Lenexa Town Talk - April 2015

TownTalk You’re Invited: Civic Center Project groundbreaking

April 2015 • Issue 2

Mayor highlights achievements

June 12, 4:30 p.m.

87th St. Pkwy. & Penrose Lane

Mark your calendar and get ready to celebrate. Join us for the groundbreaking and learn more about the Civic Center Project, which will include a recreation center, City Hall, public market and outdoor gathering spaces. The event will be followed by a Food Truck Frenzy (see back page).

“Why I Like Lenexa” Art Contest Want your children to be a part of the groundbreaking ceremony? Have them enter the “Why I Like Lenexa” art contest.

Children ages 12 and under are welcome to participate in the contest by coloring a picture of why they like Lenexa. Contest winners will be invited to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony on June 12. Download an entry form online at Lenexa.com/TownTalk or pick one up at City Hall or the community center. Deadline is noon on May 15.

Looking back on the City Council’s long-term goals, Lenexa Mayor Michael Boehm reflected on a year of growth and success in his annual State of the City Address on Feb. 25. These goals, which help set the direction for Lenexa, guide the daily work of the elected officials, city staff and volunteers.

Boehm outlined the extensive work staff has done to enhance the quality of life in Lenexa, including updating and building facilities to serve the needs of residents throughout the city. Additionally, city staff remains diligent about providing the best services to our citizens. The Lenexa Fire Department earned an ISO Class One rating, and the Lenexa Police Department continues to be on the forefront of technology to keep the community safe.

Last year, Lenexa received the highest bond ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors

Service, allowing the city to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest costs on capital projects.

We also worked with the Kansas Department of Transportation to incorporate local construction projects into the Johnson County Gateway project, leveraging a $10 million investment into $30 million in upgrades to city infrastructure.

Lenexa staff continue to work with property owners to help them reinvest in their homes and businesses – in the last three years, more than $130 million in redevelopment has occurred in the city. Our community’s economic vitality remains strong, as evidenced by the $277 million in construction valuation in 2014 – 31 percent of which occurred in City Center, and more projects in the area are on the way soon.

To read the full text of the Mayor’s speech and see his presentation, visit www.lenexa.com/towntalk.

TownTalk HOA board meeting set for April 8

Lenexa honored for snow services

Board members of Lenexa’s homeowners associations are invited to attend the spring HOA outreach meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at City Hall, 12350 W. 87th St. Parkway.

Topics on the agenda include a presentation by the Kansas Department of Transportation about the Johnson County Gateway project, Neighborhood Revitalization District changes, and information about City Center and the Civic Center Project.

RSVPs are not required.

Spring Dumpster Days coming soon Lenexa residents have the opportunity to dispose of large, bulky items during this year’s Dumpster Days events on April 11-12, and October 10-11.

Residents may bring their bulky item waste to the Lenexa Municipal Services Center, 7700 Cottonwood, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each of the days.

Fees will be charged depending on the size of the vehicle.

Additional fees are charged for appliances containing Freon, TVs, computer monitors and tires.

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Once again, Lenexa’s efforts during winter storms have been recognized as some of the best in the nation.

Lenexa has been selected to receive the Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award from the American Public Works Association. This award recognizes communities who promote excellence in the management and administration of snow and ice operations and promote best practices in snow and ice removal while minimizing environmental impacts.

Lenexa’s Municipal Services Department is responsible for clearing snow and ice from 660 lane miles, including 502 cul-de-sacs.

Snow removal continues to remain a high priority for city crews, as it was ranked very high for top city

maintenances priorities in Lenexa’s most recent citizen satisfaction survey. That same survey indicated 82 percent of respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the city’s snow removal operations.

“Our crews work hard to maintain this level of satisfaction, and they take great pride in delivering exceptional service,” said Nick Arena, assistant director of Municipal Services.

This isn’t the first time Lenexa’s snow operations have earned high distinction. The city’s Snow Headquarters, www.lenexa.com/ snow, was awarded the national President’s Award from the CityCounty Communications & Marketing Association in 2014.

Remember: Keep lawns tidy this spring As the weather warms, please be sure to mow and trim your growing grass as often as needed. City code requires all developed residential lots to be maintained at 8 inches or less, all other properties at 12 inches or less. If you are concerned about

a property in your neighborhood, please share your concerns online at www.lenexa.com/311 or by calling 913.477.7500.

Now is the time to get your lawn mower tuned up and ready for a long mowing season.

K-9 Diesel retires; Ram joins LPD The Lenexa Police Department is bidding farewell to one canine officer and welcoming another. After eight years of service to the Lenexa Police Department, K-9 Diesel retired with a wide range of successes. He was deployed 523 times, resulting in 63 drug finds, 35 criminal apprehensions, and over $77,000 in seizures. During his time with the LPD, Diesel earned 16 national certifications and placed in national competitions three times, including first place in 2009.

Lenexa maintains a three-dog K-9 unit, and filling Diesel’s vacated spot is Ram, a 2 1/2-year old Belgian Malinois. Ram will soon complete his required eight weeks of training, after which time he will become a certified dual-purpose police service dog working with officer Ryan Sumner. He will be certified in narcotics detection and criminal apprehension.

Ram joins Wrecker and Buck in the

Lenexa PD. The K-9 unit averages more than 250 deployments per year for their certified purposes, as well as helping locate missing and endangered people, conducting article searches, and performing public demonstrations.

Prevention efforts reduce apartment fires Consistent education and strategic partnerships are to credit for the dramatic decrease in apartment fires in Lenexa over the past few years.

butts —using containers in front of buildings specifically designed to house cigarette butts or using a ceramic flower pot with sand, for instance.

After seeing an alarming number of apartment fires due to cigarette butts being improperly disposed of, the Lenexa Fire Department made fire prevention in apartment complexes a top priority.

The LFD also has seen increased buy-in from the apartment managers through voluntary enforcement in their complexes and the city’s inspection program.

Fire Department personnel used a combination of distributing educational materials and forming partnerships with apartment owners and managers to help inform apartment dwellers about the best way to dispose of cigarette

These efforts have resulted in a decrease in cigarette-related fires.

Last year, only six were reported compared with 15 in 2013, 20 in 2012 and 22 in 2011.

To learn more tips about fire prevention, go online to www.lenexa.com/towntalk.

Cost share funds available to residents

Spring and summer rains will soon be upon us. Stormwater runoff from these storms can pick up lawn chemicals, litter and debris. Those items end up in Lenexa streamways and ultimately ponds and lakes around the area. One of the best ways to filter chemicals out of stormwater is through the use of native plants.

Lenexa encourages residents to use native plantings as a low-maintenance solution to landscape issues. Native plant costs are a reimbursable expense under Lenexa’s Cost Share Program. Again this year, Lenexa has received a grant from the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program to help cover the costs of rain barrels, rain gardens, and native plantings. Through this program, 75 percent of approved project costs are reimbursable. Rain gardens and native plantings qualify for a maximum reimbursement of $1,500; rain barrels qualify for $110. Funds are available now but are limited. Projects must be completed by Oct. 31. For more information about Lenexa’s Cost Share Program visit www.lenexa. com/costshare.

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TownTalk

Lenexa Town Talk is published six times a year by the City of Lenexa for its residents. Please direct questions or comments to the Communications Division by e-mailing communications@lenexa.com.

Mayor Mike Boehm

City Administrator Eric Wade

Council Members Ward 1 Joe Karlin Steve Lemons

Ward 3 Amy Slater Lou Serrone

Ward 2 Diane Linver Tom Nolte

Ward 4 Mandy Stuke Andy Huckaba

12350 W. 87th Street Pkwy.

Lenexa, KS 66215

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage P A I D Kansas City, MO Permit No. 32

913.477.7500 • www.lenexa.com Lenexa is an equal housing community

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Food Truck Frenzy June 12, 5—8 p.m.

Sept. 25. 11 a.m.—1:30 p.m.

After the success of Lenexa’s first Food Truck Frenzy in October last year, we heard many resident requests for additional events in 2015. We are happy to announce that the City of Lenexa will be hosting two Food Truck Frenzies this year — one during lunchtime and another in the evening.

May 9, 10 a.m.—8 p.m., Central Green Park In its second year, the Lenexa Art Fair will bring more than 50 artists, and local wineries, craft breweries and great music together for the daylong event. This year, the city will also dedicate a new bronze sculpture by artist Robin Richerson. “Frenzied Flight” will be placed in the waterfalls at Central Green.

Read more on page 5 of Lenexa Leisure.

So, mark your calendars for June 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Sept. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Both of these events will bring several food trucks to Lenexa City Center at near 87th Street Parkway & Penrose Lane. There is no admission fee to the event; cost for food from the trucks varies. For more information as the events come closer, please visit www.lenexa.com/foodtruckfrenzy.