Johnson County K-State Research and Extension announced the launch of a new program for anyone interested in nature and science. The program will focus on the education and training of area residents about Kansas natural resources, including wildlife, conservation, forestry and habitat restoration.“We’re excited to introduce this program to the Kansas City area,” said Dan Lekie, County Extension Director for Johnson County Extension. “The program was initially created in Sedgwick County and we have adapted and expanded it for our area.”

The Kansas Master Naturalist (KMN) program trains volunteers to go out into the community and provide expertise and services for natural resource projects that benefit Kansas. The mission of KMN is to develop knowledgeable and dedicated citizens who are active in promoting awareness, understanding and stewardship of the natural heritage of Kansas.

KMN held its pilot class in 2011 in Wichita and trained 26 participants. Volunteer projects there include river bank restoration, guiding hikes, prairie restoration, stream and wildlife surveys, trail building and maintenance, and environmental education programs for youth and adults.

The Kansas Master Naturalist Johnson County chapter is now taking applications for the Class of 2013 volunteers. Twenty-five slots are available to citizens of both Johnson County and the greater Kansas City metro area. Johnson County applications will be considered first for the program.

Even though the program title is Kansas Master Naturalist it is open to all KC metro residents. “We’ve found that people on both sides of the border are interested in learning about Kansas’ natural resources,” Lekie said. “The natural communities don’t change that much from one side of the state line to the other in our area. The flora and fauna are the same.”

If you are interested in improving your knowledge about Kansas natural resources, are interested in making new friends, would like to serve the community, enjoy experiencing new things in nature and science, and you would like to share your passion for nature with others then you are encouraged to apply. Training begins in February with weekly classes held each Thursday, through mid April. Participants are expected to attend all classes and the two required Saturday field trips during training. The sessions will be held at the Johnson County Extension office, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, in Olathe. Applications are available online at www.johnson.ksu.edu/kmn. Or you may contact Dan Lekie at 913-715-7012, email Dan.lekie@jocogov.org

There is finally a way to recycle those strands of broken and outdated holiday lights. There are over 90 convenient drop off location throughout the Kansas City metro. In addition to keeping these lights out of the landfill, recycling them will employ around 160 workers with developmental disabilities. Find a location near you!

Johnson County has launched a new webpage dealing with Old Man Winter.

The “Brrrring on Winter” webpage, which began Thursday, December 13, offers a wide range of information and advice from city, county, state, federal, and school resources about how to prepare and cope with winter weather and its aftermath, including:

• Details and links regarding school closings;
• Snow plowing processes by the county, city, and state; and,
• Useful tips and safety advice for residents on the road, at home, and in the outdoors.

The webpage, which is accessible on the county’s main website at www.jocogov.org,  is located at www.jocogov.org/advisory/winter. It is similar to the county’s “Heat is On” webpage that was launched during the summer drought and soaring temperatures, but with useful information for Johnson County residents in dealing with current and future seasonal situations at the lower end of the thermometer until the spring thaw next year.

More information about the county’s new website is available by contacting Gerald Hay, public information officer at the Johnson County Manager’s Office, at (913) 715-0736 or Gerald.Hay@jocogov.org.

Johnson County K-State Research and Extension has a limited number of free soil tests they need to give away by the end of this year to county residents.

The tests are provided through a grant by Johnson County Stormwater Management. The free tests are good for a routine soil analysis which tests the pH, phosphorus and potassium levels of the soil. (This is the basic fertility test, sufficient for most homeowner lawns and gardens, and normally costs $12.)

Johnson County homeowners are eligible to receive one free test per household. Johnson County agriculture producers, which includes pastures, row crops and commercial horticulture, are eligible to receive up to 10 free agriculture soil tests.

Knowing the base fertility of the soil is important for proper plant growth. Soil testing is the only way to know the nutrient levels in your soil. Applying fertilizer without a current soil test is sure to cost you in either over application or under production. Applying the proper amount also decreases runoff that can pollute waterways.

The test is available on a first-come basis. Samples need to be brought or mailed to the Johnson County Extension office at 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite 1500, Olathe, KS 66061.

To take advantage of this opportunity and learn the specific procedures for collecting a proper sample, or to learn of additional tests that are available for a nominal fee, visit www.johnson.ksu.edu or call (913) 715-7000.
 

Anyone who has a lawn has grass to cut and fallen leaves to handle. Rather than bagging up grass clippings and raking piles of leaves, Johnson County recommends recycling your lawn. The new campaign, "Recycle Your Lawn", encourages residents to skip the bags and return the nutrients right back onto the lawn by using your mower to mulch the grass and leaves.
 

The County created two public service announcements which feature the character Father Nature. Father Nature, or “Papa” Nature, appears when he finds residents improperly managing their yard waste. Father Nature is a larger than life character who advises when managing your lawn to “mow it high and let it lie.”

Grass clippings decompose quickly and recycle valuable nutrients back to the lawn. Fallen leaves can also be finely chopped with a mulching mower right onto the lawn. K-State Research and Extension recommends mulch mowing if done properly and research proves it will not lead to thatch. Recycling your lawn is the natural way to go and is a simple, healthy way to manage yard waste and keep it out of landfills and out of storm drains. It also cuts back on time and money spent managing yards.

Dumping leaves and grass clippings in storm drains or near a stream can cause flooding and contributes to water quality problems in our streams.  It is illegal to put anything other than clean rainwater down a storm drain.
 

The two thirty second public service announcements will air on cable stations in Johnson County throughout the month of November and can be viewed at the campaign’s website, www.recycleyourlawn.com. Viewers can also find more information about mulch mowing and stormwater on the website.
 

Road improvements totaling more than $13.1 million for 2013 and involving 19 projects in nine cities, unanimously received the green light Thursday, November 1, by the Johnson County Board of Commissioners.

The funding included $12,691,152 for the County Assistance Road System (CARS) program that was approved in August by the Board as part of the county’s FY 2013 Budget plus the use of $466,848 from CARS reserves for a total authorization of $13,158,000.

Most of the projects on the CARS to-do list in 2013 will involve major maintenance of existing roadways, such as asphalt overlays, curb repairs, storm sewers, sidewalk improvements that include ADA compliant ramps, pavement markings, and traffic loops.

The 2013 CARS program has one continuation project involving improvements to Roe Avenue from the south to the north city limits of Roeland Park, which is providing $697,000. CARS is contributing $548,000.

Three new projects are in Overland Park, including improvements to 91st Street from U.S. 69 Highway to Antioch Road ($2,019,000); to 75th Street from Antioch Road to Metcalf Avenue ($310,000), and to Quivira Road from College Boulevard to 111th Street ($161,000).

Six projects involve Overland Park with other partners. One will be rehabilitation of the bridge over Blue River with Overland Park funding $179,000, Johnson County providing $178,000, and CARS adding $357,000.

Three projects are in Overland Park/Leawood, including improvements to:

• 119th Street from State Line Road to Roe Avenue with Leawood providing $903,000; Overland Park contributing $30,000, and CARS funding $933,000;
• College Boulevard (111th Street) from Nall Avenue to El Monte with funding from Overland Park ($240,000); Leawood ($239,000), and CARS ($479,000); and,
• Roe Avenue from 119th Street to Tomahawk Creek Parkway with funding from Overland Park ($123,000), Leawood ($31,000), and CARS ($154,000).

Two other projects involve Overland Park in partnership with the cities of Olathe and Merriam.

Improvements to 127th Street from Black Bob to Pflumm roads include $3,791,000 funding from Olathe and $50,000 from Overland Park. CARS is adding $3,841,000.

Merriam and Overland Park are each providing $146,000 to improve 75th Street from Frontage Road to Antioch Road along with $292,000 from CARS.

Another joint project will construct improvements to Somerset Drive from Belinder Avenue to Reinhardt Lane with the Prairie Village funding $284,000; Leawood, $85,000; and CARS, $369,000.

Two road maintenance projects are in Olathe, including improvements to Ridgeview Road from 119th Street to K-10 Highway ($650,000) and to Parker Street (Kansas-7 Highway) from Old U.S. 56 Highway to Spruce Street ($500,000).

Two other projects are in Merriam, involving improvements to the Johnson Drive bridge over Turkey Street ($190,000) and to Shawnee Mission Parkway from Antioch Road to Lowell Street ($115,000).

Other 2013 projects include CARS funding of:

• $56,000 to De Soto for 83rd Street from Waverly to Gardner roads;
• $750,000 to Mission for Johnson Drive from Nall Avenue to Woodson as the first phase of Lamar to Nall avenues project;
• $300,000 to Shawnee for Shawnee Mission Parkway from Flint Street to the east city limits; and,
• $1,134,000 to Lenexa for 79th Street from Pflumm to Lackman roads.

The CARS program was established in 1983 with a goal to construct and maintain local major transportation corridors in partnership with the cities of Johnson County.

Each year, the cities submit a 5-year road improvement plan to Johnson County.  Using a scoring system, the county annually selects projects and allocates funds, paying up to 50 percent of the project’s construction and construction inspection costs.  Cities are responsible for design, right-of-way, and utility relocation costs.

More information is available by contacting Kent Lage, Manager of the Urban Services Division at the Johnson County Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, at (913) 715-8333 or kent.lage@jocogov.org.

Presidential Election – November 6, 2012 – Johnson County, Kansas

Advance Vote Monday A.M. at Election Office Only (Satellite Sites Are Closed)

Your last chance for Advance Voting in Johnson County, Kansas, is Monday morning, November 5, 2012, at the Election Office, 2101 East Kansas City Road, Olathe. By state law, Advance Voting closes at 12:00 Noon on Monday before each election.

Johnson County’s popular Advance Voting sites at Metcalf South, Shawnee and The Great Mall of the Great Plains closed for the season at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 3. Only the Election Office is open on Monday.

On Tuesday, November 6, Election Day, vote at your assigned polling place. All locations will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For a mobile reminder, text VOTEKS plus your address and ZIP to 74574. Within 60 seconds a return message displays your polling place and address.

Visit the Election Office website at www.jocoelection.org. Click Voter Lookup for your registration, polling place and ballot. For a map from home to your polling place, go to www.jocopolo.com

The 2013 Stormwater Management Program approved Thursday, November 1, by the Johnson County Board of Commissioners totals almost $20.5 million, including funding for capital projects in five cities.

The plan was adopted in a 6-1 vote with Commissioner Michael Ashcraft dissenting, encouraging the process to explore new strategies and stormwater practices in future planning for and funding of projects.

Lee Kellenberger, manager of the Stormwater Management Program for the Johnson County Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, said the 2013 program has budgeted almost $17.2 million for 12 design/construction projects in Olathe, Shawnee, Merriam, Overland Park, and Lenexa. The department is located at 1800 West 56 Highway, Olathe.

The plan also sets aside approximately $2.6 million for supplementary projects/efforts to support the cities of Johnson County and funding for other countywide stormwater initiatives. According to Kellenberger, the projects will enable cities to continue flood mitigation and initiate several proactive efforts. Administrative services were budgeted at $658,000.

“These efforts reflect the program direction to become a leading-edge program and include projects to warn and protect the public; measure and effectiveness of improvements related to water quality; and assist cities with meeting the federal requirements for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System,” Kellenberger advised the Board in a briefing sheet.

In the 2013 plan, four capital projects are located in Overland Park, including:

• $1,391,475 for stormwater improvements between Tomahawk Ridge – 90th Terrace and Conser Street;
• $3,387,750 for Monitor Square – 101st Street and Roe Avenue to 103rd and Rosewood streets stormwater improvements;
• $2,106,000 for stormwater improvements to Rolling Woods – 116th to Hemlock streets; and,
• $714,555 for ditch liner and box culverts between 103rd and Connell streets.

Three capital projects are in Shawnee. One involves continued Fairview Heights improvements from 2012. The 2013 program has earmarked $2,065,500 for the project. The other two projects involve funding for design phase work at Caenen Street and Johnson Drive ($65,250) and at 59th Terrace and Quivira Road ($309,750). Both projects will become continuation projects at the top of the list for funding consideration in the 2014 Stormwater Management Program.

Two projects in Olathe were allocated funds, including $1,125,000 for stormwater improvements between Lindenwood Drive and 153rd Terrace and $2,025,000 for a project from Lindenwood Drive from 151st Street and 152nd Circle.

The program allocated $131,250 for preliminary design phase of the ongoing Turkey Creek Project in Merriam, involving a partnership with the city and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is contributing an additional $525,000 for the preliminary design phase.

Merriam also received $1,877,775 for stormwater improvements at Meyer Creek.

Stormwater improvements from Clare to Gleason roads in Lenexa were funded $374,682.

The 2013 plan includes seven supplementary projects to support the county’s stormwater program and regional and countywide initiatives, requiring approximately $2.6 million in funding. Regional and support projects include maintenance of the county’s stream and rain gauge network,  , maintenance of the countywide flood-warning system, and funding of studies identified by cities, and other stormwater activities and projects.

The Stormwater Management Program (SMP) annually provides funding for stormwater improvements and capital projects in Johnson County in partnership with all cities of the county and in cooperation with other cities in the Kansas City region as part of the regional stormwater system.

The program is funded by a 1/10-cent sales tax authorized by the Kansas Legislature in 1988 and approved by the Board of County Commissioners for the purpose of funding stormwater projects. Johnson County was the only county to implement the tax. These funds, dedicated to stormwater management, allow the county to create a yearly stormwater management plan and provide 75 percent of funding for eligible design and construction projects in the county and cities in Johnson County.

The Board created the Stormwater Management Program and the Stormwater Management Advisory Council (SMAC) in the early 1990s. SMAC helps coordinate stormwater efforts and advises the Board on stormwater management related issues.

More information is available by contacting Lee Kellenberger, Manager of the Stormwater Management Program at the Johnson County Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, at (913) 715-8310 or lee.kellenberger@jocogov.org.

Being first in Kansas and the mid-west, Johnson County now serves garnishments in the virtual world at an estimated savings of $25,000 per year. In an on-going effort to reduce costs and streamline services offered by the sheriff’s office, Johnson County Sheriff Frank Denning implemented the system of serving judgment garnishments electronically in early October 2012.

Prior to this initiative, 10,000 judgment garnishment papers were served annually in person by a deputy to the bank in which the garnishment was to be collected from. Now, all Johnson County issued garnishments will be filed and delivered electronically to participating banks; alleviating the need for a deputy to deliver the papers in person. Initial estimates based on the current enrollment put the annual savings at $25,000 in labor and printing costs. In addition, this process streamlines the time in which these garnishments are delivered and collections are made. Currently 10 banks throughout Johnson County are participating. It is anticipated that additional banks will be participating in the future resulting in increased savings.

“Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy!” "Who am I? Why am I here?" “Well, "there you go again." “Trickle down government.” “Voodoo economics.” "When I hear your new ideas, I'm reminded of that ad, 'Where's the beef?'”

Who knows what sound bite we’ll hear next? Who knows what zinger will stick and have the staying power to stand the test of time to be mentioned years from now? Who knows what pre-scripted one-liners will fall flat? And can we be sure all the facts outlined by the candidates are correct?

Come to a live viewing of the final presidential debate hosted by the Johnson County Library and find out. There will be discussion and in-the-moment fact checking by reference librarians who will retrieve relevant information utilizing neutral, bi-partisan resources. Pizza will be served.

Live Viewing of the Final Presidential Debate
Monday, October 22, 2012
7:30 PM
Oak Park Library, 9500 Bluejacket, Overland Park, KS.

This event will conclude the Johnson County Library’s Election 2012 community issues forums to explore the impact and roles of the three branches of government. For more information call (913) 826-4600 or visit www.jocolibrary.org/elections.  Funding for the Election 2012 Series is provided by the Johnson County Library Foundation.

Library programs are free and open to the public. Interpretive services and other accommodations for those with special needs are available by contacting Library staff at least one week in advance of the program.

Johnson County has launched a Cyber Security website in conjunction with National Cyber Security Awareness Month.  The site contains many resources intended to educate and provide resources for residents to stay safe online.  Some of the items included in the site are tips for creating strong passwords, videos to educate about threats when accessing the Internet, a cyber security tip of the day, games designed to teach cyber security principles, and several articles on various aspects of cyber security.

The site can be accessed from the Public Safety section of the County's main website, www.jocogov.org or directly through this link, http://jocogov.org/cyber-security.

Citizens who live or work in Johnson County will get the benefit of a new countywide Mass Notification System that’s designed to communicate emergency and non-emergency information through phone, text, and email messages.

The system, which is free to the public and targeted to start by mid-November, is being implemented by Everbridge, Inc., a leading firm in emergency and incident notification systems.

On Thursday, September 27, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners authorized a contract with Everbridge to implement and maintain a Mass Notification System at an annual cost not to exceed $179,495 for a three-year period with an option to renew for an additional two years. The vote was unanimous.

The project is being spearheaded by the Johnson County Emergency Management and Communications Department in partnership with the cities of Overland Park, Olathe, and Lenexa, and Water District No. 1 of Johnson County. The participating jurisdictions will share in providing approximately $99,000 annually in the operational costs of the system. The participants have adopted the name of “ALERT-JOHNSON COUNTY” to identify the system to citizens in Johnson County.

The contract also provides provisions for additional cities within the county to become participants of the system in 2013 and share in the funding if they chose to participate. Other public safety agencies, including the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and local police, fire departments, and emergency medical responders, will be involved in the alert/information process.

“With  ALERT-JOHNSON COUNTY, both city/county and utility officials  can notify citizens in specific areas instantly, using computer alerts, texting, or mass phone call messaging,” Walt Way, director of the Emergency Management and Communications Department, said. “It’s another useful tool to enhance the public safety of Johnson County citizens, neighborhoods, businesses, and communities along with providing other important notifications.”

Way says public mass notification systems have become a critical component of emergency preparation and response in other parts of the nation. The system has two main elements:

• Residents prepare to be notified of emergencies or receive non-emergency information by voluntarily providing their landline phones, cell phones, and e-mail addresses to a confidential database.
• Public safety officials respond by using the system to rapidly send out messages when there is a perceived, upcoming, or imminent situation that may require community or individual action.

Implementation of the system will involve voluntary participation from Johnson County citizens and businesses wanting to sign up to receive timely alerts, information, and other notifications. To participate, they will need to register their personal contact preferences.

Based on the nature or severity of the event, the system may be used to contact residents by one or all of the following methods: home phone, work phone, cell phone, e-mail, or text message.

ALERT-JOHNSON COUNTY, which will be web-based, can provide information from a database to home or business phones with a voice message, as well as to mobile devices capable of receiving texts and emails. It can also be expanded to include social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. Users can opt in on different levels of receiving alerts and information in whatever means they prefer – landline or cell phone, computer, or other personal electronic devices.

The Everbridge provided system will be capable of sending large volumes of messages – a minimum of 100,000 notifications per hour – through phone, e-mail, and text communication channels. It is designed to provide essential, timely information that may include the following topics:

• Emergency Alerts:   Tornado warnings and  flood warnings, evacuation notices, hazardous materials incidents, Amber Alerts and notifications for endangered missing adults or lost children; public health alerts, such as water boil order  alerts, dangerous animal  alerts, infectious disease outbreak, extreme heat and cold advisories to vulnerable populations, and  other imminent threats to the health or safety of residents.

• Community Alerts: Non-emergency police and fire information; community event information; utility notifications, such as water restrictions and power outages; public meetings; and public works projects/road closures.

So how does the system work?                                            

When there is an emergency event requiring community/individual action, authorized officials record a voice message, e-mail, or text message that is quickly transmitted to individuals/businesses/homes affected by the event. Text messages may also be sent to hearing impaired receiving devices.

According to Way, a multijurisdictional approach to the Mass Notification System offers several benefits, including cost-sharing with other governmental entities, collaboration in collection and sharing citizen contact information; and elimination of local costs for computer equipment and services, telephone trunks, and other equipment to provide the service.

Everbridge currently serves over 1,000 organizations in 106 countries. Clients include the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security; states of Connecticut and Arkansas; counties of Boulder (Colorado), Ventura (California), and Walla Walla and Pierce (both in Washington); cities of Beverly Hills, Boston, Galveston, and Tempe; American Red Cross; AT&T; Fidelity Investments; and ING Bank.

So, what’s next?

With the county authorization of the contract with Everbridge, the participating jurisdictions – Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, and Water District No. 1 – must also approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the county which sets out policies for use of the system and the annual cost to each jurisdiction for using the Mass Notification System. That process is expected to be completed in November.   

Registration of Johnson County residents wanting to connect to ALERT-JOHNSON COUNTY at no charge will then follow. The process, which involves providing contact information, such as landline/cell phone numbers, email addresses, and text numbers, is expected to begin by mid-November at a website that will be jointly sponsored by the participating jurisdictions.  The address of that website will be announced at that time.

Participants can select their categories of interest and prioritize their preferred method of contact. Again, the information is kept confidential; it’s free; and participation is voluntary.

“Our plan is to have ALERT-JOHNSON COUNTY up and running by the end of the year,” Way said.

More information is available by contacting Walt Way, director of Johnson County Emergency Management and Communications Department at (913) 826-1010 or walt.way@jocogov.org.