Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Hutch City Council brings up consolidation during meeting

It’s always a bit of a sore subject for residents of South Hutchinson who pride themselves as a standalone community from their larger neighbors to the north. But during last night’s Hutchinson City Council meeting, discussion came up again about the city approaching the small community across the river about consolidating services.

It’s a proposal that has never been popular with the small community. But as Councilman John Daveline put it Tuesday evening, things are a little different there at the moment. Mayor Steve Dechant said he would try to schedule a meeting with South Hutchinson Mayor Mandi Blumanhourst about whether the community might want to enter into some type of agreement for sharing services. The South Hutchinson City Council recently approved major cuts in staff, including the elimination of two police officers along with cuts in public works because of budget issues.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Man’s fight with city heats up. Now he’s seeking $60,000 from Topeka

A man who has been in a long-running property dispute with Topeka’s city government filed a claim Wednesday asking for $60,000.

Myron Holter — who has lived since 1973 in the house he and his wife, Sally Holter, own in the 5100 block of S.W. 33rd — provided The Topeka Capital-Journal a copy of the claim and an accompanying letter he submitted to the city.

The claim alleges city employees on Aug. 14 trespassed on the Holters’ property and destroyed items that included tools, lumber and metal shelving. The letter said the couple has been dealing with the city regarding property maintenance issues since 2015. City media relations coordinator Molly Hadfield said city property maintenance employees last week served a warrant for a sanitation violation at Holter’s home. Holter replied that he had been trying to address the violations but had been slowed by health problems and hot temperatures.

Hadfield confirmed the city had received Holter’s claim Wednesday.

“The legal department will follow its standard procedure and city ordinance,” she said.

Workers going door-to-door to check pet registration in Prairie Village

A pet patrol is happening right now in Prairie Village – city workers are going door-to-door to make sure animals are registered and up to date on their shots.

The city says it picks a different part of Prairie Village each year to check for pets.

The audit is to ensure that all pets are up to date with their rabies shots, and to make sure a home doesn’t have too many animals. Each home is allowed up to four pets, and no more than three of either cats or dogs.

“I think it’s actually a good idea because it’s keeping people honest,” said resident Rick Pierce. “It’s keeping people within the boundaries of the law. I mean, I understand some people have a heart, but the city also has rules and ordinances that everybody needs to follow.”

(Read more: KMBC.com)

The cost of illegal parking in Olathe skyrocketed

In an attempt to cut down on the number of semi-trailer trucks parking illegally along Olathe roads and highway ramps, city leaders are dramatically increasing the fines levied on the drivers.

City council members voted on Tuesday to boost the cost of a citation from the current $30 per violation to $500. Deputy City Attorney Chris Grunewald said the new fines are scheduled to go into effect Aug. 29.

“We want to have a high fine,” Grunewald told the council, who were initially surprised by the large jump. “We believe it was the council’s intent to send a message, and this sends a message (to drivers) that this is important, don’t make this the cost of doing business.”

Grunewald said the $30 fine was not working as a deterrent, noting that the Olathe Police Department issued 70 citations to trucks parking along roads and highway ramps between April and June of this year alone. “Our concern is safety,” said Police Chief Steven Menke. “We don’t want these large vehicles parked adjacent to high-speed off-ramps and roadways. It’s a recipe for disaster.”

Osborne County records largest quake in Kansas this year

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake was recorded Wednesday morning in Osborne County, apparently the first earthquake in that county in recent history and the largest quake in the state this year.

The temblor, first reported as 3.9 magnitude quake, struck at 9:02 a.m. about 5 miles north of Natona or 32 miles northeast of Hays.

Less than a dozen people reported feeling the quake on the U.S. Geological Survey website, with the majority of those in Plainville, about 15 miles southwest in neighboring Rooks County.

Before that, the largest quake in the state this year was a magnitude 3.5 recorded April 8 in Sumner County, about four miles south of Argonia.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Columbus hires new city administrator

A new face has been hired as the city administrator in Columbus.

Daniela Rivas, of Park City, Kansas, will officially begin in the position Oct. 15. She will serve as the chief administrative officer, budget and financial officer, as well as handle the day-to-day operations of the city.

“Ms. Rivas will be a great addition to our team,” Mayor Grant Spieth said in a news release. “She has a proven financial background and has been engaged in municipal administration for over five years. The city of Columbus is looking forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Ms. Rivas.”

Rivas is a graduate of Wichita State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master of public administration in public finance and city/county management. She also graduated from the Kansas Certified Public Manager program at the University of Kansas.

She currently serves as the director of finance in Park City, a suburb of Wichita, a position she’s held for three years. Overall, she has a decade of public sector work experience.

(Read more: www.joplinglobe.com)

Marion County Community Economic Development Corp. loses leader candidate due to lacking financial support

Representatives from the Marion County Community Economic Development Corp. spoke with commissioners Monday after learning last week that another candidate for the director’s job turned their offer down.

In addition to losing a qualified candidate to lead the group, Clint Seibel, chairman, said that financial support from Hillsboro and Marion will not be forthcoming in 2019.

“(The candidate) sent me an email that she took another position citing that the struggle to find financial support was the reason,” he said.

The board was disappointed, and will again take criticism of “moving along and not getting anything done,” Seibel said.

“We are doing this as public service on your behalf,” he said. “To carry this whole idea of bringing on an economic development director is not ours, we are picking it up,” Seibel said.

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Lenexa council approves 1% community improvement district sales tax for Sonoma Plaza development

Developers of the Sonoma Plaza retail center, proposed for one of the last big tracts of vacant land inside the Interstate 435 loop in Johnson County, received unanimous approval from the Lenexa City Council Tuesday night for the creation of a community improvement district (CID) and the provision of a $1.35 million economic development grant. On June 5, the council approved tax-increment financing (TIF) plans for Sonoma Plaza and the multifamily residential development Sonoma Pointe. The 20-year TIF plan for Sonoma Plaza will reimburse the developer using up to 40 percent of the TIF increment for up to 12 years for a maximum of $4 million, after which the city will be entitled to receive 100 percent of the increment and any balance for the remainder of the 20-year TIF term. The council also approved on June 5 the city’s issuance of up to $20 million in industrial revenue bonds for the project.

Leavenworth City Commissioners discuss smoking regulations for parks

When they met Tuesday, Leavenworth city commissioners discussed possible smoking regulations for city parks.

No action was taken during Tuesday’s meeting, which was a study session.

But City Manager Paul Kramer said there seems to be a desire among commissioners to enact some sort of regulation. He said the issue will be brought to commissioners.

Parks and Recreation Director Steve Grant said people have expressed concern about others smoking in proximity to them and their children.

“Recently, we’ve had some inquiries regarding smoking in our parks and public places,”

Grant said.

He said the city currently has no regulations that restrict smoking in outdoor public areas.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Derby Planning Commission approves commercial center

New retail and office space is coming to a growing area of town.

The Derby Planning Commission approved the site plans, with conditions, for a 5,616-square-foot center just west of Rock Rock at the southwest corner of Rainbow Drive and Windmill Road. That’s just north of the Goodwill store.

The commercial center, to be called the Windmill Center, is being developed and built by Warren Homes LLC and construction should start sometime in mid September, said Curt Warren, the company’s president and CEO. There will be five spaces in the center and they’ll range in size from 1,000 to 1,300 square feet. Right now, potential tenants include a financial services firm and a hairdresser. Warren said the spaces will be suitable to small, service-oriented businesses. He doubts there will be a restaurant in it.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Pierceville residents voice concerns

Frustrated by a lack of communication and transparency from the Pierceville Township Board, particularly on its recently approved budget and several other proposed projects, over 35 residents attended a community meeting with two of the three board members Monday night to discuss their concerns.

The attendees, some armed with questions for the board, filed into the gym’s stands and folding chairs. Board Clerk Vyrl Warren sat alone at a table before the residents at the beginning of the meeting, explaining that Board Trustee Dan Harms was at a funeral and Board Treasurer Doug Mai was driving back to town from Wichita.

When community members Deb Davis and Becky Kells asked where the other board members were, Warren addressed the crowd.

“This isn’t our meeting. This is you guys’ meeting,” he said.

Mai arrived about an hour after the 80-minute meeting began. Local township board meetings are generally more casual, but they must still follow protocols outlined in the KOMA, Finney County Clerk Dori Munyan said.

Irritated by communication issues surrounding the budget, public board meetings and several other community issues, Davis and Kells said they asked the board to hold a community meeting the following week at a time more convenient to working community members. Kells said she posted notices of the meeting to Pierceville residents’ doors to spread the word.

Garden City Commission denies improvement district

In a 3-2 vote, the Garden City Commission on Tuesday denied a proposed Special Improvement District that would have allowed for the paving of a stretch of North Ninth Street after property owners of lots alongside the road spoke out in favor and against the project.

The improvement district would have paved Ninth Street from West Emerson Street south to West Thompson Street, which has been a dirt road for decades. Eric Solze, a property owner on the street, proposed the $177,935.75 road pavement project with a petition that called for the city to pay 80 of the costs and residents of the block the remaining 20 percent.

The majority of the properties on the block, comprised of 16 lots straddling Ninth Street, are owned by two families who have owned land on the block for decades: Vernon, Eric and Wilma Solze, who together own 11 lots, and Shelli, Donelda and Jerry Lalicker, who together own four lots. Michael and Stephanie Pittillo. Only Eric, Vernon and Wilma Solze’s signatures appear on the petition.

The petition was the Solze family’s fourth attempt to create an improvement district for the street, which could significantly raise the property value of lots they intend to sell. If the commission had approved the district, all lot owners would have been liable for a portion of the costs.

City of Topeka revises Downtown Plaza contract

Topeka’s governing body on Tuesday evening unanimously approved contract changes that include making it possible for an out-of-town entity to manage the planned Downtown Plaza.

Members made the changes after Downtown Topeka Foundation chairman Kurt Young asked that the foundation’s contract with the city, which called for Visit Topeka Inc. to manage the plaza, be amended to enable the foundation to issue a “request for qualifications” from anyone interested in running the plaza.

In the end, the foundation might well decide to choose a local entity, Young said.

Still, he said, ”“We have a duty and a responsibility to every citizen and donor to exhaust every opportunity to ensure that we have made the right decision when it comes to the management and operation of the plaza.”

Ellis County will replace 40-year-old storm sirens

Ellis County will getting new outdoor warning systems in several locations later this year after the county commission gave the go-ahead to purchase a new system Monday.

The current storm sirens are nearly 40 years old and in need or replacement, according to Director of Fire and Emergency Darin Myers.

Myers said the current sirens, with the exception of the six recently installed in the city of Hays, have been experiencing several issues. The city of Hays began installing new sirens after 2010, and Fort Hays State also replaced an aging siren around that same time.

In the existing sirens, there is no way to determine if they are working properly outside of the weekly test at noon Monday. If the power goes out, there is no way to activate the sirens, and they must be activated through a process that takes several steps and adds extra time to the notification process.

Myers said the new system will have several advantages.

“They’ll all have battery backup. They’ll all be connected to a server here within Ellis County, so that way if anything ever goes wrong with them, they fail to operate, the power goes down (or) somebody plows a telephone pole over in an accident, we’ll immediately get called, emailed and notified. … That way, we can get service out to get the sirens back up and running,” Myers said.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Will Wichita sell MacDonald golf course? City debates the pros and cons

Wichita’s proposal to sell MacDonald Golf Course is now officially waiting for a tee time.

The city golf committee decided Tuesday to hold off on issuing a request for proposals to sell the course, until after the members can establish an overall vision plan for the entire golf system. That plan is expected to take the rest of the year to complete. The decision came after more than an hour and a half of discussion at City Hall, including the members of the committee and about 40 interested golfers in attendance.

Selling MacDonald is under consideration because of an unsolicited offer from Waterfront developer Johnny Stevens. Several members of the committee said they spoke with Stevens and he expressed an interest in continuing to operate it as a golf course — and also restore some of the luster it has lost since it was the original course of Wichita Country Club. The meeting exposed a division among local golfers. Some said Stevens would be the best thing that ever happened to MacDonald.

“I think free enterprise could run a golf business better than any government agency,” said golfer Howard Sherwood.

But golf committee member Cory Rainwater said he doesn’t want to see it priced out of the market for the average golfer.

“I want to make sure little Cory with a teacher’s salary can still play that course,” he said.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

City of Pittsburg explains tornado policy

On Sunday, a storm blew across Crawford County.

Pittsburg residents notification systems on their cell phones warned of a tornado and they were told to “take shelter now.”

However, in Pittsburg, no sirens sounded.

“Radar is incredibly advanced and the desire to prepare the public to prevent loss of life is tremendous,” Pittsburg Public Information Director Sarah Runyon said. “While the conditions and radar reading were enough for the National Weather Service to broadcast a tornado warning for the Crawford County area, Pittsburg staff could not justify using the sirens as we could not confirm a tornado inside the city limits.”

Runyon said in the release city staff works with the information provided by meteorologists and then determines the threat to the public. Spotters from police departments and emergency service agencies then take the appropriate action per jurisdiction.

“Sunday was a good example,” Runyon said in the release. “We do not want to desensitize the public to the sirens.

“There is a widespread disregard for storm sirens, especially when they are engaged too often.

(Read more: Pittsburg Morning Sun)

Reno County and USD 309 still discussing school resource officer

As expected, the Reno County Commission made no final decision about adding a position to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office. The addition would include a school resource officer for the Nickerson School District.

The plan is for the district to pay 85 percent of the wages and benefits with an estimated cost of over $74,000 — more than what was first indicated.

Dr. Dawn Johnson with USD 309 explained why the district feels it needs the officer. The two commissioners present at the meeting Tuesday didn’t seem to have a problem moving ahead with negotiations with the district. At this point, the issue is only in the talking stage. No agreement has been reached.

There was a question raised by Commissioner Dan Deming over other districts in the county also wanting a school resource officer. Sheriff Henderson says two districts in the area have their own police departments, that being Buhler and Haven. The only others would be Pretty Prairie and the Fairfield districts. Sheriff Henderson says if they want to have an officer, they would need to come forward soon.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Rental inspection program could be eliminated in Hutchinson

It was controversial and even lead to threats of legal action. There was eventually legislation by the state over its legality. In March 2015, the Hutchinson City Council approved establishment of a Rental Registration and Inspection Program.

But the city was forced to amend the program in June 2016 to comply with the new state statute. The change required tenant consent before conducting an interior rental inspection. The change basically took the teeth out of the city program, which was put in place to pressure landlords to keep their property up to standards. The program was also met with much resistance from landlords.

Now, after three years, the program may be eliminated. The Hutchinson Housing Commission will likely ask the City Council to do away with the program. The request will surely draw a lot of discussion by the council if and when it’s presented to them. The housing commission will meet Wednesday to consider discontinuing the rental inspection program at the end of the year. Another request to the council will be to explore alternative code enforcement methods for the city. Alternative codes might at least keep some type of watch over rental properties.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

South Hutchinson Police Chief starts GoFundMe page to assist officers being laid off

The South Hutchinson Police Department has started a GoFundMe page to assist two officers and a records clerk whose jobs will be eliminated Sept. 5 as part of budget cuts imposed by the South Hutchinson City Council last week.

Officers Matt Gabrielson and Keith Zerger, and records clerk Jaime Hedger will have little time to prepare for the layoff, said Police Chief Mark Thompson.

He’s hoping to raise at least $2,000 for each employee to help with health insurance or other bills they might face before being able to find new jobs. He based the amount sought on estimated COBRA insurance costs for their families.

“These individuals faithfully served to protect the citizens of South Hutchinson, and now they need our help,” Thompson stated on the page, found at https://www.gofundme.com/south-hutchinson-police-officers?member=618732. “Please help us raise funds to assist them during this sudden transition.”

The fund had about $1,100 raised as of Tuesday afternoon. Any unused funds, Thompson said, would be donated to Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)

Meanwhile, Thompson said, he’ll be sitting down with his leadership on the department this week to figure how to adjust schedules to compensate for the 25 percent cut in officers while taking on tasks of the clerk.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

South Hutchinson fire truck will remain in service after accident

A South Hutchinson fire truck damaged in a collision Sunday while responding to an alarm will remain in service, said Fire Chief R.C. Watson, until the vehicle is scheduled for repair.

The crash at the intersection of Blanchard and Main damaged to the truck’s front bumper and driver’s side door.

“The door is not working properly,” Watson said. “It’s got a hitch when you try to close it. And the bumper will need to be replaced. But all our trucks remain in service. It just won’t be the first-out apparatus.”

He had no estimate on the cost of repairs. The truck, he said, though running with lights and siren, stopped at the red light on Blanchard and was sitting there waiting for the intersection to clear. A Hutchinson driver who was northbound on Main saw the truck and slammed on his brakes, causing his vehicle to slide on the wet pavement and slam into the truck where it sat on Blanchard.

“The (fire) truck was stopped at the crosswalk,” he said. “Because of the water, the car moved into our lane. He ended up sliding northeast.”

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Saline County Commission selects interview board for county engineer

On Tuesday morning, Saline County commissioners unanimously selected a six-person interview board to conduct job interviews with applicants for county engineer.

The interview board will consist of County Administrator Rita Deister, Assistant County Administrator Andrew Manley, Road and Bridge Administrator Darren Fishel, Commissioner Mike White, Human Resources Director Marilyn Leamer and a professional engineer to be selected by Deister and Leamer.

Saline County’s previous county engineer, Neil Cable, retired at the end of July.

Saline County is accepting applications for the position through Aug. 26. Leamer told commissioners that three people already have applied. The board will recommend a candidate with commissioners making the final decision, Leamer said.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Dodge City changes residential zone; applies for housing grant

Community housing projects took up most of the city commission meeting agenda on Monday.

Community Housing Association of Dodge City, Wagon Wheel addition, Candletree #8 and a commercial zoning change to residential, were all topics addressed.

The commercial zone change was for 2.54 acres of land to an R-3 residential higher density zone for multi-family development.

The 2.54 acres is between Ross Boulevard and Canterbury Road west of Avenue A and east of Cannery Row.

According to planning and zoning director of development services Kevin Israel, it is unclear at this time at the type of housing development that will be planned for the area.

The zoning change was approved unanimously.

City officials approved the support of applying for a $250,000 grant for the abandoned housing program.

“Last year when we applied for the grant it was for $100,000,” housing special projects coordinator Mollea Wainscott said. “That grant went towards the housing development on Mulberry Circle that was part of the partnership with Dodge City Community College.”

With the housing shortage still an issue in Dodge City, the housing department is continuing to strive on bringing more housing to the community.

Wichita allows tiny house development to move forward; neighbors hire lawyer

Saying they have no choice and over the objection of dozens of neighbors, Wichita City Council members on Tuesday approved the city’s first “tiny house” subdivision.

The neighbors left the meeting angry. They say they plan to sue to try to stop the development and plan to oppose the council members at the ballot box.

“This isn’t over,” said J.D. Munley, who lives near the planned development. “I have already talked to my attorney.” The issue involves plans to put about 90 tiny houses on 15 acres of land just outside the city limits at Harry and 143rd Street East. More than 30 residents came to Tuesday’s meeting to oppose the plan. The site is surrounded by homes on large lots valued at $300,000 to $1 million. The tiny homes are projected to be about 500 square feet plus loft space for sleeping and to sell for less than $100,000 each.

“It’s a great concept but a terrible location,” said Russ Hamker, one of the neighboring homeowners.

Neighbors said they’d been told by Realtors that they’d lose about 30 percent of the value of their homes if the tiny house development is built.

The developer, David Murfin, made two requests to allow the project to go forward: annexation to the city and approval of a plat for the development. According to Planning Director Dale Miller, annexation automatically rezones the land from a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet to 4,000-5,000 square feet. And if annexation was approved, the City Council has no legal authority to deny the plat, said Miller and City Attorney Jennifer Magana.

(Read more: Local News |)

Great Bend receives another push to place turf at the Sports Complex

n case the idea of installing turf was not on the minds of city officials and councilmembers, several baseball- and softball-minded individuals showed up at Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting to encourage the placement of turf on ballfields.

Mike Minton, president of the Great Bend Bombers Baseball organization, presented before the Council on the advantages of placing turf on the baseball and softball fields at the Great Bend Sports Complex. Minton outlined the amount of visitors the Sports Complex brings into the city each spring and summer with youth tournaments and turning that traffic into dollars spent in the community.

When the Complex opened in 2012, there were no plans to place turf on the fields, but Minton stressed the importance of staying ahead of the game. Minton has been in Great Bend for over 25 years and came to town originally as a teacher and coach. He noted once great city facilities are no longer in great shape, and does not want to see that happen to the Complex. The City has been considering the turf option and recently transferred $1.3 million into a fund in the 2019 budget for such improvements if the Council approves the project. Great Bend Mayor Joe Andrasek noted the City is discussing with other parties to get confirmation on their financial aid to the project.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Ark City to place stop signs at four more uncontrolled intersections

Starting this week, the City of Arkansas City will place stop signs at four uncontrolled intersections in northwest Ark City. East-west traffic will be required to stop.

The move is intended to reduce the frequency and severity of vehicle collisions at the intersections.

The City Commission voted 4-0 on Aug. 7 to approve a resolution authorizing the placement of eight new traffic control devices. City staff plan to use reflective tape and flags on the sign poles to call attention to the new stop sign placements. Tree trimming and removal will be performed as needed to improve visibility at the most troublesome intersections, as well. Motorists are urged to use caution as drivers adjust to these changes.

The City Commission acted earlier this month upon a unanimous recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee — which includes representatives of City staff, Cowley College, the Planning Commission, USD 470 and the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce — in approving this change.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Shawnee man battles city for years over stream, storm water damaging his yard

A metro man has gone head-to-head with the City of Shawnee for decades, but he said, as he gets older, he just can’t do it anymore.

It all comes down to a natural stream that runs through the front of his property. David King spoke at last week’s city council meeting, something he said he’s been doing for years. “The storm water system is not natural. They built it! They created it! That’s my whole story right there,” he said.

King has lived off 71st Street for 40 years. For the first two decades, he didn’t have any issues with storm water and maintained the stream as outlined in city code.

“That is where water naturally runs, but it was a reasonable, controllable type of water,” he said.

But he said when the city made upgrades to 71st Street almost 20 years ago, the city also put in a storm water drainage system that re-routes water onto his property. That was the beginning of a 20-year battle.

The city released the following statement in regard to King’s frustrations:

“City staff has been in contact with Mr. King periodically for years. As with any citizen, we are always ready and willing to keep the lines of communication open.

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

Shawnee County officials hear mixture of comments on land use plan

Shawnee County commissioners heard mostly criticism but also some praise Monday for a proposed comprehensive land use plan they’re considering for the county’s unincorporated areas.

“I don’t think any of us want more government in our lives, and that’s exactly what this is,” said Arlen Kirkwood, owner of rural properties in northwest Shawnee County.

Kirkwood was among more than half of Monday’s audience who raised their hands in response when one speaker asked if they opposed the plan.

Still, Leslie Prentice, appearing on behalf of the more than 130 members of the Topeka & Shawnee County League of Women Voters, told commissioners that organization supports the 191-page document.

The plan’s approval would bring about land use planning that would save taxpayer dollars, she said. Commissioners heard from 13 members of the public Monday while discussing the plan for about an hour. Some speakers voiced support for the plan. Others indicated they would be willing to support the plan if certain amendments were made.

Maize officials hope new art district will help forge identity

Plug “downtown Maize” into Google and the search engine returns a map of the entire town.

There’s a reason for that: Maize doesn’t have a downtown. Other than being known for excellent schools, the suburb doesn’t have much of an identity either.

But city leaders want to change that.

On Tuesday night, they’re holding an open house to begin gathering input on what residents want to feature in the new Academy Arts District, which will run along Park and Academy avenues. “This is something we are incredibly excited about,” said Jolene Graham, an executive assistant in the city’s administration. “It really gives the people of Maize the opportunity to realize the spirit of their home, to bring it to life …”

Because Maize doesn’t have a traditional downtown any more, Graham and others say, creating the arts district is particularly important in forging an identity for the longtime bedroom community.

“The people will say, ‘This is who we are,’” Graham said. “It’s a self-discovery process.”

(Read more: Local News |)

Shawnee city council approves historic Kenneth Smith property rezoning

The historical Kenneth Smith property in Shawnee is moving closer to becoming a residential subdivision.

At its meeting on Aug. 13, the city council unanimously approved rezoning of the lush 60-acre site to planned single family.

Developers with The Alpert Companies, LP, plan to develop 92 single family residential lots in the former golf course setting, which will provide the opportunity for maintenance-provided villas in a variety of types, sizes and styles.

Sitting on the south side of 71st street, between Quivira and Pflumm roads, the site was formerly where the Kenneth Smith Golf Club manufacturing facility produced golf clubs from 1936 to 2003, which were popular among celebrities, U.S. presidents and even royalty. Developer Jeff Alpert told the council he wants to honor the land’s historical significance.

In addition to the high-end subdivision, his company plans to retain the historical Smith residence by renovating it into a modern, liveable home.

(Read more: The Dispatch stories)

Neodesha rec commission pays for new city sign

The Neodesha Recreation Commission has placed a new LED sign near the corner of 8th Street and Granby, in front of the City Hall/Civic Center.

The City of Neodesha wishes to thank the Recreation Commission for allocating the funds for this beautiful new sign, for their foresight in commissioning a sign that will help to keep our community informed, and for allowing the City to showcase our new City Logo on the sign.

(Read more: Neodesha, KS news)

Merriam requests federal commitment on Upper Turkey Creek Project

Merriam has asked the federal government to renew its commitment to the Upper Turkey Creek Flood Risk Management Project.

The Merriam council unanimously agreed to submit a resolution to the Army Corps of Engineers to show the city’s continued support to complete the Upper Turkey Creek project. Ultimately, the U.S. Congress will have to approve the project and allocate federal dollars to preliminary engineering and design before any work can be completed.

The Upper Turkey Creek Project is a joint effort between Merriam, the Corps and Johnson County Public Works. The Corps had recently informed Merriam that the project would receive no federal funding this year for engineering and design; the federal agency encouraged the city to request funding for 2019.

Merriam estimated the current total cost for preliminary engineering and design to be $1.4 million. The local share between Merriam and Johnson County would be $490,000 with the county funding 75 percent, leaving Merriam to cover the remaining $122,500.

Johnson County taxpayers are on the hook for election commissioner’s compensation — but have almost no say over who gets the job

Under state law, Johnson County leaders have no say over who gets hired — or fired — as the county election commissioner, despite the fact that the office is financed entirely by funds from Johnson County taxpayers.

“That statute was that they have complete authority and we have no authority,” County Chair Ed Eilert said. It was concerns about the possible politicization of the election offices of Kansas’s most populous counties that led the state legislature to pass a law giving the secretary of state full authority over Johnson County’s election office — including naming the election commissioner — some decades ago.

But in the wake of the abuses of the office under Newby’s leadership and a tight gubernatorial election earlier this month that featured Kobach, the sitting secretary of state, as a candidate, the rules surrounding oversight and and management of the Johnson County election office are attracting renewed scrutiny.

Following Newby’s departure, Johnson County and the other more urban counties that have their election commissioners appointed by the secretary of state’s office pushed for a legislative change that would return a modicum of oversight authority to the county level. Changes that went into effect early this summer give Johnson County’s Board of County Commissioners the authority to approve the election office’s annual budget and require that all election office employees abide by the county government’s personnel policies.

“Prior to the legislation, all financial operations for our county office were up to the secretary of state,” Eilert said. “That has changed. What has not changed is that the secretary of state still has the authority to hire the election commissioner.”

Teardown trend has increased heavy truck traffic in NEJC. How are those trucks affecting quality of local streets?

As teardowns and new home development continues throughout northeast Johnson County so does the influx of large trucks delivering construction materials and equipment. While some city officials have concerns with how the trucks could impact city roads, others are less concerned by the frequent trips into the area by heavy vehicles.

Fairway’s Public Works Director Bill Stogsdill said he “absolutely” had concerns with how heavy trucks could impact roads but said “it would not be reasonable to require the demolition of a home to be removed a pick-up load of debris at a time.” Fairway City Administrator Nathan Nogelmeier also said he had concerns with having the larger trucks on city roads but said that it was a necessary part of community improvement.

Nogelmeier noted that Fairway had been experiencing teardown/rebuilds for a longer period of time than some of its neighboring communities so the city was more used to dealing with construction vehicles.

“Any time you want to have reinvestment in your community you are going to have to deal with heavier traffic,” he said.

Nogelmeier also pointed out that trucks have a legal right to proceed to the address where they are providing services in Fairway.

Great Bend City Administrator focusing on the future

Kendal Francis is going into his fourth week on the job as Great Bend City Administrator. He might be one of the most sought after people in town.

Last week, he introduced himself to the Barton County Commission and shared his vision on working together with the county to do what is best for Great Bend and Barton County. He continues to find time to talk with staff members and Great Bend City Council members to bring everyone on the same page. Shortly after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Kansas State University, Francis started working for the City of Beloit as a water treatment plant operator. The Beloit native eventually moved up to director of the water / wastewater department before serving as city administrator in Lakin and Coffeyville.

Francis noted he and the staff are not looking back and are focused on accomplishing great things while keeping the citizens in mind.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Attica, Kansas, has its first-ever liquor store; hopes for more retail growth

Judy and Jay Spengler have opened the first liquor store in Attica, KS, which was established in 1884. J & J Pit Stop is on the three-block Main Street, one block of which is vacant buildings.

Shawnee County commission to discuss comprehensive plan Monday

Shawnee County commissioners last October asked the Shawnee County Planning Commission to address issues regarding a proposed 2037 Shawnee County Comprehensive Plan.

On Monday, they’ll hear public comments and discuss the revised version of that land use plan for the county’s unincorporated areas. They’ll talk about a document that resulted from the county’s initiation in 2016 of the process of preparing a long-range comprehensive land use plan, which would guide decision-making about the physical development of its unincorporated areas.

The attempts to guide orderly growth that balances environmental values and reasonable development demand over the next 20 years. It was crafted for the county by consultants from Omaha, Neb.-based RDg Planning and Design.

The Shawnee County Planning Commission last August voted to recommend county commissioners adopt the plan. But commissioners voted 3-0 last October to send the proposal back to the planning commission along with an eight-page list of issues they hoped to see addressed.

Tiny homes controversy is anything but small and cute

The emailed threat read like dialogue from 1930s pulp fiction.

“We’re going to tell you this once,” the message began that told Jonathan Endicott to give up his fight against the MicroMansions tiny homes development planned near his Cambria neighborhood, just south of Harry and 143rd East.

“If not we will use all of our resources, money and means to stop you. You’re dealing with powerful people that have no problems attacking your business, life and family if you choose not to stop.” The email came on Friday morning from someone claiming to be named Jim Ryun, but MicroMansions developer Abby Nelson said via email that she doesn’t know anyone by that name, “nor have we asked anyone to help on our behalf.”

Dave Murfin, who owns the land where the development will be built, didn’t return calls to comment.

Zoning cases often get contentious, but MicroMansions — 90 homes that would be nestled among houses ranging from $300,000 to more than $1 million — is inspiring much more.

Shawnee County Commissioner Bob Archer reflects on trip to White House

Shawnee County Commissioner Bob Archer said participating in this week’s Kansas Leadership White House Conference in Washington, D.C., was an honor and that meeting Vice President Mike Pence was thrilling.

The conference, which was held Thursday, was organized by the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. The office is meeting with county leaders from every state in an effort to expand outreach so more decision-making and problem-solving occurs at the local level, Archer said. Archer said attending the conference was an opportunity to learn from the speakers and from other participants serving in positions similar to his.

Returning from the event Friday, Archer said he was interested in talking with Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla about a housing program he had learned about. He also wanted to take a look at criminal justice reform, which was touched on at the conference.

“Everybody seemed to have the same problem — that jails were mental health facilities,” he said.

Archer concluded that participating was a great experience and that it would help him be better at his job as a county commissioner.

Bourbon County commissioners say they will not raise mill levy No additional deputies, bridge crew

Bourbon County Commissioners worked Tuesday afternoon to create a budget with no mill levy increase for 2019.

That meant eliminating increases that totaled nearly 11 additional mills: 7.7 mills from the sheriff and corrections requests; about a half a mill for additional economic development funds; and the nearly three additional mills to fund a bridge crew in the Public Works Department. On Tuesday afternoon, commissioners met with Sheriff Bill Martin and Jail Administrator Bobby Reed. Martin submitted a correction on his budget request, which had included a part-time clerk that needs to be removed because Reed also had included the same position in his budget request.

Martin presented three options for commissioners. One option includes a 3-percent pay increase for all staff, four additional deputies and the additional vehicles and equipment those deputies would require.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Commission Approves Aggieville Hotel Rezoning

At the August 7th meeting the City Commission approve a rezoning request in Aggieville for a 0.87-acre site that includes part of the old City parking lot adjacent to Starbucks. The 12th Street/ Bluemont Avenue PUD rezoning will make way for a five-story hotel that will contain 127 guest rooms. The hotel will also include an attached 113-stall parking garage.

The hotel plan is consistent with the newly proposed Aggieville Vision Plan which will include higher density development along the outskirts of Aggieville while keeping the historic Moro Street buildings more intact.

(Read more: Manhattan – News Flash)

City of Winfield considers zoning to encourage breweries in central business district

Possible zoning changes to encourage breweries in the downtown Winfield business district will be the topic of an upcoming Winfield Planning Commission meeting.

Current zoning rules state that breweries in Winfield cannot be located within 200 feet of a school or church. Relaxing these rules could encourage development of breweries in the central business district, which has several churches within its boundaries, city manager Jeremy Willmoth said.

The city is leading the initiative to relax the zoning rules after receiving an inquiry from a party interested in opening a brewery here, Willmoth said. He declined to name the party.

The city needs to encourage development of restaurants, shops and other businesses as a way to keep downtown Winfield vibrant, Willmoth said.

“The rules and regulations need to be set so they don’t hamper downtown development,” he said.

Hutch City Council to discuss where to go with park facility

The Hutchinson City Council will have to take another look at the proposed events center that the city wants to build in Rivers Banks Orchard Park north of town.

The city was to take action on bids for the building during Tuesday’s agenda session, but bids came in nearly twice the projected cost which was approximately $850,ooo. The Council is expected to reject the bids.

The action by the council also comes as questions were raised by several council members over whether the public building would cause too much competition with other privately and company owned facilities. One city council member who is employed by such a company expressed such concern during a recent meeting, but did not request any action be taken. City Manager John Deardoff says things are further complicated by the fact that the Council has already approved bonds for the project, along with engineering and design costs.

If the Council rejects the bids many other decisions will have to be made. That would include scaling down the project, putting it up for bid and deferring the project to a later date.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

New superintendent to focus on Shawnee Mission’s strategic plan for future-based learning

Strategic planning to prepare Shawnee Mission students for a fast-paced future is new superintendent Mike Fulton’s top priority.

Details for exactly what that strategic plan will look like remain to be seen, but Fulton plans to make the plan a collaborative effort between the Shawnee Mission School District Board of Education, school administration, parents, students and members of the community.

That means involvement from the community will be vital to prepare students for their futures and to reach their full potential, he said. “Schools exist for one reason: It has to help the children of our community be successful as adults,” Fulton said, adding that the school district’s strategic plan will build upon the work that has already been accomplished.

“It’s important that we no longer run the narrative that some kids learn and some kids don’t,” Fulton said. “The narrative must be that every child is capable of high performance. It’s our job as adults to figure out how we work with them to get them ready for their future.”

Consultants unveil final recommendations for Santa Fe Commons in Overland Park — one concept with farmers market, and one without

A paper-airplane shaped band shell, water feature and curved walkway made it into the final recommendations for Santa Fe Commons Park. Public hammocks did not.

Consultants presented their recommendations at a public input session Thursday for the 3.8-acre park in the heart of downtown Overland Park. They made two final park plans – one with a farmers’ market and one without – that will continue through various city committees before the city council decides what the park should look like.

Here are proposed site plans for the two concepts. Santa Fe Commons Park, which will be re-christened Thompson Park when the work is done, has been a worry for neighbors who have been suspicious about plans to move the market. The city has been looking for ways to expand and improve popular market. But neighbors say moving it to the park would add too much hustle and bustle to the quiet space. The downtown building boom has already created traffic and parking problems, and moving the market closer to houses would make things worse, some have said.

Even if Wichita sells MacDonald, it can still make sure it stays a golf course

Wichita can ensure that MacDonald Golf Course remains a golf course, even if the city does sell it to the developer of the Waterfront, a council member said.

Council member Pete Meitzner said he thinks the city could and probably would make that part of any request for proposals to sell the course.

Meitzner said “It makes perfect sense for it to remain a golf-centered area,” and “If we do an RFP, we could make that a condition.”

Selling the course for anything other than golf use would undercut a city pact with First Tee, a nonprofit youth golf program that is highly popular with the council. In April, the city inked a deal with First Tee to build a $1.5 million driving range and instruction center at MacDonald.

(Read more: Local News |)