You can now see Standing Committee Meetings and
Special Sessions on UGTV.
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 ENews SourceUnified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas
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Hollywood Casino Making Plans to Build Hotel in 2014
Executives with Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway are making plans to start construction on a casino hotel later this year.
In a letter to the Unified Government, casino officials say the hotel would be built to the same construction and design standards as the Hollywood Casino and will be a "high quality property that both guests and the community would be proud of." Other details about the cost, number of rooms and other amenities are still being planned and not yet finalized.
Casino executives anticipate making final decisions about the hotel by May 1 and making the official announcement on May 10 during the inaugural night of the spring NASCAR Races at Kansas Speedway. A public groundbreaking would be held during the Hollywood Casino 400 NASCAR race in October.
If the development agreement between Hollywood Casino and the Unified Government calls for the casino to pay a penalty if the hotel is not built. Under that penalty, Hollywood Casino would have to pay a penalty of 1% of casino revenues annually.
The Unified Government Commission will learn more about the Hollywood Casino hotel project and plans during a special session meeting this Thursday, January 9, at 5:00 pm in the Commission Chambers at City Hall.
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2014 Kansas Legislature
Kansas Bankers and Realtors Could Force Massive Property Tax Hikes
One of the hottest issues in the 2014 Kansas Legislature will be an effort by the Kansas Bankers Association and the Kansas Realtors Association to eliminate the mortgage registration fee paid by people who buy property.
The fee has been around since 1925 and generates $47-million a year for all Kansas counties. Wyandotte County receives about $1.5-million a year from the fee.
The bankers and realtors groups claim the fee is unfair, even though it is only paid by people who buy property using a bank mortgage. Without the fee, county officials across Kansas will have to make up for the lost revenue by spreading the cost to every property owner through increased property taxes.
The Unified Government is opposing the move to eliminate the mortgage registration fee. So are the Kansas City Area Realtors Association and the KCK Chamber of Commerce because of the negative effect getting rid of the fee will have on property taxes.
The mortgage registration fee is one of the few revenue sources available to counties. Counties have few options other than the property tax to fund required county services. Critics of the fee note that the fee goes to the county general fund and not merely to fund the Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds collects the monies, which contribute to the three offices that manage land transactions-the Register of Deeds, the County Appraiser and the County Clerk. The fee connects to the broad services in multiple offices necessary for managing land transactions.
Taxing mortgages is common throughout the country, though the method of taxation varies. Kansas is one of nine states that tax with a registration fee, but the majority of states have either a transfer tax-payable when property changes hands-or an annual tax on the mortgage itself.
In Wyandotte County, the $1.5-million generated by the mortgage fee makes up for 3% of the total County General Fund Budget. To offset the revenue loss, the government would need to increase its mill levy by 4%, or 1.5 mills. The ability to reduce expenditures in the County General Fund is limited, as it funds primarily services mandated by the Kansas Legislature, including the Sheriff's Office, Treasury, Legislative Auditor, Register of Deeds, District Court, and Appraiser.
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WyCo Legislators Meet with Citizens
The Wyandotte County Legislative Delegation will be holding its annual Town Hall meeting today from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at the South Branch Library, main meeting room located at 3104 Strong Avenue in KCK.
This annual event allows citizens the opportunity to talk to members of the delegation prior to the start of the 2014 Legislative session in Topeka which begins on Monday, January 13th. This year's delegation Chair is Representative Stan Frownfelter who will preside over the Town Hall meeting.
All citizens, businesses and interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Representative Stan Frownfelter at stanfrownfelter@yahoo.com.
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Candace Golubski, Diversion Program Manager and District Attorney, Jerome Gorman |
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DA Office Launches New Diversion Services Unit
The Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office is proud to announce the creation of a new Diversion Services Unit. Previously, diversion cases were managed through Adult Court Services. The switch to diversion management under the District Attorney has been a long time coming.
"We were the only county in Kansas that did not manage diversions through the District Attorney's Office," said District Attorney Jerome Gorman.
The proposal for the creation of the Unit was presented to the Unified Government Commission in August, 2013. The highlight of the proposal is that the Unit will be entirely funded by defendants through diversion fees.
"With the Commission's unanimous approval, we immediately began planning and implementing the new Unit. We will be operational by January 1, 2014," said Gorman.
The Diversion Services Unit will manage diversions for traffic, DUI, criminal (non-drug), and worthless check cases. "Our goals are to provide prompt repayment of restitution to crime victims, and to give a second chance to qualified offenders," said Gorman.
The Diversion Services Unit is managed by Candace Golubski, under the direction of District Attorney Gorman. Golubski is a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Kansas and will be receiving a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas in December, 2014.
"I am thankful for the opportunity to work with the District Attorney in a way that will benefit my community," says Golubski.
For more information regarding the Diversion Services Unit, visit www.wycoda.org.
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Recycling Center to be Converted to Yard Waste Drop off Center this Spring
Due to the increasing participation of the curbside recycling program, the Community Recycling Center located at 3241 Park Dr. in Kansas City, Kansas has closed as of January 1, 2014. Plans are for the Recycling Center to be converted to a yard waste drop off location and re-opened in the spring. The new hours of operation to accept yard waste will be announced in the near future.
Since the Recycling Center will not be accepting recyclables any more, alternatives to residents to continue recycling include:
- Participation in the weekly curbside recycling program.
- Use other drop off recycling containers at various schools and nonprofit organizations.
- Use Ripple Glass drop off containers.
Residents are encouraged to participate with the Unified Government's weekly curbside recycling program. To participate in curbside recycling, residents need to set out a green recycling container or a container labeled recycling to the curb each week on their trash day. Residents can pick up one green recycling bin at the Fleet Center, 5033 State Avenue. Ask the Parks & Recreation Department and they can help to assist you. Items accepted include paper, paperboard, cartons, plastics #1-#7, aluminum & steel cans, and cardboard. Glass in not accepted.
Residents can also use various drop off recycling containers located at numerous schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations. Most of the drop off recycling containers collects paper (newspapers, magazines, office paper, etc.), aluminum, and plastic (#1- #7). Glass is not accepted at the drop off recycling containers.
Glass is not accepted at either curbside recycling or at the drop off recycling centers located at various nonprofit organizations. With the recycling center closing, residents can still participate with glass recycling by using numerous purple Ripple Glass containers and green Deffenbaugh containers placed at several locations in Kansas City, Kansas.
Locations for Glass Recycling Containers include:
- Owens Corning, 300 Sunshine Road
- KU Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow
- Schuler Liquor Store, 928 S. 55th
- KCK Community College, 7250 State Avenue in Field House parking lot
- Village West Liquors, 11010 Parallel
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| Bigger Buses Now on KCK State Ave. Connex
Transit riders on The Metro's 101-State Avenue Connex now have bigger buses to ride on the popular bus route. The larger buses hit the streets this week and will run seven days a week.
Route 101 has experienced growth over the past several years and improved on-street passenger amenities were recently put in place. In 2013, weekday ridership has increased 10 percent over last year, with a daily average of more than 2,000 riders on the route. The route serves downtown Kansas City, Mo., downtown Kansas City, Ks., Minnesota and State Avenues, KCK Community College, and Village West. The upgrade affects Sunday and weekday service; a large bus is currently provided on Saturdays.
The upgrade is being made possible by a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The grant pays for 80% of the $230,000 cost of the upgrade, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Ks. will provide the local matching funds.
"The 101 route has been at capacity for some time," said Director of Communications Cindy Baker. "The Unified Government recognizes this and is making much-needed investments in public transit. We know customers are going to respond positively, and we expect ridership to grow even more next year."
Other Recent Improvements in KCK
KCATA and UG upgraded the passenger facilities for 101-State Ave. Connex earlier this year. They opened the Downtown KCK MetroCenter at 7th & Minnesota and the Midtown KCK MetroCenter at 47th & State. Both feature real-time bus arrival information for Metro routes, passenger shelters, benches, landscaping, and improved pedestrian connections. In addition, greatly improved passenger amenities are available at several stops along The Metro's 101 Connex route.
The Downtown KCK MetroCenter includes the historic, restored Winkler Clock, a local landmark for nearly 100 years. The MetroCenter at 47th & State Ave. (Indian Springs) also includes an 11,000 square foot building which houses Kansas City, Ks. Police Department's Midtown Patrol Division, providing 24-7 police presence, the Area Agency on Aging's mobility management services, and a community for a broad range of transit and community activities. Eight transit routes make connections at the Downtown KCK MetroCenter, and seven transit routes connect at the Midtown KCK MetroCenter.
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Warming Centers - Wyandotte County
Due to dangerously cold temperatures this week, the following facilities are open as Warming Centers.
Salvation Army Harbor Light Village:
6723 State Ave
Open all night for January 6 - 8 cold emergency:
Monday 10:00 AM - Wednesday 12:00 PM
Normal Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM Wednesday
Kansas City, Kansas Public Libraries: People are asked to use library resources while there; sleeping is not allowed. The Library is a great place to read and warm up during the day.
Main Branch:
625 Minnesota Ave, KCK
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM, Monday - Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Friday and Saturday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sunday
South Branch:
3104 Strong Ave, KCK
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Monday - Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Friday and Saturday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sunday
Wyandotte West Branch:
1737 North 82nd St, KCK
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Monday - Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Friday and Saturday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sunday
Turner Community Library:
831 South 55th St, KCK
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Monday - Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Saturday
Closed Sunday, New Years Eve/Day
Bonner Springs City Library:
201 North Nettleton, Bonner Springs
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Monday - Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Friday and Saturday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sunday
Bonner Springs Community Center:
200 East 3rd St, Bonner Springs
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, except holidays
Wyandotte County Parks & Recreation:
Eisenhower Community Center -
2901 North 72nd St, KCK
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM,
Monday - Friday
Joe E Amayo Argentine Community Center -
2810 Metropolitan, KCK
9:00 AM - 8:30 PM, Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Saturday
JFK Center -
1210 N 10th St, KCK
2:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Monday & Tuesday
Kensington Gym -
2900 State Ave, KCK
2:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Monday & Tuesday
Bethany Center -
1120 Central Ave, KCK
2:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Monday & Tuesday
Turner Recreation Commission:
831 South 55 St, KCK
8:00 AM to 8:30 PM, Monday - Thursday
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday
8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, Saturday
Closed: Sundays, Thanksgiving (Close Nov 27 at 5PM, Reopen Dec 2), Christmas Eve/Day, New Years Eve/Day
Kansas City, Kansas City Hall Lobby:
701 North 7th St, KCK
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Mt. Carmel COGIC, South Wing:
2025 North 12th St, KCK
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday
Public Housing High Rise, Cafeteria:
915 Washington Blvd, KCK
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Daily
Willa Gill Center:
645 Nebraska, KCK
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM,
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 12:45 PM, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays
YMCA of Greater Kansas City:
Must show photo ID at the Welcome Center. Ages 15 and younger must visit with adult age 18 and older.
Bonner Springs Family YMCA:
2251 South 138th St, Bonner Springs
5:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Monday - Thursday
5:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sunday
Providence YMCA/Ball Family Center:
8601 Parallel Parkway, KCK
5:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Monday - Thursday
5:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Friday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sunday
8th St Family YMCA:
900 North 8th St, KCK
5:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Monday - Thursday
5:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Friday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Sunday
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KCK MLK Holiday Celebration
The Reverend Doctor Otis Moss, Jr., retired pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church located in Cleveland, Ohio, and co-pastor with Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., will be the keynote speaker for the 2014 Kansas City, Kansas Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 20th, 2014, at the Jack Reardon Civic Center located at 5th and Minnesota Ave.
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. will address this year's theme, "Martin, Mahatma, Mandela; still paying the price for The Dream! - how long?"
The Reverend Dr. Otis  Moss, Jr. is one of America's most influential leaders. He was born in La Grange, GA. He earned his bachelor's degree from Morehouse College, his master of divinity degree from Morehouse School of Religion/Inter-denominational Theological Center, and his doctor of ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary.
In 2008, Reverend Moss retired from Olivet Institutional Baptist Church located in Cleveland, Ohio following thirty-three years of distinguished service. Prior to this service, he held pastoral positions at the Mount Olive Baptist Church in La Grange, GA, the Providence Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Lockland, OH and as co-pastor with Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA.
Reverend Moss has been actively involved in advocating for the achievement of education, civil and human rights and social justice issues for all of his adult life. His board memberships have included The Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Foundation. Dr. Moss served as the Chairman of the Morehouse College Board of Trustees for over ten years. He served as board member and Regional Director of SCLC during Dr. King's tenure as founding president. He also served as national board member and trustee of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-violent Social Change.
The King Holiday Mass Celebration and Motorcade/March for Hunger will be held on the actual holiday, Monday, January 20th, 2014. The Motorcade will start assembling at 9:00 a.m. and will depart promptly at 10:00 a.m. from the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 5th & Richmond. It will take a select route through the community and will arrive at the Jack Reardon Civic Center, 5th & Minnesota, in time for the Mass Celebration. The Mass Celebration will start at 11:00 a.m. with selections from the MLK Mass Choir under the direction of Alicia Saunders. Praise dancing featuring the Forrest Grove Baptist Church praise dancers will be presented along with the Men of Worship from the Greater Pentecostal Temple.
The Celebration will include youth highlights from Kiddie Kollege Nursery School and Kindergarten and over $30,000 in scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors through the Rev. C.E. Taylor/MLK, Jr. Educational Awards Program. The youth program will feature local youth talent from schools in the Kansas City, Kansas school system.
For additional information, contact: LaVert Murray, General Coordinator at (913) 433-6955 or (913) 334-2355; or Rev. Tony Carter, General Program Chairman at (913) 342-0306 or (913) 515-4354.
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UG to Broadcast More Public Meetings
The Unified Government will broadcast all Standing Committee meetings and Special Sessions on UGTV beginning January 2014. 
The meetings can be seen on the following cable channels on UGTV:
- Time Warner Cable channel 2
- Google Fiber channel 141
- Wow! TV channel 25
All Standing Committee meetings are scheduled the Monday prior to a full Commission meeting unless changed by the Chairperson of a committee, holiday, or for some other unforeseen reason. The location of the meetings have changed and now will be held in the 5th Floor conference room of the Municipal Office Building. Please visit the UG website for meeting times and locations.
Stay connected with your local government on UGTV.
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Road Closures
Based on information provided by both the UG's Public Works Department and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), we are able to provide motorist living in Wyandotte County an update on road and highway projects.
This information can be useful to prepare individuals, commuting to and from work, with early warnings on minor delays. This also encourages motorists to use alternate routes due to land and ramp closures.
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No UG Closures to Report this Week
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No KDOT Closures to Report
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Daily Lane Closure 
Remember, you can always go to the KDOT website for up to the minute road closures and traffic information. |
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Delinquent Real
Estate
Check out the UG's
Tax Sale List
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Board of Commissioners
Commision Meeting
on Thursday,
January 9, at 7:00 pm
Commission Chambers
Planning and Zoning
on Thursday,
January 9, 7:00 pm
Commission Chambers
Agendas and Minutes
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Stay Tuned
Channel 2 Time Warner Cable
Channel 141 Google
Channel 25 Wow! TV
and
Stay Connected
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to your local government
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| Trash Collection Schedule |
List of the holidays where residential
trash and recycle
pick-up would be
delayed one day. |
Improving the Quality
of Lives in
Kansas City, Kansas |
The Code Enforcement Division of the UG brings you this message monthly to encourage voluntary citizen compliance to reduce blight and beautify the appearance of our city.
Please click on the target to access information on the Code Enforcement for the month. You may contact Code Enforcement.
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
913-573-8600. |
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