Kansas Municipal News
State and local impact if Kansas State fair is canceled
Plans are underway at the Kansas State Fairgrounds to continue work as usual for the upcoming 2020 season. Along with the fair being a fun place to take the family it also brings in huge revenue for Reno county. Right now, the Kansas State Fair is still waiting on the final decision on whether or not it will go on this year because of COVID-19. “Everything else is in place for the Kansas state fair, with the exception of the final decision which will be up to our board,” said Robin Jennison, General Manager for the Kansas State Fair. Fair organizers start planning for this year’s fair almost a year in advance, getting sponsors and selling tickets.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
KC construction firm could receive millions to relocate to Kansas
Kansas City-based BlueScope Construction Inc. is among grandfathered companies in the economic border war and could receive more than $20 million to relocate to Kansas. Negotiations on potential incentives started before Kansas and Missouri signed a truce in August to end the use of state incentives to lure businesses from one side of the metro to the other without a sizable net increase in the metro’s workforce. Missouri could contribute as much as $5.6 million if BlueScope Construction opts to keep its West Bottoms facility at 1540 Genessee St. and add 90 jobs over six years, The Kansas City Star reports. The company is part of BlueScope, a Australian-based supplier of steel products that employs more than 14,000 people throughout 18 countries.
(Read more: Kansas City Business Journal – The Business Journals)
Kansas lawmakers approve more than $400 million in funding for counties
Lawmakers on the Kansas State Finance Council approved more than $400 million in federal coronavirus funding. Kansas was given more than one billion dollars in federal funding to be used for coronavirus-related expenses, but the distribution of that money must be approved by the State Finance Council. The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Task Force was formed by Governor Kelly to come up with a plan to distribute federal money to Kansas counties. The task force decided to send the money to counties based on population size, coronavirus cases and unemployment numbers. The money must be spent by December 30, 2020, otherwise it will be taken back by the Federal Government.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Regal reopening its Wichita theaters next month
Regal has announced plans to reopen its move theaters next month, including its Wichita locations. The company says on its website that reopening will begin July 10 and will come with a host of safety measures that include contactless payment options, including for concessions, social distancing and occupancy restrictions in line with any state or county regulation still in place. Staff will also increase sanitization of “high-contact points” and will use ULV foggers to treat each auditorium after every showing.
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)
Kansas site gets $180M defense job
The Kansas operations of General Electric Co.’s aviation division are getting a new corporate boss fresh on the heels of a major defense award that will help support work in Winfield. GE Aviation earlier this month was awarded a $180.6 million contract through the U.S. Navy that, according to a notice of the award from the Department of Defense, will cover engine repair and overhaul on multiple helicopter models. The work will be done at the Kansas facility, with funds obligated at the time of individual orders through June 2025. The GE (NYSE: GE) division employed around 750 people in Winfield and Arkansas City in Cowley County prior to the impact of Covid-19, but the company, like most of its counterparts in aerospace, has been shedding jobs due to the virus.
(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)
Prairie Village takes steps toward allowing residents to keep hens — though home owners associations still have their own prohibitions
Prairie Village took a step this week toward allowing residents to keep chickens — though individual homes associations may have their own restrictions that would prevent people from taking advantage of the city relaxing its regulations. The City Council, meeting as a committee of the whole, voted 9 to 3 Monday night to approve amending the city’s animal control regulations to allow residents to keep hens but not roosters. … The city’s zoning code also prohibits residents from keeping chickens.
(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post)
New Kansas court record system could expand access to hard-to-reach documents
For anyone who’s not a lawyer, accessing court records in Kansas is a headache. Depending on the type of court, successfully obtaining records can involve an endless list of obstacles — from fees and outdated systems to having to physically go to the courthouse. To solve the constant runaround, the Kansas Judicial Branch is developing a new, centralized computer filing system with the hopes of streamlining what many currently see as a confusing and cumbersome process.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Wichita approves ‘eye in the sky’ over riverfront to prevent crime, police brutality
Soon, police will be watching over you when you stroll or bike down the pathways along the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita. The Wichita City Council approved a project to bring full camera coverage over the riverfront, despite some privacy concerns and suspicions that the system might be used to shoo the homeless away from the business districts planned around the new downtown baseball stadium. “Between the riverfront development going on on the east bank — or potential riverfront development — and the development on the west bank, these cameras were brought to our attention to make sure the area was safe,” said council member Brandon Johnson. “As we plan to see 200 events from baseball, other developments going on, this is an opportunity to keep everyone safe.”
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
New library will go into former South Wichita tire store, City Council decides
Wichita’s Linwood Branch Library will be moving into a larger space that was formerly a tire store at the Wichita Mall, the City Council decided Tuesday. The move will nearly double the size of the library, from 3,752 square feet to 6,904, said Library Director Cynthia Berner. It will also more than double the number of public computers from seven to 16, Berner said.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)
Why the 2020 Census is Essential to Municipalities
While the decennial census is always important for its allocation of over $1.5 trillion (with a ‘T’!) in federal funding across 316 federal programs, the 2020 census is perhaps the most consequential in generations. Getting the count wrong right now will have impacts for the next 10 years on how well-resourced cities, towns and villages are to recover from COVID-19 and in shaping the systems that respond to and rectify institutional and structural racism. The events of 2020 mean that the implications of a fair and accurate 2020 Census have gone from important, to urgent, to emergency levels for municipalities’ abilities to address their communities’ needs in the coming decade.
(Read more: CitiesSpeak)
Municipal Bond Trends for June 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.
‘Unbelievably dark’: Merriam officials say inner-workings of 60-year-old Merriam Drainage District aren’t transparent
Flooding issues may have gotten more pronounced in the Shawnee Mission area in recent years, but they’re nothing new. More than six decades ago, flooding concerns along a stretch of Turkey Creek that runs through Merriam, Shawnee and Overland Park prompted the creation of an organization called the Merriam Drainage District. The body has the authority to levy property taxes, just like a city or other public entity, and currently takes in about $200,000 per year from property owners. Its charge is to use those funds on upkeep of Turkey Creek — things like channel maintenance, erosion control and mowing along the banks.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Shawnee announces it won’t open municipal pools for the 2020 season
The city of Shawnee this morning announced it would not be opening any of its public pools in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A statement posted by the city on its website and social media platforms says that with the Centers for Disease Control’s social distancing guidelines still in place, the city could not have staff complete the needed preseason certifications. Moreover, they would not be able to participate in in-service training during the pool season. “As a result, we are disappointed to announce the City of Shawnee will not be opening its Aquatic Centers for the 2020 season,” reads the city’s statement. ‘This decision did not come lightly. The safety of our employees and community will always be our utmost priority. Shawnee Parks and Recreation will continue to focus on providing safe, fun and quality recreational opportunities as we all adapt to the changing conditions.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Pott. County jobs expert talks impact of COVID-19 on local businesses
Jack Allston, executive director of the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation, presented to the Pottawatomie County Commission Monday the results of a survey showing how COVID-19 has impacted local businesses. Of the businesses that responded to the survey, about 15 percent closed and are now open, about 4 percent closed and are still closed and the rest have remained open. As for how job numbers have changed, Allston says there is good news. According to Allston, event-based companies have been negatively impacted the most while those involved in food service and childcare are also seeing cash-flow problems. Pottawatomie County has a 7.6 percent unemployment rate while Riley County currently sits at 8.6 percent, which Allston says came as a surprise.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)
Sedgwick County Commission considers township road maintenance policy
While Sedgwick County Commissioners agreed local township roads are generally well maintained, discussion at a June 3 staff meeting and June 10 commission meeting addressed what could be done in the rare scenarios where that is not the case. Typically, townships are responsible for their own road maintenance, but a statute does exist (K.S.A. 68-124) that allows counties to take over maintenance work – to be billed to the township in question – if those roads are not being maintained. As it stands, the county can get involved if a township board neglects, refuses or fails to comply with the provisions of the statute to repair, place and keep in “condition for travel” any public roads or highways under the township’s jurisdiction.
(Read more: Derby Informer | Area)
Harvey County moving to Phase Out reopening stage
Harvey County is moving into the Phase Out stage of its reopening plan tomorrow. This means there will not be any recommended limits on gatherings. Nursing home visits will not be allowed until June 24. “These past few months have been challenging for everyone in our communities. We appreciate the patience and understanding the people of Harvey County have shown,” said Health Department Director Lynnette Redington. “COVID-19 will continue to remain a concern for the foreseeable future. We will be intently watching and ready to react if our circumstances change.” Individuals and business owners are encouraged to continue to follow national social distancing guidelines. Anyone who comes down with COVID-19 symptoms is urged to stay home and seek medical care.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)
USD 259 Schools to spend $24 million to get laptops and devices to every student
Next year USD 259 schools wants to give every student in the district a laptop or electronic device with internet service. On Monday the school board voted unanimously to pay $24 Million to make it happen in the first semester of the next school year. “They will supply always-on internet capability,” said Chief Information Officer Rob Dickson. “We’ve worked closely with the vendor of choice and they have assured that they will have the right supply chain to get those in place.” Dickson talked with school board members in a special session of the board on Monday. When it came time to vote, it was unanimous. “A significant amount of the money is going to come from CARES ACT dollars,” said Dickson. “And we will also supplement that through a lease/purchase strategy that will be funded through capital outlay.”
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Dodge City public transit fees waived through June 2021
The city of Dodge City announced that all passenger fees for public transportation will be waived through June 30, 2021. According to Ernestor De La Rosa, city of Dodge City assistant city manager/legislative affairs, the decision to waive fees was made possible by funds made available through the state’s public transportation program to help local governments and other agencies to match aid under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Fees will resume on July 1, 2021. “The Dodge City Public Transportation program is funded through the Federal Transportation Administration, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Public Transportation Program and the City of Dodge City,” De La Rosa said. “We are fortunate that the CARES Act provided these funds to help with these operations during these difficult times. KDOT will reimburse the city for 100% of the program’s expenditures until the end of June 2021.”
(Read more: News – Dodge City Daily Globe – Dodge City, KS)
Prairie Village cancels 2020 JazzFest citing COVID-19 concerns
The Prairie Village City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to cancel this year’s JazzFest because of public health concerns about COVID-19 and economic hardships caused by the pandemic. Mayor Eric Mikkelson called the council’s action “another very tough decision to cancel a very popular and tremendous event 10 years running in Prairie Village … but ultimately … in my opinion, the right decision.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Alligator dies after being caught in trap near Kansas creek
An alligator that was recently spotted near a Kansas creek has died after being caught in trap. The 5-foot (1.5-meter) alligator is believed to be one of two stolen from a pet store in the northeastern Kansas city of Manhattan earlier this month. The pet store, Manhattan Reptile World, said the alligator drowned after getting caught in the trap that was set out for the animal.
(Read more: KAKE – News)