Kansas Municipal News
Mayor: Clapp Golf Course, Evergreen and Linwood libraries to remain open
The City of Wichita will not close Clapp Golf Course or two local library branches this year, according to Mayor Jeff Longwell.
The mayor made the announcement during his weekly brief Thursday morning.
He said an increase of $1 million that was going to be used for street maintenance would be shifted over to keep the programs open.
“We want to make very clear that we intend to continue operations at Clapp Golf Course, that it will remain open until we’ve had the chance to masterplan the property,” said the mayor.
He also said full funding would be restored to Linwood and Evergreen Branch libraries.
“We’re going to try and figure out a way, at least for this next budget season, to continue to focus on those quality of life aspects that we know that are incredibly important to the community,” said Longwell.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Phillipsburg’s ‘man of steel’ built rodeo grandstands, helped with construction of pens
He’s the man of steel, and he’s put up plenty of it at the Phillipsburg rodeo grounds throughout the years.
Cliff Van Kooten has been associated with the rodeo, either on the committee, as chairman, or as a volunteer, since 1982.
After graduating from high school in 1960, the Long Island, Kan. native spent three years in the military before coming back home to marry his wife, Helen, in 1964. The couple moved to Phillipsburg. He went to welding school and worked for the International Harvester dealer in Phillipsburg while he welded on the side.
In 1967, he started his own business, and two years later, he bought the location where Cliff’s Welding is situated, on the west side of Phillipsburg.
In 1982, a Phillipsburg businessman stopped by his shop, offering his rodeo share in the Rodeo Association for $100 to Van Kooten. But Van Kooten couldn’t afford it. “At the time, I didn’t have the money, so he said he’d keep it till I had enough. It wasn’t long, and I had the $100.”
(Read more: Hays Post)
Downtown Pittsburg To Get New Parking Lots
Pittsburg’s Block 22 Project is nearing completion. It’s expected to be done by the middle of next month and at that time around 99 additional people will be living downtown. Those people will need somewhere to park. This week the city commission approved a parking plan. Five parking lots within a block of the buildings have been selected. Residents are expected to move into Block 22 on August 18th.
(Read more: KOAM – Local News)
Topeka public works director Jason Peek answers queries from Capital-Journal readers
Topeka public works director Jason Peek says he understands the frustration drivers feel when they sit at a red light for what seems like a long time.
He said Wednesday that the city uses technology, including video cameras and “loops” embedded in the street, to detect vehicles arriving at most signalized intersections and adjust the signal’s timing to keep traffic running smoothly.
“But these are all pieces of infrastructure that require maintenance,” Peek said.
Sometimes loops break, or straight-line winds — such as those the city saw last week — alter a camera’s direction and keep it from working effectively, he said.
Traffic signal timing was among topics Peek discussed while answering 35 questions posed by Topeka Capital-Journal readers during a podcast/Facebook Live event broadcast Wednesday on CJOnline.
The podcast was part of a reader engagement project linked to the program “#TopCity What? You ask. We answer.” Readers may access it on The Capital-Journal’s Facebook page.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
The Downsides of Property Tax Caps
Property tax caps are hampering municipalities’ ability to fund basic services and are exacerbating inequality, according to a report released by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) last week.
The tax caps, which first became popular during the 1970s tax revolt and have since spread to 44 states plus the District of Columbia, have created fiscal stress for the states that adopted the limits. Because of property tax caps, “states are pushing too many costs down to the lower level,” said Ron Deutsch, executive director of the Fiscal Policy Institute, during a press call about the report. The report has a recommendation to alleviate some of these issues: Flip the current property tax cap formula.
Right now, most states limit the annual increase in property taxes to 1.5 or 2.5 percent or the rate of inflation — whichever number is lower. Setting the limit instead at whichever number is higher, the researchers say, would provide more cash for governments and make revenues more predictable.
“We never thought the tax cap was the right solution,” said Deutsch. “Property tax caps should be eliminated. If they aren’t eliminated, at the very least, they should be amended.”
(Read more: GOVERNING)
Florence seeks to seize springs
An ongoing water fight between Florence City Council members and owners of a spring that has supplied city water for 98 years has ratcheted up and is likely headed toward a court battle.
Council members voted Monday to begin eminent domain proceedings to seize ownership of four acres owned by the DeForest family at Crystal Springs, where the city’s springhouse is situated. Council member Trayce Warner was the lone vote in opposition.
The atmosphere of city council meetings frequently has been contentious since council members voted in June to reject a 10-year, $6,000-per-year water contract offered by the DeForest family.
(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)
Osawatomie City Hall gets a new look
Osawatomie City Hall has a fresh new look, with renovations and improvements made to address safety and security concerns in the older-style building.
The remodeling began earlier this year in March and is mostly completed, with only a few small changes to be finished. City Manager Don Cawby said those finishing touches should be complete by August.
Renovations included the conversion of the old police station, which was housed in a portion of City Hall, into the City Clerk and utility billing offices.
(Read more: The Miami County Republic)
Commissioner seeks legal opinion about chairman
A member of the County Commission wants an attorney general’s opinion regarding whether the commission’s chairman can be removed from his leadership position.
Commissioner Bob Holland is not seeking to oust fellow Commissioner Louis Klemp from the commission. But Holland wants to know if a majority of the commission can vote to remove Klemp from the position of chairman.
During a meeting Tuesday, Holland made a motion to direct County Counselor David Van Parys to seek an opinion from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office on the issue.
(Read more: Leavenworth Times)
Leavenworth changes solid waste disposal services
When they met Tuesday, Leavenworth city commissioners voted to change how garbage from the city is disposed of in the future.
Leavenworth officials plan to continue to operate a city curbside trash collection service. But beginning next year, the garbage collected through the city’s solid waste service will be hauled to a landfill in Johnson County instead of the Leavenworth County Transfer Station, which is located in Lansing.
Commissioners voted to accept a bid from Waste Management, Shawnee, for a one-year contract with a solid waste disposal fee of $24 per ton.
City Manager Paul Kramer said the city collects about 12,000 tons of garbage per year.
(Read more: Leavenworth Times)
Leavenworth County Commission discuss proposal for school mental health initiative
County commissioners reached a consensus Tuesday to have staff look into a possible ballot question regarding a tax increase for a mental health program for schools.
Kim Knight, an assistant principal for Leavenworth High School, is proposing a program in which the Leavenworth, Lansing, Easton, Basehor-Linwood and Tonganoxie school districts contract with a mental health provider to provide services to students for suicide prevention and other mental health issues.
Knight is requesting that a question be placed on the ballot for the Nov. 6 general election to see if voters would approve a 2-mill increase to the county’s tax levy. If approved, the money generated through the tax increase would be used to fund the program.
(Read more: Leavenworth Times)
Mulvane to rebuild parts of downtown structure
The Mulvane Land Bank will consider bids Aug. 6 to make repairs to a downtown building damaged by a leaky roof.
Part of the building at 201 W. Main collapsed last month, forcing the tenant, a dance studio, to move out. The building, which is about 120 years old, is one of two that the Land Bank still has in its stable of properties.
No one was hurt when the center window and bricks began falling off the front of the building. The damage pushed the front of the building out six to eight inches, City Administrator Kent Hixson said at the time.
(Read more: Area | derbyinformer.com)
Derby cops work as overnight elves
When police arrived at Joan Van Boening’s west Derby house to take a property damage report of a footbridge, they realized they could do something extra to help – such as restore it.
The bridge, which spanned an open ditch, was ruined by a hit-and-run driver in an incident that happened July 14 at 1011 N. McIntosh.
Van Boening, 84, uses the bridge to reach her mailbox, which also had been hit.
While the bridge was for safety, as it meant that she didn’t have to go out on the dangerous road, it also was sentimental as it and a mailbox were built by her late husband and son-in-law.
(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)
Fire station will be re-purposed for police uses
Derby’s police station will be expanding. The additional space comes in the form of old Fire Station 81 at 128 W. Market and just south of the police station. The space will be used for police evidence processing and storage, training and vehicle storage when fire staff and equipment is moved to their new station in about six months.
City Manager Kathy Sexton explained the plan at the July 19 meeting of the Derby Planning Commission as part of her presentation on the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)
Wichitans worry about budget cuts in their neighborhoods
People living in Wichita are telling the city council what they think about the proposed budget.
People don’t want to lose their libraries, golf courses and other neighborhood amenities.
In a year where the city is struggling to balance its budget and add to public safety, some say, “don’t cut at my home.”
The library is a place of learning, and retired Wichita teacher Kurt Kerns is worried about the possibility of evergreen library closing.
(Read more: KWCH News)
OP officers resign over false seat belt tickets. $4,000 has been refunded to motorists
Three Overland Park police officers have resigned and more than 200 pending traffic tickets have been dismissed after an internal investigation into false seat belt citations.
Police Chief Frank Donchez Jr. said Wednesday that personnel within the department became aware that some officers apparently were ticketing motorists for not wearing seat belts. In fact, they had been wearing them but had committed a different traffic violation.
Instead of a speeding ticket, he said as an example, a motorist would be falsely cited for not buckling up. He said he did not know the motivation behind the officers’ actions.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
Reno County commissioners reluctant to add nuisance policy
The Reno County Commission met Tuesday and discussed a petition submitted by area residents in the 7300 block of Zolman Road. Commissioners questioned whether a county nuisance code is needed, or even desirable, to correct such conditions throughout the county.
Commissioner Dan Deming wants some type of code possibly concerning only residential properties. However, the other two commissioners seemed more reluctant. Commissioner Bob Bush said he hasn’t heard from anyone else in the county saying this is an issue anywhere else. He wants anyone in the county that may have a similar issue to contact the commission. There was some talk of starting a county court, where a person could be brought before a judge.
Residents in that neighborhood east of the city apparently are concerned over this property and what it could do to property values. One resident asked the commission, “Would you want to have a property like this where you live?”
They’re also concerned about the look of the neighborhood since this home is in bad condition. Trash, debris, and abandoned cars litter the property. Tall weeds nearly hide the home.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
After outcry over Merriam pool, council votes to bump up size. But some still unhappy
For many longtime Merriam residents, the essence of summer has been hanging out at the 50-meter Vavra Park community pool that they consider the best in Johnson County, with its high-dive board and children’s play area.
So when they found out recently that the new $30 million community center and aquatics center would lead to a smaller outdoor pool with no high-dive board, they felt blindsided over what they considered to be a broken promise from the city.
Tina Cheatham and several other residents complained Monday to the City Council that reducing the outdoor pool wasn’t explained in campaign materials before voters approved the community center sales tax in 2016. That center will be built in Vavra Park, between Ikea Way and Slater Street. While the city plans to add an indoor pool, gymnasium, fitness area, walking track, classrooms, party room and other amenities, Cheatham told the city council, “That doesn’t mean you should take away from the people who enjoy outdoor swimming.”
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
Hays to discuss annexation for potential development of Tractor Supply Co.
The Hays City Commission at its next regular meeting Thursday will decide whether to annex and approve a 6-acre piece of farm ground at 48th St. and Roth Ave. for development as a Tractor Supply Co. retail store.
The location is north of Interstate 70 catercorner from Sunflower Bank and just north of Wal-Mart on land called the Crawford Addition. The land is owned by Crawford Supply Co., Hays, which is seeking annexation to receive city services, rezoning from agriculture to commercial, and plat approval.
Tractor Supply plans to buy 3.6 acres. The remaining 2.6 acres continues up for sale, said Myron Erbert, Crawford’s real estate agent with RE/MAX in Hays. As with Tractor Supply, buyers of the land bear the cost of extending city gas, water and sewer infrastructure, Erbert said.
“I would imagine it will be pretty attractive to someone as a buyer,” he said.
Tractor Supply, which is based in Tennessee and trades on NASDAQ as TSCO, has 1,700 stores nationwide, including 12 in Kansas. It bills itself as the largest operator of rural lifestyle retail stores in the nation. A typical store is 15,500 square feet of selling space, according to the company’s web site.
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)
Valley Center residents could see an increase in recycling fees
On average 42.75 tons of recyclables are collected in Valley Center each month. The city says right now the recycling industry is changing and that could mean changes for Valley Center residents.
Jim Gilson, is one of many Valley Center residents, who supports recycling in his community, “I think recycling is a good thing. I just think it’s good for the environment, good for the economy. I think it’s the right thing to do.”
The recycling discussion started after the city received a number of phone calls about the Waste Connections recycling dumpster that was removed from the Leeker’s parking lot. According to the city, the company said the industry was shifting and had to discontinue because of costs.
Residents who want to recycle rely on Waste Management. Its truck picks up recyclables twice a month.
But recently, the company asked the city to add $1.63 to each customer’s bill. The company said there are a number of reasons for the increase such as its business with China. China, who is the world’s largest buyer of recyclables, put stricter quality standards on what it accepts. It has also banned accepting certain items altogether. Not only that, processing costs have increased.
Kristine Polian, Valley Center Assistant City Administrator, says in addition to WM’s business with China changing the company is now having to pay to unload at the Waste Connections transfer site. A $90-per-ton-fee was put into place to dump at Waste Connections site. In the past, Waste Management didn’t have to pay at all.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Salina city commission restricts use of electronic devices
The Salina City Commission voted 5-0 Monday to prohibit commissioners from using electronic devices, such as cellphones or computer tablets, for real-time interactive conversations during meetings.
Rules govern how commissioners speak to each other and people in the audience, Commissioner Trent Davis said. He and his fellow commissioners should not be communicating privately with each other, with people in the audience or with people watching on television, he said.
The use of electronic devices is prohibited in many situations, such as in doctors’ offices, church, airlines, classes, he said.
Commissioner Melissa Rose Hodges said she could get behind the idea of prohibiting interactive communication, “but we’re adults.”
She said she wanted access to her devices to do research, check on facts, bring up on old email or attachment, or in case of a family emergency.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
Should the OP Farmers’ Market move to Santa Fe Commons Park? Crowd sends loud message
A large and vocal crowd reacted negatively last week to potential concepts for moving the Overland Park Farmers’ Market to a nearby park.
Many also were critical of the idea of major changes even without moving the market to Santa Fe Commons Park.
“Leave it like it is,” said Byron Townsend, one of about 100 people who attended a July 19 meeting to discuss possible improvements to the park, at 8045 Santa Fe Drive, between Santa Fe Drive and Overland Park Drive in downtown Overland Park. Townsend and others complained that they had suggested only modest changes to the park at a previous open house on the topic in June. The most outspoken attendees weren’t enthusiastic about the colorful and creative concepts aimed at making the park more vibrant. Omaha-based RDG Planning & Design landscape architecture firm consultant Bruce Niedermyer said he understood the public’s skepticism and resistance to moving the farmers’ market from its current location at 7950 Marty St.
“This is what we expected,” he said of the passionate public reaction July 19. But he noted the firm’s instructions from the city were to come up with four specific conceptual plans: two including moving the market to the park, and two park-only concepts without a farmers market. That’s what they did.
(Read more: KC Breaking News, Sports & Crime |)
Shawnee approves plans to convert former Johnson County Museum building into office space
The former Johnson County Museum site in Shawnee is now zoned for professional office use, repurposing the 91-year-old building and putting it back on the tax rolls.
The Shawnee council on Monday unanimously approved the planning commission’s recommendation to rezone the former Johnson County Museum property from single-family residential to professional office use.
The new owner, Lackman Civic Center LLC, which recently bought the property from Johnson County, plans to convert the building at 6305 Lackman Road into office space.
The building is now vacant because Johnson County moved the museum to the former King Louie facility — now called the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center — on Metcalf last year.
Lackman Civic Center plans to convert the Shawnee structure to be used for general office space.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Reno County probably won’t replace bridge that collapsed in June
It appears Reno County will not replace the 108th Avenue bridge between Worthington and Woodberry roads on the Reno/McPherson county line. McPherson County officials decided they weren’t interested in contributing to the cost.
It’s estimated it would cost the two counties $455,000. Reno County would have paid 58 percent of that cost.
The bridge was recently closed after a tractor hauling grain caused it to collapse.
As it stands now, officials may close that road to through traffic. In 2006, the county did a traffic count and only 10 vehicles per day actually used that road.
No final decision was made. The commission wants to hear from residents who live in that area. The topic should come back for final action in two weeks.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Fate of recycling in the balance
The City of Valley Center could drop curbside recycling service.
The council on July 17 learned that the city’s franchise trash and recycling hauler, Waste Management, wants a monthly fee increase to cover the cost of recycling, even though its contract with the city through 2020 doesn’t call for one.
Ammon Taylor with Waste Management said the recycling industry underwent a seismic shift when the world’s largest purchaser, China, put clamps on the purity level of the recycling it would accept and banned certain products altogether at the beginning of the year, increasing processing costs and decreasing revenue.
Read more: Ark Valley News.
Park City takes input on plan
The City of Park City, in conjunction with the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, is launching a Pedestrian Connectivity Plan process that will provide recommendations to guide the City’s development of its sidewalks and trail systems into destination-based networks. The City is looking for public input to help create connections and identify ways to enhance the overall quality of life in the City of Park City.
The feedback the City gains from the public will help to determine what needs and desires exist so that the vision and goals of the project can be set and improvements shaped to fulfil these needs and desires.
Read more: Ark Valley News.
Public bike sharing program launched in Lakin, Deerfield
Fifteen white and baby blue bicycles are available for public use in Lakin and Deerfield as part of new bike share program developed by the Kearny County Wellness Coalition.
“The community has been incredibly excited about it,” said Krysta Harvey, KCWC chairperson, noting that the Coalition’s Facebook post about the new bikes last week was by far their most popular social media post ever.
In early June, the Coalition launched BikeShareMaps.com, a free bicycle rental service in Lakin and Deerfield.
Bicycles and special racks were put in place last week and are ready to go now.
BikeShare.Maps.com is available for immediate registration, and allows users to locate and rent, at no charge, a bicycle from one of five unique bike rack locations.
Currently, there are nine bikes available in Lakin and six in Deerfield. There are four bike racks in Lakin, including the hospital, the pool, library and an empty lot on the south end of Main Street, and one at the Community Rec Center in Deerfield.
To use the bikes, a person needs to register online at www.BikeShareMaps.com, a process that can be done using a phone or mobile device.
(Read more: Greater Garden City » Feed)
Barton County road and bridge continues great relationship with City of Claflin
As it has for over a decade, the Barton County Road and Bridge Department will come to the aid of The City of Claflin.
The city requested assistance from the department with sealing of certain roads within the city limits. As an independent contractor, the county will receive no more than $6,750 for labor and equipment, County Works Director Darren Williams said.
Claflin City Attorney Robert Suelter developed the contractual agreement for the work.
It is against county policy for the county to compete with private contractors who may also bid for such projects. However, the work in Clalfin is on such a small scale that the city can’t get any company to bid on it, commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz said.
The county had worked with Claflin for over 10 years. “We are happy to do it,” Williams said, adding his department will have no problem fitting the work into its schedule.
“I think this is a great working relationship,” Commissioner Alicia Straub said.
(Read more: Great Bend Tribune – Local News)
Rosewood tax credit request tabled again in Barton County
The Barton County Commission once again tabled voting on a letter of support backing Rosewood Services’ application for the Kansas Department Of Commerce Community Service Tax Credit Program. This marked the second time commissioners delayed acting on the matter as they seek more information on Rosewood’s plans for the former E&E Glass building at 1117 Williams St.
However, Rosewood Executive Director Tammy Hammond said Rosewood’s deadline to have the letter approved was last week and she had requested the matter be removed from the commission agenda. Hammond said she had contacted county officials via phone, email and face-to-face.
Monday’s meeting
“I am a little disappointed that we haven’t received a copy of that application,” said Commissioner Alicia Straub. “Who benefits from this?”
And, she said, these credits involve tax dollars and may impact other county residents.
“Any time we request additional information, we do it for a valid reason,” commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz said.
(Read more: Great Bend Tribune – Local News)
Wichita works to put electric buses on city streets
The days of loud, diesel-fueled buses may be a thing of the past in Wichita.
Much like Dallas, San Francisco and Columbus, Wichita is working to replace its diesel buses with smaller, 100% electric buses
Mike Tann, Wichita’s transit direct, says in April, a grant was awarded for six buses to replace the trollies. Shortly after that, there was a release of no emission money that was available for transit departments to apply for, so the city did.
“We applied for those the final submittal was in June for another six, and just recently, we received notification of additional capital purchase of new buses,” said Tann.
In total, the city is looking to get about 18 buses.
The cost of buying electric buses is higher than diesel buses, but Tann says the city would save millions of dollars in the long run.
He estimates operating costs for six diesel buses over the course of 20 years would be $8,033,760 compared to $2,282,120 for six electric buses.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Reno County Commission OKs expanding DA’s office by one attorney
The Reno County Commission Tuesday approved the district attorney adding one more prosecutor to his staff and remodeling the fifth floor of the courthouse to accommodate the position.
Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder, who was not at the meeting, said later that while he appreciated being allowed to add an attorney, it wasn’t enough.
He requested two attorneys, Schroeder noted. He said even with adding two, his office would remain the most overworked in the state. Schoeder’s office carries one of the highest caseloads with some of the lowest funding per attorney in Kansas.
To get the additional help, Schroeder will give up $9,000 from elsewhere in his budget, because of cuts suggested by Commission Chairman Ron Hirst. Hirst noted that historically some of those line items have come in below budget.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
History from the town of Bucklin
This town came into existence by swallowing its neighbors.
Settlers platted Corbitt, two and a half miles north of the town in 1885, and the Enterprise Investment Co. established Colcord seven miles to the west. However, by May 1887, the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad planned to bypass both communities.
The Railroad, along with Enterprise, urged Corbitt and Colcord to move their businesses to the new town of Bucklin, named for a Rock Island civil engineer, James Magee Bucklin. Standing at the crossroads of two divisions of the Railroad, the new town was ideally placed for shipping and receiving goods from the farmers and ranchers in the area.
Businesses from Corbitt and Colcord and other towns were physically moved to Bucklin. Colcord was moved the seven miles overnight. It wasn’t until 1909 Bucklin gained incorporation. By that time it had 696 residents, two banks, two hotels, several retail businesses and the “Bucklin Banner” newspaper which had arrived 1901 as the former “Dodge City Reporter.”
(Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe)
Hays city offices to maintain new hours
City of Hays residents who need their city government administrative offices open either earlier or later are getting their wish.
The city announced Monday it will open 30 minutes earlier and stay open 30 minutes later Monday through Thursday beginning Monday, Aug. 6. The hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
“We ran the traps to make sure there are no unintended consequences,” said City Manager Toby Dougherty, noting the change is permanent and not tied to any season. “We need to be consistent and steady. So this is a year-round deal.”
To keep the change from adding any cost to the budget, the offices on Friday will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 11:30 a.m. for the day.
“This also works out well for our employees, who will get a jumpstart on their weekend,” Dougherty said.
The city’s shift workers — fire, police, parks service, solid waste — who keep odd hours will maintain their non-traditional schedules.
Traditionally the city’s administrative offices were open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)
Hiawatha city position to be on general ballot only
To clear up a little confusion, the candidate for Hiawatha City Commission will not be voted on until the November primary.
Brown County Clerk Melissa Gormley said there has been confusion in this matter due to the city/school elections being combined with other elections for the first time in 2017 – rather than separate in the spring as they had been previously.
She noted that city and school elections are non-partisan and so it would take more than three people running in the same party to require that position to be placed on the ballot for the primary election.
(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)
Lenexa council approves tax-increment financing plan for City Center office and restaurant project
The Lenexa City Council unanimously approved a tax-increment financing (TIF) district development plan and the sale land as part of previously approved plans for a new restaurant, retail and office buildings project in City Center being developed by Copaken Brooks Commercial Real Estate.
At its meeting last week, the council approved the sale of nearly 4.5 acres on the southwest corner of Renner Boulevard and 87th Street Parkway, known as “restaurant row,” to AC City Center Lenexa LLC for an estimated $1.04 million. AC City Center Lenexa and City Center Lenexa LLC are related entities both connected with Copaken Brooks for the project, according to council documents.
The council also approved a TIF district development plan for construction of a two-story office building, surface parking and related infrastructure on roughly 2.6 acres west of Renner and north of 89th Street. A required public hearing on the proposed TIF district was held; no one from the public spoke.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
Saline County to discuss street address policy
The Saline County Commission will consider changing its policy concerning street addresses Tuesday during its public forum that begins at 9 a.m. The change would allow residents to petition the commission to name a private drive if at least 75 percent of affected property owners sign the petition. Planning and Zoning Director David Neal said the change would reduce confusion for emergency responders and postal workers.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
Reno County will discuss potential countywide nuisance code Tuesday
Responding to a recent petition from residents in a small housing subdivision east of Hutchinson about the blighted condition of an abandoned property, the Reno County Commission on Tuesday will open discussions about whether to develop nuisance codes for the county.
The overgrown property on Zolman Road, which is about 2/3 of a mile south of Fourth Avenue and just east of Kent Road, contains 1974 single-wide trailer that’s open to the elements, an old yellow school bus from Pretty Prairie on the back of the lot, and a trashed pickup-camper with shattered windows and stuffed full of junk in front.
Scattered around the nearly ¾-acre unfenced lot are deteriorating furniture and trash.
The owner of the property, who has a Haysville address, has been written several warning letters from the county, but has not responded, said County Commissioner Dan Deming, who is asking the commission to consider a code.
Perhaps, Deming said, the property owner recognizes that the county has no authority to force a clean-up, or they don’t care.
Neighbors have been complaining about the property for several years, Deming said, and recently filed a handwritten petition with 19 signatures asking the county to do something.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
Hays wins Sister Cities International’s best overall program award
Hays has won the Sister Cities International 2018 Award for Best Overall Program for a city with a population of 10,000-25,000.
The awards competition, which is open to over 500 sister city programs nationwide, recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding individuals and community sister city programs that are promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation.
In 2017, the Hays Sister City Committee welcomed residents from both its Sister Cities — Santa María de Fe, Misiones, Paraguay and Xinzheng, China — for Hays’ sesquicentennial celebration. A four-person delegation from Paraguay came to celebrate the occasion and the newly rekindled Sister Cities partnership. The committee worked with Fort Hays State University to include visiting students and faculty from Xinzheng, China in the festivities.
The impact of the visits was widely visible in the Hays community, as the city officially introduced guests at many events including a formal celebration and community barbecue.
The visit sparked many conversations with locals. Some conversations were light-hearted, and included teaching the rules of baseball at a local game, chatting about American cars at the car show, or small talk while browsing local vendors at the market and sidewalk sale.
However, there was also much more serious interaction, as people discovered common challenges between the sister cities: fostering business, stimulating growth, and retaining young people in the community after schooling.
(Read more: Hays Post)
Shawnee County Commission to consider purchase of armored rescue vehicle
The Shawnee County Commission plans Monday to consider awarding a bid to the company that submitted the highest of three bids received to enable the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office to buy an armored rescue vehicle. Commissioners plan to consider authorizing the sheriff’s office to buy an armored rescue vehicle from LENCO Industries Inc. at a cost of $311,826, including $211,826 in federal forfeiture money and $100,000 in capital outlay funding, which the commission approved last December for that purpose.
LENCO submitted the highest bid the county received. The others — submitted by The Armored Group LLC and International Armored Group US Inc. — would have brought total costs of $296,470 and $257,050, respectively.
But International Armored Group failed to meet several key bid requirements while LENCO provided the “best and most reasonable bid” of the other two, Sheriff Herman Jones told commissioners in a recent memo. He cited four reasons LENCO’s bid was considered the best.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Downtown Topeka Inc. asks artists to contribute to ‘active alleyways’ event in October
Last month, Vince Frye, president and CEO of Downtown Topeka Inc., revealed his vision for “active alleyways,” a concept to use the often overlooked space in between buildings.
The specific Topeka alleyway is the space between the historic Jayhawk Theatre and the future Iron Rail Brewery, behind the 700 block of S. Kansas Avenue.
Downtown Topeka Inc. and its partners have set an event date for Friday, Oct. 5, during the First Friday Art Walk, to host its “Activate the Alleyway” event, and are currently asking for artists to contribute to the beautification of the space.
“Right now we have about 15 artists, it could be a little bit more, and we’re asking them to paint 25-by-30 inch canvases that we’ll provide,” said Michelle Cuevas-Stubblefield, director of marketing and membership for DTI. “The theme is basically the vibrancy of downtown and what does that look like to an artist.”
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Pontoon boat manufacturer bringing plant to Chanute
Even without an incentive package, a pontoon boat manufacturer will bring an assembly plant with 50 jobs to Chanute.
Chanute Regional Development Authority Director Matt Godinez told board members Thursday evening that Xcursion boats plans to locate its assembly plant in the city industrial park on Ross Lane. The company negotiated with the city to also purchase the former Spirit AeroSystems plant on Cherry Street, along with the former Legacy Trailer building on Ross Lane.
Instead, the company will locate on Ross Lane even without a city incentive package.
Godinez said the company will begin hiring in 30 to 45 days and has begun making cosmetic changes to the Ross Lane building. The location will handle shipping and receiving as well as assembly, and will employ 50 people.
The company planned to use the Cherry Street building to manufacture, but that will be done in Fredonia and Iowa.
Godinez said other communities reached out to Xcursion after negotiations on the Cherry Street building fell through. Xcursion is part of the Coach Marine group.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)
Dodge City Airport receives infrastructure grant
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the Federal Aviation Administration will award $659.8 million in airport infrastructure grants, the second allotment of $3.18 billion in the Airport Improvement Program funding.
The grants include a $5.09 million award to Dodge City Regional Airport for runway reconstruction. “The bids for the reconstruction were done in three phases,” Dodge City Regional Airport Manager Corey Keller said. “The first two phases were awarded grants in 2017 and this recent grant we received will be for the completion of phase three.”
The reconstruction of the runway is set to be completed by November 2019.
According to Keller, 95 percent of the funding came through grants by the FAA.
In total the reconstruction project came to $12,059,651 with the FAA covering $11,436,669 and the city of Dodge City matching funds with $602,982.
(Read more: Dodge City Daily Globe)
Atchison County to invite Senior Village prospects
County leaders expect to pick up discussions where they left off earlier in year with prospective buyers for Atchison Senior Village, the county long-term care facility. Commissioners have publicly entertained the possibility of selling Senior Village since November 2015. On Oct. 24, 2017, commissioners publicly announced their intentions to sell the county-owned facility. It was Nov. 1, 2017, when commissioners took the facility off the market for a 60-day period and entered exclusive negotiations with Recover-Care. Since then the exclusion period lapsed and negotiations ceased. Senior Village has been owned and operated by the county since 1961. When the county put the facility on the sale block it housed 52 residents. Seventy-four employees were employed there. The facility gained skilled nursing status in 2014. Medicaid certification was gained in 1989. The facility is located at 1419 North Sixth Street.
Throughout the past few years, the commissioners have sought public input on the matter as well as how to best utilize proceeds from a possible sale.
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)
Cleanup, repairs continue in Topeka a day after ‘brief but violent’ storm
A storm described as “brief but violent” that moved through Topeka on Thursday left 200 downed power lines, streets littered with trees and limbs, and damage to area businesses.
Friday became a day of cleanup and repair. Businesses were left without electricity, including the North Topeka Walmart and Dillons stores, which had to close but reopened for business about 3:30 p.m. Friday.
“We do have backup generators, and then we also follow some practices inside the store to cover cases and then apply dry ice as necessary to help hold temperature,” said Dillons spokeswoman Sheila Lowrie. “It’s all about maintaining the integrity of the products. We had no product loss.”
Topeka Civic Theatre also lost electricity and was forced to cancel its evening performance of “Newsies.”
“With the brief but violent storm that moved through, we had about 200 reports of downed power lines, in addition to other storm damage,” said Westar Energy spokeswoman Gina Penzig. “This was a very damaging storm for the short duration. The damage that it did to the power system was pretty remarkable.”
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Finney County network issues throw wrench in county services
Finney County’s computer network has been shut down twice over the last week in order to protect county data after malware and viruses attacked the network through emails, and with email and internet down, some county departments have been struggling in recent days to provide services.
The county network was shut down on Tuesday morning — the second time in a week — in an attempt to protect data while the malware was located, removed and until preventive safeguards could be put in place.
Because of the attacks, the Finney County Information Technology department requested assistance from the Department of Homeland Security Incident Response Team and Trend Micro, a locally installed anti-virus software company.
Trend Micro became involved on Thursday to create a custom package for the county to fight against the virus.
“With their assistance, we’ve been able to bring email service back to our department directors as of (Thursday morning), as well as a few other essential services, specifically in the clerk’s, treasurer’s, and appraiser’s offices,” according to a press release on Thursday from Sara McClure, the county’s communications specialist.
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)
Ark City ponders dumpster business
The City of Arkansas City might get back into the large waste-hauling business, or require a fee for those who do it now.
A discussion led by City Manager Nick Hernandez on how to handle that service took place this week at the City Commission meeting.
Hernandez said currently four providers are operating within the city limits.
“These are people who provide services that we don’t, like the big roll off dumpsters and commercial dumpsters,” he said.
The city could establish a franchise fee or require a permit, charging a percentage of the haulers gross receipts.
Hernandez said the charges would basically be impact fees to help compensate for additional wear to city streets.
City Attorney Tamara Niles said the city code requires haulers to have a permit but a fee has never been established. After calling several other communities to find out how they handle independent haulers, Niles discovered that most offer the service themselves and do not permit independent contractors to operate within the city.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)