UG Logo 2 
ENews Source    
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
 

 
This Week In Kansas City, Kansas
LIVESTRONG is More than Just a Name for Soccer Stadium
New Software Program Creates Hitch in Notices
WYCO Lake A Popular Place to be on "Opening Day"
Violent Crime Continues Drop
Big 11 Gets Much Needed Repair Work
More Summer Jobs Coming to KCK
ADA Curb Ramp Improvement Program
KCK's GM Products Increase in Sales
Health Department Receives Grant
2011 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days Set
2011 Burn Permit Process
Kansas City Named Tree City USA Community
Road Construction
UG Public Works Street Clostures
KDOT: New System to Improve Process for Routing Oversize Truck Loads
Upcoming Meetings
Your Kansas City
3-1-1 Call Center

LIVESTRONG Sporting Park  

Sporting KC Scoccer Staduim

Mayor Joe Reardon joined local organizations,  soccer fans, and representatives from Sporting Club for a unique and first of-its-kind announcement today at the new soccer stadium currently under construction.

 
 
Sporting Club, the owner of the professional soccer team Sporting Kansas City, announced their partnership with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and their mission to fight cancer through the newly named LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. Sporting Club agrees to give both the naming rights and a portion of all stadium revenues to LIVESTRONG in support of their core mission to help cancer survivors around the world. Reportedly, this is the first time a non-profit organization has been given naming rights of a professional sports stadium. It's what LIVESTRONG, the brand of the Lance Foundation, and Sporting Club views as a social change through sports.

  
 
"What's most impressive here is that you now have aReardon taking a tour at news conference state-of-the-art stadium that is synonymous with fighting cancer." Mayor Joe Reardon said. "It makes a bold statement about our community and it now has a name attached to it that everyone who attends a soccer game or event will contribute to a very worthy cause."


LIVESTRONG was created in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong to improve the lives of people living with cancer and uniting communities to support this goal. Through this unique partnership, fans will join in the fight against cancer every time they walk through the stadium's gates for an event.


"I often talk about the difference between a community and crowd. Something I learned when I was young and the difference is quite simple. In a crowd people push and they shove and elbow and they try to get ahead of one another. In a community, people look around and they realize that in the end of a day no one actually can move forward unless we all move forward together," cancer survivor and CEO of LIVESTRONG Doug Ulman said. I'm here to tell you that LIVESTRONG Sporting Park will not have a crowd. It will build a tremendously powerful community of people who care about changing the world for 28 million people who are affected by this disease."


Sporting Club stated that they want to play an important role in improving the community and by introducing a brand new standard of how professional sports and fans engage with what's really important is a start in that direction. 


The new LIVESTRONG Sporting Park is scheduled to open June 9th.

New Software Program Creates Hitch in Notices

Real property valuation notices were mailed March 1, 2011. Unfortunately due to computer error, many of the valuation notices contained incorrect appraised and assessed values for the class code on the property.

 

If the appraised and assessed value to the right of the classification code, "R" in the example below in the 2011 VALUATION window does not equal the Total Appraised or Assessed value at the bottom of the window, please disregard those values. THE TOTAL APPRAISED AND TOTAL ASSESSED VALUES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE 2011 VALUATION WINDOW ARE CORRECT.  

 

 Valuation Notice 

Please compare the 2010 Total Appraised Value to the 2011 Total Appraised Value to determine the value change between these two years. The Appraiser's Office apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.

 

If you would like a revised copy of your valuation notice, visit the Appraiser website at [email protected] to download and print copy of your notice or call the Appraiser's Office at

 

913-573-8400 and press 0 for assistance.
 

2011 Personal Property Tax Return Forms  or have any questions, they can contact the Commercial Personal Property Dept. or Individual Personal Property Dept. at 573-8400.

Available Online

 

Individual and Commercial Personal Property Tax Return Forms were mailed the end of December and the beginning of January. The filing deadline for Personal Property is March 15th. If individuals or businesses have not received their form(s) 

 

WYCO Lake a Popular Place to be on  "Opening Day" 

 

The weather was decent and the fish were biting.

 

Photos of the Week! 

     Opening Day 2011     Opening Day Boat Fishing 2011 

WYCO Lake and Pierson were stocked with Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish.

 

Lake hours are 6:00 a.m.to midnight opening day to November 30. Boats require a Wyandotte County Boat Permit and they need to be off the lake by 11:00 p.m. Please visit our web site www.wycokck.org/parks for more fishing and boating information. 

Violent Crime Drops

Crime continues to drop in KCK based on recent reports from the police department. In 2010, there were 808 violent crimes reported in Kansas City, Kansas, which represents the lowest number of violent crimes in 24 years. 

 

The Police Department continues to use a combination of intelligence-based policing and directed patrols to combat crime trends or patterns as they begin to develop. By utilizing the Department's arsenal of specialized units, including the Nighttime COPPS Unit, S.C.O.R.E. Unit, K-9 Unit, Narcotics Unit, Threat Assessment Unit, Federal Task Force Officers, and the Crime Analysis Unit, the Department was able to address crime patterns with great precision and success by committing the necessary resources to developing problems.  Additionally, the Department continues to build on the relationships it has created in the community through the Police Advisory Board and Community Partners.

Big 11 Lake Spillway

             Big Eleven Lake

The Spillway located at Big Eleven Lake will get some much needed work this week. Parks and Recreation Director, Gary Salva says the spillway is structurally unsound and needs to be replaced.

 

"The spillway structure of Big 11 lake has weakend over time and is in need of a replacement," said Salva. "The work will improve the Lake's ability to handle a heavy downpour of rain."

 

The water level of the lake will decrease during the project, which will take about two weeks to complete. The new spillway will also improve circulation of the lake water, thus improving the overall water quality of the lake Salva says.  

More Summber Jobs Coming to KCK

Schlitterbahn KC Logo2

Schlitterbahn to Fill More than 500 Seasonal Positions this Summer 

 

A multi-million dollar 2011 expansion requires more than 150 additional staff members than last season says the Schlitterbahn. 

 

500 seasonal staff members are needed to fill open positions which include food and beverage personnel, lifeguards, cashiers, retail assistants, maintenance workers, landscaping crew and more. Potential staff members should be at least 16 years of age and able to work throughout the summer months, including weekends and evenings.

"We are excited about assembling our largest summerphoto team to date as we prepare to introduce six major new attractions and other guest amenities for the 2011 season," said Keith Fontenot, general manager for Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark. "We strive to offer our staff members the best work experience and a competitive compensation plan including an end of the season bonus program."

The six new summer attractions includes the region's only surf ride, a mammoth rapids river, two head-first mat slides, a totally enclosed tube slide, a whitewather tube chute and ride-up Aqua Veyer.

Those interested in job opportunities are encouraged to apply online in the Jobs section at schlitterbahn.com starting Monday, March 7. Those who prefer to apply in person may do so Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Staff Services office at 1709 North 98th Street, Kansas City, Kansas 66111. Once an application is submitted, it is reviewed by Schlitterbahn staff and applicants are contacted to schedule interviews.

 ADA Curb Ramp Improvement Program

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas is dedicated to providing safe and accessible routes of travel in our community to people of varying abilities.  This notification provides information regarding upcoming public "open house" meetings to gather input about the improvement program.  Members of the Unified Government staff will be on hand, but a formal presentation will not be given. 

 

Each year, the Public Works Department constructs new curb ramps and upgrades existing curb ramps to make sidewalks and streets more accessible and to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  

 

As part of its Curb Ramp and Sidewalk Improvement Program, the Public Works Department accepts requests from persons with disabilities to construct or upgrade curb ramps at specific locations and endeavors to prioritize those requests for the earliest feasible construction. 

 

To learn more about plans for the proposed improvements, and to provide feedback, please attend one of the following public meetings: 

 

Tuesday, March 15

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Reardon Center, Shawnee Room #2,

500 Minnesota Ave

Wednesday, March 16

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

George Meyn Center in Wyandotte Co. Park

126th & State Ave

 

For more information, visit http://www.wycokck.org/InternetDept.aspx?id=26248&menu_id=1446&banner=15284

 

or contact UG's Curb Ramp Improvement Coordinator:

 

Bill Blackwell at [email protected]

(913) 573-5700 or fax 913-573-5727

Unified Government of WyCo/KCK ,
Department of Public Works

701 North 7th Street,

Room 712,

Kansas City, KS  66101

 

The intent of this outreach effort is to gather data necessary for prioritizing locations to be upgraded.  Priority will be given to locations that complete an accessible route for specific individuals in need or that give improved access to government offices and facilities, transportation, places of public accommodation, or employers. Implementation of requests hinges on project funding and feasibility.  Construction of or upgrades to curb ramps may be scheduled in conjunction with other street or sidewalk improvement projects. There is no guarantee that curb ramps will be constructed or upgraded at any specific location.

KCK'S GM Products Increase in Sales

The Kansas City Business Journal reports that the Buick LaCrosse and Chevy Malibu, products built at the General Motors Fairfax Plant in Kansas City, Kan., had an increase of sales in February.  Both models had a boost in sales in February following a decline in January.

 

The Malibu increased 26 percent last month, enough for the second higher-seller produced by GM.  Meanwhile, the Buick LaCross had an increase of over 7 percent.

Health Department Receives Grant

The Public Health Department received notice of a new grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. 

 

The grant will help provide Teen Pregnancy Targeted Case Management.  The goals of the program are to reduce negative consequences of teenage pregnancy, increase levels of self-sufficiency, and delay subsequent child bearing.

2011 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days Set

The schedule for the Household Hazardous Waste Collection days for Wyandotte County residents has been set for 2011.

  

The site will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the following Saturdays:

  • April 16
  • May 21
  • June 18
  • July 16
  • August 20
  • September 17
  • October 15

The site is located at 2443 South 88th Street in Kansas City, Kansas. (South on 88th Street from K-32) or (East of I-435 using Woodend exit near Kaw River)

 

When bringing items to the collection site please label or identify all items. Items accepted include tires (limit of 10 tires and rims need to be removed), motor oil, batteries, antifreeze, degreasers, paints, varnishes, solvents, lawn & garden insecticides/pesticides, and household cleaning products. For additional information call 573-5400. 

2011 Burn Permit Process

Residents are allowed to apply for a burn permit at any of the Fire Stations currently staffed by the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department. The burn permit does not include commercial or business sites.

 

If you operate a business out of your home you are classified as a business and cannot participate. The burn permit is valid for up to 3 days during the month of April 2011 and from October 16 through November 15, 2011. Applications must be received and approved at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of burning. Open burning with a permit is allowed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

The resident doing the burning must be at the burning site at all times. Residents shall maintain a copy of the burn permit on site, an adequate water supply and/or fire extinguisher while conducting open burning. In no circumstance shall open burning occur within 15 feet of any building or within 15 feet from any one's property line. Piling of brush, tree limbs, grass and other organic materials are limited in size to 100 square feet at the base.

 

At any time, the Fire Chief may revoke burn permits or ban open burning. Weather conditions (high winds, low humidity) may make open burning too dangerous. Open burning may also be suspended when air pollution "Red Alert" days are declared by the Mid America Regional Council, MARC, and the Unified Government.

 

Each Burn Permit allows for one organic pile per permit, one permit per property. All organic materials burned within the city limits of Kansas City, Kansas are limited to organic materials and/or burning without a permit shall be subject to Section I-7 (General Penalty, Continuing Violations) of the general provisions code of the Unified Government.

 

Kansas City Named Tree City USA� Community by the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation today announced last week that Kansas City, KS, was named a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. 

 

"We all benefit when communities like Kansas City place a high priority on planting and caring for trees, one of our nation's most beautiful resources," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees shade our homes and add beauty to our neighborhoods, and they also provide many environmental, economic and social benefits. We applaud Kansas City's elected officials, volunteers and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest."

 

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. 

 

Kansas City has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a community forestry program with annual expenditures of at least $2.00 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

 

Communities that earn Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet the four standards, they know that trees:

  • Promote healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles.
  • Moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat for wildlife.
  • Reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings.
  • Reduce energy use and increase property values.  

More information about Tree City USA can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

 

About the Arbor Day Foundation

 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental and educational organization of more than 1 million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org.

Road Construction

Road ConstructionBased on information provided by both the UG's Public Works  Departrment and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), the UG is able to provide motorist living in Wyandotte County with a list of roads and highways that are scheduled for construction.

 

This information can be useful to prepare individuals, commuting to and from work, with early warnings on minor delays. This also encourages drivers to use alternate routes due to lane and ramp closures.

 

Visit the KDOT website for up to date information on lane and ramp closures:

www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp.

Unified Government
Public Works Street Closures

 

Road Closed

Street Improvements Continue on Parallel Parkway

 

The Public Works Department announced recently that the Parallel Parkway Improvement project between 9th Street and 5th Street will start with the closure ofParallel Road Construction Parallel east of 7th Street to 5th Street beginning on or about March 7th depending on weather conditions.

 

The existing pavement will be removed and a totally new concrete street will be constructed with curbs, enclosed storm drainage, improved lighting, turn lanes, medians and sidewalks. 

 

The new roadway will be realigned with Richmond Avenue at 5th Street. The closure of Parallel Parkway between 9th and 7th will follow at a later date.  7th Street will remain open to traffic for the duration of the project.

 

Kansas Heavy Construction is the contractor for this $3,761,000 project.

 

South Valley Closure

 

South Valley between Ruby and Metropolitan will be closed for curb and pavement rehabilitation. The street was scheduled to close yesterday, Monday, March 7th at 9:00 am weather permitting. The road project is scheduled to be completed in ten days. 

 

South 12th Street Closure 

 

 

The Water Pollution Control Division will close South 12th Street between Kansas Ave and Osage beginning Monday, March 7th through Friday, March 11th for replacement of sanitation lines.

 

 

 

The closure will times each day will be from 7:30 am until 3:00 pm.

 

 

Important Note: 

Please keep in mind that the start and completion of all road projects are could change due to weather. The Public Works Department thanks motorist for their patience and understanding during the phase of these projects.

 

 

KDOT Logo

New System to Improve Process for Routing Oversize Truck Loads

A new system that will streamline the permit process for trucking companies hauling large loads, such as wind turbine components, through Kansas has been announced by a cross-agency partnership.

 

The Kansas Departments of Transportation and Revenue, along with the Kansas Highway Patrol, have created the Kansas Truck Routing and Intelligent Permitting System (K-TRIPS). The system, which is being developed in conjunction with ProMiles software, will help cut operating costs and provide easier, more efficient ways for routing oversize/overweight loads. The state issues more than 70,000 permits annually for oversize/overweight loads, and the demand is increasing in high growth areas.

 

The state provides specific routes for trucks hauling large loads to assure safety and to be sure that highways and bridges along the route can accommodate the large loads without being damaged. The permit process is now done on paper. ProMiles will work with the state to develop and implement a web-based software routing solution that will automatically generate and evaluate alternate routes for large loads.

 

"Routing oversize and overweight loads is complex, time-sensitive and requires cooperation among multiple partners. Accurate routing plays a key role in safety, reducing congestion, expanding economic opportunity and preserving our highways," said Jim Kowach, KDOT Bureau Chief of Design.

 

"The system being designed by ProMiles will make it faster and more efficient for truckers to get permits. Having to wait costs them money," he said.

 

The new system, which will be in operation in about two years, will be paid for by an increase in permit fees that was passed by the 2010 Kansas Legislature and supported by the trucking industry.

Unified Government of Wyandotte County, KC, KS

Agendas and Minutes
To view standing committee and full commission agendas and minutes, go to the Unified Government Website at www.wycokck.org.

Ordinances, meeting Agendas and Minutes are available and readily accessible on the Internet. So it's easy to find items and actions the Unified Government Commission and its Standing Committees are taking.
The UG is Now on  Twitter
Stay in touch and keep informed on what's going on with your local government on Twitter. Follow The Dotte on Twitter
 
 Follow TheDotte on Twitter
Quick Links


Energy Smart Homes
Find our more
Upcoming Events
 Board of Commissioners meeting in Commission Chambers
Full Commission Meeting
on Thursday, 
 March 24, at
 7:00 pm in the
Commission Chambers

 Planning and Zoning Meeting 
 on Thursday, 
March 31, at 7 pm in the Commission Chambers
Don't Miss
Reardon on Your Kansas City Public Affairs Show
Your Kansas City Logo
with Mayor Joe Reardon

 on the last Sunday of each month for a special edition of
"Your Kansas City" 
on My KSMO channel 62 and Time Warner Cable Channel 10

My KSMO
Also
 
Mayor Joe Reardon 
 will appear on KCTV5's 
Mayoral
Monday segment 6:20 am during KCTV 5's News This Morning broadcast. Catch the Mayor on the first Monday of every month on 

KCTV 5 Logo
Stay tuned and stay informed!
3-1-1 Call Center
Do you have questions pertaining to the Unified Government? 
 
Just dial 3-1-1
 
 The call center provides a simple and easy three-digit access to a live Customer Service Representative that can answer your questions.