By: Charlotte O’Hara, 3rd District Commissioner
Yes, the subject matter again is Mike Kelly, the current chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Chairman Kelly, while mayor of Roeland Park, championed a resolution which made Roeland Park a sanctuary city, which is prohibited by Kansa State Statute. The state took issue with Kelly’s sanctuary city resolution and he (Kelly) was forced to rework the sanctuary city resolution verbiage, or rather tone down the rhetoric to be in compliance with state statutes.
Fast forward 2 years and 7 months and now as chairman of the BOCC, Kelly is out peddling his vision of a low barrier homeless shelter at 95th and I-35. Per reStart’s low barrier plan, clients do not have to be sober and will be allowed on premises under the influence of drugs or alcohol, if in control of themselves…what could possibly go wrong?
On July 25th, the majority passed an assignment of $10.5 million in taxpayer dollars to the operator, reStart, (chosen by staff). Here are my notes from that BOCC meeting. You decide: Homeless Shelter or Stealth Sanctuary County?
Commissioner O’Hara’s notes on 7/25/2024 BOCC meeting on approval of $10.5 million (your tax dollars) assignment consisting of the La Quinta Inn located at 95th and I-35 for the purpose of establishing a homeless shelter. The assignment includes the La Quinta Inn, the old Denny’s and funds for rehab and startup costs to reStart, a 50lC3 nonprofit/non-governmental organization (NGO):
- Commissioner O’Hara’s amendment for BOCC to require reStart to require clients to be residents of Johnson County, failed 5-2
- Commissioner O’Hara’s amendment for BOCC to require reStart to require clients to be U.S. citizens or other legal status, failed 5-2
- Commissioner O’Hara’s amendment for BOCC to require reStart to hold 5 long term beds (out of 50) to be available for law enforcement drop off for emergency homeless, failed 6-1
- Commissioner Meyers asked Assistant County Manager (CM), Joe Connor, if the amendment on U.S. Citizenship was irrelevant because the Coordinated Entry System does not allow questions on residency or legal status. Joe Connor, Assistant CM, responded…that was correct.
- United Community Services, another NGO, developed the RFP (Request for Proposal), not our county staff. Joe Connor, Assistant CM, confirmed that he is on the board of United Community Services and was also on the selection committee as a non-voting member.
- The Selection Committee was made up of county staff and they selected the operator, not the BOCC.
- Mental health department uses Coordinating Entry System…cannot require JoCo residency or even U.S. citizenship or other legal status for homeless.
- Joe Connor, Assistant CM confirmed that reStart does not fulfill criteria that BOCC set requiring operator to be self-funded. ReStart has a $500,000 deficit the first year. ReStart has nothing in their budget for security. Staff assured the BOCC in the COW (Committee of the Whole) on July 17th that reStart trains all their staff for security and will call local police when necessary. Security cost according to estimates given the BOCC is an additional $250,000.
- Chairman Kelly called Commissioner O’Hara xenophobic…O’Hara’s response: my daughter is African American, two of my grandchildren are Hispanic, my grandson is Korean and my daughter-in-law is of Pakistani and Hispanic ethnicity.
There you go, this low barrier homeless shelter is not reserved for JoCo residents or even U.S. citizens. This shelter will not accept law enforcement drop off for emergency homeless and reStart does not fulfill the original requirement of operator to be self-funded. ReStart’s first year deficit of $500,000.00, without a budget for security. quickly balloons to $750,000.00 when the security estimate of $250,000.00 is added.
Oh, and if you DARE oppose or have questions you will be called xenophobic. I love the openness to diversity of thought!!
So, you decide, Homeless Shelter or Stealth Sanctuary County?
Call to Action: Lenexa is considering a Special Use Permit for the facility. It will be reviewed and voted on by the Planning Commission on August 26th at 7:00 p.m. It will then be considered by the City Council on September 17th at 7:00 p.m. (as currently scheduled). Please send emails to the planning commission and city council members expressing your concerns and if possible, please attend. Lenexa City Hall, 17101 W. 87th St.
