Kansas Municipal News
Reno County adopts language on sport prohibitions
With lots of confusion and debate around what youth recreational activities might be allowed under the governor’s “reopening” order concerning the novel coronavirus, the Reno County Commission on Tuesday agreed to adopt language recommended by the county’s health officer for local enforcement. Health Department Director Nick Baldetti noted that a “frequently asked questions” sheet put out by the governor’s office on the issue specifically stated that organized sporting activities, including practice, are prohibited. That, however, Baldetti said, does not restrict “outdoor play,” such as playing tennis or catch, as long as social distancing rules can be followed. “There’s been a lot of conversation around this, with a lot of questions,” Baldetti said, including a “robust discussion” during an Economic Recovery Task Force meeting on Monday that lasted nearly an hour.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Wichita expected to lose twice as many jobs as in Great Recession, forecast shows
In 2020, the Wichita area will lose nearly twice as many jobs as during the 2008-10 recession, according to a new WSU economic forecast. On Tuesday, Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research released a forecast that shows Wichita will lose roughly 44,000 jobs from 2019. That’s nearly twice as many jobs from the Great Recession. The Wichita area is expected to see a roughly 30% drop in nonfarm employment during the second quarter before bouncing back to end the year at a 14.6% decline in employment from 2019, the forecast shows. The statewide projection is a 10.2% reduction in labor from 2019.
(Read more: Local News |)
Wichita’s Towne East mall is open, but most stores aren’t yet
Wichita’s big shopping mall — Towne East Square at Kellogg and Rock — reopened on Monday after an almost seven-week shutdown that started on March 18 amid coronavirus concerns. But shoppers who are returning to the mall are finding it full of new safety protocols but light on shopping options. Only about 20 percent of the stores inside the Simon-owned mall were open as of Monday, though mall manager Stephanie Satrape says that number should steadily increase. Among the biggies that remain closed are anchors Dillard’s and JCPenney, neither of which have shared reopening dates yet, Satrape said.
(Read more: Local News |)
Columbus Public Library now offering curbside services
The Columbus Public Library is now offering curbside service to get books and movies out to residents. Restrictions set by the state still don’t allow the library to operate at full capacity, so offering this option will allow them to still offer services. In the meantime, library staff will be prepping for when they can reopen, like setting chairs and computers six feet apart. But until they can start allowing people inside again, they hope they can make their curbside service easy to do. Lauren Dainty, Director at Columbus Public Library, says, “They would contact us either over the phone, they could e-mail us, or message us on Facebook. [They would] let us know the kinds of materials they would like to request, and we’ll prepare their items. Then, they give us a phone call when they are ready to pick up, and we’ll meet them outside, drop the items off in their car, and they’re on their way.”
(Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)
Monday marks 13 years since tornado devastated Greensburg
Monday (May 4) marks 13 year since a deadly storm ripped through the small Kiowa County town of Greensburg, killing 10 people in the community. The EF5 tornado destroyed about 95 percent of the community, leaving the center of town to resemble a bomb site. The powerful storm killed two other people, one in Pratt County and one in Stafford County. The tornado that devastated Greensburg remained on the ground for about 65 minutes,traveling more than 28 miles and measuring nearly 1.7 miles in width. The reconstruction effort that followed took years and the population dwindled to about 800 people, approximately half of the town’s pre-tornado population.
(Read more: KWCH News)
Labette County to appeal gas, oil well ruling
Labette County commissioners will ask the Kansas Supreme Court to review an appellate decision that could result in counties collecting less property tax revenue from gas and oil wells statewide. Labette County joined with Wilson and Neosho counties in arguing a tax issue with the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. River Rock Energy Co. has 2,150 gas wells in these counties and disputes the values set by appraisers, totaling $13,552,670. BOTA ruled in favor of the counties and the appellate justices reversed some BOTA rulings and returned the case to BOTA.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Salina Staff and Operations Affected by Economic Impact of COVID-19
The City of Salina has recently made numerous changes to its budget, staffing schedules and operational hours. The most-recent budget adjustments were made through a combination of work-hour reductions, temporary furloughs, not filling 30 existing vacancies, and suspending hiring numerous seasonal part-time employees pending further review of seasonal program offerings. The full economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) for the City is unknown at this time, but it is clear that a major portion of the City’s operations and services will be affected. The April stay-at-home order issued by the Governor along with local, regional, and national economic trends in these unprecedented times have been continually monitored by City leadership and management.
(Read more: Salina KS News)
Olathe business owner defies Johnson County stay-at-home extension, opens store
Life is slowly getting back to normal for many Kansans, as the statewide stay-at-home order was lifted over the weekend. However, Johnson and Wyandotte counties are still on lockdown until next Monday. But one Olathe business owner isn’t waiting. An additional week of mandated shutdown means another week of struggling to stay afloat for many non-essential businesses. That’s why Rebecca Shipley at Olathe Home Decor opened her store’s doors on Monday.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)
This Johnson County city may require everyone to wear masks inside public places
As businesses prepare to reopen, the Prairie Village City Council is considering requiring everyone to wear facial coverings inside public spaces. At a meeting Monday night, Councilwoman Jori Nelson asked staff to draft an ordinance that would require people to wear masks inside businesses and indoor facilities. After a 90-minute debate, the City Council voted 11-1 to move forward. At its next meeting on May 18, the council will likely vote on an ordinance. “One of our primary responsibilities is protecting our residents and our businesses,” said Councilwoman Piper Reimer, who is a registered nurse. “It’s clear that one of the most effective, manageable and available things to all of us is to wear a face covering of some sort when we are out in public spaces indoors, in a business, restaurant or grocery store.”
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
GCCC to Distribute Over $640,000 in CARES Act Funds to Students
Garden City Community College will distribute $641,003 in federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to qualifying students in order to alleviate financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The disbursement from the U.S. Department of Education is intended to reach as many students as possible and assist with expenses related to the pandemic and disruption of classes this semester. Eligible students are not required to complete any application or paperwork to receive CARES Act funding and will be identified by the institution automatically if they have filed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student (FAFSA) and are deemed eligible for federal aid.
(Read more: Western Kansas News)
Prairie Village, Roeland Park will not open municipal pools for 2020 season
Saying public health considerations, logistical hurdles and staff certification concerns would make operations difficult if not impossible under COVID-19 restrictions, the city councils of Prairie Village and Roeland Park on Monday voted to cancel their 2020 municipal pool seasons. Administrative staff from both cities made the recommendation to close the pools for the year after working through the statewide phased reopening guidelines released by Gov. Laura Kelly’s office last week.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Reopening rules “enforcement” discussed by Reno County
Reno County has created a specific email and will continue with its 1-800 phone number to field public calls or questions about enforcement of the governor’s plan for reopening businesses and institutions within the county during the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. While the governor’s reopening plan carries the force of law, officials plan a “philosophy of education” approach, said Reno County Health Department Director and local Health Officer Nick Baldetti.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Walgreens in Arkansas City closing shop after 12 years
The Walgreens store and pharmacy in Arkansas City will close in early June. Store Manager Rachelle Tagg confirmed on Monday the rumors swirling around social media. The store has been at the corner of Summit Street and Radio Lane for 12 years. It opened in May of 2008 and has 16 employees. “We are closing and our last day to be open is June 3,” Tagg said.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
Atchison County starts COVID-19 reopening plan
It is with caution that Chief Health Officer Lori Forge, RN and county health officials presented the four-phase, 12-page reopening plan in wake of the coronavirus pandemic to county commissioners last Friday. “This is our guide now,” said County Chairman Jack Bower of the plan’s Phase one that came effective Monday, May 4. The public can view the plan in its entirety at https://www.atchisoncountyks.org/DocumentCenter/View/2224/Master-Plan-Document-5-1-2020. Atchison County health officials Forge, Medical Director Dr. Bonnie Tackett, MD, of Atchison Hospital, and Emergency Management Director Wesley Lanter devised that plan. All agreed COVID- 19 is a virus is something medical professionals and experts are learning something new about on a daily basis.
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)
City of Dodge City Phased Plan to Reopen City Facilities and Operations (English/Spanish)
The City of Dodge City has developed a three-phase plan for reopening city-owned facilities and operations that uses the baseline of Governor Kelly’s Ad Astra Plan to reopen the state. The first phase will begin on May 4 and will see a continuation of the operating procedures followed during the Stay-At-Home order. The re-evaluation date to potentially move into the following phase will also follow the data guidelines set in Governor Kelly’s plan by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Over 14 days the disease spread must be stable or declining, the number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions must decline, and there must be a downward trajectory of COVID-19 deaths within a 14-day period. “We all need to continue to be cautious and work hard to honor the social distancing and health guidelines,” said City Manager Cherise Tieben. “If numbers of cases keep growing, the 14-day timeline could be pushed out. We need help from all of our citizens to flatten the curve. We all want our lives and our work to be back to normal.”
(Read more: Western Kansas News)
Up Long Before Sunrise, Alta Vista Native Still Going Strong Serving Rural Hometown
It’s four in the morning need to be at work an hour down the road, tire is flat, oil’s low.” No worry Virgil Ziegler is at McDiffett Service on Main Street in Alta Vista ready to help out.
Modern days’ self-service, nearly impossible to get tires fixed, oil checked, gas filled, yet those old traditions do still exist. “I’m up at 3:30, have my oatmeal and here so people with city jobs get there on time,” Ziegler said. Serving his Wabaunsee County hometown has been the life for the energetic, heathy, outgoing 89-year-old most congenially acknowledged as Virgil. “I live in the same house where I was born, never got far from home,” Ziegler smiled. “Worked in the garage business, grocery stores and mowed lawns, it’s been my life.”
(Read more: WIBW News Now)
Municipal Bond Trends for May 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.
Muni issuance may fall 3% to 7% this year due to coronavirus pandemic, S&P says
As the human toll and financial fallout from the COVID-19 spreads across U.S. states, counties and cities, S&P Global Ratings Research expects municipal bond issuance to shrink considerably this year. “At this time, we expect issuance [in the public finance sector] to contract between 3% and 7%. We see depressed issuance among the long-term debt we track to continue as we have seen in March and so far in April, at least through the near-term,” S&P said in a report released Friday. “That situation could change if relief passes through Congress, or a major change in the trajectory of the COVID-19 outbreak occurs.” S&P cautioned that its 2020 supply forecast was volatile because “so much depends on how quickly economic activity resumes and where, as well as what aid is made available to state and local governments by the Fed or by Congress.”
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)
Atchison Area Community Foundation announces $100,000 of COVID-19 Recovery Fund grants
In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the Atchison Area Community Foundation (AACF) created the 2020 COVID‐19 Recovery Fund. The fund was initiated with a $25,000 matching grant from the Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust just one month ago and has since received donations from dozens of local businesses and individuals throughout the Atchison area. The 2020 COVID‐19 Recovery Fund received applications from 18 local non‐profits in their relief and recovery efforts. Funds will support things such as emergency food distribution, shelter and long‐term housing, emotional and spiritual care, rental and utility assistance, childcare and mentorship programming, healthcare, and much more.
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)
City of Pittsburg limits facility use, cancels events, offers virtual programs this summer
As some area businesses and local government facilities begin to reopen, others are getting creative in finding new ways of offering their services – or having to make the tough decision not to in some cases where doing so while following guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 would be impossible or impractical. “Our staff has diligently reviewed all possible scenarios to safely host events and open facilities,” Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Director Kim Vogel said in a press release. “The bottom line for us is how to best protect the public and our staff, while following mass gathering guidelines. We encourage citizens to maintain social distancing while visiting parks and utilizing the trail systems, and we will continue to develop new ways to engage the public to keep everyone active throughout the summer.” To align with state and county orders, the Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department is limiting the use of some park facilities, modifying summer programs and cancelling special events.
(Read more: Community – Morning Sun)