Olathe News Briefs

November 30, 2009

This Edition of E-News
• Mahaffie Open House
• Lifeguards Needed for New Aquatics Center
• New Neighborhood Park Open
• Winter and Spring Parks and Recreation Enrolment Open
• Winter Fest and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Friday

City Council Agenda
The Olathe City Council will meet Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall for a regular session meeting. Regular session meetings are broadcast live on OGTN (Comcast channel 7, AT&T channel 99 and on the City’s website). To see the complete agenda for this meeting, visit the City’s website at www.OlatheKs.org.

Mahaffie Christmas Open House
Released 11/30/09

The historic Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm will host a 19th Century Christmas open house on Saturday, December 5th. The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and includes a wide variety of family activities and events.

At 11:00 a.m., noon, 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., families can enjoy Christmas storytelling on the second floor of the Mahaffie home. For a fee of $3, families can make gingerbread houses throughout the event. The Shady Grove String Band will perform from 10:00 a.m. to noon, and a variety of children’s activities will be offered including meeting Father Christmas, stringing popcorn and making ornaments in the Heritage Center.

Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive at 1:00 p.m., and Judy Santner will provide traditional Christmas music on the site’s pump organ. In addition, the Victorian Carolers will perform 19th century carols while children wait to see Santa.

Weather permitting, the Mahaffie Stagecoach will be providing rides for $2 per person age three and up. The Mahaffie gift shop will be open offering holiday merchandise, including brass Mahaffie farm ornaments and site related gifts, and refreshments will be available.

Admission if free, but donations are gratefully accepted to defray the event’s costs.

Lifeguards Needed Already
Released 11/30/09

With the new aquatics park at Black Bob pool scheduled to open this summer, the City of Olathe Parks and Recreation Department is already preparing to fill new lifeguard positions. Olathe lifeguards require certification, and classes are scheduled to begin on January 11, 2010. Those interested in certification or exploring a lifeguard position can contact Konni Knabe at (913) 530-5441 or kknabe@olatheks.org.

New Neighborhood Park Opens in Olathe
Released 11/30/09

The Quailwood Neighborhood Park is now open at 14092 S. Greenwood Street in Olathe. The 2.8 acre neighborhood park has grills, a playground and a shelter house for family picnics and activities. The park was funded through the park excise tax which is paid by developers and used for neighborhood parks. For more information, call (913) 971-6263 or visit the Parks and Recreation section of the City’s website, www.OlatheKs.org.

Winter and Spring Parks and Recreation Programs Enrolment Now Open
Released 11/30/09

Those interested in enrolling in winter or spring Olathe Park and Recreation programs can now enroll online on the Park and Recreation section of the City’s website, www.OlatheKs.org in person at the Parks and Recreation office, (northwest corner of Kansas and Santa Fe), or by calling 971-6263 during business hours. Anyone interested in receiving the City’s Parks and Recreation Activity Guide, may subscribe to receive it automatically by email on the City’s website or can request a mailed printed copy by calling the office. Copies are also available at both Olathe Library locations.

Winter Fest and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Set for Friday
Released 11/30/09

This year’s Winter Fest is scheduled for Friday, December 4th at the R.R. Osborne Plaza at Olathe City Hall. It will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event includes the Mayor’s Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, music from Olathe high school and elementary school choirs, the Olathe Civic Jazz Band, the MNU Jazz Band as well as the Special Olympics Pops Chorus. Food and warm beverages will be available for purchase.

In addition to food and music, a number of family and children’s activities are planned. Santa will take time out of his busy pre-holiday schedule to make a visit and sit for pictures with kids.

As part of the festivities, representatives from the thirteen beneficiaries of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund will be introduced, and proceeds from the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast will be presented to the Christmas Tree Fund.

Winter Fest is sponsored by the Olathe Noon Optimist Club, the City of Olathe, HyVee and a number of other event partners.

Stay informed by subscribing to automatically receive Olathe News releases via email. To subscribe, click here or visit Olathe’s website at http://www.olatheks.org/News/List.

November 23, 2009

This Edition of E-News
• 2010 Budget available Online
• Olathe Snow Brigade Serving Those In Need
• Meet Local Hallmark Hall of Fame Author at Library Event
• Thanksgiving Schedule
• City Employees Donate Over 550 Pairs of Jeans for the Needy
• Brownback to Host Town Hall Meeting Nov. 24th

No Council Meeting Tuesday
There will be no City Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 24th. The Council will next meet on Tuesday, December 1st at 7:00 for a regular session meeting.

2010 Budget Available on City’s Website
Released 11/23/09

Those interested in learning more about the City’s budget can now access the final 2010 Budget online. It is available in the budget section of the City’s website, www.OlatheKs.org. The 2010 Budget reflects the challenging economic times facing this area, but resources continue being directed to fund services most important to residents. Budget comments and suggestions are always welcome and can be submitted to the City at budgetcomments@olatheks.org or by calling 971-8600 and asking for the budget office. In addition, residents and others interested are encouraged to contact the City Council and Mayor. The direct link is http://www.olatheks.org/Finance/Budget/Operating.

Snow Brigade Seeking Volunteers
Released 11/23/09

The City of Olathe Snow Brigade matches volunteers with Olathe elderly and/or disabled residents to assist with snow removal from driveways and sidewalks. Volunteers are assigned one or more residents and shovel snow from the driveway and/or sidewalk when there is two inches of snow or more.

All individual volunteers must complete a volunteer application and undergo a background check before being assigned a resident or residents. Currently, there are 11 volunteers helping 33 residents this season. Three additional volunteers are currently needed, and that number is likely to increase when new requests are made after the first snowfall.

Those interested in volunteering or in need of show shoveling assistance are encouraged to visit the volunteer page of the City’s website or call 971-6274.

Local Author to Discuss Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie Based on His Book
Released 11/23/09

On Monday, December 7th, Olathe author Greg Kincaid will visit the Indian Creek Branch Library at 7:00 p.m. to discuss his book, A Dog Named Christmas. The book became a Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie that will premiere at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 29th on CBS.

During the visit, Kincaid will discuss the book, the movie and a new holiday foster home for pets program that is being announced during the movie premiere. Petfinder.com, CBS, Random House and the Hallmark Hall of Fame will announce a program to provide foster homes for lonely pets during the holidays.

Copies of A Dog Named Christmas will be available for sale and signing at the event after the discussion. Registration is required, and those interested are asked to call (913) 971-6888.

Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule
Released 11/23/09

City of Olathe offices will be closed on Thursday November 26th and Friday November 27th for the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be no trash collection on Thanksgiving Day. Customers whose trash is collected on Thursday and Friday will be delayed one day.

City Employees Answer the Call for Jeans
Released 11/23/09

When Catholic Charities and Center of Grace said they were in need of blue jeans for both children and adults, City of Olathe Employees responded. As part of the City’s United Way campaign, employees donated 551 pairs of jeans, 356 for adults and 195 for children and toddlers. The jeans were delivered to both charities on Friday, and distribution will begin immediately. In addition to jeans, employees are raising money through events and donations.

Brownback Town Hall Meeting
Released 11/23/09

Senator Sam Brownback will conduct a town hall meeting at Olathe City Hall, 100 East Santa Fe, on Tuesday, November 24th. The event will run from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is open to the public. It will be broadcast live on OGTN (Comcast Ch. 7, AT&T Ch. 99, and webcast at www.OlatheKs.org).

Stay informed by subscribing to automatically receive Olathe News releases via email. To subscribe, click here or visit Olathe’s website at http://www.olatheks.org/News/List.

November 16, 2009

This Edition of E-News
• Text Alerts Available for Olathe Recreation Program Participants
• City Receives Top Recognition for Salt Storage
• Winter Fest and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Set for Dec. 4
• Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule

City Council Agenda
The Olathe City Council will meet Tuesday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall for a regular session meeting. Regular session meetings are broadcast live on Comcast channel 7, AT&T channel 99 and on the City’s website. To see the complete agenda for this meeting, visit the City’s website at www.olatheks.org.

Immediate Information Available through Texting
Released 11/16/09

Olathe recreation patrons can now sign up to automatically receive a text message with important and timely information about programs and services. The “Olathe Connection” allows patrons to sign up to receive texts on PDAs or cell phones about weather cancellations, registration deadlines, class updates and/or special event updates.

Signing up is free and simple. Visit the Parks and Recreation section of the City’s webpage and follow the two-step process. Users can subscribe to receive texts on one or all categories listed.

The service is SPAM free, and personal contact information is protected and will remain private. The direct link to sign-up is http://my.textcaster.com/ServePopup.aspx?id=1631.

City Recognized for Excellence in Salt Storage
Released 11/16/09

As winter weather approaches today, Olathe residents are being assured that the critical materials are ready to help address snow and ice on the streets. The Salt Institute has recognized the City’s salt storage operations with an excellent designation for its storage program.

Often taken for granted, having adequately protected and contained salt storage is critical to ensuring streets can be safely treated during winter storms. Not only does the effort protect the supply of material, it protects the environment. According to the Salt institute, about 90% of documented environmental problems associated with the use of deicing salt are due to inadequate storage management.

Olathe was singled out for its “excellent physical facility, its policies and its commitment in operation.” This is the third consecutive year the City has received this recognition.

The Salt Institute is considered the world’s foremost authority on the use of salt and responsible storage practices.

Winter Fest and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Set for December 4th
Released 11/16/09

In addition to food and music, a number of family and children’s activities are planned. Santa will take time out of his busy pre-holiday schedule to make a visit and sit for pictures with kids.

Winter Fest is sponsored by the Olathe Noon Optimist Club, the City of Olathe, HyVee and a number of other event partners.

Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule
Released 11/16/09

Stay informed by subscribing to automatically receive Olathe News releases via email. To subscribe, click here or visit Olathe’s website at http://www.olatheks.org/News/List.

November 9, 2009

This Edition of E-News
• City Office Closed Nov. 11th, Trash NOT Impacted
• Lone Elm Park Receives Historic Status Recognition
• Glass Recycling Drop-Off Locations Back in Olathe
• Historic Homes Tour Set for December 5th
• Olathe’s Bob Courtney Recognized

City Council Agenda
The Olathe City Council will meet Tuesday, November 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber for a study session meeting. To see the complete agenda for this meeting, click here or visit the City’s website at www.olatheks.org.

Veterans Day Schedule
Released 11/9/09

City of Olathe offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th in recognition of Veterans Day. Trash collection will NOT be impacted.

Lone Elm Park Certified Santa Fe Trail Historic Site
Released 11/9/09

Based on its historical significance, Olathe’s Lone Elm Park has been certified by the National Park Service as an historic site on the Santa Fe Trail. The park includes the Lone Elm Campground, one of the trail’s major starting points before entering the frontier and the last stop before the trail split into the California and Oregon Trails. It is considered one of the most significant historic frontier campgrounds in the country by trail experts and historians, and the site’s history is depicted on signage at the park.

The certification not only recognizes the park’s historic significance, but it also allows for a working partnership with the National Park Service that includes technical assistance, site development and funding. Lone Elm Park joins the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm as a certified site in Olathe. To view other sites listed on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail website, visit

http://www.nps.gov/safe/parkmgmt/certified-sites-on-the-santa-fe-nht.htm or https://imrcms.nps.gov/safe/planyourvisit/places-to-go-in-east-kansas.htm.

Glass Recycling Available at Olathe Drop-Off Sites
Released 11/9/09

The City of Olathe is partnering with a Kansas City company, Ripple Glass, to accept glass for recycling at three drop off locations. Ripple Glass is a new business that uses recycled glass to make fiberglass for insulation. In addition, the glass does not need to be separated by color.

The recycling drop-off locations are: Wal-mart at 135th and Black Bob, Wal-Mart at K-7 and Santa Fe, and the City parking lot at the northwest corner of Kansas and Santa Fe in downtown.

Olathe Historic Homes Tour Set for December 5th
Released 11/9/09

Homes dating back to 1882 will be on display in Olathe during this year’s Historic Homes Tour. The tour, sponsored by the Olathe Historical Society, includes three homes, and this year, it includes two of Olathe’s historic churches, the Second Baptist Church of the Resurrection, 331 N. Kansas, and the First Christian Church, 200 E. Loula.

The homes are located at 417 W. Cedar, 434 S. Cherry, and 233 S. Chestnut in the Original Town section of Olathe.

Information about each home, including its historic significance, will be provided during the tour. The tour runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on December 5th. Tickets are $7 in advance and $9 the day of the tour. They are available at the Mahaffie Heritage Center and Feeney’s Hallmark store at 16150 W. 135th Street. For more information about the tour, contact Bob Courtney at (913) 764-2494 or visit the Historical Society’s website at www.olathehistoricalsociety.com.

Olathe’s Bob Courtney Recognized
Released 11/9/09

The Kansas chapter of the American Planning Association has recognized Olathe’s Bob Courtney for his “outstanding community leadership and advancing the cause of planning” with its 2009 Sod Buster Award. The award recognizes an individual, appointed official or an elected official who has advanced or promoted the cause of planning in the public arena.

Courtney’s community involvement includes serving on nearly 20 volunteer committees such as the Olathe Historical Society and Olathe’s Comprehensive Plan Update Committee. He has been a vocal and engaged leader on downtown Olathe issues, and he has worked hard on downtown planning.

The award will be presented at the November 5th Kansas State Planning Conference in Wichita.

Stay informed by subscribing to automatically receive Olathe News releases via email. To subscribe, click here or visit Olathe’s website at http://www.olatheks.org/News/List.

November 2, 2009

This Edition of E-News
• Recycling Carts Begin Arriving Tomorrow
• Updated Growth and Development Information Available
• City Preparing for Snow Plowing
• Non-emergency Police Contact Number Change for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• City Saving on Natural Gas
• Recycling Drop Off for Special Olympics
• Legislative Forum Rebroadcast

City Council Agenda
The Olathe City Council will meet Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall for a regular session meeting. Regular session meetings are broadcast live on Comcast channel 7, AT&T channel 99 and on the City’s website. To see the complete agenda for this meeting, visit the City’s website at www.olatheks.org.

Recycling Carts Begin Arriving Tuesday
Released 11/2/09

As the City of Olathe is preparing its move to citywide curbside recycling in January, customers whose trash is collected on Mondays will begin receiving their new recycling carts this week. All Monday customers should receive carts in the next five to seven business days. The following week, Tuesday collection customers will begin receiving carts, followed by Wednesday, Thursday and Friday customers. Customers can begin recycling on their regular trash day each week (until January) once the cart is received.

Each customer will receive a standard 65 gallon cart, and since collection will move to every other week in January, customers are asked to tryout the 65 gallon size before requesting a larger or smaller cart or bin.

Each customer will be notified of their collection week starting in January when or before their cart is delivered.

Stay Up To Date on Olathe’s Growth
Released 11/2/09

Olathe has been one of America’s fastest growing cities for nearly a decade. To stay informed about where that growth is happening, what is being built and where, and what are Olathe’s demographic trends, simply visit the development services department’s page on the City’s website, www.OlatheKs.org to see the latest “City of Olathe Demographics and Development Report”. In addition, the report and updates can be sent by email to those who choose to subscribe on the web page.

City Prepares for Snow as Winter Approaches
Released 11/2/09

The City of Olathe is already making plans for snow removal this winter and is exploring adjusting operations to more efficiently use salt and sand as well as City resources. Revised plans call for a greater emphasis on plowing during daylight hours to better take advantage of sunlight’s impact on snow melting materials and offset overall costs. As a result, residents and visitors are encouraged to park vehicles in drives during the day when there is a snowfall.

The City uses three level categories in responding to snowfall, depending on the amount of accumulation. Level One is initiated when snow reaches a depth of two inches with additional accumulation expected. This level focuses on clearing and maintaining arterial and collector routes followed by business and commercial collector roads. Level Two begins when snow reaches a depth of four inches. Cul-de-sac drivers will begin their plowing operations with smaller trucks by supporting level one response then moving into residential streets and cul-de-sacs. Level Three is activated when snow reaches a depth of six inches with additional accumulation expected. During level three, all qualified city employee operators will be used in 12-hour shifts as part of a 24-hour a day effort to clear snow.

Non-emergency Contact Number Changes for TDD Users
Released 11/2/09

Deaf, hard of hearing and/or speech impaired residents who use TDD devices for telephone communications can now contact the Olathe police department by dialing 911 for non-emergency calls. Previously, non-emergency TDD callers were directed to 971-5323.

In addition, non emergency questions or concerns can be sent via email from the police department’s page at www.OlatheKs.org. Users can select from a number of categories to ensure the email reaches the appropriate individual.

All other non-emergency calls to the police department should be directed to 971-7455.

Olathe Saving Money through Purchasing Consortium-Originally released from Energy Solutions Professionals
Released 11/2/09

Energy Solutions Professionals (ESP) announced today that they have assisted the City of Olathe with becoming the first municipality in the State of Kansas to purchase natural gas through a buying consortium of school districts. Under the agreement, the City will purchase gas from Constellation NewEnergy at wholesale prices negotiated and monitored by the school district consortium. Current projections indicate that the City will save about $44,000 annually.

The recommendation to purchase gas at wholesale prices came from ESP, who has been acting in the role of energy manager for the City of Olathe since the start of 2009. Early calculations performed by ESP indicated that several buildings would qualify for transporting gas at a significant savings, based on what the City had been paying for natural gas in the past.

ESP was aware of the natural gas purchasing program available through school district buying consortium, and the steep discounts it can provide, but was unsure whether or not the City would be allowed to participate in a buying consortium that had previously been for Kansas schools. After discussions between the parties involved, ESP helped arrange for the City of Olathe to be able to take advantage of this historically successful program used by more than 50 schools around the State.

Under the agreement, the City is required to purchase gas for the approved buildings through Constellation NewEnergy. The City has the option of locking in fixed rates and can renew the agreement annually if desired. The current agreement runs through June 30, 2010.

Recycling Drop Offs Benefiting Special Olympics
Released 11/2/09

Those interested in recycling paper products can help Olathe’s Special Olympics team by dropping them off at the Special Olympics recycling bin behind the Olathe Parks and Recreation building at the northwest corner of Santa Fe and Kansas Avenue. In addition, used printer cartridges and cell phones can be dropped off at the recreation office. All recycling proceeds directly benefit the Olathe Trailblazers.

Legislative Forum Rebroadcast Schedule
Released 11/2/09

The City of Olathe Legislative Forum on October 23rd is being rebroadcast on OGTN (Comcast Ch. 7 and AT&T Ch. 99) on Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., Fridays at 6:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

The forum was sponsored by Olathe’s Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board and focused on state legislative issues impacting those with disabilities. The forum is also available on the OGTN page of the City’s website, www.OlatheKs.org.

Stay informed by subscribing to automatically receive Olathe News releases via email. To subscribe, click here or visit Olathe’s website at http://www.olatheks.org/News/List.

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