Municipal News & Jobs

Enforcement of the latest Sedgwick County ordinance regarding masks and other COVID-19 related directives will remain local. During the city council meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, council members agreed with the county’s decision to put some teeth into the countywide directives, given the spiking positivity rate. But the council felt any local situations would best be handled by local police and, if necessary, through Cheney Municipal Court. Sedgwick County is asking cities to partner with the county on enforcement. The county’s proposal would let any city official initiate a complaint against a business or individual with an email to the Sedgwick County Health Department.
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Members of Wichita’s teachers’ union voted overwhelmingly to reject a contract agreement with the district over concerns about lack of salary increases, teacher workload and building safety in the pandemic, the union announced Friday. The United Teachers of Wichita voted 85% no on the collective bargaining agreement. In all, 79% of union members voted. Representatives from USD 259 and the union will both return to negotiations. The previous contract expired at the end of July. Without a new agreement, the old one remains in place. Teachers are not able to strike and not planning to do so, said Gabriel Costilla, vice president of the UTW.
Source: Wichita Eagle.

Smoke turned the air almost as dark as night early Saturday evening on U.S. Highway 50 between Burrton and Halstead as smoke from a brush fire blew over the highway. Wind gusts were strong, blowing the fire’s smoke that appeared to be far away one second and up close and causing one to put on one’s COVID-19 mask on the next. Emergency responders have been battling the grass fire near Northwest 48th Street and North Burmac Road, southeast of Buhler since this afternoon, and it didn’t appear to be anywhere near being extinguished as of 6 p.m.
Source: Harvey County Now.

Firefighters from across the Sunflower State continued to respond to the Wheat State Fire Sunday. The Wheat State Fire ignited Saturday afternoon, scorching more than 5,000 acres. With the help of fire departments from around the state and the National Guard, only hot spots remain. Rodney Redinger, Assistant Fire Management Officer for Kansas Forest Service, says the winds dying down played a big roll in their Sunday response.
Source: KSN.

There was an election last week in El Dorado, but that election did not determine public offices — and there are no threats of a recount. “We thought about it. It did cross our minds,” joked Kristina Traina, city manager’s assistant for El Dorado, after reviewing the results. The result, however, was quite overwhelming. About 97% of voters, solicited online, chose Option B for a new playground in Riverview Park during about two days of voting. Riverview Park, 800 River Road, is a 5-acre park with a playground structure, fishing access, picnic areas and walking paths including a bridge over a river.
Source: LV Times.

The Lawrence City Commission will soon decide on procedures for investigating potential ethics violations by its members and other city positions. As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider a resolution that establishes procedures for investigating alleged violations of the city’s ethics and professional conduct policy, according to a city staff memo to the commission. Currently, there is not a process laid out for investigating ethics complaints made against commissioners, city advisory board members or the city manager.
Source: LJWorld.com.

With two newly elected candidates taking their seats soon, the Douglas County Commission will have a much different look than before — and maybe an unprecedented one. When Shannon Reid and Shannon Portillo take their seats to represent the 2nd and 3rd districts, respectively, they will both be Lawrence residents representing districts that include the rural parts of the county. Commission Chair Patrick Kelly’s 1st District is entirely within Lawrence city limits. That means the County Commission will consist solely of Lawrence residents. That will be the first time that has happened in at least two decades, and it might be the first time ever.
Source: LJWorld.com.

After Michael Ernatt’s dog allegedly bit his next-door neighbor, an officer with the Animal Control Section of the City of Wichita Police Department deemed the dog “potentially dangerous” under Wichita City Code of Ordinances Sec. 6.04.045(a) (2018). Ernatt appealed to an administrative hearing officer, who also concluded that Ernatt’s dog was potentially dangerous. There was no transcript taken of this hearing. Ernatt then appealed to the district court under K.S.A. 60-2101(d). Besides challenging the hearing officer’s potentially dangerous dog finding, Ernatt raised several constitutional challenges to Wichita’s dangerous dog ordinance scheme. The district court did not rule on Ernatt’s constitutional arguments but reversed, finding the lack of a transcript prevented the court from meaningfully reviewing the potentially dangerous dog ruling. The City of Wichita (the City) appeals, arguing that the district court misunderstood its review powers under K.S.A. 60-2101(d). Ernatt cross-appeals, raising some of the constitutional challenges to the ordinance scheme he raised below. We affirm the district court’s ruling.
Source: kscourts.org.

The Lawrence Community Police Review Board is wrapping up its process of drafting an ordinance to strengthen oversight of complaints against police and preparing to begin a public input process regarding the proposed changes. As part of its meeting Thursday, the board voted unanimously to change or clarify several sections in the draft ordinance and is now scheduled to vote on advancing the draft for public comment at its next meeting. The changes aim to strengthen a board that members have said is ineffective at providing oversight in its current form.
Source: LJWorld.com.

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.