Kansas Municipal News
Following council’s review of Lenexa police use-of-force policy, city staff to draft joint statement on racial justice
Following a review of the Lenexa Police Department’s use of force policy, the Lenexa City Council expressed interest in a city staff-drafted racial justice statement. As Johnson County cities have begun conversations about racism, City Manager Beccy Yocham asked the city council if it was interested in a joint statement on racial justice. Cities in northeast Johnson County — such as Fairway, Prairie Village, Mission and Roeland Park — have either passed or are in the middle of conversations about similar statements and actions. Councilmember Courtney Eiterich said as a mother to a black son, she wanted to discuss a potential statement and how the city council can include equity in all of its policy considerations. She asked the city council to commit to conversations about race, to stand up for injustices and to listen to people of color without making judgements.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
County ups ante in wind farm road dispute
Who’s responsible for the weather is a key element of what’s likely to be a major lawsuit between the county and its northern wind farm. County commissioners contend Diamond Vista is obligated to make $473,020 worth of road repairs. The wind farm contends some of the damage was caused by weather and not their responsibility. Commissioners consider storm damage to be an expected part of Kansas weather and the wind farm’s responsibility. After nearly an hour in executive session with lawyers, commissioners voted unanimously Monday to have staff prepare documents seeking to collect road repair money from Diamond Vista wind farm.
(Read more: PEABODY Gazette-Bulletin)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 16, 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.
Sheriff Brian Hill receives Administrator of the Year award
Sheriff Brian Hill walked into the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office lobby Thursday morning surprised to see the room filled with friends and family who were all there to celebrate him becoming Administrator of the Year. Hill was chosen by the Kansas State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police as the recipient of this year’s award, and to say he was surprised would be an understatement. “I’m really at a loss for words,” Hill said. “I wasn’t expecting this.” Even as Hill received his award, he gave credit to the members of his staff, both civilian and law enforcement.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Governor Kelly Announces More Than $6 Million in Federal Funding to Respond to Coronavirus
Governor Laura Kelly has announced $6,202,603 in grant awards to state and local jurisdictions in preventing, preparing for and responding to the coronavirus, as well as funds to support families impacted by domestic violence. “My administration continues to work to ensure Kansans and the communities impacted by COVID-19 have the resources they need to fight the spread of the virus,” Governor Kelly said. “These grants are thorough and purposeful examples of how we can direct funds across the state, especially to some of our possibly overlooked areas in need. We know domestic violence is an issue that has been amplified by the pandemic, and this funding will provide support services to those who need them the most.”
(Read more: KRSL Russell Radio)
Three possible learning options for Wichita students come Fall
The Wichita School Board said today nothing is final, but revealed more about their current learning opportunities available for students and parents. Each family will get to decide what works best for them. There are three options. On-site learning: this is in-person classes, but with a few changes…like social distancing, and mask-wearing. My SCHOOL remote: students will take the same hour to hour classes but online. Board officials said some classes may require in-person attendance. Education Imagine Academy: a fully virtual school that provides flexibility in school hours. Depending on what you choose, you likely won’t get the chance to switch until the semester ends. After speaking with parents, they said they are concerned about the teachers who will be in the front lines
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Layoffs confirmed at Kansas Star Casino
The Kansas Star Casino confirmed Tuesday it is moving forward with permanent layoffs. Boyd gaming would not say how many employees are affected, but in May it issued a Warn Act saying it could range from 25-percent to 60-percent of staff. Kansas Star Casino files plans for possible layoffs The company said the layoffs are at the lower end of the range they announced in May. In an email Tuesday, Boyd Gaming stated, “Given these ongoing challenges and continued uncertainty, we are moving forward with permanent layoffs of team members who were still on furlough and had not been recalled to work. These layoffs are at the lower end of the range outlined in the WARN Act letters issued in May. We are notifying affected team members as expeditiously as we can.”
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Cities to receive $18.5 million for road improvement projects
Thirty-six projects that will improve intersections and roads in Kansas cities have been selected for funding through the Kansas Department of Transportation’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program (CCLIP), which funds improvements to state highways that extend through cities. The cities will receive a combined total of approximately $18.5 million in funding under the CCLIP for these 36 projects. This total includes $8.9 million in state fiscal year 2022 and $9.6 million in state fiscal year 2023. Under the CCLIP, a city is required to contribute up to 25 percent of the project cost based on its population, though some cities contribute significantly more. Cities under 2,500 in population aren’t required to provide a match. Projects in this program may fall into one of three different categories including Surface Preservation (SP), Pavement Restoration (PR) or Geometric Improvement (GI).
(Read more: Western Kansas News)
Here’s what it takes to make this city a bright spot in the Johnson County
People joke about “tract mansions” and “Johnson County beige,” which have come to symbolize the sometimes unwelcome uniformity of suburban Kansas City. Roadways promote monotony, too. Four-lane thoroughfares are everywhere in Johnson County — punctuated by medians, turn lanes, fast-food joints and big box stores. “Where am I, again?” a motorist might ask. Not so in Merriam, a short drive from Olathe, Overland Park or just about anywhere in JoCo.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Amid COVID pandemic, no raises for Sedgwick County workers, spending remains flat
Sedgwick County is planning to freeze employee pay next year as it attempts to climb out of the economic hole brought on by the COVD-19 pandemic. “As we look at what’s going on with our community, with our economy, we know that we have to be exceptionally lean,” Sedgwick County Manager Tom Stolz said before presenting his budget recommendations to county commissioners Wednesday. A big part of that leanness is that there will be “no raise in compensation package for any employees,” Stolz’ report said.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Gov. Kelly to sign executive order to delay reopening of schools
Gov. Laura Kelly will sign an executive order Monday that will delay the start of school until after Labor Day. Kelly made the announcement Wednesday during a news conference and said the delay will give school districts the time to finalize their own reopening plans. School will be delayed until Sept. 9. Each individual school district’s reopening plan will be based off recommendations and mandates set forth by the Kansas State Department of Education. … The State Board of Education’s guidelines call for teachers and staff to wear masks inside and suggests all students be told to wear them if they’re in middle or high school. It recommends hourly hand-washing, daily temperature checks for all staff, and limiting visitors and the movement of students. The guidelines also say all students should be observed daily for signs of illness.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Kelly: Executive order will mandate masks, temperature checks in schools
Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order that she will sign Monday regarding the delay of reopening schools will make it mandatory that school districts use masks, practice proper hygiene and perform daily temperature checks. Kelly made the announcement Wednesday during a news conference she will delay the reopening of schools and said the three-week delay will give school districts and their respective county to gather supplies including masks, thermometers and hand sanitizer. School will be delayed until at least September 9 but COVID-19 data will continue to be monitored to determine if schools can then be reopened.
(Read more: News – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 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.
Andover City Council opts against mandating face masks
The Andover City Council voted 1-5 against enacting an ordinance mandating the wearing of facemasks in public during their last meeting on Tuesday, July 14. The ordinance mirrored what the Wichita City Council passed on Friday, July 3. Council Member Shelby Carselowey was the only one who voted in favor of the ordinance. “I don’t feel like we are, in our city, in such a state that we should require [a mask mandate],” Council Member Troy Tabor, who voted against the ordinance, said at the meeting. “I really have confidence in our business owners, we don’t have nearly as many businesses as Wichita, or East Wichita or even a single street in Wichita. We don’t, and the businesses I’ve been to, most of them require masks anyway. And therefore I feel like our citizens and to trust our business owners. I don’t think it’s okay for a mandate at this point.”
(Read more: andoveramerican.com)
Kingman County Places Limits on Mass Gatherings
Kingman County Health Department director Mary Schwartz cited the growing number of cases of COVID-19 in Kingman and surrounding counties on Monday when she issued an order to limit mass gatherings to 45 until Aug. 1 The order was passed by the Kingman County Commissioners with a unanimous vote, 3-0. Schwartz also talked about a potential shortage of capacity in Wichita hospitals, as well as staff shortages. She said she was concerned if Kingman County had an outbreak and needed to transfer patients to Wichita and whether there would be room or not.
(Read more: Kingman County News)
A number of Wichita restaurants reconsider plans in light of rising COVID-19 cases
Wichita restaurants started reopening in early May when all the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were lifted. But since then, cases have surged locally, and many restaurateurs are rethinking their plans. Over the past week or so — as several restaurants have closed after COVID-19 exposure among staff members — others have been making adjustments and discontinuing dine-in, delaying reopening plans or re-closing the doors. Here’s a roundup of the latest: CLOSING AGAIN Side Pockets, 600 S. Tyler: Owners of this popular west side pool hall, bar and restaurant decided late last week to close again “until further notice.” The rise of COVID-19 cases in Wichita, plus the fact that “our team has been placed in the difficult position of having to enforce the wearing of masks in our establishment,” are the main reasons, according to a Facebook post.
(Read more: Dining With Denise Neil |)
Governor Kelly shares update from Kansas Department of Labor
The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has been working with a team of specialists from Accenture for just over two weeks as they provide operational and technological assessments to improve the delivery of unemployment services. “We know there have been major issues and missteps, we’ve hit the reset button and are focusing on the future,” Governor Kelly said. “Accenture is reviewing and providing recommendations to improve the stability of our systems to make sure they are readily available to support Kansans.” While the assessment is still underway, improvements are already being implemented. Since the pandemic began, KDOL has delivered $1.2 billion in unemployment claims to nearly 200,000 Kansans.
(Read more: hiawathaworldonline.com)
Pottawatomie County Fair to go on with adjustments
The Pottawatomie County Fair will go on, but with some adjustments due to COVID-19. The Fair Board, in consultation with the County Extension Office and recommendations with the Pottawatomie County Health Department announced plans Tuesday with some modifications. It will be open to the public July 30 through August 2. Some activities will be reduced to maintain safe social interaction. The fair board is asking attendees to check schedules carefully as some events have changed. Among them, the open class is restricted to just Pottawatomie County residents. All rabbit competitions have been canceled due to a rabbit disease outbreak.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)
Masks now required by law in Reno County
The Reno County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday morning to restore the governor’s order requiring masks or other face coverings to be worn in public. The Tuesday vote rescinds an earlier resolution to not uphold a state of Kansas executive order. As a result, the state order is now in effect in all of Reno County. “We’re trending in the wrong direction,” Nick Baldetti, the county’s health department director, said at the meeting. “From my perspective, I’m really concerned. “Every individual has the responsibility to do their part to make sure everyone is safe.” This latest development makes not wearing a mask in public anywhere in Reno County a civil infraction enforceable by civil fines and or other legal remedies.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
If mask mandate doesn’t get it done, what’s next for Sedgwick County, Wichita schools?
A Sedgwick County commissioner signaled Tuesday that the county may have to take stronger action to contain the coronavirus with the start of the school year about a month away. In a weekly update on COVID-19, commissioners got a grim report from County Manager Tom Stolz: rising coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, percentage of positive tests — a litany of data trending in the wrong direction. “I don’t want to shut anything down, but I want my child to go to school and be safe,” said Commissioner Lacey Cruse, who’s pushed for stronger action than the county’s largely voluntary response to virus prevention. “But the reality is we’re going to send thousands of children back to school — and we shut school down when our cases weren’t even as high — and now we’re trying to send them back?
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)