Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

City arts commission recommends mural for Lawrence library wall

A mural proposed for the exterior wall of the Lawrence Public Library has received a preliminary approval.

At its meeting Wednesday evening, the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission voted unanimously to recommend the mural, which depicts stories of local women of color. The team leading the project, Womxn of Color, began gathering historical and present-day stories last year to incorporate into the mural design. Last month, the City Commission voted unanimously to receive the mural proposal, though some fundraising groups associated with the library indicated they opposed the project’s proposed location on the library itself. The artist team initially proposed that the mural be painted on the parking garage next to the library but later said that there are technical issues with that surface and that they would like to put the mural on the library itself. Some community members expressed concerns that opposition to having the mural on the library itself was due to its content and that the stories or women of color are often excluded.

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

Osage County EMS recognized for care of cardiac and stroke patients

Osage County EMS has been recognized with the 2018 Bronze Plus Mission: Lifeline award by the American Heart Association. This is the third consecutive year that OCEMS has received the award, which recognizes the company for its care of patients suffering heart attack or coronary conditions.

OCEMS service director Donna Connell noted, “A dedicated staff of EMTs and paramedics, progressive protocols, EKG transmission capabilities, and aggressive education have benefited their patients. This award recognizes that system of care for cardiac and stroke patients.”

City: High levels of chloride in Topeka water not dangerous

Topeka city officials say high levels of chloride in the city’s water supply pose no danger to residents.

The city announced Thursday that its treatment plant recorded higher than normal levels of chloride in the Kansas River. The chloride is coming from the Smokey Hill River, which feeds into the Kansas River. The source of the chloride hasn’t been determined.

The chloride readings mean the salt levels in the water are high.

City officials say the Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed the water is within its safe drinking water regulations.

(Read more: LJWorld.com stories)

Saline County Commission won’t open Halstead bridge early to empty grain trucks

Saline County commissioners have decided not to open the Halstead Road bridge to limited traffic prior to the completion of construction work.

Commissioners had been considering opening the bridge, located west of Salina and north of State Street, to empty grain trucks in order to alleviate the effects of the closure on wheat farmers traveling to and from the grain elevator.

During a Wednesday afternoon meeting, Commissioner Rodger Sparks voiced his opposition.

“It’s just like going to a doctor,” he said. “You broke your bone. The doctor said your cast is coming off today, but don’t go play football for three weeks. And you go and play that afternoon.”

There currently is heavy traffic in the area. Commissioner Jim Weese said he parked near the bridge for an hour on Wednesday and saw a grain truck drive by every 15 seconds.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Be sure signs are on private property, not highway right of way, says KDOT

If you want to put a yard sign up to support your favorite political candidate, be sure you know where you’re putting them.

“Signs are never allowed on KDOT right of way,” said KDOT spokeswoman Kim Stich. “That’s something that’s standard, whether it’s business signs, garage sale signs or political signs. Especially during the summer of a campaign and an election, we see a lot more signs along highway right of way that have to be removed.”

If you put your sign too close to the road, it may disappear.

“If they are on KDOT right of way, they will be taken to the closest KDOT office,” said Stich. “The owner can pick them up, with the agreement that they will not be placed back on the right of way.”

(Read more: WIBW News Now!)

Officials express concern after Kansas bridge collapse on Reno/McPherson county border

A bridge in northeast Reno County will be out of use for an extended period of time after a large wheat cart fell through the deck and into the North Fork Blaze Creek Wednesday.

Don Britton of Reno County Public Works says the single-axle cart was way too much for the 91-foot wooden structure to handle. He expressed frustration that people aren’t paying attention to, or simply disregarding, weight limits on the spans they are crossing.

Britton said it’s too early to tell if the bridge will be replaced or not.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Community Memorial Healthcare sales tax petition posted around Marshall county

Three hundred county residents had signed a petition by early this week asking Marshall County commissioners to allow a public vote on a proposed half-cent sales tax for Community Memorial Healthcare.

Community Memorial Healthcare’s board hopes to get 350 before taking the petition to commissioners at their 8:30 a.m. meeting on Monday. Kracht said the hospital board and administration chose 350 as a goal for the petition because that is about 10 percent of Marshall County voters who cast a ballot in the 2014 general election.

“We feel 350 is a significant number of voters in our county. That number has said they’d like to have a choice,” Kracht said.CMH faces financial challenges as uninsured and under-insured residents increase and as the population ages, requiring the hospital to serve more Medicare patients.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

Salina not issuing barricade permits for Fourth of July

The city of Salina has announced it will not issue street barricade permits for July 3 or 4 in order to reduce the likelihood of the unauthorized discharge of fireworks within neighborhoods.

Fireworks are allowed to be ignited or discharged in the city only from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 and 4. They are not to be ignited or launched on public property or on roadways.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Ellinwood and Cimarron have a “community exchange” to gather impressions and suggestions

The city council meeting held Monday night included several meaningful discussion that showed progress towards transformation into a 21st century visitor-friendly community. Ellinwood community member Rob Dove was part of a task force assigned to a 2016 community exchange with Cimarron. Both communities sent a delegation from their community to the other in order to gather impressions and suggestions for improvements that would make their cities more visitor friendly. The Cimarron delegation determined it would be difficult for visitors to discern what attractions or features the city contained, or how to get to key locations. Dove agreed to research appropriate signage and his presentation was the culmination of those efforts.
Dove visited communities from Barton County to Columbia, Mo. It was his conclusion that the style of Great Bend’s wayfinding signs were the best, and recommended Ellinwood go with a similar option for a series of signs designating where the parks, the Splash Pad and pool, cemetery, and other city buildings were located.

Olathe Fire Hero Day inspires girls to consider firefighting career

On a day when the temperature passed 90 degrees, donning a firefighter’s uniform — complete with a helmet — and climbing a 75-foot ladder sounds too sweltering to be fun.

But on June 9, 19 girls seized the chance to see what it feels like to be a firefighter.

It’s called Olathe Fire Hero Day, a program the Olathe Fire Department has put on for three years in an effort to get more girls interested in a career as a firefighter. The department has three female firefighters who, along with their male colleagues, helped give the teens and pre-teens a taste of their training. “I think this is awesome,” said Jen King, who has been a firefighter in Olathe for three years. “I think girls their age don’t see themselves in this position, because it’s a male-dominated career. I hope they get a glimpse and maybe a better understanding of what we do.”

(Read more: Joco 913 News)

Luminaries banned, display fees changed in Saline County

Aerial luminaries will no longer be allowed in Saline County, and new fees have been adopted for county residents who apply to set off fireworks for public displays and private events.

Saline County commissioners made the changes to the county’s fireworks resolution at their meeting Tuesday.

Residents seeking to use consumer-grade fireworks in their display will pay $75 if the display takes place outside the county fireworks season, which is June 27 through July 5. Residents seeking to set off commercial-grade fireworks in their display will pay $200, regardless of the time of year.

Commissioners voted to ban aerial luminaries, which previously had been banned by the city of Salina.

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Man who fled Kan. traffic stop surrenders, brings doughnuts

Authorities say a rapper who fled from a southeast Kansas traffic stop and feuded with police on Facebook brought along doughnuts when he surrendered. The feud started after two people bailed from a vehicle that a Galena officer attempted to stop Sunday for speeding. Police posted screenshots of Tyrone Amos’ Facebook page in which he described himself hiding in a bush afterward. The department also changed its profile picture to a bush.

After Amos surrendered Wednesday with doughnuts, the department again changed its profile picture to a selfie of an officer with a man in handcuffs.

(Read more: Great Bend Post)

Safety of park-goers from flying discs discussed in Marysville

Mayor Carla Grund referred a proposed disc golf course in City Park to a subcommittee on Monday after 90 minutes of discussion with a group of local residents visibly dismayed by meeting’s end.

The subcommittee, made up of council members Jason Barnes, Darlene Boss and Gina Graham, plans to study the issue further and provide the mayor and council with a recommendation. A date was not set for their first meeting.

“I will keep at it,” Kyle Goracke, a local educator who proposed a nine-hole pocket disc course in City Park, said after the meeting.

Grund said afterward that those attending should know her concerns are about safety of park users who might be struck by a disc.

“I would think our community would be grateful that we are making safety a concern,” she said.

“I believe the council is taking the proper steps to make sure it’s done correctly.

(Read more: The Marysville Advocate)

ELGL Podcast: Local Government Law, Police Body Cameras

From public records requests to emergency communications we talk with two local government attorneys about all the legal questions that come with Police body cameras. They share common concerns from working with Police Departments, the hidden costs of body worn cameras and how the videos can help with getting information to the public.

Basketball goals returning to park in Salina

Nearly a month after removing two black metal multipurpose units from the basketball courts at Sunset Park, a Salina Parks and Recreation crew began the process of reinstalling basketball goals. On May 17, city crews took down the basketball goals at the park and installed multipurpose units — a goal post with a basketball goal attached to it — with the intention of providing people who play futsol with better equipment while allowing basketball players a court as well.

Chris Cotten, director of Salina Parks and Recreation, said at that time, “There was never an intent to take away basketball at Sunset Park.”

Salinan Charles Bates Jr. began circulating a petition the next day, calling the units “unsafe and unwarranted.”

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)

Kansas utility regulators may ask U.S. Supreme Court to review rate case

Kansas utility regulators said Thursday that they may ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review a case challenging the federal government’s authority to set certain kinds of rates that ultimately affect every electric customer’s monthly bills.

But first, they want advice from Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

The Kansas Corporation Commission voted 3-0 to ask Schmidt whether it would be possible to appeal a decision of a federal appellate court, which ruled in February that the KCC had no standing to challenge a decision from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, involving rates charged by interstate electric transmission companies.

The case involves an aspect of the public utility business that most customers rarely think about, but which can have a substantial impact on the ultimate rates they pay for electricity — the wholesale purchase of power from one utility to another through transmission lines that run across state lines.

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

Briefly noted: Overland Park ranks high among cities where Millennials are moving

Overland Park among top 20 destination cities in the country for Millennials. A new analysis of census data by the website SmartAsset suggests Overland Park is faring well in attracting new Millennial-aged residents. The city was 14th among the 217 cities considered in the rankings of places where Millennials are moving.

As the Latino population grows in southwest Kansas, youths are developing a new accent

Residents in southwest Kansas are starting to speak with a distinct, new accent as the Latino population continues to grow — and the accent is most prominent among young people.

A research team at Kansas State University has found that as demographics change in the region, the way people speak English also changes.

The team is calling this new way of speaking a “Liberal accent” or “Liberal sound.” Liberal is a Seward County, Kansas, town of about 25,000 people. About 59 percent of the town’s population was Hispanic or Latino in 2010, according to the U.S. Census. Just a couple of decades ago, Liberal’s population was about 20 percent Latino, the K-State news release says.

The sound change, which lead researcher Mary Kohn calls a “Latino-English” sound, is more prominent in youths — including those who do not speak Spanish.

FAA announces grants for Kansas airports

The United States Department of Transportation Secretary says the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $677 million in airport infrastructure grants, “the first allotment of the total $3.2 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Transportation says the 241 grants will fund 346 infrastructure projects that include runways, taxiways, aprons and terminals.

“These projects are important to the safety and efficiency of the nation’s system of airports,” the US. DOT says.

The U.S. DOT says the FAA’s most recent economic analysis shows U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs.

“If you want a strong transportation system, you have to invest in airport infrastructure,” said U.S. DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “Airports are the backbone of aviation. These communities are going to reap greater safety, efficiency, and economic dividends for years to come.”

(Read more: KWCH News)

City of Florence, Deforest family in water fight

For 98 years, clear and sparkling water has flowed from Crystal Springs to Florence taps.

Whether that will remain the case in June 2019 is anyone’s guess after city council members on June 4 rejected a contract proposed by the family that owns the springs.

The DeForest family and Florence are coming to the end of a 99-year lease that allotted water to Florence for $500 per year.

Alta Vista resident Linda Long, one of four siblings in the DeForest family, said the family offered a new 10-year contract at a rate of $6,000 per year.

Inflation rates since 1920 indicate that $500 in 1920 would equal $6,264 in 2018.

Long said the contract, approved by lawyers for both the city and the family, was given to Mayor Bob Gayle in April but not put on a council agenda until this month.

Instead of voting to approve the contract, council member Matt Williams moved to set aside all previous offers and offer to purchase Crystal Springs for $60,000.

(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)

Paramedic training event coming to the fairgrounds

Residents may notice a lot of activity on the Kansas State Fairgrounds soon.

HutchCC EMS education will hold the 13th annual Paramedic Field Ops on June 20. Jason Holland, an instructor with the Hutchinson Community College Fire Science Program, discussed the upcoming event. One hundred volunteers will serve as patients for the training. Holland joked that some volunteers want to be extremely critical so they can get a ride in a helicopter.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Newton’s city-owned golf course, Sand Creek Station, wins award — again

Winning the National Golf Foundation loyalty award is a big accomplishment — and Sand Creek Station has now done it 10 times.

Sand Creek Station took home top honors in the “less than $70” green fee category

“We are very proud of our loyalty index,” said manager Chris Tuohey. “For 10 consecutive years, we have never had a loyalty index percentage below 80 percent of 100. In 2017, our results were 88 percent. Looking at benchmarking against national average, we are about double.”

The national average is about 44 percent.

Tuohey praised his staff as he looks for a place to hang not only an award from the NGF, but from Kemper Sports which is the parent management company of Sand Creek Station.

“There are a lot of great golf courses out there,” Tuohey said. “Truly, it takes people to make a golf course truly special.”

The course is owned by the City of Newton and managed by KemperSports.

(Read more: Newton Kansan)

Marion County sales tax to decrease

Sales tax rates in the county will drop by half a percent July 1, when a five-year-old special tax imposed to build a $3.5 million jail expires.

County Clerk Tina Spencer said the county would continue to collect revenue from the tax in July and August from sales occurring before July 1.

Enough money to pay the bond on the jail, which was completed in September 2012, was collected in March, and the county notified the state to cancel the tax.

“The State of Kansas requires an entire quarter’s notice to cancel the tax at the beginning of the next quarter,” Spencer said.

(Read more: HILLSBORO Star-Journal)

Marion County Commissioners discuss mental health needs

Less than half of Marion County residents who would benefit from mental health care are receiving treatment.

That’s what Jessie Kaye, president and CEO of Prairie View Mental Health Center, told Marion County commissioners Monday.

Kaye, who has worked with Prairie View for 13 years, said 20 percent of people in Kansas suffer from some form of mental illness. The problem is especially prevalent in Marion County, Kaye said.

Marion County is in the bottom third of the state in per capita funding for community mental health clinics. Marion ranks 71st among the state’s 105 counties, according to data provided by Prairie View.

(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)

New Wichita library prepares for Saturday grand opening

Cynthia Berner, the director of libraries for the City of Wichita, talks about what one might expect to see when the new Advanced Learning Library opens its doors to the public for the first time this weekend.

(Read more: Local News |)

Pittsburg Police Department honored with AAA Safety Award

During a special presentation at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting, Tuesday, June 12, the City of Pittsburg Police Department was honored with the AAA Kansas Community Traffic Safety Award. This is the seventh consecutive year the department has received the award, which recognizes police and sheriff departments around the state for their commitment to traffic safety practices and programs.

AAA Public and Government Affairs Manager Jennifer Haugh presented the award to the officers and commended them on the achievement.

“What is remarkable is that the last six have been platinum awards, the highest award AAA can bestow upon a law enforcement agency,” said Haugh. “No other agency, sheriff or police department has a more consistent track record of excellence than the Pittsburg Police Department.”

The police department received the award for its work to address seat belt usage, its data-driven approach to crime and traffic safety, and its efforts to enforce DUI violations.

Haugh shared statistics to demonstrate the impact these traffic safety improvements have made.

(Read more: City of Pittsburg)

KCC staff, consumer advocates recommend millions in Westar rate cuts

Kansas utility regulators are being urged to reject Westar Energy’s request for a $17.2 million rate increase and instead order the company to cut rates for Kansas customers by $69 million to $125 million.

Those recommendations were made this week in testimony filed by the Kansas Corporation Commission’s own staff and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board, or CURB, a state agency that represents consumers in utility rate cases.

“CURB’s evidence strongly supports the need to decrease rates for all Westar customers and we hope the KCC will adopt our recommendations in this rate case,” CURB consumer counsel David Nickel said in a statement.

Westar is the largest electric utility in Kansas. It provides service to about 700,000 customers in the state, including customers in Lawrence.

(Read more: LJWorld.com stories)

Phillips Co. commissioner: State funding change means ‘safer local roads and bridges’

Governor Jeff Colyer today announced that the Kansas Department of Transportation is increasing the exchange rate for local public agencies seeking to fund local projects with state funds through the Federal Fund Exchange Program, returning the exchange rate to $.90 in state funds made available for every $1.00 in federal funds awarded a local agency, upon that agency’s request. Max Dibble, Phillips County Commissioner and Kansas Association of Counties President, said, “Restoration of the $.90/$1.00 ratio in the federal funds exchange program will allow counties to further stretch our transportation dollars. This means safer local roads and bridges for our citizens, farmers and businesses depending on them.”

(Read more: Hays Post)

KDOT money coming

The cities of Winfield and Arkansas City will qualify for more road work dollars after Gov. Jeff Colyer announced Monday that the Kansas Department of Transportation is returning to its previous formula of 90 cents on the dollar for the Federal Fund Exchange Program.

The program allows public agencies to sell all or part of their federal funds for state transportation dollars to fund local road work projects. The state funds provide greater flexibility of use and allow agencies to fund larger projects that may not have been possible with federal funding.

The 90 cents for every dollar exchange rate was in effect from 2011 until 2017 (for example, an agency wanting to exchange $100,000 in federal funds would receive $90,000 of state funds in return).

Last year, in response to the state’s ongoing revenue shortage, former Gov. Sam Brownback lowered the exchange rate to 75 cents on the dollar for fiscal year 2018.

(Read more: www.ctnewsonline.com)

Leavenworth County Commission approves stormwater fees

Leavenworth city commissioners have officially approved new fees to help pay for maintenance to the city’s stormwater system.

During a meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved an ordinance establishing a stormwater management program and an ordinance that creates the fees to pay for the program.

The new fees are listed in an amended schedule of fees for the city.

Owners of single residential properties will be charged an annual fee of $84 as part of the stormwater management program. Fees for commercial properties range from $162 to $3,125 per year depending on the size of buildings. Fees for industrial properties range from $337 to $3,125 depending on the size of buildings.

The fees will appear on annual property tax bills. Because the fees are not considered a tax, they will be charged to tax exempt entities in the city.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

New numbers will likely mean reductions to Lawrence city manager’s recommended budget

Even as City Manager Tom Markus presented his recommended budget to the Lawrence City Commission Tuesday, he advised that some of the numbers will change — potentially calling for reductions to what is proposed if the property tax rate is to remain flat.

Markus said updated numbers will be presented to the commission on July 10, and the city will need direction on what’s acceptable and what changes commissioners would like to make.

He said that, while he hoped some numbers would move in the right direction between now and then, the overall changes to revenue and expenses could make the budget tighter.

“You’re going to probably see some revenue differences and you’ll probably see some expense differences, both probably going in the wrong directions — meaning, revenues a little bit less and expenses a little bit more than what we’ve shown tonight,” Markus said. “So (city staff members) are going to have to take a hard look at those things, too.”

(Read more: LJWorld.com stories)

Holcomb City Council approves ordinance raising legal age to purchase cigarettes

The T-21, or No. 417, ordinance, raises the legal age to purchase and possess cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and tobacco products to 21. On May 10, LiveWell Finney County Health Coalition Grant Coordinator Donna Gerstner and three Holcomb students presented the ordinance to the council, sharing personal anecdotes of how tobacco had affected their families and schools and urging members to raise the age.

As the ordinance passes, Holcomb joins Garden City as the only communities in western Kansas to pass the ordinance. As of last month, 20 other localities in the state had accepted the ordinance.

Fed raises rates; officials boost outlook to four hikes in 2018

Federal Reserve officials raised interest rates for the second time this year and upgraded their forecast to four total increases in 2018, as unemployment falls and inflation overshoots their target faster than previously projected.
The so-called “ dot plot” released Wednesday showed eight Fed policy makers expected four or more quarter-point rate increases for the full year, compared with seven officials during the previous forecast round in March. The number viewing three or fewer hikes as appropriate fell to seven from eight. The median estimate implied three increases in 2019 to put the rate above the level where officials see policy neither stimulating nor restraining the economy.

The Federal Open Market Committee indicated that even though it’s stepping up the pace of interest-rate hikes, economic growth should continue apace. “The committee expects that further gradual increases in the target range for the federal funds rate will be consistent with sustained expansion of economic activity, strong labor market conditions, and inflation near the committee’s symmetric 2% objective over the medium term,” according to its statement following a meeting in Washington.

Phase II of Aggieville Infrastructure Analysis

Phase I of an Aggieville Infrastructure Analysis occurred over the fall and winter of 2017 examining parking, water and sewer infrastructure, and providing future growth scenarios for the district. Phase II of the analysis will look at further development of Aggieville’s public infrastructure, including streetscape, sidewalks, Triangle Park, lighting, traffic flow, on-street parking, and preliminary design of the parking garage at the northwest corner of N. Manhattan Avenue and Laramie Street.

Public participation and involvement will be an important part of the process. Business owners, citizens, students, and K-State administrators will have an opportunity to participate and provide feedback to help direct the process.

(Read more: Manhattan – News Flash)

Chanute approves agreement to fund Main Street

Chanute commissioners heard a presentation on the Main Street Chanute program from one of its board members and continued discussion before approving funding for the program at Monday evening’s commission meeting.

The commission voted Monday to approve its agreement to fund $32,000 in four quarterly payments. The city made one payment and commissioners asked in December for a work session to discuss the program, which was never scheduled.

Main Street board member Dan Mildfelt said withholding funding was a rebuke during his request the funds be restored. In a prepared statement, he talked about the history of the program, the opposition it faced and efforts to restore downtown buildings, including those that now house the Chamber of Commerce and Chanute Tribune.

Mildfelt said the program has brought 38 new businesses to Main Street in the 26 years it has been in place and invested $13.5 million. He said more than 900 people work downtown, about twice the number in 1991.

(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)

Kansas counties file federal racketeering case against opioid companies

Two Kansas counties and two Missouri counties this week joined a growing tide of legal challenges to the opioid epidemic by accusing pharmaceutical companies of racketeering.

Montgomery and Bourbon counties in Kansas and Lafayette and Worth counties in Missouri filed suits in federal court against more than a dozen manufacturers and distributors, alleging nine of them are in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

Bourbon County said in its suit that it is acting “to abate the public nuisance caused by rampant and uncontrolled opioid use and addiction, and to recoup taxpayer monies that have been spent because of defendants’ false, deceptive and unfair marketing and/or unlawful diversion and distribution of prescription opioids.”

The counties are represented by the Kansas City law firm of Wagstaff & Cartmell among others. Similar opioid RICO lawsuits have been filed in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Alabama.

(Read more: KC Star Local News)

Reno County Commissioners make no decision regarding beer sales on Sunday

The Reno County Commission made no decision Tuesday concerning a request from O’Brien’s Marina at Cheney Lake to sell cereal malt beverages on Sunday. None of the commissioners had an issue with this particular business selling beer on Sunday, but County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan noted that any resolution would apply countywide to any business located in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The commissioners looked at a resolution that already passed in Kingman County. It allows the sale of 3.2 beer.

The commission will bring the issue back next week. O’Sullivan will have a draft resolution ready.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Baldwin City on backup power after storm, asks residents to curb electricity use

After overnight storms knocked out power around Baldwin City, city officials are now asking residents to curb their electricity use to ensure the city’s backup power system can handle the load.

The city is asking all electric customers to voluntarily reduce their consumption of electricity until further notice, the city posted to its Facebook page shortly after noon Tuesday.

Several power poles were broken east of town, the city said, and the main transmission lines to the city were knocked down during the storm.

“KCP&L is currently working to rebuild those lines but we do not know when service will be restored to the city,” the city said in the post. “The city electric department is currently generating power through the city’s power plant and will continue to do so until the transmission lines are restored. However, the system is reaching the maximum that the city power plant can produce so we are asking all customers to help reduce that demand.”

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

Pawnee Mental Health Services Seeks Funding Increase from Geary County

Pawnee Mental Health Services is requesting increased funding for 2019 from Geary County.

A budget proposal submitted by Executive Director Robbin Cole asked the county commission to increase the support for community mental health to the state average contribution. “Currently in Geary County, Pawnee Mental Health receives funding of $3.98 per capita. The state average is $7.44 per capita. So I’ve asked them to reach that state average per capita contribution.” That would equate to a $128,213 increase. Geary County currently provides an annual funding contribution totaling $147,290 to Pawnee Mental Health Services.

(Read more: Junction City Post)

Economic development group announces name change to “Grow Hays”

During the March 2018 meeting of the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development’s Board of Directors, the group unanimously voted to change its name to Grow Hays.

The change in name to Grow Hays is one of several changes associated with the organization’s ongoing evolution and rebranding effort.

Long known for its efforts to promote a robust local economy through business creation, retention/expansion and recruitment, Grow Hays has offered support toward numerous community successes. A few recent projects include the arrival of Hobby Lobby, a soon to be constructed convention center, development of innovative job training initiatives, and BriefSpace, a co-working space. Grow Hays also reduced the size of its governing board from 23 to 13 members, with the stipulation that the communities of Ellis, Hays and Victoria will be represented by at least one voting member.

(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)

Extension of city water will serve new addition in Clay Center

Planned construction of the Meadowbrook housing east of the city has made it economically feasible for the city to add water lines that will provide water to a number of homes just east of Clay Center now on private wells.

The extension will make city water available to the Prairie Meadows addition as well as other east Clay Center homes just north of US-24.

“We’ve been wanting to provide this extension, but before the Meadowbrook addition, it wasn’t quite feasible,” Utilities Superintendent Scott Glaves said.

Making the pitch in Hoisington

City staff have been busy in recent weeks working diligently with prospects interested in bringing new homes and businesses to town, City Manager Jonathan Mitchell told council members at Monday night’s regular city council meeting.
One of those prospects, he said, proposed a unique commercial opportunity.
“They would be a great compliment to our recreational facilities and our hotel,” he said.
Mitchell provided scant details, stating that before he could divulge more detailed information, the company making the proposal wanted first to gauge the receptiveness of the council in moving forward. Even then, whether the city can work with the company hinges on FEMA’s willingness to allow land in and around the park to be transferred to a commercial use.

Black Wichita residents frustrated after council puts off pool decision

About 150 residents — mostly black — left City Hall in frustration Tuesday after the Wichita City Council voted to put off a decision on where to put a new swimming pool in northeast Wichita.

The decision to delay came after a three-hour debate that brought dozens of residents to the podium supporting McAdams Park — not Edgemoor Park — as the site where they want a new pool to be built.

The city closed the McAdams pool early last year and plans to close five other public pools by 2023. That would leave three pools open, plus a new pool, location to be determined. The Edgemoor pool closed several years ago because of structural problems.

Members of the audience spoke for nearly two hours, at five minutes each. Some fought back tears as they talked of the need for a pool in McAdams Park, serving a low-income area west of the I-135 freeway around 13th Street.

(Read more: Politics & Government News |)

North Wichita pool decision deferred

The Wichita City Council has deferred a decision on a new pool or aquatic facility in District one.

Councilmembers were slated to make a decision after approving $4 million for a new facility in north Wichita. Mayor Jeff Longwell wanted more information from city staff, a decision which brought heavy criticism from attendees.

“Yes, this absolutely has everything to do with race. You don’t see anyone from any other side of town outside of district one ever have to go in front of the city council have to beg and plead,” said Tye McEwen, with the Save McAdams Pool group. “It’s disheartening to say the least. I’m not gonna lie, I’m actually very disappointed in our city council today, at least half of them.”

Longwell strongly disagreed with the notion that the district was being ignored, citing recent development projects in the area.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

Saline County trims budget requests by $686,000

Tuesday morning, Saline County Commissioners cut $686,000 from their proposed budget, which means property owners could see a smaller tax increase.

The county could need an increase of only 2.5 mills to fund the 2019 county budget. Commissioners Monte Shadwick and Robert Vidricksen advocated for cuts from budget requests submitted by department leaders. Commissioner Mike White said he thought itwas time to invest in Saline County.

Vidricksen said he supported increasing taxes, but not by as much as the initial budget requests would have required.

“I’ll agree we need to increase it, but that should have been done four, five or six years ago with a different commission that chose not to fund anything,” he said. “We still have to be prudent in how fast we increase these issues that need to be funded.”

(Read more: News – Salina Journal)