Kansas Municipal News
Drivers Are Concerned About Proposed Toll Prices To Expand U.S. Highway 69
Johnson County residents raised concerns during a virtual meeting Wednesday night about the potential toll costs associated with a U.S. 69 Highway expansion proposal. The meeting was the second in a series of town hall meetings hosted by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to gather feedback on the project that would expand the highway from four to six lanes from 103rd Street to 179th Street. KDOT explained that adding express toll lanes is the best option. The department’s study showed the express toll option outperformed alternative plans in improving safety, reducing congestion and promoting sustainability. The plan outlined the proposed toll costs with drivers paying $1.75 for a full corridor trip in the afternoon southbound, and $1.50 in the morning northbound. It would cost an estimated 65 cents during non-peak hours. According to Cameron McGown, project manager for HNTB engineering, the rates are less than the national average.
Source: KCUR News
Half of Kansas counties turn down COVID vaccines even though they’re far from herd immunity
Even as Kansas remains far from reaching the coveted public health standard of herd immunity against COVID-19 — essentially starving off the virus because it runs out of vulnerable bodies — more than 60 counties just turned down their weekly allotment of vaccine doses. Not long ago, local health officials struggled to get enough doses for people clamoring for protection in a pandemic. Now they’re straining to get people willing to take their shots — and sorting out how to make the most of doses given out to smaller groups.Consider Barton County in central Kansas. It’s named for Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross. So far, it’s given at least one dose of the vaccine to about 30% of its adults compared to 36.4% across the state.
Source: KAKE – News
Brown County Commission hears proposal on regional recycling center
The Brown County Commission heard from RJ Hamilton of Hamilton Recycling, who requested on Monday morning for the commission to consider going in with neighboring counties for a recycling center. Hamilton told the commissioners that the Falls City recycling location shut down in 2019 due to equipment failure, but he has been asked by many people for local avenues to reopen one. He said he was hoping Richardson County in Nebraska could work with Brown County to reopen a recycling center. He said he hoped to get other neighboring counties involved for a possible regional program. The commissioners said they weren’t opposed to having a station set up at the Brown County Landfill, however wanted more information and to see if Hamilton could set up an organization before they committed to putting any funds toward a regional recycling center.
Source: Local News | hiawathaworldonline.com
No COVID-19 vaccine appointment required starting Monday in Sedgwick County
As Kansas officials struggle to find enough people to vaccinate from the coronavirus, Sedgwick County has dropped the requirement for people to make an appointment. Starting Monday, appointments will not be needed to get a vaccination at the former downtown Wichita library, 223 S. Main. Appointments can still be made, though, at sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19. The announcement comes as 62 of the 105 counties “rejected their weekly allocations of COVID-19 vaccines from the state this week” as demand stagnates, according to public radio station KCUR.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Manhattan wants more people involved in strategic plan
Mayor Wynn Butler wants more people involved in a survey about community priorities. Other commissioners agreed Tuesday at a work session. The city is working through its CrossroadsMHK strategic plan. “I would just be interested in having the survey link easily found on the website, because I think we could get more people,” Butler said. “I was a little bit disappointed with 600 or so people having taken that survey.” In March, CrossroadsMHK issued an online survey to the community seeking feedback about the plan from the public. The survey has closed, but CrossroadsMHK will release a second one later this spring. Anyone in the public can participate in the survey, officials said.
Source: themercury.com
Jury rules KCK government discriminated against Black firefighter, awards him $2.4M
A federal jury found that the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, discriminated against a Black firefighter and then retaliated against him when it fired him for raising complaints. The 10-member jury returned a verdict in favor of former Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department employee Jyan Harris on Thursday after deliberating for about eight hours. The jury awarded Harris $2,432,000, an amount that represents back pay, future pay and compensatory damages for both his discrimination and retaliation claims. “Hopefully now it shows them that you can’t do people like that,” Harris said after the verdict was read. “You have to do your due diligence before you take somebody’s livelihood away, especially somebody who’s giving you their livelihood.”
Source: KC Star Local News
Partnership proposes area that would boost heritage tourism
The Kansas Nebraska Heritage Area Partnership, a diverse, bi-state partnership of cultural, historical, economic development and tourism organizations and individuals, has formed in hopes of establishing a National Heritage Area within 49 counties between north central Kansas and south central Nebraska. The area includes Marshall County. The mission of the Heritage Area Partnership is to connect communities and attractions, instill pride of place, and promote immersive experiences for residents and visitors to enhance appreciation for the region’s unique landscape and nationally significant cultural history.
Source: The Marysville Advocate
Lenexa Crisis intervention team program recognized
The Lenexa Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program was one of just four agencies, and the first municipal agency, across the United States to earn national certification this year by CIT International. “It is a high honor to be the first municipal agency in the nation to earn this certification and I believe it reflects our commitment to best serving those individuals who live with mental illness in our community,” said Chief of Police Dawn Layman. The CIT program is a community partnership of law enforcement, mental health and addiction professionals, individuals who live with mental illness and/or addiction disorders, their families and other advocates. It is an innovative community response model, including police-based crisis intervention training, to help those in crisis access treatment rather than entering the criminal justice system.
Source: Lenexa
Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office announces first detention K-9
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday announced it has its first ever detention K-9. The sheriff’s office said Turbo began working at the detention facility on April 21. “After weeks of rigorous training, Turbo and his handler, detention deputy Rachel Wingfield, are prepared to assume their duties in side the detention facility,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. Turbo’s primary task is assisting with the reduction of contraband in the jail. Contraband is an issue troubling detention facilities throughout the country and a problem the sheriff’s office strives to constantly address. Last month, a contract kitchen worker was arrested on suspicion of bringing contraband into the jail and a sheriff’s deputy was arrested and suspended for allegedly bringing contraband into the jail.
Source: KAKE – News
Lawrence commission approves ban on conversion therapy
Lawrence will no longer allow licensed providers to practice conversion therapy on minors in the city. The city commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to ban the practice, which is designed to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Commissioners said research has shown the practice is harmful to children’s mental health and increases the risk of suicide, The Lawrence Journal-World reported. “The very most basic thing that we have to do is to protect each other and to protect children, and I feel that this does that,” said Vice Mayor Courtney Shipley, who originally proposed the ban. Assistant City Attorney Maria Garcia previously told the commission that 20 states and numerous municipalities, including Roeland Park in suburban Kansas City, have banned conversion therapy.
Source: KAKE – News
Supply shortage in Kansas causing problems for businesses
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of the economy, but now that things are starting to get back to normal, there’s another issue – businesses can’t get the supplies they need. “That was a holy smokes moment to start the week,” said Wichita restaurant worker John Webb. After getting to work, Webb realized his supplier didn’t send him something vital to the business – fryer oil. We tried Sam’s Club, they happened to be out that day. We wound up going to Costco, and they were able to get us through,” said Webb. “I’m not sure what we would have done, honestly.”
Source: KAKE – News
Market Easily Absorbs New Bond Issues; Yields Little Changed
“…it’s business as usual for the muni market lately,” Mousseau, director of fixed income at the Sarasota, Florida, investment management firm, said. “There is no question in my mind that the market smells a tax increase in the federal marginal tax rate coming,” he added.
Source: Bond Buyer.
Affected by COVID-19 and 2019 law, Kansas alcohol seeks loosened regulations to help out industry
As the pandemic subsides and focus turns toward reopening the economy, lobbyists for Kansas alcohol businesses are pitching changes to loosen regulations around when and how alcohol establishments can operate as helpful to the industry’s recovery. The state has one of the nation’s strictest alcohol laws. … Allowing carryout and curbside alcohol has been a big priority. It was made allowable under the COVID-19 emergency, but making it permanent beyond the pandemic would be a boost, some said. … Kansas liquor stores can only sell between noon and 8 p.m. on Sundays if the city or county allows it. Sales are prohibited on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Easter Sunday and Labor Day.
Source: CJonline.com.
Salina voted to keep mask mandate. Now businesses threaten lawsuits.
At this week’s city commission meeting, several members of the public indicated they would be filing lawsuits against the City of Salina in response to the continuation of a face mask mandate in the city. A Kansas Senate bill allows a channel for citizens to seek recourse if they’ve been damaged by the mandates. Salina faced its first of these suits last week. It was dismissed, noting that a Kansas city has “home rule authority,” or final say in how to interpret a state mandate. Mayor Melissa Hodges said she understands that each individual that plans to file a suit has a different set of circumstances. “At this point, we are prepared to address those (suits) as they come,” Hodges said.
Source: Salina Journal.
Municipal Bond Trends for April 20, 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.
Dodge City Launches Re-Structured Engage Dodge Program
The City of Dodge City is excited to host the newly re-structured Engage Dodge program open to the entire community. Engage Dodge is an interactive educational opportunity designed to introduce citizens to city services, programs, and the employees who serve the Dodge City community. “Previously, the program was a partnership between the City’s Cultural Relations Advisory Board and the Dodge City Community College Adult Learning Center,” said Human Resources Officer Tara Schraeder. “The last time the program was hosted was in 2018, and with the increased transparency efforts, we decided to take a look at the program and redesign it to allow the community to gain more in-depth knowledge about our departments.” “Participants will learn about challenges to city government, how the budget works, and get a glimpse of day-to-day operations. The program will consist of informative presentations and tours that focus on City of Dodge City departments and functions. The program is an ideal way to become more familiar with all aspects of your local government, including the Airport, Fire & Police Departments, Zoo, and so many more!”
Source: Western Kansas News
Kelly cautiously welcomes healthy revision of state revenue projections
Gov. Laura Kelly recommended legislators adhere to a cautious approach to budget and tax policy Tuesday after analysts decided economic conditions merited a $361 million increase in the state’s revenue estimate for the current and upcoming fiscal years. The group of economists and state officials recalculating the revenue trend pointed to higher individual and corporate income tax collections, climbing sales tax revenue in addition to acceleration in the gross domestic product and personal income. The unemployment rate in Kansas has continued to fall toward the pre-pandemic levels. On the negative side, the state’s manufacturing sector has struggled to recover 18,000 jobs that vaporized last year when COVID-19 descended.
Source: Kansas Reflector
USDA extends free meal waivers to students through June 2022
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Tuesday it is extending waivers that provide free meals to students through June 2022. States and districts wanted waivers extended to plan for safe reopening in the fall. The USDA answered the call to help America’s schools and childcare institutions serve high quality meals while being responsive to their locals needs as children safely return to their regular routines,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “Schools, food service workers, bus drivers, custodial staff, volunteers, Kansas Department of Education and so many others have stepped up amid the pandemic to see that our kids have what they need to thrive,” said Jami Reever, the Kansas Appleseed executive director. “The USDA’s proactiveness in extending child nutrition waivers through the next school year will allow that work to continue.”
Source: KAKE – News
How USD 232 plans to spend federal COVID-19 relief funds on academic recovery
USD 232 in De Soto expects to receive roughly $6.2 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding. District leaders say they want to spend those funds on a wide range of initiatives that feed into academic recovery for students impacted by the ongoing global pandemic. In a presentation to the USD 232 Board of Education this week, Superintendent Frank Harwood said the school district plans to spend the funds on several key areas:
Source: Prairie Village Post
Harvey County getting first solar farm
The Harvey County planning and zoning board approved Butler Electric Cooperative permit request to construct an eight-acre solar farm at First Street and East Lake Road. “We’re looking for cheaper power any time we can get it,” said Jeff Adams, Vice President for the rural electric Co-op. “This will work out pretty well for us.” The array includes 3,500 panels and will average one megawatt of power output per day, enough to power 160 homes. It will be the fourth array built by the co-operative. “This is on a tracking system,” Adams said. “The panels face to the east and track the sun throughout the day.”
Source: Harvey County Now