Kansas Municipal News
Big Kansas Road Trip postponed to May
Traveling around the state and sampling small town charm is what the Big Kansas Road Trip is all about. But bringing unrest to a community because of a virus, is not what the Kansas Sampler Foundation wants to do.So KSF postponed their event in Brown, Doniphan and Nemaha counties from September to May 6-9, 2021. The event was originally scheduled for early May of 2020.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Save Century II petition has nearly 17,000 signatures; could force vote on demolition
Organizers of a petition initiative to block the city from destroying Century II and the former downtown library will hand deliver nearly 17,000 signatures to City Hall on Friday, a move that could ultimately preserve Wichita’s skyline and wrest control of a key riverfront site from downtown booster organizations looking to redevelop the area. The ordinance proposed in the petition by a group called Save Century II would prevent the city government from demolishing any historically significant city-owned buildings without a public vote, specifically naming the Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center and the former Wichita Central Library building. State law requires 12,554 signatures by registered voters in Wichita, the equivalent of 25% of voters who cast a ballot in the last city election.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Sedgwick County COVID-19 mask order has no fines; churches exempt from gathering limit
An order issued by Sedgwick County to require business employees and patrons to wear masks to slow the spread of COVID-19 was written to be essentially unenforceable and weaker than a city of Wichita ordinance with similar requirements. And on Thursday, the county order was loosened a bit when Dr. Garold Minns, the county health officer, revised it to exempt religious meetings from a 45-person limitation on the size of public gatherings. Unenforceability is actually written into Minns’ order.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Edwardsville’s Hard Rock Hotel falls on hard times as fraud allegations upend project
The Hard Rock Hotel project in Edwardsville, a development worth more than $70 million for which leaders of this western Wyandotte County town had high hopes, faces an uncertain future after its lender abruptly failed to come up with money for a construction loan. … Now construction has stalled and the development is tied up in three different lawsuits in three different states, putting brakes on a project that city leaders hoped would put Edwardsville on the map as a destination among the various attractions already built in western Wyandotte County. … “I’ve felt ever since the early ’90s it was a prime area for development and it really was and it still is,” said Edwardsville Mayor John “Tiny” McTaggart. “It’s just a matter of how this thing unfolds is anyone’s guess. Will the developer prevail in the lawsuit against the investor who bailed? Who knows?”
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
Ellis Co. rural fire awarded grain rescue tube
Ellis County is one of two counties in Kansas being awarded equipment to rescue victims sinking and trapped in a farm silo grain. The award is from Ohio-based Nationwide Insurance, a Fortune 500 company with a national program aimed at stopping grain bin deaths. Darin Myers, Ellis County Rural Fire Department chief and emergency services manager, said the two new pieces of equipment will replace the department’s old set, which is about a dozen years old.
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)
Public bike repair stations coming to Harvey County
Ten public bicycle repair stations will be placed in Harvey County thanks to a grant written by Healthy Harvey and Walk and Roll Harvey. "Bike service stations were part of our wellness grant," said Lynnette Redington, director of the Harvey County Health Department. With bike plan development in several Harvey County cities, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways funding was acquired for bike repair stations as a Community Wellness project. Each city will receive a bike …
(Read more: Newton Kansan)
New downtown Lawrence guides to assist visitors, help keep downtown clean
The City of Lawrence recently created the Downtown Ambassadors pilot program in partnership with Downtown Lawrence Inc. and the local visitors bureau, Explore Lawrence. The guides wear bright orange shirts with the messages “Welcome to Lawrence” and “How can I help?” A news release from the city states that the guides will provide assistance to downtown visitors, residents and employees, especially as businesses begin reopening during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “The primary goal of the program is to help ensure a clean, safe and welcoming environment for the Downtown Lawrence community,” the release states.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for July 9, 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.
Madison City Council closes City Hall until further notice
Madison’s City Council voted to close City Hall to the public once again during a special meeting Tuesday evening. The decision was part of the city’s review of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. City Clerk Victoria Stewart had requested the council consider closing the doors due to increased traffic inside of the building. “There’s nothing we can’t do over the phone,” Stewart said. “I don’t see much of a point of putting ourselves at risk if we don’t have to. We’ve been able to handle everything over the phone and email.”
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
Gov. talks back-to-school in Kansas
The governor of Kansas is releasing new information about the state’s back-to-school plans. This comes as the state is battling rising coronavirus cases. “We have a virus here that can make our friends and our neighbors and our family members very sick, and even kill them,” said Gov. Laura Kelly. In an interview Thursday, Kelly said educators and public health professionals came together to make a plan we could see within a few days. “What we’re gonna see next week is probably the most comprehensive, the most thoughtful plan for opening our schools safely,” said Kelly. Kelly said the plan will take into account the overall impact of coronavirus on the state of Kansas, as well as the impact on individual schools, and even classrooms.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Cost-share program to help fund 24 transportation projects in Kansas
New roads and bridges, and the jobs that come with them, are on their way to Kansas. The state’s “Cost Share Project” announced that it will fund 24 transportation projects across the Sunflower State. Projects in Newton and Eudora could begin before the end of the year. Other projects could begin in 2021. Governor Laura Kelly says building infrastructure now could create lasting jobs and opportunities in Kansas. “Transportation investments don’t just create short term construction jobs,” she says. “They have the ability to change long-term economic outcomes for communities that have lost populations and businesses. We know that investing in infrastructure benefits existing businesses and encourages new businesses to locate in Kansas.”
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Kansas State Fair Board to reconsider 2020 fair
The Kansas State Fair Board will have a meeting again Monday at 10 a.m. to reconsider the 2020 fair due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Amy Bickel, director of marketing for the Kansas State Fair, tells KSN News that several vendors have pulled out due to other fairs on the circuit canceling. She also said it is tough to get volunteers and employees to work the fair. Already, several area states including Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico have canceled their fairs for 2020.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Wind energy brings $18 million dollars of revenue to Clark county
Wind farms, turning the wind into energy and funding for local communities. A $280-million dollar, 74 turbine wind farm expansion is bringing 250 temporary jobs, and nearly $18 million dollars of revenue to Clark County schools and public services. It’s more than wind energy, it’s vital dollars being poured back into the community. “We’ve really seen an infusion in our economy,” said Jim Nelson, Minneola High School Teacher. It’s not the first wind farm to breathe life into Minneola’s school system.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
New orders regulate restaurants, bars, and nightclubs starting this Thursday
An Emergency Order of Local Health Officer has been issued for Topeka and Shawnee County beginning Thursday, July 9 at 12:01 a.m. This proactive public health order is issued to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the Shawnee County community. A sharp increase in cases has been identified and linked back to bar establishments. Shawnee County Health Officer, Dr. Pezzino consulted with some local owners and operators of bars and restaurants in Shawnee County over the past week to discuss potential changes and how to minimize their impact while preserving the public health goals.
(Read more: WIBW News Now)
City of Lawrence agrees to purchase house found to have century-old city tunnel underneath
The City of Lawrence has agreed to purchase the house of a couple who sued the city after discovering a century-old tunnel directly under their home. Sarah Merriman and Donna Geisler bought their house at 812 Ohio St. in 2017 with plans to demolish the ranch home on the property and build a bungalow with a basement. Those plans were disrupted when it was discovered that a city drainage tunnel ran corner to corner under the home, at a depth of only a few feet, even though no easement was recorded with the city.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
A little bit of heavenly goods in Haven
The small community of Haven decided to open up a farmers market twice a month. After mulling over the idea for years, the Chamber of Commerce thought this year was the time to act. The market opened on Tuesday and it went well. An estimated 100 shoppers showed up and bought vegetables, baked goods, ice cream and soap from 12 vendors. The farmers market will take place from 5-7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. “We’re trying to grow this organically,” said Shannin Rettig, secretary at the chamber. “Eighty-five percent of the vendors are from Haven.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Hesston grocery store task force in early talks with potential store owner
Although they didn’t meet as much during the stay at home time of COVID-19, the grocery store task force continues to work to actively bring a grocer back to the Hesston community. In fact, last week they met with a potential owner/operator for a grocery store in Hesston. Chamber of Commerce Director Megan Smith, who sits on the task force, said that the potential store owner is local to Kansas and is a pre-existing owner/operator considering the possibility of expanding to Hesston. “We had a very positive conversation, both, I believe, from our perspective and from their perspective,” Smith said. “We’re still in the very early stages of these conversations but I’m hopeful that we’re on the right path.”
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
With 4 city employees testing positive for COVID-19, Mission council discusses particulars of mask rules, quarantines
The Mission City Council Monday evening discussed Gov. Laura Kelly’s statewide mask mandate and concerns with exceptions in light of news that four city staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 to date — though not all of the cases came at the same time. Although Mission is adhering to the statewide mandate, the city council briefly discussed enforcement and current procedures when staff members test positive for coronavirus. As positive cases are identified, other staff members who may have been in close contact with that person are taking precautionary measures and self-quarantining for 14 days, City Administrator Laura Smith said.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 8, 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.
Keeping Pittsburg beautiful one project at a time
In 1998, a small group of citizens got together to discuss how they could help beautify the city, and make Pittsburg a place prospective residents and visitors would like to live. These early members formed the “Mayor’s Beautification Committee” later to be renamed “Pittsburg Beautiful.” For 22 years, this group of around 15 community members has organized, funded, and implemented multiple projects to enhance city parks and landmarks. Their numbers may be small but their influence has been significant. Pittsburg Beautiful, working hand in hand with parks and recreation staff, is responsible for maintaining a number of green spaces in the city. While shopping downtown, have you noticed the petunias hanging from the light poles or stopped to smell the flowers planted in the decorative urns along Broadway? While driving into the city at Christmas time, have you admired the festive twinkle lights adorning the “Welcome to Pittsburg” signs? If so, you have appreciated the efforts of their volunteerism.
(Read more: City of Pittsburg)