Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Despite misconceptions, sales tax not higher at State Fair

The Kansas State Fair’s funding for capital improvements may be at risk because of fairgoer misconceptions about the new Kansas State Fair sales tax law.

“Commercial exhibitors are telling us that fairgoers think state sales tax is higher at the Kansas State Fair,” Bob Moeder, Interim General Manager, said. “We want to make sure our visitors understand that Kansas sales tax is consistent everywhere in the state, but when they buy and take delivery of goods at the fair, a portion of the state sales tax collected returns to the fair for greatly-needed improvements to our facilities.” Moeder said, “The more people shop during the fair, the more we can accomplish to improve the facilities not only for the 10 days of the Kansas State Fair, but also for the hundreds of events held on the grounds throughout the year.”

(Read more: Hutch Post)

New library, old funding: Wichita spends less on libraries than most cities

Wichita’s new downtown library had a heck of a first month.

According to a new report, about twice the number of people visited the Advanced Learning Library in July compared to the downtown branch at the same time last year. Three times as many people applied for library cards. And patrons checked out nearly 68,000 books and other materials — a monthly record for the Wichita library system.

“It’s an exciting time, and that’s certainly cause for celebration,” said Cynthia Berner, director of libraries.

But the celebration has been tempered by a harsh reality: Wichita’s libraries are the lowest-funded in the region, and that budget outlook isn’t likely to change very soon. A few weeks after the grand opening of the Advanced Learning Library — during which hundreds of Wichitans lined the streets for a ceremonial “book brigade” — city officials announced a proposal to close two library branches. Mayor Jeff Longwell has since walked back that proposal.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Sure it has books, but you can borrow lawn tools at this library, too

Books, movies, magazines and music. You are certain to find those at your local library.

But lawn and gardening tools?

In Olathe, the answer is yes.

The city and the Olathe Public Library are piloting a Tool Lending Library at the downtown location, 201 E. Park St. Borrowers can check out small items like pruners and trowels, as well as axes, shovels, tree pole saws, push lawn mowers, post hole diggers, spreaders and wheelbarrows, both metal and polyester. The tool library is open to people 18 or older with a Johnson County or Olathe library card account in good standing. To get started, borrowers must visit the downtown library, show a photo ID and apply for membership.

After that, members can borrow up to five tools for seven days. The library will be gathering feedback on the value of the tool library and what items should be added in the future.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Commissioners consider priorities for Salina parks

City Commissioners discussed how to prioritize spending on Salina parks during a study session Monday. The discussion took place within the framework of the Parks and Recreation Master plan, a document accepted by the commission in July.

Interim City Manager Mike Schrage provided commissioners with an overview of the 436-page document, which contains recommendations for individual parks and survey results from Salina residents identifying what they value most from their parks.

Commissioner Mike Hoppock thanked Schrage for providing the commission with more information about the report.

“I tried looking through the report originally, and I thought, ‘I need the parks for dummies book,’” he said.

Schrage said commissioners need to prioritize how the city should invest in the projects described in the parks master plan.

“We do have a lot of requests and a limited number of resources,” he said

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Florence City Council turns down agreement to continue lease for water

The Florence City Council Monday turned down a proposal to continue leasing spring water from a local family.

People packed Florence City Hall Monday night to make their voices heard on the hot-button issue for the Marion County community.

The city’s had a lease with the DeForest family since 1961 to keep getting water from the family’s spring. That lease is set to expire in May 2019.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Community celebrates unveiling of Salina library exhibit

The exhibit, which will remain through Oct. 12, features photos of memories made at the library since its official opening on Sept. 29, 1968.

The exhibit details dates from throughout the library’s history, including in 1965 when voters approved the issuance of a bond that helped build the current facility.

Salinan JoAnn Neuman recalls the “snowy and exciting” day that year when it was announced that voters had approved the bond.

“My household was probably the happiest home in Salina that day,” she said. Neuman, the widow of Richard “Dick” Neuman, the first director of the Salina Public Library at its current location, said her husband was thrilled “to see his vision becoming possible.”

Twice a charm

Bob Hansmann, a member of the library’s board at the time the bond was approved, said the bond was not initially approved by voters.

“They rejected the bond the first time, but we came back with another one about two or so years later and it passed handily,” he said.

Neuman said the difference was her husband and the board members at the time decided to canvas for support.

“They started to go around from business to business to get as many people to support them as possible,” she said.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Discussion of comprehensive plan dominates Shawnee County Commission meeting

After considerable public comment, and discussion among themselves, Shawnee County commissioners on Monday morning approved by a 3-0 vote a number of edits and deletions they made to the Shawnee County Comprehensive Plan.

The amended plan then was turned back over to the Shawnee County Counselor’s office, which will incorporate the additions and deletions made at Monday morning’s meeting into the comprehensive plan.

The updated document, which will be posted on the county’s website for public viewing after it has been updated, will be presented for final adoption or further consideration at the Oct. 1 Shawnee County Commission meeting.

Kevin Cook, Shawnee County Commission chairman, said he anticipated a vote would be taken at that meeting.

The comprehensive plan takes into account what Cook said was a “delicate balance between land use and land ownership” in Shawnee County.

Cook said the plan has been two years in the making and will serve as a blueprint for future growth in the county, as well as preservation of agricultural land. It marks the first such comprehensive plan ever for Shawnee County.

Shawnee County officials: Landfill height capped at 1,164 feet above sea level

Shawnee County doesn’t necessarily ban Rolling Meadows Landfill from letting its trash rise higher than the surrounding hills, but it does impose a height restriction on the facility, county officials say.

Rolling Meadows is prohibited from exceeding an elevation of 1,164 feet above sea level, deputy county counselor Jonathan Brzon said this past week.

County officials didn’t know the landfill’s current elevation but said it was 1,136 feet in 2002, the year then-county counselor Rich Eckert said Rolling Meadows officials considered the landfill to be within the rules so long as it did not exceed the elevation of “adjacent land.”

Brzon provided information in response to a question posed by a Topeka Capital-Journal reader, who asked to remain anonymous, as part of a reader engagement project linked to the program ”#TopCity What? You ask. We answer.”

The reader asked, “When the Rolling Meadows Landfill was approved, was there any condition that it never exceed the height of surrounding hills?”

Election under way for new city of The Highlands (in Reno County)

Eight residents of The Highlands cast ballots Thursday, the first day of early walk-in voting at the Reno County Courthouse Annex, 125 West 1st Ave.

“More than I thought, really,” said Reno County Deputy Election Officer Jenna Fager, of the turnout.

There are 304 eligible voters in the Reno County city’s special election. The city is seeking voter approval to levy property taxes to raise $60,000 for its 2019 budget. Citizens indicated by a show of hands at a meeting this summer that they would support a budget of that size. City officials, in turn, submitted the ballot question.

The Highlands was established in 2017, and the state’s property tax lid for local governments triggered the need for the election. Reno County Clerk staff members are working at the polling location to help limit the city’s expense for financing the special election.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Citizens sold on sales tax

A permanent, one-cent sales tax for South Central Kansas Medical Center received strong support among voters during a mail-in vote counted on Thursday.

The unofficial results showed 66 percent of the votes cast were in support of the proposal set forth by city and hospital officials to establish a long-term funding source for the financially struggling hospital center, while at the same time lowering overall sales tax going to the medical center from 1.5 percent to 1 percent.

Cowley County Clerk Karen Madison reported Thursday afternoon that 1,320 votes, more than 66.3 percent were cast in support of the measure with 670 votes against.

There are 32 provisional votes yet to be counted. Madison said 5,132 ballots were mailed out. That would mean turnout was about 40 percent. The election canvass will be completed Monday for a final result.

Mayor Dan Jurkovich, who also serves as the SCKMC board chair, said he was proud of the hospital staff and the trustees for their success in getting the message out.

Jurkovich led town hall meetings in the weeks leading up the vote, and the slogan “Vote Yes, Pay Less” was on signs scattered throughout town.

“Now we’ll have a better way to pay for the hospital,” Jurkovich said.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Pratt area flood was ‘probably a quarter or half a century event.’

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is back in business issuing licenses after a flood of historic levels shut down offices headquartered east of Pratt earlier this week. The waters that damaged KDWPT offices and deluged other regions of the city and county were at a 35-year high, according to Steve McClain, president of Sterling Drilling Inc. in Pratt.

McClain referred to information on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website which, he said, showed that this flood event crested higher (at 14.66′ at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2018) than any previous flood event since at least 1983.

“It is number one now for the last 35 years,” McClain said.

McClain uses a digital Davis weather station at his home which continually gathers data for a summary every 15 minutes of the day.

His weather station just outside the city limits on the south edge of Pratt showed more than 6 1/2 inches fell from 4:30 p.m. Sunday to 6:30 a.m. Monday.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Reporter participates in Cowley County Emergency Management full-scale exercise

As a journalist I mostly observe and ask questions about any event I cover, but Thursday I had the opportunity to actually participate in the Cowley County Emergency Management department’s full-scale exercise as both an observer and a role player.

A full-scale exercise is held every year to test the capabilities of CCEM, its volunteer groups and partner organizations. During the exercise, partners test and evaluate an emergency operations plan and receive feedback.

This year’s exercise involved a simulated scenario in which an emergency shelter was set up at Tisdale United Methodist Church, and residents evacuated there due to an EF-4 tornado that hit Winfield, and major flooding of the Walnut and Arkansas rivers in Winfield and Arkansas City. Out in the joint information command trailer, local public information officers were busy receiving and validating information from the various groups working at the scene, in preparation for a press release and press conference.

This is where I got to participate by attending the press conference and asking questions, just as if it were an actual event. Brian Stone, the director of Cowley County Emergency Management, had invited me as a member of the local media to help the PIOs interact with the media.

This is the first year public information officers were included in the exercise. A PIO working group was formed here in 2016, consisting of local public information officials who meet regularly and train together so they can be ready to get information to the public and the media in the event of an actual emergency.

Sedgwick County rejects funding increase for senior centers

Despite the presence of dozens of seniors and senior advocates at a Sedgwick County Commission meeting last Wednesday, Aug. 15, the body rejected a request to boost funding for senior centers by $78,000 for 2019.
The vote was 3-2, with Michael O’Donnell and Jim Howell in favor of increasing funding, and David Dennis, Richard Ranzau and David Unruh opposed.
Had the vote gone the other way, the county’s overall senior center funding would have risen from $620,000 to $698,000. The Haysville Senior Center would have received $22,000 in additional funding, while the Clearwater Senior and Community Center would have received an additional $17,000.
The directors of both those centers said they were disappointed in the county’s decision. Both have been requesting funding boosts for at least the past four years.
Clearwater senior center director Kristi Rey said that her center could have used the additional funding to offer better programming and entertainment, making the center more attractive for the people aged 55 and older who are eligible for a $5 annual membership.
“Though we’re on a limited budget, you want to try and provide as much as possible with little to no cost on their end,” Rey said. “It’s tough, on the budget we have. It’s depressing, it’s upsetting, because we could use that money.”

Wichita city council to vote on settlement with Wingnuts

The Wichita Wingnuts could get $2.2 million from the City of Wichita, as a settlement to terminate the team’s lease of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

City council members will discuss and vote on the issue Tuesday. Council agenda wrote that the city would pay the team in installments through 2026. The first installment would be $1 million later this year, with annual installments afterward. Thursday, Mayor Jeff Longwell announced the New Orleans Baby Cakes had filed an application to relocate to Wichita. Plans call for the team to be housed in a brand new stadium, while the existing Lawrence-Dumont Stadium would be demolished.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Two McPherson County projects to receive tax credits

The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded 16 nonprofit organizations around the state Community Service Tax Credits, which has helped nonprofit organizations undertake major capital fundraising drives for several different projects. The Canton Township Carnegie Library in McPherson County will receive $250,000. Also, the Marquette Learning Center in McPherson County will receive $215,000. Tax credit awards are distributed through an application process and may request up to $250,000 in tax credits.

Applicant organizations in rural areas are eligible for a 70 percent credit. Applicant organizations in non-rural areas are eligible for a 50 percent credit.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Lawrence PD K9 helps seize more than 100 pounds of drugs, celebrates birthday

The Lawrence Police Department Friday posted a photo on its Facebook page of its young K9 sitting proudly in front of a pile of confiscated drugs.

The department says Deuce helped seize 94 pounds of marijuana and 21 pounds of meth in Douglas County.

The department also mentions Friday is Deuce’s 4th birthday.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Barber County Undersheriff Brewer put on leave without pay

Barber County Undersheriff Virgil “Dusty” Brewer was put on administrative leave without pay Friday, as he faces a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Brewer was in a Barber County courtroom Friday morning for his first appearance in the case involving the fatal shooting in October 2017 of Steven Myers. A condition of Brewer’s bond is that he cannot engage in law enforcement. Brewer was appointed undersheriff in 2017 by Sheriff Lonnie Small, who observed the court proceeding.

Brewer’s annual salary is $42,360, according to the Barber County Clerk’s office.

On Oct. 6, 2017, Brewer shot a beanbag round at an unarmed Myers at close range. Body camera video and audio recordings revealed the events that took place in a backyard at Sun City, where Myers died at the scene.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Haysville City Council considers exit interview policy

The Haysville City Council got its first look at a possible city employee exit interview process at its Aug. 27 meeting.
Council members had requested discussion of such a policy at their last meeting after a citizen raised concerns about turnover among police officers and the lack of exit interviews in that department.
Background information indicated the council had approved a motion in January 2005 to eliminate exit interviews from the personnel manual. The proposed procedure would call for the assistant city clerk to conduct all exit interviews by reading a set of questions to the employee and writing down the employee’s answers. The employee would review the answers, then sign and date the form. The interview form would be emailed to the employee’s department head and the chief administrative officer after the employee had terminated employment.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas recognized for quality of care

The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) has received national recognition from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for providing high-quality care. “We are proud to be recognized for the quality of care provided to our patients,” said Jason Wesco, Executive Vice-President. “It demonstrates the hard work of our staff as well as our commitment to providing high-quality patient care.”

Wesco added that the funding allows CHC/SEK to continue working to improve the health outcomes in southeast Kansas. The funding is part of $125 million in funding awarded by HRSA to health centers nationwide to further improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the health care delivered to the communities they serve. CHC/SEK was one of only 18 health centers in the state to receive the funding.

Time to rehab city manholes, clean out sewer lines in Hays

There are more than 2,000 manholes in the city of Hays and each one requires some rehabilitation about every 50 to 60 years.

The time has come for the city to repair an estimated 20 of its manholes that are showing signs of wear, like crumbling soft concrete or failure of the iron ring encircling the opening, according to Jeff Crispin, director of the city’s Department of Water Resources.

“It’s kind of hard to predict. We know that we have a lot of manholes that we need to do every single year,” said Crispin, speaking Thursday evening to the Hays City Commission during its regular work session at City Hall, 1507 Main St.

Failure can block a sewer line and cause overflows, or worse, people and vehicles can be harmed in the event of a manhole collapse, Crispin told the commissioners.

He recommended the city hire Wichita-based Utility Maintenance Contractors L.L.C., which submitted the lowest bid of $60,000 in response to a request for proposals from the city. The commissioners will vote on whether to award the contract at their regular meeting next Thursday, Sept. 13.

“The sewer would remain in service,” Crispin said. “We don’t foresee any situation where we’d have to have the sewer out of service.”

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

New stadium planned for Triple-A baseball in Wichita

Top-level minor league baseball likely will return to Wichita in 2020. Mayor Jeff Longwell said Thursday that the New Orleans Baby Cakes of the Pacific Coast League have filed an application to relocate to Wichita. The application must be approved by Minor League Baseball and the Pacific Coast League. It also must be reviewed by Major League Baseball.

City officials expect a decision later this year. The Baby Cakes are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

Wichita has been without an affiliated baseball team since 2007 when the Wichita Wranglers — the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals at the time — left for a new stadium built for them in Springdale, Arkansas. Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, built in 1934, will be torn down later this year. The new stadium complex is expected to cost between $60 million and $73 million. It will have 7,000 fixed seats and a total capacity of about 10,000.

City officials have said they hope it can be used for concerts, festivals and other events.

(Read more: Hays Post)

National League of Cities: New limits on local wireless would result in huge revenue losses for local govt

After more than a year of deliberation, the Federal Communications Commission has released its draft Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order, focusing on state and local management of small cell wireless infrastructure deployment. The document, if approved by a majority of commissioners at the FCC’s September 26 open meeting, would enact substantial new limits on local wireless siting review.

The proposal would result in huge revenue losses for local governments from small cell lease agreements, new unfunded mandates and a loss of local control over issues like undergrounding, negotiations for public benefits and the ability to fully control the appearance of city streets.

The proposal offers many of the benefits of utility status to wireless providers, without any resulting requirement to build out and provide service to all residents in a timely fashion. By removing the leverage that cities have in negotiations with wireless providers, this proposal threatens to widen the digital divide, allowing providers to cherry-pick the most marketable areas for infrastructure, while leaving rural and less-profitable places behind.

(Read more: CitiesSpeak)

Does Wichita have an anti-college attitude? Friends forum will explore why

Does Wichita have an anti-college attitude?

Russell Fox, a professor of political science at Friends University, has heard that theory — most recently in a report by economist James Chung — and wants to explore the issue further.

“In the row where I was sitting (during Chung’s presentation), people were nodding their heads and saying, ‘Oh yeah, that confirms everything,” Fox said. “Those nodding heads convinced me that I ought to see if there’s some way I could organize something where we can talk about this amongst ourselves.”

On Thursday, Fox will host a roundtable discussion about higher education in Wichita, exploring local perceptions and how to learn from them. The free event is 7 to 9 p.m. on the lower level of the Casado Campus Center at Friends University, 2100 W. University.

“Let’s talk about the impressions of college as an experience in general that we see in Wichita,” he said.

“Are negative feelings, to the extent they exist, more political or cultural? . . . And why would it be that maybe there’s more of this kind of attitude in Wichita than in other places?”

During a recent analysis of Wichita’s strengths and weaknesses, Chung pointed to a survey by the Pew Research Center, in which Americans were asked: “Would you say a college education is extremely important, very important, somewhat important or not too important in helping a young person succeed in the world today?”

Nationwide, about 77 percent of respondents said college is extremely or very important. In Wichita, only 54 percent said so.“I’ve never been in a city where people are so willing, proactively, to talk negatively about higher education institutions and about higher education in general,” Chung said during his presentation.

(Read more: Local News |)

After 8 years with Mission, John Belger steps down as director of public works

After eight years working for the Mission public works department, John Belger is stepping down.

Belger will work for Infrastructure Solutions in Lenexa, a job in which he will oversee construction of both private and public projects.

His last day as public works director is Sept. 21.

Councilmembers at their community development committee meeting Wednesday thanked Belger for his service to the city.

“It’s been really great working with you,” said member Kristin Inman.

Likewise, Belger thanked the city leaders for “taking on a 26-year-old” when he first started eight years ago.

“I hope I’ve left Mission a lot better than I found it, and I’m confident that I have, but I hope you’ll see it that way too,” he told the council.

John Belger
John Belger
Belger started working as superintendent for Mission public works in July 2010. He was promoted to public works director in 2013, right before “the Johnson Drive job.”

Redeveloping the Johnson Drive corridor was among the public works director’s proudest accomplishments.

Prairie Village homebuilder lobbying hard against design standards set to go before planning commission next week

A homebuilder and Prairie Village resident whose own teardown-rebuild project drew criticism from some of her neighbors two years ago is making an aggressive push to scuttle a new set of home design guidelines set to go before the Prairie Village planning commission next week.

Lynneah Gregory, who is president of Mission-based Reconstruct KC, sent emails to members of the Prairie Village city council on Wednesday that featured photos of the councilmembers’ homes and explanations of how the buildings might not meet the guidelines if they were built today. Some members of the governing body were put off by the emails.

Gregory also lent her name to a press release distributed by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City that argued the new guidelines would have “unintended consequences” for current homeowners. In the release, Gregory said that because the new restrictions would “impact new builds and remodels equally,” she believed they would discourage refreshing of the city’s housing stock.

“I fear current and potential residents will look elsewhere to meet their housing needs if these standards are approved,” Gregory said in the release.

🎥 New City of Hays employee pay plan would offer ‘more paid time off or more money’

A proposed new pay plan and job classification program for city of Hays employees was reviewed by city commissioners Thursday night.

Starting with the first payroll of 2019, the pay plan would provide two percent steps to all employees each year on their anniversary month, explained Erin Giebler, Director of Human Resources.

“Prior to 2019, the city did not provide consistent or predictable pay increases from year to year,” Giebler told commissioners.

To make the pay plan affordable, a volunteer committee of 15 employees made changes to the benefits offered, including lower Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals and capping the longevity bonus at four percent. “Basically, current employees get to decide whether they want more PTO or more money.”

(Read more: Hays Post)

Gardner plans mobile ‘parklet’ downtown

Gardner is seeking public feedback on the design of a proposed mini park, or “parklet,” to be built by the end of October along a downtown sidewalk. Citizens are asked to complete an online survey by 5 p.m. Sept. 12.

The city says Gardner is among 129 communities nationwide to receive an AARP Community Challenge grant to create vibrant public spaces for people of all ages.

Gardner will use the money to create the mobile parklet through a sidewalk extension that repurposes vehicle space as a spot for people to rest or socialize in the shade. The city will able to move the structure to other locations to provide accessible seating at events for people with disabilities.

The survey shows various layouts, furniture styles and shade structures for the parklet, so residents can communicate their preferences.

People in Wichita upset about large, new power-line poles

Westar Energy is replacing old power lines with new ones in a northeast Wichita neighborhood, and they come with poles as tall as 105 feet.

If they’re going in your yard, Westar says it has already spoken with you.

You can find them from 17th street to the Mossman and Hillside area.

They’re also being replaced from around 9th and Volutsia to the Wichita State University campus.

Westar says the old polls are from the 1950s and need replaced, but some people in the community aren’t happy about it.

“I think it’s a disgrace I have to see this every morning when I look out my backyard, it’s right there,” said Treva Smith.

They range in size, but people in the neighborhood say they’re an eye sore.

A Westar representative says they’re sturdier, made to withstand weather and can carry more power.

Westar says it’s purchasing easement from property owners to put them in yards.

“What it’s going to do is help support things like the innovation campus at WSU, new industry, new business,” said Gina Penzig, the media relations manager with Westar.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Deal forming to extend Ark City outdoor trail

Westar Energy wants to build a new power line across property owned by Arkansas City and the city wants to expand its hike-bike trail. Both parties hope to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement.

The City Commission listened to a report from City Manager Nick Hernandez during its regular meeting Tuesday that included preliminary talks about the deal.

Hernandez said Westar plans to rework its Paris Park substation. As part of that project, the company also wants to run a high-transmission line from the substation to KanPak and then on to ADM Milling, at 1200 S. Mill Road.

“We own all of the right-of-way that they will need,” Hernandez said. “Every last bit of it.”

Hernandez said he has been in negotiation with Westar to work out a trade that would lead to Westar providing funding to help expand the trail from its current end point to the Hafner Training Center.

“The cost estimate is $538,000, which includes a crossing on Madison,” he said. “We’ve thrown some numbers out there. We haven’t received any no’s yet.”

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2018-11: Retired school district employees receiving KPERS may serve as board members

Neither state statute nor the common law doctrine of incompatibility of offices precludes a retiree from serving as a member of the school board for the school district from which the retiree retired. Because benefits received by a retiree of a unified school district from the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System or the school district’s early retirement program are earned during the retiree’s employment with the school district and are not compensation for work or duties performed as a board member, K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 72-1137 does not preclude a retiree from receiving the benefits during the time the retiree is serving as a board member.

Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2018-12: Townships derive their powers from the legislature. A township may not exercise a power not granted by the legislature.

As the township officers for Silver Lake Township, you ask our opinion on a matter related to the powers of townships. Specifically, you ask whether a township may solicit and receive donations. For the reasons discussed below, we conclude the answer to your question is “no.” The legislature granted townships the power to: sue and be sued; purchase and hold real and personal property; sell, convey and dispose of real and personal property; and “make all contracts that may be necessary and convenient.” The legislature has not granted townships the power to accept gifts and donations generally.

Sister city mayor, wife from Wagga Wagga wrap up visit in Leavenworth

The mayor of Wagga Wagga, Australia, says the people of Leavenworth have big hearts and deep, compassionate souls.

“The heart and soul of this city is the people,” Greg Conkey said.

Conkey and his wife, Jenny, were wrapping up a visit to Leavenworth on Wednesday.

Wagga Wagga is one of Leavenworth’s sister cities.

Jenny Conkey said she also will remember the people of Leavenworth.

Greg Conkey is the third Wagga Wagga mayor to visit Leavenworth since the two cities became affiliated in 1962.

The Conkeys have been visiting Leavenworth along with representatives of the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest competition.

Greg Conkey said he and his wife had planned to visit another sister city in China with Miss Wagga Wagga Zoe Martin and Community Princess Maddie Smith. But plans for this trip did not work out and the representatives of the Australian city came to Leavenworth instead.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

City of Leavenworth files amended petition in lawsuit against Leavenworth County

The city of Leavenworth has filed an amended petition, laying out what city officials are seeking in a lawsuit against the Leavenworth County Commission.

At issue in the lawsuit are county plans for improvements at the intersection of 20th Street and Eisenhower Road.

The amended petition, which was filed Friday in Leavenworth County District Court, argues an agreement between the county and cities of Leavenworth and Lansing requires the county to pay for left turn lanes and traffic signals at the intersection.

A trial in the lawsuit is scheduled for Oct. 23.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Firefighters union challenges proposed cut of engine from city budget; Fire Marshal: “We can’t put a station on every corner.”

The City of Wichita responds to a post on Facebook from the firefighters union, claiming a fire truck about to be cut from the budget was key to rescuing a man from a burning home.

That 65-year-old man was taken to the hospital in very critical condition, He later died, but would not have made it out had it not been for the availability of Engine No. 6, the union says. .

The union posted a statement on Facebook following the man’s rescue from the home.

The post addresses the city’s budget cuts, including getting rid of Engine 6. Fire Marshal Stuart Bevis said there are other stations on the city’s east side, but they don’t have optimal response times.

“What’s the best way to fill that gap, and what’s the most economical because it does sound bad when you talk about life and death or loss of property,” Bevis says. “But here’s the thing, we can’t put a fire station on every corner.”

(Read more: KWCH News)

After OP farmers’ market dust settled, upgrades and a name change get council support

This summer’s public forums on the future of Santa Fe Commons Park in downtown Overland Park generated one clear message from residents: Don’t move the Farmers’ Market to the park.

But the question remained, how could the city upgrade the space that is downtown’s central park and make it a more vibrant destination for residents, families and visitors?

On Wednesday night, the council’s community development committee voted unanimously for a plan that keeps the market where it is, at 7950 Marty St., but provides a new performance space, playground and enhanced green space within the park at 8045 Santa Fe Drive. The plan goes to the full council Oct. 1 for consideration.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Salina City Commission getting closer to advertising for city manager

The Salina City Commission took a step forward Wednesday afternoon in its search for a new city manager. Former City Manager Jason Gage left at the end of July.

Commissioners have hired the consulting firm of Springstead|Waters to help develop a brochure for the position. At a special study session Wednesday, commissioners met with Springstead|Waters via conference call.

Changes were minor, and the job description is similar to the one used to hire Gage, Mayor Karl Ryan said. The draft of the brochure is available on the city’s website, www.salina-ks.gov.

The commission will consider adopting the brochure at Monday’s regular meeting.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Dodge City officials given update on potential college

An update was given to city officials recently regarding the University Center for medical providers.

The University Center refers to any program that is not offered in area community colleges and not medical school.

Therefore the mid-level college will be coined as University Center which would possibly go into the Hennessy Hall facility in Dodge City.

The update stated that 30-39 percent of education attainment takes place in southwest Kansas which is for those who go beyond a high school education.

The partnership with the medical college will be with Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University and University of Kansas, as well as community colleges in Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal.

“The areas we will be focusing on are what our paths would look like in western Kansas,” consultant Terri McLain who was hired by city officials to collect data, analysis and assessments said. “We want to make certain we don’t have any overlap between any programs the universities may offer.

Rebuilding of property on “Mother Road” Route 66 in Baxter Springs

Military Avenue has been abuzz lately, and not just from the construction taking place on the 1100 block north of the Ritz or the roar of the frequent car shows at Monarch Pharmacy & Soda Fountain. Coltyn Seifert, his brother Casye, and wife Kelsey, have been hard at work on defining, refining, and bringing to fruition their dream of restoring an old building on Route 66.

A little over a year ago, in May 2018, the Seifert’s purchased the building at 1020 Military Ave., with the hopes of restoring it and owning a business on the Mother Road in Baxter. At the time they had big aspirations and several options. According to the GoFundMe page the Seifert’s started, their dreams for the building felt endless as they continually explored both the interior and exterior.

City of Augusta asked to allow artificial tree downtown

Shane Scott, owner of Sugar Shane’s Cafe, appeared before Council asking that a artificial tree be allowed to remain in a city planter located in front of the business in the 400 block of State Street. Scott explained that a city-owned tree at that location had died and an artificial palm tree was temporarily placed in a planter.
“It adds personality. The customers love it and I wanted to know what you think,” Scott said.
Councilor Crum asked if the issue wouldn’t be better going before the Downtown Inc. board.
City Manager Shaw explained that he wasn’t certain what code would apply to the situation.
“Would it be called signage? Landscaping? Tree sculpture?…Someone should approve something, but I’m not sure what to call it. It is in a streetscape location.“

Pittsburg firefighters take steps to honor fallen heroes

Members of the Pittsburg Fire Department will honor fallen heroes during the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Saturday, September 8, in Wichita, Kansas. Firefighters will climb in honor of the 343 first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

Hosted at the Epic Center in downtown Wichita, KS, firefighters will climb 110 floors in remembrance of fallen firefighters. Each participant will carry a badge containing the picture and name of a fallen first responder.

The annual Wichita Fire Department stair climb has taken place each year since 2015, and is a sanctioned event of the Association of Memorial Stair Climbs, a 501(c) 3 organization. Proceeds benefit the New York City Fire Department Fire Family Transport Foundation.

(Read more: City of Pittsburg)

Parsons City Commission OKs trail grant application; with reservations

With some expressed reservations, Parsons city commissioners agreed to apply for a grant to make improvements to the Tolen Creek Trail.

The commission agreed on Tuesday evening to submit an application for a Kansas Department of Transportation grant through the agency’s Transportation Alternatives Program for a project that would cost an estimated $986,200. The work would include removing the existing gravel from about 3/4 of a mile of the west portion of the trail and replacing it with concrete as well as adding lighting, bridge railing and signage. The city’s cost in the project would total $269,240, which represents 20 percent of construction plus all of the engineering costs. KDOT is expected to announce grant awards under the Transportation Alternatives Program in December. City Manager Debbie Lamb said if the commission decides to reject the grant, there would be no repercussions as long as a decision is made well before bid letting, which is anticipated for October 2020.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Grievance issue peaks with petition in Winfield

A group of Winfield citizens presented a petition to the city commission Tuesday asking that the grievance policy be reinstated so fired employees have a way to protest.

The petition was presented by Chris Jarvis, of Winfield. Jarvis told the commission that supporters of reinstating the policy have been assured the commission is working on a replacement, and they are grateful for the time given.

Grievance policies became a big issue for the city after former police officer Sean Skov was fired in May for instigating a traffic stop on Winfield resident Jeremy “Rudy” Samuel that led to accusations of racism and rights violations. The city did have a grievance policy for employees, but it was written out of the employee handbook earlier this year because it was rarely used.

At Tuesday’s meeting, several other citizens spoke up in support of the petition and iterated concerns voiced in earlier commission meetings about employee morale and other fallout from Skov’s firing.

Mayor Greg Thompson said the handbook is being redone, with more employee input than in previous versions.

City of Hays eyes three new trash trucks, adds one new recycle truck

Three new trash trucks could be rolling down alleys in the city of Hays as early as April 1, 2019, if Hays city commissioners approve the purchase.

The three proposed trucks are New Way Sidewinders with Peterbilt cab and chassis for $673,076 from Doonan Peterbilt of Hays, said Jesse Rohr, Director of Public Works for the city. They would replace three existing trash trucks, one of which was recently wrecked.

“The industry standard for trash trucks is six to eight years,” Rohr said. “We’ve had these for nearly 11 years. The trucks themselves are worn out. They’re in the shop far too much.”

A recommendation from city staff to buy the trucks is on the agenda for the regular Hays City Commission work session this evening evening at City Hall, 1507 Main St.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Chetopa considers zoning for farm animals

In another matter the council also discussed a proposal to prohibit farm animals in a zoned area.

Some residents were concerned Charles Archer planned to move some of his alpacas that are housed near Chetopa School to some of the lots he bought in a recent Labette County Sheriff’s tax sale. At least one neighbor didn’t want the animals to be moved near her property.

Archer attended the council meeting to answer any questions about the properties he bought. He said he didn’t plan to move alpacas to any of the lots.

George Davis of Chetopa had asked about prohibiting farm animals in certain areas through zoning, and Shane Adamson, city attorney, said zoning could be accomplished by a simple ordinance. He was gathering examples from other cities.

Other residents, however, expressed their concerns with prohibiting farm animals, and Brenda Carter questioned if animals presently being kept within the zoned area would be grandfathered. She was told that is an option, and no decisions have been made on restrictions if the council proceeds with zoning. The council plans to discuss zoning in the news few meetings.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Transportation panel to meet in Pittsburg

A meeting to receive public input on the state’s transportation program for the next decade and more will take place Sept. 20 on the Pittsburg State University campus.

The Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force, consisting of 31 Kansas legislators, industry representatives and local officials, is tasked with evaluating current and future transportation needs, reviewing transportation funding and making recommendations on the needs of the transportation system over the next 10 years and beyond.

The task force will meet with local officials and interested citizens at nine visits across the state. The task force is set to hold its southeast area visit from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at Pittsburg State University, Overman Student Center, Ballroom A, 302 E. Cleveland, Pittsburg. The meetings are open to the public.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)