Kansas Municipal News
Franklin County approves zoning for renewable energy companies
Franklin County’s next frontier may lie with renewable energy. As of now, there are no renewable energy companies doing business in the county, but officials believe it is only a matter of time.
County planning director Larry Walrod and the county planning commission developed building codes and zoning guidelines for companies wanting to come into the county. Walrod began reviewing other county policies months ago.
“It has been a lengthy process,” Walrod said. “We have reviewed it pretty thoroughly. I had information from at least 14 counties. We have had input in at least one solar development.”
(Read more: News – The Ottawa Herald)
Registration fees rising on electric and hybrid cars
Vehicle registration costs in Kansas will go up in January for hybrid and electric vehicles.
During the 2019 legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill, originally introduced by the Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force, approving the increases.
Registration fees for electric-hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles will go to $50 from the current $30 or $40, which was dependent on gross vehicle weight.
(Read more: News – The Hutchinson News)
Salina Public Library getting more renovations
While libraries are typically quiet, Salina’s has had a little noise the past few months as it has undergone some small renovation projects.
The Salina Public Library is currently working on an area in its basement that will be dedicated to children who are newborn to about age 5.
“We’re improving the area so it works well for parents and kids. That way, they can use the area easily and have some education aspects involved in the area,” said library director Melanie Hedgespeth.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)
“Choose Topeka”: You could earn up to $15,000 just by moving to Kansas state capital
Topeka, the state capital, is offering potential new residents up to $15,000 to move there.
A pilot program called “Choose Topeka” will match employer funds put up for people who move to Topeka and live and work there for a year, city and Shawnee County economic development groups announced Thursday. The program will pay up to $10,000 to people who rent and $15,000 to those who purchase or rehabilitate a home, according to the news release from the Greater Topeka Partnership.
“Choose Topeka was created with the intention of investing in employees to live and work in Topeka & Shawnee County, so that we may foster an ‘intentional community,’ one of community support builders,” said Barbara Stapleton, vice president of Business Retention and Talent Initiatives for GO Topeka, an organization of the Greater Topeka Partnership. GO Topeka and the Joint Economic Development Organization are partnering on the effort.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)
Wichita, Jewish community team up for rare addition to Century II’s holiday light display
The city’s annual holiday display of jolly lighted Christmas characters in front of Century II has always been reliably unchanged: a happy waving snowman, a smiling dragon donning a Santa hat, a rigid saluting soldier.
This week, though, the display on Kennedy Plaza got an addition, the first one in years. On Wednesday, city workers put up three new lighted structures — a giant menorah accompanied by two dreidels. The structures, which represent the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, face Douglas on the west side of Century II, sitting just in front of A. Price Woodard Park and just to the east of the Douglas Avenue Bridge.
The addition of the decorations was the result of a three-year campaign by a local mother of five — Maggie Pichinte — who also is a member of the the Hebrew Congregation of Wichita. It all started back in December 2016, on Sara’s fifth birthday, she said.
(Read more: Local News |)
After nearly a decade, Prairie Village’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ continues to brighten holidays for group of youngsters
Board games, fuzzy socks and Legos filled shopping carts as Prairie Village police officers spread out through the aisles at Target in Mission to bring the holiday spirit to 10 elementary children on Thursday afternoon.
The Prairie Village Police Department held its ninth annual “Shop with a Cop” event, which provides children the chance to pick out presents for themselves and their loved ones. This year, each child had a shopping budget of $250. Funds for the event were secured through partnerships across the city, said Prairie Village Police Chief Tim Schwartzkopf.
“It gives us an opportunity to give back a little bit to the community,” Schwartzkopf said. “In partnership with the Prairie Village Municipal Foundation, local businesses and other donors, we’re able to provide a fun shopping experience to some kids from Prairie Village.”
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Leawood police help subsidize Ring security camera purchases for 300 residents
As police departments across Johnson County — and the rest of the country — are increasingly turning to footage from private cameras to aid in crime investigations, the city of Leawood recently partnered with Ring, producers of a variety of security products, to make the devices cheaper for a limited number of residents.
On Wednesday, Leawood police hosted an event kicking off a program that provided a $100 discount to 300 residents on the purchase of a selection of Ring products, from video doorbells to spotlight cameras to security kits. Leawood residents were lined up at the Lodge at Ironwoods Park to get their discount codes and then purchase products from Ring staff on site.
Leawood is the first city in the area to participate in Ring’s subsidy match program. Through the program, a city provides $50 toward the purchase of a device and the company provides another $50 for a total discount of $100. Capt. Kirt Yoder of the Leawood Police Department said the funds for the city’s portion of the subsidies, which totaled $15,000, came from the public safety budget.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
JoCo looks at expanding microtransit to lower income neighborhoods, cutting back on bus routes
Service area for Johnson County’s micro transit pilot program will likely be expanded in coming months to include more low-income neighborhoods. But some of the regular bus routes are still on the chopping block, as the county commission continues to try to figure out how to make the transit system more popular and less expensive.
County commissioners, who met for the second time in two months on the subject, agreed that the year-old hail-a-minibus service should include more areas where residents struggle with poverty and don’t have transportation to jobs and medical appointments.
But they couldn’t settle on what the balance should be between the relatively new micro transit and traditional fixed route buses.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post)
Kansas public schools must snuff out vaping with bans for students — and adults, too
A minute ago, vaping was seen as a great way to quit smoking. But now we know that almost a third of teenagers who use e-cigarettes are smoking cigarettes six months later.
And now that we know more, too, about how unhealthy and risky vaping itself is, we agree with the Kansas State Board of Education’s unanimous vote this week to encourage school districts in the state to ban e-cigarettes and all tobacco products.
The kind of ban they’re suggesting would apply, just as it should, on all school grounds, in all school vehicles and at all school activities. It would apply not only to students but adults — guests, volunteers and employees — as well.
(Read more: Kansas City Breaking News, Crime & Sports |)
Study: marjority of farms remain family-owned
U.S. farming, according to a just-released study, remains predominantly family-owned.
According to “America’s Diverse Family Farms: 2019 edition,” a report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service that was released Wednesday, family farms as a group represent 98% of U.S. farms and 88% of production in 2018.
Approximately 90% of U.S. farms are considered small farms. In 2018, these farms, bringing in less than $350,000 in gross revenue, accounted for 48% of farm acres. Although the majority of farmers reside on small farms and have a large amount of land, their production holds at 21.
(Read more: News – Butler County Times Gazette)
Marion community comes out for firefighter-made food
In addition to the opportunity to ride on Marion Fire Department trucks on Saturday, community members got the chance to sample a variety or food made by the firefighters or their loved ones.
“We have all kinds of food. Deer chili, spicy chili, regular chili, chicken noodle soup, ham and potato soup, brownies, cinnamon rolls and more,” said Fire Chief Preston Williams.
Donations for the meal will go to purchasing gear for the firefighters.
(Read more: Hillsboro Free Press)
New Aquatic Center in Lenexa impresses swimmers
This weekend, Larry and Libby and kids enjoyed the brand new Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center, located in the heart of the growing Lenexa City Center neighborhood!
This $28 million, 55,000-square-foot aquatic center sits across the street from the Lenexa Rec Center at 87th Street Parkway and Winchester Street. It is a partnership between the Shawnee Mission School District and Johnson County Parks & Recreation District, which operates the facility. The City of Lenexa donated the land to the school district.
Across the street is a convenient hotel, a SpringHill Suites, which made the snow storm much more tolerable. For the record, son Jackson qualified for the Sunday afternoon finals in two events, but they were canceled due to the weather.
$200 million development coming to Gardner, with homes, retail, hotels
A $200 million development — containing three hotels, 367 single-family homes and 424 units of multi-family housing — is coming to the east side of Gardner. Stores, restaurants and offices also are part of the project.
The city has approved an agreement with Grata Development to develop the 262-acre site on the southeast corner of 175th Street and Interstate 35. The city annexed the property in September.
“This is a true example of a public-private partnership,” Mayor Steve Shute said in the city’s most recent newsletter. “We’ve firmly planted our flag on the east side of I-35, and we expect this project to be a catalyst for innumerable future wins for our residents’ quality of life and the entire region.”
(Read more: Joco 913 News)
City of Lawrence denies excessive-force claims, states motorist’s conduct led to his being shot by police
The City of Lawrence has denied claims that its police department used excessive force against a motorist who was shot by police and instead claims that the motorist’s conduct led to the incident.
Akira S. Lewis was shot by police after a traffic stop turned violent and in September filed a lawsuit claiming that police used excessive force against him and that the city failed to properly train its officers. Lewis filed the lawsuit against the City of Lawrence, the Lawrence Police Department, the police chief and the two officers involved in the traffic stop: former officer Brindley Blood and Officer Ian McCann.
In city survey, about half of respondents support a ban on disposable plastic bags in Lawrence
Just over half of respondents to a city survey about potential ordinances regarding disposable plastic and paper bags indicated they favored banning plastic bags, a city advisory panel learned Wednesday.
Lawrence-Douglas County Sustainability Director Jasmin Moore presented results from the survey to the Sustainability Advisory Board as part of its regular meeting. Moore said more than 600 people completed the survey and that the results, along with some demographic data provided by respondents, would be forwarded to the Lawrence City Commission.
Read more: LJWorld.com.
Exterior Home Improvement Grants Coming Back in 2020
The City of Merriam is again investing $50,000 in grants to help fund homeowners’ repairs and renovations for exterior home improvements. In 2020, residents only need to invest in $2,500 to receive a 20% reimbursement from the City. Eligible improvements include new paint, siding, a fence, deck, roof, driveway, and more projects.
The Community Development Department will start accepting applications in person at City Hall on Jan. 2 starting at 8 a.m. Grant money – up to $2,500 per property – will be available until all funds are allocated.
(Read more: Merriam, KS news)
‘Convenience fee’ catches some Wichita taxpayers off guard
Property taxes are due in Sedgwick County next Friday, December 20. A “Convenience Fee” in paying those taxes could cost more than a hundred dollars more than you’re already paying for taxes.
“We have a few people that, when they find out what the fees are going to be, they’ll ask if there’s another method they could pay with,” said Sedgwick County Treasurer Linda Kizzire. She said you have a few ways to avoid charges you may not be prepared for.
“As you go through each screen, it does tell you about the convenience fee,” said realtor Stephanie McCurdy, who recently filed taxes on several properties. McCurdy said the website doesn’t list the specific amount until the end of the process, since it’s based on a percentage of your total taxes.
The county treasurer said the convenience fee covers the credit card service fee Sedgwick County paid in the past.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Wichita Transit unveils first battery-electric zero-emission buses in Kansas
Wichita Transit on Thursday unveiled the first battery-electric zero-emission buses in Kansas at a press conference. The four new buses will begin operating on routes early next year and will replace several diesel buses.
The city scored a nearly $2 million federal grant to purchase the buses from ProTerra. Wichita Transit estimates each electric bus will last 12 years and save the city $462,000 in that time compared to its diesel counterparts. The buses will charge overnight and should have enough power to run 150 miles by morning. Officials hope the buses will attract new riders.
“As you can see it is quiet, no emissions, no sound. We can carry on conversations. These are things no one ever thought of 10 or 15 years ago in public transportation,” said Mike Tann, Wichita Transit Director.
Mokhtee Ahmad, one of two members of the Federal Transit Administration on hand at the dedication, said the advantage of taking a bus is that you can text and ride instead of driving.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Local law enforcement pack food boxes for needy families this holiday
On Wednesday, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputies, fire, EMS, 911 dispatch and Wichita police packed boxes for their annual food basket drive at the Dillons warehouse.
The sheriff’s office says it will enhance the holiday season for 500 Sedgwick County residents who are in need of assistance. They will receive two boxes filled with various food products. Names of families are submitted by citizens and first responders in Sedgwick County. The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office says they have been doing the event for 26 years.
In Harvey County, it is their third year for the event. The food boxes packed will benefit 200 families.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Wamego Superintendent says proposed traffic signal long overdue; school board considering joining Juul lawsuit
A new traffic signal is coming soon to Wamego’s west side after the city and Pottawatomie County recently entered into an agreement.
It will be installed at the intersection of US-24 and Columbian Road using a Kansas Department of Transportation grant to fund construction. The remaining costs will be split between the two entities. USD 320 Wamego Superintendent Tim Winter says students use that intersection frequently as it’s near the sporting complex
US 24 and Columbian Road intersection in west Wamego, where a new traffic signal will be constructed. (Google Maps street view photo)
Construction is estimated to cost around $300,000 with an additional 60 to 80,000 for engineering design and inspection.
(Read more: 1350 KMAN)