Kansas Municipal News
Eudora starts esports league through Parks and Recreation Department; Lawrence says one could be on the way
Esports leagues through city Parks and Recreation departments are on the rise, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the founder of the new esports league in Eudora. When the pandemic began, Jimmy Kegin, assistant director of Eudora Parks and Recreation, began a “virtual recreation center” for the city, with links to cooking projects, art projects and more. Then Kegin, a gamer himself, realized that now was the perfect time to start an esports league. “We are all looking for some way to program, somehow, some way,” he said, and with esports leagues, adults and youth can participate from their own homes.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
City of Lawrence announces new director of planning and development services
City Manager Craig Owens announced Wednesday that Jeff Crick will be the new planning and development services director for the City of Lawrence-Douglas County Planning and Development Services Department. Crick joined city staff in 2013 and has served as the planning manager for the department since 2018, according to a city news release. Owens said in the release that he was excited for Crick to take on the new role. “He has demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to the important services provided by the department and an openness to look at these functions with a fresh perspective,” Owens said.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Municipal Bond Trends for June 4, 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.
Kansas-native NASCAR driver helps support Kansas farmers
For Clint Bowyer, growing up in Kansas meant opportunity. The son of a tow truck driver, Bowyer learned early on the power of hard work. This Sunday, Bowyer takes the wheel of his No. 14 Ford race car at the NASCAR Cup Series race in Atlanta. Busch-sponsored driver Kevin Harvick is teaming up with the Emporia native to race in the same corn-themed paint scheme. With this campaign, Anheuser-Busch for the first time is joining Farm Rescue to help Kansas farmers. The car’s corn motif represents Kansas. The company will donate a percentage of proceeds from Busch-Light beer to Farm Rescue – an organization that helps farmers in need.
(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)
Peaceful protest planned at Gardner city hall Saturday
The Gardner protest organizer has been in communication with the Gardner Police Department. “They are very intent on a peaceful protest. We are going to be there to assist and help facilitate the protest,” said Jay Belcher, police chief. The event is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. at city hall. Members plan to walk eastbound on the sidewalks, not in the street, from city hall to Moonlight Rd. where they will turn around and go back to city hall. Upon arrival at city hall, members will have a quick prayer and then they will have the opportunity to interact with officers sharing thoughts, ideas and experiences, Belcher said.
(Read more: Gardner News)
City addresses water billing concerns
Water usage by Great Bend residents and concerns over how the city bills customers were on tap during the City Council meeting Monday night. Administrator Kendal Francis explained the procedure and assured all present that the city is dedicated to better relations with residents, and resolving issues swiftly and fairly.
The discussion was sparked in part by the concerns of a Great Bend water customer. Loralei Weller alleged her bills were too high and overage charges inaccurate, and that she received poor customer service from city employees at the Front Door facility when she lodged her complaint.
The city has also been taken to task via social media, Francis said.
(Read more: Great Bend Tribune)
Primary municipal bond market sees strong demand
After an impressive rally in May, municipal participants have hit a pause button, particularly as U.S. Treasury yields rise, pushing municipal to UST relative value ratios lower. “Instead, it appears the focus has shifted to primary offerings, which are being well received and seeing strong demand at the expense of secondary market flows,” said Greg Saulnier, managing analyst, U.S. Municipal Bonds Refinitiv (TM3/MMD). “Underlying factors look to be favorable, including manageable supply, summer redemptions/coupon payments, and back-to-back weeks of inflows.”
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)
Fed Expands Municipal-Lending Facility to (a few) More Localities
The Federal Reserve said it would again broaden the number of local governments eligible for a new lending program as Illinois announced it would be the first borrower to access the facility. The central bank said Wednesday it would allow all 50 states to designate two cities or counties to sell debts directly to the central bank’s program, creating an option for states with less populous municipalities to participate. Many state and local governments are facing cash crises as the coronavirus pandemic has crushed both their tax intake and driven an increase in their spending. The central bank also said state governors will be able to designate an additional two issuers whose revenues are derived from operating activities, such as airports, toll facilities, utilities or public transit, to be eligible to use the facility on their own. The changes could allow more than 380 issuers, up from around 260 before the latest changes, to access the emergency-lending program, which was first announced in April.
Read more: Wall Street Journal.
In a time of unrest, the Garden City community comes together as one with the GCPD in a ‘Unity Gathering’
The nation is experiencing a time of unrest as cities are plagued by protests, riots, and violence over the death of George Floyd. However, in Garden City, the community is bringing to light racial injustice but in a unique way. It’s not a protest but a unity gathering. Unification amongst diversification is the goal as the Garden City community is making its voice heard. “One of the things I’ve really appreciated about being in Garden City for the last year and a half now, is it seems like it’s such a beautiful melting pot of different cultures,” said the lead pastor at Bible Christian Church, Brian Wilson.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Municipal Bond Trends for June 3, 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.
Kansas Attorney General Opinion 2020-7: Ranked-choice voting methodology
Synopsis: Article 4, § 1 of the Kansas Constitution prescribes the methods by which votes may be cast but is silent on the method to be used for allocating votes and therefore does not prohibit the use of ranked-choice voting methodology.
(Read more: Kansas Attorney General Opinions)
Burrton considers how to attract new housing
At Monday night’s meeting, Mayor Rodney Redinger told the Burrton City Council that he saw the issue as central to “the survivability of our town, and our school, quite frankly.” Redinger announced that he had been “meeting with some potential builders, basically trying to get some new housing started.” Redinger also shared that city staff have been surveying individuals that commute to Burrton for work to learn what might entice them to live in town. Council member Jason Froese said he had also looked into development, as he personally wished to build in town.
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
Sedgwick takes a step toward better walkways
At last week’s City Council meeting, City Adminstrator Joe Turner presented the council with a bicycle/pedestrian master plan that a dozen residents helped put together by walking every street in town. In his analysis, Turner stated that Sedgwick must approve a master plan for bicycle/pedestrian pathways to be eligible for funding from BCBSKS to implement the improvements. The city’s grant application is for $50,000. The city is working with Walk & Roll Harvey, a leadership team within the Healthy Harvey Coalition that focuses on non-motorized transportation.
(Read more: Harvey County Now)
Team of firefighters, school nurses take to the road to help Olathe families in need
The sudden shift to distance learning in light of the pandemic has left many families adrift without their usual resources. The Olathe School District and Olathe Fire Department have been trying to right that ship with the Mobile Integrated Healthcare for Students Unit. The fire department already operates a mobile health unit serving the general community of Olathe, but this one paired firefighter Chris Curtis, fire resource coordinator for the district, with a group of volunteer school nurses.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
66 Kansas cities and counties to receive Community Development Block Grants to support coronavirus response
Governor Laura Kelly announced today the award of nearly $9 million in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Supplement (CDBG-CV) funds to 66 Kansas communities.
“Kansans have faced unprecedented challenges during the past few months due to COVID-19,” Governor Kelly said. “Our communities need relief – and they need it now. I’m pleased to announce additional resources to help Kansans navigate through the recovery process. These grants will help our communities rebuild their economies and support Kansas families.”
Grants were available in two categories – Economic Development and Meal Programs. Economic Development grants provide communities with funding to help local businesses retain jobs for low-to-moderate income people by covering working capital expenses such as inventory, wages and utilities. Meal Program grants can be directed toward organizations such as Meals on Wheels, local food banks or to support organizations providing meals for children affected by the loss of school meal programs.
“The COVID-19 crisis has left many communities searching for resources to support their residents and businesses,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The CDBG-CV award provides cities and counties the ability to determine where the greatest need in their community lies and to provide some relief as we move into the recovery phase of the crisis.”
CDBG funds are one of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. CDBG-CV grants are part of the state’s allocation from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and are designed to help Kansas communities respond to the needs of their residents and businesses during the reopening phase of the state.
The following communities are recipients of CDBG-CV awards.
| Recipient | Award Amount |
| Abilene | $132,000 |
| Allen County | $132,000 |
| Anderson County | $132,000 |
| Atchison | $132,000 |
| Baldwin City | $132,000 |
| Beloit | $132,000 |
| Bourbon County | $132,000 |
| Chanute | $132,000 |
| Cherokee County | $169,200 |
| Cimarron | $132,000 |
| Clay County | $132,000 |
| Cloud County | $132,000 |
| Coffeyville | $167,000 |
| Crawford County | $132,000 |
| Derby | $132,000 |
| Dodge City | $132,000 |
| Ellsworth | $132,000 |
| Ellsworth County | $132,000 |
| Emporia | $167,000 |
| Eudora | $132,000 |
| Eureka | $167,000 |
| Fort Scott | $132,000 |
| Franklin County | $132,000 |
| Garden City | $132,000 |
| Garnett | $132,000 |
| Girard | $169,200 |
| Gove County | $132,000 |
| Graham County | $167,000 |
| Harper | $152,000 |
| Horton | $167,000 |
| Hoxie | $173,600 |
| Hutchinson | $132,000 |
| Independence | $167,000 |
| Jackson County | $132,000 |
| Jewell County | $132,000 |
| Junction City | $167,000 |
| Labette County | $132,000 |
| Liberal | $132,000 |
| Linn County | $132,000 |
| Louisburg | $132,000 |
| Marion County | $167,000 |
| Marquette | $66,000 |
| Marshall County | $132,000 |
| McPherson | $132,000 |
| Mitchell County | $132,000 |
| Montgomery County | $132,000 |
| Mulvane | $132,000 |
| Neosho County | $169,200 |
| Oberlin | $80,600 |
| Osborne County | $132,000 |
| Ottawa | $132,000 |
| Parsons | $132,000 |
| Phillips County | $132,000 |
| Pittsburg | $170,300 |
| Pleasanton | $132,000 |
| Reno County | $132,000 |
| Russell County | $173,600 |
| Scott County | $132,000 |
| Sheridan County | $132,000 |
| Sherman County | $132,000 |
| Smith County | $132,000 |
| Thomas County | $132,000 |
| Unified Greeley County | $55,000 |
| Wallace County | $132,000 |
| Wilson | $77,000 |
| Wilson County | $132,000 |
To date, the Department of Commerce has received 106 award applications totaling more than $32 million. Applications were processed on a first-come, first-served basis. While all funds for this round of CDBG-CV have been awarded, the Department of Commerce expects to receive approximately $7 million in additional funding in a second round of CDBG funds through the CARES Act. More information will be announced as it’s made available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information on the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Supplement program visit www.kansascommerce.gov/cdbg-cv/.
For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, go to covid.ks.gov/.
(Read more: Kansas Department of Commerce)
City of Topeka sales tax revenues down
City of Topeka sales tax and use tax revenues were down 8.3% for the month of March, city manager Brent Trout told the mayor and city council at their meeting Tuesday evening. “We’re looking at that and doing some analysis,” Trout said. Tuesday’s announcement came at a time when city officials have been dealing with budget challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Topeka YMCA files for bankruptcy protection
Topeka YMCA announced Wednesday it has filed for bankruptcy protection. According to a news release from president and CEO John Mugler, the measure was necessary because of the budget shortfalls experienced by the organization during the coronavirus pandemic. “Like many not-for-profits the Y’s finances have been a challenge,” Mugler said.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
ATVs a problem at busy lake
ATV drivers caused issues on a crowded Memorial Day weekend at Marion County Lake, according to Lake superintendent Isaac Hett. Drivers had children and open bottles of alcohol in ATVs, Hett said, and ATVs not licensed for on-road use reportedly were driven on Upland Rd. and US-256 to Marion. Hearing of the problems, county commissioners decided at a meeting Monday to look into whether Hett could be deputized to enforce ATV ordinances and write tickets.
(Read more: Marion County RECORD)
Residents petition to have city pool opened
Chanute’s decision to close the Maring Aquatic Center for the summer has not gone over well. Other area pools are open, closed, or still deciding what to do. A previous lifeguard has sent messages to city commissioners and members of the Chanute Recreation Commission urging the decision be reconsidered. There is also an online petition. All five city commissioners voted May 26 to keep the pool closed rather than try to partially open it or open for a shortened season.
(Read more: The Chanute Tribune)
Two Arkansas City police officers lauded as lifesavers
Two Arkansas City police officers were presented with a special life-saving award Tuesday during the City Commission meeting. Officer Michael Yzquierdo and Master Police Officer Ted Shinneman were honored for saving the life of a 2-year-old boy. Capt. Eric Burr said that on May 24 the officers were on a routine patrol in the 300 block of North First Street when they were flagged down by a motorist.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)