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#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

We must continue to come together as a community while staying apart. Residents are asked to stay at home except to obtain or provide essential services. Essential activities are those essential to a person's health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including pets). We know this is the most effective way to protect our families, friends and community.

Thank you Lee's Summit

Never in modern history has every single person in the world been affected by the same crisis. The future may look a lot different than it did two months ago but we are determining how that future unfolds with the choices we make today. Lee's Summit residents have stepped up. You have been doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by following the stay-at-home orders and limiting trips for essential items outside the home. Thank you for exhibiting personal responsibility and care for your community. Let's keep up the good work. We've got a job to do! #TogetherLS

"We may be physically separated, but we're closer than ever."

Gov. Parson's Update On COVID-19 School Funding

This afternoon, Governor Parson held a press conference and announced that Missouri will receive funding to help K-12 schools respond to COVID-19 needs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

To help address the digital divide, remote teaching and learning challenges, the state will receive $208 million. These funds will be distributed through federal Title l allocations.

Missouri will also receive $54.6 million from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief authorized under the CARES Act to provide emergency support to K-12 schools, institutions of higher learning and other education entities impacted by COVID-19.

City Council Meeting: April 14

City Council held the City's first ever virtual City Council meeting last evening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few highlights:

  • COVID-19 Update. City Council received an update about the City’s response to COVID-19 from Fire Chief Mike Snider and City Manager Steve Arbo. The City is coordinating its response with members of the Mid-America Regional Council, which is comprised of 119 cities, nine counties and two states - Missouri and Kansas. Working together as a region helps mitigate the spread of the virus by maintaining the same approach across municipalities. It also helps in securing personal protective equipment for first responders and ensuring adequate resources and capacities across the region.
  • General Fund Revenue Forecast. City Council heard a presentation detailing the revenue forecast for the 2021 fiscal year. At this time, there is limited data on the financial impact of COVID-19 on the City’s finances. Among the assumptions used to compile the revenue projections, the City assumed a 10 percent reduction in sales tax revenue compared to the 2020 fiscal year. Based on these assumptions, general fund revenue is projected to be approximately $3.1 million lower in the 2021 fiscal year compared to the 2020 fiscal year. This is subject to change as more data is collected.
  • Rock Island Trail Pedestrian Bridge. City Council adopted an ordinance executing an agreement between Jackson County and the City for the design of the Rock Island Trail pedestrian bridge over Chipman Road. Jackson County has agreed to remit $15,000 to the City for the design of the bridge, which will be done by Wilson & Company.
  • Fourth of July Fireworks. City Council gave initial approval to an ordinance modifying approved dates in which residents can set off fireworks this year. The proposed change would make it legal to discharge fireworks between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 3 and July 5 and between 10 a.m. and midnight on July 4 to coincide with the weekend dates surrounding the holiday this year.

Health Update

The best way to prevent the illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Continue to follow the state and county’s stay-at-home orders and only leave home to seek medical care, report to an essential job, shop for essentials or spend time outdoors (maintaining six feet or more from others).

Clean your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after visiting a public place, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth face cover. COVID-19 can be spread to others even if a person does not have symptoms. Wear a cloth face cover when out in public where social distancing is difficult to maintain (e.g. grocery stores and pharmacies). A cloth face cover is meant to protect others in case the wearer is infected.

Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home

Clean the area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Follow with a household disinfectant. The CDC recommends the use of an EPA-registered household disinfectant.

Make Your Own Disinfectant

The CDC says an at-home disinfectant is effective against the coronavirus. It can be made by mixing:

  • 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water or
  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Allow the solution to remain on a surface for 10 minutes before wiping it away. It is recommended to only make enough for a day or two at a time as bleach loses its effectiveness after a period of time.

Running Essential Errands

As communities across the United States limit close contact to slow the spread of COVID-19, people are facing new challenges and questions about how to meet basic household needs, such as buying groceries and medicine, and completing banking activities. The CDC has provided advice on how to meet those household needs in a safe and healthy manner.

What You Can Do

Give Blood

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City's blood drive scheduled for May 4 has been canceled. We are asking anyone who can and is willing to donate, to please make an appointment at a local blood center. The time to give is now. Donors can use City code KCJN when booking.

If You See Something, Say Something

Help limit the spread of COVID-19 by notifying the Jackson County Health Department if a restaurant, establishment or business is not complying with the Jackson County Stay-At-Home Order or social distancing requirements. The health department has jurisdiction in these matters and can receive reports several ways:

  • call the hotline: 816.404.9883
  • email: Coronavirusinfo@jacksongov.org
  • report online

Show Your Support on Facebook

Add the City's Facebook frame to your profile and show your support for the City's stay-at-home campaign, Coming Together By Staying Apart. A great way to help get the message out to Stay Home. Save Lives. More now than ever, we must unify as one. #TogetherLS

Some Virtual Entertainment!

2020 Census

Today, Lee's Summit's 2020 census response rate stands at 63.7%. Lee's Summit you're rockin' it!

Make Lee's Summit count! The 2020 Census is underway and most households have already received a notification in the mail with instructions on how to respond to the census by phone, mail or online.

Mayor Pro Tempore Beto Lopez and City Planner Victoria Nelson discuss the 2020 Census and why it's so important for residents to respond to the census.

Rumor Control

FEMA has created a page to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding COVID-19. Residents are urged to seek factual, reliable information.

Where to Get COVID-19 Information

A COVID-19 information page is available on the City's website containing information specific to Lee's Summit, such as the stay-at-home order, City press releases, resources, FAQs, cancellations and closures.

Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Regional Dashboard is a good resource hub with information specific to the Kansas City area.

COVID-19 information is rapidly changing and we encourage residents to visit the following websites to get reliable up-to-date information and guidance.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers several options to obtain information:

  • 24/7 Hotline 877.435.8411 for residents and providers seeking guidance.
  • Missouri COVID-19 GIS Hub - Dashboards with information by county on positive COVID-19 cases, deaths, unemployment, stay-at-home orders, etc.

A good FAQ page is available on Coronavirus.gov, a joint effort between FEMA, the White House and CDC.

City Services

City facilities may be closed to the public, but the City continues to provide essential city services. Below are some projects you may notice when you are out getting essential items.

Sealing of Bridge Decks

Public Works is cleaning and sealing bridge decks on Scruggs, Bailey and Pryor. This work will include lane closures, but no street closures. The sealant is a black material, so the bridge decks will look black when finished. The Scruggs Road bridge over the Little Blue (between Todd George and Blackwell) was completed last week. Weather permitting, work will begin on the Bailey Road bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad and the two bridges on Pryor between Longview and Third near Hartman Park.

Water Tower Recoating

The Hook Road water tower is getting a facelift! Workers are recoating the water tower and branding it with the City's logo.

Remember to check online if you need to do business with the City. Many online resources are now available on the City's website or by phone.

Community Support Resources

The City continues to add new support services to our COVID-19 Support Services webpage. Check the page frequently for updates on utility help, housing, food assistance and regional employment.

COVID-19 Business Resources

Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing long-term, low-interest disaster recovery loans to small businesses and nonprofits that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Find additional resources on the Lee's Summit Economic Development Council website.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses (under 500 employees) to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. All loan terms will be the same for everyone.

The loan amounts will be forgiven as long as:

  • The loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, and most mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs over the 8-week period after the loan is made; and
  • employee and compensation levels are maintained.

In other words, the business does not need to repay the loan if the business keeps everyone fully employed during this period. Time is of the essence for small businesses as there is only a certain amount of money available for this purpose and many businesses have already applied. Learn more about the PPP on our COVID-19 Business Resources page.