Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Finally, an update on Greenwich Place’s golf entertainment complex, but it’s not DRIV

As Greenwich Place continues to grow with new businesses such as Dave & Busters and Duluth Trading Co., there’s been almost zero word on what’s going on with the golf entertainment complex planned for the 100-acre development at K-96 and Greenwich.

Until now, that is.

Something called Swings Golf — it’s not clear if that’s the business name or a working name for now — will go before the planning commission on April 4. That appears to possibly be different than the DRIV Golf Lounge & Brewhouse that Have You Heard? first reported in late 2016.

No one with Wichita Destination Developers, the Greenwich Place developers, is talking about Swings.

Nor is it clear if the development is related to something called Swing Golf LLC, which “is launching an exciting Golf Entertainment Business that transforms the driving range golf experience into an unforgettable social and gaming experience,” according to its website.

Swings Golf almost didn’t make it onto the April 4 planning agenda. Planners kept requesting more specific site plan information and finally got it Tuesday morning.

According to documents filed with the planning department, Swings plans a three-story indoor-outdoor complex of family entertainment with a three-tier range that has 60 bays for golfing.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

City council gets review of acceptable uses at Merriam Town Center as officials look to keep center occupied

As the city of Merriam explores options for keeping Merriam Town Center vibrant after the loss of Hen House and the prospect of other possible departures as long-term leases expire, Mayor Ken Sissom says he’s been hearing a common concern from residents.

“For some reason, a number of our residents believe that we have a greater ability to decide what goes in there than we actually do,” Sissom told the council during Monday evening’s meeting. “I’ve been called and pled with to bring this business there or that business there, and I have to explain to them, this is not something the city can do, it’s private property.”

City of McPherson drafts Sunday liquor sales ordinances

As a result of the March 12 special election city of McPherson officials drafted and reviewed various ordinances to allow Sunday liquor sales within city limits. According to the commission “The combined effect of these ordinances changes the allowance for Sunday Liquor Sales from Noon to 8 p.m. to include allowances for the following consumption licenses: CMB Licenses (Beer 3.2 percent alcohol content and below), General Retail Enhanced CMB (Beer under 6 percent in alcohol in content), Limited Retail Enhance CMB (Beer under 6 percent in alcohol in content), Retail Alcoholic Beverage Licenses, and Special Event Permits. If the respective ordinances are passed, we anticipate publication of all ordinances on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. Upon publication, all ordinances go into effect. This would make CMB Sales and Alcoholic Retail Sales License Holders eligible for Sunday sales on March 31, 2019. Sale of Enhanced CMB on Sundays could begin on April 7, 2019, after enhanced CMB sales takes effect on April 1, 2019.”

(Read more: McPherson Sentinel)

Voting light in Pretty Prairie sales tax election

Nine people voted during the first two hours of voting Tuesday morning in Pretty Prairie, where a proposed city sales tax is on the ballot.

The polling place at the Pretty Prairie Senior Center will close at 7 p.m.

“We have not had a line,” said Reno County Deputy Election Officer Jenna Fager. Because lunch will be served at the senior center, poll workers expected voting would rise at noon. Also, voters are expected to cast ballots after work.

Pretty Prairie has about 425 eligible voters for this election. The city does not have a local sales tax, and the proposed one-percent sales tax would be earmarked for street maintenance. The tax would sunset after ten years.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Should Wichita projects include public art?

Wichita could get more colorful in the future — that’s the goal of art advocates around town.

“We have a lovely legacy of public art in Wichita, and we’d like to formalize it,” said Wichita Arts Museum director Patricia McDonnell.

She, along with other art advocates, will present an ordinance recommendation at Wichita City Council’s workshop today.

The group is pushing for more public art in the city.

The proposed ordinance, called the “percent-for-art ordinance,” sets aside one-percent of the city’s capital improvement project budget for public art projects.

“It’s to add design consideration, beauty to the buildings and projects we create here in Wichita,” McDonnell explained.

Wichita has a blossoming arts scene with several examples of public art: the Keeper of the Plains, large-scale murals, and 31 bronze statues lining Douglas Avenue.

McDonnell said public art creates a more attractive place to live and visit, along with economic development.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Andover City Council set to vote on pit bull ordinance for annexed area

When we first met Gary and Diana Mccan last month, they had just found out their neighborhood was set to be annexed into Andover. They also found out their dog, Bailey, was no longer welcome.

“Once we started sharing our concerns, two or three of the councilmen started agreeing with us,” says Gary Mccan.

In Andover, it’s against the law to own a pit bull.

“Our mayor is very very dead set against pit bulls. I don’t know why. As he’s even stated, they will not be in the city as long as he’s there,” says Diana Mccan.

After the Mcann’s and other newly annexed families complained, the city decided to allow their pit bulls to stay, but not without rules. The city council is set to vote Tuesday night on whether to make the annexed families add taller fences to their homes, muzzle their dogs and put warning signs in their yards. Those aren’t the only rules.

“We can’t have our windows open,” says Diana.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Throughout harsh winter, Lawrence city crews have patched more than 10,000 potholes

If Lawrence motorists feel like they’re hitting more potholes — or swerving to avoid more of them — they may be right.

So far this year, city road crews have had to patch more than 10,000 potholes. City officials say that because of the amount of snowfall this winter, the city has patched almost as many potholes in the first three months of the year as it did in all of 2018.

Municipal Services and Operations Deputy Director Mike Lawless said the harsher-than-usual winter, particularly compared with recent years, has been hard on the roads.

“We’ve had more snow this year than the last three winters combined, so that certainly plays into it,” Lawless said.

Specifically, Lawless said the city has patched 10,630 potholes so far this year compared to about 11,000 potholes patched in 2018. He said that number does not represent the number of unique potholes in Lawrence, as some potholes have needed to be patched more than once.

90,000-square-foot retailer is the latest business to help transform Kellogg and Webb

The southeast corner of Kellogg and Webb Road is undergoing a major transformation, and another big piece is now a done deal.

Floor & Decor is expected to open this fall in the 90,000-square-foot one-time Builders Square space at 9609 E. Kellogg across from Costco.

The national chain, which is expected to be a regional draw, will join the planned three-story, 102,000-square-foot Extra Space Storage and the new 15,000-square-foot Groves Retail Liquor. There are three other pad sites on the 14 acres that Clark Investment Group and Johnny Stevens own at the corner, one of which is spoken for by a yet-to-be-named automotive company that will open just west of Groves.

“That interchange is going to have a big impact on two, three years out,” Scot Rigby, assistant city manager, says of other development at and around that busy intersection.

“It’s already a popular thoroughfare.”

Danny Smith named new Crawford Co. Sheriff

There’s a new sheriff in Crawford County.
Following the retirement of Sheriff Dan Peak, the Crawford County Democratic Party unanimously approved the appointment of CRSO Captain Danny Smith by precinct vote unanimously on Sunday.
The vote has been sent to Topeka where if the selection is approved, Smith will officially become the new Crawford County Sheriff. The approval is expected within two weeks.
Smith will replace Peak, who nominated Smith for the position.

(Read more: Pittsburg, KS – Morning Sun)

Paid family leave, economic development, bike cops among 2020 priorities for Roeland Park council

Establishing a policy that allows 12 weeks of paid family leave for city employees, creating an economic development association, and adding a bicycle patrol unit to the police department were among the 2020 objectives recently discussed by Roeland Park councilmembers.

The family leave policy, introduced by councilmember Erin Thompson, would qualify city employees for up to 12 weeks of paid time off when they or their spouse give birth, adopt, or foster a child. Only employees who have worked for the city for at least one year would be eligible.

The objective would allow parents “to bond with children without any pressure of losing income.”

Councilmembers were overall supportive of the objective but voiced some concerns with how it could impact the city if multiple employees were out of the office at the same time.

“We are a small operation and we just have to make sure we are covered,” said councilmember Jim Kelly.

Labette County gets more details about Great Plains Industrial Park fire

Labette County commissioners on Monday heard a brief update on the March 4 fire at Great Plains Industrial Park.

The fire destroyed Building 920, which Parsons Fertilizer LLC was remodeling to produce an organic fertilizer product.

A worker was pouring fuel in a generator and spilled it, which caught fire and destroyed the older building.

Parsons Fertilizer leased 48,539 square feet of space in areas 903, 904 and 920 at Great Plains and was to make an initial $1.2 million investment. Starting off, the company would produce 5-pound and 40-pound bags of fertilizer and then within a year and a half would manufacture 1,000-pound totes for larger agriculture bases. Sales of the product are to be targeted within Kansas, the U.S. and potentially internationally. This information was reported in the Sun in 2017 when the lease was announced.

The company also received a 10-year property tax exemption and was to file paperwork with the county to start the second year of that exemption but the paperwork was incomplete.

Tim Peoples, Great Plains property manager, told commissioners that on March 11 Kansas Fire Marshal Special Agent Michael Tippie and sheriff’s Detective Shannon Vail inspected the site. He hasn’t heard back from them yet.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Wichita art advocates want public arts ordinance

Arts advocates in Wichita are pushing an ordinance that would fund more public art projects.

The Wichita Eagle reports an ordinance that will be presented Tuesday at a city council workshop would set aside a percent of the city’s capital-improvement project budget for public art.

If the council approves the ordinance, Wichita would join more than 350 other cities that have similar ordinances.

Patricia McDonnell, director of the Wichita Art Museum, said a large group of local artists and designers wrote the proposal based on what other cities have passed.

The ordinance would ensure that public projects factor art and design elements into their budgets.

Currently, a citizens group makes recommendations to the City Council about integrating art into public projects, but those recommendations aren’t always accepted.

(Read more: WIBW News Now)

Shawnee County Commissioners approve road project with city, county funding

Shawnee County commissioners voted Monday to approve a project that will make repairs to a road that receives heavy traffic from both cars and large trucks in the southern part of the county.

Commissioners Bob Archer, Kevin Cook and Bill Riphahn voted 3-0 to award a bid to Bettis Asphalt and Construction for reconstruction of S.W. Gary Ormsby Drive from the northwest on-ramp of US-75 highway to S.W. Innovation Parkway.

The project cost of $611,099.45 is to be shared 50-50 between Shawnee County and the city of Topeka. However, the motion stated Shawnee County would pay $500,813 and the city would pay the remainder.

Commissioner Cook emphasized the motion needed to reflect the county would pay no more than half of the project, or a maximum of $500,813, whichever is less.

“I just don’t want the city of Topeka to believe that we are committing to more than 50 percent,” Cook said, “because I believe they would.”

Archer replied with a chuckle, “We wouldn’t let them get away with that, Kevin.”

No more ugly buildings: proposal would require major Wichita city projects to include artists

In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, Wichita was abuzz with public art.

Major new projects were completed seemingly every year, and some of Wichita’s most recognizable public art to this day was created during that time.

But somewhere along the way, that momentum slowed.

Arts advocates in Wichita will present a proposed city ordinance at a Council Workshop on Tuesday that they hope will pave the way for more public art in town and put the kibosh on ugly public buildings.

The ordinance would set aside a flat 1 percent of the city’s capital-improvement project budget for that fiscal year and earmark it for public art projects.

Wichita could gain millions in revenue if it builds a new convention center, officials say

Add one more major item to Wichita’s extensive list of downtown projects.

Along with the new baseball stadium complex being built ($83 million) and talk of a new performing arts center (expected to be more than $175 million), officials with Visit Wichita want to ensure the convention-center isn’t forgotten.

Century II is hampering the city’s efforts to attract new conventions — which need modern, industry-standard facilities — to town, says the convention and visitors bureau.

And the city could be losing out on $40 million in would-be convention spending on a yearly basis because of it, suggested a 2016 city-commissioned study.

Lawrence city leaders delay review of some Airbnb permits pending taxation and affordable housing concerns

City leaders are hitting pause on the consideration of permits for some Airbnb rental properties to ask major questions about how the properties should be regulated.

The commission recently created regulations for Airbnbs and other short-term rentals, but at its most recent meeting voted 3-2 to defer considering permits for three whole-home short-term rentals, where the property owner resides elsewhere, so it could get responses to questions posed by Commissioner Stuart Boley.

Edgerton, FD#1 partner for plan

Edgerton will soon partner with Johnson County Fire District No.1 to develop a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan to be used in case of a major disaster.
Trig Morley, FD No.1 battalion chief, said the formalization of an emergency preparedness plan will put the community in a better position to deal with major emergencies and serves as an important tool in the recovery process.
Morley said at the March 14 council meeting that the comprehensive plan is geared towards dealing with all kinds of emergencies including floods, tornadoes and even disease outbreaks and epidemics.
“It’s an all-hazards approach,” he said.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Lyon County signs off on application for tech-focused grant

The Lyon County Commission spoke with Regional Development Association Chair Rob Gilligan about a possible i6 federal grant application Thursday at the courthouse.

If RDA receives the grant of about $75,000 per year for three years, it could be used on a project called THINK Emporia, which stands for “Tech Hub Innovation Network of Kansas. The project is meant to bring work-from-home tech job opportunities to Emporia, if it can get the funds for which the RDA is applying.

“Our model will be one that can help other communities similar to us,” Gilligan said.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Wellington will only accept cardboard, office paper and certain plastics beginning April 1

Due to market changes and increased processing costs for most recyclable materials, beginning April 1, 2019, the City of Wellington will only accept cardboard, office paper and plastics No. 1 and No. 2 as part of its recycling program.

Please have cardboard, paper and plastic separated before arrival at the recycling center as city workers will handle each material differently. The city was recently advised processing costs will be $120 per ton and additionally that plastic bags and plastics #3-#7 are being thrown away after we turn them over to the processor.

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Lenexa conducts final workshop on Complete Streets program

Lenexa is wrapping up the research for its Complete Streets program.

In an effort to create a cohesive plan for all types of transportation in the city, Lenexa has been working for the past several months on a program that identifies needs of motorists, cyclists, public transit users, pedestrians and trail-hikers.

The city hosted its final workshop Thursday evening at Thompson Barn, taking the opportunity to present its findings so far and collect additional feedback from residents.

Emporia approves Glendo tax abatement and land bank ordinance

The Emporia City Commission approved an incentive compliance agreement for Glendo Inc. during its Wednesday night action session.

This will exempt the business, which produces engraving tools that are sold all around the world, from property taxes for 10 years on an expansion it has planned that will add space to its business and create new jobs. The expansion will add a roughly 40,765-square-foot building and cost about $4.3 million. Included in the expansion plan is Glendo’s classroom, which serves about 400 people a year, according to Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kim Pember./blockquote>

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Prairie Village, Mission sign on to KCP&L program that could provide clean wind energy for city needs

A group of northeast Johnson County area cities are hoping to play a driving role in the development of a new wind farm proposed by KCP&L — but the initiative will need much broader support to become a reality.

Prairie Village became the first municipality in Johnson County on Monday to sign on to KCP&L’s Renewables Direct program, which would provide customers with the opportunity to get the bulk of their electricity needs delivered through an emissions-free source. KCP&L’s Renewable Energy Manager Drew Robinson told the council this week that the utility was looking to find enough electricity customers to subscribe to the agreement to total between 100 and 200 megawatts of monthly demand. That’s the level needed to make the development of a new wind farm financially viable he said.

Salina works to encourage downtown entertainment

City staff want Salina’s downtown to be a welcoming and vibrant place for artist, entertainers, and the public. Staff are in the process of consulting with businesses, venues, organizations, and other stakeholders to revise the city’s code and simplify the permitting process for downtown performances.Lauren Driscoll, Salina Director of Community and Development Services, said the current process of obtaining approval can be difficult to navigate.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Kansas communities order evacuations overnight due to flooding

The KDOT is currently assisting with response to flooding in Doniphan by moving 100 tons of sand from storage domes in Horton to Elwood.

Just after 8p.m. Thursday, Doniphan County Emergency Management sounded alarms to begin evacuations, according to their social media page. The city of Elwood sounded the sirens for evacuation of the city. The water level has reached 30.13 feet and still rising 2 tenths of an inch an hour. KDOT was on stand-by to assist with evacuations.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Roeland Park council approves multi-year plan for R Park improvements

A $1.7 million phased plan to improve Roeland Park’s R Park, located at 5535 Juniper Dr, was approved unanimously this week by councilmembers.

The three-part proposal will add permanent restrooms, art sculptures, additional greenspace, and shade structures to the park—including a pavilion that can house 36 to 48 people. The plan also includes modifications to Juniper Street, sewer/storm drainage work, and surfacing paths so they are accessible for all.

Mandatory evacuation issued for Elwood; Hiawatha city employees helping man barricades

The City of Elwood issued a mandatory evacuation around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday when the Missouri River levels reached 30 feet.

By Friday morning, the river had reached 31.45 feet, but the levees were still holding. The projected crest is still set at 31.5 feet later on Friday.

“Our levee is intact with no current over topping. Right now we are still dry, the next few hours are very critical. Thought and prayers to all involved,” according to the City of Elwood Facebook post.

(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)

Former Towanda utility clerk sentenced to more than 10 years for misusing public funds

The former utility clerk for the City of Towanda receives a sentence of 10 years, eight months in prison in connection with the theft of more than $186,000 from the city.

The sentencing against Ricky Allen Voisin in Butler County District Court follows his guilty pleas of misuse of public funds and making false information. Last August, court documents showed Voison faced four charges including theft, misuse of public funds, a computer crime and making false information.

(Read more: KWCH News)

LIVE NOW: Watch Hoxie, Kansas native, astronaut Nick Hague takes spacewalk

Watch NASA TV.

NASA Expedition 59 Flight Engineers Nick Hague of Hoxie Kansas and Anne McClain will begin a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station at about 7 a.m. CDT Friday, March 22. NASA Television coverage of the spacewalk will begin at 5:30 a.m., according to a media release from the space agency. Watch the spacewalk on NASA TV and on the agency’s website.

This will be the 214th spacewalk in support of space station assembly and maintenance. McClain will be designated extravehicular crewmember 1 (EV 1), wearing the suit with red stripes. Hague will be designated extravehicular crew member 2 (EV 2), wearing the suit with no stripes.

This is the first of two battery replacement spacewalks this month. McClain and Hague will replace nickel-hydrogen batteries with newer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries for the power channel on one pair of the station’s solar arrays. The batteries were transported to the station in September aboard the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle. The spacewalking work continues the overall upgrade of the station’s power system that began with similar battery replacement during spacewalks in January 2017.

(Read more: Little Apple Post)

Gardner mayor delays announcing name of administrator

Steve Shute, Gardner mayor, shelved plans to name his preferred choice for city administrator during the March 18 meeting and instead said the meeting would adjourn to an executive session where contract negotiations would be discussed.
Shute said that on advice of counsel he had decided it would be unfair to the candidates to name one of them ahead of contract negotiations. Information will be forthcoming.
During a March 11 ‘meet and greet’ reception with the three finalists for the city’s top job, Shute had indicated he would make his choice of candidate in open session during the March 18 meeting and then let council members decide whether to accept or reject his choice.
The three finalists for the job are Jim Pruetting, Gardner police chief, Nicholas Edwards, Lee’s Summit city administrator, and Brian Wilson, Belleville, Wisc., Village administrator.
Shute said any insinuation that the selection process has not been transparent and fair was wrong and he listed the steps the city took to ensure an objective process.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Community mural adds color, flair to downtown Newton

The newest mural in downtown Newton was a community effort.

Retired Newton High Schol art teacher Ray Olais said he was approached last year by the owner of a building at Sixth and Main. The building’s owner was looking for artists for a mural.

Olais and around two dozen others, including high school students and community members completed the sunflower-themed mural over a six week period.

“I think they’re just trying to promote that this place has possibilities to flourish with more murals and more things happening here,” Olais said Thursday.

Local artists don’t want the momentum to stop at one mural.

A silent auction of single, stand-alone murals took place at the Carriage Factory Art Gallery to raise funds for future murals.

“Just to bring a community together, artists together, and just to make people excited about our town again,” artist Sara Lewis said.

Artist Constance Gehring says the murals give people another reason to visit downtown and get their picture taken.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Deister retires as County Administrator

Today is Rita Deister’s final day as a Saline County employee.

Deister has served as Saline County Administrator for 18 years. She also has served as the county’s personnel director and assistant administrator. She began working for Saline County in 1991 and has worked there for the last 27 years.

During her tenure, Deister has served under 21 county commissioners and 8 separate boards of county commissioners and has seen significant changes during her time in county government, especially in technology.

“When I first started, there was one fax machine in the building, and we shared it with the city. That’s unbelievable by today’s standard,” she said. “No cell phones of course, no text messages, no email. You would come back to your office and your whole door frame would be full of little sticky notes from people who left messages.”

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Bill to retroactively approve Finney County sales tax passes out of committee

A bill that will determine whether Finney County can continue to collect a sales tax meant to fund long-awaited upcoming capital projects passed out of committee Thursday with a key amendment: the sales tax, once lumped together with four counties’ requests for sales tax authorities, will now be considered alone.

House Bill 2033, which passed the House by a wide margin last month, originally included requests that the Legislature authorize votes for potential sales taxes in Thomas, Russell, Jackson, Dickinson and Finney counties. Finney stood out in the group — unlike the other four counties, which are requesting state authorization before holding a public vote, per state law, Finney County didn’t seek legislative approval until after voters passed the tax in November 2017 and it took effect in April 2018.
The bill was also amended to include a course of action for cities or counties that may repeat Finney County’s errors in the future. If the bill is approved, the Kansas Department of Revenue director of taxation must confirm that an entity has completed all necessary sales tax authorization requirements before it may collect on the tax. If the director doesn’t discover an unmet requirement until after tax collection has begun, “collections would cease until such error has been remedied,” according to a supplemental note on the amended bill.

Residents try to repopulate first all black settlement with tiny homes

Off of Highway 24 sits a little Kansas town.
“Nicodemus means everything to me,” resident JohnElla Holmes said.

And one with rich history.

“It was founded in 1877,” she said. “My great-great-great grandparents were one of the first families to come.”

Nicodemus was founded by African American ex-slaves moving west.

“The slaves came from mainly Kentucky and Tennessee,” Nicodemus contractor Steven Jones said. “They got on a train and came to Ellis and walked to Nicodemus.”

At one time, over 900 people called Nicodemus home.

They built their own churches, schools and homes.

But when the depression hit in the 30’s, and the promised railroad never appeared, the town couldn’t survive.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

City of Halstead may offer rodeo location

The Halstead City Council is looking into the possibility of leasing Williams Park to the Halstead Rodeo Committee. This could potentially provide a rodeo location not just during Old Settlers, but also throughout the year for multiple rodeo events to be held.

The Rodeo Committee had previously approached the city several times about leasing land in the Industrial Park for this purpose and been told a flat “no.” On Monday night, committee members sat down with the city council, during a work session, to discuss land options, as well as their vision for turning Halstead into a destination for rodeo enthusiasts.

Rodeo Committee members Chad Considine, Brad McCurry and Paige Wedel, as well as Old Settlers Committee members Cory Harrington and Linsey Farmer were all present.

The Rodeo Committee’s plan is not only to host an event during Old Settlers, but also have rodeos throughout the year.

(Read more: Newton Now)

Plots available in Sedgwick community garden

Last year, nine families planted 14 plots in the Sedgwick Community Garden.

Garden organizer Rebekah Morse said the city is allowing them to use land by the east water tower, near Fourth and Harrison streets.

“Last year, we had a 60’x70’ fenced-in area,” Morse said. “We can expand, if we need to.”

Registration is now open. Plot fees are $25 for the first 6’x10’ plot and $10 for each additional plot. The cost helps cover expenses for water, shared tools and educational learning opportunities.

In addition to the plots, this year there will be a community area for $5, a family.

“They’ll volunteer one hour out of the month and hopefully we’ll have enough sign up that different families can take turns cleaning and watering and then harvesting and they can share whatever produce is grown,” Morse said.

She said last year, they started the garden in May. As soon as they have enough people sign up, they’ll plan a starting date for this year.

(Read more: Newton Now)

City of Topeka agrees to pay $2,500 in pothole lawsuit

Topeka’s city government has agreed to pay a $2,500 settlement to Teresa Counts, who said she suffered permanent and serious injury when she fell because of a pothole in front of her Topeka home after she notified the city about it four times.

Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson on Monday signed an order dismissing the suit with prejudice, meaning it can’t be refiled. The order said a settlement agreement had been reached between Counts and the city.

The city agreed to pay Counts $2,500, said Molly Hadfield, the city’s media relations coordinator, on Thursday.

Counts filed the suit last August indicating that she had notified the city four times, beginning in September 2016, about the pothole in front of her home in the 1200 block of S.W. Hillsdale.

A crew responded in October 2016 and told Counts the pothole would be repaired the next day, the lawsuit petition said.

It said Counts fell because of that pothole and suffered permanent and serious injury on April 24, 2017, about one week before it was repaired.

Counts filed a claim in March 2018 against the city, which denied it last July, one month before she filed the lawsuit.

Hadfield told The Topeka Capital-Journal last August that the city doesn’t settle claims unless there is substantial evidence of liability.

As a general rule, she said, the city isn’t automatically liable for street defects.

Sabetha city and hospital officials want further discussions on proposed sales tax

Sabetha city and hospital officials were not satisfied with the reaction they received at this week’s Brown County Commission meeting when they asked for a portion of the sales tax revenue tagged for the Hiawatha Community Hospital — if approved by special election in May.

Norm Schmitt, Sabetha City commissioner and vice president on the Sabetha Community Hospital Board of Trustees, was one of several Sabetha officials who approached the Brown County Commission at Monday’s meeting. Although other city and hospital officials were present, Schmitt spoke to the commission on behalf of the group.

The reaction wasn’t exactly as he had planned. After some discussion, the commissioners said they felt there wasn’t time to review any changes in the resolution and the topic died without any motion to vote.
Schmitt said he — and other city and hospital officials — plan to return to next week’s Brown County Commission meeting and are on the agenda for 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 25.

Schmitt said the Sabetha Community Hospital Board of Trustees met Wednesday morning and passed a resolution that they plan to present to the Brown County Commission next Monday morning, asking for not a specific percentage — but for sales tax collections from the businesses residing within the city limits of Sabetha to come back to the Sabetha Community Hospital.

(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)

El Dorado City Commission tackles zoning issues

The last major update to the Zoning Ordinance took place in 2009 when the City of El Dorado adopted the 2030 El Dorado Comprehensive Plan. Since that time, a number of minor changes to the ordinance have been made with the last two changes made in 2016 and 2018 which adjusted fence heights and application fees, respectively. In fall of 2018, the City Commission directed staff and the Planning Commission to review residential accessory structure regulations and to look into the topic of tiny homes.
At the City Commission’s request, the Planning Commission meet over the past three months to identify and opportunities to amend the Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance regulates land use and development within the City of El Dorado. Current regulations are similar to those in place at every municipality in Kansas similar in size and larger than El Dorado. The proposed amendments to the ordinance are:

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Augusta Council is challenged with airport expansion

Planning expansion at the Augusta Municipal Airport has been a challenge for the City Council for a number of years. It hasn’t been easy to shift the community mindset from our local airport being simply an out-of-the-way facility for fair-weather pilots to the idea that it can be an economic driver that can benefit the entire region and stimulate rural development.
Another step in accommodating future growth and development of the runway at the airport was on Monday night’s agenda for the council and drew considerable discussion.

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Overland Park advances measure to provide more robust live-streaming coverage of city meetings

Overland Park is moving toward a comprehensive new agenda and video system that will make it easier for people to watch city meetings remotely while keeping track of the accompanying agenda items.

A council committee gave the go-ahead Wednesday to a service offered by Dallas-based Swagit Productions and iCompass Technologies of New York, that will link meeting agendas to video and store archives. If the full city council approves, the system will begin to be implemented this summer. It is similar to one used by the county commission that is offered through a different company. The video recording integrates a new agenda format as well. That became necessary because the Novus agenda system the council currently uses is going to be retired in 2020.

The new system would cost about $45,000 to initiate, followed by $40,000 a year. Annual cost would jump to $70,000 if closed captioning is included. With council approval, the city staff would begin negotiations for the exact costs.

Garden City City Clerk honored with statewide award

Garden City’s City Clerk Celyn Hurtado recently received the 2019 Mildred Vance City Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year award for the State of Kansas during the Kansas City Clerks and Municipal Finance Officers Association (CCMFOA) conference held in Manhattan from March 13-15.

The Mildred Vance Clerk/Finance Officer of the Year award is presented each year to a City Clerk or Finance Officer who has made significant contributions to the State Association, the profession, and their city.

“Celyn delivers excellent customer service to our constituents and to our City Commissioners every day,” said City Manager Matt Allen. “This is the core value of our organization, and she models the behavior for the rest of us.”

Hurtado began her career in 2000 in municipal government by holding positions in Human Resources and the City Manager’s office before being named City Clerk in 2012.

(Read more: Greater Garden City » Feed)

2 more Kansas counties added to disaster declaration

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management says it has been notified that two more counties have been added to a federal disaster declaration for Kansas.

The agency says in a news release that the new counties added to the Feb. 25 declaration are Barber and Ottawa.

Counties named in the original declaration are Anderson, Barton, Cowley, Doniphan, Greenwood, Harvey, Kingman, Neosho, Pratt, Reno, Rice and Sumner counties.

These counties are eligible to apply for public assistance to pay for the restoration of public infrastructure and associated costs caused by severe storms, winds and flooding caused during the period of Oct. 4-15.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ellis to welcome visitors with new street banners

New community banners will soon be adorning the light poles along 10th Street and Washington Street in Ellis.

Glen Keller, Tourism Committee and Ellis PRIDE Committee member, presented proposals during Monday’s city council meeting to replace the existing banners which have deteriorated.

“Welcome” and “Come Back Soon” banners will be placed on Washington while Ellis “Railer” banners will be on 10th.

The council unanimously voted to purchase 77 banners from Rupp Arts and Signs for $4,700.32 to be paid from the Tourism Fund.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Lenexa to start bike share program with local nonprofit Bike Share KC

Lenexa is starting a bike share program with local nonprofit Bike Share KC.

The project includes the purchase of 25 smart bikes equipped to be rented as well as installation of parking racks for the bicycles at Mill Creek Park, Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, Old Town Lenexa, the Civic Campus and Black Hoof Park, according to a city memo.

Bike Share KC will manage and operate the bike share program.

The council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to accept reimbursement through the Kansas Department of Transportation for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funding for the bike share program. Councilmember Steve Lemons was absent. There was no public comment or discussion among the council, as the item was on the council’s consent agenda.
The total project cost is $75,000.

Commissioners re-establish public comment policy

Leavenworth County commissioners are re-establishing guidelines for making public comments during their meetings.

Commissioner Vicky Kaaz said Wednesday that commissioners were reimplementing a policy regarding the public comment period of their meetings.

“I apologize that it was not adhered to in the past,” she said.

Kaaz’s comments came a week after Tamara Copeland, former human resources director for the county, addressed the commission.

During her March 13 remarks, Copeland argued the county clerk and county treasurer are overpaid and the register of deeds is underpaid.

At one point, Commission Chairman Doug Smith said he was cutting off Copeland because she had talked for about 15 minutes. But Copeland was allowed to continue. Copeland was followed by former Commissioner Bob Holland, who accused the county clerk of not paying taxes.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Kaaz said the policy will help to respect the time of people who come to commission meetings for matters that are on the agenda.

She read the guidelines for public comment, which include limiting remarks to agenda items only and exchanging comments “in a respectful and positive way.”

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)