Kansas Municipal News
Emporia Main Street’s Grand Reopening kicks off Monday
Main Street members are inviting the community back into their doors with the Emporia Main Street Grand Reopening event next week. Community Development Coordinator Jessica Buchholz said community members are invited to pick up a Main Street Passport and visit any Main Street office or participating business, located anywhere in Emporia, Monday – Friday. Make a purchase or receive a service during your visit to the business and get your passport stamped throughout the week. “The idea is to encourage people to come out and shop safely, shop locally and let them know that Emporia is reopening back up,” Buchholz said. “We are wanting to do that on a scale that makes folks comfortable.”
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
Mask mandate approved for Shawnee County
A proposal Shawnee County commissioners plan to consider at 3 p.m. Monday would in many circumstances require people to wear masks in public spaces in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. But the measure would not require masks in some situations, including when people are more than six feet from others or are involved in incidental, infrequent moments of closer proximity.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Salina passes city mask ordinance
In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 the wearing of facial coverings will be mandated in public places in Salina soon, after the City Commission passed an ordinance on the topic Monday night. After the Saline County Commission opted out of Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order on masks last week in favor of its own county health order, the city ordinance mirrors the governor’s order, with a few exceptions.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 6, 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.
‘It’s gorgeous.’ Shawnee honors its Belgium past in this park’s cottage garden
When Belgian immigrants came to America, many of them found their way to the Shawnee area in the late 1800s and after. They settled on family farms of 10 to 40 acres, grew vegetables as they had done back home and sold the produce at market in Kansas City. By 1930, Belgian-born immigrants made up 28% of Shawnee’s population, and many more residents were children of those immigrants. Shawnee celebrates its Belgian heritage in West Flanders Park at 55th Street and Nieman Road, where poppies grow in the spring near a marker that highlights the immigration story, Belgium’s role in World War I and Shawnee’s sister city relationship with the West Flanders town of Pittem.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Masks not mandated, but encouraged in Ellis County
Thursday afternoon, the Board of Ellis County Commissioners consulted with the local health officer of Ellis County. Following this consultation, it was determined the implementation of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-52 mandating the use of face masks in all public spaces will not be mandatory to protect the public in Ellis County. In making his recommendation, the Ellis County Health Officer (Jason Kennedy) cited the three different metrics …
(Read more: News – The Hays Daily News)
Wichita passes ordinance requiring masks
The measure requires masks or any face covering to be worn in public spaces where 6 feet of social distancing “at all times is not possible” and at businesses. Employees in a closed room must wear a mask if social distancing can’t be maintained. Exemptions are for children under the age of 5 and people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask. People do not need a mask while eating or drinking at a restaurant or similar business as long as social distancing is met with “only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.” The social distancing does not apply to people who live together.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Municipal Bond Trends for July 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.
Elected officials to discuss use of force policies, COVID-19 rules
Topeka police use of force policies and Shawnee County COVID-19 restrictions are among topics local elected officials plan to take up this coming week. … The mayor and council will hear a report from the Topeka Police Department about its policies regarding the use of force and its processes for reviewing situations in which officers use force. They will also hear a report from Ed Collazo, the city’s civilian independent police auditor, who took that position last August; and discuss but take no action regarding Councilman Spencer Duncan’s proposal to ban the execution of no-knock warrants by Topeka police.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Mission to enact five-step plan addressing racial justice, equity and inclusion
Following an emotional debate about a Black Lives Matter resolution in June, the Mission City Council intends to enact a five-step action plan addressing racial justice, equity and inclusion. The city council moved the resolution discussion to the July finance and administration committee meeting, and rather than rework the draft as intended, City Administrator Laura Smith presented a plan “for education, review and action.” Smith said conversations about racial inequities and police policy reviews are not intended to condemn the city’s police department, but are integral for education.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Sumner County Commissioners vote 3-0 not to require the use of face masks in public
The Sumner County Commissioners voted 3-0 to “recommend” but not “enforce” Governor Laura Kelley’s executive order to mandatory wear masks during a special meeting held at the courthouse late this afternoon. Using the recommendation of Sumner County Health Officer Laura Rettig’s suggestion, the commissioners signed an order that states (see full order here):”The Board of Commissioners of Sumner County, Kansas, sitting both as the Board of County Commissioners and as the Board of Health of the County, that the use of face masks in public is not required in Sumner County.
(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)
Harvey County commission exempts county from public mask requirement
County Commissioners Randy Hague, Ron Krehbiel and Chip Westfall rejected the advice of both the health department director and the county health officer and exempted Harvey County from a public mask requirement previously issued by Gov. Laura Kelly. The governor issued the order following a growing spike in COVID-19 cases in Kansas after the state’s re-opening. Nationally, the United States had the highest total of new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, surpassing 50,000. “I said I’m going to make a lot of people mad today,” Hague said of his decision. “It’s just the way it is. It’s one of those controversial decisions, and hopefully things work out.”
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
Hospital’s absence leaves mark on Halstead economy
There was a time when Halstead Hospital was known as the Little Mayo Clinic of the Great Plains. It boasted a rich tradition of excellence in health care and medicine, dating back a hundred years to the days of Dr. Arthur Herztler. Those days are long gone, however, overshadowed by a vacant building looming in the center of town that serves as a painful reminder to many residents every time they pass by. This week, the Independent takes a look at what the closure of Halstead Hospital has meant for the local economy in the 18 years since it closed in 2002.
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
Sedgwick has few options for housing needs
The city of Sedgwick is landlocked and underwater. Well, not literally. But when it comes to building new houses, Sedgwick doesn’t have many options outside of the town’s vacant lots. The town is nestled against the Little Arkansas River, which borders Sedgwick on the west and on the north. The presence of the river also means that part of the town sits in a floodplain and would require additional work and expense to build. The town is also landlocked by agricultural farmland, the bread and butter for the country but not for local housing developers. The last two housing developments in Sedgwick were the Highlands, started in January, 1996, and the Reserves, which began in 2005.
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
Gardner PD issues statement regarding use of force
In the interest of transparency, the Gardner Police Department recently released a statement comparing their use of force policy to Campaign Zero’s 8 Can’t Wait campaign. “I have had several citizens ask about it, so we thought it would be a great idea to be transparent about how we operate,” said Jay Belcher, GPD chief. Interest in police use of force policy has grown since the death of George Floyd, a black man in Minnesota, who’s death while in police custody has led to nationwide protests, including a peaceful march in Gardner earlier this month. … Belcher said GPD has done some review of policies and are always looking for ways to improve how things are done. The chokehold and stranglehold, are banned in Gardner. “We have suspended the use of the LVNR (Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint) to do some further research on other options,” Belcher said.
(Read more: Gardner News)
Wichita police and fire department are cracking down on firework regulations
The Fourth of July is Saturday and Wichita’s police and fire department are teaming up to make sure everyone is staying safe this holiday weekend. Wichita firemen and police are cracking down on firework regulations, only allowing fireworks tested and approved by the Wichita fire department to be shot within city limits. The Fourth of July is off to a bang. “My favorite memory of the Fourth of July is being a kid and watching my father light fireworks in the backyard,” said the People’s family, local visitors of Wichita. Fireworks, although can be beautiful and exciting, can also be dangerous.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Local town hosts 50th anniversary of an annual event
Hepler, Kansas, rang in the 4th of July by celebrating its 50th annual Rodeo and Fireworks this weekend. A parade kick started the day filled with community members handing out candy and walking through the downtown area. Games and a rodeo followed the procession. Candidate for Crawford County Sheriff, JJ Karlinger, said it’s an annual event you just have to experience for yourself. To Karlinger, it’s as American as apple pie.
(Read more: KSNF/KODE)
Cimarron Bend wind farm expansion begins
Enel Green Power started construction on the 199-Megawatt expansion of the Cimarron Bend wind farm, on June 18. At an investment of over $281 million, the 74 turbines expansion is set to increase the wind farm’s capacity from 400 MW to 599 MW, making it the largest wind farm in Enel’s North American portfolio. “As Kansas’ wind leader, Enel Green Power is proud to step forward to generate new jobs and economic growth for Kansas during this challenging time,” said Georgios Papadimitriou, Head of Enel Green Power in the U.S. and Canada. “Most importantly, we remain firm in our commitment to protect the health and safety of our workers and host communities as we execute this expansion safely and sustainably.” Construction on the expansion, is slated to be completed by the end of 2020.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Northern Johnson County cities agree to comply with state, county mandate to wear face masks in public
The bigger cities of northern Johnson County have all agreed to adhere to Gov. Laura Kelly’s statewide mandate requiring face masks to be worn in public. Starting Friday, July 3, Kansans must wear a face mask in public indoor and outdoor spaces when 6 feet of distancing cannot be maintained. There are exceptions for Kansans who have medical conditions or mental health disabilities, Kansans younger than 5 and athletes in training. Following the governor’s order Thursday, the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners also voted 4-2 to adhere to the statewide mandate. The orders come as local positive cases of COVID-19 are on the rise.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)
City of Dodge City Reopening of City Hall
The City of Dodge City is set to reopen City Hall to the public on Monday, July 6, 2020. This reopening comes after City administration chose to close the facility to public access on June 11 when an employee tested positive for COVID-19. “We had already implemented health and safety procedures for cleaning public areas when one of our employees was confirmed positive for the disease,” said City Manager Nick Hernandez. “For the safety of not only the staff but the public as well, I felt it was best to close while staff recovered and additional deep cleaning could take place again.” An additional item that has been added to cleaning procedures is the implementation of ultra-violet light sanitizers that are run after business hours in the public lobbies, bathrooms, and other common use areas. An increased supply of hand sanitizer dispensers has also been placed at all building entrances.
(Read more: Western Kansas News)