 |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
In a political sense, I had what some may call an
epiphany of sorts while out knocking on doors and asking people for their vote.
Another candidate from a different Ward called me
while I was doing my walk and talk gig. He called to inform me of a “meet the
candidates” fundraising event to be held at a local eatery in the next few
weeks.
Seizing at the opportunity, I asked him where and
when it was, so we could attend. It was then that I was told we were not
invited! In fact, he said, it appears only those candidates supported by Jim
Aziere and Joe Creamer are invited.
Bummer! Here I was all jazzed up to go meet the
other candidates and maybe even a voter a two. Only to see those thoughts
crushed on the rocks of reality.
On the other hand it does verify and clarify what I
have heard rumored for quite some time. Apparently there is a slate of anti- FILL IN THE BLANK candidates running for Alderman
this year.
After a short discussion with my fellow candidate
informant, we came to the conclusion it would be best to stay the course. By
this we mean to run independent campaigns. The voters can make up their mind
without the clutter of faction politics gumming up their decision making
process.
"Now may
be the time to pull the skeletons out of the closet."
I know it is not much of a rant. But it does sum up
my thoughts after reading Greg’s campaign report. But it did give me another thought.
There is a public forum at where a good number of
the candidates for Aldermen will be in attendance this week. The Raytown
Democratic Association (RDA) is holding its monthly meeting this Thursday
(February 16) at Las Chili's located at the Center 63 Shopping Center, 6210 Raytown Trafficway. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.
There is no doubt the RDA is registered with the
state Democratic Party. In fact, it is one of the oldest continuing political
clubs in the metropolitan area. But the club members are very aware Raytown
City elections are non-partisan events. So all candidates are welcome to
attend.
Speaking of non-partisan elections. Up until 1980, Raytown elections were partisan events. Candidates had to file as either a Republican or a Democrat to be placed on the ballot. City Primary elections were partisan. You had to choose between a Democratic or Republican ballot to vote in a primary election held in February. The general election was held in April.
Speaking of non-partisan elections. Up until 1980, Raytown elections were partisan events. Candidates had to file as either a Republican or a Democrat to be placed on the ballot. City Primary elections were partisan. You had to choose between a Democratic or Republican ballot to vote in a primary election held in February. The general election was held in April.
That all changed shortly after the new Board of Aldermen were elected. The State of Missouri had changed the law governing Fourth Class Cities. Which Raytown was (and still is) today. It required Fourth Class Cities to pass into law how elections were to be conducted.
A newly elected Alderman from Ward 1, who had just
turned 25 years old, brought his first piece of legislation. That Alderman was
Greg Walters. His legislation was passed unanimously by the Board of Aldermen.
Raytown City Elections have been non-partisan since then.
The Paul Livius Report
Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting – February 7, 2017
Mr. Ward, the Raytown South High School Band
Director, said the RSHS band competed and performed at Lee’s Summit High
School, The University of Kansas and placed within the top 3 at the
finals. The RSHS Band Drum Line
performed for the Mayor, Aldermen, and audience.
City Clerk, Teresa Henry, swore in two new police
officers, Dallas Burnette and Logan Dye.
The Board passed an ordinance approving a contract
for transit service with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority in an
amount not to exceed $56,335. Ray
Haydaripoor told the Board the agreement is in draft form and contains the
language requested by the Board of Aldermen at their January 10, 2017 Work
Session. The KCATA Board will also need
to approve the changes made to the agreement which should be before the second
reading of this ordinance on February 7, 2017.
This is a demand-response public transportation service (Metro Service)
that the City has provided under contract with the KCATA since April 2001.
The City of Kansas City, Missouri also pays
the same amount as the City of Raytown to the KCATA for the Metro Bus Service
as the service area extends beyond Raytown to make connections with the rest of
the KCATA network to the north and to the south within Kansas City. The hours of operation for the Metro Service
are from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; and from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday. The proposed agreement
would maintain that level of service at a cost of $56,335.00.
The operational cost is within the amount
budgeted by the City for this service.
This contract will be for a 12-month period that mirrors the City’s
budget year. A presentation will be
provided by the KCATA at a future Board of Aldermen meeting which will provide
further details relating to the number of riders, origins, and destinations of
riders, and other service information over the past 12 months.
Alderman Bill Van Buskirk said this service
is heavily subsidized by taxpayer dollars.
There’s nothing that can be done this year, We need this service for our residents,
especially the Senior Citizens. Through
the years, the city has had to cut back to only one bus because of the rising
costs.
He said he hopes the city will
diligently be searching for alternatives to meet our needs and he thinks there
are other forms of transportation that are more efficient and effective.
The staff should be looking into this.
The Board passed a resolution approving the
expenditure of funds to collective data for maintenance and support of the
supply unit software in an amount not to exceed $4,125.75. In Fiscal Year 2015-2016, the Police
Department purchased a Supply Unit Software program from Collective Data to
track and manage all supplies, uniforms and equipment for the Police Department.
The initial cost of the software was $8,697.50, which included 5 concurrent
users, 1 year of technical support and software updates, object revolution, web
client and 2 days on-site training.
The first year of maintenance and support
was included in the purchase price, which spanned Fiscal Year 2015-2016. The
maintenance and support was scheduled to be renewed in Fiscal Year 2016- 2017;
however, that expenditure was not submitted for budget entry. As a result, the
Police Department would like to reprioritize the General Fund Professional
Services portion of the Police Department budget by utilizing funds budgeted
for the scanning of inactive case jackets and miscellaneous to renew the
maintenance and support of the Collective Data software. The amount of the
renewal is $4,123.75. The amount budgeted for scanning of the inactive case
jackets was $4,000.00 and $500.00 was budgeted for miscellaneous unexpected
expenditures.
The Board passed a resolution authorizing the city
administrator to enter into an agreement with Delta Innovative Services for the
City Hall roof replacement project in an amount not to exceed $230,000. The
current roofing system at City Hall is experiencing ongoing and increasing
maintenance issues and expenses. This project will completely replace the
existing roof at City Hall. The project will tie in to the HVAC replacement
which will occur this spring. The roof replacement will be coordinated with the
HVAC replacement to maximize the effectiveness of each project. Bids were
opened on November 29, 2016 and the low bid was selected for award of the
project to Delta Innovative Services. The base bid was in the amount of
$190,800 for the installation of the roofing system resulting in a total
project amount of $290,306. The Staff is requesting the purchasing authority of
$230,000 to accommodate for potential change orders. This is approximately 15%
of the total project cost. Added to the cost of supplies, this will result in a
total project cost in the amount of $335,000.00.
The Board passed a resolution approving the expenditure
of funds with Tremco for roofing supplies off the AEPA cooperative purchasing
contract in an amount not to exceed $105,000.
The current roofing system at City Hall is experiencing ongoing and
increasing maintenance issues and expenses. This project will completely
replace the existing roof at City Hall. The project will tie in to the HVAC
replacement which will occur this spring. The roof replacement will be
coordinated with the HVAC replacement to maximize the effectiveness of each
project. The City is utilizing the Tremco government cooperative contract for
the provision of roofing supplies. This approach allows for Tremco to provide
an expert in roofing systems who has provided the development of the roofing
designs, standards, and specifications. Tremco also inspects the work of the
installer and guarantees the roofing material and installation.
The Board passed a resolution approving additional
payments to the agreement with Confluence for design services for the Central
Business District Streetscape project in an amount not to exceed $2,500.00
amending resolution 2456-11 for a total amount not to exceed $208,255. The City
of Raytown selected Confluence to perform design services for the Downtown
Streetscape Project and an agreement for design services was approved in the
amount of $205,755. The project, which has experienced a number of iterations,
was low on budget prior to final design submittal to MoDOT. In anticipation of
the needs for additional budget for construction services, previous City and
Public Works leadership approved an agreement with Confluence adding an
additional $2,500.00 to the budget and increased the projected total to
$208,255.00. In late 2016, an invoice was received from Confluence for services
rendered during the construction of the Downtown Streetscape project which
exceeded the original agreement of $205,755.00. This prompted current staff to
retrace the contractual agreements. Through this, staff identified that Board
approval would be required prior to issuing payment in excess of the original
contract amount.
To leave a comment use this link POST A COMMENT
27 comments:
I am in total agreement that something needs to be done about the bus service we have in the city. We need facts about how many people use the service per day/month. Does it pay for it self?
We must find a cheaper way of doing this, if not maybe discontinue it all together.
1:11
What is next?
Do you not understand it is the poor, elderly and others that don't drive that are using the service.
As soon as Blue Ridge Blvd leaves the city on the north, the turn lanes go away. I have never seen any undo traffic tie ups along Blue Ridge Blvd up there. And remember... the turn lanes will remain at the main road intersections. As for calling the bike lane additions "very expensive"? That's just not so. The costs are being underwritten by grants and are actually helping to pay for the overall project. So, Greg, if you are all for bike lanes? How would you accommodate both the turn lane and bike lanes? Please do not suggest the bikes should be on the sidewalks. That just is not practical and may even be illegal.
I have seen traffic jams north of Raytown on Blue Ridge Boulevard. The turning lanes help . . . a lot!
As for the bicycle lanes. I suggest you take a drive down the Little Blue Parkway in East Independence. You will see bike lanes that have been combined with sidewalks. They are double wide. Pedestrians and cyclists share the bike/walkway. They are not on the street -- which makes them much safer cyclists. And, it does not create a distraction for motorists. If the city rebuilds Blue Ridge, let's do it right!
It is not illegal to create bicycle trails along side roadways. Independence, Lee's Summit, Overland Park, Kansas City, MO are only a few of such roadway/trails I have ridden on. As a member of the bicycle riding public I can assure you those types of roadways are safer for all concerned, more attractive and preferred by those who use them over on-road riding in traffic.
Just because "grant" money may be avaliable and utilized for a project does not mean it covers the entire cost of a project. In many projects it can be less than 30% of the total project costs.
Yes, Little Blue Parkway is a model. Big difference is there are virtually no houses or driveways for the path to cross and very few intersecting streets.
Also, I have never seen a pedestrian out there.
Plus to put something like that along Blue Ridge would likely be six figures. That is not happening in our lifetimes.
My hope is that the trail along the abandoned railroad gets built and that will be great for walkers, runners and cyclists.
Which ever candidate in ward 3 supports getting rid of the turn lane on Blue Ridge Blvd has my vote. I live in ward 3 on Blue Ridge Blvd.
I'm in favor of anything that slows down the traffic on my street. Heck, I'd go for speed bumps if we could.
I will tell you one thing, if Joe Creamer is running for office, he has got my vote. He was honest enough to admit he had personal problems in his life. Mr. Creamer also wants accountability within city hall and especially within the Police Department. I would guess most of the people who slander Mr. Creamer's character or reputation are members of the Police Department and don't want to upset the apple cart.
I fully understand your concerns about easements and right of ways along Blue Ridge Boulevard. I have seen the maps of them. The setbacks are very deep along Blue Ridge Cutoff. Granted, it will take some engineering to make it work. But at the end of the day a combined bike path with as sidewalk would be a huge compliment to the neighborhoods it is adjoined to and to Raytown as a whole. I disagree with your suggestion the cost would be in the six figures. Side walks do not need the deep footings and base needed to support a vehicle weighing over two tons. The most it will have on it will be someone walking, a kid on a skateboard or a cyclist. Sidewalks are the least expensive of any road project built. Even the curbs along the street cost more! I am puzzled by your contention that there is not anyone using the sidewalks already in place on Blue Ridge. I frequently see joggers, people walking their dog, even mothers with an infant in as stroller.
We have a bike lane down 83rd St, west of Raytown road. But people park their cars in it! So it can't be properly utilized. Sad waste of money if they don't put up No Parking signs and enforce it.
8:39 PM
Joe Creamer wisely chose not to run in this election. He was a distant 3rd 2 years ago and that was before he took up fictional storytelling as his hobby. Definition of slander = The action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation. Key Word "FALSE". Other actions and synonyms that can't damage Joe Creamer's reputation at this point either. Smear, defame, tarnish, taint, malign, vilify, disparage, trash, or derogate. Yep Joe has pretty much single handily eliminated just about anyone in Raytown from utilizing any of these reputation damaging tactics.
Internet sources say the cost of a sidewalk is from 4 to 6 dollars a square foot. Plus more to tear out existing. So a new pathway along Blue Ridge Blvd from 59th to 51st being 1.5 miles or 7920 feet long would calculate to:
4 feet wide..... 7920 x 4 x 4 = $126720
5 feet wide..... 7920 x 5 x 4 = $158400
6 feet wide.... 7920 x 6 x 4 = $190080
And that does not include the removal of existing concrete and installing new handicap crossings at all streets.
It will be interesting to see what the city (us taxpayers) end up paying for the new sidewalk along 59th street later this year.
8:39 I have to ask what you are talking about. You listed just a week or two the candidates. Since you think Joe Creamer is so wonderful and out to change the world, you and him both owe all of us an answer as why he didn't address the issues when he was on the board. We can only assume as he wrote that he was impaired. That means he is the problem.
8:39
Nothing is honest about making a variety of false claims and name calling. It is actually quite childish. People like like have no business in any form of public office.
You want to talk about wasting money wait until we pay for the 83rd street bridge.
Don't get me wrong something needs done, but I am sure it could be done for a lot less than the over engineered plan the city has us paying for.
That's why the one that's their knees replaced already. It was a 30 year bridge the Chanel 50 years old. Sounds like the city staff came up with a good plan to build one the lasts 75 years with some maintenance
Never fails they try to do something good and there's always some negative Nancy out there
My reference to little pedestrian sidewalk usage was to to nice wide pathways along Little Blue Parkway from Hwy 24 on south for miles into Independence. I apologize for not making myself more clear. I too see lots of pedestrians along Blue Ridge Blvd. I know of a young couple who recently bought a home on Blue Ridge Blvd and one of the deciding factors was the presence of the sidewalk on both sides. I also see lots of evidence of cars who are driving too fast leaving the roadway along Blue Ridge Blvd. No pedestrian has been hit to my knowledge but it does make me think about it when I am taking a walk along the Boulevard.
8:06 what in God's name are you talking about?
I saw a post at 11:45 talking about the bridge on 83 and even they said it needs replaced is that negative?
I myself spoke with Steve Mock prior to his untimely death about this issue and he too was questioning all the bids.
He said why couldn't large enough pipe be put in and made into a bridge for a fraction of the bids he had seen over the years.
Sounds more like you are one of those feeding off the taxpayers and want us to pay as much as you can justify Vs. providing an affordable solution that gets the job done.
The board should be better at questioning and having oversight on PW spending because these fat contracts to do minimal work is dumb as ass.
Mock framed houses for Gods sake, I never saw P.E. (professional engineer)behind his name. How about the bridge be built out of high density foam- that will save money. Or better yet we can all dump our yard waste in the hole, that will make a great bridge! If you all want to gripe, quit making these stupid wide sweeping claims with nothing but ass to back them up. Who got the contract, what's their record? How many bids did the city get...Did Mock vote for this? wow
From what I have seen and read of this Board they have work sessions a week before hand where staff brings forth projects and costs and the board asks lots of questions so the next week they can be voted on the next Board meeting. Sounds like a pretty sound way to do business to me.
7:30 Thank you for sharing with everyone that you are not very worldly.
Here is a little life lesson for you and it start with a degree doesn't always make someone the smartest person in the room.
Several years ago I was put on a special project at work for a major remodel to one of our location.
In the process of opening up the main floor to an open concept the was a glass wall to remove and it was discovered a support column was with in on of the sections where the glass sections came together.
The ones with the degrees were contacted and gave the word to go ahead and remove it. The foreman of the construction company quickly spoke up and said none of his crew would remove as he wouldn't be responsible for the damage to the building.
The one with the degree as him to explain at which point in great detail he covered distance on other major support, along with thing none of knew at the time, but 30 year earlier he was on the crew that build the building and start to cover things the person with the high dollar degree had missed.
In the end the support column stayed and we quickly learned the foreman had other insight that when taken back to the high dollar degree holder save countless amounts of money on the project.
I know this is a shocker but often that hands on in the mud life experience can give you more knowledge than that piece of paper on the wall.
9:43 We learn more from the School of Hard Knocks than any university around!
Very good turnout at the RDA Meet The Candidate's event Thursday evening. Very appreciative of all the Alderman and School Board candidates seeking to serve who briefly spoke about themselves and their credentials. Did find it strange that 3 of the Alderman candidates Frank Hunt (Ward 1), Loretta Hayden (Ward 2), Ryan Myers (Ward 3) which is most of the candidate slate being steered by Joe Creamer and Jim Aziere were NOTABLY absent.
You think education is expensive, try stupidity...
Maybe the candidates in Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3 are like Joe Creamer - all talk with nothing to back up all the bluff. Or maybe they're like Jim Aziere. They are totally confused about the facts in Raytown and have no idea of what's going on around them. Either way, they all appear to be losers.
It sounds like your opponent got his information from Joe Creamer and/or Jim Aziere. Poor guy. Joe Creamer is the master of made-up statements. We know his statements are made up because he doesn't have any proof for what he says. It's just as bad if he's getting help from Jim Aziere. This is a guy who has lived in Raytown all his life and doesn't know how many trails to California go through the city. Just keep campaigning and know we'll vote for you.
Post a Comment