Lenexa proclaims October for planning, fire prevention and arts

Mayor Julie Sayers read three proclamations at the start of the Lenexa City Council meeting, naming October National Community Planning Month, Fire Prevention Month and Arts and Humanities Month.

The National Community Planning Month proclamation recognized the city’s planning staff and planning commission for their role in managing growth and involving residents in decisions about land use and community design. Stephanie (planning staff) accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Community Development Department and named staff members who contributed to planning work: Dave Dolesky, Jessica Lemanski, Noah Vaughn, James Malloy, Jim Walbert and Gloria Lambert.

Captain Dave Little of the Lenexa Fire Department accepted the Fire Prevention Month proclamation and emphasized the department’s 2025 theme, “Charge into fire safety,” which focuses on hazards associated with lithium‑ion batteries. Little said the department has noticed an increase in battery‑related fires as lithium‑ion cells appear in more household devices and showed a department-produced safety video that advised using the manufacturer’s charger, charging on a hard surface rather than on bedding or upholstered furniture, unplugging devices when full, stopping use if a device becomes hot or deformed, calling 911 at the first sign of smoke or fire, and recycling batteries rather than disposing of them in the trash.

Representatives of the Lenexa Arts Council joined the mayor to accept an Arts and Humanities Month proclamation. Speakers praised local arts programming, gallery shows and festivals as contributors to the city’s livability. During remarks, a presenter cited the Arts & Economic Prosperity study and said arts and culture have an economic impact in Johnson County; the speaker read a figure of $38,500,000 for Johnson County. The same presenter’s national figures were garbled in the recording and not clearly stated in the transcript.

No formal votes were associated with the proclamations. The proclamations were presented for recognition and photographs.

Community members and staff were encouraged to follow fire‑safety guidance and to participate in planning and arts programs during the month.