Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Lawrence City Commission to review potential savings of declined wind energy agreement

After not accepting a potential wind energy agreement last year, city leaders will look more closely at how much money the city might save by switching to wind energy.

As part of its work session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will review a cost-benefit analysis of a wind energy agreement that Westar Energy previously offered the city and the city was criticized for not accepting. The consultants, Black & Veatch Corporation, completed the analysis and accompanying energy assessment, which determined such an agreement would save the city more than $100,000 annually based on the parameters of the agreement and the city’s energy usage.

Lawrence City Commission interested in overhaul of permitting process for certain Airbnb rentals

Lawrence city commissioners indicated Tuesday that they are interested in making significant changes to the way the city handles certain Airbnb properties and other short-term rentals.

As part of its work session Tuesday, the commission discussed replacing the recently established permitting process for whole-home short-term rentals, where the property owner lives elsewhere. As currently set up, the permits run with the land and could remain in place permanently, even when ownership of the property changes.

The short-term rental regulations were created last year, but in March of this year, the commission expressed concerns about the permitting process and voted to defer action on the whole-home permits on their agenda in order to consider major questions about how the properties should be regulated and how they might affect the city’s affordable housing shortage.

Wind farm moratorium resolution is approved in Nemaha County

There was no action taken following an hour long executive session with Nemaha County’s hired wind farm attorney James Neeld, but after a nearly one-hour public discussion, the commissioners unanimously approved a moratorium for the county. This six-month moratorium states that commissioners will not hear any requests to use county roads, infrastructure and other public areas of the county.

In addition to the three commissioners – Gary Scoby, Dennis Henry and Tim Burdiek – there were nearly 50 people in attendance at the Monday, May 13, meeting, including County Attorney Brad Lippert and County Clerk Mary Kay Schultejans.

Those present received a copy of Resolution 2019-4, regarding the moratorium, for review and on which to ask questions during the meeting. Resolution 2019-4 will be printed in the Wednesday, May 20, issue of The Sabetha Herald.

Below is an overview of what the resolution includes:

(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

With the new Sabetha Health and Wellness Center opening next month, city discusses future of Midtown building

The commission discussed the plans for the Midtown Building, since the new Sabetha Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) is set to open in June. It was previously discussed to tear down the Midtown Building in order not to compete with the SHWC.

“I get not competing on exercise because we are charging for that, but they are not offering a free gym for kids or people that want to just go play basketball,” City Commissioner Nick Aberle said. “They are offering a pay per use gym. They just want to blow off some steam, and we don’t have a place in town to do that if we tear Midtown down because the city hall gym does not offer that anymore.”

Aberle said that — with so many streets that need to be fixed in Sabetha — he can’t imagine “spending $100,000 to tear something down” that could wait another five years.

(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

Merriam clarifies definition of residency, household to set membership fees for new community center

In preparation for establishing memberships for the new community center, Merriam city leaders have clarified definitions for residents and households within the city.

The council on Monday expanded the number of ways residents can prove they live in or own taxable real estate in the city, and also changed how the city defines a household from “more than one person” to “two adults and up to four dependent children.” The city previously only accepted a valid driver’s license with photo identification as proof of residency in Merriam. Anna Slocum, director of parks and recreation, said the changes provide clarification for staff when residents apply for community center memberships.

“We wanted something that provided a clear direction of documentation,” Slocum said.

Planning commission OKs proposed mural designs for Downtown Overland Park; City council to vote next week

The organizers behind a public art project that would add a series of vibrant murals and mosaic benches throughout Downtown Overland Park got a key approval from the city’s planning commission on Monday, sending the plan to the city council next week for final approval.

On a 10-1 vote, the commission recommended granting a deviation from city code to allow the art to be installed. That recommendation will be taken up by the city council at its meeting Monday. Michael Flanagan was the lone commissioner to vote against recommending granting the deviation, citing concerns that the mural planned for a wall on the Ten Thousand Villages building was essentially an advertisement for the business.

Nicole Emanuel, the founder of the InterUrban Art House in Downtown Overland Park, has been working on the idea for the public art installations for more than four years. The mural installations will be paid for with more than $30,000 Emanuel and her group have raised in funds for the project. The group has received a $15,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Creative Arts Industries Commission to help get the project moving forward.

Topeka fire department shares plans to offer advanced life support

The Topeka Fire Department shared information Tuesday with the Topeka City Council about its plans to transition beginning next year from providing basic life support to providing advanced life support as firefighters respond to emergency medical calls.

The department can start that transformation without going outside its existing budget, said Richard Sigle, its emergency medical services chief. He noted that about 80 percent of the calls the fire department makes involve providing emergency medical services.

The department currently provides basic life support. That requires firefighters to complete emergency medical technician training, which generally involves 12 credit hours of education, Sigle said. All current Topeka firefighters are EMTs, he said.

Providing advanced life support requires completing paramedic training, which involves 68 credit hours of education, Sigle said.

“We have 12 paramedics on the department right now,” he said.

He said the department plans beginning next year to have a paramedic present for all shifts at two of its 18 companies.

Salina considers several multi-million dollar projects

Two Salina City commissioners expressed support for considering whether to increase taxes following a extensive presentation on the city’s finances Monday evening.

Salina’s sales tax revenue is down 3.78 percent this year compared to 2018, and the commission is in the process of considering several multimillion dollar projects with a total price tag of $37.8 million.

City Manager Mike Schrage said the commission could still take on some of the projects if they are willing to raise taxes.

“I realize we have a long history of not raising the mill rate at all, or very incrementally,” he said. “But if you are, as a governing body, very committed to some of these projects, they are not out of reach. It’s a priority decision you are lucky enough to get to make.”

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Newton, North Newton talking after emergency sewer usage

North Newton was born as a city after a fight with Newton over sanitary sewer, and it seems like the sewage struggle has never really gone away.

However, there is an opportunity now — according to Newton City Staff — to negotiate a way to create a new agreement, after North Newton found themselves in a desperate situation during last week’s flooding event.

Hesston, apparently, shut down a pipeline between Hesston and North Newton.

North Newton proceeded to pump into the Newton system.

“We learned about this as they were doing it,” said Bob Myers, city manager for the city of Newton.

Newton City Staff was ready, having a meter ready and waiting to track how much was coming from North Newton.

Now, according to city staff, the two cities are negotiating what that event will cost — or if North Newton can and will start paying an annual fee for access to the Newton sewer system.

“I am confident we can get an agreement,” Myers said.

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Barton County Commissioners release budgeted funds for early childhood intervention program

Barton County Commissioners Monday released $15,000 of budgeted funds that were allocated in the 2019 operating budget that were earmarked for Sunflower Diversified Service’s Early Childhood Intervention Program. Sunflower Executive Director Jon Prescott requested the funds be released for the program that he says is doing great work in the community as the program continues to grow as needs arise. Commissioner Jennifer Schartz says it’s not hard to include Sunflower in the county budget each year. Commissioner Jennifer Schartz says it’s not hard to include Sunflower in the county budget each year. The Early Childhood Intervention Program provides individualized services to children ages birth to three years old who have been diagnosed with a developmental delay or disability.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Reno County Commission approves 75 percent tax abatement for business expansion

The Reno County Commission voted Tuesday to grant a Medora-area manufacturer a partial tax abatement on a nearly $1 million expansion at its plant that will add new office space and a projected 10 new jobs.

Ada Enterprises, doing business as Wifco Steel, had sought a 100 percent, 10-year abatement of property taxes for the planned $845,000 project.

The deal approved by the commission – a 75 percent reduction for 10 years – was a compromise of its members, who were split on whether to grant the full request or declining property tax break.

The company plans to build new stand-alone offices and a product showroom, then convert space in the plant now taken up by offices into a new production area.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Salina, Saline County reach agreement on land annexation

The Salina and Saline County commissions both have approved an agreement to resolve concerns related to Salina’s pending annexation of land for a future water treatment facility.

The commissions demonstrated an ability to work together, despite an often strained relationship in the past. The dispute was resolved, without a lawsuit, in only two months.

The county commission approved the agreement two weeks ago, and the city commission approved the agreement on Monday. Deputy County Administrator Hannah Stambaugh said she was glad the city and county could reach an agreement to allow the city to build the facility.

“I am glad we are able to reach an agreement that supports their project and protects the county’s interest,” she said.

Salina City Manager Mike Schrage also said he was pleased with the agreement.

“I have a good working relationship with the county administrator,” he said. “We have tried to be responsive to the county’s concerns, and I think we were able to reach a reasonable approach to any issues that might arise.”

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Haysville approves agreement with KDHE on groundwater contamination cleanup

The Haysville City Council has voted to approve an agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Via Fone, the owners of a laundromat at 412 W. Grand Avenue, as part of continued remediation efforts related to groundwater contamination due to dry cleaning chemicals.

According to the City of Haysville, the agreement allows the city to purchase the property with funding provided by KDHE. The city reports that the existing building will be demolished and KDHE will then oversee excavating and removing the contaminated soil in the area and replacing it with clean dirt.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Wichita City Council approvals help advance major downtown projects

The Wichita City Council on Tuesday approved measures related to two potential projects that those behind them think will play a significant role in reshaping the city’s downtown core.

The Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with developer Sudha Tokala’s Douglas Market Development LLC that helps advance her plans for a downtown medical school and an associated campus that will include a student housing building, a 119-room hotel and a culinary school and event center.

Tokala’s plans were given their most public detail yet in previously released city documents, which describe an estimated $75 million in redevelopment costs of five buildings she owns downtown to create a campus that would generate 324 net new jobs.

“This is a tremendous, tremendous project,” Jason Gregory, executive vice president of Downtown Wichita, told the Council.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

Wichita Riverside neighborhood celebrates victory over cell tower plan

The Wichita City Council chopped down another plan for a cell tower in Riverside on Tuesday.

The proposed 80-foot tower at Woodland and 18th marked the second attempt to gain approval for a facility that T-Mobile says is necessary to keep up with expanding demand for smartphone mobile data services.

The public wasn’t allowed to speak during council consideration of the tower, but neighbors were celebrating at an impromptu news conference right after the meeting.

They say a cell tower would harm the aesthetic atmosphere and property values of their older neighborhood and there’s no place in Riverside where one would be acceptable.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ellis Co. commissioners support sales tax, but split on how much

Ellis County commissioners agreed at their meeting Monday night they are interested in pursuing a countywide sales tax to help make up shortfalls in the county’s budget.

However, the commissioners disagreed about what form that tax should take.

The county is facing a budget gap of about $467,000 for 2020 with escalating deficits during the next four years. County Administration Phillip Smith-Hanes said several variables still need to be calculated into the budget, including potential increases in health care expenses, changes in the assessed valuation, and the final allocations to outside agencies.

The county has already discussed decreasing the percentage it pays for employee health insurance and funding for outside agencies. The county sent letters to the four cities to determine if they would support a half-cent countywide sales tax. Ellis, Victoria and Schoenchen said they would be in favor of the tax, but wanted their share of the tax. The City of Hays did not respond.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Wichita City Council approves purchase of 4 electric buses

The Wichita City Council Tuesday (May 14) gives the green light for the city to purchase four electric buses.

Wichita Transit Director Mike Tann says he expects the buses’ deliver to happen in October. Partnered with electric-bus designer and manufacturer, Proterra, Wichita successfully obtained federal funding to cover costs for the buses, expected to hit the city’s streets later this year.

The approval to purchase four electric buses follows an ongoing effort toward transit improvements in Wichita.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Bel Aire denies trash hauler’s fee increase

The Bel Aire City Council May 7 denied a request from Waste Connections for a 2 percent increase for waste and recycling fees with a 3-2 vote.

Waste Management makes a request for the increase each year as the cost of doing business increases. The increase isn’t mandatory, and the decision is left up to city council. Last year, the council denied the request. Two years ago, the council gave Waste Management a 1.5 percent increase.

Council member Jim Benage asked Herschel West of Waste Management to provide a detailed analysis of the business’ increased costs in Bel Aire over the past two years and West agreed to do so before the council’s next meeting. Benage thought the information was something the council needed to see before making a final decision.

(Read more: Ark Valley News)

Liberal, Seward County combine to fund emergency response

“This is an entire community public safety project,” Liberal Fire Chief Kelly Kirk said. “We’re talking the communications for sheriff, police, both fires, EMS, emergency management in the event of a tornado, ice storm, wind storm, whatever. Isn’t that what the sales tax money’s for, and isn’t that where that money’s coming from? The people who drive through here from Iowa.”
“We’re not paying salaries out of that, but aren’t they the ones that use that? The folks from the county who come to town and shop. The folks from Oklahoma who come to town and shop. The people who drive through here from Iowa on vacation and spend the night in a motel and eat supper and have a car wreck and use our EMS and our fire and our police service.”
Kirk said while he is not looking at paying for the entire project out of the 1-cent sales tax, that money could help fund it.
“Could sales tax help?” he said. “I’m just throwing that out there. That’s something we need to consider.”

(Read more: Liberal First)

No Mercy: How A Kansas Town Is Grappling With Its Hospital’s Closure

Yet, even as this town deals with the trauma of losing a beloved institution, deeper national questions underlie the struggle: Do small communities like Fort Scott need a traditional hospital at all? And if not, how will they get the health care they need?

Sisters of Mercy nuns opened Fort Scott’s 10-bed frontier hospital in 1886 — a time when traveling 30 miles to see a doctor was unfathomable and when most medical treatments were so primitive they could be dispensed almost anywhere.

Now, driving the four-lane highway north to Kansas City, Kan., or crossing the state line to Joplin, Mo., and back is a day trip that includes shopping and a stop at a favorite restaurant. The bigger hospitals there offer the latest sophisticated treatments and equipment.

And when patients here get sick, many simply go elsewhere. An average of nine patients a day stayed in Mercy Hospital Fort Scott’s more than 40 beds from July 2017 through June 2018. And these low occupancy numbers are common: Forty-five Kansas hospitals report an average daily census of fewer than two patients. But Fort Scott is a place that needs health care: One in 4 children in Bourbon County lives in poverty. People die much younger here than the rest of the state and rates for teen births, adult smoking, unemployment and violent crime are all higher in Bourbon County than the state average, according to data collected by the Kansas Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Ten percent of Bourbon County’s more than 14,000 residents, about half of whom live in Fort Scott, lack health insurance. Kansas is one of 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and, while many factors contribute to rural hospital closures, the GAO report found states that had expanded Medicaid had fewer of them.

(Read more: Stories from NPR : NPR)

Wichita Police Foundation works to equip more WPD officers with trauma kits

The Wichita Police Foundation organizes an effort to help officers with the city’s police department be as prepared as they can be in emergency response.

The foundation this week is providing the Wichita Police Department with 40 trauma kits, featuring life-saving tools officers can use to treat injuries when responding to calls.

“Trauma kits are incredible, life-saving tools. And it came to our attention that not all of our police officers have them, (it’s) not something each of them are able to carry,” says Becca Boldra with the Wichita Police Foundation.

Boldra says the group became aware of the need for more officers to have trauma kits last fall. The foundation launched a campaign to put together the 40 kits planned for distribution Thursday.

Ultimately, Boldra says the Wichita Police Foundation would like to see all of Wichita’s officers equipped with trauma kits.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Church given chance to buy Partridge school

Real estate issues captured the focus of Haven USD 312 school board members Monday night.

The board voted 6-1 — Dustin Carmichael cast the dissenting vote — to counter Plainview Mennonite Church’s offer to buy the closed Partridge Grade School. Plainview Mennonite Church, 5610 W. Trail West Rd., is about four miles from Partridge. It uses the old Partridge school for its youth ministry program. In May 2018, USD 312 closed the newer school, constructed in 2000. The church wants to buy that property for its youth ministry.

A couple of months ago, the church made an offer to buy the school, contingent on receiving a grant. The board, cool to the idea of a contingency, did not not take the offer.

A representative of the church, Steve Sears, presented a new offer that did not contain the contingency language but still is based on the church getting a grant during the next 12 months and delaying the close on the purchase until spring 2020. Sears said the grant-writer for the church is optimistic, but the grant source has not been identified. He also said they can’t apply for the grant until the church has a contract to buy the school building.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Hutchinson Chamber asks members to contact commission over NextEra permit

The Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce sent out an email blast to its members last Friday advising them to contact Reno County Commissioners to ask them to support the proposed NextEra Energy wind farm in southeast Reno County.

That, despite the county commission adopting a policy in March – and reiterating it during at least two commission meetings since – that the commissioners cannot consider input on zoning applications such as the one sought by NextEra outside of information presented to it via the Reno County Planning Commission’s process.

Chamber President Debra Teufel said both the Chamber’s board of directors and its Economic Development Advisory Council asked the Chamber to take a more emphatic stance in support of the project.

That was after some members were “shocked and surprised” by the Planning Commission’s 4-3 vote recommending denial of conditional use permit for the Florida developer.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Chanute continues discussion on fiber optic

Chanute city commissioners will continue discussion about fiber optic expansion at a June work session after covering the issue at Monday evening’s regular meeting.

The commission tabled a draft letter to be sent to potential residential customers to gauge interest in the project, and scheduled a work session for 5:30 pm June 10, before the regular commission meeting.

Commissioner Tim Fairchild said fiber would be a good subject for a work session.

The city is considering a discounted rate of $75 per month for early sign-up and $100 per month afterwards, with a two-month deposit and two-year commitment to get a 35 percent take-rate of neighborhood customers.

City staff found Google made a similar offer in its 2012 launch in Kansas City, but its fee was only $10.

“Once we start, we’re going,” Fairchild said, and offered ideas on how to set neighborhood boundaries for hook-ups, and raised questions over the plan.

“I don’t want to incur debt,” he said. “The biggest question is, how do we make it fair?”

One question he had was what secondary effects the city could expect from competitors from the expansion. He said he wanted to make sure the city takes the right steps.

‘We just want to get help where help is needed’: Sedgwick Co. looks to hire bilingual call takers

It could be the difference between life and death.

Sedgwick County dispatch says it needs bilingual call takers.

The longer the positions sit empty, the longer people in need have to wait.

Right now there are no bilingual call takers or dispatchers in Sedgwick County.

When someone calls for help who does not speak English, they rely on a third party translator service.

There are about 100 of those calls a month in the county.

“When we get the call to 911, we have to we have to get that interpreter onto the line with us,” said Elora Forshee, director of Sedgwick County Emergency Communications.

That is because Sedgwick County Emergency Communications does not have bilingual speakers in house.

“Even if it takes five seconds to get an interpreter on the line, that’s five seconds longer than we’re comfortable taking to get help your way,” said Forshee.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

City of Wichita launches new budget simulator

The City of Wichita wants to give you a chance to weigh in on how tax dollars will be spent on the upcoming budget.

You can decide if the budget for the should be increased or decreased by 10 percent in both directions. If you add five-percent to the fire and medical response budget, this will open a new station in an under-served area. Go five-percent the other way and you’ll save money, but 22 positions will be eliminated and a station will close. “We want taxpayers to feel like they have a say in the budget decisions that we make, these are the decisions that as an elected official we have to make ourselves, and we’re trying to solicit as much feedback from the public and this is just a new tool that we can utilize,” said District IV Councilman Jeff Blubaugh.

This budget simulator will be available through June 15.

The results will be published online prior to the city’s social media town hall on June 26.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Small Sunday earthquake reported in Rooks County

Several earthquakes shook Rooks County over the weekend.

According to the Kansas Geological Survey, the two largest were magnitude 3.8 at 9:06a.m. Saturday and a magnitude 3.4 at 3:13a.m. Sunday. The United State’s Geological Survey also reported a 2.6 magnitude quake centered 8 miles northwest of Plainville on Sunday.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Downtown Overland Park controversial murals move closer to reality with commission OK

Some opponents of a downtown Overland Park mural project may have decried its bold, bright colors and multiracial themes as contrary to the community’s history.
But the city Planning Commission signaled Monday that it was time to embrace new traditions.
Planning commissioners paved the way for the city’s first major multi-mural project when they approved zoning exemptions for the outside of four buildings.
“I see a lot of rejuvenation with downtown Overland Park, which is great, and I think this adds to that,” commissioner Kip Strauss said. “It creates its own new history.”
The murals, part of a downtown art project that also includes eight mosaic benches and a sculpture, still need approval by the City Council next week. Planning commissioners didn’t need to consider the content of the proposed artwork when they voted 10-1 to permit zoning exemptions for murals that don’t conform to city code.
But they allowed nearly a dozen residents to speak on the project. Some critics have bashed the vibrant colors and “cartoonish” style of some of the murals, the prominent depiction of Muslim women in one mural and the city’s departure from past architectural standards. But commissioners heard from several speakers who offered a different perspective.
“It reminds of the diversity reflected in our community in this very moment,” resident Jay McNell said.
“I hear the word ‘deviation’ like it’s a bad thing,” said Anna White, a Kansas City, Kansas, resident who grew up in Leawood. “Speaking for my generation we are looking for areas that are progressive. We are looking for areas that are open to change.”

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Labette County moves toward greater courthouse security

Labette County commissioners agreed Monday to spend over $20,000 for design of a project to beef up security at the courthouse.

“We’ve talked about this a long time. I think it’s time to pull the trigger and get this moving,” Commission Chairman Doug Allen of Parsons said.

The commissioners agreed to enter into a contract with Design Group Architects, Ltd., Bolivar, Missouri, for design of a security system throughout the building.

Allen said he walked through the building with Design Group Architects about a month ago along with department heads, who gave their input on security needs for their offices.

Allen said a lot of people think in rural America very little security is needed, but that’s not the case. He said the commissioners have an obligation to county workers and the public to try to ensure their safety at the courthouse.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Topeka police place delay on radio traffic broadcast online

The Topeka Police Department in about mid-March placed a 15-minute delay on its radio traffic broadcast free of charge at Broadcastify.com, police Chief Bill Cochran said this past week.

That move means online listeners hear conversations 15 minutes after they take place.

But people using police radio scanners continue to hear Topeka police traffic in a manner that is not delayed or encrypted, Cochran said.

He said the 15-minute delay for the online traffic provides “the best of both worlds,” balancing public safety and transparency by continuing to give the public access to police radio traffic but providing officers more time to capture criminals and secure scene of violent crimes.

“It has been working fine for those who receive the internet broadcast feed of police calls,” Cochran said.

He said the Topeka department has not encrypted any of its frequencies, at a time when many law enforcement agencies have done that amid concerns that criminals are monitoring scanner traffic.

Finney County gives final OK to Wind River Grain tax abatement; completed storage bin to hold 1 million bushels of grain

Nearly two years after giving preliminary approval for a 10-year, 20-percent tax abatement for Wind River Grain to construct a nearly $3.29 million grain storage bin, the Finney County Commission on Monday gave the project final approval.

In August 2017, the commission gave the preliminary go-ahead for the abatement so that Wind River could begin construction of the storage bin. With the $3,286,860 bin now complete, the company came to the commission at its most recent meeting to get final approval of the tax abatement.

The commission held a brief public hearing, at which time no one from the public spoke, before unanimously approving the tax abatement for the storage bin, which is capable of holding 1 million bushels of grain.

Bourbon County looking at formal agreements to share services, resources

Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday reviewed a statute that would allow them to share services with other entities in an effort to save taxpayers money. County Counselor Justin Meeks said there has been discussion about an inter-local agreement between the county and city of Fort Scott to work on roads. “I know there has been a push in the community for cooperation and looking at consolidation or shared services,” Meeks said. “Actually, there’s a law already in place to do that. If it’s in the best interest of both parties, it can be done.” He cited Kansas State Statute Article 29, 12-2901. Under that section, attorney general’s opinions outlines areas where such an agreement may be beneficial to both entities and those include roads.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Fort Scott city commissioners agree to sewer line repairs

The Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday approved a motion to move forward with repairs to several sanitary sewer lines, which, according to city officials, will save money for the city in the process. Public Utilities Director Michael Mix appeared before commissioners with a review of sewer repairs in 2018 and to request approval to use the 2019 Joplin Toolbox for repairs and rehabilitation to several sewer lines at an amount not to exceed $300,000. Mix showed vidoes of sewer improvements done in 2018 as well as current issues with pipes that are deteriorating due to age, as well as deposits that are causing blockages in pipes. Mix said he is “very proud” of accomplishments made in 2018 on the sewer rehabilitation program. Issues with pipes were corrected last year using the Joplin Toolbox for cleaning and repair.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Council formed to fight food insecurity in Lyon county

The Lyon County Commission unanimously agreed to sign a resolution Thursday forming the Lyon County Food and Farm Council in partnership with Healthier Lyon County.

The council aims to tackle the problem of food deserts in the county.

According to Teresa Briggs, who spoke on behalf of Healthier Lyon County, there are a lot of them.

Food deserts exist wherever grocery stores and farmers markets don’t. If a person has to travel more than a mile to find a source of fresh, affordable produce such as a grocery store, that constitutes a food desert.

Many of the county’s smaller communities don’t have grocery stores of their own.

Such deserts exist within Emporia as well as out in the county.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Neosho County Commissioner: Energy firm could sue

A newly appointed Neosho County commissioner took a stand in favor of the Neosho Ridge Wind project if a good deal is possible and also warned the county could face a lawsuit over the issue.

Commissioner David Orr, appointed after the resignation of ex-wife Jennifer Orr, said Thursday evening that he is in favor of the project if officials can put the right deal together.

But he warned he does not think the developer, Apex Clean Energy, will simply go away if officials cannot agree on agreements for road use, decommissioning and payments in lieu of taxes.

“Apex is not going anywhere,” Orr said, adding that the county could face a class-action lawsuit over loss of income if the deal falls through.

“I don’t want to challenge them in court,” Orr said. “Can we win?”

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Spring Hill seeking resident input for Parks Master Plan

The City of Spring Hill’s Park Advisory Board and the Spring Hill Recreation Commission have commissioned the development of a master plan for parks and recreation. Community input is an important part of this process and helps the City and Recreation Commission best tailor the plan to reflect the community’s desires and needs.

The City and Recreation Commission invite all residents to provide feedback and input on the draft master plan at a public open house.

(Read more: City of Spring Hill news)

Johnson County manager’s proposed budget would hold property tax rate steady for 2020

The county budget envisioned by County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson Thursday proposes keeping the tax rate at a constant 26.013 mills for 2020 — although property values are expected to continue to climb.

The $1.265 billion budget calls for a $934.5 million in total spending, with $331.4 million in reserves. That number includes the wastewater and airport budgets, which are funded by user fees; parks and the library, which have their own property tax levies; and expenditures supported by grants or other funds. When those expenses are removed, the county would spend $410.3 million. The spending proposed by the county manager is intended to meet the priorities set by the commission and by the survey of county residents, Postoak Ferguson said. To that end, the budget provides funding for operating costs at the new medical examiner facility currently under construction, and adds funding for vulnerable populations through mental health, human services departments and United Community Services. The budget also includes $500,000 to extend the micro transit pilot program that is scheduled to expire in June.

The county’s payroll would also increase under the proposal, with positions added at mental health department and the district attorney’s office. The budget calls for 4,065.6 full-time equivalent employees in 2020, which is up from 4,008 last year. However Postoak Ferguson said the county still has fewer positions for its population than it did before the recession.

Mayor, council to consider three-year contract with firefighters

A proposed three-year employment agreement with Topeka firefighters is among matters being considered when city and county elected officials hold their regular meetings this coming week. The city’s mayor and council on Tuesday will consider approving a contract covering the years 2019 through 2021 with Topeka firefighters represented in collective bargaining by Local No. 83 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

The proposed agreement would increase base pay for beginning firefighters this year by 9.8 percent, to $15 an hour from $13.66 an hour, and would otherwise provide pay increases of 2 percent in 2019, 2 percent in 2020 and 3 percent in 2021. It would also phase in certification requirements for promotions.

The proposed agreement comes before the mayor and council at a time when Fire Chief Craig Duke plans to transition his department next year from providing mere emergency medical services to providing advanced life support.

New Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill brings new ideas to office

Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill has wasted no time bringing new ideas to that office.

The week after he was sworn in, Hill kicked off a cross-training program aimed at getting street officers better acquainted with the work detectives do. Hill became sheriff April 23 after being chosen by the Shawnee County Republican Precinct Committee to replace Sheriff Herman Jones, who resigned to became superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Hill said he has since made a point to talk to the officers who are out working the street.

“They have good ideas,” he said. On the day he was sworn in, Hill told reporters he was particularly interested in finding ways sheriff’s employees could use their time more efficiently.

Visit Topeka wants community members to assist them in bringing more events to Topeka

Visit Topeka is starting a new initiative that it hopes will bring more people to Shawnee County.

Endorse Topeka encourages community members to connect the Visit Topeka sales team with key decision makers who are responsible for booking large events throughout the region.

During a news conference Friday, Visit Topeka Vice President Mike Bell said the idea behind Endorse Topeka is to help community members get involved in helping the quality of life and place in Topeka.

“The beauty of Endorse Topeka is it can be about anything,” Bell said. “Everybody belongs to something, so it can be a church function or whatever professional function.”

Bell said they want community members to assist them in bringing sporting events, conferences and reunions to Topeka.

Manhattan to study costs, benefits of Blue Township annexation

Manhattan is seeking more data on what would be the costs and benefits of extending the city limits east by annexing a portion of Pottawatomie County’s Blue Township. The City Commission unanimously approved requesting proposals from private contractors to study the topic at its Tuesday meeting.

The area in question is the Green Valley portion of Blue Township, falling in the Blue Township Sewer District for which the county contracts water and sewer services from the City of Manhattan. The area has seen significant growth in residency as well as commercial activity, leading the Pottawatomie County to work on a governance study to investigate options on how to best improve services there. The city, Riley and Pottawatomie County jointly identify the area in the potential future growth map for Manhattan. The study will analyze the feasibility of annexation and the long and short term impacts it would have on both residents and governmental organizations.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Moundridge residents provide input during Community Open House

In coming to a Community Open House, Greg Fast said he and his wife, Tammy, talked about the need for additional housing options in the Moundridge community.

“Our community is in need of some medium-priced housing,” Fast said. “I’m not sure what those prices look like. We need to bring in more housing to get more young families to move into town.” The Fasts were among the local residents who were supplying input to the Community Steering Committee that is working to update the community strategic plan. The open house took place Thursday, May 2, at Greer Gymnasium, at 321 E. Cole Street.

“I think we need to get input from everybody,” Fast said.

City officials decided to take a look at the strategic plan as interest expanded in studying community amenities, including the future use of Greer, a new location for the Moundridge Public Library and constructing a new municipal swimming pool.

Garden City sets CID, TIF hearings

The Garden City Commission on Tuesday approved public hearings to consider the creation of a Community Improvement District, or CID, and Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, for an upcoming more than 11-acre commercial development on East Kansas Avenue. Earlier this year, the city approved a memorandum of understanding with developer 2107 E. Kansas LLC, which proposed to develop the land across the street from the Garden City Plaza shopping center into a seven-plot commercial development, plus parking, anchored by a new First National Bank building. Several other separate commercial buildings would also be included.

The CID and TIF are both tools to help the developer finance elements of the project, the TIF dedicating a portion of the land’s property taxes toward the plat’s development and the CID allowing for an increased sales tax in the completed commercial development that will also be used to cover start-up costs. 2107 E. Kansas LLC is requesting both for the development.

Commissioner criticizes lawn care work being done in some county parks; too many dandelions

Some lawn care companies that work under contract for Shawnee County aren’t effectively maintaining its parks, County Commissioner Kevin Cook said Thursday.

He cited the presence of numerous dandelions in Childrens Park at the southeast corner of S.W. 6th and MacVicar Avenue.

“I don’t know that you could fit another dandelion into that park,” Cook said. “It is full.”

He encouraged Tim Laurent, deputy director of the county’s parks and recreation department, to hold those contractors accountable.

Laurent pledged to do that.

“I feel like it’s on us to do a better job of going out and making sure they’re doing what we’re paying them to do,” he said.

Laurent added that for an unknown reason, this seems to be a particularly bad year for dandelions.

Wellington council agrees on ‘common consumption area’ for Wheat Festival

The Wellington City Council agreed to continue to have a “common consumption area” for the Wheat Festival. The area where alcohol can be consumed was changed last year and it went well, said Wellington Chamber director Kelly Ford at the Tuesday meeting before the big flood had arrived.

The council agreed and passed the resolution to continue the practice. In previous years there was an area, but it was off to the side more and patrons said it was hard to hear the music.

The drinking area will be from 4 p.m. until midnight on July 13 at the Wheat Festival. Ford said she was asking for just one night. If it goes well it could be expanded.

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)