17 minute read
WELCOME
Discovering De Soto
W
Community & Business Feature Publication
On-line viewing of all issues: https://issuu.com/discoveringdesoto Like us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/ discoveringdesoto/
WELCOME .......................................................................3 Discovering De Soto Creating a magazine/staff.......4 -5 Sending Gifts....................................................................5 Business News...............................................................6 CITY OF DE SOTO Pages
City Hall Security Updates............................................7-9 New Economic Incentive Policy..................................8, 9 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting.................................9 City Directory/ De Soto Parks & Recreation.........10 Fitness Stay fit this winter inside the gym...............11 Health Johnson County COVID-19 Resources......12-13 Gifts for your wellness...................................................13 Holiday Food Remembering & reflecting..............14 Food Pantry/Gifts of food...........................................15 HOLIDAY GIFT SHOPPING Map of De Soto..............16-17 RESTAURANTS JT’s Breakfast with Santa................18-19 WINTER IDEAS The Long Winter..............................20 ORGANIZATIONS & GROUPS fundraising Gifts......21 USD 232 District COVID-19 Dashboard................22 Board of Education Meetings...................................22-23 The Gift of music/treats for pets...............................23 PEOPLE Celebrations & recognition/Art Awards...24 A tribute to a godly man............................................25 Local author Connor Bichelmeyer..........................28 FAITH Worship/Gifts of faith......................................26-27 AUTO NEWS Speedy Express Detail..........................28 Carriage Houses of Johnson County/Auto Gifts..29 PUBLIC SAFETY Master Deputy Wes Peel assigned to De Soto ......30 Christmas Tree Disposal.......................................30 Holiday Safety Tips/Gifts to keep to safe...........31 Rediscover Downtown & De Soto Rotary..........32 Discovering De Soto is printed and distributed to De Soto residents and businesses throughout De Soto courtesy of the City of De Soto. Additional distribution in Western Lenexa, Linwood and Shawnee. Independently owned and published by RMB prints & design LLC. Publishing Quarterly Printed Harvest Graphics Print Solutions/Lenexa Online publications https://issuu.com/discoveringdesoto Copies $2.50 Not responsible for errors or misprints. Information is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, however “RMB prints & design LLC” is not responsible for the accuracy of information and not liable for any incurrances as a result of this publication. The material in Discovering
De Soto is not intended for diagnosing or giving medical advice.
A Business, Organization or Entity Featured is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product, individual, business or organization. Businesses featured are objectively selected for newsworthy content and/or being applicable to the current issue’s theme/focus/emphasis. Publisher/Editor reserves the right on final editing of all content herein, including acceptance of submissions and advertising. WELCOME The challenges of 2020 (sigh) have been something, and they are not about to let up. The long winter is ahead and I hope you find the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and Winter Tips helpful amidst these different times. The pioneer days do keep things in perspective. The holidays will still come. As COVID has already risen throughout the world, it will be different with family travels being affected. Many of us may not have our traditional gatherings. Keep adapting and remember, it will not always be this way. With the upcoming Christmas Season, kudos to our churches who have also adapted–learning and implementing new technologies to bring online services available to many. God’s peace and presence. Kudos to our school district staff and students, our postal workers, and the many businesses that have taken extra measures for our safety. Keep wearing those masks, washing those hands and keeping safe distances. This too shall pass. Enjoy our “local” De Soto Gift Guide–with plenty of ideas for gift-giving. “Shop local” and online. Though much has been cancelled this year, enjoy the Rotary’s Fall Event (see back page), and some of the holiday markets in De Soto that have adapted and remain open. Blessings and Godspeed! Sincerely, Rose editor and publisher, Discovering De Soto
Kudos to our Advertisers who fund the staffing & production of Discovering De Soto!
Published by RMB Prints & Design, llc Rose M. Burgweger, publisher / editor RMBPrints@Icloud.com ∂
Blake Bradford Contributing Graphic Designer Katherine Diaz Contributing Writer Dick Stine Contributing Writer Meg Johnson Administrative Assistant Helen Ash Copy Editor Ella Fixen Student Intern ∂
Special Thanks to The City of De Soto who fund De Soto Printing & EDDM Distribution ∂
Printed Copies also available at these locations: De Soto Harps Foods Steve’s Meat Market Downtown De Soto look for our new bin Lenexa Suburban Lawn & Garden Shawnee Price Chopper courtesy Kansas City Star Earl May Country Club Cafe
Plates, placed on the offset Heidleberg Press at Harvest Graphics in Lenexa.
Press proofs, prior to being run on offset Heidleberg Press.
Creating a magazine...
Concepts begin with “thumbnail” sketches and a folder of saved ideas. These are the framework for beginning an issue of Discovering De Soto. These “pieces” are then put together intricately and cohesively, as they unfold into a 32-page puzzle. Finding just the right place for advertisers and features, designing pages to be well-balanced and have good flow. Each issue often times reminds me of working on a puzzle. With a framework, tweaking, editing, adapting last-minute changes, being fluid and concrete. Pdf files are sent online to my printer. Proofs are prepared, plates made and the job is run on a Heidleberg Press. The magazine is then folded and stitched. Once completed, it is delivered to our local De Soto Post Office in sorted bins, and delivered by your postal carrier to your mailbox. Printing and distribution funded by the City of De Soto.
Discovering De Soto
W
Community & Business Feature Publication
On-line & Printed Distribution https://issuu.com/discoveringdesoto
De Soto, Kansas and Western Johnson County
Katherine Diaz Contributing Staff Writer University of Kansas, Bachelor of Science Journalism. Social Media Strategy / Writer KERN Marketing Group, Deluxe Corporation, Intouch Solutions Lawrence Business Magazine Dos Mundos Bilingual Newspaper A proud wife and mother of three. Dick Stine Contributing Staff Writer Emporia State University Bachelor of Science Education Master of Science Education University of Kansas Doctorate Retired Speech Commmunication Professor from Johnson County Community College De Soto Arts Council Board Landscape Photographer Ella Fixen intern De Soto HIgh School Editor-in-chief DHS Green Pride Discovering De Soto’s HIgh School Intern Ella assists with the USD 232 District Pages and is a senior this school year. Meg Johnson Administrative Assistant Copy Editor Kansas State University, Business Administration Many years of experience in both Corporate Businesses and Public School Education. Developed Pen Point Clerical Help for freelance business assistance. Helen Ash Copy Editor Missouri State University Bachelor of Science Education Pittsburg State University Masters of Science Education Retired English Instructor Johnson County Community College HIgh School English Teacher Southwest Missouri Art Teacher Married to local artist, Michael Ash
Printed magazines, ready to be stitched and trimmed with above equipment.
Beginning the magazine with thumbnail sketches. Magazines bundled in postal bins with facing slips, ready to be delivered to your home and business.
BEGINNING WITH THIS ISSUE CITY PAGES ARE NOW DONE INTERNALLY by Whitney Lange, Communications Director
Much Thanks to our Freelance Staff shown below left and the occassional assistance from: Carrie Dvorak David Grodowitz Janice Kresin Jennifer Wilson
Blake Bradford Graphic Design Assistant MidAmerica Nazarene University Bachelor of Arts Graphic Design Screenprinter in Kansas City, Missouri Freelance projects (promotional & branding) with Kansas City metro clients Web development and design Code for KC civic coding organization Rose Burgweger Publisher/Editor/Designer/Writer University of Central Florida Bachelor of Arts Art Education Senior Designer Chicago Tribune, Advertising Orlando Sentinel Star Owner RMB prints & design, llc Rural & Inspirational Photography wife of Bill, retired John Deere Marketing mother of four grown kids & son-in-law
sending GIFTS
Online orders and mailing packages are expected to increase heavily, as many will be rethinking traveling and getting together with family and friends this year. Get your packages ready early and learn more about Holiday Shipping at https://about.usps.com/holidaynews/
Kids of all ages will enjoy the travels of the postal truck shown below throughout the various lands of America. Found on the postal holiday news website link above.
2020 Holiday Shipping Dates for U.S. (Continental)
Recommended send-by-dates for expected delivery before December 25 Domestic Mail Class/Product Date (excluding Alaska & Hawaii)
USPS Retail Ground® Services December 16
First-Class Mail® Service December 18
Priority Mail® Service December 19
Priority Mail Express® Service December 23
For complete Holiday Shipping Information: https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm
.De Soto Post Office Hours
Monday-Friday 9 am to 11 am 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm Saturday 9 am to 12 noon 33155 West 83rd Street in Downtown De Soto
Kudos to all of our postal workers at the De Soto Post Office! Heroes Work There.
Discovering De Soto .De Soto Chamber News Exploring De Soto Business news Chamber Luncheon Meetings are continuing to meet via Zoom every month on the second Thursday at 11:30 am. For Zoom link and information, email Karen Rogers: krodgers@desotoks.org The Chamber will be working with local small businesses for Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 28. Due to COVID-19, the De Soto Chamber Annual Dinner, normally held in January, will be moved to spring of 2021. Learn more about the De Soto Chamber of Commerce. Contact Sara Ritter, President, De Soto Chamber of Commerce/ EDC by email: sritter@desotoks.org or visit the Chamber’s website: https://www.desotoks.org/chamber-of-commerce .Milburn Civil Engineering expands Downtown building for growing business Milburn Civil Engineering began as a one-man shop in August 2015, based out of owner Justin Milburn’s home. Today, the company is located in downtown De Soto, at 33135 West 83rd Street, with a total of five employees. As the business continues to prosper, Justin was proactive in expanding the building he’s owned since 2016, preparing for future endeavors and his ever-growing business.
“Before the expansion, we were roughly 1,400 square feet and the building took up half of the lot,” Justin explained.
We added 2,800 square feet and have tripled the square footage of the office space.” The expansion will accommodate 20 - 25 employees, and adds a new conference room. Justin’s wife, Shelly Doris Milburn’s Real Estate office, is also located in the building. Once the expansion is completed, Shelly will occupy the front office space that includes the original conference room.
“My business is planning and creating plans,” Justic adds
“It is a long process, from getting ideas down on paper, getting plans approved, breaking ground and seeing the finished product.” The planning process for the building expansion began in May 2019, and is expected to be completed by mid- to late November. The original building will also include some remodeling with a completion date by mid-December.
Justin and his team have been involved in multiple projects that have contributed to De Soto’s growth. Those projects include: USD 232 parking lot parking/access road, K-Ten
Place Apartments, HIKE Properties re-plat, Custom Foods building expansion, Cedar Valley Forest site plan and various
City of De Soto projects. “We’re very fortunate to be working in the town and doing business with local people, so it makes it exciting for me,” Justin noted. In the five years Milburn Civil Engineering has been up and running, MCE has completed over 230 successful projects with approximately 90 percent of those engineering projects being from repeat clients. “Our work and our plans speak for the level of quality that we do,” Justin stated. “That makes me happy when people recommend us based on our work.” Civil Engineering involves a lot of planning and plan preparation or as Justin explains, “We create plans for contractors to build from.” However, there is so much more behind the planning and plan preparation to take into consideration. We look at the terrain, sanitary and storm sewers, and waterlines. A lot of our work is underground or beneath the pavement that everyone uses on a daily basis.” Justin explained. Milburn Civil Engineering offers geotechnical, foundation, civil and site design, as well as construction plan preparation services. For more information, visit www.milburnce.com. –written by Katherine Diaz, contributing writer
www.desotoks.us
First and Third Thursdays 7pm
Fourth Tuesdays 6pm
Second and Fourth Mondays 6pm
Council and Planning Commission Agendas/
Minutes can be found on the City website:
De Soto, Kansas 66018
www.desotoks.us
@CityofDesotoKS De
Soto Parks Recreation
@CityofDeSotoKS @De _ SotoParksRec
@cityofdesotoks
CAUTION: the lobby is a loud, dusty construction zone. As you visit us, we apologize for the disruption and thank you for your patience!
If you have recently visited us in City Hall, you probably noticed our current construction! Lasting several months into next year, the lobby and surrounding entrances are getting a security makeover. At the heart of this safety transformation is the redesigned and secured main entrance. When visitors enter the front doors and walk up the steps, they will be immediately greeted on their right at our new guest services window, fitted with secure glass, a natural voice port for clear communication, and a transaction tray. Here, residents can more quickly pay utility bills, ask questions, pick up or drop off forms, get Court Clerk assistance, or be directed to their desired destination.
This is a significant benefit for people who have never visited City Hall before; instead of searching individual offices for their needed department, visitors will be welcomed and guided by front desk staff. Quick exchanges with the City of De Soto will be easier than ever! Past the transaction window will be the new set of staff-accessible security doors that lead into the administration offices.
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Johnson County Public Works has decided to postpone all Wyandotte Bridge construction until the spring of 2021. The multi-month project, which will cause increased travel time for our residents and employees, has been delayed since early 2020 due to COVID-related issues and backlogs. With the winter season approaching and the safety of bridge-using travelers in mind, Johnson County felt it was best to delay construction until warmer weather. Follow us on social or the website to stay up-to-date on the status of this project, and have safe travels this winter season! 7 7
Providing adventure and lifelong opportunities for De Soto residents. Civic pride, collaboration and inclusiveness are hallmarks of our welcoming city where responsible growth is a goal. Responsive, accountable government working in the best of public interest.
The City recently adopted a new economic incentive policy which is used to promote the growth of jobs, investment, and revitalization in the local economy. Our "ahead-of-the-curve" policy targets specific industries or businesses and uses areaspecific incentives to encourage them to develop in certain parts of the city. We continually update our long-term land use, infrastructure, and strategic plans to clearly identify and communicate desired future growth patterns and governing policies that align with our mission, vision, and values statements. We plan for the best use of De Soto's land, which is the development that would most benefit the city, its businesses, and the residents. This vision is documented in the Comprehensive and Strategic Plans found on the City website.
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Guests can easily gain access to their requested department after checking in with the front desk staff. While the east and west entrances to the administrative offices will be only accessible by staff, providing a secured area for employees, the ground-level ADA entrance will continue to remain open.
City Planning & Capital Projects Director Brad Weisenburger said, "What we don't want is City Hall to feel inaccessible, and it's our goal to make this an easy change for everyone. For our guests that need ADA accommodations, the elevator will still be available and take you to the first floor. As soon as you exit the lift, we added another secure transaction window with credit card machine; you'll just ring the doorbell and a front office staff member will come assist you. "
Although these City Hall upgrades have been in progress since 2018, the necessity for increased security has been around much longer. City Clerk Lana McPherson said, "Since we moved our admin offices to this building, which once housed a high school and then middle school, we have discussed the need for an expanded safety plan. " Lana continued, "First and foremost, it's about the safety of our employees, especially our frontline staff who work with the public each day. If there ever were an emergency, we want our employees to know they are protected and there is a system in place for them. We are actually one of the last cities in Johnson County to implement a security system, with communities much smaller than ours upgrading years ago. We will always have that small-community feeling and service at City Hall, but now we are providing that comfort of security to our employees as well. "
Prior to the new policy, we were attempting to achieve those initiatives with a one-size-fits-all incentive program that did not offer prospective businesses much guidance about which incentive requests would be viewed favorably. The new policy is a much better tool to incentivize the types of developments in appropriate areas of the city that align with our land use and infrastructure planning. Through consultation with the Economic Development Council (EDC), our new incentive policy was developed to provide applicants a roadmap to help them better decide if they want to pursue an incentive in a certain district for a particular business. It sets the level of expectation of where we want developers to grow and what they can expect to receive in the way of incentives to begin their project. Moreover, it represents the vision that we are focused on projects like the expansion of existing businesses, adding affordable housing options, downtown redevelopment, and creating skill development opportunities for our existing workforce. For example, a developer can expect that if they develop their business downtown, they are eligible for a tax abatement of 100% for up to 10 years. If they build near K-10 highway, the tax break is capped at 50%. While the policy offers guidance that better shows where the City and EDC want to direct resources, the intent is not to rule anything out. It is designed to be flexible and stay current with De Soto's needs. Any business looking to call De Soto home now has a better guideline but should know the policy is fluid and can be changed as our strategic plans and objectives change.
To view the full policy document, incentives matrix, and areas map, please visit:
bit.ly/DeSotoEconomicIncentives
M A Y O R ' S A N N U A L
Saturday, December 5th @ City Hall
When drafting the City Hall Facility Master Plan in 2018, which included the vision of a security system, staff had one main concern: safety of employees and visitors in the event of a threat. While the pandemic events of 2020 were not what we had in mind, the security renovations come at a much-needed time. During April and May of this year, we were closed to the public due to COVID-19; our current infrastructure would not allow us to provide front desk staff and visitors a safe way to interact. While we still internally functioned as normal, residents were unable to freely come into to City Hall to pay their bills, visit the building department, or just ask questions in person.
Join the City of De Soto as we celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at the Mayor's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting! For more details, follow us on social and the website at www.desotoks.us
