Kansas Municipal News
Kansas Supreme Court: Suit against Capitol Police officer may proceed
The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that a man and a woman may move ahead with legal action they are pursuing against a Capitol Police officer seeking damages for injuries suffered in 2010 in Topeka when a car he was chasing struck the pickup truck they were in. The high court announced Friday that in a 4-3 vote it had approved that ruling regarding lawsuits filed by Scott E. Bennett and Shelby Montgomery after both were hurt when a car driven by Robert R. Horton struck a pickup being driven by Bennett, who had Montgomery as a passenger. Horton was fleeing during a chase initiated by Capitol Police officer Patrick Saleh near S.W. 20th and Topeka Boulevard, according to the petitions in the suits Montgomery and Bennett filed in 2012. The Capitol Police are part of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
Wyandotte County orders people to wear masks in public
Wyandotte County has ordered people to wear masks in public, beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. The mandatory health order was issued to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Wyandotte County, according to the Unified Government Health Department. Wyandotte County is currently in Phase 3 of the Ad Astra reopening plan, at least until July 6. There is no end date on the mask-wearing order, but it will be up to local health officials to decide when to lift it. “The seven-day rolling average of positive cases continues to be on the upswing,” said Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer of the Unified Government Public Health Department, in a news release.
(Read more: Wyandotte Daily)
Shawnee County mulls creating infectious disease division manager’s job
The Shawnee County Health Department’s capacity has been stretched to its limits by the COVID-19 pandemic, says director Linda Ochs. She is asking county commissioners to create a job in her department for an infectious disease division manager… That move would mark the first step in creating a health department division devoted to infectious diseases, Ochs told commissioners in a recent memorandum. She said the job’s salary and benefits would be paid “with various potential grants for COVID-19 response and health department reserve funds.”
(Read more: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal)
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: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)
Minneola Artist Repaints Fire Station Flag
Local artist Galen Rankin, recently finished repainting a picture of the American flag, emblazoned on the door of the Minneola fire station. Considered an unofficial landmark, the original rendition of the flag was painted 20 years ago, by the local 4-H Club led by Margo Rakes and was enjoyed by local citizens and travelers driving on Highway 54. Over the years though, the weather and the passage of time had taken its’ toll on the flag, constituting its’ faded state. In response the Minneola city leadership, approached Galen Rankin, and commissioned him to repaint the flag, which he accepted. “Carol Sibley told me to go down and check it out, and see what I think,” said Rankin.
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)
Six Riley County EMS employees test positive for COVID-19; nine firefighters in quarantine
Riley County health officials have confirmed an outbreak of at least six positive cases of coronavirus at Riley County Emergency Medical Services. Three additional tests were pending as of Sunday. According to the health department, positive cases have been confirmed at two out of four EMS stations in the county, with a third likely. All emergency medical and fire services are said to be fully supported and operational. There have been no changes in response posture for the community. The initial infections have been tracked to community spread, and not from exposure to patients served by EMS. The health department says the close living quarters for emergency personnel caused the transfer between staff members. “Thankfully, none of the cases have been severe,” said Riley County EMS Director David Adams.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)
About half the nation’s State Fairs called off due to COVID-19 so far
Oklahoma and New Mexico on Friday joined 23 other states that have canceled state fairs for this year. Research by The News found 16 states, including Colorado, Arkansas and Missouri, that according to press reports or postings on the fair websites, were still planning to have their events in some form, though many of those are later in the year. Another half-dozen states — including Kansas and Nebraska — are pending decisions. The Kansas State Fair Board will discuss on Tuesday whether to go forward with this year’s fair, scheduled for Sept. 11 to 20, and if so, how.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
ACPD officer shortage leads to critical operations
The annual DARE Camp and National Night Out in Arkansas City are being canceled due to a shortage of police officers, Chief Dan Ward told city commissioner on Friday, and school resource officers are needed on patrol. Ward said he doesn’t have the staff resources to support those programs this year. … “We are facing a staffing shortage, and that is increasing daily,” Ward said. Ward said he has 16 patrol officers but six are currently unavailable, or 37.5 percent of the local force. Three officers are in training at the academy and will not return to patrol until late October.
(Read more: Cowley CourierTraveler)
Univ. of Kansas Hospital Authority vs. Franklin County: Whether a government agency has an obligation to pay a person’s medical expenses
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 22-4612 requires certain government agencies to pay the medical expenses incurred by persons in their custody.
2. K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 22-4612 conveys the legislature’s intent to hold government agencies liable for medical costs incurred for the treatment people receive while in their custody. This statute, in conjunction with K.S.A. 22-4613, is rooted in the principle that government agencies have a duty to treat people in their care humanely.
3. The test for determining whether a government agency has an obligation to pay a person’s medical expenses is whether a person is in the agency’s custody when the decision was made to obtain medical treatment.
4. A formal arrest is not always necessary to show a person is in custody. Instead, whether a person is in custody turns on the facts of each case.
5. A party seeking summary judgment must show that there are no disputed issues of material fact and that judgment may therefore be entered as a matter of law—essentially, that there is nothing the fact-finder could decide that would change the outcome. The district court’s task does not change simply because all parties have filed summaryjudgment motions on stipulated facts. Each motion must be separately and independently reviewed under these summary-judgment standards.
6. Under K.S.A. 8-2104(d), when a person is stopped by law enforcement for felonious traffic offenses, law enforcement has a legal duty to arrest the offender—to take the offender into custody and bring him or her before a judge. The officer conducting the stop has no discretion whether to take the offender into custody.
Read the full opinion.
Columbus celebrates addition of new bicycle park
After months of planning and generous donations from the community, the city of Columbus is celebrating a brand new addition to Reeves Park. Dozens gathered today for the unveiling of Ian’s Place, a state-of-the-art bike park. The addition features an elevated tunnel, obstacle cones, a custom-made sunflower sculpture, and even musical equipment. The project was a collaborative effort between city and community leaders to bring a safe and fun place for kids to ride their bikes in town. Daniela Rivas, Columbus City Administrator, said, “I really hope it bring community. Columbus is an amazing, an amazing community um and we find that we lack uh places where our kids can just let loose and have fun and this is exactly what Columbus needed.”
(Read more: KSNF/KODE)
As local cases rise, Johnson County looks to stockpile 3 months of personal protective equipment
As COVID-19 cases spiked this week, the Johnson County Commission gave its blessing to an effort to stockpile a three-month reserve of personal protective gear. The commission unanimously agreed to set aside up to $14.9 million of its $116 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to build up its supply of masks, gowns, face shields and other protective gear. At the same meeting, Public Health Director Sanmi Areola, PhD, reported an increase in cases that he said cannot be attributed to a higher testing rate.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)
The Big Well reopens
The Big Well Museum in Greensburg reopened June 1, after being closed down since March 18 due to COVID-19. The museum is now open for regular business hours but safety precautions are in place in the form of signs to encourage social distancing. Many visitors wear masks as well. “All the visitors have been respectful of the signs we have up,” said Caitlin Matile, Manager of the Big Well Museum. During the shutdown, Matile was able to do some maintenance around the museum. She painted the stairs and deep cleaned the entire building. Although Matile was able to tackle some projects during the shut down, she was excited to be able to see her staff as well as museum visitors.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
Idea for pocket park in downtown Parsons is blossoming
A group dedicated to the beautification of Parsons hopes that the city commission will look favorably on a proposed downtown pocket park. Rod Landrum, representing SEK Point of Pride, has been working with city staff to develop the empty lot where the Parsons Theatre stood before it was destroyed by a fire. The city-owned property is on the south side of the 1800 block of Main Street, just east of a Commercial Bank building.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Municipal Bond Trends for June 25, 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.
After demands for reform, Wichita police chief addresses policy changes
Organizations with demands for Wichita police reform had mixed feelings about Thursday’s announcement of changes at the Police Department. The Wichita Racial Profiling Advisory Board and Project Justice ICT were two of the groups that submitted demands to the Wichita Police Department in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. Floyd died after a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes last month. Floyd’s death has led to widespread protests and demands for police reform. On Thursday, Police Chief Gordon Ramsay announced the department’s response to demands by the groups. The 16-page document, available at wichita.gov/wpd, addressed 16 demands.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Kansas communities see dramatic spikes in coronavirus cases
A spike in reported coronavirus cases has prompted a northeast Kansas community to take a step back in reopening its economy and led the commanding general of a nearby U.S. Army post to restrict soldiers’ visits to a popular bar and restaurant district. Riley County’s health officer this week issued an order reimposing a 50-person limit on public gatherings, limited bars and restaurants to 75% capacity and mandated that they screen employees for coronavirus symptoms daily. Those restrictions are set to remain in place through July 6. But an even more dramatic increase in Crawford County in southeast Kansas tied to an outbreak at a bacon-processing plant isn’t prompting local officials to go back to previous restrictions.
(Read more: Politics & Government News |)
‘Napa Valley of the Midwest’ at Somerset Ridge in Paola
Surrounded by thousands and thousands of grapevines, Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery boasts being the “Napa Valley of the Midwest.” Believe it or not, the Midwest has a rich history of producing wine, and you’ll want to come out and taste it for yourself. “We had customers in last weekend, and they sent a note to their friends in California saying, ‘Sorry, you can’t be with us. We’re out in Ka-Napa!’ And what a great name is that? Ka-Napa!” said owner Cindy Reynolds. “Ka-Napa” may seem new, but the Midwest has a rich history of producing wine.
(Read more: KSNT News)
Reno County eligible for rural development funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development has announced $2.7 million in funding for Kansas counties affected by natural disasters through the agency’s Rural Communities Infrastructure and Equipment program. “President Trump and USDA Secretary Perdue continue to prioritize rural America through resources and funding opportunities to help communities rebuild,” said U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall. “These grant dollars will be valuable tools for our municipalities and nonprofits to support community growth and recovery efforts.” Reno County is eligible for grant funding that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis in grants of up to $50,000. Funding will be provided on a graduated scale; smaller communities with the lowest median household income are eligible for a higher proportion of grant funds. More than 100 types of projects are eligible for funding and must be in eligible rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
(Read more: Kansas Agland – The Hutchinson News)
Johnson County Election Office prepares for in-person voting with PPE, hand sanitizer, disposable pens
On Election Day — Aug. 4 for the primaries and Nov. 3 for the general — in-person voting will look different, Schmidt said. All 170 polling places will be open, but social distancing will play a factor in ballot-casting. Poll workers — who are currently going through small-group election training — will be given personal protective equipment kits that includes masks, face shields and gloves. Additionally, hand sanitizer will be available at several points, Schmidt said. Voters will be given the option to choose a paper or digital ballot. No matter which they decide, they will be given a double-ended writing utensil that has a pen on one end and a stylus on the other. The ink pen will be used for those who fill out paper ballots and the stylus end will be used to sign in and vote on the touchscreen.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Wichita releases draft document on police reform issues
The city of Wichita has released a 16-page document outlining a response to recent protests and calls for reform after fatal officer-involved shootings across the country. Mayor Brandon Whipple, city council members and police chief Gordon Ramsay talked about the document at a city hall news conference Thursday. Mayor Whipple said it’s a response to demands and grievances from several community groups on policing policies. The mayor said he, the council and Chief Ramsay are united in addressing the wishes of the various groups and there will be more discussions. He said the council is not necessarily in full agreement with every response in the document, and he said the goal is to have more dialogue, more action and more listening.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)