Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Emergency management volunteer groups consolidate, maintain shared focus

Restructuring of the Cowley County Emergency Management volunteer organizations went into effect Jan. 1, combining four groups into one large group with a shared vision and mission.

The four volunteer groups — Cowley County Emergency Auxiliary, the Community Emergency Response Team, the County Animal Response Team and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service — have consolidated in one group, retaining the name Cowley County Emergency Auxiliary (CCEA).

The change was made because a lot of the volunteers were members of multiple groups, said CCEM Director Brian Stone. This led to confusion from some members, who were unsure of which group they would work with if called upon during an emergency.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Labette law enforcement investigates heavy truck traffic en route to wind farm

Labette County law enforcement and road personnel are investigating trucks that may be illegally driving on roads in the north part of the county to service wind turbine sites in Neosho County.
Labette County Public Works Director Sandy Krider and Assistant Director Ralph George met with Labette County commissioners on Monday to discuss the issue.
The sheriff’s department on Wednesday and the Kansas Highway Patrol on Friday stopped gravel trucks that had been traveling on Gray or Jackson roads north of US-400 and 26000 Road for violating a county ordinance that prohibits commercial traffic and overweight vehicles on these roads.
(Read more: www.chanute.com – RSS Results in news,news/* of type article)

Municipal Bond Trends for January 28, 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 Advisors.

Topeka Mayor hopes to see city implement local preference legislation

Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla advocates having the city government implement legislation that would give preference to local companies in its procurement decisions, she said Tuesday.

De La Isla said she and city manager Brent Trout were working out the details of a proposal that would put such an arrangement in place while also providing preference to companies that employ a diverse workforce.

But the city wouldn’t choose a local company over an out-of-town one in some situations, such as if that meant the city had to spend “a million more dollars,” De La Isla said.

(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

KDOT secretary presents ideas for new highway plan

Kansas Department of Transportation secretary Julie Lorenz outlined her vision Tuesday for a long-range highway plan built around an evolving pipeline of projects and attention to technology needs.

She presented lawmakers in the Senate Transportation Committee with the plan for “Forward,” the agency’s proposal for the next in a series of long-term blueprints for addressing the state’s infrastructure needs.

The idea behind “Forward” is to identify and deploy major projects every two years, as opposed to mapping out 10 years worth of projects all at once. Under T-Works, the most recent highway plan, years of funding sweeps let to severe delays and the elimination of projects.

(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)

Unable to reach a contract agreement, Shawnee Mission teachers warn of ‘mass exodus’

Union representatives in the Shawnee Mission school district warned there could be a “mass exodus” of teachers now that the two sides have failed to agree on a new contract for this school year — despite negotiating since last spring.

“Special education (teachers) could walk out today. There are openings in districts 10 miles from here in special ed. Young teachers can go to other districts and make more money,” said Linda Sieck, president of the National Education Association-Shawnee Mission. “Secondary teachers might be willing to take a pay decrease to know that their district is interested in working with teachers.”

School district administration and union officials met for five hours on Tuesday to take one last stab at reaching a contract agreement. The unsuccessful final session followed months of negotiations and a state-mandated fact-finding process.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Here’s what to know about the coronavirus that might be in Lawrence, Kansas

On Tuesday the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced that a person in Lawrence is being investigated for possible exposure to the virus. Missouri health officials say they have not identified any cases of the virus.

Though deaths have been reported in China, most people who get sick from the virus will recover on their own, says the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

People infected usually spread it to other people by coughing or sneezing, or through personal contact — such as touching or shaking hands.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Dodge City police officer wasn’t using lights and sirens before deadly crash, cops say

A western Kansas police officer who crashed his patrol vehicle into a car, killing its driver, while responding to an emergency call was not using lights and sirens.

The wreck happened early Saturday morning as Cpl. Shane Harris was responding to a break-in in progress call, law enforcement officials said. Vanessa Guzman drove into the path of the patrol vehicle, and the resulting collision rolled her car over a guardrail. She was ejected as the car rolled and died of her injuries.

The Dodge City Police Department said Tuesday in an update on the case that the officer was not using lights and sirens. The officers responding to the original break-in report downgraded the emergency response from lights and sirens due to information they received while en route.

(Read more: Local News |)

Labette County Judge hearing cases in new location

Starting this week, a Labette County Judge will hear cases in a new location and county officials may have to spend money outside the budget to accommodate the change.

The 11th Judicial District has moved Judge Fred W. Johnson’s docket from the Labette County Judicial Center in Parsons to the courthouse in Oswego.

The change came from the direction of 11th Judicial District Chief Judge Oliver Kent Lynch of Columbus, who did not give a reason for the change.

County leaders say moving the judge’s docket will cost the county and the city money.

Reno County supports public health funding increase

The Reno County Commission on Tuesday offered support for a request to state lawmakers to nearly double the state’s allocation for a category of annual public health funding.

“The State Formula Grant, which is dedicated funding for the KDHE in the state’s budget, has remained flat since 1992,” Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti advised the commission.

The Kansas Association of Local Health Departments, of which Reno County is a member, is seeking a $4.1 million allocation next year, which is then dispensed to health departments around the state.

The annual allocation is now only $2.2 million, from which Reno County usually gets between $14,000 and $15,000, Baldetti said.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Butler County Fire District #3 helps Rose Hill PD with boa constrictor

Butler County Fire District # was asked by Rose Hill PD for assistance with an unusual call in Rose Hill.
A citizen called 911 and reported finding a six foot Boa Constrictor in their living room couch!

Municipal Bond Trends for January 27, 2020

10-year Treasury yield falls to lowest since October as coronavirus fears deepen

The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield hit its lowest level in more than three months as investors grew increasingly concerned about the economic impact of the fast-spreading coronavirus.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note… was lower at around 1.609%, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also lower at around 2.058%. The 10-year Treasury yield touched a low of 1.603% in the session, its lowest level since Oct. 10.
Chinese officials confirmed Sunday that there had been more than 2,700 confirmed cases of the deadly pneumonia-like virus, including 461 people in a critical condition as the death toll rose to 80.
(Read more: CNBC and Wall Street Journal.)

Olathe temporarily changes street to Chiefs Ave. ahead of Super Bowl

Getting ready for the Big Game on Sunday, the City of Olathe decided to unofficially change one of their street signs to Chiefs Ave. to help cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs as they face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

On Monday the city announced the new street signs, which can be found on Santa Fe Street in front of City Hall. The city also lined the street with flags.

People are allowed to stop by and take a selfie with the sign and post it on the city’s social media page.

(Read more: KSNT News)

Manhattan and Riley County leaders consider economic development sales tax renewal

Manhattan and Riley County leaders are taking the first steps towards renewing an economic development sales tax. This is a county wide half-cent sales tax that expires in 2022.

The tax generates around $4.5 million annually with $2.7 million going to the city of Manhattan. City and county leaders are now discussing whether to keep the tax as it is or expand it to include other parts of Manhattan and Pottawatomie County.

Assistant City Manager Dennis Marstall said the money gets used in a variety of ways across the city and county.

(Read more: KSNT News)

Diamond Vista gifts $85,000 to Hillsboro schools

After a longer than usual meeting, several actions were unanimously approved at the Hillsboro school board meeting on Jan. 13, including the acceptance of an $85,000 donation from the Enel Green Power Diamond Vista Wind Project. The gift will be placed in the gifts and grants fund line to allow more flexibility in using the funds said superintendent Max Heinrichs.

A representative from Prairie View mental health discussed options and ideas on providing social workers in the school. “This would allow us to make sure our students have someone to go to if needed,” said Heinrichs. “This is going to be a good partnering that we’re looking forward to.”

Activity accounts for student-led businesses — Blue Moon, KD Vinyl’s, Phire Designs, Wag’s N’ Whiskers, and Mr. Doth’s T-Shirt Business – were approved to handle finances these entrepreneurs will be raising to support their businesses.

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Johnson County city nixed controversial housing project. Now the developer is suing

Dozens of neighbors won a battle at City Hall last month when the Shawnee City Council rejected a $50 million housing development they worried would overcrowd the area

But now they risk losing the fight in court.

Johnson County development company Austin Properties is suing the city of Shawnee for denying its application to build apartments and homes on 30 acres along Woodsonia Drive, off Johnson Drive east of Kansas 7 highway. Plans included 14 triplexes with 42 townhomes, plus 16 multistory buildings with 380 apartments.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Former Marshall County Clerk sentenced to 2 years in prison for felony misuse of public funds

The former Marshall County Clerk has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for felony misuse of public funds, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said today.

Sonya L. Stohs, 44, of Marysville, pleaded guilty in November in Marshall County District Court to one count of felony misuse of public funds. District Judge John L. Weingart today sentenced Stohs to serve 32 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections with 24 months of post-release supervision. Additionally, Stohs was ordered to pay $372,003.12 in restitution to Marshall County and $438 in investigative and court costs.

The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service that showed between May 2013 and April 2019, Stohs used funds belonging to Marshall County to pay for various personal items, in excess of $100,000.

Merriam dedicates new aerial fire truck to serve Merriam, northern Overland Park residents

Merriam on Friday welcomed the latest addition to the fleet of fire equipment that serves the city: Truck 46, a $893,718 aerial truck.

A dedication ceremony was held Friday morning by the Overland Park Fire Department, which effectively merged with Merriam’s Fire Department back in 2014. The dedication included the cleaning of the tires and pushing of the truck into its bay, both traditions.

Capt. Pat Gantt said the department realized about five years ago — after Merriam and Overland Park began a partnership in which Merriam provides “fire coverage for the northernmost parts of Overland Park,” according to Merriam’s website — that the date for truck replacement needed to be moved up. Fire Chief Bryan Dehner said the purchase of the fire truck is not only the result of years worth of planning, it’s also a physical product of collaboration.

Austin Homes sues Shawnee over denial of Woodsonia West Multi-Family development

Austin Homes, a Johnson County-based development company owned by Greg Prieb, has sued the city of Shawnee for denying its application to build a multi-family project near Johnson Drive and K-7 Highway.

The Woodsonia West Multi-Family development was proposed as a $50 million project to build 42 townhome units in 14 triplex buildings and 384 apartment units in 16 multi-story buildings on about 29 acres in the 5300 block of Woodsonia Drive. The city council on Dec. 23 rejected a rezoning request and preliminary plan submittal from Prieb Homes on the project.

The Woodsonia plan had called for at least 14 dwelling units per acre — the underlying cause for concern for councilmembers and neighboring homeowners. Dozens of neighbors had come out in force and even signed a protest petition asking the city to reject the proposed plans in favor of a less dense project.

Two on Overland Park council prepare push to rescind tax abatement for Dimensional Innovations

Discord may be in store on the Overland Park City Council tonight as new member Scott Hamblin and mayoral candidate Faris Farassati try to rescind a tax abatement that was strongly favored by nine of the twelve-member council.

Hamblin and Farassati say the abatement is clouded by a faulty cost analysis and ethical concerns because of a family connection between one council member and a company official. But one council member who supported the tax break counters that it is a political move.

Hoping to discourage climbers, Roeland Park approves funding for landscaping around R Park sculpture

The Roeland Park city council last week approved material, installation and maintenance fees of up to $8,000 for landscaping around the See Red Run sculpture located at R Park, 5535 Juniper Drive. The piece, by artist Jorge Blanco, was commissioned after a citizens group raised funds for the public art and installed last May.

The Parks Committee brought forth a recommendation to approve funding for the landscaping around the sculpture — as it was not allocated for by the Arts Committee — in an effort to discourage people from climbing the art. The Parks Committee representative said going forward, the Arts Committee will not implement a piece of art without allocating funds for accompanying landscaping.

‘Can I afford staying in Kansas?’ Soaring property taxes prompt calls for state help

When Mary Coffman and her husband moved to Overland Park from Oklahoma City in 2014, they found a comparable home – and expected their property taxes to be about the same, too.

They were wrong.

The retirees went from paying around $2,600 a year in Oklahoma to $3,200 in Kansas. Six years after their move, Coffman said they’re handing over $5,600 a year, more than double their Oklahoma tax bill.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Kansas City suburbs slowly lift their pit bull bans. But a few haven’t budged

A couple of decades ago, suburbs across the Kansas City metro rushed to ban pit bulls — or dogs that even looked like the breed — after some highly publicized attacks.

But now, as animal rights advocates and dog owners argue that such laws amount to discrimination, one by one those cities are lifting their bans.

Kansas City, Kansas, and Liberty both removed their ordinances this past year, following the lead of Shawnee, Roeland Park and Fairway.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Owning LED streetlights is saving Shawnee Mission area cities money compared to other Kansas towns

This is a tale of two types of Kansas cities: Those who had the foresight to own their own streetlights and those who do not.

Those who do have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars — even, they say, with the added maintenance. And they’ve been able to save more money by switching to LED bulbs. The energy-efficient lights cost more upfront, but pay for themselves over time, eventually leaving more money in city coffers.

The other cities’ streetlights are owned by Evergy, which charges the same flat monthly rates for LED bulbs as older less-efficient lights. In these situations, the cities say there is virtually no savings, neither in the short-or long-term.

(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)

County discusses wind farm funding windfall to Galesburg and Thayer

As part of a road use agreement, developer Apex Clean Energy will provide Payments in Lieu of Taxes that would be created by the Neosho Ridge Wind electric-generation project in the southwest part of the county during the time the project is tax-exempt. Commissioners want some of the funds to benefit the two towns that are within the approximate area of leased and non-participating properties roughly described as the “footprint.”

Representatives of rural fire departments have asked for support, and Commissioner Gail Klaassen has offered $80,000, an amount provided by other wind farms to nearby communities. Commissioner David Orr said he wants Thayer and Galesburg to be treated equally.

(Read more: www.chanute.com – RSS Results in news,news/* of type article)

Municipal Bond Trends for January 24, 2020

Senate bill requires state to pay for recount of close municipal races

State Sen. Randall Hardy knows agony of defeat and joy of victory of a razer-thin municipal election.

The Salina Republican prevailed in a 2015 race for Salina City Commission after a recount of ballots resolved in his favor a 2,141 tie that was temporarily broken with a flip of a coin for his opponent. A recount revealed 40 ballots hadn’t been properly counted, and allocation of those votes provided Hardy the margin of victory.

“There was a jam in a counting machine,” he said. “It was kind of a fluke thing, but fortunate in my case.”

Ranchers, landowners battle feds over conservation, property rights

Ranchers in Oregon, Washington and Kansas have been battling the federal government over property rights and conservation efforts for decades.

The states argue that in most cases, land owners know best how to manage their own land, not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.

In Kansas and Washington, ranchers filed a motion to intervene over recent changes to endangered species’ policies proposed by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Salina Police launch alert system to help first responders with emergencies involving those with special needs

A Kansas dispatcher is paving the way for how police respond to emergencies involving those with special needs.

Amber Pfiefer, lead dispatcher with the Salina Police Department, has answered many emergency calls over her 12 year career but there’s one call a few years back she’ll never forget.

“We responded to a call with a citizen with special needs,”said Pfiefer. “At that time we didn’t realize he was special needs and he was being just non communicating, not responding to what the officers were wishing him to do.”

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Moderate income housing comes to a rural community

Its been almost 13 years since Greensburg was hit by a tornado, taking out homes and the towns’ population. Now, like most rural communities, they’re working to build more affordable housing to try and bring people in.

Greensburg and a dozen other communities were given a grant from the Kansas Moderate Income Housing Program to build housing that is affordable for those on a limited income.

With 400,000 dollars given to Greensburg, they have recently laid the foundation for two new duplexes, with the hope to have them completed by the end of summer 2020.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

New proposed KDOT program to help communities with construction

A new proposed Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) program, FORWARD, will help counties across the state with projects to improve their transportation needs.

That is, if the program is passed by the Legislature this session.

“KDOT wants to be a problem-solving partner with communities, with industry,” Deputy Secretary of Transportation Lindsey Douglas said. “We want to be able to respond to their needs sooner.”

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Hutchinson landlords: City’s response to building-code violations goes too far

Some landlords in Hutchinson say it’s time for an end to what they say is the city’s overbearing enforcement of building code violations.
The city says the program in place is meant to keep tenants safe and rental properties maintained. Wednesday, Eyewitness News spoke with landlords on and off camera about why they say something needs to change.
“It’s all treated like a criminal matter,” Hutchinson rental property owner Robin Jackson says. “I think that’s a problem. I think that causes a lot of antagonism.”

(Read more: KWCH News)

Recruiting efforts looking up for the Topeka Police Department

After several years where it was nearly impossible to find people willing to consider a career as a Topeka police officer, things are on the upswing.

Lead recruiting officers for the Topeka Police Department credit a shift in strategies for their newfound success.

Sgt. Matt Cobb, lead instructor for the Topeka Police Department Academy, said recruiting officers now target prospective candidates in much the same way a college coach or military recruiter would try to sell his or her program to a prospect.

County, lawmakers battle secretary of state over law saying where you can vote

Sedgwick County is turning to the state Legislature to try to force Secretary of State Scott Schwab to let county voters choose their own polling place in this year’s upcoming elections.

A Republican lawmaker has agreed to introduce a bill to let the County Commission change the voting procedure without Schwabb’s blessing.

Meanwhile, the top Senate Democrat says he may take Schwab to court in an effort to make him comply with a law passed last year.

(Read more: Local News |)

Pratt takes action on regional fire-training facility

Pratt City Fire Department Chief David Kramer’s vision for a regional fire-training facility in Pratt moved from the drawing board to an action plan at the regular Pratt City Commission meeting, Monday, January 20, when Pratt City Commissioners unanimously approved $13,360 for the purchase of four storage containers, which includes delivery to Pratt from Kansas City.
“This is one of our priorities,” Kramer said. “We really don’t have any other big target items in this year’s budget.“
Each of the containers is 40 feet long by eight feet wide by nine feet tall and, when situated with three containers running lengthwise with the fourth forming a T-shape at one end, will provide approximately 1,200 square feet of training space, according to Kramer.

(Read more: Pratt, KS – Pratt Tribune)

City of Winfield begins census outreach

The City of Winfield is beginning in earnest the local outreach effort related to the upcoming census.
To kickstart the effort, the city worked locally with Cardinal Sign in Winfield to produce custom magnets displaying the Kansas Census Logo and Winfield to attach to 75 of the city’s various fleet vehicles in code enforcement, police, fire, water, wastewater, natural gas and electric departments.
Beginning in mid-March, households can respond to the census online or by phone. About one-quarter of households will receive a follow-up paper questionnaire at that time. Beginning in mid-April, households that have not responded will receive a paper questionnaire.
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com)

Municipal Bond Trends for January 23, 2020

Overland Park council will look into request for stricter enforcement of code on sidewalk snow removal

City council members say they are willing to look into an Overland Park resident’s request for stricter sidewalk snow removal enforcement. But any action, if it comes at all, won’t happen this year.

The city council’s public works committee asked staff to look into how other communities enforce sidewalk shoveling after hearing concerns from Rebecca Crowder. Crowder had asked that the city take a stricter approach to snow shoveling by requiring residents to remove snow and ice from their walks within 48 hours and businesses within 24 hours.

(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)

Program details founding of Chanute

It started with a cluster of communities competing for the economic benefits of a railroad line.

“Each town site represents the belief of where the two railroads were going to cross,” [historian Jim] Whaley said.

Where the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas railroad tracks met would be the prime location for development.

“Town buildings was something of an art,” Whaley said, and entrepreneurs wanted to be in early. He said there are 17 different stories about where people believed that junction would be.

(Read more: www.chanute.com)

JoCo will pay half cost of controlling dust in front of homes in unincorporated areas

Starting this year, Johnson County Government will pay half the cost of controlling dust in front of homes on the 135 miles of gravel roads in the county’s unincorporated areas. Residents must pay the other half.

Dust generated by traffic can be a headache, finding its way onto parked vehicles and inside homes. For the first 100 residents who sign up for the program, the county will spray magnesium chloride on a 400-foot-stretch of roadway in front of the home. The substance creates a cement-like surface, but the road will retain its gravel look. The applications are tentatively planned for May and June.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Olathe-based Docs Who Care aims to offer help in rural areas

When you live in Johnson County, it might be hard to imagine a hospital that only has one doctor present at any given time.

For rural hospitals, that’s just a fact of everyday life. It gets rough when they have trouble filling that position.

That’s where Olathe-based Docs Who Care comes into the picture. The 25-year-old organization matches doctors and advanced practice providers, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, who want more non-traditional schedules and rural hospitals that need healthcare providers.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

22,000-square-foot research facility opens in Wamego

A major agriscience company with global reach has announced the opening of a 22,000-square-foot research facility in this Pottawatomie County town of nearly 5,000 people.

Corteva Agriscience, an American-owned agriculture company that employs more than 21,000 people globally, announced Thursday that it has opened a research facility in Wamego’s industrial park, located on the east edge of the city.

The facility, which officially opened Jan. 17, will serve as a research center focusing on discovering new traits for corn, sorghum, wheat and soybeans.

(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)

Lawmakers, officials discuss future of passenger rail in Kansas

Nearly a hundred people came to the Kansas Capitol to meet with lawmakers and stress that Kansas needs to invest in passenger rail.

Sedgwick Senator Carolyn Mcginn hosted the meeting. People attending included Kansas legislators, out-of-state officials with a vested interest in rail, an Amtrak official, and a Kansas Department of Transportation official.

McGinn said this is the third meeting she has hosted on updating where the state sits, and it keeps getting bigger.

She said expanding train service would benefit the economy and Kansans.

(Read more: KSNT News)

Reno County eyes study of rural fire departments

Though anticipating it may not be well accepted by some departments in the county, the Reno County Commission this week indicated support for hiring a consultant to evaluate the county’s eight volunteer fire districts.

Emergency Management director Adam Weishaar sought the look by an outside agency to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the exiting services and their future needs.

“Several fire chiefs want to expand, remodel or build new fire stations,” Weishaar told the county commission, noting at least three departments have requested or are studying the issue. “We’re looking at costs into the millions.”

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)