Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

County leaders plan zoning discussion in light of tiny home development

The development of a tiny home neighborhood in southeast Wichita is scheduled to move forward, but county leaders plan to discuss a change in future zoning decisions.

Homeowners near 143rd Street and Pawnee are concerned about a development of tiny homes in a nearby field. Many of the homes in the neighborhood back up to the field.

“We’re concerned about our assets, our lives, our futures too,” said home owner John Bockelman. He says one of his biggest concerns is seeing a decrease in property value.

“The threat of these tiny homes is really affecting our lives and we’re going to pay for it in the long run,” said Bockelman.

Last year, neighbors filed a lawsuit against the city claiming the city pushed this development through, violating it’s own zoning codes.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Kansas cities, counties eager to spike bill on recording of public meetings

More than 20 city and county officials expressed deep opposition Monday to a proposal requiring all government entities subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act to make public audio recordings of meetings within 24 hours.

Topeka Rep. John Alcala, a former member of the city council, said the state shouldn’t be dissuaded from opening government simply because change might be inconvenient or require new investment.

“This bill moves Kansas a step forward to an all-in transparency state,” he said. “I will end with this quote: Transparency is for those who carry out public duties and exercise public power. Privacy is for everyone else.”

His goal was embraced by the Kansas Press Association and the Kansas Association of Broadcasters.

The League of Kansas Municipalities urged the House Judiciary Committee to reject a bill applicable to all boards, commissioners, authorities, councils and committees of city government.

Residents try to repopulate Nicodemus with tiny home project

Residents of Nicodemus are trying to repopulate the historical African American community with the construction of tiny homes.

JohnElla Holmes, a Nicodemus resident and township trustee, is spearheading the effort.

Holmes’ ancestors lived in Nicodemus, and she moved back to the community in 2015 after her retirement.

Nicodemus was founded in 1877 by African Americans moving west during the Reconstruction. It is the only remaining African American settlement west of the Mississippi and is registered as a National Historic Site.

Holmes remembers as a child coming home to Nicodemus during the summer for festivals and seeing aunts, uncles and cousins. She said living in Nicodemus has meant everything to here.

“My whole life I have wanted to come back because there is so much pride in being a descendant of original settlers. I can trace my lineage back to my great-great grandparents who came to Kansas. I know the plantation they came from. Not many people know that and can say that, but I can.”

(Read more: The Salina Post)

Topeka has two TIF districts, but there may be more to come

The city has two existing TIF districts.

Those are:

• The College Hill TIF District, located generally to the south of S.W. 17th and Washburn Avenue, which was formed in 2006 and hasn’t done as well as city officials had hoped it would.

• The Wheatfield Village TIF District at the northwest corner of S.W. 29th and Fairlawn Road, which remains under construction.

Kansas law allows government entities to create TIF districts at the request of developers to help offset development costs. Developers pay off costs over a period of up to 20 years using the increase in property tax and sales tax revenues.
The general purpose of a TIF is to help a project happen where it otherwise wouldn’t have, Councilwoman Karen Hiller said this past week.

She expressed optimism about the future of TIF districts in Topeka, which she said hasn’t seen much development over the past 50 years.

City of Hays unveils new website design

Unveiling the city of Hays’ new redesigned website drew expressions of “wow” from Hays City Commissioners on Thursday.

Chad Ruder, director of Information Technology for the city, gave a tour of the city’s redesigned site during the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting at City Hall.

Haysusa.com has well over 200 pages. But Ruder said residents should find the new layout easier, so they can find what they want, and get things done.

“I invite you to visit Haysusa.com, it went live on Monday,” Ruder told the commissioners.

Residents will find forms, calendars, up-to-date city news, and be able to pay their bills online, Ruder said.

“It needed to be informational and current, you don’t want old stagnant information, and you want a layout that is intuitive. You want people to be able to navigate their way through,” he said.

The site is also ADA compliant for visitors with special needs.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Hutch City Council will consider contract to study convention center needs

The Hutchinson City Council will take action on a market study contract during Tuesday’s meeting. The study would explore market needs for a new hotel and convention center.

A task force with city and Chamber representation was recently assembled to identify options for the community when it comes to a new or renovated convention center or hotel project. The task force initially sent out a request for proposals to various hotel development groups. The task force received four letters of interest. Three development groups, one of which was the current owner of the Atrium, were then interviewed.

The task force decided to move into the discussion stages with Leisure Development Group out of Leawood, Kansas. After an initial meeting with Leisure, the development group requested exclusive negotiation between the two parties.

During a meeting last week to discuss the Leisure agreement and market study, a consensus was reached to hold off on negotiations until the market study is completed.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Franklin County sheriff asks judiciary committee to amend state law dealing with seizure of neglected animals

Sheriff Jeff Richards believes Franklin County’s seizure last year of 55 horses suffering from inadequate food and water was the right decision.

“They were in bad shape,” the sheriff said. “There was a lot of neglect.”

Richards asked the Kansas House’s judiciary committee to amend state law to deal with legal and financial issues encountered after seizing the horse herd. In part, House Bill 2206 would clarify the role of state courts in assessing responsibility for the cost of caring for animals in cruelty cases. It also would streamline legal requirements when animals must be held in a county other than where they were seized.

The bill also would allow money collected by court order in cruelty cases to be allocated to entities providing care, treatment or boarding of seized animals.

Lyon County Commissioners approve letter to KDOT re: Turnpike closures

Lyon County Commissioners approved a letter to the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding how closures of the turnpike negatively affect local traffic on Interstate 35.

The approval came following a discussion with Undersheriff John Koelsch Thursday morning at the courthouse. He said the purpose of the letter was to request a meeting with Secretary of Transportation Julie Lorenz.

“It’s based on the joint city/county discussions about when the KTA decides to close and requests our local resources to close the gate,” Koelsch said. “It creates a backup on I-35 and overwhelms our resources in short order. It’s occurred several times over the past several years.”

Koelsch said he understood there were times when the turnpike needed to be closed, but wanted to open up discussions with KDOT to determine if there were other options that could help streamline those closures without taxing local resources.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Newton utility rates under scrutiny

Newton City Manager Bob Myers has said at many a city meeting that no matter where you live, you think the utility bill is too high.

Apparently, he is right — as residents of the city of El Dorado were recently questioning their city hall about utility rates. Enough so that city staff of El Dorado turned to creating a graphic to show the average utility bill for eight different cities in the region and posting it on social media Feb. 13 for all to see.

Of the eight selected, El Dorado showed as the second lowest. Newton was credited with the highest bill at 146.64 per month, according to El Dorado’s estimates.

“This is an issue I hear about, and people want to know what we can do about it,” said Kathy Valentine, mayor of Newton. ”… This will promote some hearty discussions between commission and staff, and the city and residents.”

The City of El Dorado estimated average utility bills for a family of four using 3,800 gallons of water for the cities of Bel Aire, Andover, Augusta, Towanda, Wichita, El Dorado, Newton and Hesston.

According to David Dillner, city manager of El Dorado, the cities on the list were selected at random.

“The intention was not to stir things up in Newton, it was more for our residents,” Dillner said. “Unfortunately your rates are higher than ours, but this was an effort to communicate with our residents. Sometimes you get blinders on and think ‘our rates are really high,’ but when you look at the outside world, and one would not necessarily do that unless asked, you get a better understanding of where your rates are.

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Hays approves $774K for street maintenance this year

Hays city commissioners Thursday night approved six low bids totaling $774,456.39 for the 2019 Street Maintenance Program.

Monies will come from the Special Highway fund. A little more than $1.1 million is budgeted for street maintenance this year.

The street work includes include seal coat, asphalt rejuvenator, micro-surfacing, curb and brick repair, major rehabilitation of Ash Street from 23rd to 27th, and concrete shoulders along portions of 8th Street and Old Highway 40 east of Vine Street. Vance Brothers had the contract in 2018 for micro-surfacing but was unable to finish all the work, according to John Braun, the city’s project director. The company will return this year to complete last year’s remaining work and will add additional street work, all at the 2018 contract prices.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Leavenworth County Development Corp approves budget without funding from Bashehor

For a second year in a row, the Leavenworth County Development Corporation has approved an annual budget without funding from the city of Basehor.

But Steve Jack, executive director of LCDC, said he is scheduled to meet today with Basehor’s new city administrator.

“We’ll talk about the things we do,” Jack said.

Jack said he will see if there is interest in Basehor rejoining LCDC.

Leslee Rivarola became the Basehor city administrator earlier this month.

Basehor previously supported LCDC. But the city ended its participation with the economic development organization at the end of 2017. The Leavenworth County government and the cities of Leavenworth, Lansing and Tonganoxie continue to provide funding to LCDC.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Feral cat trap-neuter-return proposal returning to Lawrence City Commission for review

Lawrence city leaders will soon review changes to the city’s animal control ordinance, including a provision that would allow feral cat colonies.

The Lawrence Humane Society proposed changes to the 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 will review the proposed changes to the ordinance.
Currently, Lawrence city code does not allow cats to roam free, and animal control officers address resident complaints and trap stray or feral cats, which are brought to the animal shelter.

City of Liberal discusses perimeter fencing for airport; may seek grant funding

Community safety was the main theme of the evening for the Liberal City Commission during its most recent Tuesday evening.

Up first in this theme saw Airport Operations Chief Brian Fornwalt talk to the commission about the installation of perimeter fencing at the Liberal Airport.

“Last year when the FAA was doing its inspection, they saw coyotes running across the main runway and run toward the golf course,” Fornwalt began. “Through some programs we’re trying to go through the FAA to get some funding for a perimeter fencing project Our recommendation is for the commission to approve the perimeter fencing installation project and approve the agreement for services with H.W. Lochner, Inc. for $39,000, with the 5 percent grant match funded with the Economic Development portion of the 1-cent sales tax. This all has to do with those coyotes the FAA inspectors saw. The fence we’re wanting to put up will be about 10 feet tall and it’ll have outriggers with barbed wire on it and then a 3-foot skirt buried underground to help keep the coyotes from digging underneath the fence.”

(Read more: Liberal First)

Emporia discusses update to alcohol laws

City Attorney Christina Montgomery addressed the Emporia City Commission Wednesday about changes to state cereal malt beverage laws.

In April, grocery stores, convenience stores and CMB bars that only serve low-alcohol-volume beer may be allowed to carry enhanced cereal malt beverages.

An enhanced cereal malt beverage, according to Commissioner Becky Smith, who owns Twin Rivers Winery and Gourmet Shoppe, is essentially a strong beer — up to but no more than 6 percent alcohol; IPAs may fall into this category.

She said the changes to enhanced cereal malt beverage laws won’t have any impact on her business because it’s a farm winery and she doesn’t produce such products.

However, Smith does have an opinion on the change to the laws.

“I think it’s great,” she said. “I think the city and the state are finally coming into the 20 and 21st century. Most alcoholic beverages are no longer 3.2 (percent), so it was harder for everybody.”

She feels the change will even things up and open the field to more people.

City code may need to be tweaked, according to Montgomery, to reflect this change in state law.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Sedgwick community works together, builds playground

On Feb. 2, volunteers gathered at the R.L. Wright Elementary School playground to install the new playground equipment purchased by the school last fall.

The community had been asked to sign up for two-hour shifts, though some stayed for several shifts. The building began at 7:30 a.m. and they finished by 2:30 p.m.

Principal Julie Scott said that everything went very well.

“We had to make a run for more concrete or we would have been done an hour earlier,” she said.

Scott estimated that over 50 people helped throughout the day.

“It was just great that so many parents, staff, students and community members came out to work together for such a great project,” Scott said. “Teamwork at it’s finest.”

Scott said that they just need to bring in the mulch/wood chips for the base and it will be ready for the kids.

(Read more: Newton Now)

Mission Hills moving forward with study of flooding issues near Brush Creek, Rock Creek confluence

The Mission Hills city council this week approved spending $75,000 on an engineering contract with Water Resource Solutions for 2D and 3D modeling of the Rock Creek/Brush Creek confluence as the city looks to address the potential of overflow and flooding in the area.

The total cost of the engineering project is $150,000 with Mission Hills splitting the expense with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Significant rain events have caused overflowing where Rock Creek and Brush Creek meet, leading to flooding damage in some Fairway homes.

The modeling will identify whether there is a viable way to improve the problem and what potential solutions could look like. The 3D modeling will look at the confluence and 2D modeling will focus on areas of Rock Creek and Brush Creek.

“All of this is very preliminary to see if anything can be done to improve the situation,” said Assistant City Administrator Jennifer Lee.

Leavenworth County Commission approves land use recommendation

When they met Wednesday, Leavenworth County commissioners voted for a recommendation for future land use along a County Road 1 corridor south of Tonganoxie.

This will not be the commission’s final action on the matter. The recommendation will now be forwarded to the Tonganoxie City Council for review. The issue will be brought back to the County Commission at a later date for final adoption, according to Krystal Voth, deputy director for the Leavenworth County Planning and Zoning Department.

The commission had previously hired the firm Vireo to do a land use analysis of the County Road 1 corridor.

The corridor spans six miles south of Tonganoxie. The corridor also extends 1.5 miles to the west of County Road 1 and 1.5 miles to the east of County Road 1.

The corridor includes the county’s only interchange with the Kansas Turnpike.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Seward County partners with community college for firefighter-resident program

With a shortage of volunteers for local fire departments, students at Seward County Community College are stepping in to fight fires when they’re not in class.

The Seward County Fire Department partnered with the college to start the student-resident firefighter program. They say the goal is to be out the door in two minutes.

“We can get three engines, a 3,000-gallon tanker out the door within two minutes basically at any time now. Before that, you were looking at 10 – 15 minutes by the time the page call person got back,” said Seward County Fire Chief Andrew Barkley.

The fire department currently has 12 men on duty. With the program, they also have five students fully staffed.

Students must be enrolled full-time at the college to be a part of the program and take advantage of other benefits.

“We take care of tuition, we take care of meal plans, and we provide room and board and in return, they have to maintain a 2.5 GPA and be a full-time student at Seward County Community College,” said Barkley.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Small hospital, clinics in southeast Kansas will close

A hospital in a small southeast Kansas town is closing immediately, in part because it doesn’t have enough money to pay employees.

The board of directors of Oswego Community Hospital announced the decision Thursday. The board said the Oswego Community Hospital, the Oswego Community Clinic and the Chetopa Community Clinic will all close.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the hospital is one of three Kansas hospitals owned by EmpowerHMS, which has struggled to pay its bills at rural hospitals across the country. Its other two hospitals in Kansas are in Horton and Herington.

The board also said Kansas officials’ refusal to expand Medicaid contributed to the closure.

The Oswego hospital is a 12-bed critical access hospital. According to its website, the hospital and its clinics employ 65 people.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Labette to fill Oswego hospital closure void

Labette Health is moving swiftly to fill the gap in medical services left by the abrupt closure of Oswego Community Hospital, the company said Thursday.

“We’ve already hired some of their staff, so things are moving pretty fast,” said Kerri Beardmore, marketing director for Labette Health.

The company said it is working with Oswego’s mayor, as well as private citizens, to ensure that medical services remain available and “to meet the needs of Oswego, Chetopa and the surrounding area.”

Oswego Community Hospital, along with the affiliated Oswego Community Clinic and Chetopa Community Clinic, unexpectedly announced closure of the facilities Thursday.

🎥 ‘It’s time we get it done.’; Hays frustrated with delays in R9 Ranch water project

Nearly four years ago, the cities of Hays and Russell filed applications with the state of Kansas requesting the transfer of water from their jointly-owned R9 Ranch in Edwards County to Hays in Ellis County.

They’re still waiting.

At the end of Thursday night’s Hays city commission meeting, Mayor Henry Schwaller read a brief historical statement about the project to acquire a long term water supply. He acknowledged “the process is long.”

The Water Transfer Act, which takes water from one water basin to another, has never been triggered in Kansas.

Schwaller said the city has had a good working relationship with the Division of Water Resources (DWR), part of the Department of Agriculture. DWR is the state agency that will issue the final Master Order to allow the use of the water.

“To make this relationship work out, Hays and Russell went so far as to reduce the amount of water, called consumptive yield, that we would use from the R9 Ranch, far below what the state statutes allow,” Schwaller said, “with the promise this would speed up the process of approval.

“Unfortunately, it has not.”

(Read more: Hays Post)

Kansas bill setting minimum setbacks for commercial wind turbines to have hearing next week

Legislation that would set minimum setbacks for commercial wind turbines in Kansas at 1 ½ miles from residential homes is scheduled to be heard by a House committee next week. HB 2273, dubbed the Wind Generation Permit and Property Protection Act, was introduced by Rep. Randy Garber, R-Sabetha, on Tuesday and referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications.

That committee, chaired by Joe Siewert, R-Pretty Prairie, will take testimony on the bill starting 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The Climate and Energy Project sent out an email alert about the bill Thursday afternoon, calling the proposed setbacks “prohibitive,” and the bill “a thinly veiled attempt to stop wind development in Kansas.”

The bill sets out minimum setbacks of “not less than” 12 times system height – which is the total height of a wind turbine measured with a blade in a vertical position – or 7,920 feet, whichever is greater, from any residential property or public building.”

It also proposes a setback of 20 times the system height or 3 miles, whichever is greater, from any airport or local, state or federal wildlife refuge, public hunting area or public park.

The proposal also includes a minimum 1,500-foot setback from any property line.

Developers can get a waiver on any of the setback distances if a landowner grants it in writing.

Smaller JoCo cities passing laws protecting LGBTQ residents. Why not Olathe, OP?

More than two years ago, advocates for gay, lesbian and transgender individuals urged the Olathe City Council to adopt protections against discrimination for the LGBTQ community.

Equality Kansas representatives and others realize Olathe isn’t Johnson County’s only big city. They have recently talked to officials in Overland Park and Shawnee. Those cities also have yet to act. Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland was not available for an interview. In a statement late Thursday to The Star, he said the city has been presented with a great deal of information, but questions remain.

“We will not simply create an ordinance without the capacity to fairly investigate claims and a process to fairly adjudicate them. Among other issues, we need to understand what capacity is required, including staffing, training, and cost. We need to understand how long it would take to have that capacity in place and attempt to understand the difference it will make for the community. There is not a cookie-cutter approach that necessarily fits Olathe. That is why our staff is looking into this issue.”

Public contest asks for Manhattan city flag designs

The city government is looking to adopt a new flag and is asking for the public’s help.
Officials on Monday announced an open contest asking people to submit possible designs either online at cityofmhk.com/flag or in person to City Hall, 1101 Poyntz Ave. by 5 p.m. March 29.
Vivienne Uccello, city public information officer, said officials have discussed the idea of a new flag in the office for a while now, but additional support from commissioner Jerred McKee helped start the process.

Newton eyes blight measures

This week the city commission got a first look at what it would cost residents to bring back a form of free bulky item pickup — a service the city started charging individual fees for three years ago.

The city commission is looking at how to bring back bulky item pickups — at one time a service offered free to utility customers in the city.

For three years those who needed a large item disposed of — beds, furniture, tree limbs and others — have paid a $10 fee for the city to pick up those items. That $10 is added to the utility bill of the user.

The result of the fee is fewer people calling to have things picked up — dropping from 8,059 pickups in 2015 when it was free to 2,131 pickups last year.

“Where is all that stuff, is it staying in homes? … Did we see an increase in landfill coupons,” asked Rod Kreie, city commissioner.

Less than 2,000 coupons were used last year, according to city staff. Each utility customer can get two coupons from the city for free trips to the county transfer station.

There is a way to bring back the service, though it would look different — and it would not actually be free. The estimated increase needed to fund a new bulky item pickup is $1.63 per month per utility account. There are currently 7,642 utility accounts served by the city.

“I look at that and see that we can do all of that for only $1.63 per month?” said Mayor Kathy Valentine.

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Lawrence considering sharp reduction in marijuana penalties

Lawrence city commissioners appear open to a proposal to significantly reduce the fines for possession of small amounts of marijuana in the city.

During a work session Tuesday, the commission reviewed a draft ordinance that proposed reducing the minimum fine for possessing 32 grams or less of marijuana from $200 to $50 for first-time offenders. The Lawrence Journal-World reports commissioners indicated they were interested in reducing the fine to $1 for first- and second-time offenders. Court costs would remain $63.

Mayor Lisa Larsen said she is in favor of doing anything to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. And commissioner Matthew Herbert suggested the $1 fine as a way to send a message to state leaders to consider a growing national trend toward lower fines for marijuana possession.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Lenexa addresses aging aquatics facilities, considers closing Ad Astra Pool

The Lenexa council is considering future options for the city’s aging aquatics facilities. One of those options involves demolishing Ad Astra Pool on Maurer Road, just east of I-435.

Nothing was officially decided last night at the Lenexa committee of the whole meeting. Recognizing that the city’s neighborhood pools are “distinctly Lenexa,” councilmembers discussed making future plans that address the needs of the city’s aging pools.

The city hired Lenexa-based Waters Edge Aquatic Design — the same company working with Roeland Park on its aquatics options — to conduct a study of those needs as well as user statistics.

Indian Trails Aquatic Center — the city’s largest outdoor pool that’s located in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in the eastern half of Lenexa — is the most popular. The study found that Indian Trails receives about 54 percent of the total outdoor pool visits in a summer. Nonetheless, the pool structures are aging and need to be replaced.

Manhattan commissioners discuss future of economic development, annual report

Members of the Manhattan business community talked about the future of economic development in the city at Tuesday’s Manhattan City Commission work session.

The discussion followed a presentation on the annual economic development report. The city performs an accountability review of all organizations which receive Manhattan Economic Development Opportunity funds — including recipients of funds from the 1994 half-cent city-wide MEDOFAB sales tax as well as the half-cent RICOED Riley County Roads and Jobs sales tax from 2002 and its renewal in 2012.

According to their report, economic development funds contributed toward the creation of 1463 jobs since the city’s first eco-devo agreement nearly 25 years ago. City Manager Ron Fehr writes that is 2 percent higher than the job growth that was projected. Additionally, Fehr writes that “for every $1 invested in economic development initiatives since 1995, approximately $9.36 was leveraged in private sector and other investments” and that 15 infrastructure projects have been funded through the fund.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Great Bend Police and Fire closer to utilizing drone technology

Classes have been taken, certification testing has taken place, and now the Great Bend Police and Fire Departments are getting close to having a drone available for use by the respective departments. Great Bend Police Chief David Bailey and Lieutenant Heather Smith along with Chief Luke McCormick and firefighter Mike Smith from the Fire Department are now certified to operate a drone after taking classes at Fort Hays State and then passing their certification test in Salina. Smith will head up the drone program at the Police Department. The Great Bend City Council last year authorized funds to purchase a drone for use by both the Police and Fire Departments. For now, the departments will share the drone which Smith says is a good way to operate since most times they are in a mutual aid situation anyway.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Cities, counties want to regain control over political signs in Kansas

Cities and counties in Kansas are asking the Legislature to repeal a 2015 law banning local regulations on political signs in public rights of way.

They say the law has led to confusion, safety problems and a proliferation of signage in the 45-day period leading up to elections.

Further complicating the issue is case law that suggests all types of signs should be allowed all the time in unlimited numbers.

Amanda Stanley, attorney for the League of Kansas Municipalities, and Jay Hall, attorney for the Kansas Association of Counties, pleaded with the House Local Government Committee to provide for local control.

Stanley said people are livid with city leaders and no one knows what the law means. There are questions about whether people can stick signs in the front yard of someone else’s home, or in parks and medians.

She raised concerns about the possibility of being forced to allow Westboro Baptist Church or adult entertainment signs to be placed throughout the city.

House Bill 2135 would remove the 2015 law from statute.

“This bill wasn’t brought because local city officials are anti-First Amendment,” Stanley said. “It wasn’t brought because they don’t appreciate free speech. It was brought because they don’t have the luxury of only caring about political signs. They have to weigh the good of their constituents and what their constituents desire.”

Ellis County receiving new fire truck just in time for wildfire season

No matter the emergency, fire crews want to be best prepared with the latest tools and resources.

“It’s pretty quick-paced,” Ellis County Fire Department Captain #6 Chris Cline said. “As soon as you hear your pager, drop what we’re doing, we’re running in, putting on gear.”

They are difficult to put out and not uncommon for this time of the year.

Ellis County firefighters said just in the last three years, there have been a significant amount of wildfires.

“There was about 7,200 acres of wildfire that had actually burned,” Ellis County Fire and Emergency Management Director Darin Myers said. “The year previous to that, we had about 8,400 acres just in Ellis County.”

They know just how important it is to be prepared, and Ellis County is about to upgrade an important piece of equipment to battle the flames.

A new customized truck.

“This is like a once in every ten year event to get a new truck.” Cline said. “And it’s even better yet because it’s replacing a 1978 big international five speed manual transmission.”

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

City governing body rejects property tax hike for Topeka Metro bus service

A divided Topeka governing body rejected two attempts late Tuesday to raise the property tax that finances the city’s bus service, first by 1 mill, then by 1/2 mill.

“This saddens my heart,” said Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz, who was on the losing side both times as Tuesday’s votes were taken before an audience that included dozens of transit service advocates.

Ortiz stressed that the TMTA’s levy hasn’t risen since 2010.

Supporters only got four “yes” votes — with six needed for approval — as the governing body first rejected a proposed 1-mill hike in the levy assessed by the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority. That would have amounted to an annual rise in property taxes of $11.50 for the owner of a $100,000 home.

Supporters then got five “yes” votes as the governing body rejected the proposed 1/2-mill increase, which would have amounted to an annual rise in property taxes of $5.75 for the owner of a $100,000 home.

Tuesday’s votes came as the governing body, consisting of the mayor and nine city council members, considered — and ultimately approved — a charter ordinance excluding the revenues and expenses of the TMTA when determining the city’s state-imposed aggregate limit for property taxes. The TMTA oversees the city’s transit service, Topeka Metro.

Amid questions, city of Topeka sets public hearing on southwest TIF District

The shopping center formerly known as “Villa West” and owned by developer Kent Lindemuth stands in a “pretty prosperous part of town,” Topeka City Councilwoman Karen Hiller said at Tuesday’s council meeting.

She questioned whether it would be appropriate for the city to provide tax-increment financing to help carry out improvements planned for the property at S.W. 29th and Wanamaker Road by the Kansas City developer who bought it last year.

“One of the things we’re supposed to look at is whether that (a TIF District) is really needed in terms of attracting an investor,” Hiller said. “Do we subsidize just because somebody let a property run down and somebody else was able to buy it inexpensively?”

Manhattan not expecting to see return on Tallgrass eco-devo investments

Manhattan Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers expects the city won’t see any more return on $317,000 of investments it made in the Tallgrass Brewing Company. He presented the annual economic development report at the city commission work session Tuesday.
Tallgrass suspended operations last August after negotiations with new investors languished. Recapitalization efforts seem to have failed for the time being as Hilgers says the company and its real estate is now held by Landmark Bank.
“I do believe they’re obviously trying to find a prospective buyer or someone to occupy that space,” Hilgers says. “A lot of rumors around about whether another brewery will be there — time will tell.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Lawrence city leaders express support for lowering fine for marijuana possession to $1

One dollar. That’s how much Lawrence city leaders indicated they think those charged with possessing small amounts of marijuana should be fined.

As part of its work session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission reviewed a draft ordinance that proposed reducing the minimum fine, currently $200, for those convicted of possessing 32 grams or less of marijuana. A draft of the changes suggested a minimum fine of $50 for first-time offenders only, but commissioners indicated that they were interested in reducing the fine to $1 for both first- and second-time offenders. Court costs of $63 would remain unchanged.
Mayor Lisa Larsen said that though the city can’t change the state law that makes marijuana illegal, she thinks it should do as much as it can to lower the penalties.

Reno County Commission discusses food policy

The Reno County Commission talked Tuesday about a couple of items concerning the Reno County Health Department, including one where the commission would back the food policy council in Reno County.

It was originally backed by the South Hutchinson City Council, but when City Administrator Matt Stiles left, that city decided against backing it.

The Food Policy Council addresses food disparities and food access issues in the county. Officials say the council is still active, but is not formally recognized by a governing body at this time.

It appears to be sustained using grant funding, but some working hours with the health department are used to keep it going. That would most likely continue. The county backing this council would make it easier to get grant funding to keep it going.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Moran measure to protect Equus Beds recharge project passes Senate

Money to maintain the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project for the next decade was included in a bill approved by the U.S. Senate Tuesday.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, announced the inclusion of legislation he authored is part of the Natural Resources Management Act, a package of over 100 bills relating to public lands, natural resources and water projects, that passed the Senate by a vote of 92-8, and now goes to the House for consideration.

“The Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project has significant consequences not only for Wichita but also for all aquifer stakeholders,” Moran stated in a release. “This critical measure will help make certain South Central Kansas has a safe drinking water supply, and I’m pleased this project was included in the final bill that passed the U.S. Senate. I look forward to this legislation’s swift consideration and passage in the House.”

Equus Beds is the primary freshwater source for South Central Kansas and lies under parts of Sedgwick, Harvey, Reno and McPherson Counties. The project was developed to increase the amount of groundwater available for later use and to raise declining water levels in the aquifer.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Reno County considers hiring engineering firm to evaluate new residential septic systems

The Reno County Commission appeared receptive Tuesday to creating a policy that would allow the health department to contract with a third-party engineer to review new septic systems proposed for use in Reno County.

The only real issue raised about the policy’s adoption during the 30-minute discussion was who should pay for the analysis. On the septic service issue, Commissioner Ron Sellers suggested the county look at a cost share for the engineering services after Commission Chairman Bob Bush raised concern the cost would be borne by homeowners, who are already paying for county’s services and will have to pay for installation of the system.

Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti presented a sample scope of services which estimated consulting on a project would require about 28 hours, at an engineer’s wage of $163 per hour, or nearly $4,600. Baldetti said they receive two to four requests to look at new systems per year.

“I don’t have any definite feeling, but if you’re looking at $20,000 a year, if you go 50-50 it seems fair to me,” Sellers said. “The applicant would pay part of it, and the county pays part.”

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Salina 2020: Inviting businesses to join historic downtown resurgence

Plans are underway to change the face of downtown Salina.

For some, Salina, KS is known as a travel spot between bigger cities.

But to Tyler Gallagher, it’s home.

He owns a local bread shop downtown, and he said the trick to making good bread is time and love.

“You got to do a slow process to really build a lot of flavors and then really putting your heart into it,” he said. “And enjoy what you do!” He said he hopes this same trick is what can help grow downtown Salina.

“Bringing all the businesses down is kind of a big deal for this town and what it needs,” Gallagher said. “It’s just more businesses, more jobs, more money flowing through it.”

A group of individuals and business owners came together to form the project, Salina 2020.

Its mission is to revitalize downtown and bring more businesses in.

“I think we’re in a period where there’s a rural surge in urban interests all across the country,” Don Boos with Salina 2020 said.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

KDOT says it’s been nearly a decade since they’ve used this much salt

Crews with both the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Missouri Department of Transportation have had one busy winter so far and it isn’t over yet.

KDOT says crews have used more than 87,600 tons of salt so far in 2019, already more than all of 2018, which didn’t see very much snow until the end of the year in November and December. (See graphic below)

In fact, according to KDOT, the amount of salt this year is the most they have had to use to treat roads since before 2010.

(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)

Crawford County residents question trail plan

Several area residents showed up at Tuesday’s meeting of the Crawford County Commission to voice their concerns about a plan to turn an unused railway into a trail.
The commission approved an initial step towards creating the trail, which was proposed by Live Well Crawford County and the Active Transportation Advisory Board, in coordination with Watco Companies, last month.
Crawford County resident Mark Scales said he had not seen any specific plan detailing the trail proposal.
“The only plan that I’ve seen was in your transportation master plan,” Scales said, adding the estimated cost according to that plan was $3.5 million. “And that didn’t include anything for fencing, maintenance, or anything like that.“
Scales said in addition to maintenance, concerns of landowners with property adjacent to the proposed trail site include littering, fire safety, law enforcement, liability, and use of motorcycles and ATVs on the trail.
“So there’s a lot of questions that I know the County Commissioners have asked but haven’t got the answers,” he said.
“I think where we’re at is this is still pretty preliminary, for us and for Live Well,” said Crawford County Counselor Jim Emerson in response to those concerns. “I would expect that there will be a lot more information as they move forward.“

(Read more: Pittsburg, KS – Morning Sun)

Nemaha County Board delays wind farm moratorium decision

For multiple weeks now, the concerned citizens of Nemaha County have been attending the County Commission meetings on a weekly basis, with the hopes of learning new information on the proposed wind farm in Nemaha County. At the Monday, Feb. 11, meeting, Commissioner Gary Scoby informed those present that they are still in negotiations with NextEra Energy on a term sheet.

“We hope to have something by Feb. 19,” Scoby said. “Hopefully.”

The commissioners did, however, address the topic of a signing a moratorium resolution, which would put the project on pause for 60 days. At last week’s meeting, it was requested by Will Eisenbise and Brad Lueger – two representatives for the concerned citizens group of Nemaha County – for the commissioners to give a response to the moratorium resolution in one week. Scoby said that the commission will not be making a decision on a moratorium yet.

“Just to address the moratorium issue and the request for us to take action, we were advised by counsel, that if we were to do that, it would need to be after a public input hearing, which will occur sometime,” Scoby said.

“The plan is to negotiate in good faith and arrive at a term sheet,” said County Attorney Brad Lippert. “Then once we have our public comment session on that term sheet, we can take public comments on the issue of the moratorium as well.”

(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

Wichita’s new baseball stadium project gets off to a quick start

Construction on Wichita’s new baseball stadium project is hitting warp speed as government officials and developers try to get the stadium up and running by spring 2020.

The first round of building was approved by the City Council on Tuesday. Work starts Wednesday, as equipment starts moving ground for utility lines, walls, dugouts and tunnels.

City officials say they’re still taking public input on what the stadium will look like above ground, but this phase of construction is all about laying a solid foundation. The project is on a fast track to meet an ambitious construction schedule. As part of its design-build process, the project has been split into nine different phases that will come with maximum guaranteed prices in an ongoing negotiation process between developers and the city.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Mission Hills looking to join other northeast Johnson County cities with non-discrimination ordinance

Mission Hills will move forward with drafting a non-discrimination ordinance that would provide legal protections for LGBTQ+ residents and employees, the city council agreed Monday. The city will base its ordinance off of those adopted by the neighboring cities of Mission, Prairie Village, Merriam and Roeland Park. Ordinances passed by those northeast Johnson County cities provides LGBTQ residents with legal protections from discrimination that apply to commercial employers and rental housing. Generally speaking, exemptions are allowed for religious institutions and private entities like county clubs. City staff said the ordinance would mainly apply to city employees and city contractors.

Greenleaf receives $300K for improvements to housing

The City of Greenleaf recently received a $300,000 federal grant to rehabilitate about nine homes in the city. Low-to-moderate income families in Greenleaf can apply for that grant money to replace siding, roofs and windows. City clerk Wanda Uffman said city officials will attend a Feb. 19 meeting in Topeka to learn more about the grant they received.
According to Uffman, the city has been working for over a year to apply for the grant, and the city’s efforts to demolish unsafe structures in the city over the past decade helped them get this grant.
Uffman said the City of Greenleaf has paid to demolish many of the 20-plus structures in the city deemed unsafe in the past decade, and there is one house in the city that the council is considering demolishing with part of the grant funds.

Source: Washington County News.