Kansas Municipal News
Public-private coalition financing $24 million KU bioscience, tech research expansion
Light shovel work and bipartisan speeches marked launch of a $24 million public and private partnership to significantly expand the bioscience and technology business innovation center at the University of Kansas that has been at maximum capacity for a couple years. The administrations of President Donald Trump and Gov. Laura Kelly celebrated awarding of a $7.8 million federal grant to reinforce city, county, state, university and private funding for the 66,000 square foot building that could eventually create 225 jobs and generate $140 million in private investment. The federal aid emerged from an economic development law adopted in 2019 in response to a series of natural disasters that included flooding, tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Douglas County stands behind health order that’s facing legal challenges
Douglas County issued a statement Thursday in support of an embattled health order that, among other things, limits the hours that bars can be open amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In addition, attorneys John Bullock and Bradley Finkeldei, of the law firm Stevens & Brand, filed a legal brief on the county’s behalf in response to one of two lawsuits that question the health order. The order mandates that any restaurants and bars that hold liquor licenses must stop serving at 11 p.m. and close at midnight; however, establishments that do not hold liquor licenses face no hour restrictions.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Lawrence seeks input from residents regarding how pandemic affects long-term plan for downtown
Though obviously not planned when the process first began two years ago, the city’s master plan for the downtown will now account for how the COVID-19 pandemic and related changes affect the future of downtown. … So far, the consultants are on the sixth of seven steps in the process, which have included community input, a market and demographic analysis, and creation of goals and a vision for downtown. Consultants began the process of drafting the plan at the beginning of this year, but will now reopen community input due to the pandemic.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for October 15, 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.
Pittsburg school board approves new Wi-Fi network funding as some remote learners struggle
The Pittsburg Community Schools Board of Education approved funding for a private LTE network at their meeting on Tuesday. The network, funded by money from the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) taskforce, will provide a connection to students with unstable Wi-Fi connections or access, and allow them to connect to the school’s protected network.
Source: Education – Morning Sun
Emporia renews contract with FEMA, discusses library reopening plan
City of Emporia Commissioners renewed a long-standing agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency during a combined study/action session Wednesday morning. Board members reviewed their obligations included as part of FEMA’s Regional Multi-Hazard Mitigation plan, which is traditionally completed every five years, incorporating each community in Lyon County along with the county itself. The plan includes a Threat Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, or THIRA, which examines the likelihood of severe weather, flooding and wildfire events, identifying potential area projects and mitigation strategies to manage such threats.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Reno County Planning Commission loosens regs on commercial wind in latest draft
The Reno County Planning Commission made more changes this week to proposed zoning regulations for commercial wind developments. While the new draft creates greater minimum distances that turbines must be from a home, they loosen restrictions on noise and shadow flicker that may be generated by the machines. The changes did not sit well with a group of residents who opposed the Pretty Prairie Wind development and have sought much stricter zoning regulations.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
After years of dispute, OP committee recommends removing — and not replacing Westlinks golf course fence
The long-running dispute over the wrought iron Westlinks golf course fence may end with no fence at all, much to the chagrin of Overland Park neighbors whose homes abut the course. The city council’s Community Development Committee took up the controversy — which has been brewing since 2013 – once again Wednesday night and ended with a recommendation that the fence be torn out. Neighbors have been pushing to have the deteriorating fence replaced with a similar-looking, 5-foot black powder-coated steel fence. They have said that type of fence would maintain their property value and the looks of the course.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Gov. Kelly awards Yoder Meats, other Kansas businesses through grant program
Gov. Laura Kelly announced more than $9 million in grants for projects to strengthen the state’s food supply system. Kelly, along with Kansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam and Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David Toland visited Yoder Meats in Yoder on Oct. 14 to make the announcement. Yoder Meats is one of 183 Kansas agriculture and food-related businesses in more than 70 counties that was awarded grants as part of the Securing Local Food Systems.
Source: Community – Cherokee County News Advocate
Olathe school board votes to let students in ‘high-risk’ activities return to in-person class
Olathe will allow students in “high-risk activities” back into the classroom next week. The school board had a special meeting Wednesday morning where members voted to let students in activities like football go to in-person classes when the district starts its hybrid schedule Monday. The district had originally opted to require students in high-risk activities to attend classes online for the entire season. But after the Johnson County health department changed its gating criteria on high-risk activities, Olathe updated its decision to reflect that.
Source: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF
Renovations to rural rail service estimated to take nearly 10,000 semis off the roadways
A new Kansas Department of Transportation Short Line Rail Fund program will be bringing much-needed upgrades to rail systems across the state. The project is part of Governor Kelly’s IKE Program and will fund five million dollars annually for three years toward improving railway grain transportation. There are a total of 13 renovations taking place on three short-line railway systems across the state aiming to improve and build nearly 15 miles of track. Four of the projects will be focused on improvements to short-line rails, and the other nine projects will bring repairs to grain elevators.
Source: KSN-TV
Municipal Bond Trends for October 14, 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.
NCAA announces March Madness tournament is returning to Wichita for a third time
March Madness will be returning to Wichita for a third time. The NCAA announced its future host site selections for the men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday and Wichita’s Intrust Bank Arena was selected to host the first and second rounds in 2025. Wichita previously hosted the first and second rounds of the men’s NCAA Tournament in 2018 and is scheduled to once again this coming spring on March 19 and 21, 2021.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
LaHarpe digs new pump track
The first of a number of community projects kicked off over the weekend, with a team of volunteers gathering to help build a new pump track for bicycling enthusiasts. The group worked at the LaHarpe City Park Saturday and Sunday to mold an elaborate series of berms, rollers and tabletop fixtures, all made out of dirt. By Sunday afternoon, the entire track was laid, with most of the remaining work centered on contouring and compacting the dirt.
Source: The Iola Register
The 2020 census count comes to an end Thursday. Here’s how that will affect Kansas and its cities.
After many challenges imposed this year by the coronavirus pandemic and innumerable twists from the White House, the 2020 census will come to an end Thursday night following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling Tuesday. The Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could halt the 2020 census count ahead of schedule. People can fill out the census until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 15 by visiting 2020census.gov or responding via mail.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Traveling exhibit highlights rural America
The 5.4.7 Arts Center in Greensburg is ready to welcome a new exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution titled “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” thanks to work put in by Ann Dixon and Humanities Kansas. “The 5.4.7 Arts Center is blessed to be selected to host the Smithsonian exhibit ‘Crossroads: Change in Rural America,’ ” said director Ann Dixon. “This county has seen significant change over the past 13 years and we have all learned to envision for the future, engage everyone in planning for the future, and endeavor together to build sustainable rural communities.” The exhibit arrived Tuesday and will celebrate its grand opening from 3-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. It will be in town until Nov. 29.
Source: News – The Hays Daily News
Hospital staffing and capacity a concern for Kansas communities as COVID-19 multiplies
Concerns are growing about adequate staffing levels and bed capacity at Kansas hospitals and nursing homes strained by rising COVID-19 cases. Hospitals in southeast Kansas already are struggling with capacity issues. Ascension Via Christi Hospital announced this week it would implement its surge plan and cease all elective surgeries because of a spike in cases in Crawford and Bourbon counties. Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary Lee Norman said Tuesday most hospitals he has spoken with are staying ahead of the virus. He said as case numbers rise in a community, however, so will the strain on hospital staff.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Wichita auto enthusiast travels long road through City Hall to start a tiny car lot
The Wichita auto enthusiast won City Council approval Tuesday to open a small car-sales lot near Central and West, after a lengthy stop-and-start process that’s been going on since July. The council action clears the way for up to four cars at a time to be sold on the parking lot at 4231 W. Central. Currently, that parking lot is shared by an automotive shop and a car upholstery business. The car lot will be separately operated from the other businesses by applicant Jeremiah Leathers, who’ll be leasing four parking spaces along with a small office in the upholstery shop.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Reno County limits mass gatherings after spike in COVID-19 cases
The Reno County Health Department issued its first COVID-19 emergency public health order since March, prohibiting mass gatherings of 100 or more people after a big spike in new cases. “It’s crazy. Like, I thought Hutch, well, it’s pretty small. You know what I’m saying, I didn’t think we’d have to do this again,” said Stephfon Hunter, a Hutchinson resident. Since October 4th, Reno County’s 14-day positive test rate jumped from 14.7% to 17.3%.
Source: KAKE – News
Municipal Bond Trends for October 13, 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.