Kansas Municipal News
New fire truck ordered for Pretty Prairie station
The Reno County Commission on Tuesday approved Reno/Kingman Joint Fire District No. 1 purchasing a new pumper truck.
The new vehicle, which is expected to take up to 10 months to build and deliver, will replace a 24-year-old truck that fire department officials said is developing mechanical problems.
The department, based in Pretty Prairie, will use $210,000 accumulated in its equipment fund toward the $292,545 purchase from Nebraska-based Danko Emergency Equipment.
The remainder of the purchase will be covered under a four-year lease-purchase agreement funded by People’s Bank and Trust in Hutchinson at 3.5 percent interest, County Administrator Gary Meagher advised the county commission.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
Community Memorial Hospital asks Marshall county for vote on sales tax
After recording $1.7 million in uncompensated care during 2018, Community Memorial Healthcare representatives are — for the fourth year in a row — requesting that the Marshall County Board of Commissioners place a 10-year, half-cent countywide sales tax on the November ballot.
No action was taken on the request at the meeting. However, board Chairman Dave Baier said he was not in favor of tax money for the hospital.
Commissioner Barb Kickhaefer said she supported putting the CMH sales tax up for a public vote, and Commissioner Keith Bramhall said he needed a week to mull over the issue.
CMH’s representatives are slated to meet with the commissioners at 10:30 a.m. next Tuesday. “You’d be amazed how many people we take care of and never see a dime,” chief executive officer Curtis Hawkinson said. “What other business can have someone walk in who owes $10,000 and still be treated? We are the safety net for this county.”
(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)
City Addresses Water Issues Resulting From Excess Rainfall
With heavy rains affecting Osawatomie, please know the city’s staff is closely monitoring river levels and its ponding areas near the levee.
The city received a tremendous amount of rain over a two-day period, which only added to already swollen rivers and saturated ground. To manage the excess water, four stationary pumps have been running since yesterday, and six additional mobile pumps were brought in to handle the water. While the ponding areas are full, the auxiliary pumps are helping city crews make progress. At 3 a.m., city public works crews installed stop logs in the levee’s southwest gate to prevent rising water from entering town. As a result, rail traffic has ceased at this time.
Currently, the Marais des Cygnes River is still rising. However, the river appears to have already crested upstream in Ottawa. Based on current weather data, the Marais des Cygnes is expected to crest around 40 feet sometime today. Likewise, Pottawatomie Creek crested upstream around midnight, and is expected to crest at Osawatomie after noon today.
(Read more: Osawatomie news)
Manhattan officials hold special meeting to discuss flood potential
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)
Town of Sedgwick forced to deal with more flooding
For the second time in the last two weeks, many of Sedgwick’s roads are under water.
“The river usually comes out on the west side of town by the school,” says Mayor Bryan Chapman.
Past the playground at the school, you should see a practice football field. Instead, all you can see is water. Tuesday was supposed to be the last day of school for students, but classes were canceled due to the flooding.
“It’s fun because now I can play with my friends,” says Bentley Wallace.
“It’s just fun, getting out. Playing in the water,” says Marsholl Croxton.
Fun for kids, who got to spend the day splashing in the water, but it’s not a game for adults. Many fear the water will end up in their home.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Officials in Crawford County and Pittsburg give update on storm damage
Crawford County and City of Pittsburg officials hosted a news conference Tuesday to address concerns following a serious storm and apparent tornado that hit the area Monday, resulting in downed trees and power lines and damage to structures.
Local officials and the National Weather Service were still not able to confirm that the storm technically qualified as a tornado as of Tuesday morning. The storm came out of Cherokee County and across Crawford County before moving into Missouri, Crawford County Emergency Manager Jason VanBecelaere said, causing considerable damage near Pittsburg, particularly to roofs and outbuildings in the area of Langdon Lane south of the city, though no serious damage to residences, injuries, or fatalities were known to have occurred as of Tuesday morning.
“At this point we’ve got storms coming in today so we’ve kind of halted operations as far as debris removal,” VanBecelaere said. “We did all our search and rescue last night. We searched all the houses, made sure everybody was OK before the second round of storms comes through.“
Crawford County Sheriff Danny Smith said there were other storm-related concerns besides tornado damage.
“Right now the one thing that we’re concerned about is the flooding,” Smith said. “We’ve kind of got over the hump with the tornado — we’re still waiting for the confirmation but we’re pretty sure that’s what we’re looking at.“
Waters are rising and preventing many area roads from being usable, Smith said, and authorities in Missouri have had to make some water rescues.
(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)
NextEra wants all protest petitions tossed
County officials have again pushed back a meeting for the Reno County Commission to take up NextEra Energy’s application for a permit for its proposed Pretty Prairie Energy Center, pending resolution of a legal issue.
The meeting is now tentatively set for 6:30 p.m. June 13 at the Atrium Hotel and Convention Center, with county staff hoping to solidify the meeting date by next week.
The legal question delaying the meeting relates to whether protest petitions against NextEra’s requested zoning permit required the signature of a notary when submitted.
If determined valid, the protest petition would force a unanimous “super majority” vote of the county commission to approve the development permit.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Seven counties with flooding added to earlier state disaster declaration
Several areas at Perry Lake have been closed because of flooding that is expected through the weekend. “Many roads have been closed,” Jason Hurley, Perry Lake park manager, said in the release. “Closed locations are marked with gates or barricades. Please do not drive around any of these barriers as they are in place for everyone’s safety and to reduce further damages to the area. The marinas and Perry State Park are currently open and we encourage visitors to contact those facilities for any changes.”
The release said the Corps of Engineers will continue to monitor the flooding and assess the need to release water from Perry Lake Dam.
Jefferson County, where Perry Lake is located, was added Wednesday to the list of counties under a state disaster declaration necessitated by widespread flooding. Seven counties were added Wednesday to an earlier state disaster declaration after widespread flooding occurred this week in northeast, east-central and southeast Kansas, officials said.
In addition to Jefferson, the other counties included Wednesday in the disaster declaration were Chautauqua, Clay, Comanche, Coffey, Franklin and Montgomery counties, said Jane Welch, spokeswoman for the state’s Adjutant General’s Department.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Lawrence city commissioners concerned by proposal to charge entry fees at recreation centers
City leaders expressed concern about charging entry fees for the city’s recreation facilities, and officials said they would have to weigh such changes against other options to balance the budget as part of the upcoming 2020 budget process.
At the Lawrence City Commission’s meeting Tuesday, Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department Director Derek Rogers told the commission the slower-than-anticipated sales tax growth was requiring the department to spend its reserves and that it was not on track to have a balanced budget without changes. Specifically, Rogers said that the department spent about $86,000 of its reserves in 2018 and $324,000 of its reserves this year.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Cheney lake to open flood gates
The flood gates to Cheney Lake will soon be opened due to rising water levels caused by flooding.
A news release from Sedgwick County says that starting at 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the gates will be opened gradually until they are completely opened by afternoon. Even with the release, the lake is still expected to reach a record height of 1,430.5 feet.
The released water will run through a 15 mile section along the north fork of the Ninnescah River until it meets the south fork. The water capacity in this channel will flow at approximately 2.8 times the normal rate and is expected to overflow by 8 a.m. on Wedensday. The extent of flooding in the north branch is currently undetermined.
Residents in areas along the river that are prone to flooding should take proper precautions now and be prepared to evacuate to higher ground if necessary.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Hutchinson City Council hears report on GreenPlay findings
The Hutchinson City Council got the report from GreenPlay regarding the parks and rec study that was performed over the past several months. GreenPlay presented its findings in a more than hour-long report to the council on Tuesday. The report talked about better utilizing the parks and making programs more available, especially in economically challenged areas.
It also talked about new trends and how such things as various warrior contests and zip lines could be utilized in parks. The study was conducted after Hutch Rec received a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas to pay for the work. The study is part of an overall master plan for Hutch Rec and city facilities.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
King of Freight gets Gander building on Arkansas River bank
The Wichita City Council has approved King of Freight’s move to WaterWalk, signaling that the city has given up on the original plans for a glitzy entertainment district there.
(Read more: Local News |)
Reno County Commission again approves a disaster declaration due to flooding
With flooding widespread and more rain in the forecast, the Reno County Commission once again has approved a disaster declaration for the county.
The request came from Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar.
“It opens up our emergency operation plan, basically both our response and recovery operations,” he said. “It also gives law enforcement some teeth to keep people out of the river and make sure people aren’t driving around the barricades as well.” “This opens us up for both state and federal resources and, if we hit our dollar threshold which we already did on our previous disaster which is just over $243,000, we qualify for 75 to 85 percent reimbursement of the expenditures that we have due to this flooding event,” Weishaar said.
This is the second declaration approved by the Reno County Commission in the last month and is effective for seven days.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Hutchinson City Council approves grant application for Woody Seat interchange improvements
The Hutchinson City Council approved funding a grant proposal for the Woody Seat interchange project during Tuesday’s meeting. The city recently received the results of a study on how to deal with the traffic on the interchange and the two aging bridges over Avenues A and B. The application will be done by WSP USA at a cost of $42,686.
The move comes as Public Works is working on $2.2 million dollars worth of needed maintenance on the bridges over Avenues A and B. If the city were to get the transportation grant, the interchange project would total about $6 million. The city will hold back that $2.2 million until December when it finds out if it will get the funds.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Geary County to consider authorizing funding help for Sundown Salute
The Geary County Commission received a request Monday to provide funding help for the annual Fourth of July celebration, Sundown Salute.
Commission Chair Charles Stimatze reported that Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director Michelle Stimatze is seeking $20,000 for Sundown Salute. He confirmed the governing body has not yet made any decision on the request. A shortfall in fundraising is the issue. “Shortfall in fundraising. Everybody knows, and it’s not just Sundown Salute. I think it’s all organizations are having a hard time. because all the local businesses are getting hit up for it.”
If the funding is approved the money would come out of the CVB budget. The convention and visitor’s bureau is a county entity.
(Read more: Junction City Post)
After being barred from covering Digital Learning Task Force, Shawnee Mission Post will file open meetings complaint against SMSD
On Monday, the Shawnee Mission School District explicitly barred the Shawnee Mission Post from attending a meeting of the Digital Learning Task Force that is reviewing the district’s multi-million dollar 1:1 technology initiative, which provides an iPad or Macbook to every student. In 2014, the board of education approved the expenditure of approximately $20 million on the devices on the recommendation of then-Superintendent Jim Hinson — and the district has spent millions and millions more in the intervening years to update and replace them. Administrators at the time extolled the virtues of the initiative, saying it would provide boundless learning opportunities for Shawnee Mission students. Hinson noted that it was “one of the largest rollouts Apple has been a part of.”
From the outset, however, the 1:1 initiative has been beset by problems. Many teachers complained that they did not receive nearly enough training on how to incorporate the devices into their classroom plans. The network used to connect the devices to the Internet or to classroom display screens was often glitchy, forcing teachers to troubleshoot technology issues instead of focusing on teaching. Other teachers found that the devices proved a serious distraction in the classroom, with students surfing the internet or watching videos instead of paying attention to class. Dozens and dozens of parents have expressed concerns about their students being exposed to inappropriate content — from sexually explicit advertising to violence to pornography — on their district issued devices. Even students have raised red flags about the amount of time Shawnee Mission kids are spending on the devices each day.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Shawnee voters soundly reject property tax increase for community center
Shawnee voters sent a clear message in the mail-in ballot election that wrapped up today: No property tax hike for a community center.
Unofficial final results posted by the Johnson County Election Office early this afternoon showed the electorate roundly rejecting the proposal put before them, which would have raised the property tax rate by 2.919 mills to fund construction of a $38 million community center with indoor sports facilities, a pool and meeting rooms, among many other features.
Of the approximately 20,000 votes cast, 72.12% of voters rejected the ballot proposal. Just 27.88% supported it. In a statement issued shortly after the tally was posted, Shawnee Mayor Michelle Distler said the vote had given citizens the chance to make their voices heard.
“Listening to our residents is crucial. The Governing Body wanted to ensure we gave every single registered voter in Shawnee a chance to weigh in on this important issue,” said Distler. “We were able to do that through a mail-in ballot. The majority of people who voted have let us know they do not support the proposed Community Center. We appreciate everyone who took the time to vote and let their voices be heard.”
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Lawrence to consider exceptions for sexual assault intervention training for businesses that serve alcohol
City leaders will consider creating exceptions to a proposed ordinance that would require managers at businesses that serve alcohol to undergo sexual violence intervention training.
As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission deferred adopting an ordinance requiring the training for on-site managers as a condition of drinking establishment licenses, which are required for bars, restaurants and other businesses that serve alcohol.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Lawrence proposes entry fees for recreation and community centers
Some Lawrence residents could soon have to pay as much as $48 per year to use the city’s recreation centers, which are currently free and provide access to cardio equipment, weights, basketball courts and other activities.
As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will review a proposal to begin charging entry fees at the Prairie Park Nature Center and the city’s four recreation centers: the Community Building, East Lawrence Center, Holcom Recreation Center and Sports Pavilion Lawrence. Fees would vary depending on age, ranging from $5 for children for an annual entry card to $48 annually for some adults, according to a city staff memo to the commission. Daily passes and discount passes for low-income residents would also be available.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Flooding expected on Wildcat Creek, Manhattan advises residents to prepare
The National Weather Service is predicting Wildcat Creek will experience moderate flooding, cresting Tuesday morning.
As of 4 p.m. Monday, May 20, rainfall quantities between 1.5 to 4 inches are possible through Tuesday evening. A flash flood watch is in effect in Riley, Pottawatomie and Geary Counties through 7 p.m. Tuesday and a flood warning has been declared for Wildcat Creek as well as Fancy Creek near Randolph, Lyon Creek near Junction City and the Kansas River at Manhattan.
Manhattan Floodplain Manager Chad Bunger says current projections have Wildcat Creek topping out at 22.5 feet. Last week’s minimal flooding crested around 15 feet, 25 feet results in water flowing over Linear Trail and the Labor Day flood of Wildcat Creek reached a height of 28 feet. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen them do this for Wildcat Creek where we get almost a day of advanced warning like this,” says Bunger. “Usually it occurs after we get a rain event in the watershed and some rainfall data is accumulated by the weather service and then they make a prediction.”
The early warning, Bunger says, demonstrates the importance of residents who live in the creek’s floodplain or who have been flooded during past events staying alert.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)
New round of flooding begins in Reno County, across region
The rains came… and came…. and came again.
According to the National Weather Service, widespread heavy rains will continue here through Tuesday and then — after a brief lull later in the day and into Wednesday — will return, with chances of precipitation through the rest of the week.
As heavy thunderstorms caused localized flooding in and around Hutchinson Monday morning, the rainfall total for May came close to swamping the city’s average rainfall amount for the entire first five months of the year.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Merriam city leaders name rooms in new community center after historical figures, places
Merriam city leaders are naming rooms in the new community center at Vavra Park after historical figures and places of the city’s history.
The new community center will have seven rooms available for the public to rent. Anna Slocum, Merriam parks and recreation director, said some rooms will be named after a person who has been an integral part of the city’s history.
“A discussion that started with staff was base the room names on our history, similar to what we’ve done today in the Irene B. French Community Center, and in the rooms, provide a history lesson as to what that name meant to this city and the development of this city,” Slocum said.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Kearny County Hospital pays for summer intern with CEO’s speaking fee
Benjamin Anderson, chief executive officer of Kearny County Hospital, Lakin, said he will not personally be accepting the speaking fee to be paid for his June 11 appearance in Hutchinson.
“Several months ago, I offered to do this talk in exchange for a $2,000 gift to the Kearny County Healthcare Foundation. We will be using those funds to help pay for a paid summer internship we sponsor annually, focused on the social determinants of health,” Anderson wrote this week in an email response to The News.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
More little libraries coming to North Salina
People will soon donate and borrow books at 10 new little libraries in North Salina.
Barb Young, the president of North Salina Community Development, the organization creating the little libraries, said the program aims to allow children to access books who may not be able to easily visit the Salina Public Library.
“We are getting these out in neighborhoods for low- and moderate-income folks that maybe don’t have easy access,” Young said.
The little libraries are being created from refurbished Salina Journal newspaper racks. North Central Community Development received a $3,500 grant from GL Huyett, in Minneapolis, Kan., to refurbish the racks.
The Salina City Commission unanimously approved an agreement Monday afternoon to allow the organization to place eight of the little libraries next to OCCK bus stops and one next to the Salina Drive Thru Recycling Center. One little library will be placed on private property.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
Labette County adds sales tax extension to ballot
Labette County commissioners on Monday approved a resolution to place a question on the Nov. 5 ballot that could extend the county’s 1 cent sales tax for another five years.
The countywide sales tax has been in place since 1981 and collects a penny for every dollar spent to purchase items in Labette County. The money is divided between the county, Parsons and other communities in Labette County. Its proceeds are used for property tax relief.
In 2018, the 1 cent tax generated $2,651,366. Of that amount, the county collected 47.5%, or $1,257,498. Parsons collected 36%, or $957,532.
Oswego collected $170,821, Chetopa $90,243, Altamont $90,148, Edna $38,802, Mound Valley $33,544, Bartlett $7,800 and Labette City $4,979.
Commissioner Lonie Addis has brought up several times the need for getting the question on the November ballot. The concern is that if the tax does not pass, the county and these cities would either have to cut services and their budgets or raise the mill levy to make up for the lost revenue. The tax lid law may restrict budget increases over the consumer price index.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Parsons renews dog pound contract
A local veterinarian clinic will continue operating a dog pound for the city.
Parsons city commissioners approved an agreement with Eva Dudek’s Parsons Pet Hospital, 5021 Main St., on Monday evening. The agreement will go into effect upon both parties’ signing it. Mayor Bill Hogelin signed the contract for the city on Monday. It will run until June 1, 2020, unless it’s terminated by either party with 30 days of written notice.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Homeless live in small towns, too
Shanty towns built by the unemployed and destitute could be seen everywhere in the United States in the 1930s during the Great Depression. In 2008, a new financial crisis led to a modern version of shanty towns. Tent cities began popping up across America, sheltering the unemployed, destitute and the working poor in tents, garden sheds and little houses as homeless shelters filled beyond capacity, the National Coalition for the Homeless reported, citing a study by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Others who faced the loss of their homes took refuge in their vehicles, or with family and friends, often couch surfing from night to night. Homelessness can be seen everywhere in Kansas, including rural communities in Southeast Kansas.
Homeless shelters in smaller cities such as Chanute and Pittsburg were consistently filled to capacity while open. Faith House executive director Murray Satterfield expressed in August 2016 the desire to expand the Chanute shelter’s capacity because the 12-bed facility had a waiting list and was getting calls every day from people needing somewhere to go. Faith House closed in July 2017 because the deadline for a grant covering half the annual budget was missed. With the shelter gone, Chanute Police Chief Raymond Hale answered the community’s questions in mid-October 2018 regarding a tent city that appeared on the north side of town, where 18 to 35 people were camping out.
“With the lack of very inexpensive housing, this is the greatest amount of homelessness I’ve ever seen. We have homeless people throughout the community because they have nowhere to go,” Hale said. “We have to address the poverty and the life choices.”
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Saline County commission chair signs disaster declaration; flooding info provided for New Cambria
As Saline County faces the potential for record flooding along Mulberry Creek near Salina and the Smoky Hill River near New Cambria, Bob Vidricksen, Saline County Commission chair, has signed a disaster declaration in anticipation of the flooding. Cresting of the river at 27.8 feet is expected to occur Tuesday around noon.
(Read more: The Salina Post)
WFD technical rescue team at the ready with new boat
The Wichita Fire Department took their newest boat on its maiden voyage Friday afternoon.
The new zodiac boat will help the technical rescue team with water rescues.
“During these kinds of times, we worry about people thinking they can walk across the Big Ditch or they want to get in the river. We’ve had kayakers lost,” fire marshal Stu Bevis said.
Recent rain and flooding caused the Arkansas River to rise. Wind gusts move the currents quickly downstream.
“People underestimate the power of what water can do and that’s when they usually get in trouble. Because they think, ‘Oh I can swim fine,’ whether that’s in a pool or a pond or a lake but once you get into a moving body of water, all bets are off,” Bevis said.
(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)
Overland Park council grants exemption needed for downtown mural project to move forward
Saying artwork will create new interest in its downtown, the Overland Park City Council unanimously voted to allow colorful painted murals on four buildings.
Approval came over the objection of opponents, some of whom took issue with the way the multicultural message of the art was depicted. Others described them as garish, gaudy and more apropos of a run-down urban core than the historic suburban town center of Overland Park. Since the murals are all on private property, the city role was limited to code questions about whether the painted surfaces were appropriate and would stand up to weather. Council members were advised by their legal department not to make the artistic content – a First Amendment issue — part of their decision.
Nevertheless, much of the almost two hours spent on the issue was devoted to hearing objections about the content.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Paola scraps plan for tire recycling plant
The residents of Waterworks Road made it loud and clear during the Tuesday, May 14, Paola City Council meeting that they don’t want a tire recycling plant in their neighborhood.
And it’s now clear their voices were heard.
Paola City Manager Jay Wieland confirmed Thursday, May 16, that the proposed project has been dropped and is no longer being considered at the site of the city’s former water plant at the end of Waterworks Road near Bull Creek. The old brick water plant has been vacant for the past decade ever since Paola joined with Louisburg to build a joint water plant along the Marais des Cygnes River near 343rd Street and Victory Road.
Earlier this year, during a study session, Wieland informed City Council members that FMS North America, Inc./United Tire Recyclers of De Soto was considering purchasing the old water plant property and turning it into a tire recycling facility.
(Read more: The Miami County Republic)
Frontenac Municipal Pool to open Saturday; new diving board and classes offered
It’s getting warmer out and for many, there’s nothing better to do than jumping into the pool.
Frontenac Municipal Pool will be open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, for a free public swim event to celebrate the first day of regular seasonal operations.
The new certified pool operator, Jenny Letner, and her staff are bringing several changes to the pool.
“We are very excited about the new changes being instituted by new manager Jenny Letner and her staff,” Frontenac City Administrator Brad Reams said. “I look forward to seeing the class offerings fill up and the continuance of popular annual events.
“The residents deserve recreational opportunities which contribute to the quality of life in Frontenac.”A new diving board, three sessions of swimming lessons, lap swimming, sunset yoga, and morning water aerobics are all new opportunities for residents and visitors.
There will be more opportunities for swimming lessons than before, which include safety lessons in and around water.
(Read more: Pittsburg Morning Sun)
Lawrence City Commission to consider requiring sexual assault intervention training for some staff at local bars
City leaders will soon consider requiring certain bar and restaurant staff to undergo sexual violence intervention training in order to get their local liquor licenses.
As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider adopting an ordinance requiring the training for on-site managers as a condition of drinking establishment licenses. In February, commissioners asked city staff to draft the ordinance following discussion with staff and owners of several local drinking establishments, which includes bars, restaurants and other businesses that serve alcohol.
The city issues a local drinking establishment license, which is required in addition to the state liquor license. City legal staff has said the city could require certain training as a condition of the local license. Whether the city would contribute funding for the training is still undetermined.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Finney County to create lactation rooms as part of remodel
When Finney County commissioners gave the go-ahead last week to have a pair of storage rooms at the county administrative building remodeled into lactation rooms, not only was the timing right, but County Human Resources Director Darlene Lucas says it was just the right thing to do.
Commissioners on May 6 unanimously approved a work change order that added $26,429 for the development of the lactation rooms to what is now expected to be a $245,727 overall remodel of the administrative building, 311 N. Ninth St. The plan is to convert a pair of first-floor storage rooms into lactation rooms that will allow county employees who are nursing mothers the opportunity to pump breast milk for their babies during the work day in a private setting.
“Supporting nursing moms at work is not only the right thing to do, but also research tells us breast-fed babies are sick less often, and moms who breastfeed are healthier, too,” Lucas said. “The longer a mom breastfeeds, the less likely she is to experience breast cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This is a huge benefit to the county because it keeps health costs low and morale high.”
The county’s decision comes four months after the State of Kansas unveiled a private lactation room on the first floor of the Statehouse in Topeka.
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)
GreenPlay to present parks master plan to Hutchinson city council on Tuesday
The Hutchinson City Council will hear the final report from GreenPlay regarding the parks and rec study that was performed over the past several months. Officials with GreenPlay will present their findings that are part of a 180-page report. The study was conducted after Hutch Rec received a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas to pay for the work. The study is part of an overall master plan for Hutch Rec and city facilities.
During the initial report presented in April, GreenPlay addressed some issues it feels the city needs to do a better job addressing. GreenPlay suggested more active transportation where people can walk and bike around the community, better nutrition programs that will help make food available, and addressing social equity. GreenPlay also talked about developing an adventure park near Fun Valley and making general improvements to the city parks and recreation facilities.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Missourians subsidize KC stadiums to tune of $3 million per year. When will Kansans chip in?
Professional sports teams play an integral role in our region’s economy. Thousands of local sports fans from both Kansas and Missouri cheer on the Chiefs and the Royals at the Truman Sports Complex each year, and the economic benefits from the two stadiums ripple across the metro area.
But when the bill comes due for the upkeep of Arrowhead and Kauffman stadiums, only Missourians are chipping in.
Last week, Missouri lawmakers approved House Bill 677 requiring the state to shell out $3 million per year for the next decade for maintenance at the Truman Sports Complex. Jackson County pays $3.5 million per year for stadium maintenance, while Kansas City provides $2 million annually.
So, Kansas City residents are taxed three times for the stadiums: first as city residents, then as Jackson County taxpayers and again as residents of Missouri.
Kansans who still have easy access to the Truman Sports Complex get a free ride. “It’s a worthy investment,” said Jim Rowland, executive director of the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority, the entity that operates the Truman complex. “That $3 million generates $27 to $31 million each year in direct taxes alone.”
Kansas state Rep. Stephanie Clayton, a Republican-turned-Democrat from Overland Park, said she would be willing to listen to any requests regarding the budgetary needs of Kansas teams that play in Kansas. But she does not support sending Kansas tax dollars to Missouri unless Kansas taxpayers make that decision.
“I think that a vote on a bistate tax is appropriate to bring to the people so that they can make that determination at the ballot box,” Clayton said. “Kansas is struggling to recover from eight years of financial mismanagement, and we need every penny for our core services.”
(Read more: KC Breaking News, Sports & Crime |)
JoCo sees hospital building boom while underserved areas of Kansas City are ignored
AdventHealth is set to build an 85-bed hospital in a wealthy area of south Overland Park that already has four full-service hospitals within 10 miles.
Last month it announced plans to build yet another one: a 200-bed hospital in Lenexa, just west of the Interstate 435 loop, also a well-to-do area.
AdventHealth leaders said they were responding to demand from a growing part of the metro.
But there’s another reason to build on the far edge of the area’s wealthiest county.
“By putting your hospitals beyond the outside of the ongoing growth or sprawl within a metro area, you have eliminated most of the poor people,” said James Dockins, a professor at Rockhurst University who studies health care management.
And while residents of lower-income areas must do without, he said, Johnson County patients may actually face higher health care bills because of the medical building boom there.
(Read more: KC Breaking News, Sports & Crime |)
City of Gardner pays for sod, 3-phase extension at golf course
The Gardner City Council awarded an $120,000 contract to Topeka Sod Farm to perform fairway rehabilitation work at Gardner Golf Course during a meeting May 7.
The approval was part of the city’s consent agenda.
According to Jason Bruce, parks and recreation director, the city is contractually obligated to finance goods and materials for turf reseeding on the golf course greens, tee boxes and fescue seeding. The city is also responsible for the cost of enlarging, dredging and digging a wet well in the irrigation pond at the course.
In a 2018 agreement between the city and GreatLIFE, the operators of the course, the city agreed to spend up to $290,000 for the work.
Bruce said the work included in the contract with Topeka Sod farm will constitute a portion of the city’s obligation to GreatLIFE.
“While the city is responsible for performing due diligence and for minimizing costs to the extent possible, this work constitutes a portion of the $290,000 the city is contractually obligated to pay for various facets of rehabilitation work on the course,” he said.
(Read more: Gardner News)
Cut in funding means cuts to Newton Chamber
For the past several budget cycles, Newton City commissioners have been openly questioning funding outside agencies like Health Ministries, the Grand Central senior center and the Chamber of Commerce.
And that has Chamber director Pam Stevens concerned.
“I know that the next couple of years will be tight, and it will be hard to keep that funding,” Stevens told The Kansan on Thursday afternoon.
The Chamber office is running with her and two part-time staff. A full-time position is sitting open and Stevens is not sure about filling it. At one time the chamber operated with a director and three full time staff — it was also combined with the Convention and Tourism Bureau, which has since been moved out of the chamber offices and into city hall. And then came Tuesday, when commissioner Leroy Koehn had a question during a budget work session that he wanted answered — what would happen if the City Commission did not fund a $30,000 request from the Chamber of Commerce, one of several outside agency requests commissioners must evaluate as they prepare the next budget.
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)
Repeal of pit bull ban on Monday night’s UG committee agenda
The repeal of the ban on pit bull dogs in Kansas City, Kansas, is on the agenda for the 5 p.m. Monday, May 20, Unified Government Public Works and Safety Committee meeting. According to the agenda, the ordinance repealing the pit bull ban is sponsored by Commissioners Melissa Bynum and Jane Philbrook.
Currently, anyone with a pit bull in the city could be fined $300 to $1,000, and could be sentenced to as much as 90 days in jail, according to the ordinance now in effect.
Kansas City, Kansas, put a pit bull ban into effect in 1988.
At the last effort to repeal the pit bull ban, an incident in July 2006 was cited by those who wanted to keep the ban in place. Jimmie Mae McConnell was mauled by a dog from next door while she was working in her garden in her own yard in Kansas City, Kansas. She died after the attack. The UG heard a proposal to remove the pit bull ban in November 2014, and it was approved at the committee level but not at the commission. The issue generated a lot of interest, with the meeting room packed with people. The commission needed 6 votes to pass a repeal, but the vote tied 4-4 and the repeal died. Two of the four commissioners who voted against a repeal in 2014 are no longer on the commission.
(Read more: Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!)
Municipal ID would make Wyandotte County residents count in 2020 census
The 2020 U.S. Census offers the best argument yet for a Wyandotte County municipal ID ordinance.
A higher, more accurate count of our community means more federal resources, since the government apportions those resources according to population. A municipal ID would help identify people whom the count likely would miss, such as the elderly, immigrants and the homeless, among others.
We have so much to gain by doing the appropriate thing, and so much to lose if we don’t.
A municipal ID card is a form of photo identification issued by a city or county government. It can be used to prove a person’s identity within the city or county limits or to access services from any institution that agrees to accept the card as proof of identity.
It would not grant driving privileges or replace federally issued identification required for travel as a driver’s license or passport would.
It would, however, help as many as 30,000 people in Wyandotte County — one in five residents there — obtain identification. People without identification can’t open bank accounts, cash checks, register children for school or fill prescriptions.
(Read more: KC Breaking News, Sports & Crime |)
Drop in Topeka sales tax revenue could lead to tax hike proposal
Topeka’s sales tax revenues are decreasing, and city officials consequently might consider raising property taxes.
After five straight years in which Topeka’s city manager proposed an annual budget that would keep the city’s property tax levy the same, city manager Brent Trout said Friday he might suggest an increase next month in his proposed budget for 2020.
“The budget numbers are not complete enough to determine if a mill levy increase will be requested,” Trout said. “It is still a possibility the proposed budget could include a mill levy increase at this stage in the process.”
The mayor and council learned a tax hike might be proposed during a May 7 presentation from Jessica Lamendola, the city’s administrative and financial services director.
Lamendola said city sales tax revenues over this year’s first four months were down 4.3 percent from the same time period last year.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Hospital debt rating improves refinancing for South Central Kansas Medical Center in Ark City
City of Arkansas City officials were notified Wednesday by S&P Global Ratings that the Ark City Public Building Commission’s refunding revenue bonds, Series 2019, estimated at $19.035 million, will be assigned a bond rating of “A,” with a stable outlook.
The Public Building Commission (PBC), which is composed of the five city commissioners and four other members of the public, is the entity that issued the debt service for South Central Kansas Medical Center’s new facility, which opened in March 2011 in the Patterson Park Subdivision.
The original $23.205 million in hospital financing was secured by an unconditional lease payment from the city, supported by its issuance of revenue bonds. SCKMC currently is responsible for making annual bond payments through its net revenues, with the aid of the one-cent Health Care Sales Tax.
This new A-stable rating for the refinancing of the original revenue bonds is essentially four steps better than when the original bonds were issued in 2009, when they were rated Baa3 by Moody’s Investor Service. More recently, Moody’s had rated those original bonds as B2, with a negative outlook — meaning A-stable would be a comparative improvement of nine steps for the 2019 bond refinancing.
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)
City may renew contract with Parsons Pet Hospital
An arrangement with a local veterinarian to operate a dog pound for the city of Parsons has proved to be successful enough to renew the agreement.
The Parsons City Commission will consider authorizing a new contract with Eva Dudek’s Parsons Pet Hospital, 5021 Main St., during a regular meeting Monday evening.
The original agreement approved last year has expired, but the vet clinic continues taking in stray animals at the same price, $15 a day for dogs and $10 a day for cats. The euthanization fee is $40 per dog and $20 per cat.
During a Thursday work session, Ross Albertini, city attorney, said the city staff proposed a 20% increase in the fees to keep Dudek happy with the arrangement. She then added a little more, but Albertini said the costs still will be substantially less than what the city formerly paid to Allen Veterinary Center. The Parsons Pet Hospital adopts out more animals, avoiding euthanization whenever possible. That keeps the cost for the city down.
“It’s well within our budget capability,” Police Chief Robert Spinks said.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Area resident catches tornado on video Friday
As strong storms rolled across the state Friday night one area resident captured video of a tornado on the ground near Dodge City on Highway 54 between Bucklin and Minneola.
(Read more: Hays Post)