Street Overlay, City Finally Gets it Right! BY PAUL LIVIUS
In
the eyes of local residents, Raytown City Hall finally got it right on street improvements
this fall. Instead of using a light aggregate seal on repair of its streets,
the city chose to use a mico-surface repair process.
Light
Aggregate Seal seemed to freeze the condition of damaged streets into place
permanently. It looked bad, left uneven surfaces in its wake, and left a mess of
gravel in homeowner's yards to contend with.
The
process used this year has many benefits. It still uses a very fine aggregate in
the process, but also uses more of a sealant to the streets. When laid on
the streets, the micro-surface process literally fills the cracks and uneven
surfaces, leaving a smooth asphalt like look and feel to the road surface that
is appealing to the eye and much easier to drive a car or ride a bicycle on.
“I
am very pleased with the results”, said Ward 1 Alderman Greg Walters. “We have received nothing but complements on the work done. In fact, I have yet to receive one complaint,” continued Walters.
More
than anything else, the people of Raytown deserve credit for change. The
complaints over the use of light aggregate seal were many. Through their representatives
on the City Council their voices were heard.
This
time, the city got it right.
Park/Storm Sewer
Tax on November Ballot
Raytown voters will find one item to vote on at the polls on
November 5th. That one issue is a renewal of a Park/Storm Sewer
Sales Tax.
The
current tax has a sunset clause effective next August. If the tax is not
renewed, voters will see their sales tax lowered by one quarter of a cent. If
the tax is approved, the tax will continue for another five year term.
Revenue
from the sales tax is split between parks and storm water repair work. The Park
Department receives 75% of the sales tax collected. The remaining 25% goes to
the city to be used on storm water control.
The
tax requires a simple majority of those casting votes for approval. Should the
tax not pass, the Park Department can place the same issue on the April ballot
for a second vote.
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36 comments:
We pay to much in taxes now. I'm voting no on the park tax. Who needs parks anyway?
I am glad that Raytown finally is resurfacing the streets properly. I only took 10 years to get get that accomplished!!!
I still feel that the Parks/Storm Water Control should be separate ballot issues because some people will vote for one and not the other. In my case, if I was there, I would vote, "NO," on the measure because I do not want the money going to parks, but I would vote, "YES," on Storm Water if it was separate.
Please drive very carefully on Oct. 31, Halloween. Those Trick or Treating will be difficult to see and may dart out into the street.
Andy Whiteman
I agree Andy. It looks like we are finally seeing some direction from the Public Works part of city hall that makes sense. The fix of those streets with the new material is impressive. It shows a vision for what Raytown can be. Rather than trying to short-cut problems, they are building something that has some permanence and shows a degree of pride I have not seen from city hall in quite some time. Give credit where credit is due. Some of our city council people have been pushing for proper fixes to our public works problems for quite some time. It looks like they finally got city staff to listen. Credit is also due to the people in public works who decided if you are going to fix something, fix it right the first time. Good job to all!
I agree the streets look good but some places on the streets are kind of lumpy, where they didn't level the sealer out very good. Better than chip and seal but not as good as asphalt. We will see how it holds up.
I will be voting "NO" on the renewal of the parks tax. They have enough money. Separate the 2 taxes and I would vote "YES" on storm water repair. If the tax fails on November 5th and they place it on the ballot again in April, I will vote NO again!
Why would you not vote for the Parks/Storm Water ballot item in November?
Do you not want the Parks to still have the money to make our parks look good and our streets decorated with flowers? They are doing a great job.
Do you not want the enormous problem we have with our aging sewer system fixed?
I would think that these two items would be a great benefit to our City. They are both important to our City.
According to testimony at Tuesday's meeting, if the tax measure doesn't pass, the City will lose about 38% of its storm water funding, if I recall correctly. The loss of that funding will almost certainly mean more backups and damage to homes.
Derek A. WArd
Alderman, Ward 5
Park Sales Tax is 1/8 of a cent, not 1/4.
Dave Turner
To Andy and 10/17th
It's not that the City finally got it right. It's that the City finally hired someone that has the expertise and put hard work into the streets overlay project. Let's give credit where it's due. Damon Hodges was hired and hit the ground running. These projects have been sitting dormant for years. We finally got a decent board that's not afraid to take the "bull" by the horns and get things done, even with the opposition that sits on the board and blame everything on the people said instead of standing up, because it's all about them. And ya know who they are. One of them came to our neighborhood, asking for our votes, shared who their "good friend" was, then we have been watching the nastiness toward that person. Well that Alderman has taken a lot of blows from these so called "friends" and to let ya know, we have been watching.
Thank you to City Staff and some of our Alderman for withstanding and getting things done.
I hear the no tax increase parks issue and think of the no tax increase school issue a few months ago. Turns out the schools raised tax rates after all.
Plus the city says parks is getting more money from the TIF area with the refinance. We already have the highest sales taxes around. I just hope enough people show up since it's the only issue on the ballot. It'll be costly to even have it but I think that's why they put it on this one so they could stack the electorate.
Raytown has experienced staff working in City Hall for a change, if some of our elected officials would let them do their jobs.
Pick what job(s) you want (be the mayor, City Administrator, Finance Director,or the city attorney, etc. BOA are policy and procedures makers not micro managers. If you want things your way, apply for the job. Several of you are dead weight and it shows at the meetings.
Anon 6:35 -
You are correct. It's nice the city can finally start fixing our streets. Maybe it's because sales tax revenue has increased with all the new businesses that have opened up. Maybe it's the extra cash the city has after refinancing the TIF bonds. The city staff has been trying for some time to use better products, but the money wasn't there. Now it is. Mayor Mike has been telling folks to be patient. He was right. Now our patience has started to pay off.
Have to comment on the above. The city does not receive a windfall of tax dollars from the re-financing of bonds. The money saved is spread out over the life of the bonds. They atill have about 15 years worth of debt to pay off. Not sure what to think about the comment of new businesses opening up in Raytown. It may fall under the area of fake news. The city still has a long way to go. As for credit of what is being done at city hall. Look to your elected officials. At the end of the day they are the ones who make the final decision. They set the direction for all city employees to follow. The credit does not go to one individual. It is a collective decision.
I am glad someone is fooled by Damon Hodges!
However as city administrator he has a lot more to address or needs to go back and just manage public works.
The reality is there an individuals on the city payroll that cannot be justified and Mr Hodges has still not addressed the issue.
The reality is there an individual on the city payroll that has gotten us in at least one law suit because of their inability to comply with the MO Sunshine Law and Mr Hodges has still not addressed the issue.
The reality is there is an individual on the city payroll that has not hired support staff to address property maintenance violations and Mr Hodges has still not addressed the issue.
Keep in mind the damage to the city from the last individual that moved from heading public works to city administrator.
Mr Hodge is not the answer just more of the same old problem!
Work is done on 59th and the gutters were not repaired and will continue to grow weeds, look awful and back up storm water. A shame to almost get it right. There's only a few hundred feet of curb and gutter near Blue Ridge Blvd and it would not have taken that much to do it right. A look at what was done on Raytown Rd south of City Hall will show you it can be done correctly.
Depends are they going to put those flowers in the potholes? I'd rather them focus on making the streets driveable that flowers on a curb.
And nobody's ever lied or been misinformed in those comments. Every week.
Most of that has happened in the last 4 to 6 months, the TIF hasn't saved us a dime yet as a payment wasn't yet due.
I also noticed the coty is not running by what Mike campaigned on, they seem to be reading from his opponents promises and action plan.
Who all has a P-Card (Credit Card) with the school district and how are we the taxpayers to believe that others have not been allowed to abuse the policy related to the cards.
Time for Markley to go or time for a Board that will move him on.
Plenty of new businesses have started, there's Smith brothers, bank of America, benettes, news room, dry cleaning on 63rd, 2 auto shops.
Wait a second, nevermind.
8:03 - New businesses opening up in Raytown is not fake news. We have: Rincon Tarasco Restaurant, Panda Express, Freddie's burgers, Scooter's coffee, John's Bird Farm, Tidal Wave car wash, and Cuento Coffee to name a few. Also, The Crust Plus pizza and Lufti's Fish had to move into larger buildings in order to meet the growing needs of their customers. Crane Brewing is growing leaps and bounds. It's standing room only most nights.
If you didn't know about these, maybe you should shut down your computer and get out more.
How does a business moving from one place in Raytown to another place in Raytown count as a "new business" (Lufti's, Crust Plus Pizza)? Do you really count a business that has been in town for over nearly ten years as a new business (Freddie's Burgers)? You are right about one thing. You did just name a few. Crane Brewing is at the same location, with same amount of space and number of employees since they originally opened. It is a small place. Little ownder it is standing room only. "On most nights" is a stretch. I don't see how crowded a bar gets on a Saturday night as a sign of a grwoing economy.
October 18, 2019 at 8:37 PM
Thank you!
I agree that "October 18, 2019 at 1:07 PM" must not get out much.
Also Wilma's Food Truck and Harp BBQ at Crane Brewery are new.
Didn't the city use to publish a list of business licenses that have been granted? I think they should do that again.
We are talking about the Freddy's by Wal-Mart on 350 Hwy. It opened in 2017--only 2 years ago. Not 10 years ago.
Also Harp BBQ and Wilma's Food Truck are at Crane as well.
Also, Crust + Pizza was originally in KC at the Blue Vue Shopping Center and moved to Raytown.
SMH
Freddie's, Panda Express, Scooters and Tidal Wave ONLY came to town and only exist inbetween the 350's due to traffic counts and accessibility from both sides of the highway. No "Raytown" "cachet" drew them in.
We fully support John's, Cuentos, Crust Plus, Crane and the incredible Rincon Tarasco. It was a tremendous a leap of faith for those businesses to choose Raytown.
Lufti's is expanding and growing. They have so much business they are able to move to the old Funhouse Pizza joint. Cranes started out as a craft beer. They now have a BBQ company, a coffee company, and a food truck at their facility. In my book, that's growing and expanding. The Crust Pizza moved from a small place to one that doubled its size. This is all good. Don't be so negative.
Temper little one. Does not mean they are so negative. You did play fast and loose with some of your facts especially in the exaggeration department. Name calling will gain you zero followers.
"Lufti's is expanding and growing. They have so much business they are able to move to the old Funhouse Pizza joint."
Good luck to them. Hopefully they will have enough business to afford that much space in the "old Funhouse Pizza joint". Did they purchase the building, or will they continue to be renters? Was hoping for a solid buyer and an established restaurant. Time will tell.
Crust was in independence (on the line). It moved to replace news room. Sure a new business is there now, but are we going to be blind by the one that closed so it could be there?
Freddies, scooters, panda express are all national chains that place locations based on their statistics the city has very little to do with it.
Food trucks don't count as they don't pay taxes here.
As for a bird farm and a coffee shop, nice. In 6 years we've gained a bird farm.
I like the math of those trying to justify "NEW" business.
It is like some elected officials trying to say we have a professional city administrator and department heads.
If we set the time frame as 1 year most of those businesses wouldn't be counted that is the reality of a fact based approach to life.
I am still in shock over the space being more in Raytown for Sq Pizza. Don't see it and for those that didn't visit it prior to locating in Raytown it had two side by side spots at the corner of 47th and Blue Ridge Blvd with the cakes in one and pizza in the other. Once again fake news from those that should have paid better attention in math class.
It is also claimed that the fish place is bigger in the old fun house pizza, but are you sure they are not going to be just using the front room on 350. Keep in mind the Raytown Road location had two sides. In any case this business has been here for years so you cannot count as "NEW" and you cannot count as expanded unless you have facts to support. My guess is the move allows them to be on a street (highway), which has much more traffic flow than Raytown Road. This was also a point by another poster for the businesses in the TIF area.
Along those lines you also must be careful with how you count a "WIN". A "WIN" is a business that generates sales tax for the city and without that "WIN" property taxes have to increase. That is the reality of it and not the Fake news from city hall that the car wash will benefit the city.
With the number of citizens buying into the FAKE NEWS from city hall one has to agree the school distinct is FAILING to educate our citizens to be self thinking and have the knowledge to research things to get to the truth and avoid being a sheep following the path of lies.
I agree with 7:57 AM about publishing business licenses! I now live in a city that publishes a newsletter inserted in the utility bills. The newsletter is about 1/2 of a page folded 3 ways including general interest news and events. The newsletter includes new and renewed business licenses. Some are home businesses and some are out of town businesses required to have a city business license. (This is a rural area where many businesses are located in the county or another city.) I am seeing businesses I was totally unaware of.
Andy Whiteman
My problem with the upcoming ballot question is I believe the more important issue to address is the aging storm sewer infrastructure. If the split was 25% parks and 75% storm sewer I would support it. Good sewers and drainage trumps flowers in the medians, IMHO. BTW... I would gladly do without flowers in the medians if we could get rid of all the weed patches growing in our curbs and gutters.
Food truck pay taxes in Raytown. They have to buy a license for the truck. They have to collect sales taxes, just like any other business.
Andy - if you want to know what businesses there are in Raytown, go to the Chamber of Commerce. They have a very extensive list. BTW - we don't care what they do in Arizona.
"It is also claimed that the fish place is bigger in the old fun house pizza...must be careful with how you count a "WIN"."
With all that extra space once the fish place has planted their flag in the property, perhaps they might consider an extra U.S. President or two banquet room.
You know. Like Eisenhower. Or Bush.
Parity. Diversity. Now that would be a win-win.
One more time for those in the back!
"With the number of citizens buying into the FAKE NEWS from city hall one has to agree the school distinct is FAILING to educate our citizens to be self thinking and have the knowledge to research things to get to the truth and avoid being a sheep following the path of lies."
I have a private school education and know how to research. Please don't make blanket, incorrect statements about those on here.
I agree completely Raytown Newbie, lets give our storm sewers the attention they need. So tired of smelling sewer gas every time we have down pour and I know I am not alone. Just walk into El Maguey's, KB's or my house after a down pour.. you will smell the sewer gas. I'm all for fixing that over our parks, sorry, not sorry !!!
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