City Managers Report

 
 

The Honorable Mayor

and members of the City Council

City of Warrensburg, Missouri

 

Dear Mayor and Council Members:

SUBJECT: City Manager Report for the June 8, 2009 City Council Meeting

Council Letter No. 09-087

 

June 4, 2009

 
 

“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.”

 

-- Benjamin Franklin

 

  
 

Inspire a Shared Vision

Challenge the Process

Enable Others to Act

Encourage the Heart

Model the Way

 

The quotation for this City Manager Report centers on the leadership concept of

"Model the Way.”

 

City Council Meetings, Study Sessions, and Executive Sessions

 

Our next meeting is a City Council Budget Retreat that is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. this Friday, June 5, at the Community Center in Multi Room C.  A City Council letter and Agenda has been sent to you under separate cover. 

 

The regular City Council Meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 8, 2009, and we plan to have an Executive Session at 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall Annex just prior to the regular City Council Meeting.  We anticipate that the Agenda for the 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting will include the following:

 

  • Resolution Authorizing the Payment of Bills;
  • Resolution Adopting the Red Flag Policy;
  • Public Hearing and Ordinance Amending Sections 27-200 and 27-236 and Adding Sections 27-237 through 27-239 Regarding Amateur Towers;
  • Public Hearing and Ordinance Amending Sections 27-119 (d) (1) j 5 and 27-300 (c) (1) h Regarding Amendments to Notice Requirements;
  • Presentation by HDR/Archer Engineers on the Inflow & Infiltration Study;
  • Appearance of Mr. Joel Urdang, Master of Public Health (MPH), and Discussion of Potential June 22, 2009 Public Comment Agenda Item on City Smoking Ban
  • Ordinance Creating a City Tree Board;
  • Ordinance Authorizing a Change Order for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Project;
  • Ordinance Granting an Easement to Murdock and Banner;
  • Ordinance Granting an Easement to Brooks Automotive;
  • Ordinance Approving and Accepting a Minor Plat of Civic Center Addition;
  • Ordinance Amending the 2008-2009 Operating Budget for the City of Warrensburg, Missouri;
  • Update on the Hamilton Street Improvement Project;
  • Mayoral Appointments to Boards and Commissions.

 

Possible items for the June 22, 2009 City Council Agenda include:

  • Discussion and Possible Action on Council Meeting Procedures;
  • Possible Public Hearing on Smoking Ban Ordinance;
  • Resolution by the Parks Board and the City Council on Policies;
  • Review and Discussion of User fees and Rates;
  • Discussion of 2009-10 Strategic Plan including; City Goals, Objectives, Action Steps;
  • Ordinance Authorizing a Contract with Archer Engineers for an Inflow & Infiltration Study;
  • Ordinance Authorizing an Agreement with OATS, Inc. for Old Drum Public Transportation;
  • Ordinance Authorizing a Contract for Engineering Services for Hamilton St;

 

City Moves Up Agenda Deadlines to Provide Earlier Council Meeting Information to City Council   

At the last City Council meeting, Council Member Baird Brock suggested that City staff attempt to move up the delivery of upcoming City Council Agenda information to the City Council.  In an attempt to meet that request, we plan to e-mail to the City Council on the Thursday morning before each City Council meeting, the following:

City Council Agenda;

City Manager Report;

City Staff Letters to City Council without attachments.

 

A complete City Council packet with attachments will be forwarded to the City Council Friday afternoon.  In order to meet this request, the following dates, times and deadlines have been revised and established:

  • Bills due to Accounts Payable by 12:00 p.m. on the Monday prior to the first City Council meeting in the month.
  • City Department Directors should report items to be included with attachments for the City Manager’s Report by Monday 5:00 p.m.
  • For an item to be placed on the upcoming City Council Agenda, any item should be submitted to the City Manager’s Office for review by Tuesday 12:00 p.m. (noon) prior to the upcoming Monday City Council Meeting. 
  • Department City Council letters for the Agenda are due Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. 
  • Warrensburg Economic Partners Reports are due by Wednesday 12:00 p.m.
  • City Staff Attachments to Council letters are due by Thursday noon, 12:00 p.m.
  • Draft Agenda packets (Agenda, City Manager Report, and City Staff Letters to City Council without attachments) will be sent via e-mail to Council on Thursday by 10:00 a.m. 
  • Complete Final Agenda Packets with ordinances, resolutions and attachments will be hand delivered to the City Council Friday after 12:00 p.m.
  • The final City Council Agenda and City Manager Report will be placed on the City’s web page by Friday 5:00 p.m.

 

City Employees Schedule “Picnic in the Park” and Select Quarterly Leadership Challenge Recipient this Friday, June 5

Since 2004, a group of dedicated City employees (City Holiday Committee) have quarterly developed an employee social and get together to not only have some fun and fellowship, but to also provide an opportunity to recognize employee recipient of the quarterly Leadership Challenge Award.  This year’s summer session will be held at Grover Park and has been titled “Picnic in the Park.”  The event is scheduled this Friday, June 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and City Council Members are always invited to participate.  Thanks to this year’s Holiday Committee (Brett Penrose, Megan Douglas, Jacquie Estes, Marcy Bryant, Phil Adlich, Cary Murphy, and Bill Graves) for all you do.  I cannot thank you enough.

 

City to Review Existing City User Fees and Rates  

In May of 2007, the City Council adopted the Financial Management Policy for the City of Warrensburg.  The adoption of this Financial Management Policy was directly related to one of the City Council’s four major goals in the City’s Strategic Plan.  That goal is to:

 

“Maintain a financially stable local economy and City government that meets the community’s needs.”

 

In these Financial Management Policies, the City Council included a provision that outlined the policy on revenue.  It includes the following:

 

  • A diversified revenue base shall be maintained to prevent revenue shortfalls due to reliance on a single revenue source.
  • All existing and potential revenue sources will be reviewed annually to ensure revenue trends are kept current.
  • One-time revenues will be used only for one-time expenditures. The City will avoid using temporary revenues to fund ongoing services.
  • Monthly reports comparing actual to budgeted revenues will be prepared by the Finance Department and presented to the City Manager, the Mayor and the City Council.
  • All City funds will be invested in accordance with the approved investment policy.
  • User fees and rates will be examined annually to ensure that they are at levels that fully recover total direct and indirect costs.
  • The City will follow a policy of collecting, on a timely basis, all fees, charges, taxes, and other revenues properly due the City.  The City will follow an aggressive policy of collecting all delinquencies due the City.

 

Please be advised that City staff has begun its annual review of user fees and rates and we anticipate a report will be provided to the City Council at either your June 22 or July 13 City Council Meeting.   

 

 

City Staff Developing Updated Contracting and Personnel Policies

The City Manager is responsible for administering the operation of the City and to do so often a written or administrative regulation is needed.  Attached is a listing of the Administrative policies that are on the City’s internal CityNet that is used by our employees to effectively implement administrative functions.  Assistant City Manager Chris Lowe has been working on updating the Personnel and City Contracting Policy.  We anticipate that the contracting policy will be provided during the month of June and that the personnel policy will be provided in July.   

 

Visitor and Tourism Board

Enclosed are a visitor coupon package brochure and a University Parent Guide.  Suzy Latare, Visitors Center Coordinator, assisted in the preparation of this guide which can be used by groups, visitors, students and parents who visit our community. 

 

Chairman Pro Tem Dyer, Council Member Brock and City Manager attend Missouri Municipal League’s (MML) Central Region Group in Slater, MO  

Chairman Pro Tem Dyer, Council Member Brock and I attended the MML’s Central Region’s Legislative Wrap-Up in Slater last Thursday.  Legislative information that I found useful dealt with new Transportation Development District reporting requirements, the option for auto dealers to collect automobile sales tax and the elimination of requiring 3 copies (now one) of the Building Code be put on file with the City Clerk for 90 days before approval by City Council.   

  

Warrensburg Area Partners in Prevention (WAPIP) Submit Grant to Department of Justice

Please be advised that the award winning WAPIP has applied for a Department of Justice grant to “Enforce Underage Drinking Laws” was successfully submitted May 25, 2009, on-line by Amy Kiger (Assistant Director of University Health Services for Violence & Substance Abuse Prevention).  This grant is for $950,000 over 3 years, and attempts to meet the Department of Justice’s goal of reducing underage drinking by: (1) systematically implementing best practices that increase the enforcement of underage drinking laws and by (2) enhancing researched based prevention planning and programming for underage United States Air Force personnel.

 

Amy informed us that the submittal of this grant was an intensive and truly collaborative effort.  It included initial planning with WAPIP, leadership by Amy Kiger and discussions with the base and Knob Noster.  Participants assisting Amy in the grant development included:

  • Ann Beem, from Whiteman, for agreeing to serve as the Whiteman Point of Contact for the grant;
  • Chief Hornback, from Whiteman, for providing such strong leadership and commitment before and throughout this progress;  
  • Vicky Scott, from Missouri Department of Public Safety, for approaching WAPIP initially with the opportunity to apply for this grant;
  • Joan Masters, Mike McBride, and Sara Vassmer from Missouri Partners in Prevention, for initial data analysis and the development of the logic model and timeline; 
  • Kim Vansell, University Public Safety, and,
  • Rhonda Neill and Jenny Rabas at the University’s Health Services Office.   

 

City Manager Attends International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Annual Conference

I wanted to report back on my recent trip to the Annual International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Conference.  This is where communities, developers, brokers and retail establishments attend to learn about the retail business, make acquaintances, and potentially make some retail deals.  Attendance at the conference was down from approximately 40,000 participants last year to perhaps over 15,000 this year and reflects the state of the retail economy.  This year we developed retail contacts through a subscription we participated in and provided information from a firm to show our contacts the potential retail in Warrensburg.

 

Attached is the brochure that was developed by Barbara Carroll that we used in our efforts.  Our contacts will continue to be followed up on and we plan to meet with the local developers to discuss our efforts and seek additional feedback.  I am convinced that the regional deal making conference efforts are much more beneficial than the annual conference, and after my discussions with local developers, I will review the possibility of not attending next year’s annual conference.  

 

City Applies for Federal Stimulus Funds through State

Please be advised that we have applied for federal stimulus funds for the following projects:  Hamilton Street Extension; Veterans Road Extension; West Pine Street Improvements; Storm Water Project/Birch Street; and, Storm Water Street Project/ Zoll Street.  All of these projects are subject to final approval from the City Council.  In addition, a letter from the Mayor to Congressman Skelton supporting the completion of the East Loop North section from Highway 50 to Highway 13 was mailed.  I met with a representative from Senator McCaskill seeking support for all of these projects  

 

Council Communication and Projects

You have communicated to City staff, as a group or individually, requests for information on certain issues.  The following are some of those items:

 

Joint Park Board and City Council Resolution Ratifying Common Policies and Procedures

Recently, I provided to you a draft copy of a joint resolution that was anticipated to be approved by the both the City Council and Park Board.  This draft joint policy was discussed last Friday by the Mayor, Council Park Board representative, Park Board Chairman, Vice Chairman, the City Manager and Parks Director.  With a few grammatical corrections, the group agreed to proceed with final adoption. We anticipate passage of this resolution by both the Parks Board and City Council in June.  Attached is the document for your review before the anticipated adoption by the Park Board at their June 17 meeting and City Council approval at your June 22 City Council meeting.  If you have questions, need additional information or wish to discuss this further please contact me.      

 

Efforts to Market and Communicate Good News on Warrensburg

In an effort to enhance our marketing efforts and support the City Council’s desire for City staff to keep the public informed on all of the positive items going on in our organization, we continue to make press releases and put these releases on the web.  We are grateful to Raghvendra Singh for his efforts to make this happen.  Since your last City Manager Report, he has recently written or assisted in the following press releases:

 

    • Warrensburg/Johnson County Takes Safety Measures Against H1N1 Virus: This press release highlighted the precautionary measures the Johnson County Community Health Services along with the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency are taking in case the H1N1 virus reaches Johnson County, Mo.

 

    • City of Warrensburg Employees Attend OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Safety Training: This press release highlighted the 10-hour mandatory OSHA safety course that the City employees from the Public Works, Community Development, Parks & Recreation and the Police Department attended.

 

      • On a side note, effective August 28, all contractors working on public works contracts must provide a ten-hour OSHA course on construction safety for each on-site employee. Each public body must specify these requirements in the ordinance and the call for bids for the contract, and in the contract. The penalty on the contractor is to forfeit to the public body $2,500 and $100 per day for each employee who is without the training. The public body must also include the penalty provision in the contract. This provision was part of the 2008 Missouri Immigration Law.

 

    • On your Mark, Get, Set and Mow!: This press release highlighted the necessity of mowing and weed removal for maintaining property value as well as to keep the aesthetic value of surroundings and the City in general.

 

    • Kittens for Adoption at the Warrensburg Animal Shelter: This press release highlighted the aspect of kitten adoption from the Animal Shelter in the spring season due to a large number of kittens arriving at the Shelter on a daily basis, often due to an accidental litter. (In regard to this press release I talked with Sarah Jacob- Animal Shelter Manager).

 

In addition, “Ragh” is working on some articles for the “BURG” and, along with Jacquie Estes, has written an article on the various exciting and interesting things to do in Warrensburg.  He has made contact with the Missouri Municipal League and is moving ahead for the Warrensburg community to be highlighted in the August issue of Municipal Review. 

 

Missouri Municipal League (MML) Annual Conference October 4 – 7

The 2009 MML Annual Conference will be held at Tan-Tar-A Resort on October 4-7.  The City Council will receive registration material in the July Newsletter, but be sure to mark those dates on your calendar and plan to attend.  The MML room block will open on July 10.  This will be the MML’s 75th Anniversary celebration!

 

International City Management Conference September 13 -16

This year’s conference is in Montreal, Canada and due to cost and a need to concentrate on retail recruitment and other City needs; I do not plan to attend.

 

Recent City Manager Activities, Meetings and Events

 

During the week of May 11, I attended the City Census subcommittee of the Economic Coordinating Board, met with Council Member Brock, attended a Pioneer Trail Regional Planning Board meeting, met with Chris Lowe and Kory Alfred on the development of the joint Park Board and City Council policies, attended a Warrensburg Partners in Prevention Meeting, a Tourism and Visitors Board meeting, and met with the Warrensburg School District and City staff on the Hamilton Street Project.  

 

Between Sunday, May 17 and Wednesday, May 20 I was out of town recruiting retail at the annual International Conference of Shopping Centers (ICSC).  On Thursday, May 21, I attended a Warrensburg Economic Coordinating Board Meeting and met with Tracy Brantner on some industrial development issues.  On Friday, Tracy and I met with Jack Dillingham, our financial advisor.  I also  attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Aquatic Center, met with Mayor Terry, Council Member DeFrain, Chairman DeWayne Jackson and Vice Chairman Mary Pat Purcell of the Park Board, and Kory Alfred on a possible new joint City/ Parks Board Resolution on polices and procedures, and attended the open house that evening at the new Aquatic Center.

 

While we were off on Monday celebrating Memorial Day, I did attend an excellent American Legion’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Home.  Tuesday we held a City staff meeting, and I also attended the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee meeting.  On Wednesday, I met with Council Members DeFrain and Nimmer and two representatives of the Visitor’s Center and attended a tour and opening reception with Senator McCaskill on the Heartland Harvest Gardens at Powell Gardens.  Enclosed for those of you that did not get them is information on Powell Gardens and the new Heartland Harvest Gardens that will open Sunday, June 14.  On Thursday, I visited an orthopedic surgeon on my knee, met with Barbara Carroll, attended the Johnson County Economic Development Corporation Board meeting and traveled to Slater, Missouri with Chairman Pro Tem Dyer and Council Member Brock to attend a Central Missouri Municipal League get-together where we received an update on the recent Missouri Legislature Session.  On Friday, I attended the Whitman Base Community Council Luncheon and listened to Congressman Skelton’s Speech and attended a visitation for Maurine Achauer.  Saturday, I was a pall bearer for Maurine’s funeral.

 

This last week, I met with our Emergency Management Director, Steve Moody, attended a City staff meeting, met with the Police Chief, attended an afternoon social at Murdock and Banner, met with the Fire Chief, attended a meeting with the local waste haulers, and met with Barbara Carroll.    

 

Upcoming City Manager Activities, Meetings and Events

 

Next week I plan to attend the City Census subcommittee of the Economic Coordinating Board, attend a Missouri Department of Transportation, (MoDOT) Regional and Statewide Transportation Planning Meeting in Grandview, attend and participate at the City Council meeting, and attend the DREAM “kickoff” at the White Rose Pavilion.  On Tuesday, attend a Branding/Marketing meeting.  On Thursday and Friday of next week, Council Member Brock and I plan to attend the Missouri Municipal League’s Elected Official’s Conference in Jefferson City.

 

During the week of June 15, I plan to participate in our monthly KOKO radio discussion with Marion Woods, meet with our Emergency Preparedness Director, Steve Moody, and attend both a Comprehensive Regional Economic Development Strategy Meeting and a monthly Regional Planning Commission Board Meeting.  On Wednesday, I plan to meet separately with the Police Chief and Fire Chief and attend the monthly Traffic Commission Meeting.  On Thursday, I plan to have surgery on my knee in Kansas City.  On Friday, I plan to recuperate at home.

 

 

Economic Partnership Activities

As is our custom, attached are the monthly reports from Warrensburg Main Street, Inc., Johnson County Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.  Also attached is the quarterly report from Big Brothers Big Sisters.  The reports from these Warrensburg Economic Partners are not only being provided to keep you informed, but are also available for interested citizens.

 

Additional Information

Attached is additional information including letters from Charter Communications and a letter from Colin Munley about recycling.  

 

As always, if there are any questions on any matter, or if you need additional information on this report, please contact either myself or any of the Department Directors noted in this report.  You may always contact me on any subject at any time by e-mail or mobile phone or leave a voice mail message at (660) 747-9180.  

 

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Bruce Howey, Police Chief

 

City Receives Missouri Department of Transportation Grants

We have been notified that through two state grants, we have been awarded money to purchase a hand-held laser speed measuring device, a hand-held radar unit, a speed trailer with solar recharging system and traffic accident reconstruction equipment.  The total cost savings to the City is $ 31,637.  These items will assist the Warrensburg Police Department and the University Of Central Missouri Department Of Public Safety with traffic safety. 

 

Photo Enforcement of Traffic Signal Light Violators Review  

Chairman Pro Tem Curt Dyer contacted me regarding an article he saw in the Kansas City Star regarding photo signal light violation enforcement.  I requested that Traffic Sergeant Scott Munsterman locate information regarding this for Warrensburg.  Scott contacted the supplier/vendor and they will be traveling to Warrensburg in the near future to discuss this in person with us.  The supplier will survey our signal lights and the number of apparent violations on each.  There is a set minimum of violations that must occur daily for installation to be justified.  More information on this will soon be available.  We would be looking for City Council guidance in the future on this project.

 

Lee’s Summit Hires another Warrensburg Police Officer

We said goodbye to Tim Resch last week as he left WPD to take a Patrol Officer’s position in Lee’s Summit.  Tim was a two year veteran of WPD and has over 10 years of police experience. 

 

Training of Use of Force Takes Place for all City Police Officers

This past week all WPD officers participated in use of force training at the Midwest Tactical training facility near Chilhowee.  We are able to provide this training thanks to the $1,500 donation recently received from Wal-Mart.

 

No Word on Federal Stimulus Grant for New Police Officers

We have not heard from the US Department of Justice regarding our grant request to hire four officers with the stimulus funds.  We did receive an e-mail indicating that the grants were moving forward and if we had not been contacted our paperwork was considered complete without errors/clarification needed. 

 

New Police Headquarters Building Progressing Well

We met last week with the architects to clarify several minor points on the new Police Building.  It would appear that the excavation for the actual building will start the second week of June with actual structural work to begin soon thereafter. 

 

Range Day in De Soto, Kansas.

Sergeant Scott Munsterman and I attended a range day on Friday, May 29 in De Soto, Kansas.  This day was sponsored by Simmons Gun Specialties who is one of our law enforcement suppliers.  We had an opportunity to test several different weapons and ammunitions for performance.  This is a very important time that allows us to evaluate and reevaluate what we issue to our officers and make sure that the equipment and ammunition that we provide is the best possible to protect them and our citizens.

 

CITY CLERK

Cindy Gabel

 

  • Monday, June 8 is an executive session at 6:00 p.m. and a regular City Council meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m.;
  • Tuesday, June 9 is the DREAM Kickoff at the White Rose Pavilion beginning at 6:00 p.m.;
  • Thursday and Friday, June 11-12 is the Newly Elected Officials Training Conference in Jefferson City;
  • Friday, June 12 is the Chamber Golf Tournament at Hidden Pines Country Club.  Registration begins at 11:00 a.m.;
  • Thursday, June 18 is the Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet at Legends, 121 E. Pine beginning at 6:00 p.m.;
  • Monday, June 22 is a regular City Council meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m.;
  • Friday, July 24 is Chamber Cruise Night/Sailing the Seven Seas.  The City will be participating as a host.

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Barbara Carroll, Director of Community Development

 

May 2009 Community Development Activity Report

The Community Development Report for the month of May is attached.  Please ask if you have any questions regarding this information.

 

DREAM Kick-Off Meeting Scheduled June 9 at White Rose Pavilion

Please plan to attend the kick-off meeting for Warrensburg’s Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri (DREAM) initiative.  The meeting will be held on June 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the White Rose Pavilion and the public is welcome to attend.  The keynote speakers will be Mike Hurlbert of PGAV, Inc., the planning firm under contract by the Missouri Development Finance Board to provide the DREAM planning components.  Representatives from the Missouri Development Finance Board, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, and The Missouri Housing Development Commission will also be in attendance.

  

City Applies for Census Partner Support Program Grant

Staff submitted an application to the Census Bureau’s Partner Support Program for funding assistance with Warrensburg’s census preparations.  The City applied for the maximum amount of $2,999 to purchase stickers, coasters, bookmarks, flyers, table tents, and posters with the local Census logo information specific to Warrensburg.  These items had previously been identified in the budget developed by the 2010 Census Committee. 

 

Director Attends Geographic Information Systems GIS Conference

I attended a Rural Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Summit in Kirksville on May 20 and 21.  The workshop provided excellent materials that will assist the City of Warrensburg over the next several years as we implement a GIS system for the City.  GIS is a system of hardware, software, and associated technologies used for storage, retrieval, mapping, and analysis of geographical data.  This system will be used extensively by the Community Development and Public Works staffs once implemented.

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Phil Johnston, Fire Chief

 

Part-Time and Student-Resident Firefighter Employment Continues

The City continues to accept applications from people interested in joining the Warrensburg Fire Department as part-time and/or student-resident firefighters.   We have 10 openings for conventional part-time firefighter vacancies and 3 openings for student-resident part-time firefighter vacancies.  Applications will be accepted through August 18.  The written test and physical ability testing are scheduled for Saturday, April 29.  People with questions are encouraged to contact any member of the Fire Department for more information.

 

High Tech Pre-Fire Planning Continues

Battalion Chief Jim Kushner and Fire and Emergency Prevention Officer Justin O’Neal provided an overview of the Fire Department’s pre-fire planning program at the May 11 City Council meeting.  This program includes the ability to access information on buildings by mobile computer in the fire trucks.  We appreciate the chance to show this important program to the City Council.

 

Portable Fire Trainer Project Moves Forward

The bid opening for the portable fire trainer project is scheduled for June 18.  The unit will enable firefighters to conduct interior firefighting training during heat and smoke conditions. While we currently can generate smoke, we don’t have a suitable area in which to provide realistic training.  The acquisition of the portable fire trainer will enable us to provide realistic levels of heat and considerably more useful levels of interior smoke concentration than what we can do with a smoke generator.  The City previously was awarded a $133,000 federal grant to fund the purchase of a portable fire training unit.  The units that were examined are within the $140,000 that is available for this project.  The City’s portion of the fire trainer project is estimated to be $7,000.  Funds are available in the current budget.  We are optimistic that the vendors’ prices will be less than the amount we have available.  The unit will be positioned behind Fire Station No. 2.

 

Mutual Aid Assistance to the Holden Fire Department

On Friday, May 22, 2009, the Fire Department provided mutual aid assistance to the Holden Fire Department by responding to a fire in a large manufacturing facility located on the east side of Holden’s downtown area.  We sent our ladder truck and a crew comprised of Captain Steve Ashbridge, Firefighter/EMT Matt Stephenson, and Firefighter/EMT John Brown.  Acting Battalion Chief Chris Chugg also responded on the alarm.  Our crews were there about six hours. Their primary duties involved operation of elevated fire streams to help extinguish the fire.

 

Discontinuance of Underwater Dive Element of Water Rescue Program

The Fire Department has discontinued the provision of underwater diving services as a component of our water rescue program.  These changes mean that we will have a surface based water rescue program where we will continue to attempt to rescue people caught in swiftly moving water and people who have fallen through ice.  However, we have found it necessary to discontinue providing diving services due to the inability to provide sufficient numbers of trained and certified personnel available to provide such services.  It has become increasingly difficult for fire departments to maintain affordable and viable underwater rescue programs due to the overall costs involved, the infrequent nature of these types of responses, and the challenges associated with providing the specific training that is required in order to maintain proficiency as an underwater rescue diver.  Requests for diving services will be referred to the Missouri Water Patrol or to the Lee’s Summit Underwater Rescue and Recovery team, a non-profit organization that provides dive services in a large area of the Midwest.

 

PARKS and RECREATION

Kory Alfred, Director

 

Nassif Aquatic Center

The Nassif Aquatic Center opened to the public on Monday, May 25, 2009.  The attendance for the first full weekend of operation was 2,342 patrons. 

 

Parks and Recreation/City Policies 

Adoption of a joint resolution between the Parks and Recreation and the City is on the June 17, 2009, Parks and Recreation Board agenda.  Staff believes the resolution includes items that will make operations more efficient and create a better understanding between the Parks and Recreation Department and the City.

 

Lions Lake Plan

The Parks and Recreation Board has allowed one month for public comment regarding the Lions Lake Master Plan.  The Master Plan Committee of the Parks and Recreation Board will review the public comments and make recommendations for the plan the week of June 15, 2009.

 

PUBLIC WORKS

Marvin Coleman, Acting Director of Public Works

 

Street Department Activities/Public Works Maintenance Building

With the rainy weather preventing the crew from working on asphalt patching, they started installing some of the shelving and fixtures in the new building.  Lockers are expected this week along with the other furniture.  A final walk through inspection was done of the building with a punch list made of items for correction.  The final grading was completed and as soon as the ground can be worked seed and straw will be applied by the crew.  The contractor issued substantial completion on May 18, 2009.

 

Routine maintenance has been ongoing with most of our time focused on storm drainage.  Repairs are being made on equipment in readiness for the summer asphalt work.

 

Street Maintenance Program Delayed by Rain

Rain has delayed all projects at this time.

 

Curb and Sidewalk Program

Heartland Construction will be starting work June 1.

 

Gay and Burkarth Traffic Study

A preliminary report is expected the week of June 1 followed by a presentation to the Traffic Commission in June and a final report in July to Council.

 

Wastewater Plant Expansion Project

Work is proceeding quite well, but the weather has also slowed progress this past week.

 

Wastewater Collections Crew

The sewer lining contractor began work this week and should be completed by June 3.

Ron Davis, our new employee, began work with the crew on May 21 filling the vacant Operator I position.

 

Highway 13 Intersection Project

Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) permits have been issued to do work in the right-of-way.  A preconstruction meeting is scheduled the first week of June.

 

Fire Station No. 2 Parking Lot

Work is progressing on the replacement of the parking lot. 

 

Johnson County Historical Courthouse

The plans have been re-submitted to MoDOT for final review.  Handicap accessibility has been an issue.  This project has a completion deadline of October 1 due to events planned at the site that month.

 

Downtown Phase III

Survey work is taking place in the Downtown Area.  HDR/Archer is working on developing the final conceptual plans for review by all in late June before proceeding with the final design plans.

 

WPC Utility Inspection Report

See attached

 

Police Building

The new Police Building project continues with positive progress.  The majority of site utility infrastructure is complete.  The retaining walls along the south side of the project are complete.  Once the ground conditions allow, the contractor will begin with the placement of the new curb and gutter for the re-routed Madison Drive per the drawings.  The contractor is on track for the return of the Fire Department staff to their City Hall quarters by the end of June.

 

City Hall Renovation

The programming phase of the City Hall design is now complete.  The City Council approved the design and construction phase services contract with GBA at the May Council meeting.  Once the GBA designers bring the designs up to approximately 25% complete, we will forward the plans to a professional estimating contractor.  We expect to receive the project estimates by mid-June.  An extensive value engineering effort will be conducted as required following the estimate process.  The GBA architects are scheduled to make a presentation to the City Council on July 13, which will include the proposed floor plan and exterior renderings. 

 

Animal Shelter

The final marked up drawings were forwarded to GBA.  We expect to receive sealed drawings by June 5.  The drawings will next be submitted for plan review.  We expect the documents to be ready for bidding by mid-June.  The water service line work is expected to begin early next week.

 

Cemetery Maintenance Building

Grun-D Construction is making positive progress.  The ground plumbing and slab are complete.  The sewer line tap is complete.  Grun-D construction is beginning framing today.  

 

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER

Chris Lowe

 

Support Services

Lynda Higbee, our Wage and Benefit consultant is scheduled to meet with various employee groups on June 11 and 12.  She will be holding informational sessions as well as hearing appeals from employees regarding their placement on the wage structure or the market determination of their salary range.  This will conclude her activities in conjunction with the original contract.

 

I attended another Planning Team meeting as the City representative for the Missouri American Water Company’s Wellhead Protection Program.  This is a public-private partnership whose main goals are education and outreach with respect to the safety of our community’s source water.  We are developing a plan to be submitted for approval from Missouri Department of Natural Resources to identify threats and educate all stakeholders about contaminant threats to MAWC’s wellheads.  One of the components for which this group will attempt to get funding would support a city-wide hazardous materials collection initiative as a part of this protection effort.  We are also eligible to receive recognition as a Drinking Water Protection Partner and would receive signage of our participation to be placed in the area which has been defined as a 1 mile radius from MAWC’s wellheads.

 

Counsel that is contracted to update our personnel manual have indicated that they need more time to complete their portion of the project.  I anticipate that City staff will review that material and make significant revisions.  I do not anticipate the manual to be ready before July at the earliest.  I will keep you updated on the status of this project as we continue.

 

Information Technology

The information technology department has been busy with the implementation of the new phone system.  We had RSM McGladrey in last week to begin installing the core components, placing equipment and configuring the servers.  We anticipate that they will be back the week of June 22 and that we will finalize the first phase of the implementation by the middle of July.  The service and support we have received from this vendor so far has been exceptional.  The Committee that chose this vendor should be commended on its process because the early indications are that we made an excellent choice for this major overhaul of our telephone technology.  

 

We spent a great deal of time preparing for the opening of the new Nassif Aquatic Center.  We implemented a computer system to operate in conjunction with their existing system.  The system allows for complete integration with all of the Community Center financial operations.  We have positioned our system so that we can bring new facilities like this one online without having to reconfigure or install the software from scratch.  Users simply log in from the new workstations at the pool and have all the functionality of those at the Community Center.  With such a short timeframe from completion to opening, we needed to be able to concentrate on placing equipment physically and working with peripherals.  Citrix allowed us to expedite the install.  We are also installing phones that operate on the new phone system.  We are waiting on some service installations to be completed before we can finish this.

 

The Information Technology Team is working on the proposed budget for next fiscal year.  We are working together to prioritize IT needs and evaluate areas of concern.

 

Because the new phone system install is consuming a great deal of our attention, we have scheduled the system review interviews to take place in July and August.  We would like to have a vendor selected to perform this review by the end of August. 

 

Finance

We made the desired investments of the available capital in the trust funds.  We invested in a 2 year, brokered CD that should receive 2.25% of interest paid annually.  When the funds that are currently invested with the rest of the City’s money in a collateralized CD that matures in July, we will separate and invest those funds as previously directed.  We have completed an update of the City’s debt schedule and are working toward being able to reconcile all of our City bond activity on a monthly basis.  I am also proud to announce that Rachel Denfeld, one of our two fantastic finance assistants, received the Second Quarter Leadership Challenge Award.  I know that she is incredibly deserving. 

 

Municipal Court

Brenda Davis, our municipal court clerk, will be out on maternity leave very soon (VERY SOON).  Luckily, our assistant collections clerk, Toni Yost, has done a great job assisting us in that department.  Teresa Baumeister, our assistant court clerk, has also been fantastic in stepping up to fill in for Brenda in the courtroom during Brenda’s maternity leave.  You will recall that we have not filled the open part-time clerk position as a budgetary precaution.  The ability for us to cross-train Toni in both her collections duties and municipal court has really saved us due to the understaffing we have been dealing with since Wendi Copello’s departure.  We really do have very capable, devoted employees who have worked together as a great team to get the job done despite the understaffing and Brenda’s pregnancy.  Carl Larkerbrink should also be commended for his willingness to “loan” Toni to the Court during his busiest time of year.   

 

  
 

City Managers Report available in .pdf

 

Main Street Report

 

Visitor Center Advisory Board April 24, 2009 Minutes

Visitor Center Staff Update May 2009

Johnson County Economic Development Corporation April 2, 2009 to June 3, 2009 Report

Big Brothers Big Sisters 2009 1st Quarter Report

 

If you would like to receive an electronic copy of the City Managers Report send an email to:

CMmailing@warrensburg-mo.com