Fairway mayor seeks input on city hall lease, state cutbacks at Shawnee Indian Mission

Wiley says Fairway should take a “proactive leadership role” to address potential operational funding cutbacks at the Shawnee Indian Mission.

Fairway Mayor Jerry Wiley used his column in the city’s January newsletter to lay out what he views as the most pressing issues for the city to address as it heads into 2013.

Wiley told residents he’ll be working with city hall staff and residents in the coming months on a “visioning” processes that will help “sustain Fairway as a residential community.”

Among the four items Wiley singled out for consideration were the city’s lease on City Hall, continuing improvements at Neal Peterson Park, and operations of Shawnee Indian Mission, a state historic site which is expected to lose state funding in the coming years.

Here’s an excerpt from Wiley’s message:

A prerequisite to the planning process requires “Visioning” to help identify the expectations of our residents and define the role your municipal government must assume to meet those expectations in a fiscally responsible and transparent environment. “Visioning” helps everyone focus. “Visioning” builds consensus, fosters understanding, and guides our community in selecting what road to travel. Several important concerns immediately come to mind:

• 31 homes remain in the Flood Plain. Unresolved Stormwater issues threaten public safety; increase the probability of experiencing the destructive forces associated with flash floods; and, expose our residential tax base to an unacceptable level of risk.
• In September, 2015 the seven-year annual renewable lease for City Hall will expire. We need to explore all options for a Fairway City Hall under the terms and conditions of our current lease; revisit renting vs. owning; and, evaluate our future needs for space, location, and function.
• We need to prioritize and track a sustained progress for the Neale Peterson Park Master Plan and evaluate how best to address the future needs of our Public Works facilities.
• I believe it is in the best interest of Fairway to take a proactive leadership role to help address funding and operational concerns associated with the impending State of Kansas cutbacks at the Shawnee Indian Mission.