-- BREAKING NEWS --
There will be a Raytown School Board candidate forum on Feb. 25th at 2PM.
The location is the Raytown Christian Church, located at 6108 Blue Ridge
Boulevard. The event is sponsored by the NAACP and is open to the public. The
NAACP held a similar forum for the candidates in the school board election held
last year.
The following is from the invitation to the candidates.
“The forum format is a panel discussion, co-facilitated by two
individuals with experience in education and community affairs. Candidates will
have a brief opportunity to introduce themselves at the beginning of the forum,
and to give a short summary at the conclusion. Questions will be solicited from
district parents and other stakeholders in advance, as well as from audience
members during the forum. Questions will be screened by the facilitators, and
edited or condensed as needed to avoid redundancy and fit into the time
allowed”
Raytown’s super volunteers spend their retirement
brightening days for young students By TRACI ANGEL
It was a question often directed to
kids at holiday time.
“What do you want for Christmas?” Bob Kreitler asked the child who had bounced
around the foster care system.
“I want you for Christmas,” the little boy said.
The child’s response touched Kreitler and helped inspire him as he continues to
share his retirement days at Spring Valley Elementary School in the Raytown
district. Nearly every day, students and teachers see “Mr Bob” walking through
their hallways or eating in their lunch room. READ MORE
NEW POLL!
It's been awhile since we had a poll on the race for the Republican nomination for President. The field has been winnowed down to four candidates. After Super Tuesday (March 6th) there may be even fewer left to pick from. So, why not!
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| PAUL LIVIUS |
The Paul Livius Report BY PAUL LIVIUS
BOARD OF ALDERMEN WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 14, 2012
Andy Noll reported that the Public Works department had accepted bids
for the 2012 mowing services. He
reported there are seven areas in the Park district needing mowing
services. The bid calls for cutting the
grass every 1-2 weeks. These areas are:
13 acres . . . Kenagy Park – except the ball field
2 acres . . . .Kenagy Park ball field
8.5 acres . . .Minor Smith Park
6 acres. . . . . Southwood Park
12 acres. . . . Kritser Park
22 acres. . . . Little Blue Trace Park except athletic fields
4.5 acres . . . Little Blue Trace Park athletic fields
The Public Works department is recommending accepting the bid from
Infinity Building Services at a cost of $14,300.
To view a complete breakdown of
ALL mowing contract data use this link (once on the document, scroll down to
the third page) Mowing
Contract
Teresa Henry,
City Clerk, discussed the need for updating the permits for Solicitors and
Peddlers. She reported that, as part of the application process and to
receive a permit, a criminal history check must be performed on all applicants,
which were being completed by the Raytown Police Department.
The City Clerk’s office was informed by Raytown Police
Department that during their recent
Missouri Uniformed Law Enforcement System audit, it was
discovered that the Police
Department had been performing criminal history inquiries
for City Hall regarding solicitor
permits. This type of inquiry for the purpose of solicitor
permits is not in compliance with the Criminal Justice Information Systems
security rules. As a result the Police Department has discontinued the practice
of performing criminal history inquiries for solicitor permits.
The City Clerk’s office issues approximately 5-10 permits
per year. In order for this office to
continue to issue Solicitor/Peddler permits, the City would
need to pass an amended ordinance. This amended ordinance will need approval
from the Missouri Highway Patrol and must require fingerprinting of applicants
or licensees in specific occupations for the purpose of receiving criminal
history record information. Once approved by the Missouri Uniformed Law
Enforcement System, an Originating Agency Identifier for this purpose would be
issued to the City.
Fingerprint based searches require a completed applicant
fingerprint card and request for Criminal Record Check, may be done at
$20.00 per request for Missouri State records and an additional $19.25 for FBI
searches. The fingerprint search fees would need to be passed on to the
applicant as part of the permit administration fee. The current schedule of
fees allows a $25.00 application fee for 30 days with an additional $10.00 per
person to issue the permit. The turn-around time is 3 business days when the
criminal check was performed by the Raytown Police Department.
In comparison, an amended ordinance application fee would
remain unchanged; however, the individual fee would increase to $49.25 per person for 30
days. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, fingerprint based search results should take
approximately 3 weeks.
Some options available at this time are:
1. Keep current ordinance in place and
require only a Missouri Criminal Background check;
however the majority of the solicitor
permits that this office issues are for out-of-state
individuals for which Missouri Highway
Patrol will have no records of.
2. Amend the current ordinance to include a
requirement of fingerprint based searches;
which will include criminal information from
all of the United States.
3. Remove the requirement for background
checks from the current ordinance.
In order to continue to meet the intent of
the Solicitation Task Force to ensure protecting First Amendment Rights and balancing
Constitutional Rights with the right of citizens to feel safe in their homes and vehicles, option number 2 is
recommended.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING FEBRUARY 14, 2012
The Deacon of First
Baptist Church of Raytown, Rick Moore gave the invocation.
Mayor Bower stated there
were still some seats left at the annual State of the City Address scheduled
for February 22, 2012. Reservations can be made through the Chamber office.
Mahesh Sharma, City
Administrator, reported on the staffs’ participation in the Jackson County
Commuter Corridors Alternative Analysis workshop, the availability of
additional grant funding for energy efficient street lights, and thanked Tom
Cole and all of the city staff for their efforts during his recent absence.
Mr. Sharma stated that
County Executive Mike Sanders would be addressing the Board during the February
21st Work Session.
Alderman Van Buskirk requested
that the January 17, 2012 minutes be removed from the consent agenda. Mayor
Bower assigned the Item as 1a.
Alderman Van Buskirk
stated he had made contact with Mr. Whiteman for clarification of his public
comments during the January 17, 2012 Board of Aldermen meeting and felt that
the minutes did not reflect Mr. Whiteman’s true intent. He stated that Mr.
Whiteman’s issue was the signage posted at City Hall did not specify which
holiday they would be closed for and that the January 17 minutes should reflect
this issue.
- The Board approved the reappointment of Jo Riggs to the University
of Missouri Extension Council.
- The Board approved the appointment of Terry Copeland to the Raytown
Park Board.
- The Board approved the purchase of ammunition from Gulf States
Distributors for the Police Department.
This amount will not exceed $15,000.
- The Board approved the purchase of various parts and equipment from
Burnup Equipment that was in excess of $15,000.
- The Board approved the purchase of various parts and equipment from
Key Equipment and Supply Company that was in excess of $18,000.
- The Board approved the purchase of parts and services from Mid
American Signal in excess of $15,000.
- The Board approved the purchase of asphalt and related supplies from
Vance Brothers Asphalt in excess of $15,000.
- The Board approved the purchase of asphalt and supplies from Hot Mix
Materials in excess of $15,000.
The Board approved the
amended agreement for Medical Director Services between Dr. Dow Richards, DO and the City of Raytown. Teresa Henry explained the City requires Dr.
Richards to obtain professional liability insurance. The cost to Dr. Richards is more than he is
paid by the City. Ms. Henry proposed the
City amend the agreement and allow Dr. Richards to be included in the City’s
liability insurance coverage.
The Board heard and
passed the second reading for an agreement with the Missouri Highway and
Transportation Commission for a Transportation Enhancement Program. This is commonly known as “Street Scape”. The total cost of the project is $480,000,
with the City paying 25%.
The Board heard the
first reading of an agreement with the Missouri Highway and Transportation
Commission for the Blue Ridge Bike Lane project. The total cost of the project will be
$175,000, with the City paying $25%.
The Board heard the
first reading to grant a conditional use permit to operate a day care facility
at 9140 East 350 Highway. The day care
owner, Dawn Clark, explained she has a license from the State of Missouri to care
for a total of 48 children. She
currently is licensed to care for 44 children from the City of Raytown, and is
asking for permission to care for 48 children.
The Board heard the
first reading to consider rezoning property located at 9109 East 63rd
Street. All 10 Aldermen and the Mayor
reported they had ex-parte conversations, and agreed it would not affect their
vote. Joel Riggs, with SKW, Inc. told
the board this is a land use issue. They
have a pending contract with a national chain that wants to build a new
building in Raytown. The Dollar General
will put in landscaping improvement, improve the sidewalks on Blue Ridge Blvd
and will generate $1.3 million in sales volume.
Alderman Melson asked
how many jobs will be created and was told there will be three full time
positions, along with part time and seasonal jobs.
Alderman Ertz asked if
there had been a change in corporate philosophy and was told Dollar General no
longer wants to be in strip malls, but to open stand alone facilities in
residential areas.
The property owner, Greg Stervinou,
explained possible economic impact and a petition signed by several of the
surrounding residents. He said there were many projects in Raytown that looked
good on paper, but were bad deals economically.
He said Raytown has a sales leakage and is only keeping 74% of the
retail sales that could be expected because resident were shopping in other
areas.
Alderman Van Buskirk said he received a
letter from a resident stating “Greg Stervinou appeared on my doorstep asking me
to sign a petition to rezone the property once again. This time it is from multifamily zoning to
commercial zoning. During the course of
the conversation, Mr. Stervinou stated that unless the property was rezoned to
commercial, Section 8 housing would be built there”. Alderman Van Buskirk asked if that was
correct. Mr. Stervinou said it was not.
If I misspelled the names of those who
spoke to the Council, I apologize in advance -- Paul Livius
Mayor Bower opened the floor for public
comments.
- Jack
Wallace said there are five Dollar General stores in a two square mile
area. He doesn’t see the need for
another Dollar General store.
- Jeanette
Elliott said she agreed with Mr. Wallace.
The city doesn’t need another Dollar General store in this area.
- David
Martin said at the Planning Commission meeting, the chairman talked about
what kind of story we want to tell about 63rd Street. Another Dollar General store tells a sad
story. Dollar General is not a sign
of prosperity.
- Mellissa
Doud said 63rd Street has changed from 2 lanes to 4 lanes,
making it nearly impossible for residents to walk to the store.
- Barbara
Steele pointed out there are plenty of places available in Raytown already
zoned for commercial.
- Ms.
Van Dyne said the residential areas should be for residents, not
businesses.
- Jeff
Burmeister said he would like to see more businesses come to Raytown. He was opposed to people who had false
fears. He urged the Board to not
let false fears influence their decision.
- Ann
Philanay said Raytown is a great place to live. We have neighborhood homes and
schools. She believes it will be
the neighborhood that will be impacted by having a Dollar General store at
63rd Street. There is a
vacant lot for sale just east of Blue Ridge Blvd past the Bank of
America. Dollar General could
purchase that lot and build there.
- BJ
Taylor asked the Board to not give in to pressure from the developers.
- James
Lockert said he is looking at buying a home in Raytown and doesn’t have a
problem with the Dollar General store.
Douglas Carter, attorney for Greg Sterviou,
said when looking at case law, the issue is one of zoning. The applicant in this circumstance, when
there is a denial of zoning change, must show the private cost of failure to
rezone outweighs the benefits the public enjoys by retaining the existing
zoning designation. The continuation of
the current zoning is a continuation of an economically non-viable property. Residents’ opposing this issue isn’t the
legal standard because there are property rights with respect to the owner of
the property. Mayor Bower then asked Mr.
Carter to make it clear for the record if his client would be filing action against
the city if the rezoning was not approved.
Mr. Carter assured the Mayor that was not the intentions of his
presentation to the Board.
Alderman Aziere said this appears to be a
residential area. Less than 1% of
schools sit next to a commercial building.
He said the owner and developer told him that downtown Raytown is not
viable. He disagrees with them. There are viable stores in downtown Raytown.
Alderman Pardue said he was insulted by the
threat of legal action. He said he felt
sorry for the person represented by an unprofessional attorney.
Alderman Creamer said the applicant was
giving a high pitch sales job by telling the community they are wrong and they
don’t understand what they are thinking.
He was elected to protect the residents’ property values. He is angry because the applicant totally
disregarded the community.
Alderman White said we have commercial businesses
in residential areas, such as homes converted to art studios or a home
converted into a bakery. This is not a
wonderful example because everything does not blend. This is not the highest and best land use.
Alderman Van Buskirk pointed out this store
will be build next to a school and a special needs facility. He is concerned about the traffic through the
school zone. He is also concerned about
maintaining the character of the neighborhood and the affect it has on property
values. He is also concerned about
increased crime in the area. He reminded
the Board the Planning and Zoning Committee recommended the denial of this
plan.
Alderman wanted to know what the hours of
this store will be, and the hours of the stores close to this facility, He also
asked if the School Board had an opinion of this issue.
The Board voted to carry this over to the
second reading at the next meeting.
Mayor Bower presented
the history and subject matter of the Park Board that was appointed in October
2011 to address development of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City
of Raytown and the Raytown Park Board. He further stated that the proposed Memorandum
of Understanding had received unanimous support from the Park Board members and
asked if the Governance Committee
would like to add any information.
Discussion of the Memorandum
of Understanding included personnel appointments and performance evaluations, a
uniform compensation package for Park personnel, time frame of implementation
and the annual report presentation.
Joe Willerth, City
Attorney, stated the resolution accepting the Memorandum of Understanding
should be before the Board at the March 6, 2012 meeting.
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| GREG WALTERS |
Board on Track to Turn Down Dollar General BY GREG WALTERS
If we can take at face value the comments of the Raytown Board of Aldermen at last Tuesday's meeting it would appear that the Board is going to deny the application. Good for them. The people spoke, they listened.
It shows us that despite all the flaws of any governmental system that a true representative government in which people choose from amongst their own to make decisions on there behalf still works.
Still, as Yogi Berra once said, "it ain't over 'til its over."
The second reading of the bill to rezone the property to intensive commercial use is scheduled for the Board of Aldermen meeting this Tuesday evening (February 21) at 7:00 p.m. at Raytown City Hall. This meeting is an open forum and the public is invited to speak to the Board regarding the application.
Those individuals who spoke publicly did a very good job of explaining their position in opposition to the proposed zoning change. It is important to remember that should this action result in a law suit by the applicant against the city that the evidence presented at the Planning and Zoning Commission will be paramount in consideration by a judge.
A number of Board members expressed umbrage at the attorney representing the applicant over perceived threats. Those Board members would be well advised to focus their arguments on facts presented during the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing.
HEARD ON THE STREET . . .
It appears that the Mayor and Park Board have
finally reached agreement on the Memo of Understanding that has been batted
around since last August. The Mayor reported at the last meeting that the Park
Board unanimously approved the agreement.Took awhile to get this point --
undoubtedly it is a well grounded agreement that both parties can live with.
There is a lesson learned by the Mayor Bower in
his half year effort to reach the final document. Over-reach on his part was
what took a fairly simple matter and turned it into a bitter debate. It is good
that cooler heads prevailed and an agreement that will ultimately save the tax
dollars was reached. Next time, Mr. Mayor, visit with the people you are trying
to reach agreement before you decide what is best for Raytown.
A group of local businessmen are working hard to
revitalize the Downtown. We have heard that at a recent meeting of the group
that some members suggested that a new City Hall be built in the Downtown area.
This one belongs in the "Bad Idea
File". First of all, in the past five years the City has spent tens of
thousands of dollars renovating and updating City Hall. Most recently, new
street lights were added to the parking log (it's so bright at night you could
play baseball under the lights!) -- plus, 59th Street in front of City Hall was
re-surfaced -- not with the ugly tar and gravel slurry they put on residential
streets, but with a two inch overlay of new asphalt.
Even if new space was needed at City Hall (which
is arguable at best) -- the city owns over
six acres of property directly behind the current city hall available for
expansion.
Why even consider using tax dollars for more
land?
Remember this about public buildings -- they
cost a lot to build and maintain. They do not produce revenue -- that's
something only the private sector can do.
From what we have heard, most of those good businessmen trying to
revitalize Downtown Raytown are well aware of that fact. Good for them and good
luck on their plans for the future of Downtown Raytown.
Jenn vs. Early Morning Workouts! BY JENN FOR FIT BOTTOMED GIRLS
All of this week, each FBG is focusing in on one aspect of working out
and sharing what she loves and doesn’t love so much about it in this
special “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not” series as part of Love Yo’Self
Week. Enjoy!
Dear Early Morning Workouts,
We’ve been going out for quite awhile now. But lately,... Continue reading
Come to Soup and Craft Days
Rice-Tremonti Home historic site
Saturday, March 3 -- 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 -- 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
66th and Blue Ridge, Raytown, MO
(Look for the log cabin in the yard)
You are invited to bring a friend and join us at our
Spring Open House
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