Needle In The Haystack

Coming home from the airport last night the driver needed navigational assistance (by the way, if you need a ride to/from the airport I recommend Platinum Transportation, 880-9400, Rick the owner lives in Wildwood.). The driver remembered something about Mayor Funk reflecting on the speed of the Minneapolis bridge rebuild...yes, but that is MN and this is KCMO. Anyway, a loyal reader submitted this pic for consideration...I like it.


You might have missed the Special Board meeting last Thursday evening at 7PM. Most people missed it, as I understand, there were three citizens in the audience as the Aldermen and Mayor discussed water and sewer rates. To Mary's credit, she sent a note out to her email list about the meeting on Monday afternoon, unfortunately I don't access RR while on the road. If you have read this blog at all you know KCMO is raising rates, so that is no surprise. What complicates matters is the recently completed sewer study which indicated necessary upgrades here in WL. There will be continued discussion this coming Tuesday night at the regularly scheduled BOA meeting. I have never been a fan of Special Board meetings, there is just too much going on outside of City business, I guess the miserable attendance speaks to that. We'll just have to get caught up Tuesday night.

And another

Making my way home via Cincinnati, yikes snow and ice here! When traveling I read USA Today, what the heck it's at my hotel door. From today's issue, page 8A.

"Miss. mayor, wife indicted in fraud case"
"The mayor of Gulfport, Miss., and his wife pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges they lied to get more than $220,000 in government grants to repair damage to their beach-front house caused by Hurricane Katrina.

There have been quite a few Comments (if you check) regarding Jerry and his issues. Here is my perspective. He ran on his experience as a C-level executive and promised to bring these skills to manage the "business" of the City. Looking back, I believe he was well aware of his ongoing issues with the Feds regarding the DFA trades. If the people of WL knew he was under investigation for trade manipulation would that have made a difference? I think so. At the same time he acquiesced to those who were spreading rumors about financial "issues" of the previous administration (York) and one of his first actions as mayor was to establish an Audit Committee to review the finances. Their findings? A-OK. The City audit report by the outside auditor? "One of the best I've seen". About the same time the trade commissioner is about to lower the hammer and "punish" (not my words, the commissioners words) to the tune of millions of dollars, Jerry and his collaborators. Ironic? Of course this activity took place well before he became Mayor. To me it is a matter of trust, of business ethics, of character. So, when you see in the news, stunningly this week, politicians gone wrong, I have to wonder...don't you?

And that is as I see it.

Another Mayor with Problems

Today's USA Today:
"Hartford, Conn, Mayor Eddie Perez, a onetime gang leader, surrendered to police to face a bribery charge. Perez, a Democrat, is accused of using a city contractor to renovate his home and not paying for it until after being confronted by investigators.
The three-term mayor admitted he should not have used the contractor, but said he did not commit a crime (italics added). He pledged to remain in office."
Wow. You don't have to make stuff up, just read the newspaper. At least we can brag we have never elected a onetime gang leader...I think.

Catching Up

Left yesterday and found it difficult to get online, it's okay, I'm somewhere warm.

Meant to give some of the financial details from the WLIC Board meeting last week, here are highlights where your money was spent in 2008:

• Office Payroll-$58,539
• Audit & Accountant-$6,672
• Legal Services-$38,032
• Office Rent-$14,400
• Access Area General-$30,792
• Water Patr0l-$10,846
• Liability/Property Insurance-$22,809
• Interest Payment Amity/Barry Property-$22,725
• Peret Property/Stormwater Dam-$304,983
• O-Cove Project-$109,743

There are other line items of course, just picked some of interest.

The Dredge Fund ended with a balance of about $470,000.

Did You Notice?

Parkville has four Aldermen spots up for election in April, all four are uncontested with the incumbents filing for re-election. Interesting in that Parkville has been a hot bed of issues in the past year.

An employee of the Platte County collector's office was charged with stealing $16,000 of cash payments at the Platte County South Annex. Platte County Prosecutor Zahnd says the woman used the money to gamble at casinos. The woman is Secretary of the Platte County Republican Central Committee and president of the Platte County Federated Republican Women's club(Saturday's Star).

My guess her fellow employees are stunned and will attest to her being a "nice person". Go figure.

Pat White

Some of you may not dig back into "Comments" on various posts (it is amazing how long comments can run on posts). In case you missed it, I thought I would post Pat White's response to the "East Side Alderman Spot"

"Hey folks, I just wanted to put to rest any questions you may have for why I decided not to file for a second term. I see there has been a lot of speculation and I can tell you that there are some very personal reasons why I did not file that I would ask you to respect as being private. There are some others as well that I do not mind sharing. My husband retired last year in August. The two of us have many things we want to do including helping with activities around this community. We also plan to take part in several Cobra Car Club events that will often take us out of town.

I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to learn more about the issues with this city and to have had a chance to meet many new people here at the lake. It was disappointing to me that no one else filed to represent the East Side. I would encourage anyone here at the lake to seriously consider filling this position as it really does help one to understand the complexities and challenges that our board deals with on a continual basis.

Before I close this out I would tell you that your current board are fine people…all of them. They put in a lot of hours out of their personal lives to serve this city in the best way they feel they can. I remember just after I was elected Mayor York said to me, “the campaigning was easy, now the hard work begins”. He was right about that. It is not easy and you can never please everyone with your decisions. All you can do is your best and with that will come the critics. That is the job.

Please feel free to call me if you have any questions that were not addressed here.

Pat White"

"Weatherby Lake mayor part of $12 million settlement"

Page A5, January 22nd issue of the Sun Gazette (you know, the yellow plastic bag they throw in your driveway). Not much new in the article, a compilation of news releases including the one from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission enforcement director Obie who says, "Today's enforcement action punishes those responsible for DFA's manipulative scheme with a $12 million civil penalty and a trading ban"

Michael Westblade who wrote the article did not receive return call requests for comment from either mayor Bos or Gary Hanman. A similar article was run in the Luminary in December.

Speaking of the Sun Gazette, don't know if you noticed on page A3 of the same issue, the Gazette's announcement of the termination of home delivery effective April 2nd. You can sign up for mail(free) delivery by clipping the coupon or sending your vitals to http://www.sunnorthcirculation@npgco.com/. Some will cheer this turn of events, at least those who don't pick up the paper from their driveway won't have the newspaper to kick around any more.

Everybody is a food critic

I'm traveling today, so I'm dishing up a post I had in reserve.

Spurred on by our local food critic on the West side, I have updated my kcinfo blog to include a Northland post. Just scroll down on the right and click on the kcinfo link. You are now an official food critic. Post your favorite spot(s), forget the abominable.

I mourn the loss of food critic Lauren Chapin of the Star. A Northlander, her reviews will be missed.

East Side Alderman Spot

What happens now? Nobody filed for the seat up for election (White). The following is from Mary Beth Erickson, Platte County Board of Elections:

• A candidate may run as a "write-in".
• There is no requirement to file with the election board although one may.
• If less than $1000 is spent by the candidate there is not a requirement to form/file an election committee with reports to the board.
• The board counts each write-in ballot, variations of name could disqualify a vote, for instance, Thomas A. Doe, Tom Doe, T. Doe, Doe could be written in...Thomas A. Doe and Tom Doe would likely qualify, T. Doe or Doe probably not.

I won't go into the scenario if no write-ins occur, my guess is at least one qualified vote, other than Mickey Mouse will be received. Should be very interesting. As Bill O'Reilly says...East Siders "what say you?".

BRB Platte County Update

See Barry Road Bridge link on right

East Side, West Side, All Around The Town

As of 5 PM yesterday filing for the April elections closed. The results:

East Ward-No Filing
West Ward-Mary Hoy
WL Fire Protection District: Bob Renton, Edward Barbosa

Doesn't take much in depth analysis here. Nobody was interested in representing the East Ward, including the current incumbent Pat White. Status quo on the West Ward as incumbent Mary Hoy is running unopposed.

There are two seats up for election on the WLFPD and the two incumbents filed. Election rules for special districts are governed by separate election rules, therefore, Mr Renton and Mr Barbosa will continue to represent us and the the WLFPD will not appear on the April ballot.

Pass the Hot Sauce

Zebra Mussels

They Shoot Zebras, Don't They?

Notes from WLIC Board Meeting
I could attend only the first hour of the meeting, I'll try to get some of my free lance reporters to fill in the gaps.

Zebra Mussels
The discussion has been ongoing on how to prevent an invasion of our lake. Hopefully you read the material in the last issue of WLL. Two pathways to contamination, members who use watercraft in other bodies of water and fail to properly clean their boats and/or trespassers who "visit" with watercraft that are contaminated. This past season the chains across the ramps were put in place to deal with trespassers. The problem of lock security prompted the board to review and revise their approach. Here is how it looks like it will change, members will be notified when final and prior to being put in place"

• New high security locks with individual keys that are serial numbered. Members desiring ramp access will have to pay a $10 refundable deposit. Members will have to sign acknowledgment of proper zebra control measures.
• Get tough policy. According to current rules/regs a warning will be given members on first violation, followed by $250 penalty for second violation. Realistically this would apply to members who fail to keep ramp secure. Trespassers will be prosecuted for trespassing along with appropriate laws if found to have not followed proper zebra prevention measures.

Difficult to make air tight, craft like canoes can evade the chains on the ramps. The membership is counting on fellow members to do the right thing. Trespassers? Tighten up our neighborhood watch. Unfamiliar folks on the ramps? Introduce yourself or if you are not comfortable, call a board member or the WL Police.
Next post financials.

We and Us

Struck me Saturday as I was making the post...I referred to "the City" as if it were this third party. I have done the same with WLIC. My guess most of us have done the same. But truly both bodies are representatives of us. City officials and WLIC board members are elected by us. They appropriate and spend our money, (when we get grant money from Platte County or MARC, it's not free...it's our money coming home). They make the laws, rules, regs on our behalf. It's not them...it's us.

Speaking of us, we are (WLIC) are meeting tonight at City Hall, 7PM.

WLIC Board Meeting, 19 January

7PM, City Hall

Dumpster Diving

Hopefully you have noticed the 2nd recycling dumpster that arrived @ the CC and City Hall this week. Thanks to a very persistent Alderman Tanya Finn in getting them, there is a high demand and low supply in the metro. This might lessen my dumpster diving activities. Again last week when I went to make a deposit the bin at the CC was brimming. I was prepared, had brought my step ladder along. Up and in I went, my petite frame (not really) mashing trash as I jumped up and down. Compacted the stuff by 50%. So, if you could, crush your recyclables, it will make more room for everybody...plus save the City (read you and me) some money. We pay $25 every time the company comes out to empty the bins.

Prime Time

The Nugent Family is proud to announce Abby and Sam will be on America's Funniest Home Videos tomorrow night (Sunday) at 6PM on ABC. The video was shot this past summer at their Pleasant Ford home by neighbor Taylor Hinkle. Erin isn't quite sure what made the cut...tune in and see.

" We will be there! Hope the meal is good....last time I ate there it was pathetic! "

WL Yacht Club will be having their Winter Fling Dinner Party on 7 February at the Majestic Steak House in downtown KC. We've been there a couple of times, nice. Owners live right here in WL on the West side. Ouch! Who is the food critic who gave two forks down? Well the answer is right on the eVite for the function (I like the invite by the way). Just scroll down the eVite and you can see RSVPs and comments. One RSVP had the critical comments. In case you didn't get the invite or deleted before reading, I'll give you a hint. It was from an elected official (or spouse) on the West side. I don't pay much attention to food or movie critics, so my recommendation, if you are so inclined, is join the fun and food. For more info contact Jack VanCleave.

Pathetic? That would be McDonald's...but that is just as I see it.

Filing Update

As of 8:44 this morning the only filing for Alderman was Mary Hoy for her seat on the West Ward (She filed the first day of filing). No one yet for East Ward. Bob Renton filed for his seat on the Weatherby Lake Fire Protection District.

A Picture is Worth....

Amity Road on the Bean Field Right of Way, Next Stop, Weatherby Lake

Irish Eyes

St Pat CC celebration is set for Sunday, March 15th per latest Women's Club communication. Not sure if the Women's club has officially taken over the event, there seemed to be a passing of the baton last year from Mike Henderson and the St Pats Club to Carol Regan and the Women's Club.

This might ease a situation that persists, call it urban legend. It was thought by donating money to the St Pats Club it was personally tax deductible. Small problem, the St Pats Club is not a 501 (c)(3) organization. So although the Club donates money to the Police Dept/City for needed equipment, it does not mean your individual donation to the St Pats Club is deductible.

http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=96099,00.html

Weak Mayor, Weak Board

Sorry Jerry, no offense. Class IV cities in MO like WL are often referred to as having a “weak mayor” form of government. What that means is in most cases the mayor does not vote on legislative or matters of appointment unless there is a tie vote on the Board of Aldermen. The mayor is the chief administrative officer of the City. The last meaningful “tie breaker” mayoral vote was Mike Henderson voting in favor of the Sonoma Ridge development after the Board vote was 2 to 2. The real legislative power of the City resides on the BOA. So the influence and power of the BOA to make things happen is real…if it happens.

Trouble is, the current BOA could be described as lackluster, weak. Any leadership on the Board? Not much. Kudos to Tanya Finn for taking on recycling and submitting a grant proposal to MARC which resulted in almost $5,000 in grant money. Delegation and Prettyfication are the mode for the current crew. Multiple committees have sprung up…lots of meetings, not much action. Barry Road continues to loom…not much outrage on the council, at least until it is too late. Prettyfication? Yep, spend money to get the Lodge Look at the CC, get photos in the WLL picking up sticks, watch on the sidelines as some citizens build monuments to themselves.

Heavy lifting? Talk of roads, talk of water, talk of sewer, talk of getting tough with KCMO (remember “the spill”?). Talk of how much we appreciate our employees. Talk of wanting community involvement and then hold meetings during normal work hours. Talk about financials but then ask questions during BOA meetings that clearly show a shocking lack of understanding about the city balance sheet. Talk about planning. Talk about being fiscally responsible and then increase the levy. Discontinue the radio read meter program, and then talk about discontinuing the fee, maybe. Lots of talk.

Which leads me to this. There is a BOA seat on both sides of the lake for the April election. Filing ends next Tuesday, the 20th at 5PM. Surely we are ready for an upgrade? What about you? What about your neighbors? Just a thought.

Special Board Meeting, 15 JAN

http://www.cityofweatherbylake-mo.gov/Agendas/108.pdf

From the BRB blog

Anonymous:
The Kansas City Council passed Ordinance #081262 on Thursday January 8th.

Authorizing a $13,493,986.85 contract with Leavenworth Excavating & Equipment Co., Inc., for Project No. 89008078 - Roadway Improvements on NW Barry Road - N. Potomac to N Conant and N Amity Avenue; authorizing the City Manager to amend and increase this contract by up to $1,810,347.90; authorizing the City Manager to expend $15,304,334.75 for the contract; and approving project management costs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Passed as Substituted

Ayes: 13 - Hermann, Skaggs, Ford, Johnson, Curls, Sanders Brooks, Gottstein, Marcason, Circo, Riley, Jolly, Sharp, Funkhouser
Nays: 0

Dirty Deal

No discussion or mention at last week's BOA regarding the numerous excavation sites along Barry Road and the lack of siltation fences or siltation prevention...anybody care? The ground has been dozed and stripped on the new Amity/Barry intersecion...where will the runoff go? North Cove will be less of a cove and more of a mud/sandbar. Kind of an end run, spending all the money on Peret only to have construction a football field away from the lake dump silt and other stuff into the watershed.

Shine a Light on That Poop

Two ordinance amendments were passed, as indicated below:
Nuisances Affecting Health (Section 215.010 A 19)
"Exterior Real Estate Lighting. Exterior Lighting in the City shall be arranged, constructed and/or installed in such a manner that the beam of light from each light source shall be directed away form neighboring properties and confined to the area of the subject property on which the exterior light source is located. It is declared a nuisance to arrange, maintain or install on or more light sources on real estate in the City in such a manner that the beam of light from light source is directed on the neighboring properties."

I know you might be scratching your head by now, going "Huh?" Although there may be other situations in the City, there is one particular West side situation that seemed to propagate the amendment. In fact during the discussion of the amendment, the City Attorney had to caution Alderman DeJong regarding his reference to this specific situation. In any event, before installing outdoor lighting, better check with the City...or your alderman.

Restraint and Other Prohibited Acts (Section 205.090)
"Prohibited Acts. The following acts are hereby declared to be prohibited and it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in or allow an animal owned by or possessed by such person to engage in the following activities:
A. Fail to prevent any animal from leaving the owner's premises unless said animal is under restraint as defined in this Chapter, or
B. Keep a vicious animal, or
C. Allow any animal to:
1. Continually bark, howl, yelp or make loud and raucous noises; or
2. Trespass upon the private property of another and damage vegetation; or
3. Spread garbage and trash along a road side or otherwise create an unsanitary condition.
4. No person owning or responsible for an animal shall permit the animal to defecate on any publicly owned property or right-of-way or on any private property other than property owned or leased by the person owning or responsible for the animal. If said person allows the animal to defecate on said property, that person must immediately remove the excrement and properly dispose of it in a sanitary manner."

Discussion of the amendment was a bit humorous as the original wording had dog instead of animal. What about tigers? Anyway it was amended to animal, so you owners of cats (and tigers) buck up. You have to agree there should be no argument from us pet owners on what to do. Our property is one thing, but right of way, others property, Parks, WLIC access areas...pick it up.

BOA Loose Ends

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
Another area of unspent 08 budget money was $300 advertising monies for the Community Center. I guess it is hard to spend money to advertise when there is no plan to operate the CC. Maybe next year. In the meantime we'll just pour money into the CC and hope folks use it. The aging air conditioning system is next to go, ask your aldermen what the plan is to replace.

Parks
Alderman DeJong pointed out to the council the Park Board was $40,000 over budget in 2008 and a similar shortfall (or more) for 2009. Jerry said he would followup with the Park Board President.
WLIC
Phase II & III "O" Cove progressing. (I ran past there yesterday. An understandable mess as they prepare the shoreline, but still a woeful lack of erosion control, even on the Phase I portion. I think we should keep our own house in order before we point fingers at others)
Sewer
The sewer study is complete, we are in the findings and recommendations portion now. Much discussion, so I am going to boil it down to this.

• Our sewer system is "one system" composed of gravity and grinder feeds, therefore the grinder fee will probably be removed and replaced by a rate that reflects the operation of the entire system.
• The gravity portion is in need of repair, there was discussion of how much it will cost and over what time period the repairs need to be done.
• New grinders need to be purchased to keep up with the maintenance and replacement of old grinders.
• KCMO will be enacting a rate hike soon
• WL public hearing(s) will be held to discuss both sewer and water rates.

It is fair to say both water and sewer will be going up, it is just a matter of how much.

Tomorrow: Final Installment of this week's BOA meeting, "Shine a Light on that Poop"

Pardon The Interruption

More BOA stuff, but first...
January 20th, an important date right? Of course that is Inauguration Day. Good Luck Prez Obama. Right here in WL it is an important day as well...it is the last day of filing for Alderman in WL, one for each ward, East and West. So far Alderman Hoy on the West has filed, nobody on the East, will Pat White file? In any event the voters need a choice, and to borrow from the Obama campaign, the voters need a change. I'll outline my reasons in a later post, it's more important right now to encourage candidates to file. Close of business on the 2oth filing will close. Know someone who might be interested? Encourage them to file. Interested yourself in making WL a better place to live? File. Credentials? You don"t have to be a C level executive to be effective. All you need is common sense and know how to do the right thing. Make decisions that look out for the majority of citizens here at WL. Look past the loud noises that a few make to always decide in favor of the common good. That's it. Surely there are folks out there that are all of that and more. Need more info? Call City Clerk Gwen Cenac, 741-5545.

By the way, there is also a seat open on the WL Fire Protection District. They make the decisions that engage our fire services. Call City Clerk Gwen Cenac for info.

Back to BOA stuff
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the BOA
Barry Road
No progress has been made on the cooperative agreement with KCMO since May/June. In a reassuring note the Mayor has been informed there will be no blasting(dynamite) "by the lake".
The pedestrian bridge (walking bridge) next to the Barry Road Bridge is to be moved by January 15th. Platte County is taking the bridge, finalization of the paperwork should come close to the 15th.
Sonoma Ridge
The owners have promised the walls will be prepared (in fact it looks like they have actually started). They have been slow to follow up their promises with action.
Recycling
Going almost "too well". Both sites have had problems with overfilled bins. Part of the challenge is users who do not crush cardboard boxes (you might want to take off the address labels so we don't know who you are). Alderman Finn has requested additional bins, on back order. Help us out...crush!
Police
Another full time police officer was added to the WL Police Department. Officer Sean Holbrook was an officer at the KCI Airport and has been working part-time here for the past 6 months.

Not done, more to come.

Speaking of Wallets

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
What's in the City's Wallet, 2008 Budget WrapUp

Jerry discussed final numbers for 08. The City finished with a surplus of around $200,000. Wow, you ask, how did they do that? Remember the 08 budget was formulated and passed in December 07. At that time the State telephone franchise fee litigation was dragging on, with no end in sight. Turns out the litigation was settled in early 08 and the one time payments by the phone companies poured starting in March. Final settlement tally around $125,000. (There is still one company, TMobile that has not settled +/-$46,000 under protest) Budgeted building repairs were not done ($27,000) to City Hall and computer/office equipment turned back in $18,000. George conducted a very successful auction of used equipment that brought in $10,000 over budget, great job!

Jerry also mentioned the Community Center made money, and then kind of under his breath, minus certain expenses...Pat White must not have heard the last part, because she repeated with a smile, the profit made in 08. A member of the audience asked a yes/no question, did the CC end up with a positive balance?...answer from Jerry..."No...but"...if the upgrade expenses weren't counted the CC would have been in the black. You might recall the BOA spent $11,000 in unbudgeted expenses last year to give the CC that lodge look.

One other area raised a few eyebrows, the Employee Recognition funds were basically untouched, $915 out of a budget of $1000. Historically there has been lunch/dinners around Christmas time. Grinch? I guess we were too busy. Too bad, our small group of employees certainly deserved something in their stocking. Jerry mentioned a dinner hosted by him and the aldermen at the CC in Feb or March in the offing. Ok.

There was some discussion of the disposition of the surplus. The idea of encumbering funds for particular uses was brought up and dismissed. Tony White suggested some of it be used to increase the pay of police officers, who he feels, are underpaid. Does the current BOA and Mayor have the discipline to keep the money tucked away? Time will tell.

small city, BIG GOVERNMENT

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL Board of Aldermen
1/6/09
I've run three marathons, so last night's 3 hour meeting was well within my pain threshold (4:39 for my last KC Marathon).

It takes a village, or so it seems as the WL BOA continues to expand the number official committees it has appointed. Last night the MS4 Committee received it's charter which includes the appointment of up to ten members. MS4 refers to the rolling requirement to monitor and control storm water within the City. The sunset provision in the charter goes into effect in 2013. Vic DeJong is the point alderman for the Committee.

DeJong is the point alderman for the newly designated "Entrance Advisory Committee", nineteen members strong ( couldn't write fast enough, I'll get you the names). According to Vic's proposed timeline, construction for the monuments could begin as early as October (high likelyhood the companion Barry road project will still be struggling along). At this point you might be thinking/saying, whoa! How much are they going to spend? Subscribing to the "chicken or the egg" paradigm, the council chose chicken last night, wisdom is, RFP first, then figure out the money. This we do know, KCMO has pledged $50,000 for replacement of the monuments on Barry and the Committee has raised $2,258. That's the kitty as it stands. Marge Stockwell mentioned last night the $400,000 figure for monuments was just a number she "picked out of the air". Fair enough, but it is a safe bet the number will be substantially beyond $52,200. The EAC, now that it is an official committee will have to comply with the MO Sunshine Law as pointed out by the city attorney last evening. Posting of meetings, maintaning minutes, observing quorums, discussions/emails, etc., all now under the law.

Just like the TV ad asks, "What's In Your Wallet?"

Underwhelming

WLL has an article in the issue "Making An Entrance" (p.7) describing efforts to date to replace entrance monuments in the City. The monuments located on Barry Road had to be removed because of the widening project. KCMO has "contributed" $50,000 for the relocation/replacement of the five monuments. You might recall there was a fund raiser in October...Octoberfest, to raise money to support a redo. I'm not aware of any financials being reported (possibly @ Dec BOA which I did not attend). Here are the numbers, I'm hoping there is an update at tonight's BOA.

Octoberfest Revenue:$1614
Donations:$1315
Expenses:$671.07
Current Balance:$2257.93

Based on the projections of money needed I have heard, there is a severe shortfall in funding so far. Priorities in the City? I wonder where monuments fall...well maybe stand is a better word.

Board of Alderman Meeting, Jan 6th

7PM, City Hall
Agenda:
http://www.cityofweatherbylake-mo.gov/Agendas/107.pdf

Right Here In River City

Page 5 of your WLL announces a "Super Bowl Sunday Community Winter Social", including a Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament. Who the heck is hosting that, you say? Not sure why it isn't indicated, but this is a fundraiser as part of the activities to support the 75th anniversary shindig committee. I am assured the festivities have met all legal requirements so you won't be hauled away by Missouri Gaming officials if they were to raid the event.

A Royal Flush

Yep, let's talk about "poo" as Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs (Discovery Channel) would say.
Discussion with a neighbor yesterday about our sewer system (I know, I know, get a life) prompts me to give you a quick primer on our waste system.

First and foremost, we are inextricably tied to KCMO unless we build our own sewage plant (not happening). That being said, the woes of the KCMO system, both water and sewer are well documented with the fix to both being in the Billions of dollars. We will get the opportunity to share in the fix. The City is responsible for maintaining the system within our borders with the exception of the two Lift Stations (Eastside and Westside Drives) which are maintained by KCMO (remember the small spill {30,000 gallons} last year?). The Lift Stations do exactly that, lift our poo, etc., into the KCMO system.

We have a closed, pressurized system. Most of the homes use grinder pumps to push the poo, etc., to the main lines that generally follow the roadway. Some homes, not many, are on gravity lines that feed their poo, etc., no need for grinders, Mother Earth does it naturally, that is, it flows down hill.

There has been some controversy from time to time on the "fairness" of the gravity folks subsidizing the more costlier grinder people. Harken back to the good old days when the mode of the day was septic tanks...or worse. Where would the poo leach back then? Safe to say, some into the Lake. So, we all benefit from the pristine water quality of the lake due to, in part, our closed, pressurized sewage system. It's not cheap to operate, but it works.

Like all infrastructure, the sewage system ages. We still have some clay pipes, we still have PVC that breaks. Grinders fail and/or wear out. The City had commissioned a video study of some of the system and thus the ball park for repairs/upgrades. Put the two together, KCMO needs, WL needs, and you can see the direction of sewer rates, UP.

So, next time you are on the throne rest assured of one thing. The costs of transporting your poo will be worthy of a Royal Flush. (Tomorrow we tackle gaming/poker at the CC).

The **** Will Hit the Fan

Hold on to your wallet, big increases coming your way on sewer and more than likely water rates in 2009 and beyond...at least that is the impression I get from Jerry in his City News page in the Weatherby Lake Living January edition. Ironically at the same time the City holds hearings on an increase on sewer rates (Feb/March) they will consider dropping the meter fee of $5 per bill. You will recall this is the phantom charge for a purchase program that no longer exists. Get your money back? Nah, Jerry says it has been spent (interesting in that he mentions there was a $147,000 surplus in the Water Fund). Why would they wait until Feb/March? Might be a question to ask your alderman.

Engineering suggests we may need $300,000 over the next five years for sewer system upgrades and repairs. Do the math, one way or another, your bill in 09 and beyond is going up.

DFA Continues to Sing the Moos

As reported in the KC Star and Bloomberg.com, Stew Leonards's, a New York grocery store chain, has filed suit in Federal Court accusing DFA of price fixing regarding transactions made on the spot cheese market. This on the heels of the announced $12 million settlement made by former executives Hanman and Bos. Looks like lawyers smell blood in the water, don't look for this one to go away quietly.

Congratulations, You Made It!

Happy New Year 2009 to Friends and Neighbors!
I thought I would delay the nostalgia of last week and wait until today to take a look back at 2008, Weatherby Lake. In no particular order or importance:

• Quite a few rain storms in 2008, the rain gauge overflowed a couple of times. Result was a full pool lake (or more) for the year. Also meant, in my opinion, a significant amount of siltation to our lake, not good for obvious reasons.
  
• The Red Scourge (algae) did not return
• The Peret property dam project finally cleared all the permit requirements, construction in progress as I keyboard. (I need to take a stroll in the Amity Park, haven't done that yet).
• WLIC purchased the "Bean Field".
• WLIC purchased property in K Cove.
• O Cove seawall phase I completed.
• Sewage spill of 20,000 gallons plus into the lake, KCMO "sorry" for the mishap.
• City Mayoral/Alderman/Judge election in April, Bos edges York for Mayor.
• Gene Roberts "retires" from the BOA
  
• Judge Roper cracks the whip on lawbreakers, erasing the "patsy" label WL had from defense lawyers. (Remember the trespassing Bass Boat?)
• Mayor Bos empanels Audit Committee to insure City financial transactions have been correct.
  
• Significant upgrades made to Community Center
• BOA passes tax increase
  
• BOA revises "nuisance" ordinance
  
• The Barry Road Bridge debacle erodes (literally) from comedy to tragedy, with the bridge being closed to traffic. Numerous elected officials pontificate about the bridge and how urgent a fix was needed. Result? The closed area has become a nice parking lot for KCPL/contractors trucks and equipment. 2010, with any luck.
• Tragic auto accident takes the life of Jim Ballinger. Later in the year 15 year old Evie Penn loses her battle with cancer.
• Sonoma Ridge subdivision changes owners. Issues with containment pond walls persist.
• Recycling (plastics/cardboard/cans) makes a comeback at WL after 10 year absence.
• Park Board wins grant from Platte County
• City (Alderman Finn) obtains recycling grant from MARC
• Fund raisers for Vets, Monuments
• Bubba sustains injury, "round the block" runs curtailed in the last quarter
• Escaped 4th of July without being blownup or blowing someone up...Excellent fireworks display!
• Civil action against Mayor Bos in his former role of CFO at DFA.
  

And for better or worse, I started this blog. I am still amazed about the process, and most of the time it is fun. As Jerry says, "Life is good at Weatherby Lake".

I know I have missed many items and events...your turn to add your comments!

And that is As I See It.