Kansas Municipal News
From Topeka to Bemidji, Minn., localities try to boost populations with offers of cash, free coffee and grandparent stand-ins
Shara Gaona didn’t know much about Topeka when the pandemic struck. But the remote-working United Airlines analyst, untethered from her Chicago office, decided to move to the Kansas capital and collect $10,000 in local government incentives. Topeka is on a growing list of locations—from Bemidji, Minn., to the state of West Virginia—dangling incentives to entice remote workers. Many companies are offering office-free jobs, and some workers are willing to relocate for cash, cheaper housing or other perks. “I’ve had a lot of people ask me, ‘What the hell are you doing in Topeka?’ ” Ms. Gaona said. “Well, they’re giving me $10,000.” The 41-year-old sold her Chicago condo early this year, and she and her fiancé, Matt Gordon, are renovating a house in Topeka they plan to move to soon. The couple, who had office-based jobs at United Airlines Holdings Inc. before the pandemic, can continue working remotely, Ms. Gaona said.
Source: Wall Street Journal
Dodge City supports Amtrak Heartland Flyer rail extension
Dodge City Commissioners passed a resolution in support of extending the Amtrak rail system through the Southwest Chief line with the Heartland Flyer rail line which goes into Oklahoma and other parts of Kansas. According to city officials, the city supports the continuation of Amtrak passenger rail service along the Southwest Chief line, which operates between Chicago and Los Angeles. By approving the resolution, the city feels the Heartland Flyer extension complements the Southwest Chief line as it will likely increase passengers.
Source: Dodge Globe
The Pittsburg State University’s Capital Campaign comes to a successful end with 136 million dollars raised
After six years of hard work, Pittsburg State University’s Capital Campaign has come to an end in a big way. Originally the “Proven, Promise, Pitt State” campaign was designed to last only three years and help raise 55 million dollars. It was later extended by another three years and the goal was raised to 100 million dollars. Not only was the goal met, but the university surpassed it, raising 136 million dollars. The money has already been put to good use, helping expand access to PSU with 155 scholarships for incoming students.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Overland Park considers extending e-bike pilot program and could also add rental scooters
Overland Park experiment with electric bikes received mixed reviews from residents, as the city’s 18-month pilot program nears an end this November. The pilot project allowed certain types of motorized bikes on trails throughout Overland Park. With the project’s end date approaching, the city council’s Community Development committee on Wednesday heard a report about the pilot’s impact, including citizen feedback. The report concluded that there are some concerns with how the e-bike program currently runs, but overall, seem to appreciate having the bikes in the area.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Wichita taking water samples but no results Thursday night, city manager says
Wichita won’t have answers Thursday night on whether the water is safe to drink, a city official confirmed. More than 500,000 people in south-central Kansas — including all of Wichita and many of the surrounding towns and rural areas — fell under a boil water advisory after a main waterline broke near McAdams Park around 3 p.m. Boil water advisories are required within 24 hours under federal law when a water system loses pressure.
Read more at: Local News | Wichita Eagle
New Olathe library brings ‘vitality to the downtown.’ It’s all part of a master plan
With shovels in hand, library employees, city council members and others working on Olathe’s new downtown library broke ground for the project Sept. 18. The building will sit between Poplar and Santa Fe streets, two blocks east of the Johnson County District Courthouse. The Downtown Library is now located in a temporary space at 1078a W. Santa Fe St. It’s been there since April 2020, as the city has already sold its old location. Sara Eccles, branch manager, said that the new building is part of a master plan that started more than five years ago as a result of a study that showed the two Olathe libraries were not big enough to adequately serve the population of Olathe.
Source: Joco 913 News
Barton County Commission OKs more facade grants
In the ongoing effort to spruce up downtowns countywide, the Barton County Commission Tuesday morning approved more projects as part of Facade Improvement Grant program.
The goal of the program is to provide financial assistance to businesses and property owners for downtown building front improvements to increase economic prosperity, accessibility, and quality of life in Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend and Hoisington, Grant Coordinator Sue Cooper said. It is having the desired impact, said District 3 Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson.
“We were hoping it would have a ripple effect,” he said. After one owner applies, neighboring owners may feel like they have to follow suit.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
City of Wichita working to address underlying reasons of why hundreds are experiencing homelessness
City leaders are working to get hundreds of homeless people off the streets to help address a problem with people camping downtown and leaving a mess. “We can do a better job than just having folks who are living unhoused right now. We should be doing a better job at getting people the resources they need so they can get back on their feet,” Wichita’s Mayor Brandon Whipple said. Wichita’s Mayor Whipple says the city is looking at why so many people are still homeless.
Source: KAKE – News
Water main break creating water problems across Wichita
A boil water advisory is expected to remain in effect through at least Saturday for the city of Wichita and many surrounding communities after a major water main break. Late Thursday night, the city announced it was working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to get water testing results back before a decision can be made on whether to lift or keep the boil water advisory in place. The tests are to make sure no bacteria is in the system.
Source: KAKE – News
Audit finds Kansas schools unprepared for a cyberattack. What is the risk?
Kansas schools are unprepared for a cyberattack and are not doing enough to protect student data, state auditors found. A Legislative audit of IT security in K-12 schools released earlier this week found that, of the 147 districts (roughly half the school systems in the state) that responded to a survey 69% did not have a response plan in the event of cyber attack and 28% had not even installed anti-virus software on all school computers. The result is a financial and privacy risk for Kansas, students and families, said Alex Bardas, an assistant professor in the computer science department at the University of Kansas.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Mayor asks Wichitans not to hoard bottled water; urges patience during water crisis
Mayor Brandon Whipple is asking residents of Wichita and the surrounding area to remain calm after one of the city’s main waterlines broke near McAdams Park, placing all of the city’s water customers under a boil water advisory. “I’m asking folks to make sure that they not only follow the recommendations to boil water but also reach out to people you’re close to and let them know that they should be doing the same,” he said. “We are utilizing all of our outreach efforts to get the word out because we want to keep people safe,” he said. “I’m asking Wichitans to make phone calls to people you know, to your family, and pass on this message as well.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Wichita businesses, restaurants close as water crisis shuts down city
Wichita hotels, gas stations and restaurants had a scattershot approach to the city’s boil water advisory Thursday evening after a main water line broke around 4 p.m. Restaurants, already suffering from staffing issues and supply shortages, were making tough decisions just before the dinner hour on Thursday about whether to remain open, and many decided to close.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Sedgwick County Sherriff’s Office implements professional therapy dog program
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday a new tool to support citizens in the Sedgwick County community who are affected by trauma, mental health and crime. The new tool? Cherokee the dog! She is just over a year old and is an Aussie mix with brown and red fur, with one brown eye and one blue eye, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Wichita Animal Action League, is implementing a professional therapy dog program.
Source: KSN-TV
The Gordon Parks Celebration returns to Fort Scott after cancelation last year
After being canceled last year due to the pandemic, a Fort Scott tradition has made its return. The “Gordon Parks Celebration” has really been making up for lost time. Last year was supposed to be the 17th annual celebration, but since it couldn’t happen, organizers decided to combine it with this year.
Source: KSNF/KODE
T-Mobile awards Fort Scott $50K grant to develop Market Street
T-Mobile is working to help improve 25 communities across the country, including one in southeast Kansas. Fort Scott was awarded a $50,000 dollar check from the company as part of its “Hometown Grant” initiative. The money will go towards creating a downtown greenspace and entrance pavilion at Market Street on Skubitz Plaza. “The Urban Renewal did away with Market Street, so with the fort down there, and just Skubitz Plaza, there’s a nice space to bring the community back together, the farmer’s market and just bring people back to Market Street,” said Josh Jones, Fort Scott Mayor.
Source: KSNF/KODE
City of Wichita issues boil water advisory impacting Derby
A boil water advisory issued by the City of Wichita on Thursday will remain in effect until at least Saturday, the city said in a tweet Thursday night. Wichita city staff are working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), per the tweet, and are expecting to get water testing results from KDHE on Saturday morning. At that point, KDHE will determine whether the boil water advisory will be lifted or remain in effect.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Citing the need for denser growth, city leaders approve proposal to bar more housing near Lawrence unless the city expands
Calling for denser and more efficient growth, City of Lawrence leaders have approved regulations that prohibit new neighborhoods in rural areas near the city’s boundaries unless that land is ready to be added to the city. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to approve an amendment to subdivision regulations for Lawrence and the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. The amendment bars the development of additional rural subdivisions, and instead requires potential developers to request that the land be added to city so the neighborhood is subject to city lot sizes and other standards.
Source: LJWorld.com
White lines a little less bright
Due to a shortage of glass beads triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the white lines being painted on Kansas highways this year tend to not reflect light as well as state officials would like. Still, the smaller glass beads being used to accomplish that purpose should nevertheless be “adequate” and “safe,” said Tony Menke, bureau chief of construction and materials for the Kansas Department of Transportation. “We’ll just probably need to touch them up sooner rather than later,” he said.
Source: Salina Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for October 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.
Mulvane Public Library hosting Crocktober event
Crocktober is returning to the Mulvane Public Library at 6 p.m. Oct. 19, with the event encouraging patrons to learn a new crock pot recipe and showcase their creations at a potluck sampling. Registration is required for the adult-only event, which will allow patrons to use a recipe from a book or magazine checked out at the library. Recipes from home are welcome as well. On top of the dish, attendees are asked to bring their recipes – as all participants will go home with a copy of each recipe at the end of the night.
Source: Derby Informer | Area