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A Dog Park in

BY GREG WALTERS

Raytown’s Future?

TRAIL / DOG PARK PROPOSED

Some interesting conversations have been taking place at the Raytown Parks and Recreation Department.The topic is, “What to do with the Super Splash?”

Last year the Park Board decided to close the ageing water park for the 2017 season. One of the main reasons is the majority of the Board of Aldermen had made it very clear they would no longer bail out the short fall of funds that had reached into six figures on an annual basis. Without the participation by the City, the Park Board would face a deficit they could not address.

Under an agreement through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which had partially funded the purchase and development of the water park in the 1980’s, the Park Board and City is obligated to maintain a public recreation facility on the land the government helped purchase.

However, the use need not remain a water park.

The Park Board has been exploring alternative uses for the property.

One suggestion would be to develop a permanent dog park for Raytown pet owners to take their pets in safe venue. It has also been suggested a walking/bicycle trail be developed as an off leash dog park.

By doing so the Park Board will be addressing two of the top ten priorities identified in a $90,000 survey they commissioned last year. According to the survey, walking/bicycle trails ranked number one and an off-leash dog park ranked number nine on the wish list Raytowners identified in the survey. The survey had identified 25 items for ranking of the list.

A dog park and walking trail at the old Super Splash location is a perfect fit. It may also go a long way in solving a problem the Raytown Police have had at the location since it was opened.

Super Splash is an isolated location. Commercial development on Raytown Road and a heavily wooded area along a creek effectively screened it from the road. The entrance to the water park crossed a bridge that is gated shut at night.

Despite all precautions taken by the Park Board and police, Super Splash has been the target of vandals   in recent years. Raytown Police statistics show it to be one of the most frequently vandalized public facilities in Raytown.

Some have suggested the area be converted to a city park with an emphasis on play ground equipment for the disadvantaged.

On the face of it, the suggestion sounds like a good one. But the simple fact is, the vandalism would probably continue to any new equipment installed. A handicapped park would make more sense at Colman, Kenagy or Southwood Park. All of the parks are easily accessed by the public and can be easily patrolled by police. Colman Park has the added advantage of Park Headquarters on the property – providing a position from which to monitor the park.

On the other hand, a dog park and walking/bicylce trail is a perfect fit for the Super Splash location. The simple fact is it is difficult to vandalize a dog park, just as it is difficult to vandalize a walking trail.

A walking trail could be incorporated into the light rail trail planned for construction  between Downtown Raytown and the Sports Complex in the summer of 2017.

The proposed dog park and walking trail could be locked up at night.

The need is there . . . the public has already placed both the walking trail (ranked number 1) and the dog park (ranked number 9) high on their list of park services needed in Raytown.

The Park Board should take this opportunity and make it happen.  Park Board meetings are the third Monday of each month.  If you agree with us, let them know.

The Raytown Parks and Recreation headquarters is located at 5912 Lane. Parks and Recreation Board holds its meetings the third Monday of each month. Members of the Board can be contacted via the Raytown Park Board. 

Kevin Boji, Parks and Recreation Director    (358-4100 )

Park Board members are:

Terry Copeland, President

Michael Hanna

Pat Jackson

Danielle Miles

George Mitchell

Nancy Nail

Chris Rathbone

David Thurman

Robbie Tubbs

BY PAUL LIVIUS

The Paul Livius Report

Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting – April 11, 2017

Proclamations & Presentations:

 • A Proclamation recognizing Romeo Bagunu for the Missouri Scholars 100 Program

 • A Proclamation recognizing Raytown High School Student Council-Gold Award

 • A Proclamation recognizing National Telecommunicator Week

 • A Proclamation recognizing Casey Lohman as the Raytown School District Teacher of the Year

During public comments, Dorinda Nicholson and Pat Jackson with Raytown Interfaith Alliance announced the 2017 Egg Extravaganza event.  It will start at 11 a.m. with a parade.  The Mayor will be found at the Library at noon reading to the children.  At 1:00 p.m. there will be an egg hunt.

They also spoke in remembrance of Alderman Steve Mock.  They said the Mayor’s Prayer breakfast will be held at Good Shepherd Community of Christ on May 4 at 7:00 a.m.

The Board passed a resolution approving a professional services agreement between Columbia Capital and Raytown for financial advisory services.  The Government Finance Officer Association (GFOA) recommends that cities hire a municipal financial advisor prior to the undertaking of a debt financing through a formal RFQ process.  On March 7, the City issued a Request for Qualifications for Financial Advisory Services.  Four advisory groups were contacted directly and the request was advertised and placed on the City web site.  The City received three responses, all from advisors directly solicited.  The City reviewed the qualifications of the three responses and chose to interview all three advisors.  The firm that stood out to staff was Columbia Capital.  They are proposing the following two separate flat fees for the upcoming debt transactions.  Financial advisory services related to the refunding of the City’s Annual Appropriation-Supported Tax Increment and Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2007 $30,600.  Financial advisory services related to the City’s issuance of annual appropriation-backed financing to fund approximately $3-$4 million Transportation Projects $18,400.  The Financial Advisor agreement is for a three-year term with two additional one year optional extensions.  Any additional billable work would be at the following rates.  Hourly rate for non-transaction related analysis or project work (e.g. periodic refunding scans, economic modeling, general consulting work, and other non-transaction related services) will be $200.  Hourly rate for non-transaction related analysis or project work related to economic development projects (e.g. feasibility study review, but-for analysis, etc.) will be $295.

 The Board passed a resolution establishing the rates for medical and dental insurance for the insurance plan year from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.  The City has received the rate increases from Midwest Public Risk (MPR).  Each year, the benefit structure, and pricing is reviewed to assure the program remains competitive and pricing can support it.  Additionally, MPR periodically requests bids to be sure member entities are receiving the best options for the price.  The pharmacy benefit was put out to bid last year and all plans changed to the CIGNA pharmacy.  At the same time, the contracts with CIGNA for the Open Access Plan 750 (OAP 750) and Choice Fund 1500 (high deductible) were extended for three years.  The HMO was bid this year and, as a result, the Humana HMO was eliminated and replaced with a CIGNA PPO IN Network Only plan (INO) designed to be “HMO-like”.  The City currently offers three types of coverage: Employee, Tier 2, and Family.  Each plan type has three options: CIGNA INO, Cigna Open Access 750, and CIGNA Choice Fund 1500.  The Choice Fund 1500, a high-deductible plan with associated Health Savings Account (HSA), was added four years ago and has increased in enrollment each year.  This is the third year we have had a very favorable renewal.  The average increase for each coverage type is 5.9%, with the HMO increasing 8%, OAP 750 increasing 5.7% and Choice Fund 1500 increasing 4%.  While all options are practical, it is the staff’s recommendation the Board approves Option 1.  In the past management has expressed the desire to slowly lower the City participation rate to the mid 80% range, and Option 1 incorporates that goal.  Uniform HSA contributions ease administration, reduce City liability if employees separate service and lower premiums slightly, allowing employees to have the reduced premium or opt to self-fund their HSA.  It maintains a competitive pricing structure while most equitably sharing the cost of the premium increase.  The tiered opt-out incentive approach will be more appealing to employees with dependents who may have access to group coverage through a spouse, potentially reducing overall expense to the City

The Board passed a resolution amending the fiscal year 2016-2017 budget related to the police pension fund in the amount of $45,272.00 for a total amount not to exceed $608,134.  Each year the City contributes to the frozen Police Pension Fund.  The Police Pension contribution for FY16-FY17 was budgeted by Finance at last year’s contribution of $562,862.00.  Finance Director Briana Burrichter reviewed the actuarial evaluation and found the annual contribution rate for the City has increased by $45,272.00 for a total of $608,134.00.  The City is requesting a budget adjustment of $45,272.00.  The budget for the frozen Police Pension was funded 83% by the general fund and 17% Public Safety Sales Tax.

 The Board passed a resolution amending the fiscal year 2016-2017 budget related to the expenditure of funds with the Kansas City Police Department crime lab.  The Raytown Police Department currently utilizes the Kansas City Missouri Police Department Crime Lab for all DNA Testing, trace evidence, and Firearms Testing.  The RPD also utilize the Kansas City Missouri Police Crime Lab for processing complex crime scenes.  The Police Department budgeted $17,500.00 for KCPD Crime Lab Fees.  The department is anticipating spending more than what was budgeted.  The prevalent use of DNA testing and testing of firearms has created much larger Kansas City Crime Lab Fees.  The Department is testing all firearms and shell casings regardless of the crime or circumstances of recovery.  The results of this testing is entered into NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistics Information Network), which adds to the database of all firearms used in crimes nationally.  The Police Department is requesting to reallocate approximately $12,000.00 from County Detention and approximately $4,500.00 from Transcription Service to increase the lab fee budget to $34,000.00.  The department is currently under budget and on track to be under budget for the entire year on the County Detention and Transcription Service line items.

The Board passed a resolution approving the expenditure of funds with Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners in an amount not to exceed $67,750.  The Raytown Police Department is down five Police Officers.  RPD currently utilizes the Kansas City Missouri Police Department Regional Academy for basic recruit training.  They offer high quality physical and academic training.  The cost for training one officer is $5,327.00.  The department currently has one recruit in the Academy and one starting in May.  $30,000.00 has been budgeted for Academy Training.  The Raytown Police Department also utilizes the Kansas City Missouri Police Department for Basic Crime Scene School.  RPD budgeted for three Detectives to attend the training for a total cost of $3,000.00 The Raytown Police Department Firearms Unit currently uses the Kansas City Missouri Police Academy Simunition training house for force on force training.  Their Simunition house is used for close quarter combat, set up like a residence, with floor plans that are multi-changeable and catwalks for overhead viewing.  RPD budgeted $750.00 for the use of the Simunition house.  The Raytown Police Department currently utilizes the Kansas City Missouri Police Department for DNA testing, trace evidence, firearms testing and processing complex crime scenes.  $34,000.00 has been budgeted for this expense.

The Board passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of mobile and portable radios and equipment from Motorola Solutions off the Johnson County Kansas Radio and Accessories contract in an amount not to exceed $84,185.  The Police Department radio system is part of the Metropolitan Area Regional Radio System (MARRS).  The radios used by the Police Department on the system are the Motorola XTS2500 Portable Radio and the Motorola XTL2500 Mobile Radio.  Motorola stopped production on the XTS and XTL 2500 series radios in 2014.  Motorola will provide support for the 2500 series of radios until 2019.  On January 1st, 2020 support will no longer be available for the 2500 series Motorola radios.  A replacement plan has been developed to begin replacement of the 2500 series Motorola radios.  The MARRS Board has established minimum standards for radios purchased for use on the MARRS system by Public Safety.  All new radios purchased for use on the MARRS system must have the capability for AES and DSS encryption, 700-800 MHz, multi-key, OTAR (Over the Air Re-keying for encryption) capable and P-25 Phase Two capable.  The Motorola APX 4000 Model 2 Portable radio and the APX 6500 Mobile radio meet the minimum standards established by the MARRS Board.  The radios are to be purchased through the Johnson County, Kansas Radio and Accessories Contract 07-1320/DL with Motorola Solutions, Inc.  The cost of 17 portable radios and accessories will be $59,670.00 from Public Safety Sales Tax.  The cost of 4 Motorola mobile radios will be $16,899.00 from Public Safety Sales Tax.  The cost of 2 Control Stations will be $7,615.00 from Capital Sales Tax.

The Board passed a resolution approving the final salt barn building payment in the amount of $47,998.30 to SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leading Corp and amending the fiscal year 2016-2017.  This is the final payment to retire the debt.

The Board passed a resolution approving the purchase of materials from Vance Brothers for the 2016 chip seal project in an amount not to exceed $54,862.  The Public Works Department opened bids for the Granite Seal project last year on Friday, May 20, 2016.  Vance Brothers was awarded the contract.  The City decided to delay this granite chip seal project until FY2017.  Vance Brothers had already ordered the material for the 2016 project.  Staff is recommending that the City pay Vance Brothers for this stored material that they purchased in 2016.  This will be taken from the FY 2017 granite chip seal project budget line item.  When the project is constructed later this year, this amount will have already been paid toward the project.

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