Moratz Comments

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA

January 4

I don't always make Comments during the Public Comment section of the meeting, but I have spoken more than anyone in the past 5 years.  (OK, that isn't saying a whole lot in that very few people attend the meetings.  I point this out only to those whiners who complain about the tone, sometimes of the blog.  I do make comments in public, on the record, call or email the Mayor, Aldermen and City Attorney-not just snipe from the bushes. What do you do?}

The made comments regarding two issues, the recent change by the County Commission on the taxing of new homes and the apparent horrendous response times of KCFD on ambulance calls.

County Commission
As documented here and the Landmark, the County Commission changed the way new construction is added to the tax rolls, potentially having an adverse effect on the cities and school districts.  Jerry had no knowledge of the change, my point to the BOA and Mayor was they should have been contacted, I believe, by our County Commissioner (Dusenbery) or Presiding Commissioner (at the time, Knight) to get feedback.  I encouraged them to seek more information from them and if they were so disposed, voice their displeasure with being left in the dark.  No comments from the BOA or Mayor.
Response Rates   

I noted the recent article in the KC Star regarding the poor response rates by KCFD (less than 60% @ 9 minutes) in the South Platte Ambulance District, as highlighted by Board President Bobby Kincaid.  (Alderman Finn has been in communication with Mr Wheeler our District rep to determine response rates in WL.).  Discussion followed with the assumption that the response rates from WL Police and South Platte Fire continue to be satisfactory.  Jerry felt the lagging response rates from KCFD might not be a very big issue, especially if it was a matter of minutes considering WL and South Platte had already responded.  I felt it is a big deal, because the only way to be transported to the hospital was via KCFD and in some cases minutes could be the difference between life or death.  I also noted a comment on the blog about the cost of transport being >$900...another audience member mentioned her family had been billed $1,300 for transport.  Getting our moneys worth?  Alderman Finn pointed out the District would be meeting later in the month.