Kansas Municipal News
Sedgwick nears the end of its city administrator search
A new administrator will most likely be chosen by the end of the month, according to Sedgwick Mayor Bryan Chapman. Chapman has led a three-member committee consisting of him and council members Randi Tolin and Carol Truesdell. They narrowed the field to two candidates to be interviewed by the full city council. The first interview took place last week during a thirty-minute executive session at the city council meeting. Chapman said the second interview would likely happen at the next council meeting on Sep. 20. “We’re at the very end and we’ll have an announcement soon, as soon as we get the other interview done because they’re both pretty good candidates,” Chapman said.
Source: Harvey County Now
After calls from activists, Wichita forms board to act on climate change, environment
The Wichita city council voted unanimously to establish a sustainability board on Tuesday, which will advise the council and city staff on climate change resiliency, environmental concerns and economic vitality. The vote comes after a coordinated effort that put 27 presentations by Wichita citizens in front of the city council over the past 6 months, passionately speaking about climate change concerns. Eight citizens spoke in favor of the ordinance during the city council meeting today, including a representative of the League of Women Voters, who said their organization was fully supportive of the formation of this task force.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Lenexa adjusts alcohol rules around civic campus and Public Market
The Lenexa Public Market has adjusted its rules regulating alcohol that can be consumed in the market and the surrounding area around the civi campus off 87th Street Parkway. Since the food hall and incubator of small businesses launched in 2017, the Lenexa Public Market, 8750 Penrose Lane, has prohibited the possession and consumption of liquor that’s purchased outside of the common consumption area surrounding the market … the Lenexa City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved several revisions that govern that common consumption area of the Lenexa Public Market in an attempt to give the city more flexibility at events.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Roeland Park’s 47th Street mural depicting city’s past and present nears completion
The 47th Street mural in Roeland Park, above, is a work in progress — but organizers say the 311-foot work is on track to be completed by the end of the month. An image of a tree is placed towards the center of the mural, symbolizing the city’s slogan, “Uniquely Rooted.” Photo credit Juliana Garcia. The city of Roeland Park is working on a 311-foot mural near the border with Wyandotte County — and it’s on track to be completed by the end of the month. After years of working toward a community-driven mural, the Roeland Park City Council gave the arts committee the green light, and some funding, for a $36,000 mural on Roe Lane and 47th Street.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
KDOT holding regional local consult meetings online
The Kansas Department of Transportation is hosting eight public Local Consult meetings this fall as part of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE) project selection process, with the meeting for the Wichita metro being held at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 9. All Kansans are invited to participate. Participants will have the opportunity to share their community and region’s transportation priorities and provide input on a list of potential highway expansion and modernization projects.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Johnson County school district is ‘discriminatory’ in its COVID rules, lawyers claim
A Johnson County law firm has sent a cease and desist letter to Gardner Edgerton schools, demanding that the district amend COVID-19 protocols it claims are discriminatory and violate Kansas law. The letter claims the district’s enforcement of quarantine and mask policies discriminates against unvaccinated and unmasked students. The Olathe firm Kriegshauser Ney Law Group gave the school district until 5 p.m. Friday to respond. The letter, sent Tuesday by attorney Ryan Kriegshauser, could be a precursor to a civil lawsuit.
Source: Joco 913 News
Sedgwick County health officer pushes for mask mandate as COVID cases continue to rise
Sedgwick County’s top health official is again pushing for commissioners to implement a mask mandate as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase. Dr. Garold Minns discussed by phone during Tuesday’s commission meeting the latest county numbers. He said the county had 1,800 new cases for the week ending September 4, the highest since November or December 2020. He compared that to the week ending July 3, which had 142 new cases. “So as you can see, we’ve had a quantum leap in the number of cases,” Dr. Minns said. “We also are still running a positive test rate of around 8%. The virus is still circulating in our community; it’s still here.”
Source: KAKE – News
USDA Seeks Applications to Spur Job and Economic Growth in Rural Areas
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Justin Maxson today announced that the department is accepting loan and grant applications for projects that create jobs and economic growth in rural communities.
Funds are being made available under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. Through the REDLG program, USDA provides zero-interest loans and grants to Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Program and Telecom Program borrowers who will use the funds to help local businesses finance projects that will create and retain jobs. Projects must be located in rural areas or towns with a population of 50,000 or less.
Funds may be used to support:
- business startup costs;
- business expansion;
- business incubators;
- technical assistance feasibility studies;
- advanced telecommunications services and computer networks for medical, educational and job training services; and
- community facilities projects that spur economic development.
Eligible applicants include current, former and potential borrowers of Rural Development’s Electric Program and Telecommunications Program.
Applications are being accepted continuously with funding competition deadlines on Sept. 30, 2021; Dec. 31, 2021; March 31, 2022; and June 30, 2022.
Applications submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. local time on the deadline dates to the USDA Rural Development State Office where the project is located and will compete for the available REDLG funds in that quarter.
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact their local USDA Rural Development State Office well in advance of the application deadline to ask questions about their project, the program or the application process.
Lawrence City Commission interested in potential ordinance changes that aim to decriminalize poverty, other social issues
City leaders are interested in continuing a discussion about the decriminalization of certain behaviors associated with homelessness or other social issues, such as removing contents from a refuse container, violating park hours and consumption of alcohol in public. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission discussed the potential repeal or amendment of various city ordinances that deal with social issues or that criminalize behaviors associated with poverty. Commissioners indicated they would like to consider potential changes and will soon discuss a process for doing so.
Source: LJWorld.com
Kansas to provide $50M pay boost for nurses
Kansas officials plan to allocate $50 million in federal COVID-19 aid to boost the salaries of registered nurses and other frontline workers at understaffed hospitals. The program is a response to severe staffing problems in ICUs overwhelmed by the latest surge in COVID-19 cases, which is attributed to the highly infectious delta variant and unvaccinated residents. Funding would be allocated to hospitals based on licensed bed capacity and the number of nurses needed to fill those beds. On average, the program would provide a $5,000 pay increase for each nurse, but hospitals would decide how to divide the funds. The $50 million includes $800,000 for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to administer the program.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Billions unspent in COVID aid: Kansas, counties figuring out process
Life is good in Lakin, according to city administrator Michael Heinitz. While Kearny County, where Lakin is the county seat, has reported a smattering of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, there are far fewer there than in other more populated corners of the state. The local economy is humming, Heinitz said, and the city has ample reserves on hand to handle any new projects which might arise. That’s why the town of 2,300 made the unusual decision to refuse federal funding under the American Rescue Act, which pushed out aid to states, counties and cities nationwide. … “If somebody else needed the money, it could go to them instead of us,” Heinitz said.
Source: Dodge Globe
Municipal Bond Trends for September 7, 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.
Kansas sending firefighters to help with hurricane relief efforts
The Kansas Department of Emergency Management is sending firefighters and equipment from five fire departments, including Wichita, to provide support in areas of Louisiana affected by Hurricane Ida. Seven Wichita firefighters have been sent to Louisiana, along with two engines and a Strike Team leader. The two Wichita engines will meet up with four engines from Johnson County, and they will operate together as an engine company strike team. They will provide emergency response services to communities in Louisiana. The Wichita firefighters are expected to be in Louisiana about two weeks. In all, there will be 23 fire department personnel with six engines and a command vehicle going to Louisiana. They are from Wichita, Johnson County, Leawood, Lenexa and Olathe. Crews will be based in Thibodaux and they will work 48-hour shifts out of a fire station and 48-hour shifts out of a base camp.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Spending federal COVID aid proves tricky in Kansas
Kansas is moving slowly to spend the latest round of COVID-19 aid, and one town turned down its share because city officials decided it’s not needed. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that while most state and local governments across the country saw the influx of money as an opportunity to shore up infrastructure, fight the COVID-19 pandemic and help local businesses, the 2,300-person town of Lakin turned down the $300,000 it was due to receive. City administrator Michael Heinitz said the local economy is humming and the town has ample reserves on hand to handle any new projects that might arise. “If somebody else needed the money, it could go to them instead of us,” Heinitz said.
Source: KAKE – News
Uniontown commemorates 115 years of labor day celebrations
While some throughout the four states may choose to travel to other places this labor day, Uniontown is using the holiday to celebrate its history. “My great grandad, he was an old settler along with the other gentlemen, and I think they just wanted to have a get-together, you know they were farmers, they were working hard every day, and they just wanted to have a gathering in town, I would assume that’s the way it started.” said attendee Alan Drake. The town held its 150th annual Old Settlers Picnic. This year’s theme was hats off for hometown pride. On Monday, the old settler’s picnic wrapped up the labor day weekend with a parade. Highlighting area law enforcement, the local high school, as well as various businesses.
Source: KOAMKOAM
Communities receive grant to help residents enroll in health insurance
NEK-CAP, Inc. (Northeast Kansas Community Action Program) was recently selected as one of ten community organizations throughout Kansas to receive funding to assist individuals enroll in Marketplace insurance, Medicaid and CHIP. This was made possible through a federal grant Thrive Allen County received from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help underserved populations find affordable health insurance coverage with the assistance of Navigators. The grant is expected to provide $2.9 million over a three-year period. Navigators are federally trained and certified individuals who help consumers find and apply for Marketplace health insurance. According to CMS, “Since 2013, Navigators have helped Americans understand their health insurance options and facilitated enrollment in health insurance through the Federally-facilitated Marketplace. As trusted community partners, their mission focuses on assisting the uninsured and other underserved communities. Navigators serve an important role in connecting communities that historically have experienced lower access to health coverage and greater disparities in health outcomes to health coverage.”
Source: The Sabetha Herald » Feed
Junction City Commission approves plan to give city employees a bonus
The Junction City Commission voted Tuesday evening to approve bonuses toward city employees. Full-time workers will receive $500 and part-time employees will get $250 each. This is a one-time bonus to show appreciation for their hard work during the pandemic, not tied to vaccination status. Money goes to any workers active on the city payroll at this time.
Source: KSNT News
Municipal Bond Trends for September 3, 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.
Local market fighting to survive
If local buy-in to Moran’s Marmaton Market doesn’t pick up, the store will likely close within the next 30-60 days, predicts manager Marilyn Logan. “If just half the people in town would come in and spend $20 to $30 a week, that would make the difference in us being able to stay open,” she said Thursday. In business since 2018, the cooperative grocery store has failed to gain local traction. “There’s tremendous support from the surrounding areas. From Moran, not so much,” Logan said. “The owners of the diner in Kincaid and the Mildred Store are regular customers,” Logan said. “In fact, our most faithful clientele are those from Colony, Stark, Elsmore, Bronson and Uniontown.” Even so, it’s local customers who drop in multiple times a week that make or break a grocery store. That lack of repeat business is what is hurting the market, said Brenda Boyle, chairman of the Marmaton Market board of directors.
Source: The Iola Register
Little Balkans Days back in Pittsburg after hiatus
An annual tradition in Pittsburg is back to, hopefully, being annual again. “Little Balkans Days” is underway. For those who don’t know, the festival started in 1985 as a way to celebrate the area’s ethnic and immigrant history. It was canceled last year due to the pandemic, and organizers have worked diligently with the Crawford County Health Department to develop safety measures. Folks are encouraged to practice social distancing outside, and are required to wear masks during inside events.
Source: KSNF/KODE