Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Homeowners throughout Topeka can now apply to get their houses painted

The city of Topeka has expanded its guidelines for homeowners to have their houses painted at no cost this summer, now allowing anyone from throughout the capital city to apply, a city official said.

Shane Wilson, program intake coordinator with the city’s Neighborhood Relations department, said Monday the city had initially focused in North Topeka and Ward-Meade neighborhoods as they looked for struggling homeowners who needed help getting their houses painted.

But after calls from throughout the community, the program is being opened to anyone in the city who meets guidelines.

Group Cares, a Colorado-based organization, will bring its team of 300 to 400 youth volunteers to Topeka from July 7-13 with the goal of helping elderly, disabled or otherwise struggling homeowners get their houses painted, Wilson said.

Hoisington to finish new fencing project at City Cemetery

The City of Hoisington is moving forward with completing the fencing project along the west side of the city cemetery along North Cedar Street.

Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell says the Hoisington City Council voted to retain the services from Eldridge Fencing to finish the already started project. The $26,000 project will finish the fencing along the west side of the cemetery with new gates.

Mitchell says there is not a lot fencing needed for the cemetery along K-4 Highway because of the tree rows that border in the majority of the boundary.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Heavy snow in KC area left Edgerton City Hall in the dark

Heavy snow has left Edgerton City Hall in the dark – literally.
“Power is out at city hall,” said Don Roberts, mayor. An alert was sent to area residents via the Johnson County notification network.
“We are trying to get moved to a priority list,” Roberts said. Edgerton is serviced by Kansas City Power and Light, which had over 80,000 customers out Jan. 11.
Although city hall has no phones, no lights, no internet, Roberts said he was only aware of about five Edgerton residential customers without power. “People can still call in to city hall, it won’t be the same prompts, but we will get the message and return calls,” Roberts said.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Gardner okays neighborhood revitalization program

The Gardner City Council adopted a resolution to create a neighborhood revitalization program in four zones within Gardner during a meeting Jan. 7
The zones, three business and one residential, will benefit from a tax rebate once the program is completed.
According to Larry Powell, Gardner director of business and economic development, the proposed revitalization program follows the success of a similar program that ran between 1997 and 2007. (There was a final payout in December of 2017.)
He said Gardner was the first city in the county to establish a neighborhood revitalization project and the first to complete it.
He said that in that project one of the businesses recouped the entire cost of constructing a new building.
“This program promotes the revitalization and development of the city of Gardner by stimulating new construction and the rehabilitation and development of the city in order to enhance the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the city,” he said.

(Read more: Gardner News)

899 people in line ahead of you? Johnson County in for major courthouse traffic jam

If you are scheduled to appear in Johnson County traffic court on the morning of Feb. 6, you might want to bring a book.

A very long book.

For reasons that officials are still trying to sort out, more than 900 traffic cases have been scheduled to be heard at the 8:30 a.m. docket that day in the traffic division at the Johnson County Courthouse in Olathe. “There is likely to be a wait of several hours,” Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said in a written statement.

A typical traffic court docket would schedule 250 to 350 citations, according to the district attorney’s office, and about 40 percent of those ticketed would show up. The issue involves the Kansas Highway Patrol’s digital ticketing system.

At the request of the district attorney’s office, the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration, which oversees the ticketing system, had set limits on the number of cases scheduled at any one time, according to Howe’s office.

For an unknown reason, that limit was removed, the district attorney said.

Hays Regional Airport serves record number of passengers

The Hays Regional Airport will be receiving more funds for improvements from the Federal Aviation Administration, thanks to record boardings in the 2018.

More than 12,000 passengers flew out of the airport last year.

Ovid Seifers, airport manager, said the April addition of SkyWest flights to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport was the reason for the increase. Flights to Denver were also up slightly.

This included a record month in December, Seifers said. The airport last reached 10,000 boardings in 2011 and 2012.

Since the airport exceeded 10,000 departures in 2018, it is eligible for $1 million in FFA Airport Improvement Funds in 2020. The airport barely missed the 10,000 mark last year, but a loophole will allow the airport to still receive the $1 million in FFA funding in 2019, Seifers said.

Airports that have less than 10,000 travelers receive only $150,000 annually.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Wichita company plans payback to city after missing incentive threshold

Local aerospace supplier Fiber Dynamics Inc. is planning an expansion in southwest Wichita while also crafting a plan with the city to make good on monies owed as a result of missing the employment threshold of a previous tax abatement.
According to documents from the city, the company in 2008 was approved for a tax exemption for expansion and new machinery.
At the time, it had a base employment of 22 people and projected the creation of 79 new jobs.
However, at the time of the city’s five-year review of that abatement in 2013, the company had not yet hit that employment threshold.
The exemption was granted a second five-year period to allow time for the new job creation because of a provision related to a greater than five-point decline in the economic conditions index compiled by Wichita State University during the agreement period.
But by the end of that second five-year period on Dec. 31, the city documents indicate that Fiber Dynamics had still not reached the projected number of new jobs.

Johnson County among hardest hit by power outages from weekend winter storm

Efforts to restore power to homes affected by the winter storm that hung over the Shawnee Mission area for a full day this weekend are expected to continue into at least tomorrow.

Information provided by KCP&L to northeast Johnson County cities suggests that many customers may be without power through Monday. The heavy, wet snow the piled up on the area from Winter Storm Gia damaged parts of the local electrical grid, sending blue flashes from blown transformers across the sky Saturday.

More than 120,000 KCP&L customers across the Kansas City metro area were left without power at the storm’s peak. As of 7 a.m. Sunday, approximately 85,000 customers still lacked power. Johnson County was among the hardest hit pockets of the metro, with nearly 23,000 customers still in the dark as of this morning.

KCP&L has issued a call for mutual assistance, which will bring line crews from surrounding regions to the area to help with power restoration.

Shawnee County moves away from removing animal carcasses near roads; policy change allows ‘nature to take its course’

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office has moved away from its past practice of removing non-hazardous animal carcasses from beside roadways, a supervisor with that office says.

Shawnee County animal control, a support unit of the sheriff’s office, removes carcasses that are considered traffic hazards from roadways in Shawnee County, Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer said in an email Friday.

That unit also may remove carcasses that pose issues in certain non-highway settings, Stallbaumer said.

“As a courtesy, Shawnee County animal control has traditionally assisted with the removal of animal carcasses on the side of roadways,” he said. “More recently, however, animal control has moved away from this type of non-hazardous carcass removal to focus on their responsibility to enforce state and local animal laws in Shawnee County.” Kansas statute 68-115 requires counties and townships to remove obstructions in roadways, and Shawnee County counselor Jim Crowl said in an email Thursday it was his understanding that Shawnee County animal control is responsible for removing carcasses of dead animals from roads.

“However, we were advised last summer of a policy change whereby animal control would move off of the roadway any animals in the actual roadway that might pose a traffic hazard and allow ‘nature to take its course,’ ” Crowl said. “I was told that this was being done as a cost-saving measure.”

Butler County okays Next Generation 9-1-1 for 2019 service

The Commission authorized the 9-1-1 Director to pay the Kansas 9-1-1 Coordinating Council $108,360 for 2019 Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) services. In 2017, Butler County entered into an agreement with the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council for NG911 call handling equipment and participation on the statewide Emergency Services IP Network (ESI Net). It was noted that Butler County Emergency Medical Services Director Chad Pore will be stepping down from his position the first week of February. Will Johnson stated that Mr. Pore has been a great asset to Butler County and the county has made great improvements during his tenure.

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Neosho County won’t issue moratorium on wind project

A motion for a moratorium against a proposed wind farm in Neosho County failed with all three county commissioners present at a special meeting Thursday evening.

Commissioners also voted to change their meetings to Thursday evenings from Friday mornings when a commissioner decided against resigning.

The discussion on the proposed Neosho Ridge wind project filled the courtroom at the Neosho County courthouse to capacity, but was less dramatic than previous commission meetings. A representative of Apex Clean Energy, developers of the project, had 30 minutes to make a presentation, then a representative of non-participating landowners had 30 minutes to present the opponents’ concerns. The commission then met in executive session with an attorney for an hour before considering the moratorium.

Commissioner Paul Westhoff, whose district covers the area of the proposed project, proposed a six-month moratorium, but the motion died without a second. Commissioner David Bideau said he was opposed because a moratorium equates to a ban, and Commissioner Jennifer Orr said she opposed it due to zoning laws. Orr, who missed county commission meetings during December, apologized for her absence and said she does not want to resign.

County Commissioner Jennifer Orr reportedly told County Counselor Seth Jones she would resign, but had not properly submitted written notice to the State and the county clerk. Friday morning, officials said they understood Orr withdrew her plans.

Commissioners voted Thursday evening to move their meetings to 6 pm on Thursdays to avoid job scheduling conflicts.

Land bank works to revitalize neighborhoods in Pittsburg

The City of Pittsburg is ramping up its efforts to improve properties in Pittsburg. With the help of the Pittsburg Land Bank, the City is continuing to turn blighted, vacated and underused properties into new opportunities for businesses, homebuilders and developers.

The City of Pittsburg established the Pittsburg Land Bank in 2015 to convert vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent and otherwise neglected properties into productive use. The land bank strategically acquires problem properties that destabilize neighborhoods, create fire and safety hazards and drive down property values, and transfers them to new, responsible owners in a manner that results in outcomes consistent with the City’s revitalization efforts.

“The land bank is a means to address blight in our community,” says City of Pittsburg Community Development and Housing Director Quentin Holmes. “It’s a tool the City can use to improve neighborhoods and improve our housing stock.”

The land bank also provides an opportunity for landowners who no longer want their properties or cannot afford the maintenance required to keep them in good condition. Because the land bank is a not-for-profit entity, landowners receive an added tax benefit.

“The land bank could be a way to solve a problem that a property owner may not know how to resolve. In these cases, we can eliminate a financial burden on the property owner and redevelop the property for future use,” says Holmes.

(Read more: City of Pittsburg)

Lawrence to consider extending fast-track incentives program for business parks

City leaders soon will decide whether to continue a program meant to jump-start development at the city’s business parks and other industrially zoned areas.

As part of its meeting Monday, the City Commission will consider approving a three-year extension of the Catalyst Program. The program, which the commission created in 2017, provides a simplified application process for industrial projects that want to build or expand facilities in VenturePark, East Hills Business Park or other industrially zoned land in the city.

City staff is recommending that the commission extend the program, saying that it has been successful, according to a memo to the commission. The memo notes that three companies have received incentives to build or expand their facilities under the program over the past two years.

Roeland Park tallies up completed priorities from 2018, looks to 2019 projects

Removing dead trees in Nall Park, finishing a high priority sidewalk project, and maintaining the city’s art were among 2018 objectives completed by Roeland Park.

Twenty tasks, with a total budget of $330,000, were planned for completion in 2018. Two-thirds of completed tasks came in at or below budgeted cost.

“We got a lot accomplished in 2018,” said Roeland Park Mayor Mike Kelly during a council workshop. The city is also continuing work on two 2017 objectives, the most notable being a $1 million task to find a new location for Public Works. According to a staff report the city is continuing to evaluate 35 potential relocation sites.

The city has a total of 33 objectives planned for completion in 2019.

Commissioner Mike Gaughan looks back on decade of service to Douglas County

Interim County Administrator Sarah Plinsky told Gaughan during Wednesday’s meeting that she appreciated his dedication to initiatives that may not be flashy or make headlines, but that help the organization function better.

Gaughan said certain administrative tasks — such as a salary study and overhaul of the pay structure that the county completed — will help the county be a competitive employer for those drawn to public service, despite its position sandwiched between Johnson and Shawnee counties as well as facing the University of Kansas, city of Lawrence and the local school district.

“Just like every other employer in town, we’re hoping to recruit and retain talented, smart people,” he said.

He also noted the inevitability that Craig Weinaug, who served as county administrator for more than 26 years, would eventually retire. Gaughan wanted to make sure the county would be in a position to move forward when Weinaug’s experience and knowledge left the courthouse — which it did, with his December retirement.

Hays city commission debates ‘road to nowhere’: should development or infrastructure come first?

Is it a road to nowhere or bridge to somewhere?

Hays Mayor James Meier Thursday voted against improvements to East 41st Street from Home Depot east to Vineyard Park, calling it a “road to nowhere” and a “project in search of a problem.”

Commissioner Ron Mellick voted with the majority for the improvements, which include grading, pavement, storm sewer and waterline. The low bid of $629,133.50 was from Paul-Wertenberger Construction, Hays, and was less than the engineer’s estimate.

“I look at this as a ‘bridge to somewhere,’ ” Mellick countered. “You can’t develop on either side of the actual road. I think this is a bridge out to where a developer can afford to put in housing or even commercial.”

Meier clarified in discussion that he respects those who intended to vote for the project but pointed out over the past few years the commission has discussed whether development or infrastructure should come first.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Bid to make county commission elections partisan fails by a single vote

Johnson County Commissioner Mike Brown lost his bid Thursday to tie commission elections to party politics. But don’t expect the issue to go away any time soon. Brown and other commission members promised they’d keep the discussion going when the 10-year review of the county’s charter happens in 2021.

The commission narrowly voted down Brown’s motion to put Ds and Rs on the ballot for what has for 20 years been a non-partisan election. Five of the seven commissioners voted in favor, but since it was an amendment to the charter a supermajority of six votes was needed. Had that happened, the question would have been on the ballot in November.

Commission Chairman Ed Eilert and Commissioner Jim Allen were the “no” votes.

Unlikely that Salina will adopt universal curbside recycling

It is looking increasingly unlikely that Salina will adopt universal curbside recycling, following a meeting of the Saline County Solid Waste Management Committee on Thursday afternoon.

The committee took a series of preliminary votes to help draft recommendations to the Salina City Commission regarding the future of the curbside recycling program and other matters related to waste collection. The committee will take a final vote on a complete recommendation in a future meeting.

Salina residents have the choice of paying the city or a private company to collect their trash.

In a preliminary vote, six committee members voted against recommending the city charge all Salina residents who choose to pay city workers to collect their trash $4 per customer per month for curbside recycling, whether they use the service or not.

Only one committee member, Vice Chair Joan Ratzlaff, voted in favor of universal curbside recycling. Ratzlaff said curbside recycling was the primary method the committee was considering to meet its goal of reducing Salina’s landfill waste.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Atchison countywide sales tax moves along course to resolution

The work of the Atchison County Sales Tax Committee members is over, but the task to resolve the matter will continue on for a while.

Committee members put their heads together during a meeting Thursday night. The members came to a conclusion that financial transparency subject to independent audits and uniformity in accounting is a must as well as passage of inter-local agreements between the county and all the participating municipalities. Collected revenue generated distributed back to the entities will be handed over to the county coffer at a yet to be determined percentage rate. Calculations of the pro-rated percentages will be in accordance with the Kansas Department of Revenue tax ratio formula guidelines based on the municipalities’ populations and income levels. The next leg of the journey to resolve the issue will be up to the respective attorneys, Atchison County Counselor Patrick Henderson and Atchison City Attorney Robert Campbell. The attorney members will draft up the inter-local agreements that Atchison City Commission and Atchison County Commission members expect to review and discuss at the next city and county meeting and some discussion with city councils in Effingham, Huron, Lancaster and Muscotah. Then the next step will be to onto the municipalities for the approval of the agreements.

(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)

Incoming Lawrence mayor ready to ‘set the landscape’ for the city’s future

Even when she gets in her car to go somewhere else, Lisa Larsen has sometimes found herself inadvertently driving toward City Hall out of habit.

Considering the time she spends in the building, that’s not too surprising. In addition to being on the City Commission and the steering committee for the city’s new comprehensive plan, Larsen can often be found sitting among members of the public at the meetings of other city boards, such as the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. She is also one of two commissioners designated to work closely with the national firm hired to find the next city manager.

Larsen said that she thinks all those topics — the comprehensive plan, affordable housing and the city manager search — will be pivotal discussions in 2019, the year she is expected to occupy the center seat at City Hall. On Jan. 14, if city commissioners stick with the tradition of promoting the vice mayor to mayor, which they are widely expected to do, Larsen will become Lawrence’s next mayor.

Hillsboro Community Hospital power to stay on

Hillsboro Community Hospital’s power will remain on due to a last minute resolution that has the unpaid utility bill of $16,644.31 owed to the City of Hillsboro paid off. The rest of the roughly $28,000 owed to the City of Hillsboro previously reported was paid off earlier in the week.

The resolution came roughly 30 minutes before the scheduled shut off. The hospital had reported that there was a plan to stay open using a gasoline powered generator if the power would have been shut off as scheduled.

The utility bill being paid off means that the hospital won’t need to do that, and according to a press release provided by the City of Hillsboro, the city says it is their ongoing desire to undertake reasonable steps to assist in keeping the hospital open while also being a good steward of the city’s finances and utility resources.

City of Pittsburg Deepens Exploration into Public Power

At a commission meeting held on January 8, the City of Pittsburg asked commissioners to approve plans for a detailed analysis into creating a public power utility for Pittsburg.

Over the last two years, the City has been exploring different electricity options – not just public power, but any option that might improve reliability, stabilize costs and make Pittsburg a more attractive place for businesses.

Why? With the City’s electricity costs increasing at a rate that was unsustainable without introducing tax increases, businesses deterred from Pittsburg due to high electricity rates, and enquiries from citizens about frequent rate increases and the overall cost of electricity, it was clear that different options should be explored.

The City has met numerous times with the current provider, local stakeholders, large electricity users such as USD 250, Via Christi Hospital and Pittsburg State University, power suppliers, other communities in Kansas and potential partners. Referrals from these groups to additional stakeholders opened up multiple paths and different electricity options that were all explored. Based on the recommendation of local stakeholders, the City Commission and others, the City finally undertook an independent study into public power.

(Read more: City of Pittsburg)

Merriam Building Permit Map Now Available Online

Building is booming in Merriam, and now you can track it in real time. This week, the Community Development Department launched a new map on the City’s website that identifies the open building permits throughout the community.

The map, which will be updated monthly, provides pin locations for every building permit issued. Each permit pin contains additional information about the building permit, including the type of permit, permit number, and issue date.

“We know residents like to stay updated about what’s happening in our community, and this map will help them easily do that at the click of a button,” Bryan Dyer, Community Development Director, said. “The investment in the physical structures throughout Merriam has been steadily increasing over the past year and it really is impressive to see it contained in one map.”

Visit the Open Building Permits map.

(Read more: Merriam, KS news)

Topeka is finalizing details that will bring 300 to 400 young people to the capital city to paint about 60 houses for struggling homeowners

The city of Topeka is finalizing details that will bring 300 to 400 young people to the capital city this summer to paint about 60 houses for struggling homeowners.

Now they need homes to paint.

Shane Wilson, program intake coordinator with the city’s Neighborhood Relations department, said Group Cares, a Colorado-based organization, will bring its team to Topeka from July 7-13.

City officials decided to reach out to homeowners, who must meet specific criteria, in the North Topeka East and West areas, as well as the Ward-Meade area, because the Seaman school district agreed to provide accommodations for the young volunteers, Wilson said. Those areas are close to the Seaman district.

El Dorado City Commission approves sale of Prairie Trails Golf Course

The City of El Dorado has approved the purchase of Prairie Trails Golf Course by GreatLIFE Kansas City, LLC for $550,000. The agreement stipulates that the City maintains “Right of First Refusal” under two conditions. The first condition is that during the first seven years of operation, if GreatLIFE Kansas City. LLC would quit operating the golf course as agreed upon, the City has the right to buy it back for the purchase price plus improvements minus depreciation based on a set formula outlined in the contract. If they quit operating the golf course as agreed upon after the first seven years, the City would have the right to purchase the property back at market value. The second condition is that if they should decide to sell the property, the City would have the right to match or counter any offers.
After much discussion regarding the assignability of the “Right of First Refusal” in the event of future sales, it was determined that exercising the right when the option is made available would eliminate the need for assignability. GreatLIFE Kansas City, LLC will begin operation under a lease until closing which will be 10 business days after platting of the property.

(Read more: El Dorado Times)

Emporia discusses land bank

The Emporia City Commission discussed the land bank it has been considering Wednesday at its regular meeting.

City Housing Specialist Jeff Lynch said the community housing board had been brought up to date about the land bank concept.

“I think they are in general accepting of doing that — serving as the land bank if that’s what we needed them to do,” he said.

Lynch said members had asked the commission for input on goals for the land bank.

There are about four or five actual lots in the land bank, not including Walnut Park. According to Lynch, two people have inquired about lots.

Commissioner Rob Gilligan said he expected the inflow and outflow of lots from the land bank to be fairly constant.

“We’ll get five or six and then we’ll go down to two or three but then we’ll end up acquiring one or two or three more every year,” he said.

The city discussed drafting a memorandum of understanding with the housing board to handle the land bank.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Barton County likely to move to paper voting system in next election

The 2018 November general election was the last for the county’s 89 aging voting machines. Purchased in 2005 and put into use in 2006, the machines had an estimated shelf life of 10 years which has now come and gone.

In early February, Barton County Clerk Donna Zimmerman, will meet with vendors to look at both electronic and paper voting systems and determine which direction the county will move toward in the future. Due to the cost of purchasing new electronic equipment, Zimmerman is leaning at least right now to returning to paper. The 89 voting machines were purchased in 2005 for $300,000 but thanks to a federal grant, the cost to the county was just $30,000. Federal monies are not available this time around to purchase new machines, a big reason why Zimmerman is exploring the paper option.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Commissioners help Wakefield with ballfield LED lights

On Monday morning, Clay County Commissioners gave funds out of the County’s Park and Rec. Fund to replace lights at several ballfield in Wakefield.

Julie Murphy, Wakefield City Clerk, met with Commissioners Monday to discuss the request for funding for the new LED Light Structure System for the ballfields in Wakefield, located east of the library on Third Street.

This system consists of six pre-cast, six galvanized steel poles, and 30 Factory aimed and assembled luminaries, including BallTracker luminaires, Murphy said. According to the company’s website, lights with BallTracker technology “provides low-level, targeted light that’s emitted upward, which optimizes visibility of the ball in aerial sports by creating a higher contrast between the ball and the sky, total light control for LED’s ability to target more light down onto the field, and the elimination of glare from the player’s line of sight.”

This kind of light is “better for players, better for spectators,” the company said. It helps to create superior playability for all sports, where players enjoy a field view in higher definition and can track the entire flight of the ball like never before.”

Manhattan raises guest tax; additional revenue to help expand conference center

The tax that visitors to Manhattan pay for a hotel room is set to rise by half a percent. The Manhattan City Commission unanimously voted to raise the city’s transient guest tax from 7 to 7 point 5 percent at their meeting Tuesday.
The city has been looking into an expansion of the Manhattan Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn that is now estimated will cost $3.5 million. The additional revenue from the increase in transient guest tax would be intended to help pay down the debt on that expansion, expected to bring in an extra $130,000 per year. HCW, the Hilton’s owning company, will finance $800,000 of expansion’s price tag and agreed to increase annual contributions to that from $100,000 to $120,000 per year starting in 2029.
And should the tax money not come in as expected, HCW as well as the Convention and Visitors Bureau agreed to cover the difference on the gap needed to pay the debt service — up to $25,000 each.
Mayor Pro Tempore Usha Reddi was on board, saying the center will be a benefit to the community.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

New commission will enable Topeka youths to say what they want their community to be

It is critically important that the youths of this community play a role in helping move it forward, Greater Topeka Partnership president and CEO Matt Pivarnik told Shawnee County commissioners Thursday.

He told Commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer he consequently felt excited to encourage them to express support for the Greater Topeka Youth Partnership Commission, a new organization consisting of youths and their adult supporters.

The youth commission will give young leaders a platform for “telling the adults what they want their community to be going forward,” Pivarnik said.

Commissioners subsequently voted 3-0 to express support for the youth partnership’s efforts “to provide avenues for youth to express opinions, involve youth in planning and decision-making, prepare youth to be good citizens, build skills, experience and confidence, provide opportunities to make a difference and to build an overall better community.”

The Greater Topeka Partnership will be the youth commission’s “organizational home,” but it will belong to the entire Topeka and Shawnee County community, Pivarnik said.

Marion county fire departments take predicting of wildfire danger in stride

Although some forecasts call for increased wildfires this summer, Marion County fire departments won’t change how they prepare.

Neighboring Chase and Butler Counties are among the Kansas counties most prone to wildfires.

If it has an effect, will be that more emphasis is placed on tactics and preparation, said.

“We might ramp up some of our wildland training, discuss some different things with tactics and strategy,” Lincolnville fire chief Les Kaiser said. “We also re-evaluate our trucks in case we need to make any changes in them.”

But a big challenge, Peabody fire chief Mark Penner said, is maintaining enough volunteers.

“It’s get harder and harder,” he said. “It’s not just us with small fire departments. People just don’t volunteer like they used to. It’s a bit tougher to get people to come and join, but for the most part we have a steady group of guys.”

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Augusta to decide on allowing RV parking in mobile home parks

Angie Johnston and Nick Hoefgen with Family First Living were present to ask the Council for consideration for allowing recreational vehicles in manufactured home residential districts.
Family First Living has a mobile home community in Towanda and two in Augusta. In addition to the park located at Custer Lane and Campbell Road, they recently purchased the park on Money Ave., on Augusta’s west side.
“Our community in Towanda and on Custer are highly occupied and both have spaces that were converted to allow for RVs…If they weren’t already set up, it would be a different conversation for us,” Johnston said.
She further shared that they are aware of challenges for the Money Ave. Park.
“We are aware of the blight that needs cleaned up. We’ve already met a lot of the residents and they’re excited about the change.“
Johnston also advised that it would take “a reasonable amount of time in order to be respectful to the residents.”
Family First Living plans to make aesthetic improvements to the front entrance area and all around the park, as well as providing incentives to residents to make improvements to their areas.
“I see this as a win. I don’t see a negative or downside,” Councilman Cale Magruder stated.

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Resident wants road closed in Pratt county

A road closure in Pratt County will have to be initiated by the county resident wanting the road closed.

Doug Freund, county road and bridge supervisor, informed Pratt County Commissioners that Joe Berry wants to close NW 60th Street between NW 70th and 80th Avenues.

County Counselor Bob Schmisseur said anyone interested in closing a road can file a petition to start the road closing process. County commissioners can authorize a road closure themselves without a petition but in this case, the commissioners agreed that Berry will have to start the process.

Freund said there were one or two other land owners that would be effected by the road closure but neither would have to cross anyone else’s property to get to their own property.

Part of the road closing process includes a public hearing on the matter for adjoining land owners.

Hays city commission to consider extension of TDD tax in northeast business area

ays city commissioners will decide Thursday whether to approve a resolution for improvement of East 41st Street from Home Depot east to Vineyard Park.

A 3/4-cent sales tax was enacted April 1, 2005, for the Home Depot Transportation Development District (TDD), which currently includes Home Depot, IHOP, Hampton Inn, Town Place Suites by Marriott, the former JT Travel Plaza and a yet-to-be developed area for 47,000 square feet of retail space.

The TDD tax outperformed projections allowing for the 2004 TDD bonds financing the Phase I improvements to be called early and completed in January 2018.

Special Counsel Kevin Wempe with Gilmore & Bell has determined the 3/4-cent TDD sales tax could continue until March 2027 to fund a portion of Phase II improvements.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Horton City Commission denies trash service rate hike

After several discussions over the past few months, John Blessing of Waste Management was present to discuss the proposed 46-cent per home rate increase. Commissioner Wade Edwards stated that after communicating with Horton residents, the company’s sub-standard service is a concern. A motion was made and the commission voted unanimously to deny the request for the rate increase.

(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)

Nauheim v. City of Topeka: Relocation benefits when condemning real property

Partial syllabus from today’s Kansas Supreme Court opinion:

2.
Whenever federal funding is not involved, and real property is acquired by any condemning authority, K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 26-518 identifies two distinct situations requiring the authority to pay relocation benefits to a displaced person: (a) when the acquisition occurs through negotiation in advance of a condemnation action, or (b) when the acquisition occurs through a condemnation action.

3.
Not every acquisition of real property by a condemning authority is covered by K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 26-518.

4.
The phrase “negotiation in advance of a condemnation action” in K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 26-518 is both temporal and contextual. To be entitled to relocation benefits, a displaced person must show: (a) negotiation resulted in the property’s acquisition before any eminent domain proceedings commenced; and (b) a condemnation would have followed had that negotiation failed.

5.
Whether a negotiation was in advance of a condemnation action under K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 26-518 is a question of fact to be established by a preponderance of the evidence. A preponderance of the evidence means evidence that shows a fact is more probably true than not true.

6.
A finder of fact should consider any relevant evidence that might reasonably bear on establishing whether a negotiation was in advance of a condemnation action under K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 26-518. Evidence is relevant if it tends to establish a material fact at issue.

Parsons ponders changes to tax relief program

With a neighborhood revitalization program set to expire this year, the city of Parsons is looking to push for greater tax relief for owners who improve their property.

The city now has two neighborhood revitalization programs. One was recently approved for the northern part of the city in the area of the junction of U.S. 400 and U.S. 59 (North 16th Street) and pertains to commercial development only. The other, older program set to expire in October allows both commercial and residential property owners in a specific area to get 90 percent tax rebates on additional property tax brought by an increase in valuation caused by improvements. The program is an incentive to encourage people to build new structures or add to existing structures by giving them tax relief for the first five years so that the city benefits from the added valuation in the future.

During a city commission meeting Monday evening, City Manager Debbie Lamb said Feb. 5 is the date set in the program agreement with other taxing entities to begin discussion of extending the program. The other taxing entities include Labette County, Parsons USD 503 and Labette Community College.

The program usually is extended for five years at a time, but Lamb said city staff has discussed pushing the program to 10 years of tax rebates, or at least seven or eight. The city also may consider broadening the program’s range, although it covers most of the city already.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Some positions filled; Hutchinson police force still down 14 officers

Recruiting efforts continue in Hutchinson to fill vacancies in the police department.

City Manager John Deardoff says some of the openings were filled, but the department is still about 14 officers short of a full staff.

Deardoff says there are currently four officers in final training. There is still a large hole to fill once those officers hit the streets.

Deardoff says the city and police force have been going to area colleges to try and recruit potential officers. He reiterated this is not a problem in Hutchinson alone, but nationwide. Deardoff says the city will continue to reevaluate its recruiting practices in an effort to fill the vacancies.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Chanute, rec commission line out path to improvements

The Chanute City Commission and Chanute Recreation Commission met Wednesday night to discuss a facilities agreement in a joint work session.

Final action was not taken on the agreement, but city and rec commissioners asked questions about the draft, which will pave the way for renovations of the Santa Fe Park ballfields, the rec center and other improvements.

City commissioners Randy Galemore, Phil Chaney and Jacob LaRue met with the CRC board, with attorney Kent Pringle and Chanute Interim Superintendent Steve Parsons attending.

Renovation of six fields at Santa Fe Park is estimated at a cost of more than $1 million, which will be split between the city Parks Department and the CRC. City officials recently committed to new lighting to take advantage of current prices before the cost increases.

The agreement would cover 10 years initially, but would automatically renew annually for a practical total of 15 years, dividing the CRC’s $500,000 over 10 years.

The lump sum would replace a lease the CRC currently has with the city for the recreation center, formerly the Chanute High School. CRC pays $2,500 per month in utilities plus $1,000 for the lease, with any excess utilities and the lease payment going into a building fund.

Salina Chamber of Commerce CEO announces retirement after 43 years with organization

After serving the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce for 43 years, the last four as president and chief executive officer, Don L. Weiser has announced his retirement effective May 1.

In a statement released Thursday, Weiser said it is time for him to enjoy a quieter life and spend more time with his family, which includes wife Lynne, daughters Melissa and Laura and his grandchildren.

“I am thankful that Lynne and I chose Salina those years ago,” he said. “We have raised our family here, and we are fortunate to have our children and grandchildren here also. We love this community, love this organization, and see nothing but great things ahead for the future of Salina.”

Weiser is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism. After working in the radio and television industry in western Kansas and Missouri, he and wife Lynne moved to Salina, where he joined the Chamber staff in 1975 as executive assistant to then-president Bob Whitworth.

In his 43 years at the Chamber, Weiser has served in many capacities. After being named interim president and CEO in 2014, he officially was offered the position in April 2015.

“The 43 years of my Salina Chamber career have been very fulfilling and exciting, and I’ve enjoyed seeing and helping this community grow and prosper,” he said. “It has truly been a pleasure to be a part of that.”

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Kansas Department of Commerce Releases Economic Development Statistics for 2018

Kansas has had much to celebrate in the area of economic development during 2018, according to statistics released today from the Kansas Department of Commerce. 2018 has been an exceptional year for the Kansas economy, with over 11,000 new jobs and $1.7 billion in capital investment added to the state’s economy.

The Department of Commerce reports it participated in 138 successful economic development projects across the state during 2018, yielding 11,548 new jobs and 9,116 retained jobs. The total capital investment on these projects was $1.7 billion and $1.17 billion in payroll.

“I’m proud of what we have accomplished with the economy during my time in office,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “Unemployment is at record lows, we have more people working than ever before, and job creation is on the rise. Kansas has a brighter future because of the hard work done by so many over the past year.”

Hillsboro hospital, city, county named in foreclosure

Hillsboro Community Hospital could be sold at a sheriff’s sale if Bank of Hays wins a mortgage foreclosure petition filed in district court Tuesday.

The petition, filed Tuesday, seeks a court order that the sheriff sell the hospital building and its contents, then distribute the proceeds first to Marion County for $300,000 unpaid real estate taxes, and next to Bank of Hays for more than $9.8 million owed on the mortgage, interest, and costs of the lawsuit.

According to the petition, the bank is entitled to foreclose on the building, inventory, equipment, fixtures, instruments, documents, health care insurance receivables, deposit accounts, court judgments owed to the hospital, securities, and other tangible and intangible property.

Also named as defendants in the lawsuit are CAH Acquisition Company #5; HMC/CAH Consolidated; City of Hillsboro; Public Building Commission of Hillsboro; Board of County Commissioners; and any other party claiming interest in the property.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Hillsboro Community Hospital faces Friday shutdown

If Hillsboro Community Hospital doesn’t pay $28,644.31 owed to the city of Hillsboro for utilities, service will be shut off at noon Friday.

“I have directed city administrator Larry Paine to shut off utilities at noon Friday if the bill is not paid in full by that time,” mayor Lou Thurston told city council members Tuesday.

A second debt owed by the hospital gave rise to a half-hour executive session to discuss potential litigation.

“We may have been sued as a co-defendant by the mortgage holder, Bank of Hays,” Thurston said when he called for the executive session.

Back in open session at 7 p.m., Thurston announced no decisions had been made.

A $10,247.96 check for the hospital’s October utility bill bounced in December. November and December’s bills, totaling $18,396.35, remain unpaid.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Miami county disbands fire district boards

Miami County commissioners opted Jan. 2 to disband the county’s two fire district boards — culminating several recent discussions and a Dec. 19 public hearing about transferring governance to the county.

County commissioners voted 4-1 to disband the First District No. 1 board, which the commission had established in 1974.

Commissioner Danny Gallagher cast the dissenting vote, saying the fire district board had done everything asked of it.

“We asked them to put together budgets for each (community fire department), and they did that,” Gallagher said. “We asked them to do long-range planning, and they did that.”

Commissioners voted 5-0 to disband the Fire District No. 2 board.

The transfer of governance will take effect March 1 for both fire districts.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Road conditions lead to tax protest

Cattleman Merle Schlehuber paid his property taxes under protest because of the condition of county roads running by his land.

So did Chasen Gann and James Enns. All told, county appraiser Lisa Reeder said Monday, annual property taxes on 37 parcels are scheduled for tax protests because of the conditions of county roads.

Their exact reasons are unclear, as are the prospects for successfully protesting their taxes due. Clearly, there is dissatisfaction with county roads. At Monday’s county commission meeting, rural Marion resident Chuck Seifert gave commissioners a piece of his mind about consultant fees about road and other projects.

Seifert said he’d reviewed records of what the county spent for project engineers over the last year and that the county should hire its own engineer.

“You’re paying out way too much on consulting fees,” Seifert said. “Get an in-house engineer and you can save that.”

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)