Kansas Municipal News
ATF to open first-of-its-kind Center of Excellence at Wichita State’s Innovation Campus
In a huge win for Wichita State University, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is preparing to open a Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Excellence on the school’s Innovation Campus. The national center, unlike anything the ATF currently has, is part of its Crime Gun Intelligence strategy. There will be several components to the center. Those include a new center for ballistics analysis; a new home for the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence governing board; a new home for the ATF’s Intelligence Research Specialists Academy and other advanced training; and a new facility for crime gun intelligence training for law enforcement and anyone else nationally with a role in investigating firearms-related crimes.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Wyandotte County will pay $12.5M to Lamonte McIntyre, wrongly imprisoned for 23 years
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County will pay $12.5 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Lamonte McIntyre, an innocent man who spent 23 years in prison, and his mother, who alleged a Kansas City, Kansas, detective framed her son after she rejected his sexual advances. The settlement was unanimously approved by the UG’s board of commissioners Thursday night, marking an end to years of litigation. The McIntyres had initially sought a combined $123 million in damages, the majority of which was pursued for his wrongful imprisonment.
Source: Kansas City Star
Manhattan Cleanup Making Progress
The severe weather that hit Manhattan earlier this month caused considerable damage, and it’s taking a bit longer than originally anticipated to collect all the downed tree limbs. Citywide cleanup efforts moved into Area Two late last week, after City crews finished picking up tree and limb debris in Area One on June 23rd. The amount of tree and limb debris collected has been significant, leading to multiple days of work being needed in each region. Crews will only move into Area Three once Area Two is complete. Residents of any of the later collection areas – Areas Three, Four, and Five – are urged to have all tree limbs, branches, and drop debris out to the curb, to ensure they are ready.
Source: WIBW News Now
July summit in Wichita will explore how state will divvy $3.8B from infrastructure bill
Kansas is set to receive at least $3.8 billion during the next five years from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and an instructional two-day event planned in Wichita next month will explore how cities, counties and the private sector can start tapping into the funds. The Kansas Infrastructure Summit, planned for July 13-14 at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex at Wichita State University, will cover grant opportunities available under the BIL and review strategies for preparing grant applications. Attendees are also invited to share input on infrastructure priorities in Kansas, including transportation, water, energy and broadband.
Source: Wichita Business Journal
Municipal Bond Trends for June 29, 2022
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.
Sewer plants have made Wichita’s south side smelly for years. Is change on the way?
You get used to the smell of sewage, but that doesn’t make it any more pleasant. That’s one thing Chauncey Kemp has learned from living in Plainview for 63 years. “If the wind is blowing from the west, we’ve got to stay in the house. Let all the windows down,” Kemp said. Two south Wichita wastewater facilities — plant 1, situated between I-135 and K-15, and plant 2 at 57th Street South and Hydraulic — process 90% of the city’s raw sewage. Blades at the bottom of massive circular digester tanks break up roughly 30 million gallons of sludge a day, sending it through a suction system for refining. The stench rises from vats of waste and chemicals, enveloping parts of the south side like an invisible fog.
Source: Wichita Eagle
Fireworks fun abounds in communities
The July 4 holiday brings about food, fun and the obligatory fireworks. Exactly when residents can shoot off their firecrackers — and how late they can do so — depends on where they live. Fireworks are legal to shoot in Iola from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Sunday, and then from 9 a.m to midnight on Monday, Independence Day. In LaHarpe, fireworks can be shot from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Sunday, and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Monday. Thursday is the first day fireworks are legal for shooting in both Humboldt and Moran. Humboldt’s fireworks are allowed from 8 a.m. to midnight through Monday; Moran’s are legal from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Monday.
Source: The Iola Register
Powell: ‘No guarantee’ Fed can tame inflation
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said there’s “no guarantee’’ the central bank can tame runaway inflation without hurting the job market. Speaking Wednesday at a European Central Bank forum in Sintra, Portugal, Powell repeated his hope that the Fed can achieve a so-called soft landing — raising interest rates just enough to slow the economy and rein in surging consumer prices without causing a recession and sharply raising the unemployment rate. “We believe we can do that. That is our aim,’’ he said. But the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he said, had made the job mor2e difficult by disrupting commerce and driving up the price of food, energy and chemicals. “It’s gotten harder,’’ Powell said. “The pathways have gotten narrower.’’
Source: The Iola Register
Housing boom rolls on in Goddard
The housing boom in Goddard shows no signs of slowing. With multiple new subdivisions under construction, the city council on Monday approved rezoning of two parcels to allow construction of even more homes. A four-acre property immediately north of the Orscheln store, which is located on US-54 Highway, was donated to the city in December 2020.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers » Feed
Conway Springs orders new ambulance
It will take nearly two years to get here, but the wheels have been set in motion for the city of Conway Springs to purchase a new ambulance for its EMS Department. A request to purchase the new ambulance was brought before the council last week by EMS director Christina Jones. Jones said that with the time it will take for the new ambulance to be constructed and delivered, now was the time to make a decision.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers » Feed
Where does your water come from?
Last week’s boil order in the City of Wichita impacted thousands of water customers in the city, as well as customers on water systems that are supplied by Wichita. According to Wichita city officials, a “glitch” in the system was not picked up quickly enough, causing cloudy water. Tests showed that the water remained chlorinated. Chlorine is added to water systems for disinfection.
Source: Times-Sentinel Newspapers
Differing opinions continue to stall Wind Energy Moratorium
The Brown County Commission met on Monday morning, and with a decision expected to implement a moratorium against the development of commercial wind energy in the county was once again delayed as commissioners clashed on details of the proposed moratorium. At the County Commission meeting on June 6, County Attorney Kevin Hill presented a proposed moratorium on wind energy development, per the request of the commission. The proposed ordinance would impose a $1,000 per day fine for any company in violation, and would stand for 18 months, unless extended at that time. The moratorium would give the commission time to put a Comprehensive Plan in place, which would include zoning guidelines among other items.
Source: hiawathaworldonline.com
Tornado recovery in Andover is still very much a work in progress
It’s been two months since a powerful tornado hit Andover, leaving hundreds of people to pick up the pieces. Today many of the houses that were damaged still look the same. Many houses have shattered windows and a lot of the damage remains from the storm two months ago. Homeowners say the biggest reason they have had to wait on repairs is because a lack of supplies. Things like windows are taking multiple months to come in and so other work inside the houses have to wait until it can be sealed up. “We really… we try and keep our heads up and you know, nose to the grindstone. it doesn’t do anybody any good, especially us to throw a pity party,” said Zach Dinicolasaid.
Source: KAKE – News
KDOT seeking comment on State Rail Plan
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is requesting comments on the draft Kansas Rail Plan. This document provides an overview of freight rail networks in Kansas, commodity flows, economic data and, additionally, information about passenger rail service in the state. Rail plan updates are required every five years. Federal guidelines require a public comment period of 30 days, which concludes on July 22. The draft document for the State Rail Plan may be viewed online at https://www.ksdot.org/bureaus/burRail/rail/default.asp and alternative formats are available by calling 785-296-3585.
Source: Derby Informer | Area
Community Facade Improvement program picking up steam in Derby
More than halfway through 2022, the city’s new Community Facade Improvement program has been utilized minimally – but that could be set to change soon. According to Assistant City Manager for Development Dan Squires, two Derby businesses have been approved for CFIP grants so far, two more applications have been received and a handful of other business owners have been calling with questions about additional submissions.
Source: Derby Informer | News
Fire departments in Lyon County receive state tax help
Some of your fire insurance payments have returned to Lyon County to help local fire departments. Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt announced Wednesday that $162,447.57 has been distributed to seven Firefighter Relief Associations across the county. The allocation occurs each year under state law. The funds come for a two percent tax paid by insurance companies on “fire and lightning insurance premiums written in Kansas,” a statement from Schmidt’s office said. FRAs can use the money to pay firefighters’ health and life insurance costs. They also can purchase new fire trucks and gear, while improving fire stations.
Source: Emporia Gazette
Kansas small town recognized by national travel website
A small town with deep historical connections has been recognized by a national travel website. Abilene was doubly recognized by TravelAwaits during their “Best of Travel Awards” for 2022. Abilene was recognized along with other scenic towns and cities from around the world. Abilene claimed two awards this year from TravelAwaits: Favorite U.S. Small Town and Friendliest U.S. Small Town. This is the second year in a row that Abilene was recognized as the Favorite U.S. Small Town by TravelAwaits due to its strong ties to the Wild West and cattle trade.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Flag retirement just got easier for one Kansas county
Anytime a U.S. flag becomes tattered or worn to the point it’s no longer a fitting symbol, it requires a proper retirement in a dignified manner. This week, one local county is making that retirement process a little easier. In the heart of downtown Manhattan, there is now a depository box for those flags that need to be retired. Installed on Monday in the lobby of 110 Courthouse Plaza, flags damaged or worn down over time will be accepted, and sent off to the local American Legion for a proper disposal. For one county worker, having that option available for people in the area means a lot to her.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Golden petitioners drop their appeal
Petitioners have dropped their appeal of the County Commission’s decision not to approve incorporation of a proposed city of Golden in northwest Miami County. District Judge Steven Montgomery granted the petitioners’ dismissal without prejudice Thursday, June 23. During a hearing in Miami County District Court conducted via Zoom on Monday, June 6, Judge Montgomery set bond in the Golden appeal at $3,500 and scheduled an in-person bench trial for October 2023. In October 2021, the County Commission voted 3-1 against incorporation of a proposed city of Golden. Jennifer Williams, who filed the initial petition to incorporate about 9 square miles north of Hillsdale Lake into a city to block the march of intermodal warehouses into Miami County, was named as one of the appellants in the case along with Golden supporter Charlie Koch.
Source: Local News | republic-online.com
McPherson residents to vote on sales tax
On Tuesday, Aug. 2, citizens of McPherson will vote in the primary election. Among items on the ballot, voters will consider a renewal of the city’s second half-cent sales tax. The city has scheduled eight public meetings during the next few weeks for citizens to get more information about the proposed renewal as well as have the opportunity to speak with city officials about the purpose of the sales tax. The meetings will consist of a 20-minute presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session with various representatives from the different city departments. This is not an additional tax; it is a renewal of the tax already in place.
Source: McPherson Weekly News » Feed