TownTalk
Oct. 17, 6-10 p.m. & Oct. 18, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Old Town
The Lenexa Chili Challenge
Lenexa recently obtained top ratings from both Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investor Service after staff from both agencies visited Lenexa in an effort to better understand the city’s current initiatives. Lenexa now has an AAA General Obligation rating from Standard & Poor’s and an Aaa rating from Moody’s. Since 2005, the City’s credit rating has improved by two notches for both rating agencies (from Aa2 to Aaa with Moody’s and from AA to AAA with Standard & Poor’s). “We are very pleased to have received such a confident report from both rating agencies,” said City Administrator Eric Wade. “These top ratings indicate a high level of confidence in the City’s fiscal health and reflect the City’s strong financial management policies.”
What you should know about
Emerald Ash Borer
PG 3
Photo by volunteer Tricia Prann
Thanks to its strong financial position, the City of Lenexa is able to save thousands of dollars in interest when selling bonds to finance capital projects. This means that new parks, roads, stormwater projects and city facilities will cost taxpayers less money in the long run.
Grab a spoon! Teams will converge on Old Town to compete for the best in show at the Lenexa Chili Challenge while hosting visitors eager for a taste of their award-winning chili. New this year are the Kids Kornbread contest, where kids 12 and under can enter their best recipe. Also new is a Bean Bag
Toss Tournament for teams of two (13+, with one adult) to compete for great prizes. Friday night features music and fireworks (weather permitting). Saturday features samples beginning at 10 a.m., music and children’s arts & crafts. More information is available online at www.lenexa.com/chili.
Oct. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park
Enchanted Forest Don your costume and join us for Lenexa’s Enchanted Forest. Admission to the event is free and includes a variety of performances, a hayride and visits with friendly characters. A $3 wristband is available for kids to participate in pumpkin decorating and playtime on the inflatables. Bring the whole family to the forest for an evening of enchanted fun! (Inclement weather date is Oct. 24)
Photo by volunteer Bill Harrison
Lenexa earns highest financial distinctions
October 2014 • Issue 5
Dumpster Weekend is Oct. 11 & 12 Lenexa residents may dispose of bulky waste and other items not typically included in regular curbside collection at the City of Lenexa’s Dumpster Weekend on Oct. 11 and 12. Residents can drop off materials at the Municipal Services Center, 7700 Cottonwood from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Fees will be charged based on the load size and for some items, including white goods, tires and TVs. Many electronic items can be recycled as well. Hazardous items such as batteries, waste oil and paint will not be accepted. For more information, including a list of rates and items accepted, visit www. lenexa.com/towntalk.
Contact your trash hauler for curbside bulky item pickup Need to get rid of big stuff like furniture, appliances and electronic equipment? Trash haulers operating in Lenexa are required to offer one free bulky item collection per customer per year. Some haulers ask residents to schedule a pickup date, while others have set collection dates for certain areas of the city. Contact your trash hauler to learn its policy for curbside collection of bulky items. More information about Lenexa’s trash regulations is available at www.lenexa.com/ towntalk.
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Discounted trees available for residents Residents looking to replace trees or just spruce up their landscaping will have the opportunity to do so with a discounted tree planting program through a partnership between the City of Lenexa and Sticks ‘N Stones Landscaping.
Available trees include:
The program allows Lenexa residents to purchase hardy trees grown to thrive in Lenexa’s climate and soil conditions for a reduced price of $299 (plus tax) per planted tree. This cost includes planting, mulching, staking and a one-year replacement warranty.
• Spring snow crab
• Autumn flame maple • Red sunset maple • Bald cypress • Lacebark elm • Swamp white oak • Saw tooth oak • Black gum • Redbud • Prairie Fire crab All trees will be 2-inch caliper size. Orders will be accepted online through Nov. 15, and trees will be scheduled and planted as dormant plantings between December 2014 and April 2015. To order, visit www.snskc.com/trees.
Municipal Court offers online services Residents who find themselves needing services at Lenexa’s Municipal Court have a wealth of options online. In February 2013, Lenexa Municipal Court launched its Online Record Search to allow the public, criminal justice agencies and courts to find casespecific information 24/7 on cases filed on or after July 28, 2008. Information available within Online Record Search includes charges, court dates, fine balances and disposition. Additionally, Lenexa Municipal Court provides online ticket payment through which eligible tickets may be paid through the City of Lenexa website. Payment may be made
through the online portal. Accident reports from the Lenexa Police Department are also available online, allowing residents, insurance companies and law enforcement agencies quick access to motor vehicle accident reports. To access any of these online services, visit www.lenexa.com/ towntalk.
CloserLook
From time to time, we will explore “hot” topics in Lenexa through the new CloserLook section of Town Talk. Have a topic you think deserves a CloserLook? E-mail communications@lenexa.com.
Signs to look for
What is the emerald ash borer? The effects of emerald ash borer are similar to Dutch elm disease that spread throughout Kansas in the 1970s. It is hard to spot and will kill infected trees. The EAB insect is a ½-inch long metallic green beetle that will cause widespread damage to ash trees in Lenexa. EAB larvae cause damage by tunneling under an ash tree’s bark and disrupting the transport of nutrients from the roots to the trees’ branches, eventually starving it to death. EAB is native to Asia, but the insect made its way to the United States in 2002. It was discovered in Kansas in mid-2012 and in Shawnee Mission Park in Lenexa on Aug. 27, 2014. City of Lenexa staff
• Canopy dieback at the top of the tree • Sprouts growing from the roots and trunk have created an EAB management plan and are committed to maintaining the city’s tree canopy. More information about EAB and the City’s management plan are available at www.lenexa.com/EAB
• Vertical bark splitting • D-shaped holes and S-shaped designs under the bark
What you should know about
Emerald Ash Borer What to do if you spot EAB If residents suspect EAB is on their property, they should document the suspected tree in photos, and then contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture, which is the agency monitoring EAB. The KDA or a local tree company with certified arborists will also be able to assist
with resources to answer other general questions about EAB. KDA can be reached by calling 785.564.6698 or by sending an email with your name, address, phone numbers and pictures of the suspected tree to ppwc@kda.ks.gov.
How to help prevent the spread of EAB Once EAB was discovered locally, Johnson County was placed under quarantine, which prevents the transfer of firewood and ash trees or products into areas not included in the quarantine.
S-shaped designs and canopy dieback are two signs of EAB.
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Additionally, because EAB has been spotted in Lenexa, residents who wish to try to save their ash trees are encouraged to look into treating them with an insecticide if their tree is healthy. The best
time to treat trees for EAB is the spring, when the trees are actively uptaking water and nutrients. For more information Lenexa on the quarantine has more and preventative than 8,000 measures, visit ash trees in www.lenexa.com/ EAB. public spaces.
Lenexa residents show artistic talents
Several Lenexa residents were honored for their artistic ability at the recent reception held for the Lenexa Artists’ Show. Winners include:
2nd Place, 2-D: Marilee Means, “Riverbank,” pastel.
Best of Show: Jean Pflumm, “Flower Post Bloom,” oil on canvas.
2nd Place, Photography: Catherine Kirkland, “Pink Flowers Spring Forest” digital art.
1st Place, 3-D: Patricia Young, “Bugs on Bud,” ceramic. 2nd Place, 3-D: John Cain, “Doing the People’s Work,” fused glass. 1st Place, 2-D: Diane Robbins, “Flowers of the Field,” acrylic.
1st Place, Photography: Bill Harrison, “Prairie Fire Ghost Rider.”
The current show in the City Hall art gallery is Bernadine Miller photography. For a full schedule of artists’ shows in the gallery, visit www.lenexa.com/art.
Home security tips to keep your family safe Lenexa is a generally safe community, but that doesn’t mean residents should let their guard down when it comes to home safety. Lenexa Police Department officers have seen several recent home burglaries that could have been prevented with one simple step. Of the 16 residential burglaries in Lenexa since June 1 of this year, four of them were the result of open garage doors. Whether home or not, residents should not leave garage doors open, especially overnight. Also, the LPD reminds residents to make sure your home appears occupied when you are away. This includes putting lights on a timer,
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having neighbors or friends pick up accumulating newspapers or mail, and driving up and back on your driveway during snowy weather to leave the appearance of occupancy. Other recommendations include ensuring entrances, doors and windows have adequate protection (good-quality dead-bolt locks, reinforced strike plates, and security film on windows, for example.) More home crime prevention tips are available online at www.lenexa. com/towntalk. The Lenexa Police Department also conducts free home security audits for Lenexa residents; call 913.477.7245 to schedule an appointment.
Snow crews practice their plowing skills Municipal Services hosted its annual snow plow training and competition on Aug. 26 - 27 in the Freedom Fields parking lot. More than 40 employees participated. This event allows the plow operators and seasoned veterans time to operate a plow truck in a safe and controlled environment to enhance their skill levels. The top two finishers in the tandem axle event, Shane Hill and Shawn Ralston, will compete nationally at the APWA National Snow Roadeo in Colorado. As snow season approaches, make sure to bookmark Lenexa’s nationally award-winning Snow Headquarters, www.lenexa.com/ snow. Information about the city’s plowing operations will be posted there during snowfall events.
Mark your calendar for Sar-Ko Aglow
Kick off your holidays with Lenexa’s newest tradition, Sar-Ko Aglow. This annual event begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 5, with the lighting of Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Then, bundle up and enjoy sipping hot cocoa and listening to carolers. Santa will also be on hand in the gazebo to listen to children’s holiday wishes. Parking is available at Indian Trails Aquatic Center and Cedar Ridge Christian Church. Admission is free.
Street maintenance wrapping up Gateway project work continues College Boulevard At the end September, the southern lanes opened to vehicles. Traffic switched lanes to accommodate construction on the north side of the roadway. Construction is scheduled to be complete by the end of November 2014. Work surrounding the 2014 Pavement Management Program is wrapping up for the season. Projects included in the 2014 PMP include mill and overlay of 95th Street between Renner and Lackman; and Lackman from 87th to 101st Street. The 2014 PMP also included microseal of 87th Street between Pflumm and Quivira and roads in Falcon Ridge Villas I & II, Falcon
Ridge and Lackman from 105th to College Boulevard. Crews are now working hard to identify areas to be included in the 2015 Pavement Management Program. As construction is finishing up, please remember to slow down in work zones and obey all posted speed limits. The City of Lenexa appreciates your patience during this busy road construction season.
Fresh, new playgrounds at several city parks
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CENT SALES TAX
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Both playgrounds are slated to be open by mid-October, weather permitting. Upon completion, both parks will feature playgrounds for all ages. Little Mill Creek will be one of Lenexa’s destination
K-10 and I-435 K-10 to northbound I-435 will have a new flyover bridge. Excavation work in the median at K-10 and I-435 is taking place now to prepare for the bridge pier construction in the next several weeks. This work will continue through November 2015. Westbound I-435 Widening and pavement replacement will continue to cause a significant traffic shift, along with a dedicated lane through 2014. Drivers who need to exit at I-35 should use the right-hand lanes. Drivers who need to exit at Lackman, K-10, 95th Street, or 87th Street may use the dedicated far left lane (inside the concrete barrier) for faster travel through the work zone.
Families wanting to enjoy an afternoon outdoors should swing by some of Lenexa’s parks this fall. Construction on the playgrounds within Scouting Park (94th & Haskins) and Little Mill Creek Park (79th & Cottonwood) is nearing completion, and they are set to be the most interactive playgrounds in Lenexa when they’re finished. FUNDED BY THE
K-10 and Ridgeview Road Night work and lane closures continue as crews construct the new diverging diamond interchange, which is scheduled to be complete in July 2015.
playgrounds and will feature a zip line, multi-level play tower, a merrygo-round, slides and swings. Looking for a visual tour of Lenexa’s parks and playgrounds? The City now has a map and photo of each park on its new Maps and Apps page. Log on to www.lenexa.com/towntalk.
I-435 at I-35 Bridge widening work continues during the daytime and overnight hours, including overnight ramp closures. Please be aware of narrowing lanes, lane drops, and potential ramp traffic in these interchanges.
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.
12350 W. 87th Street Pkwy. Lenexa, KS 66215
City Administrator Eric Wade
Mayor Mike Boehm 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
913.477.7500 • www.lenexa.com Lenexa is an equal housing community
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Body cameras promote safety of officers and public The City of Lenexa Police Department was one of the first police departments in the Kansas City metro area when it implemented body worn video cameras in 2009. At the time, all patrol vehicles had video recording capabilities, but the need existed to equip bicycle and motorcycle officers with similar technology to ensure the officers’ and public’s safety. The body worn video cameras proved their effectiveness enough that the City continues to be a leader by equipping nearly all sworn officers with a body worn video camera as part of their uniform. They are used in addition to in-car video to provide a perspective from the officers’ viewpoint. The cameras record video of each officer’s interactions; then the video is downloaded to a secure database, where it is used solely for court cases
and training purposes. Video is retained in the secure database for 90 days and then destroyed. The body worn video cameras provide several benefits to the LPD and the public. Body worn cameras provide the best available evidence for arrest and prosecution. For example, the context of information that can be obtained through video versus audio-only or a written report is akin to the context you can obtain through a phone call versus a text message. Studies across the nation have shown that when body cameras are worn, the number of use-of-force incidents generally declines. Other benefits of the cameras include increased transparency and legitimacy, expedited resolution of complaints and improved citizen and police officer encounters.
Officer Ben Asplund demonstrates how Lenexa officers wear body worn video cameras.
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage P A I D Kansas City, MO Permit No. 32