Municipal News & Jobs

Kansas Municipal News

Planners recommend wind farm ban near Parsons

The public will have a chance to weigh in on a proposed ban of commercial wind turbines in the area surrounding Parsons during an Oct. 15 public hearing.

The Parsons Planning Commission voted 5-1 in a special meeting Thursday evening to recommend the city commission approve an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would limit the height of wind turbines to 200 feet, including blade length, in the extraterritorial area. The planners didn’t want an outright ban of all turbines because some residents outside the city may want to install their own residential units, which are much smaller than those for commercial use.

(Read more: Parsons Sun)

Parsons prepares for 5G infrastructure

The city of Parsons is continuing with a plan for wireless companies to place infrastructure in town that could lead to the expansion of the fifth generation of cellular technology.

City Attorney Ross Albertini told city commissioners Monday that he is working on an ordinance that would outline the process for wireless companies to use the city right of way to add minitowers in town. He also is working on a master license agreement for each wireless company wanting to add the infrastructure.

At first the wireless companies only want to add minitowers to enhance service at busy locations such as schools. The minitowers later could be used for the 5G network, although many more would be needed.

(Read more: The Miami County Republic)

Great Bend USD bond issues defeated

Voters in Great Bend USD 428 rejected two bond issue proposals in a mail ballot election Thursday.The first question proposed up to $41.75 million in bonds for safety and security renovations, and for improvements to all school buildings and to the maintenance and transportation building. The plan also would have added a wing for sixth-graders to attend Great Bend Middle School, and would have installed pre-kindergarten at all elementary schools.

(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)

KDOT launches new cost share program

All transportation projects in Kansas will be able to apply for cash revenue.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is launching a new cost share program.

The program will provide state funding for transportation projects while also leveraging local and private funding.

Creating the cost share program will improve safety, increase highway preservation, and provide new funding opportunities for cities and counties.

Applications for the program are available now on KDOT’s website. To view the application, click here.

Kansas City company files plans to build manufacturing plant with 80 jobs in Lawrence

A Kansas City, Mo.-based company wants to bring 80 jobs to Lawrence and build a new manufacturing plant at Lawrence VenturePark.

U.S. Engineering Metalworks has filed plans with the city to build a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on an approximately 25-acre site at the business park on the eastern edge of Lawrence. The company would become the first to locate a business in the park, which opened in 2014.

The company builds a variety of complex pieces of equipment for the heating, cooling and plumbing industries, according to information provide by the company to the city.

Wichita Fire Department teams up with Wichita organization to host hygiene drive

It’s easy to take every-day items like soap and deodorant for granted, but there families in the Wichita community that can’t afford basic items. Giving the Basics is working to change that.

Through September 15, the organization is teaming up with The Wichita Fire Department to host the Dignity Drive.

Organization leaders encourage people to donate items like soap, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products.

(Read more: KAKE – News)

State Fair awarded wind energy credits

For the first time, the Kansas State Fair — which consumes about a gigawatt of electricity during its 10-day run — will be entirely powered by Kansas wind energy.

At least on paper, since there’s no longer an operating wind turbine on the grounds.

Enel Green Power, in partnership with Westar Energy and KCP&L, is retiring renewable energy credits (RECs) equivalent to the amount of electricity expected to be consumed during the 2019 event.

(Read more: Leavenworth Times)

City, county stay busy year-round with public works projects

Work never ceases on maintaining and improving streets, roads and public property in Topeka and Shawnee County. In both the city and county, efforts to keep things running smoothy are a year-round proposition.

Streets and roads took a beating this past winter, with multiple rounds of rain, sleet, snow and ice pounding the area. The repair work needed as a result of the harsh winter conditions comes in addition to other improvements that already were slated for area streets and roads.

Jason Peek, public works director for the city of Topeka, said street projects are done on a needs-based priority.

Leavenworth County commissioners consider land bank

When they met this week, Leavenworth city commissioners reviewed a proposal for establishing a land bank that could manage and sell tax-foreclosed and abandoned properties in the city.

Leavenworth Director of Planning and Community Development Julie Hurley and Community Development Coordinator Mary Dwyer discussed the idea Tuesday with commissioners.

“There are several cities in Kansas that already have used land banks,” Dwyer said.

Dwyer said a land bank may help eliminate vacant lots by reducing the number of properties commissioners order demolished because they are deemed unsafe.

(Read more: News – The Ottawa Herald)

Wellington City is in good financial shape, auditor says

The Wellington City Council received its annual audit report at its meeting Tuesday and was told the books were in order. CPA Kenneth Cooper, the city independent auditor, did the audit and presented the report.

There were some minor “findings,” which are areas that need to be fixed.

Cooper said his job was to make a report on the city’s financial statements and to see if they were stated fairly. He said, in his opinion, they were fairly stated. You may see the entire audit here.

(Read more: Sumner NewsCow)

Cowley College donates more than 700 pounds of meat to local food pantries

Cowley College donated 723 pounds of meat to Manna Ministries in Arkansas City and the Winfield Community Food Pantry on Wednesday, following the purchase of a steer during the Cowley County Fair 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Auction on Aug. 5 at the Winfield Fairgrounds.

The college began purchasing cattle from local 4-H members and donating the beef to local food pantries in 2010.

Cowley board chair Jill Long and Cowley president Dr. Dennis C. Rittle met with Winfield Community Food Pantry volunteers Mari Wallrabenstein and Scott Schoon in Winfield.

“We are very appreciative of this gift, particularly the ground beef,” Wallrabenstein said. “This is something all of our clients can use and enjoy having. We are so thankful to the college for sharing this with us.”

(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)

KDOT announces approved August bids

The Kansas Department of Transportation announces approved bids for state highway construction and maintenance projects in Kansas. The letting took place Aug. 21, 2019, in Topeka. Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on proximity and type of work… See list >

(Read more: The Salina Post)

Voters approve $51.4 million Tonganoxie High School project by 93 votes

The Tonganoxie High School campus will be getting a sizable upgrade.

Today’s mail-in election results are in and the “yes” votes won by 93 votes, 1,759-1,666.

Voters approved the $51.4 million mail-in bond issue with 51.3 percent of the vote, according to the county clerk’s office.

Voter turnout was 51.56 percent, as there were 3,433 ballots returned of 6,657 sent out to registered voters.

(Read more: TonganoxieMirror.com stories)

Budweiser Clydesdale horses to visit Kansas City next week

The Budweiser Clydesdale horses will be in the Kansas City area next week.

The horses will be visiting certain Price Chopper stores to honor select Kansas City veterans and present them with a year supply of beer.

(Read more: KMBC)

CVB will promote Geary County at the State Fair

A three-member staff from the Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau will be at the State Fair in Hutchinson for the entire nine-day run of that event.

CVB Director Michelle Stimatze said they’ll be manning booths and promoting everything Geary County and Fort Riley have to offer. They’ll be located in the Pride of Kansas building. “Many, many groups that are CVB’s and tourism and that kind of thing are in there. Also there’s some associations as well.”

(Read more: Junction City Post)

State Fair Manager says they’re ready for this years event

The Kansas State Fair goes underway Friday in Hutchinson and General Manager Robin Jennison will have his first fair as the manager. So are they ready for the 10-day event?

“I think we are,” said Jennison. “You know I was here for the entirety of the fair last year, I didn’t have any responsibility. We have so many people that have been here so long, to watch the fair come together over the last four days, it’s really kind of miraculous because everyone knows what they’re supposed to do, know where they’re supposed to be and it works pretty good.”

Although the expense is there for vendors to get a space on the fairgrounds for this event, Jennison says they make a lot of money over those 10-days of the fair.

(Read more: Hutch Post)

Finance director plans to resign

The Fort Scott City Commission learned Tuesday night that Rhonda Dunn, director of finance for the city since September 2018, plans to resign to pursue another opportunity.

During his report to the commission, City Manager Dave Martin said Dunn is leaving her position and plans to work in a financial position for the E3 Ranch in Fort Scott.

“She’ll be going to E3,” Martin said. “We hate to see her go.”

(Read more: Fort Scott Tribune)

Wichita to join lawsuit against pain-killer industry

Wichita plans to join a massive lawsuit against opioid makers, distributors and pharmacies.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the city council approved a law firm Tuesday to represent it in federal litigation in Ohio, where the flood of litigation over the opioid epidemic is being handled. Attorney Andrew Hutton says the city’s complaint could be filed by the end of the week.

Hutton said in a statement that opioid manufacturers used deceptive marketing to maximize profits. He says doctors were convinced to prescribe opioids, not just for cancer patients or those recovering from surgery, but also for chronic-pain sufferers, despite the risk of addiction.

The city wants to be compensated for costs such as opioid-related emergency calls. At the county level, the Wichita area had 148 opioid-related deaths last year.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Douglas County Commission authorizes staff to explore buyouts for flood-prone properties

Some county residents whose homes have been repeatedly damaged by flooding may have the opportunity to use federal and local funds to move to a safer area.

But the number of people who will get the opportunity will likely be low, said Chad Voigt, Douglas County deputy director of public works.

“We’re talking about a fairly narrow scope here, but it is an opportunity,” he said.

Lawrence City Commission defers action on new comprehensive plan that includes controversial growth policy

City leaders have deferred action on the proposed Lawrence-Douglas County comprehensive plan in order to further discuss a new growth policy that some think could increase the cost of housing.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously to defer the adoption of Plan 2040 on second reading. The plan has a new growth policy that prioritizes infill development and adds requirements for developers who want to expand the city’s boundaries.

As currently proposed, the plan includes a requirement that developers provide some kind of community benefit if they want to annex land to expand the city.