Kansas Municipal News
Fed Meets for First Time Since Powell Signaled Policy Shift
Federal Reserve officials meet Tuesday and Wednesday for the first time since Chairman Jerome Powell said last month that the central bank needed to shift its focus toward preventing higher inflation from becoming entrenched and away from fostering a rapid rebound in hiring from the pandemic. … parts of the Fed’s statement or Mr. Powell’s postmeeting press conference could provide clues on how officials see the prospect for rate increases next year. … Fed officials’ economic projections to be released Wednesday could shed additional light on changes to their policy outlook. In September, they were evenly divided between whether they would likely start lifting interest rates in 2022 or in 2023. The new projections could show most now expect multiple rate rises next year.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Winfield’s Fox Theatre hopes to make historical register
The Winfield Fox Theatre at 1007 Main Street in Winfield, currently known as the Marquee Performing Arts Center, has been recognized by the Kansas Historical Society for nomination to the Register of Historic Kansas Places. On Nov. 13, the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review met to consider the nomination of the Winfield Fox, unanimously approved the nomination without question, and forwarded the nomination to the office of the Keeper of the National Register in Washington, D.C. There the nomination is being evaluated by the national professional staff, and if they concur with the findings of the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review, the property will be included in the national Register of Historic Places. Marquee, Inc. will be notified about the decision when the national review is completed.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Municipal Bond Trends for December 13, 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.
Olathe planners will weigh first phase of BlueScope’s proposed $77M industrial park
A $77 million industrial park in Olathe may be on its way to its first phase of development. Developer BlueScope Properties Group proposes building a $23.4 million, 236,160-square-foot speculative office/warehouse building on almost 19 acres at the Great Plains Commerce Center, northeast of 159th Street and Lone Elm Road, south of Interstate 35. The proposal goes before the Olathe Planning Commission on Monday. … This first project is anticipated to generate $170,318 in annual property tax revenues during the abatement period, up from $965 each year now coming from the vacant acreage.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
26 Johnson County elected officials sign letter urging county to ‘end the mask mandate for all children’
A letter signed by 26 elected leaders in Johnson County urges the Board of County Commissioners to end the county’s current public health order requiring masks in schools serving younger students. The letter, which bears the title “Locally Elected Working Together Advocating for Johnson County Children and Families,” was sent to commissioners last week. Its signatories include several Republican state lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Thompson of Shawnee and Sen. Kellie Warren of Leawood, along with Johnson County Sheriff Calvin Hayden.
Source: KCUR News
Abandoned building fires causing concern for Topeka Fire Department
Early Monday morning the Topeka Fire Department responded to a building fire believed to have been set intentionally. The estimated damage? $0. That’s because this isn’t the first, second, or third time this building has caught fire this year. According to the TFD, the abandoned house at 1600 SW Clay Street has caught fire four times since July. This time of year is already rough for fire departments. “I don’t want to say when winter hits we get more arsons involving vacant structures, but we do get more fires involving structures in general house fires, commercial fires, everything,” Topeka Fire Public Education Officer Alan Stahl said.
Source: KSNT News
Masks required for visitors at City of Topeka buildings effective Dec. 14
If you are going to visit a city of Topeka building beginning Tuesday, Dec. 14 you will be required to wear a mask. According to a city official, “this decision was made as a result of the increased community spread of COVID-19 in Shawnee County.” The mask requirement will include those visiting Municipal Court. The Shawnee County Health Department reported, as of Friday, Dec. 9, there are 986 people in isolation and 70 Shawnee County residents currently hospitalized. There is currently only one cluster in Shawnee County: Rossville School district 321 is reporting 17 cases in the last 14 days. The requirement to wear a mask will be in effect until at least Jan. 7, 2022, then the policy will be reviewed.
Source: KSNT News
As Johnson County solar farm plan faces opposition, proposed regulations get more restrictive
Because solar utilities are new to the area, Johnson County currently has no regulations on the books governing solar farms. That includes rules for things like setbacks, landscaping, size and decommissioning of the panels once their useful life is over. After the West Gardner Solar Project emerged, what followed were weeks of meetings with a consultant poring over how other counties have done it, plus more time hearing from landowners, officials of nearby cities and the developer.
Source: Prairie Village Post
City manager wants to privatize Wichita’s golf courses with Illinois management company, parks board puts it on hold
It’s no secret that Wichita is a big golfing community. “I play 200 rounds of golf a year in the public courses,” said Dale Goter. But now, the future of our public courses is now hanging in the balance. “The bottom line is we want to improve the golf experience for our golfers. And so we want to do, we want to have the best courses that we can have,” said City Manager Robert Layton.
Source: KAKE – News
Wyandotte County launches program to reduce strain on emergency services
A new program in Wyandotte County, Kansas, is working to reduce the strain on the health care system. … WYCO Care Connection is bringing non-emergency care right to people’s homes. “When we talk about people who frequently use 911 calls or emergency rooms, we’re talking about hundreds of times a year,” said Patrick Sallee, President and CEO of Vibrant Health in Kansas City, Kansas. Those patients are the reason behind the new WYCO Care Connection program, to help people who frequently rely on emergency services because they don’t know where else to turn. “Some of it is other social services and other support that they need in their home,” Sallee said. “They don’t have a solution. They can’t find what they need on their own and so they’re calling for assistance.”
Source: KMBC.com
‘A good heart for everything’: Colleagues celebrates longtime Emporia city manager’s retirement
One thing is certain. Mark McAnarney will never break his arm because he was patting himself on the back. Instead he gives praise to the people around him who had the city’s best interests at heart. McAnarney retired this month as Emporia city manager, after almost nine years on the job. He and his wife, Amy, had moved in July 1989 from Great Bend to Emporia, where they planted their family’s roots. Son Matt, was born in November, about four months after the couple arrived here, and a second son, Josh, was born about eight years later. “It was important to both of us for our kids to have a home town,” he said.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Municipal Bond Trends for December 10, 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.
Property nuisance questions rise again
A recent request of the Cowley County Commission by a landowner has brought to light the ongoing issue of nuisance properties and what the county can and can’t do about them. Brett and Lisa Gottlob, of Georgetown, Texas, formerly of Arkansas City, purchased 10 acres in the county next to a two-and-a-half acre lot owned by Mitchell and Kristen Barton. Gottlob approached the Cowley County Board of Health and complained about the adjoining property as a nuisance with all kinds of unsightly messes on it. He included photos of his findings, which showed a discarded blue school bus, metal pieces strewn about, fencing material and plastic barrels. Health department director Tom Langer had his staff study of the property. That study showed that the Bartons had moved some of the offending materials. The health department officers found no dangerous, unhealthy or illegal problems with the property.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Ark City campaigns against stormwater pollution
The City of Arkansas City is renewing an effort this autumn to raise citizen awareness of the dangers of stormwater pollution and help to prevent it entirely. As part of this campaign, citizens are reminded that loose leaves, brush, and tree trimmings are best disposed of at the F Street Limb Disposal and Compost Site. They should never be placed in the trash. … Alternatively, residents can hire one of several local contractors to perform this disposal service for them. This stormwater pollution prevention campaign is being directed by the Public Services Department.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
City of Winfield to start land bank
The City of Winfield is establishing a land bank to help manage distressed properties and provide opportunities for land development. The land bank would allow the city to clear up title issues, set aside land for future development, sell properties, freeze special assessments, remove back taxes and make properties tax exempt until they are sold, according to a copy of the ordinance establishing the land bank. The land bank would be governed by an appointed board of trustees, consisting of the entire city commission as voting members, and one city employee appointed by the commission as a non-voting member.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Russell, Kansas, bids farewell to its most favorite son, Bob Dole
Bob Dole’s hometown said a proud farewell to the former senator one last time on Saturday. The town of just over 4,000 in central Kansas packed a memorial service at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church. The ceremony happened near the house where Russell’s most famous resident grew up and returned to after suffering wounds in World War II that would challenge him until his death this month. Some of the people who came knew Dole back when he was the boy who lived on Maple Street and was the soda jerk at Dawson’s drugstore. And even after Dole left town for a high-profile life in Washington, they said he continued to look out for his hometown.
Source: KCUR News
FedEx and Pittsburg city leaders discuss potential distribution center
FedEx, and city leaders in Pittsburg are discussing a potential package distribution center in Pittsburg. Not much information is available at this time, but FedEx did send us a statement. “FedEx Ground is engaged in discussions with local officials for the potential leasing of a package distribution center in Pittsburg. A project of this size requires careful planning and close coordination with the developer, city, county and state officials. As a matter of practice, FedEx does not publicly discuss specifics of a project until all aspects have been finalized.”
Source: KOAMKOAM
Amtrak says it could cut service over vaccination mandate
Amtrak will need to reduce service in January unless more employees get vaccinated against COVID-19, the passenger rail system’s president says. Stephen Gardner says about 95% of Amtrak workers are at least partially vaccinated. The rest face a Jan. 4 deadline that the Biden administration set for employees of federal contractors. If enough employees resist getting the shots, Amtrak anticipates ‘”proactively needing to temporarily reduce some train frequencies across our network in January,” Gardner told a congressional panel Thursday. Gardner said any service reductions would last until Amtrak is able to fully staff up, which he said could last until March.
Source: KOAMKOAM
Osage County historophiles launch coalition to share ideas, information and resources
The first meeting of a coalition of Osage County historical societies and other interested people was held Wednesday Nov. 10, 2021, at the Lyndon Community Center. The group was created to begin a collaborative union among groups in Osage County interested in preserving the history of our county. Representatives from Osage County Historical Society, Bailey House at Lyndon, Overbrook Historical Society, Overbrook Library, Arvonia Preservation Society, and Osage City were in attendance.
Source: Osage County News
Riley County approves new land regulations for unincorporated areas around Manhattan
Riley County commissioners on Thursday approved subdivision regulations in conjunction with the Manhattan city government after both passed new development codes. The commission passed the regulations as part of an interlocal agreement between the county and city governments. The agreement outlines regulations for subdivision, land divisions, administration and procedures in unincorporated areas of Riley County within the Manhattan Urban Area. Chad Bunger, assistant director of community development for the city, said the bulk of the code remains the same. Some language and added engineering requirements were added to the document.
Source: themercury.com