Category Archives: Government

Government, Kansas

Conservation Commission Meets May 28

Leave a comment

State Conservation Commission Virtual Meeting Scheduled for May 28

 

MANHATTAN, Kansas — The State Conservation Commission regular meeting will be held using internet meeting services on Wednesday, May 28, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. Anyone interested in the meeting can participate using video conferencing or by utilizing a call-in option. This meeting is open to the public.

 

The State Conservation Commission consists of five elected commissioners; two ex officio members representing the Kansas State University Agriculture Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service; and two appointed members representing the Kansas Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

 

The KDA Division of Conservation consults with the SCC to protect and enhance Kansas’ natural resources through the development, implementation and maintenance of policies, guidelines and programs designed to assist local governments and individuals in conserving the state’s renewable resources.

 

To request a copy of the agenda or directions on how to participate in the virtual meeting, please contact the KDA Division of Conservation at 785-564-6620 or kda.doc@ks.gov.

 

###

 

WHO:            State Conservation Commission

 

WHAT:          State Conservation Commission Virtual Meeting

 

WHEN:          9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Government

Direct Assistance to Farmers from USDA

Leave a comment

USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

Farmers and Ranchers to Receive Direct Support for Losses Related to COVID-19

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 19, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to this direct support to farmers and ranchers, USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program is partnering with regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat and deliver boxes to Americans in need.

“America’s farming community is facing an unprecedented situation as our nation tackles the coronavirus. President Trump has authorized USDA to ensure our patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers are supported and we are moving quickly to open applications to get payments out the door and into the pockets of farmers,” said Secretary Perdue. “These payments will help keep farmers afloat while market demand returns as our nation reopens and recovers. America’s farmers are resilient and will get through this challenge just like they always do with faith, hard work, and determination.”

Beginning May 26, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), will be accepting applications from agricultural producers who have suffered losses.

Background:

CFAP provides vital financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline due to COVID-19 and face additional significant marketing costs as a result of lower demand, surplus production, and disruptions to shipping patterns and the orderly marketing of commodities.

Farmers and ranchers will receive direct support, drawn from two possible funding sources. The first source of funding is $9.5 billion in appropriated funding provided in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability (CARES) Act to compensate farmers for losses due to price declines that occurred between mid-January 2020, and mid-April 2020 and provides support for specialty crops for product that had been shipped from the farm between the same time period but subsequently spoiled due to loss of marketing channels. The second funding source uses the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to compensate producers for $6.5 billion in losses due to on-going market disruptions.

Non-Specialty Crops and Wool

Non-specialty crops eligible for CFAP payments include malting barley, canola, corn, upland cotton, millet, oats, soybeans, sorghum, sunflowers, durum wheat, and hard red spring wheat. Wool is also eligible. Producers will be paid based on inventory subject to price risk held as of January 15, 2020. A payment will be made based 50 percent of a producer’s 2019 total production or the 2019 inventory as of January 15, 2020, whichever is smaller, multiplied by the commodity’s applicable payment rates.

Livestock

Livestock eligible for CFAP include cattle, lambs, yearlings and hogs. The total payment will be calculated using the sum of the producer’s number of livestock sold between January 15 and April 15, 2020, multiplied by the payment rates per head, and the highest inventory number of livestock between April 16 and May 14, 2020, multiplied by the payment rate per head.

Dairy

For dairy, the total payment will be calculated based on a producer’s certification of milk production for the first quarter of calendar year 2020 multiplied by a national price decline during the same quarter. The second part of the payment is based a national adjustment to each producer’s production in the first quarter.

Specialty Crops

For eligible specialty crops, the total payment will be based on the volume of production sold between January 15 and April 15, 2020; the volume of production shipped, but unpaid; and the number of acres for which harvested production did not leave the farm or mature product destroyed or not harvested during that same time period, and which have not and will not be sold. Specialty crops include, but are not limited to, almonds, beans, broccoli, sweet corn, lemons, iceberg lettuce, spinach, squash, strawberries and tomatoes. A full list of eligible crops can be found on farmers.gov/cfap. Additional crops may be deemed eligible at a later date.

Eligibility

There is a payment limitation of $250,000 per person or entity for all commodities combined. Applicants who are corporations, limited liability companies or limited partnerships may qualify for additional payment limits where members actively provide personal labor or personal management for the farming operation. Producers will also have to certify they meet the Adjusted Gross Income limitation of $900,000 unless at least 75 percent or more of their income is derived from farming, ranching or forestry-related activities. Producers must also be in compliance with Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions.

Applying for Assistance

Producers can apply for assistance beginning on May 26, 2020. Additional information and application forms can be found at farmers.gov/cfap. Producers of all eligible commodities will apply through their local FSA office. Documentation to support the producer’s application and certification may be requested. FSA has streamlined the signup process to not require an acreage report at the time of application and a USDA farm number may not be immediately needed. Applications will be accepted through August 28, 2020.

Payment Structure

To ensure the availability of funding throughout the application period, producers will receive 80 percent of their maximum total payment upon approval of the application. The remaining portion of the payment, not to exceed the payment limit, will be paid at a later date as funds remain available.

USDA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only, and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with producers by phone and using online tools whenever possible. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other Service Center agency are required to call their Service Center to schedule a phone appointment. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

 

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Government, Kansas

Taskforce For State’s Economic Recovery Announced

Leave a comment

Governor Kelly Announces Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce to Lead State’s Economic Recovery  

 

As part of her commitment to rebuilding Kansas and the economy, Governor Laura Kelly today announced the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce to lead the state’s economic recovery. The taskforce is charged with leading Kansas forward in recovery from the far-reaching effects of COVID-19.  

 

The Recovery Office team will be responsible for the statewide distribution of significant CARES Act funding. A five-member executive committee will oversee the process, and the office will have a steering committee with an additional 15 members who will form three subcommittees. The three subcommittees will focus on communication and engagement, finance and policy development and implementation and accountability.  

 

“The state’s recovery effort must serve urban and rural areas alike across the state, and all sectors of the economy,” Kelly said. “I am grateful that our team membership reflects these ideals, and I want to thank these leaders for their willingness to serve in such challenged times.  

 

“The health and economic challenges COVID-19 inflicted on our state truly are unprecedented – and we must use our collective talents to develop strategies to not only regain what we lost, but build a better, more inclusive and resilient economy.”  

 

Earlier this month, Governor Kelly announced she had selected Cheryl Harrison-Lee as the Recovery Office’s executive director and Lyle Butler as the chair. Harrison-Lee has more than 30 years of experience in strategic leadership positions in a variety of corporate, entrepreneurial, private and public environments, and Butler has years of experience working with the business community and economic development as the President and CEO of several local Chambers of Commerce, most recently retiring from the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce.  

 

“Cheryl and Lyle understand the needs of local communities in Kansas,” Governor Kelly said. “Their experience and dedication will be paramount during our state’s recovery effort and in the statewide distribution of CARES Act funding.”  

 

“I look forward to working with these committees on a process that ensures transparency, equity and accountability, while leading Kansas’ recovery efforts from this challenging period in the world,” Executive Director Harrison-Lee said. 

 

Other members of the SPARK Taskforce, appointed by the governor, include representatives of the business community, economic development and the Kansas Legislature. These taskforce members are:  

 

Executive Committee  

 

·         Tom Bell, President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association, Topeka, Kansas; 

·         Lyle Butler, President and CEO, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce (retired), Manhattan, Kansas;  

·         Senator Jim Denning, Vice President, Discover Vision Centers, Overland Park, Kansas; 

·         Jill Docking, Senior Vice President, The Docking Group – Baird Financial, Wichita, Kansas;  

·         Alise Martiny, Business Manager, Greater KC Building and Trades Council, Shawnee, Kansas.  

 

Steering Committee  

 

·         Natalie Haag, Attorney, Capitol Federal Savings, Topeka, Kansas; 

·         David Harwood, Senior Vice President, Terracon Consultants & Chair, KANSASWorks State Board, Olathe, Kansas; 

·         Senator Tom Hawk, Ranking Minority Member, Senate Ways and Means Committee, Manhattan, Kansas;  

·         Representative Dan Hawkins, House Majority Leader, Wichita, Kansas; 

·         Edward Honesty, Jr., President & Chief Operating Officer, Best Harvest Bakeries, Kansas City, Kansas;      

·         Chuck Mageral, Proprietor, Free State Brewing Company, Lawrence, Kansas;   

·         David McCarty, Owner, McCarty Family Farms, Colby, Kansas; 

·         Senator Carolyn McGinn, Chair, Senate Ways and Means Committee, Sedgwick, Kansas;  

·         Shelia Nelson-Stout, President and CEO, OCCK, Inc., Salina, Kansas; 

·         Neelima Parasker, President & CEO, SnapIT Solutions, Overland Park, Kansas; 

·         Jim Robinson, Partner, Hite Fanning & Honeyman, Wichita, Kansas; 

·         Secretary David Toland, Department of Commerce, Topeka, Kansas; 

·         Representative Troy Waymaster, Chair, House Appropriations Committee, Bunker Hill, Kansas;  

·         Representative Kathy Wolfe-Moore, Ranking Minority Member, House Appropriations Committee, Kansas City, Kansas. 

 

The final member of the taskforce will be a representative of the aviation industry and will be announced at a future date. Over the coming days and weeks, information on the Recovery Office and the SPARK Taskforce can be found at covid.ks.gov.  

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Governor Kelly moves Kansas into modified Phase 2 On May 22

Leave a comment

 

To keep Kansans safe, details in Phases 2 and 3 amended

 

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly will sign Executive Order 20-34, which moves Kansas into Phase 2 of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas.” Phase 2, effective Friday, May 22, 2020, will be modified to include data-driven restrictions necessary to prevent community transmission of COVID-19.

 

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, all of my administration’s decision-making regarding our reopening efforts has been driven by data – not dates,” Kelly said. “Because of the great work Kansans and businesses have done to keep others safe, data now indicate we are seeing a more consistent decline in hospitalizations, COVID-19-related deaths and a consistent decrease in disease spread. This puts our state in a position to safely move into a modified version of Phase 2.

 

“I would like to be clear – moving forward in Kansas’ reopening plan does not mean that COVID-19 no longer threatens our communities. Modifying Phase 2 to keep some restrictions allows us to reopen Kansas’ economy as quickly and safely as possible, while exercising necessary caution to keep Kansans healthy.”

 

Key changes to Phase 2:

 

  • Mass gatherings of more than 15 individuals will be prohibited;
  • All businesses and activities slated to open during Phase 2 will be allowed, with the exception of bars, night clubs and swimming pools. These will be moved to Phase 3;

 

  • Businesses and activities that will be allowed to open in Phase 2 include:

 

  • Recreational organized sports facilities, tournaments and practices will be allowed to begin on Friday, May 22, and must adhere to social distancing requirements and follow Parks and Recs guidelines, which can be found on covid.ks.gov;
  • Community Centers will be allowed to open, except for indoor and outdoor swimming pools;
  • Indoor leisure spaces such as arcades, trampoline parks, theaters, museums and bowling allies will be allowed to open on May 22;
  • State-owned-and-operated casinos will be allowed to open once their re-opening plan has been approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment;
  • In-person group exercise classes will be allowed to begin with groups of no more than 15 at a time. Locker rooms remain closed except for restroom facilities;
  • Everything opened in Phase 1 and Phase 1.5 remains open pursuant to the restrictions outlined in Executive Order 20-34.
  • Phase 2 will last until Sunday, June 7, assuming the current trends continue. Phase 3 is expected to begin on Monday, June 8, with mass gatherings of more than 45 individuals prohibited.

Under Phase 2, the following, unless they are repurposed for use in an essential function under the Kansas Essential Function Framework, shall remain closed to the public:

  • Bars and night clubs, excluding curbside and carryout services;
  • Outdoor and indoor large entertainment venues with capacity of 2,000 or more;
  • Fairs, festivals, carnivals, parades;
  • Swimming pools (other than backyard pools);
  • Summer camps (with the exception of licensed childcare facilities).

 

The Governor will evaluate the state’s disease spread, testing rates, death rates, hospitalizations, ability of state and local public health authorities to contain outbreaks and conduct contact tracing, and personal protective equipment availability when determining if the state should move to the next “Phase.” Regardless of phase, the State Health Officer retains the authority to impose additional public health interventions in any area that contains an emergent and significant public health risk.

 

Throughout all phases, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:

 

  • Washing hands frequently, while avoiding contact with one’s face;
  • Remaining home when sick or running a fever;
  • Following isolation and quarantine orders issued by state or local health officers;
  • Wearing a cloth face mask when in public;
  • Working remotely, if possible.

Kelly’s “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at covid.ks.gov, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.

 

Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Special Meeting May 22

Leave a comment

There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 22nd, 2020 in the City Commission Meeting Room, at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This special meeting will be held to hold a public hearing to consider an application to be submitted to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds under the CDBG-CV category. The specific project application to be discussed is for the Economic Development program within the City limits of Fort Scott. The maximum amount of the grant request will be for $300,000 for both micro and regular business assistance category.

The City Commission meeting will not be open to the public at this time due to the limited number of 15 allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting will be made available by calling 620-724-9910, enter access code 515698#, and when prompted state your full name followed by the # tag.

Government, Kansas

State Board of Agriculture to Hold Virtual Meeting May 21

Leave a comment

 

 

MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas State Board of Agriculture will hold its regular board meeting using internet meeting services on Thursday, May 21, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Anyone interested in the meeting can participate using video conferencing or by utilizing a call-in option.

 

The meeting is open to the public. Individuals who have questions about the meeting, including how to participate in the virtual meeting, should contact Brittney Grother at 785-564-6797 or Brittney.Grother@ks.gov.

 

Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

###

 

WHO:            Kansas State Board of Agriculture

 

WHAT:          Regular board meeting

 

WHEN:          9:00 a.m. to noon on May 21, 2020

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for May 19

Leave a comment

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: May 19, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE FRONT STEPS OF THE COURTHOUSE WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING IN PLACE

9:00 – 9:45 Jim Harris

9:45 – 10:00 Clint Anderson, Evaluation of Valu Merchandisers

10:00 – 10:15 Will Wallis, Extension of Current Declaration

10:15 – 10:30 Patty Love, Exec. Session, Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Livestreams Trustees Meeting This Evening

Leave a comment

To access a livestream of tonight’s regular monthly Board of Trustees meeting, follow the youtube link currently posted at the top of the Board of Trustees page on FSCC’s website found here http://fortscott.edu/trustees.  The youtube link will provide a live feed of the meeting.

 

Once the meeting is adjourned tonight, Zoom will process the cloud-based storage and provide a link that will provide a replay version of the meeting.  The replay link will be posted to the same place on FSCC’s website by noon tomorrow.

 

Fort Scott, Government

City Admin Offices Closures For Memorial Day Holiday

Leave a comment

The City of Fort Scott City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, May 25th, 2020 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 26th, 2020.

The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 for the Memorial Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

SEK Multi-County COVID 19 Update May 18

Leave a comment

SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

May 18, 2020

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 0
Total Positives Since Testing 0
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 1
Total Positives Since Testing 1
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 5
Total Positives Since Testing 6
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 6
Total Positives Since Testing 6
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Resident Death at Lansing Correctional Facility

Leave a comment

 

TOPEKA, Kansas – A Lansing Correctional Facility resident who died Saturday, May 16, had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the fourth resident death related to COVID-19.

The resident was a male over the age of 60 with underlying medical conditions who tested positive for the virus on April 29 and was transferred to the hospital on May 1. The official manner of death for all COVID-19 deaths is natural causes.

 

The individual was serving a sentence for charges including aggravated robbery and first-degree murder. He had been imprisoned with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) since December 1989 and his earliest possible release date was set for Oct. 1, 2020. For the privacy of his family and due to confidentiality laws, the KDOC will not release his name nor his underlying medical conditions. His family has been notified.

 

The Lansing Correctional Facility, formerly the Kansas State Penitentiary, opened in 1867 during the presidency of Andrew Johnson and is the oldest and largest state correctional facility in Kansas. Serving only males, the facility capacity is 2,432 residents.

For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus. For information on the KDOC’s response to COVID-19, visit https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates.