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BY GREG WALTERS

New Funding

for TIF Approved

The Raytown Board of Aldermen forestalled a possible $250,000 shortfall in TIF payments at its meeting last Tuesday night.

The issue at hand was payment due bond holders of revenue bonds who underwrote the 350 Live TIF on 350 Highway. Sources at City Hall reported sales tax revenues fell approximately $250,000 short of the amount due for TIF Bonds.

The shortfall was aggravated by a balloon payment due for the current year under the old bond agreement.

At its regular meeting the Board approved the issuance of new bonds at a substantially lower rate, thereby eliminating the estimated payment due under the former bond payment schedule. For more details see the Paul Livius Report (in bold type) below.

The new agreement also relieves the city of the responsibility of guaranteeing the payment of bond indebtedness with the good faith of the city.

The city’s bond counsel, Galen DeWyre, told the Board the city will save between $600,000 and $700,000 and the bonds will be paid off 10 months early.

The Mayor has been authorized by the Board of Aldermen to enter into the agreement provide the interest rate does not go above 4.5% for the life of the bonds.

These conditions are essentially the Bonds mature on such dates with a final maturity of not later than February 1, 2031.

Paul’s Rant

We all have them, pet peeves of situations that making us want to scream in frustration. Mine is simple.

As many of you know, I regularly document meetings of the Raytown Board of Aldermen. You read them in my Paul Livius Reports. I like to think of it as a public service.

By writing the report, I save readers the tedious business of watching meetings that can sometimes drift into areas that are really not city business.

So here is my pet peeve.

Each member of the Board of Aldermen, and, each member of city staff, has their very own microphone. They also have a switch on the microphone that allows them to turn it on and off.

Every two weeks the Aldermen meeting in public session. They know the on/off switch is on the microphone. Why don’t they use it?

Even the Mayor appears to be frustrated by non-use of the equipment. At last Tuesday’s meeting he reminded everyone to use their microphones when talking.

So what is the problem?

We here at the Raytown Report are about solutions. So we are going to give our elected officials and city staff a short tutorial on how to use the microphone. We hope it works.

TUTORIAL FOR MICROPHONE USE:

1.   When speaking, turn the microphone to the “ON” position.

2.   When not speaking, turn the microphone to the “OFF” position.

So there you have it. We sincerely hope the Board and city staff take note of these user friendly, easy to follow directions.

ONE FINAL NOTE . . .

The microphones at city hall are not directional microphones as used by the NFL during football games. You actually have to speak into them. If the microphone is more than 20 inches away from your mouth, you might as well not use it because it will not pick up what you are saying.

Note to members of city staff. If the microphone is behind two rows of paper you might as well turn it off.

Like Mayor McDonough said at the end of the last meeting, “push the button so I can hear you.” 

BY PAUL LIVIUS

The Paul Livius Report

Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting

November 20, 2018

The Board passed a resolution approving the appointment of Steve Scott and Carolyn Bradley to the Raytown Crossing Community Improvement District Board of Directors.

The Board voted to adopt an amended ordinance authorizing the issuance of Appropriation Supported Tax Increment and Sales Tax Revenue Bonds (Raytown Live Redevelopment Plan – Redevelopment Project Area 1), Series 2018 of the City of Raytown, Missouri in the principal amount not to exceed $31,000,000; approving the execution and delivery of the indenture and other documents to be entered into with respect to such bonds; and authorizing certain other actions in connection with the issuance of said bonds. Galen DeWyre told the Board the city will save between $600,000 and $700,000 and the bonds will be paid off 10 months early.

The City previously issued its $39,990,000 aggregate principal amount of Annual Appropriation-Supported Tax Increment and Sales Tax Revenue Bonds (Raytown Live Redevelopment Plan – Redevelopment Project Area 1), Series 2007 for the purpose of providing funds to (1) pay for certain Redevelopment Project Costs (as defined in the Wal-Mart Redevelopment Agreement) incurred or to be incurred in connection with Redevelopment Project 1, (2) fund capitalized interest on the Series 2007 Bonds, (3) fund a debt service reserve fund for the Series 2007 Bonds, and (4) pay costs related to the issuance of the Series 2007 Bonds.

The City has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to refund all of the $31,240,000 outstanding principal amount of Series 2007 Bonds by the issuance of the City’s Annual Appropriation-Supported Tax Increment and Sales Tax Refunding Revenue Bonds (Raytown Live Redevelopment Plan – Redevelopment Project Area 1), Series 2018. The City proposes the issuance of the Bonds to provide funds to (1) refund the Refunded Bonds, (2) fund a debt service reserve fund for the Bonds and (3) pay costs related to the issuance of the Bonds pursuant to a Trust Indenture (the “Indenture”), by and between the City and UMB Bank, N.A., as Trustee (the “Trustee”). This Bond Ordinance contains parameters which authorize the Mayor to approve the bond sale under certain conditions.

These conditions are essentially the Bonds mature on such dates with a final maturity of not later than February 1, 2031 and bear and pay interest at such rates and on such dates with a true interest cost of not more than 4.50%. The Bonds and the interest thereon shall be special, limited obligations of the City payable solely from the Pledged Revenues and moneys in the funds and accounts held by the Trustee, and shall be secured by a transfer, pledge and assignment of and a grant of a security interest in the Trust Estate to the Trustee and in favor of the owners of the Bonds.

The Bonds and interest thereon shall not be deemed to constitute a debt or liability of the City within the meaning of any constitutional, statutory or charter limitation or provision, and shall not constitute a pledge of the full faith and credit of the City but shall be payable solely from the funds provided for in the Indenture. The issuance of the Bonds shall not, directly, indirectly or contingently, obligate the City to levy any form of taxation therefor or to make any appropriation for their payment.

The Board agreed to a change in zoning for property located at 6920 Elm.  Antonio Mendez, on behalf of Dharmony Life Series 6 LLC., is requesting to rezone the lot located at 6920 Elm Street from Highway Commercial (HC) to High-Density Residential (R-3). The applicant is requesting the rezoning to allow for a 6-unit townhome development which would not be an acceptable land use in a HC zoning district. The building on the site was severely damaged in a fire in March of 2018. Since then, the building has sat in disrepair. According to business license records, the building had a long history of being a hair and nail salon for much of the 2000’s and into the early 2010’s. More recently, there had not been any licensed businesses with the City at the address. It should be noted that this property is also within the Highway 350 Design Corridor, which means it will have to follow additional regulations that are intended to encourage high quality architecture, site planning, lighting, landscaping, screening, signage, infrastructure planning, and traffic flow.

The Board voted to table indefinitely an ordinance granting approval of the site plan for land located at 6920 Elm. Antonio Mendez, on behalf of DHARMONY LIFE SERIES 6 LLC., is requesting to rezone the lot located at 6920 Elm Street from Highway Commercial (HC) to High-Density Residential (R-3). The applicant is requesting the rezoning to allow for a 6-unit townhome development which would not be an acceptable land use in a HC zoning district. The building on the site was severely damaged in a fire in March of 2018. Since then, the building has sat in disrepair. According to business license records, the building had a long history of being a hair and nail salon for much of the 2000’s and into the early 2010’s. More recently, there had not been any licensed businesses with the city at the address. It should be noted that this property is also within the Highway 350 Design Corridor, which means it will have to follow additional regulations that are intended to encourage high-quality architecture, site planning, lighting, landscaping, screening, signage, infrastructure planning, and traffic flow.

The Board voted to approve an ordinance granting an amendment to a planned development to allow for a 10-bed memory care facility on lot 6 of Blue Ridge Villas.  Ivan Chiang, on behalf of LIY Financial LLC., is requesting to amend a planned development overlay district, Blue Ridge Villas, located at 59th Street and Hunter Court. The planned development was approved by the Board of Aldermen in January 2006. To date, 27 of the 34 lots remain vacant. Blue Ridge Villas is surrounded by residential uses. The applicant is requesting to amend the planned development to allow for a 10-bed memory care facility on Lot 6. Earlier this year, a 10-unit assisted living facility was approved by the Board of Aldermen on Lot 5.

The Board voted to approve an ordinance approving the final site plan of Somerset Village apartments, Wilson view.  Curtis Peterson, on behalf of KM-TEH Realty owners of the property located at 9811/9813 E 60th Street is requesting approval of site plan in order to replace the building that burnt down. The building that was destroyed contained 11 dwelling units and proposed replacement building also contains 11 dwelling units. Somerset Village is a complex of 13 buildings that have 156 dwelling units. The complex is located on East 60th Street just west of Raytown Road. The building that was destroyed by fire in February 2016 is located at 9811 E. 60th Street.

The owner of Somerset Village is requesting site plan approval to reconstruct the building that burned down. The building that was destroyed contained 11 dwelling units and the proposed replacement building also contains 11 dwelling units. Somerset Village is a complex of 13 buildings located on E 60th Street just west of Raytown Road. (Exhibit 1) The building at 9811 E. 60th Street (Exhibit 2) was destroyed in a fire in February 2016.

The Board voted to approve an ordinance approving the final plat, Wilson view.

Curtis Petersen, on behalf of KM-TEH Realty owners of the property located at 9811/9813 E 60th Street is requesting approval of a final plat in order to replace the building that burnt down. Wilson View, known as Somerset Village, has been at this location for approximately 60 years. There are 19 lots throughout the property with multiple buildings over lapping the lot lines. Staff where informed by Jackson County GIS personnel that the only data they have before 1999 is notes in the system and three tax parcels do not have any notes. Additionally, in researching the deeds, every time the property transferred hands the legal description is simply lot 1-19, which is the development. Somerset Village is a complex of 13 buildings that have 156 dwelling units. The complex is located on East 60th Street just west of Raytown Road. The building that was destroyed is located 9811 E. 60th Street and was destroyed by fire in February 2016. The City does not have building permit information available, but sewer connection records indicate it was built in 1965 along with two other buildings on the cul-de-sac. The rest of the complex was built in the mid-seventies.

The Board heard the second reading of an ordinance establishing the compensation for the office of Board of Aldermen for the term beginning April 2019. Alderman Mark Moore made a motion to amend the ordinance to reduce the compensation for Alderman to $200 per month, with a $25 per month car allowance.  Alderman Bill Van Buskirk said it would be almost impossible to attract dedicated people to the alderman position if they cut the pay.  Besides, he has spent many nights talking with constitutes instead of eating his dinner.  The idea of cutting the salary is ludicrous.  Alderman Jim Aziere said the aldermen have to justify to their spouses why they want to run again, especially if the salary is cut in half.  Alderman Steve Meyers said salary doesn’t make a good public servant.  He pointed to the Raytown School Board.

He said they work hard, long hours and receive no pay at all.  He supports Alderman Moore’s motion to reduce the Aldermen salary.  The Board failed to passed the amendment, and passed the original ordinance. The Elected Officials Compensation Committee was established by the Board of Aldermen to review the compensation for elected officials and make recommendations for adjustment. An elected official’s compensation must be set prior to a person taking office and compensation cannot change during the term of office, unless additional duties are added. Accordingly, any adjustment the Board of Aldermen deems appropriate must be made prior to the April 2, 2019 election. The recommendation of the Commission relative to the Board of Aldermen was to keep the monthly compensation at the current rate of $400.00 per month and to keep the monthly car allowance at the current rate of $50.00 per month.

The Board heard the secondreading of an ordinance setting the compensation for the City Collector beginning in April 2019.  Alderman Ryan Myers moved the salary for the City Collector salary be reduced to $1 per month and the term be reduced to two years.  The Board passed the amendment.  Alderman Ryan Myers asked the city staff to look at merging the office of city collector with the office of City Marshall.  This amendment also passed.  The Elected Officials Compensation Committee was established by the Board of Aldermen to review the compensation for elected officials and make recommendations for adjustment.

 An elected official’s compensation must be set prior to a person taking office and compensation cannot change during the term of office, unless additional duties are added. Accordingly, any adjustment the Board of Aldermen deems appropriate must be made prior to the April 2, 2019 election. The recommendation of the Commission relative to the City Collector was to keep the monthly compensation at the current rate of $100.00 per month.

The Board passed the ordinance setting the compensation for the Office of Mayor beginning in April 2019.  The Elected Officials Compensation Committee was established by the Board of Aldermen to review the compensation for elected officials and make recommendations for adjustment. An elected official’s compensation must be set prior to a person taking office and compensation cannot change during the term of office, unless additional duties are added. Accordingly, any adjustment the Board of Aldermen deems appropriate must be made prior to the April 2, 2019 election. The recommendation of the Commission relative to the Mayor was to keep the monthly compensation at the current rate of $1,000.00 per month and current monthly car allowance at $200.00 per month.

The Board passed an ordinance amending chapter 2, article iii, officers and employees.With the addition of the Assistant City Administrator (Chapter 2, Article III, Division 2B) to the Raytown Municipal Code, it became apparent that although the City went through a recodification process in 2013, there are still Chapters which are in need of updating. Many of the positions in Chapter 2 are written according to Statute; however, many were written and have not been updated since the City of Raytown hired their first City Administrator in 1994. The language changes do not conflict with State Statute and the updates are consistent with the day-to-day operations of the City at this time. Additionally, due to changes in the City of Raytown Personnel Manual and the City’s Purchasing Policy, some sections have been removed. Alderman Bonnaye Mims stated she didn’t see a need for an ordinance to be sponsored.  If the staff needs an ordinance, they should be able to put it on the agenda without finding a board member to sponsor it.Aldermen Bill Van Buskirk said we used to have to find an alderman to sponsor an ordinance, but with the creation of the oversight committees, there’s no longer a need for the aldermen to review an ordinance before it appeared on the agenda.

The Board passed an ordinance adopting the Missouri Record Retention Manual with current Missouri Revised State Statutes updated August 2018 and as amended from time-to-time.  The City of Raytown, Missouri has not updated its Municipal Records Manual since June 7, 2011. In order to be compliant with all current Missouri Revised State Statutes regarding records retention, it is Staff’s opinion that the information attached, be adopted and as amended from time to time. The last update from the State of Missouri on this information was August 2018.

The Board passed an ordinance amending chapter 2, article vi, division 1, section 2-433 through section 2-555 of the RaytownMunicipal Code relating to meetingswhich will align the City of Raytown, Missouri Open Records Ordinance with Missouri Revised State Statute Chapter 610 in its current form and as amended from time to time.

The Board heard the first and second reading of an ordinance and then passed the ordinance authorizing the city administrator to enter into an Intergovernmental Transfer of Public Funds Agreement provides for the transfer of funds to the Missouri Department of Social Services, Mo HeathNet Division from the Ground Emergency Medical Transportation Provider for the uncompensated Medicaid cost associated with ground emergency medical transportation services. Additionally, the Administration Fee Agreement allows for a fee to be assessed on the total amount of the non-federal share of the Intergovernmental Transfer pursuant to the Intergovernmental Transfer of Public Funds Agreement.

The Board passed a resolution authorizing and approving an agreement with CGI Communications. CGI Communications works closely with the United States Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities. Through these partnerships, CGI is able to provide a myriad of digital marketing tools to showcase and promote individual municipalities nationwide at NO Cost to the municipalities. CGI has selected the City of Raytown to be a participant in their Community Showcase Program.

CGI’s Responsibilities:

• Assume all costs for the Community Video Program • Be solely responsible for sponsorship fulfillment including all related aspects of marketing, production, printing, and distribution • Provide script writing and video content consultation • Provide all aspects of video production and editing, from raw footage to final video including professional voiceovers and background music • Provide one Community Organizations chapter to promote charities, nonprofits and community development organizations • Feature business sponsors around the perimeter of video panels.

City’s Responsibilities:

• Provide a letter of introduction for the program on City’s letterhead • Assist with the content and script for the Community Video Program • Grant CGI the right to use City’s name in connection with the preparation, production, and marketing of the Program • Display the “Coming Soon” graphic link prominently on the www.raytown.mo.us homepage within 10 business days of receipt of HTML source code • Display the “Community Video Program” link prominently on its www.raytown.mo.us homepage, including any alternate versions of your home page, for viewer access on different devices for the entire term of this agreement • Ensure that this agreement remains valid and in force until the agreed upon expiration date, regardless of change in administration • Grant full and exclusive streaming video rights for CGI and its subsidiaries, affiliates, successors and assigns to stream all video content produced by CGI for the Community Video Program • Agree that the town will not knowingly submit any photograph, video, or other content that infringes on any third party’s copyright, trademark or other intellectual property, privacy or publicity right for use in any video or other display comprising this program.

Alderman Steve Meyers told the Board the committee worked on rebranding the City’s slogan, “Reaching for Tomorrow”.   The committee couldn’t reach a consensus, so the committee was disbanded.  He would like to form a new committee and find a slogan that shows the positive energy in Raytown.  He has several community members in mind for the committee.  He asked the board for permission to start the committee working on the project. The Board voted to move forward with the committee.

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