Kansas Municipal News
City, merchants discuss downtown Newton development
Existing city plans call for more restaurants and entertainment downtown. The possibility of increased passenger rail and visitors downtown makes those plans even more important. However, there’s not piles of turnkey restaurant space available. “It’s not that I have anything against insurance companies or realtors, but that’s not always what you want in downtown spaces,” Community Development Coordinator Zach McHatton said. Newton’s downtown remains fairly full. But in recent years, the number of properties to be used as eating or drinking establishments has shrunk.
Source: Harvey County Now
This is the Fastest Shrinking Place in Kansas
The U.S. population grew by just 0.35% between July 2019 and July 2020, the smallest annual growth rate in well over a century. Driven in part by restrictions on immigration and a declining birth rate, stagnant population growth may have profound and far reaching consequences — including reduced economic growth, stagnanting home values, and fewer workers to support an aging population. This trend is by no means unique to last year. Over the past decade, cities and towns across the country have reported rapid population decline. The city of Oswego has the fastest shrinking population in Kansas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Currently home to an estimated 1,680 people, Oswego’s population declined by 21.4% from 2010 to 2019. Meanwhile, Kansas’ population expanded by 3.6% over the same period.
Source: Hiawatha World Online
Dodge City Business Park named shovel ready for development
Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland today announced Dodge City Business Park has become the latest developed site to be certified through Kansas’ Certified Sites program. This is a result of a new agreement between the Kansas Department of Commerce and Sunflower Electric Power Corporation. When a site has been certified through the Sunflower Electric Power Corporation Certified Sites Program, Commerce will certify the site as well, such as was done for the Dodge City Business Park. “Our new partnership with Sunflower has already resulted in a major new addition to our Certified Sites program,” Lt. Governor/ Secretary Toland said. “Southwest Kansas is experiencing a significant economic development boom, and a major business park ready for immediate development is sure to be occupied quickly. This certification is more great news for the Southwest Kansas region and our state as a whole.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Edgerton’s mayor drops in on “hams”
Don Roberts, Edgerton mayor, was reintroduced to the world of amateur radio June 27 and came away from the experience all the more appreciative of the key role amateur radio operators, or “hams,” can play in providing communications over great distances during an emergency. The occasion was Field Day, the annual nationwide emergency preparedness exercise organized by the American Radio Relay League, and the place was former Gardner businessman Del Sawyer’s operating station in Edgerton.
Source: Gardner News
Ark City kicks off 150th Celebration today
The City of Arkansas City will celebrate its 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial) starting tonight with a kickoff event in downtown Ark City. The 100 block of South Summit Street will be blocked off to through traffic from 2 to 10 p.m. today between Central and Fifth avenues. (The avenues will remain open to east-west traffic.) A variety of entertainment will be available in the street, including a cornhole tournament and picnic tables. Music will be provided by Aztec Event Services and there will be food available for attendees.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
Tiny cottages being built in McPherson to provide transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness
The McPherson Housing Coalition is building ten tiny cottages near the corner of Oak and Skancke in Mcpherson. Chris Goodson, the Executive Director for the coalition, says the fully finished, 440 sq. ft. homes will serve as shelter for people experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness. “It’s going to be a life-changer for many, many families,” said Goodson. The Program Director for the Housing Coalition, Karolyn Moore, says the project costs around half a million dollars, with each cottage costing roughly $50,000. The cottages will consist of two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a laundry area.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for July 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.
Humboldt locals fight early Sunday sales
Possibly realizing they were up against powerful forces, Humboldt Council members changed their tune Monday evening and decided not to pursue Sunday morning sales of alcohol. About 15 local citizens attended the meeting specifically to oppose the city changing its ordinance to allow sales to begin at 9 a.m., rather than at noon. At their June 14 meeting, council members seemed inclined to approve the request after hearing appeals from Dan Onnen of Freedom Liquor Store and Suzanne Whitcomb of Pete’s Convenience. … During the intervening month, however, it seems the idea has festered with some. At Monday’s meeting several letters and a petition with 63 signatures opposing the ordinance were presented.
Source: The Iola Register
Shawnee launches banner project to honor local veterans
The City of Shawnee is working on a new way to honor veterans living in the community. The Hometown Hero project creates banners featuring the names of veterans and active duty service members from the six major branches of the military to be installed on streetlights downtown. Derrick Rolfo is a Shawnee firefighter who came up with the idea for the project and modeled it after a similar program in his hometown of Visalia, California. Rolfo served in the Marines Corps from 2002 to 2006. “It was great driving down the road and being able to see the banner with your name on it. Your friends and your family see it. It’s just a great feeling to have the city support you and what you did as a service member in the United States military,” Rolfo said. Veterans and military families can purchase a 2’ by 4’ banner for $100. To qualify the veteran or active duty service member must live or work in Shawnee or be a former resident.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Overland Park moves forward with plans to convert hotel to apartment complex
Developers are one step closer to converting an Overland Park hotel into a new multi-family apartment complex. Monday, the Overland Park Planning Commission voted 9-0 to approve a request to rezone 10610 Marty Street from a Planned Office Building District (CP-O) to a Planned High-Rise Apartment District (RP-6). The property currently houses a three-story La Quinta Inn & Suites that was built in 1987. Developers want to remodel the existing 143 hotel rooms into 121 studio units and 22 one-bedroom units. To be classified at an RP-6 District, the property must maintain one major amenity and three minor amenities. According to city documents, the major amenity will be the hotel’s existing swimming pool. The minor amenities will include an outdoor patio space, a gazebo and picnic area, two barbeque grills and a recreation area.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Wichita City Council delays action on anti-discrimination ordinance
After another round of public comments Tuesday, the Wichita City Council has voted to delay final action on a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance until October 12th. The vote was 5-2, with Mayor Brandon Whipple and Vice-Mayor Brandon Johnson voting no. Mayor Whipple said the ordinance has been discussed and vetted and he wanted the council to finish the work that has been started. As they did a week ago, the Council heard from a number of speakers, many of them in support but others said the ordinance would have a negative impact on churches. District 2 Council member Becky Tuttle moved to delay action until October 12th to allow the city’s Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Board to look at the proposed ordinance and comment on it. She also wants to have a city council workshop on the issue. Tuttle said there is still too much confusion over the ordinance and what it provides for.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Topeka’s NOTO may become a business improvement district. What does that mean, and who would it impact?
North Topeka’s NOTO Arts & Entertainment District has placed greater emphasis in recent years on creating a destination for locals and visitors alike — but up to this point, such improvement efforts have largely been grassroots. That has sparked questions among members of the community about how to keep beautification projects in the arts district going long term. “Part of the challenge with that is, how do you support it?” said Tom Underwood, NOTO executive director. Underwood and business owners in the district have engaged in conversations over the past year about the possibility of standing up a business improvement district, or BID, in NOTO, as they see it as a way to grow and enhance what the arts district offers.
Source: CJonline.com.
Abilene’s Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo returns to celebrate its 75th anniversary
Celebrating its 75th anniversary when it commences next month, tickets are now on sale for the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo in Abilene. Happening from Aug. 4 to Aug. 7 at the Central Kansas Free Fairgrounds, the rodeo returns after being canceled, along with the rest of the Central Kansas Free Fair, in 2020. …to honor the 75th anniversary, a herd of longhorn cattle, from Sanders Ranch in Woodward, Oklahoma, will visit the rodeo. The herd will be part of the parade and driven into the the rodeo arena before and after the rodeo.
Source: Salina Journal.
Kansas heritage sites can help save rural communities
…when a National Heritage Area is designated, landowners have the option to allow their property to be used or not. There is also a stipulation that if land owners opt in but change their minds later, they can opt out and have their land removed from the designation area. A designation provides a community the freedom to renovate, preserve and market local places that are of state and national significance. For example, Freedom’s Frontier directly supports its sites in two ways. First, it offers grants to fund on-the-ground projects. And second, it works to promote the entire region in a way that smaller entities could never afford on their own. One such tool is the Freedom’s Frontier App, where tourists download themed maps such as the Underground Railroad, Santa Fe Trail, or Civil War. Visitors can then travel to each site learning Kansas history and adding to a town’s economy as they go.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Need a telescope? Now you can borrow one from the Wichita Public Library
Starting today (Monday), Wichita Public Library patrons will be able to use their library card to check out telescopes for free. The library purchased 11 new Orion Starblast telescopes, 10 for circulation, and patrons can borrow them for two weeks at a time. “It’s an excellent program. I’m really excited about it,” said Jerelyn Ramirez, the president of the Kansas Astronomical Observers, whose organization has been working with the library to prepare the telescopes for the public. “Some telescopes are very complicated, but this one is the most simple telescope one can buy.”
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Feds sending Kansas rural hospitals $23.5M to fight COVID
Kansas’ small rural hospitals will get $23.5 million from the federal government to fight COVID-19 — the second most of any state as health officials brace for a delta-driven case surge. The funds from the Department of Health and Human Services amount to reinforcements as Missouri, which will receive $8.3 million, struggles with a growing number of outbreaks that Kansas officials fear will creep across the state line. The White House, which announced the funding on Monday, said the dollars will boost mitigation efforts and testing at the facilities, a critical element in controlling the virus’s spread.
Source: Wichita Eagle.
Municipal Bond Trends for July 12, 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 tightened rules on development incentives. They don’t apply to these projects
Kansas lawmakers added transparency and accountability measures to the widely criticized STAR bonds program this spring, but the new rules will not apply to two youth sports facilities — in Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas — that are moving closer to construction. STAR bonds, a development incentive backed by Kansas sales tax revenue, have drawn scrutiny because of failed projects that did not meet the program’s tourism and income goals. When legislators reauthorized the program for five more years in April, they insisted on higher investment minimums and added a handful of new guidelines intended to prevent future unsuccessful ventures. The guidelines went into effect on July 1.
Source: The Kansas City Star
Fort Scott artist who does murals is getting people’s attention from other states
Graffiti can be an eyesore, but through an artist’s eyes it can turn into something beautiful. Covering its rough past up, and transforming it before our eyes. That’s the goal of a Fort Scott artist, which, incidentally, parallel’s the artist’s own life story of transforming from a rough past. “I’m really attracted to the walls you know, as a kid growing up I liked to paint on the walls, I always got in trouble for it. Now that I’m older you know people think it’s cool.” Says Stephen Toal, Muralist.
Source: KSNT News
Topeka and FOP hope to mediate contract impasse, mediation will be July 14
The Fraternal Order Of Police and the city of Topeka are in a deadlock over contract negotiations, the union announced Tuesday. Monday the Fraternal Order Police released new information that mediation is scheduled for this Wednesday, July 14th, in hopes of reaching a final agreement. “TPD staffing levels continue to be critical and our force is currently 27 officers short with more anticipated departures from the department,” said Charles Wilson President of FOP Lodge #3, “The recruiting and retention crisis in policing is affecting departments across the country and Topeka is no different. Earlier the union said the two sides had started to meet in February and sessions were expected to end May 27. The union said it agreed to extend negotiations through June 9 at the city’s request, but issues couldn’t be resolved.
Source: KSNT News