_An Independent Community Improvment Organization

--- - - - - - - -

Mission Residents Rise Up Again & Vote Them Out!

April 1st 2014

"Shawnee Mission Times"

Have a question? Click Here

Click Here for Current YouTube Links & Photos From Around Town

Mission Kansas (CDC) Community Development Committee met and was entertained by a half hour lecture by City Administrator Michael Scanlon.  Scanlon spoke and fielded questions on funding for stormwater & transportation projects. 

Mr. Scanlon has a diverse background as a business man apparently in the computer software business, an employee for the city of Merriam Kansas and a Councilman for Merriam before coming to Mission as City Administrator. 

The CDC meeting at Mission’s City Hall was an unusually long one with 13 different topics.  Numbers 3, 4 & 5 had to do with spending more money on streets.  All eight Councilmember’s were present with only 4 being allowed to vote to table the topics or send them to the City Council for a vote to spend or decline another $406,000 which they did agree to send.  Councilman Lawrence Andre  stated that he could not support the expenditure at this time, Andre did not appear to get much support from the other three voting Councilpersons; Will
Vandenberg, Jennifer Cowdry & Suzie Gibbs.  The contracts will go before the entire council later this month. 

__________April 17th 2012 ______________

________________April 16th 2012 _____________

________________April 13th 2012 _____________

________________April 12th 2012 _____________

________________April 11th 2012 _______________

 

________________April 9th 2012 _______________

Keely Alder 15, runaway girl.. "NEW" Click Here for press release from Merriam Police Department & better photo.

Keely is a 15 year old girl that ran away from her residence on Sunday, April 8, 2012 at

approximately 8:00 pm. She has family in Elkhorn WI but at the time of the disapearance was

residing in Merriam KS. She has no known connections in the Kansas area and has no traceable

evidence such as phone or CC. Please give the family privacy. We appreciate your prayers and

concerns. If you have information you can contact the Merriam KS city police department.

Click on Photo to Enlarge

 

________________April 5th 2012 _______________

Can Kansas City support two large aquariums?

- --

------------Councilwoman Ward 2 Amy Miller - Councilman Ward 1 Pat Quinn - Councilwoman Ward 3 Jennifer Cowdry

_______________March 30th 2012 ________________

Township 5 now five years in the making, but the shopping center project near Syracuse is still developing

________________March 26th 2012_______________

_______________March 25th 2012 _______________

1940 census is the first that will be free online

________________March 25th 2012_______________

(snip) [L]iving in Merriam means owning a car. The whole town is designed around the idea that cheap gasoline will always be available. The main shopping center is a strip mall off the Interstate. Sidewalks—and easily walkable grid street plans—come and go throughout the neighborhoods, following the whims of past developers. Merriam has two bike routes, but one is mostly aimed at recreation. It doesn't follow any path that people travel daily for business, school, or shopping. The other bike route begins and ends suddenly, covering only a small portion of busy Shawnee Mission Parkway. Read More: Read from the beginning

_______________March 22nd 2012_______________

Mission's Gateway Project Developer Tom Valenti of the Cameron Group can't seem to get a break.

The make-up of the Syracuse Common Council was different when Thomas Valenti and his firm, Cameron Group, first approached it six years ago, but the opposition to the proposed project is still the same.
 
Valenti wants to develop a new off-campus bookstore and fitness center for Syracuse University.
 
In order to do that, he's requesting a 30-year property tax break from the city.
 
Read More - And therein lies the sticking point

Read More:Syracuse bookstore is flash point in debate over development

Read More: Common Council to vote on PILOT tax plan for Syracuse University bookstore project

Read More: Businessman who votes on Syracuse tax deals owes city $96,000 in taxes

Read More: New Syracuse agency member resigns amid controversy over delinquent city tax bill

 

_______________March 22nd 2012_______________

Motor Vehicle Office in Mission to Open after Renovation
Press Release
Johnson County Government

JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS (March 22, 2012) - The Johnson County Motor Vehicle Office located at 6000 Lamar Avenue in Mission has reopened to the public for business.

Johnson County Motor Vehicle serves Johnson County residents in the titling, renewing, and registering of their vehicles. The Mission Motor Vehicle Office was temporary closed for renovation beginning, Thursday, December 1, 2011. The office renovation is part of a major remodeling project, with an estimated cost of $5 million, at the Johnson County Northeast Office building, which was built in 1972 to provide services to the citizens in the northeast part of the county. Read More Read More

__________March 20th 2012___________

Bible studies face new challenge: Driveway tax City's new way to raise revenue sparks outrage. Read More

__________March 19th 2012__________

HEARTLAND APARTMENT ASSOCIATION INC ET AL vs. CITY OF MISSION KANSAS.

After months & months of pleading with the City of Mission to repeal the “Transportation Utility Fee” AKA ‘Driveway tax’ without success a suit was filed today in the Johnson County District Court asking for the termination of TUF and a refund of all monies paid. 

Link to: Petition filed today

Johnson County Kansas District Court

CASE NO 12CV02235 HEARTLAND APARTMENT ASSOCIATION INC ET AL vs. CITY OF MISSION KANSAS
Div/Judge 2/JAMES F VANO
Chapter 60
Nature OTHER NON-DOMESTIC (60)
Status PENDING

__________March 19th 2012__________

Wheels are turning to build bike lanes from Kansas to downtown

Johnson and Wyandotte counties are helping shape a better way to get bikes and people downtown.

By MIKE HENDRICKS - The Kansas City Star

(snip) That $1.46-million project ought to be done in 2013, about the time that the city of Mission would hope to have the money raised and design work done for its phase: an off-road link continuing under the Metcalf/Interstate 635 bridge to Lamar Avenue, also known as 24th Street on the Kansas City, Kan., side of the county line. Read More

__________March 17th 2012__________

Mission’s Gateway plan raises concerns from legislators

Joel Petterson - The Kansas City Star

The conflict between Mission and Roeland Park over a $200 million development project reached Topeka on Wednesday as the Kansas Commerce Secretary testified before legislators about the state’s STAR bonds program.

After encouraging members of the House Commerce Committee to renew the bonds program, which is set to expire on July 1, 2012, Secretary Pat George fielded questions from representatives, some of which addressed the Gateway project in Mission.

The project has been challenged by neighboring Roeland Park for using STAR bonds in a project that would include a Walmart store, replacing the existing store at 5150 Roe Blvd. Some legislators shared the city’s concerns that the tax incentives were being used to create competition for existing businesses instead of building unique destinations like Kansas Speedway. Read More Also see: Click Here

_______________March 16th 2012_______________

Freebirds restaurant chain starts to fly high locally

By JOYCE SMITH The Kansas City Star

Freebirds World Burrito has signed a new, local company as its first franchisee, and several of the restaurants are planned for the area, including one in Mission.

(Photos depict existing stores)

(snip) Along with Freebirds, tenants for the 9,000-square-foot main building include Subway and Sport Clips. Lane4 Property Group is in negotiations with another retail tenant.

Culver’s and Chick-fil-A will open freestanding restaurants with drive-throughs — Culver’s on the north end and Chick-fil-A on the south. Their buildings and Freebirds’ will total 19,800 square feet and face Metcalf. A senior housing structure is planned for the Broadmoor Street side. The plan also includes 182 parking spaces for the retail section and 109 spaces for the residential building, and a small park at Broadmoor and Martway streets. Read More Here

__________November 2007__________

STAR BOND FEASIBILITY STUDY

THE GATEWAY MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT JOHNSON DRIVE AND ROE A VENUE MISSION, KANSAS

Click Here for Proposal

KansasReporter.org

Kansas eyes end of popular development program
Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2012

By Gene Meyer | Kansas Reporter

TOPEKA — A decade-old initiative that helped bring NASCAR to the state could go behind the wall for good June 30.

The initiative, STAR bonds — shorthand for Sales Tax and Revenue — is a Kansas economic program that uses state and local sales tax money to help private developers build things such as posh shopping districts, speedways, riverfront entertainment districts and salt mine museums. Kansas uses STAR bonds money to help pay for streets, parking lots, sidewalks and other infrastructure

>snip< Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George urged House Commerce and Economic Development Committee members Wednesday to recommend renewing the state’s STAR bonds program for another five years. The bonds already have brought $2 billion in investments and more than 30,000 jobs to Kansas, George said.

But committee chairman Anthony Brown, R-Eudora, said he is worried the program is becoming devalued and used to promote lesser projects that do far less to help the Kansas economy.

“I am not a big fan,” Brown said

>snip< “We’ve already watered it down from NASCAR to Heartland Park,” he said, referring to a financially distressed Topeka racetrack that received STAR bonds funding in 2006. The track failed to produce enough sales tax revenue to pay off the bonds and, in 2010, Topeka sought help in refinancing the deal to cover interest costs, which were coming out of the city budget instead. Read Much More: Click Here

Updated at 1730 hrs Steve Rose Column; Kansas City Star "With the opening next month of Sea Life aquarium at Crown Center, and with a large aquarium proposed for the Mission Gateway project at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Johnson Drive scheduled to open in 2014, it raises the question: Can Kansas City support two aquariums?"

(Thanks Bert)

_______________March 5th 2012_______________

Election Summary Report
2012 Spring Primary
Summary For Precinct, All Counters, All Races
Johnson County Kansas
Official Final Results

MISSION WARD 2  
  Number of Precincts  4 
Precincts Reporting  4 100.0 %
Total Votes  240 
Times Blank Voted  2 
Times Over Voted  0 

 AMY MILLER  121 50.42%
JAMES A BROWN  108 45.00%
WAYNE HODGES  6 2.50%
BRETT R MAXWELL  5 2.08%

MISSION WARD 3  
  Number of Precincts  3 
Precincts Reporting  3 100.0 % 
Total Votes  201 
Times Blank Voted  1 
Times Over Voted  0 

JENNIFER J COWDRY  94 46.77%
CONNIE FOOTLICK  60 29.85%
LESLIE A HERRING  47 23.38%

_______________March 5th 2012 _______________

From Parks & Recreation

Indoor Playground Ends This Friday March 9th For The Season

February 28th 2012 - Primary Day

________________February 26th 2012________________

Mission Gateway’s STAR bond plans face opposition from nearby cities
Kansas City Business Journal by Steve Vockrodt, Reporter
Date: Friday, February 24, 2012, 5:00am CST

A bid by the developer of the proposed Mission Gateway project for state incentives faces questions and outright opposition from neighboring cities.
New York developer Cameron Group LLC seeks sales tax revenue (STAR) bonds through the state to help it construct a mixed-use project at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Johnson Drive, where the old Mission Mall once stood. The Mission Gateway project became eligible for as much as $63 million in STAR bonds in 2007, but the project has gone through different iterations since then and has yet to begin construction. (End of Kansas City Business Journal copy)

Earlier this month the City of Roeland Park Kansas filed a petition with the City of Mission objecting to the East Gateway project which at Mission’s next council meeting on February 15th was not sustained by the council for lack of the required 20% of the adjacent property owners signing the document.  Subsequently Roeland Park petitioned Secretary of Commerce Pat George in effect saying the Gateway Project has apparently been exaggerated in revenue & benefits to the community.  The petition appears to be specifically aimed at the STAR bonds for the proposed aquarium.
-----------------------------------------------------------Follow this link to read the entire 23 page PDF petition. Click Here

(Thanks Amy)

________________February 19th 2012 _______________

The Daily Orange

Developers work to solve tax-related problems with bookstore complex

By Nick Smith

Contributing Writer  Published: Monday, February 6, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, February 7, 2012 02:02

Tom Valenti Cameron Group

Developers for a new bookstore and gym complex on University Avenue, which will also include retail stores, have drawn up a plan they hope can solve tax-related issues that delayed construction, said Cameron Group LLC partner Thomas Valenti.

Since talks about a new complex started in 2006, Syracuse University, the Cameron Group and the Syracuse city administration have been at odds over how the complex would be taxed.

The property for the complex is owned by SU and has tax-exempt status, but the university plans to lease it to the Cameron Group for construction. Upon completion, the Cameron Group will re-lease the fitness center and bookstore to the university. Once the property is leased, it loses its tax exempt status, according to a March 7, 2011, article in The Daily Orange. Read More

________________February 17th 2012 _______________

Community Recycling Event Roz has been hard at work helping to coordinate our community recycling event,
scheduled for March 24th at the Public Works Facility (4775 Lamar Mission Kansas) from 8am - Noon.
The event will feature paper and electronics recycling, along with an opportunity for residents to donate used goods to Salvation Army and recycle old tires. Some of these services require a modest fee. More details will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

________________February 15th 2012 _______________

"Mayor Laura McConwell has a vision for the city of Mission"

(Mayor Laura McConwell)

By: LAURA BAUER
The Kansas City Star

(snip) In her time as Mission’s mayor, a post she initially inherited after the death of a long-time, entrenched leader 10 years ago next month, McConwell has become known as someone unafraid to do what hasn’t been done. Who will try a new way, even when it isn’t popular. (The “driveway tax” comes to mind.) 
And she’ll push for change, as long as she says she feels it’s what’s right for her city, an aging suburb that has been losing population in recent years.
Although she has her detractors, her approach has gained her fans and a nod four years ago as Kansas’ Mayor of the Year. People say McConwell’s leadership has helped propel the city of Mission to a higher profile, even described by some as a progressive small town intent on remaining vital. Read more here:

_______________February 15th 2012_______________

My thoughts on (TUF):  By C. D. Rinck Sr.
Mission Kansas
                                                                                                   
This "Fee" is supposedly based on 8 trips per day, an arbitrary figure, for residential usage ($72.00 per year).  I contend that my household (2 retired persons) makes approximately 10 trips per week.

Some of my neighbors who own 3 or more cars, have 2 or more working residents, and possibly 2 or more teen-ages/young adults who make that many trips per day. Therefore, since businesses don't pay the same amount as their next door business does, I am subsidizing my neighbors running habits by paying the same amount for 1/10th the number of times I leave my driveway in my auto.

If this is allowed to stand, when do we see an increase in the "Fee" for increased costs to maintain our streets, signage, park maintenance, and whatever else it is slated to be used for?

Our constitutional right to vote yea or nay on such an issue has been trashed, one of the checks and balances used to harness the runaway imposition of slave tactics by those who contend:  "You don't know what's for your own good so we'll tell you!"  

_______________February 10th 2012 _______________

____________February 6th 2012 ____________

By Mike Galvin - Mission Kansas Resident

  In reference to the current squabble of adjacent cities who are less than amiable about the proposed "East Gateway" project in Mission , Roeland Park 's position is understandable -- if there's a Chinamart in Mission , there won't be one in Roeland Park . Roeland Park isn't too keen about losing 30% of their sales tax base.

The reality is that if Chinamart is moved to Mission , the demographic of the clientele that frequents that big box retailer seems to be antagonistic to the type of upscale patronage the project is being advertised to attract. How many Chinamart shoppers will be attending esoteric cultural activities such as the proposed aquarium? Or stay in an upscale high-rise hotel? Or frequent an upscale fitness center? Or live in upscale residential space within the project? Pertinent questions for sure. What successful precedent of this proposed cultural clash is there? If this were to be such a grand vision, is the Country Club Plaza underutilized without the inclusion of a Chinamart? Those who promote the Gateway project advertise energetically the glamour of their upscale plan, but isn't the inclusion of a Chinamart an obvious red flag contradiction? Read More

_______________January 23rd 2012 _______________

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt says Mission's "Transportation Utility Fund" (Driveway Tax) in his opinion is in fact a tax.

Link to: Attorney General Link to: KSHB 41 Link to: KC Star's 913

Synopsis: Under the Executive Aircraft test, the “transportation utility fee” (TUF) is a tax because it is a forced contribution on the owners of developed real property in the City of Mission levied for the purpose of raising revenue for the maintenance of governmental services offered to the general public,

i.e., maintenance of streets. The TUF is not an ad valorem tax because it is imposed by calculating the estimated number of vehicle trips originating from a property using a trip generation model rather than the value of real property. As such, TUF is an excise tax that the City of Mission is specifically, clearly, and uniformly prohibited from levying or imposing under K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 12-194. Cited herein: Kan. Const., Art. 12, Section 5; K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 12-187 et seq.; K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 12-194.

The City of Mission Kansas' City Administrator Michael Scanlon was contacted by phone today; Mr. Scanlon stated they are still reading the opinion but do disagree with portions.  Scanlon further stated they should have an answer in a couple of days.

Click here for full opinion - ('Definition of 'Ad Valorem Tax' - A tax based on the assessed value of real estate or personal property. Ad valorem taxes can be a property tax or even duty on imported items. Property ad valorem taxes are the major source of revenue for state and municipal governments.)

_________________January 10th 2012 _________________

Notice of Public Hearing - City of Mission, Kansas

Dear Property Owner:

The City of Mission has received an application filed by Korb Maxwell of Polsinelli Shughart representing the Gateway Developers and the Cameron Group for the Gateway Site. The Gateway site is generally located on land bounded by Johnson Drive, Roe Avenue, Shawnee Mission Parkway and Roeland Drive in the city of Mission, Kansas. The submitted application requests consideration of a revised preliminary site plan for the subject property. In accordance with the City of Mission Municipal Code you are being notified of the upcoming public hearing because you own property within 200 feet of the above-described property.

The Mission Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, January 23, 2012 to review this application. The public hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 6090 Woodson St, Mission, Kansas, and will begin at 7:00 p.m. You are invited to attend and will have an opportunity to be heard during the meeting. Click here for complete letter

__________________December 31st 2011 _______________

Click here for Mission's Week End Report etc.

______________________December 22nd 2011____________________

Star Bond & TIF (Tax Incriment Financing) Primer - Click Here

_________________December 6th 2011________________

Election Summary Report
2011 City of Mission Mail Ballot - ¼¢ Sales Tax for roads etc.  (AKA Driveway Tax 2
Summary For Precinct, All Counters, All Races
Johnson County Kansas
Unofficial Final Results

Registered Voters 5721 - Cards Cast 2204 - 38.52%

MISSION QUESTION

Total
Number of Precincts            1         
Precincts Reporting             1          100.0 %
Total Votes                2203   
Times Blank Voted              1         
Times Over Voted               0         
 
YES                 1185    53.79%
NO                  1018    46.21%

_________________ December 2nd 2011 _______________

Click here for Betsy's report

__________________November 29th 2011 ______________

Johnson County Motor Vehicle Offices

6000 Lamar will be closed beginning Thursday, December 1 through the first quarter of 2012 while the State of Kansas renovates the building and updates their vehicle registration system. For further information click here.

______________________________November 27th 2011__________________________

Johnson Drive / Martway Appraisal and Easement Acquisition

Mission’s staff recently prepared and sent out a request for qualifications for appraisal and easement acquisition services. Once the qualifications have been evaluated we will be looking to negotiate contract terms.

Both the Martway (Broadmoor to Woodson) and Johnson Drive (Lamar to Nall) projects will require some appraisal and easement acquisition that will be components of the anticipated contract. Estimated cost for Johnson Drive $6,000,000 for Mission's 'Flyer' Click Here Remember it's all tax dollars!

___________________________November 25th 2011 _______________________

____________________________November 16th 2011_________________________

Click Here for Video of Tom Valenti announcing the Walmart inclusion. Click here for video

$200 million Mission Gateway project ready to lift off with Wal-Mart store

By KEVIN COLLISON and JOYCE SMITH - The Kansas City Star

Wal-Mart plans to build a store in the $200 million Mission Gateway development, a decision that’s expected to give the long-delayed project and its saltwater aquarium attraction the boost to begin construction this spring.

Developer Tom Valenti of the Cameron Group of Syracuse, N.Y., said Tuesday that Wal-Mart had signed a letter of intent to put a 150,000-square-foot store in the project, which was first proposed in 2005. That’s when the former Mission Center was demolished at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Roe Avenue.
“We now have the rocket fuel to get the project off the ground,” Valenti said, referring to Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart officials could not be reached for comment. (For the rest of the Star's article click here) Click here

Photos are from Tom Valenti's presentation to the city on January 16th 2008 (Clickon photos to enlarge)

I wonder what it will finally look like if it gets built?

________________________Novemer 15th 2011______________________

Another MISSION SALES TAX?
Last year we got a tripling of Stormwater Fees by Mission’s City Council.
AND
The Nationally known Driveway Tax
AND NOW
Another Mission sales tax, “Shall the following be adopted?
Shall the City of Mission, Kansas be authorized to impose a one-quarter percent (0.25%) citywide retailers’ special purpose sales tax, the collection of which to commence on April 1, 2012 or as soon thereafter as permitted by law and shall terminate ten years after its commencement, the proceeds of which shall be used to finance the costs of transportation improvements, including the construction and reconstruction of streets, bridges, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, trails, transit facilities, bicycle lanes, street lighting, traffic signalization, signage and landscape along rights-of-way and related improvements (the “Project”)?”
Wasn’t that what the Driveway tax was for?
If our streets are in such bad shape, why did the City Council need to spend $4,383,196 shrinking Nall Avenue?
 Have you heard there could be yet another sales tax for the swimming pool in the spring? How about a fee for using the streetlights?  City Administrator Mike Scanlon is talking about it.
The proposed budget for 2012 is not in balance, the current Mission City Council is spending more than we are taking in.
Vote NO on another Mission Sales Tax.
Coming to your mail box this week.

________________________________November 10th 2011_____________________________

Info for Veterans

With Veteran's Day coming up I'd like to post about a change in the law concerning rendering honors to the flag and during the playing of the National Anthem.

The Defense Authorization Acts of 2008 and 2009 had some interesting changes.

Veterans, and active duty military in civilian clothing now have the option of rendering the military style hand salute instead of the civilian hand over the chest salute.  This applies to the raising, lowering or passing of the colors as well as during the playing of the National Anthem.

Those individuals who are wearing cover (hats/caps for the uninformed civilians) may keep the cover on while rendering the hand salute.  If they choose to perform the civilian hand over the chest then they should remove their cover, and hold it over their chest.

From Shawnee Ray's Blog

__________________________November 8th 2011_________________________

Administration Announces Medicaid Reforms

Topeka - Following a months-long public input process, Governor Sam Brownback and Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., today announced the Administration’s plan for reform the state’s Medicaid system. KDHE Secretary Robert Moser, M.D., Aging Secretary Shawn Sullivan and SRS Secretary Rob Siedlecki joined them for the announcement.

KanCare: Frequently Asked Questions- Executive Summary KanCare: Reinventing Medicaid for Kansas

_________________________November 7th 2011 _________________________

Mission's City Administrator's Weekend Update November 4, 2011

Important Note 1: The City’s information piece on our ¼ cent Sales Tax for Streets has been dropped at the Post Office. Martha has included a PDF in emails to City Councilmembers.

(Click Image To Enlarge)

Important Note 2: As a reminder to all -- We (the City) can only provide objective information on the ¼ cent Sales Tax question.

What do you think? Is the city presenting only objective information or very, very subjective and incomplete information?

Ask them if bonds will be sought which we must pay interest on. Ask them why this is (almost) exactly what TUF (AKA DriveWay Tax) is for.

______________________November 6th 2011______________________

==== Mission has a new flower blooming, It's mostly white with some black and a splash of red. If you want one in your yard there's no need to plant a seed just call and one will be delivered and planted in full bloom at no charge.

For delivery or just information, contact:OurMission@savemission.net

(Click Image to Enlarge)

_________________________November 3rd 2011_________________________

7 figures later, taxpayers frustrated with ‘trail to nowhere’ in Johnson County
By: Ryan Kath (KSHB TV News) To watch video click here

MISSION, Kan. - A walking trail in a Johnson County community does not sound too controversial on its surface. However, when NBC Action News discovered the seven-figure price tag—and then saw the visible results—taxpayers raised their eyebrows in surprise.

Trail causes frustration ------------------------

--For decades along Johnson Drive, Werner’s has been a go-to location for sausage and other German --specialties.

--Dave Miller has operated the Mission, Kan., staple for the past 16 years and it’s safe to say he knows a --thing or two about food. But when the long-time business owner looks across the street, what he sees --makes him lose his appetite.

(Click photo to enlarge) >>>“Waste of money! Waste of money! Waste of money!” says Miller, never shy to express his opinion. Read Much More

____________________October 25th 2011____________________

Unified Government money worries raise red flags

By MIKE HENDRICKS
The Kansas City Star

“Kansas Speedway waves green flag for economic success,” Wyandotte County’s Unified Government crowed in a news release on the eve of this month’s NASCAR race weekend.

And why not boast?
 
No government in the area has been more aggressive in promoting business development the last decade or so.
 
Yet while some see the speedway and all the development it’s attracted in Village West as a civic salvation, others are worried. Those investments in the future, along with a growing public debt unrelated to Village West, could soon eat the Unified Government alive, they say.
 
“We are in a real problem,” Unified Government Commissioner Butch Ellison said. “I don’t think that the payoff from the Village West is going to happen soon enough to bail us out.”

UNIFIED GOVERNMENT RESERVES

2006: $31.6 million
2007: $18.9 million
2008: $7.2 million
2009: $4.5 million
2010: $1.9 million

“We are in a real problem,” Unified Government Commissioner Butch Ellison said. “I don’t think that the payoff from the Village West is going to happen soon enough to bail us out.” Click here for the entire article

___________________________October 29th 2011_________________________

From Michael Scanlon, Mission’s City Administrator October 28th, 2011
Is this the former Neff Printing property?  If so, why the secrecy? 

>snip< Brownfields Targeted Assessment Program
Staff submitted an application this week to KDHE for participation in their brownfields
assessment program. A brownfield is real property for which the redevelopment or reuse of may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Click here to view goverment's information on the former Neff Printing Properties Read More

______________________October 17th 2011______________________

Is Mission contemplating another purchase?  The former Neff Printing property at Martwary & Metcalf vacant for the last several years is on the market for $695,000 but there may be a problem?  (Clck on images to enlarge)

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

The Neff property is next to and behind Panera Bread and directly across the street from the proposed Culver Restaurant.  If Mission does want the vacant Neff building, why and what has to happen before it can be put to use.

The “fire diamond” indicates that at one time there was some pretty scary stuff inside.

------

 (Yellow) Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water (e.g., phosphorus, potassium, sodium)

(Blue) Short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury (e.g., chlorine gas)

( Red) Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily (e.g., propane, hydrogen). Flash point below 23°C (73°F)

(White) Reacts with water in an unusual or dangerous manner (e.g., cesium, sodium, sulfuric acid)

The city of Mission’s Mayor Laura McConwell and City Administrator Michael Scanlon was asked to comment. 

On October 18th 2011 Michael Scanlon City Administrator for the City of Mission Kansas replyed: "We don't comment on potential land acquisitions, law suits or personnel matters."  

_______________________________October 7th 2011________________________________

Wednesday evening at Mission Theatre on Johnson Drive, the City of Mission, Kansas Community Development committee, Planning Commission, downtown Visioning Committee, the City Council, staff, maybe a half dozen Mission citizens and several other interested parties came together for City Administrator Michael Scanlon’s lecture regarding the Downtown Visioning Committee’s final report.

There were 17 members of the above commission, committees and council members seated in a horseshoe configuration.  At least 2 members and the mayor were seated elsewhere, apparently not enough room at the table. 

Redevelopment Plan (according to web site) “Information provided prior to meeting”

For a 5 minute video: Click Here

More discussions, more committees, more public lectures and it would appear no real plans. Someone up front mention their finance background and then comment that they were concerned about using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) because it presented a risk to the city.  REALLY?

Unless the City is stupid enough to guarantee the TIF obligations, they may not be accepting any risk.   And then there is the new and improved Johnson Drive Project which according to one Councilman, if the ¼¢ sales tax that’s going to the voters next month doesn’t pass, Johnson Drive Project can not be accomplished. 

________________________________October 6th 2011_________________________________

Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) Senior Legal Counsel, Erik Stanley

Thanks for your call about whether we ever amended our complaint to add in residents and businesses of Mission. We did amend our complaint to add in a claim that the driveway tax was an unlawful excise tax and thus was void in its entirety. The outcome of that claim would have been that the entire driveway tax would have been stricken. But we never added in any additional plaintiffs to the case – the plaintiffs remained only the two churches in Mission.

The case is in the process of settlement right now by exempting churches so we are dropping our second claim regarding the excise tax in the settlement.

Sincerely,

Erik Stanley

________________________________October 4th 2011_________________________________

MISSION, Kan. — As part of a settlement of an Alliance Defense Fund lawsuit, the city of Mission voted Wednesday to exempt from its “driveway tax” churches and other entities who are exempt from property taxes under state law. ADF attorneys filed suit against the city on behalf of two churches in December of last year arguing that the city’s Transportation Utility Fee was, in reality, a tax from which churches should have been exempt. The suit sought a judicial determination that churches are exempt from the tax.

The odd tax, similar to ones struck down by supreme courts in two other states, bills property owners based on the number of trips in and out of their driveways. Because the city of Mission labeled the driveway tax a “fee,” it charged churches and other non-profit organizations ordinarily exempt from property taxes under state law. Read More

BREAKING ~ ADF Amends “Driveway Tax” Lawsuit
By the Shawnee Mission Times
February 11th, 2011
The Shawnee Mission Times has learned that the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), the legal firm representing the Catholic and Baptist Church in Mission regarding the “Driveway Tax” lawsuit, has amended their lawsuit to also include all property owners in Mission affected by the Transportation Utility Fee (TUF).

Last year, the “Tax” was passed by the city council, despite protests from city businesses and residents. Fees generated by this TUF on property owners will be used to pay for street and road repair. The TUF was supported by Mayor Laura McConwell and was proposed by Mission City Administrator Mike Scanlon.

On Wednesday the Times interviewed ADF Senior Legal Counsel, Erik Stanley, and learned that ADF will submit their amendment to the court by February 11th. The city of Mission has already been notified of their intent.

Stanley indicated that the reason for the amendment is that it is ADF’s belief that the TUF is actually an excise tax and therefore illegal. The amended action does not affect the current claim regarding the TUF as it is implied to the churches’ in Mission.

This is bad news to the city of Mission as the amended complaint is sure to spurn interests from outside groups to support the lawsuit with an Amicus, or Friend of the Court, brief. An Amicus brief allows other affected parties to become part of the lawsuit, which could include all property owners in Mission.

Question of the day is: Where does the "amended" lawsuit stand?

________________________Worth Repeating: From October 5h, 2010 ____________________

Tuesday, Oct. 5 Kansas City Star, Mission utility fee hurts residents

Mission did not adequately think this “driveway tax” through when trying to cover budget expenditures. Since it is actually a fee and not a tax, residents cannot deduct it from state or federal income taxes. The real cost is much larger than advertised.

While businesses can deduct the fee as a cost of doing business, individuals can’t. Also, using the fee to replace some of the lowered property tax may result in some residents paying income taxes they would not have paid in the past.

Based on Mission’s philosophy for streets, the city should change all of the various funding items to user fees. For instance, that would mean complete support of the new walking trail by the users, or charging for the storm drainage system on the amount of runoff each site generates.

If the street program is a capital improvement program that envisions complete reconstruction of a street, it should be financed by a bond issue. Otherwise, it should be paid for as ongoing maintenance in the general budget. This fee appears to circumvent the voters in a bond issue to avoid raising the budget for maintenance.

Robert C. Wessel

Mission

__________________________September 29th 2011_______________________________

KCPL Lights Up Prairie Village with Free LED Lights

Shawnee Mission Times

As part of the next phase of KCP&L’s LED Streetlight Pilot project, around 250 additional LED Streetlights will be installed throughout the city over the next six months. The installations will be done at no cost to the city. Prairie Village is one of the pilot sites for the program, which replaced several traditional high-pressure sodium streetlights with new LED models that are brighter and more energy efficient throughout the Kansas City area.

(Welcome to Mission)

_________________________________September 29th 2011__________________________________

In response to a KORA filed via email requesting a copy of the tape from last night that is usually recorded at council meetings, Mission’s City Clerk Martha Sumrall responded by email:

Bill,

In response to your request, there really isn't anything on the tape from last night's meeting. The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. with everyone present. Roll was called and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Councilmember Shepard moved " to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss current litigation involving the City of Mission. Attending the meeting will be City Administrator Mike Scanlon, City Attorney David Martin and City Land use Attorney Pete Heaven. Council will reconvene in Council Chambers at 7:18 p.m." Councilmember Kring seconded the motion and all voted AYE.

Council went into Executive Session at 7:03 p.m. and returned at 7:18 p.m. Councimember Andre moved to extend the Executive Session for an additional 10 minutes with the same people attending. This was seconded by Councilmember Shepard. Council again adjourned to Executive Session at 7:18 p.m. and reconvened at 7:28 p.m.

Councilmember Andre moved "to adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 145 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Mission, Kansas, by adding a Section 145.071 relating to exemptions from the Transportation Utility Fee." The motion was seconded by Councilmember Vandenberg. All voted AYE.

Councilmember Kring stated that she would have liked to have additional time to consider this ordinance and its ramifications prior to the meeting. There were no other comments or discussion.

Councilmember Vandenberg moved to adjourn at 7:33 p.m. This was seconded by Councilmember Shepard. Council adjourned.

I hope this answers your questions about last night's meeting.

Thanks,

Martha

Sumarll's narrative apparently shows the City of Mission's Council was in compliance with Kansas State statutes regarding open meetings. .

__________________________________________________________________________________________

September 28th 2011 (8:15 PM)

Has the city of Mission Kansas violated the “Kansas Open Meeting Act”?

Tonight in a special City Council meeting which went into executive session; sources say the Mission City Council amended the “Transportation Utility Fee” (Driveway Tax) ordinance by exempting churches.  According to sources the attorneys for the plaintive have agreed to drop the entire law suit which included all other property owners. 

An hour after the executive session information is still sketchy; when Mayor Laura McConwell was asked how long this had been in the works, she would not respond other then saying she could not talk about it. The Mayor further stated that there will be a statement from the City of Mission Kansas offered in a day or two. 

After being published the new revised ordinance should go into effect after approximately two weeks. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

September 28th 2011

Don’t change county charter, Joco residents urge

By JOE LAMBE, The Kansas City Star

The Johnson County Charter Commission on Tuesday night got an earful from residents blasting proposed changes to the county charter.
Speaker after speaker at the public hearing at the Sylvester Powell Community Center lambasted a list of proposals that include adding county commissioners, returning to partisan elections and allowing voters to repeal sales taxes.

>snip< Yvonne Starks of Olathe supported partisan elections, however.“The people who vote for these people should know what they believe in,” she said. She also said the charter commission members have studied the county’s functioning and that other proposals might be beneficial. The crowd cried, “No, no, no.” Click here to read more

________________________________________________________________________________________________

September 26th 2011

Earlier in the year my office did some research to determine the amount of vacant, for lease or for sale space along Johnson Drive. This study focused on the area between Metcalf and Nall and one block to the north and south of Johnson Drive. It was determined that there was approximately One Hundred Fifty Thousand square feet (150,000 sq. ft.) of space that is vacant and/or for sale or lease in this area. Having lived in the metro area since 1976 it is my belief that this amount of vacant space has never existed in Mission, at any time in the past. While there is new retail development going on and some businesses moving into the area, the broad range of vacant space remains a troubling situation.
 
I continue to get questions from prospective tenants and buyers about the "Driveway Tax" and how it will impact their businesses. Fortunately, the impact is comparatively minor for many business types but people still remember the Kansas City Star newspaper article that implied that each business would be getting an annual $3500 driveway tax bill. If City Hall would have taken the time to prepare a press release with accurate examples of how the Transportation Utility Fee (a/k/a Driveway Tax) was going to impact various existing business owners the story would have never "taken off" the way it did.
In my opinion if downtown Mission dries up and blows away, it will negatively impact everyone that has anything to do with the city.....whether they are home owners, business owners, and commercial property owners or if they simply enjoy visiting and shopping at small, locally owned stores. It is unbelievable that more people aren't pressing the City for assistance in stimulating activity in the downtown area so that the remaining local merchants don't close their doors. Economic times are "tough" but other metro area communities pull together to stimulate activity for their area merchants through the creation of fun events that attract people to the area. For example, take a look at what Waldo does http://www.waldokc.org/ on the Missouri side and what Overland Park is doing  http://downtownop.org/

Some years ago the Arts & Eats Festival was moved from Johnson Drive to the parking lot around the Sylvester Powell Community Center. Now the event does little that I can see which actually benefits downtown business owners. When the event was held on Johnson Drive I had business owners tell me that they experienced some of their "best ever" days in terms of retail sales....no more. This year I was told that the event seemed to draw more big businesses renting booth space (I believe it is $175 or $200) and fewer small businesses and artists. Perhaps the City feels that the event is easier to run in the community center parking lot or maybe they view it as a way to boost membership, at what I understand is a community center operating in the RED but, in my opinion the event is being held in the wrong location.

Early next year four (4) City Council Seats come up for election. The last time around these 4 individuals ran unopposed and got elected with as few as: 43; 51; 64; and 116 votes. This level of voter turn should be an embarrassment to the residents of these Wards. I'm not saying that all these council members should be voted out since I haven't personally looked at their individual voting records. However, there should be more public discussion of the issues with area voters. If some opposition candidates would step forward, register to run and start making their voices heard on the important issues, I think they would help the public become better informed and to be elected a candidate would actually have to take a stand on the issues.
 
My understanding is that two candidates have already registered to run against incumbents. If you know these people and put me in contact with them, I'm thinking that I might like to allow them to voice their opinions on a few local issues in the 4th Quarter Edition of my company's Newsletter. Perhaps I could even figure out how to organize a public debate between the candidates.

Sincerely,

Marty Hugo

Real Estate Dynamics, Inc.
6045 Martway, Suite 101
Mission, KS 66202
Phone: 913.432.8800
Cellular: 913.636.0566
Facsimile: 913.432.8801
www.RealEstateDynamics.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/martyhugo

 

September 21st 2011

Mission Kansas City Council Meeting

Special Presentations: Proclamation Honoring Zane Fulkerson, Ruston Elementary School Reading Champion - Mission Marlins Swim Team Presentation of Trophies & Eagle Scout Presentation, Chacko Finn & Tom Coffman is Senior Vice President with Deffenbaugh Industries attended for the renewal of the solid waste contract.

- - - - - - - - -

(Click on image to enlarge)

Also

Tonight’s City Council meeting by a 5 to 2 vote (John Weber) was not present, voted to allow “Revisions to Restaurant Hours of Operation Ordinance”, meaning, they can now stay open 24/7 which includes drive through.  Councilwoman Connie Footlick & Debbie Kring both of the 3rd ward voted no.  According to Kring, her ward is north of Johnson Drive and has received many noise complaints from residents behind the late operating restaurants.  Council Persons Sue Grosdidier, Lawrence Andre, Will Vandenberg, Suzanne "Suzie" Gibbs & David Shepard voted to allow unlimited operation of restaurants.  The rational seemed to be, to get in line with surrounding cities. 

September 16th 2011

Gardner Begins Administrator Search Anew - Final Candidates Withdraw

Peter Solie
GardnerEDGE

Mayor David Drovetta issued the following statement regarding the City of Gardner's search for a new City Administrator:

 From the Office of the Mayor.

 I have decided to place the City Administrator search on hold. I will recommend to the Council that we enlist the services of Michael Press, former Johnson County Manager, to serve as our Interim City Administrator, to assist us with our workload and to provide us with much needed guidance.

 I have made this decision since the two top candidates for the position have withdrawn their applications due to the actions of a Councilmember and delays in decisions.

>snip< Based on the process agreed to by the City Council, candidates for the position were told that their interest would be held in confidence and they would be informed well in advance of making their names public. This assurance of confidentiality was broken, forcing the candidates to notify their organizations and governing bodies sooner than necessary and without adequate time to prepare.

This breach came to light when a candidate was contacted by an individual who writes about that community on a website. The individual referred to information that was only discussed in executive session. This violation of confidentiality by the Councilmember not only negatively impacted the reputation of our community but also placed us at risk for civil action. Later a Councilmember began to run their own background check of a candidate without notifying the candidate, city staff, or the Governing Body. This action was unethical, unprofessional and again placed our community at risk. Read More

September 14th 2011

Changes to Johnson County Charter are debated
 
By JOE LAMBE  
The Kansas City Star

The Johnson County Charter Commission on Monday debated proposed changes to the county charter, including adding two county commissioners, returning to partisan elections and letting voters repeal sales taxes and remove city managers.
 
The commission wants to hear the public’s thoughts on possible changes at a meeting Sept. 27. (Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center, Mission Kansas at 7:00PM).

The commission, which convenes every 10 years, will make recommendations for the 2012 election. It also could recommend changes in county and state government.

>snip<  He also proposed allowing voter initiatives to recall elected and appointed officials, including managers, in the county as well as any city, commission, board, district or agency

>snip<  also suggested letting voters in the county or any city within it vote every two years on whether to retain any local-option sales taxes. Another of his suggestions would allow voter initiatives to roll back any real estate property tax imposed by the county or any other entity that collects taxes through the county’s tax bill. Click here to read the entire story.

September 8th 2011

(Click image to enlarge)

-------------------------- "MISSION, Kansas - The City of Mission is exploring ways to save on property taxes, but some residents say they are fearful, based on past experiences.  Some contacted NBC Action News worried that Mission might pass on additional consumption fees like the so-called Driveway Tax" Click Here to Read (much) more & watch KSHB TV video.

September 2nd 2011

Upcoming Elections 2011

City of Mission Mail Ballot Election – December 6, 2011

Shall the following be adopted?

Shall the City of Mission, Kansas be authorized to impose a one-quarter percent (0.25%) citywide retailers’ special purpose sales tax, the collection of which to commence on April 1, 2012 or as soon thereafter as permitted by law and shall terminate ten years after its commencement, the proceeds of which shall be used to finance the costs of transportation improvements, including the construction and reconstruction of streets, bridges, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, trails, transit facilities, bicycle lanes, street lighting, traffic signalization, signage and landscape along rights-of-way and related improvements (the “Project”)?

Nov. 14 - Last day to apply for advance ballot, KSA 25-435
Nov. 15 - Last day to register, KSA 25-2311
Dec. 2 - Last day to mail replacement ballots, KSA 25-433(d)
Dec. 6 - Ballots due by 12:00 Noon
Dec. 12 - Final Canvass
Jan. 3, 2012 - Committee report deadline for any committee formed for or against the question, KSA 25-901

Spring Primary - February 28, 2012, Spring General - April 3, 2012

August 31st 2011

Councilman Fotovich frustrated by search progress 

 

Larry Fotovitch Gardner city councilman

One of my earliest duties as a newly elected council member was to list the qualities I valued in our next

city administrator, so our recruiter could begin his search.

I provided my input, but based on the selection process I’ve observed so far, if the best man wins, it will be by sheer luck.

Even on that first night, as we were advised by our recruiter that we should consider raising our salary range, I knew something was up.   Fortunately, one council member asked our human resource manager to provide a salary comparison of similar-sized cities, and at a later meeting, we all agreed that the salary the city of Gardner was offering was competitive.

In June, however, the question came up again.  This time, Mayor Drovetta sent each council member an e-mail asking us if we would be willing to increase our salary range for a “very experienced” candidate who would consider a lateral move for an “opportunity for growth in Gardner.”

I declined to answer, but I learned that only one other council member did not approve his request. Read the: Rest of the story

 

August 29th 2011

---- FYI - Pool Task Force will have their next meeting on September 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center. The Task Force will be meeting the third Thursday of each month through March.

The Mayor has reconfigured the committee and JoElla Hoye (Chair of the soon to be concluded DVC) has agreed to serve as chair for this committee

Other Mission Business

With the passage of the ¼ cent Sales Tax Resolution for streets the City will need to provide information to the voters on the use of that money over the next 10 years. It’s important to note that the City can’t campaign for the Sales Tax but we can provide information.

Meeting Planner

August 29 - Budget Seminar Wrap-Up - 7:00 p.m. - Community
Center - CANCELLED
August 30 - Budget Seminar Wrap-Up - 7:00 p.m. - Community
Center - CANCELLED
August 31 - Council Worksession - 7:00 p.m. - City Hall
September 7 - Community Development Committee Meeting - 6:30
p.m. - City Hall
September 14 - Finance & Administration Committee Meeting -
6:30 p.m. - City Hall
September 21 - City Council Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - City Hall
 October 5 - Community Development Committee Meeting - 6:30
p.m. - City Hall
October 12 - Finance & Administration Committee Meeting - 6:30
p.m. - City Hall
October 19 - City Council Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - City Hall

August 26th 2011

Wellington New Zealand Council staffer on climate trip to Kansas

Wellington City Council Infrastructure Planning Engineer Nicci Wood has been selected to represent New Zealand on anexchange fellowship to the United States on climate change and community sustainability.

The fellowship involves a four-week exchange, starting in September, to the city of Mission - within the metropolitan area of Kansas City. It is run through the New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) - the society's sister organisation in the US.  Read More + Miss Wood's Bio

When asked for a comment, Mike Scanlon Mission’s City Administrator replyed: “What a wonderful opportunity for us. To think we are worthy or warrant such consideration -- right here in little old Mission, KS.” MScanlon

(Thanks Bert)

August 22nd 2011

2011 City of Mission
DirectionFinder® Survey

Cost $15,000.00 - 187 Pages

Some Statistics:

41% of those that responed are renters - 2% don’t know how long they have lived-in Mission - 25% unemployed & the city knows where the respondents live.

My Favorite Question is: Q25C – I prefer to live in a city that has a vibrant down town (Really?)

Click Here for Link to: Survey

>>>>><<<<<

Is the Mission City Administrator on the Move?
By Currie Myers, Publisher Shawnee Mission Times
August 18th, 2011

City Administrator, Mike Scanlon, may be looking for greener pastures after nearly 8 years at the helm in Mission. Scanlon, the city administrator of Mission and the former city administrator of Merriam is rumored to be in the running for the city administrator’s job in Gardner, Kansas. Scanlon is known across the U.S. as the visionary behind the so-called “Driveway Tax.”

The Times contacted Scanlon about the rumor that he has applied for the top job in Gardner, but Scanlon would not return the email inquiry.

Prior to last night’s Mission Kansas city council meeting, Mike Scanlon City Administrator was asked if it were true that he was in the top three candidates for the Gardner Kansas City Administrator position. Scanlon said that he didn’t know if he was in the top three but did acknowledge he was in fact applying for the position.

-

(Click image for larger photo)

By Mike Galvin, Mission Resident

The "Sustainability Commission" is a farce, and a waste of city funds, since the whole "Sustainable Community" mantra is a proclamation under false pretenses. It is bureaucracy created to oversee something that doesn't exist... The fear mongering of this hoax, for profit and loss of property rights, is all predicated on the declaration of anthropogenic global warming....anthropogenic meaning human activity induced. And the global warming alarmists have been proven to be wrong. Falsified data records have been exposed. Even the hypocrite Al Gore has been admitting defeat lately:

Most of all, common sense and experience tells us that we are just guests on this planet.....the only one in control is God. How pompous it is to think that humans have a say in how planet Earth operates? Do people honestly think that money (carbon taxes) can tame the planet? Come on man! Last time I looked, volcanoes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and asteroids don't come with an on/off switch or deposit box. We're along for the ride......

Global warming, or, since that doesn't work anymore, Climate Change, is a scam...a deception. And we're part of it, whether we like it or not. Our city's future has been planned around it. It's all over the city's website....and all over the city: All the diet road projects (lane reduction), the landing strip sidewalks, the manufactured swamps, the big ugly unnatural tree signs.....the entire P3 People Planet Prosperity dog and pony show is misguided, and has no scientific basis. It is corruption at its finest. Don't believe me? Do the research. Like any form of corruption, to find the source, follow the money. Where does the Sustainable Community movement come from? The United Nations, specifically it's Agenda 21. We are all content to let a global group from afar govern our lives? There is not one leader in the UN that was elected by the people.....not one. And we are to follow their direction? Come on man! This is the same UN that is murdering scores of innocent civilians in Libya, and around the world, under the pretense of "peacekeeping".

Here's another good one: they don't have enough money for road maintenance, since they spent it on unnecessary "Sustainable Community" stuff, so they install a cockamamie disguised property tax, and then proudly proclaim (big yellow dictator signs) that they're really doing something? MINUTES OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION JULY 28, 2011

What do you all think? I'd really like to know.

August 10th 2011

Area cities’ austerity measures ‘run the gamut’

By MATT PEARCE
  The Kansas City Star

(Please Note; no mention of the City of Mission Kansas)

Roeland Park employees carpool more now.
 
For conferences, they’ll also split hotel rooms with staff from other cities. Soon, the city could be sharing garbage services and specialized equipment with its neighbors — anything to save a buck in a city that didn’t have money to trim trees in 2011.
 
“You’re trying to stretch dollars, bottom line,” Roeland Park City Administrator Aaron Otto said.
 
And Roeland Park is hardly alone. While Johnson County’s cities remain among the most prosperous in the region, a grueling economic slowdown — now entering its fourth year — has introduced a new era of austerity for some local decision-makers, leading to tax hikes, slashed services and some unusual cost-cutting measures. Read More

August 9th 2011

By Dave Conradt

The City of Mission Kansas will have their public hearing on the 2012 budget this week on Wednesday at 6:30 at City Hall. I don't think they have put out a detailed budget, yet. They have been talking at recent meetings about having to limit General Fund spending to $9.5 million for 2012.  However, it appears that the budget they will send to the County for property taxes will be $10.3 million. That will act as a cap on the budget. They will probably pass a budget resolution perhaps at the same meeting telling staff to find things they can cut. The actual final budget is probably a couple of months away. However, the meeting on Wednesday may be the only time the public can comment.

Additionally, there is work going on to put two quarter cent sales taxes on the ballot for later this year. The first is for transportation funding. City staff has been authorized to draft language for the transportation increase. As part of that Mike Scanlon suggested at a City Council work session on 7/27, that they add rebating $300,000 of TUF if the sales tax passes. He now thinks that the City only needs $1.25 million a year now for roads, instead of the original $1.5 million that was calculated for the TUF. The City Council was agitated by this discussion. They need to have the wording for the ballot done by September 7th. You may remember that citizens told them at meetings last they could have a sales tax or the TUF, but not both. They would appear to ignoring that.

Also, at the budget meeting on Tuesday they indicated that TUF can pay for the Nall project... I don't know how that squares with the rebate above. I don't recall Nall being on the TUF repair schedule, but I haven't looked.

The City Council discussed closing the outdoor pool in an effort to balance the budget. In response last month, the Mayor assembled a task force to study the pool. They are working quickly to come up with a recommendation by the same September 7th deadline. The recommendation will probably ask for a quarter cent sales tax to build a new pool and provide for community center maintenance.

July 20th 2011

More cities feel pressed to adopt property tax hikes

By Loren Stanton

Johnson County Sun Newspapers

Johnson County cities largely have balanced budgets during the recession by cutting costs rather than raising taxes, but that likely will change for three communities next year.

Overland Park, Lenexa and Prairie Village all are considering property tax hikes to support their 2012 budgets.

The moves are being made in part to keep from getting farther behind on street maintenance projects and to avoid personnel losses. The slight boost of six-tenths of a mill in Prairie Village is for hiring two police officers. Most cities around the county have been making cuts in projects, services and staff for the last several years in order survive revenue shortfalls. With retail activity slowed, sales tax revenues are lagging, and with property valuations declining so are property tax collections.

Cities will be holding public hearings and casting final votes on their spending plans over the next several weeks, but only minor adjustments usually are made in these final stages of budget development. Following are 2012 budget highlights from the county’s six largest cities.

OVERLAND PARK The City Council voted unanimously last week to move forward with a budget containing a 4.1-mill increase in the property tax rate. During the recession, the city has avoided tax increases by making significant cutbacks in personnel and by deferring maintenance on streets. But council members are choosing higher taxes over even greater austerity out of concern that further cuts could be detrimental to quality of life and long-term interests of the city.

Click here to read the rest of the story

July18th 2011

Congratulations to the citizens of Wisconsin and welcome to the 21st century.

Beginning in November they too may legally carry concealed weapons, leaving only the state of Illinois that does not allow any kind of private CCW.  Having said that, it doesn’t mean it’s easy to get your license in every other state, it’s not necessarily so.

Link to: Wisconsin CCW

June 22nd 2011

Link to: June 22, budget Hearing Part 1

Link to: June 22, budget Hearing Part 2

June 21st 2011

Link to: June 21st Budget Hearing Part 1

Link to: June 21st Budget Hearing Part 2

June 17th 2011

2012 Budget Seminars
scheduled for June 20th & June 21stat the Sylvester Powell, Jr. Community Center
6200 Martway 7:00 - 8:00 p.m

Our Annual Budget is a process that starts in March with an update to our Five-Year Financial Forecast. The forecast helps create the framework for future budget decisions by trying to estimate our financial condition over the next five years. The forecast is produced for our General Fund only. The General Fund is where we pay for all of our operating costs, including Parks & Recreation, Police, and Public Works. Debt Service and Infrastructure costs come from other funds.

2011 Five-Year Financial Forecast Assumptions

Revenues: There will be no growth in revenues for the next five years, and in the base year (2012) we’ve reduced our starting revenue collections by an additional 5% to account for the continued decline in property values and sales tax collections. There has been no change in base rates or fee charges during the entire forecast period.

Expenditures: We have capped annual growth in all expense categories at 2% with the exception of Capital Outlay, which we expect to grow at a higher rate (7.5%). We did this to account for the liabilities we’ve created by not replacing our fleet and equipment in the last two years, which will in turn force a higher cost in the future. We will need to continue contributions to our debt service and capital improvement funds to meet our debt and capital improvement objectives.

Forecast Results: Without improvement in revenue collections, the City needs to identify at least $650,000 in annual savings starting in 2012 in order to balance our General Fund budget over the next five years. State Law requires a balanced budget, so we cannot kick the can (problem) down the road.

2008 -- 2010 Actuals and Budget 2011

If you look at the City’s actual audited General Fund expenses since 2008, they have remained flat every year with the exception of 2011 where we cut them by about 3%. Understand that in those flat periods we have been internalizing any inflationary costs by either reducing expenses or passing increase health insurance costs on to our employees. We will need to decrease our budget even more in 2012 to meet the forecasted revenue numbers. Given that most of our budget is made up of people costs this is likely going to require a further reduction in the number of employees we have.

For Full Content Including Figures - Click here for 2012 Budget

Proceeding Forward -- Building the 2012 Budget

How should we pick the cuts?

>>>>><<<<<

June 10th 2011

The City of Mission Kansas has requested the below information be posted on this website.
>>>>><<<<<
Mission will be holding Budget Seminars on June 20th and 21st from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Would you please add this information to your website? The Mayor will be sending out a brief E-Mail newsletter about this and if anyone has any questions they may call City Hall.

Thanks,

Martha

June 9th 2011

The City of Mission Kansas has on their 2012 Budget Calendar two Community Dialogue meetings. They are set for June 20th and 21st.

The city council talked about getting the word out about the meetings at tonight's (06-08-2011) Finance and Administration meeting, but so far they have not done anything, not even on there web site. I am not quite sure what they will be talking about since they are still in the early stages of developing the budget. They said they would ask Bill Nichols to put the meetings on his web site. Bill was not there tonight so no video. Click here: For the rest of David Conradt's letter

May 17th 2011

Construction of Mission Gateway project is pushed back
 
By KEVIN COLLISON
The Kansas City Star

A groundbreaking for the long-awaited Mission Gateway project has been pushed back even further, until at least September, the developer said Monday.  
Tom Valenti of Cameron Group, based in Syracuse, N.Y., said that although he was still encouraged by the response he’d received from prospective tenants, the goal he expressed last December of starting construction next month wouldn’t materialize. Read More::

May 4th 2011

The Spirit of Mission Days 60th Anniversary promises to be a blast! Click here to visit the MCVB's official 60th Anniversary webpage!

Friday, May 6th: Saturday, May 7th: Evans Midland Empire Carnival Thursday, May 12 through Sunday, May 15th HU? What happened to May 6th & 7th? Welcome to Mission!

>>>>><<<<<

Click There > Recall Mayor & City Council Survey

(Survey Ended April 30th 2011)

The results of the below survey appear to indicate a close to 50/50 split in opinions by those that chose to participate. Only question #1 can be construed as a positive response, questions #2, 3 & 4 ranges from slightly negative to unacceptable fiscal behavior.   The Mayor:  58.1% - 41.9%  - The Council: 55.6% - 44.4%

- ----------------The mayor is doing a fine job.  58.1% - - - - - - - --These council members are doing a fine job.  55.6%
- - - - - ---------The mayor could have gone slower.  9.7% ------- The council could have gone slower on spending.  -------7.9%  
- - - --------- -- I will not vote for her next time.  - - --9.7% -------- I will not vote for my council representative next time. -11.1%
- - - --------- -- I will sign a recall petition          - - - 22.5%--------- I will sign a recall petition for my council person.  -------25.4%
------

April 26th 2011

Does Mission need yet another fast food restaurant?  
Across the street (south west) of Johnny’s Hickory House BBQ will raise a Culver’s Restaurant in what was approved by the city to be “multi-tenant retail building”.   

"Mission Crossing Project
The Mission Crossing developers have submitted revised site plans for review
showing the conversion of the northern most building along Metcalf from a multi-tenant
retail building to a Culver’s Restaurant. The proposed Culver’s building would be
approximately 4,200 square feet in size. Architectural changes to the remaining retail
building are also included in the proposal."

Things you might remember for later on: Additional traffic in and out?  TIF! Another fast food restaurant being built now on Johnson Drive next to Taco Bell, west of McDonalds.  TIF! As far as the city is concerned; who knew it would not be as planned and when did they find out?

April 18th 2011

The go-go economic development days of the early 2000s should have taught Kansas City-area officials a lesson: Be very wary of backing private projects with public cash, especially if the public liability has no limits. Read more from the KC Star

04-18-2011

Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act: Concealed Carry Handgun License Applications – Updated 4/1/2011

Read The Stats

April 15th 2011

Despite the costs, metro sprawl goes ever-outward

By YAEL T. ABOUHALKAH
The Kansas City Star
Posted on Wed, Apr. 13, 2011 10:15 PM
>snip<  This is the kind of sprawl that (sorry, suburbanites) costs taxpayers a boatload of money as they build new schools, roads, sewers and water lines and provide lots of services such as public safety. And don’t forget the public money it costs to maintain all those streets, schools, sewers, etc., in the future.
>snip<  The 10 cities that added the most people were Olathe (32,910), Overland Park (24,292), Lee’s Summit (20,664), Kansas City, Mo. (18,242), Shawnee (14,213), Gardner (9,727), Raymore (8,060), Lenexa (7,952), Blue Springs (4,495) and Leawood (4,211).
•The eight cities with the biggest losses were Kansas City, Kan., (down 1,080 residents), Gladstone (down 955), Raytown (down 862), Prairie Village (down 625), North Kansas City (down 506), Grandview (down 406), Mission (down 404) and Pleasant Valley (down 360). Read More

(Thanks Mike)

April 7th 2011

April 4th 2011

Welcome to Nall Avenue

67th & Nall Avenue, North Bound--------------------------------------------------- 63rd & Nall Avenue, South Bound

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March 31st 2011

Mission’s Driveway Tax Fodder for Roeland Park Race
Millett said that the primary issues facing the city are keeping taxes in check and protecting residential property values. “We need to look at the budget closely and avoid a tax increase at all cost,” he said. Millett favors monitoring expenses and keeping spending in check to avoid a tax increase. Millett said that the City Council should put more emphasis on attracting new businesses to Roeland Park to increase sales and property tax income. “Mission’s driveway tax could drive a lot of businesses away and Roeland Park should take advantage of that,” he said. (Thanks Currie)

March 29th 2011

MISSION POLICE
March 17-23, 2011
Offenses and arrests at selected locations during the past week:
1. One Disorderly Conduct reported at Quik-Trip.
2. One Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Minor reported at Lamar Place Apartments.
3. One Domestic Battery and one Theft reported at The Falls Apartments.
4. One Hit & Run Accident reported at Target.

● Mission Officers issued 235 traffic citations.
Parking Citations - 10
DUI Arrests - 20
Total Arrests – 45

● Mission Officers responded to 6 alarms.
Residential – 1
Commercial – 5

PATROL AND TRAFFIC
Police arrested 17 people at a DUI checkpoint in Mission early Saturday morning, March 18th.
Officers checked a total of 275 cars, and the arrests included 17 for DUI, and one for disorderly conduct. Two of those arrested were also charged with possession of drugs. A total of 52 officers participated in the operation.
Officers from Mission, Merriam, Prairie Village, Westwood, Paola, Olathe, Spring Hill and Wellsville Police Departments participated, as well as deputies from Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol assisted in the operation.

March 9th 2011

Mission's Finance & Administration Committe

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

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Update on City Council Policy Video (Click here)

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Update on Direction Finder Survey Video (Click here)

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Five Year financial Forcast Video (Click here)

March 4th 2011

Today it began; the deconstruction of the City of Mission’s elected elite. 

Click here

Filing for the 3rd Ward council seat was Jennifer Cowdry; her objection to the current Council Woman is uncontrolled spending and calling the Driveway tax a fee.

March 4th 2011

Nall Avenue Improvements
      (From Mission’s website)

The City of Mission has awarded a construction contract to Miles Excavating Inc. for completion of the Nall Avenue Rehabilitation Project (67th Street to Martway Street). Construction will be underway soon. All streets will be open to local traffic only during the majority of construction work. 

Click here for information on Preliminary Construction Schedule and history of the deconstruction of Nall Avenue Mission Kansas.

The Nall Avenue Rehabilitation Project was originally a Johnson County CARS project slated for 2011. Because the City of Shawnee has had to suspend CARS projects due to budget constraints, Mission was awarded CARS funds to move forward with the Nall project in 2010.  The project’s main goal includes replacement of curbs and pavement, which are in poor condition. The City’s street condition inventory of 2008 found segments of Nall Avenue to be among the worst road segments in Mission
GIVE ME A BREAK!

Planned Improvements

The improvement concept provides a Nall Avenue Trail of one-mile in length. This trail will connect with the Rock Creek Trail in Mission and allow for safer bicycle and pedestrian crossing of Shawnee Mission Parkway.  Want to tell me how that’s going to work?  Elevated bike path over Shawnee Mission Parkway?  Tunnel?  Or, the seldom used “improvement” users will be beamed up from one side of the parkway and deposited on the other by the orbiting space ship that apparently beamed most of the city’s conspirators to earth?   Click here to view a short video of Nall Avenue. My God, what a waste of money and resources!

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You went and did it. Tore it down to put up a bus stop! So far, it's cost us $88,000.00 that we know of.

Incredible

February 26th 2011

Independence pays $3.5 million for debt-service payment for Bass Pro retail site

By BRIAN BURNES – The Kansas City Star

Tax revenues generated by a development anchored by a Bass Pro Shops store have lagged expectations so severely that Independence now must make a huge debt-service payment.
City leaders voted Tuesday to cover the $3.5 million payment on bonds sold to finance the development.
The city has asked the development group, Crackerneck Creek LLC, to reimburse it for the amount.
The developers, in a letter delivered this week, said they were unable to do that.

The above story brings to mind the Charles Dickens tale of Scrooge and his ghost of Christmas future; substitute Mission Kansas for Independence Missouri and project it a few years down the road.  Read More

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Mixed-use project takes shape at former yearbook plant in Mission

By KEVIN COLLISON - The Kansas City Star

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A developer is seeking a permit to demolish the former Herff Jones yearbook plant at 61st Street and Metcalf Avenue, the first step toward redeveloping the property as a mixed-use project.

Mission officials said Monday that Lane4 Property Group applied for the demolition permit late last week. The developer has filed a redevelopment plan with the city that calls for building three retail structures on the site and a four-story senior living residence. Read More: From the KC Star - Also Read: KCRag Forum

February 17th 2011

Regarding the second story below dated yesterday.

Just a couple of points. While the debt is now $31.2 million that is not the same thing as being in the hole by that amount. The money was used to invest in infrastructure. There are additional assets on the City's books that have a value greater than the debt. I have not heard anyone debate that they have repaired and I guess fixed the Stormwater system. If that is so, they do get some credit (no pun intended) for that.
Dave Conradt

February 16th 2011 - From the Kansas City Star

If we build it, will they ride?
STEVE ROSE COMMENTARY

There’s no getting around it. The numbers are dismal.

Out of more than a half-million residents in Johnson County, only about 725 take the bus daily — when you subtract the one-fourth of our riders who fill the buses to Lawrence from Overland Park, as well as those who travel on the “special needs” buses. Read More

JOHNSON COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL (Link) - Goals & Objectives - Don't forget the Bus stop video: Link

The City of Mission Kansas paid $85,000 to have this building just vacated by Capital Federal destroyed in order to erect a bus stop which will then be given to Johnson County Kansas. (Incredible)

February 16th 2011

Moody’s (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Aaa: Moody judges obligations rated Aaa to be the highest quality, with the "smallest degree of risk".

Aa (Aa1, Aa2, Aa3): Moody judges obligations rated Aa to be high quality, with "very low credit risk", but "their susceptibility to long-term risks appears somewhat greater".  (AA+, AA and AA- in S&P)

Clck here to see the rest of Moody's Rating System

February 11th 2011

Link to Fox News and their take on our "Driveway" Tax

February 10th 2011 Part II

Dear Friends,  

Many of you may have heard the announcement in the news this week about the Aquarium project planned for Crown Center. The media covered the story on Wednesday, detailing plans for a $15 million project set to open in 2012.

 The immediate question for those of us in Mission is, “what impact does this have on The Gateway project?”

Read the rest of Mayor Laura McConwell's letter

February 10th 2011

Taking Liberties: Taxing Church Attendance?
By Douglas Kennedy

Published February 10, 2011
FoxNews.com

Erik Stanley walked up Woodson Road in Mission, Kansas, surveying the church parking lot at St. Pius X Catholic Church. He said the government can tax your life and can tax your death, but they’re not supposed to tax your church. Link to: Read More

Aquarium to Locate at Crown Center

February 9, 2011

Kansas City will get an aquarium in 2012.
The much discussed, but never acted upon aquarium will be located in much of the building that now houses the Halls department store.
Crown Center and a British based company, Merlin Entertainments will operate a $15 million dollar aquarium under the SEA LIFE aquarium brand. A news release says,”The deal is signed and unconditional, and will not receive any tax incentives.”
“We are exited to bring this great attraction to our city”, said Bill Lucas of Crown Center.
Crown Center says moving the Hall department store will be relatively easy because most a department store’s space is a big box.
SEA LIFE plans to develop an aquarium exhibit featuring aquatic life from the Missouri River, floating to the Mississippi River, to the Gulf and then the Atlantic.
SEA LIFE claims to be the world’s biggest aquarium brand with 30 facilities attracting 8 .million visitor a year. The Kansas City aquarium will present a 2-3 hour aquatic tour.
There has been talk of developing an aquarium for Kansas City for decades. Past potential locations included the river front, Union Station and lately, the demolished site of the old Mission Mall. SEA LIFE says Kansas City had several elements in its favor.
One was the lack of any regional competition for an aquarium for at least 200 miles.
The company also like the financial power of Crown Center. A third factor they says the attractive demographics for a family- themed attraction.

  February 9th 2011 Part II

 

Mayor Laura McConwell first says yes and then no to Fox News

 

The law firm representing the Catholic & Baptist churches against the City of Mission (The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) regarding ‘The Driveway Tax’ has amended the lawsuit to include businesses & residences.

 

According to reports, Fox News National picked up the story & was ready to fly someone out from New York to interview the Mayor.  Apparently, she agreed and then declined the interview.  As we understand it; Fox News plans on airing Mission ’s story February 10, 2011 .

 

It would seem; Fox News interest lies with the issue of churches being taxed and not necessarily on the amended information which includes the rest of the so called “Transportation Utility Fee”.  

 

“The object in structuring a TUF, therefore, is to make it as much like a user fee and as little like a tax as possible. A TUF imposed by Fort Collins , Colorado , was upheld by the supreme court of that state when it was determined to be a valid fee. The Supreme Court of Idaho struck down Pocatello 's TUF when it was held to be a disguised tax” 

 

Interesting! 
There does not appear to be a first amendment issue here but another question begs for an answer?  Why does an extremely well paid City Administrator have to use his valuable time monitoring the social networks and the little town of Mission Kansas’s “official website"?  (See below from working copy) Link to full: Document

3. City Councilmembers wishing to make changes, update information, or enact other modifications to the City’s official website or official web accounts must submit their request in writing to either the City Clerk or the Director of Parks and Recreation Administrator.

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For the City Council Meeting February 16th 2011

Ths is what the fuss is about: Link to Nall Ave Video (2:23) Video

01-28-2011 Bid Opening for the DESTRUCTION of Nall Ave (9:19) Video

Nall Ave. Update 02-12-2011 (8:26) Video

February 2011 - Mission's INTERNET POSTING POLICY Link

$15,000.00 for an Opinion Poll That the City does not have to follow Link - February 2011

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→ - Link to: KANSAS STATE RIFLE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING - June 2011 - ←

City in Kansas pushes law believed to violate religious liberties

Kansas Liberty: 28 December 2010

The ordinance under consideration would add sexual identity to the city’s current ordinance as a protected category, and would also make Manhattan the first city in Kansas with a law opposing perceived discrimination against what the proposed ordinance refers to as “gender identity.” Mayor Bruce Snead said: “We’re pushing the envelope.” Read More: Link

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Truth Emerging on Unencumbered K-12 Education Funds
By Paul Soutar on December 27, 2010

What could Kansas do with an extra $743 million? That’s a question legislators and the governor-elect want answered.
Kansas K-12 schools had $1.567 billion in unencumbered or carryover cash on July 1 and as much as $743 million of it could be made available for discretionary spending by school districts, according to state government research.

Those numbers, released in November, came as a surprise to legislators who were told in April, during final 2011 budget deliberations, that schools’ carryover balances would be $1.156 billion, $411 million lower than they actually were on July

Republican leaders in Topeka want to put some of the carryover money to use. Link to rest of the story.

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2010 Tax Bills and 2011 Budget & Frequently Asked Questions For the City of Mission Kansas

 

What is 952 MIC TRANUTLY on my Property Tax Bill? - What is 208 MIC STORMDRG - What is 260 MICSOLIDWAST on my Property Tax Bill? - What is the City Mill rate? Click Here: 2011 Budget in Brief

 

Link to: TUF - Opposition's response to the City: Click Here

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_What a Difference a Year Makes; or Does It?

MINUTES OF THE MISSION CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 18, 2009Also Link to: Mission Square

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Johnson County District Court Receives Lawsuit Against City of Mission Kansas

When asked for an interview regarding the lawsuit, Mike Scanlon City Adminstrator replyed; "We don't discuss lawsuits"

Author Erik Stanley - ADF Senior Legal Counsel

ADF filed a lawsuit against the City of Mission, Kansas, after the City instituted a “driveway tax” and applied it to churches and other non-profits. The “driveway tax” charges property owners within the City of Mission an amount that is calculated based on the number of trips in and out of their driveways. As bizarre as it sounds, churches are taxed for 5.8 trips per week per seat in their sanctuaries. The people of Mission, Kansas, therefore, are paying a tax every time they go to church.

The City of Mission calls this charge a “Transportation Utility Fee,” and the monies raised are ostensibly earmarked to repair the City’s streets. But this is not a “fee” at all. Rather, the charge is a property tax in disguise. And this new and unique property tax conflicts directly with the Kansas state law that exempts churches, non-profits and charities from property taxes. The City of Mission cannot institute a new property tax on churches and non-profits when the State has already declared these organizations exempt from property taxes. Read More

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WHAT A WASTE AND A DAMNED, DAMNED SHAME!
Where does the shame lie? City of Mission? City of Overland Park? Johnson County? State of Kansas? Maybe but in the end it’s you and me, citizens of Mission for allowing our elected officials the luxury of no oversight by the electorate.

Next month the ‘old Capital Federal Building’ 5251 Johnson Drive is scheduled to be demolished in order to build a ‘bus stop” and then give it to Johnson County. The demolition is costing over 86,000 Mission dollars.

The New CapFed building - -Now Known as The Church

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Why? To What Purpose?

Link to Short Video

 

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WASHINGTON — Cities’ revenues will plunge sharply as property taxes, in their first year of recession-impacted reassessments, get set to decline deeply in 2011. Local government fiscal shortfalls may total $83 billion, which the League of Cities estimates may force up to 500,000 staff reductions. Basic city services will shrink. Infrastructure projects will get cancelled or postponed.

These are hard times for America’s local governments. Economists may declare the Great Recession is “over,” but localities see a different picture. The federal stimulus monies that helped so many of them balance their budgets runs out December 31. So does Washington’s two-year old “Build America” bond program, which has made local infrastructure borrowing more affordable.

Plus, as yet another season of compounded budget cuts dawns, cities must also struggle with unrelenting increases in health care costs. Many also face a fearsome debt overhang of heavy pension obligations.

Read More

Change - Change - Change

Finance and Administration Meeting Scheduled For December 1st is now tomorrow November 30th At Powell Community Center Mission Kansas Rooms A & B
This is a date & locations change from City Hall.
The Driveway Tax will be discussed. There should Be seating for all of us this time.

A Letter to Mission's City Adminstrator Mr. Scanlon

It has come to my attention that you have stated you received 5 or 6 calls from residents with complaints alleging the tactic of bullying by those who were handing out flyers for the cause of repealing your inappropriate driveway tax. I understand you made that statement to my friend Steve Schowengerdt. To qualify, did you say that? If so, I would like you to reveal the details of those said calls. Who are the residents who state that they were bullied? What did they say? Did they state that they were "bullied", or did you subjectively affix that label? Read The Rest

The protest; between two and three hundred yesterday (11-17-2010)

Mission City Council, DON'T SPEND THE 5.7 MILLION JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN!

↓

Take 2 minutes and make the trip up Nall Ave. via → video.
Nall Avenue a perfectly good four lane mostly divided street that the Mission Kansas City Council wants to shrink to three lanes, add a bike/ped. sidewalk that few, very few will use. 5.7 million dollars of city, county, state & federal funds.

This link is mostly a primer for the media. Click here

Mission’s Wasteful Spending, Too Many To List Here! Link To: Wasteful Spending

Any Idea Why The City of Mission Kansas is Doing This? Yes? Then Tell the Rest of Us!

 

 

Written by CW Schuman, Guest Columnist    
Wednesday, 10 November 2010  

The Johnson County Sun

Some of the policies of the Johnson County Commission are antiquated. The county collects the County Assistance Roads System (CARS) money and distributes it to the cities. The commission needs to have a Master Plan showing which roads are considered county thoroughfares, collector streets and residential streets. As it has been explained to me, CARS funds were generally set up to help develop the county road system. Some cities are using this money to make two-lane roads out of four-lane roads. Link to: The Rest of the Column

 

 

November 3rd 2010 Mission Kansas City Hall

Community Development Committee

 

Snow Removal.  Link to:  $25,000 (No Bid?) ((4:32))

Sustainability Report.  Link to:  Commission Members (9:07)

On-Call Traffic Engineering.  Link to:  An Interesting Conclusion (10:52)

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Mission's Debt Restructuring or how to spend money without spending money by spending money later?

 

Up-Dated 10-26-2010 - A non city employee or contractor's evaluation (interesting).

 

Link to the above

 

October 15, 2010

Debbie Kring is a Councilwoman from the City of Mission Kansas.  She apparently is taking a citizen who is cirulating a petition critizing the adminstration for it’s excess spending to task.  The following is from Face Book.

Debbie Kring Dave......please tread lightly when combining church with state activities. Your petition activities should not be conducted on church property. I will be at St. Pius on Saturday and Sunday.........hope to see you there :-) Link to: Dave's Face Book page.

October 15, 2010

By Mike Galvin

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.......simply amazing.  That's like abandoning your car just because it ran out of gas, and getting a new one.

This information is available to the public, but really isn't well known public information.  The more residents, and non-residents, know about this, and the other cockamamie brain challenged ideas of this administration, the better.  We need to get the public media involved.  Channel 5 is right down the street.  It's just like exposing the man behind the curtain as the real Oz.....heck, Toto figured that one out. Read more of Mike Galvin's letter.

 

Tuesday, Oct. 5 Kansas City Star, Mission utility fee hurts residents

Mission did not adequately think this “driveway tax” through when trying to cover budget expenditures. Since it is actually a fee and not a tax, residents cannot deduct it from state or federal income taxes. The real cost is much larger than advertised.

While businesses can deduct the fee as a cost of doing business, individuals can’t. Also, using the fee to replace some of the lowered property tax may result in some residents paying income taxes they would not have paid in the past.

Based on Mission’s philosophy for streets, the city should change all of the various funding items to user fees. For instance, that would mean complete support of the new walking trail by the users, or charging for the storm drainage system on the amount of runoff each site generates.

If the street program is a capital improvement program that envisions complete reconstruction of a street, it should be financed by a bond issue. Otherwise, it should be paid for as ongoing maintenance in the general budget. This fee appears to circumvent the voters in a bond issue to avoid raising the budget for maintenance.

Robert C. Wessel

Mission

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On August 25th 2010, Mission's City Administrator Mike Scanlan suggested that a committee whose members were appointed by Mayor Laura McConwell be dissolved when confronted with strenuous objections to the (so called) Driveway Tax

(From Minutes of the Mission Downtown Visioning Committee August 25, 2010)

"Mr. Scanlon asked if maybe it is time to dissolve the Downtown Visioning Committee (DVC). Mr. Scanlon stated if the rest of the Committee feels as Dave does, then spending any money would be counter intuitive to Dave's argument. Mr. Scanlon stated that the time for this Committee may be when there are better economic times.

The Committee disagreed with Mr. Scanlon's assessment, suggested that investing in the Downtown District is important, that the committee needs to continue, and the City needs to look at what they can do to invest in Johnson Drive."

Read the full text:Minutes of the Mission Downtown Visioning Committee

City of Mission Transportation Utility Fee Frequently Asked  

C i t y o f M I SSI O N

6090 WOODSON ROAD

MISSION , KANSAS 66202

(913) 676-8350 - FAX (913) 722-1415

What is a Transportation Utility Fee (TUF)?

Although sometimes referred to as a “driveway tax,” the TUF does not have anything to do with “driveways” (or parking lot size), nor is it a tax. The TUF is a user fee, assessed through property tax bills.

Why do we have a Transportation Utility Fee?

David Harvey, (unsuccessful candidate for the Kansas State Senate District 7) stated that a female mayor in the 7th District told him that residents do not like taxes but will pay fees.  You can find Mr. Harvey’s video Link To:Video; five minutes into the remarks he speaks of the mayor, “her”, you can judge for yourself who “she” might be

..........