eNewsletter August 17, 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 as of August 17, 2011 . . .

Another “Jewel” in North Kansas City

Meierotto Midwest Jewelers, through their development company, MJT Development Co, received approval to work with the City of North Kansas City to redevelop a prominent piece of land in North Kansas City. A new destination jewelry store will be built at the southwest corner of Interstate 35 and Armour Road. The project will include a 35,000 square foot building on about 4.5 acres. The land is currently occupied by O.U.P. Publishing, an adjacent gas station, a vacant lot behind O.U.P. and some of the current MoDOT right of way next to I-29/I-35. The project will also require modification of the Armour Road intersection with Ozark Street to improve access and safety.

This new location for Meierotto Midwest Jewelers will be very visible to anyone entering North Kansas City from the north or east, or passing by on I-35/I-29 to and from the Northland. Obviously, it will also be a significant step forward for redevelopment efforts in North Kansas City. Meierotto Midwest Jewelers will become the second prominent jewelry company with a home in North Kansas City. Helzberg Diamonds has had its headquarters in North Kansas City since 1991 and had a retail presence in North Kansas City before that.

MetroFlex/MAX Bus Service

Mike Smith, Assistant City Administrator, asked City Council to indicate if they would like staff to pursue further the addition of the Max Connection to downtown Kansas City to the MetroFLEX route. It was pointed out there would be an additional cost and that some current MetroFlex service might be reduced to accommodate it. City Council members said that due to current fiscal concerns and the possible reduction in MetroFlex service that they would prefer not to pursue this issue further this year.

Virtual Office and Digital Marquee Sign

Attorney James Kessinger, in behalf of BridgeView Hall owner Sam Scarfino, asked the City Council to
direct staff to “study possible changes to the City Code to promote virtual offices in North Kansas 1
City, and to allow City Staff . . . to develop possible code changes concerning the digital marquee sign” (at BridgeView Hall, 1041 Burlington).

BridgeView Hall is an impressive adaptive re-use of a former restaurant building that is now a state- of-the-art building capable of serving a variety of purposes. Some of the services provided include: high-tech meeting facility, powered by liNKCity high speed fiber optic network, business meetings, video conferencing, virtual offices, receptions, parties & events and a digital marquee sign. It is particularly useful for small businesses that can’t afford these services on their own.

City Council members, as well as City Administrator Matt Shatto and Assistant City Administrator Mike Smith, agreed that North Kansas City was overdue for a review of its ordinances relating to signs and that staff should proceed to examine the issues brought forward by Mr. Kessinger.

Increases in Fees and Changes in Processes

As an additional way to improve the City’s financial condition outlined in City Administrator Matt Shatto’s presentation described in a previous e-Newsletter, City staff reviewed and proposed changes to various fees charged by the City. Changes were also recommended to make these services more efficient for a reduced-size staff. Most of these fees had not been reviewed or increased for several years. Staff reported that these changes reflect a comparison with other Kansas City area communities and are designed to be more in the mid-range – not the highest and not the lowest.

• Police report reproductions – increase from $5 to $12 and mail only instead of in person.
• Police DVD reproductions – increase from $10 to $25 and mail only instead of in person.
• Employee liquor permit – increase from $21.50 to $25 with $5 to cover the cost of a
  background check.
• Taxi Driver permit – increase from $10 for one year validity to $30 for a two year validity.
• Police Record Check – increase from $4 to $5
• Issue the above permits and record checks on Thursdays only.
• Adoption fee for felines and canines – increase from $85 for both felines and canines to $95
  for felines and $105 for canines.
• Ambulance service – increase by 30% to be in line with other communities
• Codes compliance fees – approximate 10% increase. The last increase was in 2001. Details are
  available in City Ordinance 7626.
  

These recommended changes were approved August 16 by the City Council.

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What is this?

This is the 10th 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.