On Thursday, Hutchinson Schools opened its doors — warts and all — to more than one dozen community leaders — including this reporter. The district wanted to get its message out — to let the community know both its challenges and successes. USD 308 decided to become part of the national Educator for a Day event hosted by school districts around the country in celebration of American Education Week. This event occurs during the week prior to Thanksgiving. Because of the day’s success, Hutchinson Schools is going to make this an annual event.
Source: Hutch News

Topeka should consider decommissioning four of its 12 fire stations, says a consultant report created for the city government. Those stations “are beautiful historic landmarks in the Topeka community, but they have served their purpose,” said the report produced by Schwerdt Design Group and PKMR Engineers … All are more than 80 years old and unable to meet current building codes, design standards and community needs, the report said. “The mechanical and electrical systems in these four stations need a lot of replacement to make them even serviceable in the next few years,” it said.
Source: CJonline

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting State Director for Rural Development Kansas Dan Fischer today announced that USDA is investing $803,700 toward 11 community facility projects, serving 29,333 Kansans.

“Community facilities like schools and first responder equipment help communities thrive,” Fischer said. “USDA Rural Development puts rural people at the forefront of investment and opportunity. With these improvements Kansas towns will be better able to serve their residents and their communities will be safer and more efficient.”

Background:

These 11 Kansas investments are part of a larger national investment of $132 million in 44 states through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The assistance will fund essential community facilities and services.

The Kansas projects are:

• The City of Laharpe will receive a $46,400 grant to purchase and install a heating and air conditioning system for the city hall, library and community center. The current system is old, unreliable and has many service calls for repairs. At times, those repairs have caused the cancellation of activities.
• The City of Redfield will receive a $38,700 grant to renovate and improve the city hall/community center. The building’s age, along with deferred maintenance, has resulted in a need for significant upgrades. Upgrades to the restroom, water heater, heating and cooling system, and doors and windows will improve energy efficiency and lower operational costs.
• The Unified School District #220, Ashland, will receive a $100,500 grant to renovate Ashland High School restrooms making them Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.
• The City of Winfield will receive a $125,400 grant to purchase two ambulances for the city’s emergency services. Two of the city’s five ambulances are no longer serviceable due to high mileage and repair costs.
• The City of Girard will receive a $13,400 grant toward the purchase of a law enforcement vehicle and firefighting equipment. The new vehicle will replace an older vehicle with high mileage. The fire equipment is a positive pressure vent fan, a rescue saw, and a ventilation chain saw.
• The City of Goessel will receive a $34,000 grant toward the purchase of a backhoe. Increased repairs to the old backhoe are expected to exceed replacement costs. This equipment is used in maintaining streets, repairing water leaks, sewer leaks and used at the city’s tree dump.
• The Unified School District #380 will receive a $243,000 grant to renovate school buildings and upgrade technology within the communities of Centralia, Frankfort and Vermillion. Renovations will include window replacements, classroom and bathroom remodels, and replacement of an outdated boiler heating system with heating/air conditioning units. Funds will also be used to purchase security cameras, magnetic door holders, a new school bus, and 240 laptops to replace outdated computer equipment.
• The City of Osawatomie will receive a $46,000 grant to purchase radios for the police and fire departments. The current radios are outdated and do not meet mandates by the Federal Communication Commission. The new radios will assist the departments in working side by side with other agencies throughout the state for emergencies or natural disasters.
• The City of Cherryvale will receive a $37,400 grant to purchase a vehicle and equipment for the Fire-Rescue Department’s Code Enforcement within the city. The new vehicle will be designated for Code Enforcement use.
• The Historic Preservation Corporation will receive a $85,800 grant to renovate the interior of the Art and History Center located in Council Grove. The renovations will include the installation of heating and air conditioning, restroom renovations, flooring, custom stage, chair lift, and shelving for displays.
• The City of Kingman will receive a $33,100 grant to purchase and install equipment and update landscaping in Broadway Park. This project will provide handicapped accessible equipment and parking along with other equipment, park benches, lighting, landscaping, and fencing.

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program.

Today’s investments complement the recently announced funding availability under USDA’s Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program, which also is being administered through the Community Facilities program. Through this program, USDA is making up to $500 million available through the American Rescue Plan to help rural health care facilities, tribes and communities expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, health care services and nutrition assistance.

Under the Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program, Recovery Grant applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are expended. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/erhc.

Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB) for a detailed overview of the application process.

When the city sees its first snowfall this season, it will not necessarily mean that city snow plows will be out to clear neighborhood streets. The city’s Municipal Services & Operations Department recently updated the city’s snow and ice control policy, and plows will no longer clear all streets for smaller amounts of snow. Under the new policy, city snow and ice control operations will occur on the roadways classified as residential areas only after snowfall accumulation reaches 2 inches or more, or when icing occurs, according to a city news release.
Source: LJWorld.com.

Topeka next spring will get bigger and better Bird scooters, which will be harder to push over and will feature a kickstand that’s more flexible and durable, Topeka City Council members were told Tuesday evening. Bird has created “a better vehicle,” which weighs 55 pounds as opposed to the 30-pound electric scooters used on Topeka streets, said Adam Davis, government partnership manager for the company. Riders of the new scooters won’t be able to use them to “do burnouts,” leave skid marks or create vulgar graffiti, Davis said.
Source: CJonline

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.