Kansas Municipal News
Kansas legislators consider raising minimum age for tobacco to 21
A Kansas Bill heard Monday seeks to bring the state in line with federal regulations regarding minimum age for cigarettes and tobacco use. In late 2019, the federal “Tobacco 21” bill was signed into law, raising the federal minimum age for the sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years. The Kansas measure would bring the state even with nationwide regulation for the minimum age to purchase or possess cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and tobacco products. Rep. John Eplee, an Atchison Republican and physician, sponsored the bill to curb the “catastrophic downstream health effects” teenage tobacco and cigarette use can have throughout one’s lifetime.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Kansas COVID case report is best since September; KU doctor says keep wearing masks
Monday’s coronavirus pandemic update for Kansas was the best in more than five months for new cases of COVID-19. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported 883 new COVID-19 cases on Monday. That is the first report below 1,000 since Sept. 16 and the fewest since Sept. 9. Kansas has now had pandemic totals of 291,715 confirmed and probable cases, 9,103 hospitalizations, 2,466 ICU admissions and 4,643 deaths. The weekend increase was 883 new cases, 32 new hospitalizations, nine new ICU admissions and 29 new deaths.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Wichita schools will send seniors and freshmen to in-person classes four days a week
Starting next week, Wichita Public Schools will begin transitioning some secondary students to in-person classes four days a week. District officials announced Monday evening that on March 1, seniors and 6th-graders will start attending class on-site every day except for Wednesdays, which will remain remote. Freshmen will join starting March 8. The learning model change applies only to students whose parents opted for on-site learning. Parents who chose the remote learning model will continue to keep their children at home. School officials have previously said about 40% of students were enrolled in online-only education.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Governor Laura Kelly Announces new KANSASWORKS.com Site to Connect Job Seekers with Kansas Employers
Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced the launch of the newly redesigned KANSASWORKS.com website to provide a more user-friendly experience for job seekers and employers. Dubbed KANSASWORKS: NextGen, the new site features an updated user interface, making it easier for employers and job seekers to find the services they need. These changes came from careful consideration of user feedback and efforts to align the needs of Kansans looking for careers with hiring businesses. “The new KANSASWORKS.com is a much improved, easier-to-use service to help Kansans seeking a job connect with employers across the state,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “With the help of our partners, we have created a modern, effective tool to address the needs of our state’s workforce and our business community to spur our economic recovery statewide.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Enrollment now open for Garden City Citizens Academy 2021
The City of Garden City Citizens Academy will begin March 25 and finish on May 13. Interested residents are invited to take part and learn more about the role the City plays in their everyday lives. Citizens Academy is an excellent opportunity for residents to get a behind-the-scenes look at local government and its services. It allows anyone who has ever wondered what the City does on a daily basis to find out and learn more. Citizens Academy is a free, eight-week course for area residents. Classes will be held once per week at various City facilities. It is led by City staff and will include tours of facilities, as well as group activities. Space will be set up to allow for social distancing. Masks will be available for any participants that do not have a mask for the session.
Source: Greater Garden City » Feed
It’s not every day (or year) you see Overland Park firefighters practice their ice water rescue skills
With the help of the recent arctic blast, the Overland Park Fire Department practiced their ice water rescue skills. A snow-covered South Lake Park and its ice-covered lake became the department’s training site on Friday afternoon, when temperatures still hovered below freezing. Firefighters estimate the ice was about six to eight inches thick but cautioned that it would quickly thin and become very dangerous for humans and pets with the forecasted temperatures expected to reach into the 60s this week. Tyler Carey, one of the firefighters who helped put on the training, described ice water rescue calls as being very high risk and very low frequency.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Lenexa forges ahead with plan to make residential areas more walkable, but concerns linger
After more than an hour of discussions, the Lenexa City Council last week unanimously approved city code changes that call for wider sidewalks as well as trail connections between homes every 800 feet. The changes are a prompt from city staff to improve connectivity, ease of access and safety issues for bicyclists and pedestrians, as recommended by the city’s Complete Streets plan. The plan, which the city accepted in December 2019, is intended to guide development of pedestrian and cycling transportation channels through the city. While the code changes were adopted, some discussion was driven by city leaders and developers voicing concerns that some of the code changes are too costly and burdensome to complete.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Columbus Fire Department is giving safe practices with space heaters
Fire departments are encouraging safe practice with space heaters as we still have some colder nights ahead of us. It’s recommended to keep the unit out of the way of travel corridors like hallways and exit areas, along with placing it on a solid, non-carpeted surface. If carpet is the only flooring inside your home, find something to put over the carpet that doesn’t transduce heat back into the heater. The unit should also be in an area that is not easily accessible to children and pets.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Wichita opens applications for rent, utility assistance. Here’s what you need to know
The city of Wichita opened online applications Monday for residents to apply to have overdue rent and utility bills covered, as well as future bills. Funding for the Wichita Emergency Rental Assistance Program comes from the federal economic stimulus bill passed in December. The legislation set aside money specifically for emergency rental assistance. About $200 million went to the state of Kansas. Wichita received about $12 million.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
This Overland Park hotel might be converted to affordable housing
Developers in Johnson County have long said the costs of land and construction are too high for them to make much of a profit off more affordable apartments — a housing market the area sorely needs. But now a Utah-based firm has a solution, using existing buildings that are very similar to apartment buildings. The developer plans to convert two Overland Park hotels into apartments — with rental prices more attainable for middle-income workers who can’t afford most Johnson County housing. It’s not a new idea, but it is one that has grown in popularity across the country in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic as more hotels closed amid a damaged tourism industry.
Source: KC Star Local News
Sterling’s power plant helps keep the lights on
This week’s rolling blackouts and high energy prices were a reminder, said Sterling’s city manager, why the city keeps its 100-year-old municipal power plant operating. While now just a “peaking plant” that usually runs less than a dozen days each summer, its operators worked 24/7 for four days during this week’s power demand crisis. That guaranteed the lights stayed on for residents and businesses in the city of 2,500,…
Source: Hutchinson News.
Treasury yields climb amid economic recovery hopes
U.S. Treasury yields climbed on Monday morning, signaling growing market confidence that an economic recovery is close, following the coronavirus pandemic. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 1.369% at 3:45 a.m. ET, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond advanced to 2.162%. Yields move inversely to prices. The White House said it expects to finish sending out millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines this week, after a sweeping winter storm disrupted its distribution logistics.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Municipal Bond Trends for February 19, 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.
Fed’s Williams says rising Treasury yields reflect more optimism
Rising Treasury yields are a sign of optimism in the economic recovery, said a senior Federal Reserve official Friday, signaling no inclination from the central bank to take steps to halt the shift. “We’re seeing signs of rising inflation expectations, back to levels that I think are closer to consistent with our 2% long-run goal, and signs of somewhat higher real yields off in the future, reflecting greater optimism in the economy,” Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams told CNBC in an interview. “So it’s not to me a concern. It’s more of a reflection of the market’s perception of a stronger economic outlook.”
Source: The Bond Buyer
Municipal bonds end week with largest increase in yields since COVID-induced turmoil
Municipals ended weaker Friday with triple-A benchmark curves rising the most in a week since COVID-19 disrupted all markets in March and April of last year. Muni yields rose another five basis points on the 10- and 30-year Friday, bringing the total cuts to scales to 18 and 17 basis points, respectively, from Tuesday as the asset class moved closer to U.S. Treasury movements after lagging weakness in taxables since the start of the year. Treasury yields hit 1.35% in 10-years and 2.15% in 30 after news of stimulus out of Washington gaining ground.
Source: The Bond Buyer
Small cell antennae installed on Lenexa street lights
Small cell antennae are a targeted way for cellular and data providers to enhance 4G service in specific areas and prepare to provide 5G service. The City of Lenexa has received more than 100 applications for these, with the majority being installed within the I-435 loop. These small cell antennae are installed by private service providers. Most installed in Lenexa belong to Verizon. As many of the antennae are being installed on City-owned streetlights, service providers must apply for a right-of-way permit to install them. Staff review the applications and inspect streetlights that had to be replaced to accommodate the weight of the equipment.
Source: What’s New News Summary
Kansas energy crisis: heating bills could be 25 times normal in some cities
Ordinarily, the city of Winfield spends about $1.5 million a year on natural gas for customers of its public utility department. During the brutal cold spell a week ago, Winfield had to buy $10 million worth of gas in six days. “It’s incredible,” said City Manager Taggart Wall. “It’s devastating financial impacts to our customers. A normal bill would be in the $100 range, just natural gas. We’re estimating $2,500 for this event, for one month, if we were just to straight pass that on.” Winfield is one of dozens of municipal utilities with thousands of customers spread across Kansas, all of which are facing similar dire straits.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Fredonia schools closed due to inflated utility prices
School was out in Fredonia …, but not because of the weather. Utilities have spiked so much in town, the district had to make the decision to close its doors Thursday and Friday to conserve energy and money. City officials have determined that this week, it would cost an excess of $25,000 per day just to keep school buildings open. Fredonia Mayor Bob McKenney says right now this is a team effort, and the town needs to come together once again.
Source: KAKE – News
KSDE task force prepares to convene for oversight of pandemic funds for schools
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson has created a task force to offer guidance and oversight of school districts’ plans for expenditure of federal funds focused on supporting student learning and student needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commissioner’s Task Force on Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief and Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools Funding Oversight is comprised of 19 people, including superintendents, legislators, teachers, local school board members, business managers and private school personnel. The task force will direct oversight to $368 million in ESSER II funds and $26 million in EANS funds.
Source: The Miami County Republic
Gas costs soar due to arctic blast in Winfield
The City of Winfield has incurred $10 million in natural gas costs through the previous six days as sub-zero temperatures gripped the area, leading the city to look for ways to mitigate the financial fallout. “The cost of this event to our community has been one that we have had very little control over. We are seeking every avenue of relief as this is an insurmountable cost for us that, without relief, will be felt for years to come,” Winfield city manager Taggart Wall said in a letter to the community, which was posted on the city’s Facebook page and emailed to the CourierTraveler. The city’s typical annual natural gas purchase is for $1.6 million, with a typical daily index of less than $3 per 1 million British Thermal Units (MMBtu). Wall said beginning Feb. 13 the daily index on the city’s pipeline soared more than 100 times the norm. That, compounded by extreme rises in demand, led to an all-time high of $428/MMBtu on Feb. 18.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler