Spring is Finally Here!
It took a while, but spring has finally sprung in our part of the country. Time to take some time to do the more important things in life. Take a walk through your neighborhood, renew old acquaintances. Spring and Summer are the best months to enjoy the local scenery of Raytown's neighborhoods with their large trees and landscaped yards.
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| BY GREG WALTERS |
Last week we ran a story covering the
settlement over a dispute between the Raytown Fire Protection District and the
City of Raytown.
Under the terms of the agreement the
City and Fire District were supposed to have published a Press Release
announcing the end of the lawsuits between the two governing bodies.
The agreement was reached in late
November. We published the story after having to literally force the City and
Fire District to release details of the agreement through a Freedom of
Information request five months later. This was AFTER attempts through the
regular channels at City Hall and the Fire District, to receive the same information
as early as last December had failed.
For what it is worth, here is a copy of
the press release.
CITY OF RAYTOWN / RAYTOWN FIRE PROTECTION
DISTRICT
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
A settlement that will benefit the
citizens of Raytown has been reached in the lawsuit involving the City of
Raytown and the Raytown Fire Protection District. The parties agreed to settle
the lawsuit to ensure that the citizens of Raytown continue to see the
high-quality services that they deserve.
Both the City of Raytown and the Raytown
Fire Protection District are pleased to have resolved this issue and look
forward to a solid working relationship for many years to come.
I will be brief on this. The press release
leaves a lot to be desired . . . Probably best stated by “what in blazes is
this about”. Not one word of detail. I am glad they are looking forward “to a
solid working relationship for many years to come”. But what I really want to
know is why it cost taxpayers over $140,000 to reach that wonderful thought!
Raytown Taxpayers really deserve more than a Fluffy Bunny Press Release when $140,000 is in play. Particularly when it is money they have paid for services only to see it go to attorneys in frivolous lawsuits.
There has been some back and forth on
this topic in the blog portion of the Raytown Report. Some of those comments seem
to attempt to place the blame on the Fire District. Those comments are way off
target.
The Fire District fulfilled their end of
the agreement. They have funded their portion of the TIF through the completion
of Phase 1 of the project. What puzzles us is why the City even considered
taking the path they did by bringing suit against the Fire District in the
first place.
The lawsuits, which were initiated by
the City, ended up costing taxpayers over $140,000 in what amounts to an
agreement that could have been hashed out without the guidance of high dollar
attorneys.
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| BONNAYE MIMS |
Public Session
with Constituents
Ward 5 Alderman Bonnaye Mims took a page
from the past and came out a winner two weeks ago when she hosted a “Town Hall”
meeting for her constituents in Ward 5.
Over thirty people attended the meeting,
including an impressive number of her fellow Aldermen.
A spirit of teamwork was evident from
the guests she invited to help answer constituent questions. She had asked that
the City’s Public Works Director and the City’s Economic Development Officer to
attend as well.
Mims also invited her new seatmate on the Board of Alderman, Derek Ward. Ward was appointed at the last meeting of the Board to finish the term of office of Eric Teeman. Teeman resigned his seat last November.
Alderman Mims was pleased with the turn
out and happy to see some of her seatmates showed up at the meeting as well. Ward
3 Alderman Ryan Myers, Ward 4 Alderman Steve Meyers and Ward 2 Alderman Jim
Aziere also took time to put in an appearance.
“I
was really impressed with the number of my constituents who attended the
meeting. Their participation showed they truly care for Raytown and have a vested
interest in how our city operates,” said Mims.
The
Paul Livius Report BY PAUL LIVIUS
Raytown
Board of Aldermen Meeting – May 1, 2018
Tony Jacobs told the Board they should not
require home addresses for public speakers.
The Board should form a Citizens Oversight committee to handle citizen
complaints.
Mary Jane VanBuskirk addressed the Board
of Aldermen on behalf of the Senior Expo. She asked Board members to make
donations for door prizes to the event. She later told the Raytown Report the
following Aldermen made donations of door prizes: Bonnaye Mims, Steve Meyers,
Ryan Myers, Frank Hunt, Jason Greene and Mayor McDonough. Mrs. VanBuskirk also
congratulated Mr. Ryan Myers on his election as Mayor Protem.
Alderman Frank Hunt said he will be
attending the Senior Citizens Expo. He
asked that any Alderman who has a task that needs to be done, he will be happy
to help in any way.
The
Board passed a resolution establishing the rates for medical, dental and vision
insurance for the insurance plan year from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. 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
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 five years ago and has increased in
enrollment each year. We have had very favorable renewals in the previous three
years. Unfortunately, the pool experience during the current plan year has not
been as good. The average increase for each coverage type is 9.4%, with the INO
increasing 10.6%, OAP increasing 10.6% and Choice Fund increasing 9.9%.
The
City currently pays 91.35% of the INO plan. Any employee choosing this coverage
who utilizes a more expensive option would pay the difference. The City
currently pays approximately 50% of the INO plan for both Tier 2 and Family
coverage. Any employee choosing this coverage who utilizes a more expensive
option would pay the difference. Staff explored retaining this structure and
sharing the costs proportionately and determined it wasn’t financially
responsible due to the 10.6% increase in the INO.
Option
1 is to retain the INO as the “base” plan, the City’s participation in the INO
at 91.35%, the City subsidy for Tier 2 and Family coverage at the 2017-2018
rates, the City funding of HSAs at the 2017-2018 rates and the opt-out
incentive at the 2017-2018 rates. In addition, this option recommends plan
changes to the INO and OAP plans, increasing the deductibles from $0 to $500
for the INO and from $750 to $1,000 for the OAP. This option does not continue
management’s goal to gradually decrease City participation but does take into
consideration employees received no salary increase this year. The City share
would increase approximately $2,189.92 for 24 payrolls for a total annual
increase of $52,390.
Option
2 is to retain the INO as the “base” plan, the City’s participation in the INO
at 91.35%, the City subsidy for Tier 2 and Family coverage at the 2017-2018
rates, the City funding of HSAs at the 2017-2018 rates and the opt-out
incentive at the 2017-2018 rates. This option recommends plan changes to the
INO, OAP and Choice Fund plans, increasing the deductibles from $0 to $500 for
the INO, $750 to $1,000 for the OAP and $1,500 to $2,000 for the Choice Fund.
Option
3 is to retain the INO as the “base” plan, the City subsidy for Tier 2 and
Family coverage at the 2017-2018 rates, the City funding of HSAs at the
2017-2018 rates and the opt-out incentive at the 2017-2018 rates. This option
reduces the City’s participation in the base plan from 91.35% to 90.00%. The
City share would increase approximately $2,109.79 for 24 payrolls for a total
annual increase of $48,475.00.
While
all options are manageable, it is staff’s recommendation the Board approve
Option 1. While it does not incorporate management’s eventual goal to reduce
City participation, it does take into account the lack of salary increases this
year. It also increases employee financial responsibility with increased
deductibles in both the INO and OAP plans. Uniform HSA contributions ease administration.
It maintains a competitive pricing structure while equitably sharing the cost
of the premium increase.
The
Board passeda resolution appointing Missy
Wilson and DamonHodges as Interim
City Administrators, effective May 6, 2018, and setting forth the duties, roles
and responsibilities of the interim city administrator.
The
Board passed a resolution authorizing and approving an organization resolution
and agreement UMB bank. With Tom Cole’s
departure from the City on May 6, 2018, it is necessary to name replacements.
The authority granted by this resolution empowers the agents to manage the
City’s investment activity and authorize other banking business items as
required.
The
Board passed a resolution approving the expenditure of funds with CumminsSales
and Service related to the purchase and installation of the day tank located at
city hall in an amount not to exceed $10,384.57 and authorizing the re-appropriation
of funds related to the police department for fiscal year 2017-2018. When the
power goes out at City Hall, the Police Department and the upper level of City
Hall rely on a generator to supply power to essential equipment within City
Hall and the Police Department. The generator day tank has floats inside the
tank that will keep the fuel level automatically topped off in the tank so when
the generator starts there is a fuel supply ready to go. As the generator
consumes fuel the pump activates and resupplies the tank to keep the generator
fueled and running. The day tank failed on April 4th, 2018 during a power
outage. The City currently uses Cummins Sales and Services to perform routine
maintenance on our generators and that same day we obtained an estimate from
Cummings Sales and Service to fix the day tank. The cost was approximately
$10,384.57. Public Works Director Damon Hodges and we contacted City
Administrator Tom Cole and advised him what needed to be repaired on the
generator and showed him the estimate. Tom Cole authorized us to get the
generator fixed as soon as possible. The day tank was ordered that day from
Cummins Sales and Service. The day tank is a budgeted expense for fiscal year
2017-2018 from the general fund from the Public Works Departmental Budget and
the Police Departmental Budget; however, the Police Department has used their
budgeted general funds which were allocated to other expenses; therefore, the
Police Department is requesting to reallocate $5,192.27 from the Police
Departmental portion of Capital Sales Tax to pay the proportionate amount and
ask for a re-appropriation of funds and amend the fiscal year 2017-2018 budget.
The
Board passed a resolution approving the purchase of a 2019 Ford F350 cab and
chassis from ShawneeMission ford and related equipment from Knapheide off the MissouriDepartment
of Transportation cooperative purchasing contract in an amount not to exceed
$48,066 for fiscal year 2017-2018. This truck is a go-to truck for many tasks
in the Park’s Department. It is equipped with a dump body and in-season 8’ snow
plow. This vehicle is used to haul heavy equipment, retain wood chips when
brush is chipped, haul and dump mulch and aggregates and assist Raytown Public
Works in snow removal for the City Hall complex and EMS when needed. Its size
and capabilities make it an extremely useful piece of equipment. The staff
recommends the purchase of a 2019 Ford F-350, 1 ton, 4 x 4 cab and chassis
through the Missouri Department Co-op Bid for a cost of $30,878.00 from Shawnee
Mission Ford and $17,188.00 from Knapheide Truck Equipment for dump bed and
snow plow for a total cost of $48,066.00 The Parks Dept. has budgeted
$52,000.00 for the Ford F350 purchase in fiscal year 2017-2018.
7.
Public comments, Alderman Steve Meyers - Alderman Meyers suggested the rules for Public Comments be changed. Most of the Board entered into this discussion with many ideas. The Mayor has assigned the item for consideration by the Municipal Committee.
8.
Firework ordinance amendment, Alderman Derek Ward - Alderman Ward proposed that the current fireworks ordinance be amended to allow the shooting of fireworks to be expanded from July 4th to July 1st through July 4th.
9.
Liquor license, Alderman Jason Greene - Alderman Greene brought forth a discussion limiting the number of liquor licenses issued to convenience stores.
Comments
Also maybe no more dollar general or whatever dollar stores.
Maybe also less smoke shops, what kind of a community do we want to become.
Is it because he said that the city would win, funny it did not even go to trial.
11:22
This has been brought up before. If an area is zoned properly, they can't legally refuse a permit for those stores.
If there were no customers for those stores, they would not be building them here.
Keep your property up, grass mowed, and let's get this city cleaned up so other types of businesses will then move in.
2.It's property tax is rated number 2.
You get what you pay for? In Raytown we play plenty. But we get very little in return. The city and fire department just wasted over $140,000 on lawsuits that could go to solve some of our problems.
You get what you pay for? We pay for professional management, yet no one will stay in the position for more than a year.
This points to one big problem. Our city's executive officers are not making good decisions in running our town. Do you really think throwing more money at them will make them smarter?
count me as a big NO vote on all the tax increases they are trying to create to cover up their poor management. Demand better.
The economics of the City is a huge problem. The way this City developed over time is truly a lack of vision decades in the making. Here are some questions: What is the largest employer in Raytown?
Name the top 5 corporate employers in Raytown?
Name three manufacturing businesses?
Do we have hotels in the City limits of Raytown? How many?
Do we have convention space?
If a large corporation, like Cerner, wanted to build a HQ here in Raytown and needed 25 acres or more, does Raytown have the land for such a project?
How about a Zona Rosa type of project?
Name the top 5 entertainment venues in Raytown?
No land, small lots for business along 50 hwy and Raytown Road. No medical park, no office parks, minimal light industrial area. No heavy industry. No tourism industry. Not even a movie theater. We are not a tech hub.
The economy is not diversified enough. The burden of taxes has to be on the residents. And the City has tried its best to ask for consumption taxes instead of raising the levy. And consumption taxes spread the pain out to residents and non residents. All to avoid increasing property taxes.
I understand that some hate taxes. But no one can deny the problems I have outlined and the questions I have asked. Signed, M.A.
Raytowna beach bum
Are you going to take those laws off the books too?
I personally know of people who have lost their eyesight and others have lost fingers, even hands, because of the danger of fireworks. Most out of ignorance of how powerful fireworks can be if they are abused.
I have seen adults literally engage in what can best be described as firework battles, shooting flying objects, powered and loaded with gunpowder at each other.
Want to know how to make a very powerful bomb out of fireworks? It is easy. You an do it with something as elementary as sparklers.
Want to know how many homes have been burned because people are illegally shooting off bottle rockets? Go check with the fire department. They get to go risk their lives to put out the fires.
Check with area hospitals. You will learn some statistics that are really horrifying.
Allowing fireworks to be shot off indiscriminately for four days straight is a bad idea.
"Makes you wonder what else they are not telling us."
Are there any scheduled or have there been any more lawsuit payouts within the last year?
Address this question to each and every elected official in Raytown immediately. Their answers need to be documented.
Our tax dollars at work. OUR money. We're entitled to open disclosure.
Andy Whiteman
Look no further than your very own city of Raytown!
I know those tied to city hall always tell the truth.
Just ask them.
For example the median household income in Lees Summit is over $80K/year. Here in Raytown in hovers around $49K/year.
Where would you build your nice restaurant or hotel?
hold on to your pocketbooks.
610.021(1) Legal actions, causes of action or litigation involving a public governmental body and any confidential or privileged communications between a public governmental body or its representatives and its attorneys;
610.021 (2) Leasing, purchase or sale of real estate by a public governmental body where public knowledge of the transaction might adversely affect the legal consideration therefore;
610.021(3) Hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees by a public governmental body when personal information relating to the performance or merit of an individual employee is discussed or recorded; and/or
610.021(13) Individually identifiable personnel records, performance ratings or records pertaining to employees or applicants for employment.
How do we attract the higher income folks? If the city looks good folks will give Raytown a second look. Real estate prices are really good here. Folks who don't want to be "house poor" can find good deals in Raytown.
Everything tells a story. What are we (silently) telling folks about Raytown?
The city has the right to restrict certain businesses, i.e. forcing taverns to be a certain distance from schools and churches. Or the city can restrict the number of certain type of business. At one time, Raytown had an ordinance stating there could only be one Title Loan company per every 5,000 residents, and there had to be a specific distance between them. Same thing for places selling alcohol by the drink, places celling cigarettes, etc...etc...etc.
The city as others has done can use zoning laws, but also limit licensee and distance between same type of businesses.
I suggest you get you facts straight.
Precisely. Ask pointed questions regarding monies paid out to defend or settle lawsuits. ASK QUESTIONS. DOCUMENT ANSWERS.
He was given three names, but decided the best person for the job of had the most dirty laundry,
No surprise here considering who Frank has taken money from and his inability to manage his own money.
As taxpayers of Jackson Country we deserve more in our County Executive and his buddy Darryl Forte.
play the race card. In the KC paper that had a list of 6 items to vote on in the Aug election that
will change the structure of county government. Poor White then would have a term limit and
then he probably for sure could not make his house payment. Three times he has been balled out
by his buddies. Wonder who he owes favors too?
Like I say he is a disappointment, I expected better.
If it is that bad you stop your city employees from using city uniforms and other equipment to support private business that put us in this mess.
When elected officials don't that send the message things are good!
This is a nonsensical answer. Uniforms are a one time expense for each uniform, the City is not renting uniforms. Walmart is not the reason this City is in financial trouble. Stagnant City revenue IS the reason this City is in trouble. Walmart pays taxes so it pays for equipment.
[]Yeah, everyone wants to complain about the quality of the roads, but then argue against a way to pay for it.
Come on. Walmart’s taxes are paying the TIFF BOND. Walmart is contributing and paying taxes. It is entitled to City services just like any other taxpaying entity.
You know what I like about her, she says what she means and does exactly what. At least she has the guts to tell us the truth. I wonder how many of you in the end will eat crow after August 7th???
I wonder what ready is being hidden and how much waste spending has taken place.
A incident took place at a bar and our mayor was very loaded and approached a woman (guess who the woman was) and and it was said, the mayor made some derogatory remarks to the woman and then followed her out into the parking lot. Well what ever happened in the parking lot, the woman filed a police report.
As was shared, Our wonderful police chief, didn't find enough to investigate and as it was stated, threw the complaint in the trash. Oh, I'm sure he will say that since the budget was cut he didn't have enough officers to investigate.
I wonder how the FBI or the AG's offices would view this.
Well guess whose heading the PR for spreading the word: Raytown Unleash group, the mayor's appointees, Michael Anderson and out of towner, Susan Vorbeck.
So now they are inside of City Hall and wasn't even elected or they were appointed. What a treat.