FOR MORE INFORMATION - CHECK OUT WWW.LANSING.KS.US From the City Administrator
Tim Vandall Election season is upon us! No matter which way you voted, we are fortunate to live in a country where we can exercise our rights as citizens. Although many people think of Washington, DC and Topeka when they think of our republic, local government officials and issues are often on the front lines of our government. Local government is the most transparent and ac-
cessible level of government, and in Lansing, local government officials are busy working to improve our community.
voices heard. The brave firefighters of the LCFD#1 have done a great job, and we look forward to working with them in the future.
Our City Council is working to keep the lines of communication open throughout the fire department transition. The City has a deep appreciation and respect for the firefighters of LCFD#1. By having a fire department under the City’s umbrella, we are improving communication, increasing accountability, and ensuring all entities are on the same page to move Lansing and the region forward. It is our strong desire to continue working with our friends from the townships surrounding Lansing. We simply view this as a change in the leadership structure. Throughout this process, we have heard a great deal of feedback. It’s difficult to please everyone when a large-scale change is made, but the City has still given everyone a chance to speak their minds and to have their
The quality and functionality of our infrastructure continues to be a point of emphasis for the City. After more than a decade of planning (and re-planning), we will finally be tackling the improvements to DeSoto Road and the DeSoto/Eisenhower intersection. Linaweaver Construction, based in Lansing, will be the general contractor for the project. Be on the lookout for construction in early 2019, and please be aware of future delays and detours. The City is also working to improve and upsize old sewer lines on the west side of town. Many of these older sewer lines date back to the late 1950s, in some cases before Lansing was even a City. Improvement of this sewer line should help spur growth and development in northwest Lansing. In addition to the
substantial roadway and wastewater projects, there are several other smaller projects staff is looking to tackle. Unfortunately, many of these “smaller” projects still cost between $200,000-$300,000. City staff and elected officials are always working to balance these projects with our dedication to fiscal responsibility for our taxpayers. Improving the quality of life for our citizens is also a focal point for the City. The City plans on making improvements to Highland Park in 2019. The playground equipment at the park is outdated and needs to be put out to pasture. This will be a great improvement to the surrounding neighborhood. The City will also put out a request for proposals to make substantial improvements to Bernard Park and the rest of our park system. Long-term, we’d love to see soccer fields and ball fields out at Bernard Park. We are also evaluating other amenities that can improve
our park system. If you have any ideas that can help improve the quality of life for Lansing citizens, please be sure to let City staff or elected officials know. So what do I mean when I say local government is the front line of the government? The people who run the government of Lansing are your friends and neighbors. You might see them at Aldi or Freddy’s and talk about a road project. You bump into them at a Lions game and talk about a zoning question. It’s easy to get in touch with officials in Lansing. Local government truly is a government run by the people, for the people. If you ever have any questions about what is going on in Lansing, let us know. Tim Vandall City Administrator tvandall@lansing.ks.us
Lansing Snow Ordinance With winter approaching, the city of Lansing would like to remind property owners or occupants of property within the City of the snow ordinance on clearing of public sidewalks adjacent to the property owners’ property. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner of record or the occupant of property immediately adjacent to a public sidewalk on public right-of-way to remove from the sidewalk any snow or ice which accumulates on such sidewalk or obstructs such sidewalk within twenty-four (24) hours after the storm ceases. Where the ice accumulated is of such character as to make removal thereof impossible, the sprinkling or placement of sand and de-icer thereon within the time specified for removal in such a manner as to make such sidewalk safe for travel of pedestrians shall be deemed compliant with the provisions of this section. In the case of any property owner of record or occupant refusing or neglecting to comply with the provisions of subsection above for a period of fortyeight (48) hours, and after a verified inspection of a public complaint of such non-compliance, inspection personnel of the Code Enforcement Department shall notify the occupant of the violation(s) and if the occupant is not the property owner of record, the Department shall deliver or mail a written notice
of violation to the property owner of record ordering the prompt removal of the snow or ice. Failure to remove the snow or ice within twenty-four (24) hours after notice of violation has been delivered to the occupant, or if unoccupied, 48 hours after the notice of violation has been mailed to the property owner of record, may result in the citation of the property owner of record or occupant pursuant to subsection below. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall be considered a municipal offense and upon an adjudication of “guilty,” the violator shall be fined $20.00. Each day of a continuing violation, beginning with the day after the storm ceases, shall be deemed a separate offense. When shoveling private driveways, please remember to shovel to both sides of the driveway instead of out to the street, so that when snow plows are clearing they are not depositing the snow back into your driveway. Also, please keep in mind the parking rules for major snow events. The ordinances state when snow has accumulated on the street to such a depth that snow removal operations will be required, the following will be enforced. The Mayor, City Administrator, or in their absence, the Chief of Police may declare a traffic emergency and until such traffic
emergency is terminated, it shall be unlawful: To park a vehicle on any street designated an emergency snow route. To operate a motor vehicle on any emergency snow route in such manner or condition that such motor vehicle stalls and is unable to proceed by reason of the fact that the driving wheels are not equipped with tire chains or adequate all-weather tires. The chief of police, during a traffic emergency, is empowered
to waive or suspend enforcement of parking restrictions. All vehicles parked on emergency snow routes must be removed within one hour after notice of traffic emergency has been given. Any vehicle parked on an emergency snow route after such period of time may be removed by a police officer to the nearest garage or other place of safety and the vehicle may not be recovered until the towing and storage charges are paid by or for the owner. Here is a link to an online
snow removal map showing the streets that are designated as “emergency snow routes” https://www.lansing.ks.us/DocumentCenter/View/3156/SNOW -REMOVAL-MAP2013?bidId= Please keep in mind, although your street may not be on the emergency list, it does help to move vehicles elsewhere until crews have finished snow removal on your street. Questions? Please call Lansing Public Works at 913-727-2400