Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Hays Regional Airport gets new manager

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

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

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

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

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

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

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Click here to view the KanCap Brochure and sign up.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A couple of things stand out when studying the project.

First is its sheer size.

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

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Gardner council creates benefit district for residential developments

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

(Read more: Gardner News)

JOCO home values continue to rise

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

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

County discusses hemp farming in Butler County

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

(Read more: El Dorado Times)

Project moves utility lines underground in Parsons

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

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

“Everything is going underground,” Moyer said.

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

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

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Topeka police ask public to help name newest police dog

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

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

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

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

Shawnee County to consider privatizing solid waste department

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

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

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

Lyon County approves removal of weight limits on 18 county bridges

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

City of Leavenworth offers rebate program to seniors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gardner city council approved Price Chopper plan

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

(Read more: Gardner News)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: Hays Post)

New Kansas alcohol laws to take effect in April

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: KAKE – News)

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

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

Engineering firm gives input on wind project

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

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

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

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

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Counties benefits from law regarding inmate health costs

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

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

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

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

Park City flag’s symbols have meaning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Reno County receives funding for road safety

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

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

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

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

(Read more: Hutch Post)

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: KWCH News)

Commission responds to social media criticism on storm/ice preparation

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

(Read more: El Dorado Times)

Sugar mill collapse has planning department’s attention

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

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

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

(Read more: Hutch Post)

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.”