Winter 2010
Message from the Chairpersons
As the year comes to a close and we look back on all that has been accomplished in 2010, even with so many wonderful steps forward towards achieving our vision, we know also that we've only just begun to scratch the surface.
There have been several exciting plan goals that have been completed; the passing of the Livable Streets resolution was certainly a high point for LS360 process as our elected officials, city staff and a large group of devoted citizens worked tirelessly for months to create a policy direction for the city that will serve us well into the future.
Several other important initiatives are currently in progress as we await the creation of a soon-to-be formal Human Services Advisory Board and a citywide Committee on Diversity. There are many more goals that are available to tackle, however. By no means can this process be put on ‘coast mode’ for 2011. The LS360 Strategic Plan needs the continued involvement of active and committed citizens to bring this plan to eventual completion.
We have one year under our belt, but keep in mind, we have another nine years or more to go. There is always room for new faces to keep the ball rolling, and in fact new faces is what keeps this process fresh and one that reflects the vision and values of the community at large. Your involvement in the earlier LS 360 Strategic Planning Process is not at all necessary to becoming a part of the implementation process. We now have proof that the process works, so if you ever wanted to be a part of shaping the city in which you live, now is the time to get involved!
Sincerely,
Vicky Cundiff and Jon Ellis
Lee's Summit 360, Co-Chairs
KPA Updates
Economic Development KPA
Within the Economic Development KPA this quarter, the City’s redevelopment of Arnold Hall continued under the guidance and leadership of the Municipal Building Authority. The City’s long-term fiscal model generated a lot of discussion following a presentation by the model’s creator to LS360 and the public on the strengths and future use of the model in determining the impact of economic development strategies in achieving set goals.
Following are some of the details of the steps forward:
§ Municipal Building Authority (MBA) - Efforts towards the redevelopment of Arnold Hall Theater project continued with a formal application to the Missouri Development Finance Board (MDFB) for tax credits to help finance the project. Through a public/private partnership, Arnold Hall is being renovated into a small-venue cultural art facility and will house the Martin City Melodrama, its primary tenant and a partner in the renovation project. For more information, contact Director of Codes Administration at 969-1202. (ED KPA, Goal 4.)
§ City’s Long-Term Fiscal Impact Model – A scope of work to update the City’s fiscal model was submitted to the city by Carson Bise, creator of the model. Mr. Bise was brought to Lee’s Summit to meet with City management and Lee’s Summit 360 to develop a thorough understanding of the needs of the City. After careful consideration, an update of the model was put on hold as more information is gathered regarding model inputs such as projected land use scenarios and future service levels. (ED KPA, Goal 3.)
§ City staff is holding meetings internally to set clear action steps and timelines to address Goal 1. Staff recommendations will be presented to the Implementation Committee at the upcoming retreat in January for approval.
Education KPA
Education Summit working groups formed in the four key areas of importance: lifelong learning, employment skills training, diversity and funding. The participants worked to refine strategies and action plans to address their specific topic areas.
The Lifelong Learning working group is focusing on identification and communication of all the ‘cradle to grave’ educational opportunities available to Lee’s Summit residents. Their goal is to ensure Lee’s Summit is a community that is informed on the meaning of lifelong learning, that promotes and facilitates the communication of regional opportunities on the subject, and that has an industry base that supports lifelong learning. Through the process, it is hoped that gaps along the spectrum of lifelong learning are identified and addressed.
The group hosted Ms. Leigh Anne Knight from the newly formed Kansas City Area Education Research Consortium (KC-AERC). This exciting new initiative in the KC metro area may provide valuable research from the principle higher education institutions in the area for use by the working groups in understanding the needs of the community and directing their efforts.
Social science, science and education researchers from four major research universities – KSU, MU, UMKC, and KU – have begun to collaborate with many different school districts in the Kansas City metropolitan area to form an educational research consortium for the study and improvement of student achievement across the region. Collaborative opportunities with the Lee's Summit Education working groups are being discussed.
The Employment Skills Training working group’s goal is to identify and communicate trends and resources as developed to assist in empowering Lee’s Summit youth and adults to engage in proactive career and work planning for each Lee’s Summit citizen. Membership includes representatives from MCC-Longview, Missouri Career Center, Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No.2, UCM-Summit Center, R-7 Career Education, and Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council.
The two working groups are collaborating to create a comprehensive education web space to serve the community and to begin to address both their stated goals.
The goal of the Funding working group is to collaboratively work with state and local elected officials as well as businesses and other private entities to research, identify, and develop additional and alternative funding mechanisms for education. Their primary tasks are to identify and establish support for sustainable funding sources for education to ensure quality education opportunities for each Lee’s Summit citizen. Their recent efforts are focusing on assembling information to help inform and increase the understanding of Lee’s Summit citizens regarding the current status of public education funding.
Addressing Diversity within the education community was determined to be part of a larger diversity effort of Lee’s Summit 360 being addressed through the Quality of Life KPA. So the Diversity working group as commissioned by the Education Summit is waiting for the formation of a citywide ad hoc committee to better direct and coordinate with other similar work throughout the community. See Quality of Life KPA for more details.
A second community-wide education summit is tentatively planned for the first quarter of 2011. If you would like more information, please contact the City’s Community Services Coordinator at (816) 969-1026. (EDU KPA, Goal 1.)
Health & Human Services KPA
The Human Services Planning Committee held the City’s first Nonprofit Summit on Monday, August 30 at the Gamber Center to provide nonprofit organizations, faith-based institutions and other important stakeholders the opportunity to discuss community needs, distribute fund-raising information, coordinate resources and ideas and promote networking within the community. Seventy-two people representing 49 organizations attended the event.
Ms. Melinda Hadley-deBoer facilitated the meeting, and Ms. Staci Addison, a fundraising consultant for not-for-profit organizations, provided many important and useful tips about fundraising.
The attendees provided goals and action steps to assist in creation of a formal Human Services Advisory Board for the city. A recommendation as to the mission and role of this new board is scheduled for consideration by City Council in late 2010 or early 2011. (HHS KPS, Goal 1.)
The grant application submitted by the Health Education Advisory Board (HEAB) to the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City in conjunction with MetroCares/Northland Cares for a needs assessment to determine the number of uninsured patients in the Lee’s Summi/Eastern Jackson County area was not funded.
HEAB continued its do its own needs assessment with data from several sources, primarily the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). HEAB, under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Salanski, is applying to the Greater Lee’s Summit Healthcare Foundation for seed funding to establish Metro CARE – Lee’s Summit, based on the successful model in use by Kansas City and other metropolitan areas. Based on the model, local primary and specialty physicians and hospitals agree to provide care for a set number of uninsured patients every year through this model. Local participation has already been garnered if grant funding is made available. (HHS KPS, Goal 2.)
For information contact Susan Coffman ( sdcoffman@kc.rr.com) or Diane Seif (dseif16@yahoo.com) or Deputy City Administrator at (816)969-1024. (HHS KPA, Goal 1.)
Local Government KPA
Many initiatives within the Local Government KPA continued to progress. For leadership development and community involvement, working groups met to continue plans for both a revitalized government television channel and to establish a citizen leadership academy. In support of a fully-resourced, professionally trained government workforce, city staff began preparing for the installation of its new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. They also participated in several focus groups as part of the newly initiated standard market compensation study.
Sustainability efforts within the community continued as the Water Utilities Department embarked on a long-range strategic planning process. The City also held its first-ever ‘Green on Green’ Sustainability Fair with over 37 vendors participating.
The vendor contract for the community-wide sustainability plan did not receive support from the Finance and Personnel Committee. It is scheduled for reconsideration in late 2010.
Following are some of the details of the progress made:
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
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Government Access Television Channel - A working group has formed to discuss possible improvements to the government access channel. A draft policy is under review by the group, and a community-wide survey is available online through January to solicit additional input for improvement. To join the group, or for more information, contact Public Communications Coordinator at 969-1014. (LG KPA, Goal 1.)
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Citizen Leadership Academy - A Citizen's Leadership Academy at City Hall is currently accepting applications for its first session. These classes have been designed to educate future city leaders, new residents and interested citizens on the inner workings of Lee's Summit city government through a fun and interactive process. The first session is tentatively scheduled to begin in January 2011. Click here to access online application: Citizen's Academy, or contact the City Clerk, at 969-1006 for more information. (LG KPA, Goal 1.)
SUPPORT A FULLY-RESOURCED, PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED GOVERNMENT WORKFORCE
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System – A vendor and software program was selected to upgrade the city’s outdated financial accounting and reporting system. The new system will integrate a variety of functions within the city such as finance, purchasing, payroll, project and grant management and others. Implementation is underway and ‘train the trainer’ classes for key city staff will begin soon. (LG KPA, Goal 2.)
- Standard Market Compensation Study - A compensation study for city employees is underway, as recommended in the plan. Evergreen Solutions, the selected vendor, held focus groups with city employees in the fall. They are currently going out to the market to gather data on comparable positions in relevant organizations and other identified municipalities. Final results are expected in April 2011. (LG KPA, Goal 2.)
ACHIEVE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS
- Water Utilities Department Long-Range Strategic Plan - The department will conduct an intensive assessment of their system and processes, examining the current regulatory environment and the pressures of a changing economy. A long-range plan is being developed to address the required reinvestment in infrastructure and evaluate potential 'green' initiatives for the operation of the system. Citizen involvement is an essential part of the process and a Citizen’s Advisory Committee has been established to assist in the process. (LG KPA, Goal 3).
- Curbside Recycling and Consolidated Waste Collection - City staff will be providing the Solid Waste Committee with information on possible options available for a new program through 2010 and into 2011. For more information, visit the City's Environmental Web page. LG KPA, Goal 3; QoL KPA, Goal 3.)
PROMOTE FISCALLY SUSTAINABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT
- Smart Growth Initiatives - A public open house was held on May 27 with a Visual Preference Survey Tool for community input on a land use plan for the M-150 Corridor. A Request for Proposals was issued to create an M-150 Sustainable Development Corridor Plan to establish a high quality development/redevelopment corridor by adopting and implementing long-term economically sustainable land use plans and practices. Proposals are due back early December; the study is expected to be completed in 2011.
- August 30th, Randall Arendt, a leading landscape designer and lecturer specializing in protecting community open space and conservation subdivisions presented to LS360 and the public at City Hall. He showed many pictures and examples of creative and innovative ways to incorporate open space into community neighborhoods. For more information, contact the City Planning Department at 969-1600. (LG KPA, Goal 4.)
- ‘Green on Green’ Sustainability Fair - The City held its first-ever Sustainability Fair on Green Street on October 9th. This one day event drew over 350 attendees and included almost 40 vendors and informational booths to educate Lee's Summit residents and businesses about simple and complex sustainable practices that can be implemented at home and at work so as to improve the sustainability of our community as a whole. A children’s booth, fourth grade art contest, a shredding booth and environmentally friendly music were all part of the festivities. A free reusable shopping bag was given to the first 100 visitors of the fair. (LG KPA, Goal 4, QoL, Goal 4.)
Quality of Life KPA
Progress continued within all four Quality of Life goals. The Arts Council supported a number of arts and cultural events throughout the community, the community branding working group began community outreach efforts and received conditional City Council support to engage professional assistance, initial discussions were held on implementing a diversity awareness program, and the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition continued their work in creating a web site.
§ Support Lee’s Summit Arts Council Initiatives – Following are just some of the highlights of the work of the Arts Council this quarter. For more information, visit www.lsartscouncil.net (QoL KPA, Goal 1.)
* Vagabond Shakespeare Company performed Shakespeare in the Park at the new Legacy Park amphitheater this summer. The performances of Twelfth Night were sponsored in part by the Arts Council mini-grant program.
* The Lee’s Summit Arts Council hosted the October meeting of the Missouri Arts Council (MAC). Lee’s Summit received MAC’s ‘Creative Community 2010 Award’, and it was an honor to be selected to host this statewide meeting and showcase some of Lee’s Summit finest cultural attributes.
* November was Education Theater Month. The community’s high schools celebrated with outstanding performances of “A Murder is Announced” and “Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940’s” (LSHS); “The Producers” (LSN); “Curtains” (LSW); and “Korczak’s Children” (LSCCS.)
* A Cultural Facilities Master Plan for the community may soon be started. Webb Management Services, Inc., one of the nation’s leading providers of cultural and project planning services, along with Foresite consulting, are being recommended to conduct the study. They will assess community demand for new cultural facilities and develop recommendations for the new venues, including activity profiles with governance and operating recommendations. The contract is scheduled for City Council consideration on December 16.
* Public art on display at Gamber Center – Come visit the most recent exhibit by Lisa Britz titled “Mother Nature’s Art with a Heart”.
§ Community Brand - The Community Brand working group received City Council support to continue their efforts and engage an outside professional assistance in creating a community brand strategy. A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued in December with work tentatively scheduled to begin in January 2011. The working group has been giving educational presentations to community groups on the concept of branding and what it means to Lee’s Summit; they have been gathering input and feedback to be used in the creation of the final brand. A Facebook page has been created to garner input from an even broader range of citizens. Go to the "I love Lee's Summit" icon and submit your own ideas. For more information, contact Community Services Coordinator at 969-1026 (QoL KPA, Goal 2.)
§ Diversity Awareness – A resolution establishing an ad hoc Committee on Diversity is scheduled for City Council consideration in December. This mayor appointed group will be developing opportunities to promote the City’s rich base of diversity among social, generational, racial, religious, cultural, economic, gender and ethnic groups. Among their charge will be the review of the current Human Relations Commission and ordinance. Under consideration will also be the Lee’s Summit 360 goals related to diversity and how they can best be met. (QoL KPA, Goal 3.)
§ Healthy Lifestyles Coalition – Under design is the new ‘Energize Eastland’ web site, the collaborative efforts of a coalition of over 60 stakeholders. The web site that will serve as a central resource for healthy lifestyle initiatives in the area. Available community programs and resources in the areas of nutrition, recreation, wellness, health risk assessment and healthy kids/fit kids will be included on the site. This effort is being led by the Eastland Community Foundation, and the site will be hosted on the Jackson County Health Department’s site, which is undergoing improvements to provide continuity with the new Energize Eastland site. For more information, contact Debbie Starke at starke@gkccf.org . (QoL KPA, Goal 4.)
Transportation KPA
The Livable Streets initiative reached a major milestone this quarter under the leadership of Dr. Ed Kraemer as a Livable Streets resolution was approved by the City Council. The City received an ‘Honorable Mention’ designation as a ‘Bicycle Friendly Community’; and community-wide education and encouragement continued with WIBI’s and presentations, For more information, see www.livablestreetsls.com or contact City Traffic Engineer at 969-1820. (Trans KPA, Goal 2.)
The Livable Streets concept takes into account the fact that our roads belong to everyone - those driving vehicles, using public transportation, riding bicycles and walking, as well as individuals of all ages and abilities.
Lee’s Summit is the first city to adopt such a policy in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Several Missouri communities have adopted similar resolutions including Columbia, St. Louis and St. Joseph. The concept is also endorsed by the Mid-America Regional Council and the Missouri Bike Pedestrian Federation. See the table to the right for local, regional and state recognition received from the adoption of this policy.
Details regarding the establishment of a permanent Livable Streets Advisory Board are now under discussion.
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‘Bicycle Friendly Community’ – As a result of its application, the City received an ‘Honorable Mention’ designation as a 'Bicycle Friendly Community' from the League of American Bicyclists. The application was the result of much hard work on the part of Dan Wiltshire and the Bicycle/Pedestrian Friendly Subcommittee. The designation was a positive recognition of the steps already taken to be a bicycle friendly community. The designation came with a list of recommendations for improvement as the City will work to improve its status to a bronze or silver level in coming years.
- Education/Encouragement - WIBI’s (Walk In/Bike In) were held at Spin Pizza and Sheridan’s Frozen Custard; Safe Walking/ Biking/ Driving Education presentations were made to HOA’s, a rotary club, a Lions Club, Downtown Main Street, an Optimist Club, the City Employee Retirees and other boards and committees. Information remains available at www.livablestreetsls.com and on Facebook. Informational brochures are available for distribution.
Did You Know?
- The community approved all four ballot items for the 'No Tax Increase' bond issue in November. LS360 Local Government KPA projects that were approved for funding include a Police firing range and first responder communication upgrades. (LG KPA, Goal 2.)
- Lee’s Summit was highlighted in a recent Kansas City Public Television (KCPT) program. “Imagine KC” is a new series by KCPT about how local communities are working to become sustainable and vibrant places to live, work and play. The first episode portrayed examples of successes in Lee’s Summit and Kansas City. (Watch it here: http://www.imaginekc.org/Episodes/episode1.asp) . An upcoming episode will be devoted to ‘Complete Streets.’ (Trans KPA, Goal 2)
- The City maintained its Aaa rating by Moody’s in its November General Obligation bond sale. This is the highest rating that Moody grants and is a testament to the sound financial policies and management of the City. Chesterfield, Missouri is the only other known Missouri city to hold this rating. (LG KPA, Goal 4.)
Volunteers Needed!
Following are some of the volunteer opportunities available on the City’s Volunteer Solutions web site:
- Afterschool warehouse worker, Lee’s Summit Social Services
- Bakery Pickup Driver, Lee’s Summit Social Services
- Budget Counselor, Hillcrest Transitional Housing
- Food Sorting Assistance, Lee’s Summit Social Services
Visit our Volunteer Solutions of Lee's Summit web page for details of these opportunities or more local and regional opportunities.
MLK ‘Living the Dream through Service’
Saturday, January 8 – Monday, January 17, 2011
Be a part of a great Lee’s Summit tradition of helping others and participate in the City’s second annual week of service, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his life.
Opportunities for You to Participate:
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Project Warmth
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Donate gently used coats, eyeglasses or hearing aids at one of the 16 community-wide drop-off locations, Jan 8-17
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Blood Drive
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Help save a life. St. Anne's Episcopal Church blood drive, Mon, Jan 17
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'Free' Garage Sale
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First Baptist Church of Lee's Summit, Jan 15
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Food Drive
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Organized by Ministerial Alliance, see link below for contact information
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Canned Good Collection
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Lee's Summit R-7 Winter Sports Week collection, see link for contact information
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Food Credit Drive
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Donate at the cash register of a local HyVee store to help One Good Meal and LSSS purchase food, Jan 8-17
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Gift Card Collection
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Donate cash or gift cards to Blessed to be a Blessing Ministry of New Generation Christian Center to benefit the women and families of Hope House, Jan 8-15
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Essential Item Collection
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John Knox Village collection for Hope House. See Hope House web site for list of needed items. See link below for drop-off locations
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Food Sorting
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Help LSSS sort donated food items.
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Visit the City’s MLK Week of Service brochure for project details and contact information.
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Best Wishes for the New Year!
 
Lee's Summit 360 Implementation Committee Members
Vicky Cundiff and Jon Ellis, Co-Chairs
Damond Boatwright
Teri Burns
Susan Coffman
Daren Fristoe
Stephen Gentry
Bruce Hattig
Tony Jose
Ben Martin
Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi
Eric Prince
Rosella Prins
Colene Roberts
Diane Seif
Rick Viar
Bob White
Conceptual design of renovated Arnold Hall theater
KC-AERC's shared goal is to provide all regional educational stakeholders, with a powerful tool for building a culture of data-driven educational policy research, evaluation, and implementation.
Important Dates
Jan 8 - 17 - MLK 'Living the Dream through Service' community service projects
Jan 17 - 'Celebrating the Dream through Service' MLK holiday event (6:30pm, John Knox Pavilion)
Jan 18 - LS360 Leadership Retreat
See the LS360 Calendar of Events with a full list of meetings and LS360 events.
Thank you to Truman Heartland Community Foundation!
The foundation, a primary funder of the initial LS360 Planning Process, continues to support this citizen-based effort with two grants for 2011. One grant is to continue to develop leadership in the community, and one is to encourage and promote diversity efforts through the City's annual MLK Celebration.
The City's new Citizen Leadership Academy is accepting applications until December 10 for its inaugral session!
Curbside Recycling and Consolidated Waste Collection Timeline
| November 2010 |
Determine the following details: contractor reporting requirements; customer service and more. |
| December 2010* |
Other details; entire plan to the Solid Waste Committee |
| January 2010* |
Entire plan to City Council |
| February 2011* |
Public open house; review with City Council |
| March 2011* |
Issue RFP |
| April 2011 - March 2012* |
Receive bid ; negotiate contract; inform public; implement program |
| * Denotes change in proposed timeline |
Snapshots of 'Green on Green' Sustainability Fair
Vendors displaying their wares at the fair
Eco Elvis performs at 'Green on Green'
Cultural and Arts Events in Lee's Summit
Upcoming Cultural and Art Events
| Dec 10-11 - All District One-Act Festival, Lee's Summit North HS |
| Dec 11 - Lee's Summit Symphony Holiday Magic Concert, Lee's Summit HS, 4:00pm and 6:00pm |
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Dec 11 - December opening for GOT ART Gallery, Got Art Gallery on Third, 6:00pm
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| thru Jan 20 - Local artist Marc MacCullum on exhibit at City Hall |
| thru Jan 20 - Lisa Britz artwork on exhibit at Gamber Center |
For more information, visit the Arts Council Calendar
The Community Branding presentation given to the City Council on November 11, 2010
Click on the above icon and add your own input to the branding process and tell us what you think makes Lee's Summit great at Facebook.
To learn more about Energize Eastland or donate to these efforts, click on the above image.
Lee's Summit in the News Regarding Its New 'Livable Streets' Policy
Follow the links to see what they are saying about Lee's Summit and Livable Streets!
MLK 'Living the Dream through Service'
As part of the City's week-long celebration of service, under the leadership of Manne Magady and Michael Paul Swisher, the following projects have been planned to help those in the need in our community:
Painting Projects
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| LS in Action for LSSS |
| Grace United Methodist Church for Langsford House for Boys |
| Lee's Summit Christian Church for Cabrini House |
Bookshelves
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| LS Chamber of Commerce is building shelving for Langsford House for Boys |
Earned Income Tax Preperation
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| LS Chamber of Commerce with United Way are training volunteers to help with their free tax preparation services offered beginning in February for residents who qualify. |
Meal Delivery
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| The following organizations are donating meals to either Langsford House for Boys or Cabrini House: Grace United Methodist Church, Lee's Summit Christian Church, The Carlyle and Truman Medical Center. |
Opportunties for you to participate are listed to the left.
Thanks to all participating individuals and organizations!
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