Kansas Municipal News
Voters approve Quinter school bond, citywide sales tax
Voters in Quinter approved their school bond issue and a citywide sales tax to help pay for it. The bond issue passed 249-150, and the sales tax passed 152-88. The renovations include new HVAC systems, new lighting and a cafeteria expansion for the elementary school. The 1% sales tax increase will help pay for the $15.4 million bond to improve those facilities.
Source: KAKE – News
Backers have high hopes for planned disc golf course at Lenexa’s Black Hoof Park
Pickleball, move over. There’s a new contender for fastest growing sport that may soon dominate local park and recreation programs in Johnson County. Disc golf baskets have been popping up everywhere: Johnson County Park and Recreation District has three, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa has one and more can be found in Olathe and Prairie Village. Now Lenexa is building another disc golf course at the city’s Black Hoof Park that backers say could become a premier venue for tournaments and super fans.
Source: Prairie Village Post
City of Lawrence preps camp for people experiencing homelessness
The city’s Homeless Initiatives Division is funneling an estimated 150 to 200 people who are dispersed across town camping at public parks, wooded areas and the library, to the parcel of land behind Johnny’s Tavern to live in a city-run temporary shelter. “I would prefer to call it a support campsite,” said Jenn Wolsey, homeless programs coordinator. “It’s intended for us to have a space for individuals to go to that has amenities, portable restrooms, showers, and then we will also be there as well. It’s also a place that providers can go to, like one place to meet folks where they’re at, where we can bring … food resources and things like that.” How many people will stay at the city-sanctioned campsite is unknown, Wolsey said. The city will supply 10-by-10 tents, and campers who have larger tents will have to downsize so the city can fully utilize the space. Campers won’t be allowed to have storage tents or extra space to keep blankets, pillows or food that doesn’t fit into their tents.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Economist gives pessimistic 2023 outlook at Wichita forum
The chief economist for the Associated Builders and Contractors trade association struck a largely downbeat tone when it came to the U.S. economic outlook during a Wednesday presentation. “By and large this economy has been growing. But in 2023, my prediction will be very different: We’re headed for a recession next year,” said Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of Baltimore-based Sage Policy Group, in a keynote address during Adams Brown’s inaugural construction forum at The Hudson. As for the depth of the forecasted downturn, Basu, who also serves as chief economic advisor to the Construction Financial Management Association, stressed it should be nothing like the Great Recession caused by 2007-08’s financial crisis, but he expects a “moderately-deep recession.”
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Derby Fire and Rescue to celebrate 70 years
A major milestone is quickly approaching for Derby Fire and Rescue, with the department getting set to celebrate “Seven Decades of Service” for its 70th anniversary in October. Going from fully volunteer to a paid department – and continuing to evolve – Derby Fire and Rescue has provided 70 years of continuous service in the community. In conjunction with that, the city, fire department and Derby Historical Museum are planning a special anniversary event to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15. It will be hosted jointly at the museum and Hubbard Arts Center.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Bentley police chief attends conference in Washington, D.C.
Bentley Police Chief James “Tim” Bryan had a voice at the table representing small, rural police departments during the Leadership Institute to Combat Human Trafficking last week in Washington, D.C. The two-day conference was organized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Bryan is a lifetime member of the IACP and he once worked for the organization for four years when he lived in Washington, D.C. So I’ve been affiliated with them and they needed a small and rural representative at the table,” he said. He and the police chief from Alliance, Neb., (population 8,100) represented small cities alongside law enforcement leaders from big cities like Anaheim, San Jose, Seattle, Portland, Arlington, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Jackson and more.
Source: Harvey County Now
School locked down after report of mountain lion
Peabody-Burns elementary school was locked down about an hour Aug. 31 after Peabody resident Korie Hatton reported seeing a mountain lion near the school. “Please put your outside pets in and watch kids being outside,” Hatton posted on social media. “We just saw a mountain lion in our alley at our house at 310 E. 3rd St. I called the police department and the school, since they are across the street to let them know. The school was going to lock down any kids from going outside.” According to monitored police transmissions, Peabody Chief Bruce Burke and sheriff’s deputy Travis Wilson patrolled the area but found nothing.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Gavel Bashing Has Its Moment. ‘You Love That Thing, Don’t You?’
The wooden gavel may be best known as a symbol of the legal profession and a prop for reality show judges. But in these unruly times, the gavel has become an emblem of civic disorder. Footage from local government meetings shows vexed city, county and school board officials bashing their gavels, sometimes so hard they splinter, to enforce silence, parliamentary procedure and civil debate. Officials wielding the gavel call it a primitive but useful tool to gain control of the room when Robert’s Rules fly out the window. Those on the receiving end bristle at all the banging.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Counties shift to new system: Court cases, documents to be searchable online
District courts in 34 counties, including Reno County, will transition to the new Kansas eCourt centralized case management system starting next week. After the transition, the public will be able to look up court cases online, including getting access to view some documents, without fees or having to visit county courthouses. The system will allow visitors to search records of any court statewide that is on the system, which, after next week’s transition, will include about 95% of the courts in the state, officials said.
Source: Hutch News
Meet Lawrence’s new fire chief: He’s passionate about his profession, dogs, basketball and a new chapter in Kansas
Lawrence’s new fire chief has come a long way — from a region full of mountains to a Midwestern city known for one “mount” — and he’s excited for his next chapter. Rich Llewellyn was sworn in as Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical’s chief on Aug. 26, though he arrived two weeks prior after two 15-hour days of driving in a pickup truck with his wife and six dogs from Washington State. He is the permanent replacement for Chief Shaun Coffey, who retired in November. “It was quite the adventure getting out here,” Llewellyn said. “We got to town on a Tuesday. I started my new job on Wednesday.”
Source: LJWorld
Lawrence city leaders hear multiple perspectives about plan for city-run campsite for those experiencing homelessness
Lawrence city leaders heard various perspectives about a plan to create a temporary city-run campsite for those experiencing homelessness and to relocate people to that area. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received an update on the city’s strategic plan goal of “strong, welcoming neighborhoods,” which included updates on various efforts to address homelessness. Among them was the city’s plan to create a temporary campsite on a city-owned parcel of land in North Lawrence, located between the Johnny’s Tavern back parking lot and the levee trail, as well as future plans for a longer-term campsite.
Source: LJWorld
Voters in Pretty Prairie say no to $10 million bond – new windows and roofs will have to wait
After months of debate and meetings, on Tuesday, the residents of Pretty Prairie decided against the $10.4 million bond, with 277 voting no and 212 voting yes. The bond was to fix the roofs and exterior brick in all three school buildings, the elementary, middle and high school. With the funds, tall three schools would get new, energy efficient windows. Pretty Prairie Middle School would have also had their gymnasium renovated and some ceilings fixed.
Source: Hutch News
Topeka initiates contract talks with finalist for city manager; identity not revealed
Topeka’s mayor and city council have identified their top choice to be Topeka’s next city manager, but they’re not saying who it is. The mayor and council about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday voted 9-0, with Councilman Mike Lesser having just left the room, to direct Paul Bossert, of Kansas Personnel Services Inc., to begin contract negotiations with that finalist, whose name they didn’t reveal. Any vote to hire Topeka’s next city manager would need to take place during a public meeting. The mayor and council are scheduled to next meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, in their chambers at 214 S.E. 8th, according to the city’s website.
Source: CJonline
Valley Center Moves Forward with First 3D-Printed Community in Kansas
On Tuesday evening, the City of Valley Center gave final approval for a 3D-printed community of homes. This will be the first in the State of Kansas and one of only a handful in the United States. Also announced at the meeting was the name of the community development – Sunflower Valley. According to CC3D, the development company, the name was chosen to honor Kansas and the City of Valley Center for being the first in the state and leading the way in the nation. … “We are excited to be moving forward with the City of Valley Center to bring the first community of 3D-printed homes to Kansas. 3D-printed homes can revolutionize the housing/construction industry by providing high-quality, cost-effective and sustainable housing options in less time than traditional builds,” said Eric Ross, CEO, CC3D. “We are looking forward to starting the process this fall and anticipate we will have homes available next year.”
Source: Valley Center
Pickleball or tennis? Wichita is asked to choose in dispute over public courts in park
The Wichita Park Board is calling for the city to convert two more tennis courts into pickleball courts in east Wichita, a year after turning down the proposal. The change of direction sets up a showdown at City Hall that leaves the Wichita City Council to choose between tennis, a popular sport that has been a staple of the city’s parks and recreation programming for decades, and pickleball, an upstart game that’s growing in popularity. At stake are two tennis courts at Edgemoor Park, one of two city-owned tennis facilities large enough to host tennis tournaments, high school and middle school practices, clinics and youth camps. The Wichita Park Board wants to replace them with six pickleball courts so picklers can have another place to play after dark.
Source: Wichita Eagle
‘Locomotive that we’ve seen coming’: How did KC area teacher shortage get this bad?
In Kansas City’s most affluent suburbs, where districts pay the highest salaries and traditionally have had an easier time recruiting teachers, schools have been struggling to ensure every classroom is staffed this fall. The Blue Valley school district in Johnson County — with among the highest starting teacher salaries in the metro at $46,000 — reported a high of 250 resignations and retirements this spring. The district started the school year short 90 paraprofessionals, said Eric Punswick, chief human resources officer. “It doesn’t matter what job it is right now in our district, the pools of applicants are much smaller than they were even 10 years ago,” Punswick said. “So when we post a job, we know we’re in competition with all of our neighbors, but also regionally, and with some virtual schools and other jobs out there that teachers are qualified for.”
Source: KC Star Local News
4-day weeks, virtual teachers: Staff shortage has KC schools taking desperate measures
With many positions still left empty weeks into the school year, several districts are scaling back operations and finding new ways to keep schools running, while trying to have a competitive edge to recruit and retain enough employees. Unable to fill enough teaching positions, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools partnered with a company to hire some virtual teachers from out of state, who are livestreaming lessons to classrooms of middle and high school students on their computers, while a staff member watches the kids in person.
Source: KC Star Local News
Municipal Bond Trends for September 6, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Hesston bond issue passes by a hair
Every vote mattered for the Hesston Bond issue, which passed by 11 votes. The Harvey County Canvassing Board (Randy Hague, Chip Westfall, Don Schroeder) certified the bond election and results at a (September) 6 meeting. At the meeting, the board made a determination on which of the 19 provisional ballots were eligible to be counted in the election under state statute. After the County Clerk’s Office tallied the accepted provisional ballots, the final count stood at 800 votes in favor of the bond issue and 789 against. “A vote this close shows how important it is to go vote,” Hague said. “We still had 50 percent of people that could go vote and that didn’t,” Westfall added.
Source: Harvey County Now
Overland Park new incentive program to recruit snow crews with cash
The city of Overland Park is launching a new incentive to recruit snow crews for the upcoming winter season. During the 2022-23 snow season, crews will receive some extra money for every winter weather event after which they help clear city streets. Overland Park will pay plow drivers on staff $150 per storm. Smaller truck drivers on staff will receive $100 per storm, and support staff will receive $50 per storm. This is in addition to regular pay, which starts at $18 per hour for maintenance workers, as well as any overtime. Plow drivers who work throughout the season will also receive a minimum $1,500 bonus as part of the city’s seasonal minimum incentive amount.
Source: Prairie Village Post