The following is a speech given by Raytown School Board member Rick Thode at the last meeting of the Raytown Board of Education meeting. Mr. Thode has properly provided his credentials. He has offered the experience of a lifetime to his fellow Board members. They would be wise to accept.

To learn more please read . . .

Rick Thode Speaks Out . . . 

As you may recall, I made a motion on September 9 to hire a forensic investigator. The motion was tabled until tonight. The motion has caused significant anxiety within the District and community. So, let me provide additional background and perspectives to assure that my motives are appropriate and in the public interest.

When the Collins matter was revealed in May, I informed this Board of my strong views that the Administration should engage a forensic investigator, but I learned quickly that the Administration was not supportive. So, I decided to perform an investigation on my own time and expense. I have spent substantial time in conducting this work,  engaged legal counsel at my expense for advice, and conducted various investigative procedures. During the period from September 9, I have become very close to finishing my work.

I relied on my experience to perform this investigation.  I started and led the forensic and litigation services practice for Price Waterhouse Coopers in Kansas City 25 years ago. As a CPA and partner, I conducted complex investigative work for major, international businesses which included analysis of intricate fraud schemes worth millions of dollars. While I would prefer that my work be reviewed by another professional, I am confident that I now see the big picture and many of the details. I do not believe that the expenditure of District funds is required since most of the work is essentially finished.

There are a few unfinished matters and certain issues remain unresolved. I will submit those notes, other information and my professional opinion to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee, of which I am a member, is charged with reviewing matters involving fraud and internal controls. We will review the information and report to the Board.

Additionally, there are 4 staff interviews that are still open. Those interviews should be performed with Finance Committee members Beth Plank and Rick Moore and me. Additionally, one or two Board members should be interviewed, and I will ask Alonzo Burton to assist me.

As the Finance Committee wraps up this work, the notion of the proverbial double standard will arise. Consistency of applying Board policy uniformly is essential. It is important for our students, teachers, and public to have expectations that this Committee will faithfully fulfill its responsibility and not make exceptions to policy when assessing actions of District leaders. It is important that we move quickly and decisively.

To view Mr. Thode's Speech use he following link . . . 
Rick Thode's Speech

BY PAUL LIVIUS

The Paul Livius Report

RAYTOWN BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING

OCTOBER 15, 2019

Before the meeting began there was a little drama.

A private citizen approached three members of the Board and the City Clerk and handed them sealed envelopes. She told each person “you have been served”.

Mayor McDonough had left the room when the woman approached the dias. Once she was done, the Mayor returned to the Council Chambers.

The Mayor officially called the meeting to order at 7:10 a.m. As his first order of business he issued a proclamation in honor of the Bicentenary for the Baha’i Faith.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Jennie Perkins urged voters to renew the Parks sales tax.  She told the audience the tax will be on the November 5^th ballot, and, that it was the only item on the ballot.

Tony Jacob addressed the Board on a number of issues. Implementation of the 2018 Building Codes was his main concern. He warned the Board that the new codes were very stringent and could cause a financial burden to home owners and businesses in Raytown if enforcement was not tempered with understanding and common sense.

The Mayor asked for a motion from the Board to adjourn into closed session. Alderman Mary Jane VanBuskirk made a motion, seconded by Alderman Bonnaye Mims, to go into closed session. The Board voted unanimously to go adjourn to closed session.

The Mayor called the public session of the Board of Aldermen back into session at 8:20 p.m.

The Board passed an ordinance adopting the 2018 edition of the International Residential Code., regulating and governing the construction of all buildings and structures within the city and providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use. To review the significant changes to all the building codes discussed this week, start on page 13.  https://www.raytown.mo.us/vertical/Sites/%7B3A1DBD03-39C2-43FA-8CC9-95B16E6438CB%7D/uploads/10-01-19_Webpacket.pdf

The Board passed an ordinance adopting the 2018 edition of the International Building Code regulating and governing the construction of all buildings and structures within the city and providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupation and use.

The Board passed an ordinance adopting the 2018 edition of the International Existing Building Code, regulating and governing the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings in the city of Raytown.

The Board passed an ordinance adopting the 2018 edition of the International Mechanical Code, regulating and governing the design, construction, installation, repair, use or maintenance of mechanical systems in the city of Raytown.

The Board passed an ordinance adopting the 2018 edition of the International Plumbing Code, regulating and governing the design, construction, installation, repair, use or maintenance of plumbing systems in the city of Raytown.

The Board passed an ordinance adopting the 2017 edition of the National Electrical Code, regulating and governing the installation of electrical conductors, equipment, and raceways; signaling and communications conductors, equipment, and raceways; and optical fiber cables and raceways location in the city of Raytown.

The Board an ordinance adopting the 2018 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code, establishing the minimum regulations for energy efficient buildings using prescriptive and performance related provisions of all buildings and structures within the city.

The Board passed an ordinance adopting the 2018 International Fuel Gas Code, regulating and governing the design, construction, installation, repair, use or maintenance of fuel gas systems in the city of Raytown.

The Board passed an ordinance adopting the 2018International Fire Code, regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from the storage, handling and use of hazardous substance, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises.

The Board passed an ordinance amending chapter 8 of the city code and adopting the 2017 edition of the American National Standard for accessible and usable buildings and facilities in the city of Raytown.

The Board passed an ordinance adopting the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, regulating the minimum maintenance requirements for existing buildings in the city of Raytown.

The Board heard the first reading of an ordinance amending chapter 28 offenses and nuisances, offenses relating to public health and safety, controlled substances and alcohol, by repealing and reenacting section 2-230 through section 2-360 of the Municipal code. In November 2018, Missouri voters approved an amendment to the State Constitution to permit the use of medical marijuana within the state. This has had an impact on local ordinances relative to zoning of medical marijuana as well as enforcement for the legal consumption of marijuana. The proposed code amendments were prepared by the City’s legal counsel and reviewed by the Raytown Municipal Committee. The Raytown Municipal Committee recommended that the proposed amendments be sent to the full Board for consideration.

The Board heard the first reading of an ordinance amending chapter 42, traffic and motor vehicles, street obstructions of the municipal code. The Police Department has researched the outsourcing of managed tow truck services as a means to standardize fees and outsource the selection process. In order to pursue this option, the attached ordinances will need modification to permit the use of area tow services as well as provide a means to establish a fee schedule. Utilizing a managed service will standardize fees for the citizens of Raytown and streamline the vetting and selection process of tow truck providers.

The Board passed a resolution amending the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget to reallocate various expenditures between designated funds. Throughout the year staff has been monitoring the budget monthly. The following are the transfers staff believes need to occur to adjust for the activity that has occurred throughout the year.

The Board passed a resolution approving the purchase of a copier from Sumnerone off the National Association of State Procurement Contract in an amount not to exceed $13,054.51. SumnerOne provides the maintenance and supplies for the individual departmental copiers throughout the City. Currently, the City’s largest copier, located in the Copier Room has reached the end of its life and can no longer be repaired due to the fact that the components for the machine are no longer manufactured. The Administration Department currently has its own smaller copier; however, the department utilizes the large copier regularly as it has the necessary capabilities for complex printing projects. The Administration Department is requesting approval to purchase a single Canon IRA C7565i-III, as a replacement machine for both the smaller copier located in Administration which has limited capabilities and the larger unrepairable copier located in the Copier Room. The cost for the replacement machine, which has all the capabilities necessary, is $13,054.51, off the National Association of State Procurement Contract. This price will not include the add-on options. The maintenance and supplies for this machine would fall under the City’s current Maintenance Agreement with SumnerOne.

The Board passed a resolution approving purchase of a 2020 Ford f250 truck from ShawneeMission Ford in an amount not to exceed $30,950 and authorizing the purchase of a snow plow attachment in an amount not to exceed $5,971 from AmericanEquipment company in a combined amount not to exceed $36,921.00. The current crew cab owned by the City is a 2009 model. Maintenance costs have become excessive due to the age of the vehicle. The Public Works Department staff obtained quotes from Shawnee Mission Ford ($30,950) for a 2019 Ford F-250 crew cab 4x4 short bed, and from Landmark Dodge Chrysler Jeep ($34,617) for a 2019 Tradesman 2500 crew cab 4x4. Chevy did not offer a 4-door crew cab model. The Ford dealer will match the price for a 2020 model. This vehicle purchase will be through the Johnson County Kansas cooperative contract. The snow-plow attachment ($5,971) for this new crew cab will be purchased through American Equipment Co. and their cooperative contract with Kansas City, MO. Staff recommends purchasing the Ford F-250 ($30,950) along with the plow attachment ($5,971). This is within the Capital Sales Tax Fund budgeted amount of $45,000. The remainder of the budgeted amount ($8,079) will be used for the in-house upfitting for lights, decals, and a contingency. The existing Ford F-250 will be put up for auction.

The Board passed a resolution approving the expenditure of additional funds through change order no. 1 with Sak Construction related to the East Basin sanitary sewer project in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for a total amount not to exceed $227,969. Original BOA approval was on May 7, 2019 for the East Basin sanitary sewer project by SAK Construction for their bid of $161,790.00. We added an additional 10% for contingency for a BOA approved total of $177,969.00, but most of this contingency has already been utilized. This change order #1 will be amending the original contract by adding $50,000 to this contract to make a new contract amount of $227,969.00.

This East Basin sanitary sewer change order is for an urgent sanitary sewer project that was discovered after a backup in a basement in early August. While attempting to identify the cause of the backup, City staff found two serious pipe offsets that inhibited the ability to clear blockages and to televise the sewer main line. It was found that the primary cause of the backup was from a fiber conduit that was bored through the City sanitary sewer main line. This repair needed to be done immediately and this work was paid for by the company that owned the fiber conduit line. Public Works already had SAK and their subcontractor Kissick under contract and working in town. After the point repairs were made, SAK was able to come back and CIPP line both sewer segments.

The Mayor asked for a motion to move the Board to a closed session. The Board voted unanimously approved the motion and went into a closed session.

To leave a comment use this link
POST A COMMENT