CITYSCENE
A Community Newsletter for Independence Residents January 2024 | Volume 31 | Number 1 | IndependenceMO.gov
Welcome, 2024!
In this edition: 2 | Upcoming events and programs 3 | Upcoming events continued City celebrates reinvestment in our community A new year can be challenging, know there is help 4 | New award focuses on keeping our community beautiful
Learn more at: indep.us/facebook @CityofIndepMO @cityofindependencemo indep.us/nextdoor @IndependenceMissouri indep.us/linkedin CityScene is published by the City Manager’s Office, located at 111 E. Maple Ave., Independence, MO, 64050. For information, call (816) 325-7086.
Like many of you, we at the City are starting the new year looking back at where we’ve been and forward to what is coming. Over the last few weeks, we’ve celebrated with our departments and the community on our social media with the “top hits” from each of our departments. For those of you who may not be on Facebook or Instagram, here are a few of the most notable: • We launched the new City of Independencemo.gov website! Sharing our information in a new and more visual way with our residents, businesses, and visitors. • We added a new Crisis Intervention Officer and are working with Comprehensive Mental Health to add to new mental health co-responders in the Independence Police Department. • We reviewed building permits for $90.1 million of investment in the community. • We helped more than 800 animals (including rabbits, lizards, turtles, and birds) get adopted! • We distributed hundreds of packages of Narcan for free. • We filled more than 7,500 potholes across the City. • We maintained an average power outage time of two hours and eight minutes – beating the national average! • We trimmed nearly 5,500 trees to protect power lines. • We ran more than 27,000 calls for service in the Fire Department. • We welcomed more than 250,000 patrons to events, programs, and classes organized by the Parks| Recreation | Tourism team. • And we celebrated economic development wins for the community with the HUB, ERA, and Eastgate Projects.
The list goes on and on. We have so much to be proud of and 2024 is already looking even brighter. Here are some of the things we can’t wait to celebrate with you! This January we will mark the opening of the learning centers for the Community Services League and Fort Osage School District at the Eastgate Commerce Center. These will be the first buildings open as part of the more than $800 million investment made by NorthPoint, the largest in our City’s history. Our residents have received a Citizen Satisfaction Survey in late 2023 and early 2024. This will be the first survey since 2018 and help us in the 2024-2025 budgeting process. If your household receives a letter, please take time to fill it out. We will also share an online version of the survey with everyone this spring. In 2024 staff will also share with the Council and our residents the results of an updated Parks Master Plan, Community Center Feasibility Study, and more. You will also see the completion of Phase 2 of the 24 Highway Complete Streets Project and the full completion of the 40 Highway Complete Streets Project. Early this summer, you will see the beginning of the Square Streetscape project bringing important updates to this historic area. Finally, we would be remiss to not remind you of the important upcoming elections. You will see a Council Primary Election in February and a Municipal General Election in April. This is also a presidential election year so if you haven’t registered to vote, please visit the Jackson County Election Board or online at jcebmo.org. Whew, 2024 is going to be busy but we cannot wait to mark this forward momentum with all of you. Be sure to follow the City’s website, social media, and newsletters for regular updates on Council actions, events, and programs. Here’s to a great New Year!
Upcoming events & programs - January - March 2024 Winter Trail with "ugly" sweaters George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck Regular Park Hours through Feb. 1. Enjoy the great outdoors along our paved walking trails with unique sweater decorations from members of the community!
Pickleball for beginners Saturday, January 13, February 17, & March 16 from 10 AM - 12 PM Sermon Center, 201 N. Dodgion Ready to join this national sensation? Grab a friend and join us to play a game or two of pickleball each month. Cost is $4 per person. Call (816) 325-7370 for more information.
Winter Farmers' Market Martin Luther King, Jr. 1st Saturday of the month December - April Day Independence Uptown Market, 211 W. Truman Rd.
You can find great local produce, baked goods, crafts, and more in the heart of downtown Independence.
Toddler Town Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 3, 2023 March 14, 2024 Sermon Center, 201 N. Dodgion Join us for indoor toddler play at the Roger T. Sermon Center from 10 AM to 12 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning October 3 through March 14. Cost is $2 per child. For children ages 5 and under.
Pickup chess Thursdays, 2:30-4:30 Year round George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck All ages and all abilities welcome! Bring a friend or meet new ones. Each Thursday throughout the year, except holidays. Call (816) 325-7115 for details or questions.
Arsenic and Old Lace January 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14 Powerhouse Theatre, Sermon Center, 201 N. Dodgion City Theatre of Independence presents Arsenic and Old Lace - An uproarious farce on plays involving murder, Arsenic and Old Lace has become a favorite amongst regional theatres throughout America. Shows are January 5, 6, 12, and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and January 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices vary. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call (816) 370-6654 or go to citytheatreofindependence.org.
City offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15, in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Monday, January 15, 6-8 PM Truman Memorial Building, 416 W. Maple Ave. Join us as we celebrate the impact and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at this annual event with music and presentations from local students.
Municipal Primary Election Day
Fitness and Health Expo
Tuesday, February 6, 6 AM - 7 PM
Sermon Center, 201 N. Dodgion
Find your polling place at jcebmo.org.
Sign up for memberships, get a sneak peek at demos of our fitness classes, shop with health and wellness vendors from the community, and tour our fitness facility. Everyone who attends the event will be entered into a raffle for free fitness equipment and class punch cards! If you are a health or wellness business in our community and would like to be a vendor for the event, please contact Tara Sampson at tsampson@indepmo.org.
Bird Bingo Wednesday, February 7, 12:30-1:30 PM Fairmount Community Center, 217 S. Cedar Learn about the native birds that fly through and live in Missouri in this fun adaptation of the classic game Bingo. There will be prizes! Free program, all ages welcome.
Let's love bugs!
There are a lot of unsung heroes of the forest, and a large group of them are the scavengers! These animals clean up the forest to make it healthy for everyone to enjoy! Learn about how they tidy up the woods in this free program, and all ages are welcome.
Insects have one of the most important jobs in nature, pollination! Come out and learn about how these teeny tiny insects help our native plants flower and what they get in exchange. Free program. All ages welcome.
February 23 and 24, 10-10:40 AM
Saturday, February 3, 10 AM - 3 PM Sermon Center, 201 N. Dodgion Join us for this annual fundraising event for our Powerhouse Theatre Foundation. There will be carnival games (three tickets for $1), concessions, learning opportunities, puppetry entertainment, jugglers and more! If you would like to sponsor a carnival booth, they are $30 each. For more information, call (816)325-7367 and leave a message under the Children’s Performing Theatre prompt.
Wednesday, March 6, 12:30-1:30 PM
George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck
Thursday, January 18, 1:30-2:30 PM
Power Palooza
Scavengers Fairmount Community Center, 217 S. Cedar
Native Animals of Missouri! Missouri has a lot of diverse and interesting animals that live within the State’s boarder. Come learn about the different animals that call Missouri home. You might even get to pet a snake! Free Program, all ages welcome.
Saturday, March 9, 10 AM - 2 PM
Saturday, February 17, 1-2 PM
Rockin' with the Rock Guys – Missouri Minerals & Rocks
Fairmount Community Center, 217 S. Cedar
Events Continued
George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck Learn about the rocks and minerals around Jackson County and Missouri with Bruce and Gil. There will be hands on demonstrations for ages 5 and older. This program is free and open to the public. Call (816) 325-7115 for details or questions.
Marvelous Land of Oz!
Let's talk about Scavengers! Saturday, March 9, 1-2 PM George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck Detritovores, or scavengers, are the clean-up crews of the outdoors. We will learn how some of our native scavengers are adapted to eating what no one else wants to and helps keep our native landscapes healthy and clean. Free program. All ages welcome. Call (816) 325-7115 for details or questions.
Let's talk about the forest!
February 23, 24, & 25; March 1, 2, & 3
Saturday, March 23, 1-2 PM
Powerhouse Theatre, Sermon Center, 201 N. Dodgion
George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck
Children’s Performing Theatre presents “The Marvelous Land of Oz” directed by Sandy Dempsey at the Powerhouse Theatre inside of the Sermon Center. Shows are February 23 and 24 and March 1 and 2, 2024 at 7 p.m. and February 25 and March 3 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices vary. Reserve tickets by calling (816) 325-7367 and follow the prompts, stopping by Sermon Center, or buy tickets at the door.
Looking for more events? Council meetings? Boards or commission meetings? Visit indep.us/events!
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Forest ecosystems are full of different animals, plants, and trees. We will discuss this habitat in detail starting with how different kinds of soils hold the plants in the ground, what kind of animals prefer the forests, and ending with how trees compete. Free program. All ages welcome. Call (816) 3257115 for details or questions.
Municipal General Election Day Tuesday, April 2, 6 AM - 7 PM Find your polling place at jcebmo.org.
City celebrates reinvestments in our neighborhoods and shopping centers The City continues to see reinvestment in existing neighborhoods and shopping centers. In June 2022, the City implemented the temporary building permit fee waiver program with the goal of encouraging infill single family residential construction and substantial rehabilitation of single family homes. Since the launch of this program, 13 new infill single family homes have been constructed. Additionally, the reinvestment has included remodeling and improvements to the Hawthorne Place apartments, approximately $30M, and Cimmaron apartments, approximately $4.4M. In addition to reinvestment in residential properties, reinvestment occurred in existing commercial and industrial buildings, which included McKeever’s Price Chopper at 23rd and Sterling, the Comprehensive Mental
Health building on Swope, the Walmart Medical Clinic at 39th and Bolger, Summit Pizza at M-291 and Hidden Valley, Smoke Brewing, Hub Shopping Center Remodel and Watco Manufacturing Company at Truman and Powell. The City of Independence is committed to fostering redevelopment throughout the City. Image: A $30M investment and renovation in affordable housing was celebrated in our community on Oct. 4, 2023. Mayor Rowland and City Manager Walker joined POAH Leadership, the Community Services League, and community members to mark the completion of updates at the Hawthorne Place Apartments. We are proud to mark this tremendous commitment to our community and the more than 700 residents who call Hawthorne home.
A new year can be challenging, know there are resources to help Independence Health and Animals Services was awarded the Title V Maternal Child Health Block Grant to combat teen suicide and poor mental health here in Independence. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-24 in the United States. Millions of people, both adults and youth, are affected by mental illness each year.
JANUARY 2024
There are many resources available to help! If you or someone you know is in crisis, connect to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org available 24/7. Dial 911 incase of an emergency. If you are looking for treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, SAMHSA’s treatment finder can help: findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
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New award focuses on helping keep our community beautiful The City of Independence is launching a new award in 2024 – the Sustainability Award! Do you know someone that deserves recognition for making our town of Independence, Missouri, a better place to live and work? The City of Independence, in partnership with the Independence Sustainability Commission, will honor individuals, groups or businesses that promote sustainability by making their community a safer and more beautiful place to live.
in late February with the award given to the recipient in April. To nominate, please submit your name, phone number, the name of the person/business/or group you would like to nominate and contact information for the nominee. To apply, visit independencemo. gov/sustainabilityaward.
City of Independence Government Access Television
Live meetings: 6 p.m. on Mondays Replays: 9 a.m. on Mon., Wed., Fri. 1 p.m. on Sun.
Mayor District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 At-Large At-Large
(816) 325-7170
Numbers to Know
Applications will be considered from January through December. Judging will take place
CITY7
Councilmembers Rory Rowland John Perkins Brice Stewart Vacancy Daniel Hobart Jared Fears Dr. Bridget McCandless City Manager Zachary Walker
Criteria considered for the award includes: sustainability efforts that are measurable or have a visible impact on the Independence community, efforts that increase community safety, efforts that add to City aesthetics (like landscaping, painting, community gardens, improvements to existing structures, trash removal, etc.), efforts to reduce carbon emissions (like ride share groups, encouragement of environmentally friendly transport, installation of bike racks, etc.), efforts that encourage other City residents to care about and foster sustainable practices and more!
City Council Meetings
Online at indep.us/citycouncil Email at kosborne@indepmo.org Call (816) 325-7027
Planning Commission Meetings
Live meetings: 6 p.m. on 2nd & 4th Tues./month Replays: 10 a.m. on Tues. and Thurs. 1 p.m. on Sat.
Learn more at indep.us/city7
Where can I... Pay my Jackson Co. property taxes: Historic Truman Courthouse 112 W. Lexington, Suite 114 Phone: (816) 881-3232 Apply for a marriage license: Historic Truman Courthouse 112 W. Lexington, Suite 30 Phone: (816) 881-4608 Pay a ticket issued by the City: Independence City Hall 111 E. Maple Phone: (816) 325-7230
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