eNewsletter April 6, 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 3rd 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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New news from City Hall as of April 6, 2011 . . .

Topics for this week:

• iNKCity’s Capabilities are Similar to the Google/KCK Project
• City presentations at March 24 Membership Luncheon
• Ripple Glass bottle recycling
• State Representative Jay Swearingen Friday morning Conversations
• Futurallia 2011 in Kansas City
• Petitioned State Audit
• Second Saturdays
• Traffic Light Repair – Armour & Fayette
• Cosgrove Property/Cable Building Parking

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liNKCity’s Capabilities are Similar to the Google/KCK Project

In a press release on March 31, Paula Brooks, liNKCity Marketing and Operations Manager, pointed out the similarities in capabilities between what liNKCity began putting in place 5 years ago and the future project announced by Google for Kansas City, Kansas. The stir created by the Google announcement can work to the advantage of North Kansas City because of the heightened awareness of the benefits of a comprehensive fiber optic network for business site selection. Several companies have selected North Kansas City specifically because of the existing fiber optic network.

To improve liNKCity’s market penetration, a consulting firm has been hired to conduct a Business Performance Evaluation Study as well as a Feasibility Study and Strategic Business Plan. Additionally, liNKCity has contracted with Morningstar Communications and Hot Metal Creative to develop and implement a multi-year integrated marketing communications and marketing program based on the goals and strategies recommended in the Business Performance Evaluation Study.

The liNKCity network is fully capable of providing 1 gigabit speeds which were announced by Google to be coming to KCK. Currently, liNKCity offers tiered symmetrical internet service ranging from 1 Mbps up to 30 Mbps for residents and 2 Mbps up to 30 Mbps for commercial customers.

For businesses not currently connected to the liNKCity network, contact Paula Brooks at 412- 7990 or pbrooks@nkc.org for additional information.

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City Presentations at March 24 Membership Luncheon

Beginning with introductory comments by Mayor Bill Biggerstaff, including an introduction of the new City Administrator, Matt Shatto, various City department heads made presentations at the March 24 Business Council Membership Luncheon. The general theme was sustainability. Reports were given by Police Chief Glenn Ladd, Fire Chief David Williams, Community Center Director Greg Hansen, Public Works Director Pat Hawver and liNKCity manager Paula Brooks. Economic Development Manager Jeff Samborski gave a more extensive report on the status of economic development in North Kansas City as well as a brief overview of the history of North Kansas City and the significance of the Centennial year celebration that will occur during 2012.

The birth of North Kansas City in 1912 was as the first planned community in the Kansas City area – even before the now world-famous Country Club Plaza. For the first few decades North Kansas City was a “company town” run by the North Kansas City Development Company. Gradually, property ownership in North Kansas City has transitioned to be more broad-based. The employee population exceeds the resident population by a ratio of more than 5 to 1. North Kansas City has some outstanding attributes that continue to make it even more attractive to businesses. These features include superior highway and rail accessibility, accessibility to a large employee base, a high speed fiber optic network utility throughout the city, a relatively low crime rate and relatively low taxes.

Paula Brooks gave an informative overview about liNKCity. See the article above for details.

Chief Ladd gave a humorous (but possibly helpful) update about the role of technology in parking control. The days of chalk marks on tires are gone; now the traffic control officer records license numbers for reference on the next time around the circuit to determine if the 2 hour parking limit has been exceeded.

Pat Hawver gave a helpful update about glass recycling. See the article below.

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Ripple Glass Bottle Recycling

Since January 2010, residents and businesses in North Kansas City have “contributed” 46.2 tons of glass to be recycled at the collection point at 1901 Howell St. This has been made possible through a contract with Ripple Glass which now has more than 80 public collection points throughout Kansas City.

Here are some important facts you should know about glass recycling.

• Container glass is 100% recyclable, can be recycled endlessly, and is a primary ingredient in fiberglass insulation and new glass containers.
• Burying perfectly good glass in the landfill wastes all the material, energy, and labor that went into making it.
• Using recycled glass produces 20% less air pollution and 50% less water pollution than creating new glass (or fiberglass) from raw materials.
• Every ton of glass that's recycled results in more than one ton of raw materials saved. That's 1,300 lbs. of sand, 410 lbs. of soda ash, 380 lbs. of limestone, and 150 lbs. of feldspar.
• Recycling just one glass bottle saves enough electricity to light a 100-watt light bulb for four hours. (Imagine how long it would light a compact fluorescent!)
• A six-pack of recycled beer bottles produces enough fiberglass insulation to fill a standard wall cavity.

Recycling glass is probably something we could all do more frequently. Reminder: the North Kansas City glass recycling collection location is 1901 Howell St.

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State Representative Jay Swearingen’s Friday Conversations

Every Friday morning for the next several weeks – until the Missouri legislative Spring session is over – State Representative Jay Swearingen is hosting a Q & A session at the North Kansas City Café at 414 Armour between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Jay has extended an invitation and a welcome to any one who would like to learn more about the progress with current issues in the state legislature.

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Futurallia Kansas City 2011

What’s so significant about this odd-looking name? For the first time in 16 Futurallia events, this global gathering of entrepreneurs will be held in the United States. We are fortunate that Kansas City was selected to be the host. The dates are May 18-20. Location: Kansas City Convention Center.

Whether you call it business matchmaking, business speed dating, or B2B meetings, FUTURALLIA is a fast-paced and intense business event where, all in all, more than 9,000 B2B meetings will take place!

The concept is simple: Gather more than 800 entrepreneurs from more than 30 countries for 2 days of pre-selected and pre-arranged one-on-one business meetings.

You might want to look at http://www.futuralliakc2011.com/how_to_register.html to determine if this is something your business should participate in – especially if you currently are involved in import or export, or if you think you might be in the future. There is an Information session/reception THIS Thursday, April 7, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., at the Mexico Consulate, 1617 Baltimore. You will need to RSVP to info@futuralliakc2011.com if you would like to attend the reception.

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Petitioned State Audit

A representative from the Missouri State Auditor’s department gave an update at the City Council Work Session on April 5 concerning the status of a mandated financial audit by the State Auditor’s staff. This audit became a mandate because a petition initiated by concerned citizens received a sufficient number of certified signatures. The City will be required to pay the State of Missouri a minimum of $35,000 and up to a maximum of $50,000 to accomplish the audit. This audit is in addition to the routine audit the City hires an outside accounting firm to do each year.

Work on the audit is scheduled to begin later this month and to be completed by early June. The audit will focus on petitioners’ concerns as well as budget processes and administrative functions related to financial controls. Additionally, the State Auditor’s department will perform an audit of the City’s Municipal Court, but not at the expense of the City.

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Second Saturdays

Officer Steve Beamer gave an encouraging report about plans and improvements for Second Saturdays in 2011. The first one is May 14. The last one for this season will be September 10. The time of the art market will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to allow more overlap with the car show. In addition to food being sold by the Rotary Club some nonprofit organizations will also be selling food. Officer Beamer indicated there would also be more variety in the music. More information about Second Saturdays can be found at www.nkc.org/2ndsat. Additionally, a digital billboard along I-35 will be used to publicize the events at a reasonable cost of $275/mo for 24 x 7 exposure.

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Budget Impact of Armour & Fayette Traffic Light Repairs

A “hit-and-run” driver in the middle of the night a few weeks ago did major damage to the traffic light controller at the intersection of Armour and Fayette. The traffic light was out of commission for an extended time due to the need to order, install and program a replacement controller. The cost to replace the controller was slightly over $22 thousand. Insurance will only cover $2,500. Consequently, it was necessary for Public Works Director Pat Hawver to ask the City Council for a significant budget adjustment to cover this unanticipated expense as well as expected additional repairs the remainder of the year. Pat indicated that some components of the damaged controller could be used to repair other traffic controllers.

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Cosgrove Property/Cable Building Parking

The City Council has approved a proposal to resolve issues related to the parking lot behind the Cable Building now occupied by Lutjen Engineering and other tenants.