Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Water, wind and fire have parts in Reno County Comprehensive Plan

Countywide zoning for renewable energy projects – including commercial wind and solar farms – along with imposing stricter flood zone regulations are among recommendations in a draft update to the Comprehensive Plan for Reno County.

The 70-page plan also proposes the county create a unified fire district with a single fire chief, that it evaluate low-volume roads for closure and that it creates a “township maintenance plan” for prioritizing joint county/township road projects.

The Reno County Commission, during a study session on the plan two weeks ago, had questions about the proposals but didn’t indicate whether they supported the ideas or not.

Developed by the Reno County Planning Commission with assistance from a consultant from Wichita, the plan also recommends development of a bicycle transportation plan in the short term, but delays development of an actual bicycle/pedestrian network for the long-term – or more than 10 years out.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

Neosho County Commission urged to join class-action opioid lawsuit

An attorney met with the Neosho County Commission Friday morning to urge them to sue over the opioid epidemic.

Attorney Pat Smith met with commission representing Morgan and Morgan, a firm handling class-action lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies involved in over-prescribing opioid medications.

Crawford, Bourbon, Cherokee and Montgomery are among Kansas counties that have filed suits.

Smith said companies used false or inaccurate studies to support sales of opioids, which turned out to be addictive, and the problem affects county budgets through law enforcement and other departments. “We want to stop them and then we want to recover for the counties,” Smith said.

He said the settlement for opioids could be the biggest lawsuit settlement ever.

“Bigger than tobacco,” he said.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

City of Fort Scott approves downtown building for residence

The Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday approved a measure that will allow a local couple to live on the first floor of a building in the downtown business district.

Commissioners heard from city officials and various citizens on both sides of the issue as they considered a conditional use permit that would allow residential living on the first floor of a commercial building. Currently in the downtown district, residential living is only allowed on the second floor of a building.

Local resident Jerry Witt, who owns the building, plans to change the building from a business setting to a residential setting as he and his wife, Judy, plan to live there. The building only has one floor and Witt has designed a plan for the facade.

“This is a critical decision for the downtown,” City Manager Dave Martin told the commission prior to the discussion. “You guys are on the hot seat and must make the decision.”

Martin told commissioners that up for discussion was “one piece of property,” and whether or not they should allow housing on the first floor.

“You’re not opening it up and you’re not changing the ordinance,” he said. “One of our strong suits as a city is we look at every situation.”

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

City of Topeka to enforce political sign ordinance

Between August 10th and September 21st, the City of Topeka will be enforcing its temporary sign code, which does not permit election signs in the right of way, until the general election cycle starts.

Political signs in the public right of way are only allowed forty-five days before an election cycle and up to two days after. All signs in the public right of way are subject to removal.

There are also additional restrictions during this time on private property. Only one sign per property, no bigger than 4’ tall and 6 sq. ft. in residentially-zoned areas, and no bigger than 6’ tall and 32 sq. ft. in commercially-zoned areas or on parcels larger than 1 acre in any zoning district.

(Read more: WIBW News Now!)

Sen. Moran visits Garden City Amtrak following amendment

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran visited the Amtrak station in Garden City Friday. Moran visited with city officials from Garden City and Dodge City to brief on the latest with his amendment to maintain Amtrak train services along the established, long-distance passenger rail route of the Southwest Chief.

“It’s important to Kansans and particularly in southwest Kansas and it has become a cause for cities in our state Newton, Hutchinson, Dodge City, Garden City, who have put a lot of effort and their own taxpayer dollars into a project that’s beginning to work and we didn’t want the rug pulled out from under that effort. For people with disabilities this is a method that they can get places,” said Moran.

The amendment came about when Amtrak announced it was ending rail service from Dodge City to Albuquerque and replacing it with buses.

“In my mind that meant the end of the Southwest Chief, it was just like nonchalant it wasn’t like we’ll work with you to solve it was just like this is where we’re headed, so the policy we still have to face is we do not have a friendly Amtrak management passenger rail service”, said Moran, “you can have an argument about what the role of federal government is in providing passenger rail service across the country, you can have the debate as to whether or not the American taxpayers should be subsidizing a rail that doesn’t pay for itself, but that decision has been made and it’s Amtrak’s responsibility to provide that service.”

(Read more: Western Kansas News)

Shawnee moves forward with new community center planning though some members raise concerns about property taxes

After reviewing the initial master plan and feasibility study for a new community center, the Shawnee council committee has agreed to move forward with next steps. Councilmember Lindsey Constance, echoed by other councilmembers, said she thinks the city should look into how much the Mill Levy should be increased to accommodate a 6- or 8-lane lap pool. Neil Holman, director of parks and recreation, said the mill levy involves heavy discussion with the De Soto School District.

Councilmember Eric Jenkins voiced several concerns about plans for the new community center. As a representative of Ward 2, which has a median income of $53,400 (about half of Ward 3, which is $107,700), Jenkins said his residents have less disposable income to spend on a community center.

“My folks are kind of in a jam on this thing,” he said, adding that local private fitness centers were also concerned the community center would cause them to lose business.

Neosho County resolving over-payments to taxing entities

Neosho County over-paid local taxing districts by nearly $3 million in June, and cash balances have not been reconciled since April, a county commissioner said Friday morning.

Second District Commissioner David Bideau raised the issue at Friday morning’s commission meeting. He also said the office has failed to prepare and publish quarterly cash statements, required by state statutes, since October.

“I’m definitely not happy about the treasurer’s operations,” Bideau said.

County offices in addition to the treasurer’s office are training and transitioning to a new computer software system provided by CIC. Treasurer Sydney Ball attributed the problem to the transition, and said a plan is in place to correct it.

Ball and her staff contacted the county districts and County Counselor Seth Jones said all have either refunded the overpayment or are in the process.

Ball has been on maternity leave and spoke outside of the commission meeting.

Bideau said during the commission meeting he has requested financial reports to prepare the coming budget, but they contained inaccuracies. He contacted CIC sales representative Debbie Trahan, and found the Treasurer was behind in processing.

Ball said her office has been taking in payments on the old software and sending out payments on the new.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Great Bend Police Department will soon be fully staffed

The Great Bend Police Department has come a long way since last summer in attempts to bulking up its staff. In June of 2017, it was reported that the Police Department was operating with 25 employees, five short of a full staff.

Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis says the Police Department hired another officer and will be fully staffed near the end of the month. The Great Bend City Council approved additional officer positions within the budget, and now the Police Department has 33 officers. The 33rd officer will start on August 27, meaning that four of the 33 officers will be in training.

Police Chief David Bailey says the new hires go through 13 weeks of classroom training followed by 12 weeks of field training. At some point, the officers will have to spend an additional 14 weeks at the police academy in Hutchinson.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Wellington woman requests neighborhood watch; but crime in town is still down

The recent spat of high-profile thefts and robberies brought a Wellington woman to the council meeting in quest of initiating a neighborhood watch program.

Tunie Caudillo-Sparman addressed the council at its regular meeting this week asking that a neighborhood watch initiative be set up in which neighbors and citizens work together to stop what is perceived to be a dramatic increase in crime.

Wellington Police Chief Tracy Heath said he is all for a proactive stance against crime, and is open to suggestions. However, statistically, crime is not up in Wellington. In fact, it is down from 2017.

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

New voting system saved time in Pratt

Determining how the voters in Pratt County marked their ballots Tuesday took a lot less time than it did to determine who won the Republican race for governor in Kansas. With Kris Kobach and Gov. Jeff Colyer in a virtual tie at 41 percent of the votes, it may take some time to officially declare a winner in the race that has Kobach with a 191 vote lead over Colyer.

It may take some time to determine the winner but determining the Pratt city and county election results only took about an hour and a half thanks to some new voting equipment. This is the first time the new system has been used. They county got the system about a month ago and have been training on it for this first real world use in an election. The old system was fairly old and it was time to replace it.

The new system has not been mandated but it is the way voting is heading.

“It hasn’t been mandated yet but I think it will be,” Voss said. Starting in 2019, election audits will be required and this new system will help make the audit more efficient, said Pratt County Clerk Sherry Kruse.

Roeland Park police credit crime prevention tactics with reduced incidents in business district

Roeland Park’s business district experienced a 24.5 percent decline in crime incidents from January through July 2018 following implementation of a Crime Prevention Initiative, police officials reported this week. The $7,500 initiative placed officers in the business district for 10 hours per week with rotating times and locations, with a special focus on Lowe’s, Price Chopper, and Walmart. Funds went toward paying officers’ overtime. The city also utilized a donated Ford Mustang “Retail Crime Enforcement Unit” to demonstrate police presence.

Chief of Police John Morris called the crime decrease “dramatic.”

“We’re pretty pleased with how it worked,” Morris said.
Morris said the decline in incident and report writing within the business district allowed officers to spend more time patrolling the streets and maintaining visibility in the community.

Leavenworth purchases downtown building

When they met Tuesday, Leavenworth city commissioners approved the purchase of a downtown building for $52,500.

City Manager Paul Kramer said city officials plan to tear down the building located at 301 Delaware St. and look for economic development opportunities for the site.

The city is purchasing the building from Triple R Properties, a limited liability company based in Leavenworth.

“We would close Friday,” Kramer said. Kramer said the City Commission has taken similar actions in the past. He pointed to the purchase of properties in the area of Fourth Street and Metropolitan Avenue. Those properties later were sold to a hotel developer. He also noted that the city had purchased a vacant hotel building in the downtown area. A developer later built a new hotel on that site.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

Late resident’s proposed projects laid out at Tonganoxie City Council meeting

Per Larry Meadows’ wishes, his wife, Lois Meadows, spoke before the City Council during open session about two projects Larry hoped could be done in the coming years.

Larry Meadows, an involved community member for several years, died last month at the age of 76.

In his final days, he worked with others in the community and his wife to pitch a couple ideas to the council.

The first one Lois, a former Tonganoxie mayor herself, pitched to the governing body was a community center. Larry thought the community was in need of such a facility, which he envisioned having a basketball/volleyball gymnasium, elevated walking area, snack bar, indoor swimming, meeting rooms, a community room and offices for the Tonganoxie Rec Commission.

In a prepared statement Lois read, Larry admitted the project was ambitious and would take a good amount of money to build, but he asked that it be considered for a project in five to 10 years.

He asked that the mayor appoint a committee with a diverse cross-section of community members to explore options for such a facility.

Another project would be “an outstanding asset to the community and less costly,” Lois Meadows read.

Larry, who with his wife came to Tonganoxie nearly 50 years ago, would like the city to consider archways be built.

(Read more: TonganoxieMirror.com stories)

Chetopa cabins for homeless raise concerns

The little cabins being built on the west end of Chetopa are part of a homeless mission.

Judy Wilson asked Chetopa City Council members during a regular meeting on July 17 why the small buildings were being kept a secret.

City officials explained that James Inman inquired about building permits for the cabins on North 13th Street but was told that because of the size of the cabins he planned to build was under 100 square feet, a permit was not needed.

According to the minutes of the meeting, it was noted that policy wasn’t consistent with the wording in the city code, and a lengthy discussion was held over the concerns of the project by some city residents who attended the meeting. Shane Adamson, Chetopa’s attorney, said he would look into the issue and report back.

Adamson told the council Tuesday that if a project is privately funded as Inman’s is, there are no regulations to meet. If federal money were being used, there would be certain rules and regulations Inman would have to follow.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Shawnee County Commission learns utility companies delaying work on bridge project

Shawnee County commissioners learned Thursday that four utility companies haven’t yet moved their utilities out of the way for bridge work on S.E. 29th Street over Dover Creek.

Tom Vlach, director of the public works and solid waste departments, said Cox Communications, Kansas Gas Service, Westar Energy and AT&T weren’t working with the county to move their utilities so the two-phase project can begin. Topeka Water is the only utility service that has had a contractor on board to move its water lines, he told commissioners.

Contract agreements would have had relocation of the utility lines begin in June. After that month passed, the county was told the relocations would begin Aug. 1, but as of Thursday’s commission meeting, none of the work had begun.

The bridge can’t be installed because the utilities would be in the way, and it will cost taxpayers money if they aren’t moved, Vlach said.

About 10 years ago, a draft resolution was proposed by the county counselor’s office to impose sanctions on utility companies if they don’t move their lines out of the way in time for bridge installation.

Here’s what a developer is doing to restore a downtown Wichita icon full of memories

There are no men sporting top hats or women wearing gloves and floor-length dresses. No bellhops scurry about with luggage as passengers embark on journeys.

Yet the Union Station train terminal — a vast space that was chopped up for offices in 1979 — is now being being restored to some of its original grandeur.

“We’re trying to take that back now,” says Gary Oborny, chairman and CEO of Occidental Management. Oborny bought the Union Station campus of five buildings for $1.5 million in 2013 and, after working on some of the other buildings, is now refurbishing its showcase feature. The most significant change is the elimination of many of the steel frames that created mezzanines for office space.

Union Station was known as “the daylight station of America,” as one visiting Mississippi reporter put it before the 1914 opening, with an east bank of windows that “flooded light into the whole area,” Occidental president Chad Stafford says.

“So the mezzanine blocked a lot of that.”

With their demolition, Oborny says, “This is how the space looked . . . back in 1914. Very wide open, all the way up to the ceiling.”

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

Johnson county report indicates newspapers still viable

Apparently newspapers aren’t dead. At least according to a survey commissioned by the Johnson County government.
Johnson County residents were surveyed on ways to improve the quality of county communication with the public. The survey, administered by ETC Institute in Olathe, is conducted by phone with a random sample of 408 county residents. Ninety-two percent (92 percent) of those surveyed indicated they depend on traditional media either “frequently” or “occasionally” to stay informed about the county. The report did not appear to differentiate between online newspapers (website), traditional hard copy news print and a presence on social media.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Olathe wants your ideas on the future

Olathe officials continue to seek ideas from the public on how the city should look and function two decades from now. It’s part of a strategic planning process that will help Olathe plan for the future.

Residents, business owners, visitors and those who work in Olathe are encouraged to go to OlatheKS.org/Olathe2040 to share their thoughts or vote and comment on other people’s ideas.

Among suggestions mentioned so far: more bike paths and trails, pocket parks and recreational water features, shaded streets, late-night coffee shops and a rail line to downtown Kansas City.

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Sales tax renewal easily passes in KCK

The renewal of the three-eighths-cent sales tax for public safety and infrastructure easily passed in Kansas City, Kansas, on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

The sales tax renewal was approved by 60 percent of the voters here, according to statistics from the Wyandotte County election office. The vote total was 10,226 “yes” and 6,594 “no,” according to a Wednesday vote total update on the election commissioner’s website.

“I think people realized it’s a critical tax with the community in terms of funding public safety and our neighborhood improvements,” said Mike Taylor, public relations director for the Unified Government.

“I think one of the selling points for it was that people from other communities from all over that come to The Legends and Village West are helping to pay for our police, fire and street and sidewalk improvements. For so many years, no one came to Wyandotte County, and Wyandotte County had to go outside the county to shop. Now we have people from all over the region coming, so they’re helping to contribute to pay for those services.”

(Read more: Welcome to Wyandotte Daily)

Wichita gets nearly $1 million grant for school security

The Wichita school district plans to use a nearly $1 million grant to improve security at its schools this year.

The improvements will include upgrading classroom doors that can lock from inside, adding cameras, and buying more metal detectors.

The Wichita Eagle reports a state grant earmarked for school security will finance many of the improvements.

Terri Moses, Wichita’s director of safety services, says other improvements include adding defibrillators in every district building. Moses says the district will buy eight metal detectors but there currently are no plans to place them permanently or regularly search students as they enter buildings.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of the school year.

(Read more: Government & Politics News |)

Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2018-9: Duties of Chief Engineer responsibilities in proceedings for Local Enhanced Management Areas

Kansas law does not require any additional procedural steps to be taken when the Chief Engineer of the Division of Water Resources retires or resigns from that position during proceedings to designate a local enhanced management area.

‘If you don’t do that, you will die;’ seniors seek more county funding for centers

Sedgwick County senior citizens were out in force Thursday night to demand more money for senior centers that they say help them stay in their homes and stay alive.

Dozens came to the County Commission podium to tell their stories — three minutes at a time — of how senior centers have benefited them and to ask the commissioners to increase their support.

The occasion was the county government’s annual evening budget hearing. More than 60 seniors packed the commission chamber to standing room only and another 20 filled an overflow room watching on video.

The current county budget plan is to keep senior center funding level flat for 2019, said spokeswoman Kate Flavin. How much each center gets depends on tiers, based on the number of people served and services provided.

Several centers are hoping to move up in the tier structure this year, which would increase their budgets, Flavin said.

Commissioner Jim Howell, whose south-county district includes a high percentage of low-income seniors, has been pushing for more than a year for more money for the centers.

A parade of seniors came to the podium to testify on how the centers have helped them.

(Read more: Politics & Government News)

JoCo leaders support election official despite prolonged delay releasing vote results

Johnson County commissioners voiced full support Thursday for Election Commissioner Ronnie Metsker, despite an election marred by an overnight delay in releasing voting results.

“I have to compliment you and your team,” Commissioner Steve Klika told Metsker at Thursday’s commission meeting.

Klika said he knew many voters and observers were frustrated that it took until Wednesday morning to get the final tally from Tuesday’s primary election. But he didn’t blame Metsker for a delay that kept election watchers across the country waiting for results in several high-profile races, including the still-undecided Republican primary for governor.

Klika also credited the vendor of Johnson County’s new voting machine system, Election Systems & Software of Omaha, for taking responsibility for the failure in the system’s inaugural use. Commission Chair Ed Eilert and Commissioner Michael Ashcraft also told Metsker that they don’t hold him accountable for the poor outcome.

Topeka woman sues city over pothole injury

A Topeka woman is suing the city after claiming she fell and was injured by a pothole in the street.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Shawnee County District Court, says Amanda Counts notified the city of Topeka about a pothole in front of her home in the 1200 block of S.W. Hillsdale four times, starting in September 2016.

A crew responded in October 2016 and told her it would be repaired the following day.

On April 24, 2017, Counts fell and “suffered a serious and permanent injury,” the petition claims.

The pothole was repaired about a week after she fell.

The lawsuit says Counts was injured because of the city’s negligence. It seeks damages in excess of $75,000.

Marion County Commission splits on transfer station

Thursday’s special county commission meeting had one item on the agenda, the Marion’s transfer station for recyclables.

The project passed 2-1, but commissioner Randy Dallke had major reservations, he said. Commision chair Dianne Novak and commissioner Kent Becker voted in favor of the repairs, bringing about a majority.

Novak then moved to accept the engineering agreement from Kaw, pending approval by the county counselor. Dallke seconded and it passed unanimously.

According to Dallke, voting in favor of the agreement was about cutting losses and working together.

“I realize that, O.K., what good does it do me to vote against it,” Dallke said. “These people, they seem to have a very good plan and stuff of what they want to do here. So why not get with the vote and see if we can’t get things accomplished?”

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Tiny home village planned for Wichita is receiving opposition

Brady Sherman proudly walks next to land that could soon house dozens of tiny homes.

He’s the CEO and co-founder of MicroMansions, a community targeted for millennials and empty-nesters.

“They are luxurious, energy-efficient, affordable tiny homes with a Midwest flair,” he said. “So it’s more of the minimalistic lifestyle.”

The homes will start from $75,000 to $100,000, with five designs to choose from.

“The houses range from 400 to 600 square feet and there will be 90 in the first plat,” Sherman said.

But this tiny home idea is causing some huge concerns from nearby neighborhoods. There’s a petition trying to stop it.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Great Bend’s best possible outcomes for the problematic Great Bend Hotel

Among the Great Bend properties abated by the City Council Monday night was former Highland Hotel (now known as the Great Bend Hotel and Convention Center), a local landmark that has fallen into disrepair.

Located at 3017 10th St., trash cans around the site are over flowing, weeds have been allowed to grow and other maintenance has not been done, City Sanitarian Austin LaViolette said. Even after city personnel and volunteer private citizens have fought back the vegetation, it is still an eyesore.

A member of the meeting audience asked what could be done about it. Sadly, officials said, not much at this time.

“I hate to see it go to waste,” City Attorney Bob Suelter said. But, unless it deemed “unsafe and dangerous” the city can’t do anything about the problem.

Derby Historical Society Museum finally free of window, roof leaks

It’s been a lot of work, but the advances made by the city’s only museum are making its president smile.

“I’ve seen a lot of progress this year,” said John Rhodes, president of the executive board of directors of the Derby Historical Society Museum.

Much of that progress is simply protecting the exhibits from the elements in the decades-old building at 208 N. Westview. Recently, a windows replacement project was completed and a new roof added, cutting out leaks.

“We had real problems, but the contents are finally safe,” Rhodes said. “We’re getting the building in good shape.”

The museum, which is open for four hours on Saturdays from April to November, received 172 guests in July, more than double its June figure

of 84.

Visitors stopping by have home states as far away as Ohio, Arizona, California and Oregon. Among the museum’s collection is a locally built 1870 log cabin, an original two-horse covered wagon that traveled to the Derby area in the 1860s, a 40,000-piece button collection, and the largest displayed collection of arrowheads in Kansas, among numerous local items.

Salina, Clay Center housing projects get boost from state

Two north-central Kansas housing projects are among 11 initiatives across the state that will receive Kansas Housing Resources Corporation financing.

The awards, offered as deferred-payment loans, are funded through HUD’s Home Investment Partnerships Program and the National Housing Trust Fund, which provide federal funds to expand access to affordable rental housing.

Lee Hardware Lofts in Salina, being developed by Overland Property Group and Community Housing Development Corp. of Central Kansas, will receive $500,000 in HOME funds for its conversion of the historic Lee Mercantile building on North Santa Fe Avenue. The building will be converted to 53 apartments.

Parkview Plaza Apartments in Clay Center, being developed into 50 public housing units by Clay Center Housing Authority, will receive $500,000 in HTF funds.

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is a public corporation that finances and develops affordable housing for low- and moderate-income Kansans.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Miami County seeks federal funding for off-system bridges

Miami County officials are preparing to submit four proposed bridge replacement projects to the Kansas Department of Transportation in the hope that one of them will be selected for federal off-system bridge funds. If one of the submitted projects is selected, Oehlert said the bridge replacement project would take place in 2020. The federal off-system bridge grant would provide 80 percent of the project cost, with Miami County being required to cover the remaining 20 percent. The grants can be awarded up to $1 million.

The county has used federal off-system bridge funding for multiple projects in the past, including $1 million that was secured for the replacement of the Mill Street Bridge east of Osawatomie.

Most recently, the county received off-system bridge funding to replace a fracture critical bridge located on 263rd Street east of Somerset Road.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Roeland Park considers rezoning vacant Johnson Drive building for use as dry cleaner

The Roeland Park city council took up the issue of rezoning 5000 Johnson Drive from an office building district to a mixed use district at the governing body workshop Monday.

The long-vacant building was recently purchased by the owner of Pride Cleaners.

Kathleen Warman, of Warman Architects, spoke on behalf of Pride Cleaners and described the extensive exterior remodeling and parking lot reconfiguration planned for the site. Warman said the owner was also willing to add a public sidewalk to improve walkability.

While councilmembers generally agreed the plans significantly improved the look of the building, the updates do not comply with the Johnson Drive Design Guidelines adopted as part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. These guidelines called for a reconfiguration of the building with parking in the rear and a common gathering space in the front.

Since the owner wants to update the existing building and not demolish and rebuild the city is limited in its ability to enforce the guidelines, according to city staff.

In 2040 planning project, Lenexa residents envision a future for city that’s ‘thriving, connected and livable’

Thriving, connected and livable: These are three recurring descriptors that have emerged from Lenexa residents who have taken part in Vision 2040, the city’s long-range visioning project.

Vision 2040 started on Feb. 21, when Mayor Michael Boehm called for volunteers during his state of the city speech for steering committee meetings, task forces and community forums. The process is about halfway completed. Organizers expect to finish their work in November and present their final findings to the City Council, Sheila Shockey of Lenexa-based Shockey Consulting, who is conducting the Vision 2040 effort, told the council at its Tuesday night meeting. The city is paying the company $139,000 for the project.

The guiding principles of the process and its resulting strategy, according to Shockey’s presentation to the council, are that the strategy is “progressive, inclusive, creative, forward-thinking, community-building, achievable, measurable, adaptive and distinctly Lenexa.” Vision 2040 focuses on four areas: economy, growth and revitalization; neighborhoods and housing; infrastructure and transportation; and sense of community.

Downtown Wichita developer says rental market might be under-supplied soon

Wichita rents are down slightly, according to a national report, but one developer says downtown is a hot market.

A recently-released Apartment List report shows that Wichita rents were down by a modest 0.6 percent in July and down 0.3 percent year-over-year.

While Apartment List describes the Wichita rental market as “cool with soft demand,” developer Jason Van Sickle says the downtown market is healthy.

“Things are really strong downtown right now,” Van Sickle says. “I know that the Colorado Derby Lofts and River Vista are leasing up nicely. I hear the same from other downtown apartment owners and managers.” “I think part of it is Cargill and what they’re doing and other things, like WSU being downtown,” Van Sickle says. “Downtown is becoming the place to live. I actually think that we might be getting close to being under-supplied again.”

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)

Harvey County Historical Society Museum adds ‘mule’ to collection

An old mule was reunited with an old friend and coworker Aug. 7 with help of a retired teacher, the county historical society and the Harvey County Road and Bridge Department.

Put into place using a county crane, the mule — an old tractor-type vehicle — was hitched up to a former railroad cart used as a luggage rack and more in the heyday of passenger rail at the Newton train station. According to Jim Meier, superintendent of the Harvey County Road and Bridge Department, a search of the mule’s serial number showed a manufacture date of 1949.

At the time, the mule still ran — though the clutch needed repairs. Mills put some work into the mule, including repainting it. His students at Newton High School ran the mule in the homecoming parade, pulling a trailer with a coffin labeled for the visiting team.

When the mule was in use by the railroad, there were passenger canopies over the tracks at the Newton station. The mule pulled a trailer, filled with whatever needed to get on, or off, a train while parked at the depot.

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Sunday liquor sales pass by wide margin in Emporia

Emporians voted in favor of Sunday alcohol sales Tuesday, approving a measure passed by the Emporia City Commission in April.

A petition to put the ballot up to a city-wide vote received enough signatures, and residents living within city limits had the opportunity to let their voices be heard on the matter in Tuesday’s Kansas Primary Election. The measure passed with 1,954 (57.76 percent) “Yes” votes opposed to 1,352 (42.24 percent) “No.”

As a result, Emporians will be able to purchase liquor in the city on Sundays after the election results are certified. Emporia City Commissioner Rob Gilligan said he was satisfied with the results of the election.

“I’m glad it went to a vote,” he said. “I think that’s the best way to make the decision on something like this, since the community had voiced their opinion early on when the option was available. And, so, that’s probably the most fair way to make a decision like this.”

(Read more: Emporia Gazette)

Dickinson County voters OK courthouse renovation

Changes are on the horizon at the Dickinson County Courthouse after voters on Tuesday approved a $13.5 million bond issue for improvements.

The vote in favor of issuance of bonds was 1,851 to 1,800.

County Administrator Brad Homman said about 73 provisional ballots remain to be counted when Dickinson County commissioners canvass the election at 9 a.m. Monday at the courthouse.

Just a year ago, voters rejected a proposal to issue $15.9 million in bonds for courthouse improvements, to be paid off over 34 years. The money would have been used to fix plumbing problems that caused a sewage odor, to expand the overcrowded jail and to deal with other issues.

Homman said earlier that the biggest issue with the previous vote was the amount of time it would have taken to pay off bonds.

This time, county voters reacted favorably. “Everyone that’s involved with this project on a daily basis sees it as a critical step forward,” Homman said. “It’s important to have a viable jail that will support the county for several decades to come.”

The project still includes new plumbing, renovation of county offices and a new jail and sheriff’s offices. Changes include renovating the existing courtroom rather than building a new one and not creating space in the building for the Abilene Police Department.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Garden City commission approves developer’s agreement for brewery

The Garden City Commission approved a developer’s agreement with Fulton’s Founders Brewery, Inc., at its meeting Tuesday, shortly following a public hearing that classified the property as a community improvement district.

Commissioner Dan Fankhauser recused himself from voting since he’s an architect for the brewery project. He did not vote on any items regarding downtown development projects.

Following a public hearing led by Steve Cottrell, assistant to the city manager, the commission approved an ordinance that would create a community improvement district around the brewery’s property and allow the business to charge an additional 1 percent local sales tax on top of the 8.95 city sales tax. Through the tax, the city would contribute at least approximately $335,000 to the $1.1 million project, Cottrell said.

Cottrell said the tax would impact Fulton’s, but no other businesses in the area, and that should the property expand, the company would have to work with the city to expand the community improvement district. The accompanying tax would not affect any other community improvement districts now or in the future, he said.

Parsons OKs tax break for hotel project

As expected, the Parsons City Commission approved a 10-year property tax exemption for a hotel and conference center project.

The commissioners approved the resolution approving the exemption for the future Holiday Inn Express and conference center now being built near 16th Street and Cattle Drive. That action came after a public hearing for the industrial revenue bonds of up to $8.5 million that will be issued to Parsons Hospitality Holdings LLC, which is developing and will own and operate the hotel and conference center. The city commission originally had planned to incentivize the conference center project by allowing Parsons Hospitality Holdings to retain the hotel and sales tax generated at the hotel and conference center for several years. Later, the city and Robert Patel, owner of Parsons Hospitality Holdings, agreed the city could keep all of the hotel and sales tax in exchange for the issuance of bonds, which provide for the 10-year property tax exemption.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

City of Topeka tables College Hill dog park vote, votes to hear public opinion on Cyrus Hotel sales tax issue

Whether a lot meant for townhouses will now be the bastion of dogs was tabled, and the Topeka City Council voted to hear public opinion on raising sales tax at a soon-to-open downtown hotel.

The council tackled those issues during its regular meeting Tuesday.

Owners of the College Hill Apartments would like to turn a vacant lot into a dog park for its residents.

That plan passed the Topeka Planning Commission 6-2 in June, but council members unanimously voted Tuesday to table approval of the item until next week while staff members answer critical questions about the half-acre parcel.

In a passionate rebuke of the bark park, deputy mayor Brendan Jensen said the city promised to use the land for housing when it was seized through eminent domain. However, it was unclear whether the city actually took that section of land from private owners.

Jensen, who represents the College Hill neighborhood, said the bark park wasn’t appropriate for the area.

New development continues to add to Derby’s growth

The longtime mantra in the real estate business is location, location, location, and in that regard, marketing officials with Preferred Properties of Kansas Inc. believe they’ve followed that guideline with NorthBrook, a new single-family housing project.
The housing development is just east of Woodlawn and just south of 55th Street South, right under the north city limit.
“We’re in Derby, but just a few miles from McConnell and Spirit,” said David Lake, supervising broker and sales manager with Preferred Properties.

Prairie Village council sends home construction guidelines to planning commissioners

After more than two hours of debate, the Prairie Village City Council on Monday agreed to send a slate of proposed residential construction guidelines and restrictions to planning commissioners for their input.
The 8-2 vote represented just the latest step in the council’s effort to deal with a surge of property owners tearing down older, smaller homes across the city and replacing them with much larger structures that some residents complain are at odds with the character of their neighborhoods.
The discussion also highlighted some of the continuing divisions on the council itself on how best to protect the charm of the community and remain welcoming to growing families and new development.
“I want to make sure we’re not so restrictive that no one wants to build a house in Prairie Village,” said Councilman Ted Odell, who voted with Councilwoman Serena Schermoly against moving the proposal along.

Salina Parks and Recreation master plan complete

The City of Salina Parks and Recreation Master Plan is complete and available online. The comprehensive planning document provides a preferred future for the park system.
According to a news release from Salina Parks and Recreation, highly rated priorities for facilities include trails, indoor exercise opportunities, and passive natural areas. Highly rated priorities for programs include special events, fitness and wellness programs, and nature programs.

Reno County Commission dumps nuisance code

Reno County Commissioner Dan Deming said he was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who expressed an opinion on whether the county should adopt a property nuisance code, and asked for time to draft a targeted ordinance for the full county commission to consider.
His fellow commissioners, however, were less than impressed and said Tuesday they had no interest in pursuing the issue any further, effectively killing the effort.
“You’re not tilting at windmills, but it’s pretty close in my mind,” Commissioner Bob Bush said of Deming’s effort. “I don’t have a problem looking at it, Dan, but it’s an uphill battle for you.”
A handwritten petition with the signatures of 17 residents in a subdivision southwest of Hutchinson sought some zoning to force a landowner at 7302 Zolman Road to clean up their property, which is overgrown in weeds and trees, housed two abandoned vehicles and a deteriorating mobile home and had multiple piles of trash.

Renewal of public safety, neighborhood tax winning in Kansas City, Kan.

Kansas City, Kan., voters on Tuesday opted to renew a 3/8-cent sales tax to fund public safety and neighborhood infrastructure for another 10 years.

With all precincts counted, renewal of the tax was won 61 percent to 39 percent.

The sales tax generates $10 million from retail purchases within KCK. Of that $10 million, $7 million is split evenly between the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department.

“I am very grateful to the citizens who got out the vote and expressed confidence that these revenues will be well used to always serve their needs and improve the quality of life for the citizens,” said David Alvey, mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan.

(Read more: Government & Politics News |)

Johnson County election commissioner explains delay in election results

A combination of long lines and computer problems with new voting machines led to an all-night delay in Johnson County being able to release primary election results.

“I’m embarrassed for our county,” Johnson County election commissioner Ronnie Metsker said Wednesday morning. “Our county is not accustomed to having this kind of event. It’s embarrassing for our office, it’s embarrassing for me, for our team and for the vendor.”

Metsker said the engineers for the vendor had been working all night to try to identify the problem.

“We will dig into the bottom, get it corrected, resolve it and then make sure that it never happens again,” he said.

(Read more: Government & Politics News |)