Where is Waldo?

If you lived in Brookside like we did for many years, you would know. "Downtown" Waldo is around 75th and Wornall, lots of small businesses (our favorite pizza place in the whole world, Waldo Pizza), a small town feel in a big City, another well kept secret. Changed a little bit with the construction of two big box drug stores, but all in all still pretty much the same. Quaint. No signs to indicate you are there, none to announce you are leaving.


Was on a teleconference yesterday with managers from across the country. I was introducing myself to the group when I was asked, "Is Weatherby Lake near Kansas City or St Louis?" My stock reply is "near KCI" because most of the business folks I deal with have at least been to the airport. I kind of like the anonymity we have. Best kept secret? Could be. Do we have an identity problem? Don't think so. Do we identify ourselves like Riss Lake, The National or Tiffany Greens? Nope. Just a quiet suburban bedroom community with a lake, smack dab in the middle. To me, the Lake is our monument, it defines, in part, who we are.

Where in the world in Weatherby Lake?

A Monumental Fest

In the next edition of the Weatherby Lake Living, you will notice flyers for upcoming events, the "coming out" of the ad hoc committee to raise funding for entrance monuments to our City and a concurrent event to kick off recycling in the City, both events at the Community Center on Sunday October 19th, 3 to 5. If you must, watch the resurgent Chiefs (ok, that might be a stretch) and then trek to the CC. Rain or Shine. Save the Date.

Trash Talkin

One of my weekly tasks is hauling the trash to the curb (well road), sexy huh? We've been recycling for some time, but I have to tell you I haven't notice a big difference in my trek from the garage in the amount of garbage left for Allied Waste. Since the new Bins have arrived at the CC and City Hall I have been more diligent in our recycling consciousness...it is still a work in progress. No doubt recycling is a habit to be cultivated. In any event, I can tell you we have consistently reduced our trash by one third. Really. What about you?

There are a number of metros in the country that have gone to PBTB, Pay By The Bag, policy. KC's MARC (Mid-America Regional Council) recently discussed this in regards to recycling. Projections on waste vs waste sites aren't pretty going forward. Recycling of course helps ease the pressure. PBTB is one way to incent citizens to focus on trash. PBTB coming here? Someday, probably. Why wait? Now we're talkin trash!

Trifecta?

Apparently KCMO Councilman Russ Johnson will also be in attendance at the next BOA meeting on October 7th. As previously posted, Councilman Ed Ford is on the tentative agenda. Could Mayor Funkhouser resist a third visit to the Northland and WL? Of course the BRB will be a subject of conversation, I wonder if they will address our anxiety about siltation and pollution of our crown jewel, the Lake.

Bet You Missed This One

"Athletes donating brains" KC Star 24 Sept pg D2

Part of the Boston University Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. No mention of a study of local politicians, although many locals have been heard to say..."What were they thinking?"

Previous comment regarding online info regarding the City, there is a fair amount online now at the City website (http://www.cityofweatherbylake-mo.gov/index.aspx) , hopefully the current administration will continue to upgrade the web site. Obviously those who check in on this blog are "wired" (well, actually I am wireless, but you know what I mean).

Speaking of info, the agendas and minutes of the BOA are published on the web site. The back and forth comments regarding the event at Birmingham Park stimulated me to check the minutes of April 17th 2007. That was the meeting then Mayor York gave an update on a Northland Mayor's Council project "Adopt a Soldier". Present at that meeting were Finn, Hoy and White among others (I was there too). I agree with Brian, the focus should properly be on the soldiers who shipped out to Iraq and thankfully returned home safely. And thanks to all those involved, good things happen.

Being a Nuisance

Question regarding nuisances and discussion at last BOA. See link below from City code. While general in nature, there are some specifics, for example, grass length >12 inches. Depending on your read, this blog might be considered a nuisance by some City officials. Another reason why the exact location of the blogster in chief is unknown.


http://codes.sullivanpublications.com/weatherbylake-slp/

Ed Ford coming to town

Lisa Minardi, aide to KCMO Councilman Ed Ford indicates Mr Ford has requested to be added to the BOA Agenda for October 7th. If this is confirmed I urge you to make your reservations for seats now, this one will be SRO. It is my understanding he will request a WL fund be established so WL citizens can make donations to the "UCanFordaBridge Foundation" to pay for the WL fair share of the new construction of the BRB bridge.

BTW, see the comment on the BRB blog regarding specs for construction of our piece of the Barry Road project...we will build no bridge before its time!

Last Sunday

I was out of town last Sunday and could not attend the gathering at Birmingham Park to support returning soldiers from Iraq. If you attended could you post your thoughts? See post of the 18th for comments on funds raised.

Household Hazardous Waste-October 4th

The City of Weatherby Lake is a member of the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), thus all citizens of WL can participate in their regional mobile collection program for hazardous waste. The closest collection for the rest of this year will happen on October 4 in Parkville in the parking lot next to English Landing in downtown Parkville. They will accept, anti-freeze, batteries, motor oil and paint. ID may be required. 8 to 11 AM. Recommend you go early.

Prying Eyes

Sunday's Star, Section B, page 4 - Neighborhood Cameras

A subdivision in Wentzville, MO is marketing homes with surveillance cameras. Interesting idea. I have been a proponent of the City posting surveillance cameras at the CC/Tennis Courts, City Hall, and the Public Works garage. They could be monitored by police/city employees/city officials via internet. As you already know, the WLIC uses cameras on C point. The Barry Road Bridge closing makes it more difficult for coverage/surveillance of the City. Why not let technology help? Should this be a 2009 budget item? What do you think?

Between a Rock and a Hard place

Did you see the article in the KC Star Saturday? The Hard Rock Casino is coming to the Kansas Speedway, along with another NASCAR race. Wow. The mega Legends complex just keeps growing. Shouldn't WL take a hint? We could request Barry Road be vacated west of Amity, (gee, its already vacant, right?) and have a cooperative agreement betweeen the City and WLIC to have a "boat in a moat" casino anchored by the bean field. Consider the possibilities.


Speaking of possibilities, Bubba and I were discussing/brainstorming the future of WL...I'll get to that in another post.

Another Good Reason for a Lake Patrol

As stated on previous posts, trespassers and evildoers abound...you might recall the sub sighting this summer.

http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=176443

Odds N Ends

The Funkhouser spectacle concerning his volunteer wife certainly removes him from active interest in the BRB project...too bad, he seemed to be the only KCMO official with any intentions of resolving the problem in a timely manner. The KCMO vetoed ordinance regarding volunteers will likely cause other cities to look at the role of volunteers...any impact here?


A sewage spill occurred on Brush Creek in Johnson County a little over a week ago, caused by a pump failure at a sewage pumping station and subsequent dumping of poop into Brush Creek. Attributed to volume of storm water. Is it coincidence that recent problems at U Cove pumping station have occurred during rain events? If storm water is getting into the system, where is it coming from...WL or KCMO...both?

WLIC is considering the acquisition of lake front property to add dock spaces? Good idea?

The Recycling Bin at the CC is getting immediate use, impressive. Today as you haul your trash to the street, take a look. How many cans/plastic/cardboard items are at the curb when they could be recycled? It's a habit, start today.

Next week a review of your upcoming property tax bill... a preview of levies :
Park Hill School District-about the same
WL Fire Protection-Down
SPlatte Ambulance-Up
City of WL-Up, 8%

Support The Troops fundraiser-Sept 21

A program initiated by the Northland Mayors Council during the York administration is becoming a reality as Weatherby Lake "adopts" a 23 member Army contingent returning to the US/Fort Riley from Iraq on 1 October. The goal is to raise $2,300 to present gift cards to these returning heroes. A fund raising event will be held on Sunday, September 21st at Birmingham Park, beginning at 3PM. Food and drinks for purchase, raffles, music, games and VFW color guard.

Want to help? De Surma, 746-1491. Donations, "Support the Troops Fund" at City Hall.

Don Birmingham is traveling to Ft Riley to present the gift cards. Contact him, 741-1753 if you would like to join him.

WL Recycle!

The recycling bins have been delivered to City Hall and the Community Center for your use...no excuse! It started as an innocent enough question from daughter Sarah (in pic), "Dad, why don't we recycle?" There really wasn't a good reason, I felt a bit ashamed. So our family started recycling. We made the trip to the Metro North recycling center to dump our treasure. We talked about recycling here in the City. We had a paper bin at City Hall that's it. So one thing led to another, a presentation at the April BOA, an engaged supporter in Alderman Finn and tadaaa! The bins are here. I'd love to see curb side, but one step at a time. Fill the bins, make the case that WL is interested in reducing waste and landfill space.

A few tips, Clean and Crush. Rinse out the cans and plastic. Crush to reduce the amount of space your contribution to the bin takes. At both sites we have a separate paper bin and a recycling bin that allows cans, aluminum cans, plastic and cardboard. Sorry, no glass please, you'll have to save that for a Metro North run.

Thanks to Tanya for her leadership and running down the details. Thanks to Sarah for asking why.

Rocky Road

I've been taking the "back way" to get to East Side rather than Wildwood. Yipes, talk about buck board, navigating Pleasant Ford is like playing dodge ball, ya gotta be quick to dodge them holes! Pavement spidering, shoulders eroding and winter on the way. Driving Pleasant Ford isn't so pleasant in my Honda. My nominee for worst West Side road is the Ford, although I can think of two more roads vying for the silver and bronze...which street is your nominee?

Water, Water, Everywhere

About 5.6" in a little over 24 hours (at 9:30AM) and more on the way. The water is the highest I can recall since we moved here in 1999. Getting more than our fair share of silt/sludge/garbage. Yuck.

BOA Continued

The official unofficial minutes of the Board of Aldermen

Stainless/ROI/Pigs
Carol Regan appeared at the meeting on behalf of the Women's Club. She distributed a "Community Center Appliance Discussion Document" that reviews their rationale for the donation of new appliances. Document outlines their thinking in donating household/kitchen appliances versus commercial grade. They have ordered household/kitchen because:

• The granite counter tops & current configuration do not lend itself to commercial sized appliances. (Note, the Women's club donated the counter tops)
• The gas main has been disconnected due to age and condition.
• Cost of Commercial or Pro appliances would require upgrades costing $15-20K.
• Lack of ROI
• Caterers bring their food already prepared.

During discussion it was noted by former mayor Henderson the recurring comments and interest on warmers for prepared food. This was also one of the top priorities noted by former alderman Rittenhouse in a previous review of upgrades for the CC. On deaf ears.

The BOA voted to accept the appliances as proposed.

At least they are consistent. Despite Aldermen White and Hoy as the appointed "overlords" of the CC, there is still no plan for the use and or promotion of the CC. Rather, a continued pattern of sinking money into a facility that bleeds red. ROI? Hard to determine if there is no business plan. You can redecorate and replace appliances but to borrow a phrase in the news today...you can put lipstick on a pig, it is still a pig.

More BOA

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the Board of Aldermen

Mayor meets with KCMO...continuing discussions regarding the Cooperative Agreement which have been ongoing for the past year and a half. (This should be some indication of what it in store for the BRB...between bureaucrats and lawyers little progress has been made).

Discussion regarding a Nuisance Ordinance. The Mayor and BOA are looking for your feedback on nuisances in the city...hmm, having a hard time keeping a straight face. A few Boards ago grass height was the topic for this discussion. City Hall is looking for volunteers to weigh in on nuisances...this is your chance to get involved...just don't be a nuisance.

Apparently there is a "groundswell of interest" in constructing new entrance monuments to the City. The Mayor said the prospective project is "bigger than a breadbasket" and will be "expensive" How expensive? No figures mentioned, but numbers bouncing around rumor control certainly seem pricey. Will be interesting to see how the groundswell handles this one. A City bank account is being opened to support the project. More to follow.

Mayor Bos is "turning up the heat" on Sonoma Ridge a "stern letter" will be/has been sent. Added to the collection of previous stern letters sent, I am sure the cc file at City Hall is impressive. A number of ordinances are in place to hammer the paper holder...wonder why we just don't smack them rather than fry them?

Alderman Finn(fondly called the Trash Lady by insiders) reported on delays to the delivery of the recycling rolloffs. Patience, soon we'll be off in running. In the meantime, crush those cans and containers so when the day arrives we have more room in the bin.

One more item for this post. The Eleemenosynary Society submitted their annual request for free use of the Community Center. (Background...for a number of years they have been granted free access to the CC by the BOA) It was pointed out during last year's request the group was granted one last free pass and henceforth would have to pay a fee, according to the soon to be posted updated CC fee schedule. Guess they (the Society) forgot. As readers of the blog know, the days of free use are over at the CC. A motion to support their request was not made.

More to follow.

BOA Sept 2nd Recap

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the Board of Aldermen
I had a baseball conflict (Mboy) and could not attend, these notes are a compilation of info gathered from those in attendance.

Glen Miller, Miller Management
Mr Miller, principal of Miller Management, presented the official findings of the 2007 audit (last year of York administration). His firm has conducted audits of cities, non-profits, churches and fraternal organizations for the last 19 years. Here are some of his comments.
"(WL audit is the) best audit from his staff he has ever seen"
"Great financial records, easily accessible"
"Staff very cooperative"
"Management committed...ran a tight ship....followed all laws, policies and procedures"

Mr Miller pointed out a few minor recommendations for improvement and with little discussion the BOA voted (4-0) to accept the audit findings.

Audit Committee Charter
The BOA considered the Audit Committee(AC) recommendations for its charter. (Kind of bass ackwards in the sense the Committee has already reviewed the 2007 audit and presented to the BOA last month.) (You might recall the AC voted to accept the 2007 audit) One of the modifications of the charter is the AC will make recommendations to the BOA regarding audit, it will not approve/disapprove of audits, that is the purview of the BOA.
There was a spirited discussion regarding the need for a sunset provision for the AC. Final vote (4-0) decided to place a 5 year sunset provision on the AC.

More notes to follow.

Opportunity Knocked

Got behind this week, Labor Day/two days of off site meetings/and party for two hundred guests will do that! Back to the grindstone.

Wrap up on the party. It was fun, of course, and thanks for introducing yourselves yesterday. Enjoyed talking with all of you. I can't imagine turning over our house for almost a week like the network show does...Have to tell you we are curious and will tune in on ABC the 23rd to watch the premiere show. Speaking of ABC, they covered everything yesterday including any costs incurred (like WL Police overtime). Our turnout was estimated at over 200, better than the last two sites, Dallas and Phoenix. The ABC corporate exec in attendance was impressed by our community (she is from LA).

Goodies aside, we'd probably do it again. The kids had fun and we managed to escape without any major embarrassment. Back to normal, now that sounds good.