Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Great Bend searches for more ways to bring in overnight guests

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

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

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

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

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

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

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

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

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Sedgwick County organizations receive grants for public health, safety programs

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

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

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

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

Winfield expands code against interfering with city workers

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

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

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Hays pressures state to keep promise on R9 ranch water request

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

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

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

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

(Read more: LJWorld.com)

Louisburg City Council approves projects at City Park

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Miami County government is going paperless

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

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

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hutchinson approves contract for convention study

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

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

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

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Louisburg Fire Department to get 2018 pumper truck

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

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

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

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Kansas House bill compels disclosure, auditing of state economic incentives

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

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

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

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

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

Crawford County commission rescinds trail resolution

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

(Read more: Pittsburg, KS – Morning Sun)

Crawford County residents warned to watch for noxious weeds

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

(Read more: Pittsburg, KS – Morning Sun)

City of Topeka to hire civilian to investigate police misconduct

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: WIBW News Now)

Finney County trying to prioritize road, bridge projects

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Reno County commission again suggests expanding incentive for creating jobs

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

Parsons City Commission approves dealership incentives

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

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

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

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

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

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

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

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

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

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

Topeka Planning Commission recommends allowing three tall communications towers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Neighbors, advocates clash over Olathe homeless shelter

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

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

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

City of Maize waiting for snow to prep roads

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

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

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

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

Washington County Guest Tax Board offers grants for community events

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

Source: Washington County News.

Sedgwick County Commission pauses to consider alternative energy rules

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

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

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

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

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.