Kansas Municipal News
City of Wichita files lawsuit against Genesis Health Clubs
A lawsuit has been filed by the City of Wichita against Genesis Health Clubs for failure to pay back the City for bonds that were issued for improvements to the Wichita Ice Center. The lawsuit alleges that the City of Wichita financed $760,466 to Genesis Health Clubs to add a fitness center to the second floor of the Wichita Ice Center. Since then, Genesis only made the first payment of $14,127.65 back to the City in June 2017 and has paid nothing since. The City of Wichita is attempting to recover over $424,000 for breach of contract.
Source: KSN-TV
Many counties in Kansas fight the rise of fentanyl in their communities
It’s not just Sedgwick County seeing a rise in fentanyl. Many counties in Kansas are fighting the rise of the drug in their communities. The sheriff of Barton County said he is concerned about how much fentanyl is getting into the community. He said they keep finding it in many of the drugs they seize. “Now we’re finding methamphetamine that’s laced with fentanyl, and we’re seeing straight up fentanyl show up in our county,” said the Sheriff of Barton County, Brian Bellendir. A growing concern Bellendir said will continue to get worse. “One of the problems with overdosing is people you know they may overdose and not die, but we never hear about it,” said Bellendir.
Source: KSN-TV
In God We Trust logo allowed back on Haven city vehicles
In a reversal, the Haven city council voted Monday night to allow the logo, “In God We Trust,” on city vehicles. The Haven city council meeting was a packed house as attendees showed up to protest the removal of the logo. “They told the officer he needed to remove that from his vehicle,” said Haven resident James Schlickau. “I don’t believe the process was done correctly.” Many residents echoed that sentiment, saying the idea of removing the logo was brought up at the end of the last city council meeting. They say that did not allow for public feedback. The feedback was loud and clear Monday night.
Source: KSN-TV
Water quality starting to improve for Carbondale
If you’re living in Carbondale, you’ve probably noticed that the water quality from your tap has been lackluster in past weeks. The people of Carbondale have had brown and yellow water coming out of their taps for the past month now which has left residue on bathtubs and dishes. It has left community members worried about what’s in their water. According to the city mayor, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has been working with the city of Carbondale for the last couple of weeks to fix the discoloration issue. In order to resolve the problem, the city began to bleed the lines throughout the distribution system, believing a reoccurring problem of dirt accumulating inside the pipes to be the issue.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Wichita City Council rejects police impound price hikes, strikes down towing contract
The Wichita City Council rejected contracts with nine towing companies that impound vehicles for the Wichita Police Department, with one member saying the move hurts small businesses and another accusing the firms of price gouging at the expense of some of city’s most vulnerable residents. The move represents a failed, last-minute renegotiation of a contract that’s set to expire June 1. The City Council delayed the contract earlier this month in hopes the companies would alter their proposal. That did not happen.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Lawrence City Commission to discuss costs — estimated at more than $100M — to expand city past K-10
As the City of Lawrence contemplates jumping its long-held border along Kansas Highway 10, city leaders are due to get an update on what infrastructure and services — streets, sewers, emergency response — will be needed and how much it will cost. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will receive a presentation on a study of the infrastructure needs and costs for an area generally west of K-10. Taken together, the anticipated costs total more than $100 million. There has been interest in developing that area, and the city has been updating its previously created plans for the area.
Source: LJWorld
Great Bend OKs police/fire retirement plan
Following the recommendation of a mayoral committee, the Great Bend City Council Monday night approved the city’s long-awaited profit-sharing plan for uniformed first responders. A special sales tax approved by voters last November funds the plan that came in response to complaints from emergency personnel about their retirement options.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
After 30 years with sheriff’s office, retired lieutenant reflects on law enforcement, diversity and recruiting young people to the profession
As Lt. Clark Rials enjoys his retirement, he has no regrets about staying close to home. “I had an offer from the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department, and back then I wanted to be a patrol officer,” says Rials, a recently retired Douglas County sheriff’s deputy, as he thinks back to the start of his career. “I wanted to get out and be a deputy, carry the gun, drive the fast cars and all that good stuff.” It has been 25 years since Rials turned down that offer. He is now celebrating — and relaxing — after 30 years working with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Source: LJWorld
Municipal Bond Trends for May 16, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Tourism Attraction Development Grant Recipients
Governor Laura Kelly announced today the 11 recipients of the Kansas Tourism Attraction Development Grants. The grants were presented by Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland on Friday, May 13, at an event at the Colby Events Center. “Tourism is the welcoming committee for new residents and businesses in our state,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “By continuing to develop vibrant travel destinations across Kansas, we are opening the door to more revenue and new economic growth in communities of all sizes.” The Attraction Development Grant Program is administered by Kansas Tourism, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce. The grants assist in the expansion of sustainable, market-driven travel experiences within the state that will influence travel decisions, increase visitation to Kansas and generate economic impact resulting from the creation of jobs, capital investment and tax revenue.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
City, State, and County Organization Leaders Celebrate Historic Infrastructure Investments Heading to Communities
On Monday, May 16, leaders from the nation’s leading city, county, and state organizations kicked off Infrastructure Week (May 16-20) by sharing how game-changing federal investments in infrastructure are benefiting communities across the country. Local leaders know the needs of their communities better than anyone and are ready to invest in infrastructure that makes a difference at home. Six months after the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), officials at the state and local level are celebrating this historic investment and sharing the local perspective on infrastructure funding. IIJA includes $1.2 trillion — $550 billion newly appropriated — worth of investments to help rebuild and strengthen the infrastructure that keeps Americans and our economy moving.
Source: www.nlc.org
Emporia dedicates pickleball courts
The city of Emporia officially dedicated its newest park and pickleball courts, Sunday afternoon. Reeble Park, located just west of Emporia Country Club, is named for Barney and Jane Reeble and features six pickleball courts. Mayor Becky Smith credited the Reeble Foundation for its “fundamental” contribution, making the park a reality. The pickleball courts cost around $300,000, with $60,000 of that coming from private donors, like the Reeble Foundation. “Pickleball is the next step in making us a regional destination,” she said. “The active pickleball community is what makes this worth it.”
Source: Emporia Gazette
STAR bond final phase project gets Derby approval
It’s official. Beach season will be coming to Derby, as the City Council voted unanimously (8-0) to approve the proposed final phase of the STAR bond project – including a man-made, public access lagoon – at its May 10 meeting. With adoption of amendments to the STAR bond financing project plan and development agreement, the path was cleared for Derby Destination Development to move forward with a proposal to develop a lagoon and indoor water park, hotel, glamping site and more. Included amenities will primarily be located on a site directly northeast of the Derby Target store (near the intersection of Tall Tree and Rock Road).
Source: Derby Informer | News
Sedgwick County testing attack function on May 23
Sedgwick County Emergency Management will test the attack function of their outdoor warning system on Monday, May 23. The system has both an alert function for severe weather, which is a steady tone, and an attack function, which is a rise and fall sound. Sedgwick County say that the attack function will be used for “enemy attack, air raids or other threats of that nature.” It is important to remember that the sirens are not meant to be heard indoors. They are meant for people who are outside and do not have any other means of receiving an alert.
Source: KAKE – News
Pittsburg police welcome new K9, Rone
Sunday, May 15, seems a perfect day to welcome a new K9 to the Pittsburg Kansas Police Dept, Rone. “He is a 2 year old German/Shepherd who was imported from Poland. Rone & his handler, Officer Zachary Dainty, completed a 6 week certification course through Patriot K9 & are certified in narcotics detection, human trafficking & suspect apprehension,” Pittsburg Kansas Police state in a release of information. Rone is certified through the North American Police Work Dog Association.
Source: KOAMKOAM
Girard Main Street LLC opens first grant applications
Action is underway to help foster economic development in Girard. Girard Main Street LLC has opened up grant applications for local businesses on the square. It was made possible thanks to a T-Mobile hometown grant the city received last year and a donation from GNBank. It’s designed to help current and future businesses in the square restore their properties and promote economic vitality. “We’ve got a few spots that are open on the square and we’ve got businesses that are doing great for businesses, but it’s just so expensive to put money in on some of these old buildings so to be able to have a main street program. We really want to help those businesses and to fill in spots on the square,” says Jessica Ripper, Girard Main Street LLC.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Prairie Village leaders and YMCA officials discuss future of community center idea
Prairie Village city leaders and YMCA officials updated community members recently on the status of a new potential community center on or near the site of the current Paul Henson Family YMCA near 79th Street and Mission Road. The project has been talked about in some form for years and was recently revived following a pandemic-induced pause. A community meeting Thursday at the Meadowbrook Clubhouse was the latest forum for residents to give their feedback and hear an update on current discussions.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Pittsburg district starts renovation of 101-year-old middle school
The $16.5 million school bond project backed by district voters was launched Monday by Pittsburg school officials as they take aim at a 101-year-old section of Pittsburg Community Middle School that will be updated to meet the needs of the 21st century. District leaders kicked off the work with a ceremonial swinging of purple sledgehammers on the staircase in front of the 1921 facade of the school, which features enormous concrete pillars facing North Broadway Street. Corner Greer and Associates Inc. in Joplin is the architectural design firm for the project. Officials said the architecture of the building will be preserved while the inside will sport a modern look.
Source: www.joplinglobe.com
Even with elimination of state sales tax, local governments must continue to tax groceries
Even when the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries eventually ramps down to zero, Lawrence shoppers will still be paying close to 3% in sales taxes on groceries. The overwhelming majority of Kansas cities and counties — Lawrence and Douglas County included — charge local sales tax in addition to the state sales tax, and state lawmakers ensured that would not change. The recently passed changes not only don’t affect local sales taxes on groceries, but also prohibit local governments from reducing or eliminating their local sales taxes on groceries.
Source: LJWorld
Lawrence city leaders ask to restart discussion of plastic bag ban or fee
The question of whether the City of Lawrence should ban or otherwise limit the use of disposable plastic bags will once again be up for debate. After state legislation to prohibit municipalities from banning plastic bags did not come to pass, Vice Mayor Lisa Larsen asked her fellow commissioners at their meeting Tuesday about bringing the issue of plastic bags back up. Other commissioners agreed they’d like to consider the matter, with Mayor Courtney Shipley adding she was very interested in the topic.
Source: LJWorld