Kansas Municipal News
Under pressure, Johnson County to decide whether to drop its school mask mandate
Johnson County officials will decide Jan. 6 whether to end their school mask mandate as COVID-19 cases continue to rise ahead of the busy holiday travel season and as Kansas confirmed its first case of the contagious omicron variant. The Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Thursday set the date for the much-anticipated vote almost a week after 26 local elected officials signed a letter demanding the board drop its health order in favor of letting school districts determine their masking rules. The current county order, in place since August, requires masks in schools that serve students as old as sixth grade, an effort to stem the virus’s spread while vaccination rates among children remain low. The order is in effect through May 31, unless the commission amends or revokes it.
Source: Joco 913 News
Elsmore wants county’s help with ditch work
Don’t forget about Elsmore. That was Brenda Boyle’s request to county commissioners, as she asked for help with stormwater projects. Elsmore received $10,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and decided to use the money to replace, repair and clean outdated whistles and ditches. It’s an important project for the city, Boyle said, and they want to maximize this opportunity. Historically, Elsmore hasn’t asked a lot of the county, Boyle said.
Source: The Iola Register
City Council Approves Strategic Plan for the City of Andover
At the December 14th, 2021, Council meeting, the City Council officially accepted the Strategic Plan that they worked with Wichita State University’s Public Policy & Management Center to develop for the City of Andover. The Strategic Plan includes a Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Values. It also identifies Goals and Objectives along with strategies to help implement them.
Source: Andover – News Flash
Wichita to take ‘tremendous step forward’ with first major developments near ballpark
Wichita is about to take “a tremendous step forward” with two substantial new developments adjacent to Riverfront Stadium at Maple and McLean, said Assistant City Manager Scot Rigby. The $65 million project includes an eight-story hotel, a six-story office building with an adjoining 200-spot parking structure and riverfront improvements. It’s the Wind Surge baseball team’s first step toward developing four acres around the ballpark — the same four acres the city was heavily criticized for selling for a $1 each to the team.
Source: Wichita Eagle
KDOT says thousands of road signs were damaged as a result of Wednesday’s storms. Crews are repairing and replacing as soon as possible
What is KDOT seeing in terms of widespread damage – Sign damage along many highways in central and western Kansas due to the high winds. Is there a timetable for repairs? – Started working on the emergency repair effort Wednesday. Not an exact timetable; as soon as temporary or new signs are available. Working with other KDOT offices and producers to accomplish this. What’s the danger when this happens – We are wanting to alert the public of this situation, so they use extra caution when driving. Are crews working now? Crews are working extra hours on this.
Source: KAKE – News
An eastern Kansas resident is the state’s first confirmed case of the omicron COVID-19 variant
Kansas health officials have confirmed the first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant in the state. Janet Stanek, acting secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said laboratory tests confirmed that an adult in Franklin County in northeastern Kansans was infected with the highly contagious variant of the coronavirus. The unidentified individual was fully vaccinated but had not received a booster shot, the agency said Thursday afternoon. “The detection of the variant does not come as a surprise,” Stanek said. “This virus is highly infectious and transmittable.” Though breakthrough infections are on the rise, officials say vaccination remains the best protection against serious illness and hospitalization.
Source: KCUR News
Kansas schools see damage from wind storm
Several Kansas school districts are dealing with damage from Wednesday’s wind event. Great Bend High School suffered roof damage due to the wind and classes were canceled Thursday. Gas service and heat were also disconnected. Further north in Russell, classes were canceled due to wind damage and area wildfires. Russell recorded a 100-mph gust which knocked out power. In Caldwell, the elementary school gymnasium roof was torn off and landed on the secondary building. Caldwell also canceled classes as a result. The district said announcements will be forthcoming.
Source: KSN-TV
Overland Park’s credit rating downgraded amid pandemic slump in convention business
The bond rating agency Moody’s has downgraded Overland Park’s credit rating, due to pandemic stresses on the hospitality industry and the city’s convention center hotel. The city’s general obligation unlimited tax rating dropped from Aaa to Aa1 on Dec. 6. Triple A is the highest rating on the Moody’s scale, and Aa1 the second highest. General obligation tax bonds are those a city puts its full faith and credit behind, under the knowledge that the bond can be repaid through taxes. Moody’s also revised Overland Park’s outlook from “stable” to “negative.” An explanation on the Moody’s website notes that the city has $99.6 million in this type of debt.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Pandemic Sweetens Lure of Smaller Cities’ Relocation Incentives
Moving from New York City to Tulsa, Oklahoma, might seem an unlikely choice for a young African American scientist like Christopher Bland. His new home is known as an old oil boomtown—and as the site of a massacre of Black residents 100 years ago. But life in his sixth-story West Harlem walkup was starting to wear on him, just as remote work in the pandemic freed him to live anywhere and still conduct his pediatric health environmental research for a Manhattan hospital. And Tulsa’s new artistic vibe reminded him of Athens, Georgia, where he studied at the University of Georgia.
Source: Route Fifty – All Content
USDA Invests $43.4 Million to Build and Improve Critical Rural Infrastructure in 13 Kansas Communities
Funding Will Expand Access to Clean Water and Dependable Electric Power in Homes and Businesses in Rural Areas
TOPEKA, Dec. 16, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Acting State Director for Kansas Dan Fischer today announced that USDA is investing $43,431,700 to modernize the critical drinking water infrastructure in towns and counties across Kansas.
“Upgrading the infrastructure that delivers safe drinking water will improve public health and drive economic development in our small towns and cities,” Fischer said. “USDA is dedicated to rural communities and their long-term commitments to economic prosperity; because when rural America prospers, all of America prospers.”
Background:
These Kansas investments are part of a larger national announcement involving 46 states and Puerto Rico. The programs from which Kansas will benefit are Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program, Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees, Water and Waste Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Grants and Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program.
The details of the Kansas projects are:
- ($2,050,000 loan and $290,000 grant) This Rural Development investment will rehabilitate the sewer system in Chetopa. A partial repair was completed in 2010. The unrepaired areas have rain water entering through cracks and breaks in the collection mains causing sewage back up in residential properties. The repairs will complete the rehabilitation of the system and include approximately 888 vertical feet of manhole repair, 275 service tap repairs, 50 point repairs, and 34,000 feet of fold and form liner or cast-in-place pipe.
- ($771,000 loan) This Rural Development investment will provide water improvements for the City of Nortonville. This project represents the second phase of the rehabilitation of the existing water system where two-thirds of the distribution system was previously replaced. The proposed project will replace an abandoned well and replace the remaining 1.5 mile portion of cast iron waterline with 9,300 feet of 4-inch PVC pipe, construct two new wells with chemical feed buildings, and includes 185 new meters, 90 meter settings, 14 valves, and 9 fire hydrants.
- ($272,000 loan and $$1,229,000 grant) This Rural Development investment will be used for construction of a new water well, standpipe and distribution system for the City of Vermillion. The current cast iron pipe infrastructure was installed in 1936 and most of the valves are underneath several inches of asphalt and cannot be located. The city’s current water tower needs repainting. Several fire hydrants leak badly when they are in use. The residential water has poor taste and odor. This project will be the first phase of the rehabilitation of the existing water system, which is to include construction of new supply wells, a new stand pipe for water storage, installing approximately 2,500 linear feet of force main, 1,600 linear feet of pipe to connect new storage tank to existing distribution system, and dismantle the existing elevated storage tank.
- ($1,011,000 loan and $261,000grant) This Rural Development investment will provide improvements to the City of Mullinville‘s water distribution system. The existing water tower is over 70 years old. The project will consist of installation of 13,900 linear feet of six-inch water line, 900 linear feet of eight-inch line, 64 valves, 98 water service connections and 17 fire hydrants. This will improve the water pressure and increase reliability of the water system.
- ($1,262,00 loan and $534,000 grant) This Rural Development investment will be used to start repairing the City of Highland‘s water distribution system. This phase of the project will construct a new Ion Exchange Treatment Plant.
- ($998,000 loan and $492,000 grant) This Rural Development investment will construct and improve the City of Neodesha’s water distribution system. The project will provide the city with a 200,000 gallon elevated water storage tank, upgrade an existing elevated storage tank, and install approximately 12,000 linear feet of 12 inch water line and approximately 2.700 linear feet of eight inch water line. Repairs to the Fall River dam will also be made and other infrastructure improvements.
- ($9,444,000 loan and $3,096,000 grant) This Rural Development investment will be used to construct and improve Neosho’s Rural Water District No. 4’s water distribution system. The district’s original system was installed in 1965. The district experiences leaks, high pressure loss and loss of water. The proposed project includes a new booster pump station, construction of a 400,000 gallon elevated storage tank and installation of new water supply lines.
- ($250,000 loan) This Rural Development investment will replace and improve Dickinson County Rural Water District No. 1‘s water systems. The project, currently under construction, is to replace roughly 400,000 feet of water line, 74 gate valves, 18 flush hydrants and repairs to three storage tanks. Rural Development previously awarded a $2,319,000 loan and a $1,305,000.00 grant to complete the project. Due to changes during construction, these additional funds are needed to complete the project.
- ($74,000 loan and $$360,000 grant) This Rural Development investment will construct water services to new customers of Linn County Rural Water District No. 2. Currently the water district doesn’t have the existing capacity to provide water to upwards of 100 potential new customers. The project will install nearly five miles of water line, 40 service meters, 24 galvanized valves and a new 50,000 gallon elevated storage tank.
- ($1,771,000 loan and $649,000 grant) This Rural Development investment will repair the City of Mankato‘s existing water distribution system. The current system is believed to be 100 years old or more. The proposed project is the first of a multi-phased plan to improve the City’s water system. This phase will replace about 30 percent of the City’s water lines, associated valves and hydrants.
- ($10,222,000loan and $7,283,000 grant) This Rural Development investment will construct and expand the City of Linn Valley’s water system. The city entered into an agreement in April 2019 to purchase potable water from the city of LaCygne, contingent upon the completion of this project. This project consists of 20,700 feet force main to be installed between the two cities, 147,730 feet of pipe for the distribution system, 244 hydrants and the construction of a 250,000 gallon elevated water storage tank.
- ($668,000 loan and $398,000 grant) This Rural Development investment will replace a section of waterlines for the City of Caney. This project received previous funding from Rural Development in the amounts of a $2,741,000.00 loan and two grants for $265,000.00 and $600,000 on Aug. 29, 2018, and another $693,000.00 loan on May 19, 2020. This additional funding is needed to cover costs associated with replacement of the additional water lines found during the excavation and repairing of existing waterlines.
- ($46,700 grant) This Rural Development investment will provide technical assistance and training through Kansas State University to rural state parks in with an emphasis on food waste reduction and proper management of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) containing waste. These funds will serve communities of 5,500 and less in ten Kansas counties.
- Four Kansas counties: Morton, Seward, Barber and Harper will benefit from an Oklahoma centric investment to the Western Farmers Electric Cooperative. These four counties receive some of their generated electricity from the this Electric Cooperative.
Wind storm updates: Over 100,000 remain without power in Kansas, recovery expected to take days
Over 108,000 Evergy customers remain without power, officials said Wednesday night, and it is expected to be a multi-day effort to restore service to areas without service. Chuck Caisley, senior vice president and chief customer officer for Evergy, said in a press conference that, at the storms’ peak, over 200,000 residents in the company’s service area were without power. The storms, he said, produced gusts of up to 85 miles-per-hour, golf ball-sized hail and severe thunderstorms across central and eastern Kansas.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for December 15, 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.
Fed will aggressively dial back its bond buying, sees three rate hikes next year
The Federal Reserve provided multiple indications Wednesday that its run of ultra-easy policy since the beginning of the Covid pandemic is coming to a close, making moves that were even more aggressive than markets had anticipated. For one, the Fed said it will accelerate the reduction of its monthly bond purchases. The Fed will be buying $60 billion of bonds each month starting January, half the level prior to the November taper and $30 billion less than it had been buying in December. The Fed was tapering by $15 billion a month in November, doubled that in December, then will accelerate the reduction further come 2022.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
The Fed’s latest move will send borrowing costs higher
The days of rock-bottom rates are nearly over. The central bank will unwind last year’s bond buying sooner than originally planned after recent reports on inflation continued to show a sharp rise in prices. While the Federal Reserve said Wednesday that interest rates will stay near zero for now, the tapering of bond purchases is seen as the first step on the way to interest-rate hikes. “For consumers, the writing is on the wall that interest rates are likely to start climbing in 2022,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Broadband Acceleration Grant Program Submission Window
Governor Laura Kelly announced the application window for Broadband Acceleration Grant Program submissions. “Access to high-speed internet is critical for Kansans to access health care, education, and compete in an increasingly digital economy,” Governor Kelly said. “My administration is committed to getting every Kansas home and business connected. I encourage anyone who qualifies to apply for this round of Broadband Acceleration Grants.” The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program is critical in Kansas’ plan to address broadband gaps statewide. Funds will be targeted to areas that are unlikely to receive broadband service without state or federal funding support.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Main Street Kansas pays Atchison a visit
Main Street Kansas personnel paid a visit to Atchison for a working session and a look at the progress on the downtown area. The improvements are substantial with the canopy coming down and store fronts beginning to take on a life of their own. Main Street Kansas is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets revitalization and preservation of downtown districts through the development of a comprehensive strategy. The local staff, board of directors for Main Street Atchison and local business leaders are all participating. Meeting with the staff and board of directors took up most of the morning and then everyone toured downtown.
Source: City Government | atchisonglobenow.com
High winds, debris forced Interstate 70 to close from Hays, Kansas, to Colorado border
Interstate 70 was closed Wednesday from the Colorado border all the way through Hays, Kansas, due to low visibility and multiple vehicle collisions, according to Kansas Department of Transportation. The department announced the closure of the I-70 on Twitter around 1 p.m. KDoT officials encouraged commuters to delay any plans of travel until about midnight on Wednesday. The interstate was closed in both directions, from Russel County, Kansas, to the Colorado state line. People are being warned to look out for blowing dust.
Source: Kansas City Breaking News & Sports | The Kansas City Star
‘Wall of dust’ blows into western Kansas as schools and roads close amid strong winds
A “wall of dust” is moving east into western Kansas as hazardous wind warnings continue across the region. In some areas, high winds have reduced visibility to less than a mile, weather officials report, while gusts are expected to reach up to 80 mph. Schools in the area closed as a precaution, and roads continue to close as winds from Colorado reach Kansas. Gov. Laura Kelly addressed the dangers at a news conference. The winds are “a concern,” she said, “and I’m glad that our folks are on it.”
Source: The Kansas City Star
Kansas to spend $361M on crowded highways in Johnson, Wyandotte counties
Kansas is preparing to spend $361 million on highways in Johnson and Wyandotte counties in areas that pose congestion and safety issues, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday. Four new projects in the Kansas City metro will receive nearly half of a broader statewide plan for $750 million in highway improvements paid for with local and federal dollars: Kansas 10 highway: The biggest project spends $223 million to study and expand K-10 between Kansas 7 and Interstate 435 in Johnson County. The state will determine if eight lanes are necessary and where six lanes are sufficient. Interstate 35: $74 million will go to safety improvements, including adding lanes, on this high-traffic area in Olathe, from Old 56 highway to 119th Street. I-35 and Santa Fe Street: $40 million will go to improving this interchange in Olathe to address safety concerns.
Source: The Kansas City Star
No decision made on new county admin
The Barton County Commission emerged after a day-long special meeting Wednesday dominated by hours of closed-door meetings without selecting a new county administrator. It is anticipated a decision will come when commissioners meet for their regular weekly meeting this coming Tuesday morning. The Wednesday meeting was called to conduct interviews with administrator candidates. These were conducted in executive session over the course of Wednesday morning and afternoon. Commissioners reconvened in open session at 3:15 p.m. following the final interview only to go back into closed session to discuss the results of the discussions. They ruled out making a selection Wednesday because they didn’t want to rush to a conclusion.
Source: Great Bend Tribune