Kansas Municipal News
3-story house being moved through Great Bend streets draws a crowd of spectators
A three-story house being moved through the streets of Great Bend drew a large crowd of spectators on Tuesday. The Great Bend Tribune says the Unruh House at 2526 Broadway owned by Amber and Brent Rugan of rural Stafford County is being relocated to their farm property. Crews have been preparing the house for weeks. But, first, the house was placed on beams and loaded on a trailer. The home’s transport from Broadway started toward Washington Avenue. Several road closures and safety measures will occur as the house makes it to its new location.
Source: KSN-TV
Morrill Library showcase features art from more than 15 local artisans
The Morrill Public Library hosted a Community Art Showcase on Saturday. The showcase featured artwork from more than 15 local artisans, in addition to selections from the high school art classes and Hiawatha Clock Tower interpretations from the elementary school fourth graders. The Art Showcase included paintings and drawings of all media types, crochet works, a quilted baby blanket, die cast cars, ceramic pieces, an owl sculpture, lead soldiers and more. Stephanie Gummelt, a musician from St. Joseph, Mo., performed a beautiful acoustic concert while those in attendance browsed the art pieces and were able to enjoy light refreshments.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com
Wichita City Council votes to approve water and sewer rate increases for 2022
The Wichita City Council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to increase water and sewer rates. The recommended rate adjustments for 2022 are 6.50% for water and 3% for sewer, for a combined rate adjustment of 5.13%. The rate adjustments were made to help fund the ongoing operation and maintenance of water and sewer utilities. Right now, work continues on the $524 million Northwest Water Facility and the $357 million Biological Nutrient Removal project. The new rates will take effect on Jan. 1, 2022, and the adjustments are the same as those shared with the council since December 2019.
Source: KSN-TV
New fire chief named in Garden City
Garden City announced the city’s new fire chief on Tuesday. Jon Irsik will fill the position vacated by the resignation of Chief Bill Beaty earlier this year. Irsik currently serves as interim battalion chief for the Garden City Fire Department and has 17 years of experience in the fire service. He started his career in 2004 as a firefighter before moving through the ranks. “I am honored to be selected as the next fire chief for Garden City Fire Department.
Source: KSN-TV
Should the Douglas County Commission have 5 members?
Douglas County on Thursday will host a community listening session on the possibility of moving from three county commissioners to five. County Clerk Jamie Shew will start the event with a presentation about the process of moving to a five-member commission, which would require an election. Then commissioners will take comments from community members. Some people have expressed concerns about a lack of representation of rural Douglas County residents, particularly after the 2020 election.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Incentive renewal means Spirit won’t pay Wichita property taxes for at least 20 years
Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita’s largest employer, won’t pay city property taxes for another 20 years after the Wichita City Council renewed an incentive agreement. The council voted Tuesday to renew a non-annexation agreement reaffirming that Spirit’s campus on Oliver is not technically within city limits. The City Council renewed a similar 20-year agreement with Textron Aviation in December 2019. After re-upping the incentive agreement, the council unanimously voted to grant Spirit a one-year extension on job growth promises the company could not deliver on, largely because of the joint crises of the pandemic and the worldwide grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Dole will lie in repose at Kansas Capitol after Russell service
The body of Bob Dole, the former Kansas senator who died Sunday at 98, will lie in repose at the state Capitol on Saturday following a memorial service in his hometown of Russell. The Dole Institute of Politics on Tuesday announced Kansas-based events honoring Dole for later in the week. Dole’s body will arrive on Friday evening at Hays Regional Airport and will be received by a delegation led by Gov. Laura Kelly. From 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, a public viewing will be held at St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, Kansas. A service will be held at 11 a.m.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Kansas City area schools address safety after spate of threats and Michigan shooting
This week’s threat of a possible shooting at Wyandotte High School is just the latest in a string of at least a dozen threats made recently against Kansas City area schools. They echo a rise in such threats nationwide as district officials and police try to determine what is credible — and what is a worst-case scenario, like the shooting Nov. 30 in Michigan that left four students dead and six other students and a teacher wounded. Officials in some area districts say they are reviewing policies and procedures following the Michigan shooting, as well as the series of threats against local schools.
Source: Joco 913 News
Short-term rental properties in Riley County need license to operate starting Jan. 1
New Riley County regulations include license requirements for short-term rental properties, such as those on websites like Vrbo or Airbnb. On Monday, Riley County commissioners unanimously approved new land development regulations and adopted driveway standards for unincorporated areas of Riley County. In July, Manhattan city commissioners discussed potential licensing and permits for short-term rental properties in Manhattan, but they took no action. According to Craig Cox, deputy county counselor, short-term rental regulations were not in the previous code. In the new regulations, property owners will have to have a license and meet the requirements to obtain the license.
Source: themercury.com
‘Heirloom’ book celebrating Wichita’s 150th about to be released by historical museum
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum has a surprise gift for fans of local history and old photos depicting Wichita’s past. The museum’s staff has for about three years been quietly working on a hefty “heirloom” book, meant as a celebration of the city’s 150th birthday in 2020, and it will release the book on Saturday — just in time for holiday gift giving. It’s called “A Spell Created: A Sesquicentennial History of Wichita and Sedgwick County.” The hard-cover book, which is 10×14 inches, has 356 pages and weighs six and a half pounds. It costs $95 and will go on sale Saturday after a special book release event scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m at the museum, 204 S. Main.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Loose camel captured in Bonner Springs fled nativity scene
A camel roaming loose for hours before being captured by officers escaped from a live nativity scene, according to the Bonner Springs Police Department. Officers said the camel’s halter broke while the animal was on display at the Agriculture Hall of Fame’s nativity scene Saturday evening. The camel ran away before anyone noticed the issue. An animal control officer for the police department said people in the area searched for the missing camel until 2 a.m. Sunday morning, but lost sight of the animal.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Local farmer’s market returns to provide more small business for Columbus
Local vendors are getting another chance to bring their products to the community. On Sunday the Columbus Farmer’s Market made its return as the Holiday Market. Today’s event looks to provide local bakers, producers and artists with more opportunities to sell their goods since the normal famer’s market season goes from May until October. Officials say this is especially important since recent Shop Local campaigns have led to some of the best sales for small businesses. “The Columbus City budget during the pandemic didn’t need to be revised because our sales tax revenues were up considerably, which is a result of more and more people shopping local we feel,” says Liz Simpson, Crossland Construction Company Community Development.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Nearly 100 receiving emergency rental aid in Emporia area
The number of people in the Emporia area who receive emergency federal housing assistance is slowly increasing. The latest data from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation shows as of Monday, November 22, 94 households in Lyon County were approved for rental aid. The number was 76 in late October. The total amount provided in Lyon County is $281,378.98. That computes to almost $3,000 per family. … Congress approved the aid earlier this year as part of the COVID-19 response act, to protect families from eviction. Landlords and tenants must apply for the aid together.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Holiday traditions makes its return to Riverton
What started because of a natural disaster has now become a long standing tradition in Southeast Kansas. Saturday afternoon the community lined the streets of Riverton for the return of the annual Christmas parade. The tradition began back in 1993 after the historic flood, which caused the city to lose several homes and the post office. Community members then put the parade together as a way to lift the area up during the holidays, and since then it’s become a fixture for the season.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Municipal Bond Trends for December 6, 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.
New $1M modeling project could provide insight to Indian Creek flooding in Johnson County
Stormwater experts in Johnson County will soon be using new tools to study flooding along Indian Creek. On Thursday the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a $875,200 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for floodplain mapping. Sarah Smith, project manager for Johnson County Stormwater Management, said funds from the FEMA grant will go toward creating a 2-D floodplain model and map project for Indian Creek. “Our existing one dimensional modeling has been and continues to serve as a great planning tool. However they are based on data that is now 20 years old,” Smith said.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
More than $79 million in federal funds slated for water infrastructure in Kansas
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids applauded the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement that Kansas will receive $79,430,000 from the bipartisan infrastructure law to address drinking water and wastewater systems. This 2022 allocation is the first of five years of dedicated State Revolving Fund water funding that Kansas will receive through the Davids-backed bipartisan infrastructure law. This announcement marks the first official round of funding for Kansas from the bipartisan infrastructure law and will be used to create jobs, upgrade aging water infrastructure, and deliver safe, lead-free drinking water across the state, according to Rep. Davids.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
Clearwater employees to get additional retirement savings option
City employees in Clearwater will soon have an additional option for saving for their retirement. The Clearwater City Council approved a contract for a new Kansas Public Employees Retirement System option that will allow employees to save additional retirement funds. Employees already set aside funds under the standard mandatory KPERS option. The additional option, KPERS 457 (b), will be voluntary.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers » Feed
Librarian named as emerging leader
The American Library Association (ALA) has named Sam Jack to its 2022 class of Emerging Leaders. Jack, who serves as Newton Public Library’s adult services librarian, is one of 49 librarians from across the U.S. and Canada chosen to participate. Jack lives in the Goddard area. The Emerging Leaders program is designed to enable librarians to participate in planning, network with peers, and have an early-career opportunity to serve the library profession in a leadership capacity.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers » Feed
Governor Kelly Orders Flags Lowered Honoring Senator Bob Dole (until sunset December 9)
In accordance with Executive Order 20-30, and in coordination with the proclamation signed by President Joe Biden, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff starting immediately until sunset on December 9, 2021 in honor of the passing of Senator Bob Dole.