eNewsletter June 23, 2011

From City Council . . . to the Business Council

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

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Recent topics from City Hall (and beyond) as of June 23, 2011…

• North Kansas City Flood Outlook and Plans
• Re-examination of North Kansas City Community Center Renovation/Expansion
• Update on Town Square Improvements project
• liNKCity Policy, Rates & Fees for Leasing Dark Fiber on the Fiber Optic Network

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North Kansas City Flood Outlook and Plans

A public meeting was held Tuesday evening, June 21, at the North Kansas City Community Center to share news about flood preparedness and flood forecasts with concerned citizens and the business community.

Information was shared by Leon Staab, Engineer for the North Kansas City Sewer District, and Fire Chief David Williams, as well as representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

What communities all along the Missouri River are facing is a large amount of water caused by higher than normal snowfall melting in the mountains in Montana which was significantly impacted by higher than normal rainfall in Montana and the Dakotas in early May, adding to the river flow. The amount of water is approximately 2 ½ times the normal amount.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is coordinating the overall management of the high water in cooperation with levee districts like the North Kansas City Levee District. The bottom line for North Kansas City is that river stages in the Kansas City area are expected to be between 30 and 39 feet through the end of August, and river levels are expected to remain higher than normal through the end of the year. The current forecast predicts water levels similar to those experienced in May 2007 when the river crested at 35.5 feet. The predicted stages are well below those observed during the 1993 Flood when the river crested at 48.9 feet.

Because several weeks notice was given by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the North Kansas City Levee District has been preparing for the predicted flooding conditions by adding to its reserves of filled and empty sand bags, plastic lining and stockpiles of sand. Additional flood fight training has also done to prepare personnel for the potential flood conditions.

As a result, the Levee District is fully prepared to initiate its flood response plan when river stages exceed 32 feet, which is considered flood stage in the Kansas City area. The initial actions of the flood response plan will be to monitor the levee on a frequent basis. If stages increase, additional actions such as closing the “"stop log gap" in the BNSF’s Murray Yard may become necessary. This will seal the levee in the only open area that exists, and railroad traffic through that area will have to stop.

Though conditions may change, the current forecast is for a "moderate" flood event in Kansas City. River stages are expected to stay well below that for which the levee was designed. It is not anticipated that North Kansas City will need to be evacuated. However, if evacuation should become necessary, the North Kansas City Fire Department and Emergency Preparedness Unit is prepared to notify residents and businesses in plenty of time.

Additional information can be found at:

• North Kansas City Levee District: www.nkclevee.com
• City of North Kansas City: www.nkc.org
• USACE: www.nwk.usace.army.mil/Flood/index.cfm
• National Weather Service River Forecast: www.crh.noaa.gov/eax/

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Re-examination of North Kansas City Community Center Renovation/Expansion

At the June 21 City Council work session, North Kansas City Community Center Director, Greg Hansen, along with representatives from 360 Architecture, explained what would be required to re-define the Community Center renovation and expansion project so that decisions could be made about whether to reduce the scope or not. This review was taken at the initiative of Greg Hansen and City Administrator Matt Shatto to determine if a reduction of scope – and cost – would be feasible as a way of helping to address the City’s need to reduce costs where ever possible.

To incorporate options into the bid process, $31 thousand will be spent to develop component options. This must be voted on at the next City Council business session. The net result may be a decision to reduce or eliminate the planned expansion. The $31 thousand will come from the projects contingency line item keeping the project within the approved budget.

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Update on Town Square Renovation project

Also at the June 21 City Council work session, Public Works Director Pat Hawver suggested that the planned renovation of the Town Square fountain area be re-considered in order to determine if some costs could be avoided. By not replacing the fountain, significant costs would be avoided, but an important funding source, The Crummet Family Beautification Fund, could not be used to help pay for the rest of the project.

After some discussion, the City Council encouraged moving forward with a proposal for approval at a future business session of “Alternative 3” to eliminate the fountain, pedestal lighting, wheel chair ramp and extension of the shade screen. It was felt that repairing brickwork was essential for safety and appearance. Several council members cited the reduced use of the Town Square area since the events once scheduled for that area are now a part of Second Saturdays at a different location.

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liNKCity Policy, Rates & Fees for Leasing Dark Fiber on the Fiber Optic Network

At the June 14 City Council Business session approval was given to policy, rates and fees for leasing dark fiber on liNKCity’s fiber optic network. Businesses who wish to explore this enhanced capability will discover there are engineering fees, dark fiber lease rates varying by term of lease, demarcation locations, need for river crossing and service connection fees. For details you can either refer to the Ordinance that was passed accessible online through the Agenda for the June 14 meeting or contact the liNKCity office.

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What is this?

This is the 9th 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.