Raytown C-2 School Board Vacancy

RAYTOWN SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT RESIGNS

The Raytown C-2 School District has announced a Board of Education vacancy. Krisite Collins, Board President of the Raytown School Board has tendered her resignation.

Residents who wish to be appointed to the vacancy shall apply at the superintendent’s office located at 6608 Raytown Rd., Raytown, MO. Applications will be accepted until June 24, 2019, at 4:00 p.m.

The appointee will serve until the next school board election, when a director shall be elected for the unexpired term. For more information, contact Rachel Johnston, Board Secretary, at 816-268-7008.

For more information use this link: Application Process


BREAKING NEWS . . .  BREAKING NEWS . . . BREAKING NEWS

RAYTOWN POLICE RESPOND TO SHOOTING AT COLEMAN PARK EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

Woman Killed at Coleman Park

in Early Saturday Morning Shooting

Raytown, MO – At about 12:24 A.M., Saturday morning (June 15, 2019) Raytown Police Officers were called to the area of Sarah Colman-Livengood Park, 5901 Lane, regarding a house that had been shot. The house was adjacent to the park. Moments later, police received a call that a woman had been shot at the park itself.

Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a young woman who had suffered a gunshot wound. There were other people present at the park, who were rendering first aid. They were not injured. Two individuals were seen running away after the shooting and were not located. The woman’s identity has not been released at this time. No arrests have been made in relation to the incident.

It was discovered that at least three houses adjacent to the park, and the park office building that was located on the park grounds, had been struck by bullets. No occupants were injured.

A group of about 20 people had been partying at the Park when the shooting occurred. The shooting occurred one and one half hours after the park had been closed for the evening. Coleman Park has an 11:00 p.m. curfew on Friday nights during the summer. Nearby residents reported at least 15  gunshots fired in rapid succession during the shooting.

Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the TIPS Hotline, 816-474-TIPS (8477.)

SOURCE FOR THIS STORY INCLUDE THE RAYTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

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CONFIDENTIAL AUDIT HOTLINE TO STATE AUDITOR’S OFFICE

TELEPHONE:      800-347-8597

EMAIL:                 moaudit@auditor.mo.gov

State Auditor Explains

Audit Process to

Board of Aldermen

To view a video recording of the meeting use thIs link . . . AUDIT PRESENTATION GO TO THE SECOND ITEM ON THE AGENDA . . . "STUDY SESSION"

State Auditor Todd M. Schuler, CPA addressed the Mayor and Board of Aldermen at last Tuesday’s meeting to explain the Missouri State Audit process. Mr. Schuler is the direct representative of Missouri State Auditor Nichole Galloway.

The audit of the City of Raytown was called for when the Jackson County Board of Election Commissioners verified 1623 signatures of registered Raytown voters who petitioned the State Auditor to conduct an audit of the City of Raytown.

Mr. Schuler told the Board the State Auditor’s office will be conducting two audits of Raytown. One audit is the result of the petition drive.

The second audit is of the Raytown Municipal Court. State law requires the State Auditor conduct an audit of all Municipal Courts in Missouri on a regular basis. There is not any cost to the City of the Municipal Court Audit.

Schuler explained the audit process is expected to take six months to complete for the City and three to four months to complete the Municipal Court audit. He described the City of Raytown as a larger than usual audit covering all operations within the city.

The targeted areas to be covered by the audit include but are not limited to:

• Internal Controls
• Compliance
• Economy / Efficiency
• Transactions
• Needed Changes
• Excess Revenue Compliance

The audit covers the time period of the last completed fiscal year (2017/2018). However, Auditors have the ability to extend the audit forward or back from the dates set in 2017/2018. For instance, the 350 Live TIF was active in three different administrations (Frank, Bower and McDonough). State Auditors have the option of expanding the audit at their discretion.

Ward 5 Alderman Derek Ward asked that the Auditors provided the Board of Aldermen with an update of the audit once it hits the half-way mark. Mr. Schuler indicated that such an update could be given.

Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters asked Schuler to explain the difference between a Financial Audit (which the city completes annually) and a Performance Audit.

Walters said, “There has been some confusion (in the public) as to the difference between a Financial Audit and a Performance Audit.

Mr. Schuler explained a Performance Audit is larger in scope than a Financial Audit.

The Performance Audit looks at all aspects of how the City is run. Financial audits only look at the city’s finances and guarantee the city’s financial books are properly balanced.

Recommendations will be made where improvements can be made in the day to day operation of the City. If any malfeasance is found, the proper authorities will be contacted to investigate the findings of the Audit to see if criminal charges are called for.

“State Audits,” said Mr. Schuler, are prone to look for inefficiencies within the operation of a governmental body. It is up to the Board of Aldermen to make any suggested changes once the audit is complete.

State Audits are also “completely confidential” according to Schuler, until they are completed. Once completed, the entire audit will be made public. Individuals can view the completed audit on the Missouri State Auditor’s website www.auditor.mo.gov

Schuler also said the public is welcome to bring any item to the State Auditor’s attention. All items brought to the State Auditor’s attention will be held completely confidential (informants need not worry of being exposed or identified through the audit process).

Raytowners may contact the State Auditor’s office . . . by telephone or fax:

TELEPHONE:      800-347-8597

EMAIL:                 moaudit@auditor.mo.gov

City Offers Vouchers for

Disposal of Tree Trimmings

 $5 FOR A $25 VOUCHER

The City of Raytown is $5 coupons ($25 value) to be used at two disposal companies in the Raytown area. The coupons have a 60-day expiration date. Four coupons over a one-year period will be available for properties located in Raytown. Proof of identification, ie. a driver's license, or a recent (within the last two months) utility bill will be needed to obtain the coupon.

Alderman Greg Walters said he frequently is asked where people can dispose of tree trimmings. For $5.00 people can load up their pick up truck or trailer with unwanted tree cuttings. "This is one deal the City offers that is popular, reasonably priced and environmentally sound," said Walters. The city pays the difference due Missouri Organics.

1. Where do I get a coupon?
Coupons can be obtained at the Public Works Department at Raytown City Hall, 10000 E. 59th Street during regular business hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, Monday thru Friday.

2.Where can I use them?
Missouri Organic
7700 E. 40 Highway
Kansas City, MO 64129
816-483-0908
Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
This is for drop off only.

For more information call 816-737-6012 or go to www.raytown.mo.us

BY GREG WALTERS

Politics, Politicians

and Raytown  . . . Oh My!

Many years ago, when I was still a young pup on the Board of Aldermen, an interesting conversation came up at a Committee Meeting. One of the members, Ward 4 Alderman Phil Gray, for reasons that I cannot remember, went into a rant about how he hated all the politics at Raytown City Hall. He only wanted to pass “good ordinances” and not quarrel about the rest.

One of my seatmates on the Board, Ward 3 Alderman Kevin Brown, took issue with Gray’s rant.

It was a long time ago, but I doubt I will never forget it.

Alderman Brown looked at Alderman Gray and said, “Phil, we are politicians. This is what we do. We were elected to do this job. It is our job to work these things out. If you do not like your job, you should quit.”

Not surprisingly, Alderman Gray never repeated his rant.

It reminded me that we in America are blessed by a political process that works.

This past weekend most of the Board of Aldermen met at a Saturday retreat in an effort to hammer out some goals for the coming year. During the retreat I was paired with Ward 2 Alderman Greene. During our work time together we discussed many topics. Some of which was national politics. At one point we strayed into the subject of immigration.

For those who do not know, Jason is married to a citizen of Honduras. His wife is working to gain citizenship in the United States. He told me a bit of current events about Honduras I was unaware of. Apparently, that same weekend, rioters had set fire to the American Embassy in the Honduran capital, Tegucigalpa.

He also mentioned how his wife was upset and angry at those who attacked the American embassy.

In contrast, Americans do not set foreign embassies on fire. Even of those countries we may not think to highly of. In America, we elect politicians to represent us. This is true for our representatives in Jefferson City and Washington, DC, as it is in Raytown.

We are witness to the failure of national governments in our own hemisphere where those in power have failed the people they serve. The plight of people trying to escape the horrors of failed republics in Central America is testament to that failure.

Last week (June 4^th) was the anniversary of the slaughter in Tiananmen Square in 1989 by the Chinese government of its own people. The protester's in Tiananmen Square “crime” was to peacefully protest the dictatorial power of their government. There were not any memorials in China of the event. Do you even have to wonder why?

The United States of America is a representative Democracy. We choose who represents us in the different arenas of government. To be sure, sometimes the process is messy and sometimes contentious. But it is by far the best way for a people to govern themselves.

BY PAUL LIVIUS

The Paul Livius Report

Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting
June 4, 2019

The Board approved an ordinance approving the final site plan of Somerset Village Apartments in Wilson View. Curtis Peterson, on behalf of KM-TEH Realty, owners of the property located at 9611/13 E 60th Street, is requesting approval of the final site plan in order to replace the building that burnt down. The building that was destroyed contained 11 dwelling units and the proposed replacement building also contains 11 dwelling units. Somerset Village is a complex of 13 buildings that has 156 dwelling units. The complex is located on East 60th Street just west of Raytown Road. The building that was destroyed is located 9811 E. 60th Street and was destroyed by fire in February 2016.

The Board approved an ordinance amending Chapter 2 of the Raytown Municipal Code. At the April 2, 2019 General Election, the citizens of the City of Raytown, voted to make the Chief of Police position an appointed position instead of an elected position (vote was 2725/1065). It is necessary to amend the Raytown Municipal Code to reflect the changes necessary due to the results of the election.

The Board approved a resolution authorizing an agreement for inmate security housing services with Johnson County Missouri Sheriff’s Department.  On 04-25-19, a bid request was sent out for housing our inmates, as our current contract with Johnson County Missouri Sheriff’s Department is set to expire June 30th, 2019. This request was advertised in the Daily Record, our Website and e-mailed to other County Jails in our region. On 05-22-19, I contacted City Clerk Teresa Henry and she advised that one bid was received from Johnson County Missouri Sheriff’s Department on 05-14-19. The housing price increased from $40.00 to $45.00 and the transportation fee of $20.00 remained the same.

The Board approved a resolution authorizing the expenditure of funds to Missouri Organic, WCA and Compost Connection for Raytown’s clean-up coupon program in an amount not to exceed $52,000.  The need for property maintenance is ongoing and necessary for the City. With this past winter being one of the worst winters for Raytown, Raytown property owners experienced excessive tree damage and storm debris. With Board of Aldermen approval, the Public Works Department issued 2,282 FREE Storm Debris Vouchers to assist property owners with the storm debris clean-up efforts. Each Storm Debris Voucher had a redeemable value of $25 in services, either for drop-off of storm debris at Missouri Organic, or for curbside pickup of storm debris by Compost Connection. With current redemptions of Storm Debris Vouchers and ongoing City-Wide Clean-Up Coupons at Missouri Organic, the City’s spending with Missouri Organic has exceeded $15,000. Additionally, the total budgeted funds for the City-Wide Clean-Up have been exhausted due to the redemption of Storm Debris Vouchers and the City-Wide Clean-Up Coupons. The City-Wide Clean-Up Coupon program includes yard waste drop off at Missouri Organic and scheduled curbside pickup of approved household items by WCA. City staff is requesting transfers of $30,000 from Public Works to Governing Body to cover the expenses incurred to date and funds to continue providing the program for the remaining portion of the fiscal year.

Picture of the Week . . . What is it?

At the southwest corner of 59^th Terrace and Hunter there is a slow water line break. The broken water line has been turned into the city many times in the last five years. The street and the adjoining property has sunk from the continual erosion occurring under the street.

During winter, the water continues to flow and freezes over one-half of the street. So much so that Public Works crews had to put additional salt to thaw the traffic hazard the frozen water created.

The City of Raytown’s Public Works Department has identified the water as coming from a Raytown Water Company water line.

The Raytown Water Company is well aware of the problem. In an effort to cover up the problem (last fall) the Water Company patched a very large pothole that had developed at the site of the leak with asphalt. That patch has since sunk five inches below street level of the curb.

WHAT IS IT?

The circular globs are probably petroleum product from the asphalt, mixed with water from the pipeline.

Water lines leak out. Under the right circumstances, they can also draw pollutants into the water line.

This is a public health hazard.

The City and Water Company have been aware of it for over five years. They have done nothing but confirm there is a leaking water pipe.

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TRIO Kicks Off Saturday Night Concert Series in Raytown

Trio entertained upwards to 150 concert goers last Saturday Night

featuring songs from the 60's, 70's and 80's

Charlotte informed us "You can't have a concert without bubbles!"