I'm No Dummy

News outlets in Kansas City recently reported an effort in Lees Summit to slow down errant speeders by using a mannequin in a strategically placed cop-mobile.  The mannequin, "Officer Huff", apparently has been effective in  making local leadfoots lay off the gas a bit.  Got me to thinking as I watched our neighborhood speeder cruise past our drive, phone in hand, mashing the gas pedal...my estimate 40mph+.  ( I do appreciate good engineering as his Lexus only leaves a "whooosh" as it glides by).

Now I'm not one to take the law into my own hands (vigilante?) but something should be done.  Then it struck me.  Why not do my own version of Huff, WL style? I'm just roundtabling at the moment...and I'm sure he doesn't read the blog...so this is just between you and me.  What if I positioned our SUV in a private drive on his route down Potomac, a stakeout, no less.  At the appointed time, as I see him approach, I lower the window and point my speed gun at him...okay, it isn't really a radar unit, it is my hair dryer.  He wouldn't know that because he is a speeding, distracted driver (oh yeah, he has a radar detector too).  His brain kicks in just as he sees me "gun" him, WTF! as he throws out the anchor.

That's it, no sirens, no flashing lights, no chase...just the satisfaction of seeing the panic on his face?  I know we have a couple of readers who are attorneys, would that be impersonating a law officer on my part?  Nah, I didn't think so.  I bet this would work on East Side as well.  We could have an entire corps of volunteers.

What do you think?

In the meantime, please pass me a doughnut.

http://fox4kc.com/2012/01/23/officer-huff-keeping-speeders-in-check-in-lees-summit/

No Comment

Depending on the flow of Comments, you might miss this recent reader observation: A committee is a group of the unprepared, appointed by the unwilling to do the unnecessary............Fred Allen, American comedian

Tearing It Up

Pics from C Point over the past weeks, making hay(?) while the sun shines.

Note lowering of grade @ former bathroom facilities.

photographs all rights reserved...Mrs Bubba.

See Point

From Bubba's stoop out back one can see the latest phase of the C Point redo...the old potties are gone, bulldozed into oblivion and the road leading to the pavilion removed as well.  Watched as a car maneuvered around the barricade blocking access to the construction area, might not be the smartest thing in the world to do.

Image by hightechredneckwoman via Flickr

"Once In A Lifetime Deal"

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Entrance Advisory Group Committee
Jan 20

Thus describes Committee Chair Jim Miller, as he reflects on the EAGC project.  Citing the end result will "be there forever" he opined the current projected costs were closer to $300,000 than the original "$500,000 to $600,000 range" in the beginning.  Regarding design costs ($40,000) "some would say is extraordinarily high" he offered it was a "volunteer project", the bidding process was "interesting" and it took three rounds of bids.

The next step is to get the design team together to choose rock facing, with a possible full EAGC meeting prior to the March BOA with recommendation for the BOA in March.

Then the Curve Ball.

Alderman Finn, from the peanut gallery, asked if there could be questions/comments from the public.  At this point what could they do...say no to an alderman?  Basically her question was...what about Barry and Eastside?  Why wasn't it part of the first phase?  Plenty of discussion followed.  The basic response was when the project started it was assumed Barry would not be complete as construction was ready to go.  That was over three years ago.  Even though the project dragged on and Barry finally got untracked the original plan was not changed to include the latest round of RFP which did not bid out the Barry/Eastside site.  Too bad because now, if they decide to include Barry/Eastside, they need design and a bid, in all likelihood.

So, the Infrastructure Sub is left to scramble with the issue of adding Barry/Eastside to the first phase.  Likelihood is, when the full EAGC is convened, there will be an A or B choice, one with BE and one without in the first phase.  March BOA could still be done, my bet it will be April.    
 

$267,649

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Entrance Advisory Group Committee
Jan 20

The Infrastructure Committee met last Friday morning @ 8AM with 6 of 9 Sub members present (Surma, Grasis, DeJong, Miller, Bos, Stockwell) and 4 folks in the audience (Stockwell, Finn, Lawrence, me).  Meeting lasted 1hr and 40 minutes.

Long discussion about submitted bids, Vic guided the discussion by reviewing a matrix "Entrance Monument Bid Cost Results"  Kudos to Vic for making sense out of a very complicated RFP and responses to that RFP.

Bottom line, the 8 monuments are projected to cost $267,649.  This is probably low as they have received bids only for the first 4, two at City Hall, one at Hillside, one at Forest.  The others will have to be bid in the next phase...but more on that.  The bids for the aforementioned came to $130,557, so the projected cost for the entire project is based off of those costs.

After all is said and done, almost $40,000 will have been spent on plans/planning.

More tomorrow.  Time lines and a Curve Ball.

And yes the Mayor does read the blog.      .

Give and Take

KC Star today announces a new policy @ KCI for those waiting to pick up passengers.  The long term parking lot A has been designated as a so called "Cell Lot", two hours max, no charge.  You still might take the Aviation Department's advice, use the Marriott parking lot...closer and if nature calls during a prolonged wait you can trot right in and use the potty.


If you park in the garages across from the terminals you will have noticed an increase in parking fees...here is the scoop from the Department:

"Thank you for your e-mail sent from our website at www.flykci.com. We appreciate your use of our website, and your interest in the Kansas City International Airport.
The maximum daily rate for garage parking went from 20.00/day to 22.00/day.  This is the only rate increase.
The maximum daily rate for Circle parking remains the same at 13.00/day, and Economy parking remains a flat 6.00/day.  
Sincerely,
The Kansas City Aviation Department"

Barry Trap

Congress and Barry, shooting east on Barry, KCMO Police radar...watched at light as he shot down Barry toward QT, must have got someone, pulled her over after light changed on Barry.

KCMO H2O

KC Star, Jan 22, pA22, Editorial

"The Water Services Department is the hellhole of Kansas City Government."  Ouch.  It is also the ultimate supplier of of water and sewer to WL.  The editorial describes the man hired to save the department, Bill Downey, who has been hired as a consultant at $250 an hour to fix the mess.  Why should we care?  Couple of reasons.

  #1) the dawdling KCMO has exhibited in upgrading the East & West lift stations.  In my opinion, ticking time bombs that we have been unusually lenient in tolerating.  We, WLIC and the City, talk a good story but carry no big stick.  Thus the yearly promises of action with little or no improvement.  We still have the potential of becoming one big cesspool for KCMO.

#2) KCMO City Manager has proposed "an eyepopping" rate increase of 17% for sewer and 12% for water for 2012.  You might recall WL just increased rates to catch up to the previous two years the city decided to not pass along KCMO increases.  Frankly dumb...as admitted by Mayor Bos (he actually said "stupid").  Will WL jack the rates again?   KCMO itself is in a catch-up mode, facing a $2.5 billion mandated upgrade of the sewer system.

I need a drink...of water.  

Related articles

• Two "Stupid" Whoppers (weatherbylakeasiseeit.blogspot.com)

3.14

Image via Wikipedia

Happy Pie Day...according to Hen House

Related articles

• The Pre-Baked Crust (mybestcookbook.wordpress.com)
• Football? Cheeseburger Pie! (petalumapie.wordpress.com)

Holy Tamale!

I do consider myself a self-appointed moonlighting aficionado of tamales.  Yep, you read right, tamales.  Those little Mexican entrees wrapped up in a corn husk wrapper.  (Novices take heed, you do not eat the wrapper)  I have been to lots of dives in south Texas and of course more than I can count in Mexico (I have driven south to north in Mexico, but that is a story for another time).  Why am I establishing my credentials?  I am about to pronounce my "best of" and it is right here in Platte County, Tiffany Springs to be exact.

Luna Azteca Mexican Grill, 1004 Ambassador Drive, across from Embassy Suites.

I have tried the tamales a number of times, they are consistently delicious, perfect.  If you have never tried a tamale, these will spoil you.  If you have had tamales somewhere else...well, you be the judge.  Two choices, pork or chicken, both are very good, I like the pork best.

Image by Big Rick Crappy Photos via Flickr

Related articles

• Many stops on the tamale train (enlightenedyuppie.wordpress.com)
• Excellent (weatherbylakeasiseeit.blogspot.com)
• Can we use corn husks for anything when we make corn for our family? (greenanswers.com)
• Tamales de Elote + Tamales Fritos (latinaish.com)

Danger, Warning

Will Robinson.

Amity & Barry & Eastside is a good/bad spot for a wreck. Two different folks have reported three accidents in the last three weeks, including one earlier this week. KCMO running radar across from Forest yesterday morning, tough to keep 25 mph on the downhill on Barry.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

WLIC Minutes Dec 19

You can request the approved December minutes  from the WLIC office.  Highlights include:

• Newly elected board member Tom Urbaniak submitted his resignation from the board.  He is being deployed to Afghanistan for one year.
• Member Bonnie Van Cleave requested permission to place a bee hive on WLIC property below the dam.  Consensus of the board was to decline permission.  Same discussion about Peret Property, and permission was also declined.
• U-Cove received a significant amount of silt during a rain event in early December.  Mr Ennett "had observed runoff water downstream of the KCMO construction and it was muddy".
• Mr Henke reported the miscellaneous expense of the P&L statement "is the write off to reconcile the Costello settlement payment."    

Related articles

• So What Have We Learned? (honeybeesandme.com)

Monument(al) Meeting

Posted on the WL web site, a meeting notice for the EAGC "Infrastructure Committee".  The posting marks the first time this subcommittee has posted a meeting on the web...could it be public comments at the BOA meetings are being taken to heart?...nah.

This is the power group led by Jim Miller, Jerry Bos and Vic DeJong which has been the driving force to keep the project on life support, suffering through a series of failed RFPs.

At least they are consistent, scheduling the meetings during normal working hours making it difficult for working stiffs to attend.

This should be a critical meeting as they discuss the recent bid process and how to proceed.  The meeting is this Friday, 8AM, City Hall.  Your are cordially invited to attend.

http://www.cityofweatherbylake-mo.gov/

Twitter fan/follower?  @WLTwitt

WL Election Ballot Set

Image via Wikipedia

Unless someone mounts a write-in campaign, the WL election in April will be a bit boring.  Bos, Finn, DeJong are unopposed and there are no challengers for Judge Bev.

Related articles

• I refuse to vote in another phony election (zionistoutrage.com)
• Stephen Colbert hints at a run in South Carolina primary (Video) (examiner.com)

Sweet?

A couple of readers questioned the post regarding the selling of one of the city's diesel trucks (Gassed).  Specifically, the process of selling a truck without taking competitive bids, just up and taking an offer from a private concern.  Interesting point.  If you follow the blog you already know the trials and tribulations of the EAGC and the bidding process for the entrance monuments.  Yet the Mayor, Aldermen and City Attorney are all fine with selling the truck in a flash.

Another example of the bidding process at City Hall in the past was the sale of abandoned property in the boat lot.  The City took sealed bids and awarded the property to the highest bidders.  How is the sale of the diesel truck different?  I don't know (despite being an "insider" as one reader asserted).

Is it possible state law was broken in the process?  Possible.  It's a continuing challenge for the current administration and board to understand that running a city is different than running a lawn mowing company (the lawn mowing analogy was used by former Mayor Mike Henderson to describe how he would run the city).

As long as no one is watching it isn't a problem.  Mow on.

Image by IITA Image Library via Flickr

Related articles

• Gassed (weatherbylakeasiseeit.blogspot.com)
• What is the most efficient diesel truck sold in America? (greenanswers.com)

As You Were

Hopefully you didn't plan to jump in line today to file for WL office...you would be sorely disappointed and dare I say pissed...because the City office is closed today, MLK Day (as pointed out to me by some readers). It will be open manana, so I guess you good get in line early like lining up for a  Black Friday special @ Walmart.

My employer doesn't give us today off, unless I chose to take a personal day...so that is my excuse for the miss and I'm sticking to it.

So is garbage collection still on Friday?  What do you think?
  

Related articles

• Obama and family marking MLK day (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Garbage collection normal on MLK Day (myballard.com)

Manana

If you have a sudden urge to be an elected official @ WL, last call, filing closes tomorrow..  Mayor/alderman/judge...go for it.  If not, what you see, currently, is what you get.

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Time Flys When You're Having Fun (weatherbylakeasiseeit.blogspot.com)
• Alderman's Home Raided In Annapolis (baltimore.cbslocal.com)

Park It

Been traveling this week, so had a couple of gaps in posting.  Today's Star has a front page article about "KCI's Well Kept Secret" which you might find irritating and amusing.  Take a gander.  It summarizes the frustrations of some of us who pick up family/visitors who arrive at MCI.  Gone are the days when you could park free for 30 minutes adjacent to the terminal to pick a person up.  Instead, as you know, you do the circling thing as you wait for your pickup to make it to the curb.  (Seems the airport police have gotten more aggressive lately in moving you along unless you have your pickup at the curb and hustling into the car).

Most of the airports I travel through have so-called cellphone lots to accommodate picking up guests.  This week while traveling through DEN (the airport code is not DIA as noted in the Star article) it was three quarters full as we passed it on the way to the terminal.  Convenient.  Turns out you can do the same at KCI if you park at one of the economy lots which allows up to one hour for free...that is the secret.  According to Tom McKenna, the marketing director at MCI, "there's little reason for it", it being a cellphone lot.  McKenna mentions airport director Mark VanLoh's position that he has "strong opinions about not having cellphone lots".

Their solution?  Hold up at the airport Marriott, the Conoco gas station or Zona Rosa.  Really.  The Marriott has got to love that.  Van Loh's plan to build a new terminal would solve that, being a stone's throw away from WL.  They could add WL as another potential waiting spot, just bring your thank you notes along to help you bid your time for the summoning call.              

Related articles

• 10 charges to avoid at the airport (confused.com)
• Best Airports For Business Travelers [infographic] (thetechscoop.net)

Taxing for Prosperity

KC Star, Sunday Jan 8th
A4

Article by Glenn Rice reporting a petition drive launched by KCMO "urban core leaders" to place a 1/8 cent sales tax on the ballot to address "blight, economic development and neighborhood stabilization".  Among other things, the organizers hope to "create jobs" with the money raised.  Really.  The organizers are using the KC Zoo tax (1/8 cent sales tax) as a template to generate funds/funding.

Run of the Mill

KC Star, Saturday 7th
Saturday Homes, F1

Article about a "new neighborhood" (Cider Mill Ridge) at the National touting "affordable single-family homes".  They say the homes start from $219,000 to $309,000.  Competition for West Ridge?  You bet.  The blurb mentions there are "only 63 home sites" in phase one...just happens to match the number of lots in WR.  They are throwing in a 2 year membership @ the Y as well.  Interesting.  What are the prospects of WR building out?  Not good, at least in the foreseeable future.  Tear downs and rebuilds have been the mode here lately.  Concurrently a number of folks have mentioned to me the increase in rental properties at the lake as people move out...maybe it is the slow housing economy.  

Related articles

• Top 2011 Posts: Cost of Constructing a New Single-Family Home in 2011 (eyeonhousing.wordpress.com)

Drinking and Driving

The Official Minutes of the WL BOA
Jan 3rd

 Next St Pat's Day if you are pulled over by WL finest you might have unwittingly contributed to the video evidence of your tipsy state.

 Gary announced a donation from the Irish American club via the Women's club of $1250 to purchase video mics/in car video for the cruiser. The offer to make the contribution came from Glenda Negrelli at a previous meeting.

 No good deed goes unpunished.

 - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Police Bus-ted

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
Jan 3rd

Police Report
Chief Gary responded to a question from the public regarding the outcome of the request for purchase of new police radios (a special BOA meeting was held to authorize the purchase).  He had requested 8 portable radios and three mobile radios, the BOA approved 8 portable radios and 1 mobile radio.  Gary said he would "try to get by" with the one mobile as opposed to the three he had requested.

Puzzling.  The BOA/Mayor had set aside $75,000 last year for the purchase of the radios.  The Chief had projected the cost of his request at $49,500 and the actual cost came in at $47,000.  He  found a mobile model with less features costing $3,700 rather than the original $6,500 per radio.  So what is the deal?  It can't be money, the purchase cost is substantially below money set aside.  The BOA popped what will be an extra $13,000, not budgeted, for the purchase of a Public Works truck...with virtually no discussion.  The Mayor, Gary's boss, remained mum during the explanation of the radios by Gary.

As you know, we don't have bus service in WL...but if we did, it appears Chief Gary would be seriously lodged beneath one.

Image via Wikipedia

 

Related articles

• Christmas Early? (weatherbylakeasiseeit.blogspot.com)
• Biden Throws Obama Under the Bus (fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com)
• Don’t throw Najee under the Kenny G bus (charlestoncitypaper.com)

CC? No No

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
Jan 3rd

The new and improved rules for the Community Center (CC) came up for a vote again, taking up the biggest chunk of time for the evening and blowing Mary's hope for a short meeting.  The major bone of contention was the inclusion of a requirement for all renters to show proof of liability insurance before being able to rent the facility.  Typically this would be done by getting a certificate of coverage from your homeowners insurance.  Renters are already required to make a refundable deposit of $200.  Rather than give you the entire discussion, which ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime, I will give you the bottom line:

Mary and Dave were for the inclusion of the insurance requirement, Vic and Tanya were not.  Tie vote.  Tie breaker goes to Jerry for the second time during his reign of mayor.  After some rambling (kind of like a drunk trying to walk a straight line) he cast his vote with Vic and Tanya, eliminating the proposed proof of insurance requirement.  The motion regarding the insurance was a bit jacked up, causing the Attorney to intercede twice to clarify a Yes or No vote.

Image via Wikipedia

The whole idea apparently stemmed from one incident of damage in the men's room that exceeded the rental deposit.

Speaking of the CC, how were the financials for 2011?
Income $15,964
Expenditures $29,693.91

(My opinion....the expenditures are a bit understated based on how they are calculated)

Gassed

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA Jan 3 Public Works George recited a litany of problems the City has experienced with its two diesel trucks of 08 vintage. He mentioned the cost of diesel vs gas and the cost of oil changes as example of the high cost of the trucks (not mentioned but probably just as important were two costly incidents of wrong fuel and water in the fuel). A private buyer (Paradise Landscape) has stepped forward and made an offer to buy one of the trucks for $30,000. The idea is to sell the truck and buy a new one (gas not diesel) costing the City $12,640 in addition to the proceeds from the sale. Mary asked if this was in the budget, Jerry responded, "not specifically, I think we can figure it out". "We could sit all day and talk about bad diesels". Mary moved to authorize the sale of the truck, motion passed. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Round the Horn

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
Jan 3rd

Open Mic-Aldermen Comments:
Mary-Questioned the status of the repair/replacement of the boat lot fence (this has been lingering for months). George responded he was considering a "shadow box, wood" replacement".  He forecasted Spring, "if we want to spend the money"

Time out for editorial comment...I have two boats in the storage lot and pay plenty ($110x2) for the privilege.  The City took in $24,000 in 2011 for boat storage.  Where does the money go?  Into the general fund.  Prior to Jerry the funds were segregated for improvements to the lot...not anymore.  Not hard to understand why folks would rather keep their boats in their yards when the City fails to maintain the boat yard.

Mary mentioned the Pachyderm meeting (tonight) with Van Loh from the Airport Authority.

Dave pointed out,despite their communication when the contract was finalized, Allied Waste (Republic) did not pick up on Friday as anticipated...assume pick up will occur on Saturday this week as well.

Tanya suggested Van Loh be invited to a public meeting @ CC to discuss the airport plans...wouldn't cost $15 like the meeting at the Pachyderm club.

Image via Wikipedia

Jerry's comment on Tanya's comment (still following?)...began with an analogy of Fenway Park and the small seats (Attorney Scott confirmed they were 14" wide)...Jerry's round about way of saying some things were "sacred" and the airport plans should reflect "common sense".  Apparently he is not a fan of the new terminal plans, but he added because we didn't live in KCMO it wasn't our fight...must not be aware that all of us will pay because the revenue for the airport comes from "users".  

High Rollers

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
January 3rd

Another meeting that seemed to be in slow motion, it is good it is a once a month affair, for the most part.

Mayor's Comments
Jerry mentioned he thought everyone "was up to speed" on Barry Road.  The Platte County portion will close at some point in the spring for final touches with the goal of opening up for good by April.

The Mayor was asked about the EAGC email to "supporters" (see "exciting news" post below).  Jerry didn't have much to say other than it was intended to demonstrate to the "$50,000" donor(s) that the project was still viable.  When asked about the "further quotes" being obtained, he mentioned the current bids did not meet the goal of a finished monument, thus having to seek additional bids.  Apparently they are not requesting bids through the RFP process, rationale being the poor response to the previous RFP.  The City Attorney (Scott sitting in for John) remained silent...interesting.

The entire process seems to be in quicksand, every move causes the project to sink a little deeper.  Later in the discussion of Financials, Jerry pointed out $26,000 has been spent by the EAGC/City already, with another round of bids not turning up a feasible solution.

Benefactors?  Let's say they are holding back a bit.  Despite an email from the EAGC reminding potential donors of the opportunity to make a donation at the end of the year (and get a tax write off) the response was underwhelming to say the least.  How much did they get in contributions in December?

Zero.          

FYI, Filing for WL Office

You still have time to file for Mayor, Alderman, Judge...deadline the 17th of January.

http://www.stoneco-mo.us/Images/Election%20Calendar%202012.pdf

JAN/BOA/PM

TGIT. 7PM. :>)

"We have exciting new progress to report"

Thus starts an email recently sent by EAG Communications Leader Kristy Lawrence to "Entrance Project Supporters".

"The Entrance Project RFP was published for four different construction categories of the monuments for Eastside at City Hall, Forest and Hillside, with bids due on November 28.  The response was favorable, and the Infrastructure Committee met on Monday, December 12, to evaluate the bids received.  While there are still a number of questions regarding details of the work and some further quotes to obtain, the Committee is confident that the project is viable and will prepare a recommendation for the City to review.


Once the recommendation is complete, an EAG meeting will be scheduled to view the results.  The target goal is to present the proposal to the BOA early in 2012 to seek City approval.


We look forward to the New Year with a fresh image of our city, and hope that you share in the excitement!"


I'm not sure you could say the response to the RFP was "favorable" in that 19 bid packets were picked up but really only one bid received could even be termed close to complete...and then it did not include signage or landscape.  How can the EAG can seek "further quotes" unless they are intending on opening the bid process again?  Guess we will have to wait till the next BOA tomorrow night.

Happy 2012

Image by Michael Holden via Flickr

Best to you in 2012.  Here's hoping you have prosperity and good health!