[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:10]
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
JENNIFER, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL?
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. COUNCILMEMBER KARLIN IS ABSENT.
>> MAYOR SAYERS IS PRESENT AND PRESIDING.
>> MAYOR, I JUST WANT TO GIVE ONE QUICK REMINDER TO EVERYBODY.
WE HAVE GUESTS THAT ARE IN THE LOBBY TONIGHT, AND WE HAVE THE SOUND FROM THIS MEETING BEING PIPED OUT THERE, BUT WHAT WE HAVE DISCOVERED FROM PAST EXPERIENCE IS THAT YOU MUST BE USING YOUR MICROPHONES.
YOU NEED TO HAVE THEM ON. YOU NEED TO SPEAK CLOSELY AND CLEARLY INTO YOUR MICROPHONES IN ORDER FOR OUR FRIENDS IN THE LOBBY TO BE ABLE TO HEAR US.
PLEASE INDULGE US IN THAT, AND PLEASE FORGIVE US IF WE HAVE TO REMIND YOU OF THAT AS WE GO ALONG TONIGHT, AND THE SAME IS TRUE OF THE APPLICANT AND ANYONE SPEAKING FROM THIS MICROPHONE.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC COMMENT, WHICH WILL BE HAPPENING AT THIS MICROPHONE.
WE NEED EVERYBODY TO BE CLOSE TO THE MICS AND SPEAKING LOUDLY SO THAT EVERYONE HERE HAS THE BENEFIT OF THE SAME INFORMATION. THANK YOU.
>> YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU THE DRAFT MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 3RD,
[APPROVE MINUTES]
CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR REVIEW.>> MOTION BY CRAIG. SECOND BY BILL.
MINUTES ARE APPROVED. JENNIFER, ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE AGENDA THIS EVENING?
>> NEXT IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
WE HAVE SIX ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA THIS EVENING.MATTERS LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE ROUTINE AND APPROVED COLLECTIVELY WITH NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION ON EACH INDIVIDUAL ITEM.
ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR SEPARATE DISCUSSION BY A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNING BODY, CITY MANAGER, OR A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE.
IN THE EVENT, THE ITEM IS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, IT WILL BE PLACED ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.
ANYONE WISH TO BRING UP AN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION.
SEEING, NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 1-6 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> MOTION BY CHELSEA, SECOND BY MELANIE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED.
WE HAVE ONE ITEM OF BUSINESS TONIGHT.
[7. Consideration of a special use permit and preliminary plan/plat for a homeless shelter, known as Johnson County ReStart, located at 9461 & 9471 Lenexa Drive in the CP-3, Planned Regional Commercial District]
JOHNSON COUNTY RESTART, CONSIDERATION OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND PRELIMINARY PLAN AND PLAT FOR A HOMELESS SHELTER LOCATED AT 9461 AND 9471 LENEXA DRIVE WITHIN THE CP-3, PLANNED REGIONAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.GIVEN THE LEGAL ISSUES AND THREATS OF POTENTIAL LITIGATION RAISED BY THE APPLICANT TO RESTART, IN THE LETTER TO THE GOVERNING BODY DATED SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2024, WE WILL BEGIN TONIGHT WITH A CONSULTATION WITH OUR LEGAL COUNSEL.
AS SUCH, THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS ON THIS ITEM WILL BE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. WHERE IS THAT? THANK YOU. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION IN THE GREEN ROOM TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL LITIGATION RELATED TO THE RESTART LAND USE APPLICATION.
THE JUSTIFICATION FOR SUCH EXECUTIVE SESSION IS FOR CONSULTATION WITHIN THE ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE RELATIONSHIP IN ACCORDANCE WITH KSA 75-4319.
PRESENT IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE THE GOVERNING BODY AND THE FOLLOWING STAFF MEMBERS.
CITY MANAGER BECCY YOCHAM, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER TODD PELHAM, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SCOTT MCCULLOUGH, CITY ATTORNEY SAN MCLAUGHLIN, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY MCKENZIE HARVISON, AND ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY STEVEN SCHROUT.
THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL START AT 7:05, AND LAST APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES.
THE MEETING WILL RESUME IN THE CHAMBERS.
NEED A MOTION AND A SECOND, PLEASE.
>> MOTION BY BILL, SECOND BY CRAIG. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> IT IS 7:53, AND THE GOVERNING BODY IS RECONVENED INTO THE PUBLIC MEETING.
NO VOTES WERE TAKEN OR DECISIONS MADE DURING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
WE ALSO FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE A SPECIAL GUEST AS WE DO IN THE NEXT ANYTIME WE HAVE SCOUTS IN THE AUDIENCE.
IS CHARLES LAMBE STILL HERE. THERE SHE IS.
[APPLAUSE] SHE IS FROM TROUP 6,201.
[00:05:08]
THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO SEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT ITS FINEST TONIGHT.WE ARE BACK IN SESSION ON THE JOHNSON COUNTY RESTART SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND PRELIMINARY PLAN AND PLAT.
BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I'D LIKE TO REVIEW SOME PROCEDURAL MATTERS FOR HOW THIS ITEM WILL PROCEED TONIGHT.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR OR ENGAGED IN THE PLANNING PROCESS, THE MEETING THIS EVENING IS THAT OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
IN THE CASE OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, THE CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND MAKES A FINAL DECISION ON THIS APPLICATION.
THE CITY COUNCIL MAY ADOPT THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION, OVERRIDE THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION, OR RETURN THE PROPOSAL TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION WITH A STATEMENT REGARDING THE SPECIFIC ITEMS IT WISHES TO BE RECONSIDERED.
THE OFFICIAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS ITEM WAS HELD AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON OCTOBER 26TH.
WE, THE CITY COUNCIL HAVE RECEIVED DETAILED MINUTES OF THAT MEETING, AS WELL AS A PACKET OF INFORMATION CONTAINING ALL OF THE CORRESPONDENTS IN FAVOR AND IN OPPOSITION TO THE APPLICATION, TOTALING OVER 1,000 PAGES.
REST ASSURED, WE ARE WELL VERSED IN THE OPINIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE.
NEVERTHELESS, IT IS OUR TRADITION TO ALLOW PUBLIC INPUT ON ITEMS TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING, WHICH I INTEND TO DO, BUT IT IS NOT REQUIRED BY STATE LAW OR CITY CODE.
HOWEVER, I WILL HAVE A FEW DIFFERENT RULES FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT, WHICH WE PUBLISHED IN THE PACKET AND ON OUR WEBSITE, WHICH I WILL REVIEW IN MORE DETAIL LATER.
IN LENEXA, WE HAVE A REPUTATION OF HAVING THOUGHTFUL AND RESPECTFUL DELIBERATIONS.
I'D LIKE TO MAINTAIN THAT REPUTATION, AND I ASK THAT EVERYONE CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN A RESPECTFUL AND CIVIL MANNER.
DURING STAFF'S PRESENTATION, THE APPLICANT'S PRESENTATION, AND IN THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, THERE IS TO BE NO AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION.
BY THAT, I MEAN, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM COMMENTARY FROM YOUR SEATS, BOOING, CHEERING, CLAPPING, ETC.
THESE TYPES OF DISTRACTIONS ARE NOT HELPFUL IN CONDUCTING OUR BUSINESS AND SERVE ONLY TO DELAY WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW WILL BE A VERY LENGTHY MEETING.
THIS IS APPLICABLE TO EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE REGARDLESS OF YOUR POSITION ON THE MATTER BEFORE US.
FOR TONIGHT'S PROCEEDINGS, WE WILL RECEIVE THE CITY STAFF'S PRESENTATION FIRST THEN THE APPLICANT'S PRESENTATION.
AFTER THE APPLICANT'S PRESENTATION, WE WILL ALLOW PUBLIC COMMENT.
AFTER THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS CONCLUDED, AND ALL QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL DELIBERATE AND MAKE ITS FINAL DECISION ON THE APPLICATION.
THE COUNCIL WILL LIKELY HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT OR STAFF DURING ITS DELIBERATION, BUT THERE WILL BE NO AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION DURING THAT PORTION OF THE MEETING.
BEFORE BEGINNING, WE NEED TO DECLARE ANY EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE HAD PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS ARE THOSE SUBSTANTTIVE DISCUSSIONS THAT YOU HAVE HAD OUTSIDE OF THE MEETING THAT ARE NOT PART OF THE RECORD.
WE WILL GO THROUGH EACH COUNCIL MEMBERS TO DISCLOSE EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS STARTING WITH COURTNEY.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. MY EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS.
I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH DIANA MARKLEY, TOM SCHWARTZ, ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECORD, SO THERE'S NOTHING MORE TO ADD.
I MET WITH JEFF LYSOLT AT A MEETING, AND AGAIN, SAME THING AND INCLUDED IN THE RECORD THE GIST OF THE CONVERSATION.
COMMISSIONER HANSLIK GAVE ME A CALL TO ASK ME IF I HAD ANY QUESTIONS, AND I TOLD HER, NO, AND THAT WAS THE EXTENT OF THAT CONVERSATION.
>> MY EX PARTE COMMUNICATION EARLY ON, I WAS AT THE COMMERCE BANK AND MET WITH MAYOR BAM. HE SAW ME OUT IN THE LOBBY.
I WENT INTO HIS OFFICE, AND WE CHATTED ABOUT MY FIRST FEW MONTHS ON THE CITY COUNCIL AND ASKED ABOUT ME ON THAT, AND I ASKED HIM WHAT HE WAS DOING POST BEING MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LENEXA, AND HE SAID HE'S WORKING ON THIS ACTUAL PROJECT BEING IN AN ADVISORY ROLE ON THE SELECTION COMMITTEE FOR.
THAT'S MY COMMUNICATION WITH HIM.
I MEET WITH CHARLOTTE O'HARA AT EVENT, AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT TAX INCENTIVES AND HER THOUGHTS ON TAX INCENTIVES, AND SHE ALSO BROUGHT UP THE CONCERN FOR THE HOMELESS SERVICE CENTER.
WE MET AT CITY CENTER, AND A LOT OF THE SAME COMMUNICATION THAT'S IN THE PACKET WE DISCUSSED OR HE BROUGHT UP.
I ALSO SPOKE WITH ASHLEY SHERARD, SPOKE WITH HER CONSENT CONSIDERING POTENTIAL LOSS OF REVENUE IN TAX REVENUE FROM THAT VICINITY OF THAT AREA.
SPOKE WITH THE RESIDENT, LAURA OWENS, WHO CALLED ME TO VOICE HER AND OTHERS CONCERN FOR THE PROJECT.
I ALSO SPOKE WITH ANNABETH SERBEL, A NEIGHBOR OF MINE UNTIL HER UNTIMELY DEATH.
ANNABETH HAD CALLED TO VOICE HER CONCERN FOR
[00:10:04]
THE PROJECT AND THE RUSHED ASPECT OF THE WHOLE PROCESS.SHE ALSO TALKED ABOUT HOW HER ORIGINAL LEADING THE COUNTY WAY BACK WHEN WHEN SHE WAS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
THAT'S MY EX PARTE COMMUNICATION.
>> IN ADDITION TO ALL THE EMAILS THAT ALL OF US GOT THAT WE SENT ONTO THE PACKET, I MET WITH JEFF LYSOLT, ASHLEY SHERARD OF THE CHAMBER, PAUL LINGHAM, BILLY LACRUISE.
I WENT ON TOURS OF RESTART AND WENT ON TOURS OF SAFEHOME.
I SPOKE WITH COMMISSIONER CHARLOTTE O'HARA, AND ALSO WITH COMMISSIONER JEFF MYERS.
>> I REACHED OUT TO STEPHANIE BOYER, CEO OF RESTART, JANE HANSLIP FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, JAYSEN VAN SICKLE, FORMER CEO OF HOPE FAITH CASEY.
BARBARA MCCABER FROM PROJECT 1020.
BRANDON MAGUIRE, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER FROM LAWRENCE.
I AM GOING TO PROBABLY MISPRONOUNCE THIS NAME.
[INAUDIBLE], ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY, THE GOOD FAITH NETWORK, JOSH HENGES, HOUSELESS PREVENTION COORDINATOR FOR KCMO, AND HEIDI WOOTEN, CEO SAFEHOME.
I REACHED OUT TO ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN ORDER TO ASK CLARIFYING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION, ITS PROCESS, COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC, OR TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR REGION.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS INCLUDE A DISCUSSION WITH JAYSEN VAN SICKLE, WHO WAS THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HOPE FAITH.
I WANTED TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE METRO AREA IN THE PROCESS OF HIS FACILITY WHEN HE RAN HOPE FAITH, AND I MET WITH HIM ALONG WITH COUNCILMEMBER ARROYO.
AT THE REQUEST OF JEFF AND KATHY LYSOLT, I MET WITH THEM AT MY OFFICE.
WE ALSO DID A TOUR OF THE RESTART FACILITY DOWNTOWN AND A TOUR OF SAFEHOME.
I DID HAVE COMMUNICATION AND MET WITH ASHLEY SHERARD, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
I HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REVENUE GENERATED WITHIN THAT AREA AND ANY POTENTIAL LOSS OF REVENUE FROM MEETING WITH BUSINESSES.
AND THAT IS THE EXTENT OF MY EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS.
EVERYTHING ELSE HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PACKET.
>> GOOD EVENING. I MET WITH JEFF LYSOLT IN AUGUST.
ALSO ASHLEY SHERARD, MIKE BAM.
ON SEPTEMBER 3RD, I WAS INVITED TO VISIT WITH A GROUP OF RESIDENTS AT LAKEVIEW VILLAGE WHERE I LIVE, WHO INCLUDED DICK WEAVER, JANET HAD FRENCH, JACK GREGORY, AND KENNETH AND JANETTE GREENS.
ALSO, AS I WANDERED AROUND LAKE VIEW, I WOULD OCCASIONALLY BE ASKED BY ANOTHER RESIDENT OR TWO JUST ABOUT THE FACILITY, AND WE'D HAVE A CONVERSATION.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY EX PARTE COMMUNICATION INCLUDE MIKE BAINE, FORMER MAYOR, ANNABETH SERBEL, JEFF LYSOLT, VIVIAN GIBBONS, EXCUSE ME, TRAVIS NEEDLY, KRISTA MANN, ASHLEY SHERARD FROM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, JEFF MYER COUNTY COMMISSIONER, BECCY FAST COUNTY COMMISSIONER, ELLEN HANSON, FORMER POLICE CHIEF, AND VARIOUS NEIGHBORS THAT I SEE OUT AND ABOUT DURING COSCO. [LAUGHTER]
>> IN ADDITION TO THE SIMILAR EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS THAT THE REST OF US HAVE TAKEN, WE ALSO, I THINK DIDN'T MENTION THAT WE ALL RECEIVED A TOUR OF THE EXISTING LAKITA FACILITY.
WE WERE SPLIT INTO TWO GROUPS AS NOT TO CREATE A QUORUM THAT AFTERNOON.
[00:15:03]
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS WITH CHAIRMAN MIKE KELLY TO MAKE CLARIFYING QUESTIONS AFTER THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION, AND HE AND I MET WITH THE ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER, PENNY POSTOAK FERGUSON AND BECCY YOCHAM, AND ALSO JUST PROVIDED CLARIFYING QUESTIONS AFTER THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.THE APPLICANT, STAFF HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO KEEP THEIR PRESENTATIONS TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES THIS EVENING, AND WITH THAT, I WILL CALL UP THE FIRST STAFF PRESENTATION, BECCY.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR SAYERS AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
I'M CITY MANAGER BECCY YOCHAM.
AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE HERE TONIGHT ON RESTART'S REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE A HOMELESS SHELTER IN THE CURRENT LAKITA HOTEL AND FORMER DENNY'S RESTAURANT, LOCATED AT 9461 AND 9471 LENEXA DRIVE.
YOU CAN SEE THE PROJECT LOCATION HERE, LOCATED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF 95TH STREET AND I35.
IN MANY WAYS, THIS IS NOT UNLIKE ANY OTHER SPECIAL USE PERMIT THAT YOU ALL HEAR SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR, BUT IN A FEW WAYS, THIS APPLICATION IS UNIQUE.
I'M GOING TO SPEND A FEW MINUTES ADDRESSING SOME OF THE UNIQUE ELEMENTS OF THE APPLICATION BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SCOTT MCCULLOUGH AND POLICE CHIEF DON LEMAN TO PROVIDE A MORE THOROUGH STAFF ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION.
PERHAPS THE MOST OBVIOUS WAY THAT THIS DIFFERS FROM MANY OF THE APPLICATIONS THAT YOU ALL REGULARLY DECIDE IS IN THE SHEER AMOUNT OF PUBLIC INPUT THAT YOU'VE RECEIVED.
AS YOU NO DOUBT RECOGNIZED FROM THE HUNDREDS OF PAGES OF CORRESPONDENCE, THIS IS A DIFFICULT AND EMOTIONAL ISSUE WITH MANY PERSPECTIVES AND OPINIONS ON BOTH SIDES.
IN ADDITION TO THE JUST MANY LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND IN OPPOSITION, THERE WERE EVEN THOSE WHO DID THEIR OWN ANALYSIS OF THE GOLDEN CRITERIA FOR YOU.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF THAT BECAUSE ALTHOUGH WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS A FEW CLARIFYING MATTERS TONIGHT RELATIVE TO SOME OF THE DIFFERING OPINIONS THAT YOU'VE HEARD, WE DEFINITELY WON'T BE ATTEMPTING TO ADDRESS OR REBUT EVERY DIFFERENT OPINION THAT YOU HEARD ON A POINT BY POINT BASIS.
THAT'S NOT A WISE USE OF OUR TIME.
ULTIMATELY, IT DOESN'T MATTER.
BECAUSE, AS YOU KNOW, REASONABLE MINDS CAN AND DO DIFFER ON THIS APPLICATION AND ON THE GOLDEN CRITERIA.
STAFF ISN'T HERE TONIGHT TO CONVINCE YOU THAT WE'RE RIGHT AND THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS WRONG.
WE'RE HERE, AS WE ARE EVERY TIME WE HAVE A MATTER LIKE THIS BEFORE YOU, TO GIVE YOU OUR BEST PROFESSIONAL OPINION AND TO GIVE YOU THAT OPINION ON THIS APPLICATION AND ON THE SPECIFIC CRITERIA THAT APPLY TO IT.
SO TONIGHT, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON.
I'M ALSO GOING TO TOUCH ON THE PROCESS WHICH APPLIES TO THIS APPLICATION.
NOW I'LL ADMIT THAT MOST OF THIS PROCESS REALLY ISN'T UNIQUE, BUT THE APPLICANT HAS MADE SEVERAL ALLEGATIONS THAT STAFF'S TREATMENT OF THEM THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS WAS UNFAIR OR UNEQUAL.
BECAUSE OF THAT, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT I SPEND A FEW MINUTES PROVIDING CLARIFICATION ON THAT POINT.
FIRST, AS YOU KNOW, THE EVALUATION OF A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IS A QUASI JUDICIAL FUNCTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY.
AN ACTION IS QUASI JUDICIAL WHEN YOU ARE SITTING AS A JUDGE OF SORTS ON A MATTER WHERE YOUR DECISION AFFECTS A SPECIFIC PIECE OF PROPERTY AS IT DOES HERE.
AS YOU ALSO KNOW, IN QUASI JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS, CERTAIN DUE PROCESS RIGHTS ATTACH.
SO INHERENT IN THAT IS THE NEED TO REMAIN FAIR AND UNBIASED AND OPEN MINDED THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS AND TO AVOID PRE-JUDGING THE APPLICATION.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT APPLIES TO YOU AS DECISION MAKERS, OF COURSE, BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS IS A STANDARD THAT STAFF HOLDS ITSELF TO AS WELL.
FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE, APPLICATIONS GO THROUGH A PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS AND THEN A FORMAL APPLICATION PROCESS.
OUR OBLIGATION TO REMAIN NEUTRAL AND OPEN MINDED APPLIES EQUALLY TO BOTH OF THOSE PROCESSES.
SO WHILE THE APPLICANT HAS SAID AND WRITTEN SEVERAL TIMES, AND I'M SURE THEY'LL SAY IT AGAIN TONIGHT, THAT STAFF MET WITH THEM NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEN VERY LATE IN THE PROCESS DID AN ABOUT FACE AS TO OUR POSITION ON THEIR APPLICATION, NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
I BELIEVE THIS REALLY JUST REFLECTS A FUNDAMENTAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE LAND USE PROCESS ON THE PART OF THE APPLICANT.
DURING THE PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS,
[00:20:01]
OUR TEAM DID MEET WITH RESTART AND JOHNSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT'S TEAM MANY TIMES, AND AS THEY READIED THEIR APPLICATION FOR FORMAL SUBMITTAL.WE DO THAT WITH MOST, IF NOT ALL APPLICATIONS.
THROUGHOUT THAT PROCESS, WE GAVE FEEDBACK, WE MADE SUGGESTIONS, WE ASKED QUESTIONS, AND THOSE ARE AIMED AT LEARNING MORE ABOUT WHAT THEIR PROPOSAL WILL INCLUDE, MORE ABOUT THE APPLICATION, AND AT HELPING TO BRING IT MORE CLOSELY INTO COMPLIANCE WITH CITY CODE.
BUT ONE THING WE DID NOT EVER DO DURING THE PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS WAS TO INDICATE STAFF SUPPORT OF THIS APPLICATION.
IMPORTANTLY, THE PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN COMPLETING AN ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT CRITERIA OR THE GOLDEN CRITERIA, AS WE REFER TO THEM, WHICH WE DON'T DO, AND FRANKLY, CAN'T DO UNTIL THE APPLICATION IS FINAL AND FORMALLY SUBMITTED.
THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS FOR THAT, BUT NOT THE LEAST OF THOSE IS THAT AN APPLICATION IS ALWAYS A WORK IN PROGRESS AND CONSTANTLY CHANGING ALL THE WAY UP TO AND SOMETIMES AFTER IT IS FORMALLY SUBMITTED.
SO THERE'S REALLY NO POINT IN WORKING ON A GOLDEN ANALYSIS BEFORE YOU GET TO THE POINT OF HAVING A FINAL APPLICATION.
NOW, THE FORMAL SUBMITTAL OF THIS APPLICATION OCCURRED ON MONDAY, JULY 22ND, AND 16 DAYS LATER, ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH, WE NOTIFIED THE APPLICANT'S TEAM THAT OUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE FOR DENIAL.
THAT'S A VERY STANDARD TIME FRAME PROCESS.
ALTHOUGH I'LL SAY IF IT DIFFERS FROM THE STANDARD PROCESS IN ANY WAY, IT'S THAT MAYBE WE GAVE THEM THAT NOTICE A LITTLE EARLIER THAN WE DO SOME OTHER APPLICATIONS, BECAUSE WE WERE TRYING OUR VERY BEST TO LET THEM KNOW WHERE WE WERE GOING TO BE ON THIS AS SOON AS WE KNEW IT.
IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT NEITHER THE APPLICANT NOR THEIR TEAM UNDERSTOOD THE POINT AT WHICH WE WOULD REACH A STAFF RECOMMENDATION, BUT IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T AMOUNT TO UNFAIR OR UNEQUAL TREATMENT ON THE PART OF CITY STAFF.
TURNING NEXT TO THE FORMAL PROCESS THAT'S SET FORTH IN THE CODE AND WHICH APPLIES TO EVERY SPECIAL USE PERMIT, I THINK TO BEGIN, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE WHAT I THINK YOU KNOW, BUT YOU ARE NOT BEING ASKED TO DETERMINE THE NEED FOR A HOMELESS SHELTER, RATHER YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE USE IS APPROPRIATE AT THE PROPOSED LOCATION.
FURTHER, AS YOU KNOW, ON EVERY SPECIAL USE PERMIT, THE VERY PURPOSE OF THAT MECHANISM IS TO ANALYZE USES WHICH MIGHT NOT BE OKAY IN A PARTICULAR ZONING DISTRICT DUE TO THEIR NATURE OR INTENSITY OR IMPACT AND DETERMINE WHETHER THEY'RE APPROPRIATE AT A SPECIFIC LOCATION.
IN THIS INSTANCE, THE SUP PROCESS GOES A LITTLE FURTHER, A LITTLE MORE IN DEPTH ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS THAT SOMETIMES WE DON'T CONSIDER WITH SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS.
THIS INCLUDES THINGS LIKE OPERATIONS, FUNDING, STAFFING, TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATION, SUPPORT SERVICES.
THOSE ARE ALL REQUIRED ELEMENTS OF THE BINDING MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE SUPPLEMENTARY USE REGULATIONS APPLICABLE ONLY TO HOMELESS SHELTERS.
THESE ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS WERE INCLUDED IN OUR CODE PRECISELY BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE HOMELESS SHELTER USE.
IT HAS A SPECIAL USE PERMIT, THERE ARE MANY OF THOSE IN OUR CODE, AND IT ALSO HAS A SET OF SUPPLEMENTARY USE REGULATIONS, WHICH ARE SHOWN ON THE SCREEN, THAT APPLY TO IT.
THE APPLICANT HAS TAKEN ISSUE WITH ONE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS, THAT OF BUDGETARY INFORMATION.
THEY'VE INDICATED THAT THAT INFORMATION IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND THAT OUR REQUESTING SUCH INFORMATION WAS INAPPROPRIATE.
FIRST, I WOULD TELL YOU THAT I BELIEVE THE PLAIN LANGUAGE OF THE CODE, WHICH I'VE HIGHLIGHTED THERE IN BOLD, REQUIRES A NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE USE.
THAT WAS INTENTIONALLY WRITTEN BROADLY TO ALLOW REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF ANY CRITERIA WHICH IS RELEVANT TO THE OVERALL OPERATION OF THE SHELTER USE, WHICH IN MY VIEW, CERTAINLY INCLUDES FUNDING.
TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY AND PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT THE OPERATOR PROPOSES TO PROVIDE, ADEQUATE FUNDING IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.
IT HELPS TO ASSURE THAT THE SHELTER USE IS EVEN VIABLE.
MOREOVER, SINCE THE FACILITY IS BEING FUNDED AND REMODELED WITH PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS AND THE APPLICANT AND JOHNSON COUNTY HAVE SOUGHT ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM 20 PLUS JOHNSON COUNTY CITIES TO COVER AN IDENTIFIED OPERATING BUDGET DEFICIT, THIS INFORMATION IS EVEN MORE CRITICAL.
BUT AS WITH MANY OTHER ASPECTS OF OUR ANALYSIS, STAFF HAS SIMPLY PROVIDED YOU THIS INFORMATION IN CONTEXT,
[00:25:04]
AND THAT'S FROM THE APPLICANT'S BUDGET AND FROM THE FUNDING INFORMATION THAT THEY'VE SHARED WITH US, AND IT WILL BE YOU, THE GOVERNING BODY, WHO DETERMINES WHAT WEIGHT TO GIVE TO THAT INFORMATION.BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO SCOTT, I WANT TO TOUCH BRIEFLY ON TWO OF THE ITEMS NOTED IN THE REPORT, WHICH LED IN PART TO STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION OF DENIAL.
THIS IS LOCATED IN A KEY COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR OF THE CITY.
IT WAS IDENTIFIED FOR INVESTMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT IN 2007, OVER 17 YEARS AGO.
THE FINDINGS THAT LED TO ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TIF DISTRICT INCLUDED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF AGING AND DETERIORATING STRUCTURES AND PAVEMENT, ACCESS PROBLEMS, HIGH TRAFFIC VOLUMES, AND THE PRESENCE OF TRAFFIC HAZARDS, JUST TO NAME A FEW.
THE STAFF REPORT DETAILS THE POSITIVE IMPACTS THAT THIS DESIGNATION HAS HAD IN THE AREA IN TERMS OF BOTH SIGNIFICANT PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INVESTMENT, BUT I WOULD SUBMIT YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF WHEN YOU DRIVE OR WALK THROUGH THE AREA, THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE ON MANY OF THE VERY ISSUES THAT WERE THE REASON FOR ESTABLISHING THE TIF DISTRICT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
UNFORTUNATELY, THIS USE RUNS DIRECTLY COUNTER TO THOSE GOALS AND COULD UNDERMINE SOME OF THAT INCREDIBLE INVESTMENT AND MOMENTUM THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THAT AREA.
THE PROPOSED USE ALSO DOESN'T FIT THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT'S LOCATED 600 FEET FROM RESIDENTS LIVING IN MULTIFAMILY COMMUNITIES, 900 FEET FROM RESIDENTS LIVING IN SINGLE FAMILY COMMUNITIES, NEAR NUMEROUS BUSINESSES, INCLUDING SOME OF THE HIGHEST SALES TAX GENERATING BUSINESSES IN OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY, LESS THAN THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE FROM PROJECT 1020, WHICH IS THE COUNTY'S ONLY OTHER HOMELESS SHELTER FOR SINGLE ADULTS, AND LESS THAN A MILE FROM FOUR SCHOOLS.
THE APPLICANT DISPUTES STAFF DEFINITION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ARGUING THAT SINCE ONLY PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 200 FEET OF THE PROPOSED SHELTER RECEIVED MAILED NOTICE, A BROADER AREA SHOULDN'T BE CONSIDERED.
THE 200-FEET NOTICE IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT, NOT A DEFINITION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR EVALUATING THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT.
IN ADDITION, THERE WERE LEGAL NOTICES ALSO POSTED ON THE PROPERTY AND PUBLISHED IN A COUNTY WIDE NEWSPAPER, WHICH BOTH GIVE A CLEAR INDICATION THAT THOSE NOTICES ARE INTENDED FOR A MUCH BROADER AUDIENCE THAN JUST FOLKS WITHIN 200 FEET OF THE PROPERTY.
ULTIMATELY, STAFF'S USE OF A ONE MILE RADIUS REFLECTS OUR PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT ON WHAT CONSTITUTES A REASONABLE NEIGHBORHOOD AREA, BUT IT'S UP TO YOU TO DECIDE THE APPLICABLE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHETHER THAT'S 200 FEET OR A MILE OR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
ULTIMATELY, HOWEVER, IT'S JUST OUR CONCLUSION THAT THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION FOR THE PROPOSED USE.
THE SECOND ISSUE I WANT TO TOUCH ON BRIEFLY IS LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES.
>> BECCY, CAN I HAVE YOU PAUSE FOR A SECOND.
FOLKS, THE SIGNS ARE VERY DISTRACTING AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO CONCENTRATE ON WHAT'S BEING SHARED.
I'M GOING TO ASK YOU PLEASE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO KEEP THEM DOWN.
>> BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH, WE KNOW THE PROPOSED USE WILL INCREASE DEMANDS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL STAFFING.
AS I MENTIONED AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, THIS IS NOT AN INDICTMENT OF THE UNHOUSED OR AN ACCUSATION OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT BEING HOMELESS IS NOT A CRIME.
HOWEVER, WHENEVER SOMEONE DIALS 911 IN THE CITY OF LENEXA, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS EVERY TIME.
EACH CALL, WHETHER THAT'S FOR A CRIME IN PROGRESS OR A WELFARE CHECK, TAKES TIME, COSTS MONEY, AND LIMITS THOSE OFFICERS' AVAILABILITY FOR OTHER CALLS IN THE COMMUNITY.
TO PREVENT THIS FROM IMPACTING THE LEVEL OF POLICE PROTECTION WE PROVIDE TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, CHIEF LAYMAN AND I HAVE DETERMINED THAT ADDITIONAL STAFFING WILL BE NECESSARY IF THIS SPECIAL USE IS APPROVED.
GIVEN THE SCRUTINY THAT HAS BEEN LEVIED AGAINST THIS CONCLUSION, I'VE ACTUALLY ASKED CHIEF LAYMAN TO PROVIDE FURTHER EXPLANATION AND CONTEXT AROUND THAT LATER.
SHE'S MUCH BETTER ABLE TO DO THAT THAN I AM.
BUT MY POINT IN MENTIONING THIS RELATES TO THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS DECISION.
FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE CITY TO ADD THIS ADDITIONAL STAFFING.
IF THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT IS APPROVED, WE WILL.
WE SIMPLY BELIEVE THAT THE SIGNIFICANT COST OF ADDING THIS ADDITIONAL STAFFING, WHICH STARTS AT NEARLY $500,000 IN THE FIRST YEAR AND WILL INCREASE IN EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, IS AN UNREASONABLE BURDEN ON THE CITY OF LENEXA TO ADDRESS WHAT IS A COUNTYWIDE CONCERN.
[00:30:02]
THE COMBINED TOTAL ANNUAL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE OTHER JOHNSON COUNTY CITIES AND THE JOHNSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT TOWARD THE SHELTERS OPERATIONS.FINALLY, WHILE BOTH THE APPLICANT AND JOHNSON COUNTY IN LETTERS RECEIVED LATE LAST WEEK ACKNOWLEDGE SOME OF THE IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED USE AND OFFERED POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS WHICH WE APPRECIATE, THESE CAME TOO LATE IN THE PROCESS FOR US TO FULLY EVALUATE THOSE.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE, WE CAN CERTAINLY GIVE YOU OUR THOUGHTS LATER IN THIS CONVERSATION.
BUT FOR ME, MORE IMPORTANTLY, THESE SOLUTIONS DO NOT ADDRESS THE CORE ISSUE, WHICH IS THAT THIS IS SIMPLY NOT THE RIGHT LOCATION FOR THIS SHELTER.
WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO SCOTT AND HE WILL TAKE IT FROM HERE.
>> THANK YOU, BECCY. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
I'M COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, SCOTT MCCULLOUGH AND I'LL JUMP RIGHT INTO THE CONTEXT, A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE SITE.
AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THIS SLIDE REFLECTS A FEW OF THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORS TO THE SITE WHICH ARE MAINLY VEHICLE AND CUSTOMER ORIENTED USES.
YOU'LL SEE A GAS STATION, CAR WASH, TWO CAR CARE CENTERS, AND I35 AND IT'S ON RAMPS TO THE WEST.
WE DID RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF THE FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE PROPERTY.
NOTING CONCERNS FOR THE SHELTER LOCATED ADJACENT TO THEIR SITE.
NAMELY THAT AUTO ORIENTED COMMERCIAL CENTERS DO NOT ALIGN WELL WITH RESIDENTIAL USES AND THAT THE PROPERTY'S HIGHEST AND BEST USE IF THE HOTEL WERE TO CEASE, WOULD BE ANOTHER COMMERCIAL USE AND NOT A RESIDENTIAL ONE.
THIS LETTER IS ON DIGITAL PAGE 765 OF THE ONLINE PACKET AND IS FROM THE ELEVATE LAW GROUP, SHOULD THE COUNCIL WISH TO STUDY IT SINCE THE PROPERTY IS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED SHELTER.
I'LL SPEAK MORE ABOUT THE MAKEUP OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN A MOMENT.
THERE ARE TWO REQUESTS BEFORE YOU, A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH A HOMELESS SHELTER AND A PRELIMINARY PLAN/PLAT TO CONVERT THE APPROXIMATE 100 ROOM HOTEL INTO 50 UNITS OF SHELTER AND 25 UNITS OF ACCESSORY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, ALONG WITH RENOVATIONS TO THE FORMER DENNY'S BUILDING.
THE SHELTER COMPONENT IS INTENDED TO HOUSE A MAXIMUM OF 50 SINGLE ADULTS.
THE RESIDENCES, THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING ARE PROPOSED TO HOUSE A MAXIMUM OF 25 TENANTS FOR A TOTAL MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY OF 75 FOR THE FACILITY.
THE SHELTER IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A WALK UP SHELTER, BUT WOULD UTILIZE THE COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM TO SELECT SHELTER GUESTS.
ZONING FOR THE SUBJECT SITE AND IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING AREA IS CP-3, AND THE SITE IS CLASSIFIED AS A REGIONAL COMMERCIAL CENTER IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THE AREA IS HEAVILY AUTO ORIENTED WITH TWO RETAIL CLUB MEMBERSHIP BIG BOX STORES, SEVERAL HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, AND CONSUMER SERVICE CENTER USES.
SEVERAL AUTO REPAIR TYPE BUSINESSES EXIST IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.
RESIDENTIAL USES AND ZONING LIE OUTSIDE OF THE COMMERCIAL AREA IN THE FORM OF BOTH SINGLE FAMILY TO THE NORTH AND MULTI FAMILY TO THE SOUTHEAST.
I'LL PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE SITE PLAN AND USE AND THEN REVIEW A FEW OF THE CRITERIA BY WHICH WE ANALYZE ALL SPECIAL USE PERMITS.
THE SITE MAINTAINS THE GENERAL COMPONENTS OF THE CURRENT SITE, THE BUILDINGS AND PARKING AREAS MODIFIED TO ACCOMMODATE THE USE.
THE PARKING LOT IS GATED TO CONTROL VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE SITE, THE SITE IS OTHERWISE OPEN TO PEDESTRIANS.
EXCEPT FOR THIS AREA ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING, WHICH IS INTENDED TO BE AN OUTDOOR AMENITY AREA FOR GUESTS, IT IS A FENCED IN COMPONENT OF THE SITE.
THE HOTEL WILL BE CONVERTED TO THE SHELTER AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNITS, AND THE FORMER DENNY'S BUILDING LOCATED HERE WILL BE CONVERTED TO STORAGE AND POTENTIAL FUTURE OFFICE USES.
THE BUILDING WOULD HOUSE 50 NON CONGREGATE SHELTER UNITS, AND LIKE I SAID, 25 ACCESSORY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNITS.
OFFICE SPACE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES WOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE BUILDING.
THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY, I'D SAY 25 TO 29 MORE HOTEL ROOMS IN THE BUILDING THAN WHAT IS PROPOSED TO BE CONVERTED TO SHELTER AND HOUSING UNITS.
THESE ROOMS ARE SHOWN AS ADMINISTRATIVE USES ON THE PLAN, BUT ARE NOT OTHERWISE SHOWN TO BE CONVERTED FROM A HOTEL ROOM TO OFFICES UNDER THE PROPOSED PLAN.
[00:35:02]
THIS RAISES CONCERN FOR HAVING THE SPACE TO HOUSE MANY MORE GUESTS THAN IS BEING REQUESTED.THE BUILDING IS INTENDED TO BE SECURED VIA KEY CARD ENTRY, AND SHELTER OCCUPANTS WILL BE SEARCHED FOR CERTAIN ITEMS PROHIBITED ON THE PROPERTY, NAMELY DRUGS, ALCOHOL, AND WEAPONS.
THE HOTEL BUILDING WILL RECEIVE FRESH PAINT AND THE DENNY'S BUILDING AND PARKING LOT ARE IN NEED OF A COMPLETE REHABILITATION.
THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION OF THE VIABILITY AND CURRENT CONDITION OF THE HOTEL PROPERTY AS IF THE HOTEL WERE IN A STATE OF OPERATIONAL FAILURE.
AT THIS TIME, THE HOTEL IS CURRENTLY OPERATIONAL AND IS ACTUALLY THE FIFTH HIGHEST GENERATOR OF TRANSIENT GUEST TAX IN THE CITY.
STAFF HAVE NOTICED SOME DETERIORATION OF THE PROPERTY THIS YEAR, PRESUMABLY, DUE TO THE CURRENT OWNER WAITING TO SEE IF THE PROJECT IS APPROVED BY WHICH A COMPLETE REHABILITATION WOULD BE MADE TO THE SITE AFTER ITS SALE.
IF THE PROJECT IS NOT APPROVED, STAFF WILL REACH OUT TO THE OWNER TO BEGIN DISCUSSIONS OF BRINGING THE PROPERTY UP TO CODE.
ITEMS LIKE THE DENNY'S BUILDING AND PARKING LOT ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AT THIS TIME FROM A PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PERSPECTIVE.
THE PLAT COMPRISES 2.6 ACRES, CONTAINS ONE LOT, AND IS REALLY A TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT OF THE PROCESS, SO I WON'T SPEND TIME REVIEWING IT, EXCEPT TO NOTE THAT IT COMPLIES WITH THE CODE.
TURNING TO THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT REVIEW, I WILL NOTE THAT WHILE CITY STAFF ACKNOWLEDGES THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR THE UNHOUSED IN JOHNSON COUNTY AND BELIEVES THAT THE CITY SHOULD BE A PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE COUNTY WIDE APPROACH TO FULLY ADDRESS THIS COMPLICATED ISSUE, IT IS STAFF'S OPINION THAT THE CURRENT APPLICATION PLACES AN UNREASONABLE BURDEN ON THIS AREA OF THE COMMUNITY AND ON THE CITY'S RESOURCES AND SHOULD BE DENIED.
STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS BASED PRIMARILY ON THE FACTORS NOTED ON THIS SLIDE, WHICH I'LL REVIEW IN GREATER DETAIL ON THE SLIDES THAT FOLLOW.
AS YOU KNOW, WE ANALYZE SUP REQUEST AGAINST AT LEAST 13 CRITERIA FOUND IN THE DEVELOPMENT CODE.
THOSE ARE REFLECTED ON THIS SLIDE, AND I'LL PROVIDE MORE DETAIL ON A FEW THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THESE APPLICATIONS.
I HOPE THE COUNCIL WILL FIND THAT STAFF HAS ANALYZED THIS APPLICATION AGAINST THESE CRITERIA AS WE WOULD, ANY OTHER SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION.
TAKING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE AREA WITHIN ONE MILE OF THE SITE IS COMPRISED OF REGIONAL COMMERCIAL USES, RESIDENCES, SEVERAL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS OF MANY GRADE LEVELS, NO LESS THAN SIX CITY PUBLIC PARKS, AND DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, A HOMELESS SHELTER NUMBERING AT LEAST 30 OCCUPANTS.
IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE IN OUR OWN EXPERIENCE THAT SHELTERS DRAW PEOPLE THAT WILL CREATE ADDITIONAL DEMAND ON CITY RESOURCES AS DISCUSSED IN THE STAFF REPORT, AND AS WILL BE DISCUSSED LATER IN THIS PRESENTATION.
IT IS FOR THESE REASONS THAT WE REVIEWED A BROAD AREA FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THESE NOTED AREAS STAND TO BE IMPACTED IF THE SHELTER IS APPROVED AT THIS LOCATION, ESPECIALLY AS IT IS LIKELY TO MAGNIFY THE IMPACTS ALREADY REALIZED BY THE ONLY OTHER SHELTER OF ITS SIZE IN THE COUNTY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.
THIS AREA, IN OUR OPINION, IS UNABLE TO ABSORB ADDITIONAL IMPACTS, EVEN WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS WITH OUT BURDENING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AND BEING DETRIMENTAL TO THE CHARACTER OF THE AREA.
CITY MANAGER YOCUM NOTED THIS FURTHER CONCERN WHICH IS THE FACT THAT THE CITY IN 2007 MADE A FINDING OF BLIGHT AND ECONOMIC OBSOLESCENCE FOR THIS AREA AND CREATED A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT TO STIMULATE AND IMPROVE THE OVERALL ECONOMIC WELFARE OF THE CITY.
SEVERAL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS WERE BORNE OUT OF THIS EFFORT, INCLUDING RECONSTRUCTION OF THE I35 AND 95TH STREET INTERCHANGE, AND SEVERAL RETAIL AND HOTEL PROJECTS AS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE STAFF REPORT AND ON THIS MAP, ESTABLISHING A USE THAT DRAWS NEGATIVE EXTERNALITIES TO THE AREA IS COUNTER TO THE CITY'S LONGSTANDING EFFORTS TO HELP OWNERS REHABILITATE PROPERTIES AND REDUCE CRIME.
AS MENTIONED, THIS LAND USE PRODUCES CERTAIN IMPACTS AND GREATER DEMAND FOR CITY SERVICES THAT BY THEIR NATURE CAN DISRUPT OTHER USES IN THE AREA.
WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE THE CITY EXPERIENCES CALL FOR SERVICES TODAY.
THESE IMPACTS WILL BE MAGNIFIED IF THE 50 UNIT SHELTER IS ADDED TO THE EXISTING 30 OCCUPANT WINTER SHELTER.
NOT ALL OF THE IMPACTS AND BEHAVIORS ARE CRIMINAL TO BE SURE, BUT THEY CAN BE DISRUPTIVE TO RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AND PATRONS OF SURROUNDING BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT AS WELL EQUIPPED TO DE ESCALATE SITUATIONS OR HANDLE SUCH DISRUPTIONS.
[00:40:01]
IT'S BEEN REPORTED THAT THERE'S NO PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION BETWEEN PROJECT 10 20 AND THE PROPOSED SHELTER SITE AND THAT THE SITES ARE ISOLATED FROM ONE ANOTHER SO THAT PROJECT 10 20 SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR IN THE REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED SHELTER.THIS IDEA OF NO PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.
AS SIDEWALKS DO CONNECT THE SITES, AND I35 IS NO BARRIER AT ALL FOR THOSE WISHING TO TRAVEL BETWEEN THE SITES.
PROJECT 10 20 IS APPROXIMATELY THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE FROM THE HOTEL SITE AND COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, AND WITHIN STAFF'S AT LEAST DEFINITION OF THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AREA.
I'LL NOW INVITE POLICE CHIEF LAYMAN TO THE PODIUM TO DISCUSS THE USES IMPACT ON CALLS FOR SERVICE.
I'LL RETURN TO COMPLETE STAFF'S PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU. MAYOR, COUNCIL, POLICE TO STAND BEFORE YOU TONIGHT TO SHARE INSIGHTS FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY PERSPECTIVE AND OUR ANALYSIS INTO THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.
I DO WANT TO BRING UP A STORY THAT I TOLD AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION, BECAUSE I THINK IT SETS THE TONE FOR HOW WE RESPOND TO CERTAIN INCIDENTS WITHIN THE CITY.
IF YOU BEAR WITH ME, I WANT TO READ AN EMAIL THAT CAME TO ME ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON THE 26TH.
THIS WAS FROM A SUBJECT AT JOHNSON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH.
I WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT FOR LENEXA OFFICER HINKEL.
HE WAS OUT WITH A CLIENT WHO IS CURRENTLY HOMELESS IN LENEXA.
HE SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME WITH A CLIENT, ADVOCATED FOR HIM, SPENT TIME GETTING TO KNOW HIM, AND MADE SURE HE WAS ABLE TO TALK TO THE CRISIS LINE AND GET A REFERRAL TO THE HOMELESS TEAM.
ELIO HINKEL ALSO MADE SURE THAT THE CLIENT HAD A PLACE TO WASH HIS CLOTHES TONIGHT SINCE HE HAS A JOB INTERVIEW TOMORROW, THAT HE HAD A PLACE TO CLEAN UP FOR HIS JOB INTERVIEW, AND THAT HE WILL BE SAFE TONIGHT.
THE RESPECT AND KINDNESS THAT ELIO HINKEL SHOWED, THIS CLIENT WAS AMAZING, AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE HE KNOWS THAT WHAT HE DID WAS ABOVE AND BEYOND, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL I GET TO WORK WITH AN OFFICER LIKE HIM.
NOW, MY POINT FOR TELLING YOU THAT IS BECAUSE WE DO OTHER OUTREACH TO OTHER COMMUNITIES.
THIS OBVIOUSLY TOOK A LONG TIME TO WORK WITH THIS INDIVIDUAL, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DO AND THAT WE TRY TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE ALSO PROVIDE MEALS AT PROJECT 10 20.
SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM MY STAFF, AND INCLUDING MYSELF, ACTUALLY VOLUNTEER AT PROJECT 10 20, JUST WANT TO SET THE TONE ON THAT.
THEN, THESE TYPES OF CALLS DO TAKE TIME.
WE'RE PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DO TO ASSIST MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALSO MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, THAT CREATES ADDITIONAL DEMANDS WHEN WE ARE WORKING THESE TYPES OF CALLS FOR SERVICE ON OUR RESOURCES.
I KNOW THE QUESTION HAS BEEN ASKED HOW WE ARRIVED AT OUR RECOMMENDED LEVEL OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
THE APPROACH FOR IDENTIFYING COMPARABLE CITIES PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE DATA, WHICH WE GATHERED FROM CRIME ANALYSIS UNITS IN SIMILAR CITIES.
THESE CITIES WERE IDENTIFIED THROUGH A REVIEW OF THE HUD EXCHANGE HOMELESS RESOURCES DATABASE WHERE OUR CRIME ANALYSTS COMPARED THE AVAILABILITY OF HOMELESS SERVICES, CITY POPULATIONS, AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS.
THE CRIME ANALYSTS IN THESE COMPARATIVE DEPARTMENTS PROVIDED INVALUABLE PERSPECTIVES, LEVERAGING THEIR AWARENESS OF LOCAL CRIME TRENDS AND QUALITY OF LIFE CONCERNS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE CITIES HAVE EXPERIENCED.
IN ADDITION, WE PLACED A BROAD REQUEST FOR DATA THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PRIME ANALYSTS, AND ALL CALL, IF YOU WILL, WHICH ALLOWED US TO GATHER INSIGHTS FROM CITIES THAT SHARE SIMILAR POPULATION SIZES, DEMOGRAPHICS, PROXIMITY TO KANSAS CITY, AND THE AVAILABILITY OF COMPARABLE HOMELESS SERVICES.
WHILE IT IS CHALLENGING TO FIND AN EXACT APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON FOR OUR SITUATION, WE DID OUR BEST TO UTILIZE THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE AND DRAW MEANINGFUL INFERENCES FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER CITIES.
WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT WE DID HERE AND ALSO DO FOR OTHER PROJECTS, THEY MAY HAVE POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES.
WITH THE PROPOSED JOHNSON COUNTY HOMELESS SERVICE CENTER, WE ANTICIPATE AN INCREASE IN CALLS FOR SERVICE, THOUGHT SCOTT WAS GOING TO DO THAT FOR ME.
THERE WE GO. REQUIRING THE ADDITION OF THREE POLICE OFFICERS AND ONE CO RESPONDER.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE REQUEST FOR THREE OFFICERS IS NOT
[00:45:02]
THREE OFFICERS AT ONE GIVEN TIME AT THIS SITE.IT IS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR.
YOU ALL WORK 40 HOUR WORK WEEK SO ONE OFFICER PER SHIFT WOULD BE IN THAT DISTRICT.
WE WOULD ADD AN OFFICER TO DISTRICT 6, WHICH IS WHERE THE ARROW IS, WHERE THE PROPOSED HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER WOULD BE.
THEN WHEN I SAY CONSERVATIVE, YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT TRAINING, SICK TIME, VACATION TIME, THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE STILL WOULD HAVE TO SUPPLEMENT THIS SCHEDULE.
IN ADDITION, ONE ADDITIONAL CO RESPONDER WOULD BE NECESSARY IN THE ROLE TO PROVIDE CRITICAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND RESOURCES DURING CRISIS, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS, NOT JUST ON PROPERTY, BUT SURROUNDING THAT AREA.
THIS STAFFING MODEL ENSURES WE CAN MAINTAIN THE NECESSARY PRESENCE AND PROACTIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NEEDED, NOT ONLY ON PROPERTY, BUT IN THE SURROUNDING PROPOSED RESOURCE CENTER.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN WHAT'S PREVIOUSLY BEEN MENTIONED, THIS COMES WITH A FINANCIAL COST OF THE CITY OF LENEXA AN ESTIMATED $456,000 ANNUALLY, AND THIS COMMITMENT WILL BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S NO BURDEN ON OUR PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES.
>> THE ADDITIONAL STAFFING IS NECESSARY TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED CHALLENGES AND CALLS FOR SERVICE PROPOSED BY THE RESOURCE CENTER IN AN EFFORT TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE EXCEPTIONAL LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT OUR COMMUNITY EXPECTS.
IN SUMMARY, WHILE FINDING EXACT COMPARISONS WAS CHALLENGING, OUR STAFF WORK DILIGENTLY WITHIN A SHORT TIME FRAME TO GATHER THE MOST RELEVANT DATA AVAILABLE.
BY COMBINING THIS INFORMATION WITH OUR OWN EXPERIENCES OF THOSE COMPARABLE CITIES, WE ARE CONFIDENT FINDINGS OFFICER SOLID FOUNDATION FOR UNDERSTANDING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED RESOURCE CENTER.
I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE, AS WELL, WE UNDERSTAND THE TYPES OF CALLS FOR SERVICE THAT WE WOULD BE RESPONDING TO ARE NOT JUST ONES OF CRIMINAL ACTS OR THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE GET A LOT OF CHECK THE WELFARE CALLS, MEDICAL CALLS AT THOSE TYPES OF FACILITIES, AND THOSE ARE THE CALLS FOR SERVICE THAT WE WOULD EXPECT.
WE'RE NOT SAYING THAT PEOPLE THAT UTILIZE THOSE FACILITIES ARE CRIMINALS.
WE'RE SAYING AND ACTUALLY, A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE THAT ARE IN A HOMELESS SITUATION ACTUALLY ARE VICTIMS OF CRIMES, NOT SUSPECTS AND CRIMES AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT THERE IS A REALM OF OTHER CALLS FOR SERVICE THAT WE WOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ON IF THIS PROJECT GOES THROUGH.
MAYOR AND COUNSEL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION, ALONG WITH YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY SAFETY EFFORTS, AND I'LL BE AVAILABLE LATER FOR QUESTIONS AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU, CHIEF AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THE SLIDE PRANK.
MAYOR, I ONLY HAVE A FEW MORE SLIDES TO GET THROUGH.
AS I MENTIONED, THIS USE IS UNIQUE AND THAT IT REQUIRES A BINDING MANAGEMENT PLAN BE SUBMITTED WITH THE APPLICATION.
THE INTENT OF REQUIRING THIS PLAN IS TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE TYPE AND SIZE OF SHELTER, AS WELL AS HOW ONSITE AND OFFSITE IMPACTS WILL BE MITIGATED.
ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE IMPACTS ARE A KEY COMPONENT OF REVIEWING ANY SPECIAL USE PERMIT REQUEST.
UNFORTUNATELY, IN OUR OPINION, SEVERAL OF THE IMPACTS THAT WILL BE GENERATED BY THIS USE ARE NOT ABLE TO BE MITIGATED BY THE OPERATOR, BUT WILL NEED TO BE ADDRESSED ONLY WITH SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC RESOURCE INVESTMENTS.
SOME ELEMENTS OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN ARE NOT YET FULLY DEVELOPED AND STAFF FIND SOME OF THEM INADEQUATE TO SERVE THE SHELTER AT THIS LOCATION.
A FEW OF THE MOST CONCERNING ISSUES ARE ONES THE APPLICANT, AGAIN, IN OUR OPINION, CANNOT FULLY ADDRESS.
DROP-OFFS BY OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OR WALK UPS BY UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS LEARNING OF OR DIRECTED TO THE SHELTER ARE A CONCERN FOR STAFF.
WE'VE SEEN THIS OCCUR AT PROJECT 1020, AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S REVIEW OF SIMILAR SHELTERS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES ALSO NOTED IT AS A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES AS WELL.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S IMPACT ANALYSIS REPORT INCLUDES MEDIA RECOUNTS OF SUCH IMPACTS AT THE SHELTERS STUDIED.
ALSO, THERE WAS TESTIMONY AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING BY A NEARBY RESIDENT OF A HOMELESS FAMILY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT STATED THEY WERE TOLD TO COME TO LAKITA TO RECEIVE SHELTER EVEN BEFORE IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.
THOSE ATTRACTED TO THE SHELTER BUT UNABLE TO GET IN ARE LEFT TO
[00:50:03]
MAKE DIFFICULT CHOICES ABOUT WHERE TO TAKE SHELTER FOR THE NIGHT.THIS ISSUE IS GREATER THAN THIS APPLICATION, BUT IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO A MORE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN THE COUNTY.
RESTART HAS PROVIDED A WALK UP POLICY IN THE EVENT, UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS SIMPLY SHOW UP OR DROPPED OFF, WHICH IS TO TEMPORARILY HOUSE THEM AND ASSESS THEM THE NEXT DAY.
IN RESTART SEPTEMBER 11TH LETTER, IT WAS STATED THAT WALK UP ROOMS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS USE AND WOULD BE COUNTED IN THE APPROVED SHELTER CAPACITY OF 50.
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME STAFF HAD HEARD OF THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH PROBLEM SOLVING ROOMS IN THE FACILITY.
OTHER CONCERNS RELATE TO THE UNKNOWN NATURE OF RESTARTS REVENUE STREAMS, WHICH MANAGER YOCUM ADDRESSED, WHICH DIRECTLY RELATE TO THE ABILITY TO SUCCEED IN THIS EFFORT, NAMELY THE FACT THAT THE THREE LARGEST CITIES HAVE NOT COMMITTED TO FUNDING THE ONGOING OPERATIONS FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS.
OTHER CONCERNS RELATE TO THE INADEQUACY OF THE TRANSIT SYSTEM TO SERVE A SHELTER AT THIS LOCATION, AND HOW THE SHELTER INTENDS TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD, IF APPROVED.
GIVEN THAT RESTART HAS INDICATED THAT THEIR GUESTS MUST USE PUBLIC TRANSIT TO ACCESS EMPLOYMENT, THE FACT THAT ONLY A FEW TRANSIT LINES WITH LIMITED DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION ARE AVAILABLE NEARBY IS OF CONCERN.
FOR EXAMPLE, ROUTE 495, RUNNING ALONG 95TH STREET, DEPARTS THREE TIMES IN THE MORNING AND THREE TIMES IN THE AFTERNOON, FIVE DAYS A WEEK WITH NO SERVICE ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY.
THIS USE DEMANDS A MORE ROBUST TRANSPORTATION PLAN THAN MERELY RELYING ON THE PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM FOR EMPLOYMENT.
IN SUMMARY, THE SAFETY AND WELFARE IMPACTS OF THIS LAND USE ON SURROUNDING LAND USES AND THE COMMITMENT OF THE CITY'S RESOURCES ARE TOO GREAT IN STAFF'S OPINION.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION CONSIDERED THESE REQUESTS AT THEIR AUGUST 26TH MEETING.
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF PUBLIC HEARING, THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO RECOMMEND DENIAL OF THIS APPLICATION BASED ON THE REVIEW OF THE FACTORS IN THE CODE.
AFTER YOU HEAR FROM THE APPLICANT AND PUBLIC, STAFF RECOMMENDS THE COUNCIL DENY BOTH APPLICATIONS.
STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING. DO A LITTLE SWITCH OUT HERE.
I WAS ABLE TO DO IT. SWEATING [OVERLAPPING]
>> YEAH, I WAS LIKE, WHO, THAT PART'S OVER.
WELL, GOOD EVENING. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE THIS EVENING.
WE'RE EXCITED TO PRESENT THE JOHNSON COUNTY RESTART PROJECT TO YOU.
I'LL FIRST BEGIN, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY HERE.
WE'VE PROVIDED A TIMELINE IN THE PACKET AS WELL, THAT HAS A LOT MORE HISTORY TO IT, BUT I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS THAT REALLY, YOU KNOW, THE IDEA AND PREMISE OF THIS PROJECT STARTED REALLY IN 2021, WHEN UNITED COMMUNITY SERVICES DID A HOUSING STUDY THAT IDENTIFIED UNSEEN HOMELESSNESS AS A HOUSING CHALLENGE ACROSS JOHNSON COUNTY, AND SO THAT REALLY THEN SPARKED A NUMBER OF THINGS TO BEGIN TO HAPPEN.
THE CONVERSATIONS BEGAN HAPPENING AT THE COUNTY LEVEL WITH THE HOUSING SUBCOMMITTEE AND THEN MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT, THERE REALLY NEEDED TO BE SOME THOUGHT PUT INTO REALLY ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS.
FROM THERE, THE DIGNITY PROJECT STUDY AND REPORT, WHICH I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL SEEN AND ARE FAMILIAR WITH WAS ALSO PRODUCED IN THE SUMMER OF 2023.
THAT REPORT REALLY IDENTIFIED THE GAP IN SERVICES WITHIN THE CONTINUUM OF CARE OF JOHNSON COUNTY BEING THAT OF THE NEED FOR NON-CONGREGATE SHELTER AND FOR ADDITIONAL TRANSITIONAL HOUSING BEDS, PARTICULARLY TARGETED TO ADULTS BECAUSE THERE IS NO OPTION FOR ADULTS NOW TO BE ABLE TO GO TO IN JOHNSON COUNTY.
THAT'S WHERE THE PREMISE OF THIS PROJECT REALLY CAME ABOUT.
THERE WERE DISCUSSIONS THAT HAPPENED, AND THIS PROPERTY WAS TARGETED, THE COUNTY ENTERED INTO A PURCHASE AGREEMENT IN DECEMBER OF 2023, WITH THIS IN MIND AND ISSUING THE RFP, WHICH WAS TARGETED TO CREATE THE HOMO SERVICES CENTER.
THE UNITED COMMUNITY SERVICES RAN THAT RFP PROCESS AND HAD A SELECTION COMMITTEE OF 16 PEOPLE, AND RESTART, OF COURSE, APPLIED, AND WE WERE UNANIMOUSLY UNANIMOUSLY SELECTED AS THE OWNER OPERATOR OF THE PROJECT.
[00:55:05]
BEGINNING IN MAY OF 2024, WE BEGAN MEETING WITH EVERYONE.THE COUNTY, CITY STAFF, ALLOW SUPPORT SERVICES, ALL EVERYONE IN JOHNSON COUNTY, AND THE MEETING CONTINUED FROM THERE, WHICH ARE ADDITIONALLY OUTLINED THERE.
THE OVERALL VISION RIGHT OF THIS PROJECT IS TO REALLY CLOSE THE GAP IN SERVICES IN JOHNSON COUNTY.
TO DO THAT IN A WAY THAT PROVIDES A UNIQUE SHELTER THAT DOESN'T EXIST, IS NON CONGREGATE, WHICH MEANS NO ONE SHARES A ROOM WITH ANYONE.
EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN ROOM AND THEIR OWN BATHROOM, WHICH DEFINITELY HELPS TO MITIGATE ANY SHARED ROOM ISSUES THAT CAN HAPPEN.
WE HAVE SHARED ROOMS IN KANSAS CITY NOW, AND ROOMMATE CHALLENGES HAPPEN, AND PEOPLE GET UPSET WITH EACH OTHER, PEOPLE'S STUFF DISAPPEARS, THAT CAN OFTEN ESCALATE CALLS.
WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PRIVATE SPACE, YOUR OWN PRIVATE ROOM WHERE YOUR THINGS ARE LOCKED IN, YOU REALLY DRAMATICALLY DECREASE THOSE, AS WELL AS IT REALLY ALLOWS PEOPLE TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR CASE MANAGER AND IN SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN A DIFFERENT WAY BECAUSE THEY'RE ABLE TO FOCUS ON THEMSELVES AND NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE POTENTIAL CHALLENGES OF SOMEONE THEY MIGHT BE SHARING A ROOM WITH.
I THINK THE OTHER THING TO NOTE REAL QUICK ON HERE IS THAT THE POINT IN TIME COUNT IN JANUARY OF 2024 IDENTIFIED, 250 PEOPLE ON THAT GIVEN NIGHT, BUT THERE WERE 58 PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREET IN JOHNSON COUNTY THAT NIGHT.
THE DAY THIS CENTER WOULD OPEN, WE WOULD HAVE SPACE FOR ALL OF THOSE FOLKS.
PRETTY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO TAKE EVERYONE THAT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING STREET HOMELESSNESS AND REMOVE THEM FROM THE STREET, THUS, ELIMINATING ANY CALLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING NOW WITH ALL THOSE FOLKS ON THE STREET.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ZONING AND SUITABILITY.
AGAIN, OF COURSE, THERE'S A QUICK PICTURE, SNAPSHOT, THE AERIAL VIEW.
THE CENTER IS LOCATED IN A REGIONAL COMMERCIAL CENTER, WHICH IS A HOMELESS SHELTER, IS ALLOWABLE WITH A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN THAT CENTER, A COMPLETE SITE AND BUILDING ASSESSMENT WERE COMPLETED.
WE ARE PROPOSING TO INVEST $3.3 MILLION INTO THIS PROPERTY, AND WE BELIEVE THAT IS REALLY IN LINE WITH THE TIF GOALS.
ADDITIONALLY, THERE WILL BE 25 NEW EMPLOYEES ON SITE, WHICH WILL BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMY IN LENEXA, SHOPPING AT BUSINESSES IN THE NEARBY AREA, AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE STAYING THERE, WE'LL ALSO BE SHOPPING AND SPENDING MONEY IN THE AREA.
WE FEEL THE ZONING IS APPROPRIATE.
IT IS DOMINATED BY COMMERCIAL USE, AND HOTEL AND SHELTER BOTH PROVIDE AN INTERIM HOUSING SOLUTION FOR FOLKS.
THEY ARE BOTH TRANSIENT IN NATURE.
HOWEVER, WE FEEL LIKE THE PROPOSED USE FOR THE HOMO SERVICES CENTER IS LESS TRANSIENT THAN A HOTEL, AS FOLKS WOULD BE STAYING FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.
YOU'LL SEE THE DOTS AROUND THERE REALLY REPRESENT THE 200 FOOT AND THE 500 FOOT NOTIFICATION.
WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS AN IDEAL LOCATION BECAUSE A, YOU HAVE A HIGHWAY ON AN INTERSTATE ON ONE WHOLE SIDE OF IT, SO YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE AN IMPACT OTHER THAN NOISE, WHICH HAD A PROBLEM WITH.
BUT THE IMPACT OF THAT WAS 13 BUSINESSES, THE CITY AND THE STATE OF KANSAS AND NO RESIDENTIAL.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO FIND A POCKET LIKE THAT IN ANY COMMUNITY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SUCH LIMITED IMPACT.
WE FEEL LIKE IT'S A REASONABLE AND ACHIEVABLE CONVERSION, THERE'S REALLY NOT A DRAMATIC CHANGE HAPPENING TO THE PROPERTY FROM ITS CURRENT USE.
IT WAS SHARED EARLIER, THERE ARE SOME EXISTING CONDITIONS AND DEFICIENCIES ON THE PROPERTY.
THE PARKING LOT, THERE ARE SOME ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES, PRETTY DETERIORATED SIDEWALKS AND CURBS, LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING AS DEFICIENT.
THERE IS NOT CURRENTLY A BUILDING WIDE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM IN THE BUILDING, AND OF COURSE, THE DENNY'S BUILDING HAS BEEN VACANT, AND IT IS UNINHABITABLE AND ITS CURRENT CONDITION HAS BEEN VACANT FOR OVER 10 YEARS, WHICH WE FEEL LIKE IS, OF COURSE, NOT IN LINE WITH TIF GOALS, AND WE DO PLAN TO OBVIOUSLY ADDRESS THAT.
THE SITE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE, OF COURSE, REMOVING ANY BLIGHT AND BRINGING EVERYTHING UP TO CODE IN LINE WITH TIFF GOALS,
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REPAVING THE PARKING LOT, REPAIRING THOSE SIDEWALKS AND CURBS, NEW LANDSCAPING TO MEET CURRENT CODE, AND UPDATE LIGHTING, ESPECIALLY EXTERIOR LIGHTING FOR SECURITY AND VISIBILITY AND CODE COMPLIANCE.AS MR. MCCULLOCH MENTIONED, THERE IS SECURITY FENCING, CONTROLLED ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY.
THOSE THINGS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO US AS WELL, AS WE KNOW, IT IS TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT WE ALSO REALLY WANT TO CONTROL WHO'S COMING ON THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING VEHICULAR ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY.
IT'S A FAIRLY LARGE PARKING LOT, SO THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING ONTO THE PROPERTY HAVE BUSINESS TO BE THERE.
THE BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS TOTAL ABOUT 2.4 MILLION DOLLAR, WHICH WILL ADDRESS SOME MINOR REPAIRS TO THE EXISTING ROOF.
OF COURSE, THAT FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM, SOME WINDOWS AND DOORS, WE'LL BE MAINTAINING THE SLEEPING ROOMS AS IS ON THE IN THE LODGE AREA, AND THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNITS WOULD RECEIVE KITCHENETTE UPGRADES TO THOSE, OF COURSE, INSTALLING SECURITY CAMERAS AND THE UPGRADED LIGHTING, AND ADDRESSING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DENNY'S BUILDING TO USE FOR STORAGE AND OFFICE SPACE.
OVERALL, IN THE PROJECT IMPROVEMENT SUMMARY, WE REALLY FEEL AGAIN, LIKE THE HOTEL BY NATURE SERVES TRANSIENT GUESTS, AND THEREFORE, THE OVERALL USE, ULTIMATELY REMAINS UNCHANGED, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE REFERRED TO US, AND THEY WOULD REMAIN ON THE PROPERTY FOR 30-90 DAYS AT A TIME, SO THERE WOULD BE TURNOVER OF THAT, PROVIDING MORE STABILITY.
>> IN TERMS OF PROJECT 1020, WE FEEL THAT IT OPERATES FOUR MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR, SO IF THERE'S ANY POTENTIAL IMPACT, IT'S CERTAINLY NOT A YEAR-ROUND IMPACT.
WE DO FEEL LIKE IT IS FAR ENOUGH AWAY, THAT YOU WILL NOT SEE AN IMPACT NECESSARILY FROM THAT.
THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE IS, IN A COLD WEATHER SHELTER REALLY PROMOTES DROP-OFF BECAUSE IT'S ONLY OPEN CERTAIN HOURS OF THE DAY. THAT'S THE WAY YOU GET IN.
YOU GET DROPPED OFF AND YOU WALK IN THE DOOR.
THE HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER DOES NOT OPERATE LIKE THAT.
IT IS A REFERRAL-BASED PROGRAM.
WE KNOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING.
PEOPLE ARE SCHEDULED FOR INTAKES AND MOVE-INS, AS WELL AS EXITS, SO THE TWO OPERATE VERY DIFFERENTLY.
JUST PROVIDING OVERNIGHT SHELTER DOESN'T ALLOW FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO REALLY STABILIZE.
IF YOU HAVE A ROOM EVERY DAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE, YOU HAVE ACCESS TO CASE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES 24 HOURS A DAY.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STABILIZE MUCH QUICKER, ADDRESS ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE GOING ON, INCLUDING ANY MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
THEY WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ON-SITE.
THOSE THINGS REDUCE CALLS AS WELL, BECAUSE IF SOMEONE'S STAYING IN A STATE OF CRISIS, THEY MAY GENERATE A CALL EVERY DAY OR MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.
WHEN SOMEONE'S STABILIZING, YOU ALSO SEE THAT GO DOWN.
WE DO BELIEVE THAT THIS PROJECT ALSO ALIGNS WITH THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND PROVIDES ATTAINABLE HOUSING THAT IS WELCOMING TO RESIDENTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS IN STAGES OF LIFE, REDEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF A COMMERCIAL SITE, AND ADAPTIVE REUSE AND SUSTAINABILITY.
WHOOPS. THE KEY FEATURES ALREADY MENTIONED REALLY ARE RIGHT.
THE PRIMARY USE IS THE LODGE, WHICH IS THE SHELTER SERVICE, WHICH AGAIN, IS REFERRAL ONLY, TARGETED TO SINGLE ADULTS, NON-CONGREGATES, SO NO ONE SHARES A ROOM OR BATHROOM.
PEOPLE STAY 30-90 DAYS AT A TIME.
THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT TO LEAVE.
WE PROVIDE LAUNDRY ON-SITE, WE PROVIDE THREE MEALS A DAY FOR FOLKS AS WELL.
THERE WILL BE ACCESS CONTROL TO THE SITE AND THE BUILDING, AND, OF COURSE, IT'S STAFFED 24 HOURS A DAY.
THE ACCESSORY USES THE RESIDENCES, WHICH ARE 25 STUDIO APARTMENTS FOR TRANSITIONAL LIVING.
THESE REFERRALS WOULD COME FROM THE LODGE AS A NEXT STEP.
THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO WORK REALLY HARD IN THAT 30-90 DAYS, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF BARRIERS TO GETTING INTO LONG-TERM PERMANENT STABLE HOUSING.
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A NEXT STEP FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO.
IN PARTICULAR, WE OFTEN SEE THIS WITH PEOPLE LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME,
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PARTICULARLY OUR SENIORS A LOT OF TIMES WHO REALLY NEED TO BE IN A SENIOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAT'S GOING TO BE BASED ON THEIR INCOME.OFTEN THOSE WAIT LISTS CAN BE A YEAR OR TWO LONG, AND SO IT'S NOT A QUICK GETTING INTO THAT.
WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET PEOPLE CONNECTED TO A LONG-TERM HOUSING SOLUTION THAT'S GOING TO BE SUSTAINABLE FOR THEM.
WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE RUSHING INTO A SITUATION THAT THEY TRULY REALLY CAN'T AFFORD, AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A RETURN RIGHT BACK TO HOMELESSNESS, WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO BE CONNECTED TO THE RIGHT SOLUTION.
FOR THE LODGE, IT WOULD BE THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR.
THE ROOMS IN PINK WOULD BE THE ROOMS THAT GUESTS WOULD STAY IN, AND OF COURSE, THE PURPLE ARE OFFICES AND SUPPORT SERVICE OFFICES AND STAFF, AND YOU CAN SEE THEY'RE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING PURPOSELY TO PUT STAFF IN EACH OF THE DIFFERENT AREAS AND HALLWAYS FOR FOLKS.
YOU'LL ENTER INTO THE PROPERTY JUST AS YOU WOULD NOW, EXCEPT IT WOULD HAVE CONTROLLED ACCESS.
YOU'D HAVE TO BE LET IN BY SOMEONE INSIDE THE BUILDING.
THE THIRD FLOOR WOULD BE THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNITS, WHICH AGAIN, WOULD HAVE THOSE KITCHENETTES ADDED TO THAT, AND THEN OF COURSE, HAVE ADDITIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT OFFICES AND SUPPORT SERVICES SPACE.
HOW FOLKS WILL COME INTO THE HOMELESS SERVICES SYSTEM.
AGAIN, IT IS REFERRAL ONLY, AND IT COMES THROUGH THE COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM.
THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE A SYSTEM THAT IS DESIGNED AND HAS RESOURCES.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE CONTINUE TO START AT THAT SAME POINT IN THAT SYSTEM.
THEY RECEIVE AN ASSESSMENT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO WORK WITH THE PERSON THAT DOES THAT ASSESSMENT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR THEM.
THE ANSWER SHOULD NOT ALWAYS BE SHELTER FOR EVERYONE.
THERE NEEDS TO BE A CONVERSATION.
WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE NEED.
SOMETIMES YOU CAN DIVERT SOMEONE FROM HOMELESSNESS IF YOU ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.
WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET THEM CONNECTED BACK TO A FAMILY MEMBER OR TO ANOTHER RESOURCE THAT THEY MAY QUALIFY FOR.
IF WE JUST DUMP EVERYONE INTO SHELTER AND THEN TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT LATER, WE QUICKLY FILL UP, AND THEN WE HAVE PEOPLE OUT THERE.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THAT SYSTEM.
THAT WILL BE THE STARTING POINT.
THEY WILL GO TO ONE OF THE FOUR HUBS OR CALL.
AN OUTREACH WORKER CAN ALSO CONDUCT THOSE WITH PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY OR GO TO PEOPLE TO DO THOSE ASSESSMENTS.
FROM THAT LIST OF PEOPLE, THEN THAT'S HOW WE WOULD RECEIVE REFERRALS FROM THE COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM.
AGAIN, THOSE WOULD BE SCHEDULED FOR MOVE-INS, AND TRANSPORTATION WOULD BE PROVIDED IF FOLKS DIDN'T HAVE A WAY TO GET THERE.
IN TERMS OF RULES OF CONDUCT AND GUEST EXPECTATIONS, THERE'S A LOT OF THEM.
THERE'S ABOUT SEVEN PAGES WITHIN THE 31-PAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN AROUND GUEST EXPECTATIONS.
I'VE JUST HIGHLIGHTED A FEW OF THE REALLY IMPORTANT ONES HERE.
FOLKS DO NEED TO BE MEDICALLY STABLE TO BE HERE.
WE ARE NOT A NURSING CARE FACILITY.
WE CAN'T BE PROVIDING THAT CARE FOR FOLKS.
IF THEY NEED, THAT WILL HELP THEM GET CONNECTED TO THAT.
WE DO HAVE A SIGN-IN AND OUT PROCESS.
WE ASK PEOPLE TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR CASE MANAGER AND TO ATTEND COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
WE WILL ALLOW PETS, AND WE HAVE A PET POLICY WE EXPECT EVERYONE TO ABIDE BY.
OF COURSE, THE EXPECTATION IS TO MAINTAIN A VIOLENCE, DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND WEAPON-FREE ENVIRONMENT.
PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN MEDICATIONS.
CASE MANAGERS MAY HELP THEM GET ACCESS TO MEDICATIONS THAT THEY NEED, BUT WE'RE NOT GIVING PEOPLE THEIR MEDICATIONS.
IN TERMS OF SAFETY AND SECURITY, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US, AND FEEL LIKE WE'VE PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT AND ATTENTION TO THIS.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PEOPLE STAYING WITH US AS WELL, AND WE KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO OUR STAFF.
CONTROLLED ACCESS TO THE BUILDING IS NUMBER 1.
IT IS SO CRITICAL TO REALLY JUST HAVE CONTROL OF WHO'S COMING IN AND OUT OF THE BUILDING.
AGAIN, THOSE GATES WILL BE INSTALLED.
THERE ARE CAMERAS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR THAT ARE MONITORED BY STAFF 24 HOURS A DAY.
OF COURSE, THOSE LIGHTING UPGRADES WILL HELP AS WELL.
WE WILL HAVE TRAINED STAFF ON SITE 24 HOURS A DAY.
THEY CONDUCT HOURLY WALK THROUGHS OF THE BUILDING, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR AS WELL.
OF COURSE, THE PROGRAM RULES AND THE CURFEW, BAG SEARCHES EVERY TIME SOMEONE ENTERS THE BUILDING,
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WE DO SEARCH THEM AND JUST ARE LOOKING FOR THE MESSAGE REALLY GETS ACROSS TO PEOPLE, THAT YOU DO NOT BRING DRUGS, ALCOHOL, OR WEAPONS ONTO THIS PROPERTY.OFTEN WE FIND THAT IF PEOPLE DO HAVE A WEAPON, IT'S USUALLY THEY'RE CARRYING SOMETHING TO TRY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.
WHEN THEY'RE ON THE STREET, THEY'RE NOT CARRYING SOMETHING.
THEY'RE NOT CARRYING GUNS. THEY MAY BE CARRYING SOMETHING THAT YOU MAY NOT EVEN REALLY CONSIDER A WEAPON.
BUT WE STILL DON'T ALLOW THOSE THINGS.
OF COURSE, THE SPRINKLER INSTALLATION IS A BIG SAFETY AND SECURITY THING FOR US.
WE WOULD NEVER WANT TO OPERATE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS IN A BUILDING THAT DOESN'T HAVE THAT LIFE SAVING SITUATION.
OF COURSE, WE HAVE HOT ROOM PROTOCOLS FOR PEOPLE'S PERSONAL ITEMS, SO THAT IS A ROOM THAT EVERYONE'S ITEMS GO INTO.
IF YOU TOURED RESTART, YOU SAW OUR HOT ROOM.
THAT'S ANOTHER REALLY IMPORTANT THING BECAUSE WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE'S STUFF GOES IN THERE AS A UNIVERSAL PRECAUTION TO KILL ANY INFESTATION OF ANY KIND.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO TREAT, AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE SAFE IN THAT WAY AS WELL.
WE HAVE STAFF WHO ARE READILY AVAILABLE IN OUR CLINICAL SERVICES TEAM, AS WELL AS JOHNSON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH WILL BE PART OF THE TEAM AS WELL TO REALLY CREATE SAFETY PLANS WITH FOLKS WHO MIGHT BE STRUGGLING WITH SUICIDAL IDEATION OR THOUGHTS.
OUR STAFF RECEIVE A NUMBER OF SAFETY AND SECURITY TRAININGS, INCLUDING AN IMPORTANT DE-ESCALATION TRAINING AND CPR FIRST AID AND TRAUMA INFORMED CARE.
WITHIN THE MANAGEMENT PLAN, WE HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY EMERGENCY PLANS OUTLINED.
I WON'T GO THROUGH ANY OF THEM REALLY.
JUST TO HIGHLIGHT HERE FOR YOU, THE MORE DETAILED PLAN IS IN THE MANAGEMENT PLAN.
WE'RE ACCUSTOMED TO OBVIOUSLY HANDLING THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SITUATIONS AND THESE PLANS.
IN TERMS OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND PARTNERSHIPS, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT, FOR FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE NECESSARY SERVICES THAT THEY MIGHT NEED.
THE FIRST ONE REALLY STARTS WITH US; SO PROVIDING THOSE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL AND PREVENTION ACTIVITIES AND LIFE SKILLS AND BUDGETING, AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
CASE MANAGEMENT IS REALLY A KEY HERE BECAUSE THE CASE MANAGER IS REALLY A BROKER OF SERVICES, AND SO THEY MAY NOT RECEIVE EVERY SERVICE ON SITE, AND WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO RECEIVE EVERY SERVICE ON SITE.
WE WANT THEM TO GET CONNECTED TO SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY CAN BE CONNECTED TO LONG TERM.
THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT SKILL TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH FOLKS ON.
WE PROVIDED A SCHEDULE CALENDAR OF WHAT THOSE ACTIVITIES LOOK LIKE FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, AS WELL AS WHEN CASE MANAGEMENT STAFF WILL BE ON-SITE, REALLY WORKING WITH FOLKS.
THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROVIDED BY OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE JOHNSON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH, JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, HEALTH PARTNERSHIP, CLINIC, AND WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP.
THOSE ARE REALLY CRITICAL AS WELL, BUT A LOT OF THOSE WILL BE PROVIDED OFF SITE.
NOW, WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE ON-SITE MAY LOOK LIKE, BUT THOSE WOULD BE ADDITIONAL ICING ON THE CAKE.
WE RESTART WILL BE MAINTAINING THE MAJORITY OF THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ON A DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION, AS WELL AS WE HAVE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL OFTEN SAY, CAN WE COME IN AND DO A PROGRAM? CAN WE COME IN AND OFFER THIS? SOME OF THOSE THINGS WILL CHANGE AND EVER GROW AS THE PROGRAM GROWS AND CHANGES.
I THINK THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER, AND THESE FOUR ORGANIZATIONS HAVE PROVIDED LETTERS OF COMMITMENT SAYING, WE'RE IN.
WE WILL PROVIDE BOTH ON AND OFF-SITE PROGRAMS AND ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE.
IN TERMS OF THE STAFFING PLAN, THE OPERATIONAL HOURS HAVE BEEN DECLARED AS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8:00 AM TO 6:00 PM.
BY CODE, DURING THOSE OPERATIONAL HOURS FOR 50 PEOPLE, WE NEED TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF SIX STAFF, WHICH WE HAVE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING 6-9 STAFF DURING THAT TIME.
THE HOURS IN WHICH PEOPLE WILL BE THERE, AND WE'VE PROVIDED THAT HOURLY BREAKDOWN.
IN THE EVENING, THAT SHIFTS A LITTLE BIT OUTSIDE OF THE OPERATIONAL HOURS.
WE HAVE AGREED TO PROVIDE 5-6 STAFF DURING THE EVENING HOURS,
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AND STAFF SUPPORTED AT LEAST FIVE DURING THAT TIME.FOR OVERNIGHT, WE COMMITTED TO FOUR STAFF AND STAFF SUPPORTED AND REQUESTED FOUR STAFF DURING THAT TIME.
OF COURSE, VARYING TYPES OF POSITIONS FROM OUR DIRECTOR TO MANAGER TO CASE MANAGERS TO OUR GUEST SUPPORT SERVICES AND COUNSELOR TECHS ARE REALLY THE FOLKS THAT ARE THERE IN 24-HOUR A DAY CAPACITY, HOUSEKEEPING MAINTENANCE.
THE ADDITIONAL OUTSIDE SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE NOT REALLY FACTORED INTO THIS OTHER THAN WE HAVE ONE LINE IN THERE FOR THAT DURING OPERATIONAL HOURS THAT WOULD BE FILLED BY VARYING PEOPLE, INCLUDING OUR ADDITIONAL STAFF FROM RESTART DURING THAT TIME.
WE DO BELIEVE THIS PLAN IS A VIABLE TRANSPORTATION PLAN.
THE SITE IS CENTRALLY LOCATED, AND IT'S CLOSEST TO THE BEST PUBLIC TRANSIT OPTIONS IN JOHNSON COUNTY.
WHILE I WISH I COULD FIX THE PUBLIC TRANSIT PROBLEMS ALL ACROSS THIS METRO, I CANNOT, BUT WE ARE DEFINITELY WILLING TO BE AN ADVOCATE AND PARTNER IN HELPING DO THAT.
OUR CASE MANAGERS DO PROVIDE 90% OF THE TRANSPORTATION FOR FOLKS.
THEY WILL GET THEM TO AND FROM AS THEY'RE COMING INTO THE PROGRAM, AS THEY'RE EXITING THE PROGRAM, AS THEY'RE LOOKING FOR HOUSING, AS THEY'RE APPLYING FOR JOBS, AS THEY'RE NEEDING TO GET IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS, GO TO APPOINTMENTS, GET CONNECTED TO EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.
WE SEE ABOUT 10% OF GUESTS HAVE THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION.
AS I SAID, THE INTAKES WILL BE SCHEDULED, AND OF COURSE, GUESTS MAY USE PUBLIC TRANSIT.
MICROTRANSIT IS ALSO AVAILABLE, AND THAT DOES PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REGIONAL ACCESS, WHICH IS ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT.
I ALREADY MENTIONED THE CASE MANAGERS, THE TRANSPORTATION FOR EMPLOYMENT.
WHILE WE WISH WE COULD TAKE EVERYONE TO THEIR JOB EVERY DAY IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION FOR US.
BUT CASE MANAGERS WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH PEOPLE A WHEN THEY ARE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT.
WHERE THEY MAY POTENTIALLY WANT TO LIVE EVENTUALLY IS IMPORTANT IN THAT FACTOR, AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION.
CASE MANAGERS ARE GOING TO WORK ONE ON ONE WITH PEOPLE TO DEVELOP A TRANSPORTATION PLAN.
LIKE HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN GET TO AND FROM THIS JOB EVERY DAY? THOSE THINGS CAN INCLUDE PUBLIC TRANSIT, PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION, EVEN RIDESHARE.
RIDESHARE DOES PICK UP GUESTS FROM RESTART EVERY SINGLE DAY.
MICROTRANSIT HAS ALSO SAID THEY WILL ABSOLUTELY PICK UP RIDERS FROM THIS LOCATION.
>> THE JOHNSON COUNTY TRANSIT STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS BEGINS IN EARLY 2025, AND THEY'RE COMMITTED, AND THEY PROVIDED A LETTER THAT'S ALSO IN THE PACKET TO WORKING THROUGH ADDITIONAL NEEDS OR MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN THE FUTURE TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE TRANSIT ACCESS.
I THINK AN IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE HERE, TOO, IS THAT FOLKS WHO UTILIZE PUBLIC TRANSIT ARE USED TO LIVING THEIR LIFE AROUND A TRANSIT SCHEDULE.
FOR A LOT OF US WHO HAVE NEVER HAD TO DO THAT, IT MAY SEEM LIKE THERE'S NOT A LOT OF TRANSIT OPTIONS AVAILABLE, THIS WILL NEVER WORK BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT EVERY DAY.
BUT WE SEE PEOPLE EVERY DAY WHO UTILIZE PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND THEY HAVE DONE IT THEIR WHOLE LIFE, MOST OF THEM.
THEY ARE ACCUSTOMED TO HAVING TO ADJUST WHAT TIME THEY HAVE TO LEAVE FOR WORK, WHAT TIME THEY HAVE TO LEAVE FOR APPOINTMENT? WHEN DOES THE BUS SCHEDULE RUN? WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? I THINK THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT THING TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN LOOKING AT THE TRANSPORTATION PLAN AS WELL.
IN TERMS OF THE COMMUNICATION PLAN, WE PROVIDED, OF COURSE, A CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN, AS WELL AS AN EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION PLAN THAT WE DO BELIEVE IS SUFFICIENT TO STAY CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY AROUND US.
WE OF COURSE, MET WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN BOTH LENEXA AND OVERLAND PARK.
WE PLAN TO COULD BE MEMBERS OF THOSE CHAMBERS AS WE ARE IN KANSAS CITY AND BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED, AND FOR THOSE BUSINESSES TO KNOW US AND FOR US TO KNOW THEM AND KEEP THOSE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN.
FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE HAVE HOSTED A NUMBER OF MEETINGS.
WE HOSTED TWO TARGETED ONES, AND,
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OF COURSE, TWO LARGER ONES ACROSS JOHNSON COUNTY AS WELL.WE PROPOSE TO STAY IN CONTACT WITH THOSE NEIGHBORS AND BUSINESSES BY ALSO HAVING A MONTHLY OPEN HOUSE.
WE DO THIS IN KANSAS CITY ONCE A MONTH, ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS WELCOME TO JUST SHOW UP.
WE OFFER A TOUR AND CONVERSATION AND COFFEE, AND IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BE ABLE TO LEARN MORE, OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.
WE'VE SET UP AN EMAIL AS WELL FOR FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN CONTACT WITH US, TO REACH US.
OF COURSE, FOLKS CAN CALL OR COME BY, AS WELL.
WE'VE COMMITTED TO ONGOING MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATION WITH LENEXA AND OVERLAND PARK POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND INCLUDING HAVING A DEDICATED LIAISON THAT WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
OUTREACH WORKERS WILL ALSO MAINTAIN STRONG BUSINESS CONNECTIONS WITH BUSINESSES IN THE AREA AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THAT'S ANOTHER REALLY IMPORTANT KEY FACTOR BECAUSE WE WANT THE BUSINESSES TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH US AND WITH THE STREET OUTREACH WORKERS.
IF THEY EVER HAVE AN ISSUE OR CONCERN OR HAVE SOMEONE THAT KEEPS COMING AROUND, THAT THEY WANT TO HAVE US CHECK ON THEM.
IT'S A MUCH MORE USABLE RESOURCE TO RELY UPON THAN CALLING 911.
WE WANT THEM TO UTILIZE COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE AND THAT ARE EXPANDING IN JOHNSON COUNTY TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT.
I ALREADY MENTIONED THE MEMBERSHIP WITH THE CHAMBERS.
TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE STAFF CONCERNS, AS SHARED PREVIOUSLY, WE DID HAVE NINE MEETINGS, THREE ROUNDS OF COMMENTS.
WE'VE SHARED A TIMELINE DOCUMENT.
THE CONCERNS WE'RE NOT RAISED UNTIL THE REPORT CAME OUT.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS AROUND THE NEED FOR INCREASED LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCERNS, SO THERE'S NO WAY WE COULD HAVE BEGAN TO ADDRESS THOSE UNTIL WE KNEW THAT THEY WERE A CONCERN.
AS FAR AS IT BEING INCONSISTENT WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD, I THINK WE'VE ALREADY TOUCHED ON THAT THIS IS ALLOWABLE IN THIS DISTRICT WITH A SPECIAL USE PERMIT.
FEEL LIKE THE IMPACT TO THAT IS MINIMAL TO 13 BUSINESSES.
THE HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER WILL BE INVESTING $3.3 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SITE.
AGAIN, THE NATURE OF THE HOTEL AND THE HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER IS VERY SIMILAR.
WHEN WE HELD A BUSINESS MEETING, WE ALSO HEARD FROM BUSINESSES WHO SAID THEY HAVE LOST BUSINESS CURRENTLY BECAUSE OF ENCOUNTERS WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, TOO, BECAUSE AS LONG AS FOLKS DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO GO, THAT IMPACT IS ONLY GOING TO INCREASE FOR BUSINESSES.
SEVERAL BUSINESSES THEY RECOGNIZE THAT FOLKS DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO, AND SO THEY SAW THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GO.
SEVERAL OF THE NEARBY BUSINESSES WERE EXCITED TO HIRE PEOPLE.
THEY SAID THEY HAVE POSITIONS OPEN THAT THEY CANNOT HIRE FOR, AND WERE ALREADY INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH US.
IN TERMS OF THE ISSUES RAISED HERE, WE HAVE OFFERED A NUMBER OF ACCOMMODATIONS TO THE CITY THAT WE'RE DECLINED, INCLUDING SETTING ASIDE MONEY FROM A FUNDER TO HELP FUND LAW ENFORCEMENT, INCLUDING ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT THAT WE WOULD FUND WITH ROAMERS WHO COULD BE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD REALLY ADDRESSING ISSUES AND THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP.
WE DEFINITELY COME TO THIS IN WANTING TO, AS WE HAVE THROUGH THIS WHOLE PROCESS, THERE'S A COMPROMISE TO BE MADE.
WHATEVER THE CONCERNS ARE, THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN MITIGATE THOSE.
WE UNFORTUNATELY JUST DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT, SO WE COULDN'T THROW OUT THE IDEAS TO MITIGATE THOSE UNTIL JUST RECENTLY.
AGAIN, THE PROJECT 1020 IS A COLD WEATHER SHELTER.
IT DOES PROMOTE DROP-OFFS AND WALK-UPS.
IT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT TYPE OF OPERATION.
I WILL SHARE WITH YOU THAT OUR CURRENT LOCATION IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, WE ARE REFERRAL-BASED, AND WE DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OTHERS DROPPING PEOPLE OFF AT OUR SHELTER.
NOW, WE'VE BEEN OPERATING THAT WAY FOR A WHILE.
THE COMMUNITY KNOWS, PEOPLE KNOW, SURROUNDING AREA KNOWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT KNOWS THAT THIS IS HOW THE PROJECT WORKS.
[01:25:02]
WE BELIEVE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WILL ABSOLUTELY BE REPLICATED IN WHAT WE SEE HERE.IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE STRONG COMMUNICATION AND MESSAGING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW THE ENTRY DOES WORK.
WE DO BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE MINIMAL TYPES OF ACTIVITY LIKE THAT AT THIS LOCATION.
[NOISE] IN TERMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES, NOT HAVING AN ANSWER FOR PEOPLE IS VERY EXPENSIVE.
IT COSTS 18 TIMES MORE TO JUST ONLY HAVE AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
EVEN THAT RESPONSE DOESN'T OFTEN SOLVE THEIR HOMELESSNESS.
IN THE DATA THAT WE WERE ABLE TO CAPTURE, THERE WERE ABOUT 0.84 CALLS PER DAY TO THE CURRENT LOCATION AS A HOTEL OPERATOR.
RESTART ACTUAL DATA REFLECTS ABOUT 0.86 CALLS PER DAY, AND WE HAVE ABOUT 150 PEOPLE IN OUR BUILDING.
WE'RE PROPOSING OBVIOUSLY 50% LESS PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING.
IF WE WERE TO APPLY THAT LOGIC, WE'D BE AT 0.43 CALLS PER DAY, WHICH IS LESS THAN WHAT'S CURRENTLY HAPPENING AT THE HOTEL.
WE FEEL LIKE THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A NEED FOR INCREASED LAW ENFORCEMENT.
HOWEVER, WE UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN, WHICH IS WHY WE'VE OFFERED TO FUNDING TO HELP OFFSET THAT IF THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS.
THE NON-CONGREGATE SHELTER STYLE OBVIOUSLY REDUCES CALLS, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, HAVING 24 HOURS A DAY TRAIN STAFF IS ALSO IMPORTANT AND VERY DIFFERENT FROM PROJECT 1020.
WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE DATA SUPPORTS THAT THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE, ACTUALLY A REDUCTION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE STORY THAT CHIEF SHARED ABOUT OFFICER HINGLE.
WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE OFFICERS DOING AMAZING WORK IN THIS COMMUNITY EVERY DAY.
THE CIT TRAINING THAT THEY EMPLOY IS REALLY CRITICAL AND IMPORTANT.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHILE THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT, IF THERE WAS A CENTER LIKE THIS, OFFICER HINGLE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS HE DID ON THAT CALL BECAUSE THAT PERSON COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CENTER, AND HE COULD HAVE BEEN RESPONDING TO OTHER MORE EMERGENT CALLS THAT ARE NEEDED IN THE COMMUNITY.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REFLECT UPON THE GAINS THAT A COMMUNITY HAS BY HAVING A CENTER LIKE THIS.
YOU MAY SHIFT RESOURCES IN SOME WAY, BUT YOU'RE NOT NECESSARILY INCREASING THE NEED FOR RESOURCES.
IN TERMS OF UNCERTAINTY IN THE MANAGEMENT PLAN, WE FEEL THAT ALL THE COMPONENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED AND NEEDED AND NECESSARY ARE INCLUDED IN THAT.
AGAIN, IN THE SERVICES, WE'VE PROVIDED A SCHEDULE AND STAFFING ROLES AND PLANS AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
THE BUDGET INFORMATION, WE HAVE HAPPILY OBLIGED TO PROVIDING HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS THROUGH THIS PROCESS BECAUSE IT'S BEEN IMPORTANT TO US THAT THE CITY STAFF AND THAT THE COMMUNITY REALLY UNDERSTAND THIS PROJECT.
WE DIDN'T HAVE TO HOLD ANY COMMUNITY MEETINGS, BUT WE HELD SIX BECAUSE WE WANTED PEOPLE TO KNOW, TO HAVE THE RIGHT INFORMATION.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WITHIN THAT, WE DID PROVIDE A 10-YEAR BUDGET AND PERFORMA.
THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATING FUNDS ARE GUARANTEED AND PROVIDED AND UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF NON-PROFITS.
THERE'S NOT A NON-PROFIT IN THIS COUNTRY THAT CAN SIT HERE AND TELL YOU THEIR EXACT FUNDING SOURCE IN THREE YEARS.
IT JUST DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY.
WE HAVE ANNUALLY, WE'RE SEEKING AND SEARCHING FUNDING.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT RESTART HAS A 44-YEAR HISTORY OF RAISING THOSE FUNDS TO KEEP PROGRAMS OPERATING AND TO KEEP EXPANDING PROGRAMS. WE'RE VERY CAPABLE OF DOING THAT.
WE'VE APPLIED A VERY DIVERSIFIED FUNDING STRATEGY TO THIS PROJECT ON PURPOSE, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IN 44 YEARS IS THAT YOU CAN'T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET.
YOU NEED TO DIVERSIFY WHERE YOUR MONEY'S COMING FROM AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING UNITS WOULD GENERATE SOME ADDITIONAL INCOME THAT WOULD ALSO HELP TO SUSTAIN THAT BUDGET.
OVER HALF OF THE CITIES ACROSS JOHNSON COUNTY HAVE BEEN EARLY ADOPTERS AND HAVE COMMITTED AND PLEDGED THEIR FUNDING FOR OPERATING SUPPORT TO THIS PROJECT.
THE LARGER COMMUNITIES ARE WAITING FOR THIS APPROVAL,
[01:30:01]
AND THEY'RE READY TO TAKE UP THE MATTER UPON THE APPROVAL OF THIS PROJECT.IT'S BEEN NOTED A COUPLE OF TIMES THAT THERE'S A DEFICIT IN THE BUDGET.
THERE'S NOT A DEFICIT IN THE BUDGET, THAT'S THE FUNDING STRATEGY.
THE MONEY WE'RE ASKING FOR THAT CONTRIBUTION, WE'VE BEEN ASKING FROM DAY 1 TO SAY THAT THIS IS HOW YOU CREATE A PROGRAM WITH A DIVERSIFIED FUNDING STRATEGY.
IN TERMS OF TRANSPORTATION, WE DO FEEL LIKE THAT PLAN HAS BEEN SATISFIED.
WE WILL BE PROVIDING THE MAJORITY OF THAT TRANSPORTATION.
AGAIN, I CANNOT FIX ALL OF JOHNSON COUNTY'S PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES, BUT WE KNOW THAT JOHNSON COUNTY TRANSIT STANDS READY TO BE A PART OF THAT AS WELL.
IN COMMUNICATION, WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A STRONG PLAN TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN TOUCH AND TO HAVE OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION WITH BOTH BUSINESSES, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND, OF COURSE, LAW ENFORCEMENT.
SO WHY VOTE YES, TO THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT.
WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME AND THE RIGHT SOLUTION.
IT IS DANGEROUS FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING OUTSIDE, IT IS DANGEROUS TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO OUR OVERALL VITALITY.
IT IS ALLOWABLE BY ZONING, AND WE BELIEVE THIS PROJECT DOES MEET TIF GOALS AND HAS MINIMAL IMPACT.
THE HOTEL AND SHELTER BOTH PROVIDE INTERIM HOUSING SOLUTIONS, BUT OUR PROPOSED USE WHILE REMAINS SIMILAR, WE ARE PROPOSING WAY MORE STAFF, SECURITY, AND RESOURCES THAN CURRENT OPERATIONS.
IT WOULD CREATE AN AMAZING PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO REALLY ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS AND PUT US ON A PATH TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS IN JOHNSON COUNTY.
WE BELIEVE THERE IS A STRONG, COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN WITH 24-HOUR OPERATION IS SECURE, RUN BY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL STAFF, AND WE HAVE STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR ADDITIONAL WRAP AROUND SERVICES.
NINETY PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE FROM OUR PROGRAMS EXIT TO SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING, WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING AND OUR GOAL IS TO GET PEOPLE HOUSED.
WE DO NOT WANT TO PUT A BAND AID ON PEOPLE EVERY DAY AND SEND THEM RIGHT BACK OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY, OUR GOAL IS AN EXIT TO SAFE STABLE HOUSING, WHICH OFTENTIMES INCLUDES GETTING A BETTER JOB.
WE KNOW THAT FROM THE DATA, THERE ARE MORE THAN HALF THE PEOPLE IN JOHNSON COUNTY WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON THE STREET TODAY WHO HAVE A JOB.
THIS IS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE FIND THE RIGHT HOUSING SOLUTION AND MATCH THEIR INCOME TO WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
AGAIN, WE STAND READY TO CONTINUE TO OFFER THE ACCOMMODATIONS TO HELP MITIGATE THE CONCERNS OF CITY STAFF AND TO WORK THROUGH THOSE SOLUTIONS.
WE HAVE SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION.
WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THIS SPECIAL USE PERMIT SUBMITTED BY RESTART UNDER THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AS A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY RESTART.
WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE CONSIDER THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT BASED ON THE MERIT OF THE APPLICATION AND THE PROJECT VERSUS SPECULATION OR WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS.
WE STAND READY TO MITIGATE THOSE CONCERNS TODAY AND AS BEING A PARTNER IN THIS PROJECT AND IN THIS COMMUNITY ON ANY CONCERNS THAT MAY ARISE IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.