Kansas Municipal News
Lenexa’s City Center opens mixed-use residential/office space; Shawnee kicks off process to revitalize comprehensive plan
Less than a year after breaking ground in Lenexa City Center, The Lofts at City Center, a mixed-use residential/office space, opened earlier this month. Representatives of Real Property Group and city leaders celebrated the opening with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Sept. 15. The Lofts features 67 boutique apartments, 10,000 square feet of office space and an underground parking garage. The site also features amenities such as a fitness center and outdoor entertainment facilities such as fire pits, BBQ grills, outdoor TV, pool and hot tub. Artwork by Lenexa resident Catherine Kirkland of Kirkland Creative Art + Design is installed throughout the building.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Changes being discussed to Kansas Emergency Management Act
Various state and community leaders spoke with legislators Wednesday in a committee hearing, seeking changes or wanting to keep parts to the Kansas Emergency Management Act. The Special Committee on the Kansas Emergency Management Act is reviewing the state’s virus response and is considering the next best steps regarding the state’s emergency management laws, including House Bill 2016, which details which powers Gov. Laura Kelly can and can’t use to respond to the pandemic.
Source: State Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for September 23, 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.
Art gallery opens in downtown Chanute
A New York couple starting anew have opened an art gallery in downtown Chanute. Named “The Old Normal,” the business at 214 W. Main opened Sept. 16 and includes limited-edition lithographs, jewelry, crystals and other items. Owners Mikey Feldman and Kayleigh Wilson came to Chanute in August. “We were collectors of art,” Feldman said. They had a successful dog-walking business in New York City and sold jewelry online before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Source: The Chanute Tribune
Topeka, Shawnee County Public Library documenting local pandemic stories for exhibit
Workers at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library are collecting stories of how people spent their time during the pandemic. The library plans to display the stories and pieces collected from people in a new exhibit. They will show stand-out moments during these past months like the toilet paper shortage. The exhibit will have pieces from the Black Lives Matter movement which is also going on right now. Workers at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library are collecting stories of how people spent their time during the pandemic.
Source: KSNT News
KS’ rural hospitals skeptically view federal COVID funds
The money lent from the federal government is meant to help hospitals and other health care providers weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet some hospital administrators have called it a payday loan program that is now brutally due for repayment at a time when the institutions still need help. David Usher, chief financial officer for a 12-bed rural hospital in western Kansas, is sitting on $1.7 million he’s scared to spend. The money lent from the federal government is meant to help hospitals and other health care providers weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet some hospital administrators have called it a payday loan program that is now brutally due for repayment at a time when the institutions still need help. Coronavirus cases have “picked up recently and it’s quite worrying,” says Usher, who is the chief financial officer for Edwards County Medical Center in Kinsley, Kansas. He would like to use the federal loan money to build a negative-pressure room. Such rooms are a common and effective tool for keeping contagious patients apart from those in the rest of the hospital.
Source: The Iola Register
Florence moves to clean up rundown houses
Florence’s standards board is mailing notices to 30 properties not in compliance with Florence city codes, according to standards board member Darla Spencer, but there are two properties that especially concern her. The homes, one on 6th St. and the other on 7th St., are in poor condition and do not have running water or sewage, Spencer said during Monday’s city council meeting.
“We felt like there had to be an ordinance that it’s in violation of,” she said. “I don’t know how someone can live in town at a property that doesn’t have city sewer or water.”
Source: Marion County RECORD
Barber County man attacked by bees says sheriff deputy saved his life
“I was scared to death… I was scared because I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be,” said Withrow. When harvesting, beekeepers use smoke to calm the bees down during the process. But this time, it didn’t work. The angry swarm of bees attacked him, getting inside his suit. “There were several hundred bees on my face by the time I got away. And I knew in the end that I had to get the veil off and out of the yard completely in under a hydrant to kind of wash them off,” said Withrow. His wife called 911. That’s when Barber County Sherriff Sergeant Chad Hacker showed up.
Source: KAKE – News
Allen County considers transportation option
Jessica Thompson, Thrive director of development, also spoke with commissioners about the possibility of moving forward on a new county-wide transportation system. Thompson noted that the cost of the program for the county — which would involve new vehicles that take residents of any age to almost anywhere — would run about $52,000 in its initial year, and then drop to between $20,000 and $30,000 in following years.
Source: The Iola Register
Hutchinson Fire Department Members Heading to Wyoming
On Tuesday September 22, 2020, just before 0900, the Hutchinson Fire Department received a request for mutual aid through the Kansas Forestry Service for assistance at a growing fire in Wyoming. Orders were received to arrive in Laramie, Wyoming by 1800 on September 23, 2020. The Hutchinson Fire Department deployed a team of three wildland certified firefighters and one brush truck at 0600 on September 23rd. The growing fire is named the Mullin Fire. The Mullin Fire is only 2% contained and growing rapidly with high winds expected on Thursday and Friday. The Mullen Fire is burning in the Medicine Bow National Forest, southwest of Centennial, Wyoming and is expected to have burned 40,000 acres by this weekend.
In the past 21 hours, Hutchinson crews have prepared for a 14-day deployment and two drive days. Their preparation included packing tents, sleeping bags, personal gear, wildland gear, and miscellaneous equipment. Hutchinson Fire crews will be working 16-18 hours a day for 14 days. Funding for the deployment is reimbursed for the crew and brush truck. You can follow updates on this fire at inciweb.nwcy.gov or follow us on our Hutchinson Fire Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates. https://www.facebook.com/Hutchinson-Fire-HFD or Hutchinson_Fire on Twitter.
Source: Hutchinson, KS
Leavenworth Police Department working toward cybercrime detective position
If the Leavenworth Police Department continues to have success in the area of staffing, the department could finally fill a cybercrime detective position. "We’re still working towards that," Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens said. Leavenworth city commissioners included consideration of staffing changes to focus on drug cases and cybercrime in their goals for 2017-2018.Funding for the Leavenworth Police Department was increased in 2018.
Source: Leavenworth Times
Overland Park City Council may limit recording of public comments
The debut of the public comment period at the Sept. 14 council meeting went pretty well, members of an Overland Park City Council committee agreed. Just the same, that committee is now looking at a rule change that would turn off cameras during future comments, making them inaccessible to live stream viewers and leaving them out of the official minutes. The council’s Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee discussed rule changes last week that could also include an advance sign-up for speakers and perhaps moving the comments to the end of the meeting rather than the beginning, where they are now.
Source: Prairie Village Post
As SMSD plans for in-person learning, health officials say JoCo remains in ‘red zone’
Johnson County health officials told public school leaders Tuesday that current COVID-19 trends continue to suggest in-person learning remains unsafe, even as districts plan to bring more students back to school starting next month. As of Tuesday, the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment said the county remains in the “red zone” of its school reopening criteria. In the “red zone,” JCDHE recommends that schools can have elementary students in school for in-person learning following “safe opening principles,” while it’s recommended middle and high school students learn remotely.
Source: Prairie Village Post
University of Kansas helps three Kansas counties — Johnson, Miami and Wilson – determine how to spend more than $44 million in federal COVID-19 funds
Every community has been touched by the COVID-19 pandemic, and while all have experienced some sort of negative outcomes, no two communities have been affected in the same way. That lack of a roadmap or template can make recovery difficult, especially in using federal funds dedicated to a pandemic response.
A diverse group of University of Kansas scholars, researchers, staff and students has been helping three Kansas counties — Johnson, Miami and Wilson – determine how to spend more than $44 million in federal COVID-19 funds by the end of 2020 to have a lasting influence.
“We felt county governments could use some assistance in programming these dollars. So we developed a program to partner with three Kansas counties to develop strike teams to identify what projects needed to be done and to use these dollars in a long-term, beneficial way,” said Hannes Zacharias, one of the project leaders. Zacharias is the Robert A. Kipp Professor of Practice in Local Government Management and Urban Policy in KU’s School of Public Affairs & Administration.
Source: KU.
USDA Invests Over $471,000 in Renewable Energy in Rural Kansas
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $471,792 in renewable energy projects for farmers, ag producers and rural-based businesses and institutions in rural Kansas.
“Kansas is a leader in renewable energy production and that industry creates jobs and opportunities in all areas of the state,” said Hinrichsen. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner to rural Kansas in building stronger and healthier communities through renewable energy, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Background:
Lyons-Kansas Ethanol, LLC: A $250,000 grant will be used to purchase and install equipment for combined heat and power and ethanol dehydration. The project is estimated to generate 67,113 kWh per year, which is enough energy to power six homes.
Pittsburg-Denver Lawson, a turkey producer: A $36,500 grant will be used to purchase and install solar equipment. The project is estimated to produce 134,066 kWh (61%) per year, which is enough energy to power 12 homes.
Newton-Horn’s Auto Repair, 4×4, and Welding LLC: A $5,559 grant will be used to purchase and install a 9kW roof-mounted solar array. This project will replace 13,654 kWh (105 percent) per year, which is enough electricity to power one home.
Harper-Millaturn Machine LLC: A $19,875 will be used to purchase and install a 15 kW wind turbine. The turbine is estimated to replace 62,923 kWh (104%) per year, which is enough electricity to power five homes.
Additional projects will also be funded in:
Andale – Greg Neville
Bel Aire – Nodic Stone
Derby – Twin Fiddle Investment
Linwood – Robin Leach
Newton – G5 Mainstreet Investments, and Kansas Electric
Osborne – Girard’s IGA
Rose Hill – American Control & Engineering Services
Uniontown – Mary F. Moore
Wichita – JTS Investments
USDA is investing in 14 rural small businesses and ag producers through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants and Guaranteed Loans. Investments can used for renewable energy systems such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydropower. REAP funding can also be used for energy audits and to make energy efficiency improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems, insulation, lighting and refrigeration.
Interested parties should contact their local Kansas area office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/onerdguarantee to learn more about how the REAP Guaranteed Loan Program will be streamlined under the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative beginning October 1, 2020.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Supporting the rural workforce was a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.
Arkansas City, KS saves over $2.7 million as a result of yesterday’s competitive bond sale
Working with the city administration and city commission, Ranson Financial Group helped save the City of Arkansas City, Kansas over $2.7 million. The competitive bond sale had 5 bidders. The winning bid provided an average interest rate of 1.55% over the 15 years. The restructured debt also shortened the final payoff date by 2 years.
Email Larry Kleeman and Beth Warren for a refunding analysis of your community’s debt or to explore funding options for new projects. For a better understanding of the parties and process involved in the bond issue process, click here or contact Larry or Beth.
Municipal Bond Trends for September 22, 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.
This Johnson County district plans to have all students back in classrooms next month
Blue Valley is poised to become the first of Johnson County’s largest school districts to bring older students back into classrooms. District officials announced plans to allow middle and high school students in school buildings starting Oct. 5 in a hybrid model, learning in classrooms part of the time and learning online the rest of the week. That same day, the district plans to bring elementary students back to in-person learning, five days a week. “Throughout this pandemic, we have said multiple times we want to bring students back to school in-person in some form as soon as we can safely do so. I am pleased to share that based on current transmission rates in our community, that time is now,” Superintendent Tonya Merrigan said in the announcement.
Source: Joco 913 News
Wichita workshops incentives to bring jobs, boost small business
The city council of Wichita is working on a small business idea, to get a big boost to the economy. “This is a move that just makes sense,” said city council member James Clendenin. “With the right planning, dollars and cents.” The council workshop on Tuesday focused on getting incentives in place for small businesses. It includes tax breaks, fast-tracking business plans for new business and other incentives. “Still a work in progress, to be sure,” said Clendenin. But the idea could get a vote in just a couple of weeks. Some small businesses in Wichita say any news is good news when it comes to boosting development.
Source: KSN-TV
City of Topeka launches program to help residents face COVID-19 financial challenges
The City of Topeka announced Tuesday its intention to launch a free Financial Navigators program to help residents navigate critical financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial Navigators is available to provide guidance over the phone to help residents access available programs and services to manage loss of income and other financial concerns. Financial Navigators help residents one-on-one to make priorities, identify steps to manage expenses and maximize income.
Source: KSNT News