Infrastructure and Transportation

Final Draft Goal 8 - Utility Management

Thalmann — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:51:14 GMT

Utility Management Goal Provide safe, efficient utility services for the city’s needs, while minimizing disruption to existing infrastructure. RationaleWith the ever increasing number of utility companies sharing public rights-of-way, management of these facilities becomes more critical to the protection of the city’s investment in infrastructure. Proactive planning and management of utilities and their expansion can reduce future expenditures and infrastructure disruption.Strategies· Ensure that utility management and placement is a prominent component of infrastructure maintenance and development. One way this can be done is by providing adequate space within rights-of-way to accommodate utility needs and avoid private easement development.· Minimize barriers to competition among various utility companies.· Plan for installation and the expansion of future utility services and new technologies.

Final Draft Goal 7 - Funding

Thalmann — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:50:02 GMT

Funding Goal Develop and implement creative funding for maintenance of existing infrastructure and for future infrastructure and transportation needs.Rationale To maintain a viable, productive, and attractive community, Lenexa must maintain current infrastructure at a high level and find methods to fund future infrastructure and transportation projects. As Lenexa’s infrastructure matures and maintenance of that infrastructure becomes more costly, it is imperative that Lenexa seek out and find alternative funding to augment the current funding methods. Strategies · Consolidate the research and preparation of applications for public and private programs and grants across all city departments to maximize the efficiency of the application process. · Develop new funding sources to aid in the maintenance of the city’s infrastructure. For example, a hotel room tax or rental car tax would spread the cost beyond Lenexa’s residents and businesses.· Controlling costs frees up existing resources. Streamline processes and utilize common resources to eliminate duplication and reduce expenditures.

Final Draft Gaol 6 - Infrastructure Design

Thalmann — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:47:21 GMT

Infrastructure DesignGoal 6 Implement and maintain cost-effective, high-quality infrastructure that is aesthetically pleasing.Rationale As Lenexa reaches full development in the year 2030, infrastructure will shift from new design to maintenance. Both should be cost-effective, high-quality, and aesthetically pleasing in design. Projects that meet these criteria aid in the continued livability of our community by enhancing residential satisfaction and attracting new development.Strategies

Implement policies that encourage city departments to obtain the highest quality of products and services with available resources. The lowest bid may not always ensure high quality.
Implement policies to ensure that aesthetic design is always considered during planning and design phases.
Utilize innovative funding methods to maintain city wide infrastructure.
Improve safety and minimize noise impacts of railroad grade crossings, including those in the Old Town area, by considering silent crossings, grade separation, etc.
Maximize the value of the city’s investment in infrastructure by utilizing long-term life-cycle cost analysis.
Explore opportunities to use materials and methods that offer extended life and reduced maintenance cost for future infrastructure and transportation projects.

Final Draft Goal 5 - Environmental Management

Thalmann — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:46:39 GMT

Environmental Management

Goal 5

Continue to seek, develop, and utilize environmentally responsible solutions.

Rationale

Infrastructure and transportation development has a direct impact on the limited and valuable environmental resources. Therefore, maintenance and preservation of these irreplaceable resources are important for our continued quality of life.

Strategies

Meet or exceed all federal, state, and local environmental regulations to protect human health and the environment.
Achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of new and remodeled public facilities and encourage LEED certification of private facilities.
Apply the principles of Sustainable Sites Initiative (landscape sustainability) to land development and management of public properties and promote the initiative in private development.
Apply Smart Growth principles to new and existing transportation and infrastructure.
Examine and implement alternative energy sources for city transportation and infrastructure.

Final Draft Goal 4 - Innovation and Technology

Thalmann — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:45:37 GMT

Innovation and Technology

Goal 4Lenexa should encourage innovation and effectively use state-of-the-art technologies to increase the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of our community services.Rationale New technologies will play an increasingly prominent role in the quality of life for residents, and are essential for economic development and the expansion of our tax base. They can also help make our city services more efficient and accessible. Effective and engaging communications can also create a greater sense of community.Strategies · Build on public/private partnerships to facilitate development and implementation of emerging technologies that meet the needs and requirements of businesses and residents.

· Embrace state-of-the-art technologies to enhance Lenexa’s image and attract public and private investment.

· Continue to develop Internet tools that provide improved services to businesses and residents, such as community announcements, activities, promotions, and availability of city resources, etc.

· Implement new communication technologies for enhancing community involvement and educational activities.

· Encourage the adoption of wireless technologies to minimize the impact on infrastructure.

· Embrace state-of-the-art city asset management systems, public safety systems, and integrated emergency response systems, etc.

Final Draft of Goal 3 - Regional Leadership

Thalmann — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:04:30 GMT

The Transportation & Infrastructure Task Force has agreed to eight goals. The following is the first of the eight goals that has been developed to a final draft status. This was accepted by the Task Force on Wednesday, April 9, 2008. We welcome your comments regarding this information.

Goal 3

Continue to expand Lenexa’s role and reputation as a regional leader in transportation and infrastructure planning and implementation.

Rationale

To attract and retain high quality businesses and residents, Lenexa must continue to be seen as a leader within the region in terms of planning, implementation and maintenance of transportation and infrastructure technologies. This is also essential to retaining the high level of satisfaction currently experienced by most residents. By taking a leadership role in regional interests, Lenexa not only enhances its image throughout the greater community, but also protects its own vital interests.

Strategies

Lenexa should plan for future access to interstate and regional routes utilized by traditional modes of transportation (i.e. cars, buses, trucks, etc.) assuring the free flow of goods and services into and out of our community.
Pursue leadership roles on local and regional planning bodies, and participate in subgroups or committees to represent Lenexa’s vision for itself and the region, thereby promoting interagency cooperation.
Because regional mass transit is an emerging need, Lenexa should develop an intra-city transit policy with an eye toward intercity and ultimately regional connectivity. Developing regional hubs will keep Lenexa on the forefront of providing transit options to its citizens and workforce.

Final Draft of Goal 2 - Transit Options

Thalmann — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:03:04 GMT

Goal 2

Promote multi-modal transportation options, including pedestrian, bicycle, transit and personal vehicles, in both public and private development.

Rationale

As the cost of energy increases and the city reaches full build-out and thereby greater density, multiple and varied transportation options will be desirable for the economical and convenient movement of people and goods. By leading in this initiative, Lenexa will enhance its competitive advantage within the metropolitan area.

Strategies

· Encourage transit-friendly development, such as close-set buildings, fewer cul-de-sacs, and in-back parking lots.

· Promote high-density development in strategic locations to help sustain transit options.

· Make new construction bicycle friendly, and renovate existing infrastructure to accommodate bicycles where possible.

· Build on a scale that accommodates pedestrian traffic, adding sidewalks and other amenities (i.e., landscaping and lighting) to link destinations, emphasizing aesthetics as well as safety.

· Establish task force to develop “Local Link” to promote transit and develop an identity for Lenexa (i.e., trolley cars, unique buses, etc.). Local Link should ultimately integrate with the Kansas City area’s transit network.

· Segregate commercial interstate traffic from high-density pedestrian zones.

Final Draft of Goal 1 - Infrastructure Maintenance and Quality

Thalmann — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:59:43 GMT

Goal 1

Utilize a proactive, timely infrastructure maintenance and development program for the entirety of Lenexa.

Rationale

By 2030, Lenexa will be essentially built out. To maintain high standards of residential life while retaining and attracting quality business, Lenexa’s infrastructure should be inviting, innovative, well maintained and high quality.

Strategies

Substantive, regular reinvestment in Lenexa’s infrastructure is critical. Specific monies should be set aside after careful cost/benefit study analyses.
The longevity, usefulness and creative impact of all projects should be maximized. Lenexa’s commitment to quality should be reflected in all aspects of its infrastructure.
Maintenance of roads, curbs and sidewalks, along with other infrastructure, in established areas should be a priority, and revitalization efforts should be undertaken wherever appropriate.
Transportation safety and ease of movement throughout the city should be emphasized. Producing smooth pedestrian and traffic flow, with minimal delays, should be a priority.

Draft Vision 2030 Infrastructure & Transportation Vision Statement

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:06:40 GMT

Here was the Vision 2020 Infrastructure & Transportation Vision Statement:

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Vision Statement

To develop transportation, information/communication systems, utilities, and public services for Lenexa that are reliable, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. In so doing, Lenexa will provide leadership that benefits Lenexa and the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area.

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I would modify this to include the word "secure" after the word "safe".

Does any one else have any suggestions for modifying this vision statement for our Vision 2030 Infrastructure and transportation task force?

Smarter Transportation System

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 04:57:20 GMT

I feel that we need to more strongly consider a Smarter Transportation system in our Vision 2030 Transportation Goals. If you have traveled to or followed what is going on in China and India, they are becoming more affluent. With this comes dramatic growth in their use and consumption of automobiles, trucks, etc and their demands for petrol are increasing. These are large countries with many more people than we have and many more miles to drive. Given the limited supply of petrol, pure supply and demand economics will be driving the price of petrol up significantly. It would not surprise me to see the price per gallon to get in the $8-10 range by then, if not before. Public transportation and alternative ways of getting around (walking and bicycling) will become vitally important going forward. Here is a good link to learn more about Smart Transportation options.

http://smartgrowthamerica.org/transportation.html