-- BREAKING NEWS --
Raytown Board of Aldermen Approve Walmart Proposal
Early this morning
(Wednesday, May 22, 2013) the Raytown Board of Aldermen approved the zoning application
for a Downtown Raytown Walmart. The vote capped a marathon session of the
Raytown Board of Aldermen that lasted until 3:00 a.m. in the morning. Over 200 people
were in attendance, with spectators standing in the lobby of City Hall
listening to the proceedings. At one point, early in the meeting Mayor Bower
asked the Public Works Director to make certain the Council Chambers was not
over capacity. The room is rated to hold 225 people.
The vote was split to approve the application at six in favor and four opposed to
the Walmart application.
VOTING IN FAVOR OF
THE PROPOSAL:
Joe Creamer,
Charlotte Melson, Pat Ertz, Michael Lightfoot, Steve Mock, Bill Van Buskirk
VOTING IN OPPOSITION
TO THE PROPOSAL:
Josh Greene, Jim
Aziere, Jason Greene, Janet Emerson
The Kansas City Star gave scant coverage to the proceedings. Here is more information from the meeting.
One of the more important points not covered in the story is
an amendment imposing a closing time 10:00 p.m. on the store if it opens.
Walmart representatives told the Board and Public that they could not comment
on the amendment (which was approved by an 8 to 2 vote) until they spoke with
“Bentonville”.
That amendment was an important part of the proceedings and
held some very interesting discussion by Board members.
Also missing was discussion after the public hearing portion
of the meeting of comments by Ward 2 Alderman Jason Greene. Mr. Greene brought
to the table a city ordinance requiring a two-thirds majority approval of the
application because the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended “denial”
of the application. The inclusion of street improvements by the city into the
discussion and plans entered into public evidence may make that an important
point.
The City Attorney ruled, as he said “in his opinion”
that the section Mr. Greene brought to play was not pertinent to the hearing.
The majority of the Board acquiesced to his opinion.
The crowd was extremely well behaved. This was the fourth
public meeting (two for P&Z, two for the BOA). All of the meetings, even
the one in a freak snow storm, filled City Hall with opponents to the plan.
Check the Raytown
Report this Sunday for a full breakdown of events of the meeting.
OTHER PAPERS DISCUSS
Monday, May 20, 2013 at
6:28 p.m.
Raytown officials are
scheduled Tuesday night to decide whether residents will get to keep a large,
city-owned green space intact for now — or get a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market
in the space. The fate of downtown redevelopment hangs in the ...
Read more here: KANSAS CITY STAR
To
read past articles regarding the Walmart application for a Downtown Raytown
grocery store and allegations of conflict of interest by Mayor Bower use this
link DOWNTOWN
RAYTOWN
 |
| GREG WALTERS |
Walmart
Decision to be Made Tuesday Night BY GREG WALTERS
The Board will have decided to retain plans for a pedestrian friendly design for Downtown Raytown, or,
The
Board will have scrapped plans paid approved in a public vote and funded by the city in favor of a large
box grocery store, with the remaining space gobbled up by over 60,000 sq. ft.
of parking.
It
has been a rocky road for the Walmart proposal.
The
question remains unanswered as to how many members of the Board of Aldermen
were aware of those discussions.
- Despite misleading meeting times published in a local paper and a once in century snow storm, Raytown residents filled City Hall to capacity at two hearings held by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the Walmart application be denied.
- At the first meeting before the Raytown Board of Aldermen (held two weeks ago) so many people showed up many residents had to leave because there was no room to sit or stand.
- Allegations of the Mayor having a conflict of interest from past dealings with Walmart representatives have recently come to light. -- to read those charges use this link DOWNTOWN RAYTOWN
Which
all makes for interesting reading, but the simple fact is that at the end of
the day the decision is not the Mayor’s. That decision rests with the ten
members of the Raytown Board of Aldermen.
If
you have ever wondered whether or not your voice is heard, if what you have to
say counts, this is the time to answer that question.
The
highest honor an elected official can hold is to speak on behalf of those they
represent.
Call
your Alderman. Better yet, come to the Public Hearing. Stand to be counted with
those hundreds who have attended the three previous meetings. When you speak to
the Board Tuesday night, look your Alderman in the eye and tell him or her what
you think.
Their
job is to represent you. If no one hears your position, how will they know how
to vote?
CITY
OFFICIAL CONTACT LIST
MAYOR
Mayor
David Bower . . . . 737-6000
ALDERMAN, WARD 1
Alderman
Joe Creamer (Ward 1) . . . . 517-4773
Alderman
Josh Greene (Ward 1) . . . . 260-6325
ALDERMAN, WARD 2
Alderman
Jason Greene (Ward 2) . . . . 255-8407
Alderman
Jim Aziere (Ward 2) . . . . 358-8375
ALDERMAN, WARD 3
Alderman
Charlotte Melson (Ward 3) . . . . 356-6244
Alderman
Janet Emerson (Ward 3) . . . . 737-5050
ALDERMAN, WARD 4
Alderman
Bill VanBuskirk (Ward 4) . . . . 737-2799
Alderman
Pat Ertz (Ward 4) . . . . 356-8233
ALDERMAN, WARD 5
Alderman
Steve Mock (Ward 5) . . . . 225-3217
Alderman
Michael Lightfoot (Ward 5) . . . . 686-8213
Bits and Pieces BY GREG WALTERS AND PAUL LIVIUS
Go figure! At the last meeting of the Board of Aldermen, Mr. Brent Hugh was the recipient of a proclamation recognizing the month of May as “Bike Month”. Raytown received a tidy sum of money to create some bike trails on Blue Ride Boulvard in 2010, hence, the proclamation.The Board unanimously approved the proclamation. Later in the evening, the Board was made aware there was a quarter of a million dollar shortfall in funds for the city’s streetscape of Downtown Raytown. Guess what was the first item some members of the BOA suggested cutting to make up the shortfall. If you said “bike trails” you were 100% on target.
For those following the story . . . Two meetings back former Ward 3 Alderman Christine White was nominated by the Mayor for a position on the city’s Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). Mrs. White’s nomination was held up by the Board so that new members could meet with her before voting. Apparently, something has changed. This week’s agenda does not mention the former Alderman (Mrs. White lost her bid for re-election last April to Ward 3 Alderman Janet Emerson). There is, however, a new nominee on the agenda for a position on the BZA. His name is Mike Aprill.
This is the second part of The Paul Livius Report on the May 7th, 2013 Board of Aldermen meeting. Last week's Report covered the Public Hearing portion on the Walmart zoning application. This week's Report covers a "meeting before the meeting" and the tail end of the meeting after the Public Hearing was closed. The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 a.m.
Raytown
Board of Aldermen Meeting – May 7, 2013
At
6:30, the Public Works Department conducted a work session to review the
Downtown City Streetscape and the bike trail on 350 Highway. The Streetscape is
a rebuilding of portions of 63rd Street, Raytown Road and Blue Ridge Boulevard
in Downtown Raytown. The project is funded by a $473 thousand dollar grant from
the Federal government. It is not connected to the proposed Walmart zoning
package.
The
city's portion of the cost would have been $158 thousand dollars IF the bids
had not come in higher than the grant. Unfortunately, the bids are $378
thousand over anticipated construction costs.
To
make up the unfunded portion of the construction City Staff has made some
recommendations. To view them use this link DOWNTOWN COST OVER-RUN
Aldermen
Bill Van Buskirk and Alderman Joe Creamer both said getting the Downtown right
the first time was more important than bike trails. They proposed unfunding the
350 Highway bike trail to nowhere. Which would bring the city a savings of $175
thousand dollars.
However,
unfunding the project would cost the city $433 thousand dollars in grant money.
The
Board heard the first reading of an ordinance granting a conditional use permit
subject to a single tenant home located at 6309 Raytown Road. The existing building located has been used
as a “single-tenant residential home.”
The property contains two buildings and is zoned Neighborhood Commercial
(NC). The other building on the property
has been used as an office. Chris
Rathbone spoke in favor of the applicant.
Alderman Van Buskirk made a motion to amend the proposed ordinance from
10 years to 5 years. The motion failed
because there was no second. Alderman
Aziere made a motion to continue this item until May 21, 2013.
The
Board heard the first reading of an ordinance granting a use permit to allow
residential dwellings on property located at 6310-6312 Raytown Road. Alderman Van Buskirk made a motion to amend
the proposed ordinance from 10 years to 5 years. Alderman Melson made a motion to continue
this item until May 21, 2013.
Alderman
Creamer left the meeting at 12:30 a.m.
The
Board passed a resolution establishing the rates for employee medical and
dental
insurance. The HMO is increasing 10.4%, PPO (B)
increasing 18.5% and PPO (A)
increasing
22.0%. The dental insurance increased
3.5% for single and family. The
vision
insurance increased 7.7% for all coverage types.
The
meeting was adjourned at 1:30 a.m.
How
Kristen’s Life was Changed by being a Fit Bottomed Girl BY KRISTEN
I grew up learning that bragging was bad. If you do something really, really well, it will be noticed and acknowledged, but you should never acknowledge your own accomplishments. It’s impolite. I get that, but since joining the Fit Bottomed Girl crew, I’ve learned that everything is good in moderation, and that includes bragging.… Continue reading
I grew up learning that bragging was bad. If you do something really, really well, it will be noticed and acknowledged, but you should never acknowledge your own accomplishments. It’s impolite. I get that, but since joining the Fit Bottomed Girl crew, I’ve learned that everything is good in moderation, and that includes bragging.… Continue reading
To leave a comment use this link POST A COMMENT
Comments
610.021(1) Legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a public governmental body and any confidential or privileged communications between a public governmental body or its representatives and its attorneys;
On Agenda: Jan 3, June 19, July 17, Aug 21
Also 610.021 (2) (Real Estate Contract) Dec 18, and Feb 19, 2013...
Note of interest:
Property Appraisal received early May, 2012.
June 19 Is the only date with a specific closed session agenda. The BOA Meeting Agenda indicates possible delayed start due to the closed session.
Wood bet my silver buttons!
The 6/19 meeting is when the money talk happened.
Is there a requirement about minutes in closed session?
Often times the minutes are little more than the motion made and the roll call.
The City Clerk is charged with maintaining those records.
If you know of such a meeting you should report it to the attorney general's office.
I am for several stores going in the green space. It is zoned
this way and should be done this way.
However, we all know what rules mean to this bunch at
City Hall. If the rules get in the way they just forgive them
to work for their position. If we bend the rules we will get
ticketed or worse. The only way the people can win is to vote
bad officials out of office as was done in the last election.
Unfortunately we didn’t know VanBusKirk’s position when he
ran. It probably hasn’t happened but something stinks at
City Hall. Why are some of these officials trying so hard to get
the Wal-Mart in and go against the people and the rules?
Could there be another motive for these people?
Obiviously one or more elected officials have something to gain from approval of the Wallmart deal! I still want to know how much and to whom? From what I have read here, there needs to be an AG investigation but how does that get done? I reported a rip off mover to the AG and nothing happened. Will the AG also ignore misconduct by a city government?
Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. The BOA (some members were different) has already been fooled once. Hopefully they don't fall for the same con again. If they do, the people need to get off their duffs two years hence and vote out all of those who voted for or supported this foolish action of another Walmart.
Andy Whiteman
-"A clever individual"
What are you talking about with VanBuskirt?
It wouldn't have mattered what he said on where he was on the Wal-Mart deal being the lady who ran against him didn't do anything.
So in other words people might dis-agree with him on Wal-Mart, but they at least saw him out and about, which means he would be active in the city unlike someone who called people over to her apartment to meet.
What kind of a want to be elected offical does that?
Maybe next time some who really wants to serve will run otherwise we will see more of Bill not less.
Only a twisted mind could find fault with this man gives to the community.
Only a coward would attack him in the manner that was done on this blog.
Andy Whiteman
Last night was a joke as far as Im concerned.
Next time you have a $1 million property for sale at &$625k lplease let me know what code breaks I can have.I know it's convenient to forget the $500 to tear the church down,but taxpayers paid that too!
SHAME
Gus Babsokn
How about the Google Fiber vote?
Also, it seems the Google Account option is broken.
http://www.kansascity.com/2013/05/22/4248637/wal-mart-grocery-sparks-intense.html
What next? Recall? Petition? I don't want a Walmart a mile from my house. It'll be worse than the McDonald's a mile from my house (I have scientifically determined it takes a car of teenagers about a mile to eat something and throw garbage from a passing car).
You blew it, guys.
6-4 was the vote, but no reporting on who voted how, although I can guess.
I was very disappointed with the boa. I watched the faces of the alderman as the meeting went on and I could have told you who was going to vote for this. It was obvious that they did not want to listen to anything that the public had to say. It's hard to keep your face from telling the other person what your are thinking no matter how good you think you are.
AS for that 6-4 vote was very illegal and I do believe it will be challenged. When the Board of Planning and Zoning votes against something tha has come before them but the boa will look at next the vote from the boa has to be a majority vote and yes, Josh Green was absoulity correct. Mayor knows that better because he was on the P&Z for 18 years and chairman for several years.
The citizens of Raytown need to join a class action suet or what ever kind of suet is filed, I know I will. I'm sure that there will be a notifcation on this blog if Greg can find out who and when it will be filed.
We need to let city hall and bower know he cannot just run over the people of this city. Please joins us. It's time this adminstration needs to understands who put them there and they just stepped over the line!!!
Remember it takes a vocal minority to vote out an elected official provided said vocal minority will remember and make an issue of this issue 2 years hence.
What TIFs did Waklmart get? The location looks like a dismal failure and a great tax write off in my opinion.
Andy Whiteman
The BOA has essentially ruined downtown Raytown and its adjacent residential area(s). As I have stated, there are much better vacant locations in Raytown for a "Neighborhood Market."
This application was run through rushed through in the typical Raytown manner of denial and secret meetings. I again ask how much was under the table and to whom? I know Walmart acts like a big spender and occasionally donates a pittance to EMS, Police, or other public activities; but I am asking what did anyone gain personally? I bet it was more than the typical pittance of a donation.
Andy Whiteman
The Kansas City Star gave scant coverage to the proceedings. Here is more information from the meeting.
One of the more important points not covered in the story is an amendment imposing a closing time 10:00 p.m. on the store if it opens. Walmart representatives told the Board and Public that they could not comment on the amendment (which was approved by an 8 to 2 vote) until they spoke with “Bentonville”.
That amendment was an important part of the proceedings and held some very interesting discussion by Board members.
Also missing was discussion after the public hearing portion of the meeting of comments by Ward 2 Alderman Jason Greene. Mr. Greene brought to the table a city ordinance requiring a two-thirds majority approval of the application because the Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended “denial” of the application. The inclusion of street improvements by the city into the discussion and plans entered into public evidence may make that an important point.
The City Attorney ruled, as he said “in his opinion” that the section Mr. Greene brought to play was not pertinent to the hearing. The majority of the Board acquiesced to his opinion.
The crowd was extremely well behaved. This was the fourth public meeting (two for P&Z, two for the BOA). All of the meetings, even the one in a freak snow storm, filled City Hall with opponents to the plan.
Check the Raytown Report this Sunday for a full breakdown of events of the meeting.
Andy,
I wasn’t surprised about the vote. Bower has his friends tightly
in place. He has them in his pocket and knows he can count on
them for anything he wants them to do. VanBusKirk is the one
I don’t understand. Bower has put him in his place many times.
I thought for sure he would vote with the people. I guess bullying
works on some people. What a disappointment these six are.
Seven counting the mayor. I have always said our elected officials
worship at the house of Wal-Mart and this proved it. How pathetic.
Oh yes, good news Anonymous 10:16, this has given me more to
complain about.
So grab a cool one and a comfortable chair, it’s going to be a long
Summer!
I have been following this BOA for several years, and this isn't the topic that first gained my interest. Although I don't agree with the desion of "yes" on rezoning, I'm surprised by the accusations of corruption. I believe that we have a BOA that care about our city and seem to generally make decisions that reflect that.
There have been some positive changes in my neighborhood regarding teenager issues and curfew issues in recent time. I don't know which Alderman is directly responsible for the positive changes, but I can say that many of them attended neighborhood meetings to help with the problem. Just my two cents.
What do you call well behaved??? It certainly wasn't the peanut gallery at Tuesday nights meeting. I could hear numerous times of disrespectful outburts. This crowd will never give respect,just expect it be given to them. on
I think the crowd was well behaved too.
The most appalling disrespect I saw was when Alderman Creamer and Mayor Bower ganged up on one speaker (I think his name is Mr. Gunther).
It got so out of hand that Alderman Mock interrupted their attacks on Gunther and told them to stop it.
Good Job Mr. Mock. You did the right thing.
Respect goes both ways. The Mayor and some on the BOA seemed to be very upset about the "threats" they were getting. They lashed out at those who dare "threaten" to make sure they would not get another term. Come on, Really? These citizens feel that they were in the majority and that they were being ignored by the majority of the BOA. The only recourse they have is to try and get representatives voted out who they feel don't represent them very well. If the Mayor and the rest of the board cant handle that, they need to grow some thicker skin, or find another line of work. It's the way politics work.
I though it was kind of funny that at the last meeting I spoke at, I was told to remove my veteran's hat before I spoke, and rightly so. At this meeting however, Mrs. Van Buskirk got up to speak with her ball cap on and no one said a word (I can actually understand why no one would want to confront her, sometimes it's just easier to let things go). Some people get more respect from the board than others, just look at Mr. Gunther.
I have been nothing but respectful towards the board, and will continue to be, even though we disagree very strongly at times. I was very disappointed in the vote, but what's done is done, it appears. I don't think this is the end of the world, but I do think we could have done much better. The majority of the board did not think we could do better, so it appears we will be using up the entire green space for 1 grocery store. The problem I have is, that this cant be undone once it is here. We are stuck with it. There may be a couple last ditch efforts to try and derail this, but things being what they are, all I can do is hope the Neighborhood Market will pull in some more business downtown. I sincerely hope this plan works, for the sake of Raytown.
The location is doomed for failure not being on an arterial. How many people will get off 350 HWY or even Raytown Rd. just to go to this business?
I still want to know how much was under the table and to whom? Do any of the elected officials or department heads own stock in WMT (Walmart) or receive income from this company? A disclosure is in order.
Andy Whiteman
Raytown had a historic downtown with several brick and stone buildings from the 1800s. For a town with roots going back to the earliest settlers in this part of the country, it does seem strange that we have lost the architectural legacy that did exist, and that most towns our age still retain. There was a two-story brick structure known as the Tradex Building, among others. These buildings were torn down to make room for... the Raytown Baptist Church parking lot, and later the Church itself abandoned the downtown property.
Wal-Mart can not desecrate Raytown's Downtown district. It has already happened.
I ask as every time I drive by there is always at least one police car at the store.
I don't know about you, but I don't feel safe shopping in place that has that many police officers always at it just has to be a good place to get jumped in the parking lot or worse.
Andy Whiteman