#TOGETHERLS
Welcome to the Covering COVID-19 Community Briefing
This weekly digest of information will help keep you up to date as we work together to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. This briefing will provide:
- state and county health updates and measures the City is taking to keep residents as safe as possible
- reliable and factual information sources to use when seeking facts about this public health crisis
- reminders about things happening in our community and ideas to keep you entertained
Jackson County Releases Phase 2 & Phase 3
On Friday, May 22, Jackson County released an overview of Phase 2 and Phase 3 with a tentative date of June 1 to begin Phase 2. Guidelines for Phase 2 and 3 should be released by Jackson County this week detailing the limitations placed on each sector/activity.
Dog Parks and Skate Parks. Restrictions on dog parks and skate parks were revised last week allowing both to reopen on Friday, May 22.
Splash Pads. Playground or Pool? According to Jackson County guidelines splash pads are considered playgrounds, unless they have disinfection agents (chlorine, UV light), and then they fall under pools.
Free COVID-19 Community Sampling for Missouri Residents
Missouri is providing free community COVID-19 testing to residents across the state. Residents who wish to be tested with a nasal swab to see if they have an active COVID-19 infection can do so at the Silverstein Arena at no cost. Missouri residency is the only requirement. Individuals do not have to live in the county in which they are tested and they do not have to be experiencing symptoms.
Preregistration is highly encouraged and will allow the testing event to run efficiently. Those without access to online preregistration can call the Missouri COVID-19 hotline for registration assistance at 877.435.8411
The community-based testing is operated by the Department of Health and Senior Services and Missouri National Guard in coordination with the Jackson County Health Department.
What is Community Sampling? Community sampling gives the state a better sense of COVID-19 prevalence in a given area, which will help guide its response and ease uncertainty for Missourians. If prevalence is low, this will help reassure citizens that it is safe to begin re-engaging in the community and returning to somewhat normal operations. If prevalence is higher, quick and proactive steps will be taken to keep the virus from spreading further in the community. Over the next two weeks, the state will aggressively execute this testing strategy, as well as the box-in strategy for outbreaks within facilities and sentinel testing of vulnerable populations.
On June 2, Lee's Summit voters will be asked to consider a local use tax.
How does a use tax work? A local use tax is applied instead of a local sales tax on goods purchased from certain online and out-of-state vendors. A buyer would never pay both a local sales tax and a use tax on the same transaction. A use tax would be the same as Lee's Summit's sales tax (2.25%).
Local Use Tax Fast Facts
- It's estimated that a use tax would bring $1.8 million back into our community annually.
- Use tax revenue would support essential City services in the same manner as local sales tax. It would provide funding for services such as street maintenance, police and fire safety, codes enforcement and parks maintenance.
- A use tax has already passed in 204 Missouri cities, including Kansas City, Grandview, Independence, Liberty, Gladstone, Excelsior Springs and St. Joseph.
- A buyer will never pay both a local use tax and sales tax on the same transaction.
This short video will help explain the local use tax and the financial impact of a use tax on the City if approved.
June 2 Polling Locations Have Changed
Registered voters will receive a letter in the mail this week from the Jackson County Election Board containing their new polling location for the June 2 Municipal General Election.
Please review this information before going to the polls on June 2. Voters can view a sample ballot, check registration status and polling locations by visiting the Jackson County Election Board.
The City Invites Public Input on Airport Master & Business Plans
We need your input! The Lee's Summit Municipal Airport is developing new Master and Business Plans. The plans will define the airport's goals, objectives and establish a strategy to guide airport development for the next 20 years.
Community input is a vital part of the planning process. The public is invited to provide feedback throughout the process at LSairport.net.
Drive-Thru Farmers Market this Saturday
The Downtown Lee's Summit Farmers Market will operate as a drive-thru market beginning this Saturday, May 30 from 8 a.m. to noon at Abundant Life Baptist Church, 304 SW Persels Rd.
A drive-thru format will provide minimal to no-contact shopping, minimizing risk to vendors and customers. Shoppers will follow a one-way path through the parking lot that will take vehicles through the entire market. Shoppers must remain in their vehicles at all times.
Pictured below are this Saturday's vendors. It is highly recommended that shoppers preorder from the vendors as many will have limited selections at the market. Preordering will also help with traffic flow.
Missouri Main Street Connection Survey
Downtown has partnered with Missouri Main Street Connection, Inc. on a survey to gauge consumer sentiment about shopping, dining and future events. Results will help guide businesses in their reopening processes to ensure measures are in place to help customers feel comfortable.
Current Street Projects
Third Street Improvements
Eastbound Third Street from Pryor Road to Murray Road is is closed for approximately six weeks, weather permitting. Westbound Third Street from Murray Road to Pryor Road will remain open, but restricted to one lane during this time. The detour route for eastbound Third Street traffic is south on Pryor Road, east on Longview Road, and north on Ward Road.
Pavement Management Surface Seal Program
The annual surface seal program will begin this week, weather permitting. During this process, crews apply a think, mixed layer of aggregate, oil and asphalt binders over existing street pavement. Streets included in the City's annual resurfacing projects are carefully evaluated and inspected under the guidelines of the Pavement Management Program. Funding for the program is made available through the 1/2-cent transportation sales tax.
Upcoming Public Meetings
City Council | June 9, 6 p.m.
City Council will meet for a regular session via videoconference on June 9. Public comments for City Council meetings must be submitted prior to 5 p.m. Monday by phone: 969.1005 or email: clerk@cityofLS.net
The meetings will be broadcast on LSTV and streamed live on the City's website.
Community Support & Business Resources
Sunday, May 31, is the last day for Missourians to apply for the extended Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In response to COVID-19, the Department of Social Services extended the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program from March 31, 2020 to May 31, 2020 for Missourians who have not previously applied.
LIHEAP helps low-come Missourians with a one-time payment for their primary heating bills from November through May 31, 2020.
The City continues to add new services to our COVID-19 Support Services webpage. Check the page frequently for updates on utility help, housing, food assistance and regional employment.
Check our COVID-19 Business Resource page for the latest updates.