City to outsource social services grant funding program

Topeka’s city government will outsource the program through which it provides grant funding to social service agencies.

The mayor and city council voted 7-2 Tuesday evening to authorize city staff members to solicit proposals from anyone interested in operating the program through which the city provides that funding.

Mayor Michelle De La Isla and council members Sandra Clear, Mike Padilla, Brendan Jensen, Neil Dobler, Jeff Coen and Mike Lesser voted in favor of the move.

Council members Karen Hiller and Sylvia Ortiz voted against it, with Ortiz expressing support for the arrangement currently in place.

Ranson Financial2019-12-18T20:17:47-06:00December 18, 2019|News|

Proposal to add protected classes goes back to city human relations commission

Topeka’s mayor and city council late Tuesday sent back to the Topeka Human Relations Commission a proposal that would add “gender identity and sexual orientation” to the list of classes protected by city code rules.

The mayor and council voted 9-0, with Councilman Tony Emerson being absent because of illness, to make that move while asking the HRC to further research, review and evaluate the proposal.

That proposal contains wording that is “very vague,” said Councilman Brendan Jensen.

Ranson Financial2019-12-18T20:16:24-06:00December 18, 2019|News|

Sedgwick Co. Commission to vote to add full-time EMS staff in Clearwater

One city in Sedgwick County could be getting a new full-time EMS staff by 2020.

The City of Clearwater does have a dedicated Emergency Service volunteer but they are unable to provide transport.

That could soon change.

“As we know, with most emergency calls, the first few minutes are the most critical. We do need to have coverage nearby and obviously sophisticated well-trained medics,” says Michael O’Donnell, Sedgwick County Commissioner.

(Read more: KSN-TV)

Ranson Financial2019-12-18T20:13:02-06:00December 18, 2019|News|

Solar panels on Sedgwick County building will have to wait

The future of a Sedgwick County-owned building getting its first solar panels will have to wait.

After some back and forth on Wednesday, the Sedgwick County Commission decided to put roughly $247,000 to the side while commissioners wait on an energy audit.

Commissioner Lacey Cruse had initially pushed to take bids on putting solar panels on either the Sedgwick County Tag Office or the Extension Office. A presentation for commissioners showed a return on investment would occur within 14 to 19 years, but Commissioner Jim Howell mentioned that the presentation didn’t include replacing parts that had a 15-year life. He didn’t want to vote on sending out a request for bids until they had all the information.

(Read more: Local News |)

Ranson Financial2019-12-18T20:10:36-06:00December 18, 2019|News|

Wind farm moratorium voted down by commission

Although commissioner Dianne Novak is still sticking to her guns, a moratorium on wind farm development failed Monday on a vote of three to one, with commissioner Jonah Gehring not casting a vote in favor or against.

County counsel Brad Jantz presented a proposed 120-day moratorium resolution at Monday’s meeting. Novak questioned the resolution having that short of a time frame. Jantz said the time frame could be longer if commissioners wanted.
“There’s nothing magic about that 120,” Jantz said.

(Read more: Marion County RECORD)

Ranson Financial2019-12-18T20:05:59-06:00December 18, 2019|News|

Roeland Park enters into JoCo watershed organization, one week after Merriam

The Roeland Park city council on Monday approved a watershed agreement with Johnson County as part of the county’s new stormwater management program.

Working together is the county’s approach with the updated program: watershed organizations are created across city boundaries to allow for collaboration on projects that may impact more than one city. Roeland Park and 11 other cities, including Merriam and Mission, are part of watershed area 1, which is impacted by Turkey Creek and Bush Creek.

“The city is not obligated [to enter the agreement], it doesn’t cost the city anything out of pocket,” Public Works Director Donnie Scharff said. “It does allow these cities to work with neighboring cities on projects.”

Ranson Financial2019-12-18T20:03:37-06:00December 18, 2019|News|

Manhattan moving forward with construction of new Douglass Recreation Center

The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday committed to some big dollar improvements on both the north and south sides of the city.

First, in a 4 to 1 vote, the commission approved a $4.3 million construction contract for a new Douglass Recreation Center. It includes a $400,000 contingency, which came in under expectations. The center will be another piece in a complex of recreation buildings, featuring a 3-lane elevated track and programmable to accommodate an 84-foot basketball court, two NCAA volleyball courts and two pickleball courts alongside community and fitness rooms.

Mayor Mike Dodson says the walking and biking activity throughout that part of the community demonstrates a need in the area, adding it will be great for Manhattan.

(Read more: 1350 KMAN)

Ranson Financial2019-12-18T20:00:42-06:00December 18, 2019|News|

Franklin County OKs zoning for renewable energy

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.”

Ranson Financial2019-12-18T21:40:49-06:00December 18, 2019|News|

Lawrence Public Library to eliminate overdue fines; accounts can still be blocked for overdue items

The Lawrence Public Library board voted to eliminate fines for overdue books and other media beginning next year, but not before hearing concerns from some residents.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to eliminate late fines from the library’s circulation policy. Library patrons would still be charged for lost or damaged items. Patrons would be blocked from checking out additional books and materials once an item became two weeks overdue, but return of the overdue item would immediately restore access.
Read more: LJWorld.com.

Ranson Financial2019-12-18T21:45:38-06:00December 18, 2019|News|

Lawrence City Commission to consider moving forward with pilot program for electric scooters

City leaders will soon decide whether to move forward with a pilot program for electric scooters.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will consider issuing a request for qualifications for the scooter pilot program. City staff plan to select up to two companies to participate in the pilot program, which calls for a deployment of 500 scooters for six months, according to a city staff memo to the commission.

If commissioners decide to move forward with a pilot program RFQ, additional steps would follow should they decide to conduct the pilot, according to the memo.