Kansas Municipal News
County denies Newton’s request, says farewell to administrator
After considering the City of Newton’s request from last week for assistance covering the costs of a road pavement, the Board of Harvey County Commissioners decided against it. At the previous county commission meeting, Newton Mayor Rich Stinnett, City Manager Daniela Rivas and City Engineer Suzanne Loomis requested that the commissioners assist with the costs to pave South Hillside Street from East First to Southeast 12th Street. With GAF Materials moving into the Kansas Logistics Park, the city is looking to pave that mile of road. Because of the heavy traffic and types of vehicles that will be using the road, Loomis said the pavement project was using a specific heavy duty type of asphalt.
Source: Harvey County Now
Halstead and Sedgwick planning to partner for KDOT grant
In a joint effort, two Harvey County communities have come together with the goal of using technology to better their streets. Halstead and Sedgwick have applied for the KDOT Innovative Street mapping grants with the idea of hoping to hear back from the state in January. With this mapping technology, a cell phone camera will be mounted to a vehicle to drive around each city and map the streets. During a recent city council meeting, Sedgwick’s council approved the application for the grant, as Halstead had already applied.
Source: Harvey County Now
Johnson County Government launches online swag shop
Want to show your Johnson County pride? Johnson County Government has launched a new online swag shop featuring a variety of county-themed apparel and other items. On the swag shop, you can choose products such as t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, stickers, mugs and water bottles. More designs and items are planned to be added in the future.
Source: Johnson County Kansas |
Assistant County Manager Joe Connor to retire after nearly 40 years of public service
Joseph M. Connor, assistant county manager for Johnson County Government, will retire after nearly 40 years of public service to the Kansas City region. His last day will be Dec. 20, 2024. Connor began serving as assistant county manager on Jan. 14, 2019. Prior to that he served in multiple roles for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, including assistant county manager and director of public health, in his nearly 35 years there.
Source: Johnson County Kansas |
Overland Park wants to make city facilities greener with new building codes
Overland Park has adopted a new green code designed to increase the sustainability of new and renovated city facilities. On Monday, the Overland Park City Council unanimously approved green building objectives requiring a LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council or an equivalent certification when feasible and appropriate.
Source: Johnson County Post
Johnson County plans to break ground early next year on new $113M health building in Olathe
Johnson County is expanding its health services with a new building on the Sunset campus in Olathe. The Olathe Planning Commission last Monday unanimously approved the preliminary site development plan and final plat for Johnson County’s new health services building near 119th Street and Ridgeview Road. The 130,000-square-foot building will be located on the county’s existing Sunset campus and will house services by the county’s Mental Health Department, Department of Health and Environment, and the Department of Aging and Human Services Nutrition Program.
Source: Johnson County Post
Gardner absorbs land once eyed for Olathe industrial park
The Gardner City Council on Monday approved a resolution to annex four parcels totaling 186 acres along Interstate 35 at the northeast corner of 175th Street and Clare Road. Johnson County property records show the land’s owner is CF Gardner LLC, an entity that shares an address with New York investment management firm Fortress Investment Group. According to city documents, the annexation agreement is a precursor to a bond request and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement the property owner intends to bring forward early next year, though no project details were included in the annexation request.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Wichita City Council approves expanded enforcement on homeless encampments
The Wichita City Council voted Tuesday evening for stronger enforcement of an ordinance against illegal camping. The move, which supporters argued would simplify the ordinance, came after two hours of public comment. Of the 24 people who spoke, 21 opposed updating ordinance, many of whom worried that the change would criminalize homelessness. The council voted 4-3 in favor. Enforcement will begin in January.
Source: KLC Journal
City leaders take action to trash pile up in Topeka
Topeka city leaders are taking action against the trash pile ups around apartment complexes in the capital city. Initially, last week, the city became aware of about 10 properties that had extreme trash pileups. Once the city became aware, the property maintenance unit then issued notices and began working with apartment complex management staff to address the contract that had elapsed for the trash pickup. Over the weekend, the city was notified again about more more properties that were going through the same problem. Since then, Topeka City Manager, Robert Perez said the city has issued around 25 notices that come with a December 26, 2024 deadline for the property owner to clean up the trash.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Emporia City Manager asking workers to make moving last decision as they ponder the future following Tyson and Holiday Resort closure announcements
With several difficult decisions ahead for workers of both Tyson and Holiday Resort, Emporia City Manager Trey Cocking noted on the most recent Q&A With Trey Monday morning it is his hope their first choice will not be to leave the community. Saying the city wants its residents to stay and continue to be a part of the community, Cocking noted that there are ample opportunities available with a lengthy list of employers looking for qualified workers to fill vacancies within their operations. Additionally, Cocking says the recent closure announcements for both facilities have changed the equation in bringing new employers to Emporia.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
Starting in 2025, parking in downtown Wichita will no longer be free after 15 minutes
Visitors to downtown Wichita will have to start paying a dollar an hour for parking starting in the summer of 2025. The new parking plan, approved by the Wichita City Council, allows for free parking for up to 15 minutes. After that, visitors would pay a dollar an hour or a daily rate of $5 in a parking lot or $10 in a garage. Monthly rates would be offered at $35 a month in parking lots and $70 in garages. The city’s private contractor, The Car Park, would enforce parking regulations Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sundays would be free.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Lawrence city commissioners accept KU’s application for tax breaks for Gateway District
The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday took the first step toward considering tax breaks to help the University of Kansas construct its planned Gateway District near the football stadium. Vice Mayor Brad Finkeldei noted that similar requests for the city to simply accept an application for tax breaks — including one the commission approved last week connected to the Reuter building — generally go on the commission’s consent agenda. (That’s a list of items that are generally considered routine and approved all at once with one motion.) The commission accepting the application doesn’t mean they’ll approve a final agreement. Finkeldei said this is a very early step in the project, and there will probably be at least five more opportunities for the commission and the public to weigh in before the commission actually approves any economic incentives for KU.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Injunction will prohibit land alterations for proposed solar farm until lawsuit is resolved
An injunction issued late Tuesday will prevent any construction or land modification associated with a proposed solar farm north of Lawrence until a lawsuit seeking to stop the project can be resolved. Chief Douglas County District Judge James McCabria issued the order after hearing arguments from attorneys representing Grant Township, the North Lawrence Improvement Association and more than a dozen other plaintiffs. The group was seeking an emergency order to prevent the Douglas County Commission from voting on updated plans for the Kansas Sky Energy Center, a 159-megawatt solar energy project planned for 1,105 acres in Grant Township. The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in May seeking to halt progress of the project.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Feds scrap plan for electric corridor in Kansas
The U.S. Department of Energy has scrapped plans for an electric transmission corridor in Kansas, after hearing opposition from landowners and the state’s congressional delegation. The Department had been mapping boundaries for its National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETC) with one route proposed through Kansas. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Congressman Tracey Mann reported hearing concerns from state residents about the seizure of private property for the corridor.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Municipal Bond Trends for December 16, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
KBI Director: System has failed sheriffs
The leader of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is asking lawmakers for money to improve the state’s “awful” offender registration compliance software used by sheriffs. “I have heard from sheriffs over and over again, and their criticism is very valid,” said KBI director Tony Mattivi. “We have failed them. We are giving them an offender registration platform that is inadequate for what they need.”
Source: CJonline
Kansas lawmakers demand background checks after department hired financial felon
The Kansas Department of Commerce has inadequate background check processes, according to the Division of Legislative Post Audit. … The Department of Commerce said it felt a 2018 executive order prohibiting state agencies from ascertaining the criminal record of applicants barred them from conducting criminal background checks.
Source: CJonline
Municipal Bond Trends for December 13, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
New El Dorado aquatic center planning underway
At Wednesday evening’s work session on December 11, the El Dorado Aquatic Center Committee met with the El Dorado City Commission to discuss intentions and plans for the future aquatic center. It was mentioned during the September 16 City Commission meeting by Jeremy Sundgren and Patrick Todd during public comment that El Dorado needed a new public pool. During the Commission comment period, it was motioned to appoint Kelly Tetrick to form a committee with private citizens and work towards plans for what the pool and facility would look like.
Source: Andover American
Rose Hill Police Stuff the Squad Car
The Rose Hill Police Department hosted a donation drive on December 7 to stuff a squad car as their 19th annual holiday event. The crew collected donations at the local Dollar General from 10am-2pm that included food, toys and cash or check. The cash received, which totaled $991, was used to purchase extra food and toys before dropping off all donations. Detective Melissa Tharp said the food and toys were halved between the local food pantry at Hope Connections located at the Rose Hill United Methodist Church and Sunlight Children’s Home in Andover. The agency is still collecting donations until December 19 for those unable to make it to Stuff the Squad Car. Food and toys can be dropped off at the Rose Hill Police Department located at 125 W Rosewood during business hours.
Source: Andover American