Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Ellis County receives $130,000 grant for outdoor warning sirens

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation, based in Logan, notified Ellis County Fire and Emergency Management of approval for a grant from the foundation for $130,000.

The grant was submitted to assist in the purchase of new outdoor storm warning sirens throughout Ellis County.

The grant will directly help reduce the costs of sirens purchased for Antonino, Catharine, Ellis, Munjor, Pfeifer, Prairie Acres, Schoenchen, Victoria, Walker, and an area east of Hays.

The new weather warning system will replace storm sirens that are about 40 years old and are meeting the end of their expected lifespan.

The new system will allow the outdoor sirens to more adequately alert Ellis County residents in the event of a tornadic emergency.

The sirens will be linked to monitoring system, which will automatically notify officials if there is a maintenance issue with a siren.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Shawnee County asking public to help choose name for recreation van

Shawnee County’s parks and recreation department is asking the public to vote on a name for its mobile recreation unit.

The names being considered are “Rec on the Run,” “Rec + Roll” and “Wheels of Fun,” according to the parks and recreation department’s Facebook page.

Susan Fowler-Hentzler, recreation superintendent for the department, told county commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer about the contest at their meeting Monday.

“Mobile recreation programs make it even easier to bring fun and play to where people are — and not just kids!” the department said on its Facebook page. “We deliver healthy activities and nature education all over town. The Mobile Recreation Van is outfitted with balls, hula hoops, games, art and fitness supplies.”

City of Lawrence finance director to take position in Missouri

City of Lawrence Finance Director Bryan Kidney will be leaving his post.
Following a nationwide search, the city of Independence, Mo., decided to hire Kidney as the new director of finance and administration, according to an announcement on its website.
…
Kidney’s last day with the city of Lawrence will be Sept. 5, according to city spokesman Porter Arneill. Arneill said Lawrence’s search for a new finance director would begin soon.

Flags at Half-staff in Honor of Senator John McCain (until sun down Sunday, September 2)

In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, and following this afternoon’s proclamation by President Trump, Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags continue to be flown at half-staff from today, Monday August 27, 2018 until sun down Sunday September 2^nd in honor of United States Senator John McCain, who passed away Saturday, August 25th.

Residents cleaning up from storm damage in Hutchinson

Strong thunderstorm winds caused a lot of tree damage and forced power lines down in the Hutchinson area early Saturday morning. Westar Energy had several hundred customers without power. Westar is experiencing longer-than-normal restoration times in Hutchinson and surrounding areas due to the storms overnight. Large trees were damaged or even destroyed. The campus of Hutchinson Community College was especially hit hard by the storms.

Some of the animal pens on the Kansas State Fairgrounds were also blown around from the strong winds.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Gardner City Council discusses airport; lack of restroom facilities thwarts possible lease

There was spirited debate at the Gardner City Council Aug. 21 as councilmembers grappled with what to do about the deteriorating buildings at the Gardner Municipal Airport.
The councilmembers heard presentations from Michael Kramer, public works director, who pleaded with the council to give staff time to complete evaluations and develop options before deciding what to do with the airport.
Kramer outlined what the staff has already done and the next steps needed before a decision can be made.
He said the city had conducted inspections to the buildings at the airport, developed cost estimates, conducted a survey of city residents about the airport and developed an Airport Layout Plan. He said there was still more work to do before the council decides what to do about the airport building.
“Don’t pick the first option. Avoid emotional decisions. Let’s gather as much input as possible, so we have the information we need for the next steps,” he said.
Kramer was however interrupted by Mayor Steve Shute and councilmembers Rich Melton and Lee Moore who said they wanted to hear from representatives of Apex Environmental Services about an inspection the company conducted at the airport.
“We don’t want to hear this as presented by the staff but by Apex,” said Shute.
Melton said the councilmembers have been waiting for 16 months to hear from the corporation, and Kramer should yield the floor for a company representative to explain details about the report.
But Kramer resisted the move saying that councilmembers have in the past wanted to know what the staff have been doing about the airport.
“One of the comments during the last meeting was that nothing has been done, so we wanted to let you know what has been done,” he said.

(Read more: Gardner News)

Neosho County hears about wind generation project

A county engineer who worked with a previous wind generation project gave information to Neosho County Commissioners at Friday’s meeting.

Coffey County engineer Wayne Blackbourn gave a presentation about a wind generation project there in 2015. The developer, EDPR, constructed 95 turbines to generate 200 megawatts of power, and Blackbourn said the project impacted 60 miles of roads.

A town hall meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm Tuesday about a plan by Apex Clean Energy to construct a 300-megawatt wind farm in southeast Neosho County. The meeting location has been changed to the Galesburg Community Center.

Blackbourn discussed agreements the county and private property owners negotiated on the Coffey County project. Coffey County has countywide zoning. The project required more than 10,000 tractor-trailer loads that impacted the roads.

Fort Scott City Commissioners debate permit to allow downtown residence

Specifics of a conditional use permit to allow residential living on the first floor of a commercial building in the downtown historic district were debated at the Tuesday meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission.

Commissioners and other city officials discussed a draft of a permit commissioners approved at their Aug. 7 meeting that will allow local residents Jerry and Judy Witt to live on the first floor of a commercial building at 9 N. Main St.

Residential living in the downtown district is only allowed on the second floor of a building, according to current city ordinance.

The commission at that meeting opted not to change the ordinance, but granted a conditional use permit for the Witts to reside in the building, which only has one floor. The commission also approved Witt’s designs for the building. On Tuesday, discussion centered around wording in the permit and who would be allowed to live in the building once the permit is approved. Commissioners discussed whether the permit should refer to the “Witt family” or only Jerry and Judy Witt.

City Attorney Bob Farmer told commissioners the conditional use permit is a draft for them to review. Community Development Director Rhonda Dunn said the draft of the permit was created based on stipulations commissioners approved at their last meeting.

Dunn said she researched the International Zoning Code “to make sure of what we’re doing.” She said the permit is not activated until a building permit is issued.

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Founders of Wichita tiny-homes project discuss plan, respond to opposition

The developers of a tiny homes project in southeast Wichita plan to have a model home up this fall, and want the community to come out and see it.

The development is planned near 143rd and East Harry, and the developers have faced opposition from neighbors.

“We’re using every inch of the houses we’ve got, so very compact but still you can see it looks like a lot of room,” says Abby Nelson, co-founder of microMansions, the company behind the project.

The founders of microMANSIONS plan to have a model up this fall, and hope to start the development next spring.

“We’ve already had quite a few people in the community who have supported it and signed up and expressed interest,” says microMansions co-founder Brady Sherman.

Nelson says they’ve received about 50 emails from people wanting to secure a lot in the planned development.

Neighbors say they aren’t done fighting. They’ve put up signs saying “Protect your property value, stop tiny homes.”

(Read more: KWCH News)

Lenexa city administrator Eric Wade announces intent to retire in 2019

Eric Wade, the city administrator who has overseen the completion of a new city hall, recreation center and much of the City Center development, announced today that he will retire from the city of Lenexa sometime in 2019. Wade became city administrator in 2004 and has served a total of 15 years working for Lenexa. He is just the third city administrator in Lenexa history.

Mayor Mike Boehm issued a statement signaling his gratitude for Wade’s leadership of city operations.

“During his tenure, Eric assembled a world-class team of directors and employees to serve the citizens of Lenexa,” said Lenexa Mayor Mike Boehm. “His unwavering commitment to our community has made Lenexa a leader in the region and one of the premier cities in the country for residents and business investment.”

Wade is expected to leave the job in mid-2019. Boehm said the city will conduct a national search to find a replacement.

Lenexa approves plans for The Yard development, with office, dining, entertainment space

The Lenexa City Council has approved the final plan for The Yard, an estimated $15 million mixed-use office, restaurant and outdoor-entertainment development planned for the southeast corner of 87th Street Parkway and Renner Boulevard in Lenexa City Center East Village. Plans call for a four-story, L-shaped building with two stories of office space on top of two stories of structured parking, and two levels of retail and restaurant space, according to Development Administrator Magi Tilton in her address to the council at its Tuesday meeting and to a council memo.

The Yard’s outdoor patio space is planned to be integrated with the restaurants and to include pickleball and shuffleboard courts, multiple gathering spaces and seating, a firepit, restrooms and a host station. The Lenexa Planning Commission recommended approval of the project’s final plan at its Aug. 6 meeting, and city staff also recommended approval. The council on Tuesday also approved a public pedestrian access zone easement as part of the project.

Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2018-10: no longer unlawful under Kansas law to possess or sell products or substances containing any amount of cannabidiol

Effective May 24, 2018, it is not unlawful under Kansas state law to possess or sell products or substances containing any amount of cannabidiol.
Further, Epidiolex is a Schedule IV drug and is excluded from the definition of “marijuana” under subsection (2) of K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 65-4101(aa) and 21-5701(j).

Lenexa City Administrator Eric Wade announced his intent to retire mid-year 2019

Lenexa City Administrator Eric Wade announced his intent to retire mid-year 2019. At the time of his retirement, Wade will have completed a 15-year tenure with the city, having been appointed in June of 2004 upon the departure of David Watkins, a 19-year veteran with the city. He is only the third person to hold the position.

“During his tenure, Eric assembled a world-class team of directors and employees to serve the citizens of Lenexa,” said Lenexa Mayor Mike Boehm. “His unwavering commitment to our community has made Lenexa a leader in the region and one of the premier cities in the country for residents and business investment.”

Under Wade’s leadership, the city achieved AAA bond rating status from Moody’s and Standard and Poor, indicating strong financial management; opened a new city hall and recreation center; implemented Vision 2020, which included development of the nationally recognized Rain to Recreation Program and significant progress on Lenexa City Center; made major investments in the city’s parks and transportation infrastructure, including the interchanges at I-35 and 87th Street, I-35 and 95th Street, completion of Prairie Star Parkway and the current construction of Ridgeview Road from K-10 to Prairie Star Parkway; and the accreditation and/or reaccreditation of Municipal Services and Fire.

Prior to coming to Lenexa, Wade served the public in positions with Johnson County, Kansas; City of Merriam, Kansas; City of Blue Springs, Missouri and City of Kansas City, Missouri, a career spanning 35-years.

“Lenexa has a strong legacy of leadership and we anticipate our national search will attract the attention of a number of highly qualified applicants to the position,” said Boehm. “We appreciate Eric providing a 10-month notice of intent, which will allow for a rigorous search process and a smooth transition of leadership.”

Source: City of Lenexa.

Marshall County commissioner proposes offer of $4,000 incentive for start-ups here

Providing $4,000 in start-up money to each of five new businesses in Marshall County per year. That is county commissioner Dave Baier’s plan to spur economic development.

He outlined his plan Monday during the board’s meeting.

“This lets them get their feet wet and get going to help pay utilities, rent and promote their new business,” Baier, board chairman, said. “This may help those ones that are worried about the startup costs.

“They know they can make it, but it’s just the startup costs and getting everything going.”

Baier said businesses would be eligible for the funds only one time, and the funds could possibly be incorporated into the county’s Neighborhood Revitalization program, which gives taxpayers three years of property tax breaks on new construction projects valued at $5,000 or more.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

Businesses both big and small helping little Merriam grow

Thanks to a blend of big-name stores and unique mom-and-pop shops, Merriam is expanding, and city officials hope it continues to do just that.

The city of Merriam stretches 4.3 square miles. Located along Interstate 35, it’s known for its location within northeast Johnson County and its prominent stores.

One of the biggest draws: IKEA.

"We have a lot of unique, cool shopping things to begin with, but IKEA definitely brought in a new crowd of people to our community," said Karen Crane with the Merriam Visitors Bureau.

With a growing arts scene, a shiny new community center in the works and the expansion of local shops, there’s a lot happening in Merriam.

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

Topeka consider combining committees looking at issues related to homelessness

Topeka governing body members plan Sept. 4 to consider combining two committees that are looking at separate proposals regarding poverty and homelessness.Topeka’s city government posted Thursday on its website the preliminary agenda for that meeting, which includes the proposed creation of the 10-person committee to consider measures regarding camping and traffic/pedestrian safety.The former proposal would ban camping on public property, including sidewalks, …]

Lawrence repeals old law on alcohol sale restriction

Lawrence officials have repealed a restriction on alcohol sales that dates back to Prohibition.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the ordinance restricted alcohol sales within 400 feet of a school or church. The rules had rarely been enforced in recent years, but getting around them required city leaders to go through a time-consuming review process each time a request for a waiver was made.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

Topeka considers combining committees looking at issues related to homelessness

Topeka governing body members plan Sept. 4 to consider combining two committees that are looking at separate proposals regarding poverty and homelessness.Topeka’s city government posted Thursday on its website the preliminary agenda for that meeting, which includes the proposed creation of the 10-person committee to consider measures regarding camping and traffic/pedestrian safety.The former proposal would ban camping on public property, including sidewalks, and on …

Hays water director explains ups and downs in city water pressure

City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs said for the past few weeks she’s noticed the water pressure at her house has varied at times.

“I keep running outside to make sure I don’t have anything running because I’ve noticed that,” Jacobs said on Thursday night during the regular meeting of the Hays City Commission at City Hall, 1507 Main.

City water pressure can vary right now as painting wraps up on the city’s 1-million-gallon water tower in northeast Hays, said Jeff Crispin, director of water resources.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Hays: Changes in height regs for some fences, accessory buildings approved

Hays city commissioners unanimously approved two ordinances Thursday night to amend regulations regarding the heights of some side yard fences and of accessory structures, such as garages.

Jesse Rohr, public works director, said city staff and the Hays Area Planning Commission agreed the items in the Unified Development Code (UDC) were “unnecessarily restrictive.”

Commissioner Sandy Jacobs wondered “how that got by us.”

The massive UDC was adopted in August 2016, and has been amended more than once. That is to be expected, according to Mayor James Meier.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Health needs assessed at town meeting in Cowley County

Community members gathered Tuesday at Winfield Public Library to identify and discuss the county’s most pressing health needs, and things that the county is doing well to ensure people’s health.

The Community Health Needs Assessment Town Hall was sponsored by the city-Cowley County Health Department, William Newton Hospital and the Community Health Center in Cowley County. The purpose was to help identify and prioritize the health needs of Cowley County residents. Feedback from the meeting will also be used to fulfill federal mandates. The information provided is also helpful for grant applications, business plans and other uses. The town hall was facilitated by Vince Vandehaar, with VVV Consultants, LLC, of Olathe. Vandehaar reviewed current health statistics with attendees. Attendees included representatives from the health care sector, law enforcement, local government, economic development, social services and the public.

The statistics presented by Vandehaar came from a variety of sources, including county health rankings and an online community health needs survey administered in Cowley County.

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

Marshall County commissioner proposes offer of $4,000 incentive for start-ups

Providing $4,000 in start-up money to each of five new businesses in Marshall County per year. That is county commissioner Dave Baier’s plan to spur economic development.

He outlined his plan Monday during the board’s meeting.

“This lets them get their feet wet and get going to help pay utilities, rent and promote their new business,” Baier, board chairman, said. “This may help those ones that are worried about the startup costs.

“They know they can make it, but it’s just the startup costs and getting everything going.” Baier said businesses would be eligible for the funds only one time, and the funds could possibly be incorporated into the county’s Neighborhood Revitalization program, which gives taxpayers three years of property tax breaks on new construction projects valued at $5,000 or more.

“It doesn’t matter if they are a business moving in from Washington County as long as they are new in Marshall County,” Baier said.

He asked county counselor Jason Brinegar to look into the idea and draft a resolution to amend the county’s Neighborhood Revitalization program.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

City of Hays to get progress update on $28.4m wastewater treatment plant

Work is 62 days ahead of schedule on the city of Hays’ $28.4 million renovation of its wastewater treatment plant at 1498 E. U.S. Highway 40 Bypass, “which is excellent,” said Jeff Crispin, director of water resources.

“We have roughly 388 days to go,” Crispin said Wednesday. Contractors got the go-ahead to start on May 31, 2017, and completion is set for July 15, 2019.

Most of the concrete work and installation of pipe in the ground was completed before Hays was hit with heavy rains in April and May, which was fortunate, Crispin said. As a result, the joint partnership of CAS Constructors and Burns & McDonnell will be able to work through the winter primarily inside.

“This November-December there will be some substantial changes,” he said.

At that time, the city’s wastewater from an existing influent pump station into a headworks facility will instead flow into two new replacement structures. Residents who want to watch the construction progress can see it in four-hour segments from a live stream video camera at http://www.haysusa.com/html/wastewaterremodel.html.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Clay Center City Council approves street sales tax for another five years

In a meeting that lasted less than 10 minutes, the Clay Center City Council approved a couple of major items, including renewing the sales tax for streets another five years.

The ordinance the council approved for the street sales taxes continues it from April 1, 2019, when it was set to terminated, to run through March 31, 2024, which is the new date for termination.

In making the motion to approve the ordinance for the sales tax, Councilman Jim Brown gave “a special thank you” to the citizens of Clay Center “for extending money to pay for streets.

🎥 Water leaks keep city workers busy in Hays

Hays city employees were called out for another water leak early Thursday morning, this time just south of the 22nd and Vine Streets intersection.

Water Resources Director Jeff Crispin attributes the recent spate of water line leaks to a rainy summer and the remediation project of the water tower near Sternberg Museum, 3000 Sternberg Drive.

“The ground shifts quite a bit with the rain that we’ve had. It also happens when there’s been no rain,” Crispin explained to city commissioners Thursday night.

The other factor is the empty water tower south of Interstate 70. “Not only is that a source of water for us but it also helps regulate pressure within the system so you do have situations where there are sometimes leaks. That’s just part of our infrastructure that we deal with. Without that tower some of the pressures are difficult,” said Crispin.

Lead remediation and repainting of the one-million gallon tower began July 15 and was expected to be completed within six weeks.

Crispin told commissioners he hopes the large water tower will be back in service next week.

(Read more: Hays Post)

A long list of restaurants Wichita can expect in the coming months

Back in January, we published a list of all the restaurants that had announced plans to open in 2018.

Things change in eight months.

Now, it’s the end of August. Nearly all the restaurants on the original list – from 6S Steakhouse to Nortons Brewing Company– are up and running, and a whole new, lengthy list has developed.

Here’s an update on the restaurants Wichitans can look forward to trying the rest of this year and in to next year.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

From officer on the street to city administrator, Wes Jordan celebrates 30 years with Prairie Village

On August 22, 1988, Wes Jordan donned the uniform of a Prairie Village police officer for the first time.

The position was a good fit. And the longer he worked for the department, the more invested in the community he got. He was promoted through the police department’s ranks, starting as corporal and moving on to become a sergeant, lieutenant and captain before being named chief of police in 2007.

Eight years later, he retired from the police department to accept a job as assistant city administrator. And in 2017, after two years in the assistant role, he took over in the city’s top administrative position following the departure of Quinn Bennion.

Today — his 30th anniversary as an employee of the city — Jordan said he’s been grateful for the opportunities Prairie Village has provided him and feels privileged to work alongside community-oriented residents and staff.

“[S]omewhere along the way 30 years kind of snuck up on me,” Jordan said. “I guess what really drives me is that I feel forever indebted to this community and the people who have supported me, the people who have believed in me, and really being a part of peoples’ everyday lives – both in the community and who I work with.”

Roeland Park passes policy setting guidelines for handling media requests

An official media policy was adopted this week by Roeland Park with a vote of 5-4, after Mayor Mike Kelly cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the guidelines.

The policy routes media requests for an official city statement to the city administrator and the mayor, while still allowing councilmembers to speak to the media about their personal opinion on an issue. The policy states that “City employees and councilmembers (other than the Mayor) shall not make statements on behalf of the City, provide information for distribution, or provide background information unless specifically asked to do so by the City Administrator and/or approved designees.”

According to a staff report the guidelines are meant to encourage engagement and protect the accuracy of information “without hindering elected officials ability to communicate with the media to share their perspectives/opinions.”

The guidelines were modeled after policies used by Overland Park and Merriam.

WPD effort to support local schools grows

The Wichita Police Department steps up to support its community’s schools by raising almost $3,000 for school supplies.

The “Community and Cops School Supply Drive” started small with a few officers wanting to help the community they serve.

The effort soon grew and as word spread, businesses started to chip in donations of their own.

“(I) can’t tell you enough how proud we are of these officers and the dedication they have for their community,” WPD Public Information Officer Paul Cruz says on behalf of the department.

The officers divided the supplies between four elementary schools in the Wichita school district: Colvin, Adams, Clark and Jefferson.

The Colvin Elementary School principal says the supplies were needed and are going directly into the hands of the students.

(Read more: KWCH 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)