iSpeakSolutions LLC - City of Kearney, MO

Transcription

iSpeakSolutions LLC
518 S Cedar Street
Belton, Missouri 64012
Phone: 816-914-9456
E-Mail: Melissa@ispeaksolutions.com
Kearney-Holt Area Needs
Assessment Report
Higher Education/Workforce Development
Community Development
July 12, 2011
Introduction
The Kearney Area Development Council (KADC), Kearney Chamber of Commerce and Kearney
R-1 School District engaged iSpeakSolutions LLC to gather employer and adult resident
recommendations for area development initiatives. The primary purpose of this needs
assessment report is to inform leadership of higher education and workforce development
needs.
The Kearney Holt area is defined by the Kearney School District.
¨ Civilian employed population 16 years and over
10,360
¨ Adult Survey Sample: 638 (Roughly six percent)
¨ Employer Sample: 71 Businesses/Organizations
Purpose
Higher Education and Workforce
Development
Area Development
Recommendations
• Determine the level of need and interest in the adult
resident and employer communities for higher education
and workforce development offerings.
• Determine key community affinities and detractors.
Gather strategic planning recommendations from adult
resident and employer communities.
•
Assess Kearney area employer needs and develop workforce innovation partnerships between
area businesses, economic development leadership and Metropolitan Community College.
•
Inform Metropolitan Community College program development and offerings for the Kearney area.
Data Collection
¨ Online Surveys: Survey invitation emails were sent out to Kearney Chamber of Commerce
affiliates, Kearney Enrichment Council affiliates, community stakeholders and parents of
Kearney School District students.
¨ The Kearney Courier published two community awareness articles informing the public of the
purpose of the study with instructions on how to participate.
Web links were posted on several community Web sites including Kearney Area Development
Council, Kearney R-1 School District, Kearney Chamber of Commerce, City of Kearney Missouri and
The Kearney Courier.
Kearney Holt Area Needs Assessment Report
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KearneyKearney
Holt Area
Employer
Participants
Holt Area
Employer
Analysis
Survey Participants
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Harmon Plumbing
and Heating
Porters Building
Centers
! 
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Cole Printing
Quality Carriers/
KIDS Returns, LLC
WLS
Eagle Vision
Productions, LLC /
Homemovievault.co
m
Kearney R-I School
District
Holt Mini Storage
! 
KCB Bank
! 
RE/MAX Advantage
A Touch of Health
Chiropractic
Radiant Life Church
& Daycare
Business Cards Ltd
Summit Publications
Inc.
! 
The Kearney Courier
! 
Darrell's Style Shop
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The Kearney Courier
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" 
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Barham Cattle &
Fence Company
Finishing Touch
Décor
SYSTEMS
Construction
Company
! 
Running Star Ranch
! 
Stables Grill
! 
Ply Gem (Variform)
! 
KCB Bank
! 
Advantage Courier
! 
Taff's Carpets
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Kearney Family
Medicine
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Dunn
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Zahn Dental
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Shelter Insurance
! 
City of Kearney
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REALTOR
! 
GLOBAL
INFORMATION
! 
christian ad co-op
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Party Place Liquors
KCB Bank
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Campione Interior
Solutions
Rock Inn
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Nash LLC
EHaras Services and
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Real estate
Solutions
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The UPS Store
ETRN.com LLC
! 
chris shipley
Whitman
excavating
Enterprises, LLC
! 
Westbrook Care
Kindermusik
Center, Inc
Rhonda Beckett
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BETTE'S HALLMARK
Photography
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Big V Country Mart
Schmidt & Company
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Clay County Savings
Elam Accounting &
Bank
Tax Service
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Take Care of My
Rags 2 Riches
Website LLC
At Sarah's Table
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Coldwell Banker
Form-Tech, Inc
Glennon
Meyer Accounting & !  I See 360 Training
Tax
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KIDS Returns, LLC ! 
Reece & Nichols !  Paul D. Cummings
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Realtors, Kearney
World Wide Enter/
Kearney Junior High woople LLC
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Creative Corner, LLC
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Bill Long
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Kearney Holt Area Employer Summary of Results
Personnel/Human Resources:
¨ Two thirds (73.6%) of employer respondents are small business owners.
¨ Over half (60.0%) have less than five employees.
¨ Over half (52.8%) are not currently hiring while 34.8% are either currently hiring or planning to
add new employees this year. Of all employers surveyed nearly 10% report having trouble
finding quality employees.
Soft Skills: Workforce Training Needs
Communication Skills
Stress Management
Conflict Resolution
Leadership Training
Performance Management
Computer Skills/Training
Professional Development/Continuing
Career Education
50.0%
0.0%
3.3%
6.7%
6.7%
10.0%
23.3%
Time Management
We need training to better understand how to help other local businesses can better market themselves.
Accounting skills
Several qualities are important: Communications, Selling skills, Computer skills Honesty Dependability
We give all potential employees a value assessment and you would be amazed an how many people
fail this very basic survey.
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Professional Development: Workforce Training Needs
OSHA 500 Trainer Course in Standards for the Construction Industry (Prepares personnel to
conduct 10 and 30-hour construction safety courses using OSHA guidelines)
OSHA 501 Trainer Course in Standards for the General Industry (OSH Act Provisions and
Implementation in the Workplace)
OSHA 510 Standards for the Construction Industry (OSHA policies, procedures and
standards/construction safety and health principles)
OSHA 511 Standards for the General Industry (Introduction to OSHA policies, procedures and
standards/general industry safety and health principles)
Confined Space Entry
Comprehensive Person Excavation
Safety and Health Management
Visual Factory
Environmental Health and Safety Training and Services (General)
Safety and Health Management
Environmental Management for Safety Professionals
Mechanical- Industrial Maintenance
Mechanical- Hydraulics/Pneumatics
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CAD/CAM- AutoCad, REVIT, Inventor, Electrical, Max, Solidworks, Mastercam and other
systems
Soldering- Surface Mount Technology/IPC-610 or J-STD-001 Trainings
Lean Operations
Key Area Development Affinities:
Additional Responses:
•
We have the luxury of enjoying the attractions of Kansas City, without having to suffer the
distractions of Kansas City. Small town atmosphere provided by our home owned and
operated businesses, who can make decisions unique to your situation or needs. Something
large corporations cannot do! Lose small business and lose the appealing small town
atmosphere.
•
My business is not located in Kearney due to the need for my business to be located near the
core of the KC Metro to serve the KC Metro.
•
I am located in Kearney simply b/c the space was available and I reside here. None of the
above apply.
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Desired Areas of Improvement:
•
Further business development.
•
“Buy local” emphasis to support local retailers.
•
Space for start-up of small businesses: retail store fronts that are small square footage
and reasonably priced-an incubator for those wanting to explore a retail idea with the
hope of moving to a larger space in the future.
•
Efforts to attract more businesses/manufactures to the area to be able to generate more
tax revenue without having to raise individual families burden.
•
More retail diversification: no shoe stores, no jewelry stores, no clothing stores. There are
many items I can not purchase in Kearney, and either need to travel out of town to buy or
purchase from an internet supplier.
•
Too many hair/nail/spa places congregated in one area. Need reason to make Historic
Downtown a "destination" other than personal care!
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•
Other states where my company conducts business today offers better financial
incentives for my company to conduct business in those states.
•
More information on current business opportunities. Where does one go to find out more?
•
More business-friendly Clay County zoning laws. Current regulations place limitations on
properties zoned agricultural causing difficulties with business expansion. For example:
one can have as many farm workers as desired; however, they are not allowed to hire an
employee to work in a Bed & Breakfast, for which the Commission has approved a
Conditional Use Permit for the next 10 years. That means that I am unable to hire
employees for the next decade for an approved business. Additionally, zoning laws
preclude me from holding events (e.g., weddings, small meetings, etc.) that would help
grow my business and therefore provide more income to support employees,
subcontractors, and other local businesses. Such events are regularly available to my
competitors who reside in a city limit, but not available to my business because we are in
unincorporated Clay County.
•
Population that works and spends money in Kearney (Buy Local culture)
•
New businesses are not really welcomed by the local government, however, the PEOPLE
of Kearney are very warm and welcoming.
•
Need for less grocery stores and more stores where you can buy a pair of shoes...or a
birthday present. We need a place for kids birthday parties and a place for families to play
(bowling, rollerskating, movie theater,swimming pool)
•
More people buying real estate
•
Kearney needs a more diverse business community. Better restuarants, grocery stores,
and high tech industries.
•
There is too much unleased property in Kearney and we do not have a wide enough
variety of retail establishments to keep Kearney residents shopping in Kearney. I see this
especially since I also have a retail location in Liberty area and many Kearney residents
shop in the Liberty area location
•
Desired businesses: Upscale retail, restaurants, bowling, movie theater, skating rink and
swimming pool.
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Business Expansion:
Key factors in expanding the business:
•
The economy. There is a need but not at the survival level many people are at right now.
•
Cost of lease space, quality employees
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Tricky question. We'd love to expand, but do not foresee doing so within 5 years.
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I see the population continuing to increase which will cause the school system to expand.
•
Housing; New construction; good school rating; good neighborhood; low crime rate; good
professional employment available in area; development of the business community in
Kearney.
•
Would be expanding in other communities, not Kearney as we already have enough
Kearney presence.
•
I would like to open our business up to the public, but really as small as our company is (3
people)and the financial difficulties that bad advice and a terrible economy, especially in
the automotive industry, have brought on us.I t has hurt us terribly I don't think we could
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even try, because we couldn't afford to fail. Great idea but unsure of success! I have other
ideas to expand the services of our business but would be more profitable in a larger
population, I don't think people would drive to Kearney for my services unless there were
other reasons to come to Kearney.
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Incentives such as labor payroll tax credits and employee training credits as compared to
other locations where we operate.
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Tax reduction, reduced overhead expenses
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Expansion requires a favorable climate for business. Pro-business legislation and probusiness tax laws are a must.
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Zoning laws must change to facilitate expansion.
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My facility is currently for sale due to lack of business, especially from local residents. The
bulk of my customers are from outside of Kearney.
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Sales and demand for product.
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Residential growth in Kearney.
•
Improved work load/logistics.
•
Property is at full capacity
•
Area growth and land development
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Workforce Quality and Desired Skill Sets:
“Are you finding the quality and type of employees and managers that will ultimately
contribute to your success in the Kearney-Holt area?”
Yes
No
Please describe your hiring needs below in the comment section.
The purpose of this survey is to help businesses/organizations like yours thrive in our community.
Response
Percent
79.6%
20.4%
•
I have had success finding local residents to fill many roles at our company over time. Some roles
are more specialized and require unique training and experience, and I had to go out of market to find
those employees. That is the norm for our business, though.
•
As we continue to grow, our need for employees to help with our duplication process, printing and
archiving will grow.
•
Sometimes, it's sporadic
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As a family run business, in a down economy we are not hiring at this time.
•
It's difficult to find young people that can perform the service,while selling themselves daily.
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I need people that can think "outside of the box". Competing in today's marketplace requires skills not
found in today's public schools. In fact, it appears that the schools work hard to discourage this.
•
This question is not applicable. Cannot afford to have employees.
•
Kearney has a vast supply of quality people to fit most any business need
• I have a hard time keeping help due to my size of store. Currently my Husband manages the
store and has only one fulltime associate and 2-3 part time. If we expand our store we could hire those
2-3 fulltime. It's very hard to Keep part time help because they make more on unemployment.
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Desired Area Development Initiatives: Over the next five years
Additional Recommendations:
•
A lot easier said than done, but we need some medium-sized manufacturing, light industrial or
white collar businesses with strong wages/salaries to locate here to strengthen the tax base.
Residential will follow naturally and as it does, retail will follow. Driving those mid-size nonretail businesses would be my highest priority.
•
a pool :) I love this community. I would like to see every effort made to keep the businesses
we do have here.
•
Being able to hook into the existing city water/sewage system in order to get off a septic
system. Currently the city resources are located across the street form us and not accessible
to us.
•
For our community to continue to grow and compete against other Northland Communities, all
of these options need to be explored and improved upon.
•
I am a proponent for community assets and infrastructure that will create community and
financial benefit for Kearney. I like the repurposing of buildings for public services vs. building
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new buildings (ie: city hall, police station, senior center). I would focus on a community center
that is run by the YMCA and a southern access point to I-35 off of 19th & I-35 (the half
diamond will work).
•
More private schools! Excellence comes from competition and public schools are the exact
opposite of this.
•
Public transportation to and from Liberty, Holt, and Kearney INSTEAD of more and wider
roads.
•
Filling of available empty spaces in town as opposed to building new and right off highway.
Proposed shopping center off I-35 is good idea, but not at this time when 1/2 the town has,
continues to have, and continues to make, empty retail space.
•
Better highway access for business and residents
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Adult Community Needs Assessment
Educational Attainment:
I didn't complete high school
0.2% 1
I have a high school diploma
7.9% 40
I have my GED
1.0% 5
I completed on the job training
0.8% 4
Currently taking college classes 1.4% 7
Currently furthering professional development/career training
Labor union apprenticeship
1.0% 5
Specialized career training
2.6% 13
Specialized career certification
3.3% 17
I attended college but didn't complete a degree
15.0% 76
2.0% 10
Percentage of participants with less than Associates Degree: 35.2%
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I graduated college with a two year degree
7.5% 38
I graduated college with a bachelor's degree
28.0% 142
I have a Bachelor's degree and pursued graduate studies
I have a Master's degree
22.2% 113
I have a doctoral degree
2.0% 10
5.3% 27
• Percentage of Kearney Holt area adults (general population 25
years and older) with less than Associates Degree: 7703 or 62.8%
Interest in Pursuing Higher Education and Career Training
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Higher Education and Career Training Barriers
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Higher Education/Career Training Access Barriers:
Open Ended Responses
•
Have a Senior who will be going to college next fall and a 7th grader who also will need his
education. With the ridiculous cost of college these days, cannot afford to go back myself.
•
I am currently a certified teacher who has not gained a teaching position. I cannot continue to
spend money pursuing my graduate degree if the market is not there for a teaching position.
•
Financial assistance.
•
Not a college in Northland that offers my next level of educational need.
•
Kearney is not in-district to the closest community colleges. It's more expensive per credit
hour.
•
Disabled
•
I have tried and did not enjoy the format of team/group that is offered for 'adult classes'.
•
At this time there is no pay advancement available for me on our salary scale
•
Financial & time were the biggest two constraints, but I understood the costs
Career Training Interests
Education/Counseling
Radiologic Technology, sonography
Librarian
finance and business
Photography
Human Resources courses
Law
Forensics
Pottery/art courses
Counseling
Education / Teaching
Alternative Medicine
Hosting Continuing Education Classes through KCRAR in a Northland location
Medical Billing and Coding
Efficiency expert
Special education
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
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Adminstration courses
Project management
Want to learn to speak Spanish
Masters in Nursing
Specialist in Education
Education beyond masters
Business training - self employment
Homeland Security
Conservation
Marketing
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College Degree Attainment Interests
Open Ended Responses:
Refresher courses
PHR, SPHR
Registered Nurse
Refresher course for RN
Certifications in Cisco or Microsoft
Specialist
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Course Delivery Preferences
Very
Interested
Traditional classroom format (face-to-face
instruction at a campus)
Interested
Not
Interested
16.9% (64)
44.1% (167)
26.1% (99)
Online course or program (instruction is
primarily via the Internet)
31.6% (126)
42.4% (169)
16.3% (65)
Hybrid course or program that combines faceto-face and online instruction
27.0% (105)
45.8% (178)
16.5% (64)
Traditional face-to-face with courses that meet
during the day
6.8% (25)
18.8% (69)
61.1%
(225)
Traditional face-to-face with courses that meet
at night
14.3% (53)
43.7% (162)
29.1%
(108)
Courses lasting for 16 weeks
10.4% (38)
42.3% (155)
34.2%
(125)
Courses lasting for 8 weeks
26.2% (103)
53.9% (212)
7.9% (31)
N/A
12.9
%
(49)
9.8%
(39)
10.8
%
(42)
13.3
%
(49)
12.9
%
(48)
13.1
%
(48)
1 (47)
Rating
Average
R
1.89
2.17
2.12
1.37
1.83
1.73
2.21
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Key Community Affinities:
o I love the sense of community here. I love that town essentially stops for the homecoming
parade and how proud we are of our schools and their activities and athletics.
o A place that has a small town feel, but it so close to the city.
o its a small town. lets keep it that way. we lived in Liberty for 11 years. we moved to Holt 8
years ago to get away from the mess that Liberty has become.
o We were finally able to own our own land here.
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o Close to work
o We need a swimming pool and more sidewalks. Walking to the area schools or shops can be
very dangerous for our children and us. We can't walk out of our neighborhood without walking
in a major street or highway.
o My primary reason for moving here was the School System. The appeal of a "small town"
environment also made the decision easier, however, if you are serious about eating out and
shopping, you have to go somewhere else. For some of us, that is not a real problem. After
retirement, we are not as prone to need to go out as much. We enjoy the local scene.
o close proximity to Kansas City resources, events, and job opportunities.
o Our kids don't attend Kearney schools as we live in the Lawson District. Would like to see an
option for tuition enrollment in Kearney.
o "Small Town" feel
o Taxes are high and we don't really have "shopping" in Kearney.
o The sense of community and connectedness.
o Because I can't sell my house. There is nothing here to bring new people in to our community.
People are leaving. Our community is dieing. Small business can not survive here. The city
has done nothing to help them.
o Small community. Away from noise and traffic. Safe environment. Low crime area.
o Kearney is close enough to the city that everything is easily accessable without having to be in
the city.
o Community
o lots of open space and not a congested city
o Close to highway
o Great place to raise a family. Have lived here since 1989 and have really enjoyed living in
Kearney.
o Parks system specifically city ran baseball/softball fields continue to decline due to poor
maintenance, nice facility that continues to deteriorate due to lack of city focus.
o We moved from an urban setting to Kearney 18 years ago. We liked the idea of being close
enough to the city to still have a good-paying job there, but to live in a small town, where we
could raise our children. We love the close-knit community feel of Kearney and hope that it
doesn't grow too much.
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o HOME TOWN
o The Kearney-Holt area is an excellent city of residence for young families. We are very
fortunate to have a wonderful school system, and diverse recreational sports program.
Kearney/Holt have a small town feel with the added bonus of reasonable proximity to a major
metropolitan area.
o There needs to be more activities for school age children after school. I see far to many kids
running the streets after school gets out and during summer it is far worse. A community
center/swimming pool would work wonders for our community. Also we need more choices for
shopping close to home. Our grocery dollars are going to Excelsior or Liberty because of the
low quality of what is offered at Big V and John Super.
o Location with respect to downtown K.C. Reasonable growth of the community. Decent roads.
o We NEED a public pool! It's embarrassing that Plattsburg and Lawson have nice public pools
and Kearney does not!!
o Small community, we moved here from Liberty.
o Smaller size, but easy access to the city
o Quiet neighborhood
o Grew up here. Small town environment that's close to a big city if needed.
o We have only been here a year , but the people we have met have been very friendly and
willing to make us welcome.
o All the above. I espcially like knowing the business owners and knowing that they know you.
o Provides a glimpse of the past mixed with the future
o Safe, outside big city and closer to rural life.
o A good mix of people live in the area.
o Smaller Town - moved away from Liberty/Kansas City because of traffic and crowding.
o Limited traffic compared to KC
o Away from the frustrations of the large city.
o Special Needs programs.
o It's not over developed and the traffic isn't as crazy as liberty's. People move here to have that
country, small town feel not restaurants everywhere and traffic!
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o smaller town less traffic less hassles little crime
o Good neighbors who support change and progress as the plug into serving the community.
o Not overcrowded and "small town feeling"
o I live here b/c it was affordable in 1993 and I was familiar with the area. With the "new"
economy, cannot afford to move.
Key Community Initiatives: Interest Level
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Open-ended Responses
o Kearney VERY MUCH needs an aquatic facility with public pool and one that offers many
activities/classes for the area. I feel that this is the one thing that our town is severely behind in
versus other communities.
o I do believe that Kearney needs a pool. The kids are so limited to what they can do in the
summer. So therefore we travel outside of Kearney for activities.
o I would like to see an area for the skate boarders in our community to be able to go to skate
and have fun; I don't know how much good Boys and Girls club would do in our community (it
looks, by their website, that it focuses on the underprivileged) but i think a YMCA type of
center would be amazing since it's geared for everyone.
o Kearney has two basic needs. A community/aquatic center and more industry.
o We need a Aquatic/Community Center in Kearney. I spend a lot of money driving my kids to
Liberty for the Swim Team. While I'm in Liberty I take care of my shopping there. If we had a
Aquatic center in Kearney I would not make a special trip to Liberty to shop. Even if I paid a
little more in taxes for a Aquatic center I would save money in gas.
o We need a pool, we really enjoyed the pool in the past. It gives the kids a place to go locally
o Aquatic/Community Center is the most important program that Kearney needs. Our money is
taken to Oceans of Fun, Plattsburg, Liberty Community Center each and every year. A Boys
and Girls Club, Senior Center and Charitable Giving meetings could all occur at the
Community Center.
o The COMMUNITY CENTER is the first and foremost option that Kearney should consider.
many of the other programs could be held a community center.
o Outdoor pool complex
o This community needs some form of Community Center, and especially something for the
youth such as swimming. It sometimes appears that our kids don't really have much to occupy
them in our own community. Sometimes, the lack of a more suitable venue such as a center
offering activities becomes a nuisance to other folks.
o I do not believe the field behind the football field would be a good location for a community
center/pool. I have heard suggestions about using the space at hwy 33 and 19th street
opposite Hawthorne elementary and think that would make an ideal location with plenty of
parking and not in the middle of a neighborhood. Also that would take away the only field
available to the Junior High school for PE classes and other sports activities.
o an active PTA!
o Our youth need more to do in this community or crime will be on the rise.
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o KEARNEY YOUTH DEFINATELY NEEDS A QUALITY HANG OUT, ESPECIALLY DURING
THE SUMMER WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT. SINCE BILL SKILLMAN PASSED AWAY AND THE
OLD KEARNEY POOL CLOSED, THERE ISNT MUCH FOR KIDS TO DO IN KEARNEY
OTHER THAN THE PARKS. KEARNEY IS ALSO MISSING OUT ON SOME BIG REVENUE
BY HAVING THE KIDS SPEND TIME IN OTHER CITIES/LOCATIONS FOR
ENTERTAINMENT.
o Kearney should have a community swimming pool! Kearney residents spend lots of money in
Liberty and other surrounding communities when they travel there to use pools and facilities. It
is a shame we have such a wonderful swim team who has to practice and compete outside of
Kearney!!
o I would like to see historic preservation and recreation. asking all developments in the historic
area to use historic fronts on new buildings as well as preserving the old. Creating a
destination is key to drawing people. and the crazy quilt look has limited promotable appeal.
How would you describe downtown Kearney to a tourist?
o Don't we already have a Senior Center? There are already several All season rodeo/riding
arenas in the area. Why would the city need to build one. The lack of a aquatic/community
center is hurting the community and having one would enhance the community.
o Need curb side recycling
o The schools need some work. Our kids are falling further behind each year and there doesn't
seem to be a concern no matter how many families get together and meet with the school
o KEARNEY NEEDS A POOL!!!
o This city has promised it's residents for the past 15 years that they were going to build a pool.
The ground still hasn't been broken and truthfully I do not see how they will be able to build a
pool anytime in the future. The TIF money is a good idea but with few businesses in that
progam, the money will only trickle in.
o I believe an aquatic center would be very good for both community and school district.
o Aquatic center would be a great additon to this great community. The Kearney Swim Team
has more swimmers signing up each year, and at or near capacity. Lets put something in our
community that the younger generation can use. Lets keep Kearney people in Kearney.
Currently all the 100 plus swimmers are using Liberty pools. If a pool is built, we have the
summer swim team as an automatic tennant for the summer! Lets get it done!
o An outdoor/indoor pool would be nice. A full community center, unless it has bowling, skating,
racquetball, tennis or something else to offer, wouldn't be worth it. We need to offer something
extracurricular (bowling, etc.) to give Kearney some kind of edge. Maybe even a batting cage
or something.
o Kearney needs a pool for the swim team and high school. Over 200 kids5-17 participated in
the Kearney summer swim program last year. Practice was in Liberty since we don't have a
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pool...in the middle of the work day. Somehow the parents got their kids to practice 5 days a
week. ALOT of money is being taken to Liberty due to this situation, not to mention that the
kids that aren't on the swim team have to find somewhere else to swim....and the HS swim
team has to travel to Liberty for practice, pay for the transportation, rental fees on the pool,
ect. It would be a great benefit to the community.
o Kearney desperately needs some type of aquatic center (indoor/outdoor pool)
o Need to attract better businesses and retail to Kearney. Losing alot of tax revenue because
people are shopping in Liberty or Excelsior Springs. We are not a small town anymore and
need to quit acting like one.
o In my opinion, Kearney needs an aquatic/community center more than anything. This would
benefit all the people in the town of all age groups. I make weekly trips to the community
centers in Liberty and Gladstone and they are always busy with people of all ages. Many
programs can be offered through this venue. Kearney is losing money to nearby towns when
it's residents leave town to use other facilities. Shopping, gas, eating out are all done
elsewhere instead of in Kearney.
o I think an Aquatic Center would be a great addition for the community and school district. So
many are participating in this type of activity and having to leave Kearney to swim.
o We must have a facitlity for everyone in our community to enjoy. We have little to no
entertaining facets in this community. Most of this town leaves to spend their tax dollars else
where. We need to change that by featuring a community center with an aquatic center and
other ammenties to give our community the same ammenities as most other communites
already have.
o I would like to see a community pool, for our young people for sure and for those of us that are
older for none impact exercise. My children recieved swimming lessons at the old pool owned
by Mr.Ball& Mr.Skillman, they were still early teens when it was closed,it got harder to keep
them active in summer, they turned to video games(not healthy!!) and its not getting any
easier on generations to come because of technology,we still need FUN activities for our kids!
Also one of my sons was skateboarding when possible, but when the church would stop
allowing it on their property for a time and no legal place to skate and the kids feeling like
outcasts in the community, my son stopped skating and now at 19 needs to lose some weight,
yet again adding to the countries obesity problems.Other communities around like Platte City,
Excelsior Springs,have small skate parks and we should too!
o I think building an aquatic/community center would be great for the Kearney area. It would
keep people like my wife and I from going into other cities/communities to participate in
activities and also keep more money in the Kearney.
o I think it's about time for an Aquatic/community center. There are many families driving to
Liberty or NKC's community centers. Let's keep Kearney monies in Kearney! I think it would
also promote a healthy lifestyle. We have an obesity epidemic in this country and in Kearney
and while we do have parks and walking trails this is just another venue for health.
o The city of Kearney needs a pool for the children/ families/ community.
27
o As long as Kearney offers nothing for the youth to do in the summer, parents will take their
kids elsewhere and spend their money there.
o I believe the more organized and structured activities available for youth, the better off the
community will be. Supervised activities for community youth help keep them away from field
parties, drugs and vandalism.
o I feel we could use more places to eat (restaurant - sit down quality places ex: Applebees,
IHOP, etc...) I feel we need a community center for the youth. (pool tables, bowling, pool, etc.
a safe place for our youth to hang out) I think we need shopping growth in the area (wal-mart,
ALDI .....etc.) We have to take that kind of shopping out to other communities. These kinds of
places would bring jobs into the are for people to stay local as well as places for the youth to
work.
o I do not know what the FireHouse Youth Center is, but I think we need activities young adults
in the area. The aquatic/community center might help people of all ages and interests.
o I think an aquatic/community center would be a great selling point to get more people to move
to the Kearney area and would also give our kids more to do to stay out of trouble.
o Outdoor pool at minimum is needed, sad a community of this size does not have an aquatics
facility similar to one in Liberty. School controlled aquatics facility does not meet the need, will
not give access needed for cost.
o I would love to see a Community Center and a park located round the High School. It would be
nice to have more for the residents to do on a daily or weekly basis. I would like to see a
theatre, bowling alley... I would also like to see a Wal-Mart or Target. I send a lot of my money
to Liberty and Excelsior Springs. It would be nice if our community could reap the benefits
from more businesses in the Kearney area.
o I do think a community center would be nice. I went to a meeting about that about 8 or 9 years
ago, and had hoped to have seen something before now. Although I like the small town feel of
Kearney, I do wish there were places that offered activities for our youth... skating rink,
bowling alley, arcade... something! I also think that if an aquatic center is considered, our
seniors need to be included, with a special time for them.
o We despirately need a swimming pool indoor for sports, swim team, swim lessons, and fitness
and an outdoor for recreation. Year round I have to drive to surrounding cities to bring the
children swimming for lessons and recreation. I currently am a member at NKC community
center and have also used Liberty community center often.
o It would be nice to have something in town that the teens to go to.
o We have hundreds of kids and families traveling to Liberty for swim team, swim lessons, etc.
There are hundreds of kids and families that do not have anywhere to swim recreationally
during the summer. Kearney has really missed the mark on this one.
o A Community Center WITH a pool should be first and foremost a priority. It would give youth
and families something to do alone or as a family. Anything that the residents have to go to
28
Liberty and surrounding communities to DO would be beneficial to the town. Movie theatre,
skating rink, bowling alley, things like that that we have to leave town in order to do.
o I believe that the "thing" that Kearney is missing is a way for both the youth and adults who
live here to spend their free time without leaving town. Kearney has great schools but very few
other options for recreation/entertainment locally. That is one thing that people take into
consideration when looking for a place to live and raise their family and without good options
for the youth to participate in, they will find other activities that are not productive. If kids are
involved in activities/recreation locally, their parents will naturally spend more time in town as
well and that will increase the business patronage as well.
o Kearney needs to upgrade its infrastructure and actively compete economically to generate
revenue and keeps taxes low.
Kearney Holt Area Housing Development
Are you happy with the housing options in the Kearney-Holt area?
Percent
No (please explain what you would like to see)
91.6%
8.4%
29
Yes
Housing Development: Open-ended Responses
•
I own my home and do not plan on ever moving, so I am somewhat biased
•
What options other than Renting or Owning are there.
•
We originally looked for a rental house or duplex in Kearney a couple years ago. The rental
prices are WAY too high and the quality is not worth the price. Neighborhoods of the rental
units seem unsafe and dirty. More quality rental units need to be built in Kearney.
•
I would like to see more affordable housing, apts and rentals.
•
Need more housing development---more homes with land & subdivision pools
•
A wider variety of housing options as in condos, townhomes, apartments.
•
Holt needs to clean up their town and boot out the deadbeats
•
I feel that there is a need for more "affordable" housing in the area. In today's economy, a
$250,000 home is not really very appealing to many people. While having "up-scale" housing
is important, not everyone is in the position to make that kind of purchase. When you consider
the driving distance to large business who employ people at the higher salaries, we are less
likely to attract large numbers of prospective high-end homes. Fuel prices will likely become
even more of a factor as the year progresses. We need a broader tax-base than being mostly
dependent on real estate taxes for cover everything that we would like to have.
•
The biggest challenge we have faced is trying to afford to live in this community. Rent has not
adjusted with the economy.
•
We need at least one significantly sized apartment community. All of our current apartment
communities are very small, old & run down. I would not consider living in any of our current
apartment communities nor would I recommend them to anyone else (due to their poor
conditions).
•
I WISH I WAS JUST NOW MOVING HERE VS BUYING MY HOUSE 6 YEARS AGO WHILE
MARKET PRICES WERE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. I PUT $24000 DOWN ON MY HOUSE AT
TIME OF PURCHASE AND IF I WERE TO SELL MY HOME NOW (6 YEARS LATER) I
WOULD NOT BE GETTING MY MONEY BACK DUE TO THE CURRENT ECONOMY. SAD!!
•
I'd like to see more new housing developments such as Liberty offers with homes in the
$300,000-$600,000 range on 2-3 acre lots. We currently own a home in Kearney, but would
love to build or buy new in Kearney in the next 5 years. We love Holmes Creek.
•
Would love to have a golf coarse community.
•
Too expensive. We want land, but can't afford a decent house with land.
30
•
The rental housing market is small in this part of the metro area. Rents are slightly higher than
other areas. I stay for the schools and my children.
•
We have no affordable well kept, well appointed townhomes or apartments
•
Would like more development with different type style homes mixed, more maintenance
provided developed areas, some possible new townhome development.
•
affordable housing
•
Would like to open a women/children's abuse shelter.
•
I would like to see ammenities added to the city to try bring new people to our community.
Ammenities such as a pool and a community center are important to many families.
•
Fairly happy. There are some properties that are being allowed to deteriorate. (paint, mowing,
etc.) City ought to encourage fixing downtown properties before adding new ones.
•
young families have no options for inexpensive, safe housing in Kearney. We have alot of
Senior housing but nothing for young famlies!
•
WE NEED A PUBLIC AREA TO SWIM!
•
I think nice affordable apartments could help, our college age and young adults have to go to
other communities, away from their families in order to live on their own.We raise our kids in a
community like this and then they have to go to bigger communities in order to start their adult
life, just trying to work their way up the ladder so they can afford to come back to their original
community(home)!?
•
We own a home that is currently rental property for us and we rent right now. Soon we will
begin looking at houses/land to buy in Kearney and I hope that we can find good choices at
fair market value. Hope to find a nice ranch house with some land.
•
More affordable houses with larger lots.
•
I would like to see more options for renting. Kearney could use some nice apartments or more
duplexes.
•
I would like to see affordable condos/townhomes. Not everyone can afford a $250,000 home
which seems to be the avg price of new homes in Kearney. With the housing situation the way
it is some people have walked away from their homes because they cannot afford them.
•
I would like to see existing homes filled and farmland remain that way. During the last ten
years, the city has grown too fast.
31
•
Prices of rentals are too high, taxes are too high
•
It might be nice to have more condominiums or townhomes available that are affordable.
•
we need different floor plans, and more affordable housing
•
But also too many Clay County limits, restrictions on owning property and building outside the
city limits.
•
we are waiting for our home out of state to sell so that we can buy a home here.
•
Less apartments better for housing values
•
Holt needs a lot of help learning how to get state funded money as well as tifs and other
programs to help develope the town better
•
more rental / reasonable housing
•
need more upscale-yet affordable apartment options
•
housing is too expensive
•
I would like to see some growth to the east and north of town
•
More subdivisions with a pool or community pool
•
Need to provide incentives to renovate, restore, and reuse existing structures and heavily tax
rampant new home construction, which is not sustainable for our land or our economy. Need
to create more multi-family housing options.
•
I had to move to Holt because there were not enough duplexes/apartments in my price range
that also allowed for one cat. I would love to see a section of townhomes built in Kearney
similiar to ones off of Cookingham and 169 Hwy. Perhaps these could be built down near
River Meadows or back behind Pilot. It would also be nice to have some newer/nicer
apartments built in the area as well.
•
more options to rent homes that are affordable
•
I understand there are very few quality places available to rent.
•
Kearney needs some higher quality apartments/townhomes that can accommodate a family of
4-5.
•
I hear every day that rent is too high and/or not available in this area for those in need.
•
I would prefer to see less housing additions and more rural type division where the lots are
32
bigger.
•
It would be nice to have a few more "townhouse" type homes..... (I'm tired of mowing).
•
Not enough options for singles or couples with no children. High-quality apartments and town
homes do not exist in Kearney forcing people who want that option to look elsewhere.
•
We need more rental property and some apartments. We need some variation of product in
the low end for people to come to Kearney and get started.
33
Kearney Holt Area Community Planning Recommendations
Open Ended Responses:
•
Better sidewalks always increase the value of a city. Kearney would benefit their town by
bettering their sidewalks. By doing so you give the town better eye appeal as well as
encourage bikers/walkers/runners and other atheltic people to move to this area.
•
DO NOT want more retail. NO WALMART, NO QT, Keep our small town small!!!!
•
The biggest improvement I can suggest for Kearney is to build a trail from Kearney down town
out to the Jesse James park. It is very hard to even ride a bike out to the Jesse James park
because of the dangerous curve by the Catholic Church. Adding a trail out to the Jesse James
park would be great for walkers, runners, bikers and kids on skateboards. It would also bring
more traffic to the Jesse James park, which has been an excellent addition to the Kearney
community.
34
•
Pool or Community Center with a pool open to the public
•
More sidewalks, specifically on Hwy 92 from Marimack Golf Club to Pilot Travel Center
•
COMMUNITY CENTER including aquatics
•
A great community education program like NKC or Park Hill's would be great. A well rounded,
comprehensive Parks and Rec program would be nice. Right now their are great trails in our
community and the beginning of a nice park at Jesse James. Their is currently no
programming. A summer day camp program for K- 8th graders would be great.
•
Community Rec Center - including a pool.
•
I've always Kearney is a good place to raise kids, but not such a good place to raise adults.
We are so into the kid's things that we forget that there are adults living here too.
•
Aquatic/Community Center. I can't believe a town the size of Kearney doesn't have a
swimming pool and Community Center.
•
Aquatic center/ indoor pool community center
•
Aquatic Center; Target; Price Chopper; Restaurants; Better Nightlife for Adults;
•
Community College offerings on a ono-credit or credit basis for self improvement or to merely
provide the needed training for a hobby, or to improve existing skills whether or not related to
getting degree.
•
A COMMUNITY POOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
•
I think the activities at the Amphitheater cater to families with older children, but rarely provide
activities and concerts for families with young children. I would love to see more activities and
facilities available for young families.
•
A POOL for families!!!!!!!!!
•
a pool :)
•
Incentives to rehabilitate/improve the older homes in the heart of town, instead of incentives to
build new homes. Development of area to the NW corner of 92/I-35 behind Pilot into a retail
center instead of the proposed TIF area.
•
I would like to see us get a Community Center and aquatic center
•
Swimming pool!
•
The fact that we do not have a community pool seems counter productive to the talent we
have in our community as well as the desire for kids and adults to swim and have the
35
recreational facility. I know that we could afford it and I have heard some strong arguments
and plans to build and fund. I am disappointed that we have not seen the movement toward
the completion of a facility for swimming. It can be done as a profit center and I will be happy
when it happens. It is just a matter of when will it happen.
•
Swimming Pool
•
A Community center
•
Definitely need at minimum a pool for the children in the summer. It's crazy that we have to
take our money to other SMALLER towns to swim
•
A pool for the swim teams,families and seniors to use..
•
A community center for arts and entertaining and athletics, swimming. More for the younger
generation to do to keep them here locally instead of them wanting to drive into the city or a
larger town were they get involed into unnecassry trouble. Maybe a movie theatre. Or a
bowling alley.
•
KEARNEY NEEDS A POOL!!!
•
Community Pool
•
Focus on providing our kids the best education possible.
•
More upscale restaurants.
•
On and off ramp at 19th street and I- 35. A shoe store for the family that carries quality athletic
shoes. Some sort of "redo" store or event that parents can resell old sports equipment, unused
musical instruments, or school related items.
•
Quiktrip, Price Chopper, Hy-fee or some other grocery chain. Family Restaurant (steak house)
Better traffic management (added entrance or exit ramps for large trucks) Eliminate large oil
tankers from traveling 33 hwy through housing areas. (very dangerous)
•
We need a community center/swimming pool!
•
A better toleration of minorities in our community and schools, and an decrease in the
perception of Kearney being a town of snobs by the residents in the surrounding communities.
•
A community pool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
•
Aquatic Center
•
Swimming Pool
•
AQUATIC CENTER!!!!!
36
•
An aquatic center could be utilized for both school district and youth activities
•
I would like for Kearney to take a lead in healthy living. Our school district is in a budget crisis
and will be for some time. With this crisis I believe they will eventually reduce bus service use.
It would be great if kids could walk to their schools. I know at Dogwood we are the only family
who walks to school as we live in Cedarwood and don't have to go onto 92 Hwy or Nation
Road. It would be great if there were walking trails along 92 Highway and other streets and
crosswalks so we can encourage kids to walk and ride their bikes to school.
•
POOL
•
I would very much like to see Kearney stay a rural area and not become overpopulated,
crowded or congested with too many businesses. It is a short drive to the metro area or even
Liberty for all of that shopping and the businesses. I very much like that where I call home,
Kearney, to raise our kids is small and wide open land. We would move if that began to
change.
•
community pool
•
We really need to make sure the children are well educated. Those who stay in the area are
future leaders and tax payers. They all need a firm foundation for success and the ability to
compete for jobs in the global marketplace.
•
Community Center
•
It would be great if Kearney was more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. With gas prices rising
higher and higher with no end in sight, pedestrian and bicycle friendly streets should be
encouraged. One example: It would be nice if there was a safe option to bike or at least walk
from the east side of I-35 to go to the west side where the fitness centers and other
businesses are located. I'm not aware of any sidewalks or trails along 92 Hwy. Secondly, with
gas prices rising higher and higher with no end in sight, fewer people will choose to live out
here and others will relocate closer to their jobs unless there are more employment options in
this area. The biggest threat, in my opinion, to Kearney's future is sustained high and
continually rising gas prices coupled with few local employment options.
•
School resource officers
•
I still stay with my thoughts of a community center with a pool. People are all the time looking
for a place to hold wedding receptions, birthday parties, family gatherings and will come from
outside Kearney to do so as long as the price is right. My neighborhood is not blessed with a
swimming pool and it would be great to have access to one year round, and exercise facilities
that a community center can provide. Bowling alley, movie theatre, places I can purchase
shoes or computer ink, or new clothing when I need it rather than leave town to do so. Also a
gas station near the school campus, perhaps at 19th and 33 would be helpful. Not everything
has to be on 92 hwy and would spread the traffic out a bit. People that have to leave town to
go to work and use 33 hwy would benefit from this instead of having to go to 92 and backtrack.
Maybe get 33 widened? Make the 19th Street access to I-35 another priority since it has been
37
discussed in the past. That would be so helpful for traffic congestion on 92hwy, especially
when not everyone needs to access 92 to get to work and come home.
•
The amphitheatre is great but a movie theatre, bowling alley, putt-putt golf, swimming pool,
ceramics studio, etc. would all be good options to give Kearney residents more choices to
spend time close to home on a routine basis.
•
The Kearney School District is the only one in Clay County & Metropolitian Kansas City that
does not have a relationship with lawenforcement. There is no school resource officer program
and there is no DARE program. This is a very necessary element missing in our schools. The
absence of these two programs in Kearney is shameful.
•
I find it interesting there is a choice for more diversity. I would agree as long as it does not
mean government intervention or "special assistance programs" that cost tax payer money. I
welcome anyone that can move here and afford it on their own dime.
•
Sidewalks in all areas of Kearney, we need to make the city accessible for all. I would like to
walk to town to buy groceries, etc. but cannot as there are no sidewalks or shoulder on 92 for
that matter. It also drives me nuts that I can see my kids elementary school from my house but
we cannot safely walk or ride bikes to it. Why do we pay for bus transportation when they are
that close?
•
A YMCA with aquatic options and classes offered in fitness and gymnastics. A Kearney
Bowling Alley, a shopping center offering clothing and shoes. More stoplights i.e. at the Pilot
and 92 hwy. It does need a Health Food Store and a quality restaurant.
•
a community center and swimming pool
•
More sidewalks around town and sidewalks from neighborhoods to schools.
•
Would love to see sidewalks that provide safe places for everyone to walk around town. We
live near Dogwood Elementary and there is no safe way to walk from our neighborhood to the
school. More importantly, I think there should be a safe way for people to be able to walk
along 92 Hwy from John's Super area to Big V area. There should also be a safe way to cross
92 Hwy at the Sonic intersection.
•
side walks!!!
•
Kearney needs more resturants, such as excelsior, liberty. Also, maybe a roller rink, movie
theatre, or a fun run type place. There is nothing for our youth to do in Kearny so, they go to
liberty and surrounding areas. I always thought the old chevy place would've made a great
roller rink. We would genarate a huge amount of revenue if a walmart came to town! Would
take some of the taxes off others.
•
Pool
•
My answers mainly focus on the Holt area
38
•
I would really to see a swimming pool!
•
indoor community center with pool outdoor pool more kids rec in Kearney instead of leaving to
Liberty
•
community center and public swimming pool
•
A community center/pool where the kids and parents could swim and have classes such as
aerobics, karate, crafting. Basically a place that kids could do something constructive and not
just be wondering around the city trying to find something to do!
•
Less sports No astro turf!!
•
more year round entertainment options - bowling, swimming, fun-run type of facility, etc.
•
Aquatic Center
•
Well-organized farmers' and artists' market featuring local growers and artisans
•
Since we already have an existing facility sitting empty, I would like to see another car
dealership come into Kearney. It is a disappointment to have to drive down to Liberty to
purchase a car or have maintenance down to my vehicle.
•
To stay the way it is! I love it here and don't want to move but if it gets like liberty we will! No
college here for sure! We already have so many struggling businesses here and vacant
building!
•
We need to upgrade the athletic departments on the football fields to the locker rooms. We
need turf on the football field along with practice fields. We also need more commercial
businesses in town to help with taxes.
•
A swimming pool for the children of Kearney.
•
Community center/indoor pool
•
We need a large chain grocery store that has fresh fruits and vegetables and staple items that
are not out of date. A family restaurant that is not ethnic would be great, too.
•
NOT INTERESTED IN ANY ACTIVITY OR IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL INCREASE TAXES
OR PUT CURRENT BUSINESSES IN JEOPARDY WITH TIF TYPE BREAKS FOR NEW
BUSINESSES
•
Community Center/Pool
•
Something to help with keeping our patrons in town spending money.
•
A public pool or community center.
39
•
There needs to be a partnership between the city, the public schools and non-profit youth
sports programs to make fields and other facilities available for use to all citizens in Kearney.
A single authority needs to coordinate the scheduling of those facilities so that the process is
transparent and offers equal and fair access to all. I'd be happy to talk more about this idea, if
someone wants to contact me.
•
Aquatic Center Skate park
•
Traffic issues need to be addressed BEFORE they become problems rather than the opposite.
Why do congestion and fatalities need to be in place before the traffic issues are corrected?
•
A note about less crime- I don't think Kearney is an unsafe area. However, I do think we have
a problem with noise. We need a noise ordinance and it needs to be enforced. I don't
appreciate being awakened (or my 1 year old's sleep being disturbed) by someone playing
music so loudly, their car shakes. There are a lot of wonderful things about Kearney, but I
would like to see a little more retail (like a bookstore!). I understand the desire to protect the
mom & pop shops of Kearney, but I also feel a tremendous strain driving to Liberty every
weekend because Kearney doesn't have the selection of what I need. I think an infusion of
some new companies with new jobs would greatly benefit the area.
•
I would frequent the shops in Kearney more if the hours of operation were such that a working
person could benefit. When commuting to the city for work, I don't always get home before 56. A lot of the shops are closed by 7:00.
•
I would love to see an aquatic/community center in Kearney. Every summer there a plenty of
families who go to Plattsburg/Excelsior Springs/Liberty for swimming lessons, swim team, and
for recreational swimming. Also, it'd be great to have swimming all year, so an indoor AND
outdoor facility would be best. That way, there's plenty of space for everyone to use it.
•
Community Center with Aquatic Center
•
An aquatic center: indoor and oudoor
•
More housing opportunities for people that cant buy or are not able to buy at this time.
Kearney Holt Area Quality of Life Factors
Why I live in the Kearney-Holt area:
Response
Percent
I grew up here and feel at home in my
community
I have a lot of family and friends here
I enjoy the way of life
I want to raise my children in this community
My church/place of worship is here
My business is here
My employer is here
17.8%
26.2%
52.6%
73.8%
19.1%
4.8%
19.9%
40
Have you ever considered leaving the Kearney-Holt area? If yes, please tell us your thoughts.
Response
Percent
21.9%
58.8%
Yes
No
Open-ended Responses:
o Yes. Due to their not being enough activities and no community center to participate in.
o Better job opportunities in the medical field in Johnson County, Ks. Gas prices on the rise and
pay rate they are paying are not worth staying in Kearney if I can't find something soon.
o To move closer to family & closer to work.
o I've thought about leaving because there are things that I dislike about the school system in
the upper grades: lack of discipline, standard of respect for ALL students, segregating those
students who care about school from those who don't. It is a growing problem that need to be
addressed.
o We left Kearney years ago to live in Liberty. We then moved back because we missed the
environment.
o poor parks and rec programs no community center no pool too much "good ole boy" attitude
o Yes we have just because of the developer for our neighberhood.
o Yes I have been seriously considering it lately. Would like more activities for my 13 year old.
Would like to be in an area with community pool or country club. I do not like driving to Liberty
for the Liberty Hills CountryClub for good access to pool. I also go to Liberty for most grocery
shopping as both HyVee and PriceChopper are much better groceries stores than what we
have. We also typically go to Liberty to dine as the selection here is very slim. I have been
looking at homes in Liberty area.
o Would move to be closer to our family and friends.
o Not applicable - just moved to Kearney
o Depends on what offer comes along.
o yes if my husband could be transfered back to the east coast
o We moved to Kearney a year ago due to research into the school district. If the school district
ratings and academics declined, we would consider moving. Our children's educations are a
top priority for us in this stage of our life.
o We are a military family and left Kearney in 1990, and moved all over the country form 20
41
years. We made a decision halfway thorugh are career that this is where we were going to
retire. Living in the most amazing places as we have over the past 20 years, there is nothing
like family and being home. We have been very fortunate to have lived in some great places,
and are very fortunate that we were able to move back to Kansas City and retire here.
Kearney is a great place to raise a family.
o If the school tax had not passed we would have moved. If the quality of the school and the
quality of life decline I would move to another area.
o Yes, closer to better job opportunities.
o We are very happy here, although as indicated in previous questions, there are some thing
which I feel could be improved on. Our grand children are here, and for us, most of our family
elsewhere is gone, so there is little reason to consider leaving the are. If my son were to be
transferred to another area, we might then consider relocating to that area as well.
o Yes, we have considered leaving the area to enjoy a warmer climate down south. This may
occur in the future.
o Only if we have to move due to my husband's job.
o No additional spending for schools.
o I moved here as my husband owned land and my previous location for my youngest son was a
bigger school and I thought and he is doing better in the smaller school. The email system at
the school is awesome and I learn of the scholorships, the ACT, etc etc that my child could
pursue if he would but he won't. I am a member and have served on the PTO board which I
liked and enjoyed very much. However, coming from a bigger district, Park Hill, where at every
grade level the principal must be the 4th VP who attends ever meeting. Each meeting they
would give a report and update those parents there which would be put in the minutes also.
You not only learned what was going on right then but what was coming up.... I don't
understand the lack of interest in the PTO from the teachers and specifically why the Principal
is not ever there!! And what about is there a district council or district PTO/PTA?
o I MOVED TO KC AfTER GRADUATING KHS IN 1998 & LIVED THERE FOR 5 YEARS, NOT
BECAUSE I WANTED TO LEAVE BUT BECAUSE I COULDNT AFFORD TO PURCHASE A
HOME HERE. I MOVED BACK WHEN ABLE TO AFFORD & TO RAISE OUR CHILDREN
HERE, MAINLY FOR THE SMALL TOWN ATMOSPHERE & LOW CRIME RATE. YOU GET
WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!
o There is too much focus on bringing tourists in to the theater, etc. and not enough on attracting
and keeping businesses. Too many salons and thrift stores and not enough family sit down
resturants.
o Wife works in Lawson school district and kids are going there because we haven't been able
to get a job in Kearney school district.
o We have wanted to be closer to stores, work and activities. With gas prices so high, we have
had to make fewer trips out of Kearney.
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o When we retire we may leave the area
o We traveled for several years after retiring but eventually returned home to Kearney. Would
not live permanently any place else.
o Many of our activities are south of Kearney. We are considering moving to Liberty or North
Kansas City to have more amenities & save time and money by not having to spend so much
time driving.
o For better schools
o Yes, but came back.
o It would be nice to be closer to work when gas prices rose. Many of the stores I frequent are
outside of Kearney.
o Yes. We have to drive out of Kearney to work, to our kid's practices and games, and to eat
out. Gas is getting so expensive that to make ends meet we don't do as many things as we
would like to. We have to limit our children's activities.
o Want Kearney to grow in some ways, but don't want it to lose the atmosphere (country living)
in the process.
o answered yes, cursor moved to other. I will probably move from area when children are all out
of school.
o Yes, I have. My daughter is a competitive swimmer and when there was talk of discontinuing
the high school swim team we considered to moving to Liberty so she would be able to swim
for a high school. We currently drive 40 miles round trip every night so she can practice with
her competitive club team. By moving to Liberty we would decrease that commute.
o Yes, because I would like to move closer to my school in Parkville, as well as closer to the
downtown Kansas City area where my fiance works. Especially with gas prices on the rise.
o yes, to move closer to work..but we love raising our kids here.
o Disappointment in schools (equipment, level of quality education)
o The main reason is the distance to be able to do competitive shopping and access family
entertainment. In today's economic crunch, where gas prices are going sky high, it does not
make sense to continue to live in a community that will not allow growth due to business
owner's trying to corner the market. I would like to see growth in Kearney that could include a
bowling alley, a movie theatre, a skating rink, and a Walmart. I have to drive into the city
everyday in order to go to work, I would like the opportunity to take my family to Kearney for
entertainment instead of having to drive at least to Liberty to accomplish this.
o When I returned to the Kansas City area after living out of state for 7 years, we did not
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consider living in Kearney although I had grown up here. After teaching in Kearney for the last
7 years, we decided to move here last summer. We look forward to raising our 4 children here.
Kearney is a wonderful community and I still love that small town feel. However, I do all of my
shopping in Liberty while I am there almost daily for sports practices of all kinds that aren't
available in Kearney (ie. swimming, competitive softball, competitive soccer, swim lessons).
We even go to church in Liberty or Excelsior so that we can combine it with errands to Walmart or a larger grocery store. I really wish that Kearney had more to offer it's community in
the retail areas and community sports/ classes offerings.
o I love this town and I love my job. I am happy to be raising my family here. I fear that this town
is becoming stagnent with very little change over the past decade. Most communites have
walking trails, nice parks, and a community center to be enjoyed throughout the year. I feel my
children are missing some wonderful opportunites by not living in a community where more is
offered.(pools, sports programs,and a safe place to hang out and enjoy friends) We do have a
nice park and wonderful walking trailsbut we need a place where the community young and
old can enjoy ammenties that they deserve. For this reason my husband and I have
considered leaving Kearney. We love the people and the school district we just wish we didn't
have to drive at least 15 minutes to another community to find fun recreation for our family.
o I've considered leaving this area for more affordable housing and more opportunities for my
childrens activities and more home owners privacy/rights.
o Employment opportunities
o We have considered being closer to my job and to more amenities like cultural events, arts,
shopping and restaurants. But Kearney is a nice community and we may just stay.
o I did leave the area for a short time to gain experience / exposure to an area outside the
Midwest.
o lived in Smithville for a short time but did move back to Kearney
o Yes, I would like to leave Kearney sometime after my child graduates from high school.
Kearney has been a wonderful place for us in the last 13 years. We have enjoyed living here
and raising our daughter here. And, who knows what the future brings, I may not want to move
after all.
o Job relocation
o Depends on career/family/school
o To be closer to my work
o Yes and no. Now that our kids are out of high school there really isn't anything keeping us
here. We both work out of town (not that I haven't tried to get a job in town) and most
everything we need we have to leave town to buy, so why not move? Unfortunately the last
time our house was appraised we LOST $30,000 so selling our house was not an option.
People want to have pets and most apartment complexes do not allow them.
Condos/Townhomes give you that option.
44
o We have thought of moving closer to work for my husband and to a community where there
are more leisure activities available without leaving town. With gas prices on the rise again, it
will become a bigger issue to drive the extra distance on a daily basis. Our son will graduate in
a couple of years and then we may seriously consider moving.
o Yes, I would consider leaving. Too much growth toward my home, or it being brought into the
city limits may force me to look at other places to make my home.
o Yes, I have left but did return to the area
o I considered a move into Kansas City but due to public school issues and expense of private,
decided to stay in Kearney. I have a senior in high school and 6th grader.
o No we moved here from Liberty and built our forever home on 13 acres just north of Kearney.
o For a higher paying job.
o Yes, had I known what I know now after moving here from out of state I would have picked
Johnson County. I am depressed by the lack of amenities here; the one gym that has child
care is filthy and has old equipment, the walking trails are a mere 3.8, 1.3 and 1 mile runs that
offer no shade or natural habitats, there are no sidewalks, no pool and the selection of
restaurants is minimal. Not to mention that the community has an ampitheater that is good for
4 months but what does one do with kids in the dead of winter and no community center
where they could be playing basketball, volleyball, swimming, etc? I run to Liberty a lot and
they get a huge chunk of my money. I guess boredom and obesity have gotten the best of us
in Kearney.
o The lack of diversity has been a serious concern of remaining in this area. As a teacher in the
NKC school district, I have considered moving our children to a more diverse area, but haven't
due to the class sizes. Our schools need to have a diversity focus that is stressed upon by the
counselor and the teachers. Our teachers need to be trained as the diversity changes within
Kearney and the surrounding area.
o Education has suffered alot the last few years, my wife and I lost around $17,000 in salary. We
would move if better opportunity's would arise.
o If I could afford to I would live in the Rocky Mountain area.
o Yes. Due to the economy my husband had to take a job in another state.
o We've considered moving outside this area due to the cost of land/housing in this area.
o I will be retiring from teaching this year, 31 yrs. and may sell our house.
o maybe some day we would move back to our home state???
o Yes, My work is really located on the south side of the downtown area. The drive can be
45
horrible somedays and I think that moving closer to work would be great. This is only a thought
because my children are in a great school system and my church is located here. Having
somewhere to work here in the community that would pay me more than $8.00 an hour would
be wonderful. Five years ago, I approached every business in the area and I was over
qualified in my field. I felt the businesses would not even consider hiring me because they
could hire someone cheaper. This then forced be to look for a job outside of our community. I
would in a business office of a medium size law firm.
o only reason I would leave is to find some land at an affordable price that would allow me the
chance to have the amount of cattle I would like to raise.To proud of the land around
here,makes it hard to keep cattle on overpriced land
o My husband has to drive all the way into downtown Kansas city for work. I wish he could find a
good-paying job that is closer to home.
o We have considered moving because it takes at least 10 mins to get to the grocery store or
retail store. Kearney does have a couple of grocery stores but they are a lot higher priced and
do not have the selection that bigger grocery stores do. Also, Kearney does not have any
clothing stores other than thrift stores. So when you feel like getting out of the house for a little
bit you have to drive all the way to another city to go shopping! Although we do love the
schools and that is the #1 reason why we have stayed in Kearney!!
o To pursue more options for our children's education.
o YES. For such a small community there is too much chaos. Everybody has their hands in
something that they have no reason to be meddling in. The kids are the ones who suffer in the
end, and I really hate it when people put their own agenda's in front of the students in the
Kearney district. Way too much double talk (could be that since it is a small community that it
is more noticeable).
o move closer to work
o My children are swimmers. If there is not access to a swim team when they get to high school
we WILL relocate. We also were considering moving if the lastest school levy did not pass.
Our schools exist on a shoe-string budget and in Liberty you kids can graduate with a full year
of college under their belts. With three kids, and the cost of college, it becomes a compelling
reason to join another school district. We work for companies in California and we can literally
live ANYWHERE in the United States..........so we choose Kearney for many reasons, but if
the schools go down we are out of here.
o I would consider leaving if the town gets too large and loses the small town environment.
o Yes - every time our area is on the vote for annexation into Kearney or Liberty. If I wanted to
live in a city I would have moved to a city.
o Yes. But no reflection on Kearney. We as a family are ready for a change.
o JUST MOVED HERE LAST JUNE. IT HAS NOT BEEN A WARM WELCOME BUT
EVERYONE SAYS TO GIVE IT A YEAR SO THAT IS WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO
46
o When an opportunity arose in Liberty I considered moving there to be closer to the job.
o If Taxs go up due to increased populations or any other reason.
o If local development continues to include look-alike houses, chain restaurants, and big box
retailers, I will definitely move my family and businesses to another location that more values
sustainable community building.
o If it loses it small town feel!
o Yes, we actually came for the schools. Being in the district for 20 years have realized the lack
of interest the teachers have for their students. A couple of the teachers my children had for
13 YEARS were just here for the paycheck.
o Last summer we moved to Kearney from South Carolina. We wanted a small community with
great schools in which to raise our children.
o We were transferred to Missouri from Illinois and settled here 1984 and then transferred out of
state in 1987. We liked living here so much, we worked to retire early and settled back here in
1997. This is a great place to raise kids!
o only for acerage or if the town grows to quick
o Yes, only because of possible relocation.
o Yes, for a job with higher income. Stayed because I want to teach in same district my son
attends.
o Am currently considering leaving Kearney to be closer to my work location, and to look for
more real estate options.
o A couple years ago, we moved away for my husband to persue other opportunities. Within 6
months we moved back to Kearney because of the schools and community.
o Yes - If the last school levy had not passed, we had planned to begin looking at other
communities.
o Wasn't happy with the lack of technology in the schools, also no A+ program. I hope to see
improvements.
o I chose other b/c "YES" option would not let me apply comment. As taxes CONTINUE to grow
in this area with absolutely NO benefit to us personally, we consider a move quite often, but
cannot afford to do so, again, thanks to the "new" economy.
o Gas prices are making commuting expensive. Elementary school was taken out of Holt where
we live so children are going to school further than we planned when moving here.
47
o : ) I will probably retire somewhere without snow.
o Kearney caters to families - not necessarily a bad thing. However, there aren't many offerings
for single people in the area that aren't church oriented. There is little night life or other
amenities for people to enjoy that don't revolve around family (kid) events. Since I work in
Kansas City and do most of my socializing, shopping and recreating there, it makes sense to
look at communities that are closer to Kansas City and offer more of what I'm looking for. At
this point the main reason that I remain in Kearney is the depressed housing market and the
friendships that I have established, but honestly since my children are no longer in the school
district even that has changed.
o I have thought of moving when my children are out of the house, in three years.
48
Youth Program Recommendations:
Historic Preservation Recommendations:
49
Senior Program Recommendations:
50

iSpeakSolutions LLC - City of Kearney, MO

Transcription

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