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Campaign Notes . . . 

BY GREG WALTERS

My door to door campaign has shown me that Raytowners are very concerned with public safety. Studies have shown cities with community policing programs have experienced a reduction in crime rates. Can Raytown follow the lead of other area communities in successfully lowering the rate of crime in neighborhoods?*

The last four years have been hard on Raytown. It has left the public with a lack of faith in the city’s leadership as concerns the Raytown Police Department.                                                                        

It is time to have a public discussion about the future of the Raytown Police Department.

Looking to the Future

CAN WE DO BETTER?

Many Raytowners are concerned with crime. As our police department is rebuilt, it may pay dividends if newly hired police officers were offered incentives to make Raytown their home. This would increase the police presence in Raytown where people want it the most.

In their neighborhoods.

Elected or appointed?
I hold firm in the belief that the Chief of Police in Raytown should live within the city limits. The leader of the Police Department must be “hands on” when emergencies arise. Not 40 to 60 minutes away in another town.

Elected or appointed, our next Chief of Police will be the most important First Responder in the Police Department. He or she will set the policies that govern how our Police Department will function. From serving of warrants, traffic enforcement and emergency situations, our new Chief of Police will play a very important role in rebuilding Raytown's image.

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen did not address the residency question issue when they placed the Elective vs. Appointive issue on the April ballot. They were remiss in not doing so.

On April 2^nd the voters will decide whether the position should remain elective or become appointive. The residency requirement will ultimately be decided by the new Board of Aldermen after the April 2^nd Election.

* According to FBI Statistics from 2017 the safest city in Missouri is the City of Greenwood, Missouri. Greenwood is located in eastern Jackson County, just 14 miles from Raytown. Greenwood has a high number of police officers living within its city limits. Some are from Lee’s Summit, some are from Greenwood. Local homeowners credit the safety of their city, in part, with the high number of active duty police officers who make Greenwood their home.   

SOURCE: https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-missouri

BY PAUL LIVIUS

The Paul Livius Report

Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting – March 5, 2019

Alderman Steve Meyers introduced the Tagline Committee.  They are Janet Emerson, Daneen Thurman, Robert Adkins, Karen Black, Tim Hensel, Missy Wilson, Kristen Hetzel and Robbie Tubbs.  Alderman Meyers thanked everyone for all their worked to complete this project.

Public speakers included Tony Jacob, candidate for Mayor, Erin Morse with Midwest Animal Rescue. Ms. Morris asked why the stray hold for impounded pets in Raytown was cut in half from ten days to five days . . . but the budget increased despite the amount of days stray animal would be held by Raytown Hospital. 

The Mayor told Ms. Morris questions could not be answered at the time but would be answered later in the meeting. The answers were not forthcoming later in the meeting.

Another concern she mentioned why had her requests for public information under Missouri Sunshine Law not yet been answered. She asked for the information weeks ago. The Sunshine Law requires a response within three working days.

Alderman Karen Black asked if she could come help make some copies or other tasks to aid in completion of the Sunshine Request concerning the animal impound invoicing after she was told it may take weeks or months to fill the request. The assistance was declined.

The Board passed a resolution supporting the Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building Foundation, Inc. applications for community grants. The Raytown Chamber of Commerce Building Foundation, Inc. respectfully request the City of Raytown’s endorsement through a letter of support for a Community Grant application to AARP and Truman Heartland Community Foundation. If approved, the Building Foundation would use the grant funds to enhance the Chamber’s building remodeling project with the purchase of bike racks, bike stands, trash cans and benches to name a few project items. The grant applications would be in the amount of $5,000 per organization and neither grant requires a community or foundation match.

The Board passeda resolution approving the submittal of an application for a community grant from Wal-Mart in the amount of $1,000.00 for the 2019 Raytown Fishing Derby.  The Parks and Recreation Department has hosted the Raytown Community Fishing Derby, free to the public, for over 40 years. To provide a better service to the citizens of Raytown, Parks staff is seeking a $1,000.00 grant to be used to stock the pond with fish before the event and to provide prizes for the participants. The Sol-Pro Bass Club is a group that volunteers at the event every year, who also provide prizes for the children who participate in this free event. By gaining funds through the Walmart Community Grant, the Raytown Parks and Recreation Department can conserve the resources of the Parks Department budget, and the budget of our volunteer supporters, while providing a popular free community event to Raytown citizens.

The Board passed a resolution appointing RussellW. Petry as Director of Finance within the City of Raytown.

The Board passed a resolution approving the continuation of an agreement with Raytown Animal Hospital in providing veterinary services for City of Raytown Animal Control in an amount not to exceed $68,000. The Community Development Department requests continuation of an agreement with Raytown Animal Hospital in providing veterinary services for City of Raytown Animal Control regulations. Raytown Animal Hospital is the City’s current veterinary services provider. The Community Development Department budget for these services in the current fiscal year is $68,000.00, which is intended to pay for the costs of veterinary services as well as animal boarding services.

The Board passed a resolution authorizing the continuation of an agreement with DEW Farms, LLC to provide Nuisance Abatement Services in an amount not to exceed $46,000.The Community Development Department proposes to continue the agreement with DEW Farms, LLC to provide the City of Raytown with services for nuisance abatement and mowing related to the City’s code enforcement activities. Through the contract, DEW Farms, LLC provides abatement of various property maintenance violations such as junk, trash and debris; brush and branch removal, and mowing of weeds and grass in excess of eight (8) inches in length. Fiscal Year 2018-2019 budgeted amounts for these services is $46,000.

The Board passed a resolution authorizing an agreement with Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanityfor the operation of a minor home repair program in an amount not to exceed $20,000.The program would provide another ‘tool’ for the Community Development Department to use as part of the City’s neighborhood improvement program. The program would provide assistance to low-moderate income homeowners who are financially unable to correct the following types of property maintenance code violations on their property.

• Exterior Painting;

• Roof Repair and Replacement;

• Repair Decks and Porches;

• Repair Driveways;

• Repair and Replace Flashing and Guttering;

• Repair and Replace Siding;

• Tree Trimming for House Safety; and

• Yard Cleanup.

Homeowners needing to make repairs to address City code violations would be informed of the availability of this program by the Community Development Department when discussing specific code violations listed above. Homeowners expressing an interest would be referred to staff at Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity who is experienced working with homeowners to meet their needs. Homeowners meeting the required criteria will be required to repay the cost of the repairs by making a small monthly payment, which would be collected by the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity. Loans would be at zero percent interest for a period of up to seven years. The funds collected would then be placed in a Raytown Minor Home Repair Account for future use in this program. The proposed program uses volunteers from local churches and other organizations to lower labor costs. A construction supervisor from Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity would manage and supervise the projects and volunteers. Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity has many national sponsors that donate materials as gifts in kind. Examples of this include paint which is donated from Valspar. Other partners include CertainTeed, Dow, Cree, Whirlpool and many others.

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