It’s easy being green: Library branch in this JoCo city to offer an innovative roof

The new Johnson County Library branch in Merriam will be nothing like the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, but when you go there, you will want to look up.

Why?

Because the library roof, arguably the building’s most distinguishing feature, will be home to prairie grasses that will help insulate the structure and provide a visual extension of the landscape surrounding the Merriam Community Center, on which the new library is expected to open in early 2024.

Glass structures on the roof will provide natural light to the interior, creating a dynamic environment that will change as the sun moves throughout the day and from season to season.

Officials with the Johnson County Library recently shared the preliminary plans with the Merriam City Council. The one-story, 15,000-square-foot building will replace the Antioch Library, which dates to 1956.

The building, designed by Dake Wells Architecture, also will feature:

▪ A large “front porch” to welcome visitors.

▪ Window nooks reminiscent of the Antioch library.

▪ A drive-thru window.

▪ A variety of seating options.

▪ An interactive space for kids.

A 3D model of the new building is on display at the Antioch Library, 8700 Shawnee Mission Parkway, through May 31 and at the Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St., starting June 1.

New law won’t ban breastfeeding

Don’t worry, moms.

When the Spring Hill City Council banned indecent exposure within city limits, it didn’t outlaw breastfeeding in public.

The city took the action on April 28, but within days, a few residents expressed concern about breastfeeding on social media.

That prompted the city, on May 2, to clarify that the ordinance does not supersede state and federal protections for nursing mothers. According to a written opinion by city attorney F. Charles Dunlay, Kansas law states that a mother “may breastfeed in any place she has a right to be.”

At the same meeting, the city also prohibited urination and defecation in public. In both instances, Dunlay and Police Chief Cindy Henson said in memos, neither the city nor the Uniform Public Offense Code had prohibited the activities, and Kansas law defines indecent exposure as a crime only if it’s done for sexual gratification, which can’t always be proven.

The memos said the new laws give law enforcement “a valuable tool” to curb the activities. Violation of either ordinance carries a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.

Walkie-talkies for Ukraine

Prairie Village will spend up to $10,000 to acquire and ship rechargeable walkie-talkie radios for its sister city of Dolyna in Ukraine.

City leaders got in touch with their counterparts in Dolyna to learn their needs, and found that cash would not be useful because there aren’t enough supplies to buy. And the city had enough humanitarian aid such as food and hygiene items.

Of all the supplies requested, many related to military operations, Prairie Village deemed the walkie-talkies as the most feasible to provide and ship. The rechargeable devices cost $100 each.

Dolyna may share the equipment with other cities depending on need.

“I think we’re going to make a difference for some people, maybe even save some lives,” Mayor Eric Mikkelson said at the May 2 City Council meeting.

Prairie Village previously sent wheelchairs, as well as protective vests and helmets no longer used by the police department.

Expansion completed at wastewater plant

Johnson County has completed the expansion of its Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Facility at 10701 Lee Blvd., just west of Leawood City Park.

Before the expansion, Johnson County sent 60% of its wastewater flow from this site to Kansas City for treatment. The improvements allow the county to treat all of its wastewater on the site, reducing future expenses by roughly $785 million over the next 35 years.

Rates were expected to increase significantly if the county continued sending wastewater to Kansas City, because that system needed significant infrastructure improvements. The new facility also meets stricter federal regulations for sewage treatment.

The Tomahawk Creek plant, built in 1955 and expanded over time, treats wastewater from parts of Leawood, Overland Park, Olathe and Prairie Village.

The $270 million expansion project began in 2018.

Lenexa food drive

Throughout May, Lenexa’s We Care Committee is collecting easy-to-make meals, snacks and toiletries to help children and families who rely on school meals but may go without during the summer.

Needed food items include boxed, canned meals or microwaveable meals like pasta or noodle dishes, peanut butter and jelly, canned tuna, granola bars, pudding or fruit cups, juice boxes and non-perishable breakfast items like cereal and boxed toaster pastries. Toothpaste and hand soap also are requested.

Donations can be dropped at these locations: Lenexa City Hall or the Lenexa Rec Center in the City Center area, police headquarters at 12500 W. 87th St. Parkway, the Lenexa Community Center or Senior Center at 13420 Oak St. or 13425 Walnut St., the Municipal Services Center at 7700 Cottonwood St., and fire stations No. 3 and 5 at 24000 Prairie Star Parkway and 19151 Prairie Star Parkway.

Mission health clinic reopens

On May 9, Johnson County reopened its walk-in health clinic at 6000 Lamar Ave. in Mission. The clinic was closed in March 2020 so the staff could respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The clinic was open two days a week before the shutdown, but now it’s open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with the last check-in at 3 p.m. The clinic is closed from noon to 12:30 p.m. for lunch.

Walk-in services include immunizations, pregnancy tests, contraception services and testing/treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

The county also offers health services, including physical exams for employment, at 11875 S. Sunset Drive in Olathe.

New principal for Mill Valley Middle School

Andrew Legler is leaving the principal’s job at Cure of Ars Catholic School in Leawood to become the next principal of Mill Creek Middle School in Shawnee, which is part of the De Soto School District.

Legler, who has been principal at Cure of Arts since 2017, succeeds Josh Kindler, who is moving to the Gardner Edgerton School District. Earlier in his career, Legler taught elementary school in the Blue Valley School District.

Westwood Hills mayor to leave post

A leadership change is coming to the northeast Johnson County community of Westwood Hills.

Mayor Paula Schwach announced late last month that she could no longer care for her Westwood Hills home without help and found a living situation outside the city that better meets her needs. She said she expected to leave the major’s job effective June 1, unless circumstances make it a bit earlier.

“Westwood Hills will be in good hands,” she wrote in an email. “Councilwoman Rosemary Podrebarac and City Clerk Beth O’Bryan will be working on your behalf during the transition.”

Turkey Creek Festival comes to Merriam

With concerts, food and activities for kids, Merriam’s Turkey Creek Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 21 in Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road. The entertainment is free.

A 5K Run/Walk & Youth Sprint will take place at Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive, from 8 to 10 a.m., and a local Boy Scout troop will serve up pancakes at the same venue.

Shuttles will run to Antioch Park from Nations Holding (formerly Lee Jeans), 9001 W. 67th St.

This story was originally published May 13, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "It’s easy being green: Library branch in this JoCo city to offer an innovative roof."