Kansas Municipal News
Armstrong takes helm of hospital
Jeremy Armstrong, the new administrator for Allen County Regional and Anderson County hospitals, is no stranger to small towns. He grew up in Wetmore, a town of about 300 north of Topeka, and served as the leader of small-town hospitals in Marion and Beloit. He knows that it takes time to get to know a community. He took over the hospitals in Iola and Garnett on Sept. 19, and has spent the past month getting to know the staff and physicians in each town. “Then I’ll make my way through the community,” he said. “Each community is a little unique in their culture and what makes them tick.”
Source: The Iola Register
Derby begins discussion of ward redistricting process
Per Derby charter ordinance 60, a review of the city’s ward boundaries was triggered this year, with the City Council starting that process at its Oct. 11 meeting. As outlined in the ordinance, when the total population deviation exceeds 10% between all four wards, adjustment to the ward boundaries is required. Currently, the population deviation sits at almost 34%. All four wards are also not within the required 5% of the average ward population.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Emporia discusses allowing chickens in city limits
The Emporia city commission is moving forward with the drafting of an ordinance that would allow for chickens within the city limits. The city has had a moratorium on permits for chickens since 2012, with chickens allowed in agricultural-zoned districts but not within residential areas. Recommended restrictions included a yearly $50 permit fee and inspection with a maximum of four chickens per lot or parcel. No roosters would be allowed and chickens would have to be enclosed in chicken coops or runs that meet the specified size and location requirements.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Marion to curb week-long parking
Marion’s streets aren’t parking lots. That’s what city council members decided Monday when they unanimously passed an ordinance to make it illegal to “park, store, or leave standing” any motor vehicle on public streets, parking areas, sidewalks, parks, and other city-owned property for more than seven continuous days. “I don’t think that’s unreasonable,” council member Zach Collett said.
Source: Marion County RECORD
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Record Interest in Rural Housing Development
Governor Laura Kelly has announced that months after she signed legislation to fund the expansion of rural housing development, a record number of rural cities and counties are planning to build more homes. “I’ve said it time and again: We need to build more housing so that every Kansas family can afford to put a roof over their head – and so we can attract and retain the workers needed to continue our record-breaking economic success,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Thanks to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation and the bipartisan legislation I signed earlier this year, we are poised to address that need and continue creating a better future for rural communities across the state.”
Source: News | atchisonglobenow.com
Overland Park unveils city’s first all-inclusive playground at renovated Strang Park
After undergoing $4 million worth of renovations, the new and improved Strang Park in Overland Park is officially open, with the city’s first-ever all-inclusive playground as its centerpiece. … The playground has several handicap accessible features, such as deck platforms for wheelchairs. A communication board with common words and symbols is also on site to appeal to nonverbal kids.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Wichita looks looking at procedural change to broaden daycare availability
In response to a desperate need for child care availability in the Wichita area, city and Sedgwick County officials will soon consider a change to its joint zoning code that could increase the capacity of home daycares from 10 to 12 children and more closely align with state regulations. If approved, the change would impact about 300 home daycares in Wichita.” By having them be able to have more kiddos, that’s more kids that can have access to child care,” said Wichita vice mayor Becky Tuttle, who was involved in the initiation of amending the Wichita-Sedgwick County unified zoning code.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
When is low too low? Topeka police chief and union are at odds regarding staffing question
Topeka’s police chief and an officeholder with the local Fraternal Order of Police voice starkly contrasting views about whether Topeka has as many sworn police officers as it needs. “We are operating fine, and we will continue to do so,” Police Chief Brian Wheeles said at a news conference last week. But Matt Blassingame, a Topeka Police Department officer who serves as the FOP’s chief steward here, disagreed. “TPD is currently experiencing a staffing crisis,” he said. The FOP represents Topeka police officers with the rank of sergeant and below in collective bargaining.
Source: CJonline
Lawrence City Commission approves raising age to buy tobacco, vaping products to 21
Lawrence city leaders have voted to raise the legal age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21 and to establish a local tobacco sales license and enforcement process. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted 5-0 to adopt two ordinances that raise the age to buy tobacco, establish the local license procedures, and various new provisions regarding tobacco use. The changes would cover traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes as well as synthetic products such as e-cigarettes or vapes.
Source: LJWorld
Emporia Main Street looking to increase resources for local “maker businesses” following two day seminar in Emporia
Already an organization known for its support of entrepreneurial success, Emporia Main Street is looking to grow the city’s reputation for housing several successful “maker businesses.” This past week, Emporia welcomed representatives of National Main Street for a two-day training where the focus was on “maker businesses,” businesses in which the majority of products are made in-house. While speaking with KVOE News, Emporia Main Street Director Casey Woods listed just a few of the community’s most successful makers. Woods says having these types of businesses in the local community helps to cut out supply chains, and thus reduce the level of impact supply chain shortages may have and helps to keep “the wealth” in the local community.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Municipal Bond Trends for October 18, 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 and Beth Warren.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces 12 “Rural Champions” Leading Local Community Efforts
Governor Laura Kelly today announced the 12 grant recipients of the Rural by Choice Champions Program (Rural Champions) that launched earlier this year in collaboration with the Patterson Family Foundation. The selected Rural Champions will be a part of a statewide network of grassroots individuals tackling critical projects in their respective communities. “I created the Office of Rural Prosperity in 2019 to bring attention to the needs of rural communities across Kansas,” Governor Kelly said. “By finding local solutions to local challenges, the Rural Champions program exemplifies the mission of the Office and all that rural Kansas can achieve.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Wichita names its next police chief, a former leader in Philadelphia department
Wichita’s next police chief will be Joseph P. Sullivan, a former leader in the Philadelphia Police Department. City Manager Robert Layton announced the decision Tuesday afternoon in a written statement. Sullivan’s start date is early December. “Joe Sullivan has a proven ability to successfully lead and manage a world-class police department,” Layton said in the news release. “I have every confidence that he is the right person at the right time to take on the challenging task of ensuring Wichita residents have trust in the integrity and transparency of our police department.”
Source: Wichita Eagle
Plan calls for Wichita to spend $31 million paving dirt roads over the next 10 years
The city of Wichita will spend $1 million paving dirt roads around schools in 2023. The City Council on Tuesday approved year one of a 10-year capital improvement plan to fund $31 million of paving projects near schools and in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Public Works and Utilities Director Alan King said 160 of the 5,100 lane miles managed by his department are dirt roads. “We have these islands within the city, within neighborhoods, of unpaved roads,” King told council members. “The historical approach to this has been to have petitions circulated and then the cost of those streets are borne by the people on that street.”
Source: Wichita Eagle
New hi-tech body cameras in use by Arkansas City Police Department
The $25,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice helps to pay for the first year of a five-year lease of the cameras at a total cost of $150,000, according to information provided by the city. Made by a company called Utility, Inc., the cameras offer several benefits the older ones didn’t. They are embedded into uniforms and can’t fall off, and the video can be uploaded remotely. They also can turn on automatically under certain circumstances, such as anytime an officer draws their handgun from its holster, begins to run, jostles or shakes, such as during a fight; activates lights or sirens in the car and unlocks the shotgun/rifle rack.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Emporia to discuss residential chickens Wednesday
Emporia City Commissioners will discuss keeping chickens within city limits during its Wednesday study session. Chickens have not been allowed outside of agricultural zoned areas since 2012. A number of citizens have expressed interest in keeping chickens over the years. The commission’s agenda shows staff have prepared a comparison chart of regulations from the 10 largest cities in Kansas that allow chickens, as well as the previous chicken regulations in the city of Emporia. Staff have recommended a $50 permit fee, a required inspection, written permission from a landlord and a maximum of four chickens allowed per property. Roosters are not being recommended.
Source: Emporia Gazette
KDOT New Online Tool for Planning
Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz today announced the release of an online interactive tool to enable Kansas counties to analyze county-owned roads and bridges and help determine priorities to meet the future needs of local road systems. Referred to as “KLIP,” the Kansas Local Infrastructure Planning Tool leverages counties’ existing road and bridge data and provides insights on local infrastructure conditions through an interactive viewer. County officials will be better able to prioritize and plan investments, including for critical connections among agricultural, rural and urban communities across Kansas. Secretary Lorenz announced the release of the KLIP Tool at the 47th Annual Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) Conference. The online tool was developed by the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Local Projects in coordination with the KAC and the Kansas County Highway Association (KCHA).
Source: Fort Scott Biz
Use of RVs as dwellings restricted in Great Bend
Someone wanting to live long-term in a recreational vehicle within Great Bend will have to do so at a campground, RV park or mobile home park after the City Council Monday night approved an ordinance establishing this requirement. Existing ordinances and regulations could be interpreted to prohibit the use of an RV parked on a lot as a residence. However, they do not clearly do so, City Attorney Allen Glendenning said. A complaint was made to the Code Enforcement Office about a trailer in the side yard of a residence being used as a residence for a family member. When the city code enforcement officer contacted the owner, he came before the council a few weeks ago and argued that the existing ordinances and regulation do not prohibit the use of on RV as a residence.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Wichita City Council approves catalytic converter ordinance WPD hopes will help slow thefts
It’s becoming a bigger issue in Wichita, catalytic converter thefts. Data provided by the Wichita Police Department shows just 187 reporter thefts in 2019 but 1,360 in 2021. “I know that the muffler shops and auto repair facilities are being contacted daily to have cars repaired and this has become a quality-of-life issue for everyone. This can influence anyone” WPD Sgt. Brian Safris told KAKE news Tuesday. He presented an ordinance to the Wichita City Council Tuesday that allows officers to confiscate any cut off converter that they believe might be stolen or that someone cannot prove is theirs.
Source: KAKE – News
Chiefs Travis Kelce gives back to Overland Park through community project
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is known for getting the job done on the football field. Now he’s also getting the job done in the community. Kelce is a member of the 2022 Lowe’s Home Team. He joined employees from the company and other volunteers Tuesday afternoon at the InterUrban Arthouse in Overland Park. They worked to clean and renovate the outdoor community arts and event space. They improved accessibility to the area, repaired fencing, installed lighting, and added an awning.
Source: KSN-TV