TownTalk
State of the City celebrates success
Spend a day meandering through quality artwork, sipping wine and craft beers while listening to jazz music. Join us for the first annual Lenexa Art Fair on May 10 at Central Green Park. The day includes 50 high-quality artists, jazz music and local wine and craft beers. More information is available in Lenexa Leisure.
April 2014 • Issue 2
May 10 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Central Green Park, 87th & Renner
87th & Renner truss will be installed in early summer In spring of 2012, the traffic signal truss at 87th and Renner Boulevard failed during installation due to a faulty design and erection plan, according to the city’s outside experts. The redesign and fabrication of a new truss was delayed as the problem worked its way through the legal system. The new truss will be installed by early summer and will serve as an architecturally interesting gateway to Lenexa City Center. The City was able to recover more than $1.2 million during litigation which substantially covers the cost of the new truss. The City is still considering turning the first truss into artwork but no decision has been made on this matter.
In his annual State of the City address, Mayor Michael Boehm touted the high satisfaction of Lenexa residents, as reported in the most recent citizen survey. Lenexa consistently scored higher than both the Kansas City metro average and the national average in each of the areas ranked by residents. These results mirror the strong feedback received from residents over the last decade. Boehm outlined major accomplishments of the city’s departments over the last year, including several national awards. Lenexa was named the Google eCity for the State of Kansas, received the Cities of Distinction honor from Ingram’s Magazine and employs numerous staff members who were recognized for their achievements in their fields. The recent upswing in the economy has brought positive signs of development in Lenexa, including projects at 113th & Renner, 95th & Quivira and Lenexa City
Center. Originally envisioned in the Vision2020 strategic planning document and reaffirmed in Vision2030, City Center continues to grow and develop. Lenexa’s financial outlook for the next five years shows stability, and the city remains steadfast in spending tax dollars mindfully. The text of the Mayor’s speech and PDF copy of the 2013 Year in Review are available at www.lenexa.com/towntalk.
Mayor Michael Boehm addresses the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce at his annual State of the City speech.
TownTalk Lenexa welcomes Todd Pelham as new Assistant City Administrator
Improvements planned for I-35/I-435/K-10 2014 2015 2016
To see a larger map of the planned improvements and timeline, visit www.jocogateway.com.
As the Lenexa Civic Center project becomes a reality, the City of Lenexa welcomes Todd Pelham as an Assistant City Administrator to help keep the project on track. Pelham joined Lenexa on March 10 and will serve as the city’s project manager for the Civic Center. In this capacity, Pelham will ensure a strong partnership with stakeholders as this important project becomes a reality. In addition, Pelham’s duties include working closely with the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce and Lenexa Economic Development Council and assisting in developing short and long-term economic development plans for the city. Previously, he worked for the City of Blue Springs, Mo., where he served as the Deputy City Administrator overseeing economic development. Prior to that, he worked for the Johnson County Manager’s Office and the Small Business Administration in the Office of Economic Research in Washington, D.C.
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Residents traveling along K-10, I-35 and I-435 in Lenexa in the near future may want to keep an eye on the Kansas Department of Transportations’ Johnson County Gateway project, as construction begins on portions of it this year. Through the Gateway project, KDOT will improve current traffic flow, prepare for future traffic growth and support economic development and overall safety in one of the state’s busiest interchanges. Work begins this year and continues through 2016. Major construction is expected on all three highways, as well as on 95th Street between Noland and Monrovia, College Boulevard between
Ridgeview and Renner and both Ridgeview and Renner exits of K-10. Project Updates Information about the Johnson County Gateway project and a timeline and map of each of the planned improvements is available at www.jocogateway.com. Residents interested in receiving email updates can sign up on the website as well. KDOT also encourages residents to follow construction progress on Twitter and Facebook. The City of Lenexa will also provide updates as they become available through Road Construction emails, on our website and via social media channels. For links to each, visit www. lenexa.com/towntalk.
Spring has sprung: Neighborhood reminders Coming out of winter hibernation to enjoy the warmer days also means a few property maintenance reminders. Please keep the following in mind: Start your lawn mowers Grass and weeds may not exceed 8 inches in height on developed residential lots and 12 inches on all other properties. Keep your carts tidy Trash and recycling receptacles must be stored behind front building lines or inside garages.
Brush up Peeling paint and rotten wood must be promptly addressed. Make them visible Address numbers must be visible from the street in case the need for emergency services arises. If you have questions about any neighborhood-related concerns, please report violations at www.lenexa.com and click on “Request a Service” or contact the Community Standards Division at 913.477.7500.
Catalytic converter program targets thefts partnered with several area businesses to create a catalytic converter anti-theft program. This program discourages the theft of catalytic converters by inscribing identifying information followed by a heat-resistant paint overlay. Residents and businesses wishing to participate in the program should make an appointment with one of the following participating businesses who are providing the service free of charge or for a nominal fee:
Thanks to a new program by the Lenexa Police Department, residents and businesses in the community can protect their assets while sending a message that theft is not welcome in Lenexa. Since Jan. 1 of this year, the Lenexa Police Department has taken 18 reports of catalytic converter thefts, totaling approximately $10,075 in property loss; and in 2013, the LPD received 45 reports worth $44,514. To curtail this problem, the LPD
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Williams Automotive, 13201 W. 91st Terr. (free)
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Charlie’s Brake and Muffler, 12912 Santa Fe Trail Drive (free)
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Autopia, 13012 Santa Fe Trail Drive (free)
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Shore Tire, 9300 Marshall Drive (nominal fee or free with other services)
Additionally, several other Lenexa businesses are providing support for the program, including O’Reilly Auto Parts, Westlake Ace Hardware, American Family Insurance and Farmers Insurance Group.
Residents eligible for flood insurance discount Homeowners’ insurance policies do not typically cover damage from floods. However, because Lenexa participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, property owners can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the federal government and is available to everyone, even for properties which have previously flooded. Furthermore, since Lenexa participates in the Community Rating System, residents are eligible for a 10-percent discount on their policy.
Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank when they obtained a mortgage or home equity loan. At last count, there were 39 flood insurance policies in Lenexa. If you are covered, doublecheck that the building coverage is adequate, make sure you have contents coverage, and be sure that you are receiving the appropriate discount. For more information, contact Tom Jacobs at 913.477.7644
Spring Dumpster Days
Spring cleaning time is just around the corner, so mark your calendar for the city’s two Dumpster Weekends. Lenexa residents may drop off bulky items from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 12-13 and Oct. 11-12 at the Municipal Services Center, 7700 Cottonwood. Fees per load range from $15 to $40, and there are special fees for recycling electronics, appliances with Freon and tires. Anyone with questions can call 913.477.7880.
Sign your teen up for Youth Police Academy Teens wanting a fun experience this summer don’t need to look any further than the Lenexa Police Department. The LPD is offering its one-week Youth Police Academy twice this year. The two sessions are June 2-6 and July 28-Aug. 1. Each session runs from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and the cost is free. Participants must be between 13-17 and live or attend school in Lenexa, or have a parent/guardian working in Lenexa. The youth must have a minimal record of school discipline and limited/no police and criminal contact. Space is limited in each class, and spots fill quickly. The deadline for applications for the June session is May 27. Applications and more information are available online at www.LPDYouthAcademy.com.
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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.
12350 W. 87th Street Pkwy. Lenexa, KS 66215
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage P A I D Kansas City, MO Permit No. 32
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
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Stormwater cost share funds available for Lenexa residents Lenexa is pleased to have once again received a $10,000 grant from the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program. These funds will be available to Lenexa residents as part of a stormwater BMP cost share program. Rain water runoff can pick up pollutants as it travels across your lawn and runs down the street into stormwater drains. Lawn fertilizer, pet waste and litter are just a few of the items which make their way into Lenexa’s storm drains and streamways as part of this stormwater runoff. One of the best ways to naturally treat this runoff in your yard is to plant native vegetation. The root system from native plantings helps to filter out these pollutants and assists in the effective management of stormwater runoff. Installing a Best Management Practice (BMP) such as a rain garden with native plantings on your property will not only provide you with aesthetically pleasing visual results, but it will also assist in
keeping Lenexa’s streamways healthy. The grant funds will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, and participants with approved projects will be reimbursed at a rate of 50 percent. Maximum reimbursement is $75 for rain barrels and $1,000 for rain gardens, cisterns or native plantings.
An optional informational workshop will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 23 at City Hall, 12350 W. 87th Street Parkway. City staff will be available to answer questions and offer assistance with project planning. For more information or to apply, visit www.raintorecreation.org or contact Tom Jacobs at 913.477.7644.