De Soto Chamber

Monthly
Update
WWW.DESOTOKS.ORG
AUG. 2015
Grocery Store Seeks De Soto Location
Regional Grocery Store Chain Harp’s Foods
De Soto residents may not need to drive outside their city
limits to get groceries for much longer. Springdale, Arkansas
grocer Harp’s Foods is working with the city and exploring
options for a De Soto location.
Representatives from Harp’s Foods addressed the De Soto
City Council in July. The store will offer produce, meat, and
bakery departments along with gas pumps and a pharmacy.
Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, Harp’s Foods owns
and operates 79 stores in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.
The De Soto store would be the first Kansas location.
The item will go before the De Soto Planning Commission on August 25th, where they will consider five separate planning
applications for a 32,000 sq. ft. retail grocery store. The company is currently negotiating an economic incentive package
with the City. Plans are still tentative and depend on further negotiations with the City relating to infrastructure
improvements and economic incentives. All parties are hopeful that the development can proceed through the economic
incentive negotiations and planning approvals in time for an opening by next summer. (See the City Administrator’s
Report for additional information.)
Latest Retail Analysis Shows Trade Area Needs
Number One Need is Grocery & Food Items
Retail Demographic consultant IntelleVue, LLC provided their quarterly retail
information to the De Soto Economic Development Council (EDC), which is
used to target retailers to the area. The latest report provided to the EDC shows
that in general, all goods and services in the De Soto trade area (within a 15minute drive) reflect a shortage of retailers.
What’s
Inside:
President’s Update ........................ 2
De Soto Library Update .................. 3
The Top 5 Gap (Needs) categories are:
1. Groceries and other food items
2. Autos, cars, vans, trucks, motorcycles
3. Drugs, health aids, beauty aids/cosmetics
4. Automotive fuels
5. Meals and non-alcoholic beverages
New Chamber Members ................ 3
Swenson Recognized...................... 4
City Report .................................... 6
USD 232 Update ............................ 8
A complete review of the report will be discussed at the September
Quarterly Membership Meeting.
23rd
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EDC
Calendar of Events ....................... 11
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President’s Update
From the Director’s Corner
by Mike Rogers Chamber President
by Sara Ritter, IOM, Executive Director
It is great to see all of the activity that is happening in De
Soto. Our city government and officials are working hard
to bring a grocery store to the community. In partnership
with the De Soto Chamber of Commerce and the Economic
Development Council, we will all work with the City to help
make this project a reality.
Each month, I think carefully about
the topic I share with you in order for
you to derive value in your Chamber of
Commerce membership. The word
that keeps resonating with me this
month is “communication.”
As a local business owner, I understand the amount of
hard work that goes into making a business successful.
With the additional of a new grocery store in the
community, our existing businesses will derive benefit as
patrons will be shopping locally.
Here’s an example of communication
that I want to share with you. It
doesn’t have to do with business or the chamber, but is an
explanation of how communication isn’t received. I
constantly wish that my children would help with a chore
around the house. The problem with this is that I think
about how I wish they would help as opposed to directly
asking them. When I finally get to the point that I express
my concerns about a chore, they correctly reply that they
didn’t know I wanted their help.
Not only am I the Chamber President this year, but I also
have the privilege of being a member of the Economic
Development Council Board of Directors. I witness on a
monthly basis the amount of work and initiatives that staff
are doing to make De Soto a continued great place to live,
work and play. I encourage you as a Chamber member to
consider joining the EDC as well. There, you will get the
latest updates on economic development activities and be
at the table as the group discusses topics that will help
strengthen our local economy. Contact Sara at 913-5831585 to learn more on how you can be a part of the EDC.
Olathe Medical Center is the Only
Kansas Hospital Named America’s
Best for Both its Breast Cancer and
Overall Cancer Care
Olathe Medical Center (OMC) is the only Kansas hospital
to be awarded 2015 Women’s Choice Awards for both
America’s Best Breast Centers and America’s Best Cancer
Care. These awards signify OMC’s commitment and
passion toward an extraordinary healthcare experience for
women and all patients.
By carrying the Women’s Choice Award seal, OMC has
joined an elite group of hospitals committed to a global
mission to empower women to make smart healthcare
choices.
“Now more than ever, the Women’s Choice Award seal
serves as a validation to women that they are selecting the
best hospitals for their own care and that of their family,”
So how does this lead back to your businesses and your De
Soto Chamber of Commerce. It’s simple, we must
communicate. To define communication, it is a way that
purpose and meaning is conveyed. Have you wished that
the Chamber would do something specific to help you?
We’re here to help our members succeed and want to hear
from you!
This newsletter is communication, yet it is only a “one way
transmission.” My hope is that you take the information
included in this newsletter, or my transmission, and put it
to good use in your place of business. Perhaps you can
make a copy of the newsletter and proudly display it at
your place of business. This helps the Chamber continue
to communicate with the community. Feel free to call me
or send me an e-mail with any questions, comments or
constructive feedback in what YOU would like to see in
future articles or with any of the services we provide you.
This way the transmission has been sent and received, and
helps open our lines of communication. Staff is readily
available to help our members, we just need to receive
your transmission so that we can put in action our efforts
to meet the evolving needs of you, our
valued member.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all
that you do for the De Soto Chamber of
Commerce! We want to hear from you!
Continued on Page 3
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Our Newest Chamber Members
Arrest-A-Pest Pest Control represented by Ted Garcia
MORE THAN JUST BOOKS!
Monte Bowers
Central Security Group represented by Don Kehres
Control Service Co., Inc. represented by Mike Riley
Kansas Preferred Ins. Group represented by Keith Turnbaugh
Meiners Market, LLC represented by Gerard Meiners
Merchant Guy.com represented by Troy Wilson
Off to Anyland Travel represented by Marci Jennings
Pegah’s Family Restaurant represented by Moe Sharifi
Retro Joe Café represented by Jennifer Sipes
Trish’s Tropics represented by Chuck and Trish Arney
Wingman Realty represented by Christina Whitlock
OMC, continued
Sharyn S. Lee, RN, MS, FACEHP, President of the Women’s
Choice Healthcare Division, said. “We are very proud of this
honor,” David Lee, MD, medical oncologist at Olathe Medical
Center, said. “We have been providing quality cancer care in
an environment of trust and collaboration for decades. Our
patients and their families deserve that type of care, close to
home.”
We all know about Pandora, iTunes and Spotify. But do you
know about Listen Local on the JCL website? Listen Local
features musicians from all over the Kansas City Metro area
who share their lives and music with JCL listeners.
Checkout the Listen Local scene by going to
http://www.jocolibrary.org/we-recommend/listen-local and
hear what’s playing right here in your own backyard.
Great American Bank Recognized
as one of Top 200 Healthiest
Banks in America
Each year, DepositAccounts.com evaluates the financial
health of every federally insured bank in the United States –
more than 6,900 total. Each institution is graded on a
number of factors, including capitalization, deposit growth,
and loan to reserve ratios, in order to determine a
comprehensive health score.
Great American Bank was recognized to have shown
exceptional fiduciary responsibility and came in at #50,
ranking 3rd out of only 5 banks in Kansas to be listed.
OMC earned the America’s Best Breast Centers award by
having met the National Accreditation Program for Breast
Centers (NAPBC) standards from the American College of
Surgeons; for being named a Breast Imaging Center of
Excellence by the American College of Radiologists; and for
scoring well on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) patient satisfaction measures.
OMC earned the America's Best Cancer Care award by
meeting the highest cancer care accreditation standards of
the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, as
well as for its excellence in clinical performance with regard
to patient safety measures, and for its high recommendation
rate.
Click on the their ad to learn more!
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STEPHANIE SWENSON RECOGNIZED
“BUILDER OF EXCELLENCE”
Burning Tree Optimist Junior Golf Academy
Stephanie Swenson, manager of Great Life Golf & Fitness – Burning Tree, was recognized by
Optimist International July 30, 2015 as being a “Builder of Excellence.” The Medallion was
presented to her by Kansas District Certified Club Builders, Ruth Nelson and Dale Fox, on
behalf of Kansas District Optimist Governor, Cecil B. Cunday II, and the International
organization. This award was presented to the Optimist Governor on behalf of Stephanie at the
Optimist National Convention held in New Orleans, LA on July 11, 2015.
The Medallion is given to Optimists world-wide when they have had the passion to build a NEW
Optimist Club, serving the youth of their community. Swenson provided a clear vision and
contacted her network support to provide a Golf Academy for the youth of local communities.
She established the building blocks to form the Burning Tree Optimist Club of De Soto, KS.
Swenson invited former co-workers and friends to become members of the Burning Tree
Optimist Club to serve kids in the Academy. This new Optimist club was chartered with 22 members and has grown to 26 members.
After this club was chartered, the beginning stages came to build the Burning Tree Optimist Junior Golf Academy. Additionally, a
Junior Optimist Club was formed to provide young golfers access to all the programs and resources provided by Optimist International.
Swenson exemplifies a great passion for kids and the desire to see them learn a life-skill. She was positive that she’d have 40 young
golfers to participate. Stephanie laid all the ground work, for the coaches, pros, volunteers, and members. She invited friends, family,
community leaders, business owners, city officials, local school teachers, and associates to share in the building of the Burning Tree
Optimist Junior Golf Academy for young golfers from ages 6 years to 18! The young golfers participated in all areas of golf skills, from
course safety, etiquette, chipping, putting, and long irons and drivers. The academy was six weeks long with 12 sessions. Almost all
completed the Academy from June 2-July 9. Younger kids played a two-day tournament at the end, while high school students
competed with Ottawa golf students in a tournament of July 15. The final evening brought out parents and kids for a picnic and awards,
and an invitation to participate in a Youth Night on Monday evenings for parent-child play.
“Good things do not happen without a lot of support. Mike and Mark Mallory, owners of GreatLife at De Soto, gave complete approval
and support, for the success of this academy,” said Swenson. “ Ryan Patterson, co-owner and pro of Golf Academy of the Northlands,
provided a flawless curriculum with the assistance of local high school golf coaches, Tod Hessong from De Soto High School, David
Walker from Bonner Springs, and Douglas Sandburg from Tonganoxie. These coaches and student coaches provided their instruction
were the key to building a successful Academy.”
Swenson’s vision and passion has become a reality in providing a special opportunity for the kids of De Soto and the surrounding
communities. As a Builder of Excellence, she’s provided a foot-print for the development of other Junior Golf Academy’s in the future
for communities across the United States. Swenson will be traveling to share her vision with other communities throughout.
The De Soto Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate our fellow Member and De Soto business for this honor!
De Soto Chamber of Commerce Coffee
Chamber Offices, 32905 W. 84th Street
De Soto, KS 66018
Thursday, August 20th
8:30 a.m.
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City of De Soto Update
by Cynthia Wagner, City Administrator
It has been quite a busy summer in De Soto! Thanks to the mill levy increase approved by the City Council last
year, streets all over town are seeing improvements: overlay and chip seal work has been completed on
residential streets and thoroughfares throughout town. We hope you have noticed an improved ride in exchange
for some inconvenience along the way!
The pool has had significant use, providing a respite from the heat of summer, and a nice break after ball games
and use of other recreational facilities.
City staff in all departments have worked together to build, and are almost done with construction of a new
animal shelter on the wastewater treatment plant site off West 79th Street. This will replace the existing facility which no longer meets
state requirements for keeping animals.
Next Thursday, City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2016 budget, which totals $8.9 million and does not increase
the mill levy.
But the most exciting news of the summer is what seems to have the town abuzz. I’ve had numerous questions and have heard the
excitement about the prospect of a new grocery store in the community. It is not a rumor! HARPS, an Arkansas-based company with
stores in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, has submitted planning documents for a 32,000 square foot store on Commerce Drive,
east of the Pizza Hut property. On Thursday, July 23, store representatives presented the plans to the City Council. That same night
City Council approved a Resolution scheduling a Public Hearing for September 3 on a Proposed Redevelopment District for the
purposes of Tax Increment Financing for the grocery store. This is the first step in a potential economic development process providing
incentives for development of the store in De Soto. The information presented to City Council that evening may be found at the
following link: http://www.desotoks.us/harps.html. As review of this project progresses, this site will be updated with new
information. Please check it for further information about this exciting development.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact me at 586-5252 or [email protected] if you have questions or items you’d like to
discuss.
Sunflower Artfest Date Announced
The De Soto Arts Council will be hosting the 9th Annual Sunflower Artfest Sept 25 – 4 to 7 PM,
Sep 26 – 10 – 7 and Sept 27 10-5 at The Barn, located at 9120 Kill Creek Road, north of Highway 10.
This family fun event is free of charge. There will be multiple artists with art work on display and for sale.
Children will be entertained by activities from the Pioneer 4H Club Sunflowers will be available to pick
for $1 each with proceeds going to the De Soto Rotary’s End Polio Now Project. There will be live
entertainment throughout the event and a variety of food vendors.
Applications for Artists are being accepted until July 13th. If you are interested in being a Food Vendor please e-mail us at
[email protected] or contact Linda Lane 913.634.8299. Please visit the website www.desotoartsks.org for additional
information.
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District completing final phase of construction
at De Soto High School
The school district is in the process of completing the third and final phase of construction at De Soto High School, fulfilling a project
approved by voters in November 2008. Increasing enrollment at DHS and favorable financial market conditions provided a basis for
the Board of Education to authorize the project.
What is included in the project?
The Board of Education approved the expansion and renovation project on April 13, 2015, following a competitive bidding process
that resulted in a total project cost of $16,689,557. The funds will come from the remaining bond dollars in the November 2008 bond
issue and will have a neutral impact the bond and interest tax levy.
Existing Administration Renovation (10,100 sf)
Description: The renovations consist of reconfiguring the office spaces to improve the safety of students and staff. The renovated
spaces include a newly configured safe entry system, Counseling and Career Service Center, offices for staff and three flex space
classrooms.
New Classroom Wing Addition (48,500 sf)
Description: The building addition consists of a new two-story classroom wing for language arts, math, science and several flex
classrooms. The new addition also provides students with a new media center.
Existing Classroom Renovations (3,720 sf)
Description: With many of the science classrooms moving to the new building addition, the existing science rooms will be renovated
into FACS classrooms and additional storage. These rooms include fully equipped kitchenettes.
Existing Physics Room Renovations and Expansion (2,270 sf)
Description: The existing physics room is expanding into an adjacent classroom. This gives the classroom more supply storage, a new
prep area and more space for physics experiments.
Existing Kitchen and Cafeteria Expansion (460 sf)
Description: The renovation consists of expanding the kitchen and cafeteria to accommodate the growing number of students
enrolled.
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District completing final phase of construction at De Soto High School,
continued
Update Roofing and HVAC Units (103,815 sf)
Description: The updates include new roofing over the original existing building. The mechanical systems are also receiving updates
to improve air quality.
Based on bid results, the budget for Phase III was $16,689,557. Manning Construction and HTK Architects recommended the low
bidders for all packages.
Because of the competitive construction market, the school district was able to include artificial surfaces at both high school athletic
fields and is replacing the old track at De Soto High School – all included in the total project cost.
Timeline
July 1, 2014 – Board of Education authorized design phase for projects
November 10, 2014 – Board named Manning Construction as construction manager for DHS Phase III project
January 12, 2015 – Board approved updated design plans for Phase III presented by HTK Architects (which included
recommendations made by teachers and staff); authorized district to begin competitive bidding process
April 13, 2015 – Board approved low bids for Phase III project
May 2015 – Construction began
Expected Completion Dates
Office renovation – August 2015
De Soto High School artificial surface and track – August 2015
Mill Valley High School artificial surface – August 2015
DHS Student Center/Counseling Area – February 2016
DHS Media Center – May 2016
DHS Classroom Addition – August 2016
History of 2008 Bond Issue
Voters approved a $75 million school bond issue in November 2008 for three major projects.

Expand Mill Valley High School to accommodate 1,450 students (completed)

Construct Belmont Elementary (completed)

Expand De Soto High School to accommodate 1,000 students
In December 2009, the Board of Education divided the De Soto High School expansion project into three phases as the result of
severe economic conditions and a slowdown in student enrollment. Separating the DHS project into phases (two of which have been
completed) has allowed the board to lessen the property tax impact on homeowners and address immediate programming needs. Up
until 2015, the district had called $52 million of the $75 million of authority approved by patrons. As a result, the district had $23
million in remaining bond authority. The third and final phase was bid at $16,689,557 and will have a neutral impact the bond and
interest tax levy.
2008 Bond Issue to date
Mill Valley High School Expansion Project = $19,329,852
Completed 2010
Belmont Elementary School = $16,890,939
Completed 2010
Security Video System, all schools and facilities = $1,078,432
Monticello Trails Middle School HVAC System, Roof = $1,834,347
De Soto High School Expansion Project
Phases I & II, completed 2010 and 2013 = $12,866,430
Phase III – Expected completion in August 2016 = $16,689,557
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De Soto Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
Thursday, August 13, 2015
11:30 a.m.
Location:
Underwriter:
Cost:
De Soto United Methodist Church
8760 Kill Creek Road (lower level), De Soto, KS 66018
Great American Bank
$12/members and $17/non-members
RSVP’s required to ensure adequate food - call 913-583-1585 or e-mail [email protected]
August, 2015
Sun da y
M onda y
T uesd a y
W edn e sda y
T hursd a y
Fri da y
S atu rd a y
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For a complete listing of
community events or to submit
an event, please visit
www.desotoks.org.
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USD 232 Board
Meeting
De Soto City
Council Meeting
6:00 p.m.
35200 W. 91st
Street
7:00 p.m.
De Soto City Hall
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Chamber Lunch
11:30 a.m.
De Soto United
Methodist
Church
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Chamber Coffee
Chamber Office8 am
De Soto City Council
7:00 p.m., City Hall
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De Soto EDC
Board
11:30 a.m.
Chamber Offices
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Visit www.desotodaysks.com for information on
De Soto Days Festival.
For a complete listing and
information on the community
calendar of events, visit
www.desotoks.org.
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