| Wednesday, April 16, 2014 |
The James Street Viaduct - One of many bridges in Kansas City
that keep us connected
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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 Friday, April 18, 2014 in observance of the Spring Holiday.
Offices will reopen during regular business hours on Monday, April 21st at 8:00 a.m.
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KCK Population Continues on Upward Trend
The U.S. Census Bureau released population estimates recently for counties in Kansas for July 1, 2013. The data continues to show steady population growth in Wyandotte County.
The July 1, 2013 population estimate for Wyandotte County is 160,384. This estimate represents a population gain of 2,879 persons or 1.8% above the April 1, 2010 count. The 2010 Census population of the County was 157,505.
"This continued positive trend in population growth reaffirms that Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County is a great place to live and raise a family, says Mayor Mark Holland. "It's also evidence the economic growth that's brought job opportunities is breathing new life into our community like never before."
This is the first estimate or decennial census count that has the population of the County over 160,000 since the 1990 Census. This is the eight consecutive year the County has experienced a steady increase in population since the population estimate in 2006.
"We've established a solid reputation of progress over the past ten years with the success of major economic development projects that are known nationally and internationally. As the economy gradually continues to recover, I believe we will undoubtedly see even more growth in all areas of the county and city," said Holland.
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Woodlands Sign Comes Down
A small team of demo experts with a pick-up truck and excavator was all that was needed to bring down one of the most recognizable signs in KCK.
Towering over I-435 near Leavenworth Road for nearly two decades, the Woodlands sign was recently dismantled by Remco Demolition, LLC.
"It took us two days. We cut the legs out from under it and pulled it over with a pick-up," says Tim Kates with Remco.
The Unified Government received calls from residents who shared their concerns about the future of the 60 ft. tall sign made of steal and metal. The sign has been deteriorating since the race track closed in 2008. With continued development taking place out west, some began to see the 11-ton structure as an eyesore and wanted to see it removed.
After cutting it up into smaller sections, the demolition crew hauled away the remaining pieces of what was at one time the most visible symbol associated with The Woodlands race track.
Today, two abandoned race tracks and grandstands are all that remain of what arguably was one of the best parimutal betting venues that swept into this region.
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Budget Receives Award for Budgeting Standards and Practices
The Unified Government's Budget Department was honored recently with the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
The award represents a significant achievement by the entity. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
"This top national honor along with other recent announcements such as receiving the Excellence in Financial Reporting award from GFOA and sustained credit ratings from credit rating agencies, exemplifies the Unified Government's commitment to meeting the highest principals of financial management," says Budget Director Reginald Lindsey.
In order to receive the budget award, the UG had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an organization's budget serves as:
- A policy document
- A financial plan
- An operations guide
- A communications device
Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.
When a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is granted to an entity, a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation is also presented to the individual or department designated as being primarily responsible for its having achieved the award. This has been presented to Finance Department.
For budgets including fiscal period 2012, 1,353 participants received the Award. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide and excellent example for other governments throughout North America.
The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit professional association serving nearly 18,000 government finance professionals throughout North American. The GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.
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KCK FD Donates Ambulances to Sister City
Several EMS units retired from the Kansas City Kansas Fire Department's fleet are on their way to the Mexican city of Uruapan, Michoacán this week.
Mayor Mark Holland presented the donation to Mayor Aldo Macias Alejandres during his visit to the Sister City in December 2013. The ambulances were loaded onto rail cars at the KC Southern Railroad for the long trip to the municipality located in the west-central part of the Mexican state of Michoacán. The four EMS units, one filled with equipment donated from other local fire departments, were graciously accepted by Mayor Alejandres and the Uruapan fire department.
"We are all connected in one way or another in this global community we call earth. Municipal governments share many of the same trials and triumphs in our efforts to improve the quality of life for our residents" said Mayor Holland. "Global relationships like the one we have with Uruapan can only work to our mutual advantage. By heightening our institutional knowledge, we empower our citizens, public officials, and business leaders."
The relationship between the KCK and Uruapan fire departments was cultivated years ago by several fire fighters. Uruapan is one of four cities that are part of the Unified Government's Sister City Program. The other cities include Limerick Ireland, Karlovac, Croatia and Linz, Austria. In addition to Kansas City, Kansas, Uruapan received equipment and vehicles from the City of Culver City, California, which is also a member of their Sister City program.
Other fire equipment generously donated over years included a fire truck, fire protective gear and air packs. The rich heritage and diverse community in Wyandotte County has afforded us the opportunity to establish a Sister City presence around the world while building lasting relationships between the people of Kansas City, Kansas and our international neighbors.
Kansas City Southern transported the cargo free of charge.
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Wyandot CEO to Retire; New CEO Named
Pete Zevenbergen, who has expanded the scope and services of Wyandotte County's community mental health center into a family of organizations to address a broader range of client needs, has announced that he will retire from his role as president and CEO of Wyandot, Inc., effective June 30, 2014.
Randy Callstrom, current executive director of PACES, the Wyandot, Inc. agency that serves children, adolescents and families, will assume the leadership role of Wyandot, Inc. on July 1. Callstrom has been with Wyandot, Inc. related agencies since 1993.
Rev. Ken Nettling, Wyandot, Inc. Board chair, explains that Zevenbergen accelerated his retirement plans following the March 20 car accident that claimed the life of his 20-year-old son Robert. "This is a bittersweet transition for our organization," Nettling says. "Pete has brought a unique and visionary leadership style to Wyandot, Inc. and Wyandotte County. He has expanded services significantly, cultivated strong community partnerships and enhanced our visibility locally, statewide and nationally - all in support of our mission to improve the quality of life of Wyandotte County residents."
Zevenbergen plans to return to his native Iowa where he previously served as executive director of two community mental health centers. "This will place Pete and his wife Cindy close to their families," Nettling says.
Zevenbergen joined Wyandot Center in 2000 as executive director of the community mental health center. In 2010, he restructured the organization. Wyandot, Inc. is the parent company of four non-profit agencies: Wyandot Center, serving mental health needs of adults; PACES, providing services for children, adolescents and families; Kim Wilson Housing, developing innovative solutions to housing challenges; and City Vision, developing urban Kansas City, Kan. Zevenbergen has grown the organization to a $31 million budget with 366 full-time and 189 part-time employees serving in multiple Wyandotte County locations and providing extensive community-based services.
For his local, state and national leadership in the mental health field, Zevenbergen received multiple awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare at its annual meeting in 2006. He was also recipient of the Distinguished Leadership Award from The Community Leadership Association (2006); the Jackson/Scroggins Distinguished Service Award from Friends of Yates for promoting a "safety net" for domestic violence victims; the Chamberlain-Rapp Exemplary Leadership Award by Kansas consumers (2008); and the Kansas NAMI Provider of the Year recognition.
"Pete and Randy will work together to help ensure a smooth leadership transition across our organization and with community and statewide partners," Nettling says. "This will include naming the new executive director for PACES."
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Planning Commission Changes
The Unified Government Planning Commission is preparing to also act as the Board of Zoning Appeals. The change is expected to make for more efficiency and effectiveness in dealing with land use issues.
Following the adoption of the zoning code amendment to allow the planning commission to also serve as the board of zoning appeals, staff worked with the planning commission to schedule training on their new duties. The planning commission recently held a three hour training that included basic meeting procedure, the differences between the planning commission and the board of zoning appeals, board of zoning appeals review criteria and the Unified Government mandated one hour ethics training.
All planning commission members were present. Mark White a nationally recognized planner and land use attorney conducted the board of zoning appeals training and Ruth Benien, UG Ethics Administrator, conducted the ethics portion of the training. The landmarks commission joined the planning commission for the ethics portion of the training.
May 12th will be the first meeting of the new Joint Commission. The meeting will begin at 6 PM with the board of zoning appeals cases with the regular planning commission meeting to follow. They will start with the largest load of board of zoning appeals cases in over 10 years with 7 cases currently scheduled.
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New Yard Waste Drop Off Site
The former Recycling Center located at 3241 Park Dr. is being converted into a Yard Waste drop off site beginning Friday, April 25, 2014.
The Yard Waste drop off site will accept only yard waste such as grass clippings, garden trimmings, leaves and branches. Recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass, cardboard, and aluminum will not be accepted at the Yard Waste drop off location.
The new Yard Waste drop off Site will be open each Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to :003 p.m. Residents with a load of grass clippings, garden trimmings, leaves or branches can load them up and take them to the new site at located at 3241 Park Dr., Kansas City, Kansas. The Yard Waste drop off site cannot accept stumps and logs larger than 12 inches in diameter or items more than four feet in length. Wyandotte County residents will need to show a proof of residency such as a driver's license. Commercially generated material will not be accepted.
Wyandotte County residents can also take their residential yard waste to the Deffenbaugh landfill in Johnson County free of charge with proof of residency. Residents with a load of grass clippings, garden trimmings, leaves or branches can load them up and dump them in a designated site at the landfill without paying a tipping fee. Deffenbaugh cannot accept stumps, logs larger than 12 inches in diameter or items more than four feet in length. Commercially generated material will not be accepted.
Residents in Kansas City, Kansas can also dispose of yard waste in their regular weekly trash pickup. Leaves and grass clippings must be bagged and not in excess of 50 pounds per bag. Tree limbs must be tied in bundles not more than four feet long and not in excess of 50 pounds.
Residents in Kansas City, Kansas are also allowed to apply for a burn permit for the time period of the month of April 2014 and from October 16, 2014 through November 15, 2014 at any of the Fire Stations currently staffed by the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department. Kansas City, Kansas residents are limited to one 3-day burn permit per burn period that allows for the combustion of one 10 foot by 10 foot or smaller pile of naturally occurring residential organic yard waste generated onsite. If you operate a business out of your home you are classified as a business and cannot participate. 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.
Have you considered using your grass clippings and leaves in your landscaping? Grass clippings and tree leaves that accumulate in and around your lawn are a valuable natural resource that can be used to provide organic matter and nutrients for your landscaping. You can and should take advantage of managing and using grass clippings and leaves in your yard's landscaping with mulch mowing, mulching, composting, or tilling the leaves into the soil.
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Tombstones in History
From the famous to the infamous, Wyandotte County's dead holds the secrets of their lives in their graves. Join us as we take you through the cemeteries of Wyandotte County. Learn more about our early settlers to our sports heroes to our movie stars. Your host on the tour will be Trish Schurkamp, museum director of the Wyandotte County Historical Museum.
Date: Friday, May 9, 2014
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $25 per person
RSVP by Friday, May 2, 2014
Contact: Trish Schurkamp (913) 573-5002 for your reservation. Seating is limited!
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New ADA Playgrounds Added to Parks
Mayor Mark Holland and Adam Ehlert, T-Bones President, participated in a special event to dedicate two parks which have now been equipped with new playgrounds accessible to citizens with disabilities.
Rosedale Park and City Park North are now accessible playgrounds under the Americans with Disabilities Act. These playgrounds were made possible by donations from the Kansas City T-Bones uncommitted recreation fund, the Wyandotte County Park Foundation, Pilot Club of KCK and Dynamic Discs.
There have been 5 new ADA playground systems installed through the Parks Foundations partnership with the T-Bones. The playgrounds that have been updated are Wyandotte County Lake Main Playground, Kensington, and Quindaro Park. The goal is to eventually have all of our playgrounds accessible for everyone.
(Photo L to R, Pete Cashen, Dynamic Discs, Patricia Gate, Pilot
Club of KC, Adam Elhert, KC T-Bones, UG Mayor Mark Holland, Edwardsville Mayor John McTaggart, Mark Mohler, Park Foundation)
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Easter Egg Hunt at Big Eleven Lake
The Hunt Is On!
The public is invited to participate in a free, fun-filled, community Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 19, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Big Eleven Lake.
The event is open to children ages 10 and under. The Easter Egg Hunt will be separated by age groups;
- Ages 2-4 will begin at 10:00 a.m.
- Ages 5-7 at 11:00 a.m.
- Ages 8-10 at 12:00 pm
There will be other activities and entertainment for the children throughout the day. Free hot dogs, chips and water will also be provided for participants.
The Easter Egg Hunt is sponsored through a partnership with the Unified Government Parks and Recreation Department, MDG Graphics, KC Sole and BPU Employee Foundation.
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Soccer Clinic for Youth
Local Agencies are partnering to present "Health For all Soccer Days" to youth in the community.
Youth have the option to choose from the 4-days to participate in this free community soccer clinic. Each participant will receive a free T-shirt, sack-pack, Frisbee, and water bottle. Pre-registration can be completed at www.kansascityymca.org/about-y-news/free-soccer-days-clinics or 20 minutes prior to the event.
Below are the clinic dates, times and locations.
- April 19th 10:00 am-11:30am Shawnee Park Ball Field,
Shawnee Ave and S. 7th St. - April 26th 10:00 am- 11:30 am Waterway Park,
700 Waterway Dr. - May 3rd 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm
St. Margaret's Park,
230 S. 7th St. - May 16th 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
City Park Ball Field 3,
2601 Park Dr.
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Recipes Wanted
UNITED WAY Fundraising Effort
Deadline for submission of recipes for the U.G. cookbook, with proceeds to benefit United Way, has been extended to WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014.
Don't cook much???? Doesn't matter. Provide a recipe enjoyed by your family, a favorite from a friend, anything you would like to share.
Please know that even a simple e-mail with the recipe details or a scanned copy of a recipe is sufficient. All entries need to be sent to Lesley Newton of the Health Department @ lnewton@wycokck.org
The success of this endeavor depends on the participation of the UG Employees. Please help to make this a worthwhile project.
LET'S MAKE IT FUN!!!
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days
The schedule for the Household Hazardous Waste Collection days for Wyandotte County residents has been set for 2014 and includes April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, and October 18. These collection events are only for Wyandotte County residents and are not for businesses or nonprofit organizations.
Residents need to take their household hazardous products to 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) The site will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the scheduled Saturdays.
When bringing items to the collection site please label or identify all items. Items accepted include automotive products, home improvement products, household items, as well as lawn and garden products.
Automotive products accepted include auto batteries, brake fluid, carburetor cleaner, degreasers, gasoline & fuels, and used motor oil. In addition, residents can bring 10 car and/or pickup tires if the rims are removed from the tires.
Home improvement products accepted include concrete cleaner, driveway sealer, furniture stripper, glue with solvents, latex & oil based paints, paint thinner, putty, grout, calk & spackle, roofing tar, stain varnish & lacquer, turpentine, water-based glues, and wood preservatives.
Household items include aerosol products, drain & oven cleaners, mothballs, nail polish remover, polishes with solvents, spot remover, and propane cylinders.
Lawn and garden products include fertilizer with weed killer, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, and rodent bait.
For additional information call 573-5400.
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Prescription Drug Take Back Day
On Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the Unified Government's Community Policing and Sherriff's Office, local businesses, and  the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its eight opportunity in four years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs at various locations in Wyandotte County.
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The following are Prescription Drug Take Back locations for Wyandotte County:
DeGoler Pharmacy
5701 State Avenue, KCK
21 North 12th Street, KCK
2040 Hutton Road, KCK
202 Oak Street, Bonner Springs
Price Chopper
501 Commercial Drive, Bonner Springs
Hen House
8120 Parallel Parkway, KCK
Walgreens
2850 State Avenue, KCK
7739 State Avenue, KCK
Bond Pharmacy
3017 Strong Ave., KCK (Argentine)
CVS Pharmacy
4645 Shawnee, KCK (Turner)
4300 Rainbow Blvd (Rosedale)
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines-flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash-both pose potential safety and health hazards.
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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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Important Bridges that Keep Us Connected
Nearly $4 million in bridge redecking and rehabilitation work is underway on the James Street Viaduct, which is located in the Central Industrial District on the  Kansas side and the Historic West Bottoms on the Missouri side.
Through coordinated efforts between the public works departments in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas, the bridge was closed in mid-March to begin the replacement of the deck slab in spans 1 through 6 (a span is the extent or measure of space between two points or extremities). The middle 2 spans, which are the fracture critical elements of the bridge, were completely removed and will be replaced with a single span multi girder structure.
The bridge is unique not only because it spans across the state line, but for decades the bridge has been part of an important transportation route for businesses located in one of the oldest parts of the city. At one time it was the central  marketplace for various commerce and trade groups. During the early to mid-1940s, the stockyards had a significant presence in the area establishing Kansas City as the second largest livestock market in the country; after Chicago.
"Out of all the places we do work in industrial districts this one is key in coordination," says Wayne Moody, Deputy Engineer for the Unified Government.
Bounded by the Kansas and Missouri rivers and a bluff on the Missouri side, the industrial district lies in a very unique location because the only way you can access the area is by bridge. Moody says this is what makes bridges like the James Street Viaduct such a vital link to the area.
"Over the years we've worked with Missouri and the CID steering committee in the planning of various projects in this area. We make sure that when we shut down a bridge everyone in the CID knows about it and another well-established route is defined into and out of the industrial area."
In addition to the James Street Viaduct, there are several other bridges that are important to providing access to the area:
- 23rd Street Viaduct
- Kansas Avenue Bridge
- I-635 ramps into and out of the area
- Central Avenue Viaduct
- James Street Bridge
- 12th Street Viaduct
- Bruce Forester Bridge
- Key railroad bridges
"Bridges are very costly says Moody and there's a lot of time and management that goes into maintaining them," Moody says. "Most of the bridges into and out of the CID have been repaired or entirely replaced over the last 40-years. The ones that haven't been replaced have had major repairs."
The majority of restoration work is being done on the Missouri side and is led by the Kansas City, Missouri Public Works Department. The Unified Government is contributing  up to $700,000 to the project cost, which includes replacing corroded, broken, bent, and cracked portions of joint armoring and anchorages.
Traffic has been detoured to Central, Bruce Forrester Viaduct, Union, and Mulberry. The bridge will is expected to be closed until August 25th of this year.
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7th Street
On Thursday, April 24th 7th Street will be closed between Barnett and Ann Avenues from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. for the "Take Your Child to Work Day" event sponsored by the Unified Government.
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Barnett Avenue
A storm line has collapsed under the pavement on Barnett Ave between N. 5th & N. 6th Streets. Therefore the road is now closed to traffic and it is anticipated that the road will remain closed for approximately 2 weeks.
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47th and Parallel
Beginning last week, Monday April 7th, a sanitary line replacement project began near the intersection of N. 47th & Parallel. There will be traffic disruptions for approximately 3 weeks until the project is complete.
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Lewis and Clark Viaduct Open House
The Kansas Department of Transportation is hosting a public open house on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 to present the Lewis and Clark Viaduct I-70 aesthetic design concept.
The public is invited to drop by anytime between 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Jack Reardon Civic Center located at 520 Minnesota Avenue to see the design concept along with a review of the project and schedule. KDOT staff members will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the design concept process. There will be no formal presentations.
If you have any questions or require special assistance at the open house, please contact Joab Ortiz at 816-349-6766.
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Winter of 2014 Most Expensive Since 2008
The winter of 2014 that appears to be over was the most costly since 2008 for the Kansas Department of Transportation.
KDOT spent an estimated $22 million on materials, labor and equipment usage to keep state highways clear and open for travel. That amount compares to $23.7 million in 2008. This year's winter costs break down to $8.50 per registered vehicle.
"I want to thank our crews for their dedication and hard work to keep Kansas roads open in some very difficult conditions. Winter maintenance takes a substantial amount of effort and money, but the cost to the state would be much greater if the crews didn't maintain the system as well as they did," said Transportation Secretary Mike King.
This season KDOT crews worked 550,000 hours, used 591 dump trucks and treated/plowed some 2.7 million lane miles.
KDOT maintenance experts said the broad scope of this year's storms, along with frigid temperatures, combined to make this an expensive winter season.
The least amount KDOT has spent on winter maintenance in the past seven years was $6.8 million in 2012.
The 2014 figures are estimates. The numbers typically aren't finalized until the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
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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
Tax Sale List
Tax Sale 331
May 15, 2014
10:00 a.m.
City Hall
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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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