Trick or Treat?

From a reader:

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 30, 2009 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is investigating a bypass which occurred late Wednesday night in the vicinity of 8316 NW Forest Drive in Platte County releasing an estimated 1,000 gallons of sewage into Weatherby Lake.
The Kansas City Public Works notified the department yesterday of a bypass that occurred late in the evening of Oct. 28. A power failure caused one of its lift stations to go off-line. While the pumps were off, sewage began overflowing from a manhole into nearby Weatherby Lake. The Kansas City Public Works were able to get the lift station back on-line quickly, which prevented additional sewage from being discharged.
The department conducted monitoring and sampling yesterday at Weatherby Lake to determine if the water quality at the lake was affected from the bypass. However, heavy rainfall has occurred after the sewage bypass and will impact sampling results. Heavy rainfalls may also contribute large amounts of bacteria to surface water bodies and although this was a relatively low volume bypass in contrast to the lake volume, residents are encouraged to avoid contact with the lake water at this time.
The release of untreated sewage from sewer systems, such as this manhole, is known as a sanitary sewer overflow and is a threat to public health and the environment. Most of the overflows occur during wet weather events. However, in this instance, the overflow occurred during a dry weather event.
To report an environmental emergency, including sewage overflows, please contact the Department of Natural Resources' spill line at 573-634-2436. For more information contact the department at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3443, or visit the department's Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov.

Bizarro World

This is a true story
Mid-Afternoon - Helicopter keeps circling north end of the lake, wonder what that's all about?

5PM - So, I've got one leg in my long johns and the phone rings (I'm getting ready for the Park Hill football game). As I hop on one leg to the phone, caller ID says "City Weatherby Lake". I'm thinking, "My God, this is serious". I answer. There is a hesitation and then, what sounds like a pre-recorded voice, identifies themselves as "Riverside" with a "Heat Advisory". Did you get that too? Low of 80 tonight and take care of your animals. I become disoriented as I step on the other leg of my longjohn. What? I listen a second time. Same message. At the same time TV5 is saying a current wind chill of 36F. What to do? Trust City Hall and Riverside or don the johns? Johns! Go figure?

5:44PM Never mind. Recorded message #2. "Sorry for the first message" What really happened was a sewage spill (Wednesday?). Don't bother calling City Hall or WLIC, both are closed for the weekend, call on Monday. Too bad the mayor and aldermen don't have phones, you could call them and ask them what the scoop is. Or you could watch a local TV broadcast with an interview with Jerry(see Mid-Afternoon). Not to worry.

9:30PM For sure it wasn't 80 at the game, well, plus or minus 50 degrees. Park Hill played a sluggish first half but rebounded in the second half 27-13, Conference and District champs. Senior night. What's in those little handwarmer packets anyway?

Lights Out?

Don't know if you caught the vignette on local TV featuring the KCMO Police Department. They are doing an outreach program with organizations in KCMO titled "Lights, Landscape, Windows". The idea is to promote steps homeowners/business owners can take to discourage and prevent burglaries. One of the quotes from the police official I found interesting was "90% of crime happens in the dark", thus promoting the use of lights on property to discourage would be bad guys. Hmmm. During this budget discussion time, Jerry continues to muse about the cost of street lights in the City, citing Platte Woods as an example. Seems contrary to the KCMO position of discouraging crime. I know, I know we are not KCMO, but isn't that the point? Safety and security have always been one of the pillars of living at WL. Lights Out?

EAGC No GO

The Entrance Advisory Group Committee was supposed to meet this past week, but apparently a quorum was in doubt...so cancellation. No word of a reschedule.

MAST Update

Notes from the South Platte Fire Protections District Meeting

• KCMO Fire intends to fulfill the contract terms of the current MAST contract with the District. Their intention is to deliver the same level of service/response times.
  
• KCMO Fire is "eager" to maintain the contract if/when an RFP is requested.
• Mast Interim CEO sees "room for improvement" in service.
• Local 42 represents both entities which should make consolidation seamless.
• Current contract with MAST pegged to CPI each May, therefore no rate increase this past year.
• Board member Sanchez questioned Dyer regarding "political volatility" and effect on the Fire Department. Dyer responded everything was ok when he left the office today and Cauthen (Wayne the City Manager) was still on the job as far as he knew (much laughing).
• In regards to the Sanchez question Dyer mentioned when he took over as Chief in 2000 they had 157 grievances. Year to date (2009) they have had none.

It has been a year or so since I attended an Ambulance District Meeting. During public comments I encouraged the Board to be proactive in communicating with the entities in the District concerning the facts of the MAST merge, that misinformation was circulating. President Bobby Kincaid agreed it was important to get the facts out. Kincaid was cordial in our chat after the meeting. When I mentioned the fact that Dyer used the word "eager" to continue to do business with the District, Bobby mentioned there were "many" who wanted to do business with the District. Hmmm, interesting, let's see how that plays out.

As I was talking with Kincaid, Chief Carrizo came up to say hello. We exchanged pleasantries and Carrizo asked Bobby, "who is that guy?" pointing to a gentleman walking out the door wearing an orange hunting vest. "Why that's the mayor of Weatherby Lake" replied Bobby. Indeed.

Where There's Smokey, There's Dyer

Smokey Dyer, Chief of the KCMO Fire Department. I attended the South Platte Ambulance District monthly meeting last Wednesday with Chief Dyer as the featured guest. Accompanying Smokey was Interim MAST CEO, Darryl Coontz. There were 3 guests in the audience plus me and three fire fighters from the fire station where the meeting was held. Chief Carrizzo (Southern Platte County Fire) was also in attendance. Mayor Jerry Bos eventually showed up, 15 to 2o minutes into the proceedings.

My main interest in the meeting was to nail down the assertion by Jerry at the last BOA that KCMO might possibly be thinking of not providing "non-emergency transport" His example was an elderly person who falls and breaks a hip and needs a way to get to the ER. Must have been another urban legend spawned at the last Northland Mayors Council. Smokey was quite emphatic on this issue, citing the $8 million revenue MAST currently takes in for non-emergency transport. Their total revenue is $30 million, so they do not intend to walk away from that piece of their business. Somewhat related, he mentioned they intend on continuing to offer their membership program with unlimited service for $59 for households with insurance or $99 without insurance http://www.mastambulance.org/membership.php.

The target date for the completed integration of MAST into the KCMO Fire Department is slated for 1 May, 2010. More to follow.

Where Is Waldo?

2nd term alderman Mary Hoy is just getting around to understanding the geography outside the Lake...apparently. Her email list received an update of a meeting of the Citizen's Advisory Committee on the Platte County Land Use Plan (phew, that's a mouthful). Mary found it "very interesting and especially concerning" that much of the "lands" surrounding the Lake are in Platte County. "Of special interest is the Owen's property..."

Surely Mary remembers the Owens property is in unincorporated Platte County. The court/legal battles have been going on for years. Interesting Mary's mentor, County Commissioner Dusenbery, was late to join the fray against Owens, and then tepid at best. It was so she would not be isolated in her upcoming battle with Bill Quitmeier for the Commission spot...Bill had been "all in" in the Owens fight. Couldn't have anything to do with the contribution to the Dusenbery campaign (which Hoy was the Treasurer) from one of Owens' attorneys? Nah.

Any way, as Mary points out, there will be a County Commission meeting @ 6:30 on the 27th regarding land use.

Waldo? At 75th and Wornall in downtown Waldo is some of the best pizza in the world...Waldo Pizza. Just around the corner from the 75th Street Brewery. Both winners.

Mum Is The Word

What you didn't see in the Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA last week was anything related to a pay increase for city workers in 2010. Although Jerry labored through his "preveiw" of the 2010 budget, including the potential addition of a full time police officer, no mention of relenting of his point of view that the city couldn't afford to give pay raises. You might also recall Aldermen Hoy and DeJong led the charge in just saying "no" to merit increases. Change of heart? When the 2010 budget is adopted we'll find out. In the meantime, Mary stays mum on the issue, not sending a BOA notes out in September and not mentioning the issue in her October email.

Another issue that died a silent death was Mary's reference to financial wrongdoing by someone not named during the September BOA. She said it was an issue that should be disclosed in closed session. I contacted Mary by email to ask why the BOA didn't go into closed session, she replied she was waiting for someone else to make the motion to go to closed. Apparently no one did. But wait, I contacted Vic DeJong via email on the same subject, he said he offered (to Mary) to make a motion to go to closed. Interesting. Anybody curious about what is really going on? How about you Mary worshipers...any thoughts?

Tom Mullin

October 21 KC Star Northland Neighborhood News
Page 2

Tom Mullin lived down the street on Potomac. He kept very much to himself and about the only time we would see him would be when he was doing yard work. His yard always looked good. He had a spot in the access area next to our house with a canoe that had a big hole in the bottom...eventually I helped him drag it to the street. An occasional "hi" and a wave of the hand was about the sum of our acquaintance. I was quite surprised to read the article about him and his devotion to the Youthfriends program. Impressive. A very quiet neighbor who obviously did some very nice things. Tom died September 1st after a battle with cancer.

Entrance Donation Campaign Kicks Off

The Entrance Advisory Group Committee, an official advisory committee of the City of Weatherby Lake, has begun the drive to raise money for the entrance monumnts. The co-chairs for fund raising, Joyce McInerney and Tony White, have approached members of the committee to start the effort with their contributions. Makes sense that the committee would lead the way on this one. Jim Miller, spokesman for the EAG, mentioned the goal to begin work on the Eastside/City Hall monument by the end of the year ($150,000 to $170,000). An aggressive goal but one it seems the EAG is confident can be met. If you are not on the EAG I'm sure Joyce or Tony would be happy to accept your contribution. Give them a call.

I Read It In A Magazine

Current Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine

20% of methane released in the atmosphere is produced by...cows. According to the EPA 5.5 metric tons are produced by cows, mostly in burps ( I had heard this before, but thought it came from the other end)(used to play in my grandpa's pasture, throwing chunks of platters at my sister, never realized I was handling hazardous materials!).

Scientists in Iowa and elsewhere are trying to develop cows that burp less and reach market weight sooner, I know you feel better already.

Reports this week of a moderate El Nino and predictions of a mild Midwestern winter seem to contradict the weather of the past two weeks. When do I put the snow blade on the lawn tractor? I missed the first snow last year, I'm thinking mid-December?

Just a Bit More

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
October 13th Meeting


WLIC
-Annual Meeting November 10th @ Airport Hilton.
-No questions before the membership, just election of Directors

Recycling
-Alderman Finn's shredding event drew almost 100 citizens who contributed almost 5Tons of stuff, memoirs, old girl friends telephone numbers, etc.

Community Center
-Current rules do not allow overnight use
-BOA was approached with a request for same
-BOA amended rules to allow, at their discretion, overnight use.
-Slumber parties/Sleep overs now allowed...yipeee!

Audit from 2007
-The BOA will hold a review of results of the Treasurers scrutiny of deficiencies on October 25th, 5PM @ City Hall. This is the Mayor's/BOA plan for avoiding an audit for 2008...and possibly 2009. This should be a yawner...from the same crew that was so ardent just a year and a half ago. Mary was the lone holdout, but apparently she has pulled in her horns and is following the crowd.

Here Kitty, Kitty
I know you have been waiting to get the scoop on the cat issue, ok, here it is. Brigid Greene made yet another appearance to complain about a neighbor's cat who uses her yard for a potty. Apparently Ms Greene filed a formal complaint (with pictures) with the City that was not endorsed by the Prosecuting Attorney. The Mayor asked the City Attorney to look into it. Post meeting I suggested a live trap to capture the offending creature...just free advice from a fellow citizen.

Ms Greene is also on a one person mission to rid the City of Bush Honeysuckle. If you don't know what it is, or how to eradicate it...give her a call.

Business

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
October 13th Meeting

Public Works-George
-The Instituform upgrades on sewer should be completed by the end of November.
-The Engineering for the 77th Street water line is almost complete. BOA approves timeline of letting bids around 19 November and bid opening of 12 November and review/approval of BOA at next meeting.
-The goal for road salt on hand is 400T, currently at 25o. We have agreement with vendor to purchase more @$100 a Ton.

Police-Gary
-Gary requested permission (granted) to pursue a grant for an additional full time police officer through a federal program known as COPS 2010. Program grants a community the base plus benefits for an officer with the agreement the community would provide the same for a fourth year. The program has two levels, one for cities above population of 150,000 and those below 150,000. Obviously the opportunity is very competitive. Thinking is to pursue the grant and if won, reduce the amount of part-time hours by the equivalent.
-The reciprocal commissions between WL-Platte Woods-Lake Waukomis approved by the BOA.

West Ridge at Weatherby Lake
-The Planning Commission approved and sent to the BOA the preliminary plat for the development. BOA approved. Final plat to be considered by the Planning Commission and then to the BOA by next BOA meeting.
-Three spec homes are being built and a lot has been purchased with plans for a custom home.

I've Fallen And I Can't Get Up

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
October 13 Meeting

Mayors Notes
The transition of MAST to becoming part of the KCMO Fire Department will occur by May 2010 according to Jerry. As you know MAST currently is the contractor that provides ambulance service to the South Platte Ambulance District...which provides service to WL. Apparently there is a question whether the new MAST will be providing service for non-emergency transport. The example Jerry gave was an elderly person who falls at home, breaks a hip and cannot be assisted by an elderly spouse. Jerry mentioned the possibility of calling a fire truck for transport...really. Incredible as it sounds this one bears watching. Hopefully the BOA and the Ambulance District will be on top of this. Better yet, call Betty, Kathy, Mike and Paul and ask them. (That would be Knight/Dusenberry/Henderson/Gross)

Missouri Municipal League
Mary gave a report on some of the sessions she (and Alderman Bossert, who was absent at the BOA) attended last week. Highlights of their junket included:

• The accommodations were "awful".
• The food was "terrible".
• MODOT has a traffic calming program which subsidizes construction of road fixes, up to 80% of the cost of design. Data needs to be collected with qualifying municipalities being in the 85 percentile with speed over 7 to 10 miles of the speed limit (got that?).
• Legal. Mary raised the question if the BOA was properly proposing motions vs resolutions. City Attorney felt current procedure was appropriate. Based on discussions at the meeting Mary felt the City Purchasing Policy should be revisited.
• Annexation Law & Procedures. Mary believes the City should look into annexation of the "bean field" and possibly some of the properties bordering on Barry Rd, especially the property that may help with monument placement on Westside Drive. The City Attorney commented historically KCMO has not been interested in "de-annexing", all the property mentioned is currently in KCMO.
• Nuisance Ordinances and Enforcement. Example of our nuisance ordinance that can be strengthened by adding/specifying lumens and watts, so it can be measured. (You might recall the BOA passed an ordinance because of a bright light/neighbor issue on the West side.)
  

Congrats to the 30,000th viewer today. No prize, just the reward of getting the inside scoop.

Big Bucks

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
October 13 Meeting

Visions of a short meeting (well, Mary's vision) quickly evaporated as we (8 citizens) approached the 10PM mark, another excursion into governmental excellence in the can in a manner of speaking. Topics ranged from cat poop to 2010 budget to entrance monuments, you'll get your cliff notes, right here.Jim Miller of the Entrance Advisory Committee and Kris Dabner, planner for the project, gave their update. Drawings were displayed and primary focus was given to the first monument proposed to be built, Eastside @ City Hall. The proposal includes a long sweeping monument made of "native stone" situated in the area of the corner of the boat lot as one approaches from the south. Traffic calming pavement will be included as one enters the City. Price tag? Estimates are $150,000 to $175,000, could be more, could be less once bids are sought. Intentions are to launch fund raising soon (McInerney & White) with the hope of beginning work on the first monument by end of the year. The second monument to be targeted will be at Potomac with the EAC intending to approach the WL Park Board for funding. Ironically, the monuments along Barry Road destroyed by construction, will be completed last. Will the $50,000 received from KCMO for those monuments be earmarked for them? Nope. The EAC's intentions are to build as you go relying on the belief funding can be obtained for all the monuments in the project according to Jim. Total estimate for the project is in the neighborhood of $500,000.

Jim also gave an update from WLIC. The Board is proceeding with plans to overhaul C Point with potential improvements to the seawall, road, rest rooms and gazebo. Jim didn't mention the price tag, but I understand the estimates could be $500,000 to $750,000 total. Add the two projects together, that's $1.2 million, right?

Oh Deer

KC Star, Oct 8, page A4

There has been a running story regarding the deer population in Shawnee Mission Park. Sharpshooters have been hired to conduct a controlled hunt to reduce the herd. The article quoted an estimate of 200 deer per sq. mile currently...the goal is to reduce the population to 50 per sq. mile.

This past week while stepping outside I noticed a deer in the backyard of the neighbor across the street. It looked up to stare at me and then continued to graze. Mentioning this to another neighbor corroborated what seems to be an increase in deer sightings in the City. Apparently this is happening on the Eastside as well. Bubba and me routinely see deer on our run "around the block", especially on Roberts Road. Water and cover are what they seek...in addition to choice vegetation. Any deer sightings by your hangout?

Bridle Park Lane Appeal

I received this as a forwarded email.

Dear Neighbor,

As you all know, we as a combined neighborhood (Shelter Haven, Bridle Parc Estates, MacIntyre Heights, and Weatherby Lake) have been in some sort of action with Jim Owen’s/Platte County for a number of years, the particulars of which most are very familiar. Some through participation financially, some through participation in man hours of knocking on doors, some through attending meeting after meeting….. These years have proven to strengthen the resolve of many as we have committed ourselves to do what we could to defeat the high density development plans Mr. Owens has desired for years. Things have quieted (?) down somewhat of late, so one might think that the effort of Mr. Owens has been abandoned. Such is NOT the case. The battle has taken on a slightly different form and the residents of Bridle Parc Estates are currently involved in a suit against Jim Owens regarding the use of Bridle Parc Lane as a “public” roadway access to his proposed development. Our first step in court was victorious and the Judge ruled in our favor, that in fact, Bridle Parc Lane is a private roadway, as we have always understood. Jim Owen’s has since appealed that decision and the date for said appeal is set at December 8, 2009. We are, as a result, appealing to you our neighbors to enjoin with us in defending this decision by way of financial support. The appeal process is not inexpensive and it has fallen to just a few families to date. If even 50 families could commit to a donation of $50 each towards this cause it would make a huge difference in paying for this appeal! We understand that because of the tough economic times we find ourselves in, it might preclude someone’s ability to be involved to that extent, but ANY AMOUNT donated would be appreciated. The ability of Jim Owen’s to continue to pursue the development of his high density housing is contingent on him having access. That is why Bridle Parc Lane remaining a private lane is so very important and this appeal could be his final one! Thank you!

****Donations can be mailed to Kathleen Gray, 7835 NW Bridle Parc Lane, Parkville MO 64152

***Please make checks payable to Bill Quitmeyer

Sliced, Diced & Shredded

Kudos to Alderman Finn with the shredding event @ City Hall yesterday. A steady stream of cars kept volunteers Martin', Matthew and Tanya busy during the chilly morning. Very positive comments from citizens as they dropped their stuff off.Matthew and Tanya strike a pose.Martin' sorting recycling from shredding.

Pics of the Week

Pics contributed by "a reader", of the Barry Road project.

Last Call

If you missed the flyers in the WLL...here is one last reminder about the shredding event coming this Saturday. This event is made possible by a grant provided by MARC (MidAmerica Regional Council) which was submitted by WL Trash Queen, Alderman Tanya Finn. Of course this is a compliment to her leadership in bringing recycling to our community. So, go through those files, make a pile and bring them to City Hall on Saturday. You can drop off your recycling at the City bins as well...on your way to Riverside to drop off your hazardous waste!

• Where: WL City Hall
• When: 9AM to Noon
  

Hazardous Waste-October 10

• Riverside


• 8-11 AM, City Hall, 2950 NW VIVION RD


• Paint, Automotive Fluids, Batteries, Flourescent Bulbs, Lawn and Garden Chemicals and more


• Free (Need ID)
  


• IMPORTANT...100 Car Limit


• More Details? MARC, 701-8226 or www.marc.org/environment

Hola Cuba!

In case you missed this in USA Today.
The sights and sounds of a country off-limits to US Tourists:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2009-10-01-cuba-tourism_N.htm?csp=usat.me

Thousand Cankers Disease

Sounds like a medieval scourge right? Article in KC Star, October 1, E4 describes the latest tree disease, moving west to east. Right now in Denver. It affects the Eastern Black Walnut. Colorado Springs and Boulder black walnuts have been basically wiped out. Going around the lake, you can see bw on many properties including WLIC. Now imagine them gone. I'm not a huge fan of bw (I am spending a fair amount of time right now picking up the noxious nuts) but the cost alone of removing dead or diseased trees could be substantial. Extension folks are likening 1000 Canker to Dutch Elm disease.

Not Exactly

October-Weatherby Lake Living-City News

Regarding Jerry's comments about an audit for 2008..."The audit committee recommended no action this year"

Not exactly. You can check the minutes from the last Audit Committee meeting, you won't find a motion for a recommendation from the Committee to the Board of Aldermen. Jerry's perspective is from conversations he has had with members of the Committee...polling, as it were. Outside earshot of the Board, outside earshot of the public. Sunshine issue?

"The cost of an audit was estimated to be at least $20,000" Was there an RFP sent out by the Audit Committee or the Board? Not exactly. Apparently a couple of phone calls, nothing formal.

The spectre of a big spend with no results is an easy way to justify not doing an audit.

"There was some feeling more work should be done" Not exactly. What Mary Hoy gave were examples like the City of Tracy and KState where audits were necessary because of financial issues. Mary said an audit would be "a form of insurance".

"The Council ultimately concluded to follow the audit committee's recommendations" Not exactly. The BOA agreed to direct the City Treasurer to conduct a review of the last audit results (2007), report back to the BOA, so the BOA could make a decision (on the audit).

(The mayor doesn't take notes during the BOA...I do)

No audit for 08, no audit for 09, or if there is one it would be after Jerry is out of office. Odd behavior for someone who rode the coattails of whispers of financial misdoings of the previous administration. Not exactly.

It Would Be Nice

From email: (Not WLIC)
09AE-CV02560 - WEATHERBY LAKE IMPROV CO V DANIEL COSTELLO

09/21/2009	Docket Entry:	Hearing Continued/Rescheduled
Text:		Plaintiff appears by Joseph Ennett and by attorneys, Luke Demaree and James Kessinger. Defendant appears not. Cause is continued by the Court to October 2, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. for hearing on Plaintiff's Motion for Service Fees and Defendant's Motion to Quash Purported Service of Process. (sjj)

When is the last time you heard from the leadership @ WLIC? At least the Mayor puts a blurb in the WLL. At one time WLIC used to have a page in the newsletter (or an insert). I know the current directors have the attitude if members can't get to the monthly meetings, tough beans. It would be nice to hear from them on occasion...wouldn't it?

EAGC No Go

The Entrance Advisory Group Committee canceled a meeting this past week, apparently there was a good possibility of a lack of quorum. No word on a reschedule.

Budget 2010

Jerry delivered his working draft of the budget to the BOA, and although he said he wasn't going to go through...he went through it. Some highlights/lowlights

• Recycling costing more than we envisioned ($25 every time a bin is dumped)
• City Wide Cleanup added to the budget for 2010
• Community Center/City Hall repairs @ $12,000
• New Police Cruiser @ $31,000 (here is George R's chance to get that Prius)
• Jerry still grumbles about the cost of street lights, $42,000 in the budget. Without being very specific he mentions data that shows darkened communities have less crime (?) and that burglars "don't like the dark"
• $15,000 is set aside for sewer repair (Not much wiggle room there)
• Jerry is going to Platte County to check on delinquent taxes

And The Winner Is...

All good guesses...of course it is the Grand Canyon taken from an airplane on a recent return flight from the West Coast. Not bad for a cheap camera, was on the window, lighting and timing were right.

If you haven't been down to our own little canyon, formerly known as the BRB, you might want to take a gander. As they prepare the site for the box culverts, they are dumping the dredgings (word?) up hill next to the WLIC bean field. Interesting. Another feature you will notice is the extent of siltation in North Cove as evident by the draw down. Really interesting. And of course the serious road work in the area hasn't started. The amount of dirt needed to be moved in the coming months will be stunning...hills leveled, roadways built up. Every rain adds more silt/runoff to the lake.