Kansas Municipal News
Renowned architect Moshe Safdie remembers Exploration Place as ‘a seminal project’
World-renowned architect Moshe Safdie probably could be forgiven if he didn’t remember many details of his time in Wichita designing Exploration Place two decades ago. After all, the 82-year-old has gone on to do acclaimed, massive international projects in many more exotic places, such as Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport and its Marina Bay Sands development, Brazil’s Albert Einstein Education and Research Center and Israel’s Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Still, Safdie not only has what he called vivid memories of his time in Wichita, he regularly checks back on Exploration Place.
Source: Carrie Rengers: Business Columns & Blogs |
Shawnee County makes $93,000 investment in mail-in ballot equipment
Shawnee County Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of a ballot sorting machine and scanner to aid the elections office with the “record number” of mail-in ballot requests. Election commissioner Andrew Howell said at the Oct. 8 county commissioners meeting, 701 N. Kansas Ave., the county already received over 20,000 requests for mail in ballots, which is a sharp increase from the 8,000 requests in 2016. Howell said the sorting machine will increase the efficiency of ballot sorting, and the scanner will help the county match signatures on ballots with election office records. If any signature is not similar, election office staff will review the signature to determine its authenticity.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Saint Luke’s to close community hospitals in Overland Park
Saint Luke’s Health System says it will close its two community hospitals in Overland Park at the end of the year. Both hospitals opened just a couple of years ago. The health system, which took over management of Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola in July, said declining patient volumes were behind the decision. “Overall, our community hospital model has performed remarkably well and has allowed us to effectively expand access in a critical segment of our market,” Bobby Olm-Shipman, CEO of Saint Luke’s South and East, said in a statement.
Source: The Iola Register
South central Kansas could provide new Space Command headquarters
At the start of September, four Kansas cities were announced as potential sites for the new U.S. Space Command headquarters – with Derby and Wichita among that short list. The U.S. Air Force announced its search for a new location for Space Command – currently operating out of Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. – back in May, distributing screening information to governors across the country. Criteria in order to be considered included being within the top 150 metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S., being within 25 miles of a military base and scoring at least 50 points (out of 100) on a livability matrix created by the American Association of Retired Persons.
Source: Derby Informer | News
After repeated warnings, Topeka police make camping violation arrest
Topeka police on Wednesday arrested a man they said repeatedly refused to stop violating a city ordinance by camping beneath the Interstate 470 overpass that crosses over Wanamaker Road, where he was blocking the sidewalk. Eugene Frank Richardson, 63, was being held on a $500 bond Thursday after being booked at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday into the Shawnee County Jail in connection with unlawful camping in public infrastructure, according to jail records. The arrest came in connection with an alleged violation of an ordinance Topeka’s mayor and city council approved last December banning camping in some locations.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Casino in Park City moves forward with construction
Construction for a casino in Park City is right on schedule. …managers expect to open in mid-January. The Wyandotte Nation purchased the land of about 100 acres nearly 30 years ago. Some people in Park City tell us the opening of Crosswinds Casino could not have come at a better time. “I do think it would bring in some money and give a lot of jobs which this town needs bad,” says Debra Cimmiyotti, Park City resident.
Source: KAKE – News
Over 70,000 Kansas families may finally get broadband through $50M in COVID grants
After years of unreliable service, more than 70,000 households across Kansas could finally gain access to high speed internet. The access will come from 67 public and private projects funded by nearly $50 million in federal coronavirus relief grants, Gov. Laura Kelly announced at a news conference Thursday. An additional $85 million will be spent over the next 10 years on improving statewide internet access through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Eisenhower Legacy program, Kelly said.
Source: KC Star Local News
Seeds for this tree have been to the Moon; now it’s planted in Hutchinson, Kansas
Last week, Hutchinson’s “moon tree” finally took its place on 11th Avenue. The seeds traveled to the Moon, became trees growing across the U.S., and descendants are still planted today in all corners of the earth. Locally, Hutchinson’s young tree waited patiently in Carla Stanfield’s office at the Cosmosphere — the coronavirus pandemic pushed back plans to plant the tree during the Apollo mission anniversary events this spring. “Alright, little moon tree,” the public relations coordinator laughed as she patted soil around the root ball. “You get to be a real tree now.”
Source: News – The Hutchinson News
Plumbers frustrated by amendment that could take away business
Plumbers filled the aisles at Topeka City Council to voice frustration over a quickly approved change to the International Plumbing Code in August. Last month, plumbers said, a change in plumbing code that could take away business from plumbers was approved too quickly. The amendments allow for other contractors, such as excavators, to do work that was exclusively done by plumbers, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Sept. 13.
Source: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal
Hutchinson OKs code to allow enforcement of mask rule
The Hutchinson City Council adopted updated municipal codes on Tuesday that will enable enforcement of age restrictions on buying e-cigarettes and open the door to local enforcement of a mask mandate – if Reno County should adopt one. City attorney Paul Brown explained to the council that the city considers updates to the Uniform Public Offense Code for Cities annually. There were only a few recommended changes to the code this year since the Kansas Legislature didn’t change any laws last session.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Federal judge tosses challenge to Kansas electioneering law
A federal judge dismissed Wednesday a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of state law restricting electioneering at polling places. The suit was brought by the state chapter of the ACLU on behalf of groups who contended their free speech rights were limited by the law, which bars promoting a candidate within 250 feet of a polling place. It argued that some local election officials, notably former Johnson County Election Commissioner Ronnie Metsker, who was named in the suit, were using the law to stamp out other political speech, including non-partisan activism, near polling places. In dismissing the case District Judge Holly Teeter noted that all 50 states had similar laws, which also limit the displaying of signs and other campaign materials near election sites.
Source: State Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal
JoCo finalizes $35 million COVID-19 aid package that includes help for small businesses, renters
After months of research and meetings, Johnson County leaders have settled on a $35 million package of pandemic relief that includes small business grants, rent and workforce assistance, as well as money to improve digital access. The county’s aid package also takes aim at aging and mental health needs, as well as arts, business and child care. The spending will account for about a third of the $116.3 million the county got in federal pandemic relief funds through the CARES Act, along with another $7 million from the state to address economic struggles caused by the pandemic.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Municipal Bond Trends for October 7, 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.
Wichita updates guidelines for economic growth
Wichita city council members have approved some changes and updates to the city’s policy to promote and encourage economic growth and development. The policy covers incentives, tax abatements, financing districts and other programs offered by the city. Council member Bryan Frye said the policy will make incentives more available to small businesses, and he feels the city will see its greatest growth with small businesses. Frye said the policy will also allow the city to leverage state and federal incentives to encourage more investment in Wichita. He said another feature of the policy will encourage more development of office space. Council member James Clendenin said he sees a potential for the policy to encourage more investment in areas of the city that have been declining, and he said developers should begin looking at opportunities in these areas.
Source: Country 101.3 KFDI
Houses selling in days as inventory reaches record tightness in Newton
If you want to buy a house in Newton, good luck. Two years ago, local realtors bemoaned the tightness of the housing market with only 70 homes up for sale. Today there’s 32 homes not under contract in the city of nearly 20,000. For context, there’s 8,237 units in Newton. “I get hit up and people say there’s an awful lot of (for sale) signs up,” local realtor Arlan Newell of J.P. Weigand said. “Well, half of them are sold.”
Source: Harvey County Now
Kansas legislators, governor extend COVID-19 disaster declaration to Nov. 15
Gov. Laura Kelly and legislators on the State Finance Council avoided political fireworks Wednesday to authorize extension until Nov. 15 of the statewide disaster declaration instituted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. An official declaration is necessary to sustain work of state agencies collaborating with counties to deliver personal protective equipment, operate a 65,000-meal per day food pantry, support temporary housing and transport testing materials. Lack of a declaration could impede the state’s ability to handle 870,000 test kits scheduled to be sent to Kansas by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said Kansas National Guard Maj. Gen. David Weishaar.
Source: Kansas Reflector
Ellinwood Fire Department damaged when speeding truck hits it
Authorities said a truck hit the Ellinwood Fire Department late Tuesday night. The driver was heading westbound on U.S. 56 and going over 100 mph. The building and two fire trucks were destroyed. The driver was transported to a Wichita hospital with a broken hip.
Source: KSN-TV
USDA Invests $781,127 in Rural Health Care in Barton County
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $781,127 to provide telemedicine software and equipment to ensure equitable health care access in central Kansas. … “Collaboration and strategic planning are at the heart of Barton County’s success, and this project speaks to our administrative ability to put long-term planning into action,” said Sue Cooper, Barton County Grant Coordinator. “Living in rural Kansas means we need to act cooperatively for the prosperity and well-being of our residents.” This Rural Development investment will help Barton County and three other Kansas counties establish telehealth programs that connect vulnerable populations to vital services that address public health needs and substance use disorder treatment. The grant will connect existing county services to critical healthcare providers. The interactive equipment will allow Barton and Ellsworth County jails remote access to nursing and physician services and decrease the costs associated with transporting inmates. Clients of the Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, and Stafford County Health Departments will access public health services remotely. Central Kansas Community Corrections and the Twentieth Judicial District Juvenile Services will be able to provide vital counseling, treatment, and educational programs that address substance use disorder. The program will create regional access to essential healthcare services and improve patient outcomes.
USDA Invests $40,000 in Community Infrastructure in Norton
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $40,000 toward new patrol vehicles and equipment for the City of Norton Law Enforcement Department. … The city of Norton will use a $40,000 grant to assist with the purchase of two new patrol vehicles and related equipment. The vehicles will provide law enforcement services for nearly 3,000 people in the Norton area. This public safety partnership is made possible by the additional contribution by the City of Norton of $35,000.
USDA Invests $501,956 in Distance Learning in Labette County, Will Benefit USD 506
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Kansas Lynne Hinrichsen today announced that USDA is investing $501,956 to provide interactive video conferencing equipment to allow access to students in rural Kansas. … This Rural Development investment will help Labette County provide interactive video conferencing equipment to Unified School District 506. The equipment enables the distribution of high-quality curricular instruction allowing access for students in rural Kansas.