Kansas Municipal News
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.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
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.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
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.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
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.
(Read more: LJWorld.com stories: Local news)
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.
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)
Kechi Playhouse needs your help to save it
The Kechi Arts Council is mounting a campaign to raise $83,333 to save the city’s almost 100-year-old Kechi Playhouse building, and it wants your help.
The nearly 100-year-old building is structurally sound, but it needs work on its exterior, particularly a brick veneer wall on the west side that’s peeling away. The building’s eaves and roof also need to be replaced, and its yellow-tinted windows need to be reworked, said Misty Maynard, owner of the building and director of its plays.
“I think that the earthquakes we’ve had have not been good on the poor old thing,” Maynard said. The city of Kechi first approached Maynard in March about fixing the building, and through the Kechi Arts Council, it helped kickstart the fundraising campaign to help Maynard qualify for up to $250,000 in a community development block grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce. The grant matches each dollar raised by the campaign in triplicate, meaning that if the campaign can raise the $83,333, the grant will pay out $250,000.
(Read more: Local News |)
Wichita residents debate for neighborhood pool
Wichita City Council has voted to delay a decision on where to put a new swimming pool in the northeast part of the city.
The Wichita Eagle reports the delay came after a recent three-hour debate. Dozens of residents spoke in support of putting the pool in McAdams Park over Edgemoor Park.
Resident Armando Minjarez said at the meeting that he believes the McAdams neighborhood has been neglected due to decades of racism. Tye McEwen agreed with Minjarez, saying she also thinks race is a factor in the council’s hesitation to put the pool in the McAdams neighborhood.
“Let’s keep it honest, it’s because it’s for black people,” McEwen said.
But Mayor Jeff Longwell said he recommends postponing the decision indefinitely because he’s not “ready to support yet.”
(Read more: Government & Politics News |)
Twenty years of STAR bond investment in Kansas reaps big rewards, a few flops
More than half a billion dollars has been wagered by local and state government officials in Kansas on taxpayer-financed economic development projects under a program that relies upon adherence to the state’s motto — to the stars through difficulties.
The sale of State Tax Revenue bonds — also known as STAR bonds — grant municipal governments an opportunity to finance major commercial, entertainment and tourism areas and repay the debt with state and local sales tax revenue generated by the developments. There have been failures and successes since implemented two decades ago.
For scope of achievement on the STAR bond landscape, look no further than the Kansas Speedway and the Village West shopping complex outside Kansas City, Kan. It’s a flashy show-me example of the inducement as a platform for business growth and job development. Bonds used to finance Village West were paid off in 2016 — five years early. The retail and entertainment hub created 5,700 jobs at more than 100 businesses.
(Read more: Topeka Capital-Journal)
Butler Electric Cooperative to offer High Speed Internet
Butler Electric Cooperative (Butler EC) has taken its first steps in providing high-speed internet to their membership and communities they serve. Tower construction is currently in progress located at 16502 SW 140th, Rose Hill. Butler EC announced the launch of their internet company, Velocity, at their 80th Annual Membership Meeting in March. Butler EC anticipates the first services will be available in the Fall of 2018 with a ribbon cutting slated for this summer.
Velocity will offer reliable, high speed Internet with prices starting at $64.95 for 25 Mbs. “We are proud to provide a service that will have a positive impact on the communities we serve,” said CEO Dale Short. “Our infrastructure provides the framework to close the digital divide that rural America is experiencing.“
(Read more: El Dorado Times)
Winfield Commission considers partnership with electric transmission company
The Winfield City Commission will consider a partnership with an electric transmission company Monday that would help the city invest in new transmission projects.
Commissioners will consider approving a non-binding letter of agreement with GridLiance, of Irving, Texas, regarding possible development and purchase of a portion of the city’s electric transmission assets. If approved, the transaction would close in summer 2019.
GridLiance would pay the city $1.2 million at closing, plus make annual community support payments to the city totaling $880,000 over 15 years, with no stipulations on their use. The city would also earn annual revenue from GridLiance.
The City of Winfield will agree to provide operations and maintenance of the transmission system and a transmission upgrade project.
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)
Main Street Main-ia comes to downtown Newton
Main Street Mainia, the traditional sidewalk sales downtown, did not get off to the start some were hoping for.
“We don’t have as much foot traffic,” said Phil Anderson, owner of Anderson Book and Supply. “We do not have as much retail. Of course, we remember the old days.”
Anderson said there is not as much retail in downtown, meaning fewer sales to attract possible customers. That could be one reason the annual sales were down for him.
But there could have also been wilting for another reason — heat. When the sale kick off party started on Thursday night, the temperature was 102 degrees. The mercury stayed in the triple digits the following day.
(Read more: Newton Kansan)
Salina City Commission to discuss county perimeter roads
Salina City Commission to discuss county perimeter roads
Salina city commissioners will meet with Saline County commissioners to discuss county perimeter roads when they meet in a study session at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the Saline County Health Department conference room.
The Kansas Court of Appeals recently issued a ruling in a lawsuit the county filed against the city concerning annexation of county roads primarily used by city residents, and city and county commissioners have said they are anxious to come to an agreement.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
Garden City cautions against use of unlicensed contractors
The City of Garden City is cautioning residents against the use of unlicensed contractors for home or business remodels and repairs.
According to Garden City staff, unlicensed contractors are often uninsured, meaning homeowners may end up paying for any injuries or damage to property. In addition, unlicensed contractors often lack professional training and certification, are unfamiliar with applicable building codes, and are not regulated by local authorities.
Neighborhood & Development Services Director Kaleb Kentner said it is illegal for an unlicensed person to perform contracting work on any project.
(Read more: News – The Garden City Telegram)
Hutch City Council to hold first evening meeting
There’s always been discussion about the Hutchinson City Council moving meetings to the evening hours so more residents can attend. After discussion, the council decided to move the last meeting of the month to evenings for a trial period. That experiment begins Monday as the council will hold its regular agenda session Tuesday. Tuesday’s meeting of the Hutchinson City Council begins at 5:30 p.m. in the city council chambers.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Hospital tax vote meeting coming in Ark City
Arkansas City commissioners, acting in their new role as trustee board for South Central Kansas Medical Center, met Tuesday with hospital staff to discuss a number of issues, including how to educate the public on an upcoming sales tax vote for the medical center.
The vote will take place by mail in September. Discussion centered on the need to quickly institute an effective program to educate and inform the public about the benefit of the proposed one-cent sales tax, and the consequences to be faced if the vote should fail.
Commissioners said they were planning to conduct a number of town hall meetings, and SCKMC staff will hold meetings as well.
Hospital CEO Virgil Watson said hospital staff was very active in the previous one-cent sales tax campaign, conducting more than 30 meetings. It passed overwhelmingly.
(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com – RSS Results)
Hays OKs hotel tax increase
The Hays City Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a 2-percent hike in the city’s transient guest tax to pay for street improvements along the Vine Street corridor. The current plan is to construct three roundabouts there in efforts to improve traffic flow.
The transient guest tax is currently at 5 percent. Commonly known as a hotel bed tax, the rate only is paid by those who stay overnight in any of the city’s hotels. The Vine Street project is eligible for those funds because the improvements would benefit travelers, City Manager Toby Dougherty said.
“City staff made the suggestion that part of project — a significant part of the project — could be funded with transient guest tax dollars due to the fact the improvements would make it better for visitors, pedestrians and people staying in the area and utilizing the area, not just people who live here,” Dougherty said.
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)
Boy ‘hugged’ $132,000 sculpture at Overland Park community center; Mom says city’s insurance is seeking damages
After a 5-year-old accidentally toppled a sculpture displayed at Overland Park’s Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, his mom was stunned to receive an insurance company letter seeking to recover damages to the $132,000 artwork.
“It’s clear accidents happen and this was an accident,” Sarah Goodman said Thursday about the incident May 19 at the community center that involved her 5-year-old son. “I don’t want to diminish the value of their art. But I can’t pay for that.”
The city responded that its insurance company is contractually obligated to reach out to the responsible party when public property is damaged. The artwork was on a stand inside the community center at 11902 Lowell Ave.
Goodman said her family, including her husband and four children, were attending a wedding reception at the center that afternoon and were getting ready to leave. She said they were saying goodbye to the bride’s father when there was a commotion right around the corner.
Read more: KC Star.
Briefly noted: Prairie Village leaders discuss challenges of teardown-rebuild trend
Prairie Village Mayor Laura Wassmer and councilmembers Serena Schermoly and Tucker Poling were guests on KCUR’s Up To Date on Wednesday to discuss the challenges of preserving the city’s original neighborhood aesthetics with the demand for newer, larger homes. [Prairie Village Home Teardowns Rankle Residents — KCUR]
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)
Hays city commission OKs ‘creative funding’ of roundabouts; Can be challenged by voters
Hays city commissioners voted unanimously Thursday night to approve a charter ordinance which will increase the Transient Guest Tax (TGT) rate 2% to fund improvements to the north Vine Street traffic corridor, estimated at more than $7.6 million. “City staff suggested a significant part of the project could be funded with Transient Guest Tax dollars, due to the fact the improvements would make it better for visitors, pedestrians, people that are staying in the area, and not just for people that live here,” explained Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty.
The Hays 5% TGT is lower than most of its peer cities in Kansas. Johnson County’s rate is 9%.
The charter ordinance can be challenged within a 61-day period by a petition of more than 10% of voters who voted in the last city election. If a valid petition is presented, the ordinance will be put to a vote of Hays residents.
(Read more: Hays Post)
Salina Community Economic Development Organization gets inside look at Great Plains
Linda Salem, president of Great Plains Manufacturing, wants to figure out a way to sell Salina.
The city has many good things to offer, she said, but no mountain and no seashore, which makes it more difficult to attract the employees Great Plains needs.
Great Plains has about 1,500 employees, but like many manufacturers, it could use more skilled workers, she said, particularly machinists, draftsmen and engineers.
Not enough students are graduating from Salina Area Technical College to fill the needs, she said Thursday, after an hour-and-a-half tour for the Salina Community Economic Development Organization board of directors and guests.
Mitch Robinson, executive director of the economic development organization, said during the group’s board meeting that he saw a need for more of a connection between industry and education.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
Vote expected on all-way stops in Atchison
Final action on stepped-up regulation of several downtown intersections is expected on Monday at the second Atchison governing body meeting. The stop signs have been a somewhat contentious issue, with a March 19 vote producing an uncommon split decision, 3-2, to reject an agenda item. Commissioner Shawn Rizza and Vice Mayor David Hausmann dissented from the majority’s reluctance to establish permanent stop signs at that time.
The city has thoroughly studied the feasibility and popularity of the stop sign issue, including an online public survey that demonstrated public approval for signs at every intersection considered, save N. 4th and Kansas.
Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont said city staff now recommend for that stop sign to remain for good, and that he anticipates commissioners’ decision on Monday.
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)
New Aquatic Park open in Horton
he wait is over for Horton residence who have been waiting the past few summers for a new swimming pool, as the Horton Aquatic Park opened to rave reviews on Memorial Day weekend. The pool project was completed with the help of a 20-year, 1 percent sales tax increase which was voted in on the ballot just under two years ago, and was a major topic in the same year’s mayoral election.
(Read more: Hiawatha World Online)
Budgets cuts lead to closing of K-State research center in Haysville
Kansas State University will close its 120-acre horticultural research center in Haysville, the university announced Thursday.
Lower state funding for higher education and declining enrollment at K-State led university officials to cut $3.5 million from College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension’s budget this year, which in turn led to the decision to close the John C. Pair Horticulture Center, according to a press release from the university.
The university will also close its 80-acre stand of pecan trees in Chetopa.
“Naturally, with budget reductions there are difficult decisions,” College of Agriculture dean and K-State Research and Extension director John Floros said in the release. “We value the history and contributions of our faculty at the center.”
(Read more: Local News |)