No public participation this week. Please know that we love to hear from residents, and there is a process in place for you to be heard, even during our current Zoom meeting format. We can also make certain ADA accommodations as well, when requested. 🙂

VillageFest

VillageFest volunteers kicked off the 2021 planning with their first meeting last week. No details yet, but be sure to volunteer if that’s something you’re interested in. Councilmember Courtney McFadden is the City Council liaison for VillageFest, and they would love your help!

Arts Council Update

Arts Council has another virtual music concert coming up! On Monday, February 15th, join Prairie Village Arts Council for a live online 50-minute program at 10:30 a.m. in honor of Presidents’ Day and Valentine’s Day.

A familiar face to local audiences and former Shawnee Mission students, local violinist and retired SMSD strings teacher Jennifer Mitchell performs for you on violin with accompaniment. Jennifer has performed for over 13,500 students and seniors through her musical outreach program with the Kansas City Civic Orchestra.
Join us live here: https://www.facebook.com/events/469886197363040/.

Crime Report 2020

Crime was DOWN in Prairie Village in 2020!

But the state of our mental health in 2020 during self-isolation has been a big concern across the world, and those calls to our PVPD here in Prairie Village, excluding suicide-related calls, were up. Voluntary committals were also up, so it’s possible quarantining, working from home, and not being able to grab coffee or lunch with our friends haven’t been the best for our overall health.

If you need help during this public health crisis, please reach out to Johnson County Mental Health Center or your preferred mental health provider.

Consider hazard mitigation plan

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all political entities in the United States to have an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan to help state, tribal, territorial and local communities understand and reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards. The City of Prairie Village is part of this regional plan, Region L, to address its hazards, develop mitigation actions, and incorporate those with the mitigation actions of other jurisdictions and entities in the plan. Region L in the State of Kansas consists of three counties: Johnson, Leavenworth, and Wyandotte.

Council approved the Kansas Homeland Security Region L Hazard Mitigation Plan unanimously.

Consider small cell facility deployment and master right-of-way license agreement

Background: In 2016, the Kansas Legislature passed, and Governor Brownback signed into law, the Kansas New Wireless Deployment Act. The Act provided both “wireless service providers” and “wireless infrastructure providers” with expanded rights to use the City’s public rights-of-way for the installation of wireless and “small cell” facilities, including poles and antenna.

In an additional effort to limit municipal authority (loss of local control!) in this area, in 2019 the wireless industry (lead by AT&T) pushed the Kansas Legislature to pass legislation that prohibits cities from requiring franchise agreements (of the kind previously utilized by City of Prairie Village) or requiring franchise fees from wireless services providers.

So, long story short, the City really has no say in this, and this vote was just to update the language in our ordinances. There is concern about what these will look like and how long before they start invading residential spaces, but for now, this only affects city property.

Consider 2021 recreational fee schedule

No changes for 2021! Woot woot!

Agenda Packet for your reference

Closing

So that’s it for this week. Some things I’m working on:

PV is NOT a Community for All Ages, but it’s on the drawing board post-COVID.
I’m connecting with local Native Americans to get their input on KCAHTA and National Historic Trails trail markings. I’ve reached out to Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence; specifically, their Indigenous and American Indian Studies department.
I met virtually with arts council volunteers from other cities to get ideas and best practices for our city’s council.
I interviewed two awesome volunteer applicants to fill a vacant seat on the PV Arts Council, and found a great new addition for our team!
Working with the Arts Council and the Statuary committee on a plaque for the Homesteaders sculpture at Mission and Tomahawk roads, hopefully in 2021.
I’m organizing a panel presentation and Q&A with the GKC Chamber on the Lack of Affordable Housing in KC and why it is Everyone’s Problem.

Take care and please wear your masks.