[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:11]
[SWEARING IN CEREMONY]
STARTING. IT'S A SPECIAL NIGHT HERE ON THE NEXT SUMMARY.WE START WITH OUR SWEARING IN OF OUR NEW AND RETURNING COUNCIL MEMBERS.
STARTING FIRST, JOHN MICHAEL HANLEY, WORD ONE.
IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> TRYING TO GET THE MIC ON. TO SINCERELY AND TRULY.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS.
>> FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> OF THE CITY OF LENEXA KANSAS.
>> OF THE CITY OF LENEXA KANSAS.
>> UNDER THE PAINS AND PENALTIES OF PERJURY.
>> UNDER THE PAINS AND PENALTIES OF PERJURY.
>> MICHAEL, WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOUR FAMILY AND GUESTS.
>> PLEASE INTRODUCE YOUR FAMILY AND GUESTS.
>> JOINING US TODAY. I HAVE MY VERY SPECIAL MOM, TAMMY HANDLEY.
>> [APPLAUSE] I HAVE MY HUSBAND WHO TOLERATED ME THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS, GRANT WILLIAMS, [APPLAUSE] AND MY GOOD FRIEND AND SUPPORTER ERIN ALDRIDGE. [APPLAUSE]
>> UP NEXT, BILL NICK IN WORD TWO.
>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS.
>> THE DUTIES OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THE DUTIES OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> OF THE CITY OF LENEXA KANSAS.
>> OF THE CITY OF LENEXA KANSAS.
>> NOW, I WANT TO INTRODUCE THE FAMILY THAT CAME WITH ME.
[LAUGHTER] THIS IS GIBSON, THIS IS ELLIOTT, THIS IS CALVIN, THIS IS HOMER, THIS IS VILA, AND THIS IS OTIS.
NOW, COOPER IS IN MANHATTAN, AND SYDNEY IS IN LAWRENCE.
THEY COULDN'T COME TONIGHT BECAUSE THEY'RE STUDYING. WHY IS THAT FUNNY?
>> TAKE A PICTURE WITH GRANDPA.
>> STAY HERE. NOW, HERE'S MY SON, BILLY, AND HIS WIFE, MORGAN, AND MY DAUGHTER, STACEY AND HER HUSBAND, BRETT, MY DAUGHTER, EMILY, AND HER HUSBAND, GRANT, AND MY WIFE MERCY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE].
>> FOR THE FINAL TIME, WE WANT TO THANK MELANIE ARROYO AND MICHAEL FOR THEIR SERVICE.
[00:05:01]
NEXT, WE HAVE AVERY BELL IN WORD THREE.>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> DO SOLEMNLY, SINCERELY, AND TRULY.
>> DO SOLEMNLY AND SINCERELY AND TRULY.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS.
>> THE DUTIES OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> THE DUTIES OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.
>> OF THE CITY OF LENEXA KANSAS.
>> OF THE CITY OF LENEXA KANSAS.
>> UNDER THE PAINS AND PENALTIES OF PERJURY.
>> UNDER THE PAINS AND PENALTIES OF PERJURY.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE].
I'VE GOT MY OWN. [LAUGHTER] THAT'S RIGHT.
>> JOINING YOU TONIGHT, AVERY?
>> MY WIFE, CARLA, AND MY MOM, MELINDA. YOU'RE WELCOME TO THE [APPLAUSE]
>> COME TAKE A SEAT. YOU WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE, PLEASE DO.
>> IF YOU WOULD, YOU MAY TAKE YOUR SEAT ON THE [INAUDIBLE]
>> FINALLY, WE HAVE CRAIG DENNY IN WORD FOUR.
>> IF YOU'D RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND, AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS.
>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS.
>> FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.
>> FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.
>> OF THE CITY OF LENEXA KANSAS.
>> OF THE CITY OF LENEXA KANSAS.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE].
[LAUGHTER] BILLY'S HERE, SO I'M HAPPY TO SEE BILLY.
A FEW OTHER FRIENDS. I'M GLAD STAFF CAME.
YOU'RE MY ONLY FRIENDS HERE TONIGHT. [LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]
>> WELL, ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US, YOU WANT TO SPEND AN EXTRA MINUTE THANKING THE FAMILIES FOR SHARING YOUR LOVED ONES WITH US.
YOU SERVE THE CITY JUST AS MUCH AS WE DO.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON WITH OUR REGULAR AGENDA.
IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO STAY, YOU'RE WELCOME TO LEAVE AT THIS POINT.
JENNIFER, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ROLL.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBER HANDLEY?
>> MAYOR SAYERS IS PRESENT AND PRESIDING.
>> THANK YOU, JENNIFER. ANY CORRECTIONS TO
[APPROVE MINUTES]
THE DRAFT MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 18TH CITY COUNCIL MEETING? HEARING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.MOTION BY CRAIG. SECOND BY CHELSEA. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THOSE OPPOSED? MINUTES ARE APPROVED.
JENNIFER, ANY MODIFICATIONS THIS EVENING?
>> GREAT. WE HAVE THREE PRESENTATIONS THIS EVENING.
[PRESENTATIONS]
WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE UNITED COMMUNITY SERVICES ANNUAL REPORT, MIKE.>> I AM JUST HERE TO INTRODUCE FOR YOU, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, ERICA GARCIA REES, WITH THE UNITED COMMUNITY SERVICES OF JOHNSON COUNTY, TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON TWO THINGS.
ONE BEING THE SUBSTANCE USE CONTINUUM OF CARE FUND,
[00:10:02]
WHICH IS A BALANCE OF OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS AND THE ALCOHOL TAX FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVE AS A CITY AND HAVE TO USE FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL PREVENTION PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS A HUMAN SERVICE FUND, WHICH GOES TO SUPPORT A MYRIAD OF DIFFERENT HUMAN SERVICES THAT UCS ADMINISTERS ON OUR BEHALF. ERICA?>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT COME TO YOU TONIGHT FROM THE DRUG AND ALCOHOLISM COUNCIL.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO SHARE ALL OF THIS REPORT.
IT WAS PART OF YOUR PACKET TODAY, BUT IT IS ABOUT 35 PLUS PAGES LONG, SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND JUST GO OVER THE HIGHLIGHTS OF IT.
AS A REMINDER, THE SUBSTANCE USE CONTINUUM OF CARE FUND IS A COMPOSITION OF THE ALCOHOL TAX FUND.
THIS IS DERIVED FROM A STATE EXCISE TAX ON LIQUOR SOLD BY THE DRINK, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1980 PER STATUE, PART OF THE REVENUE GENERATED IS RETURNED TO THE JURISDICTION.
IN WHICH IT WAS COLLECTED WITH A STIPULATION THAT A SPECIFIED PORTION BE USED FOR PROGRAMS WHOSE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE IS ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION OR TREATMENT.
THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS ARE ALSO SPECIAL PURPOSE, SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS DISTRIBUTED BY THE KANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO MUNICIPALITIES THAT JOIN THE STATE WIDE OPIOID SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.
THE OSF FUNDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ALLOCATED THROUGHOUT 2040 AS SETTLEMENTS ARE PAID OUT.
THE OSF ALLOWS THE EXPANSION OF THE PREVENTION CONTINUUM OF CARE IN THE EARLIER STAGES IN ADDRESSING THE ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, WHICH MIGHT BE TRAUMATIC EVENTS THAT OCCUR ANYWHERE 0-17-YEARS-OLD.
IN THE LATER STAGES, ALSO, ADDRESSING TREATMENT AND REINTEGRATION IN THE COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, THE DRUG AND ALCOHOLISM, OUR MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, MEDICAL, PROFESSIONAL, SCHOOL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERTISE.
THEY USE 3-5 YEARS OF PRIORITIES DEVELOPED THROUGH A FORMAL PLANNING AND RESEARCH PROCESS THAT INCLUDES THE INPUT OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS, CURRENT REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND ANALYSIS OF DATA FOR JOHNSON COUNTY.
THE CURRENT ONE ACTUALLY EXPIRES IN 2028.
HERE WE WANT TO THANK THE PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING YOURSELF FOR CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THOSE ALCOHOL TAX FUNDS, WHICH HAS TYPICALLY CONSISTED OF 10 JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING YOURSELF AND JOHNSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
THE OSF FUNDS CONSISTS OF SIX JURISDICTIONS PLUS JOHNSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
IN 2024, OVER 90,000 RESIDENTS DIRECTLY BENEFITED FROM SUF SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, AND THIS WAS THE LAST GRANT CYCLE.
FOR 2026, THE DRUG AND ALCOHOLISM COUNCIL REVIEWED 22 APPLICATIONS, INCLUDING ONE NEW APPLICANT REQUESTING NEARLY $3.5 MILLION IN FUNDING.
THE FUNDING GAP, SO MEANING THE EXCESS AMOUNT THAT THE APPLICANTS REQUESTED WAS ABOUT $450,000.
YOU WILL SEE IN THE REPORT THAT MANY AGENCIES SUBMITTED REQUESTS, SEEKING INCREASES IN BOTH ATF AND OSF.
WHILE A FEW OTHER AGENCIES WERE SEEKING LEVEL FUNDING.
AGAIN, WE WERE ACTUALLY EXPECTING A FEW JURISDICTIONS TO DECREASE THE OVERALL OSF FUND, WHICH WOULD HAVE IMPACTED ACROSS THE BOARD.
SINCE WE WERE EXPECTING FOR THIS, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT ACTUALLY DECIDED TO INCREASE IN ATF AND NOT SUBMIT AN OSF REQUESTS.
THERE WAS DEFINITELY A LOT OF MOVING PARTS THIS YEAR.
FOR 2026, THE ACTUAL ALLOCATION INCLUDES 22 APPLICANTS THAT ARE RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING.
AGAIN, A COUPLE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE REPORT, BLUE VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT, DID NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, BUT DOES HAVE CARRYOVER OF OVER 44,000 TO USE IN 2026.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN NON-PROFIT AGENCIES AS THEY ACTUALLY OPERATE ON A PHYSICAL CYCLE THAT'S MID-YEAR TO MID-YEAR.
WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE THAT UNDERSTANDING.
A TOTAL OF SEVEN PROGRAMS WILL ALSO RECEIVE THEIR FULL REQUEST, MEANING THAT THERE WAS NO INCREASES REQUESTED FROM THE APPLICANT.
[00:15:01]
THEN THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE NEW GRANTEE DECA.DECA WILL PROVIDE PATIENT SERVICES, INCLUDING INTENSIVE TREATMENT, THERAPY, AND GROUP COUNSELING IN RESPONSE TO PREFERRED FAMILY HEALTH CARE CLOSURE OF THEIR OLETA OFFICES.
DECA HAS A REALLY STRONG REPUTATION THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF KANSAS, INCLUDING MOST RECENTLY WITH THEIR DISTRIBUTION OF NALOXONE BUT ALSO ARE LOCATED IN JOHNSON COUNTY THE CITY OF MICHIGAN.
>> INCREASED FUNDING WAS PROVIDED TO 13 PROGRAMS. I'LL HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THEM, WHICH WAS IN NCIRCLE.
THEY WERE FUNDED COMPLETELY THROUGH OSF.
THE ADDITIONAL $16,000 WILL SUPPORT A PORTION OF THE SALARIES FOR STAFF TO PROVIDE THE COLLEGE OF TRADE PROGRAMS TO ADULTS IN JOHNSON COUNTY'S THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY.
NCIRCLE COLLABORATES WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO OFFER THE COLLEGE OF TRADE PROGRAMS ON SITE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INCARCERATED IN THE RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT CENTER IN JOHNSON COUNTY.
THE COLLEGE OF TRADE PROVIDES EMPLOYMENT AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING.
AGAIN, WITH LIMITED FUNDING OF YOUR ORGANIZATIONS WERE PROVIDED WITH LEVEL FUNDING AS THEY CONTINUED TO PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE SUF CONTINUUM.
HOWEVER, OTHER AGENCIES WERE REDUCED ON THEIR AWARD BASED ON SPENDING.
THEN ONE APPLICANT THAT REQUESTED OSF DOLLARS WAS NOT FUNDED BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED FUNDS.
IN 2026, GRANTEES WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF MANY JOHNSON COUNTY RESIDENTS BY PROVIDING CRITICAL PROGRAMS AND SERVE FROM EDUCATION THROUGH TREATMENT, RECOVERY, AND REINTEGRATION, WHICH IS VITAL TO DECREASING DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE AND ADDICTION. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> ATF, OSF. ALL THE ACRONYMS.
>> THIS MIGHT NOT BE RELATED TO THE DRUG AND ALCOHOLISM, COUNSEL.
WHAT ABOUT GAMBLING ADDICTION? IS THERE ANY SUPPORT, FOR THOSE FOLKS STRUGGLING WITH THAT?
>> I BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO EXPLORE OTHER USES FOR THE OSF FUNDS, AS THAT COULD ALSO BE WHAT THEY CALL DUAL DIAGNOSIS.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S STILL CONVERSATIONS.
THE OSF FUNDS ARE STILL RELATIVELY NEWISH WITH THEIR FIRST COUPLE OF ALLOTMENTS COMING BACK TO THE CITIES, I BELIEVE IN 2022, 2023.
I THINK THAT THERE'S STILL A LITTLE BIT MORE EXPLORATION ON THOSE FUNDS.
>> OKAY. NINETY THOUSAND IS PRETTY BIG NUMBER. THANK YOU.
>> AWESOME. THE HUMAN SERVICES FUND IS A CRITICAL CITY COUNTY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN 14 CITIES PLUS JOHNSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT, PULL FUNDS OF GENERAL TAX DOLLARS INVESTED IN OUR HUMAN CAPITAL IN JOHNSON COUNTY THROUGH AN ANNUAL COMPETITIVE PROCESS THAT IS STRUCTURED BY UCS SINCE 1990.
THE DOLLARS ARE AWARDED TO NONPROFIT PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PRIMARILY TO RESIDENTS WHO LIVE WITH INCOME OR AT 200% FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.
THE GRANTEES ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT SEMI ANNUALLY.
WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF BENEFITS WITH ALL OF THIS INVESTMENT, WHICH INCLUDES THE INCREASED WORKFORCE, PRODUCTIVE ENGAGE MEMBERS, WHO PAY TAXES AND PURCHASE GOODS AND BILL RESILIENCE, BUT ALSO THERE'S BENEFITS TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH INVESTMENTS THAT REDUCES THE NEED FOR MORE COSTLY INTERVENTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AT THE PUBLIC EXPENSE, WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUSTICE SYSTEM AND HEALTH CARE.
IN THIS ONE, I'M EXCITED TO SHARE SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 2026 DOLLARS THAT YOU HAVE ALLOCATED TO HSF.
AGAIN, HSF IS INFORMED BY RESEARCH AND NEED IN JOHNSON COUNTY, SUCH AS WORKFORCE SUPPORT, LIKE GAPS IN CHILDCARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, JOB TRAINING, AS WELL AS EMERGENCY AID, AND SHELTER, ADEQUATE HOUSING, CHILD AND ADULT ABUSE, CHILD WELFARE, AND HEALTH CARE.
THE PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO BUILD SELF SUFFICIENCY AND WELL BEING, INCLUDING PERSONAL SAFETY.
THE IMPACT SO FAR FOR HSF HAS AWARDED ABOUT $8.5 MILLION
[00:20:04]
SINCE IT FIRST ORIGINATED TO SUPPORT JOHNSON COUNTY RESIDENTS IN NEED.IN 2024, OVER 65,000 JOHNSON COUNTY RESIDENTS WERE ABLE TO ACCESS OVER 200,000 UNITS OF SERVICE.
THIS INCLUDES UNITS, NIGHTS OF SAFE SHELTER THROUGH SALVATION ARMY, HEALTHCARE AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE.
THROUGH HEALTH PARTNERSHIP CLINIC, FOOD, RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE THROUGH CATHOLIC CHARITIES, JOB TRAINING THROUGH NCIRCLE, AND FINANCIAL COUNSELING THROUGH EL CENTRO.
FOR LENEXA RESIDENTS, WE WERE ABLE TO ASSIST OVER 3,380 2000 RESIDENTS.
THE UNITS OF SERVICE ARE TYPICALLY JUST AN INDICATOR OF HOW MANY TIMES DOES THAT PERSON COME BACK FOR ANOTHER SERVICE ENCOUNTER? AS FAR AS THE SUPPORT FOR HSF IN 2026, THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN FUNDING OF OVER 30,000, AND WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT.
OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN A FUNDING GAP OF ABOUT $100,000.
IN 2026, WE ARE ALSO USING SOME INTEREST TO BUMP UP THAT TOTAL.
BUT ALSO YOU'LL SEE IN THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE ALSO DECIDED TO PUT A MAXIMUM AWARD THIS YEAR AS WELL.
AS FAR AS OUR RECOMMENDATIONS, WE RECEIVED 20 APPLICATIONS, BUT ONLY 19 ARE RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING.
AGAIN, THIS IS A COMPETITIVE PROCESS, AND WE CONTINUE TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT SHORTAGE IN FUNDS COMPARED TO APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR BY NEARLY OVER 135,000.
THE REQUESTING TOTAL WAS 614,000.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE TWO SMALL GRANTEES AND 17 REGULAR GRANTEES AS A REMINDER FOR THE SMALL GRANTS.
THOSE ARE GRASS ROOTS, SMALL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE TRYING TO BUILD UP CAPACITY AND ALSO GATHER OTHER LEVELS OF FUNDING.
BOTH RETURNING GRANTEES IN THE SMALL GRANTS FOUNTAIN OF LIFE, AND ALSO COMMUNITY CENTER OF SHAWNEE PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT TO REDUCE BARRIERS FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.
AS FAR AS THE REGULAR GRANTS, 17 ARE RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING, INCLUDING A NEW GRANTEE MOCSA, THEIR FOCUS IS ON PREVENTING INCIDENTS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND ASSAULT.
THEY WORK TO EDUCATE STUDENTS PRE K THROUGH FIFTH GRADE, BUT THEN ALSO WORK UP TO HIGH SCHOOL.
THIS YEAR, NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING PATHWAY TO HOPE THEY ARE A CURRENT GRANTEE, BUT DUE TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT FACTORS, THE GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE DECIDED NOT TO PROVIDE THEM AN AWARD THIS YEAR.
WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM FOR A FUTURE CYCLE.
AS FAR AS THE FUNDING DISTRIBUTION, WE LIKE TO DISTRIBUTE OUT THROUGH THREE BUCKETS.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE THROUGH SHAWNEE COMMUNITY CENTER, JOB TRAINING SUPPORT FOR HIGH NEED POPULATIONS, LIKE NCIRCLE AND EXPANSIONS IN CHILDCARE SUPPORT THROUGH GROWING FUTURES AND CENTER OF GRACE.
I CAN READ ALL OF THOSE, BUT I WOULD ALSO JUST LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE BREAKOUT THAT'S DISPLAYED UP HERE.
OVERALL, WE'VE ALSO TRIED TO ENSURE THAT THAT WORK AND INCOME SUPPORT CATEGORY ALSO CONTINUES TO BECOME ROBUST, SO THEN THAT WAY INDIVIDUALS CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE SELF SUFFICIENCY.
BUT WE'RE VERY EXCITED FOR 2026 AND THE 19 GRANTEES THAT WERE RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING.
>> QUESTIONS ABOUT HS. THANK YOU AGAIN. IT'S GREAT UPDATE.
>> NEXT, WE WILL HEAR FROM FEDERICO DUERST ON A LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW. MIKE.
>> I DON'T THINK ANYTHING MORE NEEDS TO BE SAID.
I'D LIKE TO CALL STEPHEN AND MIHAILO UP TO THE PODIUM.
THE LEGISLATURE IS SOMETHING THAT WE OBVIOUSLY KEEP TRACK OF IN INTERIM, BUT IT DOESN'T OFFICIALLY START UNTIL JANUARY.
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BEST TO BRING THEM HERE IN DECEMBER TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF A PREVIEW OF WHAT IS TO BE EXPECTED FOR THE 2026 SESSION.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU HAVING US HERE THIS EVENING.
MY NAME IS STEPHEN DUERST, ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERICO DUERST CONSULTING FIRM.
WE ARE A FULL TIME GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SHOP IN TOPEKA.
WE HAVE FIVE FULL TIME LOBBYISTS, INCLUDING MYSELF,
[00:25:01]
JOHN FEDERICO, WHO IS NOT HERE THIS EVENING, MIHAILO ILICH, LIZ SOSA, ADAM LUSKER, AND TWO FULL TIME SUPPORT STAFF AND RESEARCH STAFF AS WELL.DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WE ALSO HAVE ANYWHERE FROM 5-7 LAW CLERKS.
I THINK THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SIX.
THAT HELPS US TRACK WHAT IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF LEGISLATION THAT IS GOING TO ROLL THROUGH TOPEKA THIS YEAR.
LAST SESSION, WE TRACKED 746 BILLS AS WERE INTRODUCED, AND ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF LENEXA, WE SPECIFICALLY LOOKED AT 328 BILLS.
THAT'S ABOUT 45% OF ALL LEGISLATION.
OF COURSE, NOT ALL OF THAT PASSES, BUT WE STILL NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHAT OCCURS.
I'M GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT.
WE JUST VERY BRIEFLY A SESSION PREVIEW.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY INTERESTING SESSION, A FAST SESSION.
WE ANTICIPATE IT TO BE ONE OF THE QUICKEST ON RECORD.
IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TRUE 90 DAY SESSION, AND THAT IS LIMITED BY THE CONSTITUTION, EVEN YEARS.
OFTENTIMES, THAT IS NOT ADHERED TO, THE BODY WILL VOTE TO EXTEND.
THIS YEAR, WE DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT THAT WILL OCCUR.
WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL BE OUT QUICKLY.
THIS IS ALL CLOUDED, OF COURSE, BY ELECTIONS.
ALL 125 HOUSE MEMBERS ARE GOING TO BE UP FOR ELECTION THIS COMING CYCLE.
THEN WE HAVE A NUMBER OF STATEWIDE OFFICES AS WELL THAT ARE UP FOR ELECTION, AND I KNOW YOU ARE ALL WELL AWARE OF THOSE.
AS A REMINDER, REPUBLICANS CONTROL A SUPERMAJORITY IN TOPEKA.
THEY PICKED UP THREE SEATS THIS LAST GENERAL ELECTION CYCLE, AND SO THEY CURRENTLY CONTROL IN THE HOUSE, 88 SEATS TO THE DEMOCRATS 37, AND THEY ALSO HAVE A SUPERMAJORITY IN THE SENATE.
IT'S JUST GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING.
THEN REAL BRIEFLY, I WANT TO MENTION, WE DID TRACK SEVERAL INTERIM COMMITTEES.
THEY HAD ABOUT 80 DAYS OF INTERIM COMMITTEES THIS SUMMER AND FALL.
IT'S A CHANCE FOR US TO EDUCATE TO LEARN.
THEY'RE NOT BINDING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE MADE, BUT NONETHELESS, IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY.
BEYOND THAT, THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, I COUNTED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE VISITED WITH 111 LAWMAKERS OF 165 OVER THE SUMMER AND FALL.
WE GO HAVE COFFEE, WE ATTEND FUND RAISERS, BUT I DID THAT QUICK CALCULATION, AND IT'S INCREDIBLY BENEFICIAL ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENTS WHEN WE CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING ON WHAT WE ANTICIPATE TO BE A VERY QUICK SESSION.
WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE, MIHAILO ILICH, WHO'S GOING TO TALK THROUGH A COUPLE OF AREAS.
I'LL FINISH WITH A FEW, AND THEN WE'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR DO WHATEVER THE COUNCIL WISHES.
>> ABSOLUTELY. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR SAYERS, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS MIHAILO ILICH WITH FEDERICO DUERST CONSULTING.
AS STEPHEN MENTIONED, I'LL HIGHLIGHT A FEW KEY POLICY AREAS THAT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE 2026 SESSION.
FIRST OFF, AS ALWAYS AS FIRST OFF, IS PROPERTY TAX REMAINS AS A KEY POINT ON OUR RADAR IN THE 2026 SESSION.
AS A RECAP LAST SESSION, THE KEY PRIORITY BY LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP WAS PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.
THERE WERE VARIOUS IDEAS PUT ON THE TABLE.
ULTIMATELY, THE HOUSE INTRODUCED THEIR ASTRA PLAN, WHICH IN SHORT IS A MIX OF THE R&R AND NOW DEFUNCT LAVTRF.
THE SENATE REMAINED STEADFAST IN THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE 3% CAP ON VALUATION INCREASES.
THAT'S NOT A CAP ON PROPERTY TAX INCREASES, RATHER, THE VALUATION INCREASES OF PROPERTY.
BOTH CHAMBERS SAW OPPOSITE ENDS ON ISSUES AND REJECTED THE OTHER'S BILL.
ULTIMATELY, THE STATE ONLY REMOVED THE STATE PORTION OF 1.5 MILLS OF PROPERTY TAX NOT IMPACTING LOCAL PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS.
THAT'S CAUSED A BIT OF A DIVIDE GOING INTO THE 2026 SESSION.
WE'RE IN A UNIQUE BIT OF A STALEMATE, IF YOU WILL, WHERE WE DON'T HAVE MUCH AGREEMENT ON SOME VERY COMPLEX POLICY AS WE HEAD INTO A SHORT SESSION.
WE KNOW THESE CONVERSATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE.
POLICY COULD MOVE QUICKLY, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE CITY TO BE A VOICE IN TOPEKA AS THAT POLICY IS DRAFTED.
ANOTHER ITEM THAT WE ARE ALWAYS ALERT OF IS LOCAL CONTROL.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RENEWAL OF THE STAR BONDS PROGRAM, WHICH IS SET TO SUNSET IN JULY OF 2026.
WE DO BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE EXTENSION OF THE STAR BONDS PROGRAM, BUT THIS ALSO OPENS UP STATUTE WHICH ALLOWS FOR OTHER GUARD RAILS AND PROVISIONS TO BE PUT ON INCENTIVES PROGRAMS,
[00:30:01]
NOT JUST THE STAR BONDS PROGRAM, BUT OTHER INCENTIVES LIKE TIFF AND OTHER PROGRAMS. ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE WATCHING FOR THE RETURN OF POLICY THAT WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED AGAINST IN THE PAST, POLICY LIKE NO IMPACT HOME BUSINESSES, RESTRICTIONS ON MUNICIPAL LITIGATION AND PUBLIC COMPETITION FOR TAX PURPOSES ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN IN THE 2026 SESSION.FINALLY, UTILITIES AND ZONING REMAIN TOP CONCERN.
JUST ON THE 21ST OF NOVEMBER, THERE WAS A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS THAT MET, AND THEY FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON CASES OF BROADBAND PROVIDERS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO RELOCATE SERVICES IN THE RIGHT OF WAY DUE TO CITY PROJECTS THAT ARE ORDERED AND THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF THOSE SERVICES IN THE RIGHT OF WAY.
WE'RE WATCHING THAT VERY CLOSELY.
WE DO EXPECT A BILL TO COME FORWARD THAT IS NARROWLY FOCUSED ON RELOCATION IN THE RIGHT OF WAY.
BUT AGAIN, WE WATCH THAT EXTREMELY CLOSELY AS IT TOUCHES ON FRANCHISE FEES AND RIGHT OF WAY.
I'LL PASS BACK TO STEPHEN FOR A FEW OTHER POLICY ITEMS.
>> JUST REAL QUICKLY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE.
WE'RE WORKING WITH A NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS ON PROPOSALS THAT THEY HAVE, AND WE'LL, OF COURSE, SEE COUNSEL OF STAFF AND THIS COUNCIL ON HOW TO PROCEED, AS WELL AS PUBLIC SAFETY.
THEY'RE LOOKING AT A NUMBER OF UPDATES TO THE FIRE CODE THROUGH AN ONGOING ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL.
>> THERE'S ALSO DISCUSSION IN RELATION TO THE AUTHORITY TO MANDATE POLICE AGENCIES TO WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER AGENCIES, INCLUDING FEDERAL AGENCIES.
THIS IS LARGELY AROUND THE WORLD CUP, BUT IT'S ALSO IMPACTED BY EFFORTS REGARDING ICE AND FEDERAL AGENTS.
SO WE WATCH A LOT UP THERE, AND THESE ARE JUST, I THINK, SOME OF THE TOPS OF THE TREES ITEMS. I'LL CLOSE MARY BY SAYING, AGAIN, WE'RE A FULL TIME SHOP.
JOHN FEDERICO HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR 30 YEARS.
I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW, BUT I'M HALFWAY THERE.
SO CERTAINLY WE BOTH HAVE THE NERVOUS TICK.
BUT IT'S AN HONOR TO REPRESENT LENEXA.
I THINK ONE THING THAT WE REALLY TRY TO DO FOR OUR CLIENTS, AND WE'VE DONE A COUPLE OF TIMES, THOUGH REALLY RECENTLY, IS WE REALLY TRIED TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES.
WE'RE VERY, VERY ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.
I HS AND LAWRENCE, LIZ'S AND GARDEN CITY.
GEOGRAPHICALLY, I THINK WE'RE VERY DIVERSE, BUT ALSO WE HAVE MET WITH THE TAX COMMITTEE AND HAVE BROUGHT STAFF AND THE MAYOR, THE TAX CHAIR, AND SOME RURAL LEGISLATORS, KIND OF TO GET DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.
WE HAD A GREAT MEETING WITH THE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER.
IT'S SO BENEFICIAL FOR OUR CLIENTS TO DU DIRECTLY TO THOSE LAWMAKERS, AND WE CONTINUE OR WE PLAN TO CONTINUE TO CREATE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP.
WE REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>. THANK YOU. STEPHEN, CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSIDERATIONS?
>> MAYBE HILO CAN JUMP IN HERE AS HE SEES FIT.
THEY ARE LOOKING PRIMARILY TO REDUCE RESTRICTIONS THAT WOULD HINDER NEW DEVELOPMENT.
THAT'S BEEN SORT OF KIND OF AN EASY BUTTON THERE.
THERE'S ALSO SOME EFFORTS TO PROVIDE TENANTS' RIGHTS OR MORE TENANTS' RIGHTS, INCLUDING A STATEWIDE MAINTENANCE CODE AND ENFORCEMENT OF RENTAL INSPECTIONS, CODIFYING DUE PROCESS FOR EVICTIONS.
SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT, AGAIN, WE CAN CONTINUE TO APPROVE AND FREE UP THAT SPACE AND THEN MAINTAIN LIVABLE SPACE FOR INDIVIDUALS THERE.
AND THEN THERE'S ALWAYS ONGOING DISCUSSIONS ON STATEWIDE AID FOR THE UNHOUSED.
THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A DISCUSSION.
IT WAS A BIG DISCUSSION LAST YEAR.
GIVEN BUDGET RESTRICTIONS IN THE STATE, I DON'T SEE THAT OCCURRING, BUT I KNOW THERE ARE SOME ISSUES THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF CODE ENFORCEMENT AND REDUCING THOSE DEVELOPER MANDATES AND HURDLES RIGHT NOW.
HAPPY TO DISCUSS IN MORE DETAIL.
I KNOW THOSE IDEAS ARE STILL BEING FLESHED OUT.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF LOCAL LEGISLATORS HERE THAT I KNOW ARE WORKING HARD ON THAT AND JUST HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ONE OF THEM AS RECENTLY AS THIS WEEK.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS. I WILL JUST ADD A PERSONAL THANK YOU FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU MENTIONED.
I THINK THAT HAVING THOSE PERSONAL CONNECTIONS IN THE OFF SEASON REALLY HELPS US
[00:35:03]
FORM THOSE RELATIONSHIPS THAT MATTER IN THOSE SORT OF LAST MINUTE MOMENTS WHEN WE'RE TEXTING OPPOSITION TO SOMETHING OR SOUNDING THE ALARM.YOU KNOW, OUR STRATEGY NORMALLY IS TO KEEP OUR POWDER DRY, AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE KNOW IN TOPEKA THAT WORKING THROUGH YOU ALL THAT WE'RE SERIOUS WHEN WE COME TO LEGISLATORS WITH SOMETHING.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND CARRYING THAT MESSAGE FOR US AND GOOD LUCK UP THERE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.
>> YOU BET. FINALLY, DENISE, WITH CITIZEN SURVEY RESULTS.
>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR DENISE RENDINA.
AS YOU KNOW, WE CONDUCT A CITIZEN SURVEY EVERY OTHER YEAR TO GAIN INSIGHT INTO RESIDENT SATISFACTION WITH THE DELIVERY OF MAJOR CITY SERVICES.
WE USE DATA FROM THE SURVEY AS A GUIDE TO HELP US UNDERSTAND OUR COMMUNITY'S PRIORITIES.
FOR 25 YEARS, WE'VE COLLABORATED WITH ETC INSTITUTE ON THIS PROJECT.
BECAUSE THE QUESTIONS REMAIN RELATIVELY THE SAME, WE CAN COMPARE OUR OWN DATA FROM PREVIOUS YEARS AND SEE HOW WE COMPARE TO OTHERS IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA AND ACROSS THE NATION.
THE DATA PRESENTED TONIGHT WAS GATHERED IN OCTOBER FROM RANDOMLY CHOSEN HOUSEHOLDS.
WE PLAN TO PUBLISH A STORY ON LENEXA.COM TOMORROW, SHARING THE SURVEY RESULTS, AND THEN WE'LL DO A FOUR PAGE SPREAD IN THE JANUARY TOWN TALK TO SHARE THEM WITH RESIDENTS.
I AM PLEASED TO INTRODUCE DEREK HARVEY WITH ETC INSTITUTE, WHO WILL SHARE THIS YEAR'S RESULTS.
JIM MIGHT HAVE TO HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT.
>> THANK YOU. I'VE GOT A LOT UP HERE TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, DENISE. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.
AS DENISE SAID, I'M DEREK HARVEY.
I'M A PROJECT MANAGER WITH ETC INSTITUTE.
I'M FILLING IN FOR MY COLLEAGUE, RYAN, WHO'S ON VACATION FOR HIS BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK, SO I GUESS WE'LL LET HIM DO THAT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ETC INSTITUTE.
WE'RE ONE OF THE NATION'S LEADING PROVIDER OF MARKET RESEARCH FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
SINCE 2012, WE'VE DONE SURVEYS IN AROUND 1,200 COMMUNITIES.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE MAP UP THERE, WE DO A LOT OF WORK IN THE KC METRO AREA, WHICH IS WHAT ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE THAT KC METRO AVERAGE THAT DENISE MENTIONED EARLIER, AND WE'LL JUMP INTO THAT A LITTLE LATER.
TONIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE PERCEPTIONS AND RATINGS THAT RESIDENTS HAVE OF LENEXA.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE BENCH MARKINGS WE HAVE, TRENDS, WE'LL TALK ABOUT 25 YEARS OF THE SURVEY AS WELL.
PRIORITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND THEN YOUR COMMUNICATION RATINGS AS WELL AND THEN AT THE END, THERE WILL BE TIME FOR QUESTIONS.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY WAS TO OBJECTIVELY ASSESS CITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
WE WANTED TO GATHER INPUT FROM RESIDENTS TO HELP CITY LEADERS SET PRIORITIES.
WE WANTED TO IDENTIFY AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
TO DO THIS, WE ADMINISTERED A SURVEY BY MAIL, PHONE AND ONLINE TO A RANDOMLY SELECTED GROUP OF RESPONDENTS.
THE SAMPLE IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THE RESULTS ARE STATISTICALLY VALID.
BY DOING THIS, WE RECEIVED 835 COMPLETED SURVEYS.
THAT WAS ABOUT 235 OVER OUR SET GOAL, WHICH IS ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE IT SHOWS THE COMMUNITY REALLY WANTS TO GET THEIR FEEDBACK AND HAVE THAT INFORMATION FOR CITY LEADERS.
THAT INFORMATION GIVES A 3.37% MARGIN OF ERROR AT THE 95% LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RESULTS AT A GLANCE, 97% OF RESPONDENTS RATED LENEXA AS AN EXCELLENT GOOD PLACE TO LIVE, 95% 95% SAID IT'S A GOOD OR EXCELLENT PLACE TO RAISE CHILDREN AT 94% ARE VERY SATISFIED OR SATISFIED WITH THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE IN LENEXA.
I LIKE TO PULL THOSE OUT BECAUSE WHEN I FIRST LOOK AT OUR SURVEY RESULTS, I TEND TO LOOK AT THOSE THREE ITEMS FIRST BECAUSE IF I SEE HIGH RATINGS THERE, I KNOW THE REST OF THE SURVEY IS GOING TO FOLLOW THAT.
WITH THESE EXTREMELY HIGH RATINGS, YOU GUYS CAN GUESS WHICH WAY THE SURVEY RESULTS WENT.
WHAT TO KNOW, PERCEPTIONS AND RATINGS OF THE CITY REMAIN HIGH.
WHEN COMPARED TO OUR NATIONAL AND KC METRO AVERAGES, LENEXA IS LEADING THE WAY IN ALMOST ALL THE CATEGORIES.
WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE LATER.
OVERALL SERVICES, LENEXA IS PERFORMING WELL IN KEY AREAS SUCH AS FIRE AND EMS, PARKS AND TRAILS, AND POLICE SERVICES, AND THEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT.
WE WANTED TO DESIGN THE SURVEY SO THAT WE COULD ESTABLISH PRIORITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
MAINTENANCE OF NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND CODE ENFORCEMENT WERE IDENTIFIED ON THIS SURVEY AS AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONSES FROM THIS SURVEY, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HEARD FROM ALL AREAS OF THE CITY.
AS YOU CAN TELL, FROM THE DOTS ON THE MAP, WE ACCOMPLISHED THAT.
SOME OF THOSE DOTS ARE RIGHT ON TOP OF EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY
[00:40:02]
ARE CODED TO THE BLOCK LEVEL TO PROTECT THE RESPONDENTS.BUT AS WE ARE ADMINISTERING THE SURVEY, THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE MONITORING ON THE BACK END.
IF WE SEE WE'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH RESPONSES IN ONE AREA, THAT'S AN AREA WHERE WE CAN FOLLOW UP MORE.
MAYBE WE NEED TO SEND MORE SURVEYS.
BUT FOR THIS SURVEY THIS YEAR, WE DID NOT HAVE TO DO THAT.
WE GOT ENOUGH RESPONSES FROM EACH AREA.
WHEN LOOKING AT PERCEPTIONS AND RATINGS, WITH THE OVERALL RATINGS, LENEXA RECEIVED RATINGS ABOVE 85% IN ALL THESE AREAS ASSESSED.
LIKE I SAID, THE BIG ONES I LOOK AT AS A PLACE TO LIVE, 97%, AS A PLACE TO RAISE CHILDREN, 95%, AND EVEN AS A PLACE TO WORK RECEIVED RATINGS ABOVE 80%, AS WELL.
THESE ARE ALL EXTREMELY HIGH RATINGS.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I WANT TO POINT OUT IS 1% OR LESS OF THE RESPONDENTS RATED EACH OF THESE AS BELOW AVERAGE OR POOR, WHICH I ALSO THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTICE.
WHEN WE LOOKED AT PERCEPTIONS, LENEXA RECEIVED RATINGS ABOVE 60% IN ALL THE AREAS ASSESSED.
THE BIG ONES I LIKE TO LOOK AT, OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE CITY AT 94%, QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CITY AT 91%.
WHEN WE DO LOOK AT THE LOWEST RATED ONES, ON HERE, IT'S THE OVERALL VALUE YOU RECEIVE FOR YOUR CITY TAX DOLLARS AND FEES AND HOW WELL THE CITY IS PLANNING FOR GROWTH.
I WASN'T SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THOSE BE THE LOWEST RATED.
THOSE ARE ALWAYS TWO OF THE LOWEST RATED ON ANY SURVEY WE DO.
ONE, MORE PEOPLE WANT BETTER VALUE FOR THEIR CITY TAX DOLLARS AND FEES, AND EVERYBODY THINKS THAT, HOW WELL THE CITY IS PLANNING FOR GROWTH COULD BE BETTER IN THEIR MIND.
THAT'S NOT SURPRISING FOR ME TO SEE.
WHEN WE LOOK AT BENCH MARKING, THE CITY'S 2025 SURVEY CONTAINED 56 QUESTIONS THAT WERE DIRECTLY COMPARABLE TO ETC INSTITUTE'S DATABASE.
THIS DATABASE HAD TWO SOURCES FOR THE SURVEY THAT WE COMPARED TO.
WE HAD A US AVERAGE THAT WAS BASED ON A RESIDENTIAL NATIONAL SURVEY THAT WAS SENT TO 5,000 RESIDENTS OVER THE SUMMER BY ETC.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAD A KC METRO AVERAGE THAT WAS BASED ON SURVEYS ADMINISTERED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS TO 16 COMMUNITIES IN THE KANSAS CITY METRO.
THESE ARE COMMUNITIES THAT REGULARLY CONDUCT SURVEYS WITH ETC INSTITUTE TO ASSESS THEIR PERFORMANCE.
THESE ARE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE DONE IT FOR TEN OR MORE YEARS, SO THEY HAVE TRENDS IN BENCHMARKING AS WELL, AND HAVE BEEN TRACKING THIS AS WELL.
IT'S ONE OF THE STRONGEST DATABASES THAT WE CAN PROVIDE ANY OF OUR CLIENTS.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE BENCHMARKS, THOUGH, WITH THE US AVERAGE, LENEXA RATED SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE 46 US AVERAGE AREAS THAT WE ASSESSED.
FOR THE REGIONAL AVERAGE, LENEXA RATED SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE THE KC AND METRO AVERAGE IN ALL BUT ONE AREA.
THE ONE AREA WAS VISIBILITY OF POLICE AND NEIGHBORHOODS, WHICH WAS ON PAR WITH THE REGIONAL AVERAGE.
I BELIEVE YOU GUYS ARE AT A 66%.
THE REGIONAL AVERAGE WAS 67, SO YOU WERE RIGHT THERE SPLITTING HAIRS, BUT EVERY OTHER AREA WERE SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE, AND WE'LL GET INTO THAT.
THE REGIONAL KC METRO AVERAGE IS AMONG THE MOST COMPETITIVE PERFORMANCES WE HAVE.
THESE ARE CITIES THAT REGULARLY CONDUCT SURVEYS.
WHEN WE DID LOOK AT THE OVERALL SERVICES IN THE BENCHMARKING, AS YOU CAN SEE, LENEXA IS THE GREEN LINE THAT IS ABOVE ALL THE OTHER ONES THERE, AND THEN THE BLUE LINES THAT, AS KC METRO AVERAGE, THAT IS ALSO ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IN ALL THOSE AREAS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, LENEXA IS LEADING THE WAY OF OVERALL QUALITY OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, PARKS AND TRAILS, POLICE SERVICES, RECREATION PROGRAMS, AND EVEN CITY ENFORCEMENT OF CODES AND ORDINANCES, YOU ARE WELL ABOVE THE NATIONAL AND REGIONAL BENCHMARKING.
WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE PERCEPTIONS, OVERALL APPEARANCE OF THE CITY, OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE, OVERALL IMAGE AND OVERALL QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CITY, LENEXA, ONCE AGAIN, CLEARLY AH THE REGIONAL NATIONAL AVERAGES.
THEN WE GO INTO THOSE OVERALL VALUE THAT YOU RECEIVE FOR YOUR CITY TAX DOLLARS AND FEES, AND HOW WELL THE CITY IS PLANNING FOR GROWTH.
THOUGH THOSE WERE THE LOWEST RATED ITEMS ON YOUR SURVEY WHEN COMPARED TO THE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL BENCHMARKS, YOU'RE STILL WELL AHEAD OF THOSE.
THAT'S WHY BENCHMARKING IS IMPORTANT, IT HELPS PUT INTO CONTEXT THOSE NUMBERS ABOUT HOW THE PEOPLE ARE DOING REGIONALLY AND HOW CITIES ARE DOING NATIONALLY AS WELL.
WHEN WE LOOKED AT TRENDS, THE FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IS 25 YEARS OF SURVEYS.
THIS WAS THE 13TH SURVEY ADMINISTERED BY ETC INSTITUTE FOR THE CITY OF LENEXA.
RESULTS FROM THE SURVEY SHOW SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE ACROSS CORE AREAS SUCH AS PUBLIC SAFETY, OVERALL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY IMAGE.
ON THAT FIRST SURVEY, A LOT OF THESE SERVICES WERE LUMPED TOGETHER.
PUBLIC SAFETY WAS JUST ONE QUESTION ABOUT PLEASE FIRE AND EMS. WE'VE NOW SEPARATED THAT OUT IN THE THREE DIFFERENT AREAS.
SAME WITH OVERALL SERVICES, IT JUST ASKED ABOUT STREET MAINTENANCE INSTEAD OF NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS OR MAJOR CITY STREETS.WE'VE NOW SEPARATED ALL THAT.
BUT WHAT WE WANTED TO POINT OUT IS MANY OF THOSE ITEMS IN THE FIRST SURVEY RECEIVED SCORES AT 89% OR 90%.
[00:45:03]
LOOKING AT THIS YEAR, MOST OF THOSE AREAS HAVE ACTUALLY INCREASED.THEY'VE GONE UP FROM 90% TO 93 OR 94%, ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY.
THIS REFLECTS THE CITY'S DEDICATION TO SERVICE AND DELIVERY, AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.
THE RESULTS HIGHLIGHT A LEGACY OF STRONG LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND ENDURING FOCUS ON MAKING LENEXA A GREAT PLACE TO WORK, LIVE AND PLAY.
WHEN WE DID LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE TRENDS, 2005 WAS THE FIRST YEAR WE REALLY EXPANDED SOME OF THOSE CATEGORIES FOR THE CITY.
THAT'S WHY IT STARTS WITH 20, 2005 ON HERE.
BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, ALMOST ALL THE AREAS HAVE IMPROVED SINCE THAT FIRST LENEXA 2005 TREND.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THESE TRENDS.
THEN SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE ALSO GOING TO START PLATEAUING AS WELL.
AT SOME POINT, YOU CAN'T GO HIGHER THAN 97% ON SOME [LAUGHTER].
BUT ALL OF THESE ARE GREAT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO SEE.
THEN, WHEN WE LOOKED AT SATISFACTION OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE STORY IS THE SAME.
VISIBILITY OF POLICE. AT THE BOTTOM, THERE'S THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS DROPPED SINCE 2005.
HOWEVER, THE CITY HAS GROWN A LOT SINCE THEN AND HAS ADDED MORE POPULATION AS WELL.
BUT IN ALL THE OTHER AREAS, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE AREAS STILL CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVING.
SOME AREAS ARE STARTING THE PLATEAU, BUT AT SOME POINT, LIKE I SAID, YOU CAN'T GO ANY HIGHER THAN THE 90% YOU GUYS ARE RECEIVING.
WHEN WE LOOKED AT PRIORITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT, THE FIRST WAY THAT WE DID THIS IS WE ASKED ABOUT SATISFACTION.
I'M GOING TO USE OVERALL SERVICES AS AN EXAMPLE.
WE ASKED RESIDENTS TO RATE THEIR SATISFACTION OF ALL THESE SERVICES.
AS YOU CAN SEE, ALL OF THESE SERVICES RECEIVED SATISFACTION RATINGS ABOVE 68%, WHICH IS EXTREMELY HIGH.
>> BUT THEN THE NEXT PART OF THIS PRIORITIES FOR IMPROVEMENTS, BUT THEN WE ASK ABOUT IMPORTANCE.
THEN WE ASK ABOUT THE SAME SERVICE ITEMS AND ASK THEM, WHICH OF THESE THREE ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY OF LENEXA TO PROVIDE? AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAD A CLEAR TOP TWO, THE OVERALL QUALITY OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, AND THE OVERALL QUALITY OF POLICE SERVICES FOLLOWED BY MAINTENANCE OF CITY STREETS.
THEN IT GOES DOWN THE LIST UNTIL WE GET THE 1% OF THE OVERALL QUALITY AND UPKEEP OF CITY BUILDINGS.
BY DOING THIS, WE'RE ABLE TO RUN IT THROUGH ETC'S IMPORTANT SATISFACTION RATING.
THIS RATES THE MOST IMPORTANT NUMBER VERSUS THE SATISFACTION NUMBER.
AND FOR OVERALL SERVICES, NO ITEM RECEIVED A HIGH PRIORITY RATING.
THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS IS THE HIGH SATISFACTION SCORES THAT THESE ARE ALREADY RECEIVING.
AS YOU CAN SEE, OVERALL MAINTENANCE, THE CITY STREETS RECEIVED THE HIGHEST RATING, BUT AT 45% BEING THE MOST IMPORTANT, BUT IT ALREADY HAS AN 83% SATISFACTION RATING, WHICH IS EXTREMELY HIGH.
WITH A MEDIUM PRIORITY FOR ETC INSTITUTE, THAT MEANS THE CITY SHOULD MAINTAIN ITS CURRENT LEVEL OF EMPHASIS THAT YOU'RE ALREADY PROVIDING THESE SERVICES AT WHAT RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTING.
YOU SHOULD CONTINUE THAT, CONTINUE LISTENING TO STAFF, CONTINUE THE IMPROVEMENTS YOU ALREADY HAVE PLANNED, AND HOPEFULLY KEEP ALL THESE ITEMS UNDER A HIGH PRIORITY.
FOR CITY MAINTENANCE, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE ASKED THE SAME THING WITH SATISFACTION.
ONCE AGAIN, WE RECEIVED HIGH SATISFACTION SCORES, NOT AS HIGH AS THE OVERALL SERVICES, BUT THESE ARE STILL EXTREMELY HIGH SCORES COMPARED TO OTHER COMMUNITIES WE'VE LOOKED AT.
BUT WHEN WE DID THE MAINTENANCE SERVICES PRIORITIES INVESTMENT, ONE ITEM DID COME UP TO A HIGH PRIORITY, AND THAT WAS THE MAINTENANCE OF NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS.
YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT PERCENTAGE WAS 52%, WHICH WAS THE SECOND ON THIS LIST, BUT THE SATISFACTION RATING WAS NINTH, AND THAT'S WHY IT CAME UP TO A HIGH PRIORITY.
YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF MAJOR CITY STREETS IS SECOND THERE, IT'S PRETTY CLOSE TO BECOMING A HIGH PRIORITY.
BUT IF YOU LOOK AT IT SATISFACTION PERCENTAGE, IT IS ABOUT EIGHT POINTS HIGHER THAN THE MAINTENANCE OF NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS.
CONTINUE THE MAINTENANCE AND NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS.
IT'S THE SAME MAP THAT I SHOWED EARLIER OF THE BLOCK LEVEL RESPONDENTS.
THIS IS BROKEN DOWN BY CENSUS BLOCK GROUP.
THIS SHOWS THE MAINTENANCE NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND THE AVERAGE ANSWER FOR EACH OF THOSE AREAS,79% OF RESPONDENTS SAID THEY WERE VERY SATISFIED OR SATISFIED WITH THIS.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING DARK BLUE AND LIGHT BLUE.
BUT WHAT THIS ALLOWS US TO SEE IS MAYBE SEE SOME PARTS OF THE CITY THAT RATED THE MAINTENANCE NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS A LITTLE LOWER THAN OTHER AREAS.
IT REALLY WOULD ALLOW STAFF OR YOURSELVES TO REALLY DIAL IN ON SOME AREAS, AND MAYBE WHY THERE'S A DIFFERENCE THERE AND TAKE A DEEPER LOOK.
IT JUST GIVES YOU MORE INFORMATION FOR THE OVERALL PICTURE OF THE ISSUE OR THE PROBLEM THAT IS THERE.
WHEN WE LOOKED AT COMMUNICATION, ALL BUT ONE ITEM RECEIVED SATISFACTION SCORES ABOVE 55% WITH COMMUNICATION.
THE TOP ONE BEING THE RESIDENT MAGAZINE TOWN RESIDENTS
[00:50:01]
ARE EXTREMELY SATISFIED WITH IT OVER 90%.EMAIL NEWSLETTERS FOLLOW THE AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION ABOUT CITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
CITY EFFORTS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED ABOUT LOCAL ISSUES IS ALSO VERY HIGH.
THE ONE, BELOW 55% WAS THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL DECISION MAKING.
I BELIEVE THE LAST FEW SURVEYS, THAT'S ABOUT WHERE THAT ONE'S RATED AS WELL.
BUT AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE.
IT'S NOT FULL, SO [LAUGHTER] WE CAN UNDERSTAND.
>> YES. WE DID ASK RESIDENTS, OR RESPONDENTS, WHERE THEY CURRENTLY GET NEWS.
ONCE AGAIN, THE CLEAR TOP ONE WAS THE RESIDENT MAGAZINE (TOWN TALK) AT 89%.
I BELIEVE THAT'S THE HIGHEST SCORE I'VE SEEN ON THIS QUESTION FOR ETC INSTITUTE WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES.
IT REALLY IS A TESTAMENT TO THE CITY THAT THEY HAVE ONE SOURCE OF INFORMATION THAT RESIDENTS KNOW THEY CAN GO TO TO GET INFORMATION.
THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY CITY EMAIL NEWSLETTERS, THE CITY WEBSITE, LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS, AND THE CITY SOCIAL MEDIA SITES.
IN SUMMARY, LENEXA CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY IN SATISFACTION SCORES COMPARED TO THE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL AVERAGES.
THE OVERALL RATINGS AND PERCEPTIONS OF LENEXA REMAIN HIGH.
THAT'S BEEN TRUE OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS.
IT SHOWS THAT THE CITY HAS CONTINUED ITS OUTSTANDING RESULTS AND THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE WAYS TO IMPROVE.
WE DID HAVE SOME AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT WITH THE MAINTENANCE NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND CODE ENFORCEMENT.
AND THEN FINALLY, THE RESIDENT MAGAZINE(TOWN TALK) CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY IN COMMUNICATION AND BE THE PLACE RESIDENTS LEARN ABOUT LENEXA. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU. I'M A FAN OF WHAT YOU'VE DONE FOR A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.
YOU KNOW, THERE WERE A FEW ITEMS WHERE 25 WENT DOWN FROM 23.
I'D BE INTERESTED IN SEEING 20 ONES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT ON A TREND GOING THE WRONG WAY.
THEN WE CAN ADDRESS IT AT BUDGET TIME, OR I DON'T KNOW, WE CAN ADDRESS IT IF WE'VE GOT SOME SLIP IN THE WRONG WAY.
WE'LL GET THAT TO STAFF, AND THEY CAN SEND IT OVER.
>> WHERE DO OTHER CITY'S RESIDENTS GET THEIR NEWS?
>> IF WE LEAD THE PACK, IT CAN BE ALL OVER THE PLACE.
SOME CITIES DON'T HAVE ONE COMMUNICATION COURSE.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IS WHAT MOST CITIES ARE TRYING TO DRIVE PEOPLE TO THEIR WEBSITE, TO THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA.
THERE'S REALLY JUST NOT ONE OPTION IN A LOT OF CITIES AND TOWNS FOR RESIDENTS TO GO GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITY.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. I DO. CHRIS.
>> IF YOU'LL GO BACK TO THE SLIDE WHERE WE WERE LOW ON PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION MAKING.
RIGHT THERE. CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE MORE DETAIL AND WHAT MIGHT BE, DRIVING THOSE NUMBERS? ANOTHER WAY TO SAY IT IS WHAT IS EXPECTATION THAT WE AREN'T MEETING.
>> IF WE LOOKED AT BENCHMARKING FOR THIS, YOU GUYS WOULD STILL BE ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND THE LOCAL LEVEL DECISION MAKING? I THINK THE LOCAL NATIONAL AVERAGE IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN WHAT YOU GUYS ARE AT? I DON'T HAVE ONE ANSWER FOR HOW TO IMPROVE THAT OR WHERE TO GET THAT.
IT'S JUST ALWAYS A STORY THAT YOU HEAR FROM RESIDENTS AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE MORE INVOLVED.
BUT WOULDN'T YOU ASK HIM, ARE THEY THEMSELVES THE ONE GETTING INVOLVED? I THINK IT'S REALLY ABOUT PROVIDING RESIDENTS A WAY TO GET INVOLVED AND THEN MAKING SURE THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE WITH YOUR COMMUNICATION.
>> NOW, ON ALSO, ON THE POLICE, IN SOME AREAS, WE DO REALLY WELL, LIKE IN THE 90%, BUT THEN THE VISIBILITY WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER, AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE TALKING APPLES AND ORANGES HERE, BUT HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN PEOPLE SAY, WE'RE REALLY HAPPY WITH THE POLICE, BUT WE DON'T SEE THEM ENOUGH.
>> THE VISIBILITY OF POLICE ONE IS A PERCEPTION BASED ISSUE.
PEOPLE SAY, VISIBILITY POLICE IN NEIGHBORHOODS.
WELL, SOMETIMES POLICE ARE PATROLLING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY'RE NOT ON YOUR STREET, THOUGH.
I'M SURE YOUR POLICE HAVE THOSE NUMBERS AND CAN PUT THOSE OUT THERE.
[00:55:05]
BUT THAT IS A PERCEPTION BASED ITEM.I WOULD FOCUS MORE ON THE OVERALL QUALITY OF POLICE.
AS LONG AS THAT STAYS HIGH, IT SHOWS THAT YOU'RE STILL PERFORMING EXTREMELY WELL THERE.
>> I THINK SO. [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU.
THE STAFF RECEIVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT THAT ALLOW THEM TO SEE OTHER MAPS.
I FOUND THE MAP TO BE A PRETTY VALUABLE RESOURCE.
WILL WE SEE PERHAPS OTHER WAYS OF SEEING THIS DATA?
>> YES. STAFF HAS AN APPENDIX THAT HAS A MAP FOR EVERY QUESTION ON THE SURVEY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE MAPS FOR.
>> PERFECT. I'LL ECHO BILL'S COMMENTS REGARDING TRENDS FOR TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW PRIORITIES.
I THINK THE SLIDE I SAW THERE ON 21 JUST SHOWED COEFFICIENTS FROM DATA THAT WAS COLLECTED ON THE CURRENT CYCLE, BUT I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE A VALUABLE THING TO TRACK.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. JOHN, MICHAEL.
>> APPRECIATE YOU GOING THROUGH ALL OF THIS, AND LOOKING FORWARD TO LOOKING AT THE FULL REPORT.
HAVE YOU ALL LOOKED AT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MATCHING CITIES UP BASED ON OVERLAPPING STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES? THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ONE IS MAYBE A GOOD EXAMPLE.
DO YOU HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE SOMEONE WITH A VERY HIGH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SCORE COULD INTERACT WITH OTHER CITIES TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING?
>> WE DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING IN PLACE FOR THAT.
THAT'S SOMETHING I COULD TALK TO RYAN ABOUT, OUR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, AND OUR CEO, CHRIS, AS WELL TO SEE IF THAT'S SOMETHING WE COULD LOOK AT, BUT I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S TOTALLY FINE. AND I'M SURE THAT THERE'S DATA PRIVACY ISSUES WITH IT AS WELL, BUT SOMETHING THAT I THINK WOULD BE INTERESTING. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ANY FINAL THOUGHTS.
WHAT I WOULD ADD IS THAT THE MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC STREETS IS BUFFERED BY THE 80% MESSAGE WE RECEIVED IN APRIL THAT OUR RESIDENTS APPROVED FUNDING FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS TO TAKE CARE OF THAT ISSUE.
THE MAP IS VERY CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE SEE IN OUR PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AS FAR AS AREAS OF THE CITY THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF, SO THAT'S NO SURPRISE TO ME.
I WOULD JUST OFFER CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STAFF.
EVERYBODY UP HERE IS TEMPORARY.
YOU GUYS ARE THE LASTING LEGACY AND THE REASON WHY THESE NUMBERS SHIFT.
KEEP COMING BACK THE WAY THAT THEY DO.
>> FIRST TIME, CRYING ON THE DIES, KIDS.
[LAUGHTER] WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THERE ARE EIGHT ITEMS TONIGHT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.MATTERS LISTED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE APPROVED COLLECTIVELY WITH NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION.
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 THE EVENT, THE ITEM IS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IT WILL BE PLACED ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.
ANYONE WISH TO REMOVE AN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 1-8 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
NUMBER 9 IS A CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET.
[9. Consideration of a resolution to amend the fiscal year 2025 budget a. Public Hearing to consider amending the fiscal year 2025 budget b. Resolution amending the fiscal year 2025 budget Kansas state law requires cities to establish maximum expenditure amounts by fund when adopting the annual budget. If cities expect to exceed the maximum expenditure amount by fund, state law requires completion of a formal process to increase the budget. This process includes publishing a notice of public hearing and conducting a public hearing before considering increases to budgeted expenditure amounts.]
ITEM 9A IS A PUBLIC HEARING, 9B B IS A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE BUDGET, NATE.>> DEPARTMENT. AS MAYOR MENTIONED, THIS ITEM DOES AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET FOR TWO OF OUR FUNDS.
THE FIRST BEING THE LENEXA CITY CENTER AREA A CID FUND, WHICH IS A CID JUST OVER HERE WITH RESTAURANT ROW.
AS YOU MAY RECALL FROM THE BUDGET PROCESS AND PRIOR DISCUSSION, CIDS ARE PASSED THROUGH FUNDS, SO THEY'RE NOT REVENUE TO THE CITY.
WE DO HAVE TO BUDGET THEM IN OUR ANNUAL BUDGET.
AS REQUIRED BY THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, REVENUE GENERATED IN THIS DISTRICT IS USED TO REIMBURSE THE DEVELOPER FOR ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
WE DO ANTICIPATE REVENUE COMING IN FROM THAT DEVELOPMENT AT A HIGHER RATE THAN ANTICIPATED.
WE DO NEED TO AMEND THE BUDGET SO WE CAN REIMBURSE THE DEVELOPER.
THEN THE SECOND FUND IS THE CITY'S STORMWATER FUND.
I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT THERE'S NO NEW EXPENDITURES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT.
THE CITY HAS MOVED THE DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS FROM THE STORMWATER OPERATING FUND TO THE STORMWATER CAPITAL FUND AS THESE ARE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES IN A BETTER PRACTICE.
STAFF IS PROPOSING TO INCREASE THE BUDGET AUTHORITY IN THIS FUND TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THE CASH ALONG WITH THOSE DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS.
[01:00:03]
I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE.>> ANY DISCUSSION BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IF ANYONE PRESENT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM SIGN IN, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
SEEING NONE, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> MOTION BY CORTNEY, SECOND BY CHRIS. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> THOSE OPPOSED? PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.
ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET.
>> MOTION BY CHELSEA, SECOND BY BILL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
ITEM 10 IS A CONSIDERATION OF A TAX ABATEMENT AND ISSUANCE OF
[10. Consideration of tax abatement and issuance of industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) for the Lenexa Logistics Centre North Phase II - Building 9 a. Public hearing to consider exemption from ad valorem taxes for property financed with IRBs b. Resolution determining the intent of the City to issue approximately $20 million in IRBs and approving a 10-yeartax abatement with payment in lieu of taxes agreement The City received an application requesting the City issue approximately $20 million in IRBs to finance the acquisition, construction, and equipping of a 155,289-square-foot office/warehouse facility located at the northwest corner of Eicher Drive & Renner Boulevard in the Lenexa Logistics Centre North business park. The applicant has also requested a 10-year, fixed tax abatement for the project. Pursuant to state law, the City must hold a public hearing to consider the cost benefit analysis and the granting of a tax abatement for the project.]
INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS FOR THE LENEXA LOGISTIC CENTER NORTH PHASE 2, BUILDING 9.ITEM 10A IS A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER EXEMPTION FROM ADVALORM TAXES FOR PROPERTY FINANCE WITH IRBS.
ITEM10B IS A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE INTENT OF THE CITY TO ISSUE APPROXIMATELY $20 MILLION IN IRBS AND APPROVING A 10 YEAR TAX ABATEMENT WITH PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES AGREEMENT.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, SEAN MCGAUGLN CITY ATTORNEY.
THERE ARE THE NEXT THREE ITEMS PERTAINING TO LENEXA LOGISTICS NORTH PHASE 2.
BEFORE I JUMP INTO THIS SPECIFIC ONE, I WILL GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF A BACKGROUND ON THE WHOLE DEVELOPMENT AND HOW WE GOT HERE TONIGHT.
LENEXA LOGISTICS CENTER NORTH PHASE 2 WAS APPROVED INITIALLY IN 2019.
WE APPROVED A MASTER RESOLUTION DEVELOP JUST UNDER 150 ACRES OF THE NORTHWEST CORNER RENER AND COLLEGE BOULEVARD.
PART OF THAT MASTER RESOLUTION APPROVED THE FOLLOWING ABATEMENT TERMS. THERE WAS A 10 YEAR FIXED ABATEMENT ON EACH INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT AS THEY CAME IN.
WE VALUED THAT TAX RATE AT $1.20 SQUARE FOOT, AND OVER THE 10 YEARS, THERE WOULD BE A 71% EFFECTIVE ABATEMENT.
>> WE ANTICIPATED ORIGINALLY A CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF OVER 120 MILLION INCLUDING THE PROPOSED PROJECTS TONIGHT, WILL BE JUST AROUND 90 MILLION WITH SEVERAL MORE LOTS TO GO.
ADDITIONALLY, IN 2021, WE APPROVED TWO SPECIAL BENEFIT DISTRICTS TO CONSTRUCT THE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT.
THE FIRST WAS A STORMWATER SPECIAL BENEFIT DISTRICT THAT WAS COMPLETED IN 2022, AND WE ALSO THEN CREATED THE BRITAIN STREET SBD, AND YOU'LL CONSIDER THAT TONIGHT AS WELL.
WITH THAT, IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS, WITHOUT ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL JUMP RIGHT INTO BUILDING 9 ON THIS AGENDA TOPIC.
BUILDING 9 IS AN APPROXIMATELY 155,000 SQUARE FOOT OFFICE WAREHOUSE BUILDING LOCATED RIGHT THERE ON RENER ON THE NORTHERN END OF THE PHASE 2 DEVELOPMENT.
THE BONDS WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $20 MILLION, AND THE FIXED ABATEMENT IS A $120 A SQUARE FOOT WITH A 2% ANNUAL INCREASE.
THE 71% ABATEMENT OVER A 10 YEAR TERM EQUATES TO APPROXIMATELY $22,000 A YEAR IN THE FIRST YEAR, AND IT'S CURRENTLY PAYING $50 ON THAT PARCEL.
STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABATEMENT AND THE RESOLUTION INTENT.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE TONIGHT.
>> ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? I WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IF ANYONE PRESENT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM, SIDE IN AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
HEARING NONE. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MOTION BY AVERY, SECOND BY COURTNEY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> THOSE OPPOSED. PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.
ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, DETERMINING THE INTENT OF THE CITY TO ISSUE APPROXIMATELY $20 MILLION IN IRBS AND APPROVING A 10 YEAR TAX ABATEMENT WITH PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES AGREEMENT. MOTION BY MARK.
>> SECOND BY CHELSEA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES. THANK YOU, SEAN.
ITEM 11 IS CONSIDERATION OF A TAX ABATEMENT AND ISSUANCE OF
[11. Consideration of tax abatement and issuance of industrial revenue bonds (IRBs) for the Lenexa Logistics Centre North Phase II - Building 6 a. Public hearing to consider exemption from ad valorem taxes for property financed with IRBs b. Resolution determining the intent of the City to issue approximately $23.5 million in IRBs and approving a 10-yeartax abatement with payment in lieu of taxes agreement The City received an application requesting the City issue approximately $23.5 million in IRBs to finance the acquisition, construction, and equipping of a 202,286-square-foot office/warehouse facility located at the northwest corner of College Boulevard & Britton Street in the Lenexa Logistics Centre North business park. The applicant has also requested a 10-year, fixed tax abatement for the project. Pursuant to state law, the City must hold a public hearing to consider the cost benefit analysis and the granting of a tax abatement for the project.]
INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS FOR THE LENEXA LOGISTICS CENTER NORTH PHASE 2, BUILDING 6.ITEM 11 B IS RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE INTENT OF THE CITY TO ISSUE APPROXIMATELY $23.5 MILLION IN IRBS AND APPROVING A 10 YEAR TAX ABATEMENT. HELLO AGAIN.
>> THIS IS THE SECOND BUILDING IN THE SAME DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S APPROXIMATELY 200,000 SQUARE FEET AT $23.5 MILLION IN BONDS TO BE ISSUED.
THE TERMS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME ON THE DOLLAR 20 SQUARE FOOT, AND 71% ABATEMENT.
[01:05:01]
IT'S CURRENTLY PAYING $60 ON A SLIGHTLY LARGER PARCEL, AND THAT EQUATES TO APPROXIMATELY A $29,000 FIRST YEAR PILOT PAYMENT.STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABATEMENT AND THE RESOLUTION.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANY DISCUSSION? WE NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE PRESENT? WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.
PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM SIGN IN, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
SEEING NONE, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> GOODNESS. [LAUGHTER] MOTION BY COURTNEY.
SECOND BY CRAIG, I THINK IT WAS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> THOSE OPPOSED. PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.
ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THE INTENT OF THE CITY TO ISSUE APPROXIMATELY $23.5 MILLION IN IRBS AND APPROVING A 10 YEAR TAX ABATEMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES AGREEMENT.
>> MOTION BY BILL, SECOND BY CHELSEA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> THOSE OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. NEW BUSINESS TONIGHT.
[12. Resolution amending the Lenexa Logistics Centre North Phase II Special Benefit District - Britton Street Improvements The City recieved an amended petition for the Lenexa Logistics Centre North Phase II Special Benefit District - Britton Street Extension ("SBD"), which will construct Britton Street from College Boulevard north approximately 1,640 feet and associated infrastructure. The petition proposes increasing the SBD costs from to $5.14 million to $5.7 million. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026. ]
ITEM 12 IS A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE LENEXA LOGISTICS CENTER NORTH BASE 2 SPECIAL BENEFIT DISTRICT, BRITAIN STREET IMPROVEMENTS.>> NO PUBLIC HEARING THIS TIME.
>> AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, THIS WAS ORIGINALLY APPROVED AS A SPECIAL BENEFIT DISTRICT IN 2021, AND I WILL MOVE THE SLIDE TO GIVE EVERYONE THE PICTURE.
THEY OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T CONSTRUCT IT AT THE TIME, AND WE'VE COME IN FOUR YEARS LATER TO CONSTRUCT IT.
IT COVERS 73 ACRES, AND 100% OF THE OWNERS IN THE DISTRICT SIGNED IT.
THE AMENDMENT SIMPLY INCREASES THE PRICE OF THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION FROM 5.4-5.7 MILLION, THAT IS NOT UNEXPECTED GIVEN THE TIME FRAME BETWEEN FIRST APPROVING AND NOW AND TODAY, IT IS A 20 YEAR ASSESSMENT.
OVER THE PROPERTY OWNERS, AND THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT WILL BE MANAGED BY THE CITY, SO YOU WILL SEE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND FURTHER APPROVALS NEEDED TO MOVE THIS ALONG, AND THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN ESTABLISHING THAT DISTRICT.
I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, BUT STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED SPECIAL BENEFIT DISTRICT.
>> QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SBD. JOHN MICHAEL.
>> I THINK I JUST MISSED THIS IN THE STAFF REPORT.
PART OF THE ITEM IS RECOMMENDING THAT WE WAIVE THE SEALED BID PROCESS.
CAN YOU JUST WALK ME THROUGH THE WHY AGAIN?
>> ON SPECIAL BENEFIT DISTRICTS, WE REQUEST OFTEN THE WAIVE SEALED BID, BECAUSE THE DEVELOPER, AS YOU JUST APPROVED, WILL HAVE TWO CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS LIKELY GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME AND WE GET THE BENEFIT OF DECREASED MOBILIZATION COSTS IN A CONSTANT SCALE BY USING THE CONTRACTOR WHO IS ALREADY ON SITE.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS. ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AMENDING THE LENEXA LOGISTICS CENTER NORTH PHASE 2 SBD.
>> MOTION BY AVERY, SECOND BY CHRIS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES.
ITEM NUMBER 13, IS A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM
[13. Resolution authorizing the transfer of funds from the General Fund reserves to the Capital Improvement Fund in fiscal year 2025 Staff proposes transferring $5 million from General Fund reserves to the Capital Improvement Fund to cash finance capital projects.]
THE GENERAL FUND RESERVE TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FISCAL YEAR 2025. NATE.>> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, NATE BLOOM AGAIN WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
THIS ITEM IS A TRANSFER OF FIVE MILLION FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO CASH FUND CAPITAL PROJECTS.
STAFF PROPOSED THIS TRANSFER EARLIER THIS YEAR DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS DUE TO POSITIVE FINANCIAL RESULTS FROM 2024, MAINLY FROM INVESTMENT INCOME AND BUILDING PERMIT REVENUE.
THESE FUNDS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO SPECIFIC CAPITAL PROJECTS DURING THE CIP PROCESS, WHICH YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT NEXT WEEK.
WE WILL BE USING THESE FUNDS TO FUND CAPITAL PROJECTS IN LIEU OF DEBT, OR TO FUND PROJECTS THAT DO NOT HAVE ONGOING FUNDING SOURCES AND CANNOT BE DEBT FINANCED SUCH AS THE PAVEMENT RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM.
AFTER THE TRANSFER, THE ESTIMATED FISCAL YEAR 25 ENDING FUND BALANCE IN THE GENERAL FUND RESERVE IS 37%.
THAT EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM POLICY AMOUNT OF 30%, AND IT'S JUST ABOVE THE TARGET OF 35%, WHICH HELPS THE CITY MAINTAIN ITS AAA BOND RATING AND A SOLID FINANCIAL POSITION.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ANYTHING FOR NATE? ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM GENERAL FUND RESERVE TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.
>> MOTION BY CRAIG, SECOND BY MARK. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES.
BEFORE WE HIT COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS, I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE REMAINING STUDENTS THAT DECIDED TO HANG WITH US FOR A LITTLE BIT THIS EVENING.
IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STAND, TELL US YOUR NAME WHERE YOU GO TO SCHOOL AND WHAT BRINGS YOU OUT TONIGHT.
YOU WIN THE PRIZE FOR STAYING THE LONGEST.
[01:10:03]
>> MY NAME IS JASON WEST [INAUDIBLE].
>> WELL, YOU HEARD OUR SURVEY RESULTS.
>> HI, I'M FROM [INAUDIBLE]. I'M SENIOR AND I [INAUDIBLE].
HOW ABOUT YOU GUYS EVER GETTING READY TO SNEAK OUT?
I'M A SENIOR AT CHON MISSION WEST, AND I'M ALSO WRITING A TWO PARAGRAPH ESSAY.
I'M ALSO CHON MISSION WEST. [INAUDIBLE]. [LAUGHTER]
>> THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.
APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT TONIGHT.
ANY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS? EVERYTHING'S GOOD. BECKY, ANYTHING IN THE STAFF REPORT?
[STAFF REPORTS]
>> NO, WHILE ANGEL AND KYLE ARE MAKING THEIR WAY UP TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE EXTERIOR GRANT AND PROPERTY TAX REBATE PROGRAMS, I'LL JUST REMIND YOU ALL THAT WE WILL HAVE A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING NEXT TUESDAY, AND WE WILL BEGIN DISCUSSION OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AT THAT TIME.
ANGEL WHITAKER, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
I'M HERE TO SHARE THE FIRST PIECE OF THIS UPDATE, WHICH IS THE EXTERIOR GRANT PROGRAM.
THE EXTERIOR PROGRAM WAS PUT INTO PLACE TO INCENTIVIZE OUR RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS TO REINVEST IN OUR OLDER, LOWER VALUED HOMES IN LENEXA.
THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS PROGRAM CAN RECEIVE A 50% MATCH ON QUALIFYING REPAIRS, EXTERIOR REPAIRS TO A HOME UP TO $5,000.
IF A RESIDENT INVESTS $10,000 OR MORE, THEY COULD RECEIVE $5,000.
PROPERTIES FOR THE PROGRAM ARE ELIGIBLE BASED UPON AGE AND VALUE OF THE HOME, WHICH DO FLUCTUATE A BIT EACH YEAR.
THUS FAR, THIS CURRENT PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
THIS IS OUR FIFTH YEAR OF IT, AND EACH YEAR WE HAVE EXCEEDED THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS THAT WE HAVE ACTUAL FUNDING FOR.
WE DO GIVE PRIORITY FUNDING TO OLDEST HOMES FIRST FOR THE PROGRAM.
THIS PAST YEAR AND 2025, OUR PROGRAM FUNDING WAS AT $90,000, AND HOMES HAD TO BE BUILT IN 1977 OR PRIOR, AND THEN HAVE A COUNTY APPRAISED VALUE OF $328,500.
GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY PRIOR TO 2021, WHICH IS WHEN WE REVAMPED THIS ENTIRE PROGRAM.
WE HAD AN EXTERIOR GRANT PROGRAM IN PLACE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT IT WAS REALLY TIED TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION DISTRICT.
IT REALLY LIMITED OUR ABILITY TO USE GRANT FUNDS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
YOU COULD ONLY USE THEM IN SPECIFIC AREAS THAT WERE UNDER THE NRD.
THAT PROGRAM ALSO LIMITED GRANT AND REIMBURSEMENT TO A MAXIMUM OF 15%.
WE DID NOT HAVE GREAT UTILIZATION IN THAT PROGRAM, SO WE CAME FORTH WITH A NEW PROGRAM, WHICH IS WHAT WE HAVE TODAY.
HOWEVER, WE'VE MADE A LITTLE BIT OF TWEAKS TO THE PROGRAM AFTER THE FIRST YEAR GIVEN THE LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS, WHICH WAS A LITTLE UNMANAGEABLE FOR STAFF.
IN 2021, WHEN WE FIRST REINTRODUCED THIS PROGRAM, WE HAD REALLY BROAD QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PROGRAM, AND THUS THAT GOT US 359 APPLICATIONS.
IN 2022 AND BEYOND, WE HAVE NARROWED DOWN THE CANDIDATE POOL IN WHICH WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE AT A REALLY GOOD PLACE NOW AS FAR AS A CONSISTENT CANDIDATE POOL EACH YEAR.
THE PROGRAM HAS REMAINED CONSISTENT FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.
IN THIS PAST YEAR, THE HOMES THAT RECEIVED FUNDING WERE BUILT 1920-1972.
A REALLY LARGE RANGE, AND THE VALUES OF THOSE HOMES WERE 106-860 ALL THE WAY UP TO 327 100,000, ALSO A REALLY WIDE RANGE.
HERE'S A MAP OF THE GRANT RECIPIENTS JUST FROM THIS LAST YEAR IN 2025, AND THEN HERE'S A MAP OF ALL THE RESIDENTS THAT WE'VE PROVIDED FUNDING TO IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS SINCE THE REVAMP OF THE PROGRAM.
WE ALWAYS WANT TO SHARE A FEW BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES OF EACH OF THESE PROPERTIES.
THIS ONE, YOU CAN SEE HERE, THEY DID A LOT OF WORK.
KEEP IN MIND SOME OF THESE HOMEOWNERS ARE SPENDING WELL BEYOND THE $10,000, BUT THAT 50% MATCH REALLY ALLOWS THEM TO CARRY OUT ALL THEIR WISH LIST ITEMS, IF YOU WILL.
THIS HOME GOT A NEW DRIVEWAY, A NEW ROOF, PAINT, AND PORCH, LOOKS LIKE A WHOLE NEW HOUSE.
THIS HOME RECEIVED ALL NEW SIGHTING, OBVIOUSLY A FRESH COAT OF PAINT, AND THEN A BRAND NEW PRIVACY FENCE.
THIS HOME IS A SINGLE CAR DRIVE AND IS VERY LIMITED ON THE FRONT OF THE HOME.
THEY HAD A SIDE ENTRY DRIVING AND PARKING PAD.
THEY REPAVED AN ENTIRE PARKING PAD UP AT A NEW PRIVACY GATE.
[01:15:01]
A NEW DRIVEWAY, NEW ENTRY STAIRS.THIS HOME RECEIVED ALL NEW WINDOWS AND A FRESH COAT OF PAINT.
I KNOW IF YOU CAN QUITE TELL, BUT THAT PICTURE BY THE RIGHT HAND CORNER.
THERE WAS A LOT OF LARGE AREAS OF PEELING PAINT ON THE HOUSE, AND THE WINDOWS SCREENS, AND THE WINDOWS THEMSELVES WERE IN REALLY POOR CONDITION.
THIS HOME RECEIVED AN ENTIRE NEW FRONT PORCH.
AS YOU CAN SEE THE OLD FRONT PORCH IS SOMETHING WE WOULD HAVE CONSIDERED TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD.
EACH YEAR, WE RECEIVE A LOT OF RESIDENT FEEDBACK AND APPRECIATION FOR THIS PROGRAM AND WHAT IT DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND FOR THE INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS.
I JUST WANTED TO PASS ALONG A FEW OF THE COMMENTS THAT WE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR FOR THE PROGRAM.
GOING FORTH NEXT YEAR, THE PROGRAM FUNDS WILL REMAINED AT $90,000.
>> FOUR GENERATIONS. [LAUGHTER]
>> FOUR GENERATIONS. IT WAS A REALLY LENGTHY EMAIL.
SHE WENT INTO GREAT DETAIL OF ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT LIVE HERE, WHERE THEY LIVE, SO ON AND SO FORTH.
>> THEN SHE SUMMARIZED WITH ALL 16 OF THEM.
>> IN FACT, THE HOME THAT WE GAVE GRANT FUNDS TO WAS FOR THE NEWEST GENERATION THAT JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A HOME AND HAD A BABY.
>> IN 2026, THE GRANT FUNDING TENDS TO STAY AT $90,000.
THE VALUE OF HOMES HAS GONE UP A LITTLE BIT, SO IT'LL BE $366,000.
HOWEVER, THE YEAR BUILT REMAINS AT 1977 OR PRIOR.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP CONSISTENT THE APPLICATION PERIOD IN WHICH WE TAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH IS MARCH 1ST THROUGH APRIL 15TH.
IT IS NOT A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE, SO THE PROGRAM REMAINS OPEN FOR SIX WEEKS.
WE EVALUATE ALL APPLICATIONS AT THE END OF THAT TIME FRAME.
PROGRAM PROJECTS MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 90 DAYS OF APPROVAL.
WE DO HAVE SOME CONSIDERATION IN THERE, OBVIOUSLY, WEATHER PERMITTING, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
AT THIS TIME, WE DON'T RECOMMEND ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM.
WE FEEL IT'S BENEFITING THOSE THAT WE INTENDED MOST.
>> I'LL LET KYLE TAKE OVER TAX REBATES, AND I'LL BE A ROUND FOR QUESTIONS ONCE KYLE CONCLUDES.
>> THANKS, ANGEL. KYLE GLAZER WITH THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPERTY TAX REBATE PROGRAM.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT A FEW TIMES NOW, BUT JUST A QUICK OVERVIEW.
THIS PROGRAM IS PRETTY SIMPLE.
IT'S INTENDED TO PROVIDE SOME PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS AS A RESULT OF SOME RISING HOME VALUES.
THOSE ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS CAN RECEIVE A REBATE UP TO 75% OF THE CITY PORTION OF THEIR TAX BILL.
DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE, THAT'S ABOUT 20-23% OF YOUR TOTAL TAX BILL.
THE SECOND YEAR OF THIS PROGRAM.
BOTH YEARS, WE'VE HAD FUNDING AT $100,000 ALLOCATED FOR THIS PROGRAM.
IF YOU REMEMBER LAST YEAR, WE MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.
THIS YEAR FOR THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.
YOU HAD TO BE SENIOR, EITHER 62 PLUS OR A DISABLED VETERAN WITH A 50% DISABILITY RATING OR ABOVE AS DETERMINED BY THE VA. YOU HAD TO HAVE A HUD INCOME BELOW THE LOW INCOME THRESHOLD, EXCUSE ME, WHICH IS 80% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME FOR THE KEN CITY METRO.
THEN YOU HAD TO HAVE A HOME APPRAISED VALUE AT OR BELOW THE CITY AVERAGE.
FOR THE 2025 PROGRAM, THAT WAS $467,962.
AGAIN, JUST TO REMIND YOU, THIS YEAR, WE UPPED SOME OF THOSE THRESHOLDS LAST YEAR, THE FIRST YEAR OF OUR PROGRAM, YOU HAD IT WAS 65 PLUS.
IT WAS THE VERY LOW INCOME LIMITS, AND IT WAS THE CITY WIDE MEDIAN, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY LOWER HOME VALUE AVERAGE.
THIS SLIDE HERE, I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH IT IN EXTREME DETAIL, BUT I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT SOME OF THE OTHER CITIES AROUND US ARE DOING.
AS YOU CAN SEE, ALL OF OUR PEER CITIES NOW HAVE A PROPERTY TAX REBATE PROGRAM.
ALL THE PROGRAMS HERE THAT YOU SEE ON THE SIDE ARE MORE OR LESS THE SAME EVERYBODY USES A LOT OF THE SAME CRITERIA WITH SOME DIFFERENCES HERE AND THERE.
BUT ONE THING I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THAT WHILE WE DO HAVE A MULTITUDE OF CRITERIA INVOLVED HERE.
ALL OF OUR THRESHOLDS ARE GENERALLY AT THE TOP END OF WHERE EVERYBODY ELSE IS AT.
ONE THING I DIDN'T INCLUDE ON THIS SLIDE IS SOME OF THE STATE PROGRAMS, AND THAT THE THING I JUST MENTIONED APPLIES TO THAT AS WELL.
THE STATE HAS A FEW VARIOUS DIFFERENT PROGRAMS TARGETED TOWARDS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT POPULATIONS, BUT THOSE THRESHOLDS FOR THOSE PROGRAMS ARE ALSO LOWER THAN WHAT OUR PROGRAMS, IS THAT CURRENTLY?
>> KYLE, THERE'S A BIG SWING ON THE MAXIMUM APPRAISAL.
[01:20:02]
ANY INSIGHT ON WHY THAT WOULD BE?LIKE PRAIRIE VILLAGE, FOR EXAMPLE, SMALLER CITY WITH THE I BELIEVE IT'S STILL THEIR AVERAGE IS WHAT THEY USE.
IT'S JUST A HIGHER AVERAGE, SAME WITH JOHNSON COUNTY AND ROLAND PARK.
THEN NOT EVERY CITY USES THAT AS A ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT? FOR THE 2025 YEAR, HERE'S SOME NUMBERS ON THE APPLICATIONS THAT WE RECEIVED.
WE REBATED 108 TOTAL APPLICATIONS, IF YOU RECALL, FROM OUR LAST CONVERSATION, WHEN WE UPDATED THE CRITERIA.
LAST YEAR, WE HAD 33 APPLICATIONS TOTAL, AND WE HAD HOPED TO TRIPLE THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS WE RECEIVED THIS YEAR WITH THE CHANGES THAT WE MADE, AND SAVING YOU THE MATH.
WE DID THAT PLUS A LITTLE BIT, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS.
THAT MEANS THAT OUR ESTIMATING AND OUR PROJECTIONS ARE RIGHT AROUND WHERE WE THINK THEY ARE.
THE NEXT TWO LINES ON THAT TABLE, YOU'LL SEE IS AVERAGE TAXABLE HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND THE TAXABLE HOUSEHOLD INCOME RANGE FOR THOSE 108 APPLICATIONS THAT WE REBATED.
I WANT TO PAUSE HERE A MINUTE AND TALK ABOUT THE TAXABLE INCOME RANGE.
IT'S CALLED TAXABLE BECAUSE ON OUR APPLICATION, WHAT WE USE TO VERIFY THE INCOME THRESHOLD IS YOUR TOTAL INCOME ON YOUR FEDERAL TAX RETURN 1040.
WHAT THAT LINE ADDS UP TO IS ALL OF YOUR TAXABLE INCOME.
THAT VARIES WIDELY BY INDIVIDUAL.
BUT, FOR EXAMPLE, AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS RELYING PRIMARILY ON SOCIAL SECURITY.
WITHOUT ANY OTHER IRA DISTRIBUTIONS, W2 INCOME OR PENSIONS, NOT A LOT OF THAT SOCIAL SECURITY IS GOING TO BE TAXABLE.
THEIR TOTAL INCOME LINE IS GOING TO BE LOWER.
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS COLLECTING SOCIAL SECURITY, BUT ALSO HAS A LARGE IRA DISTRIBUTION OR A LARGE PENSION, A HIGHER PORTION OF THAT SOCIAL SECURITY IS GOING TO BE TAXABLE, AND SO THE TOTAL INCOME LINE ON THE 1040 THAT WE VERIFY IS GOING TO BE HIGHER.
WHEN YOU SEE THE INCOME RANGES OF OUR APPLICANTS, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE INCOME THAT THEY ARE RECEIVING, IT'S JUST THEIR TAXABLE INCOME ON THEIR 1040.
WHEN WE SET UP THE PROGRAM, WE SET IT UP THAT WAY SO THAT IT WOULD BE SIMPLE FOR SOMEBODY WHO WAS APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM TO KNOW WHAT THEIR THRESHOLD WAS GOING TO BE AND IF THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM OR NOT, AS WELL AS MAKING IT EASY ON STAFF SO THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND ONE TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO APPLICANTS 108 TIMES WHAT THAT FORMULA WAS OR RUN INTO ISSUES WHERE WE'RE MISCALCULATING SOMETHING OR READING SOMEBODY'S TAX FORM WRONG, BECAUSE, AGAIN, EVERYBODY'S TAX SITUATION IS WILDLY DIFFERENT.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT, AND WHEN YOU SEE THOSE NUMBERS, JUST TRY AND KEEP THAT IN MIND.
THE AVERAGE APPRAISED VALUE OF THOSE 108 APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR WAS 322,000 WELL BELOW THE THRESHOLD FOR ELIGIBILITY.
THEN OUR AVERAGE TAX REBATE OF THOSE 108 APPLICATIONS WAS 750 ON THE DOT, WHICH IS INTERESTING BECAUSE IF YOU THINK BACK TO THAT PREVIOUS SLIDE, THE HIGHEST CAP ON SOME OF THOSE WAS WAS 750.
BEING THE AVERAGE, WE GAVE AWAY SOME THAT WERE SLIGHTLY HIGHER, SLIGHTLY LOWER, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOUR TOTAL TAX BILL ENDED UP BEING.
THEN LASTLY, THE TOTAL REBATES GIVEN THIS YEAR WAS 81,000.
WE USED ABOUT 81.009% OF OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR.
WHICH LEAVES US SOME ROOM FOR NEXT YEAR.
WE HAVE SOME IDEAS TO GET OUT IN THE COMMUNITY PHYSICALLY NEXT YEAR AND TRY AND GET MORE APPLICANTS IN THAT WAY THROUGH SOME OF THAT NATURAL GROWTH.
ONE OF THE PIECES OF FEEDBACK WE HEARD MOST THIS YEAR WAS, I WOULD'VE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR LAST YEAR, AND I JUST I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT.
WE'RE HOPING THAT NEXT YEAR'S PROGRAM, WE GET SOME OF THAT GROWTH AS WELL THAT CAN GET US CLOSER TO THAT 100,000 BUDGET.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026, THE FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM REMAINS THE SAME AT $100,000.
THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE USING THAT SAME CRITERIA, JUST WITH THE GROWTH THAT HAS OCCURRED, INCREASES 467,000-493,000.
THE HUD LOW INCOME LIMITS, AGAIN, 80% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME ALSO INCREASES FOR A TWO PERSON HOUSEHOLD, THAT INCREASES 66,000-71,000.
WE DID HAVE ONE APPLICANT THIS YEAR, WHO WAS A FOUR PERSON HOUSEHOLD, WHICH WAS TWO ADULTS WITH TWO DEPENDENTS LIVING IN THE HOUSE.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, EVERY APPLICANT THAT WE RECEIVED THIS YEAR WAS A TWO PERSON OR ONE PERSON SENIOR HOUSEHOLD.
I DID FORGET TO MENTION ON THE LAST SLIDE, WHEN WE LOWERED THE DISABILITY RATING LAST YEAR, WE DID HAVE FIVE DISABLED VETERANS THAT RECEIVED A REBATE THIS YEAR.
[01:25:06]
THEN AGAIN, NEXT YEAR, I THINK WE HAVE THE PROCESS DOWN REALLY WELL.I'LL TAKE THIS MOMENT TO THANK NATE'S FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
MELANIE, PROBABLY PUT IN AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT, PROBABLY PUT IN MORE TIME WITH THIS PROGRAM THAN I DID, JUST GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE SYSTEM SO THAT WE COULD MAKE THE ACTUAL PAYMENTS THEMSELVES.
BUT THE PROCESS WORKED REALLY WELL.
WE ACCEPTED APPLICATIONS FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER.
AT THAT POINT, EVERYBODY HAD MADE THEIR TAX PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR.
AS THE APPLICANTS APPLICATIONS CAME IN, WE WERE ABLE TO VERIFY THAT THOSE PAYMENTS HAD BEEN MADE, VERIFY THEIR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, PUT THEM ON THE LIST, GET THEM IN THE SYSTEM, SEND OUT THE REBATE.
IN CONCLUSION, I SUPPOSE, GIVEN THE SUCCESS OF THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM, THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR'S PROGRAM STAFF IS RECOMMENDING NO CHANGES TO THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA OF THE PROGRAM.
WE THINK THAT GIVEN THE INTENT OF THIS PROGRAM TO TARGET THOSE SENIOR CITIZENS ON FIXED INCOME RELYING ON SOCIAL SECURITY, THAT WE ARE REACHING THAT TARGET, AND THAT WE HAVE MORE INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE THAT WE CAN REACH THROUGH SOME OF THESE JUST OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE REBATES FOR.
THEN, AGAIN, CIRCLING BACK TO WHERE OUR AVERAGE INCOME AND WHERE OUR AVERAGE APPRAISED VALUE ACTUALLY CAME IN AT, BASED ON EVEN THESE LAST TWO YEARS OF DATA, WE THINK THAT WE'RE REALLY REACHING OUR TARGET TARGET POPULATION.
WITH THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> KYLE, ARE STILL UP THERE? YOU WERE SHOWING THE PROGRAMS THAT THE COUNTY ALSO HAS.
IF SOMEONE QUALIFIES FOR BOTH OF THOSE PROGRAMS, CAN THEY APPLY TO BOTH OF THOSE PROGRAMS?
>> YES, AND SAME THING WITH THE STATE AS WELL.
>> PERFECT. THEN I HAD ONE FOR ANGEL TOO.
>> HOW MANY APPLICATIONS DID WE GET TOTAL AND HOW MANY DID WE FUND?
>> I WAS WRITING, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT.
>> GIVE ME A SECOND. I KNOW IT'S IN HERE. LET'S LOOK.
THERE WE GO. THIS YEAR, WE GOT 38 APPLICATIONS, WE FUNDED 21.
>> WAS THAT BECAUSE WE RAN OUT OF MONEY?
>> PERFECT. THEN MY QUESTION IS, LOOKING AT OUR INVESTMENT AND THE TOTAL INVESTMENT BASED ON WHAT EVERYBODY'S DOING IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT FOR US IS TO INCREASE THAT AMOUNT IF WE'RE ONLY FUNDING HALF OF WHAT'S COMING IN AND WE'RE TURNING AWAY 17.
YOU GUYS ARE PICKING THEM BASED ON AGE.
WAS THERE PROJECTS OUT THERE THAT YOU THOUGHT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FUNDED ALSO? WE AT THAT PLACE TO START RE EVALUATING IS THIS WHERE WE WANT TO PRIORITIZE AND ARE WE TURNING AWAY THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PROJECTS, AND DID THOSE PROJECTS STILL GET DONE OR DID THEY NOT GET DONE BASED ON THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, AND SO I'D BE CURIOUS TO SEE THAT DATA.
>> IT'S HARD TO KNOW IF THOSE PROJECTS GOT DONE OR NOT BECAUSE WE DON'T FOLLOW THEM ONCE THEY'RE DECLINED.
I DO THINK ABSOLUTELY WE COULD UTILIZE MORE FUNDS IF IT WERE AVAILABLE FOR THIS PROGRAM.
I WILL ADD TOO THAT WHILE WE PRIORITIZE BASED UPON AGE OF THE PROJECT OR AGE OF THE HOME, WE HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT SITS DOWN AND REVIEWS ALL OF THE APPLICATIONS.
IF WE LOOK AT A HOME THAT MAYBE WAS BUILT IN THE 1920S OR SOMETHING, BUT THEIR HOME DOESN'T APPEAR TO NEED ANYTHING.
THERE'S NOT A NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT.
IF IT'S IN A REAR YARD BEHIND A PRIVACY FENCE, WE WILL SKIP TO THE NEXT APPLICATION.
IT'S NOT JUST SOLELY BASED UPON AGE, THAT'S JUST OUR STARTING POINT.
BUT BY ALL MEANS, I THINK THAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY SPEND MORE MONEY IN THIS PROGRAM AND HELP MORE PEOPLE BECAUSE WE DO TURN PEOPLE AWAY EVERY YEAR.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> KYLE, WE MIRACULOUSLY, AND WHEN YOU CHANGED THE CRITERIA FOR THE PROGRAM, YOU HIT THE TARGET THAT YOU WANTED THREE TIMES AS MANY APPLICANTS.
DO WE THINK WITH THE CHANGES TO ELIGIBILITY, JUST FROM AVERAGE HOME VALUE AND THE HUD LOW INCOME VALUE, DO WE THINK THAT WE'LL HIT THAT NUMBER THAT WE'RE WANTING, OR DO YOU THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO START SEEING THIS PROBLEM OF HAVING TO TURN MORE FOLKS AWAY?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. THAT'S OBVIOUSLY HARD TO KNOW FOR SURE, BUT I THINK THE EXPECTATION WOULD BE THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET THE SAME 108 APPLICANTS NEXT YEAR PLUS A LITTLE, BUT WE DO STILL HAVE THAT BACKSTOP IN PLACE THAT IF WE WERE TO GO OVER,
[01:30:01]
WE CAN PRO RATE EVERYBODY DOWN SLIGHTLY.I DO NOT EXPECT THAT WE WOULD OVERFLOW SO MUCH TO WHERE THAT PRO RATION BECOMES AN INSIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.
>> THAT'S HELPFUL. I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER ONE THAT I'M OPEN TO EXPLORING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MAYBE NEXT YEAR.
JUST AS WE START TO REALLY BOLSTER, AS YOU WERE SAYING, THERE WERE FOLKS WHO SAID, I QUALIFIED LAST YEAR, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT.
I THINK AS IT GETS TO BE MORE KNOWN, THAT MIGHT BE WHEN WE HAVE TO START LOOKING AT FUNDING THIS PROGRAM MORE.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
IT'S PROBABLY NOT A DATA POINT, BUT MORE JUST A FEELING THAT YOU HAVE NOW HAVING DONE THIS FOR FIVE YEARS.
DO YOU NOTICE THAT RECIPIENTS OF THE FUNDS INSPIRE THEIR NEIGHBORS, AND YOU SEE BENEFIT UP AND DOWN STREETS, JUST ANECDOTALLY THAT WE CAN'T REALLY QUANTIFY, BUT MIGHT ALSO SERVE TO INFORM COURTNEY'S POINT THAT WE'RE SEEING MORE BENEFIT THAN WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY MEASURING?
>> YES. I THINK WE'RE ABSOLUTELY STARTING TO SEE BLOCKS WITH AN IMPROVEMENT, AND I'M NOW HEARING MORE AND MORE THAT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS PROGRAM UNTIL TWO YEARS AGO, I SAW MY NEIGHBOR GETTING WORKED DONE IN THEIR HOUSE, AND WE VISITED, AND THEN I STARTED LOOKING INTO THE PROGRAM, AND NOW I HAVE SOME IMPROVEMENTS I WANT TO MAKE.
WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING YEAR AFTER YEAR SOME PEOPLE ON THE SAME BLOCK, EVEN NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS THAT ARE QUALIFYING AND GETTING APPROVED FOR THE PROGRAM.
I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY SPREADING VISUALLY AND JUST THROUGH CONVERSATION WITH NEIGHBORS, TOO.
>> MAYBE AN INCREASE NEXT YEAR UNLESS ANYBODY FEELS STRONGLY.
>> FURTHER TO JULIE'S QUESTION, DO WE TRACK HOW THE VALUE OF THE HOUSE GOES UP, PARTICULARLY IF THE HOUSE IS SOLD?
>> WE DO NOT CURRENTLY, BUT IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
>> IT'S A REASONABLE ASSUMPTION THAT THE VALUE DOES GO UP IN SOME WAY.
>> EVERYBODY GOOD? THANK YOU BOTH.
I THINK THESE PROGRAMS ARE DOING GREAT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE HARD WORK.
THIS DOES END THE RECORDED PORTION OF THE MEETING.
WE WILL HAVE BUSINESS.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.