Kansas Municipal News
City, zoo inching closer to governance decision as city council resumes discussion
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recommended the Topeka Zoo consider a different governing structure in 2011, and nine years later, the Topeka City Council is approaching a decision on whether to allow nonprofit group Friends of the Topeka Zoo to take over daily operations. “I love the freedom for them, I love the concept and the potential, and everyone loves the zoo,” city council member Karen Hiller said. “I will have some questions, but I think this is about ready to go.” City council has discussed a governance transition before, but Fred Patton, vice president and incoming president of FOTZ, said the city is pushing for the agreement now more than it has before. Patton said past negotiations were stalled after city staff, like city managers, would leave office and the two sides would have to start over with new staff.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Small-town dairy successfully sells milk throughout Kansas
While many small dairies across the country are failing, a small Kansas dairy with slightly more than 130 cows is thriving. Although it is still hard work, and the margins remain small, the dairy has remained in the black throughout the pandemic. For Hildebrand Farms, a family-owned business in Junction City, cows make up their livelihood. That’s why they treat the little ladies to home-produced grains and fields where they can romp around all day.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Doctors share sobering view of COVID in Reno County; challenge community to respond
In a somber and graphic online “Town Hall” Thursday night, several Hutchinson medical professionals talked about what they are now experiencing as the novel coronavirus surges in Reno County and threatens to overwhelm local hospital resources. “We are staring down the barrel of a disease that has killed 19 people in our community,” said family physician Dr. Scott Pauly. “In none of our lifetimes has influenza killed 19 people in a single year. You have to add up many years, maybe decades to get 19.” And more than half of those have occurred in just the last three weeks.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Analysts bolster Kansas revenue projections, envision less dire budget outlook
TOPEKA — Kansas’ official revenue forecasters say economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic will be far less severe than previously projected for the state’s bottom line. Next year’s budget shortfall now is expected to be $152 million, a considerable upgrade from the $1.4 billion deficit anticipated earlier this year. The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, composed of state analysts and university economists, released revised figures on Friday that include an increase of $477.2 million in revenue for the 2021 fiscal year, which ends in June. J.G. Scott, director of the Kansas Legislative Research Department, said positive economic factors include job gains between April and September, improved trade with China, farm revenue bolstered by federal subsidies and a rise in commodity prices, and recovery of oil and gas sectors.Source: Kansas Reflector
Conservation project aims to restore Ogallala Aquifer through naturally occurring landforms
The future of water availability in western Kansas is receiving support from a multimillion-dollar project aimed at using existing land formations to recharge a major underground water source. Final details of the Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Project, or GRASP, are being worked out within the offices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Earlier this year the project received an injection of $1.4 million from NRCS, and another $1.5 million from multiple partnering conservation organizations, including the Playa Lakes Joint Venture and Ducks Unlimited. The plan calls for the restoration and enhancement of playas — natural wetlands that dot the state. There are more than 22,000 playa lakes in Kansas, with 85% of that playa acreage in cropland. The remaining 15% are part of natural grasslands, with the average size of a playa being 3.7 acres.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Hays welcomes new ice skating rink
Three men were hard at work Wednesday morning in downtown Hays piecing together half-inch-thick plastic polymer pieces to form what would soon become an ice skating rink made of artificial ice.That outdoor rink is downtown Hays’ newest attraction. It sits beneath the Downtown Pavilion at 10th and Main Street, and the artificial ice allows it to withstand whatever weather conditions a Kansas fall or winter might throw at it.
Source: Leavenworth Times
McLouth, KS boasts unusual road attraction
When the town was being laid out, the boulder couldn’t be moved, so they simply built the city street—aptly named Granite Street—around it. After years of resurfacing, it sticks out of the ground over two feet, with just enough room to drive around it. But what you see in street is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. “It’s said to be at least 30 feet in diameter underground,” said Meador. “It was probably six or seven feet higher than it is now. That’s how much we’ve built the area up.”
Source: KCTV.
City of Russell Launches 10-day Community Challenge to Slow COVID-19
The City of Russell is launching a 10-day community challenge in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19. The STOMP COVID 10-day Community Challenge begins November 7 and ends November 16. This challenge is in partnership with Russell Regional Hospital and USD 407. “We are experiencing an alarming increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the Russell area”, said Mayor Curt Mader In the latest report from the Russell County Health Department, we now have 242 cases, with 54 people currently in quarantine. There have been 25 hospitalizations and five deaths. Our current positivity rate is 23.7 percent. At the November 3 city council meeting, Russell County Health Officer Paula Bitter and Dr. Tyrel Somers encouraged more mask use in the community. The Russell City Council discussed a mask mandate but would prefer leaving the option of wearing a mask to individuals. “Russell has come together many times, said Mayor Mader. We need your help to curb the spread of COVID-19, prevent our hospital from being overwhelmed, and protect our neighbors from critical illness!” Residents are asked to take the STOMP COVID 10-day community challenge. When in public or group settings, wear a mask. We are ONE Russell, and together…let’s Stomp COVID.
Garden City to consider mask mandate
The Garden City Commission considered a petition put forth by Lindsay Byrnes to implement a citywide mask mandate at Tuesday’s regular board meeting. No action was taken at the meeting. However, the commission will hold a special session at 10 a.m. Nov. 11 to consider putting an ordinance in place requiring the wearing of masks. Byrnes is the Finney County medical director, but said she put forth the petition neither as an employee of the county health department nor is she speaking on behalf of the county. She did so as a physician and someone who’s invested in the community.
Source: News – The Garden City Telegram
Younger generation steps up to public service
Bryce Garner, 26, will be sworn in Jan. 13, 2021, as the youngest Stafford County commissioner on record when he assumes office representing District 3 following the 2020 general election. “I’ll be wearing a smile, that’s for sure,” Garner said. “It’s not that I wanted to set a record, but I am pleased that my generation will have a voice in decisions that will impact their futures. “I’m a fifth-generation Stafford County resident and that makes me dedicated to wanting to assure a good future for all Stafford County residents.” With family ties that trace back nearly a century, Garner is following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather Victor “Vic” Garner, who served as 3rd District county commissioner from 1969-1976.
Source: News – The Garden City Telegram
Wichita mayor urges caution; small hospitals under strain
The mayor of Kansas’ largest city is warning the public to take the coronavirus “seriously” as case numbers soar and rural hospitals struggle to find larger facilities with room for their patients. Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple blamed a rise in cases on a “perfect storm” of people becoming fatigued over prevention measures, longing to see their families, and moving events indoors as the weather grows colder.
Source: KAKE – News
Fed holds interest rates steady near zero, says economy is still well below pre-pandemic levels
The Federal Reserve held short-term borrowing rates near zero in a decision Thursday that characterized the economy as growing but not near where it was before the coronavirus pandemic hit. As markets widely expected, the Fed kept its benchmark interest rate anchored in a range between 0%-0.25%, where it has been since an emergency cut seven months ago in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. …The Fed’s decision to hold steady comes amid concerns over the direction of the economy as Covid-19 cases accelerate and public officials contemplate restrictions on activities that could hamper growth. As it has done multiple times before, the Fed emphasized that the growth trajectory is largely dependent on the path of the coronavirus.
Source: CNBC
STAR bond projects structured to fund themselves
From a financial standpoint, the state’s Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) bond projects are set up to essentially pay for their own development. The tool allows Kansas municipalities to issue bonds “to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects,” which are then paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development. … While there are a few more wrinkles, once a STAR bond district is established (like Derby did in 2015), such bonds can then be issued to make payments for development of tourism attractions, infrastructure improvements, etc. … In metropolitan areas, those bonds can only be used for projects with an anticipated capital investment of at least $50 million. In rural areas, though, there is no specific financial threshold on STAR bond projects – just the mere requirement bonds be issued for a project of major regional or statewide significance.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Municipal Bond Trends for November 5, 2020
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.
Sedgwick County health officer says more intervention needed to slow COVID-19
Sedgwick County’s chief health officer is calling for more interventions in the community to limit the spread of COVID-19, as the county and the state of Kansas continue to see more new cases. Dr. Garold Minns made the comments during a special meeting of the Sedgwick County Commission on Thursday. Dr. Minns said there is no precise answer why cases are going up, but he suggested several factors. He said the reopening of schools may have been a component, along with sports and activities that are leading to more human contact. He said he is not criticizing the schools because they have done a good job in limiting the spread of the virus.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Overlay project awarded for K-96 in Reno, Sedgwick counties
A Wichita contractor won the bid this week to overlay nearly 33 miles of K-96 and K-14 highways in Reno and Sedgwick counties. Cornejo & Sons LLC won the project with a low bid of $7.862 million. The contract includes an overlay of K-96 from the K-14 junction in Reno County east to Maize Road, and K14, from the K96 junction east to the east US-50. Officials did not indicate when the project was scheduled to begin. The bid was one of 26 awarded around the state from an Oct. 21 bid letting in Topeka, including a signing project in Reno County and four other projects in South Central Kansas. KDOT also announced the award of a short bicycle path project in Finney County from the September bid opening.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Lenexa approves CID sales tax to help finance mixed-use Ten Ridge project
The Lenexa City Council on Tuesday voted 6-0 to approve a public financing agreement for a new mixed-use development along a southern part of the city. The developer, West Star Development, plans to build Vista Ridge, a $43 million mixed-use project at the northeast corner of K-10 Highway and Ridgeview Road. A portion of the site is now approved as a Community Improvement District, on which the developer can be reimbursed up to $3.5 million in eligible costs associated with the project.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Fed holds interest rates steady near zero, says economy is still well below pre-pandemic levels
The Federal Reserve held short-term borrowing rates near zero in a decision Thursday that characterized the economy as growing but not near where it was before the coronavirus pandemic hit. As markets widely expected, the Fed kept its benchmark interest rate anchored in a range between 0%-0.25%, where it has been since an emergency cut seven months ago in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. There were few language changes in the post-meeting statement from the Federal Open Market Committee, though the panel did note that the economy continues to struggle.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
How Lenexa trains police officers
Whether they’re new to law enforcement or transferring from another agency, Lenexa police officers go through extensive training to prepare them for solo patrol. All recruits start with pre-academy training and orientation instructed by Lenexa officers. This establishes baseline skills to benefit the recruit going into the police academy, including geography of Lenexa, physical conditioning, and basic firearms. Recruits are also issued uniforms and equipment during this time.
Source: City of Lenexa
There is something remarkable happening in tiny Humboldt, Kansas
Just a little over 100 miles southwest of Kansas City, Humboldt is like a lot of other rural Kansas towns, except that Humboldt is now undergoing a major transformation from typical Kansas small town to a town with more cool stuff going on than many of our dense urban neighborhoods. In recent years, the Works family, a local family that owns a very successful trailer hitch manufacturing company, has been embarking on an unusual and exciting redevelopment of Humboldt’s downtown area. They have purchased several century-old buildings in the town square, and have been planning and working on an “experiment” that could very well lead to something of a renaissance for itty bitty Humboldt. Currently under construction: a music venue, a small boutique hotel, bars, and even a maker space. The town already boasts a solid coffee shop and mercantile, as well as a pretty great old-school fried chicken restaurant named Opie’s.
Source: The Pitch.