City Services, Informational, Infrastructure

Council Meeting Recap

May 10, 2019May 10, 2019

This is the Prairie Village City Council recap for Monday, May 6th, 2019. You can see the full agenda and board packet HERE.

Council members present at roll call: Herring, J. Nelson, Schermoly, R. Nelson, Myers, Morehead, Runion, McFadden, Odell, and Gallagher.

I was back in the chamber for this week’s meeting, thank goodness. The upgrades to the streaming system haven’t been completed, yet, and attending in person is really the only way to hear the business of the city until the upgrades are completed.

Here are some highlights from this meeting:

Presentations

Mayor Mikkelson proclaimed it National Women’s Healthcare Week in Prairie Village.

James Carney, Public Works Field Superintendent, presented a couple of new Public Works employees (one returning) and two promotions including Ryan King who’s been with the City of Prairie Village for 30 years. He was presented with a Prairie Village street sign in his name, and his parents were in attendance. Mr. Carney’s presentation of kind words and accolades for all four gentlemen were really thoughtful and appreciated.

Mayoral Report

Mayor Mikkelson indicated that he and the City had another meeting with the YMCA regarding the idea of a shared community center, but gave no further detail. He also noted that the new fire station by City Hall is now open and will allow for quicker response times for thousands of residents. Meadowbrook Park will open in June, and it is the 20th anniversary of Brighton Gardens in Prairie Village!

Mayor Mikkelson also gave a preview of the currently proposed budget, but since that budget hasn’t been argued in Council or officially voted on, none of the items he listed are set in stone yet.

Administrator Updates

The administration office is aware that the Facebook live stream of meetings isn’t working properly and Ashley Freburg, Public Information Officer/Deputy City Clerk, is working on getting that fixed.

There is a $50,000 Statuary Grant, so if you know of any statuary pieces around Prairie Village that need maintained or repaired, please let Alley Porter, Assistant City Administrator, know.

Republic Services was on hand to discuss the rising costs of recycling and the sudden shift from it being profitable (for Republic AND for the City) to it being a net loss to providers. (See the Recycling is Broken presentation at page 119 of the Council packet linked at the top of this post.)

Per their contract, Republic is able to increase the solid waste removal rates annually up to a certain threshold (I didn’t catch that %), but in addition to that, they are also proposing an additional $1.75 per month increase to cover the costs of recycling. According to the survey referenced in their presentation, residents who responded are willing to pay a little more for recycling. I have posted my own informal poll on Facebook to see what you all think. Please respond HERE. The Council has not discussed this proposal nor voted on it, so stay tuned and let them know what you think.

Last but not least for admin, the City is looking for a Pool Manager. See HERE for job description. Other open positions HERE.

Public Works Update

Roe Avenue from 67th Street to 75th Street Update: Sod crews have been hampered by the recent rains. Sod placement will start up again as soon as they can get material. This week crews will be deep milling. (I drove across Roe this morning, and I can attest: it is DEEP milling. It definitely requires a snail’s pace to cross so you don’t bottom out.) This will require closures to through traffic.

You can find updates and schedules for all of the current 2019 Construction Projects right HERE!

Actions

The City Council took the following actions:

Approved the regular City Council meeting minutes – April 15, 2019
Approved an enhanced salt agreement with Central Salt
Approved a bid award to Edwards Chemical for swimming pool chemicals
Approved the appointment of Kathy Clark to the Arts Council
Approved Resolution 2019-11 authorizing the sale, consumption and possession of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages at the Prairie Village Arts Council’s “Chamber in the Chamber” series receptions
Approved an amendment to Council Policy 055 – Investment Policy Statement for City Retirement Funds recommended by the Board of Trustees
Approved a construction contract with JM Fahey Construction for the 2019 CARS Program
Approved a contract with McAnany Construction for the 2019 UBAS Program