Governor Kelly Announces More than $17M Investment for Energy Grid Resiliency

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that 11 Kansas communities have secured more than $17 million for energy grid resilience. This investment combines nearly $12 million in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s 40101(d) Grid Resilience Grant Program and more than $5.8 million in matching funds from the Kansas Infrastructure Hub and Build Kansas Fund.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas

info2024-10-16T08:02:47-05:00October 16, 2024|News|

Is Zoning Government’s ‘Most Significant Regulatory Power’?

Eight in 10 Americans live in a city, and zoning determines their daily experience of life in ways that few realize. Sara Bronin, an architect, lawyer, academic and historical preservation expert, has written a book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World, to raise awareness of the essential role of zoning in making cities healthy, sustainable and enjoyable places to live. “By and large, people think of zoning as an often-bewildering set of rules enshrined in inscrutable maps and regulations,” Bronin writes. She grew up in Houston, the only large city in the country without zoning, but became a national expert, including contributing to legal reference books on the subject. “The paradox of zoning — the tragedy of zoning — is that it often starts out in a hopeful attempt to improve our cities and the lives we live in them,” Bronin says in her book. “Then, all too often it fails; it even does the opposite.” In a conversation with Governing, she offers examples of “zoning for good,” and the need for more people to understand how zoning reform can improve communities.
Source: Governing

info2024-10-15T13:14:36-05:00October 15, 2024|News|

Sedgwick, Reno, Harvey counties placed in emergency drought status

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has released an updated drought declaration that places three counties, Sedgwick, Reno and Harvey, into an emergency status. Kingman, Harper, Sumner and Cowley counties are in a warning status, while Butler, Rice, McPherson, Marion and Chase counties are in a drought watch. In a statement issued Friday, Governor Kelly said, “Drought conditions have persisted across the state through the summer season, and Kansans are continuing to see the effects. With conditions expected to remain dry throughout the fall, Kansans should consider their water usage and take extra care to prevent wildfires.” The drought declaration placed three counties into emergency status, 55 into warning status, and 47 into watch status. The action was recommended by Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. Although recent rainfall provided widespread drought relief, this relief was short-term, with many areas experiencing below-average rainfall for several months. Forecasts indicate that drought will persist and expand across most of the state through October and into the winter.
Source: 101.3 KFDI

info2024-10-15T13:12:16-05:00October 15, 2024|News|

Bel Aire files lawsuit over Woodlawn project

The City of Bel Aire has filed a lawsuit against an engineering firm, a planning firm and a construction company over the failure of pavement in a project to improve a section of Woodlawn. The suit claims professional negligence and a breach of contract resulted in pavement failures on a project to improve Woodlawn between 37th and 45th Streets North. The city is looking to recover damages to redesign and reconstruct the road, and the Kansas Department of Transportation has estimated that the cost could be between $3 million and $8 million. The lawsuit names Mid-Kansas Engineering Consultants (MKEC), Pearson Construction and Garver, LLC. City leaders said they spent more than a year in discussions with all interested parties but could not reach a satisfactory option. The city has canceled its contract with MKEC and has hired Professional Engineering Consultants to begin work on the reconstruction of Woodlawn. KDOT will help the city with short-term financing for the project. Bel Air Mayor Jim Benage said in a press release, “The failure of this project has been a huge burden on the citizens of Bel Aire. Our City staff and Council are frustrated by this adversity, but we are more determined than ever to get this job done right, and get it done as quickly as possible.”
Source: 101.3 KFDI

info2024-10-15T13:10:57-05:00October 15, 2024|News|

Riley County Fire Department working to protect against wildfires

Local officials are seeking a grant that provides resources to help communities protect against wildfires. Together with the Kansas Forest Service, the Riley County Emergency Management and Fire Department applied for a Community Fire Defense Grant. “That protection plan is a guide for public entities and citizens on practices, techniques, things to keep in mind on how to prepare for or protect your property for a wildfire,” said Russel Stukey, Riley County emergency management director.
Source: 1350 KMAN

info2024-10-15T13:09:40-05:00October 15, 2024|News|

Ark City set to install new welcome signs

Ark City commissioners will consider a resolution to replace three city entrance welcome signs. If approved, new signs will be installed at the north, east and south entrances with a cost not to exceed $42,474.95. Several contractors would be involved in the project. Silverdale Stone would install the three signs; Sign Solutions would install the lettering on the bridge sign at the west entrance; and Alcon Lighting would install outdoor LED commercial lighting. There will be additional costs for in-house crews setting foundations and troughs along with the electrical work on the west bridge.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler

info2024-10-15T13:08:28-05:00October 15, 2024|News|

Pawnee County will vote on liquor by the drink 30% rule

With the start of advance voting beginning next Wednesday and the fact that most candidate races were decided at the close of the August Republican primary election, Pawnee County voters may wish to speed through their choices for the general election leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5. But before turning in their ballots, Pawnee County voters are advised to slow down, and check the back. Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett noted that last February, the Board of County Commissioners of Pawnee County determined that voters should be given a choice as to the appropriate restriction to the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption by the individual drink in the county. Currently, all licensed drinking establishments in the county that offer alcoholic liquor for consumption by the individual drink are required to derive at least 30% of their gross receipts from the sales of food. The special question on the back of all general election ballots in the county reads: “Shall the following be adopted? Shall sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink in Pawnee County be allowed in public places without a requirement that any portion of their gross receipts be from sales of food?”
Source: Great Bend Tribune

info2024-10-15T13:06:30-05:00October 15, 2024|News|

Landlord Incentive Pilot Program concludes after two rounds of federal funding

Johnson County’s Landlord Incentive Pilot Program, which was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on June 8, 2023 and launched on July 1, 2023, has successfully concluded. The pilot program provided landlords with financial incentives to rent their units to tenants using federally funded housing subsidy vouchers. The Board approved two rounds of federal grant funding, totaling $400,000, from July 2023 to Oct. 1, 2024. Both rounds of funding were successfully spent. The program was developed through a collaborative effort between local landlords and Johnson County Government. The county conducted surveys, listening sessions and a focus group to build partnerships and ensure the program met the needs of both landlords and tenants. With the help of the pilot program, 56 new landlords participated in the Housing Choice Voucher program. As a result, the program helped to provide 475 people with long-term, stable housing – including families with disabled members, the elderly, working families with children, and families experiencing homelessness. In 2023, the average annual income of those with Housing Choice Vouchers was $17,710.
Source: Johnson County Kansas |

info2024-10-15T13:05:30-05:00October 15, 2024|News|

Overland Park joins effort helping cities around the globe tackle hate

Overland Park will participate in a pilot program with the Strong Cities Network designed to help communities prevent and combat hate, extremism, polarization and terrorism. Money to support the city’s participation in the pilot comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The city has been putting the pieces together on the pilot program for the past year. City officials plan to soon release a survey seeking to gather information about residents’ experiences with hate, extremism and polarization that have threatened their safety. “We are working to connect with anyone who has experienced hate or extremism to learn how to best support them. We hope this community can highlight blind spots to safety and inclusion so everyone can feel connected and safe in Overland Park,” Dehner said in an emailed statement to the Post.
Source: Johnson County Post

info2024-10-15T13:03:53-05:00October 15, 2024|News|

Lenexa explores building new fire HQ on old city hall property

The city of Lenexa is looking at renovating its old city hall property into a new headquarters for the Lenexa Fire Department. Currently home to a one-truck fire station, the city would like to demolish the old city hall building on the site near 87th Street Parkway and Monrovia Street and build a structure that would serve as the new headquarters for the department. “It cuts our response time to the 79th (Street) and Quivira corridor in half,” Lenexa Fire Chief Travis Vaughn said. “We’re in a time-based business where people get sicker or become more hurt and or the fire gets bigger the longer it takes us to get there.” He added: “That’s why it’s imperative that we’ve got fire stations based out of areas in the community where we can touch most parts of the community that are well-populated within four minutes (of) straight drive time.” Plans for the property envision a three- to four-bay facility that also has space for administrative offices, along with upgrades that focus on the physical and mental health of the firefighters, similar to what the Shawnee Fire Department showcased with the opening of two renovated fire stations earlier this year.
Source: Johnson County Post

info2024-10-15T13:02:39-05:00October 15, 2024|News|