Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

K-State announces $105M in capital improvement project

Kansas State announced a $105 million capital improvement project Saturday that includes a large renovation of Bill Snyder Family Stadium and additional projects to help other athletic programs.

The school already has raised $69 million for the work, which will begin in May.

The biggest projects involve the football program. The stadium will get new south end zone suites along with a new indoor practice facility, and outdoor practice fields will be built next door.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

CVB supports the Gastro Park idea

The Geary County CVB Director Michelle Stimatze is on board with a proposal to establish a new Gastro Park in the 900 block of North Washington in downtown Junction City.

Stimatze noted that when long term groups such as contractors come into the city they want things to do. “Not only would it add a unique atmosphere to the downtown area, and I think we would defintely see some results from it.

Stimatze also sees the proposed project as a potential boost to the transient guest tax paid by visitors to the community using local lodging facilities.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Elected officials to discuss sign rules, sheriff’s office expansion

City of Topeka sign rules and the potential construction of more office space for the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office are among topics local elected officials plan to take up this coming week.

The Shawnee County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Monday in its chambers in Room B-11 of the County Courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th. The Topeka City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in its chambers at 214 S.E. 8th.

Commissioners will consider authorizing Sheriff Brian Hill to seek qualifications information from companies interested in being hired to build additional walls and offices at the sheriff’s office headquarters at the Law Enforcement Center, 320 S. Kansas Ave.

That office needs to add office space and create a secure area for its criminal investigations division, Hill told commissioners in a recent memorandum.

Block22 plans open house, public forums

Tours and panel discussions of the award-winning Block22 Project are set for Thursday.

Block22 is a mixed-use development involving Pittsburg State University, the city of Pittsburg and the Vecino Group, a Springfield, Missouri-based real estate developer. The parties invested approximately $18 million to restore and renovate four historic downtown buildings — Commerce, Baxter, National Bank and Opera House Hotel.

The buildings were turned into student housing, offices and homes for small businesses, including restaurants and coffee shops. It also included an area known as The Foundry, a downtown business incubator with a conference room, collaborative workspace and professional offices.

(Read more: www.joplinglobe.com)

Interior announces over $170 million in grants going to state parks and recreation

The U.S. Department of Interior announced over $170 million in grants funded without taxpayer dollars will be distributed to state parks and outdoor recreation projects in all 50 states.

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said Thursday that $170,623,713 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) will be implemented by the National Park Service.

The grants aren’t funded by taxpayer dollars since the LWCF is funded by revenue generated from offshore oil and gas leasing.

(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

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Our firm has over 800 client-projects that are on-going or have been completed in recent years. Ranson is a comprehensive municipal advisor providing a menu of various services that can be utilized. These services include capital improvement planning, financial analyses, utility rate reviews, writing and administering grants, compliance with continuing disclosure requirements, and maintaining and updating municipal codes online. For a running total of project counts, see our website, www.ransonfinancial.com.

For more information, contact Larry Kleeman or Beth Warren.

Planners recommend wind farm ban near Parsons

The public will have a chance to weigh in on a proposed ban of commercial wind turbines in the area surrounding Parsons during an Oct. 15 public hearing.

The Parsons Planning Commission voted 5-1 in a special meeting Thursday evening to recommend the city commission approve an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would limit the height of wind turbines to 200 feet, including blade length, in the extraterritorial area. The planners didn’t want an outright ban of all turbines because some residents outside the city may want to install their own residential units, which are much smaller than those for commercial use.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Parsons prepares for 5G infrastructure

The city of Parsons is continuing with a plan for wireless companies to place infrastructure in town that could lead to the expansion of the fifth generation of cellular technology.

City Attorney Ross Albertini told city commissioners Monday that he is working on an ordinance that would outline the process for wireless companies to use the city right of way to add minitowers in town. He also is working on a master license agreement for each wireless company wanting to add the infrastructure.

At first the wireless companies only want to add minitowers to enhance service at busy locations such as schools. The minitowers later could be used for the 5G network, although many more would be needed.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Great Bend USD bond issues defeated

Voters in Great Bend USD 428 rejected two bond issue proposals in a mail ballot election Thursday.The first question proposed up to $41.75 million in bonds for safety and security renovations, and for improvements to all school buildings and to the maintenance and transportation building. The plan also would have added a wing for sixth-graders to attend Great Bend Middle School, and would have installed pre-kindergarten at all elementary schools.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

KDOT launches new cost share program

All transportation projects in Kansas will be able to apply for cash revenue.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is launching a new cost share program.

The program will provide state funding for transportation projects while also leveraging local and private funding.

Creating the cost share program will improve safety, increase highway preservation, and provide new funding opportunities for cities and counties.

Applications for the program are available now on KDOT’s website. To view the application, click here.

Kansas City company files plans to build manufacturing plant with 80 jobs in Lawrence

A Kansas City, Mo.-based company wants to bring 80 jobs to Lawrence and build a new manufacturing plant at Lawrence VenturePark.

U.S. Engineering Metalworks has filed plans with the city to build a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on an approximately 25-acre site at the business park on the eastern edge of Lawrence. The company would become the first to locate a business in the park, which opened in 2014.

The company builds a variety of complex pieces of equipment for the heating, cooling and plumbing industries, according to information provide by the company to the city.

Wichita Fire Department teams up with Wichita organization to host hygiene drive

It’s easy to take every-day items like soap and deodorant for granted, but there families in the Wichita community that can’t afford basic items. Giving the Basics is working to change that.

Through September 15, the organization is teaming up with The Wichita Fire Department to host the Dignity Drive.

Organization leaders encourage people to donate items like soap, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

State Fair awarded wind energy credits

For the first time, the Kansas State Fair — which consumes about a gigawatt of electricity during its 10-day run — will be entirely powered by Kansas wind energy.

At least on paper, since there’s no longer an operating wind turbine on the grounds.

Enel Green Power, in partnership with Westar Energy and KCP&L, is retiring renewable energy credits (RECs) equivalent to the amount of electricity expected to be consumed during the 2019 event.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

City, county stay busy year-round with public works projects

Work never ceases on maintaining and improving streets, roads and public property in Topeka and Shawnee County. In both the city and county, efforts to keep things running smoothy are a year-round proposition.

Streets and roads took a beating this past winter, with multiple rounds of rain, sleet, snow and ice pounding the area. The repair work needed as a result of the harsh winter conditions comes in addition to other improvements that already were slated for area streets and roads.

Jason Peek, public works director for the city of Topeka, said street projects are done on a needs-based priority.

Leavenworth County commissioners consider land bank

When they met this week, Leavenworth city commissioners reviewed a proposal for establishing a land bank that could manage and sell tax-foreclosed and abandoned properties in the city.

Leavenworth Director of Planning and Community Development Julie Hurley and Community Development Coordinator Mary Dwyer discussed the idea Tuesday with commissioners.

“There are several cities in Kansas that already have used land banks,” Dwyer said.

Dwyer said a land bank may help eliminate vacant lots by reducing the number of properties commissioners order demolished because they are deemed unsafe.

(Read more: News – The Ottawa Herald)

Wellington City is in good financial shape, auditor says

The Wellington City Council received its annual audit report at its meeting Tuesday and was told the books were in order. CPA Kenneth Cooper, the city independent auditor, did the audit and presented the report.

There were some minor “findings,” which are areas that need to be fixed.

Cooper said his job was to make a report on the city’s financial statements and to see if they were stated fairly. He said, in his opinion, they were fairly stated. You may see the entire audit here.

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Cowley College donates more than 700 pounds of meat to local food pantries

Cowley College donated 723 pounds of meat to Manna Ministries in Arkansas City and the Winfield Community Food Pantry on Wednesday, following the purchase of a steer during the Cowley County Fair 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Auction on Aug. 5 at the Winfield Fairgrounds.

The college began purchasing cattle from local 4-H members and donating the beef to local food pantries in 2010.

Cowley board chair Jill Long and Cowley president Dr. Dennis C. Rittle met with Winfield Community Food Pantry volunteers Mari Wallrabenstein and Scott Schoon in Winfield.

“We are very appreciative of this gift, particularly the ground beef,” Wallrabenstein said. “This is something all of our clients can use and enjoy having. We are so thankful to the college for sharing this with us.”

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

KDOT announces approved August bids

The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects in Kansas. The letting took place Aug. 21, 2019, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work… See list >

(Read more: The Salina Post)

Voters approve $51.4 million Tonganoxie High School project by 93 votes

The Tonganoxie High School campus will be getting a sizable upgrade.

Today’s mail-in election results are in and the “yes” votes won by 93 votes, 1,759-1,666.

Voters approved the $51.4 million mail-in bond issue with 51.3 percent of the vote, according to the county clerk’s office.

Voter turnout was 51.56 percent, as there were 3,433 ballots returned of 6,657 sent out to registered voters.

(Read more: TonganoxieMirror.com stories)

Budweiser Clydesdale horses to visit Kansas City next week

The Budweiser Clydesdale horses will be in the Kansas City area next week.

The horses will be visiting certain Price Chopper stores to honor select Kansas City veterans and present them with a year supply of beer.

(Read more: KMBC)

CVB will promote Geary County at the State Fair

A three-member staff from the Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau will be at the State Fair in Hutchinson for the entire nine-day run of that event.

CVB Director Michelle Stimatze said they’ll be manning booths and promoting everything Geary County and Fort Riley have to offer. They’ll be located in the Pride of Kansas building. “Many, many groups that are CVB’s and tourism and that kind of thing are in there. Also there’s some associations as well.”

(Read more: Junction City Post)

State Fair Manager says they’re ready for this years event

The Kansas State Fair goes underway Friday in Hutchinson and General Manager Robin Jennison will have his first fair as the manager. So are they ready for the 10-day event?

“I think we are,” said Jennison. “You know I was here for the entirety of the fair last year, I didn’t have any responsibility. We have so many people that have been here so long, to watch the fair come together over the last four days, it’s really kind of miraculous because everyone knows what they’re supposed to do, know where they’re supposed to be and it works pretty good.”

Although the expense is there for vendors to get a space on the fairgrounds for this event, Jennison says they make a lot of money over those 10-days of the fair.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Finance director plans to resign

The Fort Scott City Commission learned Tuesday night that Rhonda Dunn, director of finance for the city since September 2018, plans to resign to pursue another opportunity.

During his report to the commission, City Manager Dave Martin said Dunn is leaving her position and plans to work in a financial position for the E3 Ranch in Fort Scott.

“She’ll be going to E3,” Martin said. “We hate to see her go.”

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Wichita to join lawsuit against pain-killer industry

Wichita plans to join a massive lawsuit against opioid makers, distributors and pharmacies.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the city council approved a law firm Tuesday to represent it in federal litigation in Ohio, where the flood of litigation over the opioid epidemic is being handled. Attorney Andrew Hutton says the city’s complaint could be filed by the end of the week.

Hutton said in a statement that opioid manufacturers used deceptive marketing to maximize profits. He says doctors were convinced to prescribe opioids, not just for cancer patients or those recovering from surgery, but also for chronic-pain sufferers, despite the risk of addiction.

The city wants to be compensated for costs such as opioid-related emergency calls. At the county level, the Wichita area had 148 opioid-related deaths last year.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Douglas County Commission authorizes staff to explore buyouts for flood-prone properties

Some county residents whose homes have been repeatedly damaged by flooding may have the opportunity to use federal and local funds to move to a safer area.

But the number of people who will get the opportunity will likely be low, said Chad Voigt, Douglas County deputy director of public works.

“We’re talking about a fairly narrow scope here, but it is an opportunity,” he said.

Lawrence City Commission defers action on new comprehensive plan that includes controversial growth policy

City leaders have deferred action on the proposed Lawrence-Douglas County comprehensive plan in order to further discuss a new growth policy that some think could increase the cost of housing.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to defer the adoption of Plan 2040 on second reading. The plan has a new growth policy that prioritizes infill development and adds requirements for developers who want to expand the city’s boundaries.

As currently proposed, the plan includes a requirement that developers provide some kind of community benefit if they want to annex land to expand the city.

County Update: What you need to know about Real ID and renewing your driver’s license in Johnson County

Obtaining or renewing a Kansas driver’s license, a service provided by the state of Kansas, has greatly improved in Johnson County in the past year since the opening of the third Driver’s License Bureau by the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Vehicles. While the county takes care of vehicle registration and titling and the state takes care of licenses and ID’s, I still wanted to share this updated information.

The state opened the third bureau, located at 7600 West 119th St. in the Rosana Square Shopping Center, Overland Park, 10 months ago to support the population growth of Johnson County. Since then, the newest office has helped to reduce long lines and lengthy wait times at the other two driver’s licenses offices at 13507 Mur-Len Road in Olathe and at 6507 Johnson Drive in Mission.

New grant to increase access to local play spaces

The City of Garden City has been selected to receive a $30,000 play space grant from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Walt Disney Company.

According to a media release, this investment supports NRPA and Disney’s combined goal of providing one million kids and families with greater access to play.

As part of the national Meet Me at the Park Play Spaces grant program, park and recreation agencies across the country were invited to share their best ideas on increasing access to play spaces for children and families in their communities. Agencies with the most innovative and impactful project ideas were chosen to receive $30,000 grants to build their projects.

(Read more: Greater Garden City » Feed)

Skyline USD 438 purchases school supplies for all students

When school started at Skyline USD 438 on Aug. 26 in Pratt, students began using a wide variety of supplies necessary classrooms to function.

For the second year in a row, nearly all those supplies were provided by the district. The usual $50 to $70 most families spend per student at the start of each school year was eliminated by district funding, and families in the area, especially those with several students in the district, were appreciative.

“Between school fees and lunch fees, by the time families pay for supplies, August can have a lot of expense in it,” said Diane House, grade school principal and mother of three Skyline students.

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Wichita event to bring people ‘Out of the Darkness’

An event later this month will raise awareness about the issue of suicide in the community.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, AFSP, says suicide rates in Kansas are on the rise, with one person dying every 16 hours.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24.

Gayla Kelly is a member of AFSP. She lost her brother to suicide in 2016.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Goessel school children given school supplies

For many families, purchasing all the necessary school supplies for school can be a daunting financial task. However, the Goessel Ministerial Alliance stepped up to help address this need in the community. In 2009, the Ministerial Alliance began assisting a handful of families with some necessary supplies. Since then needs have grown in the community, and the Ministerial Alliance has stepped up their generosity.

This year they purchased just over $1,027 worth of supplies. With this money they purchased 20 boxes of #2 pencils, 80 packages of notebook paper, 30 assorted colored binders, 12 boxes of band aids for classrooms, over 20 student back packs, 30 bottles of glue, and much, much more.

The items were all placed on a display table and families could help themselves to the items they needed.

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

KDOT announces bids for two mill and overlay projects in Rice County

The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects in Kansas. The bidding took place Aug. 21, 2019, in Topeka.

Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work.

The work will include two projects in Rice County. The first is along K-14 from the north city limits of Lyons north, to the Rice/Ellsworth county line. That will include milling and overlay for 11.3 miles. APAC-Kansas Inc. and Shears Division of Hutchinson will do the work at a cost of $1,877,091.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Geary County approves conditional use permit for cell phone tower project

The Geary County Commission has voted to allow a new cell phone tower to be installed on the east side of Milford Lake.

The governing body said yes to a request by Florida-based BRT to install the 300-foot tall tower at a location at 10506 Budden Road approximately four miles north of Junction City.

Commissioner Keith Ascher said the governing body just went on the facts. “Everything fit. There were no problems with it so after a lot of consideration we decided to approve it. Conditional use permit for the cell tower was approved.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Kansas becomes a leader in renewable energy

Kansas has become a leader in renewable energy production, coming in second behind North Dakota in a key category.

A new report from the Environment America and the Frontier Group outlined the Sunflower State’s progress as well as the overall rise in the U.S. in renewable energy production. The report measured a 10-year time span and found that the U.S. now produces 40 times more solar power and 270% more wind power than in 2009, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports.

Kansas’ wind generation grew six-fold from 2009 to 2018, and the state now is among the top wind, solar and hydro electricity generators. The electricity those sources produce is equal to 47% of the state’s electricity consumption. Only North Dakota has Kansas beat in that category.

City legal bills mounting

Hillsboro’s legal bill for the bankruptcy of Hillsboro Community Hospital hit $65,339 Tuesday when council members voted to pay another $12,500 to the city’s law firm Triplett, Woolf, Garretson.

The legal battle began in January when Bank of Hays filed a petition for mortgage foreclosure against the hospital and seven co-defendants including the city and its Public Building Commission.

The city and the bank worked together to have Oklahoma-based Cohesive Healthcare Management and Consulting named receiver. In March, Cohesive filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Superintendent outlines the plan for ‘yes or no’ result from school bond issue

The Great Bend school district does not have to wait much longer to find out if a $44.87 million bond passed to help with renovations to its entire district. The mail-in ballots were sent to registered voters August 20, and are due back to the Barton County Clerk’s Office by noon Thursday, Sept. 5.

In his interview on Room 428 on 1590 KVGB that aired Sept. 3, USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says if the bond passes, the next step will be to work more with the architect SJCF.

“We would get more details and set up plans,” Thexton said. “The bond sales that would take place after that involves a lot of work on the finance side of things.”

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Fort Scott Commission adopts resolution to form lake committee

Fort Scott City Commissioners on Tuesday approved an ordinance creating an advisory board focused on issues related to Lake Fort Scott.

The ordinance establishes the lake advisory board, which will consist of a minimum of nine members; five people who are residents of Lake Fort Scott equally representing each side of the lake; one Fort Scott City Commissioner, one Bourbon County Commissioner, one city resident at-large, and one Bourbon County resident, the ordinance states. City Manager Dave Martin and Community Development Director Robert Uhler will chair the board but not act as members.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

KDOT’s new Cost Share Program now accepting applications

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has launched a new program designed to provide state funding for transportation projects while also leveraging local and private funding. The new Cost Share Program will provide funding to local entities for transportation projects that improve safety, support job retention and growth, improve access or mobility, relieve congestion and help areas across the state improve the transportation system.

Up to $50 million will be available in the program for fiscal year 2020. The on-going program, which has at least $11 million available, requires a minimum of 15% non-state cash match. Additional consideration will be given to project applications that commit more than the minimum required match amount. The funding above the base $11 million comes from a one-time, $50 million State General Fund transfer. A minimum 25% match is required for projects to qualify for the one-time funds.

(Read more: Kansas Transportation)

Manhattan to upgrade Airport parking lot, charge parking fee to finance

Manhattan Regional Airport parking lot plans (courtesy of the City of Manhattan)

Parking at the Manhattan Regional Airport will come at a cost at a yet-to-be determined date.

The City Commission unanimously approved a $4.5 million project — including interest — to expand the lot from around 700 spots to around 900 spots, repair existing asphalt of which more than a third is failing and improve lighting among other aspects. A $5 per day fee is estimated to bring in $700,000 per year, which will finance the project which only needs $615,000 per year to cover the bond.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Large job fair in Wichita Thursday

The Wichita Workforce Center, KANSASWORKS and Intrust Bank Arena will host its annual Get Hired Job Fair on Thursday at Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman.

The job fair will be open from 2 to 2:30 p.m. for veterans and military and 2:30 to 6 p.m. for the general public, and is free to attend.

Parking is available free of charge in all Intrust Bank Arena designated lots. Job seekers will enter through the south entrance.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Shawnee Fire Department puts new $1.2 million aerial ladder truck into service

The Shawnee Fire Department officially welcomed a new team member this past Sunday: a $1.2 million aerial ladder truck.

The truck, a custom-built 2019 Pierce Velocity tractor-drawn aerial, will be known as Ladder 71. A tractor-drawn aerial which is often called a tiller in the fire service has an articulating center which allows it to bend, much like a tractor-trailer.

Fire Chief John Mattox says the new tiller is 64 feet in overall length and carries an aerial ladder which fully extends to 107 feet.

Wichita plans to join massive lawsuit against prescription pain-killer industry

Wichita plans to join more than 2,000 other cities, counties and other units of government in a massive lawsuit against prescription pain pill manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies.

The companies targeted in the lawsuits are some of the largest in the pharmaceutical industry, including Purdue Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Allergan, Jannsen/Johnson & Johnson, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Insys Therapeutics and Amneal Pharmaceuticals. National pharmacy retailers CVS, Walgreens and Kroger have also been named in the lawsuit.

The city would seek damages for the costs of law enforcement, first responders, courts, jails and other services strained by fighting prescription pain pill use allegedly caused by the pharmaceutical industry’s marketing and distribution aimed at expanding opioid sales.

(Read more: Local News |)

City of Topeka schedules hold Clean Slate Day

Individuals can make arrangements to pay off outstanding fines and fees owed to the city of Topeka on Clean Slate Day, which will take place later this month.

City spokeswoman Molly Hadfield said Clean Slate Day will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Topeka Municipal Court, 214 S.E. 8th Ave.

Hadfield described Clean Slate Day as “an opportunity for a fresh start for people with Topeka Municipal Court offenses,” allowing them “to begin payment plans for outstanding fines and fees, setting new court dates for outstanding warrants and getting old violations expunged, all without the fear of arrest.”

Firefighters, first responders from across Kansas deploying for hurricane aid

Dozens of firefighters and first responders from Kansas are deploying to the southeastern area of the United States to help with recovery after Hurricane Dorian.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office said an Urban Search and Rescue team is heading to Florida to help.

Kansas Task Force 1 is comprised of 42 first responders from across the state — they left Monday for a 14-day deployment.

(Read more: KMBC.com)

Vaping is causing breathing illnesses in Kansas students. Time to raise the legal age?

Joe Camel died over 20 years ago, but the tobacco mascot’s child-enticing spirit has hauntingly returned in the form of vaping — the growing use of e-cigarettes.

The stunning fact is, vaping is more prevalent among teens than tobacco use: While less than a quarter of Kansas and Missouri high school students use tobacco, about a third acknowledges having vaped, though estimates say it’s closer to half.

Every parent needs to be alerted to this rising epidemic and to vaping’s seductiveness, addictiveness and cryptic dangers, which are showing up in the heartland in alarming ways. Eerie cases of unspecified vaping-related breathing disorders have recently been identified in at least three Kansas young adults, to go with some 200 similar cases nationwide, according to the state’s Department of Health and Environment.