Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Manhattan City Commission approves economic incentives, rezoning ordinance

The commission approved the economic development package for Ultra Electronics I.C.E. Inc., an aerospace electronics business founded in Manhattan that was bought out by a U.K. holding company in 2014. The package was initially approved at commission’s first reading on June 6 and was not altered. Ultra Electronics is looking to expand and relocate some military aerospace programs to a facility in the U.S.

“This is an excellent project,” said Commissioner Wynn Butler. “I especially like it because it supports a local business and doesn’t necessarily bring out an outside business.”

The package offers the company up to $745,000 in economic development assistance for facility construction and hiring incentives to spur job growth. The company is seeking to create 33 new jobs making more than $14.25 per hour over the next 10 years.

“I think this is something we can’t turn away and it’s also very supportive of Kansas State University [and helps]to keep some of our graduates in Manhattan — they always said if they had a good job they would definitely stay in Manhattan,” said Commissioner Usha Reddi.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Prairie Village advances resolution to combat bias against women, though some on council object

Prairie Village’s city council will consider a series of steps to identify and eliminate potential discrimination against women after the governing body on Monday approved a measure directing city staff to draw up a resolution supporting the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Gail James, a retired University of Kansas professor, approached the city earlier this year about the idea of Prairie Village adopting a resolution aimed at having the city implement the principles of CEDAW at the local level.

The city of Kansas City, Mo, adopted a resolution in support of CEDAW a few years ago. It currently is the only city in the metro area to have taken the step, though James said her group has been in talks with the cities of Overland Park and Parkville, Mo., about the idea as well. At present, no municipalities in the state of Kansas have passed a CEDAW resolution.

Ellis Co. Health Department alters existing position to handle medical billing

The Ellis County Commission approved the creation the position of Medical Billing Specialist within the Health Services Department at Monday’s commission meeting.

Currently, Health Services has a person responsible for handling billing for EMS and an outside entity handles the billing for the Health Department.

Health Services Administrator Kerry McCue said the move will put one person in charge of all medical billing done for Health Services.

“This would do what I would call accounts payable through accounts receivable,” said McCue.

The position will be created by changing the current Public Health Billing Coordinator position to the Medical Billing Specialist and there is no addition financial impact, according to McCue.

(Read more: Hays Post)

Budget calls for new deputy city manager post in Derby

The city could be adding a new management level position – a deputy city manager – to its staff later this year.

The proposed job was included in the 2019 budget, which will need to be approved by the City Council.

City Manager Kathy Sexton said the addition is needed. Given the city’s continued growth, the time has come to increase management capacities, she said.

The new person would report directly to Sexton and supervise about half of the the departments.

Currently, 11 positions report directly to Sexton, which she said is “more than considered prudent or sustainable over a long time.”

Sexton said it is common in cities the size of Derby, which is just less than 25,000 residents, or larger to have a deputy or an assistant city manager. Some have both. Their responsibilities vary by city.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)

Lawrence City Commission approves police board, but concerns linger regarding access to police files and recordings

City leaders have voted to create a new community police review board, but discussion regarding limits on the board’s access to police files and recordings may not be over.

At its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted 4-1, with Commissioner Matthew Herbert in opposition, to create the new board. The vote came after the commission reviewed changes made by city attorneys to the ordinance establishing the new board. Commissioners previously delayed approving the ordinance because of concerns that it would have allowed the city to deny or limit the board’s access to the police investigation files and recordings. Assistant City Attorney Maria Garcia told the commission that maintaining the city’s ability to make redactions to investigative files and potentially withhold recordings was important in order to protect the city from liability. Garcia emphasized the importance of provisions that allow the city to decide on redactions on a case-by-case basis and that provide examples of information that could potentially be redacted — such as criminal history, medical records and information pertaining to victims of domestic violence or sex crimes — but that do not limit the city to the list.

Couple blames countys cameras for need to close business;County says releasing copy of camera video falls under Kansas Open Records Act

When closing the doors to The Shiney Studio at 123 S. National Ave. in May, the owners posted a statement on the business’ website and also on social media. The statement accused courthouse employees of using courthouse security cameras to spy on co-owner DandeLyon Vredenburg, who is involved in a civil lawsuit brought by her ex-husband.

Vredenburg and Carl Repp, co-owners of The Shiney Studio, say the alleged activity is an invasion of their and their customers’ privacy.

Although Bourbon County Commissioners and the county counselor would not comment on specifics, courthouse officials have said the county has done no wrong. Providing copies of surveillance videos falls under the Kansas Open Records Act. In 2016, Repp and Vredenburg purchased the St. Andrews Episcopal Church building, which had been vacant for a number of years. Repp and Vredenburg renovated the church building into a yoga studio and wellness center. It also became home to other businesses and Repp’s residence.
According to a document provided by the county to the Tribune, attorneys representing Vrendeburg’s ex-spouse “anticipated that the county’s clearly visible security camera on the northeast corner of the courthouse roof, pointing east of the courthouse, where the yoga studio was located, could contain evidence relevant to the case.”

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Augusta Council halts cemetery rule enforcement

Monday night’s Augusta City Council meeting turned emotional as residents voiced concerns over the enforcement of cemetery rules that were discussed, reviewed, and published in 2016. Weekend social media conversations indicated clean up efforts following the guidelines had begun in the older part of Elmwood Cemetery. Some residents were upset because they were unaware of the rules and felt notification was in order. The City sent out notices in utility bills, posted signs at Elmwood Cemetery, and shared information on social media reminding the public of existing cemetery regulations.
After years of lax enforcement and a widespread unfamiliarity with rules and regulations at the cemetery, the notification generated a backlash from the community.
The notice had indicated that the regulations would be enforced by removing prohibited items following the Memorial Day holiday.
That did not happen.
There is now a new cemetery sexton, along with new cemetery staff. A sexton wishing to enforce rules and the City’s failure to notify residents that enforcement would be taking place, caused weekend excitement on Facebook and at the cemetery.

(Read more: Augusta Gazette)

Topeka City Councilman: Proposal would basically outlaw gravel driveways

A proposal before Topeka’s governing body seeks to promote aesthetics and keep front yards from becoming “junk sites,” City Councilman Mike Lesser said Tuesday evening.
But Councilman Tony Emerson voiced concern that the measure would basically outlaw gravel driveways and “have a devastating effect on hundreds and hundreds of houses.”
The governing body, consisting of the nine council members and Mayor Michelle De La Isla, discussed but took no action on the proposal, which would amend city rules regarding parking on unpaved surfaces.
Those rules currently allow vehicles or machinery to be parked on a residential lot for “any period of time” only if the area used for parking is “improved with at least four inches of rock, gravel, paver brick, asphalt or concrete.”
The proposal before the governing body would replace the latter 14-word phrase with the word “paved.”

Read more: CJonline.

Twister rebuilding: 10 years after Chapman tornado

The day after Chapman was devastated by an EF-3 tornado on June 11, 2008, a town hall meeting was held in city park to inform residents what was going on and give them an opportunity to address concerns.
Destruction was evident all around, but one scene was both poignant and inspiring. Across the street stood a cross that had been inside the Chapman United Methodist Church.
“Every time I had the chance to speak to the citizens about the tornado and recovery efforts I would always point over to the cross that was still standing in what was left of the church,” Chapman attorney Doug Thompson recalled. “I’d say ‘Look at that! The walls are knocked down, everything around is down, but what do you see standing there?’

Drone footage of flooding in Scott City; Storms brought more than 5 inches of rain

Storms brought more than 5 inches of rain to the Scott City area Tuesday, causing flooding throughout the town.

By 6:10 p.m., reports from the National Weather Center in Dodge City estimated 5.5 inches of rain in parts of Scott City. Records Clerk and head dispatcher Barry Switzer said there had been flooding reported in several locations around town, including damage to residents’ basements. He said no residents had been injured due to the flooding.

‘Cock-A-Doodle Don’t’: Stray rooster in KCK prompts reminder of ordinances

It was a wakeup call, you could say, to anyone keeping a rooster as a pet in Kansas City, Kan. And the reminder came from the chief of police, no less.

“And the rooster crows at 27th & Wood!” Police Chief Terry Zeigler tweeted Tuesday morning with a picture of a rooster. “We try to control stray dogs & now we have stray chickens. City ordinance does not allow roosters, only hens!”According to the city ordinance updated in the fall of 2016, ducks and female chickens are permitted in non-agricultural zones of the city, but not roosters.

Wyandotte County Public Relations Director Mike Taylor explained the reason for this pecking order.

“Roosters start crowing at 5 o’clock every morning,” he said. The noise factor is one consideration. Additionally, roosters cannot lay eggs, and residents typically want chickens for the eggs.

The “urban chicken” fad came to the Kansas City area about 10 years ago.

OP Council reverses earlier vote, allows Brookridge rezoning despite protest

Over persistent neighborhood objections about traffic disruptions and density, the Overland Park City Council reversed an earlier vote Monday night and allowed a rezoning for the giant Brookridge redevelopment to move forward.

The council voted 7-4 to allow the Curtin Property Co. developers to rezone the northeast corner of 103rd Street and Antioch Road with a grocery, a few other buildings and apartments as a way to jump-start the massive mixed-use project.

That was a change from a May 7 vote in which council members voted 7-4 against the rezoning, primarily because of concerns about the phasing of road improvements and resulting traffic inconvenience.

Barton County Commission backs recycling efforts

Barton County’s recycling efforts and the need to extend the County Landfill’s lifespan were on the minds of Barton County commissioners Monday morning.

First, the commission awarded the county’s recycling grant to Sunflower Diversified Services of Great Bend.

In the 2018 operating budget, the commission allocated $15,000 under Solid Waste for recycling with an understanding that applications would be accepted locally for the funds, County Administrator Phil Hathcock said. Eligible are any county department, agency, organization, recycling center, city, school district or community college located in Barton County.

The applicant would need to demonstrate a positive economic and environmental impact in the county, be consistent with the Barton County Solid Waste Management Plan, benefit the County and its residents and increase recycling. Sunflower submitted the only application, Hathcock said.

Wichita City leaders eye project to improve North Junction

Wichita city leaders call it the most important thing to look into when it comes to its roads

The north junction interchange — where I-135, I-235, K-96 and K-254 meet — can get congested, especially during rush hour. Wichita City Engineer Gary Janzen says the interchange, built nearly 50 years ago, won’t be able to handle traffic demands as that daily congestion is only expected to worsen.

“We’ve known for some time that there’s a lot of issues with congestion and safety,” Janzen says. “It’s only going to get worse in the future with increased traffic counts, we’re expecting to see a lot more freight which means a lot more trucks which that interchange cannot currently accommodate.”

Tuesday, the Wichita City Council unanimously approved spending $80,000 to hire a consulting firm to help apply for federal money for the project expected to cost more than $100 million. The consulting firm will write a grant to try to get $25 million to fund the project.

(Read more: KWCH News)

Barton County working to extend the life of the Landfill

The Barton County Commission approved a larger hazardous waste building to be constructed at the Barton County Landfill to house hazardous waste, but the long-term question that Commissioner Kenny Schremmer was more concerned with was the longevity of the Landfill.

Barton County Administrator Phil Hathcock says the Landfill is permitted to last just over 30 more years, but the County is working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to extend the permit.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Reno County Commission approves Sunday beer sales in unincorporated areas

The Reno County Commission, with little fanfare, approved the resolution that will allow the sale of cereal malt beverages in the unincorporated areas of the county on Sunday.

It’s not quite a done deal just yet. The resolution has to be published, then there’s a 60-day protest period. If the county does not receive a petition protesting the resolution, it would become effective on the 61st day. This would be only for beer in its original package, no draft beer.

If there is a protest petition received and all of the 433 signatures are valid, then there would need to be an election that would probably come as part of the November general election. Officials want to avoid a special election if at all possible.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Prairie Village council considers resolution aimed at combating gender bias

Prairie Village is hoping to become the first city in Kansas — and the second city in the Kansas City metro area — to formally recognize an international treaty aimed at combating bias against women and girls.

The City Council on Tuesday voted 6-3 to ask city staff to draft a resolution supporting the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, or CEDAW. The council would vote to adopt the resolution at a future meeting.

“This resolution is to say it is time to equal power,” said Councilman Ron Nelson, who made the motion to draft the resolution. “It is time to do away with implicit bias; It is time to be aware of the bias and take our heads out of the holes and say we look for it, not just that we ignore it.”

New dog park opens in Augusta

An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held Friday evening at Augusta’s brand new dog park, located in the Meadowview Acres area, west of Garvin Park.
The new facility features an area for large dogs and an area for small dogs. The entire park is surrounded by coated chain link fencing, features benches, established shade trees and water fountains for dogs and people.
Augusta Mayor Mike Rawlings was absent but sent a special canine representative to help deliver the his message. Terri Rawlings, the mayor’s wife, also assisted.
“On behalf of the Augusta City Council I would like to welcome you all to the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for our brand new Dog Park Facility. In 2016, the City Council embarked on an initiative to overhaul our great community and make Augusta a more attractive, inviting, and exciting place to live and raise a family (including the furry ones).

(Read more: El Dorado Times)

Roeland Park looking at partnership that would place Student Resource Officer at Bishop Miege, St. Agnes

Roeland Park is considering a partnership with Bishop Miege Schools that would place a uniformed, on-duty Roeland Park police officer at schools on a full-time basis.

Councilmembers Monday unanimously showed their support for the concept of placing a School Resource Officer at the schools. City staff will craft a tentative contract and bring the item back to the council at a future meeting for further discussion.

Bishop Miege High School and St. Agnes Catholic School recently approached Roeland Park mayor Mike Kelly to gauge interest in the safety coordination effort.

Ellis County hears update from development group

The Ellis County Commission on Monday heard an update from the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission, which the county supports through an annual membership dues.

During its 30-year tenure, the non-profit organization has assisted with projects benefitting Ellis County with a total of approximately $8 million, with the help of more than $3 million in grant funds, said executive director Randall Hrabe. A recent project involved street improvements in Ellis, which cost approximately $944,000.

The planning and development commission works to secure community development block grants for improvement projects throughout northwest Kansas, among other endeavors. There have not yet been many projects within Hays city limits because of income qualifications, Hrabe said, noting the average income in the city is too high for certain grants.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Marion County raises transfer station fee $100

Marion County residents will soon be paying more to dump trash.

Beginning next year, residents will be charged $100 per year to use the county transfer station for waste disposal. This is an increase of $19 annually per household, or $1.58 per month, from last year’s fee of $81.

The Marion County Board of Commissioners, at their June 18 meeting, approved the 23 percent increase to the county’s residential transfer station fee.

Revenue generated from the fee increase will be used to pay for a new transfer station building.

The increase is expected to generate close to $95,000 in additional county revenue next year.

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

Eudora City Commission now working with local company to redevelop old school site

The city of Eudora has started working with a local firm to redevelop the old Nottingham school property on the city’s Kansas Highway 10 gateway.

On June 11, the Eudora City Commission approved a predevelopment agreement for the Nottingham property with Alcove Development, of Lawrence. Eudora City Manager Barack Matite said the agreement committed the city to working exclusively with Alcove for the next six months to redevelop the 15-acre site on Church Street just north of K-10.

The predevelopment agreement is a step toward a much more detailed and binding development agreement, which will provide details of the property’s development and put in writing the incentives the city will offer and the improvements required of the developer, Matite said.

(Read more: LJWorld.com / Lawrence, Kansas)

Streetscape work on Shawnee’s largest ever capital improvement project to begin soon

The centerpiece of Shawnee’s major work on Nieman Road will soon go out for bid.

The streetscape phase to Nieman Now, the city’s biggest capital improvement project, will reduce Nieman Road to three lanes and add a bike and pedestrian path on one side as well as a sidewalk on the other.

Paul Lindstrom, senior project engineer for Nieman Now, said construction on this phase is expected to go out for bid in the next month or two.

Nieman Now, which includes the streetscape work and four stormwater projects to Nieman Road between Shawnee Mission Parkway and 55th Street, is Shawnee’s largest capital improvement project at about $37 million. Lindstrom said Nieman Now involves several different projects. This is the first time Shawnee has committed this much of an investment in a capital improvement project.

Prairie Village exploring options to address growing concerns about construction noise

The wave of teardown-rebuild projects working through Prairie Village isn’t just a concern to residents who worry new, larger houses are changing the character of their neighborhoods.

It’s also become a headache for homeowners hoping for a little peace and quiet.

In a presentation to the city council Monday, assistant city administrator Jamie Robichaud said staff have noted a growing trend of complaints from residents who say they’re hearing sawing, hammering and loud music from construction sites early in the morning.

As presently written, Prairie Village’s noise ordinances don’t allow construction to begin until 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Many contractors and subcontractors, however, don’t appear to be aware of that restriction, and will start work earlier in the morning.

Police Chief Tim Schwartzkopf and Robichaud said the city faces a difficult situation in enforcing the noise ordinances because they typically don’t receive complaint from residents about early start times until later in the day, after ordinance-violating work has stopped.

Parsons enacts smoking ban in parks

Beginning July 15, smoking will be banned in most city parks other than in designated areas.

The Parsons City Commission quickly approved the smoke-free parks ordinance Monday evening after discussing and refining the proposal with city staff over the last several weeks. Commissioner Bill Hogelin introduced the idea last year after Commissioner Tom Shaw began discussing a proposed ordinance to raise the legal age to buy tobacco to 21. The commission passed that ordinance in April but grandfathered in people who were 18 before the ordinance took effect.

The ordinance passed Monday will cover Forest, Clark, Lopez, Glenwood, Winway and Circle parks. Tolen Creek Park and Marvel Park will be excluded from the smoking ban, although the Parsons Recreation Commission already has posted “no smoking” signs at Marvel Park, which it maintains for its softball and T-ball programs. Railroad Park, which has very little playground equipment and isn’t used much, also will be excluded as well as lesser known parks with no playgrounds such as McElhaney Park.

The ordinance would have taken effect upon the legal publication in the Sun, but Commissioner Shaw suggested the city wait until signs are posted and cigarette receptacles placed in the smoking areas.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Salina, Saline county agree to agree on roads

“We accept your proposal,” Saline County Commission Chairman Robert Vidricksen told Salina city commissioners. “We’ve talked it out.”

With that, nine years of legal wrangling between the city and county are coming to an end.

Vidricksen made the comment at the beginning of a joint meeting Monday afternoon between city and county commissioners.

The county had sued to force the city to annex some roads that officially were in the county but were effectively city streets.

The county also wanted the city to help pay to maintain some streets, such as West Water Well Road, that deteriorated because of heavy city trash trucks going to the city landfill.

The county won the first round at Saline County District Court, but the city appealed.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Hutch City Council approves pollution monitoring contract

The Hutchinson City Council held its first evening meeting in years to honor repeated requests to give the public a better chance to attend. A few people did show up for what was a light agenda. The council approved an annual contract with Burns McDonald for monitoring the Obee Landfill and 4th and Carey pollution sites. The cost of the service is $96,600.

Both sites have been under the responsibility of the city since a settlement was reached with the companies responsible for the pollution. The city received a total of around $11 million and used that money to help fund the $35 million R.O. plant. Public Works Director Brian Clennan reported to the council that they now need to monitor the Obee Landfill site after restrictions were tightened by the EPA. Water at the site is not being pumped to the R.O. plant and is just being monitored for any movement of pollution.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Topeka, Shawnee County elected officials to move ahead with trying to acquire high-speed broadband

After voicing concern last month about the high cost of acquiring high-speed broadband access for this community, local elected officials voted Monday evening to move ahead with trying to accomplish that.

The board of directors of the Joint Economic Development Organization voted 7-0 to conduct outreach to broadband service providers, including doing interviews and putting out a “request for information” from companies interested in helping meet the needs of residents of Shawnee County, including Topeka.

JEDO board members also voted 7-0 to appoint Topeka City Councilman and Deputy Mayor Brendan Jensen and Shawnee County Commissioner Shelly Buhler to review a draft of the request for information and provide feedback to the project team JEDO put together.

Read more: CJonline.

Reno County EMS awarded Lifeline Gold Plus award

For the third consecutive year, the American Heart Association has named Reno County EMS winner of the Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award designation.

An AHA spokesman said the award is in recognition of outstanding care provided by Reno County EMS personnel for patients suffering from a STEMI heart attack, which is imperative to increase the odds for a favorable outcome.

The achievement illustrates his staff’s commitment to providing guideline-based care while meeting high standards of performance. Reno County EMS is one of four to receive the Gold Plus designation in Kansas from among the 174 providers of emergency medical care.

“Reno County EMS has received a number of awards and designations leading up to the Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award,” Terry David, who heads the EMS service, said. “Our staff has set the bar high and continues to maintain a high standard.”

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Sunday beer discussion back on Reno Commission agenda for Tuesday

The Reno County Commission will take up a petition Tuesday to allow Sunday beer sales in unincorporated parts of the county.

The commission discussed the issue last week after owners of O’Brien’s Marina on Cheney Reservoir petitioned for it, and they agreed to bring it up for a vote.

Initially, however, the board talked about tabling the item until closer to the November general election, to prevent having to call a special election on the issue.

The law requires publication of a legal notice about the proposed action, and then 60 days for residents to gather signatures of 5 percent of voters in the last presidential election to force the issue onto a ballot.

If opponents successfully file a petition forcing a vote, the county must hold the election within 90 days.

(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)

Lawrence City Commission to review new proposal to regulate massage businesses

As part of an effort to deter human trafficking, the city may soon take on the responsibility of regulating the many massage businesses in Lawrence.

At its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider a new draft of the ordinance to regulate massage and other bodywork businesses, which typically number more than 50.

The original draft, which was proposed in March 2017, was strongly opposed by a group of massage professionals, and the new version does away with several provisions. Those include provisions that allowed law enforcement to inspect business premises, banned businesses from operating overnight and required businesses to keep daily logs of services provided. Assistant City Attorney Maria Garcia said that city staff worked with local massage professionals to revise the ordinance. Garcia said she thinks the new version meets the goals of the city and addresses concerns that the previous draft was too heavy-handed.

“I do think that this ordinance strikes a good balance between the goals of the city, and in particular law enforcement, and the bodywork community,” Garcia said.

Barton County Sheriff’s inmate medication costs set to exceed budget

Inside the budget for the Barton County Sheriff’s Office is an expense line for inmate medication. Jails are required to provide medication to inmates that are prescribed by contracted physicians while the subjects are incarcerated.

Sheriff Brian Bellendir says as of June 15, the Sheriff’s Office was at 95 percent of its allotted $19,000 budget for medication for the year. Bellendir says the Sheriff’s Office is at the mercy of whatever the price is for inmates’ medication and that many of the prisons in Kansas are dealing with this issue. The Barton County Jail has averaged 105 to 108 inmates per day, and Bellendir says his department is currently only holding one out-of-county inmate. The Sheriff’s Office tries to use generic medication and prescribe the minimum required, but not properly providing inmates with medication can bring a series of lawsuits.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Warren Buffett to open company in Lenexa, creating 500 jobs

Business icon Warren Buffett plans to open a new Geico Insurance service center that will bring 500 jobs to Lenexa.

The Kansas City Area Development Council said in a news release Monday that the center will begin hiring customer service and sales employees immediately. It will open in August and add 500 jobs over five years.

Buffett is scheduled to be in Lenexa Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the center.

Geico is owned by Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway. The commerce department says Geico invested almost $10 million in a Lenexa office building for the center.

Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the development council, told The Kansas City Star that the Geico center is the largest job creation announcement in the Kansas City are in at least a year.

(Read more: KOAM – Local News)

Unemployment remains low in Riley County, across the region

Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in May. This was unchanged from April and down from 3.6 percent in May 2017.

“The number of unemployed Kansans looking for work dropped below 50,000 for the first time since May of 2000,” said Secretary Lana Gordon.

Northeast Kansas jobless rates remain low, with the unemployment rate in Riley County at 2.8 percent.

(Read more: Little Apple Post)

Overland Park community has its say about plans for Santa Fe Commons Park

The word “park” is integral to Overland Park’s name, and residents care deeply about their public spaces.

That was obvious Thursday night when about 100 people showed up for an open house to explore the future of Santa Fe Commons Park, 8045 Santa Fe Drive, in downtown Overland Park.

“I want it to stay the way it is,” said Joan Norman, who lives on 80th Street and loves the 3.8-acre park’s trees and pastoral setting. “We need the green space. It’s the only green space we have in downtown.” The city is working with a consulting firm, Omaha-based RDG Planning and Design, on conceptual plans for the park. Thursday was the first opportunity for the public to give its ideas.

The Portland, Maine-based Market Ventures, another consulting firm, has suggested moving the nearby farmers’ market to the park, and that idea is still under review, but it was not getting much traction Thursday night.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Shawnee City Council approves creation of TIF redevelopment district for new Bellmont Promenade project

An updated version of the much-anticipated Bellmont Promenade project is in motion.

Last year, it was proposed to the city as a retail and commercial site.

Now, the plan includes a residential component, making it mixed-use.

Nearly a year ago, in July 2017, the council approved a $19.5 million incentive package for Bellmont Promenade, which is set to sit at the southwest corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Maurer.

For the new mixed-use plan, the developers are requesting the same amount for a TIF and CID.

So, it’s going through the process all over again.

(Read more: The Dispatch stories)

Salina interim city manager named

Deputy City Manager Mike Schrage has been named interim city manager.

Salina city commissioners made the decision after a closed session at their regular meeting Monday.

City Manager Jason Gage has resigned to take become city manager of Springfield, Mo., on Aug. 1. He will be with Salina until the end of July.

City Attorney Greg Bengtson said that from now on, city commission discussions about replacing Gage on a permanent basis will have to take place in open session until commissioners are ready to talk with individuals.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Wichita union says firefighter staffing is risk to safety

The Wichita Firefighters Union says reduced staffing is risking your safety, but the fire chief and mayor disagree.

IAFF Local 135 put out a post Monday morning and another this weekend stating four units were out of service because of self-imposed budget cuts. The post encouraged people to contact the mayor.

Mayor Jeff Longwell responded on his Facebook page about an hour later commenting that Wichita just received the best fire safety rating. He also addressed the union’s claim.

“In regard to claims that we are shutting down department units, we are continually evaluating the best use of resources and always meeting the needs of of our safety standards while being the best possible fiscal stewards of your taxpayer dollars,” reads the post.

IAFF Local 135 President, Matt Schulte, says lower staffing levels should worry people.

(Read more: KWCH News)

City council votes to deny claim seeking $116K for water damage to downtown Topeka business

Topeka’s governing body voted unanimously Saturday morning to deny business owner Chris Schultz’s claim seeking $116,000 in damages related to water damage to buildings he owns at 909 and 911 S. Kansas Ave.

The council, which made the decision following a 40-minutes executive session, characterized the decision as significant and serious.

“My issue with this claim is the process,” Deputy Mayor Brendan Jensen said. “I’m just simply not equipped to make this decision. I don’t have the resources and the tools. We’re just not set up to do that. So, I’m going to vote to deny this, but not because I don’t feel strongly that there could be a problem there. Clearly, there’s water.”

Mayor Michelle De La Isla added, “We are very concerned. We want to be good neighbors. But as part of being good neighbors, this is not a judicial system.”

Read more: CJonline.

City-funded grants support downtown Topeka businesses’ growth

Significant advances in downtown Topeka’s redevelopment have boosted interest in investing downtown, according to a downtown official, and have increased the number of projects submitted to a city-funded incentive grant program.

For nearly each of the 18 years since the grant program’s inception, the city has budgeted funds for Downtown Topeka Inc. to administer through the Downtown Topeka Redevelopment Incentive Grant Program. The program encourages residential and commercial improvements to buildings in the Capital City Business Improvement District bounded by S.W. Topeka Boulevard, S.E. Adams, S.W. 13th and the Kansas River.

Vince Frye, executive director of DTI, said at least 100 projects have received funding since 2001, with amounts ranging from a few hundred dollars to the maximum of $50,000. As of May 1, he said, several applications were awaiting action by the six-member grant committee.

“This past year so far, we’ve had about $355,000 in grants that we’ve approved on projects totaling close to $33 million for downtown,” Frye said. “So it’s been very significant in that the return on investment is very impressive and certainly something that is measurable when the city goes about determining if these dollars have had an effect.”

Read more: CJonline.

Governor Colyer Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-staff in Honor of Fallen Deputies on Thursday, June 21

In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff state-wide from sun-up until sun-down on Thursday, June 21, 2018 in honor of Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputies Theresa “TK” King and Patrick Rohrer who were killed in the line of duty last week.
“These two brave individuals lost their lives protecting the public and we owe them a deep debt of gratitude for their selfless service,” said the Governor. “We pray for their loved ones, as well as all law enforcement officers as we mourn this senseless tragedy.”
A joint funeral will be held for King and Rohrer at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City on Thursday.

Lawrence to again consider community police review board

After multiple revisions aimed at ensuring the city’s new community police review board has sufficient access to police files and recordings, city leaders will again consider the ordinance to create the new board.

At its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will review the most recent changes to the ordinance, which deal with redactions to the police department’s internal investigation files connected to complaints of bias and any related audio or video recordings.

As proposed, the board will review racial or other bias complaints made against police when the person who made the complaint disagrees with the police findings.

(Read more: LJWorld.com)

Overland Park community has its say about plans for Santa Fe Commons Park

The word “park” is integral to Overland Park’s name, and residents care deeply about their public spaces.

That was obvious Thursday night when about 100 people showed up for an open house to explore the future of Santa Fe Commons Park, 8045 Santa Fe Drive, in downtown Overland Park.

“I want it to stay the way it is,” said Joan Norman, who lives on 80th Street and loves the 3.8-acre park’s trees and pastoral setting. “We need the green space. It’s the only green space we have in downtown.”

(Read more: Government & Politics News |)

How will Wichita respond to a ‘wake-up call’ for its economy?

AAmid an avalanche of sobering data that indicates Wichita’s economy continues to flounder, one statement by analyst James Chung stuck with Fidelity Bank president Aaron Bastian.

“It was ‘We’re starving our city,'” Bastian said. “That just hit me like a bucket of water.”

Bastian and other community leaders left the analysis of Wichita’s economy last week with a clear mission.

“We need to do more,” Bastian said. “What we’re doing is not enough.”

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)

After years of budget sweeps, KDOT task force tackles road repairs

A task force examining Kansas infrastructure could consider the merits of raising the fuel tax to stabilize a Kansas Department of Transportation budget that suffered years of annual sweeps, the agency’s secretary says.

Richard Carlson says he appreciates the money his agency already gets for roads, including $60 million lawmakers restored this year. Still, it will take several years before new projects are shovel-ready, and the task force will have to consider $600 million worth projects delayed under the current 10-year transportation plan. Carlson expressed concern about raising a fuel tax that already is higher than some neighboring states, at 24 cents per gallon. He said the state collects about $900 million in fuel tax revenue each year, sharing two-thirds with local entities and leveraging the cash for matching federal funds.

An expansion of the fuel tax revenue could shield the agency from revenue sweeps by providing a dedicated revenue stream for projects. Carlson said it would be a topic for the task force.