Kansas Municipal News
Gov. Kelly Issues State Of Disaster Emergency Due To Wind Chill Warnings
Governor Kelly today declared a State of Disaster Emergency due to the wind chill warnings, which is causing stress on utility and natural gas companies. The declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery efforts in affected counties. Because of the sub-zero temperatures , increased energy and natural gas demand is causing constraints. Utilities are currently experiencing wholesale natural gas prices from 10 to 100 times higher than normal. Those costs will effect consumers, and increase monthly gas and electric bills.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
State to pioneer new model of rural health care
In 2019, northwest Kansas-based Decatur Health was staring into the possibility of shutting its doors. “It got really bad, where we were not sure how we were going to financially be able to make it out through the month,” said Chief Operations Officer Kristopher Mathews. “I think we were down to double digits of cash, like 10 days of cash on hand.” Like many small rural hospitals, it was financially struggling. Recent studies show around 75 rural hospitals in Kansas are operating at a financial loss and in danger of closing.
Source: Garden City Telegram.
Amy Nasta promoted to deputy city admin in Gardner
The City of Gardner has named Amy Nasta as its new deputy city administrator. Nasta joined the city in 2017 as its city clerk and was promoted to senior management analyst in 2019. … In her new role, Nasta will assist the city administrator on high-level special projects and initiatives and oversee human resources, information technology, and building maintenance functions. She will also provide support and guidance to department directors per the direction of the city administrator. “Amy has been a tremendous asset to the organization since she began nearly four years ago,” said Jim Pruetting, city administrator.
Source: Gardner News
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Nearly $14 Million in Grants for Rural Kansas Communities
Governor Laura Kelly today announced 32 rural Kansas communities will receive a share of $13,864,149 in federal grants to assist with community development projects. Through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program facilitated by the Kansas Department of Commerce, these federal grants are being awarded for a variety of community improvement projects, including sewer and water projects, housing rehabilitation and community facility improvements. …
Counties, applicant cities and award amounts are as follows:
| Allen | Iola | $350,000 |
| Barton | Great Bend | $600,000 |
| Brown | Horton | $190,050 |
| Chase | Cottonwood Falls | $499,125 |
| Cloud | Concordia | $48,975 |
| Cowley | Arkansas City | $455,000 |
| Doniphan | Highland | $600,000 |
| Ellsworth | Wilson | $300,000 |
| Greenwood | Fall River | $360,000 |
| Greenwood | Eureka | $600,000 |
| Jackson | Holton | $600,000 |
| Jefferson | Nortonville | $501,300 |
| Jefferson | Valley Falls | $115,950 |
| Jewell | Mankato | $600,000 |
| Kingman | Kingman | $300,000 |
| Kiowa | Mullinville | $380,000 |
| Labette | Chetopa | $600,000 |
| Lincoln | Lincoln County | $35,763 |
| Lyon | Emporia | $700,000 |
| Lyon | Neosho Rapids | $217,062 |
| Marshall | Vermillion | $250,000 |
| Meade | Fowler | $300,000 |
| Miami | Osawatomie | $600,000 |
| Montgomery | Independence | $700,000 |
| Montgomery | Coffeyville | $574,320 |
| Phillips | Phillips County | $192,514 |
| Russell | Russell | $116,228 |
| Sedgwick | Haysville | $342,000 |
| Sumner | Caldwell | $600,000 |
| Wabaunsee | Alma | $600,000 |
| Wilson | Fredonia | $261,425 |
| Woodson | Toronto | $550,000 |
The CDBG program administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities and economic development needs. To be awarded funds, local government units must meet at least one of three program objectives:
- The grant will benefit low- and moderate-income persons
- The grant will prevent or eliminate slums and blight
- The grant will resolve an urgent need where local resources are not available to do so
The CDBG funds are one of the Department of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Contact Rose Mary Saunders or Crystal Hinnen to find out how Ranson can assist your community in applying for the next round of CDBG funding.
Nicodemus: Oldest Black settlement west of the Mississippi hidden in the prairies of northwest Kansas
Nicodemus is a small town located in the prairies of northwest Kansas. It is the oldest and only remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi. It was established in 1877 during the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War when pioneers from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi came to seek out homelands. “These folks were ex-slaves, removed from slavery about 13-14 years, had the opportunity to come out here and be landowners and they took that chance,” said Luecreasea Horne, Nicodemus Park Service educational technician and sixth-generation descendant. “The thought of them risking and taking that chance to come out to northwestern Kansas where they knew nothing about it, it just gives me a sense of pride.”
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for February 11, 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.
Moundridge in process of energy upgrade
As soon as the weather cooperates, Moundridge city employees will begin erecting telephone poles that are part a $5.2 million electrical upgrade. City Administrator Murray McGee said the city would be erecting 35 power poles to tie into an Evergy substation 3.5 miles south of town. The transmission lines will connect the city’s substation on East Hoch Street to the Evergy substation at the junction of South Cole Street and Old Highway 81. The city currently gets its electricity off the McPherson power grid. After the project is complete, it will receive power from the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, which is renting space from Evergy.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed
Police officers needed, McPherson expands recruitment efforts
The City of McPherson is in need of police officers. The McPherson Police Department currently has four vacancies for police officers, and they are expanding their recruitment efforts. McPherson Police Chief Mikel Golden approached the city commission about changing the residency requirements for the McPherson Police Department Officers and staff to within 35 miles of the city limits of McPherson. Golden advised this change would assist in the recruitment and retention of employees.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed
Governor Laura Kelly Applauds Eurofins Viracor on New, 110,000-Square-Foot Lenexa Facility
Governor Laura Kelly today applauded the recent announcement from Eurofins Viracor of its new 110,000-square-foot, all-purpose facility in Lenexa. Eurofins Viracor, Inc. is a provider of clinical specialty laboratory results to medical providers, transplant teams, and biopharmaceutical companies that also recently began providing COVID-19 testing. In addition to warehousing and office space, the site will house a 40,000-square-foot laboratory for running the company’s full testing menu. “Eurofins Viracor is doing important work by providing testing services in the battle against COVID-19, and I’m pleased they’ve chosen Kansas to house this impressive new investment,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Our state is proud to be the home of many innovative medical technology facilities, and this new all-purpose operation will be the latest advancement in this growing Kansas industry. Congratulations to Eurofins Viracor on this exciting announcement.”
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
City of Kingman offering incentive to help residents stay safe amid extreme cold temperatures
When temperatures dip to extreme levels, many suggest letting your faucets drip. The water slowly flowing through the pipes helps them not freeze, and a slightly higher water bill will cost you a lot less than new plumbing. Now, for residents of Kingman, the extra water won’t cost anything. “We always drip when the temperatures get around freezing. We don’t want to risk broken pipes and risk flooding when they do thaw out, just have pipes burst that’d be a mess,” said Kingman resident Jake Malec. Malec has lived in Kingman for two years. He was shocked when he heard what the city is doing to help keep him and his family safe.
Source: KAKE – News
Convenience stores, municipal governments want piece of action if Kansas legalizes sports betting
Kansas Lottery retailers, local units of government and addiction counselors expressed concern Thursday about being excluded in a Kansas Senate bill from opportunities to share in revenue from legalizing sports gambling statewide. A Senate bill years in the making would place operational control of onsite and online sports betting in Kansas with the four state-owned, contractor-managed casinos in Pittsburg, Mulvane, Dodge City and Kansas City, Kansas. The Senate’s casino model would differ from the preference of some Kansas House members who want to involve the 1,100 convenience store retailers that sell Kansas Lottery tickets in the new business of gambling on sporting events. … the League of Kansas Municipalities recommended adjustment of the Senate bill to be consistent with existing state gambling law guaranteeing 3% of revenue from sports wagering was shared with local units of government.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Business Owners Say Kansas Counties That Ordered Pandemic Shutdowns Should Refund Property Taxes
The pandemic caused counties across the state to issue varying levels of business shutdown orders meant to slow the spread of a life-threatening virus. Now businesses that lost their ability to make money during the pandemic want a tax refund for the time they were forced to hang “closed” signs. Lawmakers heard competing arguments about property tax rebates this week. Businesses say the closures put them on the brink of shutting down for good. Local governments warn they don’t have the resources to be offering mass tax refunds.
Source: KCUR News
Shawnee County to vaccinate K-12 teachers starting next week
Educators at Shawnee County schools will start getting the COVID-19 vaccine starting next week if they want it, according to the Shawnee County Health Department. Here’s what the health department has said so far about vaccinating area teachers: K-12 teachers, faculty, food staff, bus drivers and related education staff can get vaccinated starting next week if they want it. The department hopes to have all staff who want it, vaccinated with their first shot by spring break. Teachers and faculty have always been top priority in Phase 2, alongside groups like people over 65. They will be vaccinating these groups together. SCHD will hold a press conference at 1:30 today to explain why are teachers being vaccinated.
Source: KSN-TV
Firefighter falls through ice while attempting to rescue a dog at frozen Wichita pond
A local firefighter was hospitalized after falling through ice while attempting to rescue a dog from a frozen pond in east Wichita. Emergency crews were called at 2:42 p.m. Wednesday to the 14000 block of Whitewood Drive, Sedgwick County spokesperson Kate Flavin said in an email. That’s near the interchange of Kellogg, K-96 and the Kansas Turnpike. Sedgwick County Fire District 1 firefighters arrived the housing development, where they found a dog stranded about 30 feet out in a frozen pond, Flavin said. The dog’s owner was also there. The Wichita Fire Department and paramedics also responded to the call.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Reno County agrees to greater turbine buffers
Reno County commissioners tentatively agreed Tuesday to amend draft regulations on commercial wind developments to require a minimum 3,000-foot setback for wind turbines from residential structures. During a 2 ½-hour meeting, the board also reached a consensus to set a mandatory 3-mile setback around state and federal wildlife properties, deleting language allowing it to be waived. But it left up in the air changes pushed by Commission Chairman Ron Hirst and some county residents for lower maximum sound and shadow flicker limits.
Source: Hutch News.
Sidwalk program to help Newton property owners
Property owners can now get up to $800 for repairing a broken sidewalk through a newly approved sidewalk program. At its Tuesday meeting, the Newton City Commission unanimously approved allocation of $150,000 to a program aimed at keeping sidewalk replacement costs from tripping up local residents. With COVID-19, many people have been walking the city, trying to get out of the house, which resulted in increased numbers of reports of broken sidewalks. One hundred cases were reported in 2020.
Source: Harvey County Now.
Vulgarity on neighbor’s sign doesn’t violate Topeka city code
The city doesn’t tell people what their signs and flags may or may not say, Peterson learned this week when he called the city attorney’s office. That code regulates the design and physical characteristics of signs and flags but not their content, city media relations coordinator Molly Hadfield said Tuesday. The last time the city revised its sign code, in 2019, planning director Bill Fiander suggested the mayor and council avoid adopting regulations that would govern content.
Source: CJonline.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for February 10, 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.
Overland Park affordable housing need drives choice to convert hotel into apartments
The need for more affordable housing won out over concerns over a lack of parking as the Overland Park Planning Commission this week decided to move forward with rezoning the Cloverleaf Suites extended stay hotel to allow developers to remake it into a complex of studio and one-bedroom apartments. The hotel at 6300 W. 110th Street, near Interstate 435 and the Overland Park Convention Center, will be 30 parking spaces short of city requirements, but commissioners voted 7-3 to allow the rezoning because it could fill a need for affordable housing and because they could see no other solution.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Wichita couple pushing for ‘No Chase Zone’ in downtown Wichita
Sunday Jan. 24 will be a day Robbie Grant always remembers. He was driving downtown, headed to the gym. He says the “light turned green, I’m passing through and all of the sudden, I get hit.” The crash was the end result of a police chase that had started down the street. Police tell us an officer attempted a traffic stop of a stolen vehicle at Topeka and William. The suspect took off down the road where they hit Grant at the Market intersection. The crash totaled Grant’s car and has caused some anxiety when he gets on the road. Now he and his wife Kelli are using this experience to push for changes in how Wichita police conduct pursuits, specifically downtown.
Source: KAKE – News