Kansas Municipal News
Main Street in downtown Parsons achieves full occupancy
Main Street in downtown Parsons is now at 100% occupancy. “I think it’s astounding,” said Mayor Leland Crooks. “… I’d be willing to bet that you can’t find another city in the state that can make that claim. Maybe not in several states. It’s a testament to how hard our city staff has worked in bringing businesses and making things happen downtown.” With the recent opening of three new businesses — Free State Cigars, VR Escape Room Entertainment and Main St. Skin — all storefronts are occupied along Main Street.
Source: Parsons Sun
Labette County K-9 deputy to retire because of health problems
Gustaw, a 5-year-old Dutch shepherd and K-9 deputy for the Labette County Sheriff’s Office, will be retired in the near future because of his health. Gustaw (pronounced Gustav) began work with the sheriff’s office at age 2 on Dec. 17, 2018. He’s trained and worked with Deputy Charlie Brown. The K-9 has received regular heartworm treatment during his work with the sheriff’s office. Around March he apparently became infected with heartworms. The disease was confirmed with a trip to the vet. The company that made the heartworm treatment is paying for Gustaw’s current treatment regimen, according to Sheriff Darren Eichinger. Eichinger hopes the company will pay for the cost of the Gustaw, which was about $18,000. County Counselor Brian Johnson is getting involved to try to recoup the cost of Gustaw from the company.
Source: Parsons Sun
Shawnee co-living ban garners national scrutiny
A recent Shawnee City Council decision to ban “co-living” arrangements has drawn accusations of classism, racism and a callous disregard for the people struggling to afford homes and apartments in Johnson County. … But Shawnee councilmembers pushed back forcefully this week, saying that, in fact, they’ve struck a blow to keep home prices from ballooning even faster than they have already. They said their motives for passing the co-living restrictions have been misrepresented.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Rebuilding Andover: How supply chain issues may disrupt tornado recovery
Aside from a handful of places along one section of U.S. 54, the majority of Andover’s business community was safe from the tornado’s destructive path on April 29. “It’s been a whirlwind, a lot of emotional ups and down, let me tell you,” said Andover Area Chamber of Commerce president Becky Wolfe. “You hear stories and then you’re so thankful nobody got hurt — seriously hurt — and the outcome could have been a lot worse. So we’ve been very, very, very fortunate.”
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Breastfeeding bench placed in City of Burden park
The City of Burden park has a new feature – a bench that will help families, specifically breastfeeding moms. In 2018, the Breastfeeding Advocates of Cowley County (BACC) received a grant from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition for the design, construction, and installation of a breastfeeding bench. The goal of this project is to provide a safe, comfortable and sheltered area to breastfeed and change a diaper. … The breastfeeding bench was constructed by Central of Burden High School Shop class. The bench features a shaded canopy and was installed near the playground equipment. This location helps caregivers sit and feed children without having to leave the park.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
15 years after the deadly tornado in Greensburg, what remains vital is community
It’s spring, so residents of Greensburg are getting a little on edge. “You’re so excited for spring, the flowers and gardens,” said Greensburg resident Erica Goodman, owner of Where’Dya Find That Antiques on South Main Street. “Yet storms come with it.” Goodman’s home and business were among the hundreds destroyed 15 years ago Wednesday as a 1.7-mile wide wedge tornado tore through town. The devastating EF5 twister hit the south-central Kansas town at about 9:45 on a Friday night, killing 11 people, injuring 63 and destroying more than 90% of its structures. While residents have no formal plans to mark the anniversary on May 4, they can’t help but remember, several said, as also try to continue to build on the new Greensburg that has risen from it.
Source: Hutch News
Municipal Bond Trends for May 2, 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.
Fears of a Fed mistake grow as this week’s anticipated interest rate hike looms
The Federal Reserve is tasked with slowing the U.S. economy enough to control inflation but not so much that it tips into recession. Financial markets expect the central bank on Wednesday to announce a half-percentage point increase in the Fed’s benchmark interest rate. The fed funds rate controls the amount that banks charge each other for short-term borrowing but also serves as a signpost for many forms of consumer debt. Doubts are rising about whether it can pull it off, even among some former Fed officials. Wall Street saw another fierce sell-off Monday afternoon, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 down more than 1% after being positive earlier in the session.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Lt. Governor Toland Announces Applications Open for Rural Mural and Public Art Program
Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland announced that grant applications are open for the Rural Mural and Public Art program. The Kansas Department of Commerce will provide matching funds for communities to create new murals and public art projects that will engage community residents and create a place for the community to gather and enjoy. “Public art is an important component in the health and vibrancy of communities across our state,” said Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland. “The Rural Mural and Public Art program will create new destinations that tell the story of a community and inspire pride in residents and visitors to Kansas. All of this enhances quality of life and fuels new growth statewide.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
10-Year Treasury Yield Hits 3% for First Time Since 2018
The worst bond rout in decades hit a new milestone Monday with the yield on the 10-year Treasury reaching 3% for the first time since late 2018. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which rises when bond prices fall, crossed the 3% level ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, recently trading at 3.002%, according to Tradeweb. A reference for borrowing costs on everything from mortgages to student loans, the yield last closed above 3% in November 2018 and has jumped from 1.496% at the end of last year.
Source: WSJ.com: Markets
Olathe may annex nearly 175 acres for Garmin’s expansion
Olathe-based Garmin Ltd., the maker of GPS and electronic devices, could continue to deepen its footprint in the city at the southwest quadrant of 151st Street and Lone Elm Road. On Tuesday evening, the City Council will review the annexation request of Garmin (Nasdaq: GRMN) subsidiary Garmin Realty LLC for 174.64 acres for future development. The company acquired the three Olathe land parcels from Brunker Farms in November. The site sits just west of Olathe Medical Center and catty-corner from the former Great Mall of the Great Plains property.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Andover is opening an extra storm shelter for residents Monday
The city of Andover is opening its storm shelter at City Hall for residents who need a place to hunker down if weather gets severe. Public shelters at the concession stand restrooms at the 13th Street Ball Diamonds and at the restrooms in Central Park are also open, the city said in a Monday email and Facebook post. The announcement comes in the wake of an EF-3 tornado that tore through the town on Friday, damaging hundreds of homes and buildings. Officials have said the twister cut a more than 12-mile path, starting in rural southeastern Sedgwick County and traveling through Andover, for the roughly 21 minutes it was on the ground.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Mission mourns loss of former city councilmember Suzie Gibbs, a ‘one of a kind’ civic leader
The Mission community is mourning the loss of Suzie Gibbs, a beloved and active leader this week. Gibbs served more than two dozen years on the Mission City Council, volunteered countless hours of her time to various charities and managed her own small business, died Tuesday, April 26. A resident of Mission since 1967 (except for a brief stint in retirement at the Lake of the Ozarks), Suzanne Greenlee Barnhart Gibbs, was born Feb. 22, 1935. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Scott Barnhart, and is survived by her husband, Jack Gibbs, and his granddaughter, Kelsey Gibbs, among other close family members.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Riley County signs deal to offer fraud detection service
Riley County residents will be able to sign up for a service that aims to detect property and mortgage fraud. The Riley County Commission unanimously approved Monday an agreement with Fidlar Technologies to implement a property fraud alert system. The system will allow residents to sign up to receive alerts when a document has been filed with the Riley County Register of Deeds under their name. Those who opt in to the service can get a notification in the form they select when they register, such as email or text message. The licensing and set-up will cost the county $8,000 with an annual fee of $1,750 for maintenance of the system. The Register of Deeds office will pay the costs out of its technology fund.
Source: themercury.com
Andover residents coming to grips with new reality after EF-3 tornado
Days after a powerful tornado left widespread damage and heartbreak, residents in Andover were still picking up pieces left from the EF-3 storm. Leaders said it could be years before the community is whole again. The twister carved a 4-mile path, affecting more than 1,000 homes and buildings. It came 31 years after another powerful tornado ripped through the suburb, killing 17. While there were no deaths from this year’s tornado, it did toss cars, demolish homes, and send a variety of debris flying.
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas tornado, storm victims get help from state government
Kansans impacted by severe weather in the form of tornadoes, hail and high winds on Friday, April 29 will receive some help from the state government. The Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) have been directed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to help weather victims by waiving fees associated with birth certificates, marriage certificates and vehicle registrations. This aid is being extended to the residents of Butler, Dickson, Greenwood, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Morris, Pottawatomie, Sedgwick, Wabaunsee and Washington Counties.
Source: KSN-TV
Hundreds of people stepping up to volunteer with Andover tornado clean up
Since the tornado struck Sedgwick County and Butler County Friday night, many people have been asking how they can help. On Monday, The City of Andover invited volunteers to sign up at United Methodist Church. People were already lined up as soon as they opened at 10 a.m. Monday. The line stretched across their building and down the hallway. Some waited over an hour to sign-up. “The community is behind these people, and we’re all pitching in to help and do what we can,” said volunteer Roger King. Organizers say more than 200 people signed up to volunteer.
Source: KSN-TV
4th Annual Big Kansas Road Trip information
Communities across Southeast Kansas are preparing for visitors. The fourth annual “Big Kansas Road Trip” will make its way to Cherokee, Crawford, and Bourbon County. It will start Thursday May 5th, and continue through Sunday. Every year the Kansas Sampler Foundation works together with county leaders across the state to promote rural tourism. To help, seven information centers have been set up across the three counties with free guidebooks. “This book is just chock-full of restaurants, lodging facilities, events and attractions. I think there’s more included in this guidebook than in any other road trip previously,” said Liz Simpson, BKRT Cherokee County Coordinator.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Garden City focused on ensuring the city has adequate water supplies
… Buffalo Dunes, Garden City’s municipal golf course, … is halfway through converting more than 20 acres of irrigated bluegrass to buffalo and other native grasses. The move is expected to save up to 20 million gallons of water a year and 16 to 18 hours of labor each week. … The project launched in 2019 and is planned for completion in time for the course’s 50th anniversary in 2026. What’s happening at Buffalo Dunes, roughly a 10-minute drive from Garden City, melds nicely with Lee Richardson Zoo and the town’s parks and recreation infrastructure. The city did away with an iconic public swimming pool and built a new one, complete with a water park that preserves water rather than letting it seep through century-old concrete. Leaders and residents have bought in to water conservation, said Fred Jones, Garden City’s water resources manager. He oversees the water and wastewater departments. “We’re focusing on conservation, ensuring the city has adequate water supplies,” Jones said. “We’re involved in the conversation regarding water in the region, paying attention to what’s going on legislatively and in the field.”
Source: High Plains Journal
The most photographed tornado in history? Army of cellphone journalists documented storm
It’s been a decade since a major tornado hit the Wichita area, and during that time, technology has advanced — to say the least. On Friday night, just after a tornado ravaged the Andover area, social media was suddenly flooded with high-quality photos and videos from citizen journalists who’d spotted the twister outside their houses or captured it from their cars.
Source: Wichita Eagle