Expect changes at fire, police stations in Lee’s Summit

Some of the $19.5 million public safety projects approved by Lee’s Summit voters in August are already underway.

Workers are moving critical city communication links underground. The project is one of five major initiatives approved by voters as part of a no-tax-increase general obligation bond.

Assistant City Manager Mark Dunning says this kind of a bond allows voters to approve keeping taxes at the current level to fund projects, rather than lowering the levy as debt is retired. The City has maintained the current debt service tax levy since 2007.

“This is a way Lee’s Summit can get a lot of big projects done without having to pass on extra costs to the taxpayers,” Dunning said.

The transition from overhead to buried fiber lines is a public safety issue because it protects city communication connections during storms or other events that might damage exposed lines.

The list of other projects paid for by the no-tax-increase bond issue includes $12 million for the replacement of Fire Station Number 4 and Fire Station Number 5; a $5.5 million renovation of the police headquarters and court facility; and a $1 million upgrade of the police in-car video and body-worn camera system. All of the projects are efforts to bring Lee’s Summit buildings and systems up to modern safety standards.

Fire Stations number 4 and 5 will be the last of Lee’s Summit’s fire stations to be upgraded from two bays to three-bay stations. Both stations will be completely reconstructed at new locations. The third bay in the replacement stations will allow for the equipment needed to protect firefighters from environmental hazards. The bays also allow for future expansion.

“The big drive in the newer station is the bay areas. Now, we know the carcinogen in the gear the firefighters wear has shown detrimental effects for personnel. Those fire station with only two bays have no room for all the new equipment and decontamination equipment we need,” Dunning said.

The stations will be relocated to accommodate the larger footprint of the new buildings. Station 5 is first on the list and should be in place within two years. Station 4 will take more time because it serves an area of the city undergoing a major planning effort related to the decision of Property Reserve Inc. to open 4,000 acres of land for development.

“That (future development decision) has changed the whole north environment,” Dunning said.

The Lee’s Summit Police Headquarters and Court Facility will stay in its current location, but undergo a major interior renovation. The current design of the building, which includes an open atrium, is not the safest model for police officers and civilians.

“While it worked well in 1997, (when the building was constructed) given the history of events that have occurred, it’s not an ideal setting in today’s world,” Dunning said.

The building renovation will focus on public access control and modernization of the building. The atrium will likely be removed. The headquarters and court facility will remain open throughout the renovation process.

The final safety updates for Lee’s Summit are new police in-car video and body-worn camera systems. Lee’s Summit has had a minimal amount of this equipment in the past. All officers will now be able to have the body-worn camera system.

“In our mind, it is a level of transparency and safety on behalf of the officers and the public, rather than relying on written reports and word of mouth. In the court world, this kind of evidence is becoming key,” Dunning said.

The new camera systems will be in place as soon as the city evaluates and purchases the best available option.