it would be following its camping ordinance that allows camping in the downtown district only when there are no available shelter beds. The city opened the Winter Emergency Shelter in the Community Building, 115 W. 11th St., on Dec. 1 ….
Source: LJWorld
A guide to KBOR, governing body of Kansas higher education
The price tag on a college education, especially at a four-year school, has increased drastically over the past two decades, and the cost of tuition and fees can be a deciding factor in where a student chooses to study. In Kansas, universities’ tuition decisions are controlled by The Kansas Board of Regents, the governing body for the state’s higher education institutions. Despite KBOR playing a huge role in higher education, many students don’t know what or who the board is.
Source: The Sunflower
Structure fire keeps firefighters and EMS from several towns busy
The Winfield Fire/EMS Department responded this morning to a house fire in the 400 block of E. 6th Ave. early Sunday morning. … The Winfield Fire Department received help from Arkansas City Fire/EMS, Burden Fire and Udall Fire. The Winfield Police Department and the City of Winfield Public Utility crews assisted at the scene as well.
Source: KAKE – News
Evergy to explain increase in spending plan
The Kansas Corporation Commission wants to know the reasoning behind Evergy’s increase in their capital spending plan. A plan filed by Evergy earlier this year showed a $1.2-billion increase in spending when compared to a plan that had been filed in 2021. In September of this year, the KCC issued an order that stated in part, “Evergy’s Capital Improvement Plan affects the majority of Kansans and thus requires public scrutiny.” During a meeting Tuesday morning, Evergy will have a chance to explain the reasoning behind the increased spending plan, and what impact the change will have on customers.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
State Tournament for “National Archery in the Schools Program” to Remain in Hutchinson
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the Kansas State Fairgrounds and Visit Hutch are proud to announce that the Kansas “National Archery in the Schools Program” (NASP) State Tournament will remain in Hutchinson for a minimum of five years. Previously, the Kansas NASP State Tournament moved locations. However, following positive feedback from the Tournament being held in Hutchinson in 2021, the three coordinating entities quickly began discussions about a long-term agreement that would ensure continued success of the Tournament. As a result, the next State Tournament will be held March 24-25, 2023, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, with at least four more annual Tournaments to follow.
Source: All Web News
Kansas court affirms $9.9 million payment to state treasury from 32-state vaping settlement
A district court judge in Kansas affirmed a $9.9 million settlement to the state resolving an investigation of allegations e-cigarette manufacturer Juul Labs engaged in deceptive marketing and sales practices appealing to youth who couldn’t legally purchase the product. Attorney General Derek Schmidt said the money would be deposited in the state’s general treasury over the next six to 10 years. There would be no mandatory use of those funds. The payment was part of a $438 million agreement between Juul and 32 states and Puerto Rico. The consent judgment in Kansas was approved by Shawnee County District Judge Thomas Luedke.
Source: Atchison Globe Now
Overland Park approves controversial apartment project at 135th, Antioch
Four neighborhood meetings, two planning commission meetings and two City Council meetings later, Minneapolis-based Ryan Cos. won approval for an apartment project in Overland Park. On Monday evening, the Overland Park City Council approved Ryan Cos.’ revised preliminary plan and rezoning request for a 413-unit apartment project at the southwest corner of 135th Street and Antioch Road. The project required a deviation from the city’s Unified Development Ordinance to allow for building length over 200 feet. Neighbors had argued that deviations were illegal, though on Monday evening, staff disagreed and approved the request.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Lenexa considering massive mixed-use project along K-10
Lenexa city leaders are considering an all-in-one mixed-use — residential, office, industrial, commercial — on 112 acres along Kansas Highway 10. The Lenexa City Council unanimously remanded the proposed Cedar Canyon West project, an unusual all-in-one mixed-use project, asking for further review Tuesday. The project would include residential, office, industrial, commercial space on 112 acres along Kansas Highway 10. The Lenexa Planning Commission will now work with developer … on potential adjustments to the plan…
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
How Long Should Powell Keep Raising Interest Rates? Fed Officials Are Divided
In the past nine months, Jerome Powell has raised interest rates at the fastest pace of any Federal Reserve chair since the 1980s, triggering a market rout, bringing the housing market to a standstill and prompting fears of an imminent recession. That was the easy part. When inflation was hitting 40-year highs, Fed officials were unanimous that rates needed to rise aggressively. Now cracks are beginning to emerge among them over how stubborn inflation has become and what they should do about it. Some expect inflation to cool steadily next year and want to stop raising rates soon. Others worry inflation won’t ease enough next year, a scenario that calls for raising rates higher or holding them at that level for longer, boosting the chance of a sharp downturn.
Source: Wall Street Journal