Blue and yellow reflect this city’s support: City of Roeland Park stands for Ukraine

Roeland Park has paid for the installation of a sculpture that shows solidarity with the besieged people of Ukraine as they fight off the Russian invasion.

The artwork on Roe Boulevard, by local artist and Marine veteran Joe Williams, is being complemented by the city’s gateway signs, colored blue and yellow to match the Ukrainian flag.

“The city of Roeland Park is honored to be able to host this sculpture as a dedication to the people of Ukraine,” Mayor Mike Kelly said in a news release. “The city is committed to not only showcasing the work of local artists, but also supporting those facing deep suffering at the hands of an autocratic regime.”

Williams found donated supplies to create the piece one of several with the same theme. Named “Hedgehog KC,’‘ the sculpture resembles metal structures used to resist tanks. It stands on three legs that symbolize support for the Ukrainian people, the defense of a free and democratic state and a stop to the Russian war machine, the city said in a news release.

Williams will display his other works around Greater Kansas City. Eventually, he plans to move them to a gallery so they can be viewed together.

Bonus pay for Merriam employees

Merriam city employees got fatter paychecks on April 1, thanks to one-time retention bonuses given during this period of labor shortages and rising prices.

The city is undertaking its first salary survey since 2013 to keep its pay structure competitive, but those changes won’t take effect until 2023. Meanwhile, City Administrator Chris Engel recommended the bonuses to maintain the quality of the workforce that provides city services.

“Our people are our most expensive but also our greatest asset,” Engel told the City Council on March 14, when the bonuses were approved.

He also highlighted dramatic changes in the labor market, where demand is high for drivers and security personnel.

“We’re starting to face a run on employees from, not just our traditional competition, which is other units of local government, but the private industry,” Engel said. “I never thought that we would be competing for police officers with Hy-Vee grocery stores, but that is a reality. KU Med is a reality.”

The City Council approved one-time 4.15% bonuses for all full-time and regular part-time employees. That figure reflects a 7.15% increase in a blended Midwest consumer price index, minus 3% salary increases already budgeted for 2022. Bonuses of $100 went to other part-time and seasonal employees.

The city capped the cost at $320,000, which was more than covered by $820,000 in salary money that went unspent in 2021.

“That’s quite a bit of money,” Engel said of the $820,000 figure, “and that’s because we have positions we can’t fill. That’s not work that didn’t get done. That’s work that we pushed off on other employees.”

Overland Park to open three of five pools

Overland Park says it will have enough lifeguards to operate three of its five outdoor pools this summer.

Opening on May 29 are Tomahawk Ridge Aquatic Center at 11950 Lowell Ave;. Young’s Pool on 77th Street east of Antioch Road; and Stonegate Pool at 9701 Antioch Road. Bluejacket Pool and Marty Pool will remain closed.

The city staff is hiring more than 150 lifeguards for the outdoor pools. The hourly pay has increased from $10.50 to $13, and the city provides training. To apply, visit opkansas.org and find the link in the news release about summer pool plans.

Firm chosen for Farmers’ Market

Overland Park took another step this month toward improving its Farmers’ Market by choosing to work with Copaken Brooks to obtain public feedback on the project.

In response to a city request, Copaken Brooks was one of three development groups to submit conceptual proposals for the downtown market pavilion and surrounding area. Its proposal envisions both enclosed and open air market space, office space and more parking.

On April 4, the City Council authorized the staff to negotiate an agreement with Copaken Brooks for the public engagement process. The agreement will not cover design or planning for the project and does not commit the city to any action beyond listening to the public.

The Farmers’ Market pavilion was built in 1991, the city said, but is not regularly used outside market hours and presents challenges for the market.

“Rain and weather penetration from the open-air market prevent the possibility of a year-round market operation. The asphalt parking lot surface traps heat and rain runoff, creating a less comfortable environment for all Farmers’ Market attendees,” the city said on its website.

“More vendors are interested in selling, and shoppers are interested in purchasing meats, eggs, dairy products and other items that require refrigeration, yet the pavilion has insufficient electrical capacity to accommodate these needs.”

In an earlier stage of planning, city leaders agreed to keep the market at 7950 Marty St., rather than move it to what is now Thompson Park in the downtown area.

Construction is expected to begin in 2023. Find details on the planning effort, as well as a link to the Copaken Brooks proposal, at opkansas.org/recreation-fun/farmers-market/farmers-market-improvement-project.

April 26 meeting on Olathe trails

Olathe has been holding meetings and posting surveys as it crafts a new plan for the city’s trails and greenways. Now it’s time for the public to react to proposed concepts for a trail/greenway network.

A come-and-go open house is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. April 26 at the Olathe Community Center, 1205 E. Kansas City Road. The session includes an online component, and the public can find additional information at OlatheKS.org/TrailsGreenways.

The final plan will outline specifics of how trails and greenways should be developed and maintained.

“Trails have proven to be one of the most cost effective of all forms of recreation that are available to pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skaters, dog walkers, scooter users and any number of other groups on demand. They also function as transportation facilities,” the city said in a news release.

“The open spaces called greenways can manage stormwater, provide wildlife habitat and give definition and structure to the urban environment.”

This story was originally published April 14, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Blue and yellow reflect this city’s support: City of Roeland Park stands for Ukraine."