Roeland Park council approves TIF project plan, awards Roe Parkway contract and renews waste and recycling agreements

Roeland Park’s city council on April 7 approved a suite of infrastructure contracts and policy steps, including formal adoption of the TIF 3d project plan and a low-bid award for the Roe Parkway construction project. The council voted on a series of consent and new-business items that together advance road, stormwater and solid-waste initiatives that staff said are time-sensitive or grant-dependent.

The council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 1072 to approve the TIF 3d project plan after a public hearing. City staff said the plan, as adopted, lists public improvements (including a potential alignment to extend Skyline Drive) and can be amended later if redevelopment proposals from the Boulevard Apartments owner are submitted. During the hearing an attorney for Boulevard Apartments, Bob Johnson, said his client was “not here in support or opposition” but warned the proposed alignment would cut through privately owned buildings and that the owner expects to work with the city on a mutually acceptable solution.

On construction contracts, council awarded the Roe Parkway construction contract to McKinney & Construction as the low bidder at a cost “not to exceed $1,240,000.” Public Works Director Donnie Scharf told the council the project will occur in phases — starting with the cul-de-sac reconstruction and an eastward extension — and staff said timing was coordinated to avoid overlapping heavy work from nearby developers.

Council approved an emergency change order to repair a collapsed 42-inch storm pipe that partially failed beneath a baseball dugout near the school property. Staff recommended a spot repair contract with Amino Brothers with a total authorization not to exceed $46,800 (the staff presentation listed a base price of $36,800 plus a $10,000 contingency). Council noted the pipe sits in a public drainage easement and voted to proceed.

On regional agreements and grants, the council approved the annual stormwater BMP cost-share agreement with Johnson County (a routine $3,000-ish grant plus an optional $3,000 demonstration fund) and authorized execution of an agreement to access Johnson County funding for the Knott Avenue stormwater project (staff stated eligible stormwater costs at $552,000 and that the county would cover 50% of eligible costs).

The council also renewed the city’s five-year solid-waste contract with GFL (2026–2030) under cooperative procurement terms that include CPI-based annual increases capped at 3%. The contract features two provisions the city sought: a credit tied to curbside glass recycling and the leaf-collection program (staff estimated approximately $14,000 in savings to be credited in 2026 if diversion targets are met) and a limit on the number of yard-waste containers set at 10 during most weeks (with amnesty weeks allowing 20). Council members asked staff to prioritize resident education about the change.

Separately, council approved a one-year extension of the curbside glass recycling contract with Ripple for 2026 at the 2025 rate. That extension followed a lengthy debate: several council members urged keeping the commitment for another year while the city expands outreach and incentives, and others questioned continuing to subsidize a service with lower-than-expected participation (staff reported participation near 30% vs. a 60% target). The one-year extension passed on a voice vote.

Other actions included approval of an elm-tree removal at 5800 Roeland Drive after an arborist determined the tree was dead and within the council-approval diameter threshold; approval of Resolution No. 724 establishing a 1% cap on the public-art contribution; and routine workshop items related to solid-waste assessment, stormwater utility implementation and the city pay scale.

Most votes were conducted by voice and recorded as “ayes have it” in the minutes; movers and seconders were announced on the record for key items (for example, the Roe Parkway award was moved by Council member Haig and seconded by Council member Bailey). Staff said many of the projects are either grant-funded or time-sensitive and that several items (notably the TIF project plan and several budgeted assessments) will appear again with budget materials this year.

What happens next: staff will finalize contract documents and continue outreach and education for solid-waste and recycling changes ahead of the contracts’ effective dates in 2026. The council directed staff to report back with further detail on outreach and, where applicable, the outcomes of grant-funded projects.