Kansas Municipal News
Write-in votes range from comical to famous
Daffy Duck got one vote for Florence mayor, and his pal Mickey Mouse got a vote for city council. … A voter wanted “Not Him” for Goessel mayor. … “Someone Else,” Mickey Mouse, and Tom Thumb got votes for Hillsboro mayor. Had any of them gotten enough votes to win, they might have served with Donald Duck, who got two votes for city council. … The outlaw Billy the Kid snagged a vote for Marion city council … Mickey Mouse and Tippy the Dog gathered votes for Peabody mayor.
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Johnson County police department saves newest K9 from euthanization
The Spring Hill Police Department’s newest member — a 2-year-old Malinois and Shepherd mix from Olesno, Poland, is getting a second chance at life. Loki, a dog who made his way from Poland, to a kennel in Pennsylvania, recently made the trip to Kansas when the Olathe Police Department took interest in him as their newest K9. But a medical screening found Loki had an undeveloped kidney.
Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article255922441.html#storylink=cpySource: KC Star Local News
This city official became principal for the day
Topeka’s mayor-elect Mike Padilla visited Landon Middle School to be the Principal for the Day. Principal for the Day took place in schools across Topeka today as they celebrate American Education Week. Padilla got to tour the school, visit the students in the classroom and even speak with some of the kids one on one about their passions and interests at Landon. “They’re as busy as any person who’s working in a business environment,” Mayor-elect Padilla said. “This is their job as it were and they’re on a schedule. And they look really enthusiastic doing it so that’s also really encouraging.”
Source: KSNT News
Cities key to allocating funds in infrastructure package
Cities will be key to allocating the $1.1 trillion in the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law by President Joe Biden Monday. That’s what Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg told local government leaders Thursday while speaking at the National League of Cities conference. “We’re really going to be looking to you to deliver,” said Buttigieg. DOT will be overseeing much of the implementation of the new bill. The new law requires the creation of about 40 new programs as well as the expansion of existing programs, Buttigieg said. The law features $550 billion in new federal money for projects spanning from water to roads and transit, and $550 billion in reauthorized funding for surface transportation. … Buttigieg promised that the department would make the federal grant application process as user friendly as possible and minimize competition among cities. He also encouraged local officials to join together to respond to regional grants and said the federal government would be looking to the locals to define regions.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Over 500 New Jobs in Overland Park
Governor Laura Kelly today applauded Charter Communications’ plan to open a new customer retention center in Overland Park – creating 510 new full-time jobs by the end of 2022. The leading connectivity provider’s expansion will invest $18.9 million in the Overland Park community. “Our top-tier workforce and pro-business environment make Kansas an ideal location for Charter Communications’ expansion,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “This $18.9 million investment, and the 510 high-paying jobs it will create, is a big deal for our state and economy. My administration will keep investing in the tools that make Kansas the best place in the nation to do business.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Great Bend council angered by tennis court vandalism
Earlier this year, some riders on the Bird rental scooters used the wheels to vandalize the newly resurfaced tennis courts at Veterans Memorial Park. As repairs start this week, City Council members want those responsible held accountable.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
EPA announces plans for Weir contamination cleanup
Over in Weir, according to the EPA, the Chicago Zinc Works Company and several other companies owned and operated a primary zinc smelter from approximately 1873 until 1918. The businesses initially chose the location due to the nearby commercial coal deposits and proximity to the Tristate lead and zinc mining district. Operations closed in approximately 1918 when smelter operations using coal became less profitable. Upon further review of the Cherokee County Superfund site, the EPA noted that the primary contaminants of concern within the county are lead, zinc, and cadmium.
Source: morningsun.net
Sedgwick County OKs last-minute redistricting committee amid questions of fairness
Sedgwick County will empanel a bipartisan committee to recommend new boundaries for commission districts, but whether the group will have time to do its work is an open question. The committee will be made up of five members appointed by the commission and 10 selected by the League of Women Voters, a watchdog group that monitors local elections and advocates for voting rights. But as presently envisioned, that committee won’t be appointed until the commission can pass a resolution on Dec. 1 to create it. From then, the group will have nine days to organize, meet and prepare a report for the commission by Dec. 10 with its recommendations on redistricting. Commissioners retained the final say over redistricting.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Testing community center: Here’s why the pros focus on cost-recovery goal in Mission
The City of Mission is looking for a firm to evaluate operations at its Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center and the city’s continued investment in the center. “The Powell Community Center was constructed in 1999 and expanded in 2004, making it one of the oldest indoor recreation/community center facilities in the entire Kansas City metropolitan region,” the city said in its request for proposals. “Increased competition from newer facilities, changing demographics, deferred maintenance at the Powell Community Center, and most recently continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the operations and cost-recovery for the Center.”
Source: Joco 913 News
Liquor stores continue to deal with supply chain problems
Alcohol sales have gone up drastically since the beginning of the pandemic, and while that demand hasn’t gone down, supply chain issues continue to be a problem for many liquor stores. Stores say the supply chain issues hit nearly every level of the business, from certain brands or types of liquor being available to even issues down the chain like glassmaking for bottles. Central Wine & Spirits Owner, Jeff Grantham explained, “I mean it’s glass, its cans, I’ve heard all of all kinds of shortages. Anheuser-Busch, Michelob Ultra, they’re out of 20 packs, like bottles, 12 oz bottles.”
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for November 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.
Reopening hospital in Fort Scott a possibility
Bringing a hospital back to Bourbon County will be a long process, but the chief executive officer of the company contracted to conduct a feasibility study said Tuesday they are ready to move forward with the idea. Fort Scott city and Bourbon County officials met with officials from Noble Health of Kansas City, Mo., to get a glimpse of the feasibility study data. The county contracted with Noble Health to conduct a study to determine if opening a hospital in Bourbon County is feasible.
Source: Fort Scott Tribune
Harvey County to revamp travel policy due to violations
Harvey County Finance Director Dan Bronson told the Board of Harvey County Commissioners on Tuesday that he was looking at making major revisions to the county’s travel policy due to an increase in the number of violations in recent weeks. Bronson said the violations came from employees surpassing the limit for meals. He said more employees had been traveling for training since the COVID-19 pandemic was subsiding. About 10 violations were red-flagged in the past week by County Clerk Rick Piepho. Bronson said the violations were an efficiency issue. When an employee spends $30 on a meal, he said someone had to track down that employee for $5.
Source: Harvey County Now
Newton recycling program in jeopardy
The future of recycling in Newton is unknown, but expect it to be an item of debate in the coming months. The use of the program has decreased. And, recycling tipping fees that the city will have to pay are expected to increase. “I don’t know where we’re going to land with it, but we will have to have a discussion on recycling in 2022 and if we’re going to continue,” Newton City Engineer Suzanne Loomis said. At the start of 2020, the city moved to an optional recycling program, thanks to Waste Connections penalizing cities if they didn’t have a cleaner recycling stream in its negotiated contract with the county. The city had residents sign up for the program in hopes there would be fewer violations.
Source: Harvey County Now
Money available for Amtrak expansion. Now what?
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has become law. It contains money for long-distance Amtrak routes. Amtrak has plans to connect Oklahoma City to Wichita and Newton, making Newton a hub between the proposed route and the Southwest Chief. The expansion has long been discussed as a goal for the state, Amtrak and locally in Newton. “The good news is there are now funded programs (to pay) for it,” Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari said of the line expansion. But, as the dust settles and more information becomes available, it appears there’s more work to be done before work on the route begins.
Source: Harvey County Now
Kansas casino early partnership with ‘DraftKings’ in anticipation of legalization of sports gambling
Early Tuesday, the Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Dodge City pushed forward with their partnership with a mobile sports gambling company. All of this before lawmakers have even signed the dotted line on any regulations to legalize sports betting in Kansas. While it’s still illegal here in Kansas, the ability to bet on your favorite live sports might soon be a reality. Which Kansans like Kyle Ricklefs say could be a game changer. “I think it would be awesome. I think it’d be really good for the economy, it’d be something fun for people to do,” said Ricklefs.
Source: KAKE – News
Will the infrastructure bill lead to Amtrak in Wichita?
Rail service returning to Wichita is now a possibility since President Biden signed the massive infrastructure bill. Leaders in Kansas are hoping it will happen, as the state will get 272 million dollars for public transportation. Chairman Chip Westfell, of the Harvey County Commission, said the signing of the bill has greatly improved the possible extension of the Heartland Flyer from Fort Worth, Tex. to Newton, Kan. He said it is not a done deal yet. “I was excited, enthused for all the rail fans. But, I am enthused for Kansas, enthused for everyone on the route,” said Commissioner Westfall. Sedgwick County Commissioner Pete Meitzner is also enthused. “We are hoping in working with amtrak and the federal rail administration FRA to see what it is going to take to make sure we are in that first group of construction projects,” said Commissioner Meitzner.
Source: KSN-TV
‘Artie has left the building’
It would likely be hard to find a Paola resident who didn’t recognize the name and face of Paola Mayor Artie Stuteville. After all, she’s lived in the community since 1969. She’s served on the Planning Commission and City Council before becoming mayor in 2005. She’s owned a local laundromat and taxi service for more than 40 years. And she’s also hard to miss thanks to being blessed with a lot of height. But after 28 years of public service, Stuteville decided not to run for reelection in November, and she is passing the leadership torch to Paola City Council member Leigh House. House ran unopposed and won the Paola mayoral position with 555 votes in the Nov. 2 election.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
All Kansas adults can now get COVID booster shots
All fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots, state health officials announced Wednesday. Before, Kansas followed federal guidelines, that booster shots should be available only to people over 65, with underlying health conditions or at risk because of their jobs or living conditions. But like governors in several other states, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said she didn’t want to wait.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Manhattan gives initial approval to Manhattan Development Code
After years of working on updating and replacing zoning and subdivision regulations, commissioners on Tuesday approved the first reading of the Manhattan Development Code. John Adam, Manhattan senior planner, presented the first reading of the code, which will replace the current zoning and subdivision regulation with a unified set of regulations.
Source: themercury.com