[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6615937,"mediaKeyId","2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da","parentId",2857690,"title","Committee approves award for Arboretum greenhouse installation; award recommended to council","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5160000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da&start=5160&end=5160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da/thumbnail_5160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6615937/Overland-Park/Johnson-County/Kansas/Committee-approves-award-for-Arboretum-greenhouse-installation-award-recommended-to-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615937-d76117ee11bd4a5378a6fd7c687de063/orig.mp4?Expires=1773747088&Signature=ixElKHgSxUynWFr9rhu~u2Fr6AGanAvJmtkOYIdAo3OXczJGoAQC8A0My5NGqZtjtJ1QjJkJPAvs6zqEeb~ctJ2wDz-A-TmQYwQz53UDfBzabXCnoWNX7ACMQdkPyVPw2RO2Ddf908p7zaxwPHukvB2qrq9kxF7yhdXgb6Oa7KACTzA~tuCwhw-a8-LZxhDjPoFRjvoEGtwt6QW6f22ICC3xKLoKbczCK0DJFDqwzJ7OeVp5ZOFuKh~wmR7fWIe9bFUJj5GKVmiMCCB7-z6dlg-dC9gC275PyyRmSSp2DsIF6ydt7Ej7e1A7t94WEJOq734wt3XAbFZJBdVNSyUO3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Overland Park","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Overland Park Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee voted to recommend city council approval of an award for the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens greenhouse and installation project.

Staff described the procurement process: an earlier combined bid for greenhouse plus construction work returned significantly above budget, so staff rejected those bids and rebid the greenhouse as a standalone item with construction (footings/foundations/slab) as alternates. One bidder responded to the standalone greenhouse procurement; staff said the bidder was the same manufacturer/installer that built the committee’s second greenhouse. Staff recommended awarding the greenhouse and installation contract.

A committee member moved to recommend city council approval of the award, specifying the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens greenhouse and installation project (PR2537) and a recommendation amount of $215,000. Another committee member seconded. The committee chair called for a voice vote: all members present said “aye” and the chair declared the recommendation unanimous.

Outcome and next steps: staff will forward the committee’s recommendation to the city council for final award and construction scheduling; staff said the work will be staged to fit the Arboretum’s operations and existing greenhouse program.

Ending: the committee thanked private donors who contributed to the project funding; staff said the additional greenhouse will increase in‑house production capacity and reduce reliance on purchased plug plants.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Overland Park - Community Development - Apr 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommend city council award of the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens greenhouse and installation project; staff said the recommended bid was $215,000 and the committee's vote will be forwarded to council.","taxTitle","Overland Park, Johnson County, Kansas","taxId",4679,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6615942,"Playbook OP and Urban Forest Plan move toward fall adoption; staff urges implementation funding",319,4815000,5134000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da&start=4815&end=5134","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da/thumbnail_4815000.jpg","/articles/6615942/Overland-Park/Johnson-County/Kansas/Playbook-OP-and-Urban-Forest-Plan-move-toward-fall-adoption-staff-urges-implementation-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615942-2e068f282172d5ee9c48f13db3256637/orig.mp4?Expires=1773747088&Signature=Xbw1fLXMnA2bopIiI7-vQtop-GfSisd57HWiUehzVAvJXgz3lWQpDjHP5ueIbO5Mn1uLmm4Y4lDGpv63Y5epR~RYgDKsKRjMZctKPfFUBTmy8y-~i3hZ5BacIeEYe1mPGJ4iSyH2bp9v4IxPuaG-HaVNAeISPUPQHbY3Ep0FQ50yvrONZ6rdZfEmVKaKm4Lyhil1qv0oxi-Y7ulFE1zHxZX1y41VgM5Kl0JFltvyYcBeyyxobuJQTeAb8WrWnVC6v6n03i2TSJnXiy-RVIXn~2awqfy0OtYFjuIeRJQOfLf-SAYk0o2w3w6zxwN75e~5bNeZrIG4bB7HCOQYqmpYNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff updated the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on the status of Playbook OP and the Urban Forest Plan and said the two separate but coordinated plans are intended to align natural‑resource guidance with broader land‑use and parks priorities.

Reid, the staff lead on Playbook OP, said Playbook OP launched in December 2023 and the consultant MIG has conducted surveys, open houses and focus groups; draft chapters are being reviewed by staff as they are completed. A statistically valid prioritization survey will be conducted later this spring, and a full draft public comment period will follow. Reid said the current timeline anticipates plan adoption in fall 2025.

Parks staff said the Urban Forest Plan, which began March of last year, is in rough draft and staff is reviewing chapters with public works and planning staff; staff expects additional revisions before returning the plan to Legacy of Greenery, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and then the council. The urban forest plan will be included as an appendix in Playbook OP to ensure consistency.

Committee members discussed implementation. One council member suggested budgeting a placeholder for implementation in the 2026 budget cycle—$600,000–$700,000 was suggested as a starting allocation to allow the city to start pilot projects and quick‑start actions in the year after adoption.

Why it matters: staff noted that aligning Playbook OP’s natural resource guidance with the Urban Forest Plan will let the city move quickly from planning to on‑the‑ground pilots and investments once the plans are adopted.

Ending: staff will issue the prioritization survey later this spring, schedule a public comment period on the full draft, and return to the committee and council ahead of fall adoption; committee members urged staff to include near‑term implementation funding in upcoming budget proposals.","City staff said Playbook OP and a linked Urban Forest Plan are in draft review, with public surveys and comment opportunities planned this spring and adoption targeted for fall 2025; staff recommended earmarking implementation funds in the 2026 budget.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6615947,"Parks and Recreation reports fee adjustments for 2023–2025, keeps cost‑recovery targets",273,4032000,4305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da&start=4032&end=4305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da/thumbnail_4032000.jpg","/articles/6615947/Overland-Park/Johnson-County/Kansas/Parks-and-Recreation-reports-fee-adjustments-for-20232025-keeps-costrecovery-targets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615947-41cd20db39a135fe93359b6de51c38e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773747088&Signature=dolrEWg8ElRsVImcxf9ZnWMit6pG7PJffkAQWvXYpw4goRkCWpOPC0T54kVOMY4Ra14ecvhINL2iRj8ezXvALRrZWcFsuYaxrm6WMosw2qjJUsSUcDfKSb1z-APzP3HN7h7C-H9TskEYpj1kT5ukLyd6-43ag2Z0xe29Qz7FFT8c1ikWOuBQCuTBu7sM6IRSEo7GbrLwQTH3Ji~Xeab3YdKj838QWnXTXHpzfbkgU7Ga6T0fvKTLSwegqmi-QW9ozlxMC8HEOGxtw6NMoLPwE1dEE72c3YbotuWhmM9VLMNK6y4aAYkUA~HlS1s0UQ8atPcWp~eow7~DRn9o4qdELw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Recreation staff reviewed fee policy and changes made since 2023, then confirmed the department is continuing to use a sliding cost‑recovery framework that targets different recovery levels by program type.

Staff reminded the committee that council resolution 4829 set fee recovery policy and authorized the city manager to adjust fees to meet those goals. Under the framework: arts/events/parks are targeted at 0–25% recovery, arboretum/farmers market/outdoor pools at 26–50%, instructional programs at 51–75%, community centers and Deanna Rose Farmstead at 76–100% and enterprise golf and soccer facilities at 100% recovery.

Recent and planned changes staff summarized included:
- Arboretum: adult daily admission increased from $5 to $7; youth (6–17) from $2 to $3; four rental spaces and associated fees were added; photography and commercial use language clarified and a $50 professional portrait permit was removed.
- Aquatics: outdoor swim lesson fees moved from $45 to $55 for residents and $50 to $65 for nonresidents; swim and dive team fees increased for residents and nonresidents (examples cited: resident swim team from $105 to $150, nonresidents $115 to $160).
- Festivals/markets: fall festival booth fees were adjusted for various booth sizes.

Staff said golf fee changes are set administratively and no single fee rose by more than $2 in recent revisions. Committee members asked whether cost‑recovery targets are being met; staff said that for 2024 each program area fell within its target band and that staff will continue periodic 24‑month reviews.

Why it matters: staff emphasized the framework balances community access and program sustainability; council members said the recovery bands help prioritize taxpayer support for broadly accessible programs while enterprise operations cover their costs.

Ending: staff will continue reviewing fees on a two‑year schedule and coordinate with the city manager when adjustments are needed.","Staff summarized fee changes since 2023—including arboretum admission increases, added rental spaces, updated photography and aquatics fees—and said all program areas met their cost‑recovery targets last year.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6615952,"Overland Park staff report parks events, ash tree removals and resident concerns about \"volcano\" mulching",232,3243000,3475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da&start=3243&end=3475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da/thumbnail_3243000.jpg","/articles/6615952/Overland-Park/Johnson-County/Kansas/Overland-Park-staff-report-parks-events-ash-tree-removals-and-resident-concerns-about-volcano-mulching","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615952-928aa581201e293da018c4fe8d873c22/orig.mp4?Expires=1773747088&Signature=MqL1VEK6UOLYdQQXnyDs5eUlDMda32ggcUGk4BeIpeL3JwLg7UCsH7GA3wvBJ840vLCijG0ioNaK-guD7dlTYecG2oGI6-L2~vDlgysLCG1R-MGVa10LE8WRoffs1yFCYwZx0vtD2wNYWl-FfxyJtOlXtRgouul8HxbuSrttkE~mhqD06VFPn9vpc2nOLgXR~ilE0HNhuAbiTZ0dzKGwA2UH90folQRFubKCSOEkjLpXdXt2ceFPWfQNS0ah9DjAa6vA0dt6oPrlUuxUl5FQnKvoVHqNLwnAntNxMK5tdiQY54RKC8-gzeMaOX5Cu6AQ~yfr8WBm04WcOsk1WQz-qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Park staff told the Overland Park Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee that spring events and capital work are underway while the multi‑year ash tree removal and replanting program continues.

Brian (parks staff) gave event and project updates: the Oak Park Farmers Market at Matt Ross Community Center will open on April 19 with Wednesday markets starting June 4; the Legacy of Greenery seedling giveaway is April 12 at Thompson Park and Tomahawk Ridge Community Center; the Arboretum plant sale is scheduled for April 24–26; and Maple Hills Park will be dedicated on May 1 with a noon ceremony at 80 5th and Schweitzer. Brian also described phased excavation, utility and storm sewer work at the farmers market parking site and said some parking areas will be closed for several months while work proceeds.

On the city’s Ash tree program, staff said Phase 1 removals and replantings are complete; Phase 2 is about 75% complete with a contract deadline of June 1; and Phase 3 removals will begin this spring under the same contractor. Staff said updated maps showing completed and in‑progress removals/plantings are available online for neighborhood reference.

A council member raised concerns about “volcano mulching” at newly planted city trees—mounding mulch high around the trunk—and asked staff to inspect and correct any improper mulch that may be harming new plantings. Parks staff agreed to inspect and address issues; a committee member asked that the city forester follow up to correct contractor work where needed.

Why it matters: the committee said accurate online maps and clear maintenance standards help neighbors understand scheduled removals and expected replacements; committee members urged staff to use the city’s approved street tree list and to diversify species so neighborhoods are less vulnerable to single‑species pests or disease.

Ending: staff said spring planting season remains active and the city will budget for additional plantings next year; committee members asked staff to ensure city contractors avoid volcano mulching and to confirm inspection follow up to protect new plantings.","Parks staff updated the committee on farmers market, Maple Hills Park dedication, ongoing ash tree removals funded with ARPA, and residents’ reports that recently planted city trees were damaged by excessive mulch.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6615957,"Johnson County coalition Raising JoCo outlines strategies to expand child care supply and workforce",1573,163000,1736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da&start=163&end=1736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2857690-77ee44733d0f212b505ef0a7b9a018da/thumbnail_163000.jpg","/articles/6615957/Overland-Park/Johnson-County/Kansas/Johnson-County-coalition-Raising-JoCo-outlines-strategies-to-expand-child-care-supply-and-workforce","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615957-84af22b152a8e97ae5fe139d1765e707/orig.mp4?Expires=1773747088&Signature=NSidFU5XkFkUjBNTsUSSGEa40TjqHgv7ISVX24TN~WZGwxcJJtjRqVWyGwMmZaZYGfttZg7UtGJ83-Xh2VYgx2BqA7I-KPbw7232r1~Tx6oRlxHM5SB~zlXqwhpL3GwdTNgxozDZP3GG900quHw5EYh2RD0Lm~xkjwLo6Vss59ndbHCdQvn3tA7Ba~F0-eEm5pVLf09-UStFVuzsMtvKXt9gAwylMlPyw3alvDklgvcS36QPajMZBhn-a4-4Z~FjpfEO2DYPE1eOKi9fhwlRGUKU7wupt8qGCq~jWx7uvV33p-Kr-tUKI7f0GEtVnCTwbMLuKLhk6~U-8Z9KHFOmVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Altamika Chestnut, division director of child care licensing at the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment and co‑leader of the coalition Raising JoCo, told the Overland Park Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee that the group formed in July 2023 to identify “innovative, affordable, accessible, and sustainable solutions” for early childhood care and education in Johnson County.

Chestnut said the coalition now has about 35 members from local government, providers and community organizations, and that Raising JoCo used an initial grant from Child Care Aware of Kansas to create bylaws and a strategic plan. “We were able to create bylaws. We were able to create a strategic plan. We were able to recruit about 35 members,” Chestnut said.

The coalition reported that centers have grown while family child care homes have declined. Chestnut gave 2023 baseline numbers and more recent counts: countywide the coalition recorded 746 total licensed facilities, with 375 family child care homes and 210 child care centers. For Overland Park specifically she said there were 78 licensed facilities as of March 24: 79 homes, 62 centers, two preschools and 35 school‑age programs, with 21 pending applications.

Chestnut and committee members stressed that total “slots” do not equal usable capacity: some licensed slots go unfilled because providers choose not to operate at full capacity, rooms may lack staff, or available slots do not match parents’ needs (for example, infant care vs. school‑age care). Chestnut said infant care remains the largest gap, in part because infant ratios (roughly 1 staff for every 3–4 infants) make infant rooms expensive to operate.

Why it matters: committee members linked the child care supply to workforce and economic goals. Council members and staff discussed pilot strategies that could make it easier to open and operate home day cares, noting zoning or permit requirements in some Johnson County municipalities can act as a barrier.

Raising JoCo’s near‑term objectives include increasing new providers and staff, retaining a quality workforce (through coaching/training and credentialing), and creating incentives and reducing barriers to provision of child care. Chestnut described specific workforce supports: flexible online training, scholarship and credentialing pathways (CDA, associate degrees), and conferences and coaching. She said Raising JoCo recently hosted a conference with about 74 providers and used grant funds to keep registration costs low.

Chestnut described “tri‑share” subsidy models used elsewhere—where public, employer and parent share costs—as an expensive but effective option to reduce parent costs and stabilize providers; she gave examples of state or regional program budgets she said other jurisdictions have used (Central Indiana $1,500,000; Michigan $1,100,000; North Carolina $900,000; Connecticut $1,800,000), and said a scaled or adapted model is one of several ideas Raising JoCo is tracking.

Committee questions and follow up: Council members asked about obstacles prospective providers face when trying to start a licensed home; Chestnut described the orientation, a short application processing time (she said KDHE application processing has improved from as long as 90 days to often about 30 days when applications are complete), and local supports such as shadowing and low‑cost introductory classes offered through partners like CASIDO and Johnson County Community College.

Committee members also raised municipal zoning and permit barriers. Chestnut praised Overland Park for removing a city permit requirement that some cities still have, and said coalition work includes a jurisdictional “playbook” providers can use when meeting city officials to seek changes. She warned about pending state‑level legislation discussed by the coalition that would allow up to 35 hours per child per week of unregulated care; Chestnut and committee members said losing state licensure safeguards (background checks, fingerprinting, inspections and training) is a concern the coalition is monitoring.

The committee discussed possible local incentives mentioned by providers, including property tax rebates for in‑home providers and pilot programs to relax certain local rules for a limited time. Chestnut said some cities elsewhere offer tax credits or rebates for home providers; committee members asked staff to examine options such as a modest property tax rebate and to explore pilot programs in partnership with the Overland Park Chamber.

Ending: Chestnut asked for additional coalition members, including legal, law enforcement and business representatives. Committee members encouraged continued coordination, noted the city had already added childcare to its state legislative priorities, and asked staff to continue sharing information from Raising JoCo with city departments.","Raising JoCo presented countywide data showing centers are increasing while family home providers declined, and proposed strategies—education pipelines, coaching, zoning changes and a tri-share subsidy model—to expand infant care and make child care more affordable.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves award for Arboretum greenhouse installation; award recommended to council

Playbook OP and Urban Forest Plan move toward fall adoption; staff urges implementation funding

Parks and Recreation reports fee adjustments for 2023–2025, keeps cost‑recovery targets

Overland Park staff report parks events, ash tree removals and resident concerns about "volcano" mulching

Johnson County coalition Raising JoCo outlines strategies to expand child care supply and workforce