Kansas Municipal News
Lawrence municipal services workers vote to join Teamsters
The 85 workers responsible for Lawrence’s infrastructure, street maintenance, engineering and more have voted by more than a 4-1 margin to unionize with Teamsters Local 696. The City of Lawrence Municipal Services and Operations department follows in the footsteps of sanitation workers, who voted to join the union in August 2020 and ratified their first contract this summer that increases wages and provides strong seniority language, grievance procedures and more, according to a Thursday news release from the union. The MSO workers want better wages, fairer work rules and improved benefits, the release says.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission takes next steps toward repairing, waterproofing historic courthouse
Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday voted unanimously to allow staff to seek out professional design services for a project to waterproof and repair the basement of the historic county courthouse. The project aims to fix the courthouse’s water infiltration issues. The work will involve excavation of the courthouse’s perimeter in order to get to its lowest point, testing and repairing the building’s stones, and adding waterproofing drain tile that would connect to a sump pump to collect and move water away from the building. “Back in 1904, I think when the building was constructed, they didn’t do waterproofing on these types of structures,” said Jay Zimmerschied, director of capital improvement projects. “These buildings traditionally are incredibly porous, and that’s what we’re trying to stop.”
Source: The Lawrence Times
Johnson County FD#1 acquires 21 Spring Hill firemen in split
Twenty-one SH firemen will be contracted with Johnson County Fire District #1 next month. The change has been in the works about two years, as Overland Park has annexed land in the Spring Hill (JCFD#2) area, the decision was made to split #2 evenly between Overland Park and JCFD#1, which serves the Gardner Edgerton area. Dennis Meyer, fire chief for JCFD#1, said the change will not increase costs to local residents; however, the district will assume 21 Spring Hill employees, and #2 will contract for that management.
Source: Gardner News
West Lawrence home gets to keep its artificial palm trees; other homes may get to add them too
Planning and Development Services Director Jeff Crick … said his office’s original analysis that the city’s land development code prohibits artificial plants from being used to meet the code’s landscape material standards was accurate. However, that code also exempts “detached dwellings” from complying with those landscape standards. “So, that code section would not apply to a residence…” That brings up the question of whether artificial trees are now fair game at homes across the city. The answer is that it depends on location and other factors such as size. But, with the current ruling, there certainly are some opportunities for property owners to install artificial trees or other types of synthetic vegetation.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Baldwin City mother files petition to challenge Douglas County’s mask mandate
A Baldwin City resident recently filed a petition in Douglas County District Court to challenge a mask mandate for children under the age of 12, alleging that the mask requirement causes her child “severe anxiety, stress and a lack of concentration.” Marie Taylor, the mother of a 9-year-old, filed the petition on behalf of the child, in response to the county’s current mask order, which requires anyone between the ages of 2 and 11 to wear a mask indoors in public settings, including in public school buildings. The Douglas County Commission issued the order in August, then extended it for 90 days in September because children in that age range were not yet eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines …
Source: LJWorld.com.
Rose Hill fitness center gets upgrades
October marked the official unveiling of the new fitness center at the Rose Hill Recreation Commission (400 S. Rose Hill Rd.). The upgraded fitness center has expanded by about 750 square feet, according to RHRC Superintendent Jason Steadman, through movement of some office space. Additionally, new fitness equipment was secured for the renovated space. “We’ve added 1,200 pounds of free weights, an olympic bench press, a hip sled, a leg press … and new cable machines for biceps/triceps,” Steadman said. Renovations began in March 2021. While there are a few finishing touches being made, the space has officially opened to RHRC members.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Public service is way of life for longtime Derby resident
For 46 years, Larry Gould has had a hand in the growth, vision, and safety of the community through his service on councils, boards, and committees. The spry 81-year-old moved to Derby from Wichita in 1965, and on the advice of a friend that “this is a small community and you’ve got to support it,” he become involved with the Derby Jaycees. His first foray into public service came in 1975 when he was elected to a two-year term on the Derby City Council, followed in 1981 by election to a four-year term on the Board of Education and appointment in 1987 to an unexpired City Council term through 1991.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Overland Park takes this step to solve financial issues for fire departments in JoCo
As Overland Park, Leawood and Olathe have grown, financial problems have mounted for the fire district that serves rural southeast Johnson County. The expansion of those cities has shrunk Fire District No. 2, and its tax base, creating a bleak future for the district. Right now, Fire District No. 2 is serving territory that Overland Park annexed in 2008, but the city is about to open a new fire station for that area and will terminate the service agreement earlier than initially planned. Jim Francis, chief of Fire District No. 2, said the move will cost the district even more revenue, about $1.5 million next year. The remedy? Fire District No. 2 will cede day-to-day operations to Overland Park and to Fire District No. 1, which serves southwest Johnson County. Overland Park will absorb 22 staff members and the area east of Lackman Road. Fire District No. 1 will take 22 employees and the area west of Lackman.
Source: Joco 913 News
Saline County approves agreement to pledge $1 million towards new RHID
The Saline County board of commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward in the process of developing the South View Estates Rural Housing Incentive District located near South Ohio Street and Schilling Road. With the vote, they affirmed their previous decision made on Aug. 31 not to protest the formation of the RHID and authorized chairman Rodger Sparks to sign an agreement between the county and the City of Salina. The county will work with the developers to identify ARPA-eligible costs, for which they set aside $1,000,000 to spend on housing, and transmit those to the city for preapproval.
Source: Salina Journal
‘Don’t walk, run!’: Emporia brewery owner’s business booming with state ‘Main Street’ program
An Emporia business owner is applauding a recently expanded state economic development program for keeping his business up and running, especially during the pandemic. Jeremy Johns, co-owner of Radius Brewing Company, said the state’s “Main Street” program had been ‘proactive’ in providing the support his brewpub needs to stay afloat. “A lot of times, businesses don’t know what kind of help they need, and Main Street reaches out to us and says, ‘Hey, we see this coming up, how can we help? Here are some things that might be helpful for you…,'” Johns said. Emporia is one of 28 designated communities under the Main Street program, which is expanding to three new communities in 2022.
Source: KSN-TV
USPS slow down creating late utility bills in northeast Kansas
Some community members across northeast Kansas are having to pay up because the United States Postal Service is slowing down. USPS launched new standards for first class mail at the beginning of October. This has caused a slow down for certain deliveries across the country. A handful of residents in Wamego say this has led to receiving their utility bills late, but city officials are assuring them there are other ways to pay.
Source: KSNT News
City of Lawrence wants to hear from transit riders and pedestrians about getting around town
Changes are coming to the way people get around town in Lawrence. City staff and steering committee members want to hear from the public about the future for pedestrians and transit riders. After months of work and planning, the city has rolled out two proposed scenarios to redesign bus routes. The work to gather feedback and finalize route changes by the end of this year — to be implemented in August 2022 — complements plans for a bus transfer facility coming to Bob Billings and Crestline Drive.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Saline County breaks ground on $89 million jail project
Construction will begin soon on an $89 million jail in Salina. The new jail will be located in north Salina at 800 E. Pacific Avenue. The jail is expected to consist of housing for approximately 392 inmates, increased space for rehabilitation programming, office spaces for the sheriff`s office, and parking for staff and the public.
Source: KSN-TV
Why Sedgwick County turns its eyes to San Antonio for mental health solutions
Every weekday at San Antonio Public Safety Headquarters, people line up at windows to report crimes, seek advice, maybe challenge a parking ticket. But not everyone is here to conduct typical police business. Some are unsheltered and have heard the police can help them get or recover an ID, removing a huge barrier to receiving services. The ID program is the brainchild of the department’s homeless outreach team, and it represents one small piece of a puzzle that San Antonio and Bexar County (population 2 million) have been putting together since the early 2000s. Its purpose: to reduce the number of people living on the streets and to try to help those with mental illness and addiction issues who often end up in courts and jails.
Source: KSN-TV
November general election breakdown: Why some Kansas communities are pushing for a sales tax increase
The November general election is just one week away. Besides candidates, thousands of Kansas voters will vote on ballot questions. From new fire stations to better parks and even mental health services, several community leaders said they need extra funding for some essential upgrades. “The fire station is just too small. We have firefighters sleeping in spaces that used to be closets, so it is behind time, it is past time,” said Andover Fire Chief Chad Russell. … Great Bend is hoping to add up to a .45% increase to its sales tax. “It is the most equitable tax everyone pays the same amount, including people that aren’t from Great Bend,” said Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis.
Source: KSN-TV
Thrive’s goal: Getting people to work in Allen County
County commissioners will need to consider whether to pay more to expand a countywide transportation program to round-the-clock coverage. The current schedule doesn’t help people who need to get to work. Three local industries are willing to contribute to costs to expand coverage. A county transportation plan could expand to round-the-clock coverage to help employees get to work. At least that’s the hope for Thrive Allen County. Representatives asked county commissioners to agree to spend up to $54,000 more a year to expand the service and purchase another vehicle for the program.
Source: The Iola Register
Manhattan nixes Sunday AM liquor sales proposal
Liquor stores and retailers will have to wait on any loosening of local rules about alcohol sales. Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday discussed amending local ordinances to allow the sale of liquor to begin at 9 a.m. Sundays, which is now allowed under state law. Currently, stores can sell alcohol from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Mayor Wynn Butler and commissioners Mark Hatesohl and Linda Morse — the majority of the commission — said they weren’t in favor of pushing back the time.
Source: themercury.com
Municipal Bond Trends for October 27, 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.
Water use in Garden City grows
Water consumption in Garden City is on a slight upward trend, but is about 5% less in 2021 than in 2020, which was an abnormally high-water usage year. Fred Jones, Garden City Water Resource Manager, gave an update on water consumption in the city at the Garden City Commission meeting on Oct. 19. Jones said the range among consumption totals differs approximately 245 million gallons of water over the past five years, which is staying relatively level, but looking at the trend line, there’s a slight increasing trend, but the community is growing, so it’s expected.
Source: Garden City Telegram
Municipal Bond Trends for October 26, 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.