2019 Annual Report

Governance
Financial Snapshot
Development
City At a Glance

"Regardless of what the future holds, the one certainty is that every decision will be made with residents at the forefront."

- City Manager Stephen Arbo

MESSAGE FROM THE CITY MANAGER

It’s often said success doesn’t happen by accident. It takes planning, developing a strategy and carefully executing that strategy. It’s true for individuals and for organizations. Over the years, Lee’s Summit has collected dozens of accolades and received national recognition as one of the best places to live in the United States. This didn’t happen overnight. Just 20 years ago, Lee’s Summit’s population had just surpassed 70,000. As we close out this decade, the City is on the cusp of surpassing 100,000 residents. That growth is astounding, but not surprising. The City took a strategic approach to growth, resulting in the Lee’s Summit we all enjoy today.

As we close out 2019 and continue into 2020, the City is once again planning for the future. One of the hallmark achievements of 2019 was the adoption of the City’s new strategic planning framework. The City is entering a new phase in its history, where City leaders, residents and community partners will all play a vital role ensuring Lee’s Summit continues to stand out as an exceptional place to live and work. Regardless of what the future holds, the one certainty is that every decision will be made with residents at the forefront. It’s this constant focus on how to best serve our residents that has shaped every past decision and will continue to influence every future decision.

There are many reasons to be optimistic about the future, but none more so than our employees who have dedicated their careers to public service. Together, we have created a culture of collaboration – working with all stakeholders to deliver what is best for the community. Our employees engage with residents, business owners and community partners daily to move Lee’s Summit forward in a positive direction. In 2019, City Council approved an ordinance establishing a new pay and classification plan for core general employees, which resulted in a five percent increase of base pay or a move to the minimum pay level of the correct pay range, whichever was greater. Our employees give so much to Lee’s Summit and this new pay and classification plan reflects the commitment of the City to provide a fair and equitable workplace and retain the talented employees who have chosen to share their talents with our organization.

It is a privilege to lead this organization and be surrounded by people who are committed to serving others. We will continue to focus on the future in 2020, while also remaining dedicated daily to providing the highest-quality services our residents expect. It’s an exciting time for Lee’s Summit as we build on past successes and put objectives in place that will guide our City as we move forward.

Yours Truly,

Stephen A. Arbo
City Manager

Governance

Bill Baird
Mayor

Diane Forte
District 1

Rob Binney
District 1

Trish Carlyle
District 2

Craig Faith
District 2

Phyllis Q. Edson
District 3

Beto Lopez
Mayor Pro Tem/District 3

Fred DeMoro
District 4

Bob Johnson
District 4

Strategic Planning

The City embarked on an ambitious strategic planning process - Ignite! Your ideas. Our Future. - in 2019, which will act as a roadmap for the future. Lee’s Summit is entering a new phase with exciting opportunities that will shape the City for years to come.

To understand where Lee’s Summit is presently positioned and the direction needed to continue to grow, the City made community engagement a vital part of the planning process. Residents are the foundation of any great city and make Lee’s Summit such a special place to live and work. Hearing firsthand from members of the community allowed the City to recognize where it shines, but also where it’s falling short of resident expectations.

Based on feedback gathered from two community summits, eight focus groups, online community engagement and meetings with City leaders, the strategic plan identified seven critical success factors. The process also resulted in a new vision, mission and values for the organization.

While City Council has adopted the strategic planning framework, there is still work to be done to implement the critical success factor objectives and move the community toward the articulated vision. City Council is working with City employees, citizens and community partners to ensure the City is well placed to meet its stated goals to put Lee’s Summit on a positive path to continued success.

Critical Success Factors

Strategic Economic Development
Collaborative Relations with Education Partners
Community Engagement
City Services & Infrastructure
Cultural & Recreational Amenities
Strong Neighborhoods with Housing Choices
Community Health & Wellbeing

vision

A vibrant community ensuring the finest quality of life for all generations.

mission

To enrich the lives in our community through collaboration, creativity and commitment.

core values

stewardship

integrity

service excellence

Airport

Fuel Sales Soar

The Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport is now reaping the rewards of years of planning and investment to distinguish itself as a gateway to the Kansas City metropolitan area. More people are flying into the airport, which has led to a growth in fuel sales. In 2019, total fuel sales at the airport were 206,101 gallons, an increase of 15 percent from the previous year.

The Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport is constantly examining ways to improve service and is in the process of updating its master and business plans that will provide guidance and a vision for the future.

2019 Citizen Survey

The City of Lee's Summit continues to provide exceptional service to residents, which is reflected in a Citizen Survey completed in 2019. Lee's Summit ranked above average for cities in the Kansas City metropolitan area in a majority of the categories assessed in the survey and saw significant increases in satisfaction levels in numerous categories compared to the previous Citizen Survey conducted in 2013.

Development

CITYSCAPE

In 2019, City Council approved Cityscape Properties’ plan to redevelop the former Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church in downtown Lee’s Summit into an apartment complex. The development, located near Southeast Douglas Street and Southeast Second Street, will transform the downtown landscape and meets one of the objectives identified in the 2004 Old Town Master Development Plan. The apartment complex will consist of 16 studio units, 162 one-bedroom units and 98 two-bedroom units. In order to maintain a piece of the City’s history, the development incorporates the Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church building in the design plan.

MERIDIAN AT VIEW HIGH APARTMENTS

Significant progress is being made at the Meridian at View High apartment complex near Southwest View High Drive and Southwest Third Street. The luxury complex will consist of 312 units along with a clubhouse. It will feature a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. The developer expects construction to be completed by late 2020.

STREETS OF WEST PRYOR

The Streets of West Pryor mixed-use development near Northwest Pryor Road and Northwest Lowenstein Drive broke ground in 2019 and is moving along at a rapid pace. The development will feature an apartment complex, senior living facility, hotel, medical office, retail space, restaurants and the first McKeever’s Market grocery store in Lee’s Summit. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and First Watch have also announced their first Lee’s Summit locations will be at Streets of West Pryor. The first phase of the development is expected to open in 2020.

Roadways and Signals

Southwest Ward Road

The reconstruction of Southwest Ward Road was completed in 2019, making it safer for drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders. The improvement project widened and reconstructed Ward Road to a three-lane road from Southwest County Line Road to 163rd Street. Sidewalks, street lighting, enclosed stormwater systems, and curb and gutter were also added to meet the City’s livable streets policy.

Hook Road Shoulders

Paved shoulders were added along each side of Southwest Hook Road from Southwest Arthur Drive to Southwest Ward Road. The six-foot-wide paved shoulders increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, provide a paved surface for emergency situations and reduce ongoing maintenance.

Northwest Ward Road

Improvements were made to Northwest Ward Road from Northwest O’Brien Road to Northwest Blue Parkway to increase safety and introduce livable street components. The project reconstructed that stretch of Northwest Ward Road to a four-lane road and added sidewalks, street lighting, curb and enclosed storm drains. The improvements increase safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Northwest Commerce Drive

The new Northwest Commerce Drive connection was completed in 2019 between Northeast Tudor Road and Northwest Main Street. The project included a new roadway with turn lanes along with sidewalks, curb and gutter. It was designed to improve access to Tudor Road and provide new opportunities for economic activity in the area.

SW WARD ROAD

$4,113,840

Reconstruction with concrete pavement, curb and gutter, concrete sidewalk and trail, enclosed drainage system, lighting, pavement marking and signing, traffic control, waterline and sanitary sewer relocates.

HOOK ROAD SHOULDERS

$1,699,730

Improve with six-foot paved shoulders along each side of Hook Road to Ward Road.

NW WARD ROAD

$1,556,277

Widen to four lanes with storm sewer, lighting and a new signal.

NW COMMERCE DRIVE

$820,379

Two-lane road improvements including curb and gutter, sidewalks and an enclosed stormwater system. Remove an intersection and construct a cul-de-sac.

Longview Community Center

Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation remains dedicated to continuing to provide exceptional amenities and facilities for patrons to enjoy. The Longview Community Center celebrated its first full year in operation under Parks and Recreation in 2019, following the purchase of the center from Metropolitan Community College – Longview. Prior to opening to the public, Parks and Recreation invested $1.6 million to renovate the facility. Those improvements have been well received by patrons. During its first full year in operation, Longview Community Center welcomed 164,077 visitors and had 3,595 active memberships. In addition to the Longview Community Center, Parks and Recreation operates three other community centers, 32 parks and more than 72 miles of trails.

LS Connect

The City launched LS Connect in 2019, a platform allowing residents to quickly and easily report common nonemergency concerns, such as potholes, streetlight outages and code violations. LS Connect also provides relevant news and information about the City to help residents stay engaged. LS Connect can be accessed from a smartphone, tablet or computer.