Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

No paychecks: Horton hospital may close

Horton Community Hospital employees haven’t been paid since Feb. 15, and at least one employee indicated the hospital will close Friday if employees aren’t paid.

Ty Compton, CEO of the Horton hospital, confirmed that employees didn’t receive their paychecks on the previous payday. He was told by hospital ownership, Miami-based iHealthcare, that “they’re working on it.”

“I am doing the best I can and I believe all the employees and staff are doing the best they can do as well,” Compton said. “Obviously, everyone has to be paid.” Asked whether the hospital would close on Friday if employees weren’t paid, Compton said: “I’m not aware of that. There’s all kinds of speculation. There is nothing set in stone.”

Wichita Public Schools make request to raise property taxes

The Wichita School Board is asking for the ability to raise your property taxes — if they need too.

School officials say they don’t plan to raise taxes right now, but they want the option to do it in the future. The local option budget gives the district the option of raising taxes if the state decides to give school less money.

“There’s just a lot of uncertainty related to the budget still occurring in Topeka so we wanted to be sure that we were covering all our bases,” says Susan Willis, the chief financial officer for Wichita Public Schools. “It’s a little bit like getting preapproved for a loan. That should we need it will have it, but hopefully, we won’t need to go there.” Currently, the mill levy in Wichita is set at 30 percent which brings in $115 million. Wichita schools are asking the state to raise that to 33 percent which means $11 million more for the district.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Leash law explained by Pratt officials

A recent report of a pit bull attack on a family pet and the pet’s owner at Lemon Park has raised issues among some local pet owners about the enforcement of a city leash law.
Pratt Police Chief Nate Humble said the leash law ordinance, 6.04.140 Running at Large, makes it unlawful for any person to willfully allow any animal or fowl under his or her control to run at large within the city. The ordinance does not specify the penalty for violation.
“A dog’s got to be under control,” said Pratt Animal Control Officer Kris Dover. “People have got to keep their dogs under control, no matter what.“ According to information shared at the recent Pratt City Commission meeting about the attack at Lemon Park, the aggressive dog, which was riding in the front of a vehicle, jumped out a window to attack Troy McEachern and his small dog who were walking by. It remains to be seen if the report of the incident resulted in a fine or not.
Since the breed of the aggressive dog involved with the Lemon Park attack was identified by several sources as a pit bull, there have been unsubstantiated reports that pit bull attacks have been on the rise since city officials lifted a breed ban and changed wording to ban “dangerous animals” from city limits.
Pratt Area Humane Society Manager April Hemphill said she did not have data immediately at hand that might document the number of pit bulls that have been brought to the shelter since last May.
“I feel we’ve had fewer pit bulls in as strays and we haven’t had any confiscated,” Hemphill said. “We haven’t had any we’ve had to quarantine for bite cases.“
Police Chief Nate Humble said he is following through with research on the pit bull matter as he was requested to do at the last city commission meeting and will have a report available to present at the March 18 city commission meeting.

Lawrence explains odd shape of Queens Road taxing districts; judge to decide in coming weeks whether to halt project for lawsuit

Whether the multimillion-dollar reconstruction of Queens Road will be postponed so a lawsuit against the city can go forward is now in the hands of a judge.

At a hearing in Douglas County District Court on Monday, both sides laid out their case as to whether the controversial taxing districts, which go toward funding the $5.3 million road project, should be delayed so the lawsuit can be heard. In January, homeowner Kurt Schaake filed a lawsuit claiming that the taxing districts, under which property owners near Queens Road would pay most of the cost of the improvements, are out of line with state law.

Schaake’s attorney, Richard Hird, requested Monday that Judge Amy Hanley order a preliminary injunction until the lawsuit was resolved. Hanley said in order for her to do so, Hird must show that the case is likely to be successful or has a “substantial likelihood of prevailing on its merits.”

When Hanley asked Hird what would allow the case to prevail, he listed four major elements. He said that the city didn’t determine what special benefit accrued to properties within the districts; that the city improperly excluded properties; and that the properties within the districts were not benefited in equal relation to the financial burden imposed. He said the city’s districts were therefore arbitrary and capricious and out of line with state law.

KDHE’s KIC Website Offers New Data from Emergency Departments Tool makes diagnoses and other statistics available online for first time

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has added a new dataset to its
online health data query tool, Kansas Information for Communities (KIC). Emergency department data
from the state’s general hospitals is now available on the KIC page.
“Using KIC, individuals and policy makers will be able to see the diagnoses that bring almost 900,000
residents to emergency departments at Kansas hospitals,” said KDHE Acting Secretary and State Health
Officer Lee A. Norman, M.D. “This information can provide an insight into the injuries and illnesses
affecting Kansans, many of which are preventable.” Using the KIC emergency department data, individuals will be able to produce statistics on the number of
ED visits by county, race, ethnicity, sex and various diagnosis categories. KIC can produce counts, rates and age-adjusted hospital ED or inpatient rates. Other datasets contained
in KIC include hospital discharge procedures, births, deaths, pregnancies, cancer and population.

FlightSafety International chooses Wichita for drone training location

FlightSafety International has chosen Wichita and Las Vegas as the locations of new training centers for unmanned aircraft systems.

A company spokesperson says that the Wichita location will be based at FlightSafety’s Wichita East Learning Center, 9721 E. Central.

The Wichita location is expected to be operational in the coming months, though a specific opening date is still being finalized.

The company also announced in a press release that it has chosen one of its local leaders, Clinton Strong, to head both drone training locations. The centers will offer practical flight training for unmanned aircraft systems in conjunction with Praxis Aerospace Concepts Inc.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

‘This is big’: KC renames The Paseo “MLK Blvd.”

On an otherwise quiet and cold Monday morning, the voices of elated Kansas Citians singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” echoed off of the homes near 34th Street and The Paseo, where crews installed the first signs for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

The group’s rendition of the song, commonly known as the Black National Anthem, came as community leaders celebrated victory in a hard-fought battle to rename The Paseo in honor of the late civil rights leader. City Council members voted 8-4 last month in favor of the change. The Council’s approval last month came after a months-long push by religious leaders along The Paseo and the SCLC, an organization King helped found. After initial rejection by the Board of Parks and Recreation, which has jurisdiction over the city’s boulevards, the group attempted to gather enough signatures to put the renaming to a vote.

Finally, despite opposition by some council members who didn’t believe residents who live on The Paseo were properly consulted, the group found the support to get it passed.

Over the next months, the city will replace the remaining signs on The Paseo and advise residents who live on the boulevard on changing their addresses and other important documents to reflect the new name.

Clark County’s St. Jacob’s well

It is 84-feet wide, but at 58-feet deep it is not bottomless and there are no blind fish swimming in its depths.

It is reported while St. Jacob of Nisibis Mesopotamia was on a pilgrimage to find Noah’s Ark, he rested near the top of Mt. Qardu. In his sleep an angel placed a piece of the Ark close to him and woke him. At the spot where he rested, a sacred spring with healing powers emerged.

It is fitting that St. Jacob’s Well in Clark County 15 miles south of Minneola is named for him. It sits in the Little Basin which is in the 1,818-acre Big Basin Prairie Preserve managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, which is located in prairie land within the Red Hills region. The State acquired the land in 1974 from The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. government designated the Big Basin a National Landmark in December 1978. Mrs. C.G. (Janie) Stein had formed the Big Basin Foundation in 1972.

Mrs. Stein’s desire was to allocate this land for the conservation of American Bison (buffalo) and pronghorn antelope.

The Big Basin, Little Basin and St. Jacob’s Well can be reached easily from the east side of US Highway 283/160 south of Minneola and west of Ashland. There are often buffalo at the site.

Bel Aire expanding Woodlawn, asking for public input

A big construction project is in the works for Woodlawn north of Wichita.

The city of Bel Aire is looking to expand Woodlawn between 37th to 45th streets. It knows what it plans to do for the first stretch from 37th to the railroad tracks, but it’s looking for public comment about the next stretch up to 45th Street. “We typically go out on this furthest North drive,” said Julie Breault, Heartland Animal Hospital manager.

For the past 18 years, Breault said she’s watched the traffic outgrow this stretch of Woodlawn in front of her practice.

“As you can see, the traffic is building up, and at that 5 o’clock time when all of our clients are coming to pick up their pets after work, 5-5:30 to get out of here to go left is nearly impossible,” Breault said. Tristin Terhune is Director of Communications for Bel Aire.

“Here from 37th to the railroad tracks that will be a five lane no mater what,” Terhune said. “From the railroad tracks to 45th Street is where the public’s input on those four options will really be discussed on Tuesday.”

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

City of Topeka adopts Housing First approach to homelessness

More than a dozen people Monday received vouchers for housing after the city of Topeka changed course and began embracing the Housing First model.

The approach, first conceived around 1990, connects those experiencing homelessness to housing without preconditions.

Along with several people, most of whom have been living outside, Nichole Deal filled out paperwork for the Shelter Plus Care program on Monday.

“What do we put for address?” she asked.

Deal has been living unsheltered for three years.

“I left a domestic violence relationship,” she said, “and lost everything. I didn’t have a support team.”

The Topekan said living outside was miserable.

“I’m trying not to cry,” she said of the prospect of gaining permanent housing.

Mental health practitioner Russell Burton proposed the Housing First model to Corrie Wright, the city’s director of housing services.

“This should hopefully have an impact on these people’s lives for the rest of their lives,” Burton said. “We are housing people first and then dealing with their underlying issues,” Wright said. “That’s a little different than how we’ve done it in the past so that’s kind of exciting.”

Great Bend Chamber gives Legacy Award to Great Bend Recreation Commission

Children and families are the cornerstone of any growing community, and no organization has worked harder at improving Great Bend’s quality of life than the Great Bend Recreation Commission. It is for that reason that the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development awarded The Great Bend Rec with the 2018 Legacy Award during their Annual Meeting & Banquet on February 23, 2019. In 2018, the Great Bend Recreation Commission enrolled more than 6,969 residents in recreation programs plus another 645 non-residents for a total of 7,614 people participating throughout the year. When you count all the individual programs they participated in such as fitness, sports, after school programming, art, cooking, adaptive learning, adult programs, etc the total number for individual enrollments climbs over 159,000. The Rec also employs nine full time staff members as well as 180 seasonal and part time positions.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Finney, Scott counties to receive rural roads funding

Projects in 16 Kansas counties, including Finney and Scott counties, will receive a combined approximately $4.5 million in funding to improve safety on rural roads as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads program. Finney county is receiving a $362,000 for systemic work to include upgrading signage on all 65 mph, off-system roads in the county. Scott County is receiving $134,000 for systemic work that will include upgrading signage on all major collectors in the southwest quarter of the county.

Counties sent in applications for the program, with projects selected earlier this month. The funds are for federal fiscal year 2021.

Regulator: Return tax savings to Kansas gas customers

Kansas regulators have ordered Kansas Gas Service to return more than $17.9 million in tax savings to its customers.

The Kansas Corporation Commission said in a news release Monday that its order will mean a one-time bill credit of $22.78 for residential customers.

The agency says the savings are the result of a federal law that reduced the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent in January of last year. The Commission had required utilities to track and keep separate savings from the tax cut pending its review.

Kansas Gas Service had asked to keep the savings to offset its service costs, but the Commission determined that was not in the public interest.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Ford County spends more than $100,000 litigating voting access case

Ford County spent more than $100,000 fighting a three-month long voting access lawsuit.

The county paid the Hinkle Law Firm $100,936 in legal fees and services, according to a document obtained through an open records request.

Ford County Clerk Debbie Cox was sued in October after relocating Dodge City’s sole polling site outside city limits ahead of the November midterm election. The cost to open a new site varies depending on factors like equipment and setup. Harvey County estimated expenses around $5,000 while Saline County reported costs at nearly $22,000.

County officials investigating factors behind uptick in number of women booked in Johnson County jail

No one can fully explain the reasons yet, but there’s a troubling trend afoot at the Johnson County jail. For the first time in recent memory, women are being booked into detention in increasing numbers, causing a disproportionate spike in the female population.

They are staying longer, too, according to statistics kept by the county department of corrections. “It’s one of those things I wish I could explain but I can’t,” said Sheriff Calvin Hayden. But in the coming weeks, county officials are going to dive into those statistics and look for an answer.

Johnson County home appraisal values rise again; see how much today

The one time of year has come when Johnson Countians don’t want to see their home values go up — county appraisal time.

The county will send out appraisal notices on Monday to 198,000 property owners, The Kansas City Star reports. Homeowners also can see their 2019 appraisals online on Monday.

The new appraised value will be higher for more than 90 percent of homes in Johnson County, according to The Star, but the increase won’t be as large as the double-digit-percentage jumps experienced last year. Attribute it to a residential real estate market that remains robust, but that has cooled off from a year ago.

A map compiled by The Star shows increases of more than 10 percent for two pockets of Prairie Village, increases of less than 5 percent in most of western and southern Johnson County and in the 5 percent to 8 percent range for the bulk of the county.

Hays Regional Airport gets new manager

Jamie Salter has been named the new manager of city-owned Hays Regional Airport by City Manager Toby Dougherty. An employee with the city of Hays for 11 years, Salter took over as airport manager on Sunday.

Salter has a Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Hays State University. She worked for the city for more than 11 years.

A press release from the city’s Human Resources Director Erin Giebler said Salter has previously provided administrative support for the airport.

“Mrs. Salter has 11 years of experience with the City of Hays,” Dougherty said. “She is well-versed in airport operations and regulatory matters. The Hays Regional Airport will continue to grow under her leadership.”

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Barton County awarded more funding for safety improvements at JUCO Road intersection

Following the tragic accident at the intersection of North Washington Avenue and Northeast 30 Road (JUCO Road) last April that took the life of an 18-year old from Olmitz, Barton County Commissioners voted in favor of making changes to increase awareness and signage at the intersection north of Great Bend. The teenager’s vehicle was struck by a cement truck that was traveling north on Northeast 30 Road.

Barton County Engineer Barry McManaman noted changes to speed limits and signage were made following the accident. McManaman says the preliminary thoughts are to add flashing warnings, radar speed displays, and active warning devices that would alert drivers of approaching traffic on the crossroad. Part of the funding will be used to widen North 50 Road, just east of Northwest 10 Avenue that has a narrow concrete drainage box.

The funds are for Federal Fiscal Year 2021, so McManaman guessed it could up to two years before the projects get started.

The Barton County improvement project from KDOT is a site specific project, meaning it is 90 percent federally funded, and the county would have to contribute up to 10 percent of the project cost. McManaman will eventually take the offer to the Barton County Commission for approval.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Sign up for our free KanCap Elected Officials Training in Beloit (Thursday, March 7)

Water is a business! City Council and rural water district boards have a lot to consider: water pressure, meeting all federal and state regulations and standards, and making rates affordable. In fact, their job is making the right choices about complex managerial, financial, and technical aspects of running a high quality water utility. Yes, it takes time to keep up on the laws, regulations, and rules. However, as a board/council member, you are personally responsible. Water is the foundation of your community’s jobs and future.

Like any business, there are risks and options, but is your board/council keeping them in mind? Boards/Councils need to know the pros and cons concerning your managerial, financial, and technical decision about water. That is why KanCap, a component of the Kansas Capacity Development Program, was established by the state of Kansas. KanCap is designed to be an educational tool to assist board/council members in operating their water business.

Click here to view the KanCap Brochure and sign up.

Lawrence city leaders interested in requiring some bar staff to receive sexual assault intervention training

City leaders have indicated they are interested in requiring that at least some staff at bars and other businesses that serve alcohol be trained to recognize and intervene in sexual harassment and assault.

As part of its meeting this week, the commission asked city staff to draft an ordinance that would make sexual assault intervention training mandatory for certain drinking establishment managers, beginning in about a year. The draft will come back for further consideration at a later date, at which time the commission will also discuss the requirements for the training and how the training will be funded.
The city issues a local license to drinking establishments, which is in addition to the state liquor license, and city legal staff has said the city could require certain training as a condition of the local license.
This is the second discussion the city has had about potentially requiring the training.

To comply with state law, Mission removes old ordinance that granted police power to seize weapons during emergencies

The city of Mission has taken steps to ensure compliance with state law after discovering it had an outdated ordinance on the books intended to allow police officers to confiscate firearms and weapons during a declared state of emergency.

Mission officials believe the ordinance would have been deemed unenforceable under state laws which explicitly protect individuals’ rights to keep legally held firearms. City officials said Mission never used the ordinance before it was taken off the books.

Before the council moved to strike it this week, the ordinance had given the mayor the authority to order a law enforcement officer or city employee to “confiscate any items, including alcoholic beverages, firearms, explosives, weapons and combustibles” in “the interest of public safety” during a state of disaster or emergency.

The council Wednesday voted 7-0 to delete “firearms” and “weapons” from that list of items as part of a string of orders city leaders could make in an emergency. The ordinance change was part of the council’s adoption of a wholesale updated emergency operations plan for the city.

NextEra application for Pretty Prairie wind farm detailed; will not use locally built turbines

NextEra Energy filed its long-anticipated application with Reno County on Feb. 15 seeking necessary permits to construct its proposed 220-megawatt Pretty Prairie Wind Energy Center in the southeast quadrant of the county.

The application itself is just 21 pages long, though, with maps, notification lists and legal documents, the full application runs about 70 pages.

NextEra paid a $300 application fee for the project, which will likely cost around $300 million to build, based on recent public wind turbine construction estimates.

A couple of things stand out when studying the project.

First is its sheer size.

Second is the fact the Florida-based company developing the project has chosen to use GE wind turbines – rather than Siemens Gamesa nacelles that would be built in Hutchinson, less than 20 miles away.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Gardner council creates benefit district for residential developments

Gardner City Council adopted a resolution creating a benefit district for an 82 acre multi- phase residential development during its regular meeting January 18.
The establishment of the benefit district will enable the city to install a sanitary sewer lift station and other site related improvements on the proposed Tuscan Farms residential development.
Tuscan farms will contain 208 single family lots and 56 additional rental units.
According to Matthew Wolff, finance director, the home values in the project will start at approximately $250,000. The rental units will be maintenance free.
Chad Burkdoll, developer, has provided the city with a $339,000 letter of credit which will expire after the completion of residencies on 20 lots on the project.
“The maximum cost of the improvements for the improvement district is $1,325,000 including the issuance for temporary notes and long term bonds and the interest expense on temporary notes,” Wolff said.
“The cost of improvement will be assessed one hundred percent against the improvement district, and zero percent to be paid by the city at large,” he said.
The proposed term of the improvement district is 15 years.

(Read more: Gardner News)

JOCO home values continue to rise

JJohnson County homeowners who were stunned by skyrocketing property value increases in recent years may breathe a little easier when they receive this year’s appraisal notices in the mail.

“The market has cooled somewhat,” Johnson County Appraiser Paul Welcome told The Star. “It’s not at the frenzied pace it was last year.” Last year, many homeowners were shocked by property value increases of 15 percent or more, especially in the particularly desirable northern Johnson County neighborhoods of Prairie Village, Roeland Park and Fairway. Some neighborhoods in Overland Park, Merriam and Mission had 10 percent increases, and parts of Lenexa and southern Johnson County had increases just under 10 percent.

County discusses hemp farming in Butler County

Board of Butler County Commissioners held a work session, in which Dana Ladner with Kansas Dept of Agriculture spoke before the Commission to discuss industrial hemp rules and regulations and how the legality of hemp farming affects Butler County.
On February 8, applications went live with a short window to apply for the “pilot research program.” March 1st is the deadline for applications, with a fee of $200 due. Once accepted into the program, there is an annual licensing fee which varies by type. The license fee for a Grower is $1000; Distributor is $2000; Processor is $3000. Licensees will also be subject to sampling, testing, and modification fees. Commissioner Myers asked if everyone licensed through this program is designated as doing research. Ms. Ladner confirmed that then-Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. signed Senate Bill 263 (now K.S.A. 2-3901 et seq.) in April 2018, which enacted the Alternative Crop Research Act allowing the Kansas Department of Agriculute to oversee the cultivation of industrial hemp in a research program. She also stated, they currently have “no clue” as to the economic impact on Kansas, as an end product is needed.
With a growing season of approximately four (4) months for a crop that is proven to be drought resistant, reports on the economic impact could be available after only one growing year. Per acre, it produces four times as much paper as trees, which take many years to reach maturity for harvest.

(Read more: El Dorado Times)

Project moves utility lines underground in Parsons

Two utility companies have moved their infrastructure while another two are nearing completion of their work to make way for new turn lanes at 16th and Main.

Darrell Moyer, director of engineering for the city of Parsons, said Friday that Kansas Gas Service and Cable One have completed their relocation work while Westar Energy and AT&T continue.

“Everything is going underground,” Moyer said.

The utility relocation work is concentrated on 16th Street (U.S. 59) from Crawford to Belmont. Moyer said the city staff has been working on utility relocation plans for about a year and promoted the underground lines near the intersection.

“When it gets all cleaned up, I think it will be a sharper look,” Moyer said.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Topeka police ask public to help name newest police dog

The Topeka Police Department is asking the public to help name its newest police service dog.

Whoever submits the name that is chosen will get to meet the dog and its handler, if he or she wishes, said police public relations specialist Gretchen Koenen.

The new dog is a 15-month-old male Belgian Malinois from the Ukraine, Koenen said. He will be trained in narcotics detection, patrol services and handler protection.

The public may submit suggested names on the police department’s Facebook page. Entries will be accepted through March 1.

Shawnee County to consider privatizing solid waste department

The Shawnee County Commission will consider taking a step Monday toward potentially privatizing the county’s solid waste department.

County commissioners plan to consider a proposal sponsored by Archer through which they would appoint Curt Niehaus, director of the county’s public works and solid waste departments, to the county’s solid waste management committee to replace Justin Pike, who was deputy director of the solid waste department until he left county employment Jan. 24.

The proposal would also direct the county’s solid waste management committee to review the county’s solid waste management plan and provide commissioners with recommendations about the feasibility of arranging with private entities to provide the services the solid waste department currently provides.

Lyon County approves removal of weight limits on 18 county bridges

The commission also approved a request by County Engineer Chip Woods to remove the weight limits of 18 county bridges and alter the weight limits on an additional 10 to comply with federal law.

Woods said there was nothing structurally wrong with the bridges, but the formula for how those limits are developed had been changed. The Road and Bridge Department will be responsible for changing or removing signs at each bridge and then will need to provide photographic proof to the Kansas Department of Transportation once the work is complete.

Woods said the county’s failure to comply could result in the loss of potential federal funding in the future.

“All of this is to keep the feds happy,” Woods said.

Commissioners praised Woods for the local department’s record keeping, which has also been recognized by KDOT. The county is required to keep a separate file for each bridge in the county — around 400.

“You guys are really efficient,” Commissioner Dan Slater said. “We have a good road and bridge department and a lot of counties don’t.”

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

City of Leavenworth offers rebate program to seniors

Low-income senior citizens are invited to take part in a program that will reduce their monthly bills.

The city of Leavenworth once again is offering a rebate program for qualifying individuals that pays their sewer and trash bills each month.

Residents must live in the city limits, be 62 years old or older, be the primary occupant of the residence and fall into one of several age and income categories.

For example, the total gross income of the applicant cannot exceed $28,000. For a household of eight or more people, the total gross income of the applicant cannot exceed $52,000. Several other eligibility categories fall in between those figures.

City Clerk Carla Williamson, who administers the program, said there are currently 183 people enrolled in the rebate program.

“I know there must be a lot of people out there who would qualify. They should take advantage of this,” she said.

Williamson said there is no limit or cap on the number of people who can take part in the rebate program.

City of Topeka to hold public meetings regarding proposed changes in sign code

The city of Topeka’s planning department is considering making various changes to the city’s rules regarding signs. The changes being considered would involve a comprehensive update to the city’s sign code, commercial building design standards and landscape and screening requirements, the city said on its Facebook page.

“Enhancing Topeka’s quality of place and community aesthetic have been key objectives of the update while also making a more user-friendly sign code,” it said.

Gardner city council approved Price Chopper plan

A new shopping plaza is coming to town after Gardner City Council passed a raft of ordinances and resolutions to help fund the construction of the Main Street Market Place project during a meeting Jan. 18.
The proposed project, Main Street Market Place, includes a new 60,000 sq ft Price Chopper grocery store and the redevelopment of the current store into restaurant and retail space. Super Market Developers, Inc, a subsidiary of Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), is behind the project.
The council, after holding a public hearing in which no member of the public came forward, passed a resolution declaring the city’s intent to issue Industrial Revenue Bonds amounting to $19,390,000 to finance a portion of the costs of the acquisition, construction and equipping of the proposed facility.

(Read more: Gardner News)

‘This is our song’: Youth debut Lindsborg’s city song

Wednesday night, 118 youth debuted the official song of Lindsborg, “Kara Lindsborg Mitt Hem.”

The music and lyrics were written by residents Mike and Rose Marie Wallen. The title, pronounced “Share-ah Lindsborg meet hem,” translates to: dearest Lindsborg, my home.

“This is our song,” said Lindsborg Mayor Becky Anderson after the performance. “When I heard this song, I was reduced to tears. I can’t thank these two people enough for bringing their talents.”

Students in third, fourth and fifth grade, under the direction of Lori Nelson and Britney English, performed the song, as well as “Tryggare kan ingen vara (Children of the heavenly father)” with the Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers and Fiddlers. Narrators for the program were seventh grader Per Nelson and sixth grader Tatum Reed.

The performance marks the 150th anniversary of the naming of Lindsborg.

City of Hays hears support request for StonePost Lofts at former Washington school

Overland Property Group, Leawood, plans to redevelop the former Washington Elementary School, 305 Main, and construct income-qualified housing.

As part of the process to apply for federal tax credits through the Kansas Housing Resources Corp., the must request a Resolution of Support from the local governing body.

City Manager Toby Dougherty told city commissioners during their Thursday night work session “this is something that has been done previously by commissions for all the StonePost developments either planned, or the ones that were pursued but not constructed.” StonePost Lofts would consist of up to 20 units with 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms targeting families between 30 to 80% of the Ellis County area median income.

Commissioners will vote on the resolution during their Feb. 28 meeting.

(Read more: Hays Post)

New Kansas alcohol laws to take effect in April

Starting April 1, new Kansas alcohol laws will go into effect, meaning stronger beer will be available in grocery and convenience stores.

Mike Thornbrugh, with QuikTrip, has already been through alcohol law changes in other states.

“Oklahoma went October 1st, Colorado went January 1st, and now Kansas,” says Thornbrugh.

Unlike Oklahoma, wine will not be available in grocery or convenience stores in Kansas.

“Kansas, we wish it was a little better. We’ll work on it. For now, it will be capped at 6 percent,” says Thornbrugh.

For years, shoppers have been asking for the choice to buy their alcohol in places other than just liquor stores. Dillons has also been lobbying for the laws to change.

“We were listening to what our customers wanted. It was new products, it was convenience,” says Sheila Lowrie, a spokesperson for Dillons.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

For more information on how the new law may affect your city code, contact Larry Kleeman.

Click here for more information on keeping your city code always up-to-date online and in print.

Engineering firm gives input on wind project

An engineering firm that coordinates agreements between windmill generator developers and counties gave a presentation to Neosho County Commissioners Thursday evening about its services and what to expect with the proposed Neosho Ridge Wind project.

Tanner Yost with Kirkham Michael engineering gave a presentation with handouts about the development of road use agreements, agreements for payments in lieu of taxes, decommissioning agreements, and escrow security for any road damage.

Yost discussed items that the road agreements would cover, such as inspection before, during and after construction, fee reimbursement, hauling for rock, gravel and other materials, as well as the windmill components and dust control.
During public comments, the commission heard from engineer Andrew Roberts, who criticized Apex’s economic impact study and also peer-review publishing. He said Apex’s report on property value impact did not have enough samples for a fair analysis. He also said his questions at an informational meeting organized by Apex were not addressed.

Commissioners have heard input from opponents at almost every meeting since October, and continued to hear from people who have addressed the same issues at previous meetings on Thursday.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Counties benefits from law regarding inmate health costs

The county is benefiting from a new law that changes what cities and counties are paying for inmate health costs.

Sheriff Chuck Dunn provided a report to commissioners on the Kansas County Jail Savings on Inmate Health Care Costs. In May of 2006 House Bill 2893 was signed into law and provides that Kansas County and City Jails are able to pay Medicaid rates for inmates who require health care at an offsite healthcare facilities and providers, such as hospitals, physician offices, clinics, and rehabilitation facilities.

In 2018 there were 3,279 claims for medical treatment for inmates in the State of Kansas. The amount that was charged for the 3,279 claims was $7,220,203 but with this new law the Medicaid payment was $1,022,752 which saved Kansas Counties and Cities a cost savings of $6,197,451 in medical treatments for one year.

Since the law passed in 2006, there have been 53,394 claims for medical treatments for inmates in the State of Kansas. The amount that was charged for those 53,394 claims was $81,169,469 but with the change in law, the Medicaid payment was $18,169,469 for a savings of $63,639,538 for the Kansas Counties and Cities.

Park City flag’s symbols have meaning

City leaders hope Park City’s new flag will be a symbol that unites its citizens.

Park City held a ceremony to debut the flag Feb. 16.

Last March, the city council voted 7-1 to match Convention and Tourism funds of $11,775 for a new city flag. A selection committee was also established.

Staff was impressed with other logos and flags in the area and thought it would be a good time to give Park City’s logo a facelift. Former City Administrator Jack Whitson said at the time that flags give communities something to rally around and can even help spur economic development.

Dodge City manager offers blueprint for dealing with rural Kansas housing shortage

City Manager Cherise Tieben’s firm belief housing construction was a market-driven segment of the economy didn’t survive a 2007 meeting with exasperated Dodge City bankers, developers, realtors and employers.

She learned from the group the southwest Kansas community’s housing stock was profoundly inadequate and the private sector was incapable of keeping pace. Teachers were residing in colleagues’ basements. Employers placed hires in hotels for up to six months. Families paid a premium for deplorable rentals. Bank financing was scarce. Most homes on the market were overpriced.

A study showed the city would require 950 housing units by 2013, but banks were prohibited from offering rural development loans through the U.S. Department of Agriculture because Dodge City no longer met the definition of rural.

“We quickly realized this was an issue the city couldn’t take on all by itself,” Tieben said Thursday in testimony to the House Rural Revitalization Committee. “We literally used the scatter-gun approach.”

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Wind energy advocates say proposed restrictions are attempt to end Kansas developments

Alan Albers is tired of being characterized as a terrible ogre whose enthusiasm for wind turbines is selfish and greedy.

He rejects claims that low-frequency sounds produced by wind farms have adverse health effects and believes proposed legislation to restrict wind farm development would trample the rights of property owners who welcome payments that augment declining farm revenue.

Albers said he owns land in Kingman and Pratt counties and that his extended family has provided space for 21 wind towers.

“The idea that I or they would put people in jeopardy for wealth is totally offensive,” Albers said. “You can find everything you want to online, and you can see what it’s done to our society recently, and I think it’s totally ridiculous.”

Lawmakers in the House Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications are considering a bill introduced by Rep. Randy Garber, R-Sabetha, that would require any new turbines to be placed at least 1.5 miles from a residence and 3 miles from an airport, park or hunting area. Clean energy advocates and companies that operate wind farms in Kansas described the bill Thursday as reckless, a sham, a grave mistake, a ploy, and an attack on free market capitalism.

After a year without air-conditioning, Cowley County courthouse can finally chill out

If everything goes as planned, things will cool down at the Cowley County Courthouse this spring.

County commissioners approved 2-0 a motion to purchase a chiller from Winfield Heating and Plumbing for $259,000. The courthouse has been without air conditioning for more than a year.

Commissioner Alan Groom abstained from voting to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest because he often does welding on Winfield Heating and Plumbing’s projects, said county administrator Lukas Goff.

The bid price includes installation of an outside chiller and electricity and plumbing for it. Included in that price is $75,000 that could go toward a courtyard wall to enclose the chiller. Additional costs are $10,300 for temperature controls from Five Star and $3,230 to get an in-stock chiller. Goff said getting a chiller the company already has on hand instead of waiting for them to build it will cost a bit more but will make it available faster.

Time is short to get the project done before the hot weather sets in, Goff said, so they want to get the project under way as soon as possible.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Reno County receives funding for road safety

Projects in four counties, including Reno County, will receive funding to improve safety on rural roads as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation’s High-Risk Rural Roads program.

Officials say projects in this program fall into one of two categories — systemic or site specific. Projects in the systemic category are 100 percent federally funded and aren’t required to provide a match. Site specific projects are 90 percent federally funded and a county contributes up to 10 percent of the project cost.

Reno County and three other counties fall under the systemic category. Reno County will receive $378,000 for upgraded signing of all major and minor collectors east of K-14.

Pratt County ($181,000), Rice County ($252,000) and Stafford County ($284,000) will receive funding for similar work.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office reunites stolen property to rightful owners

From trail cameras to tires to power tools, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office put several stolen items on display on Thursday in hopes of returning them to their rightful owners.

The sheriff’s office recovered the items from a series of burglaries. In all, the stolen goods total about $100,000.

“You’ll find that some of these cases have been completed, and we just have their property. And in others, we have no idea what case it might be on. That’s why we’re asking the public to come out and help us get this property back to them,” said Lt. Tim Myers.

Joey Wallacker didn’t think he had a chance to recover his nearly $6,000 snow broom. But, after reading off the model number and just in time for another round of winter weather, the sheriff’s office helped him recover the item.

“Makes me feel really good, it’s like we won and they’d lost,” said Wallacker.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Commission responds to social media criticism on storm/ice preparation

One major challenge was identified after Tuesday night’s El Dorado City Commission meeting was adjourned and cameras had stopped rolling. That challenge being the propagation of animosity towards the City and its employees without respect or compassion for their dedication to serving the public.
Commissioner Wilkinson told Mr. Meyer, “I personally want to thank you and your department for everything you’ve done. I think a lot of the criticism you received on Facebook was unnecessary and quite rude.“
At the request of City Manager David Dillner, Mr. Meyer shared the City of El Dorado Public Works Policy on Snow and Ice Control; provided answers to frequently asked questions; shared reports and Storm Event logs detailing the activities of the Public Works Department in preparation for the storm. He acknowledged the criticisms received from residents online but countered their accusations with a list of detailed actions that had been taken.
Mr. Meyer also addressed current challenges facing the department with respect to the limited supply of salt available. This limited availability not only affects municipalities but the school district was affected as well, so the Public Works Department put out material for them. He also noted that citizens complain about roads that do not belong to the city.

(Read more: El Dorado Times)

Sugar mill collapse has planning department’s attention

The partial collapse of a 140-year-old building in Hutchinson has raised the attention of the city building inspector and the planning department.

The old sugar mill suffered damage when a portion of the elevator shaft fell to the ground Feb. 4. Because the bill to repair the building is in excess of $250,000, the building will likely come down.

Trent Maxwell, the city building inspector, says they are weighing the options for dealing with the older buildings in the city. Interim Planning Director Jim Seitnater says the city wants to be proactive in making sure the buildings are sound, but also knows that their reach is somewhat limited since they do not own the buildings. Seitnater says the city’s help could come from better education for property owners.

(Read more: Hutch Post)