The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
June 3
The Entrance Advisory Group (EAG) Committee presented an update in person at the meeting by Co-Chair Ron Surma (the other Chair, Jerry Bos was not present).
Surma noted there was around $25,000 in the EAG fund and the EAG would like to proceed with pouring footings and replicating the cast concrete pylons at the remaining three monument sites, all on the West Side (if you want to see an example of the pylon go to 76th off of Kerns to see one). There are $51,650 in pledges to be redeemed with an estimated $95,000 total needed to complete the project. When questioned about the pledges and fund raising Surma said they indeed had conducted fund raising this past year...the money in the bank total would indicate if serious fund raising had been conducted it was an abysmal failure. There was no information presented whether the "pledges" were the residual ones from 5 years ago or new pledges. When the question was asked on the % of residences that have contributed to the fund there was no response from Surma or City officials...my guess is about 40 of the 752 homes...you do the math. Why is that important? The project continues to be run like a club, rather than a City project. To wit, two EAG meetings this past month, on work days, shielding scrutiny from the working public. Communication to the public? A flyer sent in a packet with other flyers for the 4th of July, the EAG begging for money but not detailing the progress of the project or its future plans...just send money. The City web site for the EAG has not been tended to in some time, the financials and minutes are from last year. A bit underwhelming. The project has never reached community consensus or support...but it drives on, basically now a West Side problem.
Ironic now because the BOA appointed Botbyl as a voting member of the EAG, and of course he lives on the West Side.
The BOA voted to allow the EAG to proceed with bids and plans despite my request to defer further action until all the necessary funds were in the bank. The EAG persists in the strategy of "if we build it they will donate". The BOA, ultimate stewards of the money and the project, seem happy to continue their lack of interest in the whole affair. Oh, well.
For those of you with memories, this started because of the removal of monuments at East Side/Forest/Hillside when the construction started for the New Barry Road and Bridge. It has burgeoned into a beast of a project the continues to lumber on.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Thursday, June 5, 2014
On Aging Gracefully...Or Not
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
June 3
A suspicious Mayor noted the concurrent meeting regarding the new Owens development plan at the YMCA the same time as the Tuesday BOA...was the meeting scheduled purposefully to prevent attendance by the Mayor?(maybe, who knows). In any event, alderman Finn opted to attend the first part of the meeting and joined the BOA in progress. When she arrived, the Mayor asked Tanya for an update.
"Packed house with lots of angry people" said Ms Finn, referring to opponents of the development plan. The idea is construction of a development aimed at the 55+ crowd, enabling them (I guess I should include me) to age "gracefully". Apparently that means a fairly high density of homes/units that works out to between 7,000 to 8,000 square feet per unit, according to Alderman Stevenson (point of reference, WL has minimum of 15,000 square feet). Supposedly WLIC Prez Rick Neece as well as Joe Ennett and others were in attendance. Concerns include of course runoff/ erosion into our lake and all the other problems a high density development might have.
Some discussion among the aldermen ensued, villifying Jim Owens being an easy target. Alderman Steve Clark mentioned this wasn't the first rodeo with Owens, and acknowledged me in the audience as participating in the effort to stymie Owens in the early 2000's. I took the opportunity to agree with Steve but also added we are quick to condemn Owens but we have our own business to take care of here in WL. It wasn't all that long ago when a similar effort regarding "elderhousing" here at WL was spearheaded by former Alderman Hoy and others. Mayor Botbyl's position on our current 15,000 sq ft requirement is unknown...a great opportunity for him to make a policy statement now and head off any similar discussions here at WL.
Did you attend the Y meeting? Would be great to hear your Comments.
June 3
A suspicious Mayor noted the concurrent meeting regarding the new Owens development plan at the YMCA the same time as the Tuesday BOA...was the meeting scheduled purposefully to prevent attendance by the Mayor?(maybe, who knows). In any event, alderman Finn opted to attend the first part of the meeting and joined the BOA in progress. When she arrived, the Mayor asked Tanya for an update.
"Packed house with lots of angry people" said Ms Finn, referring to opponents of the development plan. The idea is construction of a development aimed at the 55+ crowd, enabling them (I guess I should include me) to age "gracefully". Apparently that means a fairly high density of homes/units that works out to between 7,000 to 8,000 square feet per unit, according to Alderman Stevenson (point of reference, WL has minimum of 15,000 square feet). Supposedly WLIC Prez Rick Neece as well as Joe Ennett and others were in attendance. Concerns include of course runoff/ erosion into our lake and all the other problems a high density development might have.
Some discussion among the aldermen ensued, villifying Jim Owens being an easy target. Alderman Steve Clark mentioned this wasn't the first rodeo with Owens, and acknowledged me in the audience as participating in the effort to stymie Owens in the early 2000's. I took the opportunity to agree with Steve but also added we are quick to condemn Owens but we have our own business to take care of here in WL. It wasn't all that long ago when a similar effort regarding "elderhousing" here at WL was spearheaded by former Alderman Hoy and others. Mayor Botbyl's position on our current 15,000 sq ft requirement is unknown...a great opportunity for him to make a policy statement now and head off any similar discussions here at WL.
Did you attend the Y meeting? Would be great to hear your Comments.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
BamGoogled
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
June 3
Mayor Botbyl, during his Comments, addressed the ongoing pursuit of Google Fiber...in a word, forgettaboutit, at least until 2015. Botbyl began by saying "there was nothing positive to report". He mentioned having spoke to (not certain who) them and they said they had added "no new communities since March and no new communities are on the schedule". Botbyl has a meeting scheduled with local GF rep Rachel Merlo (previously Hack) to discuss GF expansion. During his comments the Mayor asked the question, "Was there a time for an opportunity?" in regards to WL pursuit of GF. A provocative question, maybe best directed to Jerry Bos and the BOA of 2/3 years ago. As mentioned in this blog last year, it was Bos' opinion that GF would come "when they are ready", nothing like playing hard to get...right? (like Overland Park).
June 3
Mayor Botbyl, during his Comments, addressed the ongoing pursuit of Google Fiber...in a word, forgettaboutit, at least until 2015. Botbyl began by saying "there was nothing positive to report". He mentioned having spoke to (not certain who) them and they said they had added "no new communities since March and no new communities are on the schedule". Botbyl has a meeting scheduled with local GF rep Rachel Merlo (previously Hack) to discuss GF expansion. During his comments the Mayor asked the question, "Was there a time for an opportunity?" in regards to WL pursuit of GF. A provocative question, maybe best directed to Jerry Bos and the BOA of 2/3 years ago. As mentioned in this blog last year, it was Bos' opinion that GF would come "when they are ready", nothing like playing hard to get...right? (like Overland Park).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
