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| BY PAUL LIVIUS |
Raytown Board of Aldermen Meeting – July 16,
2019
The Board
passed an ordinance establishing a procedure to disclose potential conflicts of
interest and substantial interests for certain municipal officials. In 1991, the Missouri General Assembly
adopted an ethics and personal financial disclosure law, which applied to all
municipalities with an annual operating budget in excess of $1 million.Under the law, municipalities were allowed to adopt their own simplified personal financial disclosure requirements by ordinance (commonly known as “short form” reporting). The financial disclosure reporting requirements apply to each elected official, the City Administrator (as the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Purchasing Officer), the Director of Finance (as the Chief Financial Officer), the City Clerk, the full-time General Counsel, the Park Board, and the Parks and Recreation Director.
Each political subdivision desiring to use the “short form” is required to readopt the ordinance authorizing “short form” reporting every two years. However, in order to avoid the significant consequences of the failure to readopt the ordinance the recommended best practice is to adopt the ordinance annually. The ordinance must be adopted by September 15 and a copy must be provided to the Missouri Ethics Commission.
The Board approved a resolution approving the professional services of storm sewer infrastructure repair from Wiedenmann, Inc. On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, flooding was observed at 60th Terrace and Harris. A Public Works storm crew was sent to begin repair to a damaged pipe and it was determined to require immediate, emergency repairs.
Staff contacted Wiedenmann Inc. (of the time and material Lee’s Summit Cooperative) and received an initial construction estimate of $40,632 on May 29, 2019. Wiedenmann Inc. began work on this emergency stormwater project on Friday, May 31. Upon removal of the first section of 54” metal pipe, further investigations revealed an additional 112’ of 54” diameter metal pipe that needed to be removed and replaced. On Monday, June 3, staff requested an updated construction time and materials estimate from Wiedenmann, Inc. Due to the increased size of the project, the first estimate of $40,632 was increased to $79,546.
The original estimate was to remove and replace about 40’ of 54” pipe, and the revised estimate was to remove and replace about 120’ of 54” pipe as well as add a junction box at a bend in the existing pipe. The work was completed on Tuesday, June 18, and staff now has the agreed upon final invoice for this emergency project of $92,467.05. Staff worked on site with the contractor daily to ensure a quality project and that staff would be able to make any additional changes on the fly to limit delays and potential increases to delays. This will be paid from the Storm Water Fund.
The Board approved are solution directing the city clerk to place on file for a period of ninety days certain uniform codes regulating the construction of buildings and continued occupancy thereof; mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction; and fire prevention. The following will be kept of file in the City Clerk’s Office for a period of ninety (90) days:
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2018 International Building Code
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2018 International Residential Code
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2018 International Plumbing Code
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2018 International Mechanical Code
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2018 International Fire Code
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2018 International Property Maintenance Code
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2018 International Fuel Gas Code
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2018 International Energy Conservation Code
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2018 International Existing Building Code
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American National Standard, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities 2017
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NFPA 70: National Electrical Code, International Electrical Code Series 2017
The Board approved a resolution authorizing an agreement for the recruitment of a chief of police with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00 plus candidate expenses for a total recruitment amount not to exceed $30,000.With the retirement of Chief Jim Lynch and the approval by the voters at the April 2, 2019 Election to appoint a Chief of Police, the City seeks to recruit an appointed Chief of Police.
Other News Source Discuss . . .
Former Raytown SChool Board president
charged with theft of school funds
BY MIchael downing / www.raytownOnline.com
From a Jackson County
Prosecutors press release…
The former president of the Raytown School
Board, who stepped down in May, faces a criminal charge of stealing Raytown
school district funds while she was on the school board, Jackson County
Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Kristie L. Colllins, dob: 2/16/1967, faces the
Class D felony of Stealing.
According to court records filed today, while
she was President of the Raytown School Board, Kristie L. Collins used a
purchasing card issued to her by the Raytown School District to make fraudulent
purchases. The school board commissioned an audit commissioned by an accounting
firm after questions were raised by the school district’s finance office
regarding transactions submitted by the defendant.
The district purchasing policy states that under
no circumstances can the cards be used for unauthorized or personal purchases.
An accounting firm documented more than $4300 in fraudulent purchases.
In May 2019, the defendant was informed of the
investigation. The next day she resigned.
In her resignation letter, she wrote “I have
made mistakes. I’ll be the first to acknowledge that, and I have tried to
correct them when possible. Some I cannot correct, only apologize for and ask
forgiveness.”
7 comments:
Three was an accusation of misusing public funds. An audit started. She resigned.
Didn't that happen with a city official too?
Weird. Nothing to see here...
So......how come I have to keep my grass cut and the old Raytown Water company building doesn't? Is there something we are missing?
I have been in contact with many who attended the “Community Inspire Violence Ad Hoc Committee” meeting, which was held in the community.
As you know these personal [attack] tactics have been going on for several years. With this particular out burst, was it [Jason] right and/or appropriate, I would say “No.” Was this official city hall business, “No.”
As you are aware yourself bullying, intimidation, and even threats have taken place and even during your time on the Board. These tactics aimed at one another have gone on far too long and need to stop.
Have a good day!!!
Bonnaye Mims,
Alderman, Ward 5
Mayor Pro Tem
I am aware that this kind of conduct [harassment/threats] has been going on for years although this was above and beyond. During a period of time at the onset of Mayor McDonoughs 1st term intimidation was utilized against city employees by the elected officials. When Mahesh Sharma was City Administrator he was badgered to the point of health problems and privately a couple of Aldermen admitted that they intentionally did it, it has become a culture at City Hall. How many department heads have we lost because of the work environment, I think the number is 7 or 8. In regards to your comment made that this was not official city hall business since city hall gave public notice of the meeting. I wasn't aware that City Hall gives notice of meetings that are not official business? Either way it is unbecoming conduct by an elected Alderman to threaten a constituent attending a city sanctioned meeting, even if they disagree
No one threatened anyone. It was a figure of speech since words are nothing more that words.
So it seems everyone is on the same page that City Hall has been disfunctional for awhile. Us Joe Q. Citizens need and deserve better. I must say I thought this new board would be better, as I knew most had served before. I'm sorry to report it is as bad as the one it replaced. Same play different actors. We need new blood.
TO ALL READERS:
I normally try not to get on blogs and/or get caught up in personal matters. I had a e-mail sent to all City Officials, Mayor, City Staff, and news media. I thought by responding to the person who sent the e-mail,(which I noticed the first e-mail was not posted on this blog), but I noticed the response that I gave from my city e-mail was posted on this blog and had been tampered with and wording added and cut out. Wording that I did not put in my original email nor did I put it on this blog and/or gave permission for such. Since seeing these tactics, I was hoping to be proven wrong, that all involved would be professionals. I refuse to respond to the second email that accompanied a, "history lesson sent to me."
Serving notice: I did attach my response to "ALL" that were cc'd and sent copies to legal authorities and I will follow through with tampering charges.
Well this leaves one to see small minded,vindictive individuals are still at it and want to use others to do their dirty work. In other words throw rocks and hide their hands. When I came in the door I, my first line of business was for change. I meant what I said regarding transparency, making changes in Raytown and moving forward.Raytown has changed and is continuing to change and ALL facets need to be willing to help with the change.
Bonnaye Mims,
Alderman Ward 5
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