Kansas Municipal News
Report Local Broadband Availability to Ensure Funding For Kansas
Through the federal Internet for All initiative, there are opportunities for all U.S. states to receive funding to improve broadband access. One program included in this initiative, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, provides $42 billion to states to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs nationwide. Funds will be allocated to states according to a formula derived from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadband Map data. These maps provide a picture of where broadband is and is not available across the country. … To ensure that the maps are constantly improving in accuracy, the FCC has set up a system that allows consumers to challenge inaccuracies and provide feedback. Individuals who see that the information on the maps does not match up with what they know from their lived experience will be able to submit challenges, or request corrections, directly through the map interface. The FCC will also accept bulk challenges to the reported availability data from state, Tribal, and local governments and other stakeholders who see problems that need corrected in multiple locations. To learn more about how the broadband map works and who is eligible to submit a challenge, please review this document: FCC Challenge Handout. … All challenges should be submitted by January 13, 2023, to ensure that they are considered to inform funding allocations
Herington city manager Branden Dross accepts city administrator position in Lafayette, Oregon
The City Council has approved an employment agreement with Branden Dross as Lafayette City Administrator, and he will begin his work with the City on January 9, 2023. He is currently the City Manager of Herington Kansas. Before moving to Kansas in September 2020, he lived in San Antonio for over a decade and worked for CPS Energy and the City of San Antonio. Before getting into the public sector in 2015, he was in food and beverage management for over a decade. Angela is his wife of 14 years, and they have a teenage son, Branden Jr. Branden has Bachelor and Master Degrees in Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He has served on several local, state, and national committees ranging from a school district bond committee to the League of Kansas Municipalities governing body.
Source: Lafayette
Great Bend city administrator Kendal Francis accepts city manager position in Hutchinson
Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis said Friday morning he has accepted the city manager position in Hutchinson. However, it won’t be official until he signs the contract after the Hutchinson City Council approves it Tuesday night. His resignation would be effective Friday, Jan. 6. “It has been my distinct pleasure to represent you, our team, and this community for the past four years,” Francis said in his resignation letter to the Great Bend City Council. … In Hutchinson, Francis will take over for Gary Meagher, who is the interim city manager. … Francis took the Great Bend job in July 2018. He previously served as city manager in Coffeyville and city administrator in Lakin.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
As Lawrence’s Winter Emergency Shelter opens, some people check in, others stay at campsite
Just before 8 p.m. Thursday, about a dozen people stood outside the Winter Emergency Shelter, waiting for it to open. It was chilly, but not so cold you could see your breath. People were bundled in coats, scarves, gloves, and winter hats. Some huddled together outside the Community Building, 115 W. 11th St. Others stood alone. Among those waiting was Samuel Herrington, who said he has been homeless since 2016. “It’s the best, safest place for homeless people,” Herrington said of the WES. “It’s monitored. There’s somebody watching over you.”
Source: The Lawrence Times
Strong winds carry dust across northwest Kansas
Strong winds created blowing dust and low visibility conditions across northwest Kansas Friday afternoon. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported zero visibility in some areas, and they were working several traffic accidents on Interstate 70 and other roadways. High Wind Warnings were issued by the National Weather Service into the evening hours. Northwest winds were at 30 to 40 mph with some gusts up to 60 mph expected. Drivers of high-profile vehicles, such as semi trucks and large vans, were urged to stay off the roads until wind conditions died down.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Economic instability pushing KPERS investment returns into negatives
Volatility in the stock market will push annual return on investment to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System into negative territory at close of year, the pension system’s executive director said Nov. 29. The assumed investment return for KPERS was adjusted downward in May from 7.75% to 7%. To strengthen the bottom line, the Kansas Legislature agreed to pump an extra $1.1 billion into the system. The snapshot on investment return will be calculated based on financial position of the portfolio Dec. 31, said Alan Conroy, executive director of KPERS.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Bourbon County REDI Completes Workforce Assessment
An in-depth assessment of the workforce in Bourbon County has been completed and it offers a series of recommendations for BCREDI to work on immediately and for the long term. That’s according to Executive Director Robert Harrington. The workforce assessment was one of three studies BCREDI has undertaken since early spring, with the other two focused on retail opportunities and housing needs. Along workforce study included one-on-one interviews with key employers as well as a survey that provided input from more than sixty-four employers in the county. Residents also had their input, with more than 440 people providing input..
Source: Fort Scott Biz
Wichita looking at $5.5 million facility to build homeless shelter, housing and social services hub
The city of Wichita’s housing department has put together a $5.5 million dollar plan to improve housing options and services for the city’s homeless. Housing director Sally Stang says her department consulted with over 20 organizations in Wichita and Sedgwick counties that work with the homeless to put it together. “We looked at this as an opportunity to really address and take a deep dive into the resources and the gaps in our community and providing those resources for those in need.” The project includes three parts, creating a non-congregant shelter, which would be single rooms for people to stay in for short periods of time. Stang says there isn’t really that type of shelter in the city right now.
Source: KAKE – News
Sedgwick County Government hosting EMS and Fire career fair
The Sedgwick County Government is hosting an EMS and Fire career fair. The career fair will be taking place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Wichita Fire Regional Training Center, 4746 E. 31st Street in Wichita. “The fair will feature several public safety agencies looking to fill positions available immediately,” the Sedgwick County Government said.
Source: KSN-TV
“Home for the Holidays” festival in Galena
A Southeast community hopes the holiday spirit will pay off big come summertime. The Galena Parks and Rec department hosted its second annual “Home for the Holidays” festival. Proceeds from this year’s event will go towards a splash pad for the community. Today’s festivities included a little something for everyone with local vendors, food trucks, photo booths, and a live auction. “There’s a lot of people who need somewhere to go and something to do for the kids, I think it also shows them that our community no matter how little, that we can come together and enjoy the holidays together,” said Nancy Flint, Galena Parks, and Rec Committee.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Officials address lack of attorneys in rural Kansas with formation of committee
An order signed on Thursday by Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert is set to help fulfill the legal needs of rural Kansans. Lisa Taylor, the public information director for the Kansas Judicial Branch, says the order will create the Kansas Rural Justice Initiative Committee. This committee will examine the unmet legal needs in rural Kansas related to a decreasing number of attorneys living and working in rural areas. Luckert said the trend toward fewer attorneys in rural areas is not something that is unique to Kansas. She also said attorneys in rural areas tend to be older, with some working well beyond retirement age because there is no one available to take over the work.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Olpe Fire responds to grass fire near Madison
Gusty winds and a change in wind direction kept some area firefighters busy Friday night into early Saturday. Greenwood County reported several grass fires after sunset, including one that developed near 380th Street between T and U — about four miles northwest of Madison. Olpe Fire was called in as mutual aid shortly after 9:30 pm and was finally released a bit before 11 pm. The cause of that fire has not been released and details on the other Greenwood County fires have not been divulged.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Parsons to look at MOU for anti-drug task force
The Parsons City Commission will look at a memorandum of understanding to extend an interagency narcotics task force at its Monday meeting. The MOU lists a partnership among the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, the Parsons Police Department, Altamont Police Department, Chetopa Police Department, Oswego Police Department, Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Labette County Attorney’s Office. It focuses on seizing illegal drugs and conducting investigations with the KBI and the Drug Enforcement Agency. It was created in 2019, according to documentation from Parsons Police Chief Bob Spinks. This MOU is no cost to the city or Parsons Police Department. It is a renewal of a previous agreement, said City Manager Debbie Lamb. If approved, it will last until Dec. 31, 2026.
Source: Parsons Sun
Hutch considers proposal for $18 million hotel and conference center
A hotel proposal to address the city’s needs for additional rooms to retain large events like the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is on the agenda for the Hutchinson City Council on Tuesday. … According to agenda documents, the City of Hutchinson has been in need of additional hotel accommodations for the activities and events which occur within its City limits. Further, the City of Hutchinson is in need of a functioning conference center for meeting space for community groups and guests of hotel properties.
Source: Hutch Post
St. Lucia Festival keeps tradition alive in Lindsborg
For the people of Lindsborg, learning about and taking part in the traditions of Swedish culture becomes second nature, and the St. Lucia Festival, coming up on Dec. 10, is no exception. Holly Lofton, director of the Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau, said that while the festival, which commemorates St. Lucia of Syracuse, wasn’t widely celebrated in public in the city until the 1960s, the festival most likely was taking place privately much before that. “Because of the Swedish heritage of Lindsborg…it was celebrated, I know, many times in people’s home,” Lofton said.
Source: Hutch News
Payrolls and wages blow past expectations, flying in the face of Fed rate hikes
Job growth was much better than expected in November despite the Federal Reserve’s aggressive efforts to slow the labor market and tackle inflation. Nonfarm payrolls increased 263,000 for the month while the unemployment rate was 3.7%, the Labor Department reported Friday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for an increase of 200,000 on the payrolls number and 3.7% for the jobless rate. … The numbers likely will do little to slow a Fed that has been raising interest rates steadily this year to bring down inflation still running near its highest level in more than 40 years. The rate increases have brought the Fed’s benchmark overnight borrowing rate to a target range of 3.75%-4%. In another blow to the Fed’s anti-inflation efforts, average hourly earnings jumped 0.6% for the month, double the Dow Jones estimate. Wages were up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis, also well above the 4.6% expectation.
Source: CNBC
Scott vs. City of Leawood: Building Inspector Authority
Dennis and Kristine Scott appeal the district court’s ruling in favor of the City of Leawood in a dispute that arose after the Scotts placed two stone columns in the public right-of-way of a newly constructed cul-de-sac that is required to be dedicated to the City as part of a residential construction project. Although the Scotts submitted plans and specifications to the City of Leawood for the cul-de-sac that depicted the required public right-of-way, those plans and specifications did not show that they intended to place stone columns in the right-of-way. Ultimately, the City of Leawood informed the Scotts that one of the two stone columns must be removed from the public right-of-way before it would accept dedication of the cul-de-sac. In response, the Scotts filed a petition in district court seeking a declaratory judgment and other relief. On appeal, the Scotts contend that the district court erred in concluding that a building codes inspector employed by the City of Leawood did not have authority to authorize the placement of the stone columns in the public right-of-way of the required cul-de-sac. The Scotts also contend that the district court erred in concluding that they had failed to exhaust administrative remedies. Based on our review of the record in light of Kansas law, we conclude that the building codes inspector did not have actual authority to authorize or approve the placement of the stone columns in the public right-of-way of the cul-de-sac to be dedicated to the City. As a result, it is unnecessary for us to reach the issue of exhaustion of administrative remedies. Thus, we affirm the district court.
Source: Kansas Court of Appeals
New weapon scanners arrive at Wichita high school
Wichita West High School is the first in the district to use weapon screening detectors as students enter the building for class. Students demonstrated the new safety measure Thursday afternoon as they left the building, and the detectors will be used Friday morning. The scanners will be placed at three entrances that are open at the start of the school day: the main entrance, the athletic entrance and a west entrance used by students who ride buses.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Labette County OKs grandfathering in septic system
The Labette County Commission Wednesday approved grandfathering in a sewer/septic tank at 3830 Main, just outside of the city limits of Parsons. This commercial property is located in a flood plain, according to County Emergency Operations Manager Charlie Morse. Morse is also the county’s sanitation officer. Earlier this year, commissioners updated the county’s code to disallow new septic systems in floodplains.
Source: Parsons Sun
What makes a nuisance? How Midwest cities, including Wichita, approach a developer’s halted projects
In Wichita, Chris Labrum, director of the city-county Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department, said in general, situations that present a nuisance condition with a building project site include:
- Causing an environmental hazard or concern, such as contamination or excessive erosion
- Causing a public safety and/or security hazard — to include if the job site is abandoned and unsecure
- Excessive storage of junk and trash or other materials not related to the construction or the allowed zoning/uses of the property
- Excessively tall grass and weeds that may harbor vermin, insects, or other hazards to neighboring properties
“They are the property owners and exercising a legal use of the property,” Labrum said. “While we will continue to do what we can to advance the project, the only legal expectations of the developer at this point are to maintain safety and progress enough to keep their permit open and valid.” Other communities in the Midwest have taken different approaches.
Source: Wichita Business Journal