Kansas Municipal News
Want to know more about Roeland Park’s history, character? Check out this mural
On a 311-foot-long retaining wall at the northern edge of Roeland Park, eight artists have completed a multi-faceted mural that depicts the city’s history and character. It will be dedicated at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 23. The city’s first public mural, at 47th Street and Roe Lane, was conceived by the Roeland Park Arts Advisory Committee. The supervising artist was Roeland Park resident Brittany Noriega, and seven other artists were responsible for specific themes…
Source: Joco 913 News
Destination Derby: Leaders say STAR bond projects help transform the city into a regional draw
Derby mayor Randy White remembers recently being at the city’s Field Station Dinosaur attraction when he struck up a conversation with other visitors. In the conversation, he learned they were from Kansas City and had planned a day in Derby specifically to visit the dinosaur park. It was affirmation, he says, of what has been the intentional use of STAR bonds to help transform the the city from a bedroom community to a regional destination. “That’s what a regional draw is about,” White says. “You have to have cool things.” White says it’s more than just casual encounters: Drive through the parking lots of attractions in Derby, he says, and you’ll see license tags from surrounding states.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Manhattan Housing Authority awarded $2.6M grant for rental assistance
Manhattan Housing Authority recently awarded a $2.6 million grant to start a Bridge to Housing Stability program for Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance applicants. MHA commissioner, Brad Claussen says, applying is worth the effort to go through the process. MHA has provided around $1.4M to property owners directly. Assistance is temporary. Individuals are granted 3 months of assistance and encouraged to re-certify. Applicants must go through KERA to get the process started and once approved you are handed off to a local entity. There remains over $200M for housing assistance at the state level.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Governor Laura Kelly Announces 100 New Jobs in Bonner Springs
Governor Laura Kelly today announced that Medline, the country’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, will invest $77.5 million to construct a new distribution center and create 100 new jobs in Bonner Springs. “Medline’s decision to choose Kansas to expand their footprint is a testament to our central location, infrastructure network, and world-class workforce,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This project is a major win for Bonner Springs and the state as a whole. This company exemplifies the type of businesses we are working to attract and retain, and this new facility will be a fantastic addition to the local and regional economy.” Medline provides medical supplies to Kansas City hospitals, long-term care facilities and across the whole continuum of health care. The company has outgrown its current facility and plans to bring 141 team members to Bonner Springs. The project also will create approximately 350 construction jobs.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce » Press Releases Category Feed
Working to improve communication between Sedgwick County and the city of Wichita
A lapse in communication. That is how Sedgwick County leaders describe what happened one week ago, when a major water main broke, prompting a boil water advisory for Wichita and surrounding communities. On Thursday, Oct 7 at 1:32 p.m., the power went out at the water treatment plant causing pumps to shut down. Within minutes, the pumps were restarted but started to lose pressure. At 2 p.m., city crews found the water main break. Fifteen minutes later they notified the KDHE, then a boil advisory was issued at 3 p.m. The city held a press conference at 3:30 p.m. This is where county leaders take issue. City staff did not notify the county emergency manager until after 4 p.m. County leaders are now working on a way to keep everyone in the loop during emergencies.
Source: KSN-TV
USD259 hoping to fill vacant positions by hosting job fair
Wichita Public Schools held a job fair Thursday, Oct. 14 in hopes of hiring substitute teachers, paras and custodians. Before the coronavirus pandemic, USD259 had around 1,000 substitutes. This year it is half that. Nearly 100 people showed up to the job fair today hoping to snag a position. “I like kids. I worked with kids for a while. I was a director of our nursery, I worked in pediatrics as a CNA,” said Heather Self, who applied for a position at the job fair. “I have teenagers at home, so it’s up my alley.”
Source: KSN-TV
Kansas booze deliveries might be next, following to-go cocktails
The to-go cocktails and longer liquor store hours adopted in Kansas during the pandemic could live on after the virus threat has passed. But some lawmakers worry that additional changes sought by grocery chains and liquor companies could hurt small businesses and overwhelm state regulators. Changes approved during the 2021 legislative session included expanding the hours liquor stores could operate on Sundays and holidays and allowing the sale of to-go cocktails and drive-through drinks.
Source: KSN-TV
Wichita conducting further testing on pipe that failed leading to pressure loss and boil advisory
The city of Wichita said that they are conducting further testing on a 42-inch pipe that led to a failure and loss of pressure last week. The city was put under a boil advisory from Thursday afternoon to early Saturday morning before it was lifted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. During a press conference, Alan King, Wichita’s director of Public Works & Utilities, said the pipe had been replaced and the hole backfilled. However, the line hasn’t been put back into service. “The repaired section of pipe will be pressure tested, and we will put it at a very high pressure to see if it is able to hold,” said King.
Source: KSN-TV
Shawnee County commissioners approve plan to make your drive better
The Shawnee County Commission approved a motion Thursday that will help drivers in Topeka. This new construction plan will focus on Southwest Topeka Boulevard just south of University Boulevard, and right across the road from Forbes Field. Construction workers will be changing the road from being two lanes on either side to only one. Because the road will now be one lane on either side, there will be points made where passing will be allowed. They also plan to re-pave the area where the railroad tracks cross over the street, making it a less bumpy ride on your commute. “It will no longer be a rough ride,” said Shawnee County Public Works Director, Curt Niehaus. “I think it will improve the appearance of the down south significantly.”
Source: KSNT News
Overland Park will retake bids for new animal shelter contract after residents raise ‘no kill’ concerns
A plan to change Overland Park’s animal shelter contract from Great Plains SPCA to the Wycliff Animal Clinic got so much angry pushback from residents and feedback from some councilmembers that the city will rebid the contract and make sure to reach out to multiple animal shelters this time around. Much of the opposition to the change revolved around residents’ concerns and questions about what could happen to stray animals the new shelter takes in on the city’s behalf. Great Plains claims itself as the “largest no-kill animal shelter in the Kansas City metro,” while the prospective contract for Wycliff left open the possibility animals could be euthanized after going unclaimed.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Merriam Mayor Ken Sissom set to retire this month after 40-year career — ‘I’ve been blessed to do this’
After 40 years of serving the city of Merriam, Mayor Ken Sissom is retiring at the end of this month. Sissom was first elected as mayor of Merriam in April 2009 and has served three full terms. During his time as mayor, he oversaw the city’s business base grow with the city expanding the number of car dealerships along I-35. The introduction of IKEA off I-35, the Kansas City metro’s first, along with the newly built Merriam Community Center, were also among the city’s milestones during Sissom’s tenure. Before becoming mayor, Sissom worked more than 25 years for the Merriam Police Department, including as chief of police from 1992 to 2005.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Municipal Bond Trends for October 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.
Reno County OK’s SO firing range, change to permitting on accessory buildings
The Reno County Commission approved a change to the county’s zoning regulations on Tuesday that eliminates the need for someone with more than two acres of property to get permission before constructing accessory buildings that exceed 2,000 square feet on the property. The board also approved a conditional use permit allowing the Sheriff’s Department to construct a new firearms range on county property at the south end of the Reno County landfill. The Reno County Planning Commission recommended, and the county commission unanimously approved, that an accessory building “special exception” only be required if all outbuildings on an acreage of between two- and 40 acres will exceed a cumulative 5,000 square feet.
Source: Hutch News
Weather service confirms tornadoes in western Kansas
Meteorologists in Goodland confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down near Sharon Springs in northwest Kansas during the storms Tuesday evening and early Wednesday. The twister traveled about 3.3 miles, with peak gusts of 85 mph, the weather service said. … Meteorologists with the weather service in Dodge City were surveying damage on Wednesday from at least four tornadoes in lightly-populated areas near Dodge City. Those twisters were reported near Howell, Spearville, Trousdale and between Sublette and Copeland.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Liquor industry and grocers pushing Kansas lawmakers to lift restrictions on home delivery and online sales
The to-go cocktails and longer liquor store hours adopted in Kansas during the pandemic could live on after the virus threat has passed. But some lawmakers worry that additional changes sought by grocery chains and liquor companies could hurt small businesses and overwhelm state regulators. Changes approved during the 2021 legislative session included expanding the hours liquor stores could operate on Sundays and holidays and allowing the sale of to-go cocktails and drive-through drinks. A special legislative committee is being lobbied to make it even easier for consumers to purchase beer, wine and hard liquor — changes that would need approval from the Legislature in the spring.
Source: Dodge Globe
Residents asked for their own city to avoid Johnson County development. Board says no
The Miami County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday rejected a petition asking to incorporate a new city in Kansas, an effort led by rural residents fighting to stop ever-encroaching industrial development from taking over their land. “It was very disappointing to hear the vote,” resident Charlie Koch said. “This kind of comes as a left hook.” Roughly 300 Miami County residents — who live in the unincorporated outskirts of Edgerton’s sprawling industrial park in southwestern Johnson County — filed the petition to form their own town: the city of Golden. They argued that their own city borders would have protected their agriculture and residential land, which has become increasingly surrounded by warehouses and semi trucks.
Source: Joco 913 News
Wichita stormwater team working around the clock to keep roads clear during fall rain
When streets in Wichita flood during rain and storms, sometimes the problem is clogged drains, especially this time of year when there’s extra debris like leaves and sticks. But Wichita has a team on standby around the clock to keep them clear. “We’ll run it in, and we’ll get that debris, and we’ll pull it back to whatever structure that we’re sitting at. And then we can suck it up from there,” said Wichita stormwater worker Derek Kostner. Kostner is in his eighth year working for Wichita’s stormwater team, driving a big truck around town unclogging drains during storms. With about 60,000 drains and 1,000 miles of stormwater pipe in Wichita alone, it’s no easy task.
Source: KAKE – News
KDOT, Topeka put exclamation point on $234 million plan to replace I-70 viaduct near Capitol
State and local officials punctuated plans Wednesday for overhaul of the heavily traveled snake-shaped portion of Interstate 70 in Topeka by affirming a partnership agreement to improve safety for motorists, create jobs and gain traction with the new statewide transportation system upgrade. Moving ahead with a project estimated to cost $234 million includes replacement of the Polk-Quincy Viaduct and expansion of I-70 to six lanes from MacVicar Avenue to Topeka Boulevard. The project scheduled to begin in 2024 would be primarily financed through the Kansas Department of Transportation. The work would remove a sharp curve on the viaduct and provide better options for vehicles entering or leaving the downtown area. It would require relocation of about 30 businesses.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Kansans will pay more for natural gas this winter
Your natural gas bill is going to go up this winter. Natural gas prices run nearly double what they did a year ago and experts predict the increased prices to last at least through the winter. Utility companies pass the cost of natural gas directly on to their customers. As the price of wholesale natural gas increases, so will the fee your utility charges every month. For Kansas Gas Service customers, that fee this month is $5.67 per thousand cubic feet of gas used. Last October it was only $3.76. Other large gas utilities have made similar increases.
Source: KCUR News
More than $1 billion in federal relief money went to Kansas schools; new numbers show how it’s being spent
Kansas schools received about $1.4 billion in federal relief money. On Tuesday, Kansas school board members voted to allocate roughly $15 million to school districts to training teachers in literacy and math, two areas that faced setbacks during the pandemic. Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson delivered an annual report showing the latest numbers on the pandemic’s impact in Kansas schools. Education officials have pointed to learning loss as a problem in schools, especially as students and teachers struggled to adjust to remote learning last year. Watson told Kansas Capitol Bureau the state is trying to find a way to address the issue. “We’re talking about having a good process, executing that process, using the money from the federal government gives us for the pandemic to really try to reach out and form better partnerships, and help those kids learn,” Dr. Watson said.
Source: KSN-TV