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Kansas Municipal News

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.

Overland Park commission OKs design for Santa Fe Commons revamp despite concerns about loss of downtown history

Overland Park is moving ahead with plans to redevelop its downtown Santa Fe Commons Park to include more open play area, an outdoor work environment and a paper-airplane inspired performance stage, despite a last-minute protest from some residents.

The city planning commission voted unanimously on Monday to approve a park development plan that will also remove the gazebo and reduce the number of trees. When it’s finished, the park at 8045 Santa Fe Drive will be renamed Thompson Park, after Frank and Evangeline Thompson, who donated $1 million — or about a third of the cost — of redoing the park. Before retiring, Thompson was a long-time Metcalf Avenue car dealer. The loss of the gazebo and the renaming were two ideas most disliked by Overland Park resident Ralph Beck, who organized a protest against the plan before the commission. “Downtown Overland Park is the nearest thing we’ve got in the city of Overland Park that you could call a historic district. And it seems like our historic character down there is at risk of gradually being erased,” Beck said.

Salina officials to research expanding curbside recycling

The Salina City Commission directed staff Monday evening to research ways to expand curbside recycling. The commission issued the direction following an 87-minute winding discussion where two commissioners asked if the city of Salina should even be involved in the waste collection business.

City staff agreed to determine if any private companies would be interested in offering curbside recycling to a large number of customers at a reasonable price. Staff will also gauge if there is public interest in continuing the city’s curbside recycling program at an increased cost to recycling customers, in part by polling current subscription recycling customers.

Currently, 842 Salina customers pay $5.50 per month to participate in the city’s subscription curbside recycling program. Public Works director Jim Kowach said the city is losing curbside subscription customers every week because more people are deciding to take their recycling directly to the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center (SDRC), which opened in July 2018.

Commissioner Mike Hoppock said he is a former subscription customer who has chosen to use the SDRC instead.

“I use it. It’s a wonderful facility,” he said. “The individuals that run that do a great job. I wait in line for a few minutes, even with two to three cars in front of me.”

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Shawnee will hold public election in May on property tax increase to fund proposed $38 million community center

The city of Shawnee is moving forward with a public vote on a property tax increase to fund a proposed community center.

After months of discussion, the council voted 7-1 on Monday to hold a mail-in ballot election this May on whether to increase property taxes to fund the project, which will have a maximum cost of $38 million. Councilmember Mike Kemmling cast the dissenting vote.

City finance staff estimated the community center would require a property tax increase of 2.919 mills. That would equate to an additional $7.36 per month for the owner of a home with an appraised value of $263,130, the average appraised value for a home in Shawnee. During discussion ahead of the vote, a majority of councilmembers said they thought it was important to give the public the opportunity to approve the city’s funding plan for the community center.

Ellis Co Clerk sets dates for two more voting machine demos

Ellis County residents can preview the next round of voting machines at demonstrations set for Feb. 19 and 21.

As with the first demo, the next two will be at 10 a.m. in the County Commission chambers downstairs in the Ellis County Administrative Center, 718 Main, said Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus, the county’s chief election officer.

Maskus announced the dates at the regular meeting Monday evening of the Ellis County Commission.

Voting machines from two other vendors will be demonstrated. At the first demo Feb. 5 about 30 people showed up to see voting machine equipment from Nebraska-based Election Systems and Software.

A new Kansas law this year means that Ellis County will need to replace its voting machines with an election process that allows a hand count of ballots, says Maskus.

The new law was passed in 2018 and it requires every county to do a post-election audit. The audit is a hand recount of paper ballots for at least one of the contested races on the ballot.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

County commissioners explain decision on new manager

As leaders committed to thoughtful public process, we also understand the Editorial Board’s position that a public search for the best person to lead a large public organization is usually preferred.

For this important decision, we believe it is our responsibility to consider some of the most unusual and difficult circumstances we’ve personally seen in an organization. This context is an important part of the discussion, so we appreciate the opportunity to directly provide information so the public can better understand what we’ve experienced and learned.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

City of Manhattan seeks designs for new flag

Manhattan area vexillologists have an opportunity to show off their skills in a new city contest announced Monday, Feb. 11.

Manhattan is seeking designs for a new flag and will accept submissions through Friday, March 29. Submissions will be reviewed and narrowed down to one or two options by the Arts and Humanities Advisory Board, with the winning design to be decided by a public vote sometime in May. The winner will also be recognized by Mayor Mike Dodson and receive a flag of their own.

Assistant City Manager Dennis Marstall says the city hopes the new flag will be a symbol that “reflects the community, helps to unite us, and instills a sense of pride.

“A great city flag is something citizens are proud to display and can rally behind,” Marstall says. “The possibilities are endless on where and how the flag may be displayed and utilized.”

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Lawrence City Commission to discuss how new affordable housing funds should be spent

With the city’s new affordable housing sales tax set to go into effect this spring, city leaders will soon discuss how those dollars can be used to help alleviate the affordable-housing shortage.

As part of its work session Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will meet with members of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. The city will soon have hundreds of thousands of dollars more in funding to address affordable housing, and the commission and the board will discuss goals and strategies for using the funding.

City of Topeka considers dropping employee residency requirement

Topeka’s governing body plans next week to discuss dropping the city’s requirement that its employees live in Shawnee County.

The move would improve the city’s ability to hire the best-qualified people, the city council’s economic and community development committee heard Jan. 16 from Police Chief Bill Cochran, Fire Chief Craig Duke and planning director Bill Fiander.

“We have lost people because they did not have that option,” Fiander said.

Council and committee members Karen Hiller, Jeff Coen and Tony Emerson voted 3-0 on Jan. 16 to recommend the proposal be approved by the city’s governing body, which consists of the nine council members and Mayor Michelle De La Isla.

No one spoke against the proposal that day, though Emerson acknowledged he’d felt some reservations about it. The city since the early 1980s has required all its employees to be “bona fide residents of Shawnee County,” though it allows for new hires to move into Shawnee County within six months of their hiring.

The city’s rules also require employees holding public safety jobs to — within six months after finishing their initial probationary periods — live no more than 30 minutes’ travel time from their assigned reporting station or office.

The economic and community development committee in recent months has discussed scrapping those requirements.

According to the proposal it put forth, “Best practices indicate that imposing a residency requirement can serve as a barrier in the application and hiring process, which could negatively affect the City’s ability to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce.”

Downtown KCK grocery store to be on city planning agenda tonight

A downtown Kansas City, Kansas, grocery store is on the agenda tonight of the Kansas City, Kansas, City Planning Commission. The item to come before the City Planning Commission tonight is conformation to the master plan for the downtown grocery store redevelopment district. The Unified Government staff has recommended approval of the item.

The grocery store would be located at 5th and Minnesota on the east side of a parking lot across from the Reardon Center, and it would be operated by the Merc, a Lawrence grocery. The Unified Government would build the store.

The downtown grocery redevelopment plan, contained in the agenda for the City Planning Commission meeting, says the 14,000-square-foot grocery store would have an anticipated cost of $6,697,946, and that project costs would be paid from incremental property tax revenues generated within project area 1, where the grocery store is located, and from other available UG funds.

(Read more: Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!)

Olathe animal control officer praised for saving small deer trapped in 12-foot drain

A deer’s rescue from a sewer drain is capturing hearts and earning praise for a metro animal control officer.

Olathe Animal Control helped save the doe, which they believe had been trapped for days.

Nadya Dibenedetto often walks her dogs along a grassy path in her Olathe neighborhood near 146th and Halsey. But Sunday, she and her husband’s dogs started acting strange.

“One of our dogs pulled her toward this manhole,” Igor Sorkin said.

The manhole’s cover was missing, and a little deer was trapped inside.

“She was all kinds of freaked out by the whole thing. She’s like, ‘This little baby deer is trapped and I can’t help it,'” Sorkin said.

They called animal control, and Officer James Brackett arrived.

“I wouldn’t have found it because it’s kind of just in a field north of a little lake out there,” said Brackett with Olathe Animal Control.

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

New ballpark’s basics headed for City Council vote

Before the ceremonial shovels can dig into the ceremonial dirt Wednesday at the site of Wichita’s next baseball stadium, the City Council has to approve some — but not all — of the ballpark’s design.

The Council on Tuesday is expected to approve $7.6 million to get the project going. In essence, the Council will be approving the location of home plate and giving the go-ahead for construction of stadium bones — site grading, utilities, infield walls, dugouts and dugout tunnels.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday.

There’s little time to waste, as Wichita’s unnamed Triple-A baseball team is expected to play its first Pacific Coast League games in April 2020. The team will play its final season as the New Orleans Baby Cakes in 2019.

Location of home plate is designed to be south and west of the old Lawrence-Dumont Stadium site.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

Shawnee council to consider mail-in ballot election for voters to approve funding for proposed community center

The Shawnee council tonight will consider financing details and plans for a proposed community center. If approved by the council, the measure will go out to a mail-in ballot election in which Shawnee voters decide whether to finance a community center through a property tax increase.

The proposed community center would be located at Woodland Drive and 61st Street.

The project team, including Perkins+Will, Project Advocates and J.E. Dunn Construction as well as city staff, will present information on the proposed community center during tonight’s meeting, including facility amenities, construction costs, staffing and operational costs and estimated costs, including an ordinance and resolution for bond issuance and the mail-in election.

Shawnee County stays with lawn care firm despite suggestions service has gone to pot

Shawnee County is sticking with its courthouse lawn care provider, despite questions about whether its service has gone to pot.

County facilities manager Bill Kroll spoke critically Monday of the job done by Green Touch Lawn & Tree. Commissioner Kevin Cook recalled how an apparent marijuana plant was found growing last May on the courthouse grounds.

Still, Kroll asked Commissioners Cook, Bob Archer and Bill Riphahn at their morning meeting to extend the county’s contract with Green Touch to mow and control weeds at locations that include the courthouse at 200 S.E. 7th.

“Last year they didn’t do as good as we wanted them to do, but we’ve gotten on them about that and they’ve promised to do better this year,” he said.

Can Overland Park transcend ‘Johnson County beige’ image? Long-range plan holds hope

Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of Johnson County’s Resurrection mega-church, would like nothing better than for his two grown daughters to live in Overland Park.

But he says 29-year-old Rebecca is intent on starting a small business in a hip Kansas City neighborhood, and Danielle, a 33-year-old public defender in Olathe, prefers her home in Lawrence to Overland Park.

“They both think diversity is really important,” Hamilton told the Overland Park City Council on Feb. 4. “They start talking about ‘Johnson County beige’ and that’s not just the color of our houses but it’s often the color of our skin and the way we do things. It’s all sort of the same, and they say, ‘Dad, we don’t want to live where it’s all the same.’^” Hamilton was part of the Forward OP steering committee than engaged more than 1,000 residents over the past 18 months to create the plan.

“We need to be forward-thinking, innovative and welcoming if we are going to be a great city in 2030, 2040 or 2050,” Greg Musil, steering committee co-chair and a former city councilman, said at the formal presentation Feb. 4.

Barton County saves money with bulk mailer for valuation notices

The Barton County Appraiser’s Office has to mail out certified valuation notices by March 1 to all taxpayers owning real estate. The Appraiser’s Office received a full response from companies across the country that handle bulk mailings. No business in Barton County handles such a task, so it forces the Appraiser’s Office to look elsewhere.

Barton County Appraiser Barb Esfeld says getting this job outsourced saves the department thousands of dollars. At an international conference, Esfeld found out about a company called The Master’s Touch. Master’s Touch is a large company that handles bulk mailing and is charging Barton County $6,500 for the mailing of certificates of valuation notices.

Esfeld says this price will save the county $1,300 from last year’s mailing. The only county in Kansas using Master’s Touch is Bourbon County, but Esfeld feels that will change soon.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Bringing a building ‘back to life’: After 10-year effort, newly rehabilitated Lawrence train station to be rededicated

For years, little attention was given to the blond brick building along the railroad tracks. Though it served as an active train station, the Santa Fe depot was poorly maintained, was often vandalized and was sometimes the site of illegal squatting and drinking.

Then, more than 10 years ago, a group of Lawrence residents started taking care of the station — hosting cleaning days, ensuring its doors were open and locked at the correct times, and sometimes having musicians play on the platform to greet passengers. But above all, the group, Depot Redux, was advocating that the City of Lawrence take ownership of the building so that needed repairs could be made.