Kansas Municipal News
Municipal Bond Trends for December 20, 2021
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.
Derby receives safety award from KDOL
The city of Derby recently received the SHAPE (Safety and Health Award for Public Employees) award from the Kansas Department of Labor, which recognizes public entities with outstanding safety records and cultures. “We are proud of our organization for its dedication to the safety and health of our employees,” said Mayor Randy White. “Not many entities have received this award, and we are happy to see Derby’s name on the list.”
Source: Derby Informer | News
SPARK executive board earmarks $154 million for Kansas economic development, education
The SPARK executive board of state officials and business advisers agreed to move ahead Monday with allocation of federal funding for $100 million in commercial building infrastructure projects and $50 million in direct aid to children enduring educational setbacks in the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea proposed by Lt. Gov. David Toland to the seven-member executive board featured development of grants to businesses and communities for expansion of building infrastructure capable of attracting or retaining jobs in Kansas. In addition, Toland said the goal would be to provide a $1,000 voucher to low-income, high-need students particularly affected by loss of educational opportunities due to interruption of school. In addition, the panel agreed to direct $4 million in state matching funds to assist school districts with installation of high-speed internet services.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Iola Public Library’s new program inspires learning
Then Iola Public Library’s new initiative aims to help toddlers grow into well-rounded individuals and prevent child abuse and neglect. Playing with a child is an involved process — you just don’t realize it. But peel back the layers and you see the building blocks for emotional stability being laid and verbal and motor skills being expanded. Add reading into the mix and the learning opportunities grow. Put this all together into a safe place like a public library, and the potential for it becoming a movement starts to happen. All this is behind Iola Public Library’s new initiative, “Early Literacy Can’t Wait,” which launched last month.
Source: The Iola Register
The difficult case of obtaining quiet zones whether it be Belle Plaine or Wellington
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe train tracks cut a swath through Sumner County bringing with it economic prosperity. But for folks living near the tracks, it also brings nuisance. The train whistles blare at the most inopportune times and in the dead of night. Thus came the invention of “quiet zones” – an engineered federally-approved designed intersection that makes it nearly impossible for drivers or pedestrians to collide with ongoing trains. In turn, the train engineers won’t blow their horns through town — offering something adjacent neighborhood dwellers have always wanted: tranquility. There are approximately 600 quiet zone intersections around the country, and this past week, Belle Plaine added two more. The trouble is, train whistles still sound in Belle Plaine because there are three other intersections in and outside the community that is still not “quiet.”
Source: Sumner NewsCow
Kelley Zellner Hired as New Fort Scott City Manager
Kelley Zellner, currently the Fredonia City Manager, signed a contract on Dec. 3, 2021, to become the Fort Scott City Manager starting Jan. 4, 2022. He replaces interim City Manager Mark McCoy. … Zellner received a mini-masters of public administration, a Certified Public Administrator, from Wichita State University in Feb. 2020. … Zellner has been the Fredonia City Administrator since 2018, the Valley Center Public Works Director from 2017-2018, and was the Conway Falls Chief of Police from 2013 to 2017.
Source: Fort Scott Biz
Miami County launches new online burn permit system
The county has started a new online burn permit system that will save applicants a little leg work. Mark Whelan, emergency management coordinator for the county, said the new system should help streamline permits because it will no longer be necessary for someone to get a paper permit. “Folks won’t have to go to their local fire or police station to obtain a permit,” he said.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Parsons looks to remove pit bull ban
Parsons city commissioners on Monday look to formally adopt the ordinance that removes the city’s current ban on pit bulls. … In November, the commission unanimously approved removing the section of the city’s animal ordinance that states pit bull dogs are prohibited. Under the current ordinance, Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers or a combination of these breeds are considered pit bulls. The city banned pit bulls in 1997.
Source: Parsons Sun
Wichita police Chief Gordon Ramsay to resign March 1
Wichita police Chief Gordon Ramsay plans to resign from his position on March 1, after nearly six years as the head of the largest police department in Kansas. Ramsay announced the decision in a memo sent to the entire department on Friday morning, saying it comes with “mixed emotions.” “I am leaving WPD for the betterment of my family as they are the most important thing in my life and we are at a time when it is most important I am there for them,” he wrote. “Serving as a police chief is a demanding lifestyle and all too often, family has come second.
Source: Wichita KS Breaking News, Sports & Crime |
UG offers small business resiliency grants
A new KCK Small Business Resiliency Grant Program has been announced. The grant is funded through the Unified Government’s allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, according to a spokesman. The grant was created to help reduce the financial strain on local businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the spokesman stated in a news release. Businesses may use the funds to prepare for changes in the ways consumers are doing business, including funds for upgrading websites for e-commerce, buildings and physical plant remediation to comply with safety guidelines, software upgrades and professional service support, according to the spokesman.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Municipal Bond Trends for December 17, 2021
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.
Pittsburg FD teams up with kids in Shop with a Firefighter
A southeast Kansas fire department held a special shopping spree Thursday. The Pittsburg Fire Department held its annual holiday shopping event. Ten students from George Nettels Elementary School joined members of the department at the Walmart Supercenter on Broadway. The kids spent the day going down the aisles of the store and filling up their carts with holiday gifts. The event was made possible through the fire department’s charity fund, which originally started back in 1997.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Pittsburg PD receives new body cameras
The Pittsburg Police Department will soon receive an upgrade in the fight against crime. On Tuesday night the Pittsburg City Commission approved the purchase of 32 body cameras. It was made possible through funds from the Pittsburg Public Safety Sales Tax. The cameras will be worn by officers in the department’s patrol and investigations divisions.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Russell County continues to recover after devastating fires
Days after the windstorm and fires hit Russell County, many people are still recovering from the devastation. Members of the community say the past few days have been a whirlwind. Many are still processing losing their home and belongings. One community member says that many farmers that she knows have lost everything.
Source: KSN-TV
Citizens of Topeka have the opportunity to change the transportation system
A pop-up event will be hosted next week focused on receiving public input regarding updates to the Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization’s Futures’ 2045 plan. The event is being hosted by the City of Topeka and JEO Consulting Group and will take place Tuesday, Dec. 21 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the rotunda of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library located at 1515 SW 10th Ave. All Topeka residents are invited to attend. Attendees are encouraged to learn about updates to the plan, provide feedback on the current transportation system in the Topeka region and complete a public survey.
Source: KSNT News
Lawrence City Commission to return to virtual meetings because of increasing COVID cases; mask requirement reinstated in city buildings
As local COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the Lawrence City Commission will return to virtual meetings beginning next week and has reinstated its mask requirement for city buildings. The commission returned to meeting in person earlier this month, maintaining an online option for city staff and the public, but announced Friday that it would return to virtual meetings for the commission’s upcoming meeting on Tuesday.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Upcoming revision of Lawrence’s land development code to shape look and function of the city
The City of Lawrence is preparing to update the rules that determine what type of buildings can go where in Lawrence, giving city leaders an opportunity to make code changes that will shape the look and function of the city for years to come. The city’s land development code guides allowed land uses, building density, parking requirements and various other aspects of development, and has not been updated since 2006. A lot has occurred in the intervening 15 years, including the adoption of a new comprehensive plan for the City of Lawrence and Douglas County in 2019 and the adoption of the city’s new strategic plan this year. The update to the land development code will create regulations to implement the vision laid out in those plans, which includes more density and infill development, more affordable housing options and more walkable neighborhoods with a mix of uses, among various other goals.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Wednesday’s wind storm traumatic for some in Reno County
The power had gone out at Advance Pest Control and employees were standing near the front of the building, in the light provided by the windows, when they heard the sound of crumpling aluminum siding. “We saw a piece (of debris) come flying by, and then the whole thing just started tumbling toward us,” said Jolene Wells. “It was very frightening.”
Source: Hutch News
Salina cleans up after windstorm sweeps through city
The community of Salina and the surrounding area spent much of Thursday morning cleaning up after a strong windstorm Wednesday afternoon. Crews from the Evergy, the City of Salina, Saline County were seen throughout the city and county, working on downed power lines, damaged traffic signals and downed trees in the right-of-way of some areas of traffic. As of Thursday afternoon, no fatalities due to the storm had been reported in the county.
Source: Salina Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for December 16, 2021
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.