Early Autumn Link 05

City of olathe Newsletter
Olathe
LINK
Winter 2011
—Source: 2009 DirectionFinder Survey
Coming Soon
Full-Page Olathe Utility
Bill Format — see page 6.
Olathe Evaluates Economic Indicators
The City of Olathe analyzes several economic
indicators to determine the impact they may
have on the City’s General Operating Fund
performance as part of the City’s revenue
forecast. Indicators include unemployment,
the number of foreclosures and the consumer
confidence index.
Visit www.OlatheKs.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
“We evaluate these indicators as they have a
direct impact on the City’s General Operating
Fund budget. We must be financially responsible
in the management of City resources,” says Ben
Olathe Youth Congress Resolution . . . . . . . . . 4
Hart, Olathe Resource Management director.
Inside This Issue
Mayor’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Snow Removal Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. . . . . . . . . . 5
Only on OGTN ..................... . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Olathe Earth News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Pool Season Big Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Olathe Comprehensive
Plan Adopted
The Olathe community has updated the
vision for how Olathe will grow and
develop. The Olathe City Council recently
adopted the Olathe Comprehensive
Plan, a living document that has a
direct bearing on the quality of life
residents enjoy in Olathe. The adopted
Plan is available at
www.planolathe.org.
Contact the City of Olathe’s Planning
Division at 913-971-8750 with
questions or comments concerning
the Olathe Comprehensive Plan.
Follow Us on Twitter
Like Us on Facebook
Unemployment remained high for Olathe,
6.4 percent in August 2010, compared to
6.7 percent in August 2009. The Olathe
unemployment rate, however, was slightly
below the Kansas unemployment rate.
Olathe had 31 final foreclosures in September
2010, compared to 22 in 2009. Johnson
County’s Consumer Confidence index
continued to be higher than the national
index. The City of Olathe continued to see
improvement in City-only sales tax and use
collection trends with a 3.9 percent cumulative
change from September 2009. Property tax
revenues through September 2010 were -5.1
percent below those through September 2009.
During this time of decreased revenues,
City staff monitors expenses and looks for
cost cutting measures to ensure meeting a
targeted 7 percent expenditure cap. Other
actions that provided savings in 2010 included
reducing the workforce, hiring freezes and
department reorganizations. The Olathe
Strategic Financial Management group brings
a financial summary to the City Council the
first quarter of each year, based upon the
previous year’s financial results, and how that
may impact the current and future budgets.
City of Olathe - Quarterly Sales Tax Results
2009 to 2010
$9.5
$9
Millions
The number one source
for City of Olathe news and
information.
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm
$8.5
$8
$7.5
$7
$6.5
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
2009
3rd Quarter
2010
Visit www.OlatheKs.org/Council/Initiatives to view a copy of the City of Olathe General
Fund Financial Condition Report, or call 913-971-8000.
Olathe is the nation’s
second ranked
“digital city” for
SUR EY
mid-sized cities,
2010 according to The
Center for Digital
Government and Digital Communities
Program. The ranking recognizes local
governments that optimize technology to
work more efficiently and provide better
services. The Digital Cities Survey is open
to all cities in America with a population of
30,000 or more.
D I G I TA L
CITIES
Winner
Find current top
Olathe news on the
City’s website:
www.OlatheKs.org. “Given today’s economic situation and the
amount of cuts we have made, it is critical
that we find ways to do things better and
more efficiently, and using technology is
central to that success,” says City Manager
Michael Wilkes.
Olathe’s use of technology includes: using
new media to reach residents, performance
measurement of technology investment, new
property management systems, automated
water meters, providing key information
relating to measures and budgets for easy
public access, an automated calling and
notification system, and cost savings by
outsourcing some technology functions.
Mayor’s Message
We Can Take Great Pride in Our Community
The start of a
new year is always
a good time to
review our
accomplishments
and express our gratitude for the many
blessings we enjoy as a community. We can
all take tremendous pride in our city, the
accomplishments we celebrate, and the
quality of life that makes Olathe one of the
best places in all of America to raise a
family, go to school, and earn a living.
Although all of us have experienced the
effects of this challenging economy, Olathe
remains a strong leader among our nation’s
best cities. This is a fact that has been
validated by our bond rating agencies and
our citizens, whose positive feedback in
our most recent DirectionFinder citizen
survey confirms that Olathe has the metro
area’s highest ratings in satisfaction with
overall City services. In addition, we are
rated at or near the top in nearly every
other major survey category! Let’s applaud
our City employees, who truly care
about our community and the residents
they serve and whose dedication and
commitment make these satisfaction
ratings possible. We have met the recent
economic challenges as a City by living
within our means and by protecting our
financial future. It’s been very difficult to
make budget reductions the past several
years, but absolutely necessary. The good
news is that the City of Olathe has
successfully supported our residents’
highest priorities, continued to deliver
high-quality services, and maintained
our performance-driven, accountable
City government.
Black Bob Bay
Olathe’s continued growth and success can
be attributed to the standards of excellence
we’ve achieved and our focus on your
highest priorities, including public safety,
recreation and transportation. These
priorities are reflected in the recent
expansion of our Police Headquarters,
the opening of our beautiful new Black
Bob Bay family aquatic center, and
completion of the new I-35 Interchange at
Lone Elm Road, which has opened the door
for hundreds of new jobs and millions of
dollars in economic development.
In 2010, progress continued on our
beautiful new K-State Olathe Innovation
Campus. We’re also excited about the
construction well underway on John
Deere’s new marketing and sales center in
northwest Olathe. And in other economic
development news, the Heart of America
Group announced their plans to build
a six-story Hilton Garden Inn and
restaurant, near I-35 and 119th Street.
Lone Elm Interchange
at I-35
In the coming year, we look forward to
celebrating many more milestones together,
including the 150th anniversary of the
Kansas School for the Deaf. We are so
proud to be home to the Kansas School
for the Deaf, the oldest state educational
institution in the State of Kansas. Go
Jackrabbits!
Kansas School for the Deaf
Olathe’s success continues because of
your involvement in important endeavors
such as our budget process and the 2010
adoption of an updated Olathe
Comprehensive Plan, which sets forth
our vision of how Olathe will develop in
the future. We are truly fortunate to have
incredible residents who volunteer their
time and talents for many City of Olathe
programs and other organizations
throughout our community.
Olathe’s success is mirrored by the
excellence of our citizens, who
demonstrate their commitment,
compassion, and love for their neighbors
and our community in so many ways.
You are what makes Olathe great, and
together, we will continue to lead Olathe
forward in 2011 and beyond!
Michael Copeland
Mayor
2
w w w. O l a t h e K s . o r g
www.OlatheKs.org — HaveYou Looked at Us Recently?
Learn More About Olathe
The Olathe Demographics and Development Report provides a
snapshot of Olathe with land use statistics, population and housing
data, economic development and quality of life information.
This report is just one of many Olathe-specific items found at
www.OlatheKs.org.
Watch video presentations, accessible on the home page. Find
Olathe Geographic Information System (GIS) maps or the City
budget. Try the interactive crime mapping tool, which provides
crime tracking across the city and in neighborhoods.
Sign up to receive e-mail City news, development and
demographics information updates.
Conduct Business Conveniently
Make a service request to the City of Olathe, sign up for
electronic billing of Olathe utility bills or for online bill payment,
complete online permits, schedule inspections, register for
recreation programs, request a bulk pick-up, pay pet licenses,
view pets available for adoption, pay a ticket, search for accident
reports and more!
Olathe Services Guide
EMERGENCY
Ambulance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
Emergency TDD/TTY Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
Fire/Police. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
GENERAL INFORMATION (TDD/Voice) . . . 971-8600
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8600
COMMUNICATION AND CUSTOMER SERVICES
Communication
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8612
Customer Services
1385 S. Robinson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-9311
Billing
Trash
Water & Sewer
After-Hours Answering Service . . . . . . . . . 971-5151
Missed Trash
Water/Sewer Emergency
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
Emergency TDD/TTY Calls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
Non-emergency TDD/TTY calls . . . . . . . . 971-7903
Administration and Life Safety Services
1225 S. Hamilton Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6333
Building Codes
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8575
Building Inspections
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8574
Community Enhancement
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8580
Emergency Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-7943
LEGAL DEPARTMENT
City Attorney’s Office
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8732
Prosecutor’s Office
1200 S. Harrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6742
Community Mediation Program . . . . . . . . . 971-7736
MAHAFFIE STAGECOACH STOP
1200 Kansas City Rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-5111
Heritage Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-5111
Olathe Historical Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-5110
MAYOR’S OFFICE
100 E. Santa Fe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8500
MUNICIPAL COURT
1200 S. Harrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6393
Court Services
1200 S. Harrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-5213
OLATHE PUBLIC LIBRARY
201 E. Park St. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6850
Indian Creek Branch
12990 S. Black Bob Rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-5235
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Administration
200 W. Santa Fe (TDD/Voice). . . . . . . . . 971-6263
Cemetery Caretaker
738 N. Chestnut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-5226
Community Development Block Grant
201 N. Cherry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6260
Housing and Transportation
201 N. Cherry (TDD/Voice) . . . . . . . . . . 971-6260
Housing Rehabilitation
201 N. Cherry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6268
Neighborhood Services
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8750
Office of Human Relations
201 N. Cherry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6493
Fair Housing Hotline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6472
Parks and Public Grounds
200 W. Santa Fe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6038
Public Housing Authority
201 N. Cherry (TDD/Voice) . . . . . . . . . . 971-6260
Recreation Division
200 W. Santa Fe (TDD/Voice). . . . . . . . . 971-6263
Recreation Activity Registration . . . . . . . . . 971-6263
Special Events
200 W. Santa Fe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8004
POLICE DEPARTMENT
501 E. 56 Highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-7500
Animal Control
505 E. Sunvale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6362
Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911
Emergency/Non-emergency TDD/TTY calls . . . 911
PUBLIC WORKS, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Planning Services
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8750
w w w. O l a t h e K s . o r g
Solid Waste Transfer Station
1681 S. Valley Rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-5175
Street Maintenance
Woodland & Harold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-9511
Pot Hole Hotline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-6037
Traffic Engineer
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8505
Report streetlight outages . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8513
Report traffic signal malfunctions. . . . . . 971-5180
Report traffic sign concerns . . . . . . . . . . 971-5170
Water quality questions
600 S. Curtis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-5122
Zoning Information
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8725
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
Administration and Accounting
201 N. Cherry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8000
City Clerk
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8521
Alarm Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8530
Human Resources
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8735
Jobline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8749
Purchasing
100 E. Santa Fe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 971-8714
Printed on recyclable paper.
Olathe City Council
Michael Copeland, Mayor
913-971-8500 (City office)
mcopeland@olatheks.org
John Bacon
At Large
913-269-6305
jbacon@olatheks.org
Bob Montgomery
At Large
913-980-8278
bmontgomery@olatheks.org
Larry Campbell
Ward 1
913-488-7278
lcampbell@olatheks.org
Jim Randall
Ward 2
and Mayor Pro Tem
913-244-3150
jrandall@olatheks.org
Ron Ryckman
Ward 3
913-907-4091
rryckman@olatheks.org
Marge Vogt
Ward 4
913-269-0625
mvogt@olatheks.org
3
High Response to Census by
Olathe Residents
The Nation’s Highest Census Mail Participation
Rates: Cities with Populations Over 100,000*
Olathe residents’ mail response to the 2010 U.S. Census
questionnaire was the sixth highest in the nation and the
highest in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area among cities with
100,000 plus populations. Olathe’s response rate was 82 percent,
compared to a national overall rate of 74 percent.
An accurate census is important because it is used to apportion
seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and for determining
state legislative districts and city council wards. Federal funding
is allocated based on Census data for major projects, such as
transportation improvements.
Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Percent
Livonia, Mich. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Rochester, Minn.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Centennial, Colo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Sterling Heights, Mich. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Naperville, Ill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Olathe, Kan.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Arvada, Colo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Cary, N.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Hialeah, Fla. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Madison, Wis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
*Source U.S. Census
OlatheYouth Congress Approves
“Walk and Text/Drive Cleanly”Resolution
Photos: Courtesy of Olathe Public Schools—Olathe Youth Congress
Safety and sustainability were the driving forces behind the 2010
resolution passed at the annual Olathe Youth Congress Assembly.
The resolution promotes safe driving practices and encourages
carpooling and walking to schools.
“We chose this resolution because of recent incidents that
have happened in our community regarding traffic safety
and the congestion in our schools’ parking lots,” says Mike
Hunting, Olathe East High School senior and presiding
officer for the 2010 Youth Congress General Assembly.
Walk and Text/Drive Clean –The students of Olathe Public
Schools would like the entire district to stop texting while driving.
This resolution would include all students (passengers for the
elementary/middle school level) and staff members. Additionally,
the students of Olathe Public Schools would like to see a districtwide push to carpool and more students walking to school
(in groups with adults) to save the environment. This resolution
could also be an opportunity to promote safety and reduce
heavy drop-off and pick-up traffic at our schools.
“As the laws prohibiting ‘texting while driving’ are introduced
in our area, we felt that this resolution was completely relevant
to increase awareness, and pledge to make a community of safer
teen and adult drivers,” says Hunting.
Youth Congress senators have talked with the Olathe Police
Department about ideas to inform young drivers about the state
law that bans reading and sending text messages while driving.
Senators also have ideas to implement the resolution across the
school district.
In addition, Olathe Youth Congress will be working to increase
the amount of people carpooling and walking to school and
decrease the amount of drivers on the road.
For more information about Olathe Youth Congress visit
www.olatheschools.com/studentdevelopment or
call 913-780-7046.
More than 300 middle and high school students adopted this
resolution at the 12th annual Youth Congress general assembly:
To see text of the Kansas law prohibiting texting while driving
visit: www.kslegislature.org/bills/2010/300.pdf
4
w w w. O l a t h e K s . o r g
Olathe Human Relations Commission Celebrates Diversity 2011
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Community Celebration
City of Olathe Adjusts Snow
Removal Operations
Greater efficiency with salt and sand applications and other City
resources is at the core of increased daylight hour plowing during
winter snow events, when sunlight most enhances snow melting
materials.
Noon, Friday, Jan. 14
Olathe City Council Chamber
100 E. Santa Fe
Broadcast live on OGTN--Comcast Channel 7 and AT&T Channel 99
Olathe middle and senior high school student winners of
the “Only Light, Only Love” contest entries will be announced
at the Jan. 14 celebration. Contest projects will be displayed
5-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 13, at Olathe City Hall. Contest
categories include essay, visual art and multi-media. The goal
of the Olathe Human Relations Commission’s annual contest
is to increase positive awareness, foster greater understanding,
and celebrate the diverse groups which make up the city.
When there is snowfall, Olathe residents and visitors are asked to
assist by parking vehicles in driveways during the day to enable
crews to plow most effectively.
“The safety of our residents is always our number one priority,”
says Street Maintenance Supervisor Danny Turner. “Our snow
removal approach is designed to improve safety and enhance
mobility for emergency responders and travelers.”
The City uses a three-level snowfall response, depending upon
accumulation amounts:
For more information call 913-971-6493.
Only on OGTN
Comcast Channel 7, ATT U-Verse Channel 99
select Olathe Government Television
Olathe City Council Meetings
7 p.m., Live, First and Third Tuesdays of the month
Rebroadcast the same week: Wednesday, 6 p.m.; Friday, noon;
Saturday, 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon
Planning Commission Meetings
7 p.m., Live, Second and Fourth Mondays of the month
Rebroadcast the same week: Wednesday, 6 p.m.; Friday, noon;
Saturday, 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon
Meetings are webcast live and archived at
www.OlatheKs.org/News/Webcasts
Johnson County Commission Meetings
9:30 a.m. Thursdays, live, business sessions
Meetings are webcast live at www.jocogov.org
Mayor’s Corner
9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily, focusing on local government issues
Hosted by Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland
Art in Olathe
8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, news of Olathe art events
Hosted by Olathe Public Art and Culture Commission
Chairman Mike Haskin
Information slides run on the channel during the interim times.
Level One
Snow moves in
• Clear and maintain major roadways and collector routes
• Apply spot treatment to critical areas, such as bridges,
intersections, hills and curves
• Once critical routes are cleared, treatment moves to business
and commercial areas
• Crews work two, 12-hour shifts as conditions require
Level Two
Snow accumulates two inches, with more expected
• Drivers move into residential streets and cul-de-sacs
• Critical routes maintain priority
• Crews continue to work two, 12-hour shifts as required
Level Three
Snow accumulates eight inches, with more expected
• All qualified City employee operators and equipment used in
a rotating 12-hour shift schedule
• Crews will continue to work around the clock as long as the
snow emergency exists
For more information and helpful snow removal tips, visit
www.OlatheKs.org/PublicWorks/Streets/Snow
During severe weather, find alert and information on the City’s
Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CityofOlatheKS
or by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/OlatheGovNews
Call 913-971-6010 to report snow and ice problems.
w w w. O l a t h e K s . o r g
5
Look for a New Utility Bill Format
Beginning in February 2011, City of Olathe monthly utility bills
will be a full-page bill instead of a post card. Residents will
receive a return envelope with the bill each month.
The new format printing and mailing will be outsourced,
resulting in cost savings for this service, which has several
advantages over a post card. It will provide customers privacy
of billing information with the printed page inside a sealed
envelope. In addition, the single page provides space for more
customer account information, such as one-time charges and
clearer information of billing deadlines and account balances.
The new format also allows the City to include important
customer messages, such as informing them of the online
billing system. Estimates indicate that increasing just seven
to 10 percent of customers who receive e-billing, rather than
a postage delivered bill, would save $12,900 per year.
The Right Place for Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Olathe Drop-off on Second Saturdays
Also, drop off appointments are available
for scheduling a limited number of days
each week. Residents may call
913-971-9311 to schedule an
appointment to drop off HHW items
during the week.
Materials accepted include paints
and varnishes, solvents, pool chemicals,
pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze,
transmission fluids and batteries.
Dennis
Municipal Services Center
1385 S Robinson Dr
56
Lone Elm
Instead, take household hazardous waste
(HHW) materials to the collection facility
located on the Municipal Services
campus, 1385 S. Robinson. This service
is free to residents, and a drive-through
makes it easy.
Collection events are held the second
Saturday of each month, 8 a.m. - noon
(no appointment necessary).
Robinson
Hazardous waste used around the home,
such as paints, pesticides, used motor oil
and others, should not be thrown out
with regular household trash, or
disposed down household drains or
neighborhood storm drains. Properly
disposing of these items protects our
waterways, protects solid waste workers
from dangerous materials and reduces
the risk of poisonings and fires.
Residential waste only*
151 St
Household Hazardous
Waste Facility
1420 S Robinson Dr
159 St
35
* For a complete list of items accepted, see www.OlatheKs.org. Click on Municipal Services, then
Household Hazardous Waste.
Sign Up for Free Electronic Billing
City of Olathe customers for water, wastewater and solid waste services can receive electronic billing services. E-billing customers receive an
e-mail link to their online account log-in page when the bill is generated each month. Customers have the option of paying the bill online
or mailing the payment through the postal service.
Sign up at www.OlatheKs.org/OMS/ElectronicBilling and follow the prompts. Once signed up, customers can track water and sewer
usage and account balances.
6
For information on water, sewer and solid waste services, please call 913-971-9311.
Para mas informacion sobre el servicio de agua, alcantarillas, y basura,
favor de llamar a 913-971-9311.
Water Meter Change Outs
Completed
The automated metering system that remotely reads residential
and commercial water meters is operational and undergoing
final testing.
The new metering system allows the City of Olathe to track
water usage and trends, reduce operational costs to help
mitigate future rate increases, and improve customer service.
The City of Olathe has changed more than 34,000 water meters
and connected them to the new automated metering system in
just under eight months, three months ahead of schedule and
under budget. The costs of the new system are funded through
operational savings, energy savings and improved effectiveness.
RecycleYour Christmas Tree
Olathe residents can recycle cut trees by placing them at the
curb on their collection day. Trees may also be dropped off at
the City of Olathe Composting Facility, 127th & Hedge Lane,
8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
All ornaments, lights or plastic wrap must be removed from
trees before either curbside collection or drop off at the
composting facility.
The Parks & Recreation Department will place some of
the collected trees in City ponds and lakes for fish habitat.
The remaining trees will be ground into wood chips, which
residents can pick up for use as mulch in gardens and
landscapes. For more information call 913-971-9311.
The project is part of the City’s participation in the State of
Kansas-sponsored Facilities Conservation Improvement
Program. Other City measures under the program include
replacing older pumps at the water treatment plant with new,
more efficient pumps, centralizing HVAC control and settings,
and using existing back-up generators to power some City
facilities during peak electricity usage times. All of these
measures are expected to save money and energy.
Additional information is at www.OlatheKs.org, or call
Customer Service at 913-971-9311.
Enhanced Solid Waste
Services Available
Call & Haul for small clean ups around the home – simple
and effective, perfect for cleaning out the garage. A four-yard
or six-yard container is delivered to the driveway for the
weekend, or Monday through Friday.
Commercial & residential roll-off containers for trash
collection, various size containers available (no hidden costs
or delivery fees).
Commercial front loader services for commercial waste
collection, various size containers available.
For more information about these services, call 913-971-9311.
7
Olathe
LINK
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 323
Olathe, KS
P.O. Box 768, Olathe, Kansas 66051-0768
Reader Feedback
Please send your comments to:
Olathe Link
P.O. Box 768
Olathe, KS 66051-0768
linkcomments@OlatheKs.org
913-971-8700
Postal Customer
Issues Affecting You
Evaluating Economic Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Mayor's Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Visit www.OlatheKs.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Olathe Youth Congress Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Snow Removal Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Only on OGTN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Olathe Earth News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
CITIZEN REQUEST SYSTEM
Make an inquiry or request for City service 24/7, www.OlatheKs.org–Click on Citizen Request System.
Subscribe to free weekly Olathe news. Visit www.OlatheKs.org. Click on About Olathe and enter your e-mail address in the News section.
Olathe Pool Season Big Success
Black Bob Bay’s 2010 opening contributed to an extraordinary swimming
season on several fronts. City pools generated a record $750,546 total revenue,
compared to $411,917 in 2009. In 2010, attendance increased 66 percent and
pool membership sales jumped 39 percent.
Voter-approved park sales tax funded Black Bob Bay, which includes a lazy
river, waterslides, water playground and other features. For more information
visit www.OlatheKs.org/ParksRec/Programs/Aquatics.
New Mayor’s Christmas Tree
at R.R. Osborne Plaza
A new Mayor’s Christmas Tree, an
18-foot, live Colorado Blue Spruce, now
graces the R.R. Osborne Plaza at Olathe
City Hall. The new tree signifies new hope
for local charities and the individuals and
families assisted through the community’s
annual Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund.
The former Mayor’s Christmas Tree was
a victim of disease and was cut down
last summer.