Kansas Municipal News
Kansas coronavirus update: Gov. Laura Kelly issues new batch of executive orders; 82 confirmed cases
Gov. Laura Kelly issued four new executive orders Monday evening after declaring her intent to impose a statewide directive limiting gatherings of people to no more than 10, down from the current cap of 50, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
She said the situation in Kansas didn’t — at this time — necessitate a statewide order to stay at home. The restriction on grouping of people takes effect Tuesday.
“All of these actions, while disruptive and unpleasant, are absolutely necessary to keep Kansans safe and healthy and to prevent overwhelming emergency rooms and our larger health care system,” Kelly said. “We’ve all got to do our part and work together to protect our families and communities.”
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Reno County health official estimates near 40 COVID-19 cases likely already in county
While Reno County currently has just two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, Health Department director Nick Baldetti extrapolated from national and state data that conservatively there could be close to 40 cases currently “walking around out there” in the county.
Baldetti said he’s awaiting results from more than 50 tests that have been submitted to the state from Reno County.
Based on the statewide average that 4% of submitted samples come back positive, that would double the county’s known cases, to 4.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)
Labette County restricts travelers from Johnson County among high risk areas
Travelers coming into Labette County from Johnson County since March 15th are now required to self-quarantine.
The Labette County Health Department says the mandate is due to coronavirus concerns, particularly due to such a high number of cases in Johnson County.
Travelers coming from California, Florida, New York, or Washington state are also being asked to do a 14-day quarantine at home.
(Read more: KSNF/KODE – FourStatesHomepage.com)
Munis play catch up on short end after Fed moves
Most municipal benchmark yields were steady Monday, while ICE’s muni curve saw short-end yields decline by 20 to 25 basis points following the Fed’s move to add variable rate demand notes to its list of assets it would purchase.
…“The muni market starts the week stronger, with most of the strength evident from 10 years and in,” ICE said in a market statement. …
“An hour-to-hour theme prevailed for several days, but Friday’s session found some balance following the Fed’s announcement to buy munis out to one-year maturities,” said Kim Olsan, senior vice president at FHN Financial in a market comment.
(Read more: The Latest)
With municipal bond primary in limbo, issuers turn to private placements
Private placements, bank loans and lines of credit have ticked up in the last two weeks as issuers seek an alternative to a primary market that has all but shut down as markets reel from the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York’s Empire State Development Corporation privately placed $381 million of tax-exempt and taxable refunding state sales tax bonds with Bank of America Securities last week, the state comptroller’s office said.
…
Even with the Federal Reserve’s essentially limitless line of purchases of various securities, including variable rate demand obligations and short-term municipal debt — adding to a list of assets eligible to be used as collateral by financial institutions — sources said the municipal new-issue market won’t reopen until there is good news from Washington on the legislative side.
Otherwise, the industry may see more issuers privately placing their debt.
(Read more: The Latest)
Junction City: Avoid Flushing Inappropriate Materials in Toilets
Other alternatives to toilet paper including paper towels and facial tissues also should not be flushed in local sewer lines as people practice guidelines to combat the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. While the “flushable” wipes concern is not new to wastewater facilities, there is an increased risk to our system due to the current shortage of toilet paper.
The City is working closely with Veolia North America, which operates and maintains the wastewater treatment plants, to educate people about the need to avoid flushing inappropriate items down their toilets.
We ask that our community members pay extra attention to what items they are using and flushing and remind you not to flush anything other than toilet paper, whether being used for personal hygiene purposes or for wiping and cleaning surfaces. Although many so-called “disposable” hand wipes are advertised as being safe for flushing, in reality, they can cause backups in the system and contribute to the buildup of foreign materials. In some cases, they can attach to buildups of grease in the system and create large blockages called “fatbergs.”
(Read more: Junction City, KS – News Flash)
Coronavirus brings changes at Topeka Fire Department
A new practice triggered by the coronavirus has helped bring Topeka firefighters some peace of mind.
About a week ago, the Topeka Fire Department began requiring the firefighters at its 12 stations to regularly answer a screening question and get their temperature taken as they start their 24-hour shift at 7 a.m. each day, says Richard Sigle, the department’s emergency medical services chief.
That happened Monday at Fire Station No. 8, 2700 S.W. Fairlawn Road, where an infrared scanner was used to take the temperature of the temporal artery in the foreheads of Capt. Richard Morgan, apparatus operator Kevin Ghere and firefighter Jason Osborn.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Businesses asked to complete survey to help city identify critical infrastructure
Topeka’s city government announced Monday it had created a website to provide information regarding the coronavirus crisis to the public, and that it was asking businesses to use a link to that site to answer questions to help the city identify critical infrastructure services.
City media relations coordinator Molly Hadfield said city government phone numbers, a link businesses can use to report hours and closures and a list of places where city water bills can be paid are all part of the website, which is at https://data.topeka.org/pages/covid19information.
Hadfield said the site includes a link to a survey at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/7e1deddaf0fa4847bf5f6f9bfb7c19c5?, which the city is asking businesses to complete to help it identify critical infrastructure services.
(Read more: Local – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Crawford County has two COVID-19 cases
Crawford County has two residents who have now tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Earlier Monday morning, the department received confirmation of its first case, a 5-year-old, who is also isolated and has not been hospitalized.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)
Roeland Park takes steps to help city staff amidst pandemic, procedural approvals to enact county, state orders
The Roeland Park city council on Friday evening held a special city council meeting to address issues brought on by the novel coronavirus.
Below are the four measures the city council approved:
- Allow city employees to use paid sick leave to make childcare arrangements through May 22.
- In the case of the city being ordered to shut down operations entirely, city staff would receive pay through April 6.
- An ordinance allowing the mayor to impose an emergency proclamation.
- A resolution ratifying the emergency actions the city had to implement due to COVID-19.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
The City of Wellington is closing all offices starting Tuesday
The following is a press release issued through the City of Wellington on Monday, March. 23.
Due to the current national health emergency relating to the concerns of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the City of Wellington will no longer allow public access to most City Offices effective at 8 a.m., Tuesday, March 24, 2020, until further notice. During this time, staff will be working and available by phone or email.
If you require face-to-face contact for an essential service and you are not exhibiting any symptoms of illness, please contact the City Office you are needing to conduct business with by phone or email and an appointment may be scheduled, if necessary.
The City continues to encourage utility customers to pay utility bills by phone using MasterCard or Visa (620-326-2821), online via the City website cityofwellington.net, by mail, or through the drive-thru at the City Building. Payment may also be deposited in the utility payment drop box located near the drive-up window on the south side of the City Administration Building. You may contact the Utility Billing Office by email at utilitybilling@cityofwellington.net Per executive order by the Governor, utilities will not be disconnected for non-payment between now and May 1. The City is also currently waiving late fees.
(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)
City Hall in Ark City to close starting Monday
To maintain employee health and help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) locally, the City of Arkansas City will close City Hall to the public starting Monday.
This closure will be for a minimum of two weeks and will be re-evaluated in early April. The City will strive to disrupt services as little as possible during this time through a variety of measures, including telephones; video conferences; and online, drive-through and drop-off methods (see Page 2 for details).
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
Fed expands reach of new credit facility to muni bond market
The Federal Reserve is expanding its facility backing money market mutual funds to also provide support to the municipal bond market as the economy grapples with fallout from the virus pandemic.
The Fed announced the creation of the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility Wednesday night among a host of recent emergency measures to preserve the flow of credit to households and businesses that could face financial difficulties as the coronavirus wreaks havoc on communities.
On Friday, the Fed said the program will also serve as a backstop for state and local governments through municipal bonds.
(Read more: The Latest)
NABL (National Assoc. of Bond Lawyers) Sends Letter to Congress/Treasury on COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic stimulus package moving through Congress, NABL has submitted a letter to Congress, as well as to Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. In the letter, NABL asks Congress and the Treasury to adopt certain bond-related proposals that will allow state and local governments to access much needed capital now, at a time when support to our communities is of paramount and immediate concern. Additionally, the tools we discuss will position state and local governments to mitigate damages affecting our nation and your constituents.
Read more: NABL.
Sedgwick County to draft stay-at-home order as top doctor says it isn’t yet necessary
Sedgwick County government staffers are drafting an order for people in the largest city in Kansas to stay at home amid the coronavirus pandemic, even though the county’s top public health official says it is not necessary now.
County commissioners met in a special meeting — sitting at least 6 feet apart — Sunday afternoon to discuss the coronavirus pandemic. Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner asked county staff to draft a stay-at-home ordinance by Wednesday’s scheduled meeting.
County Manager Tom Stolz said he hopes county staff will have a draft ready earlier and asked commissioners to consider calling a special meeting once a draft is prepared.
(Read more: Local News |)
Kansas City metro under stay-at-home order effective Tuesday as coronavirus spreads
Kansas City and its surrounding counties will be subject to a stay-at-home order effective Tuesday morning in an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, Mayor Quinton Lucas announced Saturday.
The order, which will go into effect 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, requires residents of Kansas City and Johnson, Jackson and Wyandotte counties to remain at home except for activities “essential to the health and safety” of themselves, family members or friends.
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
Leavenworth County issues stay at home order, joining other counties in KC metro
Another county in the Kansas City area is taking similar precautions following the metro area’s stay at home order announced Saturday.
Leavenworth County issued a stay-at-home order Sunday that goes into effect Tuesday, March 24. Like the order for Kansas City and its surrounding counties, which takes effect the same day, Leavenworth County residents are being told to stay home unless they’re performing an “essential activity.”
(Read more: KC Star Local News)
Municipal Bond Trends for March 20, 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.
Douglas County orders residents to ‘stay at home’ beginning Tuesday, in order similar to KC metro
The Lawrence-Douglas County health department has issued a “stay at home” order that will go into effect early Tuesday morning to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The order includes restrictions similar to those announced earlier this weekend by counties in the Kansas City area and will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. Tuesday until at least April 23.
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health announced the order Sunday night, under the authority of Douglas County’s health officer, Dr. Thomas Marcellino.
“With full community cooperation, this proactive public health order can minimize the impact of COVID-19 on our Douglas County community,” Marcellino said.
The order says all community members should stay at home except to perform essential duties for business continuity or government functions, to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care or perform activities related to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as going outside for walks while not in a group and practicing proper social distancing.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Wichita police chief says WPD has been searching for more protective gear
Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay says his officers are showing up for work now more than ever during this time of COVID-19.
“Our sick leave as of (Friday) yesterday when I looked at it, we are lower than the average throughout the year,” said Ramsay. “And that speaks volumes about our workforce and the people that we have policing our community.”
Ramsay also addressed the need for protective gear for officers.
“There is a significant supply issue with N95 masks and protective gear right now,” said Ramsay.
He says they have been working on the issue for some time.
(Read more: KSN-TV)