CityScene October 2023

Be Fire Safe this Fall

October is Fire Prevention Month and October 8-14 is National Fire Prevention Week.

Why October?

On October 8, 1871, the Great Chicago Fire killed more than 250 people, left more than 100,000 residents homeless, destroyed thousands of structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

In 1922, Fire Prevention Week was started by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire.

And, in 1925, President Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week. This is the longest-running public health observance in our country.

Now outside of the history, there are regional reasons this week is so important. For many of us, the weather requires that we begin using our heating systems in October. Between poorly maintained chimneys, improperly maintained HVAC systems, space heaters, generators, and holiday cooking, the cooler months lead to an increase in house and structure fires.

What can we do?

One of the most important things our residents can do is make sure they have operating smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Following this, it is important to have and practice a family evacuation plan. In an emergency, every minute counts.

There are also simple preventative measures you can take to protect your property. Have your HVAC and fireplace cleaned and serviced annually. This is a busy season for these providers too. Now is the time to schedule the cleaning, inspection, and repairs you need before the weather turns cold.

If you use a space heater in your home or work setting, follow the instructions. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord. Always leave a minimum of three feet around the space heater and keep all flammable items away from it. This includes keeping paper, blankets, decorations, and, yes, that Christmas tree away from it and other sources of heat.

Cooking safely

This year's theme for Fire Prevention Week is "Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to Fire Prevention." The sad reality is, the leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking. Here are a few simple tips to help keep you safe in the kitchen.

• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

• Have a kid-free zone of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are being prepared.

The City of Independence has 10 fire stations with more than 185 firefighters working to protect our residents, visitors, and property. By working together, taking preventative steps to keep our homes in order, and preparing for an emergency - we can help keep them and our homes safe. In the event of an emergency, always call 9-1-1. For more Fire Prevention Resources or to schedule a visit for your school or daycare, call (816) 325-7121.

Upcoming events & programs - October-December 2023

Farmers' Market

Saturdays in October, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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, 2023March 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.

The Curious Savage

October 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15

Powerhouse Theatre, Sermon Center, 201 N. Dodgion

Encore Theatre presents the comedy of a widow, her stepchildren, $10 Million dollars, and The Cloisters Sanatorium. Shows are October 6, 7, 13, and 14 at 7 PM. October 8 and 15 at 2 PM. Ticket pricing varies. For more information or to reserve tickets call 816-325-7367

Drop-off Depot - Last of the Season!

Saturday, Oct. 14, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m, weather permitting

875 Vista Ave

A full list of prices and what is accepted is available online at indep.us/dropoffdepot.

Mayor's Trash Clean-up

Saturday, Oct. 14, 9-11 AM

Hill Park

Mayor Rory Rowland invites the Independence community to join him for the final Mayor's Trash Clean Up of 2023 at Hill Park from 9-11 a.m. Look for changes and updates due to weather on the City's website and social media.

Please dress appropriately by wearing closedtoe shoes (preferably boots), long pants, long sleeves, sunblock, and bug spray.

Autumn Walking Tours

Saturday, Oct. 14 & Nov. 11, 9:40-11 AM, Historic Truman Courthouse, 112 W. Lexington Ave.

October 14 will focus on urban renewal and its effects on Independence. The tour will begin at 9:40 am at 223 North Main with a brief presentation and will continue at the north (Maple Avenue) entrance of the Historic Truman Courthouse for the walking tour portion of the event at 10 am.

November 11, last of the season, the group will visit two of our area’s historic churches. Join us at 10 am on the north side of the Historic Truman Courthouse where we’ll learn the histories of the First Presbyterian Church and the First Baptist Church and then take an interior tour of these historic sanctuaries.

These tours are free, take approximately onehour and occur rain or shine.

Faux Sugar Skulls Craft

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6-8 PM

Independence Uptown Market, 211 W. Truman Rd.

Come decorate Sugar Skulls with us on Wednesday, October 18 from 6 to 8 PM. These spooktacular crafts will make a fine addition to your Halloween decorations! The cost is $5 per person. Light refreshments will be provided. To register, call (816)325-7843. For more information, contact Amanda at ahoernicke@indepmo.org.

Enchanted Forest

Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28 - 7-9 PM

George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck

Join us for the 2023 Enchanted Forest! Take a stroll through the pumpkin-lit trails at George Owens Nature Park and witness your favorite characters come to life on October 20-21 and October 27-28 from 7 to 9 PM. This is a non-scary, family-friendly fundraiser for the Powerhouse Theater Foundation! Admission is $4 per person and free to children ages 2 and under. Concessions will be sold onsite. Call Parks | Recreation | Tourism at (816) 325-7115 or (816) 325-7370 for more information.

IPD Trunk-or-Treat

Thursday, Oct. 26, 6-9 PM

Independence Uptown Market, 211 W. Truman Rd.

Come join the Independence Police Department for our annual Trunk-OrTreat event. The event will be held at the Independence Uptown Market from 6-9 PM. We will have vehicles and equipment on display. Officers will be handing out candy for the kids. Come dressed in your best costume and join the fun.

THE HOWL!

Saturday, Oct. 28, 4-9 PM

Regional Animal Shelter, 21001 E 78 Highway

Join Independence Animal Services at THE HOWL! A thrilling Halloween-themed animal shelter event. Get ready for a spine-tingling adventure with our spooky dog trail, test your luck at carnival games, explore various vendors, and satisfy your sweet tooth with a delightful array of candy.

General admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Please leave personal pets at home and bring a flashlight to help find your way along the haunted trail.

Adoptions will be open until 7 p.m., so come find your new furry friend and celebrate the season with us at THE HOWL!

Super Hero Night

Friday, Nov. 3, 6-8 PM

Truman Memorial Building, It's a bird, it's a plane, it's our favorite little Superheroes! Superheroes ages 4-10 are invited to dress up in their superhero suit and attend with their chosen sidekick (parent or legal guardian) to enjoy music, dancing, dinner, and general festivities. Pricing is $40 per couple and $20 for each additional participant.

Space is limited, so register early! Call (816) 325-7843 or visit indep.us/webtrac to register. Please submit any dietary restrictions to phiggins@indepmo.org

Veteran's Day

On Friday, Nov. 10, City offices will be closed in honor of Veterans Day.

Upcoming events & programs

Best Little Arts and Crafts Show

November 17, 10 AM - 7 PM

November 18, 10 AM - 6 PM

Roger T. Sermon Center, 201 N. Dodgion

Shop for the holiday season at the Best little Arts and Craft Show! With over 100 vendors, you're sure to find unique, home-made gifts for everyone on your list! Free parking and no cost for admission. Concessions available for purchase. Satellite parking with free shuttle from the parking lot at Kansas and Lynn.

Square Lighting & Santa's Village

Friday, Nov. 17, 6 PM

Independence Square

Join us as we light up the Holiday season on the Square! Fox 4’s Matt Stewart will be our Master of Ceremonies. Join us at the Independence Uptown Market after we light the Square for FREE crafts, treats, and photos with Santa!

Thanksgiving Holiday

City offices will be closed on November 2324 in honor of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Living Windows

Friday, Dec. 1

4-8 PM Christmas Market at Liberty Lounge

6-8 PM Living Windows Performances

Independence Square

Now an annual tradition, over 40 windows come to life with sounds and scenes from the holidays on one night each year. Visit an outdoor Christmas market in Liberty Lounge (an outdoor urban park at 110 S. Liberty St, just 1/2 block south of Blue Ridge Bank).

Annual Senior's Christmas Celebration

December 8, 11 AM - 1 PM Palmer Center,

Enjoy beverages, lunch, pictures with Santa, and door prizes! Tickets are $8 and go on sale November 1. Doors open at 10:30 AM with beverage service beginning at 11 AM. Lunch is catered by Hy-Vee.

Christmas Holiday

City offices will be closed on December 22-25 in honor of the Christmas Holiday.

New Year's Holiday

City offices will be closed on January 1 in honor of the New Year's Day Holiday.

Protect yourself against severe illness this winter with flu and COVID-19 vaccines

This season, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 and flu vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of illness this fall and winter.

Vaccination remains your best protection against influenza- and COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces your chance of suffering the longterm effects from these illnesses.

Both shots (flu and COVID) can be administered safely at the same time, which could save time and ensure that you and your family are safe before the cold and flu season starts this fall.

Although the federal government is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccine doses for free; however, many will be covered by insurance or through federal programs such as the CDC's Bridge Access Program or Vaccines for Children. To find vaccine providers in your area that participate in these programs, visit vaccines.gov

By the numbers: A look at maintenance needs across the City

The City of Independence often talks about deferred maintenance. This is maintenance that has not been completed or pushed off to allow for other budgetary needs or because of budgetary limits. Just like your household, there are more things to fix than you can at one time. But, if you let things go too longyou run into a problem. Here are some of the areas the City is monitoring.

Public Infrastructure: We have 1,200 lane miles in the City, this is the equivalent of driving to West Palm Beach, Florida. There is nearly $500M in deferred maintenance.

Other areas include:

• 4 closed bridges

• 10 bridges requiring repairs or replacement estimated to cost more than $15M

• 1.7M linear feet of sidewalks (about 322 miles or a trip to Cedar Rapids, Ia.), estimated to cost $21.4M to replace.

• We are the only City in the metro region that requires homeowners to maintain curbs. This could cost more than $200M to replace all identified curbs.

• The City owns and maintains over 50 parks and green spaces with $150M in maintenance needs.

• Adventure Oasis Water Park is a summer must with nearly $12M in updates and repairs needed.

• And we are one of few cities that owns historic sites with $10M in deferred maintenance needs.

Public Buildings: Beyond public infrastructure, the City occupies more than

70 buildings - that's a lot to maintain. Let's breakdown some of the concerns.

• Police Department: Inefficient space design for modern needs, water penetration issues and the roof needs replaced. Two studies show reinvestment isn't a viable option due to the extent of the issues.

• City Hall: Requires $7M in deferred maintenance repairs and structural issues are compromising long-term viability.

• Sermon Center: This repurposed power plant needs $10M in maintenance. The sad reality is, just like your home, if repairs and maintenance are not done on some of these investments soon more significant issues may arise.

Over the next few months, City staff and Council will be looking at budget priorities and options for our community.

Renewed Investment and Growth!

Independence is experiencing renewed investment and growth on several fronts. There are several single-family residential developments under review or development throughout the City. These include Regency Heights, Timber Creek Ranch, New Town at Harmony, Little Blue Estates, and Tybrook Estates. Together, these developments will add 369 single family units within the City. Additionally, there are three multifamily developments under various stages of review or development—Redwood Independence, The Alton, Adirondak, and Era Apartments (recently approved by the Planning Commission). Together, these developments will add 1,145 units. The Alton involves redevelopment of the previously vacant JC Penney which represents an excellent reuse of existing idle and under utilized space in the City. The addition of a variety of housing types such as advances the goals of the City’s adopted Housing Study and represents the opportunity private development sees with Independence to invest in quality housing. In addition to investment in housing, new commercial developments are under construction representing a total investment of over $94 million in the City in 2022. East Gate Commerce Center continues

development and buildout with progress made every day. Jackson Drive Industrial Park at the NW corner of RD Mize and Jackson is installing infrastructure. The Mid-Continent Public Library East is under construction with completion anticipated in 2024. The new 12,500 sq. ft. facility is off Little Blue Pkwy just south of I-70. The East Independence Branch will include a community room, meeting rooms, a children's area, and outdoor space. The Cargo Largo expansion off Noland Road is nearing completion with an anticipated opening this month. The project represents an investment of over $61 million and adds an additional 560,000 square feet of space for this growing company.

The City continues to focus on enhancing the development process to encourage investment. The City Council recently adopted significant changes to our code related to the design and construction of infrastructure to consolidate requirements into a single Design and Construction Manual. This document is a single point of reference for all required infrastructure specifications and requirements. The document will be continually updated to align with regional and national standards, ensuring quality infrastructure is installed that meets or exceeds its intended life.

Numbers to Know

Where