Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Kansas Opportunity Zone Forum Taking Place on Oct. 25

The Kansas Department of Commerce will host a community forum for Opportunity Zones from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 25th, at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kansas.

Opportunity Zones are part of a federally-led tax incentive program intended to localize private investment in economically distressed Kansas communities. Individuals or businesses that choose to invest in these designated areas may take advantage of preferential tax incentives. There are 74 designated Opportunity Zones in Kansas, representing 39 communities.

This forum will provide communities with designated Opportunity Zones information on how they work and the funding resources and opportunities available. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from both state and private sector resources, with plenty of opportunity for questions and input from the audience.

Rural economy growing again, says economist

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index shows continued growth across the Midwest.

“The overall index for October was above growth neutral for the ninth straight time,” said economist Ernie Goss. “Agriculture is not doing as well. In other words, we’re still seeing farm equipment sales declining.”

There are strong sectors in the rural areas, particularly when it comes to finishing some of those agricultural goods.

(Read more: WIBW News Now!)

KCK police officer running marathon in full uniform to honor fallen officers

One runner at the KC Marathon might stand out in the crowd Saturday.

Kansas City, Kansas Police Officer Carlos Mena has run the marathon before, but never like this. He’ll be running in full uniform.

He’s doing it to honor recent fallen officers, including one who trained him.

For more than a month, this seven-year veteran of the KCK Police Department has been running a 2-mile track near the police academy.

Officer Mena originally planned to train for next year’s marathon, but after the deaths of Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputies Theresa King and Patrick Rohrer earlier this year, he decided now was the time to step up.

(Read more: KMBC)

Derby’s newest park opens this weekend — after flooding recedes

With recent heavy rains, Derby’s newest recreational resource, Warren Riverview Park, experienced high water levels rising up over its access area to the Arkansas River, putting it several feet under water.

Not a worry for Robert Mendoza, the city’s public works director who is heading up the park’s design and construction.

“If you play by the river, you’re going to expect to get wet,” he said.

The flooding was an ideal “stress test” for the park before it opens to the public on Oct. 20, he said.

The river went up to its 12-foot flood stage and unlike times when it’s low, the water was flowing at a fast rate.

“Everything there is designed to be flooded,” he said. “It’s a great thing we’re doing it now because it’s still ‘under warranty.’”

Lawmakers concerned on rural broadband

The two U.S. senators from Kansas, along with all four U.S. representatives from the state, on Monday wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urging that he “restore sufficiency and predictability” to the Universal Service Fund High Cost program.

The program helps provide funding to companies working to increase broadband capability to parts of the country with little or no access.

“These services are necessary if rural communities are to compete in a global economy,” the lawmakers wrote to the FCC head.

“The insufficient and uncertain USF budget continues to hamper rural providers’ efforts to invest in rural broadband at a time when the federal government has made (this) a national priority.”

City Administrator takes cautious approach concerning turf at the Great Bend Sports Complex

Several interested parties in Great Bend have been very vocal in their support of installing turf on the baseball and softball fields at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

Mayor Joe Andrasek recently formed a committee that will meet to study the possibility of that taking place in the future. That committee will include new Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis. Francis says the committee that was formed to study the feasibility of turf at the Sports Complex will begin meeting soon. It will include council members Jolene Biggs and Cory Urban, City Administrator Kendal Francis, Public Lands Director Scott Keeler, USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton, USD 428 Director of Maintenance Cody Schmidt, and citizen Shawn Behr.

It had been reported that the city transferred $1.3 million into a fund for the possibility of installing turf at the fields but Francis says that isn’t the case. There is a fund that contains around $500,000 but he says that money can be used for any improvement project, not just turf at the Sports Complex.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Hiawatha City Commission OKs street project starter

The Hiawatha City Commission met on Monday evening, and with all commissioners present, approved a Notice to Proceed for the Citywide Sales Tax Street Improvements.

City Administrator Mike Nichols said the notice gave the first milestone, which will be on the 400 and 500 blocks of Utah Street, as well as a portion of 5th Street, a start date next week, but that work will not begin until after the Halloween parade. The project has an overall estimated completion date of summer 2020, which is ahead of the final deadline.

(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)

Shawnee, Roeland Park receive MARC funds for transportation projects

The Mid-America Regional Council has awarded two cities in northeast Johnson County with thousands of dollars in grant funding for transportation infrastructure projects.

Roeland Park and Shawnee are two of 12 cities in Kansas Missouri that were selected to receive grant awards for MARC’s Planning Sustainable Places program this year. Through the program, cities advance sustainable development in the region by developing connectivity and sustainability while facilitating multiple modes of transportation within their community.

Great Bend Airfest to be featured in nationally-distributed magazine

As more than a couple of weeks have passed since the Mega Motor Weekend in Great Bend, city officials have had time to reflect on the successful weekend of September 28th – 30th that combined three large events.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

City’s contract buy out details provided; hunt for new administrator begins

Laura Gourley, interim city administrator, told Gardner city council at the Oct. 1, 2018, meeting that there have been multiple inquiries about former administrator Cheryl Harrison-Lee’s payout. Randy Gregorcyk, councilman, asked for the expected cost of an interview team and a headhunter for the city administrator position. Alan Abramovitz, human resources manager, stated the charge for a search firm is typically 30 – 35 percent of the first year’s salary.

(Read more: Gardner News)

New County tag office to open in December

The Sedgwick County treasurer’s office is aiming for a December opening for its new Wichita tag office that will replace all satellite offices, including Derby’s.

“Though we still do not have a firm date, we are looking at the first week in December,” said Randy Bargdill, chief deputy treasurer.

When the Derby Informer first broke the news of where the new tag office would be situated, the treasurer’s office expected it to open in June or July. Work remodeling the former Ultra Modern Pool and Patio building at East Kellogg and Edgemoor took longer than expected because Ultra Modern didn’t move out as soon as anticipated.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Some say panhandling is hurting downtown Lawrence businesses; city may study issue

City leaders could soon be considering whether panhandling is becoming a problem downtown and whether the city should do anything about it.

At the Lawrence City Commission meeting Tuesday, Downtown Lawrence Inc. Executive Director Sally Zogry asked the city to create a stricter ordinance to restrict panhandling downtown. Zogry said that in the last several years, she’s heard from downtown business owners and visitors that an increasing number of transients and aggressive panhandlers are negatively affecting the downtown.
“(Visitors) are solicited regularly by panhandlers, sometimes multiple times in a one-block stretch,” Zogry said. “I myself am witness to a multitude of inappropriate and aggressive behaviors each day among the individuals and groups that are panhandling. These include public drunkenness and intoxication, verbal and physical fights, and threatening behavior.”

Leavenworth County Commission Chairman looks at withdrawing from Port Authority

The chairman of the Leavenworth County Commission said he wants to look into withdrawing from the Leavenworth County Port Authority.

“I think we’re wasting money on the Port Authority,” Commission Chairman Louis Klemp said.

He raised the issue Tuesday during a meeting of county commissioners.

The Port Authority is an economic development organization that was created in 1969 through a joint agreement between the city of Leavenworth and county government.

Currently, the county is the only local government that provides funding each year to the Port Authority.

“I think it’s an organization that has gone past its time,” Klemp said. Klemp said he would like for county staff to look at removing the county from the Port Authority and provide information to the commission. Klemp said he believes the Leavenworth County Development Corporation can do the same thing as the Port Authority. LCDC is a partner organization of the Port Authority.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Dodge City sets record for wettest month

The National Weather Service in Dodge City announced yesterday that another record has been broken in the month of October.

According to the NWS, Dodge City Regional Airport has already received 6.11″ through Oct. 16th, which is up over 600 percent of normal precipitation amounts in this month. This makes this month the wettest October in history.

(Read more: Western Kansas News)

Derby’s newest park opens this weekend

With recent heavy rains, Derby’s newest recreational resource, Warren Riverview Park, experienced high water levels rising up over its access area to the Arkansas River, putting it several feet under water.

Not a worry for Robert Mendoza, the city’s public works director who is heading up the park’s design and construction.

“If you play by the river, you’re going to expect to get wet,” he said.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Hannes Zacharias sees river potential in Derby

Local residents may not pay much attention to the Arkansas River boarding Derby’s west side, but they should as it could be useful not just for additional recreational activities but as a economic development tool.

That’s just one of the many points Hannes Zacharias made during a recent visit to Derby. He spoke Friday before the Derby Rotary club about his kayaking trip on the river from Colorado to its end in New Orleans as part of the Mississippi River.

A native Kansan, Zacharias was the long-time manager of Johnson County and is now professor at the University of Kansas.

At times, people view the river as “a dumping ground,” as opposed as a life blood for a community, according to Zacharias.

“Why aren’t there paths along the river?” Zacharias asked.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Approval granted for STAR bond district changes in Derby

Changes are coming for Derby’s STAR bond district. At its Oct. 9 meeting, the city council authorized the second reading of an amendment to the development agreement

The initial reading was passed on Sept. 11 and then sent on to the Kansas Department of Commerce, which approved it.

In a letter to the city, Robert North, interim secretary and chief counsel of the department, said that he granted the approval using the criteria of its prospect for long-term profitability and significance as a travel destination, among other factors. The state and council’s actions mean a new attraction, the Sport Zone, is now set to be built.

Marc Abbott, representing Derby Destination Development, LLC, said the new active sports and restaurant concept should be ready for customers next spring, likely in April.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Lawmakers concerned on rural broadband

The two U.S. senators from Kansas, along with all four U.S. representatives from the state, on Monday wrote a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai urging that he “restore sufficiency and predictability” to the Universal Service Fund High Cost program.

The program helps provide funding to companies working to increase broadband capability to parts of the country with little or no access.

“These services are necessary if rural communities are to compete in a global economy,” the lawmakers wrote to the FCC head.

“The insufficient and uncertain USF budget continues to hamper rural providers’ efforts to invest in rural broadband at a time when the federal government has made (this) a national priority.”

Broadband infrastructure has a lesser price tag for Americans living in more urban areas. Like the rural electrical dilemma of an earlier day, the farther reaches of the nation — to the so-called “last mile” of coverage — cost more to serve because of extended physical facilities and a less concentrated customer base.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Entities pull together to find health care solutions after Mercy’s closure

City and county officials are joining forces to address the future of local healthcare.

On Oct. 4, two days after Mercy Hospital Fort Scott officials announced the hospital would be closing its doors by Dec. 31, city and county officials announced a process had begun to form a task force that will research and identify potential health care solutions after the hospital’s closure. The first Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott opened in 1886.

“City and county officials continue to meet to strategize a collaborative approach to the future of healthcare in Bourbon County,” an Oct. 4 news release said. “Officials remain optimistic about the quality of life, access to healthcare, and continued economic growth.”

After the announcement, city and county officials also began talking about plans to find health care solutions, such as options for replacement of the ambulance service.

Fort Scott Director of Community Development Robert Uhler will lead the task force, which is to eventually be comprised of representatives of the city, county, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, USD 234, USD 235, Fort Scott Community College, area businesses, Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc., and the financial community.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Great Bend rezones real estate to help owner sell the property; was “wrongfully” zoned to begin with

The City of Great Bend approved a rezoning request for a house on 21st Street to help the owner sell the property.

Dray Meredith requested 2547 21st Street be rezoned from C-2 (general commercial) to R-2 (two family). Meredith entered a contract to sell the real estate but the lender would not approve a loan on the property since it is currently zoned commercial and its current use is residential.

Great Bend City Attorney Bob Suelter says the Planning Commission approved the change. Suelter added the property was wrongfully zoned in the first place as the structure has always been used for residential. Suelter says the majority of the structures around 2547 21st Street are zoned R-2.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Levee system in Hutch sprouts a few leaks, but otherwise holds up against flooding

They are still waiting for the water to fully recede, but Hutchinson Public Works says — for the most part — the city’s levee system held up to some of the largest flooding in more than 10 years. City Engineer Brian Clennan says they will have to wait for the Arkansas River and Cow Creek to fully recede to completely inspect the levees.

Clennan says they did have some damage done to the levee on the South Hutchinson side when water began to flow through the dike around several 48-inch pipes that drain into the river. That area was repaired. Clennan also says several drainage gates that lead into the flood canal were blocked off by high water, which caused them to back up and damage a few areas. Clennan says the city used sand bags to hold the water in check in those areas.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Moran talks airport expansion, health care with Fort Scott leaders

City and county officials met with U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Monday to discuss the planned airport expansion and how it ties in with health care in the wake of Mercy Hospital Fort Scott’s announcement to close on Dec. 31.

Moran toured the Fort Scott Municipal Airport, then went into a closed-door meeting with local officials and leaders of businesses that use the airport. Moran spoke to the Tribune following the meeting.

He said Monday’s visit was a result of a town hall meeting held in August in Fort Scott, when one issue raised was the airport.

“Folks in this community, particularly the Chamber and the city, wanted to make certain I saw what it is they have here and that I understood what they wanted,” Moran said. He said what stands out is Fort Scott has a business community that, with the ability to utilize the airport, would have an opportunity to remain in Fort Scott and grow.

He said he met with the Central Region of the FAA in Kansas City Monday morning so he could better understand and be of more help to Fort Scott in it’s effort to improve the airport.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

A small Kansas town gets its own bakery and cafe in an unexpected spot

Hesston, population 4,000, isn’t exactly overrun with restaurants.
So when a slick new one opened, it got some attention.
But the fact that Hesston Bakery & Cafe is the small town’s only bakery isn’t the only thing that makes it unique. Its location is a bit unusual, too.
The cafe has opened at Schowalter Villa, an assisted living community owned by Bluestem Communities. And while its managers hope that it will enhance the lives of its residents, they stress that the bakery is a business like any other and is open to the public.

Water drops and so does number of rescues, road closures in Reno county

First responders were called to a possible water rescue on Tuesday in the 2500 block of North Pennington Road and to people trapped on top of a pickup truck in flood waters the day before at 56th and Pennington roads.

Water levels of Cow Creek and the Arkansas River on Tuesday afternoon showed at least a 2.5-foot drop from the peaks last Thursday. First responders need the levels to drop even further before the damages can be assessed.

Reno County Emergency Management listed 37 road closures on Thursday, but the dangerous situations that led to six water rescue calls last Thursday have diminished. Hutchinson Fire Department chief Steve Beer called the effort of first responders a success. He said the emergency operations center, used during all severe weather dangers, allowed first responders from all Reno County agencies to coordinate together in one room.

The partnership helped navigate first responders around flood waters and to victims.

“The information out of the EOC … proved to be a great benefit during the incident,” Beer said.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

NASA astronaut and Hoxie native describes close call following failed launch

The NASA astronaut who survived last week’s failed launch and emergency landing knew he needed to stay calm.

Air Force Col. Nick Hague, a native of Hoxie, Kan., on Tuesday described the closest call of his career: His space capsule violently ripped from his damaged rocket shortly after liftoff, then with lights flashing and alarms sounding, plunged steeply back to Earth with punishing force.

Hague said he and his commander, Russian Alexei Ovchinin, were flung from side to side and shoved back hard into their seats, as the drama unfolded 50 kilometers (31 miles) above Kazakhstan last Thursday. One of the four strap-on boosters failed to separate properly two minutes into the flight to the International Space Station and apparently struck the core rocket stage, resulting instantaneously in a rare launch abort.

It was the first aborted launch for the Russians in 35 years and only the third in history. Like each one before, the rocket’s safety system kept the crew alive.

(Read more: McPherson Sentinel)

Garden City Commission OKs input plan for Big Pool

Changes in some capacity are coming to the Big Pool after its 2019 season, and the City of Garden City is turning to the public to see exactly what those might be.

At its Tuesday meeting, the Garden City Commission unanimously approved a long-term community input process that will gather feedback from community members and local entities regarding the future of the historic, though ailing and expensive, Big Pool.

Following up on her report on the pool earlier this month, Assistant City Manager Jennifer Cunningham told the commission that last summer the pool cost approximately $3,337 per day in utilities over 139 days, $1,019 of which paid for the 200,000 gallons the pool loses daily. Including capital and electricity costs, the pool’s 2018 expenses were over $780,000, compared to approximately $91,000 in revenue, she said.

The pool, which opened in 1922, is a Garden City landmark and billed the world’s largest outdoor concrete municipal swimming pool. As the city’s only public pool, its $2 admission offers a cheaper alternative to other swimming options. Regardless, the pool’s age bears consistent, costly structural problems, including an unidentified leak to blame for the hundreds of thousands of lost gallons each day.

St. John grocery store opens for business

Loyd Ratts cruised down the aisles of White’s Foodliner in St. John, Kansas, and thought of his childhood.

Ratts was the first customer of the new grocery store, which opened Wednesday morning. The grocery store is the two-year culmination of efforts by community groups, led by Stafford County Economic Development, operator of the new establishment.

Funding for the $3 million project came through a sales tax approved by voters and multiple grants, including a $780,800 federal grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which the county received a year ago.

“I think it is an important part of a town — maybe not up there with a school, but the next step down,” Pat White, owner of the Kingman-based White’s Foodliner, said. “They’ve made a heck of an investment here. This is incredible.”

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Chanute Chief of Police and Neosho County Attorney address concerns about homeless camp north of Chanute

Why are there so many people living in tents on the north side of town and why won’t the police do anything about it? Is there criminal activity going on there?

According to Chanute Chief of Police Raymond Hale, both city and county law enforcement are aware of the situation. The location of the tents, on North Washington Ave., is outside of Chanute city limits and the county has no specific zoning that says people can’t camp or live there.

Neosho County Attorney Linus Thuston noted that the original owners of the land are deceased and at least one of the people living there is supposedly related to them and may have permission to be there. He also said that some of the 18-35 living in the tents on a regular basis have had interaction with law enforcement, usually for failure to appear or other outstanding warrants. He said there has been no apparent current crime in the tent area.

Both Hale and Thuston pointed out that there is no current solution for homelessness in Chanute. Faith House, the former sole shelter in town, closed down for lack of funding, and the Chanute Housing Authority has a waiting list.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Wichita City Council extends deadline on Downtown Hilton after pool takes 8 months

The developers of the Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Wichita asked the city council for an extension on its project completion date and the ability to get more money after a late-addition rooftop pool shut down the project for eight months.

Wichita Downtown Hotel LLC also asked city council to lift the $930,000 cap on incentives because of the costs of the re-design, which includes the pool, a rooftop bar and commercial space on the first floor of the Hilton at 401 E. Douglas.

City council approved the extension to March 31 but left the cap in place. This is the second deadline extension for the hotel. Its original completion date was March 16, set to align with the NCAA tournament in Wichita, which it missed. The city granted a six-month extension to the developers, but the project was not completed on Sept. 16 like it was supposed to be.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Wichita’s new ball park expected to fit thousands more fans than Lawrence-Dumont

By the end of the year, Lawrence-Dumont Stadium will be a pile of rubble, clearing room for a ball park that will fit thousands more fans, according to a draft agreement awaiting city approval.

Wichita’s yet-to-be named stadium will have seating for 10,000 fans, the agreement says. That’s 3,600 more than 84-year-old Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Of those seats, 6,500 to 7,000 will be fixed seats. “Party and group” areas will fit 3,000 to 3,500 more fans, moving the number of available seats to around 10,000 for minor league baseball games, the draft agreement says. Seating, financing and a rough timeline were among the topics covered in a discussion of the agreement by Wichita City Council on Tuesday. The city council will take action on the agreement next week.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

New Hutchinson police chief begins duties Wednesday

The new police chief for the city of Hutchinson begins his duties Wednesday.

Jeff Hooper will take over the department from Dick Heitschmidt, who recently retired.

Hooper has served as a captain with the joint Riley County-Manhattan Police Department. That included 27 years in law enforcement and 14 as captain.

He was actually a finalist for the chief’s position with that department, but withdrew his name from consideration to take the job in Hutchinson.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Is there hope for Brookridge? OP Council raises serious doubts about incentives

The fate of the massive Brookridge golf course redevelopment remains in serious doubt after the Overland Park City Council decisively trounced a proposal Monday night to negotiate tax incentives to make the project a reality.

The Council voted 8-4 against a request to have city staff negotiate a tax-increment-financing and STAR bonds package for the huge office, apartment and retail development, which is planned southeast of 103rd Street and Antioch Road on the golf course property.

It was a significant defeat, because any final vote on incentives would require nine of the 12 council votes, and this early rebuff showed supporters didn’t even have a simple seven-member majority.

(Read more: Government & Politics News |)

Before divided crowd, PV council advances LGBTQ anti-discrimination policy

The City of Prairie Village is advancing a proposed LGBTQ anti-discrimination ordinance after hearing from more than two dozen residents and other speakers Monday night, most of them in favor of the measure.

The City Council voted 9-3 to schedule a Nov. 19 vote on the ordinance, which would extend legal protections to members of the LGBTQ community when it comes to housing, employment and receiving public services from businesses.

Councilman Tucker Poling, who co-sponsored the measure with Councilman Chad Herring, said that the 30 days would give the city’s legal and administrative staff time to review the proposal’s language for problems and necessary revisions, which he said could require the council to delay a final vote.

(Read more: Government & Politics News |)

Blanchard, Salina city commission discuss sanctioning of former commissioner during meeting

For more than an hour, the Salina City Commission and former commissioner Jon Blanchard discussed whether or not Blanchard should have been sanctioned while on the commission.

Commissioners at the time voted 3-2 to reprimand Blanchard for releasing unredacted documents to the Salina Journal that had been considered confidential. The Journal first received documents in June 2014 in response to an open records request, but much of the information was blacked out, or redacted. The documents concerned a contract between the city and the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce for economic development services.

In the documents, city leaders gave reasons for not paying to the chamber the entire amount called for in the contract.

Blanchard gave unredacted copies of the documents to Journal reporter Tim Horan in October 2017 without gaining permission from the rest of the commissioners. The Journal published stories using that information.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Finney, Scott and Kearny counties considering Extension district

Representatives from Finney, Scott and Kearny counties met last week to discuss potentially districting their and Wichita County’s Kansas State University Research and Extension offices, a decision that would combine the resources of the four offices under an area governing board to expand the services available to all counties.

Finney County commissioners Larry Jones, Dave Jones and Bill Clifford discussed how the decision could affect the county and its taxpayers during the commissioner report section of their meeting Monday. Commissioners Duane Drees and Lon Pishny were not present.

Larry Jones said he thought the district route would bring Finney County residents better services, compared to the county’s “pretty woeful Extension service in the last few years.” If approved, the district, managed by a governing board of elected county representatives, would move Extension expenses out of the counties’ budgets and become its own taxable entity, with a mill rate equal to each county, said Jim Lindquist, associate director of KSU Research and Extension. Dave Jones said it may mean taxpayers would be liable tor an additional three-quarters of a mill.

Sedgwick County makes history with more than 300,000 registered voters

More than 300,000 people are registered to vote in Sedgwick County. It’s a record for the county and the total is expected to increase by Tuesday’s deadline.

Ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm elections, people are making sure their voices are heard. Some are making minor corrections to make sure their information is up to date while others are registering for the first time.

The turnout to register to vote in Sedgwick County was so high, the election office extended its hours to meet the demand. The 300,000-plus registered voters in Sedgwick County is about 25,000 more than the last midterm election in 2014.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Redeveloped Great Mall in Olathe could have hockey arena, apartments, entertainment

The former Great Mall of the Great Plains property could have a new lease on life with Salt Lake City-based Woodbury Corporation’s plans to buy the 100-acre site and redevelop it for sports and entertainment.

Woodbury announced Tuesday that it is under contract to purchase the property at Interstate 35 and 151st Street, with a concept for a $300 million mixed-use project called Mentum.

The site is envisioned to have a 4,000-seat arena and community ice center for youth hockey, to be operated by an affiliate of Loretto Sports Ventures owned by Lamar Hunt Jr. It is also expected to include about 250,000 square feet of entertainment, retail and restaurant venues, plus 200,000 square feet of office and medical spaces, 300 apartment units and two hotels, according to a press release from the company.

(Read more: Government & Politics News |)

Prairie Village council delays decision on proposal that would protect LGBTQ community

Members of the Prairie City Council need more time before voting on a proposed nondiscrimination ordinance.

Monday evening, during a scheduled council meeting that lasted close to 3 hours, the council voted 9-3 to consider the ordinance and possible adoption at its Nov. 19 meeting. It will allow staff to bring in any revisions to the ordinance and allow for more legal review.

The nondiscrimination ordinance, introduced by Councilmen Trucker Poling and Chad Herring, would make it illegal to refuse someone a job, housing or services based on their sexual orientation.

Kansas does not have any laws at the state level offering such protections to the LGBTQ community, so it’s left up to cities. It’s modeled after similar measures that were passed in Manhattan and Roeland Park. Megan England served on the Roeland Park City Council when the city passed its ordinance in 2014.

“Everybody on the council wanted to make sure that the mechanism that we created was fair and that it didn’t overly side for the accuser and overly side for the accused,” England said.

She urged the Prairie Village City Council to pass the ordinance because “it’s good for business and community.”

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

Great Bend City Council grieves the passing of long-time deputy city clerk

The Great Bend City Council took time Monday night prior to the start of the meeting to remember Deputy City Clerk Judy Manning. Manning passed away October 12 from cancer. Born in Ellinwood, Manning served as the Deputy City Clerk for Great Bend for 22 years. The City of Great Bend will be closing City Hall and The Front Door from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday for Manning’s funeral.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Research, focus groups underway regarding potential ban for plastic bags, straws, other plastic products in Lawrence

A local committee considering a city ordinance to reduce the amount of disposable plastic products used in Lawrence is coordinating outside research and focus groups to inform its decision.

The city’s Sustainability Advisory Board voted in July to make the issue of single-use plastics one of its priorities. Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Director Jasmin Moore said after that decision, there was a lot of public interest and some concerns.
“A lot of people have made contact and expressed interest in being a part of that conversation,” said Moore, who is the board’s staff liaison. “And so the group intends to make sure that different types of stakeholders are included in that process.”

Shawnee County picks new public works director who was construction manager for Kansas Expocentre project

Shawnee County commissioners on Monday hired a new director for the county’s public works and solid waste departments and picked a company to serve as construction manager for a high-dollar Kansas Expocentre renovation project.

Commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer voted 3-0 to appoint Curt Niehaus as director of public works/solid waste effective Oct. 29, at an annual compensation of $117,000.

Niehaus “rose to the top” as commissioners interviewed several candidates for the job, Cook said. Tom Flanagan has held the position on an interim basis since Tom Vlach, who previously held the job, left last month to take a position in Des Moines, Iowa.

Niehaus has been working as Topeka Metro engineer for the Kansas Department of Transportation. He said Monday he has lived in Shawnee County for all but six years of his life, and has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Kansas State University.

Reno County deputy recognized for saving teen from floodwaters

A Reno County Sheriff’s deputy is recognized for taking “heroic actions” to save a Buhler High School student from floodwaters.

Monday, the Reno County Sheriff’s Office shared a message from the teen’s mother, detailing what happened.

Wednesday morning (Oct. 10), the 17-year-old girl was on her way to school, traveling east on 82nd, about half of a mile west of Buhler Road.

The teen didn’t see the road was flooded and upon hitting the high water, her pickup “careened into the ditch.”

Deputy Jeremy Vanwey responded to the scene.

“And although there was about 1-2 feet of swiftly-moving water across the roadway, he rushed in and pulled my daughter from the truck and carried her to his patrol vehicle,” the message from one of the teen’s parents says. “Without his swift actions and dedication to his duty to protect and serve our community, we could have lost our daughter in the floodwaters. I would like to commend him for his service and bravery.”

This isn’t the first time Deputy Vanwey’s received recognition for a rescue effort. In August 2017, Vanwey helped an injured dog he then adopted.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Divided Shawnee County Commission OKs comprehensive land use plan

After more than two years of discussion, the Shawnee County Commission voted 2-1 Monday to approve the county’s first-ever comprehensive land use plan.

Commissioners Kevin Cook and Shelly Buhler voted in favor of the nearly 200-page plan, which will guide decision-making about the physical development of the county’s unincorporated areas for 20 years while serving as a blueprint for future growth and the preservation of agricultural land. Cook described the plan as being a “compromise” between various interests.

Commissioner Bob Archer dissented, saying the plan had little or no public support and he didn’t trust much of the data it contained. The plan seeks to guide orderly growth that balances environmental values and reasonable development demand. Commissioners Cook and Buhler had said it was important for the county to enact a comprehensive plan because owners of land in a 3-mile jurisdiction just outside Topeka city limits in unincorporated Shawnee County have no representation when the city’s governing body makes moves to regulate planning and zoning in that area.

The county’s approval of a comprehensive plan will give those landowners representation by giving the county a say in those matters, they said.

Barton County continues to formulate plan for needed repairs to courthouse

Barton County Officials know what the structural issues are with the courthouse, now they must finalize a game plan to take care of those issues. Last December, Barton County Commissioners authorized WDM Architects to perform a structural analysis of the 100-year old building which found the four outside corners separating from the center of the structure on the 4th floor.
While monitoring is taking place, Hathcock says the plan is to re-seal the roof to keep moisture out of the building. After that the plan is to use strapping to shore up the integrity of the outside corners of the courthouse.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Lawrence City Commission to consider initiating code changes for smaller homes, other affordable housing

City planners could soon begin drafting changes to city code that would allow for more affordable housing options, including dividing existing residential lots to build smaller homes.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider initiating a city code amendment process for affordable housing, including a proposal to allow developers or nonprofits to build two smaller homes on a single lot as long as they are permanently designated as affordable housing.