Kansas Municipal News
Mayor, council to consider adopting new Topeka flag
A white, five-pointed star at Topeka’s site on the state map is among features of a proposed new city flag put forth last spring by Forge, the city’s young professionals association.
Topeka’s mayor and city council will consider adopting that flag when they meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in their chambers at 214 S.E. 8th.
The Shawnee County Commission won’t meet Monday because of the Veterans Day holiday.
(Read more: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Kansas’ annual tax revenue projection surges $207 million
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican leaders of the Legislature offered conflicting interpretations Friday of new tax revenue projections placing an extra $207 million in the state government’s treasury during the current fiscal year.
If the assessment by university economists and executive and legislative branch analysts holds, state lawmakers would end the 12-month budget cycle in June 2020 with more than $900 million on deposit.
Pressure by the governor to deepen public investment in education, Medicaid expansion, transportation, child welfare and other programs during the 2020 legislative session would influence the bottom line, just as GOP demands for tax cuts would diminish cash reserves.
(Read more: News – PrattTribune – Pratt, KS)
With Brookridge package on the table in Overland Park, county commission debates its role in tax incentive proposals
Increased public pressure about tax incentives and the Brookridge development briefly caused county commissioners to debate their role in the project’s future Thursday.
The commission was getting an update about the Dec. 2 public hearing scheduled for the Overland Park golf course redevelopment when Commissioner Michael Ashcraft suggested commissioners “remand it back.” The package requested by the developer includes more than $200 million in incentives through tax increment financing and a community improvement district.
Although it’s too late for the commission to veto a tax increment financing district for the project, commissioners took the opportunity to express some frustration that information on how public financing could affect the county comes later than they would like.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
Fairway committee will review proposed changes to non-discrimination ordinance language before it heads to council
City Administrator Nathan Nogelmeier told the Post this morning that, following Wednesday’s meeting, the administration had decided against putting the NDO on next week’s council agenda. “Given the number of suggested changes, it was determined that it would be more appropriate for the Committee to continue to work on the draft rather than conduct committee work at the City Council level,” Nogelmeier said.
The Fairway administration committee on Wednesday decided to advance a non-discrimination ordinance draft to the city council for consideration at its Nov. 12 meeting — but the committee is making no recommendation about whether to adopt or not adopt the ordinance.
(Read more: Prairie Village Post – Neighborhood news and events for Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills)
Council approves permit for Louisburg treatment center
Gold Bridge Treatment Center LLC, a 24-hour chemical and alcohol rehabilitation center, has received the green light to open a facility in Louisburg.
The Louisburg City Council voted 4-0 Monday, Nov. 4, to approve a special-use permit required for the business to operate, after the Planning Commission on Oct. 30 added another condition to the SUP that prohibits the center from accepting court-ordered patients.
The SUP previously had 20 conditions covering a variety of topics, but none prohibited court-ordered patients at the 16-bed center until the new condition was just added.
(Read more: The Miami County Republic)
Libertarian law firm asks SCOTUS to consider Colorado eminent domain case
A libertarian public interest law firm is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to end what it says is an abusive eminent domain practice in Colorado.
The Arlington, Virg.-based Institute for Justice filed a petition with the court Thursday asking it to review a Colorado Supreme Court ruling and decide if private companies can use eminent domain for their own benefit.
The case involves developer Woodcrest Homes, which in 2006 purchased a plot of land to develop near Parker, Colo. The company’s development plans stalled, however, due to the 2008 housing market crisis.
(Read more: DerbyInformer.com – news,news/)
How does Arkansas City look to outsiders?
The flowers and murals downtown are a plus, so is the active business scene on North Summit. The college is a crown jewel.
But downtown signage is lacking, entrances signs are in disrepair, and parks seem to lack playground equipment.
These are some of the observations that outside residents made as part of a First Impressions program to help communities see themselves through the eyes of others.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)
City receives donation for Eastside Memorial Park
Emporia City Commissioners accepted a $17,000 donation from the Emporia Eastside Community Group during an action section Wednesday afternoon in the Municipal Courtroom.
The funds, which were awarded to the group by the Jones Trust, are designated to be used toward improvements at Eastside Memorial Park, located at Ninth Avenue and East Street. The Jones Trust awarded $90,000 toward a $135,000 upgrade project at the park in July, with work on basketball courts and sidewalks already underway.
Al Slappy, a longtime member of the group, said the organization has been working for more than 20 years to bring improvements to the park. The group raises money through various fundraisers and activities throughout the year.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
Atchison offers plan to remake downtown
The City of Atchison is keying up a seven-figure investment in its downtown district, which could result in the removal of the Commercial Street Mall as we know it, and a complete renovative facelift for the community.
Joe Warren, chief spokesman for the municipal government in his capacity as director of administrative services, announced on Wednesday morning via a news release that a grant will award $1.5 million of a $2 million streetscape project. The grant is being enabled by funding from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), via its Cost Share Program.
In the main, the project is meant to convert the 500 and 600 blocks of Commercial Street into a regular city street which will allow vehicles to drive through the center of downtown and park in front of businesses on an area currently reserved for foot traffic. City Manager Becky Berger, as quoted in the news release, said the resulting improvements will mirror the 700 and 800 blocks of Commercial Street, west of the mall. In recent years, that area has shown the most rapid economic growth in town.
(Read more: Atchison Globe Now)
USD 253 Emporia bond issue receives overwhelming support
After almost two years of study, preparation and campaigning, the USD 253 Bond Issue passed by a significant margin Tuesday evening with a total of 2,514 votes in favor and 1,450 against.
“We’re extremely grateful for all the support we received from the community,” Emporia Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Case said. “We felt really good about our needs-assessment process and all the involvement we had from all of the stakeholders. I think the fact that our community is very supportive of what we’re doing just validates what that needs committee said. It’s exciting for all our students and staff that attend school here in Emporia.”
The district is scheduling the $78 million bond to be paid over the next 28 years, addressing major areas of need in all area public schools such as safety and security; additions and renovations to academic spaces; a new early childhood learning facility; up-to-date building systems; and projects to improve parking and traffic flow.
(Read more: Emporia Gazette)
Voters chose three new city commissioners in Fort Scott
The city of Fort Scott will have three new commissioners, according to results from Tuesdays election. But the names of who those three won’t be a sure thing until after provisional ballots are counted at 10am Thursday.
The unofficial top vote-getters for the three spots on the Fort Scott City Commission are Harold ” Pete Allen with 714 votes, Kevin “Skitch” Allen with 688 votes, and Lindsay Watts with 661 votes.
(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)
Local organization holding 2 events to giveaway free flu shots, turkeys and coats
A local organization has a busy weekend ahead as they plan to give away 400 turkeys , coats and flu shots to metro families.
According to staff for Mercy and Truth, families needing assistance in any of these departments do not need to bring anything. They just need to show up at one of two locations.
The first giveaway runs from 8 a.m. to noon at the KCK Mercy and Truth, 721 N. 31st Street, Saturday, Nov. 9.
(Read more: fox4kc.com | FOX 4 – WDAF)
Reno County Commission approves bonds for 2 major bridge projects
The Reno County Commission approved the resolutions for replacing the 43rd Avenue bridge just east of Old K-61 Highway Tuesday. Another bridge over the Arkansas River, along Nickerson Road south of Nickerson, is also included in this bond issue.
The county will use bond financing to cover the cost of the work. The county will finance $6.2 million using general obligation temporary notes for the two projects.
The total cost of the two projects is estimated now at $5,901,485. The additional amount with the bonds is for any added cost that might arise.
(Read more: Hutch Post)
Wichita Festivals Inc. names new president and CEO
The non-profit organization responsible for the Wichita River Festival has named their new president and CEO.
Ty Tabing will start his position with Wichita Festivals Inc. November 20. Tabing is a Wichita native who graduated from North High School and Wichita State University.
He received a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago and went on to work at the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, where he led downtown development projects that involved zoning, financial incentives and urban planning. He went on to lead the Chicago Loop Alliance where he created economic development strategies, place-making projects, and public programs and also launched the Chicago Architecture Biennial.
(Read more: KFDI 101.3)
Towanda museum needs volunteers to help complete renovations
The Towanda Area Historical Museum is racing against the clock to get the museum up and running in time for the town’s 150th anniversary next year.
Tricia Lee shares her vision for the new look of the Towanda Area Historical Museum once the museum board finishes renovating the 115 year old building.
“We’ve got this long wall right here that’s eventually going to become a timeline wall that will start with the date the town began until today,” said Tricia Lee, President Towanda Area Historical Museum.
The museum, originally built as a Masonic lodge in 1904, has been closed for about a year and a half to give it a makeover and bring it up to code.
“We’ve put in a lot of hours and a lot of sweat equity into this building,” said Lee.
(Read more: KSN-TV)
Moundridge City Council looking at keeping pool at the current location
With public support in favor of building a new municipal [pool], members of the Moundridge City Council need to find a location community members will support.
Community members seemed to like the idea of building a new pool in the same area as the existing pool, on south Washington Ave. in Wheatridge Park. The council meeting room was full for a special meeting to discuss the $1 million grant the city received to construct a new pool. There were 15 people who attended the meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 30 to give their input on the pool.
“We want to make sure it’s done right the first time,” Mayor Kevin Schmidt said.
(Read more: McPherson Weekly News » Feed)
Great Bend elects write-in candidate for mayor
An overwhelming amount of people in Great Bend voted their next mayor by writing him in on the ballot. Cody Schmidt will take over in 2020 and he’s focused on growing the community.
“I want to work together with the people that are currently in place for our future today so we can plan for tomorrow. One of my slogans this year and this campaign was “I’m a man that gets up every morning and goes to work just like you,” says Mayor-Elect Schmidt.
Schmidt won his campaign by a landslide against three other opponents who were named on the ballot. After some hesitation, the father of two started his write-in campaign. He looks at his kids as motivation. “I’m willing to give up my time and sacrifices to make this community better,” says Schmidt.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Wichita’s mayor-elect already planning changes for City Hall
“It’s going to be a big task. We didn’t go into this thinking that this was going to be an easy gig,” Brandon Whipple, Wichita’s new mayor-elect, said Wednesday morning.
Whipple says he knows being mayor of one of the country’s largest cities is a far cry from being one of more than a hundred state lawmakers in Topeka.
But he’s eager to move forward on his ideas for making Wichita a better place for all.
(Read more: KAKE – News)
Mere 14 votes separate Topeka City Council candidates Duncan, Coen
Topeka City Councilman Jeff Coen has received 67 more votes in this year’s election for the District 8 council seat than he did in 2015.
But that year, he won decisively. This year, Coen trails opponent Spencer Duncan by a mere 14 votes in an election characterized by above-average voter turnout.
Duncan has 1,079 votes compared to 1,065 for Coen, according to final, unofficial figures provided by Shawnee County Election Commissioner Andrew Howell’s office.
(Read more: Local Government – The Topeka Capital-Journal)
Sedgwick County signs off on extending Union Station taxing district for expansion
The Union Station tax increment financing district expanding to include a 1901 building to the southeast of the vacant building got the go-ahead Tuesday from the Sedgwick County Commission.
The Wichita City Council approved the expansion last month.
Occidental Management is the developer of the $54 million Union Station project and will also develop and eventually move into the building included in the expansion. The 20-year district was originally approved in 2014. Occidental president Chad Stafford said they would invest another $9-plus million in the building included in the expansion, which is Union Station’s former icehouse at 155 S. Rock Island.
(Read more: Local News |)