Kansas Municipal News
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.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
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.
Read more: Manhattan Mercury.
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:
(Read more: Kansas Agland – The Garden City Telegram)
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.
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)
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.
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)
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.
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)
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.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
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.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
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.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
New effort underway to bring an old Shawnee, Kansas, theater back to life
Once an iconic piece of downtown Shawnee, Kansas, a boarded-up movie theater will soon get new life.
There’s a new effort under way to get the place up and running again.
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Hidden in plain sight on Johnson Drive, you’ll find the weathered remnants of a place taken by time – and three guys who want to take it back.“I didn’t want to pick our colors and try to find something that matched it,” said Jeff Calkins as he walked us through the work done so far.
Calkins, his brother Chris Calkins, and their friend Bruce Young are working to restore the old Aztec Theatre.
Founded in the 1920s as Mission Theatre, it was renamed in the ’40s, and stayed in business until 1974.
“It was like the place to be in those days,” Young said. “It was crowded. The line would be down the street to buy tickets.”
“Bringing it back like we are, we hope a lot of people will come. A lot of people will come and enjoy it,” said Chris Calkins.
There’s a long way to go before it’s back to its former self, but they’re trying.
The Aztec Group is using investments, grant money and donations to get the job done.
(Read more: KMBC.com)
Sabetha declines pursuit of Westar wind energy offer
A failed motion is what transpired following a discussion at the Sabetha City Commission meeting Monday evening, regarding an offer that Westar made to the city.
The Sabetha City Commission met at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, at City Hall. Present were Mayor Doug Clark, Commissioners Nick Aberle, Norm Schmitt, Maridel Wittmer and Julie Burenheide, City Administrator Doug Allen, Assistant City Administrator Bill Shroyer and City Clerk Steve Compo. Also present was Scott Shreve with Energy Management Group (EMG) and patron Phil Moser. Shreve came before the commission to offer the city the opportunity to purchase two megawatts of wind energy from the Soldier Creek Wind Farm, which will potentially be located in the southern part of Nemaha County. Shreve said that Westar is offering the City of Sabetha two megawatts for a fixed rate of $18 for 20 years.
Currently, Sabetha has one megawatt from the Kingman Wind Farm, which is located in Kingman, Kan.
“This is a really good price to purchase at,” Shreve said. “I recommend you do it.”
Commissioner Aberle questioned how this compares with the Kingman Wind Farm, which is currently at an average of $26 for 20 years.“I personally don’t have a problem with saving money,” Commissioner Aberle said. “I just don’t like the timing of this. I think its a political play. I personally have a bad feeling in my gut, endorsing something by participating. It wouldn’t be a stretch for someone to say, ‘the City of Sabetha bought power from the Soldier Creek Wind Farm. They’re in favor of it.’ I don’t know if that is a good place for any of us.”
(Read more: Sabetha Herald)
City Hall picks team to design, build Wichita’s new Minor League baseball park
After a week’s delay, the City Council is ready to play ball with a group to develop Wichita’s new $75 million baseball stadium.
On Tuesday, the council picked its team: JE Dunn Construction, EBY Construction, Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey Architecture, DLR Group, and Professional Engineering Consultants.
Those companies will design and build the stadium to replace the demolished Lawrence-Dumont Stadium at the northwest corner of Maple and McLean.
The city is using a single team to handle both the design and construction of the project in the interest of time. The still-to-be-named team is expected to throw out its first pitch in April 2020 — a short time frame for a 10,000-seat stadium that’s expected to have state-of-the-art conveniences and concessions.
(Read more: Wichita Eagle)
Andover development would feature commercial, residential and public space
A 100-acre piece of property just north of U.S. 54 in Andover could look a lot different starting next year.
Investor Michael Lies and Jerry Jones of the Jones Commercial Development Co. have plans for a large mixed-use development that would include compact homes, retail and restaurant space, and a new city park.
After close to three years of discussions, Andover’s City Council appears to be fully on board with the development, which would include an expansion of Yorktown Street to the north from U.S. 54.
“Mike (Lies) and Lance (Biel) have been working to assemble this piece of property for more than 10 years,” Jones says. “There’s a lot going on in this area. With the bond issue that passed last year, there’s major upgrades being done to Andover Central (High School). There’s also the new (Capitol Federal) Amphitheater, which is a 10,000-person venue.”
“With all that going on, and with the YMCA and Dillons on the south side of U.S. 54, the city of Andover has been looking for another north/south street connection.”
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)
A fixture at city hall for 30 years, Vicki Charlesworth retiring from Shawnee on Friday
Deputy City Manager Vicki Charlesworth, who has been a fixture at Shawnee City Hall for three decades, is set to wrap up a long and respected career for the city this week.
Charlesworth will officially retire on Friday, Dec. 14.
Charlesworth’s service to Shawnee started in November 1988 when she joined the staff as a personnel technician. She steadily rose through the ranks of the city’s administration, serving as personnel analyst, deputy city clerk, city clerk, and assistant city manager before become deputy city manager in 2012. Charlesworth took over as interim city manager in November 2017 after the departure of Carol Gonzalez for a position with MARC.
Nolan Sunderman, who was named new Shawnee City Manager this summer, praised Charlesworth for her work ethic and deliberative manner.
“Vicki was always the first one in City Hall every day and the last one to leave. She worked tirelessly to make thoughtful, fair decisions for our community for more than 30 years,” Sunderman said.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
Commissioners get update from area legislators
Geary County Commissioners met with members of the area legislative delegation on Monday at the Geary County Office Building. A main topic involved the upcoming working relationship between the legislature and the new incoming governor Laura Kelly.
According to Commission Chairman Charles Stimatze, State Senator Jeff Longbine is optimistic. “He’s worked with Laura Kelly in the past. he says it’s going to be a good thing.”
Commissioner Ben Bennett stated, “Most important thing was the confidence that working with the new governor will be a different tone. I felt like they were looking forward to having the session with some of the changes that possibly will be coming back.”
(Read more: Junction City Post)
Salina City Manager Finalists Announced
The Salina City Commission has announced its City Manager finalists. …the two City Manager finalists are Mike Schrage of Salina and Jeff Dingman of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Mr. Schrage currently serves as Salina’s Interim City Manager. He has served Salina as Deputy City Manager for 12.5 years before accepting the interim role in June. His previous public sector experience includes 12 years as City Administrator in Smithville, Missouri and 2.5 years in Maysville, Missouri. Mr. Schrage holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Northeast Missouri State University and obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Wichita State University.
Mr. Dingman is the Deputy City Administrator at the City of Forth Smith, Arkansas. He has served Fort Smith for 7.5 years, including 10 months as Acting City Administrator. Prior to Fort Smith, he was the City Administrator in Baldwin City, Kansas for almost 8 years and was Assistant County Administrator in Sebastian County, Arkansas for 4 years. Mr. Dingman holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Baker University, along with a Juris Doctor and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.
(Read more: Salina KS News)
Greenwood County Commissioners Held Special Redistricting Meeting
Greenwood County Commissioners held a special meeting last Friday, December 7, to further discuss redistricting. Last Monday, commissioners were presented with three map options, generated by R&S Digital Services, Inc. Those maps were divided into five districts comprised of fairly equal populations. In each of those options, the city of Eureka was split into two districts, with the northern Eureka district limited to city territory-only. Because county roads and bridges are a large part of the commissioners’ roles, the current commissioners wanted to look at an option that added more county territory into the Eureka districts.
On Friday, they were presented with a new map, and invited a representative of each major political party for input. Carol Ann Flock, the republican representative, and Cindy Pelky, the democratic representative, agreed that area was more important than equal population distribution, for the commission districts.
(Read more: Eureka Herald RSS)
Chanute hears estimates on fiber optic
Chanute city commissioners heard cost estimates at Monday evening’s meeting to provide fiber optic bandwidth to two neighborhoods that have requested it.
James Lightfoot, president of the Oklahoma City engineering company ACRS, presented information on designs to deploy the fiber optic cable.
One of the neighborhoods is east of Plummer Avenue between 7th and 14th streets with a potential of 373 homes, and the other is east of the golf course with a potential of 124 homes. Representatives of each neighborhood have asked the commission to be connected.
A full citywide build would involve 17 such service areas. Lightfoot said one area would require underground cable for much of the service, and would cost $319,729 to build 10.17 miles.
But he said the city could install the main line for $204,000, then add home connections as needed.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune – news,news/)
Park Board rejects only bid to buy MacDonald Golf Course
MacDonald Golf Course won’t be sold after all.
In a unanimous vote on Monday, Wichita’s Park Board decided to reject the only offer it received to purchase MacDonald Golf Course. The offer, submitted by GreatLife Golf & Fitness out of Kansas City, was for $850,000.
In October, two representatives from GreatLife, which owns Tallgrass Country Club, attended an informational meeting at MacDonald in response to a request for proposals that went out for the 146-acre, 18-hole course at 840 N. Yale.
A special selection committee tasked with studying and offer recommendations for any proposals that came in advised the Park Board to say no to the offer from GreatLife. Eddie Fahnestock, a Park Board member and a member of the committee, said the purchase price was paramount in the decision to urge the board against a sale.
“We feel the golf system can be sustainable if we can continue to improve our overall efficiency in terms of marketing and operations,” Fahnestock said. “We need to make necessary capital improvements to entice golfers to play and stay. With the number of golfers in Wichita, we felt we would be directly competing for rounds and revenue if we accepted this proposal.”
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)
Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office lowers age for detention deputies
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is lowering its age to be a detention deputy in hopes of reaching more applicants.
Before anyone applying for a position at the Sedgwick County Detention Facility had to be 19 years old. That age has been lowered to 18.
The sheriff’s office says applicants still have to be 21 to be a commissioned officer who carries a service weapon.
Applicants must also pass a written test, physical test, psychological test, drug test, polygraph and background check.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Shawnee County Commission denies request for bed and breakfast with event center
Shortly after the Shawnee County Commission on Monday morning voted 2-1 to reject his conditional use permit request for a bed and breakfast and event center on land at 3521 S.E. Paulen Road, all Rod McCollum could do was shrug his shoulders and begin considering what to do with land east of Topeka that had been in his family for years.
“Broken-hearted,” McCollum said a few minutes after his plan had been rejected. “I wanted to stay home.”
McCollum, 62, petitioned the county for the conditional use permit to use his home as a bed and breakfast and a refurbished barn on his property as an event center, which would be used for weddings. The Shawnee County Planning Commission voted 2-2 in November on the request, which was made through the McCollum Family Trust. Three members of the seven-person planning commission were absent the day of the vote, and a tie by state statute is considered a rejection of the proposal.
The planning commission’s recommendation then was considered by the three-member Shawnee County Commission.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Wichita seeks Amtrak service, county shows hesitance
Wichita officials are pushing for Amtrak to restore rail service in the city that hasn’t had a passenger train service for nearly 40 years, but Sedgwick County officials aren’t ready to embrace the plan.
Bringing back the rail service is near the top of the city’s lobbying agenda when the state legislative session begins next month.
“Passenger rail is evolving as a key component for keeping and attracting young people as part of a strong workforce,” the legislative platform said. “In addition, it provides a safe travel option for an aging population.”
But Sedgwick County didn’t even put Amtrak service on its list of transportation priorities to a state committee evaluating Kansas’ long-term transportation plans.
David Dennis, the county commission’s chairman, said he can’t make a decision on the issue until he knows the service’s cost and benefits.
Wichita may have better chances of getting Amtrak restored this year, considering available federal funding and healthier state finances.
(Read more: The Salina Post)
Lawrence Humane Society asks city to allow catch and release of feral cat colonies
The Lawrence Humane Society wants the city to consider allowing colonies of feral cats to live in the city as long as the cats have been vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
Currently, allowing cats to roam free is against city code, and humane society representatives say the animal shelter previously has had to euthanize dozens of cats because they are not adoptable.
The Lawrence City Commission will consider various changes to the animal control ordinance and discuss the potential “community cats” program as part of its meeting Tuesday. The shelter is requesting the city change its animal control code to enable it to operate a community cats program that aims to reduce the feral cat population over time without the use of euthanasia.
(Read more: LJWorld.com)
Sedgwick County among 16 Kansas counties who are recipients of $900K funding to address opioid crisis
A statement from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) says approximately $900,000 has been awarded to county health departments to address the opioid crisis in Kansas. The funding comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Opioid Overdose Crisis Response Cooperative Agreement which was awarded to KDHE earlier this fall.
The counties that will be receiving funding are: Barton, Crawford, Finney, Franklin, Geary, Harvey, Johnson, Labette, Mitchell, Neosho, Pottawatomie, Rawlins, Reno, Riley, Sedgwick and Stevens.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
New Sedgwick County tag office opens Monday in a former pool and patio store
If you need new license plates for your car this week, make sure you go to the right place.
Three tag offices closed Friday and a new office opens on East Kellogg at noon on Monday.
Drivers from north and south Sedgwick County will have to drive farther to find a tag office. But waits should be shorter, county officials have said.
Now, Sedgwick County will have two, full-size tag offices instead of one large station and three satellite stations, county officials have said. The offices that closed last week were at 21st and Maize, 21st and Woodlawn, and Derby Towne Center in Derby. Those stations were smaller and had fewer employees than the main tag office.
The two remaining stations are in west Wichita and east Wichita. The main office is in the former Dillions at Douglas and Meridian, and the new office opens in the former Ultra Modern Pool and Patio at 5620 E. Kellogg, near Kellogg and Edgemoor.
“This new location will be more convenient for our customers and our staff,” Sedgwick County Treasurer Linda Kizzire said in a news release on Friday.
(Read more: Politics & Government News |)