The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
1 September Meeting
2010 Compensation Budget Guidelines
Zero, Zip, Nothing
Jerry introduced the beginning of the 2010 budget process. He began by polling the BOA on their perspectives on employee raises for next year.
Vic="No raise next year"
Mary="Hold fast"
Ed="I agree with Mary"
Tanya="We can revisit in 6 months"
Jerry basically had no comments.
Wow. During the limited discussion a mention was made of the current economic environment (in the US)(?).
Sitting in the audience I was stunned. There was no discussion of underlying budget issues, just no raise next year...can't imagine what Gary/George/Gwen thought. Think about this. We have a very tenured city staff that delivers our basic city services. Got a problem with snow removal? Grinder working ok? Feel secure and safe. Then the BOA says, for all intents and purposes, we don't have the money. Never mind the fact the community (and now I'm including us as WLIC members) have been willing to spend big bucks on Peret/Beanfield/O cove/K cove as well as more improvements to come. We're about to embark on fund raising for the entrance monuments. We shot off $15,000 for 4th of July. We spent funds to "upgrade" the CC and support its losing financial condition. And more. Do you think there is a consensus of taxpayers that would not be willing to consider merit increases for our city employees? How much do you think that would be? You might be embarrassed to know what a modest increase would be. Take a guess.
To take a play from Mary's playbook, if you have a problem with a Zero pay increase for our City employees, call your alderman...and mayor. The number is in the phone book.
Glenda Negrelli, in the audience, agreed with the BOA position, making comments about her experience at Hallmark. My guess that is not a apples to apples comparison, certainly the benefits package at Hallmark is generous compared to our City package.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Jerry & George
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
1 September Meeting
Hunt Midwest
North Amity from 152 to Tiffany Springs will be improved to match the Tiffany Springs improvements as part of the Hunt Midwest Project. No dates given.
Amity at Barry
No stoplight when the project is complete, although conduit will be laid to accommodate a light for the future (per George).
BZA
Recently approved a variance for the Berman property.
50th Anniversary
Alderman Finn reported the turnout of 75 to 100 people.
MPR Annual Training Meeting
Jerry attended the meeting of the organization which represents our "self funding" for insurance. Jerry said the meeting "made him nervous", especially regarding the non-coverage of unlicensed vehicles...specifically the Kubotas used for grinder repairs, etc. Led him to wonder what else isn't covered, so he would like the BOA to consider review at coming meeting(s).
Money from KCMO
$24,000 for sewer and $50,000 for entrance monuments received this week.
George
DNR Audit
Conducted last month, 250 questions of Water Department. Our last audit was about 9 years ago. Two major deficiencies were found:
Water shut off
Wednesday night the water from Conant to Grass Pad was shut off (Midnight to 4AM), part of the Barry Road project. George went to the tower to insure it was full prior to shutoff to insure we had water for emergencies...north of Barry was without water during this time.
1 September Meeting
Hunt Midwest
North Amity from 152 to Tiffany Springs will be improved to match the Tiffany Springs improvements as part of the Hunt Midwest Project. No dates given.
Amity at Barry
No stoplight when the project is complete, although conduit will be laid to accommodate a light for the future (per George).
BZA
Recently approved a variance for the Berman property.
50th Anniversary
Alderman Finn reported the turnout of 75 to 100 people.
MPR Annual Training Meeting
Jerry attended the meeting of the organization which represents our "self funding" for insurance. Jerry said the meeting "made him nervous", especially regarding the non-coverage of unlicensed vehicles...specifically the Kubotas used for grinder repairs, etc. Led him to wonder what else isn't covered, so he would like the BOA to consider review at coming meeting(s).
Money from KCMO
$24,000 for sewer and $50,000 for entrance monuments received this week.
George
DNR Audit
Conducted last month, 250 questions of Water Department. Our last audit was about 9 years ago. Two major deficiencies were found:- The City failed to collect a 2$ primacy fee from users
- The City does not have a 2nd licensed water operator (George is our only operator)
Water shut off
Wednesday night the water from Conant to Grass Pad was shut off (Midnight to 4AM), part of the Barry Road project. George went to the tower to insure it was full prior to shutoff to insure we had water for emergencies...north of Barry was without water during this time.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Geezers Unite!
The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
1 September Meeting
The first order of business, a proclamation declaring October Senior Citizens Month at WL. It was a unanimous vote by a Board and Mayor decidedly "seniors", kind of like singing happy birthday to themselves. A sampling of the proclamation:
On a more serious note the meeting proceeded for another 2 hours and 40 minutes, some of the 6 members of the public aged noticeably with the exception of Gaye...who miraculously appeared to actually get younger...you had to be there.
Speaking of posterior pain, the meeting finished with a flourish in New Business. Jerry introduced the concept of having two BOA meetings a month which met with giddy excitement by Mary. Idea being the BOA could split a two hour meeting (which they have had one this year) into two one hour meetings. Simple math, right? Finn appropriately id' the problem as El Jerry himself (correctly so). My experience? In a past administration the new mayor went to a bi-weekly schedule which lasted two months. Why? The discussions were like that expanding foam...oozed out to fill the void.
Stay tuned blogites, I have just touched the surface of 8 handwritten pages of Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA.
1 September Meeting
The first order of business, a proclamation declaring October Senior Citizens Month at WL. It was a unanimous vote by a Board and Mayor decidedly "seniors", kind of like singing happy birthday to themselves. A sampling of the proclamation:
- "Whereas, never before in the history of our country have youth been in greater need of wisdom and counseling of older people"
- Whereas, aging is a life-long process, and preparation for old age begins in childhood and continues throughout the life-cycle"
On a more serious note the meeting proceeded for another 2 hours and 40 minutes, some of the 6 members of the public aged noticeably with the exception of Gaye...who miraculously appeared to actually get younger...you had to be there.
Speaking of posterior pain, the meeting finished with a flourish in New Business. Jerry introduced the concept of having two BOA meetings a month which met with giddy excitement by Mary. Idea being the BOA could split a two hour meeting (which they have had one this year) into two one hour meetings. Simple math, right? Finn appropriately id' the problem as El Jerry himself (correctly so). My experience? In a past administration the new mayor went to a bi-weekly schedule which lasted two months. Why? The discussions were like that expanding foam...oozed out to fill the void.
Stay tuned blogites, I have just touched the surface of 8 handwritten pages of Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Barry and Potomac
Yes, that's the pic from the last post. A number of folks just going around to Westside to avoid the bone jarring BUMP. One thing for sure either you slow to a snails pace or BAM. Update,Update, tonight's BOA, George disclosed we may be bumping until mid-September...I know, you feel our pain.
Want To Do The Bump?
If not, call Ed Ford (or Mary). This feature has been known to Upper West Side residents for two weeks, so no fair guessing Where Is It, What Is It.
Speaking of Mary, tonight is BOA night, 7PM, City Hall. I understand there are those who would like to see twice a month BOA meetings...oh the agony! On behalf of Kathy and me...spare us!
Speaking of Mary, tonight is BOA night, 7PM, City Hall. I understand there are those who would like to see twice a month BOA meetings...oh the agony! On behalf of Kathy and me...spare us!
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