Kansas Municipal News
All Haysville students to receive free meals
The pandemic has meant tough times for area families. USD 261 is working to make sure every one of their students still receive meals during the school year. “As a school district we’re really excited to be able to provide this resource for them at least through the rest of this year because it alleviates a lot of pressure off parents. During this time and we know that it’s been a lot for our students as well as our staff,” commented Adia Ludwig, communications director for Haysville Public Schools. The free meals begin September 10th on the first day of school. It is made possible through a special grant from the USDA.
Source: KAKE – News
Wichita police create 150th-anniversary duty badge to commemorate the department’s founding
The Wichita Police Department has created a 150th-anniversary duty badge to commemorate the founding of the department. Officers now have the option to wear 150th-anniversary commemorative badges instead of the current badges issued. The badges can be worn until the end of 2021. The department was established on April 13, 1871, and the commemorative badge honors one of the first badges issued to WPD marshals, who were the first law enforcement officers in the city.
Source: KSN-TV
Skilled Kansas manufacturers attract ground-breaking tech upstart
After years of research, including one-on-one conversations with farmers, a businessperson from Kansas invented a new type of fertilizer toolbar. Although he grew up in diverse pockets of the world, Daniel Rauchholz, president of the newly formed Farmada, married a woman from Kansas and decided to make the Sunflower State home. Rauchholz previously traveled the world as an export manager for a top agricultural equipment company. Then, last year, he took the step to branch out on his own. Unfortunately, COVID-19 hit, but Rauchholz plowed ahead and opened his Assaria-based company, just south of Salina, this spring.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Keeping schools safe means keeping them clean. These USD 437 custodians are stepping up to that challenge
For head custodian Julie Simpson to clean the classrooms at Wanamaker Elementary, it takes a bit of thinking like a kindergartner would. Every night, the school’s custodians go through each of the building’s classrooms, wiping down all of the potential surfaces — places like desks, pencil sharpeners and light switches — that the students might touch during the course of the school day. The custodians also use misting and fogging machines to coat classrooms with disinfecting spray. They only spray up to 6 feet high on the classroom walls, since it’s pretty unlikely that a kindergartner would be able to reach that high, Simpson joked. “It’s a pretty extensive process, but it’s a team effort, and we get it all done to keep the staff and kids safe,” Simpson said. As students return and get used to in-person classes, school custodians like Simpson and her crew of Gina Hunsperger and Rita Torres have always been essential workers for their buildings, but their role in keeping students safe has perhaps become a more prominent role.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
Future of 1,000 Spirit AeroSystems jobs unclear after ventilator contract ends
A contract partnership at Spirit AeroSystems to help increase the production of ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic has ended early, leaving the future of around 1,000 aviation jobs at the company uncertain. Spirit had partnered with Vyaire Medical to help increase ventilator production, but the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services canceled its contract for the machines early, Spirit confirmed. Spirit and Vyaire have now shifted focus from supplying the national stockpile to international markets served by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Municipal Bond Trends for September 2, 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.
Lenexa updates city code to make ‘intentional or reckless’ firing of weapons unlawful in the city
The Lenexa City Council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to approve an amendment to the city code that defines unlawful discharge of a firearm. … The amendment makes clear that intentional or reckless discharging of a firearm within the city limits is unlawful. In a presentation to the city council, Deputy City Attorney MacKenzie Harvison said the current section of city code is “silent” on the issue of intent, particularly when an unintentional discharge or firing of a firearm has occurred. This has created uncertainty on whether Lenexa can charge someone in municipal court for such an incident.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Unlicensed McPherson mobile home park shut down
After years of code violations, the city of McPherson has filed suit against a mobile home park located at 707 W. Kansas Ave. The city filed action in McPherson County District Court, last week against the defendants who are the owners of the property…
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed
Developers excited to bring houses to Lindsborg
Developers of Stockholm Estates recently broke ground on the proposed 150-lot development that will bring to Lindsborg no fewer than 600 people and add a $40- to $50-million tax base in real estate, according to Derek Lee. Lee is one of the three developers…
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed
Blue Valley mother wants schools open, files complaint with Kansas attorney general
A Blue Valley mother has filed a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, saying the district violated open meetings law when it decided how to start the school year — with older students learning online only. Laura Rozell, who has been pushing for schools to open and sports to resume during the COVID-19 pandemic, retained an attorney who served the district with a demand letter last week. The letter argues that the school board should schedule a meeting to vote on whether to approve the district’s plan.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
WPD welcomes Boomer to the Bomb Unit
The Wichita Police Department announced the name for the department’s newest K-9 addition, a 2-year-old golden retriever Boomer. Det. Stephanie Neal selected the name from the top five names that were provided by the public.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Hillsboro begins land bank
Hillsboro on Tuesday established a land bank for properties that have been abandoned, foreclosed, or are otherwise distressed. Its purpose is to eliminate blight, enhance neighborhood stability, create opportunity for affordable home ownership and rentals, and maintain property values. City council members Tuesday voted unanimously to establish the bank. Properties can be purchased or given to the land bank. The land bank can refuse to accept property.
[FULL STORY at http://starj.com]
Source: HILLSBORO Star-Journal
Derby discusses potential property maintenance code
A property maintenance code would prevent one poorly maintained property from negatively affecting a neighborhood. Currently, it was reported, city codes include very little in this regard, though the city has encountered only a few issues over the years where such a code would have been beneficial.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Hays police now enforcing mask law
Having tried more than a month of education, the Hays Police Department will now give tickets to violators of the city’s mask ordinance. “For the most part we’ve gotten great feedback and cooperation, but there are some who just refuse to comply,” said Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler. “I’m not sure it’s fair for this business to lower the number of people they can have inside their business, while this business just packs them in.” The ordinance originally went into effect for people 8 and older on July 27 and expired Aug. 31. The city commissioners last week voted to extend the ordinance until Oct. 5. The commissioners called for enforcement.
Source: News – The Hays Daily News
With one month left to participate in 2020 U.S. Census, Johnson County boasts highest self-response rate in Kansas
With 30 days left to be counted in the U.S. census, Representatives of Johnson County and local municipalities are encouraging their residents to participate, particularly because an accurate census would ensure accurate representation. Local communities would also receive state and federal funding proportionate to their populations. Jody Hanson, director of public affairs and communications with the County Manager’s Office in Johnson County, said the county has been pushing residents to participate in the census through a nearly two-year-old initiative and the Johnson County Complete Count Committee, a collaborative with cities, school districts, chambers of commerce, nonprofits and faith-based organizations. “Johnson County Government is grateful to the CCC (Complete Count Committee) members and all of our community partners who have been helping educate Johnson County residents about the 2020 Census, including our local U.S. Census Bureau office,” Hanson said. “We also appreciate every household who has participated and encourage those who have not to do so in the next 30 days.
Source: Shawnee Mission Post
Wichita BOE votes to allow fall activities, with restrictions
With a vote 6-1 the Wichita Public Schools board of education voted to allow fall sports and activities, with restrictions. The restrictions include that students participating in “restricted” activities would be enrolled in MySchool Remote for the duration of their season, and two weeks following. Other restrictions include achieving all grading and attendance expectations, students would participate in academic tutoring or other intervention strategies that may be recommended to support academic success and students and coaches would commit to upholding personal hygiene strategies.
Source: KAKE – News
UG reviews STAR bond structure for Homefield’s $350M Schlitterbahn makeover
City officials are bullish on Homefield LLC’s proposal to tear down the blighted former Schlitterbahn structures and erect a $350 million mixed-use development with sporting and entertainment uses. The project seeks $130 million in STAR bonds. Sporting Kansas City co-owner Robb Heineman shared more details Monday evening about his company’s plans for approximately 265 acres including and around the former water park at a Unified Government of Wyandotte County/ Kansas City, Kan., committee meeting.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals
Saline County to offer administrator new contract
Saline County administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes will be continuing in his position after the county commission voted to offer him a contract extension. After an executive session at the commission’s Tuesday meeting, the commissioners voted 5-0 to offer Smith-Hanes an extension to his contract for one year. Smith-Hanes was hired in 2019 and began in December. He said his initial contract was for 13 months, going through December 2020, with an option to extend an additional five one-year terms, which is what the commission voted to do Tuesday. Bob Vidricksen, chairman of the commission, voiced his support for Smith-Hanes and this decision to extend his contract. “He has stepped into a hornet’s nest, unintentionally I might add, with COVID, with the Expo Center, with the radio (project),” Vidricksen said. “We’re lucky that Phil came along.” Vidricksen said that as an organization, as a county and as citizens, the county is in a good place with Smith-Hanes coming to Saline County. “His leadership has been invaluable as far as I’m concerned,” Vidricksen said.
Source: News – Salina Journal
Hutchinson’s Siemens Gamesa lands orders for two Texas wind farms
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has been awarded two new wind projects in Texas that will include, in part, turbines manufactured in Hutchinson. The projects, at yet-undisclosed locations, will have a total installed capacity of 325 MW. The projects will involve 65 of the manufacturer’s SG 5.0-145 wind turbines and a multi-year service agreement. To meet delivery timelines, the turbine nacelles will be assembled both in Hutchinson and the corporation’s Agreda, Spain, facility, according to a company spokesperson.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Moody’s downgrades Wichita’s debt credit rating as city faces coronavirus fallout
On Monday, Moody’s Investors Service released a new credit rating for the city of Wichita that reflects the far-reaching impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak on the local economy. The national credit ratings agency downgraded the city’s general obligation bond debt by one notch, from Aa1 to Aa2. In its report, Moody’s says the pandemic is a key driver for the new rating, particularly its impact on Wichita’s aerospace industry. “We currently anticipate that it will take a number of years for the industry to reach pre-pandemic levels,” the report says.
Source: Wichita Business Journal