Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Urged by students, City to consider T-21 ordinance

Karly Green looked at the Newton City Commission and started talking about a problem she sees at Newton High School.The sophomore, a member of STAND, started hearing about e-cigarettes in 2017 and was a little concerned. Then, she said, use of the devices “exploded.””It was like everyone was Juuling,” Green said. “(A Juul) carries the same amount (of nicotine) as 20 cigarettes in one pod.”Juul is an e-cigarette company. …

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Newton offers support of rural school program

Should voters approve a new school in an upcoming bond election, Walton Rural Life Center would be closed in favor of a new building at S.W. 24th and Old Main. And that means concern over whether such a school could house livestock for its agricultural emphasis.

“There have been questions and concerns as to whether that (livestock) is allowed in the city limits,” said Bob Myer, city manager. “We had researched this in the past. We feel the existing animal control regulations already contain exemptions for an educational institution, especially one regulated by the USDA.”

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

After talks break down, City of Lawrence and firefighters union cancel planned meetings until mediator takes over

Negotiations between the City of Lawrence and the local firefighters union have come to a halt until a mediator takes over the proceedings next week.

A local resolution governing contract negotiations states that the negotiations are automatically considered at an impasse if they aren’t concluded by July 1.

By the time the groups reached the impasse date, they were still far apart on agreeing to a new employment contract covering wages, benefits and working conditions for firefighters, fire engineers and fire lieutenants with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical. The current contract expires at the end of this year.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

City of Lawrence leaders, school board begin heated discussion on future funding for school resource officers

School district leaders have concerns about helping the city pay for a program that puts police officers in schools, and some are questioning whether the program is worthwhile at all.

That was the takeaway from Wednesday’s meeting between City of Lawrence leaders and the Lawrence school board about whether the district should contribute some funding for the Lawrence Police Department’s school resource officer program. The program has been paid for solely by grants and city funds since 2001. At Wednesday’s meeting, however, Police Chief Gregory Burns Jr. proposed expanding the program and also suggested that the school district pay half of the salary and benefits for the officers — currently about $47,000 per officer per year.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

Developers propose $500M arts campus near Kansas Speedway

Developers are proposing a $500 million arts-and-entertainment campus in the Kansas City area with housing for students and seniors.

The Kansas City Star reports that the Bonner Springs City Council this week approved a zoning change that developers needed to move ahead with the 180-acre project. It would be near NASCAR’s Kansas Speedway and the Village West shopping district at Interstates 70 and 435.

The campus would include a for-profit college to train people to work in film and television production and engineering, along with housing for its students. Plans also call for independent living, assistant living and a memory care facility for seniors.

(Read more: Hays Post)

USD 428 planning tours ahead of bond issue election

A school bond issue ballot will be mailed to USD 428 voters on August 20, 2019.

It comes down to two simple ‘yes or no’ questions for the Great Bend school district. The outcome from a mail-in ballot will determine if USD 428 is able to move forward with renovations, enhancements, and additions to their facilities.

The first bond question worth $41,750,000 plans to make renovations to all seven of the school buildings, including a new sixth-grade classroom wing at Great Bend Middle School to make the shift of sixth graders to the middle school.

USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says the district will be providing tours to anyone that wants to view the existing buildings and hear about the plans.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Wichita State lands $33M contract for Army missile program

Wichita State University’s aviation research program has landed a $33 million contract for the Army’s high-speed missile program.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the three-year contract calls for the National Institute for Aviation Research to make the missiles lighter and cheaper while improving performance.

Wichita State interim president Andy Tompkins said in a news release Tuesday that the contract will give students, both undergraduates and graduates, “an advantage no other university in the country can match.”

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Aerial spraying planned to control mosquito population

The mosquito population in Reno County is the worst anyone has ever seen, according to Sherry Tubach with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

She spoke at the Reno County Commission meeting yesterday and talked about what they found in the county traps.

“Among the five traps that were found in Reno County, this is really an unprecedented number, we have never ever trapped this many Culex mosquitoes,” Tubach said. “We really feel like the West Nile virus, actually they can also carry Saint Louis encephalitis virus, is quite high.”

She says they are going to do aerial spraying over every community in the county to try to reduce the pest population to lower the risk for disease.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Wichita’s abandoned Joyland Amusement Park gets green light for makeover

The new owners of Wichita’s former Joyland Amusement Park got the green light to move forward with redevelopment plans.

The City Council approved the redevelopment project Tuesday which would transform the eyesore property into an outdoor event center and paintball range. It also would add one or more restaurants, The Wichita Eagle reports.

The amusement park opened in 1949 and has been vacant since 2006. Since its closing, the site has faced vandalism, theft and arson.

Overland Park committee approves no-bid purchase of police body cameras

The City of Overland Park is one step closer to equipping police officers with body worn cameras.
The Overland Park Public Safety Committee voted Wednesday night to approve the police department’s plan to spend $430,000 on body cameras without a bidding process.
The measure is expected to be heard and voted on by the full City Council next week.
If approved, Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez said he expects the cameras to be ready for use by the end of the year.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

‘It has been an honor’: KCK Police Chief Terry Zeigler announces plan to retire

Kansas City, Kansas, Police Chief Terry Zeigler said he plans to retire later this year in an announcement shared on social media Wednesday.

Zeigler, who has been the police chief for four and a half years, serving 29 years total with the department in his law enforcement career, said his retirement will go into effect Sept. 11.

“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Kansas City, Kansas, and the men and women of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department for the last four and a half years as Chief of Police,” Zeigler said in a statement.

Read more here: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article232510437.html#storylink=cpy

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Commission chair addresses all sides

The chair of the Neosho County Commission addressed her fellow commissioners, critics of a proposed wind project and its developer in comments at Tuesday’s meeting.

Gail Klaassen said she has been told people are drawing up papers to file suit over the planned Neosho Ridge Wind project, a development to generate 300 megawatts of electricity in the southwest portion of the county. She told residents there the county has signed agreements and she will stand by them.

She also asked people to send her information from primary sources instead of social media. She asked Commissioner David Orr not to use her name, picture or video on social media and asked he take down a site since it is not an official county site.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Topeka Metro receives $1.3 million in grant funding from KDOT

The Topeka Metro bus service announced Wednesday it was recently awarded three grants totaling more than $1.3 million from the bus and bus facilities program maintained by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

But the grants won’t affect Topeka Metro’s day-to-day operational structure because all are “one-time capital grants,” said Jim Ogle, chairman of the board for the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority, which oversees Topeka Metro.

Each grant announced Wednesday requires a partial match in funding from Topeka Metro to carry out the program involved, with the matching money coming from funds set aside through depreciation, Ogle said in an email.

Leawood preparing a second bike loop south of I-435

Bicyclists may be familiar with Leawood’s North Loop, an 11-mile route designated by green wayfinding signs that guide cyclists along residential streets in the older part of the city while largely avoiding busy thoroughfares like 95th and 103rd streets.

Now Leawood is creating a similar-sized loop that will go south to 133rd Street, and it should be ready this fall. Part of the route follows the Tomahawk Creek Streamway Trail.

“To my knowledge, these recommended recreational riding loops are kind of unique in our metro,” said Brian Anderson, the city’s superintendent of parks. “(There are) lots of trails and bicycle lanes intended for commuting, but these loops — intended for recreational exercise — are a bit different.”

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

$500M arts campus would put hotels, apartments and amphitheater near Kansas Speedway

Kansas City developers envision students and seniors living together on a sprawling $500 million mixed-use campus with an arts and entertainment theme.

The 180-acre Bonner Crossing development is planned for the southwest corner of State Avenue and Speedway Boulevard in Bonner Springs, near Village West and the Kansas Speedway.

Developers presented their latest plans for the concept to the Bonner Springs City Council Monday evening. While the city has not yet reached a final development agreement on the project, the council on Monday approved the last zoning change needed to move forward.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Topeka officials consider adding e-scooters

In September 2017, the market for public transportation changed exponentially when e-scooters hit the streets — first in California, then in communities all over the world.Now local officials are exploring the possibility of bringing dockless scooter-sharing vendors to the capital city.“We are definitely pro-scooter,” said Bill Fiander, director of planning and development with the city of Topeka. “We were very proactive in trying to get them here…

Johnson County Chair Ed Eilert looks at the history of the current structure of JoCo government

The current structure of Johnson County Government was formed as a result of a Home Rule Charter passed by the Kansas Legislature. The Johnson County Charter Commission was formed in 1999 and convened in May to study the structure of Johnson County Government and to make recommendations for improvement. In May 2000, the Charter Commission submitted its report and proposed Home Rule Charter for Johnson County with two alternative provisions.

Johnson County voters approved and adopted the charter on Nov. 7, 2000 along with the two alternative provisions. The charter provisions became effective on the second Thursday of January 2001.

Wind farm approved in part

Commissioners approved a conditional use permit for development of a wind farm, but took no action on a development plan submitted by the company Monday.
Audience members had been told earlier there would be no public comment at Monday’s meeting because meetings were earlier held for people to voice their opinions.
Commissioners Randy Dallke and Kent Becker voted in favor of the application. Dianne Novak voted against.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

‘She’s my hero’: Silver Lake city council president remembered for dedication to job, city

The Silver Lake city council president is being remembered for her dedication to her job as well as being the “epitome of a team player,” according to Silver Lake Mayor Mack Smith.

Nancy Bryant, 67, died June 29 of cancer.

Family and friends gathered 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Silver Lake United Methodist Church for a memorial service.

Bryant, who served as a Silver Lake councilwoman for 20 years, worked in public service for several years, said Suzette Smith, a friend of Bryant.

Heartland Park owner Chris Payne seeks $1 million from Shawnee County; official calls allegations ‘groundless and defamatory’

Heartland Motorsports Park owner Chris Payne is stepping up his property tax fight with Shawnee County, sending notice to the county that his company, Shelby Development LLC, is seeking damages of more than $1 million.

Shawnee County, meanwhile, isn’t backing down, with county counselor James Crowl saying the county vehemently denies accusations by Payne’s attorneys and will fight them in court if the case gets to that point.

In documents obtained by The Topeka Capital-Journal, the Kansas City, Mo., law firm of Ensz & Jester, P.C., said in correspondence dated July 3 that it was giving notice to Shawnee County clerk Cynthia Beck that Shelby has a claim against Shawnee County and multiple county officials totaling $1,192,000.

Riley County collects over $267,000 in 2019 delinquent taxes

Riley County’s 2019 delinquent tax foreclosure case and auction wrapped up last week after auctioning off seven properties.

During Monday’s Riley County commission meeting, Deputy County Counselor Craig Cox presented all the final figures to the foreclosure case. The case began in October 2018 with 84 properties. Cox’s office sent out letters in October notifying residents their properties qualified for the tax sale. They were able to collect $197,176 based on the demand letter sent in October and another $63,183 after filing the case in January.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Area wheat harvest doing OK despite rain

Despite unseasonably wet weather in the area, the wheat harvest in Crawford and Cherokee counties appears to be coming in on schedule.

“Rain continued to be hit or miss over the holiday weekend,” according to the July 7 Kansas Wheat Harvest Report from the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Grain and Feed Association. “Many Kansas wheat farmers spent their Independence Day in the wheat field. Some areas in south central Kansas have finally wrapped up their harvest, but there are still a lot of acres left to cut in the rest of the state. […] While yields are lower than the last couple years, they are in line with the 10 year average.”

In Girard, a large majority of wheat —about 90 percent— has been harvested. It is questionable whether local farmers will harvest the remaining 10 percent because of recent wet weather, according to Sarah Shepherd, grain merchandiser with Producers Cooperative Association in Girard.

(Read more: Pittsburg Morning Sun)

Gas prices creeping up along with temps, says AAA Kansas

Along with the summer temperatures, gas prices have started to rise a bit.

“Today’s Kansas gas price average is $2.50 a gallon, which is up 2 cents from a week ago,” said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. “For perspective, one month ago, we were at $2.57 a gallon and a year ago at this time, the average in Kansas was $2.67.”

Though Kansas is 11th cheapest right now, there is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to supply and demand.

(Read more: WIBW News Now)

Wichita Collegiate School has a new leader at the helm

Wichita Collegiate School on Wednesday announced that Nathan Washer has begun work as its new head of school.
Washer succeeds Tom Davis, who retired in May after 19 years as Collegiate’s leader.

Collegiate says in an emailed press release that Washer brings more than 30 years of education experience to the role.
He was most recently the assistant head of school at The Pine School in Hobe Sound, Florida.

“I look forward with great anticipation the exciting work ahead in collaborating.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

ACLU of Kansas selects Google manager as its new director

TOPEKA (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas has named a Google manager and former U.S. State Department employee as its new executive director.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Nadine Farid Johnson takes over Monday. The ACLU of Kansas has fought legal battles with the state over voting rights issues, the ability of transgender residents to alter their birth certificates and rules restricting protests at the Statehouse.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

More than 12K free meals served in June from USD 428

The numbers are in for the Summer Food Program that USD 428 Great Bend participated in again this summer. Providing free lunches and breakfasts in June for anyone 18 years old or younger, the district served 12,467 meals. Of those meals, 8,228 were lunches and 4,239 were breakfasts.

USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says the program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture is a great opportunity for families.

“It’s self-sufficient. It’s a federal program and does not cost the district any money,” said Thexton. “That’s another month that kids have access to two meals that they may not have any other time.”

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

USD 305 plans job fair to fill numerous open positions

The second annual USD 305 Job Fair will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Salina Central High School, 650 E. Crawford.

Numerous employment opportunities in the school district include food service, maintenance and operations, instructional assistants, paraeducators and substitute teachers.

Flexible schedules with full and part-time positions are available. The district offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance and disability, as well as generous paid leave plans. The job fair is open to the public and job offers onside are possible.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

USD 305 board drops ‘interim’ from Exline’s title

Following an executive session at their meeting today, Salina USD 305 board members unanimously voted to offer Linn Exline a superintendent contract, dropping ‘interim’ from her superintendent title.

“As educators our responsibility to the students in our care is immense,” said Exline. “We have one chance to get K-12 education right for each student. Part of our job is to open as many doors as possible for our graduates. As a leader I take that responsibility seriously, and I’m proud to be able to lead and work beside a top-notch staff to that end.”

Four board seats will be determined at the November 7 general election, with only one incumbent candidate. Exline’s 26 years at USD 305 including classroom teacher, principal and district administrator will provide consistency for the district.

(Read more: The Salina Post)

‘Ultimate pork project’: Kansas’ mega tax breaks don’t deliver as promised

Two race tracks in eastern Kansas are separated by 60 miles along Interstate 70, as well as a veritable chasm in one’s success and the other’s struggle.

The first, the 48,000-seat Kansas Speedway, draws thousands of NASCAR fans and has been key in transforming the western edge of Wyandotte County from windswept fields to a booming retail, entertainment and employment sector.

The other, in Topeka, is the Heartland Motorsports Park, which has performed so far below expectations that the city has to cough up $1 million a year to pay back investors.

Underpinning both projects is taxpayer assistance in the form of sales tax revenue (STAR) bonds, powerful inducements that were originally designed to encourage exceptional attractions that bring in tourists from far away.

The Kansas Speedway demonstrates what is possible with the bonds, while Topeka and other developments in recent years show what the program has become.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Hutchinson’s Smallville events growing in popularity

Talks have already started on how to capture the growing footprint of Hutchinson’s Smallville events.The sixth annual Smallville Con saw a dip in its attendance during the two-day event celebrating comic book heroes at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. However, the second annual Smallville Festival on Thursday prior drew enough to cover the attendance loss and then some. More businesses seemed to join the effort this year, as well.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Overland Park police may get body cameras

Overland Park police may soon join the ranks of law enforcement agencies using body cameras.

A city committee will vote Wednesday on whether to approve the police department’s plan to use $430,000 in allocated funds to buy the cameras.

The police department is also seeking approval to skip the bidding process and negotiate a price with WatchGuard, the company that currently supplies dash cameras for Overland Park police vehicles.

The proposal will be heard by the Overland Park Public Safety Committee at 7 p.m. Wednesday night. If it is approved, it will likely be heard by the full city council next week, according to committee chair Paul Lyons.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Wichita launches new tool to connect residents with city’s resources, services

The City of Wichita Monday launched an online tool meant to connect residents with the city’s resources and services, and to allow them to easily report non-emergency issues or concerns.

(Read more: KWCH News)

The Tool That Local Economic Developers Should Rely On

There’s little doubt that the use of taxpayer-funded incentives will remain the subject of intense disagreement among public officials, researchers and the public. Regardless of the larger debate, however, local economic developers are often expected to offer incentives to attract and retain businesses. How can you provide them in a fiscally responsible way?

The local government’s elected body sets a vision for the type of economic activity the community desires. Policies then need to be written stating when and what types of incentives can be used. At this point, economic developers need a good fiscal tool to ensure that incentives are being offered wisely.

(Read more: GOVERNING.com)

Pottawatomie County Administrator announces retirement

Longtime Pottawatomie County Administrator Robert Reece has announced his retirement.

Pottawatomie County Commissioners unanimously accepted his resignation during Monday’s regular meeting. Commissioner Dee McKee “reluctantly” seconded the motion from Chairman Travis Altenhofen.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

New Johnson County playground aims to include all children

A brand new park aimed at including children of all ages and abilities opened Saturday in Shawnee Mission Park. This is the second all-inclusive park to open in Johnson County.

It looks like a typical park but it has one big exception. This park centers around acceptance. The $1.2 million playground lets children play together without any physical or social barriers.

Casey and Amanda Connealy brought their four children to the playground.

(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Kansas in shrinking minority of states without measles cases

The national measles outbreak has not hit Kansas yet, but it has come close with cases reported in neighboring Oklahoma, Missouri and Colorado.

Kansas health officials say they think a case in Kansas looks nearly inevitable given that more than 1,000 measles cases have been reported so far across the nation. Kansas is in a shrinking minority of states without cases.

KCUR-FM reports that the state’s annual survey of kindergartener vaccination rates suggests some counties do better than others at getting children their potentially life-saving shots. Though Kansas requires shots against illnesses such as measles, whooping cough and polio for school attendance, 15% of kindergartners last year weren’t up to date on those.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Wichita getting national help amid high violent crime rate

WICHITA — A violent crime rate about twice the national average has prompted Wichita law enforcement officials to join a national program that aims to drive down crime.

The Wichita Eagle reports the city is among 10 selected this year to participate in the U.S. Department of Justice National Safety Partnership.

Wichita cited the latest figures published by the FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation in its application for the program.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Two things might be shrinking number of teacher vacancies in Kansas

Education officials in Kansas are taking a two-pronged approach to reducing teacher shortages: raising pay and fast-tracking teaching assistants and other professionals to the front of the classroom.

Last year, Kansas schools had more than 600 vacant positions. Many of the openings were concentrated in rural areas and the state’s most urban districts.

Low pay has been blamed for much of the trouble attracting and retaining teachers. But education officials believe they have an opportunity to tackle that with the recent boosts to state funding.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Zebra mussels found in Lyon State Fishing Lake

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Lyon State Fishing Lake in Lyon County. Routine samples collected by KDWPT Aquatic Nuisance Species staff to detect zebra mussels were found to contain zebra mussel larvae (also called veligers). Upon finding the veligers, staff returned to the lake and located an established population of adult zebra mussels. Similar sampling is conducted by KDWPT at more than 100 waterbodies across the state.

The 135-acre lake is located 12 miles north and two miles east of Emporia on Rd 270. Lyon State Fishing Lake is owned and operated by KDWPT. The lake and surrounding wildlife area are popular destinations for fishing, hunting, hiking, and a variety of other outdoor-related activities.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Phone scam reported in Norton County

The Norton County Sheriff’s Office is warning area residents of numerous reports of a phone scam in the area.

The calls were reported as a Social Security scam.

“They report that they are being told that there is fraudulent activity on their Social Security number or that their SS number has been suspended,” the announcement said.

(Read more: Hays Post)

GEO Chemicals plans to locate in Hutchinson

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An Enid, Oklahoma, company with ties to the area will go before the Hutchinson Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals for a public hearing on a proposed hazardous materials manufacturing and storage facility.

GEO Chemicals, LLC, wants to establish the facility in the lone building left over from the Consolidated Manufacturing property at 1600 N. Halstead. The company is also requesting a setback variance on the property. The public hearing is set for July 23.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

John Deardoff to retire next year as city manager

The city manager of Hutchinson, John Deardoff, has announced his desire to retire in the spring of 2020.

He says in a letter to the Hutchinson City Council that it will depend on the search timeline for his replacement.

At the time of his retirement, Deardoff says he’ll have 40 years of service in city management, including 20 years with the city of Hutchinson. That includes 5 years as the assistant city manager from 1989 to 1994. He became the city manager in 2005.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Kansas sheriff’s office putting dozens of horses up for adoption

A sheriff’s office in northeast Kansas is putting dozens of horses up for adoption.

According to KTKA, Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse announced Sunday that they are looking for homes for 42 horses including mares, fillies and geldings. He said the Kansas Horse Education, Advocacy and Resource Team is helping them find good homes for the horses.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Lawrence and firefighters union still at odds over pay increase, other contract elements

Representatives for the City of Lawrence and the local firefighters union continue to disagree on how much of a wage increase is needed to keep firefighter pay competitive, and contract negotiations could soon require mediation.

Negotiations between the city and the union, Local 1596, are governed by a local resolution that states that whenever a contract is negotiated, the negotiations are automatically considered to be at an impasse if they aren’t concluded by July 1. City and union representatives have been meeting since April, but have yet to agree on a compensation plan and several other contract provisions. The parties were therefore required under the resolution to request the services of the U.S. government’s Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Read more: LJWorld.com.

Lawrence City Commission to discuss new growth plan that limits expansion of city boundaries

City leaders will soon discuss a new growth plan that would favor infill development over expanding the city’s boundaries.

As part of its work session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will discuss the new comprehensive plan, Plan 2040, which lays out policies that will shape how the city grows for the next 20 years. Plan 2040 prioritizes development within the city’s boundaries and requires that several conditions be met if developers want to annex land to expand those boundaries.

The proposed plan requires that annexations only occur if demand for the proposed development is established and the developers provide a community benefit.

Read more: LJWorld.com.