Quick Reminder For Tonight

Special Council Meeting 6:00PM to interview and possibly select an individual to fill the Ward I vacancy..

Regular Council Meeting to follow at 7:30PM............includes the CID for 10 Quivira Plaza which could include a sales tax increase.

Sandifer's Travels

Remember a few months ago when former Councilmember Straub asked Councilmember Mickey Sandifer what Sandifer's trip was about? And then Sandifer's reply of "none of your business". I mentioned that here, and in a published letter to the Shawnee Dispatch. Sandifer never emailed me with an answer.

Anyway, a request under the open records act was made to the city for copies of Sandifer's expense reports from Jan 1, 2009 to present (as of 4/19/10).

Here is the info. Just keep these numbers in mind when you hear him talk about how concerned he is about certain budget items. Then decide for yourself what his sincerity level is.

March 2009.............................................$2,094.18
Reimbursed by NLC (634.75)
Net Expense to city 1,459.43


November 2009.....................................$2,397.63


March 2010............................................$3,184.55


Remember, on his most recent sojourn to Wash DC his expenses were the highest of any of the city's attendees and he was there the most number of days.

Just something to keep in mind.

Monday, May 10, 2010 - Be There

It's only three days away, Monday May 10, 2010.

The special city council session and the regular session. Each one has an important item on the agenda:

Special Session - 6:00PM

The applicants for the vacant Ward 1 council seat will be interviewed and probably selected. If you are in Ward 1 this is important to you. If you are not in Ward 1, the way this is handled is also important to you.

Regular Session - 7:30PM

The public hearing for the proposed Community Improvement District for 10 Quivira Plaza (Shawnee Mission Pkwy & Quivira Rd) is on the agenda. This would involve, among other things, a 1% sales tax increase just for the stores in that shopping center (Price Chopper being the largest one). That increase would be used for the rehab of the shopping center.

Be there and exercise your rights to voice your opinions.

City Support For Statewide Texting Ban

After I gave my presentation on 4/20/10 (date edited on 5/16/10 because of typo it originally showed as 3/20/10) it was obvious that the city was still not going to consider a local ordinance regarding the use of cell phones. When I said that it would be good if the city would at least officially support state action I was informed that that had been done.

That came as a surprise since I did not remember any press release or other public notification of that action.

It turns out that back in January Mayor Meyers sent letters to each of the five state representatives that have portions of Shawnee in their district (Talia, Brown, Donohoe, Neighbor & Quigley) supporting state action on this topic. The city forwarded to me copies of the letters. The letter to Mr Talia is reproduced below, as the others are the same. (Click on the image to see a larger version).

Personally, I think it is a step in the right direction. Again, why this support of the state legislation was not publicized is beyond me. (Unless it was and I missed it)

O'Connell & Nachbar Top My List

Well, I have looked at the resumés for the five applicants for the Ward 1 seat First, let me say I would still like to see an election. That probably is not going to happen. So, what about the five who applied? All of the resumés look good, but to me, two of them stand out.

Those two are James J O'Connell and Gregory P Nachbar.

1. James J O'Connell.......a brief synopsis

• 21 years combined as CEO of two major metro hospitals


• Secretary, Dept of Health & Environment, State of Kansas


• 30 years US Air Force (10 active 20 reserve) retired as a colonel


• Major positions with various professional organizations


• My comments: Individual has a history of being in positions that require decision making, fiscal responsibility and team building. My first choice.

2. Gregory P Nachbar.......a brief synopsis

• Most recently, over 20 years with a major ($300m) corporation. His resumé would indicate a strong background in a senior management position responsible for various functions to include purchasing, HS&E, and meeting financial and operational targets


• My comments: Strong corporate experience with responsibilities in many areas that require the ability to be a decision maker. One does not stay and advance with the company he works for by making wrong decisions.

You can view all of the resumés on line at:

http://www.cityofshawnee.org/Meetings/AGENDAS.NSF/vwNews/6990F2D05EC85D9F862577150073D23B/$FILE/84XQXB.pdf

My primary concern is and has been that there might be a predetermination for Jim Neighbor. See my posts below dated 4/17 (Did I Blow It?) and 4/25 (May 10, 2010 - Mark Your Calendars). Hope I'm wrong on that point.

Reminder - Community Improvement District

Just a remidner that the public hearing for the proposed Community Improvement District at 10 Quivira Plaza (SMP & Quivira Rd) is scheduled for the regular council meeting on Monday May 10, 2010. The regular meeting will follow the special meeting regarding the selection of a replacement to fill the Ward 1 council seat.

Remember, part of the CID is the establishment of a 1% additional sales tax for the shops in that center, to help fund the improvements.

It is amazing how two newspapers handled the reporting of the postponement of the public hearing from March 26th to May 10th.

The KC Star reported on the 1% sales tax (scroll down to other business on this link): http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/30/1912476/temporary-street-will-help-during.html


The Shawnee Dispatch somehow failed to mention the proposed sales tax increase (scroll down to other business on this link):
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2010/apr/28/mayor-breaks-tie-approve-road-westside-center/

Methinks citizen input on this is important, and folks might want to try and show up to voice their opinions.

Info For Five Applicants For Ward 1 Council Seat

The resume info for the five applicants for the open Ward 1 council seat has been posted on line on the city's website at:

http://www.cityofshawnee.org/Meetings/AGENDAS.NSF/vwNews/6990F2D05EC85D9F862577150073D23B/$FILE/84XQXB.pdf

Remember the council meeting is Monday, May 10 at 6:00PM. If you are in Ward 1 this is a very important meeting for you to attend. If you don't live in Ward 1 it is also important so that you may view first hand how this process works............since it can occur in any ward.


Not sure which ward you live in? Go here:
http://cosweb.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/Maps.nsf/Active/CB13EB0B004C50DE862571F50054D872/$FILE/WARDS&PRECINCTS_8_1-2X11.pdf?OpenElement

For the heck of it, I will probably post my suggestion in the next day or two.

My concern still remains that there is a predetermination of the outcome.
See my posts below dated 4/17 (Did I Blow It?) and 4/25 (May 10, 2010 - Mark Your Calendars)

Info Will Be Posted Earlier

Great news regarding the posting of the Ward 1 council applicants info.

I received an email from the mayor which indicates that the information will be posted on the city's website either tomorrow or Monday. It can only be guessed that folks did use the link to express their opinion to the mayor.

This will now give the citizens of Shawnee (especially the residents of Ward 1) the opportunity to review the applicants' backgrounds and qualifications. Now all they would have to do is to attend the council meeting May 10, and if they have any questions and/or concerns, to voice them.

Ward 1 Council Applicant Info

I inquired of city hall as to when the applicants' info (resume, letter of intent, etc) would be made available for review by the puclic.

I was informed that the info would be posted after 5PM on Thursday May 6, 2010 along with other packet info for the May 10th council meeting. The Thursday posting of packet info is normal procedure and meets legal requirements for items to be discussed at a council meeting..

In this case, it is just my opinion that the applicant info needs to be made available earlier so folks can have some real time to review it.

If you agree with me, click on the link below and email the mayor requesting that action. The subject line will automatically be filled in "Please release applicant info early" Then, if you want to add additional comments in the body of the email you can:


Mayor Jeff Meyers

The Five Who Want It

Five folks have filed for the vacant Ward 1 council seat.

They are:

James "Jim" G. Neighbor10405 W. 52nd TerraceShawnee, KS 66203
(913) 268-9061
jim.neighbor1@gmail.com

James J. O'Connell
5127 BallentineShawnee, KS 66203
(913) 631-5192

Doyle Ervin
6204 Cottonwood Drive
Shawnee, KS 66216
(913) 268-6686

Greg Nachbar
14101 W. 61st StreetShawnee, KS 66216
(913) 631-1464

Joseph Budenbender
6017 CottonwoodShawnee, KS 66216
(816) 729-0152
budda-g-j@sbcglobal.net

The above was from the city's website http://www.cityofshawnee.org/WEB/ShawneeCMS.nsf/vwContent/CouncilVacancyWardI?OpenDocument&navKey=GoverningBody

Remember, this will be on the agenda for May 10, 2010 starting at 6:00PM

Sock It To Me

Who remembers the old Rowan & Martin show "Laugh In"? Remember the old 'sock it to me' antics? They were funny.

We have a current 'sock it to me' though that is not funny. That is the franchise fee that was enacted last August. Some of the council members spoke out against it because, among other things, they attempted to point out that as the utilities got rate increases, the dollar amount of the franchise fee would also increase.

Well, apparently KCP&L has applied for yet another price increase. The Kansas Corporate Commission is holding a public hearing on the proposed increase on Wed, Apr 28, 2010 at 7PM. It will be at the Matt Ross Community Center, Crown Room, 8101 Marty, OP, KS 66214.

People in Shawnee will get hit with the double whammy......or a double 'sock it to me'.......higher utility rates and higher franchise fees. One would think that because of that it would be newsworthy. Still, I don't remember reading about it in the local media (Shawnee Dispatch).

Just an FYI............. of the current sitting council only Pflumm and Distler were against the franchise fee. Kuhn, Sandifer & Sawyer voted for it, with Mayor Meyers breaking the tie. Of the former council members who were on the council when it came to a vote, Goode & Straub voted against it and Scott voted for it.

Side chuckle: Ironically, three months after introducing the motion to create the ordinance for the franchise fee Ms Scott purchased her new home in Arizona. Was this her going away 'gift' to Shawnee?

May 10, 2010 - Mark Your Calendars

That is the day that two hot items will be on the council's agenda.

Keep in mind that the session that night is scheduled to start 6:00PM.

1. First up will be the council reviewing applicants and most likely choosing a replacement for Cheryl Scott's vacated Ward 1 seat. I still think that the way the resignation was handled was an insult to the voters in Ward 1 as it avoided putting the seat on the general election ballot. The odds of the council allowing it to go to a special election are pretty slim. Even though that is what should be done.

I'm still willing to bet one of those $1 burger specials that the council chooses Jim Neighbor......the man that lost to Dan Pflumm in the last election. Maybe they'll use some convoluted rationale such as the fact that he got "x" number of votes, even though he lost. Wonder, if he had won and Pflumm had applied for the position would the same rationale apply? I doubt it. :-) :-) (See the post below dated Apr 17, 2010..."Did I blow It")

Anyway, if you are in Ward 1, you might want to be sure to be there. If you live in one of the other wards, you might still want to be there to see how the council operates.

2. The other item that is now scheduled to be brought up is the Community Improvement District for 10 Quivira Plaza, the shopping center at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Quivira Rd. That's the one that could result in a 1% sales tax increase for just the stores in that shopping center. Personally, I think that folks need to be there to see how these CIDs work. Let the council know whether or not you approve of the increased sales tax.

So, mark your calendars. This one is too important to miss. Of all the elected bodies (congress, state legislature, county commission, city council) the city council has the greatest effect on our daily lives, yet draws the least amount of attention by citizens.

Public Hearing to be Postponed - Sales Tax

Looks like the agenda for Monday's city council meeting shows that there will be a postponement of the public hearing for the CID for 10 Quivira Plaza until May 10, 2010.

View info at

http://www.cityofshawnee.org/Meetings/AGENDAS.NSF/vwNews/B6B8F0BF70C9D0CC8625770D0076D92C/$FILE/COSS-84RTDC.pdf

specifically page 3.

Anybody who wants to comment on this, either pro or con, or just to observe what happens will have to wait until May 10.

Public Hearing - Sales Tax Increase

Don't forget that there is a public hearing on Monday @ 7:30PM as part of the city council meeting.

The purpose of the public hearing will be to review an application for a community improvement district at 10 Quivira Plaza (Shawnee Mission P'kwy and Quivira Rd). This is the shopping center that contains, among others, the Price Chopper store. If approved, the CID will include a 1% sales tax increase just on the stores in that shopping center.

Since this involves a sales tax increase it is important that folks attend and voice their objections or concurrences with the proposed sales tax increase.

Funny little side note: I did not notice any info in this past Wednesday's Shawnee Dispatch about this........as a reminder to the public. I guess that the possibility of a sales tax increase is not a newsworthy item. It's almost like somebody wanted to keep this under the radar so to speak.

Was I Asleep?

OK, it finally hit me this morning. Jeff Vaught came up with a bunch of nonsense last night (see my blog post below).

According to him, the Cato Institute said that vehicle accidents have declined but cell phone ownership has increased. Now, that I think back on that, so what? What is the correlation? Is Vaught trying to say that because more folks own cell phones that that reduces accidents?

Accidents can be down for a variety of reasons, some of which I mentioned in the post below. So cell phone ownership has increased. Is it possible that a good portion of the increase doesn't even drive? The Pew Research folks recently came out with a study that said 3 out of 4 children ages 12-17 now have cell phones. That's 75% of kids in that group, up from 45% two years ago. How many younger than 12 now have phones so mommy and daddy can stay in touch with them? What about grammy and grampy? How many senior citizens now have cell phones? Great way to keep track of the kids, grand kids and even great grand kids. Especially if they are out of state, what with all the various unlimited and family plans going around.

If this is the type of bovine scatology that is going to come out of Ward 3, wow, it's gonna be a fun 3 years.

By the way, are you going to publicly say whether or not you favor a strong state statute about cell phones and texting?

More On Cell Phone/Texting

Well, I gave my presentation last night about the cell phone/texting thing.

Newly elected council member Jeff Vaught had a question for me that I was unable to answer. He had information from the Cato Institute that showed that even though the number of cell phone users has increased, that the number of vehicle accidents has decreased (nationwide).

Well, looks like I'm going to have to do some digging for answers.

But, what do we know? We know "Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces First Enforcement Crackdown Campaign on Distracted DrivingPilot Programs in Hartford, CT and Syracuse, NY are Latest Effort in DOT’s Fight Against Distracted Driving" and the rest of the press release is here at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/dot6210.htm

Also, as part of the press release the following info was supplied "Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that in 2008 alone, nearly 6,000 people were killed and more than a half million people were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver nationwide. Almost 20 percent of all crashes that same year involved some type of distraction."

I do know that the DOT has some very interesting information at http://www.distraction.gov/

So why have traffic accidents shown a decline? Well, until I can dig into the research, maybe I can come up with some plausible ideas.

1. Have the number of people driving been reduced over the past couple of years because of telecommuting?
2. Have more people resorted to shared transportation and/or public transportation because of the economy?
3. Are less people driving because more folks are unemployed? Are more people taking 'staycations" (staying within their home area) as opposed to traveling vacations?
4. Are more people reducing their other leisure time driving?
5. Are they combining their errands to reduce the amount of driving being done?
6. Do safety improvements (like ABS brakes) help reduce accidents?
   

Anyway, I'd still be for stronger laws in Kansas regarding cell phone and texting use while driving.

Hey, here's a good one.........for Jeff Vaught..........are you in favor of stronger texting/cell phone laws in Kansas? Now that's a simple question that does not need charts, graphs etc. Actually, it just needs a simple yes or no.

Feel free to email me with your answer and I'll be happy to post it here

A Resident Responds

I received an email from a resident of Ward 1 concerning the potential sales tax increase that would be part of the proposed Community Improvement District:

Ray,
I appreciate your "ramblings" and your efforts to keep the City of Shawnee government accountable. I'd like to point out a key issue that you've missed in your most recent entry, "Potential Sales Tax Increase."I'm sure the Community Development area in question is frequently utilized by Ward I members (such as myself). The public hearing for the matter occurs on 4/26/10. Cheryl Scott's vacated council seat will not be considered/filled until 5/10/10. Thus, a matter that would most certainly have a major impact on Ward I members is currently slated to be considered while that ward is under-represented. I'd like to encourage people to write their ward reps and ask them to consider delaying the hearing on this matter until Scott's seat is filled. Thanks again for posting your insights.

Stephen Parnell
Ward I

Potential Sales Tax Increase

You could wind up paying an additional 1% sales tax of you shop in any of the stores at 10 Quivira Plaza. That's the shopping center at Quivira and Shawnee Mission Parkway, the one that has Price Chopper in it.

There will be a public hearing at the city council on Monday, 4/26/10, at 7:30PM concerning this matter.

Here is what it is all about. The ownership of the shopping center has petitioned the city to create a community improvement district. See the info at
http://www.cityofshawnee.org/Meetings/AGENDAS.NSF/vwNews/783676E3827F1A54862576DD00003D4F/$FILE/838VRT.pdf pages 57-81, specifically page 71.

Basically there are two things that happen:

1. The owners pay an additional assessment with their property taxes. This additional assessment is used to defray some of the costs of rehabbing the shopping center. Hey, it's the owner's money. Do it.

2. The stores in the shopping center charge the public an extra 1% sales tax. This money also goes to the ownership to help defray some of the costs of the rehab. Whoa..........

The city has recently hit the residents with a 5% utility (gas & electric) franchise fee. Ouch. Have the utilities started petitioning for rate increases? Another ouch. The major retailer in this shopping center is a grocery store. Hey, we don't need groceries to live. More ouch. The shopping center is frequented by many folks of what may be referred to as modest income. Keep on ouching.

Whatever happened to the concept of businesses using their funds or loans to build their businesses? If the sales tax is approved, and if the shopping center is improved, and if the ownership sells it down the road, would they cut the citizens of Shawnee in for a percentage of the sale profits?

It is very important for folks to attend this public hearing and voice their opinion. Even if you don't shop in that area, this is an item that could happen anywhere in the city.

So, if you are for or against a community improvement district, show up and be heard. Remember, public hearing, Monday April 26, 2010, city council chambers at 7:30PM.

Curious, as to how much "play" the local media (Dispatch) has given to this, other than publishing the requisite public notice?

Did I Blow It?

Wow, I really blew it when I posted my comments about the meeting of 3/22/10 and how the Dispatch didn't question certain items
http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2010/04/scotts-resignation-it-gets-deeper.html

How did I blow it? I missed the most important thing..........the fact that Scott delivered her resignation to the city manager instead of to the mayor.

OK, here goes. The city manager is appointed by and works for the council. Ergo, it is the mayor, not the city manager who is a council person's "supervisor". As such Ms Scott's resignation should have been delivered to the mayor and the council and not to the city manager. The city manager's comment that she didn't notify the mayor prior to the council meeting because she hadn't reviewed it is ridiculous. It was not her position to review it. It was her responsibility to notifiy the mayor immediately upon receiving it. By withholding this information from the mayor would this be insubordination? And then by staying quiet when Straub asked his question about Scott's regnation was definitely wrong.

So, that is how I blew it. By not pointing out who should have received the resignation to begin with. Has the mayor reprimanded the city manger for not delivering the info to him in a timely manner? Or, for remaining quiet when Straub asked his question? Or do we have a defacto reversal of positions in Shawnee city government?

By the way, it looks like my prognostication concerning the timing of Scott's resignation was pretty close http://shawneeray.blogspot.com/2010/01/great-scottis-she-moving.html

I had guessed the resignation to take place after the election. She actually did it before. Most likely since Straub was out of the picture by losing in the primary.

The letter I posted in the blog below, calling for an election to fill Scott's seat was mentioned in the KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/13/1874393/council-oks-bid-to-transform-shawnee.html

Ironically, the Shawnee Dispatch had no mention of it http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2010/apr/14/council-awards-contract-shawnee-town-addition/
I wouldn't expect the local cheerleader, that fails to question officials' comments, to mention things like a call for an election.

The residents of Ward 1 are urged to be at the city council meeting of May 10, 2010 to see how your council handles the picking of Ms Scott's replacement...........the meeting starts at 6:00PM that night. Heck, even if you're not in Ward 1 be there. This mickey mouse game could some day happen in your ward too. Do you think the council would vote to give the open seat to Jim Neighbor, who lost to Dan Pflumm in the election?

The Resignation Saga Continues

At tonight's council meeting, with the 60 day countdown beginning tomorrow, I just had to write and then read an open letter to the council.

Following is the letter:

April 12, 2010

To The Mayor and City Council, City of Shawnee, Kansas


The city has recently posted information soliciting applications from individuals desiring to replace Council Member Scott as a result of her resignation.

I am going to suggest that the council refrain from appointing a replacement and let it go to a special election.

The manner in which this resignation was handled is abhorrent. Action could have been taken by the council member to resign in such a manner, with a delayed date, so that the seat could have been voted on during the last general election.

Now some folks are going to say that with the current financial situation it would be to the city’s advantage not to have a special election. So, let us address that with a simple time line and some common sense and logic.

In November 2009 Ms Scott purchased a new home in Arizona. The documents for that purchase were notarized by our own city clerk. Here is where the common sense comes in. It had to be obvious to other city officials, and members of the council that there would eventually be a resignation. As the mayor said on numerous occasions, he could do nothing until he received a resignation. But, again, it was obvious that eventually one would be forthcoming.

Knowing that, it was incumbent upon the city manager to plan for that day. Current Charter Ordinance 40 provides for a selection of a replacement by the remaining council members. If they are unable to do so, within a specified time (60 days) then it would go to a special election.

If one was to wager on this, then it would probably be 99% that the council would be able to perform that selection. Still, since city councils can become fractious, and this one is no exception, there would always be the possibility that they could be unable to select a replacement and a special election would be necessary. Therefore, back in November it would have been proper planning to plan for the availability of funds in case that became the scenario. Did the city manager, or does she now have a plan to pay for a special election? Gosh, did we give Wonderscope that $10,000 that many thought was unnecessary? Why did we plan for 5 people to go to DC for the NLC conference? Why not only 2? If Sandifer and Kuhn had stayed home we could have saved almost $6,000. Are there other areas that could have provided the necessary funds? Like reducing or eliminating any future travel this year by council members? Or do certain council members need to take additional trips?

It would be incumbent upon this council to validate the will of the people by allowing the voters of Ward I to elect Ms. Scott’s replacement.

I would hope that Ms Scott, who has given up many hours of her time to support veteran’s causes, would agree with the statement that many have served and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the right of the people to elect their officials.