City Scope Winter 2011-12

Winter 2011-2012

Mayor's Memo

City Council Adopts 2-3

Happy New Year!

Water Utilities Strategic Plan Lee’s Summit has celebrated

Development & Redevelopment many successes. Achievements,

Efforts Underway such as the Advanced Law

Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance (EITC) Enforcement Accreditation received by the Lee’s Summit

2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Police Department; the Gold Medal Award for the

New District Boundaries Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation Department; the City’s “Aaa” bond rating, completion of several goals

Mayor & City Council and strategies associated with the Lee’s Summit 360°:

World Trade Center Artifact Charting Tomorrow (LS360°) strategic plan; and

Permanently Displayed in City Hall several initiatives and programs of departments, all

Community of Character make me proud to call Lee’s Summit home. Read about our recognitions and awards at cityofls.net | Main |

2010 No Tax Increase Bond Projects Update Awards | Recognition.

Winter Weather Tips!

This year will be another exciting year for Lee’s Summit as we continue to work toward the vision set forth in LS360°.

Artist Event - Featuring Ron Hoyle In coming months, our City will have a “community-wide brand” to showcase our unique characteristics to residents and potential visitors.

Other exciting projects are the annexation of a portion of Unity Village into our community and the construction of a new building downtown to house Licata Flowers and other tenants. Both of these projects and other economic development and redevelopment goals are detailed in this issue of the City Scope.

Also new for 2012 is a reconstituted Human Relations Commission (HRC) that will begin meeting in February to continue efforts of promoting diversity awareness and understanding in our City. Together individuals from the business, faith and educational communities will continue the great work of the HRC that began in Lee’s Summit in 1993. The work of those involved from the City’s boards, committees, commissions and task forces are essential to the City's success and will continue to be so in the future. Thank you to all who have served and currently serve the City in this valuable capacity. Thank you as well to those individuals working daily to help the City reach its program, initiative and service goals.

If you would like to learn more about the City’s programs and the work of the boards, commissions, committees and task forces: visit cityofls.net | Main or call (816) 969-1000.

Mayor’s Memo

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City Council Adopts Water Utilities Strategic Plan The Lee’s Summit City Council adopted the Strategic Plan for the Lee’s Summit Water Utilities Department and directed staff to adjust the water rate as recommended in the plan to address needed system improvements and increasing operating costs. The decision was made during the City Council meeting on December 15 in Lee’s Summit City Hall.

This is the City’s first water rate increase since 2006.

The adjustment will become effective April 1, 2012 for the City’s commercial and residential water services customers. Sanitary sewer services rates will remain unchanged in 2012, but are recommended to increase in subsequent years.

The strategic plan was the result of a comprehensive assessment and strategic planning process initiated by the Water Utilities Department. During the assessment process, the utility was evaluated on operational practices and procedures, long-term plans for infrastructure improvements, and financial viability in comparison to industry standards and benchmarks. Feedback from customer and employee surveys as well as the Community Advisory Group (CAG) was also a part of the assessment. The CAG is comprised of residential, business and commercial customers.

• Develop a program for renewal of existing aged underground infrastructure; • Improve customer understanding and relations; and • Address long-term needs to ensure the utility’s sustainability.

While all of these areas are important, two opportunities for improvement emerged as the most critical to address now. Those areas: rate management policy and infrastructure stability.

The City’s Water Utilities Department purchases water from Independence and Kansas City. The cost for water has increased during the last several years, but the department has chosen to absorb these increases instead of passing them on to customers. However, this has impacted the operating reserves of the department to a point the assessment identified a need to address this with a series of minor rate increases during the next few years. Sewer revenue is also not in alignment with wastewater treatment costs. The cost of treating wastewater is expected to gradually increase more than 75% during the next 10 years according to projections by Little Blue Valley Sewer District.

As a result of the comprehensive assessment, the utility’s strengths and opportunities for improvement emerged to help guide future decisions and practices. High marks were received by the utility for product quality, customer satisfaction, operation resiliency and water resources adequacy.

The assessment also revealed the need to:

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• Establish appropriate policies to address financial challenges;

A sewer line with visible cracks.

sewer bills are not expected to exceed 6%.

With the rate adjustment, Lee’s Summit customers are expected to continue paying among the lowest rates for water and sewer services in the metro.

A water main break last year in Lee’s Summit.

During the last 12 months, there were a number of water and sewer line breaks – approximately 190 resulting in service disruptions and customer inconveniences across the City. These line breaks and failures represent an increasing problem due to our community’s aging underground infrastructure.

For example, the combined sewer and water rate increase monthly in 2012 would only add an estimated $2.91 to the monthly water bill for residential customers using 5,000 gallons of water per month. By the fifth year of the rate program, customers using 5,000 gallons of water a month would pay an estimated $3.87 more a month.

In addition to implementing the rate adjustment, steps are being taken to: • Create a Water Utilities Advisory Committee, which would be an expansion of the existing Water Tap Fee Committee

Repairs to water lines in our community have mainly consisted of patching where the breaks occur.

However, this is considered a temporary solution to a problem that will continue to increase in frequency and severity if these lines and pipes are not eventually replaced.

The strategic plan includes a recommendation for the City to adjust the water and sewer rates to help fund rising costs for water purchases, sewage treatment and for future system improvements.

Adjustments to the monthly combined water and

$1,200.00 $1,100.00 $1,000.00

Annual Cost of Water & Sewer

• Initiate a Cost of Service Study to help determine future rate adjustments • Implement the goal and strategies of the strategic plan in the next 6 months to 1 year For more information about the Water Utilities Strategic Plan, call (816) 969-1900. Download the report at cityofls.net | Utilities | Publications and Reports. You can also view the December 8 strategic plan presentation to the City Council at cityofls.net | Main site.

WATER

SEWER

AVERAGE - TOTAL

(based on monthly consumption of 5,000 gals.)

$900.00 $800.00 $700.00 $600.00 $500.00 $400.00 $300.00 $200.00 $100.00 $-

* Johnson County includes the following cities in Kansas: Leawood, Lenexa, Merriam, Mission Hills, Mission, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Roeland Park and Shawnee.

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Development & Redevelopment Efforts Underway Economic development and redevelopment remain priorities in the City’s effort to attract corporations and businesses to invest, re-invest and expand in Lee’s Summit. A growth in our commercial base whether it be additional sales or property taxes, allows taxing jurisdictions, such as the City, school and library districts to have less dependence on residential property taxes. Work has begun on several such projects that will have a positive economic impact on our community.

Licata Building

of residential space upstairs. The project was made possible by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) program that assists with the redevelopment of buildings or properties that have a potential of providing a higher economic value than its current use. The Downtown Master Redevelopment Plan adopted in 2004 encourages “mixed-use” developments that combine retail, office and residential activities. The goal is to create places that have a constant “buzz” of activities in our downtown. The new Licata building supports these master plan goals.

Other areas of the City currently studied for development and redevelopment potential: • South M-291 and 50 Highway area, including Adesssa Auto Auction and the Calmar property sites • North M-291 Highway Corridor between 50 Highway and Interstate 470 • M-150 Highway Corridor from Doc Henry Road to just west of Pryor Road

There is a new building under construction downtown on 3rd Street. Licata Flowers will be one of the tenants of this new building that will have 5,000 square feet of commercial space and 4,000 square feet

Infrastructure needs, best land use practices and cost estimates for improvements are a part of the analysis of these corridors for development and redevelopment potential.

Unity Village

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In late December, the City in cooperation with the Unity Village School of Christianity approved the annexation and development of approximately 300 acres of land south of Colbern Road between 350 Highway and Douglas Road.

Residential properties are not The annexation area is outlined in yellow. included in the annexation at this time. As a part of the development phase, the property could contain an estimated 2.2 million square feet capacity for "Class A" and other commercial-oriented development upon full build-out. A tract of approximately 25-30 acres within Phase 1 was donated to the City for use by the Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation system. Continue to watch for updates on these projects in this newsletter and the City’s Web site, cityofls.net | Development | Redevelopment.

2011 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

FREE Tax Preparation Assistance

Save the Date!

2012 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration January 16, 2012 Pre-show at 5:30 p.m.

Celebration at 6 p.m.

The City of Lee's Summit, in partnership with the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Kansas City, is conducting FREE tax preparation services for qualifying Lee’s Summit residents.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal tax credit for low-income individuals and families. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements and file a U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. The amount of your EITC depends on whether you have children, the number of children you have, and the amount of your wages and income.

Earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than: • $43,998 ($49,078 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children; • $40,964 ($46,044 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children; • $36,052 ($41,132 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child; • $13,660 ($18,740 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children Visit www.irs.gov or call United Way at (816)472-4289 for more information or tax related questions.

Make plans to attend the community-wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Monday, January 16, 2012 in the Pavilion at John Knox Village, 520 NW Murray Road, Lee’s Summit.

“Stone of Hope” is the theme of the event that will include music, dance, songs and a cultural extravaganza on stage. The celebration begins with a 5:30 p.m. pre-show followed by the celebration at 6 p.m.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Among the performers: Heritage Dance Ministry; Nartan Academy of Dance; El Grupo Atotonilco; Lee’s Summit West High School Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard; Lee’s Summit High School; Lee’s Summit West High School Drumline; and Pleasant Lea Middle School Black & Gold Choir.

An inspirational message will come from Pastor Armour D. Stephenson III of City of Truth Church in Kansas City, Mo. There will be a videotaped “Reflection” by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II about Dr. King and the significance of the monument built in his honor in Washington, D.C. Fox 4 Reporter Terra Hall will serve as the mistress of ceremonies.

These free tax preparation services will be held every Tuesday in February from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall, 220 SE Green Street. Call (816)969-1011 for weather-related cancellation notification.

This is a free event and the community is encouraged to attend and bring friends to help us celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King.

New District Boundaries The City Charter requires district boundaries to be reviewed following each decennial census. After the 2010 Census, the City Council established a Redistricting Committee comprised of two citizens from each of the four districts, to revise the district boundaries to reasonably distribute the population between the existing districts.

To view the new district map visit cityofls.net | Main site | Elections

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Mayor Randy Rhoads 1060 NW High Point Dr. (64081) (816) 524-8245 Randy.Rhoads@cityofls.net

District 1 James Hallam 3996 SE Doc Henry Rd. (64082) (816) 517-7790 jhallam@mid-west.net

District 1 Kathy Hofmann 1011 SW Orrington Pl. (64081) (816) 536-3393 hofmannk@kc.rr.com

District 2 Brian Whitley 4544 SW Gull Point Dr. (64082) (816) 213-9366 BWhitleyd2@gmail.com

District 2 Allan S. Gray II 612 SW Walden Lane (64081) (816) 695-8845 agrayd2@gmail.com

District 3 Joseph C. Spallo 5502 NE Oaks Ridge Cr. (64064) (816) 478-6752 jspallo@sbcglobal.net

District 3 Forrest “Ed” Cockrell 4000 Cimarron (64064) (816) 350-2523 cockrelled@yahoo.com

District 4 Bob Johnson 1000 NE Remington Ct. (64086) (816) 225-6126 BJohnsond4@gmail.com

District 4 Dave Mosby 352 SE Williamsburg Ct. (64063) (816) 246-1315 DaveHMosby@gmail.com

Mayor & City Council

World Trade Center Artifact Permanently Displayed in City Hall

View the World Trade Center artifact Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. across from the Treasury Department on the first floor of Lee’s Summit City Hall, 220 S.E. Green St. The artifact is a structural steel “I-beam” removed from a larger portion of a steel beam from a World Trade Center tower.

Community of Character 6

The City of Lee’s Summit is designated as a Community of Character. Each month, a character trait is highlighted. Join us in celebrating the following traits:

• January – Courage • February – Cooperation • March – Honesty

2010 No Tax Increase Bond Projects Update Progress is being made with the public safety, infrastructure and road improvement projects approved by voters in November 2010 for the No Tax Increase Bond Election. The following is an update about how the pieces are coming together for these projects: • Emergency Services Radio upgrade: $2 million.

With the planning phase of this project complete and some equipment purchased, implementation is scheduled to begin January 2012. Upon completion of the implementation in May 2012, the radio system will have several public safetyrated components in place to provide a stronger signal and meet the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate to reduce the bandwidth to 12.5 MHz by the year 2013.

• Police Facilities Upgrade: $8 million. The design phase for both the police training facility and the police detention facility is currently underway and will conclude this winter. The bid phase is tentatively set to start in the spring of 2012 and contractor selection is scheduled for completion by April of 2012. The construction is scheduled to take place from summer 2012 through fall 2013.

• Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program: $2.5 million.

Throughout the City, a number of American with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps were brought up to current standards. In the spring, bids will be accepted to repair vertical offsets measuring ½- to 1-inch and to address additional non-compliant ADA ramps.

Winter Weather Tips!

• Stay up-to-date on winter weather and road conditions via television and radio newscasts • Sign-up for the City’s free, snow removal updates via www.nixle.com • Remove vehicles from streets to prevent a delay and to improve the snow removal process

• Curb Replacement Program: $9.36 million.

Two contracts have been completed that replaced 235,000 linear feet of deteriorating curbs and gutters on residential streets in 20 neighborhoods built within the last 20 years. At least two additional contracts will bid in early spring 2012 • Strother Road Improvements: $3.675 million.

Currently, the City is in discussions with multiple property owners about rightof-way acquisition for the privately owned properties located between Interstate 470 and Lee’s Summit Road.

• View High and I-470 Improvements: $1 million.

Transportation improvements will happen to accommodate development when it occurs in the corridor.

• Tudor Road Improvements: $10.8 million.

This project, to provide access to land for future economic development, is being designed in two phases. The design of Phase 1, from Douglas Street to approximately Main, is nearing completion and the right-of-way is being acquired in order to receive bids in spring 2012. The Phase 2 design of the project, from Main to Ward Road, is underway and will involve coordination with the Union Pacific Railroad to construct a bridge over its main line.

• Shovel snow to the side of your driveway to lessen the amount of snow left at the entrance of your driveway • Call the Snow Desk at 969-1870. Normal business hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. During winter storm events, the Snow Desk operates 24 hours a day.

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City Hall................................................(816) 969-1000 Chamber of Commerce.......................(816) 524-2424 Downtown Main St., Inc.................... (816) 246-6598 Economic Dev. Council.......................(816) 525-6617 Gamber Center.....................................(816) 969-1580 LS Social Services................................(816) 525-4357 OATS Bus.............................................. (816) 380-7433 Metroflex Downtown Bus.................. (816) 346-0802

Important Community Phone Numbers

RESIDENT/BUSINESS (816) 969-1000 www.cityofls.net 220 SE Green Street Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

City of Lee’s Summit

ECRWSS Permit No. 79 Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

PAID

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

Artist Reception Featuring Ron Hoyle Chat one-on-one and view portraits and drawings!

Lee’s Summit City Hall 220 SE Green St.

Thursday, January 19, 2012 5:30-7:00 p.m.

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Corner Photo Courtesy of Jeanne Bucey

Enjoy light refreshments and wine sampling.

Artwork will be on display in City Hall from January 19 through mid-April 2012. Exhibit Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone Numbers

General Information ..................... 969-1000 Animal Control........................... 969-1640 Administration.............................969-1010 Mayor.........................................969-1030 City Council...............................969-1010 City Manager.............................969-1013 Codes Administration Inspect. & Plans Review...........969-1200 Neighborhood Services............969-1200 Fire Department Business Office..........................969-1300 Emergency Calls..................... 911 Municipal Court...........................969-1150 Parks & Recreation......................969-1500 Planning & Development...........969-1600 Police Department Business Office..........................969-1700 Emergency Calls..................... 911 Public Works Airport........................................969-1182 Engineering...............................969-1800 Operations (Streets)..................969-1870 Resource Recovery Park..........969-1980 Recycling...................................969-1804 Treasury Dept.(tax info.).............969-1139 Water Utilities Operations..........969-1940 Customer Service (billing)......969-1900