Jackson County Advocate

C-4 Audit Finds Error, Accounts Not Balanced

2012-01-26T10:07:00.001-06:00

Material Weakness Found, Auditor Says Error was Corrected; Some Board Members Call for More In-Depth Second Audit

By Paul Thompson

A recent audit of the Grandview C-4 school district’s 2010-2011 financial operations revealed a “material weakness”-- a revelation that has some board members wanting to pursue further inquiries into the matter.

The district’s annual audit presentation took place last Thursday, January 19th at the Board of Education’s regularly scheduled meeting. During the presentation, certified public accountants Cynthia Byous and John Daniel revealed the material weakness to the board.

A material weakness suggests that the internal controls put in place by an organization to monitor finances have proven to be ineffective. Ostensibly, a material misstatement could occur and a company’s valuation effected if the weakness is not rectified.

In the case of the C-4 district, the material weakness was a result of account reimbursements that were not made in a timely manner. Auditors found no funds to be missing, but some accounts were simply not balanced.

The district has an operating procedure in which it makes debt service payments from a general operations checking account, and then transfers a reimbursement from their debt service savings account. But the audit revealed that this procedure has not been followed with sufficient regularity.

“During the year that ended June 30, 2011, these reimbursements were not made in a timely fashion,” the auditors’ letter to district officials stated. “This was related to the lack of reconciliation of the Debt Service Fund escrow and trust accounts, which has been reported as a material weakness in our report on internal controls...We recommend that, along with timely reconciliation of all bank accounts, monthly reimbursements of debt service expenditures be made from the debt service savings account to the general operations checking account.”

According to the document, “the operating account was out of balance by approximately $749,000, and Debt Service Fund cash was overstated in the general ledger by $6,134,000” when the auditors began their work. After reconciling the districts’ accounts, the auditors noted that the result was a “prior period adjustment of the District’s Debt Service Fund cash in the amount of $221,524.”

“The problem was some entries had not been posted,” said C-4 Finance Director Ann-Marie Cook. “In the case of the bank showing more than the district did, at that time, we had revenues that we had not recorded yet.”

The bulk of the $6.134 million overstatement in the general ledger resulted from over $5.8 million in bonds that became callable last March. A callable bond allows the issuer, in this case the C-4 district, to buy back the bonds at a previously set call price. When the district took that call, they should have recorded that money as outgoing from an escrow account, but failed to do so. The $221,524 is essentially the difference between the price of the call versus the $6.134 million that was still shown in the district’s ledger.

“We should have recorded the funds going out the door. It was an account held in escrow by a bond trustee to pay off the remaining bonds when they became callable,” said Cook. “We had not recorded those transactions when the auditors began their work.”

The district concurred with the findings of the audit and has created a template to keep track of all reimbursements that need to take place between accounts. The template will theoretically help tighten up recording practices not just for the general fund but also for escrow accounts being maintained by a third party. Because the district took the necessary steps to correct the problem, the auditors still provided the district with a ‘clean’ audit.

In the wake of the disclosure of material weakness, board member Ann Fisher asked the CPAs if it might be prudent to look at the financials with a keener eye.

“You could ask us to go beyond what we are required to do for a standard audit. We could look over every potential control that could be there that you don’t have in place,” answered Byous. “But you have to look at the cost versus benefit whenever you are considering internal control issues.”

Board member Don Fisher asked the board to consider an in-depth, full-scale audit of the financial department.

“I think it’s the public perception,” said Fisher. “We need to show the public that we are doing everything that we can do to find out what this problem might be.”

Board member Ann Fisher agreed that another audit would be a sound decision.

“When you’ve had several people leave, we have to make sure that the people who are still here aren’t working under the burden of mistakes made previously,” said (Ann) Fisher.

C-4 Board secretary Kathy Meyers pointed out that any suggestions for improvement made previously in audits were not considered to be material weakness.

“We’ve never had a material weakness before. I just don’t want there to be a misperception,” said Meyers.

Board President Rachel Casey said the wording of Mr. Fisher’s request was too vague to make a decision.

“We don’t have any idea what that means,” said Casey in response to Don Fisher’s request for a “full scale audit” of the financial department. “It’s a pretty broad statement. We have no idea what it would cost. Our audit was considered clean, and the problem that was found has been corrected.”

A discussion about a second audit was put on the agenda for the board’s next meeting.

The last time a second audit of the district’s financials was conducted was in 2005, as a “petitioned audit.” At the time, 1,353 registered voters requested a second audit of the district’s 2003-2004 financials. The petitioned audit, finished in Nov. 2005, was conducted by then State Auditor Claire McCaskill and cost the district $19,700. McCaskill’s report focused on bidding practices, credit card expenditures, the district’s budget, mobile phones, and a telephone and computer contract with the city of Grandview. The audit did not find any material weaknesses, fraud, embezzlement, theft, or Sunshine Law violations.

One-year Countdown Begins for NNSA/Honeywell Campus Move

2012-01-26T10:05:00.000-06:00

When it comes to planning one of the largest and most complex industrial relocations in the nation, every day counts. In just one year, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Kansas City Plant (KCP) will begin a carefully orchestrated move to its new location with the help of six relocation firms who were recently awarded contracts valued at about $80 million.

One year from this week, on January 23, 2013, KCP will begin the complex task of moving manufacturing, laboratory and office equipment from its current location at the Bannister Federal Complex to a newly constructed National Security Campus eight miles south at Botts Road and 150 Highway.

A new diamond interchange is also being constructed over 150 Highway to accomodate increased traffic to and from the campus. When complete, vehicles can come and go from the site without disrupting traffic moving along 150 Highway.

The move to the new campus will involve approximately 2,800 pieces of large capital equipment and over 40,000 moving crates filling approximately 2,600 semi-truck loads.

“The one-year countdown to moving into the National Security Campus is an exciting and challenging time for all of us at the Kansas City Plant,” said Mark Holecek, manager of NNSA’s Kansas City Site Office. “This new facility offers tremendous advantages to the Nuclear Security Enterprise in flexibility, cost savings, and energy conservation. It is a key element of NNSA’s transformation efforts.”

KCP selected CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), the world’s largest commercial real estate company, to plan and manage the monumental task of relocating the nearly 3 million square feet facility, including manufacturing, engineering and administrative offices, to the new location. With the additional supporting contracts, the total contract value is over $80 million and is one of the largest purchasing contracts awarded by Honeywell FM&T, the managing and operating contractor for KCP.

In January 2013, when construction of the new, state-of-the-art manufacturing and engineering campus is complete, the relocation contractors will begin moving the KCP operations in a phased-in approach. The move will take place over a 19-month period and will allow for dual operations at both facilities to ensure continued delivery of product in support of national security.

“We have been preparing for this move for several years,” said Chris Gentile, President of Honeywell FM&T. “Many talented people across NNSA have spent countless hours ensuring that our extensive detailed planning will minimize disruption to operations during this historic move.”

The new smaller, more efficient facility maintains the capability to assure the reliability, safety and security of the nation’s defense systems while enabling NNSA to recruit and retain the next generation of scientists and engineers. KCP remains committed to supporting the President’s nuclear agenda which includes enhanced safety, security, and takes advantages of opportunities to reduce the number of warhead types.

NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability, and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; reduces the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. The NNSA’s Kansas City Plant (KCP) serves as one of our nation’s foremost national security assets. Managed and operated by Honeywell, the KCP manufactures a wide array of sophisticated, mechanical, electronic and engineered material components to ensure the safety and security of our national defense systems and provides high-tech advanced manufacturing jobs to more than 2,700 employees.

Vote Now to Help Name South KC's New Pool

2012-01-17T15:09:00.003-06:00

The new outdoor aquatics center at Longview Tract in south Kansas City is currently under construction and scheduled to open this Memorial Day weekend.

Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation is asking residents to help name the new facility by voting for their favorite of three name choices: The Bay, The Lagoon or H2Ozone.

There are three ways to vote. Fill out the ballot on page 10 of the Jackson County Advocate this week and drop off your vote at Hillcrest Community Center. Or visit KC Parks website, kcmo.org/parks, or Facebook page to vote.

Hurry! Voting ends January 27, 2012.

Ground for the new $7 million facility was formally broken on July 18, 2011 (pictured). The aquatics center is located on the site of the former YMCA and current Longview Tract park and sprayground at 7101 Longview Road.

Plans for the expanded aquatics facility, scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend of 2012, include a zero entry pool, lap pool, lazy river and water slides.

Additional improvements have already been made to the park including a playground, football fields, shelter houses and a walking trail.

Wayside Waifs to Expand Site

2012-01-17T15:08:00.001-06:00

Wayside Waifs, the local no-kill animal shelter, wants to do a $5.8 million expansion.

The Grandview Board of Aldermen on Jan. 10 had a public hearing on whether to grant a conditional use permit to allow the shelter to make significant improvements and expansions of their property. A conditional use permit is necessary because of the shelter’s status as a kennel, which isn’t allowed without a special permit. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the project on January 4.

Wayside Waifs has been a victim of its own success, in terms of space.

“We’ve just run out of room,” Cynthia Smith, the shelter’s president, told Grandview officials. “Our surgery suite is in a room no larger than a common bathroom, and we’ve got three operating tables in there.”

The entire job should be finished in about two to three years, Smith said.

“I love to brag about Wayside Waifs in Grandview,” said Mayor Steve Dennis. “This is something we’re very proud of.”

The board is expected to approve the plan at its Jan. 24 regular session.

Grandview Events to Celebrate 100 Years

2012-01-11T10:07:00.001-06:00

The City of Grandview is preparing for its 100th anniversary on February 6, 2012, and you’ll want to put several dates on your calendar to participate in the celebration!

Platted in 1889 as a “whistle stop town” along the Kansas City Southern and the St. Louis–San Francisco Railroad Lines, Grandview was officially incorporated in February 6, 1912, as a village of one square mile. With the help of nearby Richards-Gebaur air base, Grandview experienced a boom and has now grown to include more than 24,475 residents.

An exciting year-long celebration is in the works, including a Centennial Dinner on the weekend of the actual anniversary, the Truman Heritage Festival, including the annual parade and a new carnival in May, a “Grandview Day at the K” at Royals Stadium in June, and an even bigger “Music on Main” event to close out the festivities in September.

centennial dinner

saturday, february 4th

You are cordially invited to attend Grandview’s Centennial Dinner on Saturday, February 4th at The View Community Center. The event will include a reception at 6:30pm, with dinner and a program, including a slide show of the city’s history, starting at 7pm.

Tickets are $20 per person.

Seating is limited due to space restrictions at The View. Please purchase your tickets as soon as possible to ensure your seat. Call Ana Nixon at (816) 316-4812 to reserve your tickets.

the view open house

february 4th & 5th

The View will be hosting on Open House for Grandview residents on Saturday, February 4th and Sunday, February 5th.

Residents can use The View’s amenities (gym, fitness equipment, indoor swimming pool) for free. Please see www.grandview.org for open gym and swim times.

All guests will receive special promotional items. Door prizes will also be given throughout the two days.

Residents are asked to bring proof of residency, such as an ID or utility bill with your name and Grandview address.

Truman Heritage Festival

thurs, may 3rd - sat, may 5th

This community festival will start on Thursday evening, May 3, and will last through Saturday, May 5, with most activities taking place on May 5.

Along with the largest Harry’s Hay Days parades in years, the festival will include one of the nicest carnivals in the state (with lots of rides), food and drink vendors, performances by regional bands and singing groups, Grandview school bands and musical performances, both car and motorcycle shows, barbecue contest, beer gardens, and much more.

The city hopes to attract a large crowd on Main Street downtown between 15th Street and 7th Street on Friday evening and all day Saturday on the first weekend in May. The carnival will open on Thursday evening in the large parking lot just north of 8th and Main.

The Saturday program of entertainment will begin with a grand parade, complete with cash prizes for the best floats and entries or performances.

Everybody is encouraged to register to participate in the parade, whether featuring a float or not. Interested groups or parties should contact Kelli Dennis at (816)761-1344 to reserve your spot.

Keep your eye on the Advocate for more information and details about the event.

Grandview ‘Day at the K’ - june 22nd

Grandview is teaming up with the Kansas City Royals to provide all local residents with an exclusive ticket offer for ‘Grandview Day at the K’. On Friday, June 22, the Royals take on the World Champion Saint Louis Cardinals. Celebrate Grandview’s 100th birthday with Mayor Steve Dennis and Tampa Bay quarterback (and former Grandview High School football star) Josh Freeman throwing the first pitch. Seating for this special night game is limited, so reserve your seats as soon as possible by calling The View at (816) 316-4888.

Music on Main -

september 8th

Now in its eighth year, this one-day music festival will fall on September 8. The Grandview Chamber of Commerce is already working hard to bring a top flight musical line-up to Main Street. Keep your eye on the Advocate for more info.

Candidate Filing Ends Tuesday

2012-01-11T10:04:00.000-06:00

If you’d like to add your name to the April ballot for several local seats, you have until Tuesday to do so.

Filing for the two seats each on the Grandview C-4 and Hickman Mills C-1 school boards, and one Alderman seat in each of Grandview’s three wards, will end at 5pm on Tues, January 17th.

GRANDVIEW C-4 SCHOOL BOARD

Two seats with 3-year terms are open on the Grandview School Board. Both incumbents, Don Fisher and Rachel Casey, have filed for re-election.

For more info and qualifications, call 316-5000.

HICKMAN MILLS C-1 SCHOOL BOARD

This year, two 3-year term positions are up for election on the Hickman Mills School Board. Incumbents George Flesher and Darrell Curls have filed for re-election, and another candidate, Terrance Jones, has also filed.

For more info and qualifications, call 316-7000.

GRANDVIEW BOARD OF ALDERMEN

One Alderman in each of the city’s three wards is up for election. Leonard Jones has filed for re-election in Ward 1. As of press time he is unopposed.

In Ward 2, current Alderwoman Annette Turnbaugh has filed for re-election. She currently has one challenger for the seat, Charles L. Conner.

Ward 3 Alderman Jim Crain was the first to file for re-election when the city clerk’s office opened on December 13th. He is unopposed as of press time.

For more information about exact qualifications and details about how to file, call Grandview City Clerk Becky Schimmel at 316-4800.

Armed Men Rob Sonic on Blue Ridge Blvd.

2012-01-09T11:36:00.000-06:00

Kansas City police are looking for two men who robbed the Sonic restaurant on Blue Ridge Blvd. on Sunday evening.

According to police reports, two masked black males made off with some $1,240 after pistol-whipping a female employee of the restaurant. The men asked for job applications before forcing their way into the restaurant from two different doors at about 6:45 p.m.

After entering, the suspects pointed a revolver and pump-action shotgun at the female employees and demanded money. After obtaining a cash drawer, one of the suspects demanded money from the safe. The employee said it was on a time delayed lock. The suspect pistol-whipped the woman several times and demanded she open the safe anyway. The employee pointed at the time-lock and told the suspect to look for himself. At that point both suspects fled the scene in a tan, mid-sized four-door vehicle with a sun roof.

The first suspect was a black male, 20-25 years old, about 5’7” with a goatee. He wore a faded Carhartt-type jacket and carried a black revolver.

The second suspect was a black male, 6’, carrying a sawed-off pump action shotgun. He wore a tan jacket.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

What's the cost of KC Students' Transfers?

2012-01-04T16:45:00.002-06:00

Districts Turn to Courts

By Paul Thompson & Andrea Wood
With the New Year came a turning point for the Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS), and it is one that some local school districts are turning to the court system to resolve.

On January 1st, KCPS students became eligible to transfer to a different school district, since their own district officially lost its accreditation by the state.

So far, Grandview C-4, Hickman Mills C-1 and Center are responding to the issue in a similar fashion: they say they are happy to accept KCPS students, as long as their tuition requirements and transportation are paid by KCPS.

For now that seems unlikely. Kansas City has stated it will reimburse local districts that accept KCPS transfer students only $3,733 per student, per year (paid in monthly installments) despite KCPS’s own tuition set at more than $14,000 per year.

As a comparison, the out-of-district yearly tuition per student for local school districts is as follows:

• Grandview - $11,869

• Hickman Mills – $12,111.65

• Center - $14,198 to $15,329

This amount does not include transportation costs, which local districts expect KCPS to pay as well. But KCPS has said it will not pay for transportation or the full tuition amount requested by its neighboring districts.

On December 23rd, the school districts of Raytown, Lee’s Summit, Independence, Blue Springs and North Kansas City filed a lawsuit asking the court to halt KCPS student transfers until questions surrounding tuition and transportation are resolved. Center also joined the lawsuit, stating that it hoped to minimize mid-year disruptions.

Last Friday, Jackson County Judge Brent Powell rejected the suburban districts’ request. However, until the difference in tuition and transportation costs are resolved, KCPS students can apply for a transfer, but will likely not be able to switch districts yet.

“Board policy requires that Center tuition must be paid in full prior to any transfers starting in our district,” said Kelly Wachel, spokesperson for Center. “We will continue to take applications and information from any student and family requesting a transfer to Center School District, but we will not be accepting transfers until our board policy regarding tuition and transportation requirements are met.”

Where do KCPS students wish to transfer? So far, some districts are seeing more students interested in transferring than others. In the lawsuit that was filed, those districts said they expected potentially hundreds of students to seek transfers.

Grandview school officials said they have only had a few phone calls about potential transfers. Hickman Mills has seen a similar lack of action so far.

“We have had no KCPS students apply at C-1,” said district spokeswoman Regina Taylor last week.

Grandview C-4

School officials in Grandview are laying low on the issue thus far. The district did not join the lawsuit due to the limited number of transfer inquiries they have received, and the associated costs of litigation.

The district doesn’t expect a surge of new KCPS students for the second semester. C-4 PR Director Lane Lucas indicated that he believed the majority of requests would be filed to the North KC, Raytown, and Independence school districts. Superintendent Dr. Ralph Teran concurred, noting that the district would take a wait-and-see approach, but that any incoming students from out of district would likely be obligated to pay out-of-district tuition and transportation.

With many dominoes still yet to fall, Teran emphasized the importance of finding a solution that worked for all parties.

“There needs to be a solution for Kansas City, and the solution for them should be one where adjoining and neighboring districts don’t get hurt,” said Teran. “You (don’t want to) come up with a remedy, and it’s worse than the illness.”

HICKMAN MILLS C-1

At its most recent school board meeting, Hickman Mills officials took action to clarify their out-of-district tuition policies.

Hickman Mills Superintendent Dr. Marge Williams also sent a letter to parents last week addressing questions about how potential KCPS student transfers could impact their district.

“While we anticipate no immediate impact on our schools, we do want you to know we are working with the KCPS to do what’s best for ALL children, regardless of where they attend class,” Dr. Williams stated in a letter to parents last week (read the full letter at www.hickmanmills.org).

She reiterated that the district would not accept any transfers unless KCPS pays the full tuition for students, and pays for the transportation of those students.

CENTER

Center joined five local suburban school districts in the lawsuit that asked the courts to either halt KCPS student transfers until the tuition and transportation issue had been resolved, or force KCPS to pay for those costs according to the district receiving the students.

Although the judge rejected the suit, the issue is not out of the courts yet.

“Court challenges to current laws, potential new legislation, and other factors of uncertainty still surround the accreditation and transfer issue,” stated Kelly Wachel, spokesperson for Center.

Many district officials are working together through the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City organization—which has 29 metro school districts as members—to examine the issue. Center School Board President Joe Nastasi serves on the CSDGKC board of directors, and Dr. Williams serves on the organization’s accreditation task force.

As schools open back up this week following winter break, the question of where KCPS students are looking to go may become clearer. In the meantime, a decision must be made—either by the courts or by the Missouri Department of Education—regarding how Kansas City students will be able to transfer to a different district…one that may offer them an improved education, and future.

Candidates Begin to File for School, City Seats

2012-01-04T16:43:00.002-06:00

Throw your hat in the ring!

By Andrea Wood
Candidates have started adding their names to the April ballot for several seats on local city, school and water district boards.

If you have ever considered serving as a public official you still have time to do so. Filing will continue for two seats each on the Grandview C-4 and Hickman Mills C-1 school boards, one Alderman seat in each of Grandview’s three wards, and one seat on the Jackson County Water District #1 Board until Tuesday, January 17th.

GRANDVIEW C-4 SCHOOL BOARD

Two seats with 3-year terms are open on the Grandview School Board. Both incumbents, Don Fisher and Rachel Casey, have filed for re-election.

Candidates must at least be 24 years old; a U.S. citizen, resident tax payer of the school district, and will have resided in Missouri for at least one year from the election date. For more info and full qualifications, call 316-5000.

HICKMAN MILLS C-1 SCHOOL BOARD

GRANDVIEW BOARD OF ALDERMEN

One Alderman in each of the city’s three wards is up for election. The boundary for those wards has changed since the last election, which means some residents are voting in a different ward than last time.

Which ward are you in? See the map on page 3.

Leonard Jones has filed for re-election in Ward 1. As of press time he is unopposed.

In Ward 2, current Alderwoman Annette Turnbaugh has filed for re-election. She currently has one challenger for the seat, Charles L. Conner.

Ward 3 Alderman Jim Crain was the first to file for re-election when the city clerk’s office opened on December 13th. He is unoposed as of presstime.

Candidates must be at least 21 years of age; a U.S. citizen; a resident of the ward from which elected; Must be a resident of Grandview at least 1 year before election; a registered voter; and be current on all City taxes and fees, including business licenses and personal and real property taxes, before the close of filing for office.

For more information about exact qualifictions and details about how to file, call Grandview City Clerk Becky Schimmel at 316-4800.

JACKSON COUNTY

WATER #1 BOARD

The Jackson County Water District #1 Board of Directors has a seat up for election from Subdistrict No. 5.

Subdistrict No. 5 is legally described as follows: Commencing at the point of intersection of the East boundary of the District and Highgrove Road; Thence West along Highgrove Road to U.S. Highway 71; Thence South along U.S. Highway 71 to 139th Street; Thence East along 139th Street to the East boundary of the District; Thence North to point of beginning.

Candidates must be at least 25 years old, and a resident within the District for one year prior to election.

For more information and full qualifications, call (816) 761-5421.

A Tale of Two TIFs: Redeveloping Truman Corners

2011-12-15T11:39:00.000-06:00

UPDATE: The Grandview TIF Commission met on Dec. 14 and unanimously recommended RED's redevelopment proposal for the Truman Corners Shopping Center. For more details on RED's proposal, see below. ARMC's proposal was not recommended by the TIF Commission. However, the Board of Aldermen will still consider both proposals and is expected to do so on Jan. 10.

In general, the commissioners said they felt RED's proposal, while it could potentially put the city at financial risk, was closer to what Grandview's citizens are demanding: more places to shop, and a totally revamped shopping center. The commission expressed frustration with ARMC, the current owner, saying the company has had a long time to make a success of the center and has not done so, in essence calling ARMC's proposal "too little, too late."

For full coverage of the Commission's final recommendation, see the Dec. 22 issue of the Jackson County Advocate.

Two developers are courting Grandview for the right to redevelop Truman Corners shopping center.

The city’s TIF Commission on Dec. 7 and 8 heard proposals from RED Development and ARMC, the center’s current management company. Another developer, WestStar, also submitted a proposal but later pulled the plan.

The commission postponed a recommendation for one week, and met again on Dec. 14, after the Advocate press deadline (see online for update). The Board of Aldermen will make a final decision, but that vote has not yet been scheduled.

RED’s proposal would demolish the current center and start from scratch. It calls for a new grocery store on a pad site in front of the center, a decorative plaza for public events, and potential retailers such as T.J. Maxx. No retailers have been secured, however, since RED is not the current developer. Their plan does assume that Sam’s Club will be leaving Grandview in the near future, and suggests that some of the shopping center’s current retailers would have to be relocated.

RED seeks some $41.3 million in public financing–almost half the total project costs. RED also wants the city to back the bonds for the TIF, which could put the city at risk if the project does not perform as expected.

The American Resurgence Management Company’s (ARMC) proposal is essentially an extensive face-lift of the current center. It includes demolishing the vacant Montgomery Ward building to make way for a new Price Chopper. They also have a letter of intent from Burlington Coat Factory to move into a remodeled version of the current Price Chopper building.

ARMC seeks about $8.6 million in public financing for a $47.9 million project. ARMC did not ask the city to back the bonds, and will bear the burden of any risk for the project.

RED’s Proposal:

Truman’s Landing

RED’s proposal, Truman’s Landing, would be a $91.3 million, 545,000-square-foot brand-new shopping center with one large anchor tenant, an expanded grocery store relocated to a pad site in front of the center, and new retail and pad users.

A public plaza or pavilion area would be a prominent feature of the new development. RED would also realign the 15th St. connection between Harry Truman Dr. and Blue Ridge Blvd., and upgrade water, sewer and storm water infrastructure.

The plan assumes that Sam’s Club will relocate to another city.

Aaron March, an attorney for RED, said the company believes it can make a success of the aging shopping center because Grandview’s population is changing.

“IHOP is causing the city to burst at the seams,” March said, referring to the influx of members of the International House of Prayer into Grandview.

Dan Lowe, a senior partner with RED, said he doesn’t understand why the current owners have failed to make the center a success.

“There has got to be more for the property than what sits there today,” Lowe said. “We know the potential a market like Grandview has, and it really causes us to scratch our heads, the shape Truman Corners is in.”

RED officials say there are not any tenants under contract, because they don’t yet own the shopping center, but that it would focus on trying to bring in a retailer like T.J. Maxx to anchor the development, and suggested possible tenants such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Men’s Wearhouse, and Payless Shoes.

Lowe said not all the current businesses at Truman Corners “meet the profile RED would like to attract,” and that several existing businesses would have to be relocated. He specifically mentioned Oil Plus as one that would have to relocate.

RED’s plan also assumes that Sam’s Club is leaving Grandview, but Mayor Steve Dennis said he’s been in contact with officials in Bentonville, Ark., where Sam’s is headquartered. Dennis said he’s been assured that the store has no formal plans to move any time soon, and that Grandview officials would be given plenty of advance notice if it does.

But RED officials presented Sam’s departure as a certainty.

“Everything we hear – and if you call Bentonville, they won’t admit it – but everything we hear is that Sam’s Club is leaving for Raymore or Lee’s Summit,” said attorney Aaron March, who represents RED.

March wouldn’t say why RED is so certain Sam’s is leaving, saying he “can’t get into that” due to attorney-client privilege.

“All I can tell you is Sam’s is currently negotiating leases in other cities,” March said. “Our project will only go forward if Sam’s is vacated. If we didn’t believe that was going to happen, we wouldn’t be here.”

RED is requesting nearly every form of public incentive Grandview can offer, including some $25.4 million in tax increment financing (TIF), $2.4 million in City Supplemental TIF, a $7.7 million Transportation Development District, and a $5.8 million Community Improvement District – all together, some 45% of the total project costs.

March said “nothing will ever happen” at the shopping center unless Grandview is willing to offer significant incentives.

“We feel the fundamentals of the Truman Corners project are better than any other opportunity in the southeast part of town,” March said. “But this is a very difficult project. It’s hugely complicated and we’re using every arrow in our quiver in terms of state and city incentives to make it happen.”

RED projects that if their proposal is approved, it would generate some $2.2 million in annual sales tax for the city, as opposed to the $1.9 million it is currently generating. Over the 23-year life of the TIF, March said, the city would generate some $35.1 million in sales tax revenues, while the Hickman Mills School District would receive some $11.3 million.

But Tom Kaleko, an independent financial consultant hired by the city, said it’s important to remember those are just projections, and that actual numbers could vary.

Kaleko also cautioned that RED is requesting that the city back bonds issued to pay for the project. That’s a risk, he said, because if the center doesn’t generate the projected revenue to pay back the bonds, the city would have to make those payments out of its General Fund or its credit rating could suffer. But for that to happen, Kaleko said, the projected revenues would have to be off by about 25%.

Kaleko pointed out that RED is requesting that the city acquire properties by eminent domain if it fails to negotiate a satisfactory sale price with current landowners, and if that happens, it could throw off RED’s projections.

ARMC’s Proposal:

The Grand

ARMC’s proposal, The Grand, would be a 375,400-square-foot, $47.9 million redevelopment of the shopping center. It calls for the old Montgomery Ward building to be demolished, and a new Price Chopper would be built on that site. Potentially, a Burlington Coat Factory would remodel and occupy the current Price Chopper site. The plan envisions adding new parking lots, landscaping and trees to the site, with a park-like pedestrian area for public events and a retaining wall and new pad sites on the “back side” of the center.

The proposal is more conservative than the RED plan, in that it goes more slowly in five phases, with the Price Chopper and Burlington site completed by 2014, but the rest waiting until market demand calls for it. It costs less than RED’s plan because the developers already own the property.

Sam’s Club – which the company does not own – was not included in the proposal, but Bill Moore, an attorney for the developers, said they would be willing to extend the TIF later if Sam’s moves.

James McMahon, ARMC president, acknowledged that the company has been slow to bring tenants to the shopping center and that its former TIF plan was revoked by the Board of Aldermen last year when it failed to produce results.

“Things are different now,” he said. “We’re struggling to stay in this game.”

He said the previous plan anticipated Home Depot moving to the site, but that they were outmaneuvered by developers of the Bannister Mall area. The plan was contingent on finding a 150,000-square-foot retailer, which ARMC was unable to do.

Carl Lasala, leasing agent for the center, said a revamped and renewed look would improve the developer’s chances of filling out the rest of the shopping center, once the new Price Chopper is constructed.

“It won’t be the same old Truman Corners,” Lasala said. “You’ve got to sell some sizzle with the steak, and we’ve got a whole lot more sizzle. We buy with our eyes first. When they see it, they’ll like it, and they’ll buy it. I think we’ll make the best of it once we get a new face on the old girl.”

While RED produced a list of potential clients, McMahon said ARMC chose not to produce a list of “maybes,” choosing to rely instead on a solid commitment from Price Chopper and its letter of intent from Burlington.

ARMC is requesting some $8.6 million in TIF. It anticipates that the project would generate about $28.6 million in sales tax for the city over the 23-year life of the TIF, and about $17.6 million for the Hickman Mills School District.

Commissioner Mark Trosen asked why the project’s reimbursable costs included $5.5 million for “soft costs” not related to infrastructure, such as marketing the facility. He questioned whether that was legal.

Representatives for the developer said it was necessary because an extensive re-branding campaign would showcase a new and improved Truman Corners to the wider community.

Tom Kaleko, the city’s independent financial consultant, said it was legal to do so, even though most TIF plans focus more on “hard costs” like infrastructure. He did caution that a letter of intent – like the one ARMC has with Burlington – is not a signed contract, and that “you can back out of a letter of intent any time.”

Kaleko said a strength of ARMC’s plan was that unlike the RED plan, it does not ask the city to assume responsibility for making bond payments if the center doesn’t perform.

“The developer is assuming all the risk here,” Kaleko said.

KC Council Approves Map 1

2011-12-08T18:38:00.005-06:00

By Seann McAnally

The City Council of Kansas City on Dec. 8 voted 11-1 to approve a redistricting map that makes significant changes to city council districts, particularly in the 4th and 6th districts.

The meeting was contentious, resulting in a shouting match between Mayor Sly James and Councilman John Sharp as James lectured Sharp for his repeated attempts to introduce changes that would keep some key institutions such as Bannister Mall and the KCPD South Patrol in the 6th District.

Sharp, who voted against the ordinance, attempted to introduce a small change as an amendment that would keep those areas in the 6th District, but was roundly voted down by his colleagues.

Sharp complained that the council had not listened to anyone from the 4th or 6th districts who opposed the redistricting. That comment clearly offended several council members.

“This is silly,” said Councilwoman Cindy Circo. “It’s really silly that this conversation is happening. Just because we did not change the map doesn’t mean we didn’t listen to your concerns.”

James accused Sharp of being too concerned with a “personal victory,” and called his arguments “total and utter nonsense.”

“Nobody’s life will change because their district changed,” James said.

Councilman Scott Wagner, who one day before had offered to make an amendment that would keep Bannister Mall in the 6th District, changed his mind at the last minute. He blamed the people of the 6th District, who wrote emails to the Council, of having the wrong attitude.

“After looking at these emails from the 6th District, I see this was not about protecting neighborhoods. It’s about personalities, and who wins,” he said.

Councilwoman Jan Marcason, of the 4th District, said she did not believe the groundswell of opposition to the redistricting map in the 6th District was legitimate, and that Sharp had “encouraged” people to get upset about it.

Sharp denied that, saying he was only trying to make sure that the people of the 6th District felt they had been listened to. He said the original redistricting map had never been revised, despite hundreds of people showing up to public hearings to oppose it.

But that argument didn’t please the mayor.

“Jeez, people,” an exasperated James said. “The only thing that matters is this city. Some people care more about their districts than they do the whole city. I disagree with you, Councilman Sharp – we did listen. It’s like my kids, they always told me to listen to their side of the argument, and I did, but that didn’t mean I agreed with them.”

Councilman Michael Brooks said he believed Sharp and others in the 6th District were simply upset at accusations of racism leveled against them by Clinton Adams during a Nov. 30 public hearing.

“This isn’t about how the public hearing went, or whether I agree with what Clinton Adams said. It’s not about someone saying they had a victory,” Brooks said.

At a Dec. 7 joint meeting of the Planning & Zoning and Neighborhoods & Healthy Communities committees, members voted unanimously to recommend the council approve redistricting Map 1, which was the choice of a citizen-led advisory committee.

Essentially, the map brings districts 1 and 2 entirely north of the river and makes sweeping changes to the current boundaries of districts 4 and 6 - changes that residents of those districts say will do harm to their communities by moving key institutions into the 5th District and adding traditionally affluent Brookside neighborhoods to the 6th, changing its economic status and making it more difficult for candidates to be elected from the more working-class neighborhoods in the southeast part of the 6th District.

Wagner, who represents the 1st District, had offered a last-minute compromise that would keep the Bannister Mall redevelopment area and the new KCPD South Patrol headquarters in the 6th District while making only negligible population changes to Map 1.

A revised “Community Map” drawn up by residents of the 6th District was not passed on for recommendation by the joint committee or a citizen’s advisory committee that held five public hearings on the issue. The advisory committee had recommended Map 1 with a 6-1 vote.

James said the Community Map may solve perceived problems in one area but created them in others. James also called for civility during the discussions, hoping to avoid the rancor and out-of-turn yelling that marred a previous joint committee meeting on Nov. 30. At that meeting attorney Clinton Adams charged opponents of Map 1 with racism, while several opponents of Map 1 yelled and interrupted during his comments.

"The discourse in this room will always be civil," James said. "There will be no outbursts. We're not going to squelch free speech...but we can disagree without being disagreeable. Please respect each other, respect our city, and respect our process."

James, who formally endorsed Map 1 in a Dec. 6 press release, attempted to forestall further discussion of the matter. He said no matter what the result, someone would be upset by it.

"The concerns people have raised are legitimate, but this city has redistricted a number of times and everyone has managed to survive," James said. "No matter what happens, the redistricting process will upset someone for some reason...we could talk about this for another year, and someone will still be upset by it. What we cannot do is create a map to create a whack-a-mole type of situation where you whack down one problem and it creates another problem somewhere else. Be interested in the whole city, as opposed to your block."

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver sent a letter that was read by one of his staffers. In it, he attempted to distance himself from his protege, Clinton Adams, who accused residents of the 4th and 6th district of racism during the Nov. 30 meeting. Cleaver’s letter stated, "Councilman John Sharp is the last person who would attempt to deny the voting rights of minorities." Sharp has been a vehement opponent of Map 1, saying it would "fracture and destroy the 6th District."

Cleaver said he had "no political investment" in any map, but said Map 1 helps heal the traditional rift between the city's African-American and Latino populations. He called Map 1 "fair and politically workable."

Councilman Scott Taylor, 6th District At-Large, said he supported Map 1 even though he "wasn't crazy about" it.

"We've heard from all parts of the city, and many people like Map 1. I don't like the total outcome here, but I see no other option at this point," Taylor said.

Councilman John Sharp, suggested some last-minute "tweaks" to the map, offering two new versions that would keep the Bannister Mall area, the Cerner office complex, and the KCPD South Patrol headquarters in the 6th District, while maintaining a super-majority (more than 60 percent) of ethnic minority votes in the 3rd and 5th districts, but the consensus of the committee was that Wagner's compromise motion was more workable.

Sharp expressed concern that the Hickman Mills School District would be split by Map 1, but Taylor dismissed those concerns.

"I just want to say, there are over a dozen school districts in this city, and many are split by council districts," Taylor said. He even suggested it would strengthen the Hickman Mills district's representation on the council, saying he is a former member of the Center School District board. That district is split between two council districts, he said, and recalled that as being a strength, not a weakness.

Circo, of the 5th District, said she was "insulted" that some residents of the 6th District have stated they felt they would not be well-represented if they were in the 5th.

"I'm excited for a new challenge and I'm ready to serve whoever it is (in her district)," she said. "I was open to tweaks but I'm just not finding the answer, so I don't know what else there is to talk about."

After the redistricting map was approved, Circo told residents of the 6th District that she would work hard for them once they were moved to the 5th.

“I know you’ve all been told how horrible I am,” she said, “but I’ll be here for you. I’ll champion for you.”

Committee recommends redistricting map to Council

2011-12-07T17:41:00.008-06:00

Council could vote as soon as Dec. 8

By Seann McAnally

A special committee of the City Council today recommended that the full council approve a redistricting map that makes significant changes to city council districts, particularly in the 4th and 6th districts.

At a 1 pm. joint meeting of the Planning & Zoning and Neighborhoods & Healthy Communities committees, members voted unanimously to recommend the council approve Redistricting Map 1, which was the choice of a citizen-led advisory committee. Essentially, the map brings districts 1 and 2 entirely north of the river and makes sweeping changes to the current boundaries of districts 4 and 6 - changes that residents of those districts say will do harm to their communities by moving key institutions into the 5th District and adding traditionally affluent Brookside neighborhoods to the 6th, changing its economic status and making it more difficult for candidates to be elected from the more working-class neighborhoods in the southeast part of the 6th District.

The full council could vote to approve the map as soon as tomorrow (Dec. 8) at its regular session.

Councilman Scott Wagner, who represents the 1st District, offered a last-minute compromise that would keep the Bannister Mall redevelopment area and the new KCPD South Patrol headquarters in the 6th District while making only negligible population changes to Map 1.

City staff said it would take about 24 hours to verify those numbers.

Committee co-chair Ed Ford suggested the joint committee vote to recommend approval of Map 1, but that Wagner or any other council member could suggest changes prior to the council vote.

A revised Community Map drawn up by residents of the 6th District was not passed on for recommendation.

Mayor Sly James said the Community Map created a "whack-a-mole" situation, solving perceived problems in one area but creating them in others. James also called for civility during the discussions, hoping to avoid the rancor and out-of-turn yelling that marred a previous joint committee meeting on Nov. 30. At that meeting attorney Clinton Adams charged opponents of Map 1 with racism, while several opponents of Map 1 yelled and interrupted during his comments.

James, who formally endorsed Map 1 in a Dec. 6 press release, attempted to forestall further discussion of the matter. He said no matter what the result, someone would be upset by it.

Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver sent a letter that was read by one of his staffers. In it, he attempted to distance himself from his protege, Clinton Adams, who accused residents of the 4th and 6th district of racism during the Nov. 30 meeting, saying "Councilman John Sharp is the last person who would attempt to deny the voting rights of minorities." Sharp has been a vehement opponent of Map 1, saying it would "fracture and destroy the 6th District."

Councilman Scott Taylor, 6th District At-Large, said he supported Map 1 even though he "wasn't crazy about" it.

"We've heard from all parts of the city, and many people like Map 1. I don't like the total outcome here, but I see no other option at this point," Taylor said.

Councilman John Sharp, of the 6th District, suggested some last-minute "tweaks" to the map, offering two new versions that would keep the Bannister Mall area, the Cerner office complex, and the KCPD South Patrol headquarters in the 6th District, while maintaining a super-majority (more than 60 percent) of ethnic minority votes in the 3rd and 5th districts, but the consensus of the committee was that Wagner's compromise motion was more workable.

Sharp expressed concern that the Hickman Mills School District would be split by Map 1, but Taylor dismissed those concerns.

Councilwoman Cindy Circo, of the 5th District, said she was "insulted" that some residents of the 6th District have stated they felt they would not be well-represented if they were in the 5th, calling such comments "scare tactics."

James again called for an end to the discussions.

"We can talk about this from now until the cows come home," he said. "The bottom line is, a decision has to be made. It has been talked to death. We have all the information we need. We know where everybody stands. It's not going to get any better."

Wagner rejected that argument.

"I don't believe there are no tweaks out there," he said. "To say there's nothing more to discuss because a committee has already discussed it is wrong."

Councilman Michael Brooks, of the 5th District, said the arguments of 6th District residents who say they won't be fairly represented in the 5th are "foolish."

"There's no such thing as a win-win solution here," Brooks said. "Is it perfect? No. It is going to make everyone happy? No. But it would be an insult to throw away the work the committee did just to keep some people happy. It's one city, ya'll. It's not about any one neighborhood or association being happy."

State Rep Maps Scrambled, Candidates Declare in Local Races

2011-12-07T17:05:00.001-06:00

By Andrea Wood

Missouri’s state representative districts have been radically redrawn, and the new map completely changes the game for Grandview and South Kansas City.

Six judges were appointed by the state Supreme Court to draw the Missouri General Assembly’s new district boundaries after two bipartisan citizen commissions could not reach agreement.The maps were drawn in secret, with the judges refusing to post public meeting notices. In accordance with the state constitution, each district needed to contain roughly the same number of people, according to the 2010 census.

The new map was released on November 30th. More than one-third of Missouri’s House incumbents will now be in districts with one or more fellow members.

Among them are local State Representatives Jason Holsman and Kevin McManus.

Holsman, who represents the existing 45th District (South KC and Grandview west of 71 Highway), and McManus, who represents the 46th District (South KC, Martin City and Grandview east of 71 Highway), were redrawn into the same district.

Both now live in 36th District. The new 36th District covers a swath of South Kansas City just north of Grandview (but not including Grandview),

Another portion of the 50th District has been joined with a chunk of the former 45th District to create a new 27th District.

Martin City will be lumped with a portion of Belton in the new 56th District.

Meanwhile, Grandview was once split at 71 Highway between the 45th and 46th Districts. Now, the entire city will be in the 37th District.

In the aftermath of these changes, Democratic Party leaders in South Kansas City and Grandview came together to discuss the options available for the 2012 primary and general election.

Under the Missouri Constitution, when new legislative districts are created less than one year prior to the next general election, as is the case with the new House map, the usual residency rules are relaxed and candidates have some ability to run in districts that they don’t currently live in. They would have to move into that district a year before the 2014 elections in order to seek re-election that year, however.

As a result, Holsman has decided to seek re-election in the 37th District, which includes all of Grandview and portion of South KC. The Holsman family owns a horse ranch, Holsman Stables, in the middle of the new 37th. Holsman grew up in Grandview, living on Park Hills Drive and attended Meadowmere elementary.

“Having represented voters on the west side of 71 highway for the past five years, I’m excited to get to know the voters on the east side where I spent my childhood growing up,” Holsman said, “Nothing changes for me in the legislature because I have been working hard for the entire city of Grandview since I was first elected in 2006.”

McManus has declared his candidacy in the newly created 36th District. It encompasses a large portion of Holsman’s former 45th District, as well as a portion of the former 50th District, currently represented by State Rep Michael Brown.

“I will be running for re-election in my home district, the newly designated 36th District,” McManus stated on Friday. “Jason has provided strong representation for part of the new 36th District for the past six years. I look forward to continue working with Rep. Holsman in the legislature as he launches his own re-election campaign to represent the newly created 37th District.”

Hickman Mills School Board President Bonnaye Mims will run for the State Representative seat in the 27th District, which includes portions of the former 45th and 50th Districts.

“I’m pleased to announce my candidacy in the 27th District, which is an open seat,” Mims said. “I’ve worked hard as a public servant with the school district, and I look forward to serving our area in Jefferson City.”

Children’s Advocate Jeremy Lafaver has declared in the 25th District.

The new maps also re-draw the districts for the State Senate seats. Generally, South Kansas City has been divided into districts 9 and 10. That remains the case, although the exact boundaries have changed. Most of Grandview will remain in State Senate District 10.

Should a $1 Million Bond Surplus Go Toward GHS Stadium?

2011-12-07T17:02:00.002-06:00

By Paul Thompson

The Grandview C-4 School District is currently holding community input meetings to discuss whether to spend a $1 million bond surplus on new synthetic turf for the Grandview High School field and stadium improvements.

The $1 million bond surplus emerged after a proposed $2.4 million project to replace the pipes at Grandview Middle School came in under budget. Once the pipes were inspected it was discovered that some of the piping was in better shape than anticipated.

Last month, the school board and administrators held a workshop to discuss how to spend the bond surplus, as well as a $1.4 million increase in tax revenue for the district from the new NNSA/Honeywell plant being constructed off 150 Highway and Botts Road.

The discussion included possible artificial turf and stadium improvements at GHS, the completion of building improvements that have been on the back-burner such as ADA upgrades, and a technology initiative to provide all GHS (and many elementary and middle school) students with access to laptops.

However, administrators have suggested that $1.4 million in tax dollars from the new NNSA/Honeywell plant could help get the technology project off the ground.

“The million dollars from the bond fund will be used only for facilities and renovations,” clarified Superintendent Ralph Teran. “The district’s philosophy, long-term, has been to use general funds, and not bond funds, for technology.”

The funds from the Honeywell project will be coming down the road. For now, the district is focusing on the current bond surplus, and what to do with that money. Thus, the push for stadium renovations and artificial turf began.

The $1 million could be used to provide upgrades to the Grandview High School Stadium which would include a turf surface on the field, new goals and goal posts for soccer and football, new LED score board and a potential upgrade to stadium seating. Administrators say the proposed project would allow increased outdoor classroom space, practice space for multiple athletic teams and the marching band, and provide a potential venue for athletic and band competitions.

Although the community input meetings are designed to gauge the public’s interest in the synthetic turf at GHS, Teran pointed out that all options would be considered.

“We thought that was going to cost $2.4 million dollars. But that work only cost $1.4 million,” said Teran. “That opens up the possibility to do a number of projects.”

While a December 6 meeting at GHS has already been held, citizens will have an opportunity to voice their opinions tonight in the Martin City library at 6 p.m., and again on December 13 in the GMS library at 6:30 p.m.

Interstate Upgrades Planned for 71 Highway

2011-12-07T17:01:00.003-06:00

By Seann McAnally

The Grandview Board of Aldermen approved a slew of transportation and street improvements at its Nov. 22 regular session, including plans to upgrade to U.S. 71 before it becomes a federal interstate.

The board unanimously approved an ordinance that establishes a partnership with MoDOT to make significant improvements to U.S. 71 – a move that anticipates the transition of the highway to federal interstate status late next year, when it will become known as “I-49.”

Public Works Director Dennis Randolph said the interstate status requires a higher level of design and maintenance standards, specifically improved signage, pavement condition, and bringing frontage roads, ramps and sidewalks into compliance with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

“Earlier this year public works department engineers met with MoDOT engineers to discuss the proposed improvements to sidewalks and ramps,” Randolph said.

It’s important to remember, Randolph said, that while the city will be responsible for maintaining any improvements in the city’s right-of-way, the construction costs will be borne by MoDOT.

“The agreement under consideration here documents the work that MoDOT will do, and is necessary, as the work will encroach onto City property,” Randolph said. “All the work…will be paid for entirely by MoDOT, and there will be no city funds required.”

MoDOT wanted to make improvements to the intersections at 140th St., Harry Truman Dr., and Blue Ridge Blvd. - but Grandview officials said those would be a waste of money at this point as projects are already in the works at those intersections.

MoDOT and the city already have a joint effort planned for re-doing the bridge on Main St. over the future I-49 sometime in 2014, Randolph said.

“We recommended that improvements not be done at Main Street as both MoDOT and the city are planning for a new bridge, as well as major street and sidewalk improvements,” Randolph told the board. “We did not want to waste funds on work that would be removed in a short period of time.”

The city expects TIF proposals for Truman Corners to make improvements to Blue Ridge Blvd. and Harry Truman Drive, though those specifics will have to be worked out with whatever developer is chosen for the project. In addition, the city already has improvements to curbs and sidewalks scheduled for Harry Truman Drive for the 2012 summer construction season, specifically on the east side of the highway.

Debate Over KC Council Redistricting Continues

2011-12-01T13:57:00.004-06:00

The battle over redrawing boundaries of Kansas City’s council districts continued last night at City Hall.

At a joint meeting of the Planning & Zoning and the Neighborhoods & Healthy Communities committees, residents argued the merits of two competing redistricting maps. More than 150 members of the public attended the meeting.

The committee took no action but could make a recommendation to the City Council as soon as its Dec. 8 meeting. No public input is scheduled for that meeting.

The City Council will make a final decision as to new district boundaries before the end of the year.

The problem, essentially, is that the 2010 census shows population growing in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 6^th Districts, while populations are shrinking elsewhere. To preserve a balance of roughly 76,000 residents per district, boundaries have to be redrawn so that districts that are growing have smaller boundaries, while districts that are shrinking have larger boundaries.

The KC Redistricting Advisory Committee held five public meetings in September and October. In the end, it recommended one of three maps that were proposed. The committee’s recommendation puts Districts 1 and 2 north of the Missouri River. Those districts are growing, proponents say, and moving them assures they have about 76,000 residents each. The advisory committee’s map moves District 4’s southern boundary to 59^th St. from its current location at 79^th St, and places much of District 6’s northern boundary – currently at roughly 87^th St. – to I-435. That puts several key 6^th District landmarks, including the Bannister Mall area, into the 5^th District. It would also split the Hickman Mills School District between the 5th and 6th Districts. It is currently located entirely within the 6th District.

Before the public was allowed to speak, advisory committee members reiterated their methodology and defended their map selection.

Steve Glorioso, a political consultant who served on the advisory committee, has argued that the committee’s map was the only one that satisfied what he says are constitutional requirements that districts cannot be drawn in such a way as to remove an existing “supermajority” of ethnic minority votes in any district – specifically, in this case, the 3^rd and 5^th Districts. Those districts are traditionally made up of ethnic minorities but are dropping in population.
Following Glorioso's presentation, Kansas City attorney Clinton Adams argued in favor of the advisory committee's map. Gunnar Hand, a resident of the 4th District, argued for the community map. Each man spoke and took questions for about 45 minutes. Then individual residents were allowed to speak, but some expressed frustration that they had to wait several hours to speak and were only given about 30 seconds to speak due to the large number of people attending.

Meanwhile, residents of the 4^th and 6^th Districts argued for a “community map” alternative, drawn up by a coalition of South Kansas City interests including Bonnaye Mims of the C-1 Hickman Mills School Board, Orrin Ellis of the KC Neighborhood Advisory Council, and others. This map was presented to the advisory committee in October, but no members of the committee would vote to forward it to the city council except for one – Eslun Tucker, who represented the 6^th District.

Mims said the community map preserves a majority of ethnic votes in the inner city while not radically redrawing 6^th District boundaries.

But opponents said the community map doesn’t preserve a “supermajority” – that is, two-thirds – of ethnic minority votes in the 3^rd and 5^th Districts, and makes no provision for tying together Hispanic communities in the west and northeast parts of the city, which the advisory committee believed was important.

Councilman John Sharp, who has argued against the map recommended by the advisory committee, said the City Council has the authority to draft a compromise map, and that he was hopeful the council would do just that.

Ruskin and Grandview Battle in Classic Season Opener

2011-12-01T11:44:00.001-06:00

Ruskin Senior Malcolm Hamilton slam-dunks the ball to score during the first half of Grandview/Ruskin basketball game on Monday night, November 28 at Grandview High School. Hamilton was injured soon after and did not return to play. (Photo by Sally Morrow)

By Paul Thompson

Ruskin star forward Malcolm Hamilton was sprawled on the ground, writhing in pain with a dislocated wrist. In this first game of the season, RHS had just started its climb out of an early deficit against the Grandview Bulldogs. Now it seemed that momentum would vanish.

But apparently nobody gave Ruskin co-captain Deron “Bubba” Hill the memo.

After Hamilton’s injury, Hill exploded for 44 points in Golden Eagles’ 83-82 overtime victory against rival Grandview.

“As a captain, you have to step up,” said Hill after the emotional win. “I’m not going to rely on inexperienced guys to step up for me.”

Hill certainly did his part, grabbing four rebounds, dishing out three assists, and sinking several key three-pointers in his career-high 44 point outburst. Hill scored seven consecutive points in the final frenetic minutes of regulation, and his mid-range jumper with less than two minutes to play appeared to be the dagger. It was a seminal performance for the senior guard.

“It was an amazing game, full of contradictions,” said Ruskin Head Coach Gerry Marlin.

“Even though both teams are known for good defense, 165 points were scored. Losing Malcolm early and being down double figures like we were, a young team like us had many chances to give up. Deron’s leadership and our team character pulled us through. I saw a lot of our young guys grow up under fire tonight. We had a refuse-to-lose attitude. That was the best sign of all. And what can you say about Bubba? We put the ball in his hands down the stretch, and he just had a masterful game.”

Early in the game, though, it was Grandview that set the pace for the intense battle. The Bulldogs jetted out to an 8-0 lead to start the game, seizing momentum and sending their raucous home crowd into a frenzied state.

“We expected it. We expected them to come out strong,” said Marlin about Grandview’s early run. “So we had to match their intensity.”

Ruskin charged back in the exciting first quarter, pulling the score to 21-17 at the end of the first period. Hamilton starred in the quarter, putting up seven points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals. But when he fell down hard following a block attempt early in the second quarter, it was Hill’s turn to lead Ruskin to victory. Hill scored more than half of the team’s 83 points. The other 39 Ruskin points were scored by Tayron Holden, 12; Tyron Daniels, 8; Malcolm Hamilton, 7; Tyler Daniels, 6; & Terello Holden, 6.

Grandview battled down to the final whistle, and played as a balanced team. Point guard Tyrone Taylor scored six of his 23 points in the final two minutes of regulation. His buzzer-beating bomb from several feet behind the 3-point arc with only three seconds remaining sent the game to overtime, with a score of 69-69.

Co-captains Khalil Davis and Chris Spotser proved to be a dangerous duo for Grandview. Davis led the team with 28 points. Spotser scored 16 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter, leaving with nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals. But due to fouls, he missed out on the all-important overtime session. The remaining 15 Grandview points were tallied by Bulldogs Terik Lewis, 10; Nelson Nweke, 3; and Nathan Scott, 2.

Even with Spotser out, though, Davis and Taylor helped Grandview erase Ruskin's seven point lead in the final minute of regulation with a series of tough shots. After Ruskin built another substantial lead in the overtime period, Grandview fell just short of completing a second comeback.

Down six points with eight seconds to play, Grandview maximized time by rolling the ball up court, and Taylor fired a quick pass to Davis. Davis swished home a deep three with just under four seconds to play to make it a one-posession game. On the ensuing inbounds play Grandview forward Terik Lewis intercepted a deep Ruskin pass and was fouled as he came down with the ball. Lewis made his first free throw attempt before launching his second free-throw high off the backboard, in an effort to provide a tip-in opportunity and a chance to improbably tie the game for a second time. Unfortunately for Grandview, the ball banked in, effectively ending the game.

Despite the loss, Grandview head coach Randy Farris was proud of his team’s effort.

“We’re hoping to build on the effort,” said Farris after the game. “The effort was really good. I think this is going to be a resilient group.”

Even prior to the game, players on both teams knew the match-up would be a big one.

Ruskin won the season kick-off game last year in runaway fashion, dominating Grandview on the way to a 77-48 victory. It was a pill too bitter for Grandview players to soon forget.

“I feel like it is one of the biggest games we have in the regular season,” Said Grandview co-captain Chris Spotser. “(Last year) we got beat by 30. That’s why, to us, the game is built up.”

Fellow co-captains Khalil Davis and Loomis Gerring agreed that their opening game against Ruskin had special meaning. Both players acknowledged getting overconfident last season, when they felt they had the best team in Class 4A. Despite winning their conference, the Bulldogs suffered a demoralizing season-ending 90-84 double overtime loss to Harrisonville in districts.

“We thought it was just gonna come to us, and we didn’t work as hard,” said Gerring about what plagued the 2010-2011 season. “Unity and trust was lacking last year.”

For their part, Ruskin considers last year’s big victory to be ancient history. It’s a new team, new season. They’re going to Grandview’s building, in front of Grandview’s fans. Nothing is taken for granted.

“Playing Grandview, it’s never just a normal game,” admits co-captain Malcolm Hamilton.

After watching what was an instant classic of a season opener, there’s no doubt. They were right.

Burks Earns Key to the City

2011-12-01T11:40:00.000-06:00

Burks surrounded by family at Grandview City Hall

By Paul Thompson

This Thanksgiving, former Grandview basketball star Alec Burks had a lot to be thankful for.

Burks, who was selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA draft this year, returned home last week to receive an official key to the City of Grandview. He spent Thanksgiving with his family. He watched GHS—a team he led just a few years ago to the state championship—open their basketball season. And before leaving, he had another reason to be thankful: the NBA lockout had ended, paving the way for Burks to finally begin his professional basketball career.

The whirlwind began on Tuesday, November 22, when Burks officially became the second athlete in Grandview history to receive a day in his honor, joining former GHS and current NFL quarterback Josh Freeman. At that night’s Board of Alderman meeting, Mayor Steve Dennis declared that November 23 would from that day forward be known in Grandview as Alec Burks Day.

“Now we get to celebrate someone who has worked awfully hard, and spent time improving himself as an athlete and as an individual,” said Dennis in presenting Burks. “You’ve got a lot of people here who are very, very proud of you.”

Burks was then awarded with proclamations from the city and the state, as well as with a ceremonial key to the city. The room was filled with family, friends, former teachers and coaches. It was yet another indication that the former GHS and University of Colorado basketball star had officially arrived.

“It felt so good, having a day like this,” said Burks of the night, before taking a moment to soak in the whirlwind year that saw him drafted by the Utah Jazz in the 1st round of the NBA draft. “When you make a dream come true, it’s an emotional feeling.”

At GHS, Burks helped lead the Bulldogs to the state championship game in 2009 and was selected as the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Missouri.

He continued his streak of success playing for Colorado, and caught attention on a national stage. He earned the Freshman of the Year honor from the Big 12 conference, was featured on Sportscenter’s Top Plays (for a breathtakingly pretty up-and-under lay-up), and has even played as himself in a college basketball video game.

Family and friends gathered at the local Applebee’s earlier this year to watch as Alec was selected by the Utah Jazz in the NBA draft, bringing Burks to the edge of his dreams.

As he accepted a ceremonial key to the City of Grandview last Tuesday, however, the night was somewhat bittersweet.

If everything worked out the way it should have, Burks would have been preparing for a road game against the Sacramento Kings on November 23. But because the NBA is currently going through a lockout, Burks was able to attend the event in his hometown.

Fortunately Burks didn’t even have to wait through the weekend for the news that the lockout was over, and there would be an NBA season.

For his part, Burks was open about his lockout experience. He showed confidence that the NBA labor struggle would resolve itself in time for the season to be salvaged. He admitted that it was hard to watch his former Colorado teammates play while waiting for his chance to become the first GHS alum to play in the NBA. He shared thoughts about going back to school if the season was cancelled.

But now, Burks can breathe a sigh of relief. He can take a moment to revel in the gravitas of having a day dedicated in his honor, can enjoy a Grandview basketball game, and can be thankful this holiday season for a homecoming that ended as perfectly as this one.

Ruskin Student Killed on Thanksgiving

2011-12-01T11:38:00.000-06:00

De Ja Davis

De Ja Davis, a junior at Ruskin High School, was killed on Thanksgiving day while visiting her godmother, Loretta Petty, age 53, who was also killed.

Police were called to the 6600 block of Bellefontaine at 10pm on Thanksgiving night on a suspected robbery in progress. When police arrived on scene, they were met by Loretta’s husband, Jerry, who fired shots at the officers. KCPD officers returned fire and killed Petty.

Following an Operation 100, police entered the home and discovered De Ja and Loretta, who were found dead. Another woman inside the home was initially arrested, but later found to be a friend who was able to hide during the shootings.

De Ja, age 16, had excellent grades (all As and Bs) and was a member of the debate team at RHS, said Hickman Mills C-1 District Spokesman John Baccala.

Students created a makeshift memorial near the school’s front office, signing their condolences on a large poster. Many of the messages from her classmates told of De Ja’s kindness to others.

Family and friends also gathered with De Ja’s mother, Stephanie, and Police Commissioner Alvin Brooks at a park for a balloon release in De Ja’s memory.

LOCAL HOLIDAY EVENTS

2011-11-23T12:14:00.003-06:00

Christmas In The Sky Today - November 23

Watch fireworks reflect in Longview Lake at 99.7 The Point’s and Jackson County’s Christmas in the Sky event. At 6pm today, enjoy holiday stage productions. A fireworks display synchronized to your favorite holiday music begins at 7:30pm. For more info call (816) 503-4800.

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RUSKIN CHOIR PERFOMS AT PLAZA LIGHTING

RHS’ Advanced Choir will perform at this year’s Plaza Lighting Ceremony, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. Ruskin will perform at 5:20-5:45 pm, then join other choirs for two opening numbers before the actual lighting ceremony at 7pm.

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KC Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

On Friday, November 25, at 5:30pm, join Mayor Sly James and R&B/soul sensation Janelle Monae light the 100-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas Tree at Crown Center. The tree is a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which assists the city’s less fortunate. For more info call 816-274-8444.

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GRANDVIEW MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

Get into the holiday spirit with live entertainment from local elementary schools and the lighting of Grandview’s Mayor’s Christmas Tree on Thursday, December 1st from 6:45-8pm at Grandview City Hall. Santa will be there passing out candy canes as well! Please bring a donation to benefit the Grandview Assistance Program. For more info, call 316-4888.

New Red Bridge Spans River, Tracks & History

2011-11-23T12:13:00.001-06:00

By Seann McAnally

When local leaders cut the ribbon on the new Red Bridge last Friday, they took a further step in a historic odyssey of pioneering transportation improvements that started in the early 1800s, when covered wagons first rolled through South Kansas City as part of the western expansion of the United States.

The new $14 million bridge, which had some $4 million in federal funds, replaces the decades-old covered bridge on Red Bridge Road with a new, two-lane structure with sidewalks and a multi-use trail.

“As I drive over this bridge in my hybrid electric car, I’m going to be marveling at all the covered wagons that came through this area,” said David Jackson, director of archives and education for the Jackson County Historical Society.

Jackson recounted the history of the region, from its early days as a trading post to a key gathering spot on the Santa Fe trail. Would-be settlers on their way to New Mexico gouged deep ruts in the landscape – those swales can still be seen in Minor Park, within view of the new Red Bridge. The Blue River was the first major obstacle on the trail, and in 1859 a 100-foot long covered bridge was built. Someone painted it red, Jackson said, and the name has survived to this day. The bridge was replaced with steel in 1914, and again in the 1930s.

In the year 2000, as traffic volumes and population grew in the area, city officials began to talk seriously about replacing the Depression-era bridge, starting a plan that came to fruition on Friday.

“To be honest I didn’t think we’d ever be standing here,” said Patrick Klein, director of capital improvements.

While the bridge was open for traffic on Friday, there is still more to be done – including one of the key features of the bridge: lighted monument plaques that celebrate 10 influential historical figures that pioneered settlement in the Red Bridge area. Still to be installed are a series of red LED lights that will light up at night to carry on the tradition of having a “red” bridge.

The old Red Bridge, pictured below, will remain a part of the area’s history, Klein said, as it will be incorporated into bike and walking trails.

“The old bridge will remain for pedestrian use,” Klein said.

Councilman John Sharp said it was important to remember the core focus of the entire project – to improve public safety. He said the bridge saves commuters two or three minutes when trains pass – and those minutes could be vital.

“Two to three minutes may not mean much if you’re just driving home from work, but if you’re the one waiting for an ambulance to get to your home, if you’re the one waiting for a fire truck to get to your home, if you’re the one waiting for a police car to get to your home, those two to three minutes could mean the difference between life or death,” Sharp said. “That’s what this project is – a public safety enhancement.”

Sharp said he couldn’t wait for the lights and artwork to be installed.

“I think it’s a beautiful bridge now, but it’s going to be a lot more beautiful,” he said.

The bridge features several look-out points where pedestrians can stop and take in a scenic view of the [river] valley, Sharp said, and historical plaques will tell the pioneer history of the area.

“It will be an educational destination,” Sharp said. “Unlike a lot of monuments, it will be one that will reflect the ethnic and gender diversity of the pioneers of this area.”

Councilman Scott Taylor said the bridge was key to the future of South Kansas City, and that the associated pedestrian and bicycle paths could draw new people to the area.

“This Red Bridge is so important in our district that it can’t be understated,” Taylor said. “It’s not only an improvement for commuters but for joggers and bikers. As we attract new families to Kansas City, this is one of the amenities that families are looking for.”

Taylor passed the microphone to his wife, former Councilwoman Cathy Jolly, who was a champion of the project during her time in office.

“Cathy put her heart and soul into this bridge,” Taylor said.

Jolly acknowledged that throughout the planning and design process, there were some residents who didn’t like the direction it was going. They felt it destroyed the rural character of their neighborhoods. But many others were enthusiastic about the need for a new bridge, Jolly said.

“It’s fair to say this bridge was controversial,” Jolly said.

Klein agreed, and spoke of numerous public meetings about the issue, some of which were occasionally contentious.

“This bridge has had more public input than any bridge in the city, trust me,” Klein said.

Jolly said the fact that the bridge opened, however, speaks to the forces that pull the communities of South Kansas City together.

“It took a lot of commitment and a lot of compromise to get to this point,” she said. “We’re a close community and we have a lot to celebrate.”

She had a message for the current elected officials:

“Keep at it. Make sure our funding stays in place,” Jolly said. “Make sure that artwork gets up, because that’s what makes the bridge ours.”

Sharp joined Taylor in praising Jolly for her work on the bridge, along with former council members Alvin Brooks and Chuck Eddy, who initially got the ball rolling on the new bridge.

“I remember the first meeting about this in February 2000,” Sharp said. “We’ve come a long way since then.”

Missouri Social Services’ child support office on Blue Ridge is temporarily closed due to electrical problems

2011-11-18T08:51:00.000-06:00

Families seeking services can do so over the phone and at other area offices

Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Social Services’ South Jackson County Child Support Enforcement Office, located at 8800 Blue Ridge, is closed temporarily due to electrical problems identified by building inspectors with the Kansas City Fire Department.

“We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this temporary closure may cause our clients. Impacted staff will relocate to other areas offices to ensure that we continue to offer child support services in Jackson County without interruption,” said Seth Bundy, Missouri Department of Social Services spokesperson. “Meanwhile, we appreciate the work of the Kansas City Fire Department to ensure that our employees and the families we serve are kept safe, and that a potentially dangerous situation was avoided,”

Parents who would normally access child support services at the South Jackson County Office can do so by either visiting the next-nearest office, or calling the toll-free customer service center at 1-866-313-9960.

Kansas City Office
615 East 13th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 889-2000

Independence Office
103 N. Main, Suite 300
Independence, MO 64055
Phone: (816) 325-5800

On the afternoon of Thursday, November 17, the Kansas City Fire Department determined that a water leak inside the office at 8800 Blue Ridge was causing an electrical short, which posed a risk of fire. This location will reopen after this issue has been permanently fixed, and the building is again inspected by fire department officials.

National Basketball Star Alec Burks To Be Honored For His Outstanding Athletic Accomplishments on November 22 in Grandview

2011-11-17T15:54:00.000-06:00

Alec Burks, Grandview High School alumnus, and National Basketball Association star for the Utah Jazz, will receive a proclamation on Tuesday, November 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Grandview City Hall during the Board of Aldermen meeting, declaring Wednesday, November 23, as “Alec Burks Day”. The proclamation will be presented to Burks for his outstanding athletic accomplishments in basketball.

Burks was recently selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (12^th overall) of the National Basketball Association 2011 Draft, thus becoming the first Grandview High School athlete to ever play in the NBA.

During his years at Grandview High School, he was named the 2009 Gatorade Player of the Year in the State of Missouri as a senior, while averaging 23.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Burks scored 33 points and had 13 rebounds while leading Grandview to runner-up in the Missouri Class 5A state championships; He also named the Kansas City Star and Metro Sports Player of the Year as the top player in the Kansas City metro area; In addition, he earned First Team All-Suburban Six League honors.

During his two seasons as a guard at the University of Colorado, Burks also broke numerous school records, including most points scored in a single season (779), most points scored by a sophomore (779), most points scored in a season by a guard (779), most free throws made in a season (249), most free throw attempts in a season (302) and first player with at least 500 points (779), 200 rebounds (247), 100 assists (112) in a single season.

Burks earned honorable mention 2010 – 2011 All-America honors from the Associated Press. He was awarded Andy Katz National Player of the Week for the week of February 21, 2011 to February 27, 2011. He was named to the Big XII Conference First Team and to the National Invitational Tournament All-Tournament Team. He was a Top-20 list finalist for the John R. Wooden Award. He was also part of the Lute Olson All-American Team, Big 12 Basketball Championships All-Tournament Team, and was named Big XII Conference 2009 – 2010 Freshman of the Year.

Ebenezer: Calendar Donkey

2011-11-15T10:16:00.001-06:00

Grandview's beloved, unofficial mascot--Ebenezer the Donkey--is once again facing some challenges that his caretakers hope he can overcome with a little help from his friends.

If you have missed seeing the donkey trotting around his tree-covered lot on the west side of Grandview's Main Street this summer and fall, there is a reason.

"In May, Ebenezer started having issues with arthritis on the stifle joint and the howk joint," caretaker Shirley Phillips explained. To get up off the ground, the donkey had to be picked up using furniture straps over the course of several months.

An injection of an amino acid has helped Ebenezer once again get up on his own. However, the donkey needs to have the shot every two weeks for the rest of his life.

"We don't want to put him down because he's still really healthy besides the joints not working as well as they used to," Phillips said.

Friends and fans of the donkey can help in several ways.

A 2012 Ebenezer calendar is now on sale for $17 at May Milling, 606 Main Street, in downtown Grandview. The calendar features photos of the donkey showing his lively spirit, dressed in everything from his winter coat, to a variety of holiday-related hats each month. All proceeds will go toward Ebenezer's continued care.

"The 12 month calendar that has been put together is by George Gross, a professional photographer that is smitten with Ebenezer just like the rest of us," explained Joe Dimino, who administers the donkey's website. "This is a must for all fans of Ebenezer."

Those who wish to purchase the calendar online can do so as well. Visit www.ebenezerthedonkey.com and click on the Shutterfly link to purchase the calendar.

Ebenezer's new veterinarian has also agreed to accept donations for the donkey's medical care. The Koch-Stigge Veterinary Clinic can be reached at (816) 380-1990, or by mail at 28204 Southwest Outer Road, Harrisonville, MO 64701.

Hillcrest Country Club Files for Bankruptcy

2011-11-11T13:00:00.000-06:00

Hillcrest Country Club was scheduled for sale at public auction today, but a last-minute bankruptcy filing gives the owners more time to restructure, according to attorneys. Photo by Paul Thompson

The Hillcrest Country Club came only a day away this week from being sold in a foreclosure auction. The auction had been scheduled for Friday, November 11 at 2 p.m., but a last minute filing on Thursday led to the auction’s cancellation.

According to the group’s lawyer, Tim West of the Berkowitz Oliver law firm, Heartland Golf Development II, LLC filed for bankruptcy protection on Thursday to put off the sale.

“The foreclosure sale scheduled originally for tomorrow at 2:00 pm at the Jackson County Courthouse is off because the entity that owns Hillcrest, Heartland Golf Development II, LLC, filed for bankruptcy protection today,” said West in a phone message. “So that will obviously put the foreclosure sale off until they go through a restructuring process.”

For further details as the story develops, please refer back to jcadvocate.com.

Voters Say Yes to zoo

2011-11-09T13:40:00.003-06:00

New animal exhibits and additional employees are in the KC Zoo’s future.

Jackson and Clay County voters on Tuesday passed an 1/8th-cent retail sales tax to help fund improvements at the Kansas City Zoo. In Jackson County, the issue was approved by 70%.

The tax will mean an additional penny for every $8 in taxable purchases in both counties, and is expected to fund more than 100 new permanent jobs, in addition to construction jobs.

The funds will pay for a Penguin Exhibit, Predator Canyon/Tiger Exhibit, new Kid’s Wet Play Zone, a Gorilla/Ape Exhibit, Orangutan Canopy, a Giraffe Tree Tops viewing area, a renovated sea lion cove and other projects. It will also expand the zoo’s education program, fully sponsoring science educational field trips for local schools, and creating dedicated “Zoomobiles” to bring programming to schools, libraries, community centers and other public places in each county.

Jackson County residents will also receive half-price admission to the Zoo, and four free Zoo days per year.

Citizen-Led Code Enforcement: KC's Volunteer Inspector Program

2011-11-09T13:38:00.000-06:00

By Seann McAnally

South Kansas City residents who are worried about code violations in their neighborhoods can now do something about it other than calling 3-1-1.

The Volunteer Inspector Program (VIP) is a city program that empowers neighborhoods to hold accountable owners who do not keep their properties up to code. Essentially, the program trains volunteers to notice and document codes violations.

“We can’t be everywhere,” said Carla Finch, of the city’s Neighborhood and Community Services department. “You pretty much know and see what’s going on in your neighborhood, so if you see violations you can let the city know.”

Currently, residents can call the city’s 3-1-1 service to report codes violations such as weeds, trash, peeling paint, and similar issues. But that can take up to 90 days, Finch said.

“This is much faster than going through 3-1-1,” Finch said, adding that most violations will be cleaned up in about 10 days after a citizen inspector reports them.

The way the program works is that neighbors – ideally a group, such as a homes association – can call Finch at 513-9039 to set up a training session. An employee of the city’s Neighborhood and Community Services department will schedule a session and come out to train volunteer citizen inspectors.

The volunteers attend a short training class, where they are informed about how to properly document codes violations.

“We ask that volunteers ensure they have the correct address, date, and violations documented on a 8.5 by 11 dry erase board or notebook,” said Mike Schumacher, assistant to the director of the Neighborhood and Community Services department. “The citizen inspector photographs this document and then photographs the property.”

And that’s all they’re to do, he said.

“They are not to leave the sidewalk of the street, and are not authorized to walk around the subject property,” Schumacher cautioned.

The citizen inspector would then submit those photos to the city, who will notify the property owner of the violation. After 10 days, the violations will be issued to a contractor for cleanup, and the city bills the property owner.

The citizen inspectors need to provide their own equipment, including cameras.

Orrin Ellis, of the KC Neighborhood Advisory Council, said he’s a big believer in the program.

“We’re trying to get every HOA involved in this,” Ellis said. “It makes them more self-sufficient and self-reliant in taking care of their own neighborhoods.”

Gary Kempf, president of the Terrace Lake Gardens Homes Association, said he hopes people in his area will want to get involved. He said people often don’t like to tattle on their neighbors, but they’re actually performing a service to the community when they do.

“You’re not being a busybody when you report codes violations,” he said. “In fact you’re being a responsible citizen.”

April Cushing, of the Ruskin neighborhoods, was trained in the program last year and said it’s been a big help in getting codes violations cleaned up in a more timely manner.

“These violations are usually in homes that are owned by absentee landlords,” Cushing said. “They can drive down everyone else’s property values and give a neighborhood a bad feel.”

Finch urged residents who are interested in setting up a training session to call her office at 513-9039 if they have more questions, or they can email her at carla.finch@kcmo.org.

Delay for Brumble’s Forest

2011-11-04T09:53:00.001-05:00

By Seann McAnally

A new playground at Grandview’s Meadowmere Park has been plagued with delays and will not be finished by the end of October – a deadline imposed by the Board of Aldermen after an earlier May deadline was missed by the contractor. Now city staff are consulting with legal counsel to see what can be done to get the project finished.

Update: The Board of Aldermen at its Nov. 1 work session decided against terminating a contract to build the park, saying it would delay the project even further. Kirk Decker, assistant city administrator, said the contractor believes the park can be completed in mid-December, weather permitting.

Cobra Contractors, of Overland Park, in Oct. 2010 was awarded an $896,000 contract for construction of the state-of-the-art playground, designed to resemble a magical forest kingdom. But bad weather slowed construction, which was supposed to be complete in May of this year.

“The original completion date was May 20,” said Tony Finlay, parks director, “but the contractor lost 113 days due to weather.”

That created a domino effect, Finlay said, because Cobra wasn’t ready for sub-contractors when they were scheduled, and at least one sub-contractor didn’t show up for scheduled work.

“Of course we’re extremely disappointed with that,” Finlay said.

This summer, the Board of Aldermen gave the contractor an extension due to weather delays, asking that the park be finished on Oct. 28.

“Progress has been made since our last notice to the contractor, but it does not appear that the contractor will complete the project by Friday,” said Cory Smith, city administrator. “The city is very disappointed in the slow progress.”

Smith said the city understands about weather-related construction delays, but that that recent weather has been ideal.

“The weather has been great for construction over the past two months, and the city is not aware of any viable reasons for delays during that period,” Smith said. “Due to the lack of progress to date, the city cannot provide a completion date at the present time.”

Alderman Jim Crain, who serves as a liaison to the Board of Parks and Recreation, echoed feelings of disappointment and said the city wants to work with the contractor so it doesn’t have to start from square one with a new contract. That could delay the project even further. At this point, he said, the city is exploring its legal options.

“We’ll just have to meet with our legal counsel and see where we go from there,” Crain said. Finlay agreed.

“Once we’re done reviewing our legal options we’ll have a statement,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to get this done.”

Cobra checked out with good references when the city awarded the contract. The contractor has done work for the city before on some public works projects.

Smith said he is hopeful action can occur soon.

“The city is committed to completing the project and providing a quality project as expeditiously and effectively as possible, given the delays and the current status,” Smith said. “We will try to get everything but landscaping done this fall, before winter, if at all possible.”

Crain said it was possible city workers could complete some of the work.

Smith said it is preferable to complete the project without resorting to litigation, but that option is on the table.

“With the help of its attorney, the city is exploring ways to bring the project to a conclusion and reviewing the contract for legal options,” Smith said.

The Board of Aldermen discussed this issue at its November 1st work session.

Hickman Mills Clinic Opens

2011-11-02T16:07:00.000-05:00

Hickman Mills Clinic, Albers Pharmacy and Carondelet Heart Institute opened in their new location off 150 Highway and Byars Road in Grandview on Halloween day. Hickman Mills Clinic professionals Sequita Richardson, Douglas Call of Albers Pharmacy, Connie Hart, David Kricsfield, Paula Messmore, Michelle Franey, Steve Buie and Melanie Smolen, were joined by Mayor Steve Dennis, Alderwoman Annette Turnbaugh, Nola Wood, and Aldermen Jim Crain and Joe Runions. (Photo by Paul Thompson)

Zoo Tax Election November 8th

2011-11-02T15:53:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, November 8th, residents of Clay and Jackson counties will decide whether to approve an 1/8th-cent retail sales tax to help fund new attractions and improvements at the Kansas City Zoo.

The funds would help pay for a new Penguin Exhibit, new Predator Canyon/Tiger Exhibit, new Kid’s Wet Play Zone, a Gorilla/Ape Exhibit, Orangutan Canopy, a Giraffe Tree Tops viewing area, a renovated sea lion cove and other projects.

It would also expand the zoo’s education program, fully sponsoring science educational field trips for local schools, and creating dedicated “Zoomobiles” to bring programming to schools, libraries, community centers and other public places in each county.

Jackson County residents would also receive half-price admission to the Zoo, and four free Zoo days per year.

If approved, the tax is expected to fund more than 100 new permanent jobs, in addition to construction jobs.

The tax would mean an additional penny for every $8 in taxable purchases in Jackson County.

Polls will be open from 6am to 7pm Tuesday. For more information about poll locations, Grandview residents should contact the Jackson County Election

Councilman Urges SKC Residents to Act on Redistricting

2011-11-01T14:39:00.003-05:00

Now is the time for concerned south Kansas City residents to contact the City Manager, Mayor and all members of the City Council and ask them to consider the concerns of area residents before approving any City Council redistricting plan, according to 6th District City Councilman John Sharp who represents south Kansas City.

“The redistricting plan currently being considered chops off half of the Ruskin/Hickman Mills area, everything north of the I-435-I-470 corridor, and puts it in the 5th District which now covers much of the east side of the central city and all the area east of Raytown. The 5th District even goes south as far as Red Bridge Road in one area,” Sharp said.

“Additionally, the plan extends the current northern boundary of the 6th District between Holmes and State Line from 79th Street to 59th Street, putting the rest of Waldo and the Brookside area in the 6th District,” Sharp said.

Sharp said under the proposed redistricting plan the 6th District would lose many of the landmarks that form the heart of the 6th District, including the Bannister Federal Complex, the old Bannister Mall area, the Cerner and Dean Machinery offices, the new South Patrol Police Station that is currently under construction, the administrative offices of the Hickman Mills School District, the District’s new Early Childhood Education Center, the District’s junior high and three elementary schools, Baptiste Educational Center and Trailside Center.

“We’d lose much of our identity,” Sharp said.

Sharp urged southland residents concerned about these proposed changes to call or email the City Manager, Mayor and Council members and urge them to conduct at least two public hearings on redistricting, including having at least one hearing in the evening so working people can attend, preferably at a convenient, centrally located site with ample public parking.

“The City Council does not have to approve redistricting until the end of the year,” Sharp said, “so there is ample time to give this subject the attention it deserves and to craft a redistricting plan that unifies instead of dividing our city.”

Persons wishing to contact the City Manager may call 513-1408 or email Troy.Shulte@kcmo.org, those wishing to contact the Council may call 513-6501 or email City.Council@kcmo.org, and those wishing to contact the Mayor may call 513-3500 or email Mayor@kcmo.org.

Redistricting Update

2011-10-27T16:08:00.000-05:00

The Kansas City Council took no action regarding new boundaries of City Council districts at its regular session today. Councilman John Sharp predicted in the Oct. 27 print edition that the council would act soon on redistricting, possibly as soon as today's meeting. That was not the case. Sharp has urged residents who are concerned about redistricting to contact the mayor and council members:

City.Council@kcmo.org

816-513-6501

Mayor@kcmo.org

816-513-3500

For redistricting basics, visit the city's web site redistricting page here.

Sharp hopes the City Manager's office will forward more than one potential redistricting map to the council for consideration. The current map favored by the KC Redistricting Advisory Committee splits the 6th District, putting much of it into the 5th and extending boundaries on the west into the Waldo area. Sharp, along with the South KC Chamber of Commerce, the Southern Communities Coalition, the KC Neighborhood Advisory Council, the 3-Trails and Martin City CIDs, and virtually every HOA in South Kansas City, has endorsed a "Community Map," which the city calls "Map No. 7," that preserves more of the 6th District boundaries. So far, the city has not placed the Community Map on its web site.

Grandview C-4 Enrollment Up

2011-10-25T15:55:00.000-05:00

By Paul Thompson

After years of declining enrollment figures, the Grandview C-4 school district has seen a net gain in their enrollment numbers for 2011.

Enrollment increased 1.5% district-wide, as 57 more students were enrolled in the C-4 district this year than last. While the numbers do not represent a monumental shift in the district’s enrollment, they do instill confidence in a district that had dropped from 4,130 students in September 2005 to 3,744 in September 2010. On top of buoyed confidence, the district will also receive a financial gain from the addition of the 57 students.

“For every student we get, there is a reimbursement,” said C-4 Superintendent Dr. Ralph Teran. “We’re well positioned to be able to absorb 57 students.”

As of now, the state of Missouri calculates that each student added to a district is worth a $2,961 reimbursement. While the district won’t receive any of this funding until next school year, assuming that the C-4 district receives full state funding, they are in line to receive some $168,777 to cover the costs of the new students. Full state funding is no certainty, however, as this year the state has paid 92% of the $2,961 reimbursement figure. Still, the increase in enrollment is a positive sign.

“Grandview could be in a position to experience some growth,” Teran continued. “That’s only one data point, but it’s certainly more encouraging than going the other way. I think if we get another data point or two then we can get a better sense of if we are starting to trend up.”

Martin City has seen the biggest increase in their enrollment numbers, with 47 new students added over the past year. Twenty-two of those students were added to the middle school, while there were 25 additions to the elementary school. Teran speculated that the increases in Martin City could be related to recent housing development in the area as well as some re-drawing of boundaries following the closing of High Grove.

“That’s a good bump up,” explained Teran. “When we closed High Grove, we re-drew some lines and kind of extended the Martin City area a little more, to take in some of the apartments that used to go to Conn-West.”

Grandview High School saw the biggest decline, losing 16 students from last year, although the increase in enrollment at the elementary and middle school level bode well for the district’s lone high school.

“Our hunch has been to assume that people have choices, and maybe they haven’t chosen us. My sense is that is going to start moving upward,” said Superintendent Teran. “We’re a district that is improving, and student performance is increasing, but you have a little work to do to get that message out.”

-Also at the October 20 meeting, the Board of Education approved a bond project to renovate the GHS baseball field. The project calls for major updates to the field, including replacing the sod in the outfield, laser grading the field for proper drainage, building a new pitching mound, and putting down a new pitching rubber, home plate, and base anchors and plugs.

“It’s just time to do that,” said Superintendant Dr. Ralph Teran. “Hopefully there will be many more opportunities to improve facilities.”

The renovations were prioritized in the high school’s recent bond funding, and now the district has agreed to pay Game Time Athletics no more than $32,030 to complete the revamping of the field. The bid from Game Time Athletics provided the best value to the district, as competing bids from CW Development Construction and Mid-America Golf and Landscape came in at $45,550 and $55,711, respectively.

-The 3rd Annual Grandview C-4 Trivia Night will take place on November 1 between 6-8:30 p.m. in the south gym. The event is presented by the Grandview Education Foundation, with all proceeds going towards GEF Innovative Teaching Grants and Student Scholarships. The event will be MC’d by Fox 4 meteorologist Don Harman.

Input Needed on 150 Highway Plan

2011-10-25T15:54:00.001-05:00

The City of Grandview, is hosting a Public Open House to receive feedback regarding the 150 Highway Corridor Sustainable Development Plan. This meeting will take place on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The View Community Center, Hawthorne/Mahogany Room, 13500 Byars Rd.

The purpose of this Public Open House is to present -concepts and approaches the study team, led by Parsons Brinckerhoff, is considering for the a sustainable development strategy for the 150 corridor. Ultimately, this plan will establish design concept principals and guidelines for the corridor that will help improve the community character and be a blueprint for sustainable development. The City of Grandview would like this plan to be a guiding document that represents the vision of its residents and stakeholders for the corridor’s economic success for years to come.

During the Public Open House, the City of Grandview and study team will conduct a brief presentation showing strategies and approaches the team is considering. They will also display and discuss the draft framework plans. They are interested to get public feedback regarding the draft plans.

The public can visit with the community planners and share their input during the public workshop and also through public comment forms available at the meeting or online at the City’s website. Once this public input is collected, Parson Brinckerhoff and the City of Grandview will analyze this information. They will then formulate a preferred alternative plan option which will be presented to the City for approval.

KC Redistricting Committee Blocks "Community Map"

2011-10-20T18:12:00.004-05:00

One map that splits 6th District will be forwarded to Council for consideration

The Kansas City Redistricting Advisory Committee will forward one redistricting map to the City Council for consideration. Three were submitted, but the committee, after five public hearings and in the face of opposition from a united 6th District, endorsed the first map it considered, which was drawn up by committee members from the city's northland.

Several committee members said they were concerned that two other maps, which kept 6th District boundaries more or less intact with some variation, "could" violate the Federal Voting Rights act which is designed to protect minority voting blocks because it did not leave a substantial number of minority voters in the 5th and 3rd districts. They also complained that the other two maps left too much population in the 6th District, which did not give it enough of a ceiling for future growth. They said it was important to keep all district populations as close to equal as possible.

The map the committee recommended beefed up populations in the traditionally minority 3rd and 5th districts, while combining the city's historic Northeast and West Side neighborhoods, increasing the likelihood of a Hispanic council member.

A "Community Map" drawn up by residents of the 6th District and shown to the committee at an Oct. 10 public hearing was not formally considered. Committee member Eslun Tucker moved to have the map considered for forwarding to the City Council as one of three potential redistricting options, but no committee members would second her motion. The Community Map had the written support of virtually every HOA in South Kansas City, as well as the Martin City and 3-Trails community improvement districts, the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the KC Neighborhood Advisory Council, and the Southern Communities Coalition (see the Advocate's coverage of the Oct. 10 public hearing, at which all of those groups spoke, right here).

An earlier compromise map drawn up by Tucker was not considered, either.

The one map the council will now consider splits the 6th District, putting most of its economic redevelopment areas into the 5th District. That includes Bannister Mall, the KCPD South Patrol, and other vital areas championed by 6th District residents for years.

Councilman John Sharp pulled no punches in expressing his disappointment.

"I think the real reason they only forwarded one map is that this was a back room deal that was hatched long ago," Sharp said. "The whole public hearing process, where hundreds and hundreds of people opposed this map, was nothing but a farce. Our people showed up to participate in the democratic process, but they might as well have been talking to a brick wall."

There is some hope, Sharp said, because the City Council does have the authority to redraw the lines any way it wants to, without the input of the advisory committee. But Sharp doesn't think that's likely.

"Clearly there will be an effort to push this through before anyone can mount any real opposition," he said. "I am certain there will be a resolution to approve this as soon as next week."

Sharp referred to the council's Oct. 27 meeting.

"I had hoped we'd have some more public input," Sharp said, "but after this, how can anyone expect that they can speak at a public hearing and have it mean anything?"

Grand Summit Complex to Expand

2011-10-20T11:14:00.003-05:00

The Grand Summit apartment complex may be expanding.

The Grandview Board of Aldermen had a public hearing at its Oct. 11 regular session to consider a plan for an additional phase of the multi-family development near Shalimar Park and the Belvidere neighborhood on the south side of the city, just south of 150 Highway.

The developer, Lindsey Management, wants to add two additional phases of construction to the project, each including 288 units. That would bring the total number of living units in the complex to 900. The original project was approved in 2002. There are some 325 units at the complex.

In addition, Lindsey Management would be responsible for upgrades to Corrington Ave., which would connect the extension of Grand Summit Blvd. within the complex to 155th St. on the south. Corrington Ave. would be built to city standards and become a public street.

Overall the aldermen were supportive of the project, though Alderman Jim Crain echoed some concerns the Planning Commission had about the look of the development. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the project on Oct. 5, but required the developer to use exterior building materials that would match the character and quality of the existing development, with some color variation to avoid monotony.

One citizen testified at the Planning Commission hearing, expressing concern that the complex would be too close to the Belvidere neighborhoods, and city staff received one phone call about it as well (possibly from the same person). But at the aldermen's public hearing, no members of the public spoke either for or against the project.

"I think it's a very positive thing for the city of Grandview," said Alderman Brent Steeno. "That many more apartments means that much more people living and shopping here, that much more sales tax...I think it's going to be great."

City staff made several changes to the developer's proposal, requiring two parking spaces per unit, requiring Corrington Ave. to be up to public standards, and requiring the developer to submit a storm water runoff management plan.

KC Residents Oppose Redistricting Proposals

2011-10-12T11:29:00.001-05:00

More than 100 South Kansas City residents of all ages, races, and walks of life crowded the Baptiste Educational Center Oct. 10. They were there to fight to keep the 6th District from being split up as part of a plan to redraw the boundaries of the city’s council districts.

It was the fourth of five public hearings held by the KC Redistricting Advisory Committee, which will present no more than three options for redrawing district lines to the City Council on Oct. 20. Redistricting is necessary to balance populations in the four districts in light of the 2010 census, which shows populations growing north of the Missouri River and in South Kansas City, but declining in the central city.

The committee has considered two maps so far. The first, drawn up by committee members Keith Nelson and John Fairfield, who represent communities north of the river, splits the Hickman Mills School District in half and removes such 6th District landmarks as the Trailside Center and Bannister Mall, placing them in the 5th District. A second map, drawn up by committee member Eslon Tucker, who represents the 6th District, kept more of the 6th District intact but didn’t go far enough to satisfy many South Kansas City residents who don’t want to see their communities fractured.

A third map, drawn up by a committee of local volunteers led by Hickman Mills School Board President Bonnaye Mims, was introduced at the meeting, and it was this map that some 65 people spoke in support of, urging the redistricting committee to present it to the City Council for consideration.

The KC Neighborhood Advisory Council, the Southern Communities Coalition, the Center Planning Council, two community improvement districts, the Community Assistance Council, and virtually every homeowners association in South Kansas City have passed resolutions in favor of the new map and against the first map. The second map was essentially ignored.

The new “Community Map,” as residents called it, puts the northern boundary of the 6th District at Gregory Blvd. on the northwest, then south on Holmes roughly to Bannister Rd., then north on 71 Highway to 87th Street, east to James A. Reed Rd., then south to I-470, which is the proposed northeastern boundary. Both other maps placed much larger chunks of the 6th District into the 5th or 4th council districts.

“The first map is offensive,” said Ron Yaffe, who extolled the community spirit of the 6th District. “Our successes are hard fought. They are personal. Tell me we’re not a diverse community. We’ve come a long way together. Let us go together the rest of the way…please.”

Dennis O’Neil said the 6th District was the perfect example of a racially diverse district that has come together.

“We have to maintain the integrity of functioning neighborhoods,” he said. “If you look at this crowd, it’s a poster child for how a multi-racial society ought to function.”

Dan Osman, who serves on the Hickman Mills School Board, urged the committee not to consider maps that place affluent parts of Waldo and neighborhoods off Ward Parkway – currently in the 4th District – into the 6th.

“Do you think the needs of South Kansas City will be addressed by someone who lives in Waldo or Brookside? Look at the audience tonight. This is South Kansas City. We will not sit by while you sit there and say this is not your problem.”

Doug Smith, president of the Community Assistance Council, said he was worried that the first proposed map would take the CAC out of the 6th District. He said his daughter and son-in-law live in the affluent part of the 4th District that the first map would bring into the 6th, and that they don’t care what happens in South Kansas City.

“It’s not a priority for them. They’re not interested. It’s not their focus,” he said. “You’re going to divorce CAC from the community it serves.”

Tim Henry, president of the Birchwood Hills homeowners association, said he was worried that the first map would give too much influence to affluent communities in the western part of the district.

“The socio-economic variance would be tremendous,” he said. “The people in the area of 55th and Ward Parkway don’t even know South Kansas City exists. The change you’re making would basically strip the 6th District’s representation on the City Council.”

State Representative Jason Holsman, who represents a portion of the 6th District, personally endorsed the Community Map, and warned the committee that other scenarios would drive a wedge between east and west in South Kansas City.

“There are vastly different resource needs between east and west,” he said. “My constituents have asked for my help in this, and I’d like to add my voice in support of the Community Map.”

Tim Cushing, president of the Ruskin Heights homeowners association, said he thought the first map could be the straw that breaks South Kansas City’s back.

“The negative impact would be great,” he said. “We can beat a tornado, we can beat a lot of things, but I don’t think we can beat this.”

Steve Rinne, of the Kansas City Port Authority, said he believed the Community Map would ensure that money from the Public Improvements Advisory Committee and other funding would not be diminished.

“I’m opposed to the first map because of the harm it would do to the entire city’s economic well-being,” he said.

Lou Austin, chairman of the 3-Trails Community Improvement District – which aims to promote and revitalize the Bannister Mall area – said he understood that the committee had to balance keeping minority voting blocks intact, making “political deals,” and requirements for population balance. But it also has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that South Kansas City isn’t hurt economically.

“What good is a political victory if the result is an economic wasteland and fracturing of good communities?” Austin asked.

Barb Engel, president of the Martin City Community Improvement District, said her part of town wouldn’t be affected geographically by any of the maps. But she was concerned that capital improvements projects vital to Martin City – including the renovation of 135th Street – might not get funding if the district is split up.

“We are the economic powerhouse of this district,” she said. “We generate $50 million in sales tax annually. We need to have 135th Street upgraded if we’re going to compete with Leawood and Lee’s Summit.”

Carol McClure, of the Southern Communities Coalition, urged the committee to consider the community map.

“The 6th District is the ideal district. It’s the most diversified in the city,” she said, adding that the Coalition formally endorses the Community Map.

“Map 1 takes the heart out of the 6th District,” said Carol Winterowd, president of Center Planning and Development.

Jane Brown, committee chair and local lawyer, said she was taken aback by the turnout.

“You’ve really touched me,” she said. “Your comments have been heartfelt and I can tell this is a strong community.”

Committee member Nelson, co-author of the first map that so many spoke against, said he was impressed by the community spirit of the 6th District.

“I am very impressed with the compassion you have shown for your district,” he said.

However, Nelson, Fairfield and committee member and political consultant Steve Glorioso voiced skepticism that the population numbers on the Community Map were accurate. Glorioso said that the map was coming to the committee late in the game.

“We’ve been at this for months, and we haven’t come up with a map that anyone here liked,” he said. “Now we get one a week before we’re supposed to make a decision? We can’t deal with this map the way it is.”

Brown reminded the audience there is one more public hearing at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Mohart Center. The committee will make its final decision about which maps to forward to the City Council at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Farmers Market Design Proposed

2011-10-12T11:12:00.001-05:00

A brand-new Farmer’s Market is headed for 8th and Main streets in Grandview. Residents will get a chance to learn more about the new site at a public meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 18 at City Hall. The project should be complete by the end of next year.

The Grandview Board of Aldermen gave its go-ahead to the proposed design at its Oct. 4 work session.

“The intent of this improvement project is to develop a public place that people can use to meet and gather when visiting businesses in the downtown area,” said Dennis Randolph, public works director.

The project is an expansion of work started this year with phase one of Main St. improvements between KC Southern Railroad and 10th St. The total estimated cost of the project is about $321,439 – but Uncle Sam is picking up the bulk of that.

“We have $225,000 in Federal aid, and the city’s cost will be $96,429,” Randolph said.

The improvements to the site will include landscaping, a sidewalk, lights, a truss-covered entranceway, and a new “curtain-wall” water feature. The site will provide space for farmer’s market vendors on market days (currently Saturdays) and what Randolph called a “pocket park” at other times.

“During the year, the Parks and Recreation Department will be able to host entertainers and other recreation activities on the site,” Randolph said. “There will be plenty of seating provided around the landscape planter boxes and the new water feature.”

Tony Finlay, director of parks and recreation, said the city is looking for someone to be responsible for recruiting vendors and managing Grandview’s farmer’s market next year. Interested parties should contact Finlay at 316-4880.

For questions or suggestions about the market site in general, the public can attend the Oct. 18 public meeting, send an email to suggestions@ci.grandview.mo.us or call the Public Works Department at 316-4856.

Chief Darryl Forte Sworn In

2011-10-12T11:10:00.001-05:00

Forte

Kansas City Deputy Police Chief Darryl Forte, 49, a lifelong Kansas City resident and a 26-year department veteran, was sworn in Thursday as the new Chief of Police.

The Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously to approve Forte for the position, making him the first black police chief Kansas City has ever had.

“I couldn’t be more pleased,” said Councilman John Sharp, who represents the 6th District and chairs the city council’s Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee. “He had very specific ideas about more effectively preventing and solving homicides and other violent crimes that I thought were right on target.”

Forte won the position over two fellow in-house candidates, KCPD Deputy Chief Kevin Masters and retired KCPD Deputy Chief Vincent Ortega, as well as Fayetteville, N.C. Chief of Police Thomas Bergamine and Rochester, N.Y. Executive Deputy Chief George E. Markert.

“We had three really strong local candidates,” said Councilman Scott Taylor, 6th District At-Large. “The advantage of having a chief with local experience is that he can hit the ground running.”

Kansas City Mayor Sly James said he was confident that Forte could help improve communication between City Hall and the police department. He said Forte was the best choice because he has long experience dealing with violent crime issues in Kansas City.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said Forte was the right choice.

“I’m confident Chief Forte will be a good partner, not only with the prosecutor’s office but also with the many other partners – from business leaders to City Council members to residents – whose time and effort will be required to improve our city’s public safety.”

Forte has most recently been in charge of the department’s financial and capital improvements units. He joined the force at age 23. By 2003, he was a major in the violent crimes division. He achieved notoriety for his work in catching Terry Blair, a serial killer who murdered six women.

During interviews for the position Forte outlined specific plans such as flooding homicide scenes with resources to quickly get statements from witnesses, requiring homicide detectives to stay with the department for at least five years, and to start a unit to support witnesses and provide assistance to victims.

Forte also shared a strategic plan to build trust between the department and the community, including a monthly public meeting to give residents direct access to him.

At several public hearings leading up to the decision, residents and community leaders from across the Metro urged the commission to find a local candidate who had experience dealing with violence.

“I’m really pleased to hear Chief Forte will be targeting hot spots and directing resources to help fight violent crime,” Taylor said.

Evacuation at Grandview C-4 Building

2011-10-10T13:10:00.009-05:00

BREAKING NEWS

By Paul Thompson • Photos by Seann McAnally

UPDATE: Grandview firefighters were called this morning to investigate an unknown odor at the Center for Alternative Instructional Resources (C.A.I.R.) school building located at 1001 Main and soon discovered that several people were complaining of being sick. A special fire department meter did not indicate the presence of any dangerous chemicals, but the building was evacuated and a hazmat team from the Kansas City Fire Department was requested in addition to representatives from the gas company. Three out of fifteen people evaluated by paramedics (one adult and two teenagers) were transported to local hospitals for observation by ambulances including units from Belton and Kansas City. The sophisticated testing equipment used by both the hazmat team and gas company also failed to sense the presence of anything dangerous. As an added precaution, the team took an air sample back to their chemist in Kansas City for analysis that resulted in a finding of 12 parts per billion for a combination of floor wax, cleaning solvents and copy machine toner. According to a member of this same team of firefighters, such a reading is typical for most office buildings throughout the United States. With no dangerous conditions found, the building was deemed safe and capable of reopening for school tomorrow morning.

As it happened...
Three people were taken to the hospital and a building was evacuated after a suspicious odor hit a Grandview C-4 school district building today, but fire officials are still investigating the cause.

Fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars from Grandview and Kansas City were dispatched to the Center for Alternative Instructional Resources (CAIR) after staff reported a suspicious odor inside the building at approximately 12:15 p.m. Students and staff were immediately evacuated outside the building, and eventually moved to Conn-West Elementary while fire department personnel inspected the building.

Eleven people were tested for their symptoms, and three were ultimately taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. One staff member and two kids were taken away by emergency vehicles.

Fire officials did not find any known dangerous gasses in the air inside the building, but are still conducting air quality tests.

"The Fire Marshall took an air quality test and they're taking it to the lab right now," said Lane Lucas, a district spokesman, at about 2:15 p.m. "We should know the results in an hour or two. That's the final thing we're waiting to make sure we can have school tomorrow, which we anticipate we can."

The Kansas City Fire Department assisted at the scene with HAZ-MAT specialists. According to C-4 superintendant Dr. Ralph Teran, the KCFD was using more advanced equipment to inspect the leak to get down to the bottom of the problem.

"It's kind of puzzling right now," Lucas said. "There was an odor but officials found no gas."

KC Zoo to Ask Jackson County Voters for 1/8-Cent Sales Tax

2011-10-05T10:21:00.001-05:00

Friends of the Zoo, including Royals legend Frank White, kicked off a campaign to pass 1/8-cent sales taxes in Jackson and Clay counties to fund major upgrades at the Kansas City Zoo. If the measure is approved by voters in November, the zoo will add a major penguin exhibit, along with creative new habitats for the giraffes, the big cats and many other popular zoo animals. Residents of each county that approves the sales tax will enjoy annual free days and other special benefits at the zoo.

Community leaders and zoo supporters gathered at the zoo in Swope Park last week to tout a Nov. 8 ballot measure in Jackson County and Clay County that calls for a new 1/8-cent sales tax for zoo improvements and operations.

Funds would be used to help expedite projects in the zoo’s master plan. A Penguin Exhibit would be completed in the next two years, followed by an Orangutan Canopy section, Predator Canyon for tigers and other big cats, an interactive Giraffe Tree Tops viewing area, an Elephant Oasis, a specialized Gorilla Forest, a modern Sea Lion Cove and a custom-designed Kids Wet Play Zone. The zoo would also expand its educational programs, using Zoomobiles to bring experiences to schools, libraries, and community centers in Jackson County and Clay County.

If passed, Jackson and Clay County residents would be eligible for half-price admission to the zoo at any time and would get in free on four designated days each year. They would also get discounts on Friends of the Zoo memberships. The zoo would also sponsor field trips, including transportation, for schoolchildren in designated grade levels, with instruction that meets Missouri Show-Me Standards.

The sales tax would raise an estimated $14 million annually, starting January 1, 2012. The tax amounts to one penny on every $8 in taxable purchases in Jackson County and Clay County. An estimated one-third of sales taxes would be paid by shoppers and tourists who do not live in either county.

An independent commission made up of members from Jackson and Clay counties would oversee budgeting and expenditures for the improvements.

“We can create a truly extraordinary, national caliber zoo that the area will be proud of for generations,” said Chuck Caisley, chairman of the One Zoo for All campaign committee.

The Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park is 102 years old. Attendance at the zoo has risen to more than 600,000 visitors per year since the independent private non-profit Friends of the Zoo took over operations in 2002, but zoo experts estimate attendance could grow to 1.12 million by 2022 when the 10-year zoo improvement plan is complete.

The expanded zoo would create up to 100 new full-time jobs, along with scores of seasonal jobs for teenagers and retirees. Many jobs would also develop through the construction projects over the 10-year period.

Tax Rate Rises for Hickman Mills, No Hike for Grandview City or Schools

2011-10-05T10:19:00.002-05:00

The City of Grandview, Grandview C-4 School District, and Hickman Mills C-1 School District all recently set their tax levy rates and examined their revenues for the fiscal year.

While Grandview’s city and school boards decided to keep their tax levy rates steady, Hickman Mills decided to raise its rate.

Grandview tax levy steady

by Seann McAnally • JC Advocate

Grandview’s property tax levy for 2011 will remain the same.

The Board of Aldermen on Sept. 27 unanimously passed an ordinance that establishes a levy of $1 per $100 of assessed valuation for general purposes, 38 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for debt service, and 12 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for park maintenance. Those taxes will be collected as revenue for 2012.

Alderman Jim Crain said he was proud that Grandview has not effectively raised taxes in decades.

According to Jackson County records, the final 2011 aggregate assessed valuation for the city is $258,787,123. That’s a 2.54 percent decrease from 2010, which was $265,539,937.

Shirley Moses, director of finance, told the board at a September public hearing that the decrease was due to declining property values across the Metro area.

The tax rate is the maximum allowed by Missouri law.

Hickman Mills C-1 tax Levy Increases

By Mary Kay Morrow • JC Advocate

The Hickman Mills C-1 school district raised its debt service levy, hoping to maintain revenues while facing a downgraded bond rating from A+ to A with a negative outlook, as well as a low level of reserves. Meanwhile, bond refinancing and an energy conservation program have been approved to help the district save money.

The C-1 levy was raised by a nickel per $100 of assessed value bringing the total levy to $6.3217. The debt service increase from 80 cents to 85 cents means that taxpayers with a $100,000 home whose value has not changed will pay approximately $9.50 more to support their schools this year.

“The average homeowner won’t see much change because valuations went down,” said Associate Superintendent of Business Mitch Nutterfield. “We are not raising the rate to get more money, we are raising it to get the same amount.”

Administrators told the board they are projecting a $3.73 million operating budget deficit for 2011-12. The big question looming next year, administrators say, is what will make up federal money that will go away in 2012-13 if there is no additional federal stimulus money.

“We will amend [the budget] throughout the year as things change,” Nutterfield said.

Last year, the district saw job cuts and building consolidation due to deficit predictions, only to see the district finish the year with a $2 million operating surplus. Board Member Breman Anderson, Jr. voted in June against a preliminary budget saying he hoped the board would be given information in the future to guide decisions.

This time, the board voted six-to-zero to approve the 2011-12 fiscal budget. Board Vice-President George Flesher was absent for the vote.

The tax levy increase comes at a time when the district has slim reserves, with a projected year-end reserve of just 4.591%. State auditors generally like to see a three-month reserve, but prefer a safety net of 24 percent, and put districts that drop below 4% on a watch list.

To save money during current favorable market conditions, in July, the Hickman board approved a “Go To Market” resolution to refinance the district’s Series 2003 General Obligation Bond, valued at $15,975,000, at lower interest rates.

September 27, the Board of Education approved a resolution that split the bond into two pieces to refund $9.65 million of the bond now, saving the district $1.4 million. Flesher was absent during the vote.

“My plan would be to follow up in early 2012 with the refunding of the balance of this 2003 issue, and our preliminary indications would be, if the market doesn’t change radically, we could save another half million dollars on that issue,” said Nutterfield.

On the refinanced issue, the school board’s rating was downgraded from A+ to A with a negative outlook.

“Since the financial meltdown that we had in ’07, investors are interested in having a rating on the school district itself, separate and apart from the state program,” Nutterfield explained.

Hickman had an A rating through the early 2000’s that was upgraded to A+ in 2003.

“I knew that there was some risk of a downgrade on this issue due to the under-performance in your assessed valuation which was under no control of the district, and also there is a sizeable planned drawdown in this year’s budget that is, in all likelihood, unavoidable as well.”

The “negative outlook” classification could be removed in the next nine to twelve months if the district successfully adopts a balanced budget or a slight surplus for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013.

“If your FY 2012 budget holds to form, you’re going to end up with a fund balance somewhere in the 4 percent range. Your ability to sustain additional deficits is going to be seriously challenged,” Nutterfield said. “They [investors] want to see how you’re going to address that issue in FY 2013 and beyond.”

In another effort to save money, the Hickman board joined other school districts by agreeing to work with Energy Education, a firm that works with organizations to change behaviors that conserve energy and reduce utility bills.

The adoption is expected to save the district some $440,000 annually in energy costs. Nutterfield said the idea of the program is revenue neutral.

“We’re going to have to start looking along those lines of what you can do to realize some savings with existing structures that we have, even though our buildings are old,” said Superintendent Dr. Marge Williams. “Without having to go into the operating budget … I think it’s something we want to do….knowing that down the line, you’re going to save thousands of dollars.”

Grandview c-4 rate remains the same

By Paul Thompson

• JC Advocate

The Grandview C-4 School District will not raise their operating or debt levy this year. The school board unanimously voted on September 22 to maintain their total tax levy at $5.8936 per $100 assessed valuation, opting not to raise the $.80 levy for the debt services fund. The $5.0936 levy for the operating funds was already at the maximum allowed by the state of Missouri without voter approval.

The assessed valuation for 2011 slipped some 2% from 2010 levels, falling from $432,544,063 to $424,351,578 in 2011. Those figures represent an $8,192,485 reduction from last year.

Despite the reductions, however, the C-4 school board felt that they would be able to meet their debt service needs in 2011 without raising the debt levy.

Assistant Superintendant of Operations and Finance Ann Marie Cook explained that a raised levy could be too burdensome for taxpayers in an already difficult economy.

“The adopted levy of $.80 is aligned with projections from our bond counsel and will meet our debt service needs for the current year, while maintaining consideration of the fiscal impact on the taxpayers in our district.”

Public invited to question finalists for police chief position

2011-09-29T10:26:00.002-05:00

The public will get the chance to interview the candidates for the next chief of police of Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 6.

The community is invited at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, to the auditorium of Paseo Academy, 4747 Flora, for an open forum with the five finalists for Kansas City, Missouri, police chief. The forum will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees will be invited to submit questions to the candidates in writing.

The five finalists for the chief position are:

KCPD Deputy Chief Darryl Forté

KCPD Deputy Chief Kevin Masters

Retired KCPD Deputy Chief Vincent Ortega

Fayetteville, N.C., Chief of Police Thomas Bergamine

Rochester, N.Y., Executive Deputy Chief George E. Markert.

Immediately after the public forum, the Board of Police Commissioners will meet in closed session. The Board also will conduct closed interviews with the finalists Oct. 5 and 6. The meetings are closed pursuant to Missouri Statute Section 610.021(3) because they relate to “hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting or particular employees by a public governmental body when personal information about the employee is discussed or recorded.”

Grandview School Board Discusses GHS Power Problems, Sex Ed Policy

2011-09-28T12:21:00.002-05:00

By Paul Thompson

An electrical problem at Grandview High School last week led to power outages in the 300 and 400 level hallways. The school was able to limit any further issues by powering the affected areas with a generator, but the district was forced to invoke an emergency clause in district policy in order to proceed with repairs without immediate board approval. An additional board item was created for the September 22 regular school board meeting, where the BOE unanimously approved a $15,800 estimate for repairs given by Staco Electric Company.

The problem stemmed from about 500 linear feet of wiring running from the north to the south boiler room that had been damaged. Staco Electric finished the job on Friday, and school was not affected this week. The $15,800 that was needed for the repairs was taken out of the Capital Projects fund.

A Missouri legislative bill passed in 2007 is impacting the school district’s policy language regarding the teaching of sexual education.

The Missouri School Board Association has suggested that school districts revise their policy to state that:

The Board of Education recognizes that parents/guardians are the primary source of sexuality education for their children...

and, in another part of the policy (entitled IGAEB):

The district will not permit a person or entity to offer, sponsor or furnish in any manner any course materials or instruction relating to human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases to its students if the person or entity is a provider of abortion services. District personnel or district agents will not encourage students to have an abortion.

GNEA President Rebeka McIntosh spoke against policy IGAEB at the September 22nd board meeting, stating that a narrow reading of the language would prohibit the teacher from using materials (such as pamphlets) obtained from hospitals.

“IGAEB is a really bad piece of legislation from 2007, and thankfully it has taken this long to get to us,” she said to the board. “This new language that requires such a narrow, narrow reading will prevent us from getting information from hospitals.”

McIntosh said that the proposed policy would eliminate a lot of sources of information for the students.

“We are currently using materials that are provided by people we could no longer use,” she said. “This has nothing to do with the agenda behind it. It has to do with the amount of information that would not be available.”

Board member Ann Fisher agreed that it would be prudent check the language more thoroughly before making a decision on policy IGAEB.

“I would agree, especially after listening to Rebeka, that we need to look at this language,” Fisher said.

Three new district administrators were also welcomed at the meeting. The board got a chance to meet new Grandview Middle principal Jennifer Price, new Grandview Middle assistant principal Tim Moore, and new GHS assistant principal Brian Rudolph. All three candidates were promoted from within the district.

Local Districts Prepare for Impact of KC’s Loss of Accreditation

2011-09-28T12:20:00.003-05:00

By Andrea Wood & Paul Thompson

School administrators in Grandview C-4 and Hickman Mills C-1 are among the local districts scrambling for a plan after the announcement last Tuesday that the Kansas City School District had lost its accreditation.

The unaccredited status begins Jan. 1, 2012.

According to state statute, the boards of unaccredited schools “shall pay the tuition of and provide transportation…for each pupil resident therein who attends an accredited school in another district of the same or adjoining county” and that “each pupil shall be free to attend the public school of his or her choice.”

Grandview Superintendent Dr. Ralph Teran acknowledged that the district has already been questioned about a student transfer.

“We’ve had, to my knowledge, one inquiry,” he said last Thursday. Teran noted that districts immediately bordering Kansas City would likely be more greatly affected, but acknowledged that Grandview could end up becoming a landing spot for former Kansas City School District students.

Hickman Mills Deputy Superintendent Dr. Everlyn Williams told residents at the Southern Communities Coalition meeting last Wednesday that district administrators will be talking strategy this week about a possible influx of Kansas City students.

“We can take more,” she said, noting that the district’s enrollment is down again this year to approximately 6,200. She said the distict can handle some 7,000 students.

A lawsuit in St. Louis may also impact how local school districts handle the possible influx of Kansas City students.

The St. Louis School District has been
unaccredited since 2007, but students have been left with little choice but remaining with the district since neighboring districts have been hesitant about admitting them.

A lawsuit, Turner v. Clayton School District was filed, bringing into question whether or not a school district be required to admit non-resident students from unaccredited school districts.

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Judge David Vincent granted a joint motion for a continuance, postponing the start of the Turner v. Clayton trail until Jan. 23, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.

As the case makes it’s way through the court system, Judge Breckenridge pointed out that while each pupil is free to choose the school the pupil desires to attend, that choice is limited by the chosen district’s decision whether or not to grant a non-resident discretionary waiver from the receiving district. A summary states:

This interpretation is consistent with policy statements issued by the state’s department of elementary and secondary education and avoids the absurd result in which an unlimited number of students from St. Louis city could attend the Clayton school district even if it meant the district exceeded its capacity or it had difficulty collecting tuition payments from the transitional school district.

Districts are looking not only at their own potential impact and the St. Louis court case, but also Kansas City’s own history, to determine what may happen.

After all, this is not the first time the Kansas City school district has been unaccredited. The school district also lost accreditation in 1999, which took affect in 2000. Then in 2006, the school district was improved to a provisionally accredited status.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), recommended the most recent downgrade after the school district met only three of 14 state progress and assessment APR standards.

The loss of accreditation puts Kansas City schools on a two-year probation where the district will work closely with the state board of education. If the district does not show marked improvement during those two years, the state must decide whether to take over the district, or dissolve it.

According to Missouri Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro, this is the best action for students and children of the school district. Nicastro said she hopes that it will in fact galvanize some definitive action on the part of the district, the community and the department.

Missing Grandview Man Found Dead

2011-09-28T12:19:00.000-05:00

Kenneth Corder

A Grandview man who had been missing for more than a week was found dead near his car in Riverside on Saturday.

The Grandview Police Department had issued an Endangered SILVER Advisory for Kenneth L. Corder, age 81, who resided in the 13200 block of Spring St in Grandview.

According to police, Kenneth was seen driving his Chevy Silverado in various locations throughout the metro area, appearing lost and confused, on Friday, September 16.

At approximately 2:24pm a Johnson County, Kansas deputy had contact with Corder and gave him directions to Grandview after Corder stated he was lost. At 4:30 PM Corder was seen on private property in Creighton, MO, where he told the residents he was lost and trying to find a restaurant in Harrisonville. He was last seen alive between 9 -10 pm at the QT gas station at 68th and Highway 169 in Kansas City, MO, where he appeared disoriented and was unable to work the gas pump by himself.

He was found eight days later, lying next to his vehicle in a remote area of Riverside south of I-635 near 69 Highway.

Riverside Police said that Kenneth was found by a person on foot doing work for a local business, and that he was not visible from the roadway.

The cause of death is unknown at press time, but police say it appears he died of natural causes. The Jackson County Medical Examiner is determining the cause of death.