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Committee endorses express-lane ordinance; committee also approved minutes and the co-responder agreement
Summary
The committee approved three items by voice vote: approval of prior meeting minutes, a recommendation to council to approve the co‑responder interlocal agreement, and passage of ordinance TC‑3481 to authorize citations for crossing double white lines demarcating express toll lanes.
The Public Safety Committee concluded its meeting by approving three formal items by voice vote: approval of the minutes from Oct. 9, 2024; a recommendation to city council to approve a four‑year interlocal agreement to continue embedded co‑responder services with Johnson County Mental Health Center; and passage of an ordinance requested by the Kansas Department of Transportation to support enforcement of upcoming express (toll) lanes.
Minutes approval Councilmember Richard moved to approve the minutes for Oct. 9, 2024; a second was recorded and the committee approved the motion by voice vote.
Co-responder interlocal (recommended to council) The committee recommended city council approval of the interlocal with Johnson County Mental Health Center for co‑responder services (four years with a one‑year renewal option). The committee discussion and vote are summarized in the separate article on the co-responder program. Motion by Councilmember Richard; second not specified. Approved by voice vote.
Express-lane ordinance (TC-3481) Senior Assistant City Attorney Eric Blevins presented ordinance TC‑3481, which the Kansas Department of Transportation requested the city adopt to support enforcement when the US‑69 express/toll-lane project opens. The ordinance creates a local violation for crossing the double white line that will separate toll (express) lanes from non‑toll lanes, authorizing Overland Park officers to issue citations for crossing the double white line. Blevins said KDOT will also use camera technology to capture license plates and send toll notices if drivers attempt to avoid paying tolls.
Blevins and committee members clarified enforcement mechanics: because the state currently lacks a directly equivalent statute for express-lane crossings, the city ordinance provides a local enforcement tool; if a state statute later authorizes an equivalent moving violation, the classification could change. In the ordinance’s early rollout, Blevins said officers are expected to emphasize warnings and public education as the express lanes open. A motion to pass ordinance TC‑3481 was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
The committee closed the meeting after the vote.
