Kansas Municipal News
As a new stadium sits empty, the full effect of a lost baseball season reaches close to $1 million
Wichita was counting on the debut of the Wind Surge baseball team in many ways. For example, nearby businesses in the Delano district were gearing up for an uptick in foot traffic this spring that would translate to more spending by consumers. Hotels surrounding the ballpark were also excited. They had many rooms booked for visiting teams and spectators. And the city is approaching losses of as much as $932,000 if the Wind Surge doesn’t play this season — money that was expected to help pay for the new stadium’s construction, which cost nearly $75 million.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
McPherson County Old Mill Museum receives Humanities Kansas grant
Humanities Kansas recently awarded $9,985 to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum in support of ‘Not the Same Old Grind: Mills & Milling in McPherson County’ a new permanent exhibit exploring the milling industry in the county from past to present. Lorna Nelson serves as project director. “We are excited to add a new permanent exhibit that showcases both artifacts and archival material to tell the evolving story of milling and its impact in our county,” she said. “In addition to explaining more of our county’s story, it will help visitors better understand the historic mill on site. We hope the new exhibit will provoke thoughts/conversation about change over time in our rural way of life, our industries, our food production, and even our food consumption.”
(Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)
Municipal Bond Trends for May 5, 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.
Look up this morning in the Wichita area! Team McConnell (McConnell Air Force Base) flyover to salute community and frontline COVID-19 responders
Look to the sky! Team McConnell is scheduled to perform a #AmericaStrong flyover on Wednesday between 10 and 11 a.m. Note: Times are subject to change. Social distancing should be practiced at all times.
Health director says COVID-19 trends in JoCo encouraging, but neighboring communities seeing cases rise
In an update to the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Tuesday, Johnson County Health and Environment Director Sanmi Areola, PhD, said COVID-19 trends in Johnson County suggest spread of the virus is slowing here — but noted that cases are rising in neighboring communities. “Johnson County trends are encouraging,” Areola wrote. “However, while our numbers continue to trend in the right directions, those of our immediate neighbors are not.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Equal funding considered for counties and municipalities
House lawmakers are working on separate and equal federal aid packages for counties and municipalities at the same time that the National League of Cities has doubled its federal aid request to $500 billion over two years. NLC’s director of federal advocacy predicted Tuesday that some small rural communities may have to opt for dissolution because of their dire revenue shortfalls related to the pandemic. Some assistance could be on the way through a “municipality fund” that would designate 30% of the federal aid for municipalities with populations less than 50,000. House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., disclosed those plans in a “dear colleague” letter Monday. She said lawmakers are considering creating separate funds for direct aid to states, counties and municipal governments.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)
These Johnson County cities vote to keep pools closed this summer because of COVID-19
Johnson County cities can open pools for the summer as early as May 18, according to Gov. Laura Kelly’s plan for reopening Kansas amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But some cities say they aren’t ready to dive into the deep end. On Monday night, both the Prairie Village and Roeland Park city councils decided to keep their cities’ public pools closed this summer. And on Wednesday, an Overland Park committee will consider whether the city should open any of its outdoor pools. Officials across Johnson County and the region are deciding whether it’s safe to open community centers and pools, many of which draw hundreds of visitors from across the region.
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
Chicago Fed’s Evans sees rates ‘low for quite a long time’
While it won’t be the eight years like the last time the Federal Reserve cut interest rates to the zero lower bound, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Charles Evans said he “doesn’t think there will be reason to raise rates anytime soon.” “We just came through a long expansion, although we are in a much different environment right now, I think interest rates will remain low for a quite a long time,” Evans said on a virtual conference call on Tuesday morning. He spoke mostly about the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the economy and presented a baseline case of what he envisions for the remainder of the year.
(Read more: The Bond Buyer)
Cities Are Essential: New Campaign Calls for Immediate, Direct Funding to Support Local COVID-19 Response and Recovery
Today, the National League of Cities, the voice of the over 19,000 cities, towns and villages in the United States, launched a campaign to secure economic relief for the communities on the frontline of America’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Cities Are Essential campaign calls for $500 billion in direct federal aid and economic relief from the COVID-19 pandemic over the next two years to support the communities who support America’s people. “Cities are essential – to the fabric of this nation, to the pandemic response effort, and to the 200 million residents we provide essential services for,” said Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities. “The federal government must act now. It’s been almost two months since the first bill providing Coronavirus relief was passed by Congress, and most communities haven’t received a cent in aid.”
(Read more: NLC)
Larned considering seasonal help for nuisance lawns
Revisiting a discussion about nuisance mowing violations that began last December, the Larned City Council Monday night considered the pros and cons of utilizing in-house staff over bidding and contracting for mowing the yards those who allow their grass and weeds to grow too tall. Of primary concern was the risk of liability and damage to equipment…. the city’s code enforcement officer… in 2019… surveyed 14 Kansas cities similar to Larned to find out how they handled and charged for mowing. She found an almost even split between those that contract and those who perform the work in-house. Some, like Hoisington, charged an hourly fee, and others, like Eureka, a flat rate. Larned is in line with the administrative fees charged, she determined. Smith compiled the data and recommended the city allow in-house mowing.
(Read more: Great Bend Tribune)
Wichita YMCA locations to reopen in phases beginning May 18
The Greater Wichita YMCA announced that reopening its facilities in phases begins in less than two weeks. While details are still being ironed out, phase one will begin on Monday, May 18 to coincide with Kansas Laura Kelly’s plan to reopen the state. Local YMCA branches closed on March 16 due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the YMCA’s website, hours will be modified and each facility will comply with state and local guidelines. More details are expected on Monday, March 11.
(Read more: KAKE – 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)