First – WELL DONE to those of you who were able to come to the Lenexa City Hall on August 26th to show support for the future Homeless Services Center. We have already gotten some press coverage and we are fielding additional press requests now. Check out the latest coverage on the GFN Facebook page.
As you may have seen in recent coverage, the Lenexa Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of the Special Use Permit for reStart to operate in the La Quinta. This recommendation is now forwarded to the City Council of Lenexa for the final vote on September 17. In the order for the Council to grant the special use permit, it will take a super-majority vote (6 of 9).
The results of the Planning Commission meeting were disappointing, but not surprising. Even though the vote didn’t go our way, our presence that night most assuredly put the City Council on notice that there is strong support for this center. And the City Council is our true focus, since they have the final say.
Your presence at the Lenexa City Council meeting is crucial. Below please find the details of the evening (these plans are still being finalized and are subject to change):
Tuesday September 17
6:00-6:20 pm – Prayer Vigil – Commons Outdoor Stage (pending approval – this is on the plaza outside City Hall)
6:20-6:30 pm – Procession to the Hearing Room (arriving early and entering together will help ensure Good Faith Network’s visibility)
7:00 pm – City Council meeting begins
SPECIAL REQUEST: We are looking for approximately 50 Lenexa residents to offer public comment that night. If you are a Lenexa resident and willing to speak (assistance will be provided by GFN staff), please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/iVeFsjgZRU1PiiDKA
Questions about how the Homeless Services Center is going to work? A small group is attempting to spread misinformation about how the shelter will operate. It’s important to have the facts. The County has recently released an excellent YouTube playlist of videos to answer the most common questions. Check it out HERE.
Thank you for your tremendous efforts in leading this organization. I look forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with you on September 17th.
Eileen Ball
Lead Organizer
The Good Faith Network
