Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Roeland Park approves expenditure of nearly $900K on R Park pavilion, restrooms

Roeland Park’s city council on Monday approved the expenditure of $118,504 for engineering and design for the first of redevelopment for R Park. The project will be managed by Larkin Lamp Rynearson, a Kansas City engineering firm.

The phase one designs will include a pavilion and restrooms. The pavilion will be large enough to accommodate 60 people and the restrooms will be designed to meet this capacity, according to the task order. The city initially planned to spend $200,000 for a pavilion in 2020 and another $200,000 for permanent restrooms in 2021, but the timeline was changed to meet code requiring Roeland Park to provide adequate restrooms to accommodate individuals using the pavilion.

Leavenworth County Commissioners review festival proposal

The city of Leavenworth may start up a new community festival. And the recommended name of the festival is Camp Leavenworth.

Keli O’Neill Wenzel, president and CEO of O’Neill Events and Marketing, visited Tuesday with the Leavenworth City Commission regarding her firm’s recommendations for a new festival.

The city hired the firm to do event research in preparation for a possible city-sponsored festival.

Wenzel said the theme of the festival would celebrate the city’s sense of freedom and adventure. It also would pay tribute to the community’s ties to the military.

“It plays to who you are with the military tie-in,” she said.

Wenzel said the festival also would be unique for the area. Her company’s research indicates the region does not have a camp festival or a festival with an outdoor theme.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Clay Center approves extraction cutters, heated driveway for fire station

Last night the Clay Center City Council approved a couple of items for the Clay Center Fire Department, including new cutters for vehicle extraction (commonly known as the jaws for life) and a system to heat the concrete driveway in front of the fire station at Fifth Street and Grant Avenue.

In a committee meeting before the council meeting, council members heard a report from Fire Chief John Ihnen, who reported that the extraction tools that firefighters currently use are 25 years old.

The council received only one bid that meet their qualification. The cost to replace the cutter is $10,971, which was approved by the council last night. Replacing the tools was an item budgeted for by the city this year and they will be paid with funds out of the fire department’s budget. The council approved a heating system for a new driveway for the station to be poured at the same time new curb and guttering is poured for street improvements downtown. Vogts Parga has already started that by pouring new curb and gutter and will also pour the concrete for the fire station’s new driveway.

Ark City to refinance hospital debt

Arkansas City commissioners took steps this week they hope will help the city to refinance hospital debt and save taxpayers money.

The commission approved an ordinance Tuesday that requires 95 percent of revenue from the one-cent sales tax be set aside for bond payments.

City Manager Nick Hernandez said part of the reason for that action is to show potential investors that the city has a guaranteed source of income for repayment.

“This is a requirement that we need to undertake as a commission to assure bondholders and bond buyers that revenue will be made available to pay back those pledges,” he said.

The hospital opened 2011 with a $29 million construction debt, with an interest rate of 7 percent. The total debt with interest stands at nearly $40 million. The current terms require an annual payment of $1.9 million, with the debt paid off in 2038.

Commissioners hope to refinance the bonds in September. A reduction of the current interest rate could potentially save the hospital more than $500,000 per year in interest and shorten the term of the loan, officials have said.

Wichita city leaders could reverse plans to close pools

When Wichita city leaders released their aquatic master plan two years ago, many city pools were scheduled to close. Now, a new plan could keep more pools open.

Cynthia Maxwell and her daughter, Lucinda go swimming at least 4 times a week in the summer. When they heard Minisa pool might be closing, Lucinda braved a city council meeting and told members just how important the pool was to her. City Council member, Cindy Claycomb says push back from the city played a huge role in saving city pools.

“Folks aren’t liking this very well, what else could we do? We came up with this thought of, we’re gonna close some assets that are still viable for the city and why are we doing that?,” says Claycomb.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Ellis County tags $800K to fix busy northwest county roads

On an icy day, it’s not unheard of for cars and semi tractor trailer rigs traveling 230th Avenue northwest of Hays to slide off the hilly, narrow rock road.

“At our plant, we employ 360 people,” said Mark Hess, vice president of operations for Hess Services Inc. “This year alone, 20 to 25 of our employees have wrecked their cars and slid into the ditch.”

While 230th Avenue has a series of rollercoaster hills, one of the steepest that is north facing, in particular, gets very slick in icy wintry weather.

“Luckily we’ve had no serious injuries,” said Hess, “but it’s just very treacherous. And when a car and a big truck are passing by each other, it’s a gambit as to who is going to slide into the ditch first.”

Hess Services manufactures oilfield production equipment for customers throughout North Dakota, Colorado and Texas from its multi-building industrial campus at the southwest corner of 230th Avenue and Feedlot Road.

Each week, as many as 70 to 80 semi tractors pulling drop-deck trailers pull out of the yard as they haul oversized storage tanks and other equipment. The easiest route would be 230th Avenue, for accessing the on- and off-ramps to Interstate 70, said Hess. But instead the trucks take Feedlot Road, which although narrow, is paved with asphalt.

“That road is so narrow it’s not safe to run large trucks on it,” said Hess of 230th Avenue. Even vendors hauling in pipe have had to be pulled from the ditch, leaving them to complain about hauling in supplies, he said.

How long the situation will continue is anyone’s guess. But the Ellis County Commission at its regular meeting Monday set aside $800,000 to kick-start improvements to the unpaved portion of 230th Avenue.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Overland Park council incentivizes Market Lofts developer to complete major work before Farmers Market opening

The developer of the Market Lofts project in downtown Overland Park may be able to get some of his promised tax increment financing money restored if he meets two new deadlines designed to get his construction workers out of the way of the Farmer’s Market.

Members of the city council’s finance committee okayed a plan Wednesday that would give developer Paul Goehausen until April 15 to have the exterior work and sidewalks done. The new deadline for final completion of the project is June 1.

If he misses those deadlines, he stands to lose even more of the money he had coming from a public financing deal with the city. But if he meets them, he can get back some of the revenue he’s already lost.

Disagreement emerges in Topeka council debate over employee residency

Disagreement emerged Tuesday evening as members of Topeka’s governing body debated a proposal that would do away with the city’s residency requirement for employees.

Councilwoman Sandra Clear suggested she was willing to join council members Karen Hiller, Jeff Coen and Tony Emerson in supporting the proposed change.

But Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz and Mayor Michelle De La Isla expressed opposition to it.

Councilman Brendan Jensen said he was open to having his mind changed but had reservations about the proposal, which he said was counterintuitive to efforts he and other advocates for this community have undertaken to make Topeka a place where people want to live.

“This really hurts my heart,” Jensen said.

Survey is in: Here’s what Olathe residents think of city services

Olathe residents remain among the most satisfied in the metro Kansas City area when it comes to their local government and city services, but a new survey shows several areas where that support slipped last year.

Transportation issues in particular generated some of the biggest complaints from citizens polled during the final three months of 2018 by research firm The ETC Institute. Researchers released the results of their latest survey to the Olathe City Council on Tuesday.

Only 52 percent of the roughly 500 respondents said they were satisfied with the ease of traveling east or west in the city, which was unchanged from 2017. But the percentage of those satisfied with the ease of traveling north or south through Olathe fell from 75 percent two years ago to 69 percent in 2018.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Wichita Transit looks into self-driving shuttles program

You could soon see autonomous vehicles in Wichita.

The city’s transit department is talking with the company Navya about trading two Q-Line trolleys for two self-operating shuttles.

Wichita Transit Director Mike Trann says the vehicles would seat 15 people each. A staff member would still be on board to take control if the autonomous system had an issue.

The city says it would cost $100,000 to launch the pilot program.

Once the city council approves the program, Trann says it would take the company six weeks to get the system deployed.

Trann says staff members are working on a proposal to put before the city council. If it’s approved, he hopes to have the vehicles up and available to the public by Memorial Day.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Acting Secretary of Commerce Testified on Rural Revitalization before House Committee

David Toland, Acting Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce, delivered testimony to the House Rural Revitalization Committee earlier today, focusing on challenges and how the agency can better serve communities in rural parts of Kansas.

Topics included several challenges facing rural Kansans, including population loss, business closings, and even how one defines a community as “rural.”

“If you’re in Dighton, Scott City is a big town. If you’re in Scott City, Garden City is a big town,” Toland said. “So while it’s all rural, it’s not all the same.”

Toland explained several issues the Department of Commerce has had in attempting to interact with rural communities throughout Kansas, to include the difficulty in raising awareness of Commerce programs available to aid rural areas.

He noted that while these programs are dedicated to helping rural communities, and have been successful when utilized, Commerce must do more to clearly explain what’s available to communities they aim to help.

“We talk in acronyms that people don’t understand, we communicate through mediums that rural people may not be plugged into, and we’ve failed to respond to the reality that, in many communities, the only staff person – if they have any staff at all – is a city clerk who is overwhelmed with just trying to survive the day,” Toland said.

However, Secretary Toland expressed hope for Kansas’ rural communities. In his testimony, he noted the positive steps that are being taken by state government to address ongoing rural issues.
Proposals included agencies being more flexible to rural needs. He used the example of Commerce’s Rural Opportunity Zone employer match, which was added after counties unable to secure the funds necessary to match investments asked that employers using the program provide the funds instead.

Another example centered on the Kansas Rural Economic Development Alliance and its work with communities in Western Kansas. According to Toland, their system of creating alliances and relationships between rural communities is exactly the sort of model state agencies should adopt.
Secretary Toland also mentioned that state agencies should be listening more to those within the rural areas.

“Solutions are best when they come from rural communities,” Toland said. “Residents know best what can make their town better, and they have a better definition of what it means to prosper than some demographer or economist can come up with.”

Representative Don Hineman, Chair of the Rural RevitalizationCommittee, was happy to hear the ideas Secretary Toland had brought.

“His testimony made it clear that he shares my passion for rural Kansas,” said Hineman. “I look forward to working with him and the team at Commerce for the betterment of all Kansans.”

Even with the tough road ahead, Secretary Toland said there is reason to hope for the sustainability and prosperity of rural communities throughout the state.

“There is a new emphasis on rural in our statehouse, and that is good news for Kansans, regardless of where they live – rural, suburban, or urban,” Toland said. “Governor Kelly has made rural a priority, as has the legislature. This matters because what happens in rural Kansas matters to our entire state – to our economy, to our politics, and to our identity as Kansans.”

Source: Kansas Commerce.

Senate panel considers bill requiring counties to contact voters about signature errors

A Senate committee reflecting on the increase in advance ballot popularity considered amending an elections law Wednesday to allow voters time to correct signature errors on advance ballots before the final canvass.

Sedgwick County election commissioner Tabitha Lehman said she has concerns with timing in the proposed legislation.

“Our concern is that this does not allow sufficient time for our office to reach out to voters whose ballots arrive the day before or on Election Day,” Lehman said.

Members of the Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee discussed efficient ways to make contact with voters who have an error with a signature on an advance ballot. Local canvassing boards may reject ballots if the signature doesn’t appear to match the signature with the voter’s registration file.

Voting rights advocates say the practice is unfair because ballots are handled differently in different counties and poll workers aren’t qualified in handwriting analysis.

Senate Bill 130 would require county election officers to make contact with individuals whose ballots are in jeopardy. Costs for this initiative would vary county by county depending on the size and number of advance ballots.

Commission approves contract with new County Manager Tom Stolz

Sedgwick County officially has a new County Manager.

Tom Stolz was named Sedgwick County Manager after the Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to accept his employment contract.

“Through every interaction with community members, partners and staff, the support for this decision was strong,” said Chairman David Dennis, Sedgwick Co. Board of Commissioners. “All of those who have worked with Tom recognize that he is a strong leader who has developed strong relationships.”

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

South Hutch City Council still considering candidates for new police chief

The South Hutchinson City Council is still working to find a new police chief. The interview process with potential candidates is complete.

South Hutchinson Mayor Luke Herren says 12 candidates applied. That list was narrowed down to five. All five individuals have been interviewed. Herren says the council is now considering who will be the best fit.

Herren expects someone to be named within the next couple of weeks.

South Hutchinson officials have been looking for a chief since Mark Thompson’s contract was not renewed at the beginning of the year.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

R9 Ranch Final Master Order promised by March 1; cities talk to governor

The cities of Hays and Russell have been told a Final Master Order for the R9 Ranch water project will be completed by Friday, March 1.

If not, the cities will “turn up the heat,” and 40th District State Sen, Rick Billinger, R-Goodlandm plans to intervene, according to Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller.

The cities submitted applications to the state in June 2015 for development of the R9 Ranch in Edwards County as a long-term water supply for Hays and Russell.

In May 2018, the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Water Resources released a draft master order approving an application to convert water use on the city-owned property from agricultural to municipal.

Following a public hearing in Greensburg in June, DWR Chief Engineer David Barfield began preparing the Final Master Order.

Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller updated the situation during a news conference Tuesday morning at the Hays Welcome Center after announcing last week the cities planned to increase pressure on the state to produce the order.

“We’ve had the input. The DWR has not released the document and there’s been considerable delay. We don’t know why,” he said.

(Read more: Hays Post)

In State of the City, Lenexa mayor highlights Old Town and City Center as key areas of long-term visioning

Lenexa’s future lies not just in the continued development of City Center, but also in renewed vitality of Old Town, Mayor Michael Boehm told the audience at his 2019 State of the City address.

The mayor’s address, which was hosted by the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce, highlighted much of these citizen-led visioning efforts being guided by city leaders and staff. Ultimately, residents have asked to keep the city’s community as a “vibrant, connected, hometown feeling, with a distinct culture within a larger metropolitan area.”

Great Bend searches for more ways to bring in overnight guests

Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes says one of the goals for the CVB this year is to partner with the Great Bend Recreation Commission to come up with ways to attract more sports tournaments to town.

Hayes says the City is working on sports marketing to get more tournaments outside of the busy summer at the Great Bend Sports Complex. Along with sports marketing, the City is still putting a strong effort to land conventions and other big events to come to Great Bend. Hayes noted the city was in the top three to receive the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships but missed out on the top pilots.

Great Bend staff is in the final stages of negotiations to bring the 2019 North American Falconers Association (NAFA) conference to town this November. The NAFA website has Great Bend listed as the location for the 2019 Field Meet but Hayes says they are still looking for private land for the falcons to hunt.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Kingman County Sheriff’s Office receives grant to upgrade 911 systems

The Kingman County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a grant to upgrade its 911 systems, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.

The organization will receive $69,023 to upgrade software and hardware to keep its 911 systems current.

The grant is part of the Federal Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program and was awarded by the Kansas Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Schmidt serves as the chair of the council.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Sedgwick County organizations receive grants for public health, safety programs

Four Sedgwick County organizations have been awarded grants to support public health and safety programs, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today. City of Wichita Police Department will receive $224,850 to purchase various technology and equipment upgrades.
Episcopal Social Services will receive $63,771 to support mental health services.
StepStone will receive $39,725 to support training for trauma-informed response to crime victims for law enforcement officers.
Via Christi Hospitals of Wichita will receive $173,991 to support programs for sexual assault victims.
“Providing the best public safety services and victim support requires a dedicated staff of local officials,” Schmidt said. “These grants will help advance local priorities for improving public safety.”

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Roeland Park will spend around $120,000 to extend water line to Rocks site

A water main extension to serve Roeland Park’s development at the old pool site, known as The Rocks, was approved Monday by councilmembers. The extension work, which is not to exceed $120,000, will be completed by WaterOne in conjunction with water line work needed for the Aldi store reconstruction. Joining Aldi’s water line work provides the city with a cost-savings opportunity, said Mayor Mike Kelly. The work will be paid through the city’s TIF 3 district fund, which has current balance of $280,000.

Winfield expands code against interfering with city workers

Although residents interfering with city workers or contractors isn’t a huge problem, a few incidents have prompted proposed changes to the City of Winfield municipal code. Those changes were considered for approval by the Winfield City Commission at their Tuesday night meeting.

Winfield Community Improvements Director Patrick Steward said staff in his department worked with the city attorney to come up with the new ordinance. Although most property owners understand the city is trying to have things cleaned up, a few have caused problems in the past. Those incidents have mostly involved owners of nuisance properties trying to deny access to contractors hired to clean up the properties, Steward said. The new section defines interference as knowingly impeding a city employee, agent or contractor, or knowingly making threats against a city employee, agent or contractor in a way meant to prevent them from doing their jobs.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Hays pressures state to keep promise on R9 ranch water request

Hays is holding the state’s feet to the fire on a promise to approve by March 1 the city’s request to pipe water from Edwards County.

The state’s Division of Water Resources agreed last Friday to deliver a needed Master Order after years of delay on the water project, said Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller IV, speaking at a news conference Tuesday morning at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine.

“We’re looking forward to receiving the Master Order by next Friday (March 1),” Schwaller said. “And if not, we’ll turn up the heat.”

The city has worked 20 years on the project to pipe water from the 7,000-acre R9 ranch in Edwards County. Hays bought the ranch in 1994 as a future source of city water. Hays filed its application four years ago, working through the state’s lengthy process.

“It’s important to the counties of Russell, Rush and Ellis, that we have this water,” Schwaller said. “We are a $2 billion economy and an important part of northwest Kansas. If we do not have this water we cannot continue to move forward, we’ve waited long enough and we’re ready to move.”

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Lawrence City Commission votes to move forward on feral cat trap-neuter-return program

Lawrence city leaders voted unanimously in favor of changes to city code that would allow feral cat colonies.

The Lawrence Humane Society proposed changes to the city’s animal control ordinance that would allow for a “trap-neuter-release,” or TNR, program under which cats would be caught, neutered, vaccinated, and then returned to where they were collected and allowed to roam free. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission received further information about how the Humane Society would help support the program and voted in favor of adopting the ordinance on first reading.

(Read more: LJWorld.com)

Louisburg City Council approves projects at City Park

The Louisburg City Council took a step to unclutter the area in front of the City Park gazebo by approving the relocation of two small pieces of playground equipment during its Feb. 4 meeting.

The city’s Park and Tree Board recommended the relocation to make it easier for residents to gather in front of the gazebo to enjoy musical performances and other events that make use of its elevated stage.

The advisory board also recommended the City Council replace damaged and worn out railing around the gazebo and along the ramp and stair access. City Administrator Nathan Law said Action Construction, which is experienced in relocating items like the two playground pieces, would charge $2,000 to complete the task.

DL Machine was the low bidder for the gazebo railing work at $8,125, Law said.

The council voted 4-0 to approve the two projects, which when combined total $10,125. Funding for the project will be drawn from the city’s Parks Contributions Fund.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Miami County government is going paperless

Miami County commissioners voted 5-0 to purchase a dozen Microsoft Surface Pro 6 tablets from Staples for $17,726.04 at their meeting Wednesday, Feb. 6. The tablets will allow a migration to paperless agenda packets, County Administrator Shane Krull told commissioners at their study session earlier that day. The tablets will allow commissioners to access the budget and other documents for review, whether they are in the building or not.

In addition to convenience, other advantages were the tablets would facilitate the work of county staff, and they should save the county money in paper costs.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Six years after killing idea, Prairie Village council looking again at prospect of partnership for new community center

In 2013, after years of preliminary investigation, Prairie Village officials scuttled the idea of moving ahead with a project that would bring a new community center and natatorium to the grounds near city hall, citing high costs and lack of serious commitment from potential partners.

Six years later, the city council thinks it’s time to give the idea a fresh look. Mayor Eric Mikkelson on Monday reported that he and a small group of city officials had held two preliminary meetings in recent weeks with representatives of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City to discuss the possibility of partnering on a project to bring a modern community center and indoor pool to Prairie Village. The Paul Henson YMCA on 79th Street adjacent to Harmon Park has fallen into disrepair, and YMCA leaders are interested in working with the city on a facility to replace it, City Administrator Wes Jordan told the council.

Lenexa, KDOT partner on interchange project for I-435 and 87th Street Parkway

Lenexa and the Kansas Department of Transportation are working together on enhancing the interchange at I-435 and 87th Street Parkway.

Improvements in the $6.68 million project, which spans from Renner Boulevard to Maurer Road, include additional turn and through lanes, raised median extension, trail relocation and signal replacement.

The goal of the project is to reduce traffic delay and congestion, including additional through capacity and improved left-turn access to I-435 on-ramps.

Lenexa was awarded $3.2 million in federal Surface Transportation Program dollars to help pay for the $6.68 million project. The rest of the project will be city-funded as part of the 2019-2023 capital improvement program.

Hutchinson approves contract for convention study

The Hutchinson City Council approved a contract with Hospitality Real Estate Counselors Tuesday.

The Memphis, Tennessee, firm will produce a study of the market and its needs for a new hotel and convention center.

The contract will cost the city $14,500. The study was requested after a task force was assembled to get Hutchinson a better hotel and convention center. City Manager John Deardoff says the study should begin in about three weeks and will take about two months to complete.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Louisburg Fire Department to get 2018 pumper truck

Interim Fire Chief Brad Seely and two other representatives of the Louisburg Fire Department were recently in Appleton, Wis., to examine a pumper fire truck before the city finalized its purchase.

At their Jan. 22 meeting, City Council members approved acquisition of the 2018 Pierce Saber Stock Pumper from Conrad Fire Equipment for $374,404.09. The truck was recommended by city staff and the fire department.

At their meeting Monday, Feb. 4, council members accepted a bid from First Option Bank for a seven-year, capital lease agreement for $250,000 at 3.25 percent interest to help finance the pumper truck. First Option had the lowest interest rate of the four banks submitting bids. The Pierce pumper will replace a 1987 Ford open-cab-style pumper truck that has responded to fire calls in Louisburg for more than three decades.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Kansas House bill compels disclosure, auditing of state economic incentives

A Kansas House committee approved legislation requiring the state agency responsible for awarding economic development incentives to businesses to document tax breaks on a website available to the public.

The Kansas Department of Commerce’s tax incentive programs also would automatically, for the first time, be subject of performance reviews by the Legislature’s auditing division.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers on the House Commerce, Labor and Economic Development Committee said they were eager for reform because Kansas remained one of the few states cloaking in secrecy details of tax breaks given businesses and avoiding rigorous analysis of the success or failure of incentives.

Rep. Bradley Ralph, a Republican from Dodge City, said the public website would offer a snapshot of the state’s economic development efforts. The audits will be useful to lawmakers studying use of income tax exemptions or tax credits and considering modification or overhaul of the programs, he said.

“This is not perfect, but this gives us a start,” Ralph said. “This gives us all the same spot to start from in terms of how we evaluate these programs.”

Crawford County commission rescinds trail resolution

Just weeks after approving a resolution in support of a plan to turn an abandoned railway into a trail, the Crawford County Commission voted Tuesday to rescind that decision.
“I think we got ahead of ourselves,” said Commissioner Tom Moody, “and until some of these questions are answered, then we need to revisit (the Watco Trail plan.)“
At its Jan. 22 meeting, the commission had approved an initial resolution which would allow the nonprofit group Live Well Crawford County to apply for grants for a project to turn a section of railway stretching from Pittsburg to Cherokee, owned by Watco Companies but which has long sat unused, into a walking and bicycling path. On Feb. 19, Commissioners Bruce Blair and Tom Moody voted to reverse that decision. Commissioner Jeremy Johnson did not attend the meeting.

(Read more: Pittsburg, KS – Morning Sun)

Crawford County residents warned to watch for noxious weeds

Removing garden variety weeds from lawns and fields may be a hassle for area residents, but some may not be aware that they’re legally required to keep certain unwelcome plant varieties — those officially designated “noxious weeds” in the State of Kansas — under control.
Kansas classifies 12 plant species as noxious weeds, though only five are serious problems in Crawford County, according to County Noxious Weed Director Ed Fields. The five to look out for are bull thistle, musk thistle, field bindweed, Johnson grass and sericea lespedeza.
“Our Achilles heel is sericea lespedeza,” said Fields. “That’s the one that’s just killing us.“
Beginning in December 2020, changes will be coming to how Kansas handles noxious weeds. At that time, the noxious weed law will shift from statute to regulation, giving the Secretary of Agriculture authority to declare plant species noxious weeds “based on the recommendation of a 13-member committee, rather than that determination taking place via legislation in the Kansas House and Senate,” said Department of Agriculture Director of Communications Heather Lansdowne.
The 13-member committee is expected to be in place by this summer, after which further changes to noxious weed regulations may be expected. Until then, however, noxious weed law enforcement will continue to follow current practices.
Anyone who owns or supervises land anywhere in the county is required to either eradicate noxious weeds on their property or prevent them from spreading. Failure to handle noxious weed problems can result in a legal notice to remove the weeds within five days, after which a landowner or supervisor may face criminal charges for non-compliance and a fine of $100 per day, up to a maximum of $1,500.

(Read more: Pittsburg, KS – Morning Sun)

City of Topeka to hire civilian to investigate police misconduct

The city of Topeka will hire an independent police auditor who will help investigate reports of police misconduct.

City manager Brent Trout announced Tuesday he had authorized creating the new position in his office. He said the person will be a civilian and report to him. The person will work with the police department’s professional standards unit.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Trout found funds for the position by eliminating an existing job in his office for a senior executive aide, which was vacant.

The person will be paid $71,500 a year.

The city hasn’t started the process of finding someone to fill the position.

(Read more: WIBW News Now)

Finney County trying to prioritize road, bridge projects

The Finney County Commission spoke Tuesday about which upcoming public works infrastructure projects should take priority over others.

County Engineer John Ellermann reviewed a tentative schedule for upcoming roads and bridges projects, including pavement overlays and bridge replacements throughout the county and major modifications to Farmland and Mansfield roads. The schedule planned about one road project a year through 2027 and one bridge project a year through 2023.

Ellermann said commission input would help him make a more defined master plan for county projects.

“I just wanted to maybe know the appetite for bigger projects,” Ellermann told the commission.

Reno Commission Chairman upset about state wind bill; “comparable to state tax lid”

Reno County Commission Chairman Bob Bush expressed anger and disappointment Tuesday about the introduction of a bill at the Capitol last week that would set statewide minimum setbacks from homes and public property for commercial wind turbines unless waived by a property owner.

Calling the bill “an attack at us directly” and “incredible state overreach,” Bush was referring to House Bill 2273, which the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee – chaired by Rep. Joe Seiwert, R-Pretty Prairie — was hearing this week.

The committee was scheduled to hear from those in favor of the proposal on Tuesday and opponents of the bill on Thursday. The latter hearing was added last Friday after word about the bill was more widely disseminated, and the speaker list grew.

“This was introduced Monday, and our commission meeting was Tuesday, but we didn’t hear about this until Wednesday when the chamber contacted the county administrator to forward the bill to the commission and ask for our comments,” Bush complained.

“I’m disappointed the way this was presented,” he said. “It didn’t’ just show up out of the blue… This information has been circulating for a while, but no one brought it to the Reno County Commission. It’s very disingenuous to submit a bill Monday and not let us know. ”

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Reno County commission again suggests expanding incentive for creating jobs

The Reno County Commission agreed Tuesday to modify the county’s job incentive policy, offering up to 80 percent of the current policy for a company creating just a handful of new jobs.

The board didn’t formally vote on the proposal, but it will come back in a couple of weeks for action, once county staff again amends the plan.

The commission last October also indicated support for modifying the policy, though at a slightly lower level. The board, however, never took it up for a formal vote. A $500 incentive is paid per job for 10 or more jobs if they pay a minimum $15 per hour and include health insurance as a benefit. The positions must be maintained for at least four consecutive quarters to receive the funding.

Under the proposed policy, the county would pay $400 per job for the lower number of new employees.

The current policy pays $1,000 per job for jobs paying $18 per hour, and $1,500 for those paying $21 or more. So those would pay $800 or $1,200, respectively.

“We’re not a large city, so five jobs means a lot, especially when it’s based on the salary and insurance that go with it,” Commissioner Ron Hirst said. “It’s not a big deal, but it shows companies we’re interested in them moving here.”

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Kansas property owners lash out at wind farms in support of proposed restrictions

Amy Brown held her two young sons to her side Tuesday as she fought back tears and lashed out at the company that plans to surround her home south of Hutchinson with massive wind turbines.

She was in the Statehouse for a hearing on a bill that would impose heavy restrictions on new wind energy developments across the state. The law would require a 1.5-mile cushion between residential homes and wind turbines.

Echoing the concerns of those who testified in support of the restrictions, Brown said she fears health problems linked by studies to low-frequency sounds produced by wind generators. If Reno County officials approve a deal with NextEra Energy, she said, her family’s nine-acre property will be in the middle of an industrial wind facility of more than 80 turbines.

“The impact to my children’s overall health is significant enough that our family has talked about living in a camper on the lake to recoup if we can,” Brown said. “We worked very hard to have paid for our home so we can give these children a life that’s better than what we even had, and it’s sincerely being taken from us.”

Wind Farm negotiations continue between NextEra Energy and Nemaha County’s hired attorney James Neeld

County residents in opposition and those in favor of the proposed wind farms in Nemaha County filled the Commissioners Room of the Nemaha County Courthouse on Tuesday, Feb. 19, hoping to receive a term sheet. The Nemaha County Commissioners’ wind farm attorney, James Neeld, also was present to give an update and answer questions for those present.

According to Neeld, they are close to having a full term sheet available for review but are still negotiating on two issues.

“The two issues we are down to are money and setbacks,” he said. “The money is what taxing scheme will be imposed on the project, whether that be by virtue of a regular taxing scheme or a payment. Those are obviously the two biggest issues.”

Although Neeld and the commissioners cannot disclose any of the terms that they are negotiating, patrons present asked about setbacks from structures and property lines, noise levels, the complaint process and exclusion zones.

(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

Parsons City Commission approves dealership incentives

A new Ford dealership planned for the intersection of U.S. 400 and U.S. 59 will cost up to $2 million to build.

The Parsons City Commission approved an incentive package for Mike Carpino Ford Parsons Inc. on Monday evening and much of it depends on construction of the new facility.

“We are actually committing to a fairly large project out here on the corner,” Mike Carpino said. “When it gets said and done, we’re going to be between a million and a half to $2 million.”

Carpino, who also owns Mike Carpino Ford, Columbus, plans to buy Green Country Ford, 1100 Main, and eventually move the dealership to the new facility at the northwest corner of the U.S. 400 and U.S. 59 (North 16th Street) intersection. Development of the land to be bought from JOBS Inc., a local, private economic development group that works to add jobs and increase the city’s tax base, will take a couple of years.

The city will give JOBS Inc. $100,000 over four years to assist with the land purchase. Mike Carpino Parsons also will get a $100,000 forgivable loan from the city that originally was meant for Green Country Ford, which didn’t meet requirements under its agreement with the city for that loan to be forgiven. Upon groundbreaking for the new facility, an outstanding loan made to Green Country and absorbed by Mike Carpino Ford in the purchase of the dealership will be forgiven. There is $161,000 left to be paid on that loan.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Leawood signals general support for CID, 1 percent sales tax increase for Ranch Mart North redevelopment

Leawood City Administrator Scott Lambers on Monday told members of the council that he supported an application from the Regnier family, owners of Ranch Mart North, for the creation of a community improvement district there that would increase sales tax to pay for a portion of the redevelopment of the center.

Under the terms of the draft agreement presented at a council work session, a 1 percent sales tax would be added to all transactions at the Ranch Mart North stores — including the Price Chopper grocery store — starting in either the summer or fall of 2020.

The shops’ ownership would have access to reimbursements of up to $13.45 million from that additional sales tax to cover certain costs from the redevelopment. The redevelopment is projected to cost $47 million, so the reimbursable expenses under the CID would amount to 28.7 percent of the total cost. The tax would be in place for a term of 22 years.

Topeka Planning Commission recommends allowing three tall communications towers

All members of the public who spoke at Monday evening’s meeting of the Topeka Planning Commission asked the city to keep AT&T Wireless from putting up tall communications towers at proposed locations here.

But planning commissioners subsequently voted to recommend the city’s governing body approve each of three permits allowing such towers at 513/519 S.W. Taylor, 730 S.W. Fairlawn Road and 2446 S.E. 29th.

Almost all those speaking in opposition Monday were neighbors in the areas involved who shared concerns the proposed towers might cause them health problems, or described them towers as eyesores that would devalue their property.

But planning commission chairwoman Katrina Ringler said federal law bans local governments from restricting the placement of telecommunications equipment such as cell towers and antennas based on health and environmental concerns.

“We’re looking at strictly the planning and zoning criteria when we’re looking at these cases,” she stressed.

Planning commissioner Marc Fried said those who object to the rules regarding communications towers need to speak to their state and federal legislators instead of local officials, “because our hands are bound.”

Neighbors, advocates clash over Olathe homeless shelter

Barb and Marc McEver wanted to do something good for Johnson County and meet a vital need sheltering homeless adults. So they spent more than $250,000 this summer to buy a building in Olathe.

Before the purchase, they had verbal and emailed assurances from city officials that the zoning was allowed and that the former Masonic Lodge at 725 W. Park St. could be used as an emergency shelter.

But shortly after that purchase closed, the city’s rules changed. Now, the McEvers are told a special-use permit for transitional housing is required, which means seeking neighborhood support. At a tense meeting Monday night, where emotions ran high and voices were raised, it was clear there’s significant neighborhood opposition. It could torpedo the whole project.

City of Maize waiting for snow to prep roads

Another round of winter weather will make its way across the state Tuesday, bringing with it a lot of snow.

For smaller towns like Maize, they don’t have the same amount of plow trucks, or salt and sand, to put down.

But the city’s public works director, Ronald Smothers, says they’re ready for anything that comes their way.

The department spent the day Monday, preparing for potential messy roads on Tuesday.

Washington County Guest Tax Board offers grants for community events

For the second year in a row the Washington County Guest Tax Board will be awarding grants for 2019. The grants are available to non-profit organizations and require submission 60 days prior to the event. Nine entities received $4,515 worth of grants last year, and all communities in the county are encouraged to apply for this year’s grant money.
People can apply for grants to help with advertising, signage or the cost of the event.

Source: Washington County News.

Sedgwick County Commission pauses to consider alternative energy rules

What appears to be a plan to harvest clean energy in the Wichita area has been shut down — at least for the next 6 months — while county commissioners gather more information. But a bill introduced in the Kansas House might make the delay a moot point.

No one has applied for wind or solar farm permits in Sedgwick County, and most of the county is off-limits because of a buffer around airports. But several landowners on the outskirts of Wichita have leased their properties for the purpose of renewable energy development, especially at the border of Reno County, where the world’s largest utility company, NextEra Energy, is positioning itself to open a wind farm close to Cheney Reservoir.

House Bill 2273 would establish a state law to keep wind turbines away from homes, parks, public buildings, refuges or public hunting areas, like Cheney. The wind turbines would have to be at least 1.5 miles from any residential property or public building and 3 miles from any airport, local, state or federal wildlife refuge, public hunting area or public park.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)