Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Johnson County judge orders Shawnee to drop eminent domain claim against Wayne Developers’ property

A district judge has prohibited the city of Shawnee from moving forward with an eminent domain claim on property owned by Wayne Developers LLC.

Judge Kevin Moriarty, district judge presiding over Division 14 in Johnson County District Court, entered his memorandum decision Wednesday, July 31. His decision granted a permanent injunction requested by Wayne Developers, which owns 20 acres of land at 18570 Johnson Drive in western Shawnee.

The city of Shawnee had filed a claim of eminent domain in March over the property with plans to condemn and acquire it in order to build a centralized facility for the city’s parks and recreation department. The property is located just east of the city’s public works facility on Johnson Drive and shares a driveway access with the city.

Interest Rates Plunge After FOMC Cuts Interest Rate

Both the municipal and Treasury markets rallied one day after the Fed cut interest rates by 25 basis points and after President Trump’s declared more tariffs on China — all of which caused the 10-year Treasury to dip below 1.90%.
Financial markets continue to price in greater odds of another 25 basis point Fed rate cut later this year. According to the CME FedWatch tool, odds a 25 BP rate cut when the FOMC meets on Sept 17-18 increased 70.4% from 51.9% following Trump’s tweets of additional tariffs.
“The 10-year hit its lowest level since Nov. 2016 and munis followed right along,” said one New York trader. “Yields keep going lower and we are looking at one of the big-gest volume weeks we have had in a while next week – it should be very interesting, to say the least.”

Downtown Olathe can be ‘the knot’ connecting trails, bicycle paths, says proposed plan

“Connection” was the buzzword Tuesday afternoon during an open house about a proposal to make downtown Olathe’s streets friendlier for pedestrians and cyclists. Both the city and the Mid-America Regional Council were seeking citizen feedback.

One key point of the plan uses the downtown area to connect the various paths, trails and bicycle lanes scattered throughout the city.

“If you look at a trail map, there are trails are all around, but they never touch downtown,” said Martin Shukert, principal of RDG Planning and Design, which is working with the city on the project. “Downtown is the knot that can connect them.”

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Gardner police have created Safe Exchange zones for internet, child custody exchanges

The Gardner Police Department has created a safe place outside its headquarters for child custody exchanges and internet commerce transactions.

The Safe Exchange Zone is defined by signs and blue lines painted around several stalls in the main parking lot at the new Gardner Justice Center, 16540 Moonlight Road. It’s in full view of Moonlight Road, well-lighted and covered by 24-hour video surveillance cameras.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Neighbors by Ring app comes to Lenexa, Prairie Village

Lenexa and Prairie Village have joined a number of neighboring cities in the use of the Neighbors by Ring app to help reduce crime.

The app allows police departments to issue crime and safety alerts in a timely way and permits citizens to upload videos that might be helpful to police in solving crimes.

Those interested can download the free Neighbors by Ring app from the appropriate store on their smart phones. Then they can customize the geographic area they would like to see alerts from.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Loan forgiveness tops $160,000 through Scott County local ROZ

Young people returning to Scott County may be eligible for assistance in repaying student loans through an initiative known as a Rural Opportunity Zone.
Scott County has been declared a ROZ for eight years, during which time six individuals have completed the five year program.
Consequently, they have earned about $15,000 each ($3,000 per year) in loan forgiveness.
Since 2011, participants in the program have seen their student loan debt erased by more than $160,000.
“We are one of the top counties in the state in terms of utilizing this program,” says Katie Eisenhour, director of the Scott County Development Committee.

Disaster assistance loan services coming to Marion County

A Small Business Administration disaster loan outreach center will operate at the civic center in Hillsboro 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Aug. 15.
The federal agency has low-interest disaster loans available to Marion County residents who suffered flood losses between June 22 and July 6.
The loans, with interest rates as low as 1.938%, can be used by homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations, and business owners.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Chlorine added to Winfield water

As one step to keeping Winfield water safe, the city water department began treating the water with free chlorine on Monday. The temporary treatment should last six or seven weeks, water plant supervisor Dan Defore said.

Usually, the city uses a chloramine, a combination of chloride and ammonia sulfate, to purify the water. Over time the ammonia in the mixture deposits a film on the water lines. The process of getting rid of the film — denitrification — is undertaken in July and August, once the temperature in the water at Winfield City Lake rises. Right now the water is 75°F, according to Josh Rice, Water Plant Operator 2. The lake is the source of water for most of Cowley County, according to the water department’s website.

Heavy rainfall causes shutdown of Lawrence sewer plant; sewage emptied into Kansas River, nearby streams

Heavy rainfall has caused equipment failure at the Kansas River Wastewater Treatment Plant, causing the plant to shut down and sewage to be deposited into the Kansas River, according to a City of Lawrence news release.

The release states that exceptionally heavy rainfall caused equipment failure at the plant, 1400 E. Eighth St., and that the city’s Municipal Services and Operations Department shut down the plant for repairs. As a result, the MSO Department is bypassing the treatment plant and diverting wastewater into the Kansas River and nearby streams.

Broadband expansion begins for rural Reno, Sedgwick counties

Officials at Buhler-based IdeaTek Telcom say by leveraging federal dollars awarded last year it will try to connect to nearly double the number of rural internet customers it is obligated to reach. And, while doing so, potentially more than double its customer base. The $6.2 million award from the Federal Communication Commission through its Connect America Fund Phase II “reverse auction” requires IdeaTek to provide access to 2,490 customers overall.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Topeka utilities department draws attention to its history

Some of the City of Topeka’s utilities department’s active sewer infrastructure was installed in the 1800s, that department noted this week on its Facebook page.

The post involved was part of an ongoing effort to better educate this community about what the utilities department does and how its staff “got to where we are today,” said Ryan Woolaway, the department’s community education manager.

“And with a history almost as long as Topeka’s, there is plenty to tell,” he said Thursday.

The utilities department posed a question Tuesday on its Facebook site: “True or False: The City of Topeka Utilities Department has active infrastructure that was installed in the 1800s. Comment below with your guess!”

Halstead’s Old Settlers festival shakes things up

This is the 132nd year for Halstead’s Old Settlers festival, and while many activities remain the same, the timing and location of several events has been tweaked to better accommodate those attending.

“Here Comes the Sun” is the theme of this year’s celebration, which is scheduled for Aug. 8-11.

“We did rearrange things,” said Old Settlers committee member Linsey Farmer.

The interfaith service and community picnic will be held in Scout Park this year, providing a more central location — and more shade — for Halstead residents.

Shawnee police look to strengthen community bonds with first-ever Shawnee Youth Police Academy

Acknowledging that a disconnect can sometimes exist between police and the public, Shawnee police officers led their first summer camp for teens to help bridge that gap.

The school resource officers at the Shawnee Police Department earlier this month hosted the department’s first ever Shawnee Police Youth Academy for 21 teenagers.

Mo Loridon, school resource officer with the Shawnee Police Department said the goals for the week-long summer camp July 8-12 were to provide an interactive learning experience for students age 13 to 17 to learn the ins and outs of police work in Shawnee.

(Read more: Prairie Village Post)

Parr retires as Inman’s City superintendent

After an 11- year career, Danny Parr has retired a city superintendent for Inman because of health concerns. City leaders hosted a reception in Parr’s honor on Tuesday, July 23, at the city office.

Inman City Clerk Barb Tuxhorn said there was a “good turnout” for the event. Tuxhorn added there was a steady stream of people who attended the reception. The city presented Parr with a large, circular metal plaque, Tuxhorn noted.

(Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)

National Night Out expected to attract 12,500 in Topeka, Shawnee County

Topeka and Shawnee County had the nation’s sixth-highest participation in last year’s National Night Out, and this year’s crime prevention event is poised to attract more people, county commissioners learned Thursday.

Eighty-seven neighborhoods and more than 10,500 people participated last year while 83 neighborhoods and 12,500 people are expected to take part this year, Commissioners Bob Archer, Bill Riphahn and Kevin Cook heard from Judy Wilson, Neighborhood Watch coordinator for the Safe Streets anti-crime organization.

Wilson spoke at the commission’s morning meeting about National Night Out, an event Safe Streets oversees locally in which neighborhoods across Topeka and Shawnee County hold block parties targeted at bringing people together. This year’s event will be Aug. 10.

Spearville works on improving economic growth

A hardware store, grocery store, and soon the medical clinic will be gone in Spearville, leaving the community questioning what will happen to the small town.

“With the clinic and what not, and then the grocery store, that’s tough,” said Spearville resident Kevin Stein.

Stein has lived in Spearville for over 50 years.

He’s seen a lot of economic setbacks in the community, but said he remains positive about the town’s future.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Does Your City Have a Delivery-Truck Policy?

The Great Blizzard of 1888 dumped more than 20 inches of snow on New York City, blowing down the thick web of power lines that were strung overhead. The city was plunged into darkness, and communications were disrupted for days while the dangerous live wires lay in the snow. The outage resulted in a city regulation to bury all cables in New York, a measure that was soon adopted in many other big cities.

Although the analogy certainly isn’t exact, I wonder if something similar may happen as cities deal with the explosion of delivery vehicles weaving a tangled web in their streets to fulfill Americans’ growing propensity for ordering everything they can off the internet. Industry people call this “the last mile,” the final journey of a small package from some sort of central hub to a business or residential address.

(Read more: GOVERNING.com)

Bridge at Ark City being named for soldier with local ties

A ceremony dedicating the Sgt. Kevin A. Gilbertson Memorial Bridge will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Arkansas City – honoring a U.S. Army soldier who died in the Iraq War. A sign with his name will be unveiled. The ceremony is open to the public.

WHO: Sgt. Kevin A. Gilbertson.

WHAT: Ceremony naming bridge for Sgt. Gilbertson. The Kansas Department of Transportation will later be placing northbound and southbound signs with Sgt. Gilbertson’s name near the bridge.

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m.

WHERE: Southeast corner of the South Summit bridge, on U.S. 77 over the Arkansas River, south side of Arkansas City.

BACKGROUND: Sgt. Gilbertson died in 2007 from wounds sustained during combat in Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 1^stBattalion, 77^th Armor Regiment, 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. He was 24. His survivors included a wife, infant son and stepson. He is the stepson of Randy Frank who works in the Emergency Management Department for Marion County.

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Consultants call for bold vision on east bank of Arkansas River; C-II may not fit

Architects and planners hired to redesign the riverbank area that now holds the Century II convention center and the WaterWalk in downtown Wichita told a standing-room-only crowd of about 300 that now is the time to show bold vision and create a new waterfront for decades to come.

“Every time we have an opportunity to do a master plan we realize that we are setting the foundation for probably the next 30 to 50 years,” said Todd Voth of Populous, an international consulting group hired to replan the east bank of the Arkansas River south of Douglas downtown.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Who pays the bill when a minor vandalizes?

Thanks to a loophole in Kansas law, if a minor vandalizes your property, you might be left footing the bill.

Ron Paschal, deputy district attorney in Sedgwick County, said in some cases, judges do not order restitution for the crime and even if payment is court-ordered, minors aren’t legally required to pay it in full, or at all.

“The way the law’s written now, they can get by without paying it,” Paschal said.

(Read more: Local News |)

Belle Plaine moves forward on quiet zone

Belle Plaine is now one step closer to having a quiet zone within city limits, the Belle Plaine News reports.

The Belle Plaine City Council passed Ordinance No. 1677 at its July 18 meeting. It states the city will close the railroad crossing at 10th Avenue and North Line Street.

More than 10 inches of rain brings flooding in eastern Kansas, with threat of more

Several rounds of overnight thunderstorms inundated parts of eastern Kansas with heavy rains early Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Topeka.

Ten inches of rain or more fell along a line that stretched from southern Jefferson County through Douglas County, Franklin County and into Anderson County, weather radar indicated.

The National Weather Service in Topeka issued a flash flood warning for those counties, saying radar and rain gauges indicated that the storms have dumped as much as 10 inches of rain across the area.

Potential loss of millions in property tax revenue hangs over Johnson County budget deliberations

A dark shadow of angst loomed over public discussion of the county budget Monday night as residents and commissioners considered the possible impact of appeals made by big box retailers on their property values that could cost local governments millions.

“What are we going to do when we lose that tax appeal and now we’re short by hundreds of millions, probably, per year?” asked winery owner Kirk Berggren, during a public hearing on the county’s $1.26 billion 2020 budget.

Lawrence and firefighters union to begin mediated contract negotiations

Representatives for the City of Lawrence and the local firefighters union will soon begin mediated negotiations in an attempt to resolve disagreements regarding pay increases and other changes to the union’s contract.

The first meeting with a mediator from the United States Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will be Thursday and is scheduled to last all day. Assistant City Manager Casey Toomay said the city and the union, Local 1596, have tentatively scheduled additional mediated meetings through Aug. 7.

“We look forward to having the assistance of a mediator and hope to reach agreement,” Toomay said.

Months After A Tornado Tore Up Linwood, Kansas, Residents Find Different Paths Forward

Dena Duffin, 53, pulls her teenage son close as she looks into the trailer stuffed with tables, tubs of housewares and whatever else they were able to salvage when the tornado ripped their home off its foundation the night of May 28.

“I gave that to my dad,” she says, pointing to a dented copper tub. “And there’s a stepstool and shelf my dad made for us. You can’t replace those kinds of things.”

Clothes, furniture and appliances will be replaced when the Duffins leave this rural corner at Highway 32 and 206th Street just outside of the tiny town of Linwood, Kansas. They’ve already found a house in Lawrence.

The tornado was on the ground for more than 30 minutes and cut a swath of damage a mile wide, according to the National Weather Service. Miraculously, no one died and there were only a handful of minor injuries. The tornado went around the few blocks of homes in downtown Linwood, almost certainly saving lives.

(Read more: Rural Messenger)

This Johnson County neighborhood ranked one of the ‘hottest ZIP codes’ in nation

Shawnee Mayor Michelle Distler often has viewed her city’s attractive homes, walkable downtown and abundant green space as a well-kept secret.

But now the secret’s out.

For the first time, a piece of this Johnson County suburb is ranked as one of the country’s “hottest ZIP codes” by realtor.com, a national real estate website. The neighborhood along Nieman Road and Johnson Drive — and its accompanying 66203 ZIP code — came in fourth in the nation.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

KDHE: 83 Kansas counties in ‘high risk’ for West Nile Virus

The latest data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment identifies 83 Kansas counties in a “high risk” for West Nile virus. Of the state’s 105 counties, those remaining in a “moderate risk” are in the northeast part of the state, in a line stretching north and east from Chase County to the Missouri and Nebraska borders.

Counties in the “high risk” cover all of western, central and southeast Kansas. Wichita, Hutchinson, Salina, Garden City, Dodge City, Hays and Pittsburg are among the more populated cities facing the high risk.

The KDHE says the high-risk level is based on a “high number of West Nile virus mosquitoes identified and high number of historical human cases of West Nile virus.”

(Read more: KWCH News)

Firefighters retire after more than 40 years of service

More than 40 years is a long time to serve a community, but Mike Regnier and Jim Davis are more than happy they were needed for so long by the city of Marion’s Volunteer Fire Department.
Both Regnier, the city’s fire chief, and Davis are retiring this week after 44 and 42 years respectively — a term that surprises them both.
“I don’t know,” said Davis. “You just get on and you never figure out how to get off. As long as you feel that you can do it, and if you’re needed, you stay.”

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Kansas National Guard disputes labeling of land in Salina as excess property

The Kansas National Guard lodged objections to state auditors labeling as surplus property about a dozen acres near the Salina Municipal Airport with an estimated market value of $250,000.

The two vacant lots were identified as excess for a joint committee of the Kansas Legislature during a survey of property held by nine state agencies. This report on surplus property was another piece of a puzzle being worked by state lawmakers who have sought for years to return buildings and land to the tax roll and passed a law ordering the Kansas Department of Administration to develop criteria for speeding identification of unneeded property — a mandate the agency hasn’t met.

Lt. Col. Ken Weishaar, who serves in the Kansas Army Guard, told legislators the state adjutant general’s department intended to retain the parcels for construction of a $750,000 physical fitness testing facility and, eventually, an $18 million training center with classroom, conference and office space. Both projects would make use of federal funding.

Ellis City Council opts to permanently close city pool

The city of Ellis announced in a news release Wednesday that, effective immediately, the Ellis Municipal Pool will be permanently closed.

“At the last Council meeting, it was reported that the pool is losing almost 30,000 gallons of water every 2-3 days. After further evaluation, the City reluctantly made the difficult decision to close,” the city said in a news release. “We apologize for the inconvenience. Our Splash Bash on Aug. 17 will go on as planned but our itinerary will be modified accordingly. Watch for our new flyer!”

(Read more: Hays Post)

Belle Plaine moves forward on quiet zone

Belle Plaine is now one step closer to having a quiet zone within city limits, the Belle Plaine News reports.

The Belle Plaine City Council passed Ordinance No. 1677 at its July 18 meeting. It states the city will close the railroad crossing at 10th Avenue and North Line Street.

The News reports class-three barriers will be used to close the intersection permanently.

(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Buhler City Council asks for reduction in proposed mill levy

The Buhler City Council was in agreement during Tuesday’s regular meeting to cut a proposed half mill increase from the budget.

Capital improvements and regular cost increases were said as the reason for the $3,500 increase in the numbers, but the Council informed City Manager Merrill Petersen to trim the budget so that the mill levy would stay at 51.2 mills.

Petersen says he will move some numbers around and cut $1,000 from the general fund to hit the Council’s target.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Businesses giving Kansas tornado victims new furniture

As Kansas families still work to recover from a devastating tornado that tore through the Lawrence and Kansas City areas in May, a business is partnering with a major furniture manufacturer to help ease their burdens.

KMBC reports Nebraska Furniture Mart has partnered with Ashley Furniture to donate 780 pieces of furniture to storm victims.

“As an organization, we were devastated to see the damage these storms had, both emotionally and physically, on the lives of the people we share our community with,” said Kansas City Store Director Ethan Stover. “It is our sincere hope that through our strategic partnership with Ashley Furniture, we can, in some small way, help to restore a sense of normalcy for those affected.”

(Read more: KAKE – News)

School groundbreaking planned for Aug. 5

Officials with Basehor-Linwood public schools are planning a groundbreaking for the district’s Early Learning Center.

Voters approved funding for the Basehor-Linwood Early Learning Center last year as part of a $51.6 million bond issue.

The new center will house preschool classes as well as the district’s Parents As Teachers program. Superintendent David Howard said school officials also are planning to use the center for a child care program for children of district employees.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

USD 260 considering selling administrative center to American Legion post

Derby Public Schools is considering selling its current administrative center to the local American Legion post.

Following the July 8 board of education meeting, Derby Public Schools received a $75,000 bid from the American Legion Post 408 for the administrative center, 120 E. Washington St.

Post 408 was formerly headquartered at the VFW Post 7253 building on 101 S. Baltimore Ave. On June 30, the post left the building and began searching for their own space.

Pott County appoints acting administrator

Pottawatomie County commissioners Monday appointed Chad Kinsley as acting county administrator, but made little headway in seeking a permanent successor to Robert Reece.
Kinsley has served a number of years as management assistant of operations, administering the county’s public transportation system, utility billing structure, inventory management, grant administration and providing support to the county administrator.
Kinsley was appointed as acting administrator through Jan. 8 the final date of Reece’s employment with the county.

Wichita police handing out flyers with scooter rules, citations to begin in August

It’s been two weeks since the launch of e-scooters in Wichita and while no citations have been given yet, city officials and officers are focusing on making sure you know the rules.

Michael Tann, director of transit for the City of Wichita said 1,200 trips are taken every day on the scooters, which averages out to be about three trips per scooter.

But, with new things always come with a few hiccups, including riders not paying attention whole on the scooters.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

3.1 magnitude earthquake rattles central Kansas

The U.S. Geological Survey says a 3.1 magnitude earthquake has rattled central Kansas.

The quake was reported around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday about 5.6 miles southwest of the town of Solomon. No damage has been reported.

Scientists say damage is not likely in earthquakes below magnitude 4.0.

(Read more: KMBC)

Moundridge couple turning farmhouse into restaurant

Joetta and Dave Whitcomb were looking for something to do after retiring. When friends told them of an old farmhouse for sale, they decided to turn it into a restaurant.

When the Whitcombs first looked at the property, they were surprised to learn it used to be a working farm that included not just the a house and garage, but a large chicken house, several other outbuildings and 5 acres of land.

At first, Dave and Joetta thought they would rent out the house and raise animals on the acreage.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

County approves study to address Little Ark flooding outside Buhler

The Reno County Commission Tuesday formally approved an agreement with a Wichita engineering firm to identify options and costs for reducing road flooding from the Little Arkansas River on a route into Buhler.

The board also OK’d the creation of a new county “Food Policy Advisory Board” and the appointment of its inaugural members, set dates to canvass of votes from the Aug. 6 primary and Nov. 5 general election for 2019 city/school board elections, and scheduled its 2020 Budget public hearing.

– Under the $26,709 contract with WSP, the company will examine the frequency of flooding on two roads – 85th Avenue west of Buhler and Buhler Road southwest of town – and likely costs to impact flooding for each.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Textron Aviation joins WSU Innovation Campus to develop future workforce

Wichita State University and Textron Aviation, a Textron Inc. company, have announced the next step in ongoing collaboration efforts to develop the future of the aviation industry and next generation of employees when the company signed a long-term lease at the Wichita State Innovation Campus.

Around 40 Textron Aviation employees will share the 5,000 square foot space with Wichita State students to advance product innovation and help students better understand career opportunities within general aviation.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Manley to resign as Saline County Administrator

Andrew Manley announced Tuesday morning his upcoming resignation as Saline County Administrator. Manley has accepted a new job as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for First Bank Kansas.

Manley’s last day as County Administrator will be Aug. 29. He will begin his new job Sept. 1.

Manley looks forward to working for the bank, which he said is one of the strongest financial institutions in central Kansas. In his new job, Manley will handle financials, market analysis, accounting, and trading.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

These are the best hospitals around Kansas City, according to national rankings

The University of Kansas Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital again topped U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of best hospitals in Kansas City.

North Kansas City Hospital and AdventHealth Shawnee Mission (formerly Shawnee Mission Medical Center) also earned high marks in the rankings released Monday.

It was the 10th straight year the news website has ranked KU as best in the Kansas City area.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Roadblocks to Pittsburg’s Housing Plans

Over the past several months, concerned Pittsburg residents living near the planned Silverback Landing housing addition have raised a wide range of concerns about the development.

At a Pittsburg City Commission meeting in June, resident Bill Strenth spoke during the public input period, and questioned the city’s plans for assisting a developer, P&L Development, LLC, to pay for infrastructure improvements in the planned housing development, located east of Rouse Street and north of Centennial Drive in an area south of Quincy Street, with the East Hills neighborhood located directly to the north, also in the area south of Quincy.

(Read more: Pittsburg, KS – Morning Sun)

Pottawatomie County commissioner meets President Trump

Commissioner Dee McKee with President Donald Trump

On a recent trip to speak to the president’s cabinet, a Pottawatomie County commissioner was able to meet with President Donald Trump.

Commissioner Dee McKee was in DC last week to talk to the president’s cabinet on how local issue are impacted by rules and regulations from the federal government. She met with members of the Department of Agriculture, Transportation, and the EPA. After their meetings, McKee and seven others were led to the oval office to meet President Donald Trump.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)