Drivers not charging at EV spots in Merriam can now be fined

14 Wednesday, August 14

Drivers not charging at EV spots in Merriam can now be fined

info2024-08-14T11:40:08-05:00August 14th, 2024|

The city of Merriam will now require vehicles parked in front of electric vehicle charging stations to be plugged in, or the owner will be subject to fines. On Monday, the Merriam City Council in a 6-0 vote approved a new ordinance that levies fines for owners of vehicles, both non-EV and EV alike, who park in EV charging spots without using the charging station. This follows the city of Overland Park’s move in June that set similar rules for EV parking spots, requiring vehicles parked at city chargers to be actively plugged in. There is a minimum fine of $100 [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

Johnson County is seeing homelessness grow, but a proposed new shelter offers hope

info2024-08-14T11:38:25-05:00August 14th, 2024|

In Johnson County, homelessness is on the rise. The county's latest data, from a July point-in-time count, found that 250 people are unhoused — although the real number is likely higher. The county wants to functionally end homelessness by 2029. Its proposed Homeless Service Center could be a "crucial" part of the solution, according to Johnson County Commission chair Mike Kelly. The shelter would repurpose a La Quinta Inn and Suites at 95th Street and Interstate 35 in Lenexa, but it faces some hurdles. Kelly says there are "very real" concerns from Lenexa and other cities that can't be addressed, because [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

City council approves new regulations for pet owners

info2024-08-14T11:36:41-05:00August 14th, 2024|

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, members discussed changes to animal services. The ordinance amendment passed 7-0. Councilors will look at the amendment again before the regulations go into effect. The Wichita Police Department recommended the following amendments: Increased fines for dog bite convictions with a first-time bite increasing from a $250 mandatory fine to a $500 fine, a second offense from a $500 fine to a $1,000 fine, and a third offense from a $1,000 fine to a $2,500 fine; Removal of mandatory dog pen requirement for dangerous dogs, leaving the determination to the discretion of Animal Services; Require microchips on [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

Historic downtown Pittsburg property set for major renovations with $300,000 grant

info2024-08-14T11:34:44-05:00August 14th, 2024|

Renovations are in the works for an old property in the downtown Pittsburg area. In June, the city was awarded a $300,000 grant from the state. The plan is to use the money for the renovations. The ground floor will also be redeveloped for commercial space, and apartments will go upstairs. During tonight’s city commission meeting, commissioners approved a grant agreement, repayment agreement, and matching funds agreement. “211 and then the buildings in between, there’s actually some that are for sale that we’re looking to do some additional projects with. So that’s really going to kind of reinvent that whole area. [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

Pittsburg launches new solid waste service for residents

info2024-08-14T11:32:40-05:00August 14th, 2024|

The City of Pittsburg is officially rolling out a new service for residents. “I think for the most part, I mean, we’re just wanting to make Pittsburg a clean town,” said Troy Graham, city of Pittsburg property and sanitation assistant director. City of Pittsburg property and sanitation assistant director Troy Graham says for years, departments around the city have picked up bulk solid waste and trash. But are now making this task officially their own. “What we’re doing now is basically trying to fill that void since we’ve been doing it anyways. And like I said, we’re just the start of [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

Topeka to use ‘Built for Zero’ model to help end homelessness

info2024-08-14T11:30:39-05:00August 14th, 2024|

The Capital city is looking at an additional approach to combat homelessness. It’s called the Built For Zero model and it was discussed at city council Tuesday, Aug. 13. Brought to the state by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), this model looks to end homelessness rather than manage it. With a four-phase approach, the City is taking its equity access shelter program, which was based off the the built for zero model and turning it into full built for zero model. “One of our first steps is looking at our data, creating a by name list, really [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

Judge could force City of Topeka to let residents decide on property tax increase

info2024-08-14T11:29:23-05:00August 14th, 2024|

A Topeka man is suing the city, claiming it ignored what he calls a lawful petition. The petition’s creator Earl McIntosh wants Topeka taxpayers, not the city council, to decide whether property taxes increase. After the council took no action on his petition last month, he’s filed a lawsuit demanding they take it to a vote. He’s served the city with a mandamus lawsuit. He’s accusing city leaders of failing to perform their law-mandated duty. “The citizens of Topeka have decided to file this lawsuit,” McIntosh said. “To ask a judge to force the city to vote or let the people [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

Topeka seeks input on pedestrian plan, city walkability

info2024-08-14T11:25:53-05:00August 14th, 2024|

The City of Topeka will be collecting input from the public for its 2016 Pedestrian Plan; a project to improve the city’s walkability. The city will be updating the 2016 Pedestrian Plan with the goal of creating safe walkways between schools, parks, shopping districts, workplaces and other popular destinations. Topeka was awarded $25 million in grant funds as part of Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) under Pathways for Progress. As part of the project, the City of Topeka will build around 50 miles of new or improved sidewalks in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “This plan [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

KDOT Cost Share program opens, $6m available to communities

info2024-08-14T11:25:06-05:00August 14th, 2024|

The Kansas Department of Transportation is opening up its cost-share program that has provided over $146 million to communities since it started in 2019. On Monday, KDOT announced its 10th round of the Cost Share Program has opened. The program gives financial assistance for construction projects that improve safety and help rural and urban areas improve their transport systems. KDOT will provide funds to projects that improve roads, railways, airports, bicycle & pedestrian and public transit. The budget for this round of grants is $6 million with a maximum of $1 million allowed per project. “KDOT’s Cost Share Program improves transportation, [...]

14 Wednesday, August 14

Iola discusses temporary business licensing ordinance

info2024-08-14T11:23:34-05:00August 14th, 2024|

Iola City Council members are one step closer to revising the city’s temporary business licensing ordinance. Council member Joelle Shallah presented the council with recommendations for the Transient/Temporary Business ordinance that had previously been discussed at the April 8 council meeting. At that time, a special committee was formed to discuss recommended changes to the ordinance. “The reason I feel it needs to be addressed is because of the shift in opportunities for small businesses,” said Shallah. “As most of us know, we are seeing more and more mobile businesses. I would love to see us being open and progressive.” Shallah [...]