Kansas Municipal News
Cattle drive marks Caldwell, Kansas’s 150th birthday
The city of Caldwell celebrated its 150th birthday this weekend, and what better way to do that than to pay respect to the city’s history with a cattle drive? The drive began on Monday in Oklahoma, following along the historic Chisholm Trail. The journey is part of a celebration for those in Caldwell and Sumner counties. Those who participated in the event were tired coming into Caldwell, but happy with the experience.
Source: KAKE – News
Cowley County businesses have 100+ vacant jobs, find out how to apply
In Kansas, some small communities said they’re having problems finding people to fill vacant positions. In Cowley county, there are more than 150 job openings and employers said there is just not enough interest. “It’s crisis mode we really really need people to fill jobs,” said Kerri Falletti, the Economic and Community Director of Cowley County. Falletti said businesses all over have a growing list of available jobs. “That’s from all sectors health care education manufacturing, retail food service, everything there’s just a demand in every sector,” he said.
Source: KSN-TV
Hutchinson talks reducing historic designations
As the Hutchinson City Council on Tuesday considered adopting updates to a “Historic Preservation Action Plan” drafted by the city’s Landmarks Commission, the discussion took an unexpected turn. The proposed three-year plan includes applying for a Historic Preservation Fund Grant to survey “all modern/ mid-century modern structures that have become historic,” said Hutchinson Planning Director Ryan Hvitlok. … Rather than add more properties to historic designation lists, Vice Mayor Sara Bagwell suggested, can’t the city remove some. “From a personal perspective, I don’t see any benefit to being a historic building that outweighs the nuisance of red tape you have to go through,” Bagwell said. “I’m over here saying ‘let’s pump the brakes.’ Some areas of residential in Hutch should be taken out of historical. Let’s see who we can take off and not add so much.” Mayor Steve Garza noted he lives in an area with a historic neighborhood designation and neighbors have visited his home complaining about remodeling restrictions on their properties.
Source: Hutch News.
Effort to save aquifer divides region
The LEMA’s irrigation restrictions represent a lastditch effort to save the region’s most critical water source: the Ogallala Aquifer. And in a place where agriculture is king and rainfall is scarce, the path to any kind of curb on irrigation took more than 100 years.
Source: Salina Journal.
Municipal Bond Trends for May 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.
Thanks to a ‘great outpouring of support,’ JoCo sports more than 200 new trees
A service project masterminded by two Shawnee Mission South students has resulted in new trees planted in eight Johnson County cities, as well as at 37 school district buildings. Fittingly, the project took place between Earth Day and Arbor Day. Eighteen-year-old seniors Chase Horner and Harley Witbrod were brainstorming ideas for a National Honor Society volunteer project, when they asked random people in a local park what kind of project they would financially support. The overwhelming answer? One with an environmental focus. The two decided to do their tree-planting project last year, but the pandemic forced them to push it back to this spring. Waiting a year wasn’t all bad — the extra time allowed them to get enough money and volunteer support to plant 223 trees — 173 more than the 50 trees originally in their plan.
Source: Joco 913 News
Chetopa takes down 2 buildings after wall falls
City officials in Chetopa acted quickly to demolish two structures last month that posed a danger to the public. The Chetopa City Council met in a special session on April 26 to discuss an emergency condemnation of a structure at 422 Maple St., where the front brick wall had collapsed. The city staff and council deemed the structure to be an immediate hazard, which meant that by city ordinance the building could be taken down without notice to the owners.
Source: Parsons Sun
Sedgwick City Administrator resigns
Sedgwick City Administrator Joe Turner officially resigned from his position on Wednesday in order to pursue an opportunity as the City Administrator with South Hutchinson. During their meeting Wednesday evening, Turner thanked Mayor Bryan Chapman and the city council for having faith in selecting him for the position back in July, 2019. “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you mayor and the council,” Turner said. “I’ve enjoyed my time and I will be forever grateful for this opportunity and I will always look back at this period of time fondly. I am deeply indebted to you, Mayor. I thank you for everything.” Chapman then thanked Turner for his service.
Source: Harvey County Now
Fred Harvey Building coming down
After looking over First Street for more than 100 years, the Fred Harvey Building is coming down. Bulldozers could be seen Wednesday morning, beginning demolition work on the remaining multistory building on the property that once served as a carbonation and bottling plant. The building was part of the larger Fred Harvey Farm Complex, which Fred Harvey moved to Newton and used to supply his famous Harvey Houses up and down the rail line that passes nearby. The City of Newton stated the owner of the property took out a demolition permit on Monday for the property and has begun razing the structure. The location of the structure is zoned industrial. The Harvey County Government website currently lists Builders Concrete and Supply of Newton as the owners of the property.
Source: Harvey County Now
Ark City will outsource its vehicle purchases
An outside company will handle buying and maintaining vehicles for the City of Arkansas City under agreements approved this week by the city commissioners. The board on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing the city to enter into an agreement with Enterprise FM Trust, of Delaware, for the lease, use, maintenance, selection and inspection of city-owned vehicles. Commissioners also approved an agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc., of Missouri, for vehicle repairs and service. Having someone else manage vehicles’ replacement and service issues is expected to save the city money and free up time for city employees.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Court upholds USD-373 mask policy
A woman’s court challenge to the Newton School District’s mask policy has been denied. Harvey County District Judge Marilyn Wilder wrote in her seven-page ruling that Danica Dickson’s claims of discrimination and segregation against the district for punishing her son for improperly wearing a mask were invalid. “None of those rights is implicated in the requirement to put a small piece of cloth over one’s mouth and nose to help prevent the spread of a potentially deadly airborne disease when that cloth does not prevent any bodily function, does not impede movement in any way and is allowed to be removed in prescribed ways, at prescribed times,” she wrote.
Source: Harvey County Now
Several families sue Johnson County school districts over ‘the trauma’ of COVID masks
The families of 16 children in Johnson County are suing the Blue Valley and Olathe districts, arguing that their students should be allowed to attend school during the pandemic without wearing masks. Attorney Linus Baker said the parents he is representing challenged their districts’ mask requirements under Senate Bill 40, which empowers parents to quickly fight such COVID-19 restrictions. But the Olathe and Blue Valley school boards have so far upheld their mask mandates. The lawsuit, which began in Johnson County district court, was moved to federal court this week.
Source: Joco 913 News
Cruise the Burg attracts vintage cars and admiring crowd
More than 130 classic vehicles of numerous makes and models were on display during the Louisburg Lions Club’s 24th annual Cruise the Burg car show. The vintage cars, coupled with a craft show, drew hundreds of people to American Legion Park on Sunday, May 2, in Louisburg. “It’s a perfect day for it,” Michelle McKain of Gardner said as she watched James McKain hoist up their 8-year-old daughter Molly so she could get a closer look at the interior of a 1924 Model T coupe.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
Earthquake swarm in north-central Kansas included a 4.1 magnitude in Jewell County
A cluster of five earthquakes so far has shaken north-central Kansas on Thursday, with the strongest a 4.1 magnitude in Jewell County. The Kansas Geological Survey reports the first earthquake of the day was also the strongest. The 4.1 magnitude started shaking at around 6:35 a.m. in between Mankato, Jewell, Randall and Formoso in northern Kansas. Those tremors were followed by a 2.6 magnitude at around 6:47 a.m., then a 2.3 magnitude at around 7:16 a.m. A fourth quake, this one a 3.2 magnitude, struck at around 8:04 a.m.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Relive the legend! Boot Hill Museum in Dodge City announces May 8 grand opening, Gov. Kelly stresses on importance of tourism
The tourism industry creates thousands of jobs and brings in billions of dollars to the state. After a year of slowdown, a major Dodge City attraction is gearing up for the tourism season ahead. It’s been years in the making, but on Thursday the new Boot Hill Museum announced its May 8 official grand opening date.” This building has been a vision for many many years. We’ve always talked about an expansion of the museum,” said Lara Brehm, Boot Hill Museum Executive Director. “We’re extremely proud of what we have.” The $6 million renovation and expansion is the city’s centerpiece STAR Bond project. The 13,000 square foot attraction features a dozen permanent exhibits, a gallery, gift shop, and grand entrance.
Source: KSN-TV
Rural areas see spike in thefts and petty crime
An increase in thefts and petty crime — two police chiefs in Kansas are responding to an uptick in people breaking the law. Police in Ark City said since January, there has recently been a spike in thefts. Traveling 30 miles northwest of Ark City 30 miles, Wellington Police are saying the same — it’s a trend that’s keeping the departments busy. In the last four months, both Wellington and Ark City Police Department Chiefs said catalytic converter thefts are the most notable. Wellington Police Chief, Tracy Heath, said he has seen about 12 thefts in four months. “We’re a small, rural community, we’re a small police department, but we still face big city issues,” said Heath. “The pain in our sides right now is converter thefts.” Ark City Interim Police Chief, Eric Burr, said there have been 15 stolen converters since January and a third of those occurred in April alone. “It’s really hard to determine locations, they’re kind of all over the place,” he said.
Source: KSN-TV
Douglas County staff to begin developing regulations for solar farms in rural areas
After getting the go-ahead from elected leaders, Douglas County staff will soon start developing regulations for solar farms in rural areas of the county. As part of its meeting Wednesday, the Douglas County Commission voted unanimously to initiate a text amendment to the zoning and land use regulations for rural Douglas County for the development of standards for “solar energy conversion systems,” or solar farms. Commission Chair Shannon Portillo, noting that Kansas is one of the sunniest states in the U.S., said developing the regulations would support the renewable energy goals in the county’s new comprehensive plan, Plan 2040.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for May 5, 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.
Senate property tax bill strikes chord with homeowners, schools and businesses
A property tax bill adopted with bipartisan support in the Kansas Senate was notable for delivering for retirees struggling to stay in their homes, advocates of public school funding and the smaller retailers hit with government orders to temporarily close during the pandemic. The bundle of tax legislation shipped to the Kansas House was broadened with addition of Sen. Tom Holland’s amendment to provide qualifying Kansans over 65 years of age or disabled veterans the opportunity to have residential property taxes “frozen.” Under the Baldwin City Democrat’s amendment, the state would moderate property tax increases at the local level by issuing rebates of no more than $5,000 each year per applicant.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Sedgwick County judges dismiss mask lawsuits from parents at Derby and Mulvane schools
Two Sedgwick County judges have allowed face mask requirements at area schools to remain in place after dismissing lawsuits brought by parents under the state’s new emergency management law. The judges ruled against the parents, who argued that requiring masks in the classroom amid the coronavirus pandemic violated Senate Bill 40. In separate orders filed this week in Sedgwick County District Court, Judge Eric Commer and Judge William Woolley denied petitions from Mulvane parent Lara Payton and Derby parents Richard Coleman and Michael Blankenship.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle