Kansas Municipal News
Municipal Bond Trends for April 23, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Municipal Bond Trends for April 22, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Wichita district wants bond issues to rebuild, consolidate schools
Wichita school officials want to know if voters would support a series of bond issues to rebuild and renovate schools over the next two decades. On Monday, consultants hired by the school board laid out four options ranging from a major investment in 27 new or renovated schools to doing nothing but focusing on deferred maintenance needs at existing buildings. All four plans outlined by the Ohio-based firm Woolpert include consolidating either 18 or 19 schools — a process district officials say is different than a closure because students and staff at low-attendance schools would all be moved together into a different building.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
Cost to buy JoCo hotel being eyed for homeless shelter goes up
Buying a La Quinta Inn and Suites in Lenexa to convert it into a homeless shelter is going to cost more and may take longer than expected — should the county commission ultimately go ahead with the move. The growing cost and elongated timeline are due to an increase in the amount required to buy out the hotel and a delay in finding an entity to run it.
Source: Johnson County Post
Visiting commissioners impressed with Crawford County
County Commissioner Carl Wood said he enjoyed attending the recent Kansas County Commissioner Association Conference at Kansas Crossing this past week, adding that he learned a lot. Commissioners were offered classes in state law, media relations, budgets, and many other subjects. But what made the biggest impression on Wood was how impressed other commissioners from around the state were with Crawford County. Ranking 11th in population out of 105 counties, Crawford is not on the same level as Johnson, Wyandotte, or Sedgewick Counties in terms of resources, but the county still makes a big impression across the state.
Source: Morning Sun
Emporia PD unveils fleet redesign to boost visibility
The Emporia Police Department is rolling out a striking redesign for its 13-vehicle fleet, aimed at enhancing visibility and community engagement. The decision to update the department’s vehicle aesthetics came after careful consideration and collaboration within the department, according to Police Chief Ed Owens, as the department’s new vehicles become available through a fleet agreement with Enterprise Leasing.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Leawood taps department veteran Brad Robbins to be next police chief
Leawood police Capt. Brad Robbins will become the new chief of police beginning May 4, the Leawood City Council has decided. Councilmembers unanimously approved Robbins’ appointment during a special meeting called Wednesday afternoon for that purpose. Robbins, a 29-year veteran of the Leawood police department, has most recently served as support services division commander, supervising the investigation, traffic safety and community education units. He has also acted as the department’s public information officer.
Source: Johnson County Post
Parsons OKs rental, parking laws
The rental registration ordinance requires owners of all rental dwelling units in the city limits to be registered beginning July 1. These owners also must maintain accurate and complete registration information, modifying the registration within 30 days of any change. … Eventually, the city wants to implement inspections of rental units to make sure they meet codes, but this ordinance was the first step of many to achieve that. The second ordinance restricts parking on front yards and streets. The ordinance does not affect side or back yards.
Source: Parsons Sun
New Clerk Coming to City of Uniontown
Shawn Vincent will start as the new City of Uniontown Clerk on April 29. Vincent, 50, lives near Uniontown and operates a small cow/calf farm. He graduated from high school in Manhattan, KS, and is currently working on a bachelor’s degree…. Sally Johnson, who has been the clerk for 11 years will be training Vincent full-time until the week of May 20, then will continue training part-time “and do other things that have been put on the back burner until the end of the year,” she said.
Source: Fort Scott Biz
Supreme Court debates whether cities can make sleeping outside a crime
Several Supreme Court justices on Monday questioned the wisdom of an Oregon city’s ordinance that penalizes homeless people for sleeping in public, but the court’s conservative majority seemed wary of having federal courts intervene…. “The city’s hands will be tied [if the lower decision stands]. It will be forced to surrender its public places as it has been,” Theane Eangelis, an attorney for Grants Pass, told Chief Justice John Roberts during a two-and-a-half hour argument. “The Ninth Circuit has effectively imposed a municipal code … to regulate what the city can do in its public spaces.”
Source: Route Fifty – All Content
Hesston Dog Park moving closer to center of city
After receiving requests from residents, Hesston is moving its dog park . The dog park is currently located at 505 W Lincoln Blvd. It is moving to the city center by Hickory Park located at 400 E Hickory St. which has a playground. “Families will now be able to exercise their dogs while their children use the adjacent playground, creating a whole family experience,” said city administrator, Gary Emry, in an email.
Source: Harvey County Now
Bel Aire low-income housing complex aims to address senior housing shortage
An affordable senior living complex opened on Friday in Bel Aire, but before doors opened, it was already full with a large waitlist. Homestead Affordable Housing has launched 14 projects like this one across the state in an effort to meet the needs of low-income seniors looking for a place to live. The one in Bel Aire has 36 units, which are already full. The non-profit now has 170 people on the waitlist, searching for an alternative. “We’re doing everything we can to make the units more affordable rent,” said Homestead Affordable Housing President Tom Bishop. Bishop said their 14 properties in Kansas provide the opportunity for low-income seniors to live comfortably. “The lowest targeted rent is 30% of area median income. For one bedroom, I think that’s $305 a month,” said Bishop. George and Regina Wilson were the first ones to move into the property. They said their former homeowner raised the rent, and they could no longer afford the monthly payment. They said they are now thankful to have their new community in Bel Aire. “It really took the stress away. When they put that key in our hand, it was really a blessing,” said Regina Wilson.
Source: KSN-TV
Small Kansas breweries call new law a ‘big win’ for sales
Green Frog Brewing has been open for about a month in the small town of Douglass. On Friday, they already had customers at four in the afternoon. “We do some traditional styles and we do brown ales and red ales. Peanut butter porter. Honey beer,” said Jay Sanderson, head brewer at Green Frog. “Open for four weeks, it has gone really, really well. Business has gone way better than we thought it would have. We sold out of four beers already so I am brewing faster than, the sales are going up faster than I can stay up. Which is a great problem to have.” Sanderson said they have invested in more equipment to make more beer. And they may need it now that they can sell beer outside their own doors without having to use a distributor in the wake of Kansas House Bill 2421 being signed into law. The bill allows microbreweries to distribute their own beers and hard ciders to clubs and restaurants as well as at public venues. “And people are like, wow, where’s the beer from? It’s from this place in Douglass,” said Sanderson. “Now, with the new law going in on July 1st, we can take our beer to take it out to bars, restaurants, places where it will generate more foot traffic in here for us.” Sean Willcott brews beer and offers it for sale in northern Kansas with Willcott Brewing & Taproom of Holton. “It was very challenging to get our product to market. There’s a reason Kansas ranks 49th in the country for beer production,” said Willcott on Friday. “This is Kansas Craft Beer Week, so this is a perfect time for such a huge industry win.”
Source: KSN-TV
This Southeast Kansas museum showcases mining industry in new exhibit
A new exhibit at a Southeast Kansas museum is showcasing the history of the mining industry. The Miners Hall Museum is hosting the Southeast Kansas Coal Camp – West Mineral exhibit. A presentation of the history was hosted by David R. Wallace. The exhibit contains photos, maps, coins, and high school uniforms – giving people an in-depth look at the impact that miners had. “I’m genuinely interested in what has happened here and how this all developed, what happened with the mining, why people come here, where they came from, what they did, when they came here, and how they lived and how they related to each other. It’s an amazing story and it’s our story,” said David R. Wallace, Presenter. The “Coal Camp – West Mineral” exhibit will be on display until June 23.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Emporia takes proactive measures as EPA announces landmark ‘forever chemicals’ regulations
For the first time ever, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a national regulation targeting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Often termed “forever chemicals,” PFAS have permeated air, water, and soil, posing enduring environmental and health risks. “Drinking water contaminated with PFAS has plagued communities across this country for too long,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, according to a CBS News report. The regulations will have sweeping effects across the country, including municipalities like Emporia. City of Emporia Communications Manager Christine Torrens told The Gazette this week that the city is working proactively to address concerns regarding PFAS chemicals in drinking water. “The City of Emporia has sent water samples to KDHE to determine the current levels of PFAS chemicals present,” she said. “While the results are pending, city staff is in communication with KDHE to promptly receive the findings. It’s worth noting that the water provided to residents not only meets but surpasses KDHE standards, earning awards for its quality over multiple years.” According to CBS News, the new EPA regulations mandates testing for six specific PFAS chemicals in public water systems, aiming to shield over 100 million Americans from potential health hazards associated with PFAS exposure.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Municipal Bond Trends for April 19, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of MBIS “investment grade” yields. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Pittsburg proposes neighborhood names and boundary definitions
The city of Pittsburg is considering a significant overhaul to its neighborhood designations, aiming to name each area and establish clear boundary lines. The initiative, spearheaded by the Neighborhood Advisory Council, seeks to enhance community pride and foster a sense of shared ownership among residents. The council recently launched an online survey to gather feedback on the proposed changes. According to community development specialist Sarah Runyon, the primary objective is to create a stronger sense of identity within each neighborhood. “Maybe there is a way that you identify your neighborhood that we don’t know about,” she stated. “This gives us an opportunity to do that.”
Source: KOAM News
Commerce Updates ROZ Student Loan Repayment Program
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced significant changes to the Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ) program that could increase participation in student loan repayments for people moving to rural Kansas counties. Individuals who earn an associate degree or higher and move to a designated ROZ county they haven’t lived in for the preceding two years are eligible to have up to $15,000 in student loan debt repaid. Previously, individuals had to live elsewhere for the preceding five years to be eligible. Commerce also clarified the language describing a student’s permanent residence. Rural residents who occupied a dorm room or apartment during college and kept their permanent address on their driver’s license as their parents’ residence, for example, no longer would be denied eligibility in the program when they returned to their home community following graduation.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Tiny home village in Kansas City, Kansas, will house those experiencing homelessness
Phil Jorgenson does not like to call it a homeless community. “Because as soon as they move here, they’re not homeless anymore,” said Jorgenson, one of the founders of Eden Village in Kansas City, Kansas. “They’re a community member, and they’re going to be good neighbors.” Built on the site of an old trailer park, near 10th Street and Metropolitan Avenue, Eden Village is slated to provide shelter as well as access to social services for Kansas City area residents in the most dire living situations. It is governed by a 13-member board of directors for a nonprofit organization called Three Dog Night, named after the classic rock band and an Australian saying about being outdoors in the bitter cold.
Source: KC Star Local News
Supreme Court to decide if ban on homeless encampments is ‘cruel and unusual’
Helen Cruz, an unhoused Grants Pass native, knows the indignity first hand. Over five years living in city parks before a nearby church took her in, she says she received more than $5,000 in camping related fines. “I was holding down two jobs when I was out here, and it’s still not enough to be able to rent a place,” she said. “The terms of low income housing here is $1,000 a month, and that’s not workable either.” Still, from Phoenix, to Los Angeles, to Seattle, city leaders and law enforcement groups — members of both political parties — have joined Grants Pass in urging the justices to make it easier to clear tent encampments from the streets. “Cities need to have these ordinances so that they can help incentivize people to accept offers of help,” Evangelis said. “That’s what these laws do.” In its brief to the high court, Grants Pass says lower courts created “a judicial roadblock preventing a comprehensive response to the growth of public encampments in the West” and that the situation threatens “crime, fires, the reemergence of medieval disease, environmental harm, and record levels of drug overdoses and deaths on public streets.”
Source: KAKE – News