Community Counts Fall/Winter 2015

COMMUNITY

s t n u o C

CITY OF LEE’S SUMMIT NEWSLETTER

FALL/WINTER 2015

This Issue...

BUILDING PROGRESS

Check out future City facilities Page 3

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MARK DUNNING NAMED ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER

Leadership for City’s new Development and Communications Division Page 4

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRIDES

Team approach means business Page 4

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WINTER WEATHER PREPARATION

Snow and Ice Control reminders Pages 6 and 7

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MORE CITY NEWS INSIDE!

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STAY CONNECTED • watchLS.net • Cable: AT&T U-verse (99); Time Warner (2); Comcast (7) facebook.com/cityofLS

Mayor’s Memo Lee’s Summit is one of the finest communities.

I have said this statement time-and-time again and it never becomes old.

Throughout this year, I have grown to know just how special this community is as we celebrate an incredible milestone in our history – Lee’s Summit’s 150th birthday.

twitter.com/cityofLS Pictured left to right: Bud Hertzog, Art Davis, Don Beaman and Mayor Randy Rhoads share a laugh during the opening of the Centennial Time Capsule in front of City Hall.

pinterest.com/cityofLS youtube.com/user/cityofLS nixle.com

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS General Information................... 969-1000 Airport.........................................969-1800 Animal Control............................969-1640 Chamber of Commerce.............. 524-2424 City Hall...................................... 969-1000 Mayor..........................................969-1030 City Council................................969-1010 City Manager..............................969-1010 Development Center.................. 969-1220 Downtown Lee’s Summit Main St.... 246-6598 Economic Dev. Council.............. 525-6617 Fire Department Business Office...........................969-1300 Emergency Calls........................... 911 Gamber Community Center....... 554-3809 Municipal Court.......................... 969-1150 Parks & Recreation.................... 969-1500 Planning & Codes Administration Inspect. & Plans Review.............969-1200 Neighborhood Services..............969-1200 Planning & Development............969-1600 Police Department Business Office...........................969-1700 Emergency Calls.............................. 911 Public Works.............................. 969-1800 Recycling.................................... 969-1800 Social Services........................... 525-4357 Treasury (tax info.)..................... 969-1139 Water Utilities............................. 969-1900

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We are celebrating our rich past by remembering our community’s growth from an 11-block town with just a handful of citizens to occupying more than 65 square miles and a population of over 93,000 residents.

We are celebrating our welcoming, community-wide spirit, technological advancements, infrastructure improvements, increased business activity and abundant quality of life amenities as only experienced in Yours Truly, Lee’s Summit.

We are celebrating Lee’s Summit’s impressive achievement from the revitalized downtown core, top-notch educational systems to outstanding recognitions as a “Best Place to Live,” one of the “Best Cities,” “Happiest Places” and “Safest Communities” in Missouri.

We are celebrating these wonderful achievements and cherishing new memories made as a result of a variety of enjoyable signature events this year including a fair, parade, tree planting and festival, the opening of the Centennial Time Capsule, the Founder’s Day Celebration and Dedication of the new Time Capsule and the culmination event Holiday Magic & Memories.

I extend a special thank you to the Truly 150 Committee Chairperson Art Davis for his tremendous leadership during the planning and implementation of these activities as well as the widespread, passionate involvement of the members of the subcommittees and volunteers. We could not have pulled off this Sesquicentennial without you!

Thank you, too (residents), for being a part of this historic moment in our City’s history that was 150 years in the making.

Yours Truly,

Mayor Randy Rhoads

Building Progress

Pictured is a preliminary building rendering of the Water Utilities Service Center that is in the final stages of design. The new 39,900 square-foot building will house all four divisions – Business Services, Engineering, Operations and Administration – under one roof.

Water Utilities Service Center

Engineering, Operations and Administration – under one roof.

Currently, the department’s personnel are scattered among three different locations throughout the City. The new building, which will be located at 1200 SE Hamblen Road, will feature educational elements, meeting rooms, the water and sewer systems control center, meter shop and more. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2016. This project was a recommendation of the 2011 Water Utilities Strategic Plan. ■

Lee’s Summit Water Utilities is in the final stages of refining the designs for the Water Utilities Service Center.

The new 39,900 square-foot building will improve efficiency and collaboration by housing all four divisions – Business Services,

The Amphitheater in Legacy Park The expansion project to the Legacy Park Amphitheater was funded through a No-Tax Increase General Obligation Bond Election approved by Lee’s Summit voters in April 2013.

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April 2014 June25 9thth,, 2014

FLOOR PLAN - AMPHITHEATRE ENTRY 1/8" = 1'-0"

CONCESSIONS 1017 399 ft²

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ROOF PLAN 1/8" = 1'-0"

L T.O. WALL 958' - 0"

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A M P H I T H E A T R E TRELLIS 950' - 0"

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Progress Update 5/23/2014

Legacy Park Schematic Design

Amphitheatre Improvements

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FAMILY RR 1015 75 ft²

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Construction began on August 1 and favorable fall weather has allowed the general contractor, Larrison Construction Inc., to make steady progress. The project, which costs about $1.8 million, is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2016 in time for the summer outdoor performance season. For more information, contact Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation at 816-969-1500. ■

Coming in 2016!

FRZ

The project is located just east of the Legacy Park Community Center and is equipped for lawn seating for up to 2,500 spectators. The scope of the project consists of a new covered stage structure to serve musical and theatrical performances, concession building, restrooms, and an additional 150 parking spaces adjacent to the Legacy Park Community Center. The project architect is SFS Architecture of Kansas City, Missouri.

LegacyPark ParkAmphitheatre Amphitheatre Improvements Legacy Improvements Schematic Design Schematic Design

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Concept Concept

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Mark Dunning Named Assistant City Manager, Development and Communications Please join the City in welcoming Mark Dunning to his new leadership role.

In this position, he will be responsible for serving as the point of contact, liaison, and project expert for economic development within the City.

He will actively collaborate with regional partners such as the Mid-America Regional Council, Kansas City Area Development Council, the Missouri Economic Development Council, as well as local partners such as the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council, the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street, and other community organizations.

Management and oversight of the Development Center and the Communications and Marketing Division are also key roles for him.

A Lee’s Summit High School graduate and a lifelong resident of this community, he has spent the majority of his professional career employed at the City of Lee’s Summit and has steadily moved up the ranks within the organization. Before becoming the City’s Development Center director a year ago, he was the director of the Codes Administration Department from March 2004 to January 2014.

Throughout the years, he has been recognized for his exemplary work in many of his work-related capacities for the organization as well as community groups including the Boy Scouts, Lee’s Summit Soccer Association, Kansas City Rugby Football Club and Kansas City Metropolitan Chapter of the International Code Council.

He has a bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering Technology from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO., and has earned eight professional certifications through the International Code Council and is a Certified Building Official.

He is married to Alison and they are the parents of Evan and Anna.

Visit cityofLS.net for more information. ■

Economic Development Partnerships Build Success through Collaboration and Outreach It’s been about 24 months since the City of Lee’s Summit launched its one-of-a-kind Development Center, and so far the response from the development community has been favorable.

“This has been a very successful initiative in Lee’s Summit, with more than 200 projects moving through the Development Center since early 2014,” Assistant City Manager Mark Dunning said.

The Development Center is a collaborative, public/private partnership between the City and the investor-supported Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council aimed at boosting business investment in Lee’s Summit by providing optimal customer service to the development community.

The City and EDC work together to successfully “tag-team” development projects. The EDC focuses on identifying and assisting companies, brokers and site selectors with business expansion opportunities, while the City works directly with development teams to reduce red tape involved in the application process and speed up approvals related

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to incentives, zoning and site delivery.

Now that the Development Center is up and running, the City and EDC are building on their collaborative momentum through a series of bi-monthly broker events designed to build bridges with developers and the commercial real estate community.

The outreach campaign kicked off in September with a Broker Luncheon at Lakewood Oaks Golf Club. About 50 brokers from more than a dozen commercial real estate and development firms attended the informational meeting.

Lee’s Summit Mayor Randy Rhoads, EDC President Rick McDowell, City Manager Steve Arbo and Assistant City Manager Dunning offered community insight and helpful information about doing business in Lee’s Summit. EDC Board President Bill Brown emceed the luncheon.

If you know an existing Lee’s Summit company that’s planning to expand, or a business interested in learning more about the advantages of a Lee’s Summit location, please visit LSmeansBusiness.net or call 816-969-1220. ■

Investing in the City’s Unseen, Vital Infrastructure

Highlighting Stormwater Management Practices

Lee’s Summit is home to more than 600 miles of water mains and 480 miles of sanitary sewer infrastructure – all largely unseen, but vital to the health and safety of our community.

There are several projects underway to improve the effectiveness and life-cycle of this infrastructure.

Cedar Creek Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Lee’s Summit Water Utilities is making improvements to the Cedar Creek Sanitary Sewer Interceptor. This project will increase capacity for future development and convey wastewater from the entire watershed, ultimately reducing the risk of overflows that could discharge into the environment.

The project includes the installation of approximately 9,500 feet of sewer pipe along Cedar Creek from the Winterset neighborhood on the northern end of the project area, through Hartman Park and to the southern end east of the intersection of SW Longview and Pryor roads. Construction on this project began in May 2015 and is expected to be complete in May 2016.

Disturbed areas, including the Winterset Park Nature Area, will be restored with new trees, grass and other plants.

Scruggs Road Pump Station and Basin Improvements are underway to increase the storage capacity of the basin and allow for greater relief on the sanitary sewer system during wet weather events, reducing the risk of overflows. Construction began in early 2015 and is anticipated to conclude this fall.

Community Sewer Line Rehabilitation Program This sewer line rehabilitation program resumed in October by targeting another 18,000 feet of sewer lines to repair through a relining process specifically designed for minimal impact and disruption to neighborhoods and customers called Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP). The CIPP process installs a durable lining inside existing sewer mains without excavation. This project reduces blockages caused by roots and debris and the infiltration of groundwater in the public main, which reduces surcharges, overflows and backups. Water Utilities crews have determined the priority of sewer line rehabilitation through regular TV inspection and maintenance.

Neighborhood Water Main Replacement Program The Water Main Replacement Project is wrapping up and included areas along Industrial Drive, Daney Drive, Windemere Drive, Sampson Road and Market Street in downtown Lee’s Summit. Since 2012, Water Utilities staff has replaced more than nine miles of water mains in various areas around the City. This has reduced costs for maintenance and repair of the aging water infrastructure and diminished the occurrence of unplanned interruptions in water services for our customers due to main breaks in the affected areas. ■

The City has a new video series titled “Stormwater Stories with Scott Edgar” that features Public Works Department Engineer Scott Edgar. The purpose of the video series is to educate residents about stormwater, the importance of stormwater management, and completed stormwater projects throughout the City.

The first video in the series discusses the use of rain gardens in stormwater management, and highlights the use of a rain garden in the Braeside Park Stormwater Improvement Project. Additional videos are under development for this series.

Stormwater is water that flows over land during a precipitation event and does not soak into the ground or evaporate. Paved areas, such as driveways, roof tops, parking lots and streets contribute to the amount of stormwater that flows through the City.

Stormwater ultimately flows into the City’s storm sewer system, lakes, and streams. Lee’s Summit has hundreds of acres of lakes and miles of streams that are affected by stormwater.

To view the Stormwater Video Series, visit the City’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/cityofLS. For more information about stormwater management, contact the City’s Public Works Department at publicworks@cityofls.net or 816-969-1800. ■

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Snow and Ice Control LSsnow.net Winter will be here before we know it, and with it comes winter weather. The City’s Public Works Department is primarily responsible for snow and ice control when winter weather hits.

To learn more about snow and ice control in Lee’s Summit, visit LSsnow.net. Updates will be posted to the site before, during and after winter storms.

Public Works uses a time-based goal for each winter storm. The goal is to have all streets plowed and treated once precipitation ends within the timeframe, which is determined by the severity of the winter weather, and can range from 24-48 hours.

Crews are scheduled to report before the winter storm arrives.

In many cases, crews pre-treat ahead of the storm. Crews work on a 12-hour rotating shift until all streets are plowed and treated. There are more than 1,000 lane miles of streets and cul-de-sacs in Lee’s Summit!

Streets are plowed according to a scheduled route system.

Three street classifications are used: primary and secondary roads are the main priority when the snowfall begins; residential streets are plowed last. When snow is falling or when heavy snowfall is predicted, Public Works plows one pass on residential streets and around a cul-de-sac, which allows for a drive lane down the center of the street. Once snowfall stops or one pass is complete, crews will return and plow streets open as much as attainable. Remember – Lee’s Summit does not have a bare pavement policy. Snow packed onto the roadway becomes difficult to remove especially on residential streets.

During fire or police emergencies, plow trucks are dispatched along with emergency equipment to assist, as necessary.

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Download the Snow Control FAQs & Tips brochure at LSsnow.net. ■

Save The Dates!

The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Tips to Remember • Remove vehicles from streets

to prevent delays and to improve the snow control process.

• Lee’s Summit does not clear driveways.

Property owners can lessen the amount of snow that is pushed into driveways by placing snow on the lawn and not in the street.

• Clear snow from around fire hydrants

so they can be easily located during emergencies.

• Lee’s Summit does not have a law requiring the clearing of sidewalks.

Property owners are encouraged to clear snow from

Join us at this community-wide event on Jan. 18, 2016 in the Pavilion at John Knox Village, 520 NW Murray Road, as we celebrate the life and legacy of the great civil rights leader.

The preshow will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the program will start at 6 p.m.

Enjoy spectacular performances and the keynote address from MCC-Longview President Kirk A. Nooks, Ed.D. Visit cityofLS.net for details.

Father/Daughter “A Night in Paris” Dinner & Dance now registering!

sidewalks for everyone’s safety.

• Do not make snow tunnels on or near the street and driveways.

Snow plows and other drivers may not see these and could accidently injure someone playing inside of them.

Residents also are encouraged to sign up for severe weather and emergency alerts at Nixle.com.

Registrations are going on now for Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation’s annual Father Daughter Dance. The 2016 theme is “A Night in Paris” and is a chance for little girls to wear their best sparkles and frills. Dads and daughters have four dates from which to choose to attend. They include Friday, January 29; Saturday, January 30; Friday, February 5 or Saturday, February 6. Each event will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the Gamber Community Center, 4 SE Independence Ave. To register: call 816-969-1500 or visit online at LSparks.net. The Early Bird Registration is $25 and ends on Jan. 15 2016; after that date fees raise to $28 per person. ■

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Permit No. 79 Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

EDDM

220 SE Green Street Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 (816) 969-1000 cityofLS.net

RESIDENT/BUSINESS

Vision A culturally rich community with diverse economic sectors to create a prosperous and dynamic community in perpetuity.

Mission Our mission is to create positive community relationships and a progressive organization delivering valued programs and services.

Art Emerges with Sesquicentennial Time Capsule Stop by the Lee’s Summit City Hall Plaza to see the new sculpture titled “Emergence” by local artist Dave Eames.

The sculpture is a gift from the Lee’s Summit Truly 150 Steering Committee to the City of Lee’s Summit and will house the Sesquicentennial time capsule, to be opened in 50 years.

Items to be considered for placement in the time capsule are on display in the lobby of City Hall. Items and ideas are still being collected, so stop by or visit Truly150.com for more details. ■

Yours Truly 8