The Paul Livius Report

Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting

September 17, 2019

Mayor McDonough recognized the Raytown Citizens Crime Watch.  Mayor McDonough issued a proclamation recognizing Constitution Week.

The Board passed an ordinance approving a conditional use permit for Mohamed Alsiyouhi to operate a vehicle repair use at 9100 E. 350 Highway, subject to the thirteen conditions laid out by the Board of Aldermen.  These conditions must be met and all repairs made in four months.  Mohamed Alsiyouhi, the applicant, has a lease agreement with the property owner, Henry Machauf, to operate a tire and minor auto repair shop in the former Auto Cool building which has been vacant since 2016. The 2-bay building was originally designed and built for minor automotive work in the 1960s or 1970s and the requested use would be consistent with the original purpose of the building and consistent with automotive work previously performed on the site. The building was continuously occupied by the most recent business, Auto Cool, from 1998 until 2016. Several conditions of approval were attached to the Conditional Use by staff and concurred with by the Planning Commission relating to required property maintenance and upgrades to bring the property up to current code requirements.

The Board passed an ordinance approving “Final Plat of Turnleaf Villas”, located at 59th Street and Hunter Court.  The “Final Plat of Turnleaf Villas”, located at 59th Street and Hunter Court and comprising 2.3 acres, is a re-platting of the existing Blue Ridge Villas Subdivision. This is being done in advance of an effort by the developer, Ivan Chiang of Four Gem Properties, LLC, to complete development of the area by moving lot lines and easement locations to better accommodate the already approved senior care facilities and to eliminate the individual ownership parcels for the remaining unbuilt condominium units. Public works has no additional requirements for utilities or roadway construction as all these improvements are already in place, including the private street, the common space with gazebo and sewer stubs, and no bonding for improvements installation is necessary. Hunter Court was constructed to then-existing design standards in 2005, which included a 20-foot roadway width, but current Fire Code now requires either a 24-foot width or the street to be signed for “No Parking” and enforced by the Homeowner’s Association (HoA). Posting the street was the chosen option by the Developer and enforcement on the private street will be required as part of the HoA’s responsibilities. The Developer is also required to update the HoA documents to include the entirety of both the proposed Turnleaf Villas and the remaining portions of Blue Ridge Villas not included in this plat. This revised document will be reviewed by staff to ensure it addresses these issues and will then be recorded with the plat.

The Board heard the first and second readings of an ordinance terminating the USA 800 tax increment financing redevelopment project area.  The Board then passed the ordinance.  City Staff have determined that all monies owed the developer have been paid, and it is now time to terminate the plan and project, and dissolve the TIF special allocation fund to allow future property taxes to be paid to the taxing districts. The USA 800 TIF Plan and Redevelopment Project were created by Ordinance No. 4301-97, as a pay-as-you-go project, with a life of 23 years. The approved plan identified the developer had 23 years from the date of adoption of the ordinance approving the project to complete the project improvements and be reimbursed eligible costs. This plan was scheduled to expire in 2020. However, the TIF is expiring early due to better than projected results. The approved TIF project included but not limited to, the developer bringing forth the following improvements: the purchase of three (3) lots adjacent to the existing complex at 6608 Raytown Road, the construction of a new 21,000 sq. ft. building, construction of an overhead walkway, construction of parking and the necessary public improvements as required by the City.

The original TIF plan identified the developer would be eligible to be reimbursed $350,000 plus interest. As of May 2019, the City reimbursed the developer the full $350,000 plus interest of $481,195. The eligible reimbursable expenses included but were not limited to, architect/engineer services, building permits, acquisition costs, fire prevention, excavation, site preparation, parking lot construction and lighting, exterior drainage, sod and landscaping, construction of curbs, and TIF cost. The Development Agreement allowed the developer 9.5% interest for an equity funded redevelopment project. Should the termination be approved, it is estimated the City would receive $41,684.26 in additional property tax payments from the payment of the 2019 real property taxes.

The Board heard the first reading of an ordinance establishing the annual property tax levy rate for the City General Operating Fund and the Park Fund for the year 2019. The City has received its notice of 2019 Assessed Valuation from the County. Finance has recalculated the levy rates using the formula supplied by the State Auditor's Office. These calculations indicate the City could levy a rate of $0.3090 per $100.00 assessed valuation for general city operations and a rate of $0.1540 per $100.00 assessed valuation for park operations. The 2019 proposed combined rate represents a reduction from the 2018 rate. According to Zillow the median home value for Raytown is approximately $125,200. The total taxes collected for the City and Parks on the median home would be $579.68 for each year.

The Adjusted Assessed Valuation:

• Real Estate values increased by $48,166,136 or 18.38% from last year's amounts for a 2019 value of $310,229,646;

• Personal property value decreased by $4,197,540 or 6.2% from last year's amounts for a 2019 value of $63,599,677.

Based on the assessed valuation and the proposed mill levy, staff is projecting that approximately $1,154,600 will be generated for the General Fund and approximately $576,123 will be generated for the Park Fund, which equates to a 1.9% increase for both General Fund and Parks Fund. In accordance with State law, the City must hold a public hearing on the establishment of the levy rate prior to passage of the ordinance approving the 2019 rates. Notice for this public hearing must be published in the newspaper prior to the meeting date. The public hearing on this matter will take place on September 24, 2019. This is a calculation required by State Law.

The Board passed resolution approving the purchase of a dual drum roller compactor from Murphy Tractor &Equipment in an amount not to exceed $37,374. The current roller was purchased in 2007 and has reliability issues, as well as being under sized to achieve proper compaction of certain asphalt products used on medium and larger patches. Staff researched the appropriate size and type of roller to best fit our operation size and needs. During the research, staff looked at operating weight, width, vibratory frequency and the type of vibration. Staff determined that oscillating vibration of the Hamm machine would be the best fit and conventional vibration. Public Works Department staff researched upfront costs and opportunities from Case, Caterpillar and Hamm for new machines. During the research, staff obtained quotes from the dealers for Case, Caterpillar and Hamm for similar sized and weighted machines capable of performing the work we need. During the evaluation process Murphy Tractor & Equipment presented an opportunity to buy a new 2016 leftover Hamm with full warranties at a substantial savings from a 2019 model and the lowest cost option all while providing us with the only oscillating vibration in the class.

The Board passed a resolution authorizing the City Administrator to enter into an agreement with J.M. Fahey Construction Company for the 2019 asphalt overlay project in an amount not to exceed $350,000. The Public Works Department is utilizing the current Kansas City, MO contract with J.M. Fahey Construction Company for their Resurface Designated Streets 59th Street to South City Limits contract, as attached. Staff is utilizing the Raytown Purchasing Policy, Section 2, Exceptions to Competitive Bid Process, 2.1 paragraph 9 - which states the City can take advantage of another local governments fixed price contract if those prices are more advantageous to Raytown than local market prices. This contract with KCMO allows us to get asphalt surface laid at $49.75 per ton, compared to the current contract of Lee’s Summit MO of $62.50 per ton for asphalt surface mix. The last time Raytown put 2” Overlay out to bid in 2014, our cost per ton was $59.10. The current 2018-2019 Fiscal Year budget has $350,000.00 budgeted for Annual Asphalt Overlay Project, within Repairs & Maintenance Services.

The Board passed a resolution authorizing the City Administrator to enter into an agreement with Quality Custom Construction for the 2019 concrete repair project in a total amount not to exceed $45,125. The Public Works Department will utilize a City of Lee’s Summit cooperative contract with Quality Custom Construction. This project will be removing and replacing ADA ramps, curb & gutters, sidewalks, and driveway approaches that are within the annual pavement Micro-Surfacing areas, as well as adding other areas in need at various locations throughout the City. The construction estimate from Quality Custom Construction is in the amount of $37,605.15, as attached. Staff is requesting purchasing authority up to $45,125.00 to accommodate for potential change orders. This is approximately 20% of the estimated total cost. The current 2018-19 fiscal year budget has $150,000.00 budgeted for Annual Concrete Curb, Sidewalk, and Paving Contract, within Repairs & Maintenance Services. This project does not have any state or federal funding associated with it. This project will be inspected with the City’s own personnel.

The Board passed a resolution authorizing the City Administrator to enter into an agreement with Quality Custom Construction for the 2019 concrete curb repair project in a total amount not to exceed $175,803. The Public Works Department will utilize a City of Lee’s Summit cooperative contract with Quality Custom Construction. This project will be removing and replacing curb and gutters along Raytown Trafficway from 63rd street to 59th Street. The construction estimate from Quality Custom Construction is in the amount of $152,872.90, as attached. Staff estimates 15% or $22,930.93 for contingencies and change orders. The total estimated cost of this project is $175,803.83. This project is made possible by savings on other projects and by utilizing storm water and transportation sales tax funding. $57,000.00 of this project will be funded from the storm water fund since this project has a significant storm water impact. This project does not have any state or federal funding associated with it. This project will be inspected with the City’s own personnel.

The Board passed a resolution approving an agreement with Duke’s Root Control contract in an amount not to exceed $19,659.  Staff contacted Duke’s Root Control to investigate the needed repairs. Duke’s developed the attached cost estimate of $17,095.40 to do this work. This cooperative contract is through the Houston-Galveston Area Cooperative. Staff is requesting Board of Aldermen approval to be approximately 15% higher than this estimate, to cover unforeseen circumstances and overruns that may arise with this underground work for a total amount of $19,659.25.

The Board passed a resolution approving the purchase of computer equipment and supplies from Dell Government Sales in an amount not to exceed $7,972. In order to maintain a quality computer network, Information Systems uses a hardware replacement schedule and purchasing plan. This allows staff to better forecast expenditures and avoid large single time expenses of hardware replacement. Dell Government Sales provides exclusive governmental pricing. Their cooperative bid pricing makes their equipment a reliable choice for the city’s IT needs.  For more information about this purchase, go to https://www.raytown.mo.us/vertical/Sites/%7B3A1DBD03-39C2-43FA-8CC9-95B16E6438CB%7D/uploads/09-17-19_Web_Packet-Reduced.pdf.  Page 188.

The Board passed a resolution approving the expenditure of funds with CDW-G for the purchase of computer equipment and supplies in the amount of $17,027. In order to maintain a quality computer network, Information Systems uses a hardware replacement schedule and purchasing plan. This allows staff to better forecast expenditures and avoid large single time expenses of hardware replacement. CDW-G provides exclusive governmental pricing from multiple vendors. Their cooperative bid pricing makes their equipment a reliable choice for the City’s IT needs.  For more information about this purchase, go to https://www.raytown.mo.us/vertical/Sites/%7B3A1DBD03-39C2-43FA-8CC9-95B16E6438CB%7D/uploads/09-17-19_Web_Packet-Reduced.pdf.  Page 197.



“Retro@ctive” . . . a talented band of musicians specializing in the recreation of 1980’s rock and roll music entertained about 250 concert goers at the Green Space in Downtown Raytown.

The concert marked the end of a series of four musical events this summer. 

A crowd of young admirers gather around the stage to get a closer look at the band.

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FORWARD BY GREG WALTERS

Raytown Parks

Crime Analysis Report

The following statistical analysis of crime in Raytown’s two largest City Parks (Colman Park and Kenagy Park) was discussed in depth by the Raytown Parks Improvement Committee and the Raytown Park Board before recommending improvement of enforcement of curfew violations and othher City Ordinances relevant to city parks.

The analysis was created by one of the members of the Committee, Ward 5 Alderman, Derek Ward.

Mr. Ward delved deep into the nuances of the statistics as provided to the Raytown Parks Improvement Committee by the Raytown Police Department. At first glance, the numbers suggested the majority of calls for service were to Kenagy Park.

However, upon closer investigation, Mr. Ward found, statistically speaking, the opposite was true.

I urge all readers to read Mr. Ward’s concluding remarks as well. In my opinion, they embody the purpose of the cooperation we have seen between the Raytown Parks Department, the Raytown Improvement Committee and the Raytown Police Department in more stringent enforcement of our city’s ordinances as regards safety in our parks.

FOOTNOTE: I ran into the Raytown Park Board Director Dave Turner last Friday at the Concert in the Green Space. He shared with me that the private security service arrangement agreed upon between the Park Board and Parks Improvement Committee is going well. He says the incidents of curfew violations are down. Installation of additional lighting in four of our city parks will be started this week. To be sure, there are still problems to be addressed. But all signs point to a brighter future for Raytown Parks.

Crime Analysis Report BY ALDERMAN DEREK WARD

I obtained the data for Kenagy crime reports in a similar format to that regarding Coleman presented at the last Park Board meeting.  I sliced the incident types into (my judgment only) “Major Criminal”, “Major Disturbance”, “Minor Criminal”, “Neutral” and “Proactive Policing”.  I did this because some of the items like “foot patrol”, “ambulance call” or “general” don’t really imply anything negative about the parks.  If one park has a lot of ambulance calls unrelated to criminal activities, that shouldn’t count against the park or the park system.

Here are the police event types sorted as described above, starting with “Major Criminal” and ending with “Proactive Policing”.

Major Crime	Major Disturbance		Minor Crime	Neutral		Proactive Policing
ASSAULT - OTHER DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY LARCENY/ATTEMPT SHOTS FIRED STOLEN AUTO/ATTEMPT DISTURBANCE FIREWORKS NOISE DISTURBANCE CAR CHECK CAR STOP ILLEGALLY PARKED JUVENILES PEDESTRIAN CHECK			ABANDONED AUTO ADMINISTRATIVE DETAIL ACCIDENT NON-INJURY ACCIDENT INJURY AMBULANCE CALL ANIMAL (ALL) CHILD UNATTENDED FOLLOW UP INVESTIGATION GENERAL INFORMATION HARASSING COMM. MENTAL HEALTH MISSING PERSON RECOVERED PROPERTY RECOVER STOLEN AUTO SUICIDE/ATTEMPT SUSPICIOUS PERSON/VEHICLE/ACTIVITY			CHECK AREA CITIZEN ASSIST CONTACT W/CITIZEN DETAIL – SURVEILLANCE FOOT PATROL INFORMATION MEET W/ OUTSIDE AGENCY MOTORIST ASSIST OFF DUTY DETAIL SAFETY FAIR TRAFFIC DETAIL/ENFORCEMENT WELFARE CHECK

The 4-Year total number of incidents (including 2019 as Year to Date) in the three “negative” categories for each park is shown below.

ACTIVITY	KENAGY	COLEMAN
ASSAULT - OTHER	2	4
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY	2	1
LARCENY/ATTEMPT	9	5
SHOTS FIRED	6	11
STOLEN AUTO/ATTEMPT	1	2
DISTURBANCE	12	23
FIREWORKS	6	19
NOISE DISTURBANCE	10	22
CAR CHECK	177	123
CAR STOP	10	4
ILLEGALLY PARKED	2	1
JUVENILES	7	6
PEDESTRIAN CHECK	8	10

The chart below illustrates the relative frequency and distribution of these events.

Assigning 3 points to each “Major Criminal”, 2 points to “Major Disturbance” and 1 point to “Minor Criminal”, the scores are as follows:

ACTIVITY	KENAGY Points	COLEMAN Points
ASSAULT - OTHER	6	12
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY	6	3
LARCENY/ATTEMPT	27	15
SHOTS FIRED	18	33
STOLEN AUTO/ATTEMPT	3	6
DISTURBANCE	24	46
FIREWORKS	12	38
NOISE DISTURBANCE	20	44
CAR CHECK	177	123
CAR STOP	10	4
ILLEGALLY PARKED	2	1
JUVENILES	7	6
PEDESTRIAN CHECK	8	10
TOTAL SCORE	320	341

If I refine the matrix a bit further, and look only at the most serious offenses, it appears that Coleman has slightly more “Major Criminal” incidents than Kenagy.

ACTIVITY	KENAGY Points	COLEMAN Points
ASSAULT - OTHER	6	12
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY	6	3
LARCENY/ATTEMPT	27	15
SHOTS FIRED	18	33
TOTAL SCORE	57	63

The graph below illustrates these numbers.

Afterword / Conclusions . . . 

When looking at the overall number of negative events, Coleman leads Kenagy by roughly 6%.  When we look at only the most serious events, Coleman leads by nearly 10%.  In either event, the contrast isn’t stark, and a few incidents at one park could even the numbers quickly.  For all practical purposes, these two parks are roughly equal in the types and numbers of safety and criminal events.

Although some people may criticize the way I categorized the various call types or will argue that my weighting system is deficient, I believe I’ve constructed a roughly fair and reasonably approximate method of comparing the two parks in terms of criminal events and negative impacts on neighbors.  In the end, it appears that we have two parks that have a roughly equal number of problems, both qualitatively and quantitatively.  We should work hard with the Parks Board to find measures and solutions appropriate to each park.

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