Kansas Municipal News
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
Hutchinson officials call new testing availability ’game changer’
Local health officials called the recent availability of rapid COVID-19 testing at Hutchinson Clinic and the hospital “a game-changer,” but also noted the battle to contain the virus in the community remains an uphill one because that testing came so late. Hutchinson Clinic physician Dr. Scott Pauly told the Reno County Commission that asymptomatic testing of the general population also remains a critical piece in local health efforts to keep spread under control. The free testing at the Hutchinson Clinic will end on Saturday, but the county is expected to announce a plan next week on how to take it over in some manner using a grant.
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Reno County agrees to look at creating wind development agreement template
The Reno County Commission agreed Tuesday to have staff research and develop a draft commercial wind development agreement that could be paired with zoning regulations still under consideration by the Reno County Planning Commission. Commissioner Ron Hirst suggested the move. “It seems to me like a company spending millions and millions of dollars would like to know early on what the basis of the development contract would be,” he said. “That way … it gets it started on so it covers areas and we’d not have to push so hard and quick to come up with a development contract.”
Source: Local – The Hutchinson News
Topeka partners with nonprofit to offer free financial guidance to city residents
The city of Topeka has partnered with a national nonprofit to offer free remote guidance to local residents dealing with COVID-19-related financial challenges. Topeka has teamed up with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund to offer a “Financial Navigators” program. Through the program, financial navigators provide over-the-phone assistance, helping Topekans access available services and manage income disruptions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. “We are in unprecedented times that are greatly affecting families and their finances,” said Mayor Michelle De La Isla. “This support can help our citizens navigate challenges and stay self-sufficient during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal
After public outcry, Wichita rethinking site for new police station
Facing opposition from neighbors near Cypress Park, Wichita City Hall is looking to find a different location for a new east-side police station, city officials said. The city had planned last year to build the new station on about 4 acres of parkland next to the site of the undersized and outdated Patrol East station at the corner of Edgemoor and Lexington, just north of Kellogg. But the $7 million plan stalled out at the Planning Commission amid opposition from surrounding residents who complained that it would take up too much parkland and devalue their homes.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Planning continues toward creating Etzanoa attraction near Ark City
The Etzanoa Conservancy has remained busy in recent months, despite the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year. Conservancy director Sandy Randel updated the Arkansas City Rotary Club on the organization’s activities during a recent meeting in the Cowley College Brown Center. Plans are under way to develop 80 acres of land north of Arkansas City’s Great Life Golf & Fitness Center, Randel said. The property is in the heart of the footprint of the pre-Columbian settlement of Etzanoa.
Source: The Arkansas City Traveler
Reaching Wichita’s hard-to-count communities as census nears end
The 2020 census count is set to end Sept. 30, a month earlier than originally planned. That’s left census workers and advocates hurrying to get as many households to respond as possible – especially in communities that have historically been undercounted. Kansas is near the top of all states in terms of this year’s census – more than 97 percent of households have been counted. More than two-thirds of all households chose to self-respond, either by mail, phone or online.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Labette Community College gets $200K donation for athletic complex
The Labette Community College Foundation is the recipient of an anonymous $200,000 donation to support the Pathways to the Future Athletic Complex capital campaign. This gift will help the LCC Foundation more closely attain a challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Midland, Texas, toward the construction of a new LCC athletic and wellness complex. “The extraordinary generosity of our donors will make it possible to meet the needs our students and bring our facilities up to the standard of other state community colleges,” said Lindi Forbes, LCC Foundation executive director. “This generous gift brings us within striking distance of meeting the Mabee Challenge. We invite everyone to donate and help us bring that $500,000 grant to our campus to complete the fundraising goal. Every gift truly makes a difference.”
Source: Parsons Sun
Parsons approves project to use coronavirus relief act funds
The city of Parsons will spend about $40,000 from a round of coronavirus relief funding to build a barrier for second-floor offices in the Municipal Building. During a regular meeting Monday, city commissioners approved a proposal to build the permanent barrier that will separate the workspace area from the lobby of city offices that include those of several department heads. The barrier will protect employees from diseases such as COVID-19. Five contractors were contacted to supply a design/build proposal. Only one, Koehn Construction Services, submitted a plan that will cost $40,663.85 to build a barrier wall along with two doors with remote openers. The company plans to start work in as little as two weeks, with completion by the end of the year.
Source: Parsons Sun
$825,000 available for UG grant to support small businesses
As part of the Unified Government’s (UG) CARES Act request, the UG Commission recently approved $825,000 to support the Economic Development Department’s WYCO Loves Local Small Business grants. The WYCO Loves Local initiative was created to encourage continued growth and provide support for small businesses in Wyandotte County. The $825,000 approved by the Board of County Commissioners will provide much-needed support to local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Wyandotte Daily
To help create affordable housing downtown, some Lawrence leaders support redeveloping city parking lots
Some Lawrence city commissioners say that in order to create affordable housing options downtown, the city might have to repurpose some of its parking lots and other properties. The idea of redeveloping the city’s downtown properties — which include a few buildings and 17 parking lots — was one of several options discussed during a meeting of the Affordable Housing Advisory Board last week that included city commissioners. At the meeting, AHAB Chair Ron Gaches said that the city can’t just wait for the market to provide affordable housing downtown and instead needs to be more directly involved. Several commissioners indicated they agreed.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Following study, changes to Lawrence stoplight timings aim to improve traffic flow on main corridors
Upcoming changes to traffic signals along some of the city’s main corridors will aim to decrease the time motorists spend sitting behind red lights and improve traffic flow throughout the city. Olsson, an engineering and design firm hired by the city, is making adjustments to the timing and function of traffic signals following an approximately yearlong study of traffic patterns. The changes will be made to 23rd Street/Clinton Parkway and Iowa Street and will be implemented over the next two weeks beginning on Tuesday.
Source: LJWorld.com.
Overland Park Convention Center on track to lose $2.6 million due to COVID-19 cancellations
Because of coronavirus-related cancellations, the Overland Park Convention Center is on target to lose $2.6 million to $2.7 million this year, said Brett Mitchell, the center’s general manager. Mitchell presented a grim semi-annual report to the city council’s Finance, Administration and Economic Development Committee last week, saying canceled shows and the center’s complete closure from April to June have meant the center will only be bringing in a small fraction of its normal revenue. The center could typically expect a net annual income of about $500,000, and was on track towards that target before the pandemic hit the Kansas City metro in March, Mitchell said. Normally, convention center officials plan for $13 million in annual revenue, but the center has only generated $3.5 million so far, he said.
Source: Prairie Village Post
Lenexa’s inaugural pickleball tournament raises $5,000
Lenexa’s inaugural Swingin’ for a Scholarship Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser earlier this month raised $5,010 and drew in nearly 200 pickleball players to participate. Logan Wagler, deputy director of parks and recreation, said that in total, 96 teams and 192 participants joined in the tournament, which took place at the Lenexa Rec Center due to inclement weather. “The turnout was amazing and some great pickleball was on display,” Wagler said.
Source: Prairie Village Post
All in plein sight: Overland Park-based art competition went wide open this year
Painting outside seems like a perfect social distancing pursuit, but the Stems Plein Air Paint is usually anything but solitary. The annual Overland Park-based art competition went ahead this year — but with some major modifications. The competition started about 12 years ago as part of the Stems: A Garden Soirée fundraiser held by the non-profit Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park. The event supported the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead and the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, as well as various city art installations. In the past, artists have had to create their works outside, either at the Farmstead or the Arboretum during a two-week time period. When the amount of activity at the farmstead made it a more difficult painting area, the event was opened up to all of Overland Park.
Source: Joco 913 News
Municipal Bond Trends for September 21, 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.
Riley County Law Board approves early purchase of new RCPD vehicles
Rather than waiting until January to purchase vehicles for its fleet, the Riley County Law Board is allowing RCPD to do so now to ensure they can fulfill their request. The Law Board gave the police department early permission to use funds from its 2021 budget to purchase seven 2021 Dodge Durango SUVs totaling about $292,000. RCPD Director Dennis Butler says they had to submit a request now, due to the manufacturer shutting down production for an extended period this year. “It delayed just everything and so the guidance we received from them was that if we wanted to receive vehicles in a timely manner for next year, we need to order them now,” he said.
Source: 1350 KMAN