Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Rivers, creeks overflow banks after heavy rain across Kansas

At least one Kansas school district has canceled classes and many roads are closed as rivers and creeks overflow their banks.

The closures come as the National Weather Service issues a flood warning for a large swath of central and eastern Kansas. National Weather Service meteorologist Brad Ketcham said that the weather system is a “beast.” The Sedgwick school district near Wichita has called off classes for at least two days as a creek floods, forcing some residents to sandbag around their homes. Superintendent Larry Roth told KWCH-TV that the district wants to ensure buses are safe and that it can get students home as water rises.

Amtrak also is closing its route between Hutchinson and Topeka through Wednesday morning and rerouting passengers on buses.

(Read more: Little Apple Post)

Hoisington City Manager Jonathan Mitchell comments on how the city handled over 9 inches of rain

The city of Hoisington has received 9.35 inches of rain since last Friday. City Manager Jonathan Mitchell was live on the 7:07 News Wednesday morning on 1590 KVGB and 97.7 FM to talk about how the rainfall impacted the city and how improvements to Blood Creek over the years have helped mitigate flooding issues.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Leavenworth County Commissioner proposes work session for funding mental health program for schools

A Leavenworth County commissioner proposed Tuesday that commissioners schedule a work session to discuss a proposal for funding a mental health program for schools.

This past summer, Kim Knight, an assistant principal at Leavenworth High School, appeared before the County Commission with a proposal for a program for school districts contracting with a mental health provider to provide services for area students for suicide prevention and other mental health issues. The program would provide services to students in the Leavenworth, Lansing, Easton, Basehor-Linwood and Tonganoxie school districts.

Knight asked that a question appear on an election ballot to see if voters would approve a 2-mill increase to the county’s tax levy. She proposed that, if approved, the money generated through the tax increase would be used to fund the program.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Former downtown Overland Park car wash coming down to make way for 20 new parking spaces

Demolition crews today are at work taking down the former car wash in downtown Overland Park to make way for more parking.

The city purchased the former Dyna-Jet Car Wash for $600,000 earlier this year as it sought to address continued parking issues in the area. Once demolition is completed, crews will resurface the site, which sits due north of the Farmers Market structure, and create a parking lot with 20 new spaces.

The city posted video of the demolition in progress earlier today.

Haysville works to compromise over political signs

The issue easily took up most of the night at the Haysville City Council meeting Tuesday.

“My biggest concern is the state overstepping their bounds,” Steven Crum said.

Crum is a Haysville city council member but also a state representative. He said he advocated to repeal the law in the previous session and the majority of the Kansas House of Representatives voted to do just that. However, the bill died in the Kansas Senate. “I think cities and counties should be able to choose when they want these signs displayed,” Crum said. “So I have more of a problem with what has happened at the state level with it than what the city’s doing right now.”

The city decided to try to comply with both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Kansas statute. Councilman Russ Kessler made the first motion to adjust the ordinance which led to hefty discussion. That discussion led to an order to city staff to write up an addition to the ordinance allowing temporary signs to remain up longer during election season, as per state law.

Kessler said he was happy with the compromise and had no concerns.

“I think it’ll be positive for the city to comply with state statute and it sounds like we will be complying once this new ordinance is written and approved,” he said. Haysville Mayor Bruce Armstrong has been critical of the state law saying he’s not concerned his city hasn’t been following it since it’s not constitutional.

He was pleased with the compromise but said he thinks the legislature needs to address the law and he’d encourage an opinion by the Kansas Attorney General as well.

(Read more: KWCH News)

New Prairie Village park will need to remove church steeple

A new Prairie Village park, soon to be under construction, will need to remove the church steeple saved from the original Faith Lutheran Church. The steeple was saved in hopes of incorporating into the new North Park.

Fort Scott receives update on fiber optics installation

Representatives of the Girard-based Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative updated the Fort Scott City Commission on Oct. 2 on the company’s continuing plans for a fiber optic buildout within the city.

In late 2017, the company began working with the city on installation of fiber. The company is currently finishing up fiber work in Pittsburg and plan to have multiple teams in Fort Scott in the coming weeks and months performing installation of fiber optic cables underground.

“The city has been fantastic to work with,” Craw-Kan General Manager Craig Wilbert said. “We’ve done some limited work around town. Things are starting to happen in Fort Scott. We’re getting ready to break ground in 2019.” City Manager Dave Martin thanked the company for its commitment to Fort Scott.

“We are excited you are here to provide this service for our residents,” Martin said. “We’ve tried to work and bring companies to the table … but they haven’t due to cost. We need it.”

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Goddard moves closer towards STAR Bonds

The Goddard STAR Bond Development moved closer to fruition after the Goddard City Council passed an amendment that reassigned master developer rights for the project.

Master development rights for five years were reassigned from Goddard Destination Development to Goddard Sports, LCC, a company owned by Wichita entrepreneur Rodney Steven. The agreement calls for construction on Phase I of the development to begin no later than Dec. 31 of this year.

According to the Times-Sentinel, Phase I includes a 123-room IHG Holiday Inn; a 60,000 square-foot indoor aquatic center with 10 lap lanes, 600-spectator seating, an indoor water park; four competition softball/baseball fields; and a Genesis Health Club.

Construction on the natatorium, ballfields, and health club is expected to be finished by the end of next year. Construction on the hotel is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2020.

(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)

Topeka councilwomen object to removal of vote on neighborhood funding

Topeka Councilwomen Karen Hiller and Sylvia Ortiz expressed dismay Tuesday evening that city manager Brent Trout plans to no longer let the city’s governing body vote on how to distribute financing for two programs that benefit neighborhoods.

“I think it’s wise for us to be involved,” Ortiz said regarding the authorization of funding for Neighborhood Empowerment Grants and Stages of Resource Targeting.

Trout told members of the city’s governing body — consisting of the nine council members and Mayor Michelle De La Isla — that because they had approved a 2019 city budget authorizing the funding amounts, he considered it within his authority to award the funding without them voting on the specifics.

Ortiz, who has been on the council since 2005, and Hiller, a councilwoman since 2009, said they had always voted on whether to award the funding in the past.

In authorizing the empowerment grant funding, Trout followed a recommendation made by a review committee made up of three city staff members and five representatives of neighborhood organizations. In authorizing the SORT funding, he followed a recommendation made by Topeka’s Citizens Advisory Council, which consists of neighborhood residents.

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Have a project coming up that needs financed? As registered Municipal Advisors, we are able to discuss, different financing options, structure, and timing.
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Call or email Beth Warren for more information.

To try the free online Water Rate Checkup visit https://www.kansasratecheckup.org.

Ottawa adopts new Impact Fee Policy

Ottawa recently adopted an Impact Fee Policy as part of their city code.

As stated in the purpose section 13-701:

The City of Ottawa encourages the development of each part of the City to its highest and best use for the maximum benefit of all citizens. The use of impact fees helps properly assess the costs of necessary infrastructure between the city at large and those specific properties which may derive a direct benefit. There are times that the use of impact fees is more desirable to the City than using the Kansas General Improvement and Assessment Law (K.S.A. 12-6a01 et seq.). However, the use of impact fees should be governed by a set policy adopted by the governing body to ensure consistency and fairness for all under the law.

Ottawa city officials took sample language from other cities and modified it to fit their needs. View the full Impact Fee Policy online.

View the largest online library of city codes in Kansas at www.citycode.net.

Township road grader operator rescues pair stranded in high water

A township road grader operator rescued two people in a car stranded in floodwater in Reno County Tuesday evening.

Then firefighters conducted a second rescue – after the equipment operator dropped them at a nearby house, which was unreachable to EMS because of the high water.

The pair, an 83-year-old Abbyville man and his 56-year-old daughter, who lived on Sterling Road, were attempting to get the man home, but kept running into roads closed by high water, said Reno County Sheriff Sgt. Lance Smith.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Osawatomie Addresses Excess Water Issues Caused By Rainfall

With heavy rains affecting Osawatomie, please know the City of Osawatomie is closely monitoring its ponding areas near the levee as well as river levels.

The city has received a tremendous amount of rain in a very short time. As a result, four stationary pumps have been running since yesterday, and three more have been brought in to handle excess water. Right now, the biggest concern is interior drainage since the Marais des Cygnes and Pottwatomie Creek are both full. The city’s storm water systems can no longer handle this large amount of runoff through gravity
and discharge it into the river.
Everything is being done at this time to keep up with the ongoing rainfall.
City officials are also continuing to monitor Pottawatomie Creek water levels, both visually and by river gauge. Based on current weather data, there is a 50-percent chance the stop-log gap closure on the southwest side of the levee, where rail traffic passes through, could be closed. However, based on current river level projections, the gap closure at the South Sixth Street levee opening should remain open.

(Read more: Osawatomie news)

Saline County Commission approves disaster declaration

The Saline County Commission approved a disaster declaration Tuesday morning in anticipation of potential flooding in North Salina, New Cambria and Mentor. The declaration covers all of Saline County and is effective for seven days.

“The Board of County Commissioners of Saline County, Kansas, finds that certain conditions have caused or imminently threaten to cause widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property in disaster proportion and proclaim that a state of local disaster emergency exists in Saline County, Kansas,” the declaration states. “Flooding conditions have created obstructions or will create obstructions, which endanger health, safety, and welfare of persons and property within the border of Saline County, Kansas.”

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Southwest Sedgwick County residents keep a close eye on rising Ninnescah River

The Ninnescah River was rapidly rising on Tuesday afternoon after heavy rains have inundated the area after the last few days.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Town of Sedgwick prepares for flooding

Residents of Sedgwick were sandbagging homes on Tuesday as Sand Creek started to flood the town. Ridge Road through Sedgwick was also closed due to high water.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Great Bend’s newly-designed disc golf course grand opening Oct. 23

Everyone is invited to the grand opening of the newly-redesigned disc golf course on October 23 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Grand Opening Celebration will include a Putting and Long Drive Challenges, a Disc Golf Tournament, and Eric McCabe, Professional Disc Golf World Champion will be on hand to conduct a “How to Clinic” for the novice or local disc golf enthusiasts. A disc golf tournament will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony with local disc golf enthusiasts on hand to assist anyone who signs up for the Disc Golf Tournament. The Disc Golf Course was originally designed in 2005 by the Chamber’s Leadership Class. This project was funded in part by the Great Bend Recreation Commission and Golden Belt Community Foundation with assistance of replanting of grass and landscaping by the City of Great Bend.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Businesses to address domestic violence through partnership with Topeka mayor’s task force

Local businesses and the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment are partnering with the Mayor’s Task Force Against Domestic Violence to reach more survivors in the workplace.

The task force’s corporate engagement subcommittee will support businesses in reaching survivors through education, outreach and services.

Sixteen years ago, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas established Shield Against Violent Environments, or SAVE, said Marlou Wegener, manager of community relations.

“We recognize the impact that domestic violence has on the workplace and that while at work, that may be the only time the survivor feels safe or has the opportunity to take action,” she said. The mayor’s task force on domestic violence launched in March.

Mayor Michelle De La Isla said the group has been engaged in identifying root causes of domestic violence and participating in the family peace initiative, which helps perpetrators understand their behavior.

Chanute stalls on offer to purchase building

Chanute city commissioners failed to approve a deal Monday evening for the sale of an industrial building after negotiating with a buyer last week.

The proposed deal to sell the building at 615 W. Cherry to Bridgewood Custom Cabinets failed 2-2 Monday evening.

Potential buyer Jim Caldwell of Hi-Lo Industries and Bridgewood increased his offer on the building to $500,000 and negotiated with commissioners to cap credits for equipment and job creation.

Caldwell previously offered $350,000 for the building, and sought an equal match of credit for the cost of equipment he planned to purchase this week, setting a date limit for the offer. Caldwell also sought an incentive of $5,000 for each new job created. They agreed to cap the equipment credit at $400,000, with the job creation credits covering up to the rest of the amount for the building.

Commissioners Phil Chaney and Randy Galemore voted against the deal, and Commissioner Tim Fairchild abstained because Caldwell is a banking customer of his.

Chaney said part of his concern was a previous vote to get a formal appraisal on the building. Galemore agreed on that point, and said the job and equipment incentives take the investment to zero.

“We’re giving it all back,” Galemore said.

“My main thing is job creation,” Chaney said, noting that the commission owed it to earlier potential buyers to get an appraisal.

“I want to know what it’s worth and what we’re getting into,” he said.

In contingency move, Salina saves money on downtown overhead structures

In a contingency move for the Downtown Streetscape Project, the Salina City Commission voted 4-1 on Monday to approve a change order that will save $122,464 in crosswalk overhead structure costs.

Mike Schrage, interim city manager, said a portion of the change order, which allows the city to make changes to the base contract, changes the supporting columns for the overhead structures, which were suppose to be steel poles with architectural pre-cast colored panels to solid concrete columns.

The change from a solid concrete column from a steel column will resemble the original design.

The second part of the change order will remove the most intricate and expensive panel of the structure.

The original design showed four panels of similar pattern but with larger or smaller openings. The panel that was removed required the most cutting.

This change saved approximately $62,464.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Cheers Finney County: Proponents tout ballot initiative’s benefits

During Tuesday’s Noon Lion’s Club meeting, former Garden City Commissioner Chris Law talked about his support for a ballot measure that will change liquor by the drink rules in Finney County to get rid of a percentage-based food requirement for establishments that serve alcohol.

Law and other community members are promoting the “Cheers Finney County – Vote Yes Campaign” ballot initiative.

On Nov. 6, Finney County voters will get to decide whether to eliminate a food sales requirement on businesses that offer liquor by the drink. Currently, businesses that sell liquor by the drink are mandated to have 30 percent or their revenue come from food sales.

With the growth of craft brewing and distilling, the goal is to open the playing field for these new industries in Finney County.

(Read more: Greater Garden City » Feed)

Mark Hall Named City Manager in Coffeyville

Mark Hall has been selected City Manager for the City of Coffeyville. In a unanimous vote the Board of Commissioners approved an employment agreement with Hall at their October 9 Commission meeting. Hall most recently was employed as City Manager for the City of Liberal.

“The commission spent considerable time reviewing resumes and conducting interviews the past few weeks,” said Mayor Paul Bauer. “Mark Hall has been involved in city government for 18 years, and we believe he has the experience necessary to hit the ground running and move our community forward.”

(Read more: Coffeyville, KS – News Flash)

Great Bend tennis court improvements in store for Veterans Memorial Park

The Great Bend Recreation Commission is coordinating a united effort with the City of Great Bend, USD 428 school district, and Barton Community College in moving forward with tennis court improvements of resurfacing and repairing eight courts located at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton says the current surface needs repairs to ensure a safe playing environment, and the collection of entities will financially come together. The Rec Commission Board approved a bid from Mid-American Courtworks from Wichita to resurface the eight tennis courts at Vet’s Park. The $48,668 will also reinforce the expansion joints on the courts.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Lawrence City Commission to discuss reducing penalties for marijuana possession

Lawrence city commissioners will soon consider whether the city should decrease its penalties for marijuana possession, which can include up to a $1,000 fine and mandatory drug counseling for first-time offenders.

As part of its work session Tuesday, the commission will review the city’s current ordinance regarding marijuana possession and receive a proposal to make the penalties less severe.

Amtrak vows to keep the Southwest Chief rolling through Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico — at least for another year

Amtrak is vowing to keep its historic Southwest Chief train route rolling — as-is — through Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico for at least another year following pressure from Congress.
The national rail carrier was considering suspending rail service between Dodge City, Kan., and Albuquerque, and replacing it with charter buses as early as the start of 2019. That proposition stemmed from what Amtrak says are millions of dollars in needed repairs to a 219-mile section of track between Trinidad and Santa Fe that it can’t afford.
Advocates of the line said busing would put the nail in the Southwest Chief’s coffin by causing a steep drop off in ridership.

Looking to improve accommodations for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike, Lenexa kicks off Complete Streets program

Lenexa is embarking on a study of its streets, sidewalks and trails to develop a blueprint for future transportation infrastructure.

Lenexa and Olsson & Associates hosted an open house Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Lenexa Public Market to kick off the city’s Complete Streets program. During the open house, residents came by to provide feedback on what roads, sidewalks and trails they use, and where they find gaps in the system.

Jeff McKerrow, an engineer with Olsson & Associates, a contractor for the study, said the kickoff starts the process of collecting feedback from Lenexa residents on their transportation habits and needs.

“We’re going to let people have that opportunity to hear a little bit about what we’re doing forward, but also to tell us what they see today in the community,” McKerrow said. “Where do they walk? Where do they bike? Where would they like to walk or like to bike but can’t? What barriers do they see out there that keep them from doing that?”

Barton County Commissioners sign off on legislative agendas; tax lid at top of list

Barton County is a member of both the Kansas Association of Counties and the Kansas Legislative Policy Group. Both organizations have established their Legislative Policy Statements for the upcoming legislative session.

Barton County Administrator Phil Hathcock presented what the KAC has set as their priorities for Commissioners on Monday. Commissioner Alicia Straub serves as Vice President of the KLPG, a group of 37 western Kansas counties who represent the interests of this part of the state. The KLPG recently met in Dodge City to set their legislative agenda and Straub says the tax lid was at the top of their list.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Mission council to approve Broadmoor final design plan

Mission councilmembers last week agreed to consider the final key concepts for the Broadmoor redesign project at its next council meeting.

The city project is an overhaul of Broadmoor Street between Johnson Drive and Martway Street and includes full-depth pavement replacement, stormwater system upgrades, curb replacement, sidewalk improvements and replacement of the traffic signal at Johnson Drive and Broadmoor, according to Mission city records.

Emily Randel, assistant to the city administrator, told the council in a community development committee meeting Oct. 3 that the resolution listing key concepts in the redesign includes one revision in project costs, bringing the total up to $1.25 million but keeping the project under the original budget of $1.3 million.

Brenda Peters appointed interim Winfield city manager

The Winfield City Commission appointed Brenda Peters, Winfield city clerk and finance director, as interim city manager Monday night.

Peters was chosen after an executive session of over two hours during a special commission meeting Monday night. The appointment was announced via a message signed by Mayor Greg Thompson and commissioners Phil Jarvis and Ron Hutto.

“We would like to thank all the employees for their past and continued support,” the message said. “The search for a full-time city manager will begin immediately.”

Interest in lost city of Etzanoa grows as Ark City plans to accommodate tourists

During a recent work week, Wichita State anthropology professor Donald Blakeslee took two calls from England. The first, an interview with a science writer. The second, a call for an English radio show. Al Jazeera television from the United Arab Emirates is talking about coming to pay Blakeslee a visit this fall. The Travel Channel has talked about coming in the spring.

They all want to talk about one thing: The lost city of Etzanoa, an ancient massive city of Plains Indians near present-day Arkansas City. Blakeslee’s research over the past three years has confirmed the existence and location of the city, and changed what we’ve always thought about how the Plains Indians lived.

“I don’t have time to get my regular work done,” Blakeslee said.
Sandy Randel, the director of the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum in Arkansas City can relate. Her work load has doubled with half her time spent giving speeches about Etzanoa and hosting tours of the site on weekends. Tours are booked solid though the end of the year. But interest in Etzanoa is mushrooming faster than Blakeslee, and others in Arkansas City, can keep up with. Arkansas City manager Nick Hernandez cautions that it’s going to take time. He says that civic and education leaders are trying to do their part to make sure the area is ready.

In the past month, a governing committee was formed that includes the city of Arkansas City, Cowley College, Wichita State University and the Etzanoa Conservancy. The idea behind the council is that every interest is represented, from the landowners who live around the area, to the research community and to the tourists who want to visit the area.

Pam Crain, head of the Arkansas City Convention and Visitors Bureau, agrees with Hernandez.

“It’s beyond exciting. It can be so huge, to be honest. That’s why we are taking our time. So that we can do do it correctly,” Crain said.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Here’s why the city and county want to spend $50,000 commissioning USS Wichita

Wichita City Hall and Sedgwick County government are moving full steam ahead on a plan to donate $50,000 of public money to the commissioning of a new Navy warship that will bear the city’s name on its stern.

The USS Wichita recently passed its initial sea trials and is scheduled to be commissioned as an official Navy warship in January.

The city and county money is to be combined with private donations from local companies and service clubs to help outfit the vessel to be more accommodating of the approximately 100 sailors who will be its crew. “When the Navy builds a ship they build it to be a war-fighting ship, but don’t put anything else on the ship to make it so that it’s really conducive to having a crew on board,” said County Commission Chairman David Dennis.

The Wichita is a “littoral combat ship,” a small but muscular vessel planned to deliver firepower in shallow water near coastlines. The design is modular, so it can be easily refitted for different missions.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Meritex looking to ready former limestone mining site in Lenexa for future redevelopment

The Lenexa City Council last week unanimously approved plans to hold a Nov. 6 public hearing to consider whether to approve a proposed reclamation tax-increment financing (TIF) project plan for the former Meritex strip mine in the Ridgeview Mining TIF District.

The TIF project plan pertains to about 38.7 acres south of Prairie Star Parkway, west of Britton Street, east of a future addition to Ridgeview Road and north of a future addition to 99th Street, according to a Tuesday memo to the council from Assistant City Attorney Sean McLaughlin.

The Meritex Co. mined limestone at the site when it was a functioning strip mine, Senior Vice President Bill Seymour said in an interview. Meritex Lenexa LLC, a subsidiary of the company, is the project’s developer.

Fight over new home design guidelines becomes central in Prairie Village mayoral race — and it’s gotten personal

The set of new home design regulations approved on an 11-2 vote by the Prairie Village City Council last week has emerged as a bright dividing line between mayoral candidates Eric Mikkelson and Serena Schermoly. And it’s gotten personal.

Schermoly and Ted Odell were the dissenting votes on the new guidelines when they came before the governing body for final approval after months of deliberation last Monday. Schermoly also made an unsuccessful attempt to amend the guidelines to exempt existing homeowners from key provisions on green space and massing.

Mikkelson, on the other hand, has been a strong proponent of the Phase 2 guidelines and cheered their passage during a candidate forum last week, saying they would preserve the character of neighborhoods.

Lawrence City Commission to discuss raising age to buy tobacco products

City leaders will soon consider whether Lawrence should join more than a dozen other cities in Kansas that have banned the sale of tobacco products to people under 21.

During its work session Tuesday, the City Commission will begin discussion of a Tobacco 21 proposal. The measure would prohibit the sale of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and other devices that vaporize nicotine liquid, to people under 21, but would not ban the use of tobacco products for those ages 18-20.

Taking the next step for turf decision at the Great Bend Sports Complex

The City of Great Bend took the next step in determining whether or not turf will be installed at the baseball and softball fields at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

Mayor Joe Andrasek appointed a committee at last week’s meeting to research the matter more in depth to present their findings to the rest of the council. There has been a push from community members, mostly coaches, to place turf at the Sports Complex to prevent rainouts and continue to keep the complex a topnotch facility.

Great Bend transferred $1.3 million into a fund for the possibility of installing turf at the fields, but Francis mentioned at a previous meeting he does not expect the cost to be that high.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Neosho County moves ahead with health department grant

The Neosho County Health Department will move ahead with a $67,200 grant after the county commission gave its approval Friday.

Commissioner David Bideau reportedly talked to a state official Thursday and determined the action could move forward in compliance with the state’s cash basis law.

The US Department of Agriculture approved up to $67,200 to be reimbursed to the county for renovations of the Health Department offices in Chanute. The funds reportedly needed to be obligated no later than Sept. 30 for their intended purpose, but now officials say the project can go ahead despite missing the deadline.

Health Department Administrator Theresa Starr has argued that the offices at 320 E. Main in Chanute were in need of more space. The county rents the privately-owned property. At one time, the county purchased a building as a new location, but it was later re-sold and now houses Brenda’s Dance.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Spillway repair planned for Clark State Fishing Lake in Clark County

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is planning a spillway repair project at Clark State Fishing Lake – a popular and scenic fishing spot in southwest Kansas. The lake is nestled in a rugged canyon along Bluff Creek in northwestern Clark County about 9 miles south of Kingsdown.

The $1.6 million project is set to begin in December 2018 and will take about six months to complete – depending on weather conditions and any unforeseen issues.

The project is necessary to repair parts of the spillway that have deteriorated or been damaged. The intent is to maintain the lake’s prized fishery throughout the construction. However, the project will require lowering the lake level by 20-25 feet to relieve the hydraulic pressure of water in the soil pushing against the underside of the spillway floor and the side walls. The lake covers about 300 acres with a maximum depth of 36 feet deep when full. There will be about 160 surface acres and a maximum depth of about 15 feet after the drawdown, which should be adequate to maintain the fishery. If everything goes as planned, biologists don’t anticipate a significant impact to the fishery; however, staff will monitor the lake and modify management practices according to the duration of the drawdown, water depth and the runoff entering the lake after the repairs are complete.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Neosho County continues to hear both sides on wind energy project

Audience numbers have been up substantially since debate began over the Neosho Ridge wind energy project, and the public forum portion of Friday’s agenda had to be relocated to the larger courtroom to accommodate the crowd.

Opponents Shirley Dillinger-Estrada and her husband John Estrada moved to Neosho County two months ago from Arlington, Texas, before they found out about the project.

“I had a vision of where I wanted to live. I bought a view. I have a panoramic view of the countryside,” Dillinger-Estrada said. “Wind turbines were not part of the view in my life. If I wanted to live by a wind farm, I would have chosen to live in west Texas.”

“We didn’t buy this property to see our values go down,” John Estrada said.

Galesburg farmer Greg Brumgardt has signed a lease with Apex Clean Energy, the company constructing the electric generation project. He said the county should welcome the business, which he said would increase the tax base for the USD 101 school district. He said the district leads the state in ad valorem levy, and dropping farm prices will decrease valuations, requiring levy increases.

Brumgardt said the project would create jobs for young people.

“I don’t think it’s going to be 60-year-old fat guys climbing up and down these towers every day,” he said.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

City council to discuss boosting Topeka’s visual appeal

The Topeka City Council on Tuesday will discuss proposed changes to city building design standards aimed at improving Topeka’s visual appeal. The city’s governing body, consisting of the nine council members and Mayor Michelle De La Isla, plans to hear a presentation but not act on proposed amendments to city zoning rules that would change building design and landscaping rules for new non-residential construction.

The proposed amendments have been encouraged by the Momentum 2022 campaign to enhance this community, the Land Use and Growth Management Plan 2040 the city adopted and a “visual appeal survey” city staff members conducted this year regarding building design and signs, according to a document in the agenda packet for Tuesday’s meeting.

“Staff has been applying the design standards informally to submitted commercial projects for the last couple of years,” the document said. “Generally speaking, most projects that are submitted are well designed. An important outcome of the new design standards will be to elevate the design of those projects that are typically not well designed.”

911 backup agreements in place for Cowley County Emergency Communications

Cowley County Emergency Communications continues to upgrade it services, director Doug Allison told county commissioners at their meeting this week.

CCEM has signed memorandums of agreement with Butler County, Sumner County and the Augusta Department of Safety to provide rollover and backup services for 911 calls and for Butler County Emergency Communications to provide rollover and backup services for Cowley County.

Allison said the agreements were signed at the request of the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council, which is upgrading Cowley County’s emergency communication system.

Salina utilizing ultrathin bonded asphalt surface (UBAS) maintenance

On Monday through October 12, APAC-Kansas, Inc., Shears Division of Salina will perform the ultrathin bonded asphalt surface (UBAS) maintenance on the following streets for the City of Salina, weather permitting. This type of preventative maintenance is fairly new to Salina but has been used to help extend the life of many roads around the State of Kansas. It consists of a thin, coarse aggregate hot mix over a special asphalt membrane similar to a chip seal but placed in one pass with a spray paver. The membrane prevents water intrusion and provides a superior bond to the old asphalt. The overlay can disperse water quickly off the surface, which reduces roadway spray from vehicles and provides greater visibility and traction in wet weather. UBAS has performed well for other cities and provides a good friction surface in wet weather. UBAS can be installed quickly, and asserts a longer life-span (8-10 years) than micro-surfacing (6-7 years).

(Read more: The Salina Post)

Gardner city water concerns still urgent

Gardner’s water woes dominated discussions during a city council meeting Oct. 1 with a consultant describing the current water situation in the city as urgent and fast approaching an emergency.
Jeffrey Klein, a project manager at Burns and McDowell, an engineering firm with vast experience in water projects, told the council that the city is running out of time, and the city may experience frequent shortages in the near future.
The company presented the city with several options to forestall shortages in the future including proposals to expand capacity from Hillsdale water reservoir, re-establishing Gardner Lake as a source and connecting the city’s system to Water One, the largest provider of water in the region. The city instituted a water restriction order on residents this summer and severely restricted sale of bulk water to residents of the surrounding unincorporated communities.
“Demand is outpacing supply and has moved from urgency to emergency,” he said adding that the city is projected to need 5 million gallons of water a day by 2020 and 7million gallons by 2027.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Mercy clinics to remain open under new ownership in Fort Scott, Pleasanton and Arma

The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) – a non-profit primary care system serving the nine counties of the most economically disadvantaged and least healthy region of Kansas – announced it will assume ownership of the Mercy clinics in Fort Scott, Pleasanton and Arma beginning Jan. 1.

“CHC/SEK entered into discussions with Mercy this summer about the need to maintain access to care and they were anxious to preserve the resources they had built in Bourbon and Linn counties,” said CHC/SEK CEO Krista Postai. “As an organization that had grown out of a faith-based health system, CHC/SEK shared their values and their commitment to providing quality, affordable care.”

“We both agreed it was the right thing to do,” Postai said, commending Mercy leadership for their efforts to ensure those they had served so long would continue to receive care from those they knew and trusted. “They are doing whatever they can to make this transition seamless.”

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Bourbon County begins exploring ambulance options

Bourbon County Commissioners are scurrying to find a replacement ambulance service after Mercy Hospital Fort Scott announced Monday it will close on Dec. 31.

On Wednesday, commissioners held a special meeting to discuss the direction they wish to take.

The meeting began with a 7-minute executive session to discuss information regarding a contract. After the session, commissioners voted to begin advertising immediately for bids for an ambulance service.

At the same time, commissioners agreed to also look at the feasibility of providing a county-owned ambulance service.

“We’ve already started the process with fact finding and financials,” Commission Chair Lynne Oharah said.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

El Dorado’s 1% sales tax on ballot next month

On the ballot in November:
“Shall the city retailers’ sales tax in the amount of one percent be extended for a period of five years from and after the first day of October 2019, in the City of El Dorado, Kansas to take effect on the first day of October 2019, with the first $600,000 to be allocated annually for street rehabilitation within the City of El Dorado, the next $1,650,000 to be allocated annually for property tax reduction, the next $100,000 to be allocated annually for a fund for economic development purposes, and with the balance being distributed per Ordinance G-1281, which retailers’ sales tax shall continue in full force and effect?“

(Read more: andoveramerican.com)