eNewsletter March 23, 2011

From City Council . . . to the Business Council

Prepared by Rich Groves, Executive Director, North Kansas City Business Council

Twice a month I will distill, highlight and pass along any relevant news for the business community from the City Council meetings that I attend each week, as well as other happenings at City Hall.

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What is this?

This is the 2nd in a series of e-newsletters that will bring to you, twice a month, any relevant news for the business community from the City Council meetings that I attend each week, as well as other happenings at City Hall.

Why do we do it?

This communication is intended to be an additional Benefit of Membership as a member of the North Kansas City Business Council. If you know of other businesses who are NOT members – but who probably would benefit by being a member – please let them know this is one thing they are missing. If you have good "leads" for prospective new members, please let me know. Call 472-7700 or e-mail richard@nkcbusinesscouncil.com.

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Business Stories

Another idea has arisen to include in future e-mail messages, on alternating weeks with this City Council-related e-newsletter, to share stories about businesses in North Kansas City. The stories can be about current happenings, product lines or services and marketing approaches or the stories can be about the unique creation and evolution of the businesses. Whatever we include will be based on input you choose to share with us. I would welcome your input. Just send us the “seeds” of ideas and we will be glad to write the stories. We don’t expect you to write the stories unless you want to.

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New news from City Hall as of March 23, 2011...

Topics for this week:

• Distribution of 2011 Harrah’s Charitable Fund donation
• Action Taken About the Eyesore at 1815 Burlington Rd
• American Heart CPR
• Membership luncheon tomorrow will include an update on North Kansas City economic development as well as the opportunity to meet the new City Administrator, Matt Shatto.
• March 31 reception for retiring City Councilmember Bettie Miller
• March 21 Small Business Expo sponsored by Representative Sam Graves
• Update on the Community Garden
• Update on the Community Center upgrade project
• Changes to 1700 Swift

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Distribution of 2011 Harrah’s Charitable Fund Donation

Each year, selected North Kansas City organizations are the beneficiaries of distributions from the Harrah’s Charitable Donation Fund. The City Council makes the determination of which organizations receive money and what portion of the total distribution they will receive. This year, 31 different organizations were designated to receive portions of the $144,672 to be distributed from the fund. The categories of organizations represented are: Community Services, Elderly Services, Emergency Social Services, Medical Services, Schools, Service Organizations, Social Services and Other. Thank you, Harrah’s, for this level of generosity to North Kansas City. Complete details are available on the city website as part of the minutes of the March 15 Special City Council meeting.

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Action Taken on Eyesore at 1815 Burlington Rd

The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that is considered an important step towards the acquisition and removal of a long standing eyesore located at 1815 Burlington Rd. This building was originally constructed in the early 1950’s and leased to Safeway for a grocery store. However, this building has stood vacant, and without proper maintenance for approximately ten years. Some of the negligence reportedly stems from a tangled web of leases and subleases. The City’s power of eminent domain has been determined necessary so that a responsible owner can act with the proper authority to remove what has become a blighted, public nuisance at one of the City’s most highly visible intersections.

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American Heart CPR Contract

In order to continue to have a state of readiness to support North Kansas City residents and businesses, the North Kansas City Fire Department has requested City Council approval of a contract to renew the agreement with the Kansas City Fire Department to be a designated Training Site to provide American Heart Association’s (AHA) emergency cardiovascular care training.

Fire department personnel are required to have AHA-CPR certification to maintain their National Registry licensure and to participate in refresher training courses including Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). CPR certification is also required to maintain Missouri Paramedic and EMT licensure.

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Reception for Bettie Miller

Long-time City Councilmember Bettie Miller has decided to retire. A reception in her honor has been scheduled for Thursday, March 31, 3:00-4:30 p.m., at City Hall. Call 274-6000 by March 25 to RSVP if you would like to attend.

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Small Business Expo

This topic is NOT a matter of City business but it is related to government and may be of interest to owners of small businesses in North Kansas City. I attended what was the 3rd annual Small Business Expo sponsored by U.S. Representative Sam Graves on Monday, March 21. Topics included: Getting the Most Out of Your Social Media (Facebook/Twitter/Linked-In); Healthcare Law: What it Means for You; Access to Capital: Banker’s Perspective; Best Business Practices; Growing Your Business: SBA, Growing Your Business: USDA; and Missouri Economic Development. If you are interested in any of the notes or resources I gained that day, please let me know. richard@nkcbusinesscouncil.com or 472-7700 or contact Rep. Graves’ office 816-792-3976. The material provided about Healthcare Law was outstanding. So was the material provided about the best use of social media.

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Update on the Community Garden

I mentioned in the March 9 e-newsletter that people interested in the community garden had requested improvements and commitment for a permanent site. The City Council approved last night a letter that clarified that a permanent commitment for the land currently being used could not be made because it is in the incorporated area of Kansas City, although owned by North Kansas City for possible future use, and that requested improvements could not be made because of proximity to the Hillside Levee operated by the Levee District and the Corps of Engineers.

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Update on the Community Center Upgrade Project

The City Council approved by vote of 6 to 2 amending the contract between the City of North Kansas City and 360 Architecture, Inc for professional services related to the North Kansas City Health and Community Center. 360 Architecture provide a study for a total cost of $179,000 as part of the total project which is expected to cost $2,313,000.

The scope of the work which is intended to make the center more competitive with other area centers and more sustainable includes:

• Renovation and expansion (2,970 square feet) of the weight and cardiovascular area including mechanical items.
• Plumbing fixtures.
• Energy efficient lighting and controls.
• Domestic hot water heater replacement.

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Changes to 1700 Swift

The City Council approved improvements to the access at 1700 Swift in support of a project by StorSafe IV L.L.C./John Miller in preparation for a new business to North Kansas City. Clinical Coding Systems, Inc. is a rapidly-growing business that is moving from Riverside to North Kansas City. More on that in a future e-Newsletter.