Manhattan local news summary

Steel and Pipe Supply secures naming rights for CiCo ball fields in $500,000 deal

City explores partnership to add housing for insecure families

Efforts to address homelessness move forward on two fronts

Parade, ceremonies to mark Veterans Day in Manhattan

Treasurer reports strong revenue, announces e-notice option for taxes

Commission formalizes City of Riley fire consolidation

Short-term rental regulations headed for final commission action

Federal shutdown delays Keats wastewater bidding

Health Department to provide Thanksgiving meals to WIC families

Steel and Pipe Supply secures naming rights for CiCo ball fields in $500,000 deal

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The City Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a 10-year, $500,000 agreement with Steel and Pipe Supply for the naming rights to the CiCo Park baseball/softball complex. The facility will now be known as the Steel and Pipe Supply Ballpark. Parks and Recreation Director Aaron Stewart said the revenue, paid to the Manhattan Parks and Recreation Foundation, will be placed in a capital fund for future reinvestment and maintenance at the park. Following the vote, representatives from Steel and Pipe Supply presented the commission with a ceremonial check.

City explores partnership to add housing for insecure families

MANHATTAN, Kan. - A new partnership could add dedicated housing units for housing-insecure families as part of the Carlson Plaza redevelopment project, a commissioner announced Tuesday. The Northeast Kansas Community Action Program, which recently received a multi-million-dollar Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grant, is seeking to partner with the Manhattan Housing Authority on the project. The housing authority is scheduled to submit grant applications for low-income housing tax credits in January and will learn if the program is authorized in May.

Efforts to address homelessness move forward on two fronts

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Two separate task forces are actively working to find solutions for Manhattan’s homeless population, a commissioner reported Tuesday. One task force is led by Riley County Police Department Director Brian Peete and co-chaired by a Pawnee Mental Health executive. A second effort, led by the Northeast Kansas Community Action Program, is focused on creating new housing opportunities. The commissioner described the local homeless population as “relatively small” compared to other urban centers but emphasized the importance of the ongoing initiatives.

Parade, ceremonies to mark Veterans Day in Manhattan

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Flint Hills Veterans Coalition will host a full day of events for Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, the coalition’s president announced at the city commission meeting. The day will begin with a free breakfast for veterans from 7 to 9 a.m. at the American Legion. A parade will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Manhattan Town Center and proceed to City Hall, followed by an 11 a.m. indoor ceremony at Peace Memorial Auditorium. The day also serves as Match Day for a local military-support foundation, supporting dozens of area military and veteran organizations.

Treasurer reports strong revenue, announces e-notice option for taxes

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - County Treasurer Shilo Heger reported the county’s general fund ended October with just over $9.5 million and year-to-date investment earnings near $1.8 million, or about 85 percent of the annual budget. Heger also said property tax statements going out next week will include sign-up details for electronic notices via the county’s printing vendor.

Commission formalizes City of Riley fire consolidation

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding to consolidate the City of Riley Fire Department with Riley County Fire District No. 1. Officials said the step will streamline administration and resource management for volunteers already working closely in the county system. The county will assume use of the city fire building under a nominal lease, adding a training room and storage capacity.

Short-term rental regulations headed for final commission action

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - New rules for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas are expected back before the commission in mid-November, following recommendations of approval from the Riley County Planning Board and the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board. Proposed changes include a 500-foot separation and in-person response standards for responsible agents.

Federal shutdown delays Keats wastewater bidding

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Planning Director Amanda Webb reported that bidding on the Keats wastewater collection project will wait for final federal clearance, which has been slowed by the government shutdown. The project’s design is complete, state approvals are in hand, and easement work is nearly finished. The county’s timeline anticipates bidding in late 2025, with construction moving into 2026.

Health Department to provide Thanksgiving meals to WIC families

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Meeting as the Board of Health, commissioners approved a Health Department plan to provide Thanksgiving meals to about 275 local families enrolled in WIC and Maternal and Child Health programs, in partnership with a regional grocer. Staff said the meals will be funded within existing client-support budgets amid the ongoing federal shutdown and disruption of SNAP, with no new impact on county funds.

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