This is the Prairie Village City Council meeting recap for Monday, January 6, 2020. You can see the full agenda and board packet HERE.

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

First, thank you for voting me into this seat:

I couldn’t have gotten here without your support and encouragement!

Here are the highlights of this meeting:

Presentations

Proclamations Honoring Outgoing Councilmembers & Retiring Treasurer

below from left to right…

• Ted Odell, Ward 6 Councilmember from 2012 through 2019
• Andrew Wang, Ward 3 Councilmember from 2004 through 2019
• Serena Schermoly, Ward 2 Councilmember from 2016 through 2019
• Brooke Morehead, Ward 4 Councilmember from 2012 through 2019

• Fielding Norton, Jr., Treasurer for the City of Prairie Village from 1981 through 2019 – 38 Years!!!

I encourage you to read the Proclamations to learn more about the wonderful things that all five of these community members have done for Prairie Village during their tenures.

Swearing-In of New Councilmembers

below from left to right…

• Bonnie Limbird, Ward 3, you know me
• Inga Selders, Ward 2, is a former elementary educator, a business-owner, and mom to three kiddos attending Prairie Elementary & Indian Hills Middle School.
• Ian Graves, Ward 6, is a software engineer, husband, and father to a toddler and a pre-schooler.
• Piper Reimer, Ward 4, is a Registered Nurse, an environmental advocate, and mom to three college-age+ sons.

Thank you to all of our friends and family who came to support the outgoing members and the incoming members. It was a packed house, and really heart-warming to witness!

Meadowbrook Park Development Update

The latest updates on the largest park space in Prairie Village:

• The Meadowbrook Inn will open in April with 55 rooms.
• Two restaurant concepts from the Cafe Provence and French Market proprietor family will open soon after.
• Condos and single-family homes have been selling at higher rates than initially modeled for, so the likelihood of being able to pay off the 20-year bonds in less time is very high. Possibly reducing by 5 years!

Committee Reports

Civic (Community) Center Ad Hoc Committee

Councilwoman Myers shared that the survey process is complete, and Wiese Group is compiling and analyzing the data.

Environmental Committee

Jori Nelson, Environmental Committee Chair, let Council know that a proposal for banning single-use plastic bags in Prairie Village would be coming before Council in February.

Mayor’s Report

• Mayor had coffee with Will Swoopes, Walk Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association Heartland Chapter – headquartered right here in Prairie Village! – and connected Mr. Swoopes with Detective Van Cil for more police interaction on upcoming walks.
• Macy’s at Prairie Village Shops will be closing in 90 days.

Staff Reports

Administration

Meghan Buum, Assistant City Administrator, updated Council that pool hiring postings will be going live soon, so spread the word for lifeguards and other positions at our Prairie Village Pool.

Jamie Robichaud, Deputy City Administrator, informed Council that the Planning Commission will be considering a rezoning request on January 7th for two properties along 75th street, and also for Public Works as they clean up the plats during the design process for their new buildings.

Additionally, information regarding the curbside glass recycling and compost pilot program went out to the residents in the selected neighborhoods, and staff have only heard from a couple people with questions or to opt-out so far.

Wes Jordan, City Administrator, recognized Chief Schwartzkopf for being elected President of the metro Chiefs Association.

New Business

All items of New Business were passed by Council.

Council Committee of the Whole

Exterior Grant Report & 2020 Consideration

Jamie Robichaud, Deputy City Administrator, presented final 2020 numbers (pg. 195 of council packet, link above) and possible 2020 program changes (pg. 212) for the Exterior Grant Program.

There was MUCH conversation about this. Many ideas were presented for how to expand the program, and good points about staying true to the original mission and roots of the program, while not dismissing the idea of expanding opportunities for homeowners through separate programs. Possibly with outside partners to help with funding and administration!

Ultimately, Council voted to increase the Grant pool to $250,000 for 2020, and directed staff to come back to the next meeting with a list of possible funding sources and a list of possible expansions.

2020 Recreation Fee Schedule

Meghan Buum, Assistant City Administrator, presented the proposed 2020 Recreation Fee Schedule (pg. 214) approved by the Parks & Recreation Committee, and Council voted unanimously to approve. Note: NO pool increases!

Notable Council Actions

• Ratified the 2020 Prairie Village Legislative Platform

Upcoming Events

• Future of the Arts Reception, 1/10
• OsteoStrong PV Ribbon-Cutting, 1/16
• City Offices will be closed on January 20th to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• January 21st – City Council Meeting
• JoCo NAACP MLK Jr. Celebration w/ a special recognition of PV’s Major Byron Roberson, 1/21
• Growing Days Ribbon Cutting, 1/23

👋

That’s it! But mark your calendars for the first Friday in February from 7:00 am to 9:00 am, and for every month throughout 2020! My fellow Ward 3 council member, Tucker Poling, and I are trying something knew and will be having “Coffee and Conversations” so you can chat with us live and in person as your schedule allows. More information to follow. Looking forward to seeing you!

Have a great weekend!