Kansas Municipal News
Parents petition to ban cell phones in Lawrence schools
More than 100 parents of students in the Lawrence school district have signed a petition in support of a districtwide ban of cell phones in classrooms. Justin Blumenstiel, a parent of a Free State High School student, told the school board Monday that he and fellow petitioners support teachers who have called for a stricter, more cohesive cell phone policy. “I know that the school board is considering these matters very strongly, and I really recommend urgency on these matters,” Blumenstiel said. More than 80 Lawrence educators signed a petition at the end of the past school year proposing students’ phones be stored in a designated area from the first bell until the last bell of the day. Some educators further advocated for a cell phone during the school board meeting on June 24. They said cell phone usage in their classrooms has become a crisis, and having to use their discretion can cause conflict with students or take away from instructional time. Across the district, students aren’t to have their cell phones out while they’re in class. Elementary and middle school policies don’t allow students to use their phones at all during school hours unless granted permission. High school students, however, are still permitted to use their phones outside of class time. Blumenstiel said parents hope their petition boosts support for concerned teachers. Parents with students at all elementary, middle and high schools in the district signed. They’re requesting the district implement a plan by the end of the fall semester to go into effect during spring 2025.
Source: The Lawrence Times
A Sedgwick County vote on solar regulations could kill $200M project
Sedgwick County Commissioners will vote Wednesday on alternative regulations proposed for commercial and utility-based solar projects. The regulations, if approved, could end a proposed Chisholm Trail Solar Energy Center, a 750-acre solar project between Colwich and Maize by Chicago-based renewable energy company Invenergy. More specifically, the proposed regulations would prohibit projects in urban areas of influence — urban land where utility-based solar projects are not permitted — and require projects to be no more than 1,280 acres. “If the county enacts this particular ban, our Chisholm Trail Solar Energy Center project will lose the opportunity to submit a Conditional Use Permit application,” Meredith Abdou, vice president of Renewable Generation at Invenergy said. Abdou said all three quality points of interconnection for utility solar projects in the county are located either in or around urban areas of influence. “Enacting this requirement would seriously hamper the county’s efforts to attract utility-scale solar development because these projects must be sited near points of interconnection to deliver their power to the electrical grid,” she said. The Invenergy project has drawn strong reactions from clean energy advocates and fast-growing communities in the area. “Every county must balance the interests of growing communities and landowners’ private property rights,” Kansas Power Alliance’s Josh Svaty said.”Sedgwick County has historically created a collaborative environment where business development interests and community interests are blended, and we would hope that environment would continue.”
Source: Wichita Business Journal
City Council to have more talks on a plan for paid parking downtown
In a marathon, ten-hour meeting Tuesday, Wichita City Council members heard an update and review of a plan to convert to paid parking downtown, as they held their second hearing on the city’s budget for 2025. Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson said the plan to go to a paid system is part of a parking and multimodal plan that was adopted by the Council in 2023. He said the city’s parking fund can cover basic operations but it’s not providing enough to cover needed maintenance and repair of parking garages and facilities. A parking fee is expected to generate over $3 million a year, and it would provide for lighting, security and safety improvements as well as maintenance needs. Anderson said the fee that has been discussed would be in a range of 75 cents to two dollars an hour, based on the recovery of maintenance and operational costs, credit card fees and best practices. He said businesses downtown would have options for providing parking for their employees. The city has received some pushback from residents over the plan, and a number of informational meetings have been scheduled over the next few weeks to get public input. The plan is scheduled to go into effect on January 1st, 2025.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Municipal Bond Trends for August 13, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
These 14 Kansas cities lost the most people last year, state report says
The report, which uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau, also shows that 14 Kansas cities lost at least 100 people last year. Most of them are in more rural areas of the state.
Source: Hutch News
These 18 Kansas cities gained the most people last year, state budget office report says
…population growth varied widely across the state and even within counties, according to the report, which uses U.S. Census Bureau data. There were 18 cities that gained at least 100 people, with many of the biggest winners being suburbs in the Kansas City and Wichita metro areas.
Source: Salina Journal
Crisis City near Salina helps prep medical search and rescue teams for disaster
Search and rescue crews from across the state and U.S. took part in training at Crisis City last week, culminating in a simulated rescue operation Friday night. Twenty-three paramedics and physicians, all of whom are part of urban search and rescue task forces in Kansas and across the country, spent three days of classes and simulations as part of the Medical Team Specialist course from Disaster Medical Solutions (DMS) at Crisis City.
Source: Salina Journal
More Topekans are being cited for grass growing too high
The Topeka Police Department’s property maintenance unit enforces the ordinance involved, as well other property maintenance ordinances, said Rosie Nichols, public safety communications specialist for Topeka’s city government. This year’s rise in vegetation violations may be related to an increase in staffing, Nichols said. “In previous years, there were six inspector positions and one field supervisor, and today there are 10 inspectors with one field supervisor,” she said.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for August 12, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Action delayed on solar regulations for Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County Commissioners have delayed action on zoning regulations that would cover large-scale solar projects. Commissioners heard reports at their regular meeting Wednesday on proposed amendments to the Unified Zoning Code on definitions, standards and requirements for commercial solar systems. The county also hired the Virginia firm of The Berkley Group to look over the proposed regulations and look at best practices across the country. Michael Zehner, a representative from the Berkley Group, said the goal is to ensure that Solar Energy Conversion System developments meet community needs and are consistent with best practices. The regulations would prohibit large solar projects in urban growth areas, and projects could be no closer than two miles from another solar project. There would also be definitions and standards for construction, solar equipment, groundwater testing and other factors. Commissioners also heard public comments with mixed reactions to the prospect of having solar facilities in unincorporated areas of the county.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Ark City asks residents to conserve water
Arkansas City residents are being asked to temporarily reduce their water use. City commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to implement a class one, stage one, water watch. A stage one designation is generally issued to encourage water conservation awareness during times of drought. The restrictions are not mandatory and citations will not be issued. Environmental Services Superintendent Rod Philo explained why the restriction was being put into place. “It’s mid-summer, we haven’t had any rain, and everybody’s watering,” he said. “This kicks in when our storage is down to 85%. Actually today, we’re down to about 65%.” The city would be in trouble if a large water main would break. Mayor Jay Warren pointed out that the city had experienced several small water-line breaks during the past couple of weeks. “It’s not because we’re short of water,” he said “I don’t want the public to get scared that we don’t have plenty of water, we do in reserves.” According to municipal code, class one restricts the use of water for gardens, lawns, trees, shrubs, parks, golf courses and pools. The washing of vehicles and the outside of buildings is also restricted.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Kansas lawmakers use subpoena to force Ford County clerk to cooperate with election audit
The Kansas Legislature’s bipartisan auditing committee voted to issue a subpoena to compel the Ford County clerk to cooperate with the state’s security examination of voting-related documentation and equipment used in the 2022 general election. House and Senate members participating in the committee meeting Monday took the extraordinary step of immediately relaunching the election security audit investigation that had been stalled long ago by Ford County Clerk Debbie Cox. The committee directed Cox to comply with audit team information requests helpful in evaluating accuracy of voting machines relied on during the statewide election two years ago. In addition, Cox must provide auditors access by Aug. 14 to storage units, ballots and devices used to count votes in that election. Rep. Shannon Francis, a Republican from Liberal in southwest Kansas, offered the motion to affirm the post-auditing staff’s authority to investigate Ford County’s election processes. He proposed a separate motion triggering Article 10, Chapter 46 of Kansas statute that outlined how investigating committees could use power of a subpoena to compel individuals to cooperate with audits. Both motions were approved without debate. When the Division of Post Audit initiated a 15-county review of election security standards, they discovered Ford and Chase county officials sealed most election documents in the same containers with original paper ballots. The practice of locking away ballot activity documents or equipment transfer records in containers with ballots didn’t comply with the Kansas Open Records Act mandating retention and inspection of certain election-related records.
In addition, Ford County refused to let the Legislature’s auditors inspect the county’s election management computer. That meant auditors couldn’t determine whether the election computer was properly disconnected from the internet or had non-election software installed on it.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe
‘Under Five Flags’ documentary premieres at Boot Hill Museum
Dodge City has always been a melting pot of diversity, and the documentary titled “Under Five Flags,” which premiered on Thursday, Aug. 1 at the Boot Hill Museum Mariah Gallery, reflects this rich history. Tracing history, the short film reveals how Ford County has been governed by five different flags in its history: France, Spain, the Republic of Texas, Mexico, and the United States. A collaborative effort between various organizations, including Humanities Kansas, Dodge City Community College (DC3), the City of Dodge City’s Cultural Relations Advisory Board, Main Street Dodge City, and Boot Hill Museum, the documentary condenses more than 500 years of history into a 13-minute film. Following the screening, a panel of experts and the film’s historians took the stage to answer questions and discuss the film. Included on the panel were Holly Mercer, DC3 Library Director; Melissa McCoy, Dodge City Assistant City Manager of Public Affairs and staff person for the Cultural Relations Advisory Board; Coral Lopez, Main Street Dodge City Director; Keith Wondra, Boot Hill Museum Curator of Exhibits and Interpretation; and Dr. Leo Oliva, Kansas historian, who served as a consultant for this Humanities Kansas project.
Source: Dodge City Daily Globe
Burrton working to attract more industry
With the assistance of Harvey County Economic Development, Burrton is taking steps to start an industrial park. Missy Ducimetiere, mayor of Burrton, said talks began a few years ago but never were finalized. When Ducimetiere took over as mayor in January, the committee reached out to her. When she attended her first meeting, she was immediately interested. “I said, ‘How can we do this?’” Ducimetiere said. The first step is estimating costs to add utilities to areas that aren’t developed. “We’re in very preliminary stages,” Ducimetiere said. She hopes to have the estimates ready for the economic development committee (EDC) by December. Then they would make a plan of potential areas with acreage available and potential costs. Then Harvey County Economic Development can give that information to potential businesses. “When the industries make requests, if we have properties that fit those parameters, the EDC can recommend Burrton,” Ducimetiere said.
Source: Harvey County Now
Why doesn’t Harvey County have a brewery? Local businesses, brewers, police talk about 30 percent food rule
Why doesn’t Harvey County have a brewery? It’s a question enjoyers of craft beer, supporters of economic development and people looking for social spaces have asked over the years while watching neighboring communities. By fall, Butler County will have four. Reno County and McPherson County both support breweries. And Sedgwick County has had 14 different licenses granted for the establishments. The law in Harvey County is that any establishment with a liquor license—which breweries must obtain—has to derive 30 percent of its revenue from food sales.
Four Kansas brewery owners referenced the “30 percent rule.” “It’s a ridiculous rule,” Walnut River Brewing Partner B.J. Hunt said. “You don’t go to Dillons and say, ‘You bought four packages of hot dogs; you have to buy four packages of buns.’ Maybe you just like hot dogs.”
Adam Kraft, opening Park Bench Brewery this fall in Augusta, explained that he’d not have opened in Augusta, had the rule not recently been repealed in Butler County. “I would have sought out a place that didn’t have that rule,” he said. “It’s enough of an expense what I’m doing to start this up. I don’t have the capability to open this up and have a kitchen.” “The way the law was set up, it was literally impossible for us to hit 30 percent food sales without building a whole restaurant,” he said. “If you’re a beer-selling establishment, you’ll never be able to hit 30 percent food sales.” On Nov. 5, a question as to whether to opt out of the 30 percent food requirement is on the ballot for Harvey County.
Source: Harvey County Now
New slides make positive impact at Holton pool
Recent oppressive heat drove several young people in Holton to the city’s municipal swimming pool, where kids of all ages took advantage of a pair of water slides in their quest to keep cool that day. One of them was nine-year-old Jaxon Miller of Holton, who took turns going down each of the slides, a recent addition to the pool. “They’re really fun! We’re really happy to have them,” Miller said of the slides, which he added provides him with opportunities to go down differently each time. Eleven-year-old Graysen Aubert of Holton, joining Miller in using the slides that afternoon, agreed, saying the two slides were a great addition to the pool. And when the two youngsters were asked which slide they liked best, their answer was the same: “Both!” It’s a common reaction to the slides, according to pool manager Jessica Rogers, who noted that kids of all ages have been enjoying them since their addition to the pool in early June.
Source: Holton Recorder
Jackson County donates $30K toward library expansion project
Fund-raising efforts to expand Beck Bookman Library received a boost on Monday after the Jackson County Commissioners presented a $30,000 check on behalf of the county to Amy Austin, library director. The donated funds were from the county’s tax on alcohol sales. “We think this is a great way to use that money,” Commissioner Keith Kelly said. So far, about $1 million of the $2.5 million fund-raising goal has been raised for the expansion project, which will allow the library to provide a free meeting space and private work/meeting rooms in the community, as well as make the building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The project will also nearly double the children’s area at the library and add a space specific for teens. Austin and library board members and supporters have been meeting with different organizations and business owners to discuss the project and ask for support. “In the last couple of weeks, we’ve had an influx of families coming in because we have great air conditioning,” Austin said. “We have to run it constantly, and we’re hoping it holds out until we can get new AC units.”
Source: Holton Recorder
‘I get to keep my memories’: Tenant purchases home, former public housing unit
Lawonder Markham’s home is her comfort place — it’s where she raised her daughter, where she took care of her mother until she died and where she’s lived since 2003. But she didn’t own her home until July. It used to be public housing. The city of Wichita announced plans in January of 2022 to sell its 352 single-family public housing units. Tenants were given the option to begin the process to purchase and own their home. Markham leaped at the opportunity to purchase her home. “I’ve been through a lot of stuff in this house. I don’t want to lose my memories,” she said. Markham said the City was attentive to all of her needs throughout the process and it went “so smoothly.” “God didn’t want me to move; He wanted it to be my home because I got so many memories here, and I didn’t want to move,” she said.
Source: KLC Journal
Kansas counted 2,800 homeless people this year. There are likely many more.
Every year on a single night in January, hundreds of volunteers fan out in several communities across the state of Kansas to count every homeless person they encounter – on streets, in shelters, along rivers and within motel rooms. This year, organizers counted 2,815 homeless Kansans across the state, according to numbers released Wednesday by the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition. This is a 6.8% increase from last year’s total of 2,636. This tally, called the point-in-time count, is important for establishing a foundation for how prevalent homelessness is in communities across the country. But it’s data gathered on one night in the dead of winter – and homelessness fluctuates throughout the year. Why does the point-in-time count matter? What does counting our homeless tell service providers? How does surveying homeless people benefit local policy? “Point-in-time gives us an idea of what the gaps are and where we need to focus these resources. There’s also a housing inventory count that takes place at the same time,” Lowe says. “So if we go out and do the count and see that there’s an increasing number of unsheltered people, we’ve got to focus our resources on addressing unsheltered homelessness,” which involves a person living in a place not meant for human habitation, whether that’s a car, park or abandoned building. “If we go out and there’s a whole lot of senior citizens, we need to go after resources to address that population,” Lowe says. Another incentive: the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires communities to conduct a point-in-time count at least every other year for points in the nationwide competition for federal funding.
Source: KLC Journal
Arma gears up for 78th annual VJ Day homecoming
The community of Arma is preparing for its 78th annual Arma VJ Day Homecoming. The celebration is to remember and mark the end of World War II. The event is starting on Thursday, August 8 with activities including pickleball and golf tournaments, a parade, concert, car show and a dance.
Source: KOAM News