Kansas Municipal News
Lawrence leaders to consider hiring architecture firm to help develop permanent version of downtown outdoor dining program
City leaders will soon consider hiring an architecture firm to help develop a long-term version of a program that has allowed downtown businesses to construct patios and outdoor dining areas in parking stalls during the coronavirus pandemic. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider authorizing city staff to proceed with development of a long-term “parklet” program with the consultation of a local architectural firm. The commission will also consider adding new regulations to the temporary version of the program.
Source: LJWorld.com
Municipal Bond Trends for February 25, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Madison advances water, sewer plant backup plans
The Madison City Council faced a fuel question Friday afternoon: propane, natural gas or diesel? “I don’t think we want diesel,” Council member Earl Murphy said during a special meeting,. “It doesn’t keep in storage.” The rest of the council agreed, voting to apply for a propane generator for the city water plant and natural gas to power the city sewer plant.
Source: Emporia Gazette
WPD Launches Campaign Focusing on Social Media Drug Sales Among Juveniles
The Wichita Police Department’s Juvenile Intervention Unit has launched a social media campaign to bring awareness of drug sales by juveniles via social media. Officer Alex Avendano with the JIU created a video (below) highlighting the campaign’s focus, which it to alert parents and juveniles of the dangers of drug sales that are set-up on social media. These drug sales have resulted in shootings and/or homicides.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Emporia PD trains officers in use of Narcan
All officers within the Emporia Police Department will soon be trained in the use of Narcan, Captain Ray Mattas announced Thursday. Narcan is used to help neutralize the effects of narcotics during a drug overdose and can be vital is saving someone’s life when they are in this medical emergency. According to a written release, the Emporia Police Department responded to nine known drug overdose calls from illicit drugs between Feb. 1, 2021 — Feb. 1, 2022. Two of the overdose calls were from fentanyl, four from LSD, two from methamphetamine, two from heroine and one overdose from prescription narcotics.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Gardner growth continues despite COVID-19
Last year was marked by many successes despite the impacts of the ongoing pandemic. Through the guidance of the governing body and the efforts of staff, the City of Gardner made significant strides in increasing our economy, improving citizen services and addressing the infrastructure needs of our growing community. Residential development continues to thrive, accommodating our increased population. According to the Census results last year, more than 23,000 people now call Gardner home- a nearly 18 percent increase from the previous Census, which speaks to the need for more housing options. Last year, 134 housing units were built or under construction, adding nearly $30+ million in property valuation for Gardner. We also saw progress in private development projects, including the opening of the Warren Place Venue event space and construction of the 262-acre mixed-used Grata Development Project on the southeast side of town.
Source: Gardner News
To know Harper Kansas, you must know Rosalea, woman’s life spent preserving the prairies
To know Harper Kansas… is to know Rosalea Hostetler and to know Rosalea… you have to know her hotel. Rosalea is a Harper native, and although she’s left town a time or two in her 85 years of life, she says she’s always felt this nudge to return. Rosalea says she’s spent decades trying to preserve the history of her hometown. She hasn’t given up yet, and it’s safe to say she probably never will. “I feel sad… because I know what used to be here. I know it can rebuild and revive… Everything always changes,” Rosalea said as she walked downtown.
Source: KAKE – News
Johnson County sets public hearing date for large-scale solar farm regulations
In the next step of what has already become a contentious issue, Johnson County commissioners examined the county Planning Commission’s recommendations for the rules on large-scale solar farms Thursday. The county commission only reviewed the recommendations and did not take any action, save to set a public hearing that commission Chairman Ed Eilert suggested could go on several hours and draw as many as 100 people, based on previous hearings and the volume of emails being received.
Source: Prairie Village Post
‘Our hearts are heavy’ — Prairie Village sends thoughts to sister city Dolyna, Ukraine amid Russian invasion
The ongoing invasion of Ukraine isn’t a distant concern for some Johnson Countians. Prairie Village’s sister city is Dolyna, located in the Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, or district, in the western part of the country, which has been under attack over the past 24 hours, according to news reports. Prairie Village Mayor Eric Mikkelson tweeted Thursday that the city’s thoughts and prayers are with their sister city and other residents of Ukraine. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Prairie Village’s friends and family in the Ukraine, including democratically-elected Ukrainian local officials in this delegation we hosted a few years ago, and all residents of our sister city in Dolyna, Ukraine,” Mikkelson wrote.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Bill Ebel will officially retire as Overland Park city manager March 1 — Here’s what happens next
The process for finding Overland Park’s next city manager is about to get a lot more real. Outgoing city manager Bill Ebel will officially retire on Tuesday, March 1, and he just participated in his final city council meeting earlier this week. The city has outlined the early steps of what filling this prominent role will look like.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Despite pandemic setbacks, Lenexa enjoys high development growth, community gatherings, high satisfaction ratings
Lenexa in 2021 saw high resident satisfaction, a return of some popular local events and continued growth and development at some much-watched sites, including the Lenexa Public Market and City Center. These were some of the key takeaways in a virtual State of the City video released Wednesday by the city. Mayor Mike Boehm had been set to give an in-person address earlier this month during a Lenexa Chamber of Commerce luncheon, but that event was canceled due to rising COVID-19 cases at the time. Here are a few takeaways from the State of the City…
Source: Prairie Village Post
Take a deep data dive into Overland Park’s incredible growth the past 40 years
The Johnson County city, founded with 13 square miles in 1960, now encompasses 75 square miles. Overland Park’s population has surged from about 28,000 at its founding to almost 202,000. Development has followed. Check out the graphics below to track the city’s evolution….
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Olathe hopes new apartments help kick-start downtown revitalization
Olathe hopes a new apartment complex will kick off a downtown revitalization. Earlier this month, Indianapolis-based Milhaus opened its $37 million, 228-unit Arrello Apartments at the site of the former Olathe Public Library’s downtown branch, at the southeast corner of Park and Chestnut streets. It’s the downtown’s first residential development in more 30 years and the catalyst for revitalization efforts in the core, city spokesman Cody Kennedy said. “With new residents coming to the downtown area, we hope to see more small businesses coming in, not only for residents of downtown, but for other travelers as well,” said Kennedy, the city’s chief communications and marketing officer.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Kansas to get $190 mill in opioid settlement with distributors to combat addiction
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Friday that the nation’s top pharmaceutical distributors reached a $26 billion opioid settlement to help fund the nation to treat and prevent opioid addiction. Under a state law enacted last year, the money received from this settlement will be used to address substance abuse and help ensure addiction services are provided through the state.
Source: KSN-TV
Roeland Park to keep its indoor mask mandate
Despite new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on indoor masking, Roeland Park says it will keep its indoor mask mandate until at least March 16. Almost 7,000 people live in Roeland Park, and a lot more drive through it. When those people stop at a Roeland Park business, they must wear a mask. Masks are required in any business or facility – the exceptions are private residences, schools, and places of worship. This has been in place since January.
Source: KMBC.com
Prairie Village indoor mask mandate to expire next week; Mission’s ends Wednesday
The indoor mask mandate in Prairie Village will now expire March 1 instead of March 16. City council members unanimously approved that change Tuesday. They also voted to return to hybrid meetings instead of all virtual. Mission’s indoor mask mandate runs out Wednesday. The changes come as new COVID-19 cases continue to drop.
Source: KMBC.com
10-year U.S. Treasury yield inches higher with focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
U.S. Treasury yields inched up Friday, as investors monitored the latest developments around the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose by 3.5 basis points to 2.009% by around 8:10 a.m. ET. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond moved 1.5 basis points up to 2.308%. Yields move inversely to prices and 1 basis point is equal to 0.01%. The 2-year note yield, meanwhile, ticked 7.6 basis points higher to about 1.622%. Friday’s moves come after a volatile session Thursday across assets, including bonds. The 10-year traded as low as 1.85% on Thursday — pushing prices higher — as traders tried to protect their portfolios by loading up on traditional safe havens such as Treasurys.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Survey Results Reveal How Cities Are Investing in Young People During the Pandemic
The National League of Cities (NLC) is releasing the results of a new National Municipal Afterschool and Summer Learning survey which reveals the evolution of municipal investments in afterschool and summer learning programs throughout the pandemic. Afterschool and summer learning opportunities are vital for student success and have played a particularly supportive role in the lives of children and families throughout the pandemic. These programs often serve as a lifeline for young people to access essential enrichment and recreational activities, nutritious snacks and meals, academic support, and career exposure, while also assuring working families that their children are safe and engaged. Municipal budgets were severely impacted during the peak of the pandemic, forcing many city-funded afterschool and summer learning programs to temporarily shut their doors or reduce capacity. Despite this setback, a new survey by the National League of Cities reveals how local governments have stepped up and redoubled their efforts to support afterschool and summer learning during this critical time. Findings signal good news for the future of these programs as well.
Source: NLC
Municipal Bond Trends for February 24, 2022
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different. For rates that may be applicable to your municipality, contact our Municipal Bond Advisors, Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren.
Answers sought in price gouging investigation
The Kansas state treasurer, a legislator and a former school board member Wednesday called on Attorney General Derek Schmidt to advance a slow-moving investigation of potential price gouging tied to spikes in natural gas prices during Winter Storm Uri one year ago. Last February, Schmidt launched an investigation into the natural gas prices, which left Kansas with more than $1 billion in economic fallout. Gas prices rose by nearly 200 times, and experts expect Kansas utility payers will be feeling the aftereffects for a decade. Seven months after the storm, as utilities were negotiating plans to pass higher rates onto costumes, Schmidt said the high prices “appear to violate Kansas law” and noted he was seeking outside counsel to aid in the investigation.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler