Sunday, June 25, 2017

RAYTOWN'S LEADING NEWS SOURCE

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BY GREG WALTERS
Significant Progress made on Personnel Code
Last Tuesday the Board of Aldermen made significant progress on their review of the city’s personnel code. City employees, led mainly by a list of demands from the Raytown Police Department, had presented the Board with requests for changes to the Code. The Board adopted the Code by a unanimous vote on December 20, 2016.

The most significant decision by the Board was to require a three-fourths majority vote of the ten member board to approve any changes to the code. The amendment, offered by Ward 4 Alderman Bill Van Buskirk, received unanimous support from the Board.

Another interesting issue which was not resolved dealt with citizen complaints against the Police Department. The second in command of the Raytown Police Department, Major Ted Bowman, told the Board the Police Department handles such complaints through internal affairs. The discussion between City Administrator Tom Cole, Bowman and the Mayor was interesting. There seems to be no apparatus in place to inform the City Administrator of the outcome of the complaints resolved by Internal Affairs.

This could cause quite a problem in certain circumstances, particularly if damages are part of the discussion.

The Police Department does not have the legal authority to settle law suits, or, more importantly, head off potential lawsuits and other obligations or complaints from the public.

It is important that not only should the City Administrator be aware of citizen complaints about ALL city functions, but also, that the direct representatives of the people, the elected members of the Board of Aldermen be aware of such problems. Because ultimately, it is the Board of Aldermen who will be held responsible for the actions within the city they run.

The Board tabled the issue until a later meeting to resolve the matter.

BY PAUL LIVIUS
The Paul Livius Report
Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting – June 20, 2017
 Allie Lueke told the Board Super Splash is not a money maker but a community service.  It hasn’t had a lot of investment put into it.
Mae Leslie said her carport was blown down by the wind.  A man came to help clean up, but he wanted more money to finish the job.  She wants Neighbor Services to require picture ID from contractors.
Jason Greene told the Board Graceway Church is hosting “Poets in Autumn – Poetry in Faith” on August 4 at 6:30 at the church.  He said tickets can be purchased at www.kingdomtickets.com
The Board approved a resolution approving the appointment of Janet Emerson to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

The Board passed an ordinance amending chapter 2, administration, article iii, division 1, officers, and employees, section 2-105, relating to the adoption of personnel manual.  During the re-codification of the Raytown Municipal Code, the Chapter 14-Personnel Code was removed to be held as a stand-alone document.  The requested amendment is to correct what was overlooked during the re-codification process.  The current the section states: “The city has compiled and adopted, as if set forth in full herein, a city personnel policy manual, a copy of which is available in the office of the city clerk. 


The city has compiled and adopted, as if set forth in full herein, a city personnel policy manual, a copy of which is available in the office of the city clerk.  Alderman Bill Van Buskirk made a motion, which was passed, stating the personnel manual may be amended when needed and approved by ¾ vote of the entire Board.

 The Board passed a resolution authorizing an agreement with Duke’s Root Control utilizing the Houston-Galveston area cooperative contract in an amount not to exceed $18,000.00 Staff contacted Dukes Root Control to investigate needed repairs.  Dukes developed the attached cost estimate of $14,982.56.  This cooperative contract is through the Houston-Galveston Area Cooperative.  Staff is recommending BOA approval to be approximately 20% higher than this estimate ($18,000.00), to cover unforeseen circumstances and overruns that may arise with this underground work.

 The Board passed a resolution approving an agreement with Independent Salt Company for the purchase of salt for the purpose of treating roads and bridges in inclement weather.  The City staff advertised salt supply bids for the upcoming 2017-2018 winter season.  Salt bids must be put out in the spring due to supply allocation procedures practiced throughout the industry.  The bid was advertised in the newspaper, on our web page, and via e-mail and phone correspondence with known salt companies in the Midwest area.  Bid information was sent to seven companies and five submitted responses including two no-bids.  Bids were opened on May 12, 2017, and the low bid was from Independent Salt Company in the amount of $42,616 at a unit price of $60.88 per ton.  Purchases will not occur until the beginning of the 2017-18 fiscal years.

The Board passed a resolution approving the professional services of sanitary sewer infrastructure repair in Raytown from Wiedenmann, Inc. Utilizing Lee’s Summit cooperative purchase contract and approving project expenses for 9404 and 9406 E. 82nd Street in an amount not to exceed $20,548.  During post backup response inspection of the sanitary sewer line, Public Works staff identified an offset, sag, and serious cracking in several areas of the sanitary main line between manhole WOW-282 and WOW-283, which is located in the area of 9404 E. 82nd Street.  The defects create a significant risk for backups in the line.  The recommended repair is to remove and replace approximately 125 feet of pipe to correct the offset alignment and replace the parts of the pipe that have significant sag and cracking.
The Board passed a resolution approving the professional services of storm water infrastructure repair in Raytown from Wiedenmann, Inc. Utilizing the city of Lee’s Summit cooperative purchase contract and approving project expenses for 5736 and 5802 Manning in an amount not to exceed $52,130.  Over the past few years, sinkholes continue to appear in the backyards of 5736 & 5802 Manning and are reported to Public Works staff.  Upon investigation of the sinkholes, it was found that the subgrade around the storm water corrugated metal pipe had eroded due to pipe failure.  Staff has been called out numerous times to temporarily fill in sinkholes.  A permanent solution is to remove and replace about 200 feet of 30” corrugated metal pipe and replace it with 30” HDPE storm water pipe.

The Board passed a resolution approving amendments to the Raytown Personnel Manual adopted December 20, 2016 relating to Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy.  For more information on this resolution go to http://raytownmo.swagit.com/play/06202017-1654 and start on page 37.  Alderman Aziere asked if the Sexual Harassment policy was only at the work place.  He said, for example, if one employee (John) called another employee (Joe) at home.  If John called Joe a name that was meant to mean Joe was cowardly, would John lose his job?  Tom Cole said there would be an investigation, at the very least.  The Board tabled a resolution approving amendments to the Raytown Personnel Manual adopted December 20, 2016 relating to nepotism.  For more information on this resolution go to http://raytownmo.swagit.com/play/06202017-1654 and start on page 44.
The Board passed a resolution approving amendments to the Raytown Personnel Manual adopted December 20, 2016 relating to the Evaluation of Department Heads.  The policy states:

(a) It is the City’s policy to provide a compensation package to the Department Heads which will allow the City to compete with other private and public employers in the area for executive level personnel.  The City recognizes that the compensation package will require periodic review and adjustment in order to remain competitive and that the performance of the Department Head should be considered in connection with such review. 

(b) The City Administrator shall review the performance of each appointed Department Head each year and shall make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen concerning the compensation and benefit package for each Department Head.  While the City generally provides annual cost of living wage adjustments, merit increases may be made at the discretion of the City Administrator based on budget availability.  As part of such review, the City Administrator shall meet with the various appointed Department Heads concerning his evaluation of the incumbent’s performance, communicating his perception of that employee’s strengths and weaknesses to the incumbent and to the Board of Aldermen.  Such reviews and reports to the Board of Aldermen shall not be open to the public; provided, however, that adjustments in the compensation package and/or salary adjustments, if any, shall be a public record as provided by law.
3-5. Evaluation of Department Employees.  (a) All Department Directors shall review the performance of each Department employee each year and shall make recommendations to the City Administrator and Human Resources Manager regarding compensation and performance.  While the City generally provides annual cost of living wage adjustments, merit increases may be made at the discretion of the City Administrator and Department Director based on budget availability.  As part of such review, the Department Director shall meet with the individual employees concerning the evaluation of the incumbent’s performance, communicating the perception of that employee’s strengths and weaknesses to the incumbent and to the Human Resources Manager.  Such reviews and reports shall be kept in the employees personnel file by the Human Resources Manager.  Please note:  the bold text is corrections or additions to the policy.

The Board passed a resolution approving amendments to the Raytown Personnel Manual adopted December 20, 2016 relating to Provisions Applicable to Classified Employees.  For more information on this resolution go to http://raytownmo.swagit.com/play/06202017-1654 and start on page 56.  There was much discussion about the policies on vacation time, sick leave, and citizens’ complaints.  Alderman Jim Aziere said he likes the policy where complaints about the police department go to the City Administrator.  He said many times residents come to the Board with complaints and because it goes to the Internal Affairs Department, the Board knows nothing about the resolution.  Mayor McDonough asked Tom Cole if a complaint is lodged against a city employee if notice of that complaint goes to the Board.  Mr. Cole said no, the complaint only goes to the City Administrator and the director of Human Resources.  If the change to this section were to be passed, all complaints against police officers would only go to the City Administrator and the director of Human Resources.  The Board would not be part of the process.  The Board decided not to make the proposed changes to section 4-15 (Holiday pay), 4-17 (vacation pay), 4-18 (sick pay), 4-19 (bereavement leave), and 4-28 (citizens’ complaints).

The Board tabled several resolutions concerning amendments to the Raytown Personnel Manual adopted December 20, 2016 relating to working hours, violence in the workplace,  substance abuse, city employee on call policy, police department on call policy, take home city owned vehicles policy, time clock policy, gps tagging of city vehicles and tuition reimbursement policy.

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38 comments:

Anonymous said...

"So the voters decided to have an elected Chief long ago and somehow that is a problem now ???"

Yes!!

It has led to an inbred influence and patronage type of hierarchy at the PD. I doubt if the voters were aware of what the system would become when it was approved.

Most who question the way things are, including me, are not "cop haters" as a few flat earth types on here would make us. We just want the best for the City. The political patronage way it is now is clearly not in our best interests.

But I guess you can not see that?

I am hoping some Aldermen will grow a pair and take on the the status quo at the PD. Beginning with the too generous, wasteful practice of taking home city vehicles.

Anonymous said...

The resolution on nepotism was tabled until July. It's right there in black and white. I guess 8:58 can't read.

The Board passed a resolution approving amendments to the Raytown Personnel Manual adopted December 20, 2016 relating to Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy. For more information on this resolution go to http://raytownmo.swagit.com/play/06202017-1654 and start on page 37. Alderman Aziere asked if the Sexual Harassment policy was only at the work place. He said, for example, if one employee (John) called another employee (Joe) at home. If John called Joe a name that was meant to mean Joe was cowardly, would John lose his job? Tom Cole said there would be an investigation, at the very least. The Board tabled a resolution approving amendments to the Raytown Personnel Manual adopted December 20, 2016 relating to nepotism.

Anonymous said...

It has been a while since there has been a Board of Aldermen who assert themselves. I hope this bunch steps up and takes charge. There are signs they may very well do so. I think some of the newbies are getting their eyes opened as to how things really are at city hall. They should walk away from rhetoric of their campaigns and become proactive in making things happen that actually benefit the public. Then there are those on the board who try to posture themselves to be in the middle. I wonder if they know how transparent they are? There are hard decisions ahead for the BOA. I hope they are up to the task.

Anonymous said...

Ummmm not sure where you have been but this group has been dealing with difficult issues all along. Yes also let's hope the newbies are realizing Aziere and Creamer were full of it and the newbies can use their own brains to think with

Anonymous said...

In case you all missed this news from Montana today.

while doing yard work
Published June 27, 2017 Fox News
A Montana woman has suffered fatal injuries after being mauled by two dogs on Saturday while doing yard work.

Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin said Monday that 65-year-old Melissa Barnes was doing yard work Saturday morning at a residence west of Bozeman when she was attacked, first by a pit bull, followed by another dog. The breed of the second dog hasn't been confirmed.

What do you know? A pit bull. Why some still defend this killer breed is beyond a sane person's understanding.

Jim Williams said...

7:24 -
It's obvious that Creamer and Aziere are behind the attacks on the BOA. Creamer is afraid of getting laughed at again and Aziere doesn't like being called a coward. As bad as the Times is, Randy will only publish letters with a signature. This is the only place Aziere and Creamer can spew their hatred and frustration without signing their names. It's too bad this blog administrators don't require people to sign their names.

Anonymous said...

Mr Williams

I am a faithful reader of this blog.

I am hard pressed to recall the hateful and frustrated spewing you allude to.

Maybe you should take a break from reading this blog so your blood pressure doesn't go too high.

BTW... why not require addresses and phone numbers as well so the offended can toss a rock through your window or call you at 3 AM? You do know that with just a name an address can quickly be found online.

Anonymous said...

Nepotism was discussed by Councilman Green and Vanbuskirt with the council voting to leave the language in there and table indefinitely not July.

Jennifer Jacoby said...

8:41 - Call him at 3AM? That sounds like the same complaint Alderman Aziere had at the last board meeting. Now he knows he doesn't have anything to worry about. If you're not man enough to sign your name, you aren't man enough to scare anyone. I also think you are the hateful and frustrated spewing he was talking about.

Anonymous said...

Dear Jennifer Jacoby

Not taking the bait.
I'm afraid you just don't get it. BTW Happy you are.... brave? enough to post your name.
Good for you.

Jennifer Jacoby said...

8:41 - I'm happier and braver than you!

Anonymous said...

I'd like to see a dog park go in at the old super splash property. No bully breeds though.

Anonymous said...

Let me get this straight. If I work, I pay the government. If I don't work, the government pays me. Brilliant!!! More than half my new neighbors drive better cars than me and they appear to be home all the time, never going to work. Don't get me started about going to the grocery store to see people filling Thur carts up and paying with an EBT card, while I have 19 items hoping to make it to payday.

Anonymous said...

So you want to discriminate against a certain breed? Sounds real neighborly. It's not the breed that's the problem, it's the owner. Had a pittie for over years and is the most loving and loyal dog I've owned. Quit discriminating.

Anonymous said...

8:43 PM, No bully people either!

Mark Harris said...

When I was a kid, the guy next door died. His wife and kids went on welfare and once a month, they would go somewhere and come home with boxes of food. It was powered milk, beans, corn flakes, cheese, and other stuff that wouldn't spoil. I don't know why we ever got away from that.

Anonymous said...

No one's discriminating unfairly. I am sure there are many golden retrievers, poodles, cocker spaniels, lab retrievers and so on who have bad owners too.
But when's the last time any of these breeds actually attacked and killed a human?
Heck, I've never even heard of a German Shepard attacking and killing someone.
Yes, many dogs can and will bite. Pit Bulls not only do that but they also kill. Mostly other dogs but too often people.
I understand your loyalty based on your personal experience but the statistics are that pitties are by far the most dangerous breed. Just ask your insurance man.

Anonymous said...

Some communities require the owners of pit bulls to have a special rider on their homeowners liability insurance just for dog attacks.

Anonymous said...

When is the city going to start on the 83rd street bridge?

I thought they were as so as school was out, but I guess they didn't say what year.

Why is it the city keeps operating like this?

Look at the promises for the sidewalk on 59th street that has been at least two years ago and I have not seen any movement other than that of our elected officials false claims.

The mayor has been quoted in the paper Raytown has no financial issues, but this is the "show me state" and closing Super Splash and not moving forward on projects says otherwise.

Like the Brown family said, "Don't trust a cop"

Anonymous said...

Watched some home movies over the weekend from 1991 (last century) and by golly I had filmed a parade in Raytown, Two marching bands the mayor and the police chief who actually did not decide to run until he died. But it was nice to remember the days that our fair city actually did make it self proud and have a real parade. We used to do fun things in Raytown.

Andy Whiteman said...

When Pit Bulls became an issue at the BOA several years ago, Alderman Aziere stated that his college age daughter was badly mauled by a dog, required plastic surgery, and was absent from college. I inquired as to the dog's breed and it was a small dog, not a Pit Bull. The only way to stop dog bites is to ban ALL dogs. A good part of Pit Bull fear is generated by the media due to headlines "Pit Bull Bites" but never "Poodle Bites," Yorkie Bites," of "German Sheppard Bites," because the public has no interest in dog bites by other breeds and general dog bites do not get ratings.
Andy Whiteman

Michael said...

Some comments I consider important for any debate about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) a.k.a food stamps:

1. Those opposed to these benefits most often single out families who receive assistance. Remember that big business has an impressive impact on this issue, too. Walmart, Kraft, Coca Cola, and others consistently lobby in support of SNAP. I imagine these interests of these companies (and others) are likely more meaningful to elected officials than an impoverished Raytowner
2. If you think limitations should be placed on what food items are covered under SNAP, that's something our elected officials can change. Kraft would probably be disappointed to see macaroni and cheese removed from the list, just as Coca Cola would fight to keep their sugary drinks approved. I suspect the inclusion of countless unhealthy foods is more because of lobbyists and less because of the demands of those who receive assistance.
3. We often think of the adults who do not work and receive benefits. Remember the children born to irresponsible, or perhaps just unprepared, adults who benefit from assistance. Remember the working poor who still make too little to feed themselves and their families.
4. Many who reject increased minimum wages also support decreased SNAP benefits. Consider this: You go to Walmart to enjoy "Always Low Prices," and save significant money on whatever you purchase. However, the people who stocked the merchandise, rang up your goods, and retrieved your shopping cart don't make a living wage, which is one way those prices are kept "always low." In return, those employees require assistance to make ends meet, such as SNAP. Now, in the long run, you're really paying a bit more for that cheap stuff, because your tax dollars are getting funneled to those employees. Perhaps we could just require businesses pay employees living wages.

It's getting late so I'll spare you all the countless web articles about poodles, Dalmatians, golden retrievers, etc. who have attacked people. Power comes in data and research, not anecdotes, whether it be about a dog attack or a perceived lazy welfare mama buying potato chips with her SNAP benefits.


Mark Harris said...

I don't mind helping the working poor or the person who can't work. What really gets my goat is when government assistance is used to help people who misuse the aid. For example, last year I worked with the summer lunch program. I lost count of the number of parents who brought their children to get meals and were smoking cigarettes. Why didn't the parents choose to feed their children instead of buying cigarettes? Continuing to help the adults because they have children is to continue to enable the adults in their poor choices.

Anonymous said...

When many of us consider the abuse or miss use of welfare money (probably not a politically correct expression), we think about the cycle of poor people being raised poor and the dependence on the dole being systematically ingrained into the family so it just becomes a way of life handed down generation after generation.

A newer twist to the welfare abuse though is for couples to no longer get married to start their families. Guess what? in the eyes of our gubment mom is just another "single mom" entitled to all kinds of goodies.
I personally know of three young couples who are shamelessly doing just that.
If you think about it I'm pretty sure you know of couples just like I am speaking of. They just don't look like the cheats they are.

Anonymous said...

ANDY

Once again you miss the point. It's not about dogs biting.

It's about dogs killing.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes when you don't have a "dog in the fight" you should keep your opinions to yourself.
Don't you agree Andy?

Andy Whiteman said...

6:58AM, If a dog bites, he/she can kill; hence, ANY dog can kill! Pit Bulls are generally friendly dogs. The problem is irresponsible owners who fail to socialize them and/or criminals who use them to fight which turns them into monsters. Remember Michael Vick's Pit Bulls were socialized and adopted!

Andy Whiteman

Anonymous said...

Discrimination against a breed is wrong, period. Guess it's time to look for other options. You all are a bunch of hypocrites.

KMCCLA said...

What exactly constitutes a so called "bully breed" Pit Bull? How about a Rottweiler, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier (after all they **gasp** look like the "evil" Pit Bull). Who decides on what "breeds" are any less dangerous than an other, or more of a bully? More often than not, it is the owner, and how they treat and raise the dog. A Pit bull is no more dangerous than any other breed, as long as it raised right. No, if there is a dog park, it should be open too all breeds, just not your petty bigotry over a false sense of self imposed rightness. And, at least I have the courage to sign my name.

Anonymous said...

6:55 Not getting married actually started inuring the great society of Johnson. It caused children to be born with out a family unit.

Oujr government really works for us, depends on who us is I guess.

Anonymous said...

Has any one else noticed the frequency about the need for a dog park in Raytown comes up? I think the park board and city council should pay attention. It is the people speaking up for something they see a need for. I heard some lady is complaining because the pool is closed and the kids will have no place to work during the summer. Seems like a dog park may be the answer. Meaningful employment for young people. A chance for people to get out side with their pets. I hope it happens.

Anonymous said...

9:47 pm - I've never been to a dog park, so help me out here. What kind of jobs could a kid get at a dog park? I would like to think the owners would stay with their dogs while at the park, so there's no need for doggie-sitters. The only job I can think of is pooper-scooper. The young lady that spoke to the city council last week said the kids want meaningful jobs where they feel important. I don't think pooper-scooper qualifies at important.

Anonymous said...

Its not the function of our tax dollars to provide jobs!

Anonymous said...

8:14 Since when is it the responsibility of the city to provide jobs for teen age kids at taxpayer expense.?????

Anonymous said...

Another store that's easy for the robbers happened Saturday

Anonymous said...

Putting up basketball goals at super splash is just asking for big time trouble.

Anonymous said...

Putting up basketball goals at super splash is just asking for big time trouble.

Amen!

Anonymous said...

9:29 AMEN AGAIN