Shawnee 101
 To keep residents informed about the services the City provides and to
increase awareness, the City offers an assortment of free presentations for
citizens. If you are interested in scheduling one of these programs for your
neighborhood or group, please contact
Stephen Powell at 631-2500. We
will work with you to set a date and time to come to a home, workplace or
meeting place.
Programs available are:
Shawnee - The Basics
Whether you are a community activist, prospective
council member, Board or Commission member, volunteer or neighborhood
association leader…you are invited to participate in Shawnee - The Basics, a
short course summarizing city government and how it works. A representative
from the City Manager’s office will cover current issues related to municipal
services, public finance, economic development, intergovernmental relations,
public safety and a variety of other related topics.
City Hall Tours
 We want you to feel comfortable coming to City Hall and
that’s why we offer tours to boy and girl scouts, students, civic groups and
the general public. Tours include a brief description of municipal operations;
how ordinances becomes laws; the election process; the importance of civic
participation and responsibility; and a guided tour through the departments
located in City Hall. Tours are a great way to learn more about how local
government operates and provides a “behind-the-scenes” look at how the City
maintains the quality of services offered to the citizens of Shawnee. To
schedule a tour contact the City Clerk’s Department at 631-2500 ext. 243.
Property Maintenance
Keeping your property up to code is important for the
safety of everyone in your neighborhood, but what exactly does “up to code”
mean? The City has many rules regarding the maintenance of the interior and
exterior of your home or business. From weeds to junk vehicles, the City has
rules to ensure the health, safety and welfare of your entire neighborhood.
Have a City Codes Official meet with your group to provide tips on how to keep
your property up to code.
Volunteer Opportunities
Do you want to get involved and give back to the
Shawnee community? The City has many opportunities for people of all ages to
volunteer. There are many fun activities and events hosted by the City
throughout the year, and there are also some great non-profit organizations in
our community that can always use an extra hand. Volunteering is not only a
great way to give back to your community, but also a fun way to get to know
people in Shawnee! Invite a staff member to visit with your group and provide
information about how to get involved!
 What’s Happening in Your Part of Town
Are you curious about what might be
planned for the areas surrounding your neighborhood, school or business? There
could be a new park, shopping center, road or neighborhood being proposed. An
engineer or member of the Parks and Recreation staff will share any plans that
may affect your area. Schedule one of our staff members to visit with your
group to see what the future may hold!
CIP (Capital Improvement Plan)
Did you know that the City has a six year plan of proposed capital
projects for the City? This is known as the
Capital Improvement Plan or CIP
and it impacts the entire community. These projects include anything from
roads to new public buildings. Have our City Engineer meet with your group to
talk about upcoming city projects.
E-Services
 With computers in almost every home now, the City has been
implementing new programs to keep up with technology. By offering many
services to residents and businesses online we can provide many City services
24/7. Learn how you can access these from your home computer from one of our
Information Technology staff members. They will teach you all about the
services Shawnee Connect provides for you!
Recreational Opportunities
 Shawnee is privileged to have one of the best
Parks and Recreation departments in the Kansas City metro area. From the
trails to the facilities to the recreational opportunities, there is something
for residents of all ages. Meet with our Recreation Specialist to learn about
some of the classes Shawnee has to offer!
Animal Control
Have you ever wondered what to do about the stray dog you
always see running through your neighborhood? One of our Community Service
Officers will meet with your group to talk about stray animals, how to report
a lost animal, and why it is important to license your cat and/or dog. They
will also cover topics including safety with animals and what regulations the
City has regarding animals.
Boards and Commissions
One of the greatest challenges of governance is
finding a balance between the interests of the community as a whole and those
who have a special stake in a particular issue. Citizens that serve on the
City’s Boards and Commissions help strike that balance by looking for
solutions that work for the entire community. A staff member from the City
Clerk’s Department will explain the City’s Boards and Commissions, what they
do and how they do it, and how citizens can become involved as a member of one
of them.
Traffic In and Around Shawnee
 Have you ever wondered why speed limits are set
the way they are or why Police Officers take radar at one location more than
another? Did you ever wonder when a road will be widened from two to
four-lanes? These and other questions about traffic control and enforcement
are answered by the City Traffic Engineer and a representative of the
Police
Department’s Traffic Division.
House Watch
Are you planning a vacation over the summer? Would you enjoy the
trip more if you knew police officers are checking your home? In a continued
effort to better serve residents, the Police Department has established
on-line Property Check requests. A Community Policing Officer explains how the
service works and how to sign-up for it.
Personal Safety
Learn ways to increase your awareness of your surroundings
protect yourself against crimes and defend yourself. A Community Policing
Officer teaches community teens and adults what steps they can take to keep
them out of harms way.
Disaster Preparedness
 Are you ready? This is a quick and informative
introduction to disaster preparedness. It’s perfect for individuals, families,
or groups and it provides the basics of how to survive after a major
emergency. The Shawnee Fire Department provides the training materials and
instructors; you provide the interest and enthusiasm! This class covers the
basics of what to do before, during, and after a major emergency.
Fire Prevention
The best way to protect life and property from fire is to
prevent that fire from happening in the first place. The two main objectives
of this fire safety class taught by members of the Shawnee Fire Department are
preventing fires and knowing what to do when one occurs.
Stormwater Quality and Control
The City has taken steps to maintain its stormwater drainage system to help
reduce the flooding of homes, as well as reduce other problems associated with
stormwater runoff such as property erosion, standing water in streets and
yards, and the flooding of garages and storage sheds. The Comprehensive
Stormwater Management Program
explains the City’s plan to manage current and future stormwater issues.
Shawnee Town
 In 2002, the City Council initiated a strategic planning process
for Old Shawnee Town and a whole new plan for the town came out of that
process. Listen as a representative of the museum discusses the strategic plan
to convert Shawnee Town from the prairie farm of the 1800’s to the farming
town that existed in the late 1920’s.
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