MERRIAM HIGHLIGHTS - WINTER 2011 | SPRING 2012

MERRIAM HIGHLIGHTS Published for Merriam Residents & Businesses

WINTER 2011 | SPRING 2012

Building the 2012 Budget Merriam’s 2012 operating and capital budget was approved by City Council in July. The City’s mill levy has been set at 27.412 mills, slightly less than last year. City of Merriam property taxes on a home valued at $150,000 will cost the homeowner $473 per year.

Priorities and Values – The Governing Body reviews and updates citywide goals as part of the budget process.

Here are the goals and objectives that provided direction for the 2012 Budget: 1. Code Enforcement: Reduce the number of repeat code offenders.

2. Community Development: Sustain capital improvement efforts and the street light program.

3. Citizen advocacy: Rebuild the City website and provide for more on-line transactions for City business. Measure citizen satisfaction levels for City services.

4. Economic development: Promote existing developments. Work with local business owners and business associations. Keep abreast of legislative efforts and current events adverse to the City.

5. Administrative focus: Codify city codes and make them available on the City website.

Invest in our employees.

6. Sustainability: Consider Alternate Development Scenarios policies proposed

by Mid-America Regional Council. Assist

Dear Merriam Citizens,

with implementation of the county’s new solid waste regulations.

7. Improve planning process: Complete the Upper Turkey Creek drainage study.

Complete the multi-year study for Shawnee Mission Parkway/Metcalf corridor sustainability plan. Update the City’s comprehensive plan.

Budget Challenges and Responses – The challenges we faced with the 2012 Budget were not new. Our largest source of revenue, City and County sales taxes, saw further declines in 2010. Annual collections have dropped over $800,000 since 2008 due to the recession. Property tax values have dropped by $19 million or 11.5% since 2008, including a projected 2.5% for 2011. Expenditures are projected to increase, including higher employee pension and gasoline costs.

The City adopted several measures to cope with this economic climate including: suspend funding for certain staff positions; limit employee merit increases; reduce employee training and travel budgets; postpone some capital equipment purchases.

Your Tax Dollars at Work – For less than the cost of monthly cable service, our residents receive high-quality City services such as police and fire protection, snow removal, street maintenance, community center classes, a beautiful neighborhood swimming pool and farmers’ market.

- See “Budget”, continued on page two...

As we close out 2011, looking back, it has been a very good year for Merriam, and there are some very exciting new plans for 2012.

It has been a tough road for many cities in the Kansas City Metro area, with problems associated with the depressed economy. Luckily, the City of Merriam is very fortunate to have a large and diverse mixture of businesses for our small size. This has helped to insulate our city from the recession that has caused so many cities to suffer.

Another advantage we have is the fiscally conservative nature of our City Council and the strong support that we receive from our city staff, which has helped to keep our costs down to a reasonable minimum. As a result, in August, the City Council passed the 2012 city budget with no increase in property taxes.

Last year, I reported that the city continued to “plod forward with our two major development projects, Merriam Village and Merriam Pointe.” I am happy to report that in the next few months we will see construction of a new state-of-the-art Toyota dealership, being built on the Merriam Pointe site at 67th and I-35. Superior Toyota is moving their operation from their current Merriam location on Shawnee Mission Parkway, and enlarging their operation greatly. We are very excited to be working with them to make their business better. There has also been recent increased interest in the Merriam Village site as well.

It is my goal to see that both locations are up and running as soon as possible. Having new businesses bringing in sales taxes will only help to keep our taxes low and our service levels high.

In conclusion, I would like to say thanks for all your support. I am proud to be your Mayor and look forward to meeting many of you in the future. Please feel free to contact me at City Hall. I am available one hour before every council meeting (2nd and 4th Mondays, from 6 to 7 PM), or you can call me at 913-523-5357.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to make your experience here in Merriam more pleasant.

CITY OF MERRIAM, KANSAS 6200 EBY STREET MERRIAM, KS 66202-2815

Mayor Ken Sissom

www.merriam.org | (913) 322-5500 | CityofMerriam@merriam.org

PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 576 SHAWNEE MISSION, KS

2

MERRIAM HIGHLIGHTS

We’ve (not) moved!

New address, same location for Merriam city hall & police department We’re not really moving, but the Merriam city hall and police department ARE getting new mailing addresses.

Seven years ago, the Merriam city hall building was renovated and a new police facility was built. With the renovations, the main entrance to City Hall was moved from the south side of the building (facing 62nd Street) to the north side of the building, with access to parking from Eby Street.

In an effort to help the public find us easier, and to better align our street addresses with

the reconfigured buildings, the new addresses will be: Merriam City Hall: 6200 Eby Street, Merriam, KS 66202 Merriam Police Department: 6190 Eby Street, Merriam, KS 66202 The Merriam Fire Department, which occupies the southern (top) portion of city hall, will retain their existing entrance with access to their department off of 62nd Terrace.

They will also retain their mailing address:

9000 W. 62nd Terrace, Merriam, KS 66202.

So, just to be clear – while the addresses have changed – Merriam city hall and police department are staying in the same place.

Citizen satisfaction survey In January, the City of Merriam will begin conducting a citizen satisfaction survey.

Randomly selected households throughout Merriam will be surveyed to gain input and opinions on the quality of City services.

The questionaire, administered by ETC Institute, will contain both mail-in and telephone elements.

Feedback received will be used as part of an

ongoing planning process designed to help city leaders monitor the quality of city services, established budget priorities for future years, and make policy decision.

Your input is very valuable to the City. If you are interested in finding out more information about the city’s citizen survey, please call (913) 322-5500 or visit the city’s website, www.meriam.org for more information.

Budget... (cont. from page one) Almost half of the General Fund budget goes to police, fire and public works.

Capital improvement projects scheduled for next year include a residential street project near 65th and Hardy and a drainage project for 55th/56th Terrace.

Outlook – Despite challenging economic conditions, Merriam will continue to provide high service levels to its residents on approximately the same mill levy as in 2009. Merriam’s location along the highly visible I-35 corridor contributes to solid retail sales collections.

Merriam businesses have averaged $507 million in annual sales over the last 5 years.

New or expanded sales tax collections are anticipated following the 2012 construction of a new auto dealership at Merriam Pointe.

While no anchor tenants have been announced for the Merriam Village project, the City is reviewing plans for 2012 construction of a nationally known fast-food restaurant and convenience store on parcels in that development.

The City of Merriam will continue to “tighten our belt” to manage through these volatile economic times.

For more details on the City’s 2012 Budget, see the 2012 Budget Summary and Budget FAQs on the City’s website, www.merriam.org/finance.

Franchise fee rebate program

Starting February 1, 2012, The City of Merriam will accept applications for the Franchise Fee Rebate Program. This program provides Merriam families, whose income falls within the limits established by HUD, the opportunity to apply for a refund of the franchise fees paid

on electricity, gas and telephone bills during 2011.

between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, to request an application form.

Franchise fees collected from utility companies are refunded to eligible low-to-moderate income households. This fee rebate program is a city-funded project, implemented by Mayor Sissom and the Merriam City Council. This year will mark the 30th year that this program has been offered to Merriam residents.

Applications must be accompanied by all 2011 gas, electric and telephone invoices, along with proof of income for all household members. For proof of income, residents can provide their 2011 W-2 or income tax forms, or social security papers as well as all 1099’s, Interest, Pensions, Annuities, and Dividend Statements.

Starting February 1, 2012, those wishing to participate should contact the Community Development Department at (913) 322-5520

Applications will be accepted February 1, 2012 through May 1, 2012.

3

WINTER 2011 | SPRING 2012

The right tree in the right place With proper planning, trees can add beauty and value to your home. Use these guidelines to get you started on planting the right tree in the right place.

Plan before you plant...Evaluate the following questions and discuss them with your local nursery: • Why are you planting the tree? For shade? To block an undesirable view? For its fruit? The answer will help you choose an appropriate tree.

• Are there overhead or underground utility lines close to where you want to plant the tree?

• How large will the tree ultimately become and what shape will the mature tree have?

• What maintenance will the tree require?

• Will the tree be able to survive in the local climate and soil?

• Is the tree strong enough to bear loads of ice and wind without breaking?

• Is the tree susceptible to insects and disease?

Site selection is important...Trees that are properly placed today can save numerous headaches tomorrow - particularly where power lines are concerned.

Always call before you plant a tree to check the location of underground services before starting any digging project. The statewide One-Call Underground number in Kansas is 1-800-DIG-SAFE. Choose appropriate trees...In the long run, it’s better to buy small ornamental trees that require less maintenance by property owners, less attention from municipalities and utilities, and are easier to protect from disease and insects. These include: Crabapple, Flowering Dogwood, Hawthorn and Redbud.

As a general rule, large trees (over 70 feet at maturity) should be planted more than 45 feet from overhead power lines. Large trees include Basswood, Bur Oak, Pecan, White Pine and Sweetgum.

Medium trees (30-70 feet at maturity) should be planted more than 35 feet from overhead lines. Some species are: Eastern Red Cedar, Norway Maple, English Oak, Sugar Maple and River Birch.

Large shrubs that seldom exceed 15 feet at maturity may be planted under utility lines. These include Burning Bush, Forsythia, Honeysuckle, Lilac, Mockorange, Pyracantha and Euonymus Manhattan.

Some trees can become nuisances and hazards because of characteristics such as weak wood, rapid growth, messy droppings or diseases. Trees not recommended for planting include: Silver Maple, Lombardy Poplar, Silver Poplar, Weeping Willow, Cottonwood, Hybrid Poplar, Boxelder, Sycamore, Siberian (Chinese) Elm, Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus), Black Locust, Pin Oak, Walnut, Scotch Pine, Austrian Pine and Bradford Pear.

Check with your local nursery or garden center for further planting information or go to www.arborday.org.

What do I do with yard waste after January 1, 2012?

Currently, 11% of what fills up a landfill is yard waste. Beginning January 1, 2012, Johnson County residents will no longer be able to dispose of yard waste in landfills.

Here are some options for yard waste management: • Convenient curbside - yard waste may be set out at the curb, but haulers must compost or mulch the material rather than take it to a landfill with the trash. Contact your waste hauler for pick-up restrictions.

• •

•

Drop it off (for a fee) at one of several metro locations.

Leave grass clippings on the lawn with a mulching mower. Not only do the grass clippings help retain moisture, they also return up to 25% of the nitrogen needed to fertilize the soil.

Backyard composting - yard waste can be easily turned into a useful product to add to gardens, lawns and shrubs to help retain moisture and promote growth.

For additional resources and information on composting, yard waste drop-off locations, and other resources, visit www.jocorecycles.org.

Merriam’s snow removal program During normal business hours, salting begins as soon as freezing precipitation occurs. At night and on weekends, an hour is necessary to assemble crews and begin work.

Who can forget the Feb. 1 blizzard, when 12 inches of snow fell, shutting down many businesses and schools? Last year, 32 inches of snow fell. This year, well, it’s anyone’s guess. st

When winter weather strikes the Kansas City metro area, the Merriam Public Works Department is on alert.

Each winter, two six-man crews remove snow and ice from 123-lane miles of roadway. City crews plow and remove approximately fifty tons of material with each sweep through the city.

Plowing of the main streets and emergency routes begins as soon as there is a plowable snow depth on the street surfaces and traffic conditions permit.

Once plowing begins, the routes will be plowed continuously until the snowfall lets up and there isn’t enough snow left on the pavement to make plowing effective.

It takes about one hour to salt, and two hours to plow for each cycle. Our goal is to clear the snow down to bare pavement, curb to curb.

The residential streets are treated after the main thoroughfares are in good condition.

It takes roughly three hours to salt and four hours to plow these streets each cycle.

We are aware of certain locations on the residential streets that are known to be dangerous when it snows. These locations (hills, intersections, schools, hospitals, and bridges) are salted while we work on the main thoroughfares.

To clear all streets adequately the city requests that residents not park on cul-de-sacs and dead end streets. If a vehicle is parked in hard to reach areas, plowing will not be done in that location.

Our staff takes pride in providing the highest quality of service to citizens, businesses, and commuters. For more information, call the Public Works Department at (913) 322-5570.

MERRIAM HIGHLIGHTS - WINTER 2011 | SPRING 2012

4

Put a freeze on winter fires: fireplace safety While fireplaces often conjure up images of warmth and comfort, they also represent a significant source (36%) of home heating fires.

Creosote - a sticky, oily substance created when wood does not burn completely - rises into the chimney as a liquid and deposits on the chimney walls, and plays a role in nearly one-fourth (23%) of all home heating fires each year.

As part of the National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Fire Administration’s fire safety campaign, “Put a Freeze on Winter

Fires,” we would like to remind residents that chimneys should be inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified professional.

Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from a fireplace, wood stove, or any other heating equipment, and create a threefoot “kid-free zone” around open fires.

Also, make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room, and never leave a fireplace fire unattended, particularly when children are present. Ashes should be cool before putting

them in a metal container, and kept at a safe distance from your home.

Winter fires are preventable! For more heating fire safety advice from NFPA and USFA’s “Put a Freeze on Winter” campaign, visit www.nfpa.org/winter.

Christmas tree disposal schedule The City of Merriam will conduct its annual tree pick-up to assist citizens and businesses in the disposal of holiday trees.

•

Monday, Jan. 9 - North side of 75th St. to the south side of 67th St; east side of Switzer to west side of Antioch.

•

Thursday, Jan. 12 - North side of Johnson Dr. to the south side of 53rd St; east side of Antioch to west side of Switzer.

There will be a one-time pickup in your area as scheduled to the right. Trees are to be placed curbside by 7 AM on the scheduled day of pickup.

•

Tuesday, Jan. 10 - North side of 67th St. to the south side of Johnson Dr; east side of Switzer to west side of Antioch.

•

Friday, Jan. 13 - North side of 53rd St. to the south side of 47th; east side of Switzer to west side of Antioch.

•

Wednesday, Jan. 11 - North side of 67th to the south side of 54th Ter; east side of Antioch to west side of Lowell.

Should snowfall occur, the alternate dates for the pick-up will be January 16th - 20th.

If you have any questions or need assistance, call (913) 322-5570.

Police Department offers women’s self defense seminar The Merriam Police Department is offering a womens self defense class entitled “Avoiding & Surviving a Violent Encounter,” on Saturday, January 21, 2012.

The seminar will consist of one hour of discussion on self defense, followed by an hour of light hands-on instruction/demonstration.

We will focus on basic principles that can be

applied during a violent encounter.

Thoses planning on participating in the physical portion of the seminar, should dress in comfortable clothing with little jewelry.

The seminar will be held at the Irene B. French Community Center from 1 to 3 PM. The class is FREE to the public, but you must register in advance by calling (913) 322-5550.

16th Annual Heartland Artist Exhibition The Merriam Parks and Recreation Department invites you to join them for the opening night reception of Merriam’s 16th Annual Heartland Artist Exhibition, Saturday March 3rd, from 5 - 7 PM. The exhibit features artists from across the country, with works in watercolors, pastel,

acrylic, mixed media and oil. Works will be judged by Kim Casebeer.

Free wine, beer and light refreshments will be served.

Artists that wish to submit works can go to our webpage www.merriam.org/park.

SAVE THE DATE: Merriam’s spring clean-up scheduled for April 17 - 21 Twice a year, the City of Merriam conducts a large item clean-up campaign for the residents of Merriam. The Merriam Public Works Department is responsible for this campaign, which occurs annually during the third full week of April and October.

The City’s spring clean-up campaign will occur April 17-21, 2012. There are restrictions on the materials the city will accept. For a scchedule of the spring clean-up and list of restrictions, visit www.merriam.org/Large-Item-Clean-Up.htm. For additional information, call 913-322-5570 or e-mail PublicWorks@merriam.org.