eNewsletter May 11, 2011

From City Council . . . to the Business Council

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

City Staff Response Supports Levee Repair Funding Request

Beginning with the statement "There is no doubt the Levee is the single most important piece of infrastructure in place for the area included within its boundary" City Administrator Matt Shatto responded affirmatively to the Levee District request for financial assistance to enable FEMA certification-related projects to be completed by January 2012.

Details of an arrangement to provide necessary funds have not yet been worked out. The City cannot actually lend money to the Levee District but some type of temporary use of funds is being arranged. Matt outlined the risks and possible consequences of the arrangement but agreed it was definitely in the best interests of the City to support the Levee District request. Details of the analysis can be viewed as an attachment to work session agenda item #1 at http://www.nkc.org/UltimateEditorInclude/UserFiles/Common/Agenda/Work_Session_-_City_CouncilAgenda_05-03-2011_040610.pdf. The presentation to City Council included the letter from the Business Council Board of Directors to the Mayor and the City Administrator.

Screenland Armour Agreement

When Butch Rigby’s Film Row, L.L.C. agreed to a City request in 2007 to purchase, re-furbish and operate what is now the Screenland Armour Theatre, the agreement allowed for 15% debt forgiveness each year if certain operation and maintenance requirements were fulfilled. The issue before the City Council was whether the requirements were fulfilled and if the debt forgiveness for the first two years should be applied. Resolutions for loan forgiveness for two years were approved, although by 4 to 4 ties among City Council persons, with the Mayor casting the deciding vote for both resolutions. Other uses of the building in addition to the theatre are several office spaces, including the Business Council office, Northland Festivals and "The Loft" ballroom and event center.

Curbs and Gutter Projects

Anyone driving or walking along Armour has noticed work that has begun on the road curb project. It has been planned for some time due to rapid deterioration over the last 3 years. The project was put on hold during the I-35 project to minimize additional traffic problems along the Armour Rd corridor. Large sections of steel reinforcement were recently discovered protruding from the existing curb, potentially causing a severe risk to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Other projects on the list for work are:

A drainage structure repair on Howell and 13th Ave. will unfortunately close both Howell and 13th Ave for a couple of days.
Alley entrance in the north part of the City. City crews damaged this entrance while fixing a sewer issue here last year.
Saw cut on the new sidewalk in front of Norclay School is heaving. The freeze-thaw from the last 2 winters caused some heaving here. A saw cut will relieve the pressure on the sidewalk and cause the heaving to dissipate.
Handicapped ramps in the avenues will be replaced because they were not built according to the APWA and the ADA specifications.
Several "tripper" sidewalks around town to fix the little squares that could cause someone to trip on city sidewalks.

Secondary projects that will be addressed as budget allows.

(3) Catch basins along 18th Ave. need repairs
Curb along 16th Ave is deteriorating
Small piece of curb on 21st Ave.
Burlington St improvements

Morrill & Janes Bank

A new bank on Swift Ave, Morrill & Janes Bank, next to the Edward Jones office, has been given approval to install an ATM and night depository on the front of their building which will cause a slight intrusion on the sidewalk right-of-way. Morrill & Janes Bank, under the leadership of Donald Lewis, wasted no time becoming a new member of the Business Council.

Crime statistics mapping software

Stephen Roberts, I/T Manager for the City of North Kansas City, explained that North Kansas City provides daily input that allows a mapped display of crime locations. You can find information about crime incidents in North Kansas City (or other communities) at www.crimereports.com. The data appears on a Google map. Click on any icon on the map for details about the specific crimes. The primary incidents on the map are robbery, assault or theft, however most other types of crimes are also included.

Another acquisition for future mixed use project

The City Council approved purchase of land from K.C. 1986 Limited Partnership in the vicinity of Armour Rd and Railroad Ave to be included in the proposed future mixed use development project between I-35, Armour Rd and Railroad Ave.

What is this?

This is the 6th 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 for members 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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