Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Commissioner Ann Murguia and KCATA announce new
105-Rosedale bus route in Emerson Park on Monday
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Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas

UG Offices Closed 

Unified Government offices and Kansas City Board of Public Utilities will be closed Friday, July 4th in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

 

Offices will open during regular business hours on Monday, July 7, 2014.

 

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July Fourth Impacts Residential Trash & Recycling Services

Deffenbaugh will be observing July 4th as a holiday. Deffenbaugh will not be picking up residential trash or curbside recycling on Friday the 4th of July in Kansas City, Kansas. 

 

Therefore, Friday, July 4th pick up will be done on Saturday, July 5th

 

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New Bus Route Connects Argentine/Rosedale

The Unified Government and the KCATA announced a new bus route today during a special event held in Emerson Park. Commissioner Ann Murguia and CEO/President of the KCATA, Mark Huffer, kicked of the new 105-Rosedale route which begins today.

 

"It was truly a grassroots effort," said Commissioner Murguia of the 3rd District. "Both neighborhoods did a phenomenal job rallying citizens around this transit."

 

Buses will travel between the Argentine District, Rosedale, the University of Kansas Medical Center, the City of Westwood, KS, and State Line at 47th and Rainbow.

 

Murguia went on to tell a story about a 5th grader who became good friends with her son Wyatt. She said one day she showed up at school and the student wasn't there. She inquired about his whereabouts and was informed that the student hadn't received vaccinations. Therefore, he could not attend school.

 

After further inquiry, Murguia found out after speaking to the parent that she didn't have transportation. The mother had just moved to Kansas City, didn't have any friends or family in the neighborhood, had five children under the age of 5 and no car says Murguia.

 

"She literally was unable to take her child someplace to get the vaccinations he needed to go to school. Well we took care of it then, but hopefully now we've taken care of it for everyone who has those kinds of issues."

 

105 - Rosedale

  • Hourly service 5:45 a.m. to 5:49 p.m., weekdays and Saturdays
  • Six days a week, Monday through Saturday
  • Transfer connections to Metro routes 104-Argentine.
    107-7th St./Parallel, 39-39th St.
  • 24-passenger vehicle weekdays; 12-passenger vehicle on Saturdays
  • Mayor destinations: Argentine Community Center, Argentine District, Argentine School, JC Harmon School, new Neighborhood Walmart, Rosedale, Southwest Blvd. and University of Kansas Medical Center, 43rd and 47th streets between Mission Rd. and Rainbow Blvd.
  • Projected ridership: Average weekday 250; average Saturday 100 

 

The KCATA will operate the 105-Rosedale route. The new service is being funded by the UG at an annual cost of $258,980.

 

Also in attendance to provide remarks were Maureen Mahoney, Chief of Staff for Mayor Holland, Daniel Serda, Board of Commissioners for the KCATA, and Connie Rideau, Rosedale Resident. 

 

Please submit all comments by July 28, 2014 to:

 

Community Development Department

701 North 7th Street, Room 823

Kansas City, Kansas 66101

 

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Community Field Dedication Ceremony

We're hosting a very special event and you're invited! 

Commissioner Tarence Maddox would like you to join him and guests for a special ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the restoration and dedication of the city's new Community Field in downtown KCK.

 

This family fun event will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 1900 North 9th Street in Kansas City, Kansas.

 

The day will begin with a program that will include remarks from keynote speakers followed by a brief dedication of the field after long-time coach Mr. Adrion Roberson. Immediately following the program, youth will participate in the popular NFL Punt, Pass and Kick event. There will also be an exciting soccer match between the Juba Boyz and Somali Soccer of KC.

 

Please don't miss out on this exciting event to celebrate the completion of this new field. Come out and support our youth!

 

  

NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Registration

NFL Punt, Pass and Kick is FREE and open to boys and girls 6-15. We encourage all boys and girls interested in participating to register by July 7th at nflppk.com. 

  

Once again, all participants MUST pre-register to participate. Due to league insurance regulations, no walk-ups will be allowed. There are 5 age groups and a place for everyone! Grab your sneakers (no cleats) and come out.

 

For questions please call 1-800-253-0194 or visit the website to Register/Sign-up!

 

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Advance Voting

 

What is advance voting?

 

This simply means that, in Kansas, any registered voter is eligible to vote early, during the advance voting period which begins as early as 20 days, but not less than 7 days, before every election.  Advance voting replaces absentee voting.  Advance voting is a voting choice where absentee voting required voters have a reason to do so.

 

There are three advance voting options:

  • Vote by mail.
  • Vote in person at the Election Office.
  • Vote in person at a satellite location.

 

If a voter does not choose to vote early, a voter is still eligible to vote on Election Day, August 5th.

 

Vote by mail

  • You may request an application (in person, by email, phone, or fax) or you can download an application from the Election Office website, www.wycokck.org/election.
  • Apply up to six months before an election but not later than the Friday preceding the election.
  • Separate applications are required for each election.
  • Advance ballots are mailed to voters beginning July 16th.
  • Voted ballots must be returned to and be in the Election Office before polls close on Election Day, August 5th.

 

Vote in person at the Election Office (850 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66101)

  • Begins Tuesday, July 22nd.
  • Ends at 12 noon on Monday, August 4th.
  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, except holidays.

 

Vote in person at the satellite location (Kansas Speedway at I-70 & 110th Street, <Exit 410>)

  • Touchscreen voting only is available at this location.  Paper ballots will not be available.
  • Begins Saturday, July 26th, closed on Sunday, and continues Monday July 28th to Saturday, August 2nd.
  • Hours: Saturday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

Why vote early?

 

  • You choose the day, time, and location that is most convenient for you.
  • You may have more time to read and mark your ballot.
  • You can avoid potential bad weather.
  • Voting early by mail allows you to avoid standing in long lines.

 

For more voting information visit our website at www.wycovotes.org, www.wycokck.org/election, or call 913-573-8500.

 

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Open Carrying Guns Now Legal

As of today, it is legal for Kansas citizens to openly carry handguns, rifles and shotguns in public. This includes a firearm in a holster, a rifle on a sling or someone simply pointing the firearm in a safe direction while carrying it.

 

Unlike with the concealed carrying of a handgun, state law does not require a permit or training for someone to openly carry a weapons.

 

There are a few exceptions to this law:

 

  • A person may not possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics that causes them to be incapable of safely operating the firearm.  
  • A person may not possess a firearm who is both addicted to and an unlawful user of a controlled substance. 
  • A convicted felon may not possess a firearm. 
  • A person may not be suffering from a mental illness that would be cause for involuntary commitment. 
  • A person under 18 may not possess a firearm with a barrel less than 12 inches. 
  • Automatic weapons are prohibited. 
  • A shotgun shall not have a barrel of less than 18 inches. 
  • A person may not possess a firearm on any unified school district or accredited nonpublic school property or in attendance of school events for grades K-12

 

Business owners within Kansas City, Kansas may prohibit the carrying of firearms into their business by posting the proper signage. The link to the proposed signs and regulations is; http://ag.ks.gov/public-safety/concealedcarry/2014-proposed-signage.

 

The Board of Trustees of a Community College may restrict or prohibit the open carry or concealed carry into some or all buildings.

 

The Unified Government does not allow concealed or openly carried weapons in any of its buildings. Under the measures and exemptions granted in state law K.S.A. 2013 Supp 75-7c20.

 

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Improving Health in Wyandotte County 

The city of Kansas City, Kansas has taken great strides to improve health in Wyandotte County.  Mayor Mark Holland put forth a plan to create a "healthy campus" in downtown Kansas City, Kan. This initiative aims to create an area in the heart of the city dedicated to health. So far, the estimated $30 million dollar project has $7 million dollars in backing from the Wyandotte Health Foundation and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City.  The campus, which will include a grocery store, a community center, and a health clinic, is part of Mayor Holland's plan to improve health in Wyandotte.

 

The state of health in Wyandotte County was ranked 105 in 2009, last of all the counties in the state.  This ranking by the Kansas Health Institute spurred incredible changes in the county, which is working to be the fastest improving county for health in Kansas. To this end, Holland wants Kansas City to be "a national model for healthy living in an urban area." To address health issues in Wyandotte County, the Healthy Community Wyandotte Coalition was created and the priority goal of their four goals is providing nutritious meals in school and in the summer.

 

Wyandotte County schools are currently utilizing school gardens and farm-to-school food services to provide healthy food to students.  There are more than thirty schools providing fresh produce to their young people.  But, there is still a tremendous need to access nutritional meals. In Wyandotte County, 20 percent of the county residents live in food insecure households, 35 percent of children live in poverty, and 84 percent of students in Kansas City are enrolled in public schools.

 

There are a limited number of schools in Wyandotte County that provide all four meals, breakfast, lunch, afterschool and summer meals, to their students.  However, all schools in USD 500, Kansas City's largest school district, provide free and reduced breakfast. They adhere to federal nutrition standards, which require fruits and vegetables to be served at every meal.

 

To increase the number of schools that provide free meals, Mayor Holland, health leaders and Wyandotte's residents gathered to brainstorm ways to increase food access for students.

 

On May 1, the coalition, along with the United Government and the Wyandotte County Public Health Department, hosted the Wyandotte County Mayor's Food Summit.  With almost 250 community leaders and residents in attendance, Mayor Holland was able to bring access to healthy foods to the forefront. The summit included a breakout session on ideas on providing nutritious meals at breakfast, lunch, afterschool and summer at schools. This session included a focus on access to federal child nutrition programs like the USDA's Summer Food Service Program. 

  

To ensure that students are fed, the county is working to increase availability of summer programs. With thirty six school and non-school sites providing nutritious foods to its students, USD 500 is looking to expand to ten new summer sites. The school district also plans to transform afterschool snacks into dinners, adding 10 new afterschool dinner sites.

The Kansas City/Wyandotte County is using new marketing materials, which advertise summer meals and an interactive site that maps where summer meals are available.

 

Including summer meals as part of Wyandotte County's efforts to improve health will not only help to move the needle on food insecurity, but will greatly improve the developments and achievements of its students.

 

This article appeared in the National League of Cities City Spotlight publication.

 

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Political Signs Not Allowed in Right-of-Way

It's a sign of the season - campaigning to support your favorite political candidate. However, if your plans involve placing a political sign, you need to make the sign is on private property and not in the public right-of-way along city streets and state highways. 

 

By Unified Government ordinance and state law, political yards signs cannot be placed in the right-of-way. Political campaigns can be removed by Unified Government and Kansas Department of Transportation workers without notice.  

 

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KCK Fireworks Ordinance

It is legal to shoot fireworks in KCK, but there rules. KCK City ordinance allows fireworks to be discharged only between the hours of 9am and 11pm July 2 through July 4.

 

The fireworks ordinance also states:

 

  • No person shall ignite or discharge any fireworks within 1,000 feet of any hospital, sanitarium, infirmary, or home for the aged. 
  • No person shall ignite or discharge any fireworks into, under, or on a car or vehicle, whether it is moving or standing still. 
  • No person shall ignite or discharge any fireworks within 150 feet of any retail stand or facility where fireworks are stored. 
  • No person shall throw or place any fireworks in any assembly or gathering of persons. 
  • No person shall throw, place, ignite, or discharge any fireworks on any sidewalk, street, or alley. 
  • No person shall ignite or discharge any fireworks in any building

All fireworks stands in KCK are licensed and inspected. The selling of fireworks started June 29 and must end by 10pm on July 4.

 

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Fireworks are Fun, but Be Safe!

Fireworks represent a hallmark of July 4th celebrations, but consumer fireworks are extremely dangerous, causing thousands of injuries and fires each year. That's why the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), coordinator of the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, urges the public to only attend professional fireworks displays put on by trained professionals. Visit www.nfpa.org/fireworks for the report, videos and safety tips.

"Each Fourth of July season, we see tragic accidents and an uptick in fires caused by consumer fireworks," said Lorraine Carli, NFPA's vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. "Even sparklers, which are often thought of as harmless enough for children to hold, burn at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit and can cause significant injuries."

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) 2012 Fireworks Annual Report, U.S. hospital emergency rooms saw an estimated 8,700 people for fireworks-related injuries in 2012. In the month around July 4th, almost three out of five (57 percent) of the fireworks injuries were burns, while almost one-fifth (18 percent) were contusions or lacerations. Sparklers, fountains and novelties alone accounted for one-quarter (25 percent) of the emergency room fireworks injuries.

Young people pay a particularly high price for fireworks. During the same July period, the risk of injury was highest among those ages 15-24, followed by children under 10. Three out of ten people (30 percent) injured by fireworks were under the age of 15. Males accounted for three-quarters (74 percent) of the injuries overall.

On Independence Day in a typical year, fireworks account for two out of five of all reported U.S. fires, more than any other cause of fire. In 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires resulting in 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage. The vast majority of injuries occur without a fire starting.

"Knowing the harm fireworks inflict each year, particularly on young people, we urge everyone to leave fireworks to the professionals, who are trained to safely put on spectacular displays. It is by far the safest way to enjoy them," said Carli.

More fireworks statistics can be found in NFPA's 2013 Fireworks Report.

 

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BPU Receives Safe Water Award

The Kansas City, Kansas Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has received the "Five Year Directors Award of Recognition" from the Partnership for Safe Water for maintaining and exceeding required federal drinking water standards, and for consistently having one of the top water systems in the nation.

 

The BPU was presented the five-year award after successfully completing a comprehensive evaluation of its treatment plant operations and performance, identifying performance limiting factors, and the development of action plans to achieve optimization.  It was one of the first utilities in the metropolitan area and state of Kansas to be recognized with a Partnership for Safe Water Award, receiving its first award from this group in 2009.  It is the only utility in the area to receive the "Five Year Directors Award of Recognition" milestone for five consecutive years of performance.

 

The Partnership for Safe Water is a national initiative developed by the EPA and other water organizations to guide water suppliers toward improving water quality by optimizing system operations.  It has over 250 members that collectively serve more than 100 million people.

 

BPU New Logo

 

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Proper Handling of Pet Waste 

During a rainfall, water runs across rooftops, down driveways, streets and across parking lots and yards, picking up substances along the way. This stormwater "runoff" often contains materials such as pet waste. Runoff then washes down storm drains, eventually reaching local rivers and streams where it can pose significant risks to people and wildlife. Every time it rains, thousands of pounds of pet waste wash down storm drains into streams, rivers, and lakes.

 

A recent United States Geological Survey study of streams and creeks in the Kansas City region showed that bacteria associated with pet waste is the source of approximately 25% of the bacteria in samples collected from local waterways. When pet waste is disposed of improperly, water quality is not the only thing that suffers-your health may be at risk also. Adults working in their gardens, children playing outside and family pets are the most at risk for infection from some of the bacteria and parasites found in pet waste.

 

Many residents don't realize how their everyday habits impact our region's water quality. Even small amounts of pollution can add up to big problems when it comes from an area the size of the Kansas City region. Leaving pet waste in yards and on streets can be hazardous for our neighborhoods and the environment. Remember: if it's on the ground, it's in our water.

 

What can I do?

 

  • Pickup pet waste from your yard. It is not a fertilizer.
  • Carry disposable bags while walking your dog to pickup and dispose of waste properly. When you dispose of pet waste in the trash, wrap it carefully to avoid spilling during collection.
  • If you bury pet waste in your yard, bury it at least 12 inches deep and cover with at least eight inches of soil to let it decompose slowly.       Bury the waste in several different locations and keep it away from vegetable gardens. Do not bury in clay soils.
  • Contact your local homeowners association about residents picking up pet waste in their yards as well as when they walk their dogs in the subdivision.

 

The Unified Government's website has more detailed information about what everyone can do to minimize their impact on polluting our water; Stormwater Runoff Management.

 

For additional information:  

Pet Waste: Not a natural part of the ecosystem

Ways to clean Up Your Dog's Waste

Road Closure Sign
Road ClosuresConstruction Barrel

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.
  

No UG Closures to Report

 

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KDOT Logo

I-635 & State Avenue Interchange

EXPECT DELAYS! WEEKDAY LANE CLOSURES: Northbound and southbound I-635 over State Avenue bridges will be reduced to ONE OPEN LANE both directions for bridge inspection work on Wednesday, July 2 between 9:00 a.m. and NOON 12:00, then northbound and southbound I-635 over State Avenue bridges will be reduced to TWO OPEN LANES both directions from Noon 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. the same day.

 

EXPECT DELAYS! WEEKDAY RAMP CLOSURES: Eastbound State Avenue to northbound I-635 ramp and westbound State Avenue to southbound I-635 ramp will be CLOSED for bridge inspection work on Wednesday, July 2 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. No marked detour provided. Drivers will need to use alternate routes.

 

Project work is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday, July 2, weather permitting.

 

Updated daily traffic information for the entire Kansas City Metro Area can be viewed online anytime at: www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp. 

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation and  the Kansas Turnpike Authority urges all motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs, and "Give 'Em a Brake!" when approaching and driving through the project work zone.

 

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Daily Lane Closure Highway Project Sign

Remember, you can always go to the KDOT website for up to the minute road closures and traffic information. 

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UG Logo 2
This Week in Kansas City
UG Offices Closed
July Fourth Impacts Residential Trash & Recycling Services
New Bus Route Connects Argentine and Rosedale Residents
Community Field Dedication Ceremony
Advance Voting
Open Carrying Guns Now Legal
Improving Health in Wyandotte County
Political Signs not allowed in Right-of Way
KCK Fireworks Ordinance
Fireworks are Fun, but Be Safe
BPU Receives Safe Water Award
Proper Handling of Pet Waste
Road Closures
No UG Closures to Report
I-635 & State Avenue Interchange
KDOT Daily Lane Closures
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