news

Community Emergency Response Class Forming Now

alices — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:19:47 -0500

There are still spots available for the free, upcoming Community Emergency Response Team course in Olathe. The course meets every Thursday starting May 15 through July 10 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Olathe Fire Department Administration Building, 1225 S. Hamilton Circle.

A CERT group is an organized team of people trained for disaster planning, preparedness and survival. Following a major disaster, like a tornado strike, professional first responders who provide fire and medical services may not be able to meet the initial demand for these services.

Portion of Pre-Existing Parking Garage Temporarily Closed as Renovation Continues

alices — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:42:45 -0500

As part of the parking garage expansion project, additional repairs within the previously-existing garage are scheduled to begin on Monday, May 12.

Due to the nature of the repairs, parking will not be permitted within the previously-existing portion of the garage. All parking will be limited to the new parking garage addition beginning Thursday,

May 8 and remain effective for approximately six weeks.

City Recognized for Support of National Defense

alices — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:41:09 -0500

The City of Olathe received the Pro Patria Award at the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) annual awards banquet held April 12 in Topeka, Kan.

ESGR is a United States Department of Defense organization.

The "Pro Patria" award is presented annually by each ESGR Committee to the one employer in their state or territory who has provided the most exceptional support of the country's national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.

Website Unavailable During Upgrades May 9-11

alices — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:38:14 -0500

Due to planned upgrades to the City's Internet scheduled for this weekend, the City website will be unavailable between Friday, May 9 and Sunday, May 11. This includes all on-line transactions such as utility bill payment and animal license registration. Please visit www.olatheks.org/oms/billpay before May 9 for information on other ways to pay your bill.

Bond Rating Improvement Continues: S&P Upgrades City's Rating

alices — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:48:27 -0500

Citing Olathe's very strong financial management, continued economic diversification through on-going commercial and industrial development, and strong financial performance among other issues, the Standard and Poor's Rating Agency has upgraded Olathe's bond rating to a AA+, the second highest rating possible.

Session to Gather Input on Recycling

alices — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:46:13 -0500

One KC Voice, a regional community engagement program housed at the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), will host a community discussion in Olathe, Kan., as part of its "Landfilled" conversation series on recycling and landfill capacity. The event will take place from 6-7:30 p.m., Monday, May 12, at the Municipal Services Center, 1385 S. Robinson Dr. The input received from citizens will help the MARC Solid Waste Management District design better programs, inform elected officials, and develop a long-term strategy for responsible regional waste management.

Cultural Learning Links Series Concludes with Asian American Focus

alices — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:43:28 -0500

A multicultural group of panelists, representing the Asian American community, will come together to dispel myths, discuss multiculturalism, and share personal stories and experiences at the last panel discussion of the 2007 - 2008 Cultural Learning Links series.

"Celebrating Diversity and Honoring Unity" is the theme of the series, which began in September 2007 with a discussion about multiculturalism.

Construction to Begin on I-35 & Lone Elm Road Interchange Project

alices — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:21:47 -0500

Weather permitting, on Monday, April 28, construction will begin on a new interchange located at I-35 and Lone Elm Road in Johnson County. The I-35 and Lone Elm Road interchange project, a cooperative project between the Kansas Department of Transportation and the City of Olathe, includes the construction of a new folded, or half diamond, interchange at 159th Street/Lone Elm Road and I-35 in Olathe.

Easy Options for Swimming at Olathe Facilities

alices — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:13:45 -0500

Now is a good time to consider purchasing an Individual Season Swim Pass or Family Season Swim Pass to enjoy great water fun at the City's swimming pools this spring and summer.

The City's swimming pools will officially open Saturday, May 24. The City of Olathe Swimming facilities: Black Bob Park Pool, 14570 W. 151 St.; Frontier Pool, 15909 W. 127 St.; Mill Creek Park Pool, 320 E. Poplar; and Oregon Trail Pool, 1800 W. Dennis

Farmers' Market Opens Saturdays in May

alices — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:11:41 -0500

Residents will soon be able to purchase fresh produce, flowers, herbs and baked goods at Olathe's Farmers' Market. The Farmers' Market will open at 7 a.m. on Saturdays from May 3 through October 11. The market, located at the corner of Poplar and Kansas Ave. - just one block north of Santa Fe, remains open until products are sold.

Beginning at 3 p.m. June 4 through Sept. 24, the market will be open on Wednesdays.

For more information, contact the Olathe Parks and Recreation Department at (913) 971-6263.

2009 CDBG Funds

alices — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:21:57 -0500

The City of Olathe is now accepting applications for 2009 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Applications are due Thursday, May 15, 2008. The City of Olathe's CDBG program has funded housing rehabilitation programs, public services, public improvements and neighborhood revitalization projects that benefit low and moderate income persons or older neighborhoods since 1975.

2007 DirectionFinder Citizen Survey

alices — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:55:43 -0600

Results of Olathe's eighth annual DirectionFinder citizen satisfaction survey are in, and the city continued seeing dramatic improvement in citizen satisfaction.

When the survey was initially conducted in 2000, Olathe rated at or below average in nearly every category when compared to the overall metropolitan area. The 2007 survey shows Olathe at or near the top in nearly every major category covering city services. In addition, Olathe's satisfaction ratings significantly exceeded national averages in all but one category.

New Drop Off Recycling Site

alices — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:35:07 -0600

The City of Olathe has opened a new drop off recycling location, giving Olathe residents a second location to drop off recyclable items. The new site is located in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart located at Santa Fe and Black Bob. The original recycling drop off site, located in downtown Olathe at Kansas and Poplar, received new containers to improve the appearance of the site. All of these enhancements were made possible through grant funding from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment.