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Tuesday, February 11, 2014
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As part of the UG's development agreement with Hollywood Casino, Robert Sheldon,
Vice President and General Manager, presented a $1.1 million check to Mayor Mark Holland during the Commission meeting on Thursday.
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 ENews SourceUnified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas
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UG Offices Closed
Unified Government offices will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2014 in observance of the President's Day  Holiday.
The Board of Public Utilities lobby will also be closed in observance of the holiday.
All offices will reopen during the regular scheduled business hours on Tuesday, February 18th.
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Hays Honored at Annual Black History Event
County Administrator Dennis Hays was presented with the "Award of Recognition" this weekend at the UG's 22nd Annual Black History and Scholarship Banquet.
Former City Councilman Chester Owens, Jr., who was one of Hay's bosses when he was elected as a member on the KCK City Council in 1983, took a moment to reflect on Hays' accomplishments and his many years of public service. Hays was responsible for managing the transition of City and County governments to consolidated Unified Government in 1997.
"He's the only County Administrator to serve under three separate forms of government," continued Owens as he read the inscription on the award, "For your exceptional public service and commitment to an inclusive organization. I present this honor to you on behalf of the Black History Committee."
 The two hour program also included the presentation of an Achievement Award to Ed Honesty, President and Chief Operating Officer of Best Harvest Bakeries and inspirational remarks from the keynote speaker, Dr. Mildred Edward, a passionate community leader who serves as the Executive Director for the Kansas African American Affairs Commission. She spoke to this years' theme, "African Americans; Loving yourself in an era of Diversity".
Scholarships were presented to KCKCC and Donnelly to support local college students. The program was hosted by the talented local comedian B-Rich and included live music performances by students from the Leon Brady Percussion Academy, Karma, and Tifani Portley.
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Lew Levin, Chief Finance Officer, Reginald Lindsey, Budget Director and Wilba Miller, Director of Community Development
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Community Provides Input on UG Budget
We've made a great deal of progress in our downtown area thanks to support from the city and the collaborative efforts of businesses downtown, Ed Linnebur, Director of the Downtown Shareholders, explains to the Board of Commissioners last Thursday.
KCK residents, business groups and nonprofit organizations filled the Commission Chamber for an opportunity to provide input on budget priorities they want the UG to consider for the upcoming proposed 2015 budget.
"We have new development that adds to the needs of increased security and we're looking for the City's continued partnership in this effort to provide better service as we move forward to enhancing the quality of life downtown," says Linnebur.
The comments and requests for funding came after Deborah Johscher, Assistant Finance Director, presented a  preliminary "end-of-year" estimate of the 2013 year end fund balance. They discussed how the fund balance would be impacted at the end of 2014 based on current expenditures.
"Mayor Mark Holland and the Commission have accelerated the budget process to provide Commission with information regarding financial forecasts, capital project and facility needs, and operational concerns. In addition, a community-wide citizen survey and the earlier Public Hearing will further assist the Commission in setting priorities for submission of the 2015 Budget," says the UG's Chief Finance Officer, Lew Levin.
Wilba Miller, Director of Community Development, followed with a presentation that provided an overview of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) revised 2013 and proposed 2014 budgets.
The 2014 Consolidated Annual Action Plan includes the following program applications:
- 40th Year Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)
- 2014 HOME Investment Partnership Grant Program
- The 2014 Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG).
Christal Watson, President of the Kansas City, Kansas Black Chamber of Commerce commented on how CDBG funding could be used to support training programs.
"The funding would help us provide a platform to offer  training, job opportunities and section 3 projects to the community, says Watson in her request to the Commission. "It helps small businesses know what workforce talent is out there to meet their specific needs and help reduce unemployment within low income poverty areas."
Community Development is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Budget proposal packets for the Unified Government and CDBG budgets were available for citizens and organizations at the meeting. The packets are also available online on the City's website at www.wycokck.org. Packets must be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) Thursday, February 20, 2014 to the Budget Office located at 701 North 7th Street Suite #510 or via email to rlindsey@wycokck.org.
The proposed budget remains closely tied to the Strategic Goals and Budget Policy Guidelines adopted by the Mayor and Board of Commissioners.
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KCKPD Offers Safety Workshops for Public
The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department is hosting another presentation for citizens. This 30-minute presentation is titled, "Staying Safe". It provides simple techniques people can use to stay safe while out in public, at home, and also how to protect yourself against identity theft.
"If we can educate the community on how to stay safe we will continue to decrease crime in our community," says Lt. Col. Terry Ziegler.
Ziegler provided presentations to multiple neighborhood groups last year on how to be a good witness. He says the sessions were well attended and is available to give presentations to neighborhood groups that are interested in the information.
Group leaders can reach Ziegler's office at 913-596-3000 or by email at tzeigler@kckpd.org to schedule the presentation.
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Fishing and Boating Permits Available
The 2014 fishing and boating permits are now available for purchase. Both permits can be purchased at the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office and the Wyandotte County Lake Marina.
Beginning next week fishing permits can also be purchased at Cabela's, Minnesota Bait, Walmart stores located at the Plaza at the Speedway and in Bonner Springs, Ks. Permits are required for boating at Wyandotte County Lake and Pierson Lake.
Opening Day for fishing is scheduled for March 1st, weather permitting.
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UG-Casino Grant Application Available
Applications are currently being taken for the Unified Government-Hollywood Casino grant fund. These funds are available through an annual charitable contribution from the Hollywood Casino in the amount of $500,000. The on-line application can be found on the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation's website, www.gkccf.org.
The focus of the grant fund is community health improvement through healthy eating and active living. A community collaborative, Healthy Communities Wyandotte, has identified improvement strategies in a report titled Recommendations for a Better Future. This report can be found at www.wycokck.org/health.
Grant information sessions have been scheduled for the following dates and locations:
February 19, 2014 - 9:00-11:00
Kansas City Kansas Main Library, 2nd Floor
625 Minnesota Avenue
(Parking is available in the back of the library)
March 5, 2014 - 2:00-4:00
Kansas City Kansas West Branch Library
1737 N. 82nd Street
If there are questions or you need application assistance please contact Mayra Aguirre at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, (816) 627-3426.
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Event Explores the Applications and Future of Hyper-Fast Internet
The installation of Google Fiber's ultra-high-speed network in Kansas City is well underway.
But what will it mean to area citizens on a day-to-day, practical level?
Join Mayor/CEO Mark Holland kickoff this all-day event that will address this question during the Building the Gigabit City 2.0, on Thursday, February 13, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.
The event explores the future of hyper-fast Internet applications and the innovations being spurred by its implementation here.
Activities take place throughout the library and include an app development competition, demonstrations of gigabit products (including a software lending service being developed by the Library), and networking opportunities using the Library's own gigabit connection which will be available free for community use.
In addition, the second floor of the Central Library will honor Digital Learning Day from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Geared toward youth, parents, and educators, this is an opportunity to experience many digital learning possibilities in one location. Among them are a CodorDojo hosted by Women in Technology; Microsoft Store training for Kodu (a free coding software platform); digital storytelling; and Little Bits and Arduino kits from Science City for on-site interactive learning.
Building the Gigabit City 2.0 is presented in partnership with the Mozilla Foundation -- a non-profit organization promoting openness, innovation, and participation on the Internet - and KC Digital Drive.
Admission to this event is free. A 6 p.m. reception concludes the event. RSVP at kclibrary.org or call 816.701.3407. Free parking is available in the Library District parking garage at 10th & Baltimore.
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KCKPD Hosts an Academy for Citizens
The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department is hosting another presentation for citizens. This 30-minute presentation is titled, "Staying Safe". It provides simple techniques people can use to stay safe while out in public, at home, and also how to protect yourself against identity theft.
"If we can educate the community on how to stay safe we will continue to decrease crime in our community," says Lt. Col. Terry Ziegler.
Ziegler provided presentations to multiple neighborhood groups last year on how to be a good witness. He says the sessions were well attended and is available to give presentations to neighborhood groups that are interested in the information. Group leaders can call my office number or send me an email to schedule the presentation at tzeigler@kckpd.org.
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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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South Mill Street Bridge
South Mill Street Bridge between Lake Avenue and Seminary Street will be closed beginning February 11th at 9:00 a.m. for a storm line installation. It is anticipated that the bridge will reopen by 5:00 p.m. February 15th.
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KDOT Crews Plow 565,00 Miles Last Week
Kansas Department of Transportation snow crews plowed and treated 565,000 lane miles of highway during last week's snow storm at a cost of nearly $3 million.
KDOT drivers operated 591 trucks around the clock in 12-hours shifts to treat and clear roads of snow and ice in every region of the state. About 1,100 snow plow operators logged more than 37,000 hours from Feb. 3-6.
"The snow amounts, wind and frigid temperatures made this a dangerous storm for our crews. I can't thank them enough for their hard work and dedication in keeping the roads safe for travel," said Transportation Secretary Mike King.
"I also want to thank the many others at KDOT who supported the storm efforts, including mechanics, office staff and those who helped keep travelers informed of road conditions," he said.
Winter Storm Nika by the numbers:
591 Dump trucks
565,000 Miles treated/plowed
37,000 Labor hours
8,600 Tons of salt
1,300 Tons of sand
19,500 Tons of salt/sand mix
345,000 Gallons of brine
2,000 Gallons of magnesium chloride
500 KDOT postings to Twitter and Facebook
8,200 Calls to 511 travel information phone line
117,000/895,000 Visits to and page views on KanDrive
travel information website
$3 million Cost of storm - about $ 1.15 per registered vehicle.
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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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Board of Commissioners
Commission Meeting
on Thursday,
February 20, at 7:00 pm
Commission Chambers
Planning and Zoning
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February 27, 7:00 pm
Commission Chambers
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Improving the Quality
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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.
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