This is a post that I will update as I learn more information that I think will be helpful to my Prairie Village neighbors. As I add to it, I’ll clone the post with a new date and bold the new items, so followers who receive my weekly email updates will automatically receive the updated list. 🙂

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Did You Know?

The process of running for Prairie Village City Council has been such a learning adventure! Nearly every day, I learn something new about Prairie Village, Johnson County, the greater KC metro, and Kansas. And so many of them are things that I wish I’d known a year ago. So, I want to share them with you! Here they are:

City/County Services

1. EACH MONTH you are allowed to set out ONE BULKY ITEM during the first full week of the month. Monthly bulky items must be smaller items such as rugs, counter top appliances, or small furniture. The item cannot be larger than 2′ by 2′ and should weigh less than 45 pounds.
2. Hazardous waste (paint, motor oil, etc.) may be taken to the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment at 5901 Jim Bills Road, Mission, KS. The hazardous waste site is open on an appointment-only basis. An appointment may be made online here or by calling 913-715-6907

Construction

1. You can find updates and schedules for all of the current Construction Projects right HERE!
2. Noise ordinance #11-201 dictates that loud noise is prohibited:
   • before 7:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, and
   • before 8:00 a.m. and after midnight on weekends.
   • To report a violation, please contact the Prairie Village Police Department – 913-642-6868 or 913-642-5151.

Health & Wellness

1. Mental Health is a Community Issue. Would you like to learn how to spot signs that a person in your family or community may be experiencing a mental health related crisis or problem such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, or addictions? Johnson County Mental Health offers training for anyone over 18. Many of the trainings are funded, in part, by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, as well as Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. 

Home Ownership/Tenantship

1. The City of Prairie Village has participated in the Kansas Housing Assistance Program since 1995? This program enables low and moderate income home buyers the ability to purchase homes with either reduced interest rates, down payment assistance, or both. This program is the only program of its type in the State of Kansas. Find a list of eligible lenders HERE.
2. Renters have rights as outlined in the Kansas Residential Landlord & Tenant Act including a right to request an interior inspection of the property by the City if he/she/they feels that the landlord isn’t complying with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety. The City is considering a formal process for this request, but until then, just call City Hall for your request.
3. If you need or want help with the maintenance required for your home by City Ordinance, there are several resources available to you found HERE.

Public Safety

1. ALWAYS call the police department if you think something is off or your gut is telling you something is wrong. PVPD would much rather go on a hundred calls for “nothing” than miss even one “something”.
2. If you’re not comfortable calling 9-1-1, then dial 913-642-5151. This number goes direct to Dispatch as urgent, but not as an emergency.
3. Do you have a camera doorbell (like Nest Hello or Ring) or other cameras on your property? Then, if you’re interested, you can join the Village Video Cooperative. Click HERE for more info.

Sustainability

1. The Johnson County Stormwater Management Program encourages individual homeowners and businesses to make improvements on their properties to improve stormwater quality. Contain the Rain in Johnson County is a reimbursement program for most JOCO residents who install sustainable landscape solutions that benefit stormwater. Each city administers the funding for its reimbursement program. You can learn more about Prairie Village’s process HERE.
2. The Johnson County Landfill is slated to close in the year 2043. That seems like a long way away, but it’s not really, and it’s only a rough estimate at this point, and the way we deal with our trash and garbage can either shorten that time frame or extend it.
3. On average 7lbs. of trash per person per day goes to the landfill. Got something you want to get rid of, but aren’t sure if it can be recycled? The RecycleSpot.org can help you find out. Always contact locations first to verify information and services.
4. Did you know that 40% of all food in America is wasted? Did you know that food waste makes up over 23% of the Johnson County Landfill? That’s several percentage points over the national average! If you’d like to know what you can do to reduce food waste, guesstimate amounts for large parties, how to store food (freeze or can) for future use, and much more, check out SAVE THE FOOD.COM.

Transportation

1. If you’re a Veteran, the KCATA and the Veterans Community Project partnered to provide free bus rides Monday through Friday. (But PV only has bus stops along 75th and 95th streets.)

Utilities

1. Are you, or is anyone you know, struggling to pay utility bills? The Johnson County Utility Assistance Program provides financial assistance to promote safety and avoid utility disconnection to qualifying Johnson County households. Help may be provided with electric, water, propane, gas, waste water, or wood bills. To apply, call 913-715-6653. Services are available by appointment only, but basic details HERE.
2. Did you know that tap water must meet more regulatory requirements for water quality than bottled water? Bottled water is only required to meet basic FDA quality rules. Johnson County tap water meets or exceeds strict state and EPA quality regulations.  Our water is tested by an accredited lab thousands of times a year. As a matter of fact neither WaterOne nor The Sierra Club Kanza Group endorse or recommend any filters for your tap, because it’s just 👏 not 👏 necessary 👏. See www.ilovetap.org for more information about our high quality H₂O!
3. Like a green lawn? Water any time of day for as long as you like! No restrictions. But if you’d like to be more “green” for the environment, try Smart Watering. If you live in an even number house, water Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If you live in an odd number house, water Tuesday, Thursday, and the weekend. This uses less electricity and prolongs the life of the water system. It might even improve your water pressure!

Volunteerism

1. The prettiest islands are in Ward 3. Traffic islands, that is. And they’re all cared for by volunteers! Residents Mark and Brenda Stiles and their fellow Prairie Hills Homes Association volunteers care for 15 islands including one designated as a Monarch Waystation Habitat. Read more about the Stileses and these gorgeous islands in the Shawnee Mission Post.

That’s all for now! See you next time.

Take care and reach out if you have any questions or concerns,

#ShowUp
#Breathe
#DoYourBest
#BeKind