Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Contract to set price for jail project signed by Marshall County Commissioners

The Marshall County commissioners signed a contract Monday with Loyd Builders, Ottawa, to determine the cost for a jail expansion. The contract gives Loyd Builders permission to work with project architect TreanorHL, Lawrence, to develop a guaranteed maximum price. The contract is a precursor to a potential ”Construction Manager at Risk” agreement between the county and Loyd Builders.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

Arma council member resigns, disapproves of council behavior

Arma City Council Member Richard Kerley resigned Monday night on the basis of treating people with “dignity and respect.”
Kerely resigned Monday, effective immediately.
Arma Mayor Rock Anderson read his letter of resignation to the council. After reading the letter, Anderson said, “It’s really a big loss, the guy had so much talent and did so much work and saved the city a God-awful amount of money, with water and other things he did.
“He has so much knowledge pertaining to public works, water, gas, all kinds of things. A great councilman.“
The council agreed and said it was “senseless” to lose “a man with so many talents,” and going forward they should be “more careful” to avoid losing other council members or employees.
Selecting a new councilman will be on the agenda for the next meeting.

(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)

His time in prison behind him, Leavenworth mayor inspires county’s ‘Expungement Day’

Jermaine Wilson needed a plan.

He was behind bars in the maximum security wing of Lansing Correctional Facility. “Like a caged animal,” he said.

He took up paper and pen there in 2007 and began listing the way it was going to be.

He had God in his life now. No more drugs. No more “chasing the money.” He was going to get back to his 8-month-old son, Jermaine Jr. He was going to take classes in prison. Get out and start a life of service. Go to work. Start a non-profit.

Not on his list? Become the mayor of Leavenworth.

But Tuesday night, some 12 years after beginning a three-year sentence on drug charges, Leavenworth’s rising symbol of hope, unity and redemption took the center seat at the City Commission meeting as the new mayor.

(Read more: Government & Politics News |)

Pittsburg continues to explore creating public electric utility

The City of Pittsburg is continuing its exploration of the possibility of owning the city’s electric service.

The city commissioned a study from GE Warren Associates on the feasibility of purchasing — as state law allows — the local electrical grid from Weststar and forming a public utility.

At Tuesdays’ Pittsburg City Commission meeting, the representative from GE Warren — who said he was a “big proponent” of public power — said the number of customers in Pittsburg would make a city-owned power utility larger than 85 percent of public utilities in the U.S.

Additionally, he said, the utility would generate roughly $35 million in gross sales per year, with an internal rate of return of 9.6 percent per year, adding that — given a 20 year note — the utility would be profitable starting year one.

According to a release from the city, the reason behind exploring forming a utility comes down to costs.

(Read more: Pittsburg Morning Sun)

South Hutch Council votes not to retain police chief

The City of South Hutchinson is down to three police officers and no chief after the City Council on Monday night voted not to re-appoint Chief Mark Thompson.

Mayor Mandi Blumanhourst, in an email, confirmed the council’s action. The News was unable to reach any city council members or the chief for comment.

“The council voted to not reappoint Mark Thompson as police chief,” Blumanhourst stated. “I have no further details to provide.”

Patrol Sgt. Paul Allen said the council appointed no interim chief, but he otherwise had no comment.

Thompson, who worked at the police department nearly 17 years, took over the post after former Chief Scott Jones retired last year, moving up from captain.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Louisburg city council discusses fixes to stormwater system

While most of Louisburg’s stormwater system is in good condition, members of the City Council were told recently that it would take more than $1 million to fix problems with the pipes and structures.

Brent Johnson with the civil engineering firm Olsson presented a stormwater master plan Dec. 17 to the Louisburg City Council. He said preparation of the plan, which included inspection of most of the city’s stormwater infrastructure, started in early summer and wrapped up in the fall. He said there was minor work to be done on the final report to the city, but it should be completed in January. “We completed a system survey and condition assessment,” Johnson said. “We identified areas of flooding concern and prepared a plan for the future.

“We had to walk a lot of the city to identify and locate stormwater structures. We estimated we would inspect 600 structures and we ended up inspecting 2,000,” he said.

Of the 2,000 structures inspected, Johnson said about 80 percent (1,676) showed minor or no deterioration. Just 194 structures are in need of repair, while 249 were listed as “could not be inspected.”

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Great Bend working on online payment option for utility bills

The City of Great Bend altered how they attempt to collect late utility payments, and there is now an effort to provide an option for citizens to pay their bill online.

City Administrator Kendal Francis says the City has been approached multiple times requesting the online payment option. Francis acknowledged the online payment is a goal for 2019, but the City first wants to establish the utility network. Great Bend started a policy January 1, 2019, that if you are late on your bill, your utility service will be cut off without a face-to-face reminder. The move was made to eliminate time spent by staff running around town and the liability of handling cash.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Sabetha planning commission makes commercial wind generation city code recommendation

More than 60 local residents were present for the Sabetha Planning and Zoning meeting, when the board voted unanimously to remove commercial wind generation facilities from the Sabetha’s “AG” Agricultural District Regulations Code. Others present at the Thursday, Jan. 3, meeting were Sabetha Planning and Zoning Commission members Jerry Johnson, David Koch, Lynn Hartter, Scott Wedel, Shannon Stapleton, Matt Heiman and Scott Krebs. Also present were City Administrator Doug Allen and Assistant City Administrator Bill Shroyer.

Currently, the City of Sabetha Land Development Code Article 2 Section 2-102 — which was adopted in September 2003 — states that commercial wind generation facilities are permitted within Sabetha’s extraterritorial area. Allen explained that the City Commission requested that the Planning Commission review this code. “The Sabetha City Commission has asked you as the Planning Commission to look into our extraterritorial district agricultural section as it is listed as permitted use for commercial wind generation facilities,” Allen said.

According to Allen, the Planning Commission needed to decided either to remove Commercial Wind Generation Facilities (item five) as a permitted use from the article; or it could be moved to be a conditional use, which would require a public hearing; or to prohibit Commercial Wind Generation Facilities from being put up in the extraterritorial district.

(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

Roeland Park survey will ask residents whether they want city parks smoke free, how to address teardown-rebuild issue

Roeland Park residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on teardown/major remodeling guidelines, satisfaction with the updated leaf pickup program, and provide suggestions for pool programming when they receive their 2019 citizen survey. Residents can also indicate whether they want the city’s parks to be completely smoke free. Councilmembers discussed the draft version of the 7-page questionnaire during Monday’s workshop meeting. Once finalized each Roeland Park household can expect to receive a survey in the mail. The survey will also be available online.

The questionnaire will allow residents to provide feedback on how much authority they would like the city to have on directing design aesthetics for new homes and significant remodels and weigh in on which design elements they feel most strongly about. Options include the size and height of a house, setbacks, windows and doors on each elevation of the home, driveway widths, and the percentage of impervious surface (like concrete) allowed. Prairie Village has been dealing with similar issues, and passed a new set of design guidelines last year.

LETTER: Ellis County sales tax for buildings successful

On May 14, 2013, Ellis County voters approved a one-half cent per dollar local sales tax to construct a new building for Fire and Emergency Medical Services and extensively renovate the County Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center. That sales tax went into effect on October 1, 2013, and sunset five years later on September 30, 2018.

At the time of the election, the sales tax was projected to generate $14,352,000 over the five-year period to repay bonds issued to finance construction of the two facilities. Reconciliation of the sales tax receipts through December 28, 2018, indicates that the tax actually generated $16,299,016.69. Expenditures on construction and associated expenses totaled $14,887,328.70, leaving a remaining balance of $1,411,687.99. Ellis County Commissioners will consider in February of 2019 plans for spending that remaining balance.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Lenexa council hears pitch for major revamp of old community center, senior center

The first major change in Lenexa’s old downtown in 30 years began to take shape this week, as the Lenexa City Council got a peek at a project that would significantly alter the block now occupied by the old community center, senior center and a small adjacent park.

An architect walked the council through the first draft of plans to eventually tear down the Senior Center at the corner of Pflumm Road and Walnut Street and bring it under the roof of the community center next door. The drawings also reconfigured the parking lot and created an outdoor gathering space for activities like pickleball or bocce ball in the area where the Senior Center now is. The plan is still in a very preliminary stage, only on the city’s “wish list” and not the more concrete capital improvements budget. Still, the presentation by Brian Garvey of SFS Architecture is the first look at how some of the suggestions from the 2015 planning study of the neighborhood might actually look. And it got very favorable reception by some on the council.

“This is exciting to me,” said Councilmember Corey Hunt. “It’s a good feeling to look at this and think about how it may activate all of downtown.”

Nemaha County Commission hears concerns, continues NextEra wind project negotiations

The Nemaha County Commissioners have been busy this past week listening and absorbing a plethora of information, which has been brought to them by multiple county residents in opposition of two wind farm projects proposed in Nemaha County. The first meeting was held on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, while the second was held on Monday, Jan. 7.

During the Dec. 31 meeting, multiple county residents attended to express their concern and present information they had found regarding wind energy projects. At the Jan. 7 meeting, Attorney James Neeld – the attorney hired by Nemaha County – was present to answer questions and give an update to residents about where they are in their negotiations with NextEra.

(Read more: Sabetha Herald)

Parsons shows concern with wind farm

With an eye on preserving the recreational opportunities at Lake Parsons, the city of Parsons will continue to monitor discussions regarding a planned wind generation project in Neosho County.

At the urging of City Commissioner Tom Shaw, City Attorney Ross Albertini attended the Neosho County Commission meeting last week. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to discussion on the Neosho Ridge wind farm that Apex Energy is planning to develop on the south end of the county, including near Lake Parsons. Albertini said nothing was mentioned during the meeting about possible pollution to the lake, but he found through research that the city doesn’t need to worry about that aspect.

There is some concern, however, about the migratory patterns of ducks being affected by turbines, as well as the number of birds that would be killed by turbines.

Albertini said Jim Zaleski, economic development director of Parsons, planned to get in touch with a person he knows at the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to gather more information. The city staff will continue to monitor the progress of the wind farm and plans to send someone to a Thursday evening Neosho County Commission special meeting on the topic. City Manager Debbie Lamb said the Lake Parsons advisory board also would discuss the topic on Tuesday to determine if opposition should be mounted or concerns aired.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Cities threaten to ‘turn off the lights’ if KC-based hospital chain doesn’t pay bills

Larry Paine and the rest of the city leaders in Hillsboro, Kan., have a problem.
EmpowerHMS, the North Kansas City-based company that manages their hospital, owes the city thousands in unpaid utility bills. A check written to the city in December bounced, and Paine, the city administrator, can’t get anybody from the company to resolve it.
…
Empower, headquartered at 1700 Swift Ave., operates 14 rural hospitals nationwide, including three in Kansas (Hillsboro Community Hospital, Oswego Community Hospital and Horton Community Hospital) and two in Missouri (Fulton Medical Center and I-70 Community Hospital in Sweet Springs).

But Paine and leaders in other cities worry whether their hospitals can continue to operate under EmpowerHMS management, as signs of financial distress multiply.
…
At least two cities — Hillsboro and an Oklahoma town — are now trying to force Empower to pay up.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

From Inmate to In-Charge: Leavenworth welcomes new mayor

The city of Leavenworth has a new mayor, and he is anything but ordinary.
Before becoming mayor, Jermaine Wilson took an unusual path.
In 2007, he was convicted of a felony and spent three years in prison for possession of drugs. While behind bars, he became a Christian and decided to make it his mission to teach people not to make the same mistakes he did.
He first spoke to churches and juveniles at detention facilities and taught inmates how to write resumes and fill out job applications. Then, the father of five established the Unity in the Community program.
“Once I got released, I started serving my community,” said Wilson. “The moment that you start to build up people, you build up your community.”

Water, sewer rates to climb for the next 20-30 years in Wichita

Wichita is raising the city’s water rates by 4.15 percent this year while grappling with how to minimize expected yearly rate hikes for the next 20 to 30 years.

The rates are rising now and in the future to pay for a new half-billion dollar drinking-water treatment plant and the cost of complying with new regulations for “biological nutrient removal,” a euphemism for getting more of the dirty stuff out of the sewage water before discharging it back into the environment.

The current water treatment plant is more than 80 years old. It’s plagued with minor problems already and is at risk of major failure in the near future, city staff has said.

Greyhound opens new route connecting Kansas City and Salina

Greyhound, the largest provider of intercity bus transportation in North America, is opening a new route connecting Kansas City, Mo., and Salina, the company announced Tuesday.

A bus will make one trip west from Kansas City and one trip east from Salina each day beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 7:10 p.m. Customers can board at 1101 Troost in Kansas City, Mo., and at 125 E. Diamond in Salina.

Greyhound also will make a stop at Kansas State University at the K-State parking garage, which the company hopes will allow students to visit friends and family more often, as well as network and attend sporting events in neighboring cities.

This new route also will allow Greyhound customers to travel more conveniently to locations such as Wichita, Topeka and Denver.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Great Bend recognizes outgoing councilmembers; new council will be fairly “young”

The refresh button will be hit again when the Great Bend City Council next meets on January 21.

Monday night, Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis thanked the three outgoing councilmembers who did not seek reelection in the 2018 election. Three new names will be on the board along with Brock McPherson who won a second term in an uncontested race. Zimmerman spent two years on the Council, Berryman four years, and Jackson 10 years.

As far as terms are considered, it will be fairly ‘young’ council that will meet at City Hall on January 21. The new lineup will include four members that are still serving out their first term, McPherson, who’s going into his second term, and newly appointed Jessica Milsap, Chad Somers, and Dana Dawson. Despite just starting his term in Ward 3 this month, Dawson does have 14 years of council experience prior to sitting out this past year.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Aldi proposes making $60,000 donation for art in Roeland Park instead of incorporating piece into new store project

The Roeland Park city council on Monday gave tentative approval to allowing Aldi to provide a $60,000 arts donation in lieu of incorporating an art piece into the teardown/rebuild efforts for the store located at 4801 Roe Blvd. The item will be placed on the next council meeting’s agenda for a final vote.

City administrator Keith Moody explained that Aldi would prefer the city determine how to spend the $60,000 donation and that the store was open to the art being placed anywhere in the city.

Roeland Park policy requires new commercial construction to include a piece of art that totals 1 percent of the project’s cost.

Because the city would own the art installation created with Aldi’s money, it would also be responsible for any maintenance cost the art could incur over time, Moody said.

Mayor Mike Kelly said the option “makes a lot of sense” noting that Roeland Park could utilize the donation to incorporate art into a place where it could be more frequently viewed.

County Commission hears about ‘Women in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathmatics) Week’

Miss Augusta 2019, Sierra Marie Bonn, appeared before the Commissioners to officially introduce herself and her social initiative, “Let’s Go Full STEAM Ahead” to the Board of Butler County Commissioners.
“Let’s Go Full STEAM Ahead” was founded to promote science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education and engagement inside classrooms, camps, college campuses, and with community partners.
Miss Bonn worked with the City of Augusta to establish “Women in STEAM Week,” a celebration held the third week in October that honors and highlights influential women who have made an impact in the STEAM fields. Now she is seeking to advance her cause through a Proclamation, which will extend the observation of “Women in STEAM Week” throughout Butler County.
Her 2019 goals include the implementation of “Women in STEAM Week” across the state and country.
To learn more about “Let’s Go Full STEAM Ahead” visit Sierra’s website: www.letsgofullSTEAMahead.com

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Grant would connect hike, bike trails in Winfield

A grant the RISE Cowley coalition wants to apply for could provide funds to expand and connect the City of Winfield’s biking and hiking trails.

Improving trails was identified as a way to increase physical activity through last year’s Community Health Needs Assessment.

RISE Cowley and the city would partner up on the grant application, which could result in up to $50,000 for the trail work in Winfield.

The city and RISE Cowley would work together on a trails master plan as part of the grant application. The master plan will also help with applications for other grants, said Sarah Werner, CEO of the Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

Douglas Design District names executive director

The Douglas Design District has a new face.

Renee Duxler has agreed to become the executive director of the nonprofit civic organization, which includes more than 100 member businesses in the district on downtown Wichita’s east side.

Duxler, a Wichita businesswoman who ran for a spot on the Sedgwick County Commission last year, had been a board member with the organization before closing her small business in November.

She will now oversee day-to-day operations for the organization, which was started in 2007. Last year, it was announced that the organization would receive $84,500 in grant monies over two years from the Knight Foundation Fund at the Wichita Community Foundation.

“It’s a pretty big step for us, but quite frankly, long overdue,” said Bill Jackson, founder of the organization and CEO of Transitions Group. “We have grown exponentially over the last five years and it was time to invest in this position. We’re all very excited about what this means for our members as well as our community as a whole.”

About 300 businesses exist in the district — which runs from Oliver west to Washington and Second Street south to Kellogg — with more than 100 dues-paying members belonging to the civic group.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

Public weighs in on Century II’s future

Four District Advisory Board Meetings on Monday night, focused on the future of Century II in Wichita.

For nearly eleven months, a committee of volunteers have weighed options about the facility’s future. Committee members said they found significant damage to the roof, leaks around the HVAC system, air conditioning that needed to be repaired and asbestos issues inside.

But the committee hasn’t made a decision on it’s future, yet and community members had the chance to voice their ideas.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Kansas embraces unconditional housing program for mentally ill

Kansas officials see a solution to chronic homelessness and the burden placed on state institutions, jails and law enforcement in the work of a psychiatrist who believes mentally ill people can help themselves without any strings attached.

The idea is to provide those who need treatment with unconditional housing and the support services they need, even if they are substance abusers who are likely to violate traditional program requirements for curfew and sobriety.

Sam Tsemberis, a Columbia University faculty member and proponent of the Housing First concept, is working with Kansas Aging and Disability Services to refine and possibly expand this approach from three communities to a statewide campaign. His initiative is internationally acclaimed, although it has some critics.

“I think there’s a misunderstanding of people’s capabilities,” Tsemberis said. “What we’re doing with a program like this is essentially leveling the playing field so that people who have for some reason become homeless have the same opportunity to have and keep housing as the rest of us. Most people in Kansas don’t have sobriety and treatment requirements in order to stay housed. And if they did, we’d be in a lot more trouble on the homelessness front.”

KDADS for three years has operated Housing First programs in Wichita, Shawnee County and Wyandotte County. Initially supported by federal grant money, the agency secured legislative support last year to maintain the programs. This year, the agency is asking for an additional $250,000 to target homeless communities elsewhere in Kansas.

With multiple concerns, Great Bend says ‘no deal’ to lease agreement

The City of Great Bend owns real estate located on Southeast 10 Road, just south of and east of the Arkansas River Bridge. This land was acquired in the late 1960s or early 1970s and was formerly occupied by Abram “Leedy” Krause. Krause vacated the real estate in the late 1970s and it has been vacant since that time.

Ivan Perales requested to lease the approximately 8.8 acres on a five-year lease at $500 per year. Perales has a small livestock operation on adjacent land that he wishes to expand.

Attorney Mark Calcara from Watkins Calcara represented Perales at Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting and stated the lease agreement would be a win for both parties. Beau Brough lives to the east of Perales’ existing piece of land and the property that Perales wants to lease from the City. Brough noted there are approximately 30 goats, at one time, seven horses and four cows on a piece of land less than one acre in size. Brough spoke for other neighbors to the east and noted Perales has already had difficulty keeping this smaller piece of land clean of animal waste. No councilmember made a motion to approve the lease agreement, so the motion died.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Johnson County provides courthouse history

Since the creation of Johnson County in 1855, the county court system has occupied three different facilities. The current building has housed the Tenth District Court of Kansas for more than half a century.
In the beginning, Johnson County used space on the second floor of the Harry Case Building (built in 1859) as the county courthouse.

Then county voters approved a special tax to build the first official county courthouse at a cost of $36,414. Located north of the present courthouse, the three-story brick building opened in 1892.
The current courthouse opened in 1952. When construction began in 1951, the court system had only three judges. The county population was approximately 63,000. The facility had nine floors and almost 235,000 square feet of space. Besides the court system, the courthouse housed most county government departments.
In 1954, the county made an addition to the building, followed by a third wing in 1968. By 1975, the courts had expanded to eight judges. The county population had increased fourfold — to more than 237,000 residents. In need of more space, the county added an eight-story tower onto the east side of the building.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Wichita State forecasts increased local job growth for 2019

The Wichita area is now expected to add an increased number of new jobs in 2019.

According to a revised employment forecast from the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University, the city is now expected to add just over 2,700 new jobs this year to push its year-over-year employment growth to 0.9 percent.

That’s up from the 2,400 jobs and 0.8-percent growth rate forecast in October.

The increase will be led by continued growth in the city’s production sector, with CEDBR now saying manufacturing is expected to increase by more than 800 jobs this year.

Combined with growth in construction, the production sectors are now expected to hit 1.9 percent in employment growth in 2019 with 1,296 new jobs.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

100 plus streak ends: Chetopa’s Altoona-Midway snaps six-year losing skid on basketball court; exhibit great class in victory

For the Altoona-Midway boys basketball team, this wasn’t just a monkey on their back.

It was more like a baboon. A 500-pound weight? More like a ton.

But the larger the obstacle, the greater the satisfaction after having overcome that barrier. No doubt there are still some gigantic smiles on the faces of Jets players, coaches and fans today.

For the first time in more than six years, the Altoona-Midway High School boys tasted victory in a varsity basketball game, defeating the Chetopa Hornets 37-31 Friday night. “To say the kids were pretty excited after the game tonight would be an understatement,” said an elated AMHS Head Coach Jeff Almond, who is in his first year at the helm of the program. “It was like the weight of the world was lifted off their shoulders. After not winning a varsity game in six years, it is quite a load off for the kids.”

Despite their absolute elation over finally snapping the long losing streak, the Altoona-Midway squad exhibited great class in victory, saving most of their jubilation for the locker room.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

County leaders see growing need for mental health co-responders working with police

The number of mental health-related 911 calls continues to climb in northeast Johnson County. And to meet that growing need, Johnson County Mental Health is deploying a second mental health co-responder to assist law enforcement agencies in the Shawnee Mission area.

This second staff member will split focus on assisting the police departments of Prairie Village and Leawood. The existing northeast area co-responder will continue responding to mental health-related calls across five police jurisdictions and eight other cities in northeast Johnson County.

Tim DeWeese, director of the Johnson County Mental Health Center, said the need for mental health co-responders is “definitely there,” as the data shows.

“Right now, what’s happening is that what we’ve found is that the one co-responder for all of those cities and those seven police departments — to share one co-responder — it wasn’t enough,” DeWeese said.

Labette County discusses fees for copies for the public

Labette County commissioners discussed fees to charge the public for copies during a short business meeting Monday before touring roads and buildings.

Register of Deeds Julie Becker discussed the copy fees and shared a spreadsheet of what other registers of deeds charge for copying in Kansas. Another deed register created the spreadsheet.

The spreadsheet shows that Labette County charges 25 cents per page when a customer is in the deeds office and $1.05 for emailed or faxed copies. Index pages cost $5. These are large pages from books that record all properties in the county and track ownership from when the county was formed to now.

Commissioners Lonie Addis and Fred Vail said all department heads need to charge the same amount for copies and they encouraged Becker to discuss her findings with department heads to come up with a uniform proposal on which commissioners could vote. Addis said the county is not allowed to make money on copies but can only cover costs.

“I don’t think some counties realize that,” Addis said.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Pratt solar farm is ready

Electricity from 22,232 solar panels is now flowing into the city of Pratt power grid from the solar farm built east of town. The Pratt Solar Farm is now online in test phase, feeding electricity into the city’s power grid, right on schedule, according to city manager Rick Eckert.
At a groundbreaking ceremony last summer at the solar farm site east of Pratt Community College, Mayor Doug Meyer projected a start-up date for the city grid to gain electricity from the solar farm in January 2019.
“This is a cooperative project between Kenyon Energy, Inovateus Solar and the city of Pratt,” Eckert said. “We are right on schedule and it’s a win-win situation for all of us.“

Finney County approves zoning amendments

The Finney County Commission approved amendments to two county zoning regulations at its meeting Monday, changing rules regarding the transfer of conditional use permits and temporary signage.

Under an amendment to Article 28 in the zoning regulations, a conditional use permit for a certain property can be transferred twice to two separate entities if the transfer is for the same use, according to the amendment. The transfer includes a $200 fee, is granted at the Neighborhood and Development Services’ discretion and is conditional on the new owner not changing more than 10 percent of the building footprint.

The change allows Neighborhood and Development Services to speed up the conditional use program by eliminating the usual four- to six-week waiting period, said Kaleb Kentner, Neighborhood and Development Services director. The commission also approved an amendment to Article 24 in the regulations in regards to temporary sign permits. The updated regulation removes fees for temporary signs and states that all temporary signage is permitted as long as it is displayed for less than 30 consecutive days, meets the standards of the zoning district and doesnb’t block public right of way.

Shawnee County Commission allocates $3 million to Expocentre project

Shawnee County commissioners on Monday morning voted 2-1 to approve $3 million in excess reserve funds to help pay for major upgrades at the Kansas Expocentre, placing the price tag on the renovation and construction project at $48 million.

The vote didn’t come without opposition from two citizens who voiced their concerns during a public comment session, however.

And to make sure his sentiment opposing the allocation on Monday was clearly expressed, Commissioner Bob Archer exclaimed “no” when the actual vote was taken.

Voting for the measure were commissioners Shelly Buhler and Kevin Cook.

With the vote, the Expocentre project budget was set at $48 million, paving the way for the massive project to begin.

Pittsburg city commission welcomes new member

Dan McNally was sworn in as Pittsburg’s newest city commissioner last week after the seat was vacated by Mayor Jeremy Johnson, who resigned in December.

Johnson was elected to the Crawford County Commission in the November election after a ballot recount.

McNally earned degrees in social work and clinical psychology from Pittsburg State University and the University of Kansas. He now works with Spring River Mental Health & Wellness in Riverton.

The new commissioner has more than a dozen years of experience working with children and families at the Family Resource Center in Pittsburg. McNally has served as vice chair for the city of Pittsburg’s Sustainability Advisory Committee and volunteered on the board of directors for the Pittsburg Family YMCA and Southeast Kansas National Alliance on Mental Illness.

(Read more: www.joplinglobe.com)

Salina approves City Manager employment contract

The Salina City Commission voted unanimously Monday afternoon to approve an employment contract for Mike Schrage, Salina’s next city manager. Schrage has been serving as interim city manager since June, when former City Manager Jason Gage resigned to become city manager in Springfield, Mo. Before that, Schrage served as Salina’s deputy city manager for 12 1/2 years.

The Salina city manager is responsible to the city commission for the administration of all activities, functions, and programs of the city, in accordance with state law and policies adopted by the city commission.

The commission’s vote formalizes its Dec. 21 decision to offer Schrage the position of city manager.

Schrage said his goals include leading the commission through strategic planning and working on additional budget preparations and capital improvement planning to give commissioners a better sense of the city’s needs and priorities.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Lawrence sees increase in staff resignations, needs to fill 18 full-time positions

City of Lawrence officials say the city is losing specialized staff at a high rate, and that significant pay raises could be required to stem the tide of outgoing employees.

More than 20 highly specialized city staff members whose jobs require formal technical and scientific training have resigned in the past few years, according to information the city provided the Journal-World. About 10 of those resignations were employees in the city’s municipal services and operations department and occurred over the past several months.

City Manager Tom Markus said that the resignations are mainly market driven. He said that amid record-low unemployment rates, the city’s pay has not kept up with pay being offered in surrounding communities. Markus said the landscape is especially competitive for those with science and technology degrees.

“What I’m seeing is a much more competitive environment right now,” Markus said. “And I think that the employees with those skillsets know they are in much higher demand than they used to be.”

Maxine preserves Opolis history

Need to know a bit of history about the city of Opolis? Maxine Seal Miller is your woman.
Maxine — who was born locally and raised in Opolis — practically spent her whole life collecting bits and pieces of Opolis history.
She had a friend, Elma Bateman, who was a bit older than her. Elma too, had a collection of Opolis history.
“She grew up in Opolis when it was just a little town and it grew into a fairly nice size town as she grew up,” Maxine said. “When she passed away, her daughter gave me all of the things she collected.”
Maxine recently compiled all of this information into a 165 page book about the town called, “Opolis, Kansas State Line City.”

(Read more: Pittsburg, KS – Morning Sun)

Uber and Lyft lights are illegal on Kansas streets

Glowing logos in the windshield for popular rideshare companies Lyft and Uber help passengers identify what vehicle to get into, but Kansas Highway Patrol troopers say the lights are illegal.

Christopher Hockett, a Wichita rideshare driver, says he did not realize he was violating the law with his green Uber LED light.

“I didn’t know what I was getting pulled over for,” said Hockett.

In a video from his dash cam, you can hear an officer explain that the lights in the window are illegal.

According to Kansas statute 8-1729, the only lights drivers can have on their vehicles that are visible from the road are white, yellow, amber, or red in color.

“Flashing lights are prohibited,” the statute says.

Lyft Amp, a device the company supplies, glows pink and purple. It changes color as the driver approaches their passenger.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Ellis expands application deadline for New Retail Business Sales Tax Rebate

A revision to the city’s New Retail Business Sales Tax Rebate Program was unanimously approved Dec. 17 by the Ellis City Council. The application deadline has been expanded to 60 days. City Clerk Amy Burton and City Attorney Olavee Raub presented the revised draft of the proposed New Retail Business Sales Tax Rebate Program. Ms. Burton noted two discrepancies between the current Utility Incentive Program and the proposed Sales Tax Rebate program – the definition of a qualifying new business and the deadline for application into the programs. It was the consensus of Council to modify both programs to reflect a sixty-day application deadline and to use the definition of a new business as outlined in the Sales Tax Rebate program.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Lansing, township officials to meet concerning Lansing withdrawal from Leavenworth Fire District No. 1

Lansing city officials are looking to set up a meeting later this month with representatives of the Delaware and High Prairie townships to discuss the planned withdrawal from Leavenworth County Fire District No. 1.

“We’re looking at mid-January,” City Administrator Tim Vandall said.

But no date has been set.

He said the meeting would be between representatives of the city and two townships rather than the entire governing bodies of the three entities.

Plans for the meeting come after members of the Lansing City Council announced their intent to withdraw from Leavenworth County Fire District No. 1.

Fire District No. 1 currently provides fire department services for the city of Lansing and Delaware and High Prairie townships. The fire district was established through a 2003 interlocal cooperation agreement. Lansing officials plan to operate a city fire department in the future and have offered to provide fire services to Delaware and High Prairie townships.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Winfield residents call for citizen’s group to advise elected officials; elected officials point out they don’t need a group to do it

Some Winfield residents are trying to form an informal citizens’ advisory group that would present concerns to the Winfield City Commission. The idea for the group came after several events last year, including the firing of a police officer and the former city manager’s leaving his job.

Winfield residents Willie Tuttle and Merrill Gordon brought up the topic with commissioners at their Thursday work session. Interim city manager Brenda Peters said she’d also had some citizens bring up the issue with her.

Gordon said the idea is to have a loosely organized group of citizens who would discuss questions or concerns and bring them to the attention of commissioners if needed. Commissioners didn’t dismiss the idea, but they also said they want citizens to know they can come directly to them with any problems.

Mayor Greg Thompson said that while the commission always wants to hear from citizens, they can’t authorize a board.

Commissioner Phil Jarvis said that people are willing to meet with the commission individually.

“We don’t want to give the impression that they can’t approach the commission,” Jarvis said.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Parsons to consider pool subsidy

Parsons city commissioners on Monday will consider approval of an annual $22,000 subsidy to support the Municipal Swimming Pool.

The city owns the swimming pool but the Parsons Recreation Commission operates it under a yearly maintenance agreement, which the commission also will consider during its regular Monday evening meeting.

Gary Crissman, recreation commission director, presented the commission information on the finances of the pool for 2018 during a Thursday afternoon work session.

Last year was the first in at least several years that the public pool operated in the black, Crissman said, although the city did help with the subsidy and other expenses for a total of $24,548.

The pool brought in $63,518, including the amount from the city, during the 2018 season and spent $52,113 for a net profit of $11,405. In 2017 the pool made $40,545 and spent $47,480 for a loss of $6,935.

Crissman credited the two days of half-price sales on season passes for the increase in revenue as the sale of family season passes nearly doubled. Concession sales also increased because of the increase of the number of people using the pool.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Lyon County declines membership in Flint Hills Regional Council

The Lyon County Commission declined to renew its membership with the Flint Hills Regional Council for 2019 Thursday morning at the courthouse.

The Flint Hills Regional Council is a voluntary service association formed between a number of counties, cities and municipalities to provide services of mutual benefit to the region with a mission to enhance economic viability and overall quality of life for Flints Hills residents.

Lyon County has been a member for five years, but Chair Rollie Martin said he wasn’t sure if the county was seeing a true benefit from its involvement. He said he believed the county should see some sort of “measurable success” after five years of membership.

Commissioner Scott Briggs, who has served as the county’s liaison for the last two years, disagreed.

“I don’t know how you quantify the success of it or not the success of it,” Briggs said. “It’s the relationships you build, and I think the relationships should still be there.”

Commissioner Dan Slater said he agreed with Martin that the county wasn’t benefiting enough to justify the cost of membership. The idea behind the organization was “fantastic,” but he wasn’t seeing a benefit to Lyon County.

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Wind opponents tell county: See you in court

Opponents of a planned wind generation facility in southwest Neosho County told commissioners Friday morning that the issue will go to court. They also pushed for an absent commissioner to vote on the measure.

“I hope it doesn’t come to any bloodshed,” opponent Dale Jeffrey said.

Some opponents said the developer, Apex Clean Energy, is moving ahead with the project until it is too late to prevent it.

“Your inaction is going to cause us to be reactive,” Jeffrey told commissioners. “The longer it goes, the more difficult it’s going to become.”

Opponent Ed Spielbusch said Apex is trying to circumvent the commission, and there appears to be stalling.

“No matter what you do, you’re going to have a lawsuit,” Jeffrey said.

Opponents have asked for a moratorium, and 1st District Commissioner Paul Westhoff, whose district covers all of the territory for the windmills, made a motion for one, but 3rd District Commissioner David Bideau would not second it. 2nd District Commissioner Jennifer Orr was not present, and has not attended meetings since the end of November.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Lot prices and burial rates to increase at Lawrence cemeteries; some funds to help improve cemetery grounds

Fees at the city’s three cemeteries will see the first of five rate increases this year, funds that city officials say will help to better maintain the cemetery grounds.

The fee increase was approved as part of the city’s annual budget process and will increase rates for lots and burials by $50, excluding interment rates for infants, according to a city news release. The rates will increase by $50 each year through 2023. A more expensive nonresident lot space was also added.

The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department oversees three cemeteries: Oak Hill, Maple Grove and Memorial Park. Parks and Rec Director Derek Rogers said that cemetery fees had not increased since 2012 and that a cost analysis indicated that Lawrence’s rates were in the low to midrange when compared with those charged by other cities.