Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

‘A four-letter word’: Villa West developer may seek economic development incentives in Topeka

But as they looked at the work to be done on Villa West, which is in much better shape than White Lakes but still faces significant deferred maintenance, Ferd Niemann, director of development and acquisitions, said his company will consider an application for tax incentives for part of the redevelopment.

“When a building’s in ill repair like that, it has a ton of deferred maintenance, which is not nearly as easily fixable on purely the free market without some sort of subsidy,” he said. “Then the community has to assist with it. If the community is willing to do that, it’s a win-win. It’s a public-private partnership. But it creates additional burden on everybody.”

Help for property owners in the form of tax increment financing, or TIFs, and Community Improvements Districts, or CIDs, is sometimes the next step for deteriorated properties, Niemann said. “Those sorts of things help bridge the gap,” he said. “TIF and CID, that’s a four-letter word in a lot of cities. They’re very unpopular. There’s been a lot of abuse. I’m from Kansas City, and it’s as bad here as anywhere. I think Chicago and Kansas City are probably the two most tax-abusive cities around in the country.”

But there are good TIFs, too, Niemann said, acknowledging that every developer has a “sales pitch” on why his or hers is the good one.

“So the city leaders, from management to elected, they obviously need to be prudent and evaluate on behalf of the citizenry,” he said.

Grow Hays has changed, but mission is still the same

Streaming movie giant Netflix and the co-working BriefSpace at 219 W. 10th have something in common.

Hays’ unique co-working space provides high-speed Internet that benefits the world’s largest online entertainment provider, according to Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, the developer of BriefSpace.

“We’ve got a kid down there now, he just came down, he’s renting an office down there, he needed the high-speed Internet and he does video-editing for Netflix,” Williams told the Hays City Commissioners on Thursday evening.

“He’s editing 4K video and he needed high-speed bandwidth, and he just loves the place, because he can come down and work and do what he couldn’t do at home or anywhere else in town without buying a very high-speed connection,” he said. “That’s the type of people we need to attract,” Williams said.

Williams made the comments to the Hays City Commission Thursday evening. He was explaining programs and projects at Grow Hays during the commission’s regular meeting in City Hall, 1507 Main St.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Skyline hears more on water issues

Water will play an important part in the future of area farmers. Those farmers will play an important part in the future of Skyline.

Area farmer and Skyline patron Kent Moore shared information with the Skyline Board of Education on a water situation in Stafford County that has consequences that reach into Pratt County and could impact USD 438.

He said that Quivira National Wildlife Refuge has water issues and they have water rights that are much older than the irrigation water rights in Stafford County and surrounding counties. Quivira’s water rights have precedents over the younger water rights.

Moore said discussions are underway to limit irrigation well usage in Stafford County and surrounding counties to improve Quivera water levels The area impacted would include the Rattlesnake Creek basin and reach all the way to both the north and south forks of the Ninnescah, Moore said.

Kansas travelers will see new interpretive signs on byways

Kansas travelers will see new or upgraded interpretive signs along 12 scenic or historic byways.

State officials say the signs can be found at 39 locations on the byways, which are roads that highlight the beauty, history and heritage of Kansas.

The Kansas Byways program is managed jointly by state and federal officials. Nine of the routes are scenic byways – two of which are national scenic byways – and three are historic byways.

The $1.4 million project included construction of five new kiosks housing interpretive panels. It also includes the rehabilitation of 12 existing kiosks and their signs, 26 interpretive signage plazas and 12 Kansas Byway welcome boards.

The project was funded in part by federal grants.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Wichita police help families in need with annual Holiday Feast

For ten years, the Wichita Police Department has partnered with community donors and volunteers to provide a holiday feast for families in need. Sergeant Kenneth Kimble started the tradition to spend more time with families in Wichita.

“We feel just by who we’ve met and what we see, we felt that this is something they would benefit from and it could give them a positive impression and hopefully help them have a good new year,” Kimble said.

He says a party bus picks up families and brings them to Pig In! Pig Out BBQ and Catering to enjoy a meal. Gifts are also given out to the families.

“We try to get them some gifts they wouldn’t have, we try to get them things they’re not accustomed to.”

Kimble says officers from across the city invite a family and they all come together for the holiday feast.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Governing bodies to consider raising bus service mill levy, allowing conference center

Local governing bodies plan this coming week to consider raising the property tax mill levy assessed to finance Topeka’s bus service and allowing the establishment of a conference center at 7711 S.W. 61st to be the site of ministry functions and fundraising events. The city’s governing body, consisting of the nine council members and Mayor Michelle De La Isla, plans to consider a charter ordinance that would raise the property tax mill levy assessed by the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority, which oversees the Topeka Metro mass transit service, by 1 mill, to 5.2 mills from 4.2, effective Jan. 1, 2020.

The increase would amount to an additional $11.50 each year in property taxes for the owner of a $100,000 home.

The proposal, which requires seven votes to pass, also would enable the city to exclude the TMTA’s revenues and expenses when calculating the city of Topeka’s property taxes under the lid imposed upon municipalities by Kansas lawmakers.

Kansas Department of Agriculture to exercise foreign animal disease response in Manhattan

The Kansas Department of Agriculture will lead an emergency preparedness exercise, named Rampart, Dec. 17–20, 2018, in Manhattan, Kansas, to practice the state’s response plan to a foreign animal disease event.

The four-day functional exercise, which will be based out of KDA headquarters in Manhattan, will enable KDA and its partners in other state agencies, federal and local government, industry, university and 16 other states to practice the state’s foreign animal disease response plan. More than 200 individuals will participate in the Rampart exercise, which will be based on a fictional scenario involving the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in the United States.

In addition to KDA, which will operate as the Incident Command Post for the exercise, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management and multiple Kansas counties will activate emergency operations centers as part of the Rampart exercise.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Hays able to piggyback on new focus of federal BUILD grant

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently reviewed 851 applications for requested funding of more than $10 billion through Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants.

Just 91 awards were made; the city of Hays was one of those.

“This is a pretty significant thing for the city of Hays,” Assistant City Manager Jacob Wood said during Thursday night’s city commission meeting.

The BUILD grant used to be called the TIGER grant. Wood noted the federal program also shifted parameters, which likely became an advantage for Hays.

(Read more: Hays Post)

‘I got a feeling that there’s some more that could fall’: Building in Eureka comes down

Could this be a sign of what’s to come? Historic Kansas buildings crumbling and crashing to the ground? It happened to one in Greenwood County.

Residents in Eureka woke up to a historic building in downtown scatted on the road. Thankfully no one was hurt, but the city administrator says the discovery is an eye-opener for the city and other small towns.

"The bricks from the top came tumbling down, it just happened in an instant," said Greg Colangelo, building owner.

Like a tornado…is how the building owner says his son described the building collapse from Thursday morning.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Rail depot preservation project wraps up in Lawrence

Following nearly nine years of planning and almost a year of construction, the historic Santa Fe Depot used by Amtrak and BNSF is set be completed this month.

The City of Lawrence, which owns the facility, will cut the ribbon in February, 2019 to rededicate the facility following the $1.8 million renovation project. It is funded through KDOT’s Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds, which is federal funding for non-traditional transportation projects. “We’re excited to be at this point,” said Diane Stoddard, City of Lawrence Assistant City Manager.

The building dates to 1955 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The City of Lawrence, in cooperation with local preservation organizations, applied for the TAP funding, which reimburses 80 percent of the funds while the other 20 percent are provided by the project sponsor.

(Read more: Kansas Transportation)

City Council Honors Outgoing Planning Commission Chair for 30 Years of Service

The City Council honored Carol Whitlock, resident and outgoing chair of the Merriam Planning Commission, for her service during the meeting on Monday night. After serving on the Planning Commission for more than 30 years, Whitlock is retiring her post.

“I have been on the Commission since 1987 and enjoyed every minute of it. I was chair for many years and feel very privileged to have served the city and our citizens,” Whitlock said.

A Merriam resident since 1977, Whitlock is an engineer by trade. She worked at Black and Veatch for 18 years and then did contract engineering for another eight years. Her engineering work took her around the globe, giving her the opportunity to travel to more than 12 countries where she assisted in crafting wastewater policies and regulations. She also is an artist, and creates and sells stained glass for customers across the country. One of her pieces, “Beginnings,” hangs in the stairwell of the Irene B. French Community Center in honor of the building’s 100th anniversary.

(Read more: Merriam, KS news)

Gardner to host 2019 citizens academy

The City of Gardner will host its annual citizens academy, Gardner You! beginning Jan. 24. Gardner You! is a seven-week interactive civic and public information program that focuses on educating residents and business owners about the city’s governmental processes.
Gardner You! sessions will be held on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8p.m. at city hall. Session topics include finance and budget, business and economic development, utilities and billing, city functions and programs, and boards and commissions. The academy also includes a tour of city facilities on April 26, and a graduation ceremony on May 9.
The academy is open to Gardner residents and business owners 18 years old or older. Five of the available 20 slots are reserved for students at Gardner-Edgerton High School. Students must provide a recommendation from a teacher or other faculty member about why they should attend the academy. Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2018-18: County counselor duties in civil matters

When a board of county commissioners appoints a county counselor, all duties in civil matters, otherwise required by law of the county attorney, pass to the county counselor, including the filing of child in need of care petitions. The duties of the county attorney are defined by statute: “[I]t shall be the duty of the county attorney to appear in any court having jurisdiction within the county and prosecute or defend on behalf of the people all actions and proceedings, civil or criminal, in which the state or the county is a party or interested.”1 Among the civil proceedings for which the county attorney is responsible are CINC cases.2
Likewise, the duties of the county counselor are defined by statute: “The county counselor shall . . . perform all the duties in civil matters that have previously been required by law of the county attorney.”3

Johnson Co. works to address neighborhood concerns ahead of Medical Examiner’s building groundbreaking

The county’s set to break ground on a brand new $21 million medical examiner’s building Thursday, but not before handling a last minute hurdle from concerned neighbors.

County leaders and representatives from the city are meeting in Olathe Wednesday night, hoping to work out a solution to concerns about the construction just brought to light.

Just off 119th and Sunset is the area the county will be building the medical examiner’s office. The site backs up to the Northwood Trails subdivision. A large wooded area was a buffer between the construction and the neighborhood, until this week.

Scott Green’s daughter took video of hundreds of trees behind their home as workers started to tear down dozens of those trees.

Neighbors were upset because they didn’t believe the county was planning to remove any of those trees during construction. The county says it planned to clear some trees all along. But now the neighborhood is insisting the county do something to fix the forest.

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

Joint Economic Development Organization approves funding for downtown Topeka plaza, NOTO parking

The Joint Economic Development Organization on Wednesday cleared the way for completion of a public plaza in downtown Topeka, granting more than a million dollars to the project and sparking debate on how countywide sales tax funds are distributed.

In a 4-3 vote, JEDO members approved recommendations made by a panel of community volunteers to award $2 million in economic development money to four projects out of 16 applicants.

One of those projects will invest $644,000 in the NOTO Arts District, assisting in efforts to add parking and establish Redbud Park.

Mayor Michelle De La Isla rebuffed criticism over pouring the bulk of available quality of place funding into jewels in the heart of the city, saying feedback from the community makes it clear residents want to make the city more attractive.

Both projects are integral to objectives laid out in Momentum 2022, the master plan for making the community a better place to work and live.

Shawnee County planning director Barry Beagle resigns

After 15 years as Shawnee County’s planning director, Barry Beagle is leaving to take a job elsewhere.

Shawnee County Commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer voted 3-0 Thursday to accept Beagle’s resignation, which takes effect Dec. 28.

Cook wished Beagle, 62, the best in his future endeavors, while Buhler thanked him for his professionalism and dedication to Shawnee County.

“It’s a tough job,” she said of the planning director’s position.

Beagle, who didn’t attend Thursday’s meeting, told commissioners of his planned resignation in a memo dated Monday.

“It has been a privilege and honor serving as the Planning Director for the past 15 years,” he wrote.

Beagle hadn’t returned a phone message left Thursday morning by a Topeka Capital-Journal reporter asking about his new job.

The resignation announcement comes nearly two months after commissioners voted 2-1 on Oct. 15 to adopt the county’s first-ever comprehensive land use plan, which will guide decision-making about the physical development of its unincorporated areas for 20 years while serving as a blueprint for future growth and the preservation of agricultural land.

New county EMS director returns to roots

For the second time since Nov. 14, Marion County has named a new EMS director, this time one with local ties.

Travis Parmley comes to the position from Great Bend, but he is originally a resident of Florence.

“I’ve been impressed with what’s going on in Marion County,” he said. “I have a lot of friends and family there, so I still have a vested interest in the growth and sustainability of Marion County.”

An alumnus from Marion High School’s class of ’98, Parmley got his start as a cadet with the Florence Fire Department.

“That’s where I started,” he said. “Then I came out here and learned a lot, gained a lot of knowledge.”

While in Great Bend, he served with the fire department and won the department’s firefighter of the year in 2010. He was only allowed to win the award once, but he increased his standing again when he was promoted to captain in 2012.

Great Bend Fire/EMS logs 2,200 EMS calls per year, with each responder averaging 250.

Parmley’s highest total came when he logged 340 calls, earning the top call award for the department. He has five years experience as a paramedic, but knows there is room to grow.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Sedgwick County pushes for change to allow residents to vote at any site

Voting next year could get easier as Sedgwick County commissioners encourage the state legislature to change the rules when it comes to where you can vote.

Currently, voting locations are decided by where registered voters live. Sedgwick County commissioners now encourage lawmakers to allow Kansans to vote at any location within their county on Election Day.

“I think that is extremely convenient. It is very important for us to exercise our civil right to vote,” Wichita resident Julie Sullivan says.

Sedgwick County already has the technology for such a change.

“Our voting machines that our taxpayers paid $7 million for just a couple years ago are capable of any precinct that you are in,” Sedgwick County Commission David Dennis says. “We can vote it on our machines.”

If the voting-rule change happened, it would also apply to early voting. Dennis and Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman say a change would not lead to increased problems with voter fraud.

“It is very secure and in addition, there is now way that someone could try to manipulate (a) vote one way or the other,” Dennis says.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Topeka online utilities payment system safe for use after cyberattack that may have affected up to 10,000 people

Topeka’s online utilities payment processing payment system is now safe for use by the public after a cyberattack that is now known to have occurred Nov. 1, a city spokeswoman said Thursday.

However, that doesn’t change the possibility that as many as 10,000 Topekans may have been affected, said media relations coordinator Molly Hadfield.

The city announced Monday that it had been notified of the breach Friday afternoon by its utility billing payment system software vendor, Central Square.

Central Square has turned over the information to a forensics investigator, Hadfield said.

City staff members worked with the software vendor on Friday to transition the current online payment system to a more secure platform, as advised by the vendor, she said.

City utility customers who aren’t comfortable using online payment systems because of the recent cyberattack may still pay their bills with cash or check at City Express, 620 S.E. Madison, or at any US Bank location, Hadfield said.

Florence native leads Marion county planning department

A job as administrative assistant at a power plant north of Great Bend prepared Sharon Omstead Box for her current role as Marion County Planning and Zoning director. She moved back to her hometown of Florence in 2013. Her mother, Connie Omstead, lives there.

“Working at the power plant was one of my favorite jobs,” Box said, “but I wanted to be close to family, so I moved back.”

After a short stint with Marion County Special Education Cooperative at OASIS in Florence, she was hired as assistant planning and zoning director. Emma Tajchman retired in September, and Box became interim director. She was hired fulltime in October.

As assistant director, Box, who keeps her professional name as Sharon Omstead, took numerous training classes offered by the state. Her duties are broad-based, including zoning, environmental health, and flood plain management.

“There is a lot more flood plain acreage in the county than most people realize,” she said.

She oversees private wastewater systems and inspects private water wells. She collects well samples upon request and tests them for contaminants in her office at 203 S. Third St. in Marion.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Bomb threat hoax extends across Kansas

Wichita Police say even though they got multiple calls about bomb threats across Wichita on Wednesday, the threats do not appear to be serious.

"All I can tell you is that we’ve received phone calls to 911 to reference threats that were made. Bomb threats that were made," said Paul Cruz with Wichita Police. "And at this point we have determined these threats have been unfounded."

In Marion County the Hillsboro Community Hospital got a threat. Reno County Sheriff, Randy Henderson says Hutchinson Police are dealing with a bomb threat.

The common thread in the calls to 911 include emails where a threat is made. Still, investigators are not ready to say if any of the threats are tied together at the local level.

"And we are still working with our federal partners to investigate this case," said Cruz. "We don’t know yet if it is tied to anything else."

While the five bomb threats called in to 911 in Wichita are not considered real, police say they have to investigate.

" We believe this to be some type of email scam that is going on so as we continue to investigate we are going to let you know," said Cruz. "But at this point we just want to let the public be aware that these threats are unfounded. No need to be alarmed."

KSN is talking to local and federal investigators fore more details and you can look for those updates here and on KSN News at Ten.

(Read more: Top Stories | KSNW)

Manhattan holds off on assessing a 2 percent developer fee for benefit districts

The Manhattan City Commission isn’t ready to proceed with assessing a 2 percent developer fee for benefit districts.
The commission discussed the proposed fee Tuesday during a work session. Commissioners didn’t necessarily reject the premise of a fee, but they didn’t show urgency adopting it either…. This year’s retreat led to the goal of providing “options and financial considerations regarding special assessments and options to reduce risk.”

Developers can petition the city to establish a benefit district for public infrastructure. A special assessment is added to each lot’s property tax for either the developer or homeowner to pay for the city’s work.
The proposed fee would be used to establish a special reserve fund to offset delinquent property taxes in the future.
The recent tax sales of Four Winds and Lee Mill Village, two proposed developments with delinquent special assessments on unimproved property, drove city officials to propose a fee.

How the new farm bill impacts Kansas farmers

Legislators released the text of the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report Tuesday with several changes that will impact farmers.

The text of the bill in the conference report is the language of the final bill, taking elements from both the earlier Senate and House versions.

The U.S. Senate passed the bill 87-13 Tuesday before it moved to the House. Final passage expected as early as Thursday.

Here are changes of significant importance to Kansas:

City of Newton, Kemper renew agreement

Kemper Sports and the city commission are working on a new management agreement for the Meridian Center and Sand Creek Station golf course — and the city stands to save money over the course of the next few years.

’This is a two-prong initiative,” said Chris Tuohey, manager of Sand Creek Station. “It is about sustainabitly and what comes next … for both amazing assets. … Let’s not talk about what we are going to do tomorrow, but what we are going to do 20 years from now. There needs to be a balance between short term and long term.”

Kemper Sports proposed a nine-year agreement with a $75,000 reduction in fees to the city for the management of the Meridian Center and Sand Creek Station.

Under the new agreement, fees would be set at $84,000 annually for Sand Creek Station and $60,000 annually for the Meridian Center — starting in January of 2019. The agreement calls for a 3 percent increase each year starting in 2020.

According to Tuohey the hope is the reduction of fees would allow the city to budget for capital improvements to both facilities.

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

New city executive jumping into the job in Derby

Derby’s new deputy city manager, Kiel Mangus, is getting reacquainted with the city.

Mangus grew up in Mulvane, so he’s familiar with the area, but after being away for a number of years, especially with all the rapid, recent development, it’s a different place.

“It’s a good, growing community, but you leave and it changes,” said Mangus, whose first name is pronounced “Kyle.”

Mangus started in the job – which is a new position – Nov. 19 and since then, he’s been touring Derby, meeting citizens, council members and department heads.

The meetings include top school officials, along with DRC leadership. He’s also met with the police and fire chiefs.

“Very professional operations with both,” he said of the city’s first responders.

His takeaways include realizing the changes along Rock Road as well as new civic features.

The parks, including the recently opened Warren Riverview, and other resources, such as the library, help Derby offer a solid quality of life.

And while it doesn’t have a traditional downtown like other cities he’s worked in, by investing in park and community events such as the barbecue festival, Derby has its own attributes, he said.

(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)

New rescue tools for Derby fire department

The Derby Fire Department’s rescue tools will be updated. The City Council approved a request by Fire Chief Brad Smith to replace its hydraulic rescue tools. The 2018 budget includes replacement of a set of 20-year-old rescue tools used to extricate people trapped during vehicle rescues. Smith said firefighters were given the opportunity to do hands-on testing of several brands of battery-powered rescue tools to assess power, versatility, balance and durability.

A request for bids was posted and five were received. They ranged from $32,460 to $40,865; however, the lowest bid didn’t meet specifications. Therefore, the city’s Bid Board approved the low bid that qualified, which was from HGACBuy for $36,310.

Property tax appeals; again Barton County hears about the impact

Last year, Barton County Appraiser Barb Esfeld estimated that out of roughly 18,000 parcels in Barton County, the Appraiser’s Office will receive between 400 and 500 formal appeals each year. The appeal process is open to any home owner that feels their property taxes are not assessed correctly from the fair market value.

Barton County Commissioner Alicia Straub says many of those appeals are being won by the homeowners, costing the counties. Straub attended the Kansas Natural Resources Coalition meeting last Thursday in Garden City. Along with hearing about the lesser prairie chicken, Straub noted there were questions on how board members are appointed to the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals.

The board has the final say on disputes between taxpayers and taxing authorities. At the meeting, it was mentioned that Seward, Finney, and Ford counties are struggling with many valuations getting overturned.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Marshall County proceeds with jail project

A construction manager for the proposed Marshall County Jail expansion project could be on board soon.

On Monday, Marshall County commissioners Dave Baier and Bob Connell decided to begin contract negotiations for the project with Loyd Builders, Ottawa.

Commissioner Lynn Feldhausen was absent. The county’s original estimate for the project was $4 million to $4.5 million.

Hargrave said he hopes the project’s architect will be at the county board’s meeting next Monday. At that meeting the architect is expected to present a cost estimate from Loyd Builders on the project.

Baier said if the bid comes in too high, the county will look at ways to cut project costs.

If the estimate is within the range that commissioners are comfortable with, they will begin looking at ways to finance the jail’s expansion.

Hargrave said he plans to hold a public information meeting about the project later this month or early in January at the Helvering Community Center.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

Sedgwick County wants to ditch Daylight Saving Time switch

Sedgwick County commissioners are tired of springing forward and falling back.

So much so that they’ve included ending the annual switch to daylight saving time as part of their legislative agenda, a list they compile every year of actions they’d like the state Legislature to take.

It’s not their highest priority, coming in behind mental health, taxation, criminal justice and voting issues. “There are already a couple of states that don’t change (clocks) back and forth,” said Commission Chairman David Dennis. “This also came up in my Citizens’ Advisory Board and they were 100 percent in favor of this. I think probably the dominant thought is we just go to daylight savings time and just stay there.”

“The other thing I’ve heard, and I did a little bit of research on the internet, is it looks like the days more people have heart attacks is the day that we spring forward and they lose an hour of sleep, so that’s something else to consider for the health of our community,” Dennis said.

According to popular mythology, daylight saving time was started to give farmers an extra hour of field work in the evening during the warmer months.

That’s not actually true. Germany started it in World War I as an energy-saving measure and the United States followed suit near the end of the war.

Daylight saving time resurfaced as a World War II conservation measure, but didn’t become a full-time national policy until the 1966 passage of the Uniform Time Act that established when clocks should be turned forward and turned back.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

New crosswalk signal installed in Louisburg

The talk is normally about Christmas lights this time of the year, but in Louisburg the talk in town is about a new traffic light.

With the approval of Miami County, the city of Louisburg recently installed a HAWK (High intensity Activated crossWalK) signal across Metcalf Road at South Fifth Street near Broadmoor Elementary School. This new type of crosswalk is designed to enhance safety and make it easier for pedestrians to cross the street while minimizing traffic delays.

“Any time a community, school or city can add safety enhancements for our community and students, I’m all in favor of that,” said Brian Biermann, USD 416 superintendent. “With the lights and extended school zone, I think the city and county are working to make it a safe way to get across a busy intersection. I wish we could do something on 68 at Summerfield by the high school, but that’s the state and they are not as easy to work with as the city and county.”

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Miami County sets public hearing regarding rural fire district governance

Talk of shifting governance of Miami County Fire District No. 1 to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) resurfaced Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the commission’s study session.

County Administrator Shane Krull outlined reasons to shift governance of fire districts to the BOCC in front of a packed meeting room that included Fire District No. 1 Board President Charlie Brand and Vice President Bob Bigley, Paola Fire Chief Andy Martin, Johnson County Fire District No. 2 Chief Jim Francis, city administrators and managers from Paola, Osawatomie, Louisburg and Spring Hill, and other local officials and fire department representatives.

Since the early 1990s, the County Commission has added a county administrator, fiscal services director and procurement agent to enhance the ability to manage county services, Krull said. In a memo accompanying his comments, Krull said the county administrator’s office has the ability and capacity to manage the fire districts’ daily activities. Krull’s comments were not out of context, given recent history. Talk of returning governance to BOCC dates to late 2016. At that time, county commissioners expressed concern the fire board was pursuing acquisition of land and making plans for new substations without consulting them.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Understanding Opportunity Zones presentation in Cowley county

Cowley First-Cowley County Economic Development Partnership will be hosting CPAs Galen Pfeifer and Taylor Dirks of Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball, Chartered (ABBB) as they present on the topic “Understanding Federal Opportunity Zones.”

The free presentation is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Arkansas City Water Treatment Plant Conference Room, 400 W. Madison St.

The Opportunity Zone income tax incentive was established by Congress in the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act as an innovative approach to spur long term, private-sector investment in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide through Opportunity Zone Funds.

The IRS released the list of Kansas communities designated as qualified Opportunity Zones, which includes two census tracts in Arkansas City in May 2018.

The Dec. 18 session will present an overview of Opportunity Zones, Opportunity Zone Funds, guidance provided by the Department of Treasury and planning needed to make Opportunity Zones work for communities.

Ark City doesn’t make cut for TV show, but promoters pleased with effort

Anticipation and excitement quickly deflated into groans of disappointment when a group of Arkansas City residents learned the city didn’t make the cut to appear on an online TV show and win $500,000.

That announcement was witnessed during a watch party of citizens and local officials at the Burford Theatre. The crowd of about 45 people gathered to watch a live broadcast announcing the top 10 finalists for Season 4 of the Small Business Revolution — Main Street.

The competition, sponsored by the Deluxe Corporation, invites small cities across the nation to campaign to be featured on the show, with the winner getting $500,000 in community grants.

While the news here Tuesday came as a disappointment, those who worked hard to promote Ark City said the community had benefitted from the experience and was stronger for the effort.

Pam Crain, CEO of Visit Ark City, said she saw a lot of positive things take place through the process that don’t carry a price tag.

Riley County Commission approves resilient plan documents for future flood prevention

The Riley County commissioners looked at some of the documents related to the Resilient Riley County plan during their meeting on Monday.

Planning and Special Projects Director Monty Wedel presented the memorandum of understanding and the request for qualifications to the commission that were drafted by the City of Manhattan. This plan will deal with future flood prevention efforts.

Commissioner Ron Wells asked Manhattan Assistant Director of Community Development Chad Bunger if he though the 50/50 split between the county and city was fair. Bunger replied saying that the people who were affected in the city were still Riley County residents. He also added that the percentage was agreed upon to be 50% for both the city and county during the last joint city/county/county meeting. Commissioner Ben Wilson also commented on the plan saying not much has been done since the 2011 flood and wanted to move forward with this plan as soon as possible.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Reno County Commission rejects request for more wind direction

His fellow commissioners rejected the attempt by County Commissioner Dan Deming on Tuesday to give more formal direction to the Reno County planning board before it takes up an anticipated application for the Pretty Prairie Wind Farm.

Proponents of a wind moratorium, meanwhile, submitted their own list of conditions they’d like addressed in any development agreement and use permit between the county and NextEra Energy.

Two women who’ve addressed the commission every week for the past two months offered new data they claim shows the proposed NextEra development will result in millions in negative economic impact on the county over the long term, not economic gain.

A NextEra official was also in Tuesday’s audience but offered no comment. “I think the planning commission needs more direction on what we’d like to see accomplished,” Deming said. “Issues and concerns are best addressed by entering a negotiation with NextEra to enter a legally binding agreement.”

Issues he wants to be addressed, he said, include minimum setbacks, noise standards, shadow flicker, road maintenance, decommissioning of towers, public safety, in lieu of taxes, and treating the unzoned portion of the county the same as zoned areas, as well as “anything the planning commission feels appropriate after holding public hearings.”

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Topeka governing body discusses changing rules for public comments

Topeka City Council members voiced varying views late Tuesday as to whether they should stop allowing themselves to vote to extend the four-minute time limit for members of the public to speak at their meetings.

Councilman Mike Lesser said the council should stop providing extensions.

“We need to set a limit and stick with it,” he said.

But Councilwoman Karen Hiller said she didn’t see council members no longer providing that courtesy.

“We want somebody to be able to finish their thought,” she said. Councilman Mike Padilla suggested the council allow for each speaker to potentially receive one extension, but not two. Governing body members initially intended to consider approving that proposal next week, but De La Isla indicated late Tuesday that those plans had changed.

She said city staff members would provide governing body members suggested amendments based on the comments made at Tuesday’s meeting.

The proposal discussed that evening included:

• Increasing to five minutes from four the length of time members of the public are given to make public comments while doing away with the current practice of enabling the governing body to vote to give speakers extensions.

• Limiting any presentations the city manager authorizes to be made to the governing body to last no more than eight minutes, while not enabling the governing body to give presenters extensions. Discussion with governing body members wouldn’t count as part of the time limit for a speaker or presenter.

The moves would help keep meetings moving along, said city manager Brent Trout.

Reno County Commission approves the upgrades for audio and video of meetings

On Tuesday, the Reno County Commission agreed to spend up to $25,000 to renovate their audio and visual system at the courthouse. This would include live-streaming and the recording of meetings.

Originally, they were considering spending just over $23,000 for the upgrades, but Mike Matthews, Director of the IT Department, indicated to the commission that the audio system would need some additional equipment costing around $600.00. Therefore, the commission agreed to increase the spending for no more than $25,000.

The decision to upgrade the system came after the streaming of the audio and video quit twice while recent commission meetings were in progress. This occurred with overflow crowds then unable to watch the meetings over the proposed wind farm where both sides, those for and those against, were allowed to give their thoughts and opinions.

The county will place TVs and other equipment in the basement of the veterans room and other commission chambers so that closed-circuit feeds can be streamed from there.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Marion County Commissioners seek administrator

Despite voters giving thumbs-down to a 2017 ballot question on hiring a county administrator, commissioners decided in a split vote Monday to create the position anyway.

The non-binding 2017 advisory vote whether to hire an administrator was 1,192 opposed and 962 in favor.

Before commissioner Randy Dallke arrived at Monday’s meeting, chairman Dianne Novak said she believes the county needs an administrator. Commissioner Kent Becker agreed, then Novak made a motion to approve a resolution — not written yet — to hire an administrator. Becker seconded Novak’s motion.

Dallke entered the commission room as the motion was made and seconded and asked if he gets to talk about it. He reminded Novak and Becker that the public had voted against hiring an administrator.

“It’s very sad that we’re going against the way of the public,” Dallke said.

Monday’s vote was 2 to 1, with Novak and Becker in favor and Dallke opposed.

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

End of the line for embattled economic development corporation in Marion county

The doors of an embattled countywide economic development corporation funded by the county and cities are officially locked and the shutters are closed.

Marion County Community Economic Development Corp. board members, left with one remaining board member as of the end of this month, voted Tuesday to dissolve the corporation effective Dec. 31, and disburse remaining money.

Cities will get a full refund and the county will get a partial refund.

Board members Jared Jost, Hannah Bourbon, and chairman Clint Seibel all resigned during the November meeting. Merlyn Entz and Darin Neufeld both resigned Tuesday. That leaves Lloyd Meier the only board member willing to remain after Jan. 1.

The corporation, officially launched in April 2016, has seen continuing financial uncertainty and been criticized for not making progress. Marion, Hillsboro, and Peabody each provided funding, with Hillsboro providing the most, but Marion and Peabody withdrew after an initial payment.

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Marion county commissioners tentatively agree on redistricting five areas

County commissioners tentatively agreed to a redistricting plan creating five commission districts Monday, but did not take formal action to approve the plan until after they hear from the public.

Two new commissioners will be needed for the unassigned districts.

Commission chairman Dianne Novak produced the proposal and said she met with Marion and Hillsboro administrators to make sure they are happy with the recommendation.

Marion mayor Todd Heitschmidt, however, said different. The map divides both Marion and Hillsboro into two separate districts.

“I think all of us are concerned about the island part with the north half of Marion,” Heitschmidt said. “Roger (Holter, city administrator) is trying to get a consensus of what the council members think. We’re looking at it. To me, leaving an island out there doesn’t make sense. I think the commission members should think about what will be least likely to cause a lawsuit.”

Heitschmidt said Marion authorities want to see fair representation, and he questions whether the proposal provides that.

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Courtland installs new picnic shelter

The horizon has changed at the Courtland mini park with a new picnic shelter now available. Courtland Pride and the City of Courtland worked together to erect the new structure over the former basketball court. Last year a new basketball court was combined with the tennis court, half of the court was resealed, swings were added to the playground area, and new trees were added to the park area. Upgrades were settled upon after a number of community meetings.

Source: Belleville Telescope.

Reno Commission OKs replacing Silver Lake Road bridge

The Reno County Commission on Tuesday committed to spending up to about $143,000 to replace a bridge on Silver Lake Road under a special KDOT “off-system” bridge program, with the state picking up 80 percent of construction costs. Public Works Director Dave McComb said he complained to Kansas Department of Transportation officials that the county, despite some of the largest bridge numbers in the state, has applied for off-system bridge funding every year since the state started the program and “we never receive funding.”

“This time we got funded,” he said, though it’s for fiscal year 2020.

The 58-foot timber bridge, located on Silver Lake Road a mile north and about 11 west of Pretty Prairie, was recently closed due to deterioration of half the piers under the bridge.

County bridge crews made repairs, enabling it to reopen, but it’s only a temporary fix, McComb said.

Both buses and mail trucks use the route.

“We had several (bridges) that met the criteria and we submitted more than one application,” McComb said. “This is the one they (KDOT) chose to fund.”

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Merriam approves McCarthy’s second bid package of $10.5 million on community center construction

Construction on the new Merriam Community Center is underway, and councilmembers have unanimously approved a second bid package with McCarthy Building Companies.

Before the council voted last night, assistant city administrator Meredith Hauck gave councilmembers an update on construction so far. Demolition is complete, and site grade work has begun. McCarthy published its monthly drone video covering recap of construction on the community center during November.

The recently approved second bid package of $10.5 million covers costs for grading, installation of utilities and laying of the foundation and site concrete; work on these items will continue through February.

Snow removal costs believed to minimal so far in Barton County

Barton County and the rest of the state has experienced a couple of run-ins with winter weather already, especially the Thanksgiving weekend. The winter storm included high winds and at times caused zero visibility, snow drifts, and hazardous driving conditions. Handling the maintenance of the county roads fell to Barton County staff. Snow and ice treatment costs the county with the use of equipment, salt, and manpower. The cost can go up when treatment is needed on a weekend or holiday, normal times off for county employees.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Merriam council advances nondiscrimination ordinance with protections for LGBTQ residents, employees after first reading

The Merriam city council on Monday generally agreed on the wording of a nondiscrimination ordinance which would provide legal protections for LGBTQ residents and employees. The council heard the first reading of the ordinance, which was drafted by city attorney Nicole Proulx Aiken, during its meeting Monday. The ordinance will come back to the council for consideration at a date yet to be determined.

Aiken highlighted a few provisions currently included in the draft ordinance, which is designed to protect residents and employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity — especially in the areas of employment and public housing.

She noted that ordinance applies to any individual or business with four or more employees, anyone selling or renting property with more than four dwelling units, and anyone offering goods, services, facilities or accommodations to the public.