1. Art and Diseño

ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
JANUARY 29, 2015
HONOR GUARD
PLEDGE OF ALLIGIANCE
Good Afternoon and welcome to the annual State of the City Address. Before I
begin, I would like to recognize the elected officials who are in attendance. I’d
also like to ask City Administrator, Scott Lambers, all Department Heads and
other professional staff to please stand.
As I am about to relay to you, 2014 proved to be an eventful year for the City’s
residents and businesses. Before I begin, though, I believe it is appropriate to
acknowledge the turmoil and controversy that have been generated by the
events in Ferguson, Cleveland and New York City.
A common theme that has arisen, and one to which I subscribe vigorously, is
that our Nation, at all levels of government, is the best in the world. But at the
same time, we are far from perfect. The ideals we hold are high, and while we
may fall short at times, we never lose sight of them or lower them to
accommodate an easier path to follow. Instead, we are willing to acknowledge
our shortcomings and learn from them. Regardless of one’s personal opinions as
to these tragic events, it is imperative that we take strength from the fact that we
will emerge a better and more unified Nation in the end.
It is hard to believe, but this is the 14th State of the City Address that I have had
the pleasure to deliver. The events of the past year would not have been
possible without the combined efforts of the Leawood Governing Body and City
staff. Also contributing to this effort are the many individuals who volunteer their
time and talent to enhance our community by serving on the numerous
councils, commissions, advisory boards, committees and service clubs. Of
particular note, the Leawood Lions Club celebrated their 60th anniversary in
2014. At this time, I would request that all of our dedicated volunteers please
stand and be recognized. Thank you for all that you do to contribute to our fine
quality of life in Leawood.
Leawood is indeed an incredible place to live, work, shop, dine and recreate.
This was affirmed last year by several published surveys comparing cities across
the Country and the State of Kansas. For example, Business Insider evaluated
almost 300 suburbs with populations between 5,000 and 100,000 and rated
Leawood as the 19th “best suburb” in the Country. Of the top 50 suburbs in that
survey, Leawood ranked fourth in median household income.
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Leawood was also noted for being a safe community for its residents. Safe
Choice Security News rated over 300 cities in Kansas and ranked Leawood as
third safest in the State. Another ranking by Movoto Real Estate ranked Leawood
ninth in the State for safety. This is easy to understand when the United States
Justice Department reports that the national average of violent crimes is 26
victims per 1,000 residents, and Leawood is at .03 per 1,000 residents.
The Justice Department also reported that the national average for property
crimes is 131 per 1,000 residents; however in Leawood, it is less than 10% of the
national average at 12 per 1,000 residents. These amazing statistics have
resulted in Leawood ranking fourth in the metropolitan area in population
percentage growth between 2012 and 2013.
While there is no one single factor that creates a safe community, clearly a
model police department and the person at the helm have a significant impact.
The City of Leawood is extremely fortunate to have John Meier as its Police
Chief. Chief Meier is a strong proponent of innovation for his department.
One example from 2014 was the department’s participation in the “CVS drug
disposal for safer communities program” by placing a pharmaceutical drug
disposal container at the new Justice Center for outdated or unwanted
prescription drugs.
Another illustration was the department’s participation in the national
prescription “Drug Take Back Event” in conjunction with the United States Drug
Enforcement Agency. As evidence of his proactive culture, the Leawood
D.A.R.E. Program and School Resource Officers also receive tremendous support
from our Chief. Chief Meier’s professional leadership approach and demeanor
to the citizenry, his police officers and his peers in other police departments are
second to none.
In fact, during this past year, he received the “Clarence M. Kelly Award” from
the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission in recognition of his stellar
career in law enforcement. Chief, would you please stand and be recognized.
In addition to being a safe community, another important benchmark for a city
is its financial standing. Congratulations to Finance Director Dawn Long and her
great team for our continued demonstration of sound fiscal strength. This past
year, Leawood again had the City’s AAA bond rating reaffirmed by Moody’s
Investors Services for the seventh straight year for a $31 million Temporary Note
and General Obligation Bond sale. The Temporary Notes were sold at an interest
rate of .2%, and the Bonds were sold at an interest rate of 2%.
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The City’s mill levy was held steady for the 11th straight year, and Leawood
maintained its ranking as having the second lowest mill levy in the State of
Kansas among cities of the first class.
The Leawood voters expressed their satisfaction of the City’s financial
management by approving the extension of a 1/8 cent sales tax for street and
storm water improvements. With a 60 percent voter turnout, the ballot measure
was approved by over 60 percent of the voters. Another indicator of financial
health is the status of the City’s assessed valuation. Since 2010, there has been a
300% increase in numbers of properties seeing assessed valuation
growth. Clearly, Leawood is in a very sound financial position entering 2015.
The City’s Fire Department, under the leadership of Chief Dave Williams,
demonstrated its outstanding capabilities in 2014. On a flight to California, a
medical emergency occurred resulting in the head flight attendant making an
urgent appeal to anyone with medical training.
Deputy Fire Chief Wayne Harder immediately offered his assistance. Wayne
assumed the lead role in caring for the distressed passenger until the airplane
could be diverted to Albuquerque where she was transferred by the airport’s
medical staff. Wayne was not only instrumental in providing medical services,
but his presence also served to provide emotional comfort to the passenger and
her spouse, ensuring them that she was in very capable hands. Wayne, would
you please stand and be recognized.
While emergency medical calls make up the majority of calls for service for the
City’s Fire Department, fire rescue and suppression events still occur. Here is a
video of such an incident that took place last year.
Would Fire Captain Joe Sullivan, Master III Firefighter Eric Peterson, Master III
Firefighter Curtis Newman and Firefighter II Mark Estopare please stand and be
recognized. For their heroism, these individuals received the 2014 Tom
McGaughey Fire Service Award from the Kansas State Fire Marshal Doug
Jorgensen. Gentlemen, your valor makes us all very proud.
Proving the validity of the adage, “If you build it, they will come,” the City of
Leawood opened its first off-leash dog park on October 1st.
And come they
did, on both two legs and four legs. The concept of a dog park for Leawood
was first conceived in 2007, but a potential site and funding sources were
undetermined at that time. A significant effort was undertaken researching other
facilities around the Country to ascertain what might be the best size and design
for a dog park in Leawood.
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The issue of site location was resolved in 2013 when the Hall Family agreed to
donate eight and a half acres of their property adjacent to Leawood City Park.
In response, funding for a five-acre dog park was approved by the Governing
Body for construction in 2014 which was orchestrated by Director of Parks &
Recreation Chris Claxton and her team.
The Leawood Foundation participated by successfully raising monies for park
benches at the site. In addition, City Councilmember Lou Ramussen is leading
an effort to raise supplemental private funds for future improvements to the park.
The Dog Park, named Leawoof, is averaging over 500 dogs per day and has
clearly become a greenspace jewel of the City’s Park System.
This past year also witnessed the tremendous efforts of the City’s snow removal
crews, under the guidance of Public Works Director Joe Johnson, in their
attempts to combat the snowstorms that occurred early in 2014. I have to admit
that I cannot recall a yearend when the City’s streets were so free of snow or ice.
Some may attribute that to the fact that only a trace of snow fell during those
months, but I view that as just a technicality.
The Leawood private sector also enjoyed much success and recognition in
2014. In business news, Creative Planning, Inc. was named to Financial Times
inaugural list of “Top 300 registered investment advisors.”
President Peter Mallouk was named the top financial advisor in the Nation by
Barron’s Magazine. Coming in with Barron’s number two ranking was Marty
Bicknell of Mariner Wealth Advisors. AMC received a 2014 “Capstone Award”
for the design of its Support Center at Park Place. AMC was also recognized for
their commitment to civil rights by the Human Rights Campaign. Specialty
Fertilizer Products (SFP) and Mariner Holdings, LLC were named 2014
“Champions of Business” by the Kansas City Business Journal.
The Bukaty Companies received a “Business Excellence Award” from the Kansas
Department of Commerce. Muller Bressler Brown Advertising was named one of
the “Top Ten Small Businesses” by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of
Commerce. Tortoise Capital Advisors placed second in the “medium sized
company category” of the Kansas City Business Journal’s best place to work
competition.
In economic development news, the City issued over 2,200 building permits last
year. There were almost 2,100 residential permits issued with a value of $66
million. Commercial permits totaled 160 with a value of $40 million. The total
value of all permits issued in 2014 was $128 million.
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New retail businesses continued to locate in Leawood in 2014, demonstrating the
City’s appeal to the private sector investor:
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In the Camelot Court Shopping Center, Fairway Eye Center and Smoothie
King opened.
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At Cornerstone, Charles Schwab Investment Brokerage Services were
approved to build a new 7,000 square foot building, which is currently
under construction.
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Acute Spinal Rehabilitation; Asian City; Catalyst Health Center and HyVee
Pharmacy opened in Leawood Plaza.
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Market Square added Emler Swim School; Playabilities for Sensational Kids
and Rapid Road to Reading.
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Groover Interiors and Lotus Yoga opened at Nall Valley Shops.
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Park Place enjoyed a banner year with the announcement of Altar Bridal;
BSA LifeStructures; Burger-Fi; Dazzle Pawz; Etiquette Boutique; Fitness
Culture; Lifeform Studio; Mackech Jewels; Pickleman’s Gourmet Café;
Piper Jaffray; Romanelli Sun Galleria and UMB Bank.
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Parkway Plaza added Blonde & Co. Salon; Get Smarter Prep; Hoffman
International Model and Talent Agency; Iron Tribe Fitness; KC Running
Company and the Venue.
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Across the street at Plaza Point, KC Lashes and PAR 4 Liquor were new
additions.
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Farther north, Paris Tailor opened at Ranchmart.
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Even further north, Somerset Family Dentistry and Classic Kitchens arrived
at Somerset Shops.
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Anthem Media; Body Lab; Evereve; Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; Paper
Source and Radiant Yoga + Wellness were new additions to Town Center
Crossing.
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At Town Center Plaza, Arhaus was approved for a 19,000 square foot
building, which is currently under construction. Also approved was a
47,000 square foot building which will allow Restoration Hardware to return
its presence to the shopping center. Further additions to Town Center Plaza
include Altar’d State; Beyond Beauty; Central Bank of the Midwest; Hanna
Andersson; Parlor: A Beauty Bar and Sephora.
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Finally, at Village of Seville, Wing Lovers USA arrived; and Discount Tire was
approved for the construction of an 8,000 square foot building.
On the corporate scene, University Park welcomed Berger Estate & Elder Law.
Approval was also granted for 70,000 square foot Pinnacle V in the Tomahawk
Creek Office Park.
There can be no doubt that the economy of the City of Leawood is in a positive
growth mode that is certain to continue into 2015.
Each year, it is my privilege to present to you some truly noteworthy individuals
who have made significant personal achievements or demonstrated their
commitment to the betterment of our community. Please come to the stage as I
call your name so that we may get a group photo; but I would ask the audience
to please hold your applause until the end.
First, it is with deep appreciation that I recognize Patrick and Kathy Cocherl for
their Scholarship Awards for special needs students from the Blue Valley School
District. In 2014, twelve students received $64,000 in grants for tuition, books and
lab fees. These grants can be received by the students through their senior year
in college. Over the past seven years, the Cocherls have provided almost
$300,000 in scholarship grants. Patrick and Kathy, thank you for your support to
promote higher education for our next generation.
Brooke Petro, a student at the Kansas School for the Blind in Kansas City, Kansas
won the 2014 “Kansas Braille Challenge.” Not one to rest on her laurels, Brooke
went to Los Angeles, California and won the “National Braille Challenge
Superstar Award” for excellence in reading comprehension for first through
twelfth graders. Even more astonishing is the fact that Brooke was just barely
eligible to compete, as she is only in the first grade. Brooke, you are truly an
inspiration to all of us.
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Speaking of not resting on one’s laurels, Leo Morton, Chancellor of the University
of Missouri-Kansas City, was honored as the 2014 “Kansas Citian of the Year” by
the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. This award is given in
recognition of a person’s efforts and achievements to improve Kansas City’s
urban center.
In addition to Leo’s involvement with UMKC to enhance downtown Kansas City,
Leo serves on the boards of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, the Greater
Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Midwest Research Institute, Truman
Medical Centers, Union Station Kansas City as well as numerous other boards.
In 2014, Leo also received the “Education Award” from the Crescent Peace
Society for his commitment to education; as well as the “Community Guardian
Nonprofit Award” by the Adhoc Group Against Crime; and he was inducted into
the Junior Achievement of Middle America “Greater Kansas City Business Hall of
Fame.”
In his leisure hours, he finds time to serve on the City of Leawood’s Ironhorse Golf
Course Advisory Board. Leo, thank you for all that you do for the metropolitan
area and for the City of Leawood. You make us all proud.
Speaking of commitment to our community, I am pleased to inform you that
Leawood Resident Lauren Bernard received the 2014 “Congressional Award
Gold Medal.” The medal is the highest Congressional Award for American Youth
and recognizes students who engage in hundreds of hours of service over a twoyear time period to enhance themselves and their community while learning
about other cultures.
Even more amazing is the fact that Lauren was one of eight Barstow School
student recipients of the award in 2014. Lauren, you and your fellow classmates
should be very proud of this Award, and I am certain that you will continue to
make our community a better place.
Finally, the City of Leawood is fortunate to have Actor Kip Niven as one of our
esteemed residents. He has enjoyed a diverse professional acting career that
has spanned five decades.
One movie Kip starred in was Magnum Force which also featured an actor
named Clint Eastwood. As you all well know, when Clint is in a movie, the lead
flies freely and his antagonists meet their untimely demise. In Magnum Force,
however, Kip was one of the few to have had the opportunity to survive against
Clint in hand-to-hand combat.
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Unfortunately for Kip, the screenwriters decided that there was going to be a
sequel starring Clint, so Kip was determined to be expendable and also joined
the pile of Clint’s victims. This past year, however, and on a more pleasant note,
Kip starred as Phog Allen in the movie Jayhawkers, a story about the University
of Kansas, Phog Allen and Wilt Chamberlain, who was portrayed by KU
basketball player Justin Wesley.
Please join me in a round of applause for these outstanding and accomplished
Leawood residents.
As part of the centerpiece on your table, you may have noticed a DVD of the
Jayhawkers movie. The person whose birthday is closest to Kip’s, May 27th, may
take home the DVD. Kip, sorry that you are not eligible to win. These DVD’s
have been graciously autographed by Kip.
For those of you that did not win the DVD, there is still an opportunity for you to
see Jayhawkers and support your community. The Leawood Foundation, in
conjunction with AMC, will be holding a private showing at the AMC Town
Center 20 as a fundraiser for the Leawood Foundation later this year. More
details will be forthcoming.
In closing, I want to thank you very much for your attendance today and for
your ongoing support of our remarkable City. As Mayor, it is a true honor for me
to serve and work with all of the talented and caring individuals in our great
community. I’m confident that you agree that Leawood is a very special place,
and we will make every effort to ensure that our good fortunes will
continue…good fortunes that we do not take for granted…and for which we are
very grateful! I hope you all have a prosperous and healthy 2015!
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