The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK is suing the federal General Services Administration over its decision to move the Region 7 Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters from downtown KCK to suburban Lenexa. 

The UG lawsuit, filed in US District Court, alleges the GSA violated two Presidential Executive Orders and federal regulations in deciding to move the EPA and its nearly 700 employees from custom built offices in downtown KCK to the former Applebee's restaurant offices in suburban Lenexa. The lawsuit asks the Federal Court to issue injunctions stopping the move, cancelling the contract for the Applebee's building and starting the selection process over.

"We're convinced the GSA ignored its own policies and violated federal law in the way it conducted this process," said Mayor Joe Reardon. "The GSA should be looking to locate in the urban core and to support environmentally sustainable practices as two Presidential Executive Orders require."

The Unified Government contends in the lawsuit KCK will suffer irreparable harm to its economy, downtown core and local tax revenues if the move takes place.

The UG lawsuit also alleges the GSA violated the federal Freedom of Information Act by ignoring formal requests for information and documents about the selection process. The lawsuit says failure to follow the federal open records law underscores that the GSA decision to move the EPA Region 7 Headquarters was the result of a closed process made without respect to the Presidential Executive Orders and its requirements.

"The GSA's unwillingness to provide those records as required by law is further evidence of a lack of transparency in this process," stated UG Public Relations Director Mike Taylor who regularly handles open records for the Unified Government.

The lawsuit requests the issues be resolved by a jury trial at the United States District Courthouse in downtown KCK.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom

Three KCK Police Officers have been indicted for on charges of stealing from homes where they were serving search warrants according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom. 

The KCK Police Department issued the following statement regarding the indictments:

It is with deep disappointment to report that three officers of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department were indicted by a federal grand jury today for criminal acts against our citizens. When this event occurred in January of this year Chief Armstrong emphasized how critically important it was for our Police Department to have the supreme trust of the citizens of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. 

The Chief re-states that fundamental goal today. Chief Armstrong and U.S. Attorney Grissom believe that the prosecution of police officers caught performing illegal acts demonstrates to our citizens that this type of conduct will never be tolerated.

While the Department takes responsibility for these unacceptable acts, Chief Armstrong wishes to make it perfectly clear that the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department is an outstanding agency filled with dedicated men and women who perform with honesty and integrity day-in and day-out. The acts of a few should never be sufficient to taint the distinguished careers of our officers or our agency.

Mayors Reardon and James Together

         
     Mayor Joe Reardon               Mayor Sly James 

Two highly respected mayors from our region, Sly James of Kansas City, Missouri, and Joe Reardon of Unified Government Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, are getting together to talk about civility, regionalism, collaboration, success, opportunity and Google.

The program is called The Pursuit of Innovation through a Civil Discourse. It will happen August 9 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Rockhurst University Convocation Center

The two mayors have a lot in common including degrees from Rockhurst University. The mayors will swap stories, share philosophies, and engage the audience in their discussion of the future of our region's growth and prosperity...and how it will best be achieved in unison.

The event is presented by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Rockhurst University. Visit Rockhurst University at: http://www.rockhurst.edu/.

 2012 Budget Plan Builds Cash Reserves

 A critical goal for the long-term financial strength of the Unified Government and community is rebuilding cash reserves. To avoid even more drastic cuts or elimination of services, the Unified Government spent that saved cash at a heavy rate over the past several years. General Fund cash reserves have dropped from about $31.6-million in 2006 to about $3.6-million in the proposed 2012 budget.

Unless cash reserves are stabilized and restored, the Unified Government risks having its credit rating downgraded. A lower rating will result in significant increases when bonds are issued to build streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure. In the long-run, taxpayers could end up paying 10% more to borrow money for such projects. That means a bigger price tag on projects so fewer improvement projects will be able to be built. Not following a steady path to restore cash reserves over a period of years would be an unwise decision which will cost taxpayers millions in unnecessary extra interest charges in the future.  

The first night race at Kansas Speedway will be this October. The Menards Kansas Lottery 98.9 ARCA race will hit the track at 7:30 p.m. on October 7 paving  the way for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races held later that weekend.

"I'm excited to partner with the Kansas Lottery and 98.9 The Rock on our first night race at Kansas Speedway," said Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren."The Kansas Lottery 98.9 promises to provide our fans with lots of memories."

Tickets for the event are selling for $9.89. Johnny Dare, morning show host for the 98.9 The Rock radio station, will lead the field to the green flag on his  Harley-Davidson.

"We really appreciate Kansas Speedway giving The Rock's listeners the chance to see the first night race for just $9.89," Dare said. "Besides the ARCA race under the lights, we'll have lots of other surprises to make the whole night a party."

 Wyandotte County Fair Kicks Off

The Wyandotte County Fair is home...

The fair will be held July 26 - July 30, 2011 at its new permanent location, 13700 Polfer Road in KCK. It will include 4-H livestock and exhibits, petting zoo, carnival, Motorcross, Demolition Derby, Mud Run and Free Stage entertainment.

The Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Ceremonies will be held Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 6:00 PM under the Free Stage tent. Local elected officials have been invited to join fair supporters in cutting the ribbon at the fair's new home. Willie the Wildcat will be in attendance along with other area mascots. Veterans and those with a Military ID will enjoy free parking on Tuesday night.

The Fair schedule is Tuesday - Friday, July 26 - 29, 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., and Saturday, July 30, Noon - 10 p.m. Fair admission is free. Parking is $5.00 / car. Carnival hours are Tuesday - Thursday, 5:00 - 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Scheduled Arena Events are Motorcross on Thursday, Demolition Derby on Friday and a Mud Run on Saturday. Times and prices vary per arena event. The highly anticipated livestock auction will be held Friday, July 29, with the Buyers Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and the auction beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Wyandotte County Fair has been in existence since 1863. The 2011 fair is the inaugural year for the new location in western Wyandotte County. The fair has always been a fixture in Wyandotte County and a showcase for 4-H and open class projects. This tradition will continue at the fairs new home. The fairgrounds are a work in progress. This year the grounds are not complete, but you are encouraged to come out and see the vision for the future.

Additional information about the fair schedule, special contests and events are at www.wycofair.com.

For more information contact: Charlotte Andervich at 913-441-4295 or Jennifer Hauk at 913-788-7898.

Mental Health First Aid Training

Just as CPR training helps a layperson without medical training assist someone following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training can equip participants to assist an individual experiencing a mental health crisis

Wyandot Center and PACES, Wyandotte County's mental health providers, will offer this 12-hour program-open to the community-on Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August. 12 from 9am to 4:30pm each day with time for lunch and breaks.

Registration fee for the 12-hour training is $40 per person and includes a manual. Sessions are interactive and will be held at Wyandot Center, 1301 North 47th Street, KCK. 

Mental Health First Aid training is recognized worldwide for: Saving lives;expanding knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatments; and reducing overall stigma by improving mental health "literacy." 

Register by calling Beth Yoder Stein at 913-328-4633 or emailing yoderstein_b@wmhci.org, or contact her to arrange Mental Health First Aid training for groups in churches, organizations, plants or offices.

July 13th

• Mid-America Minority Supplier Development Council
• Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce
• Kansas Black Chamber of Commerce
• Women's Chamber of Commerce of KCK

July 20th

• Crossland Construction and Davidson Architecture and Engineering will discuss the upcoming Phase II of the 39th and Rainbow Redevelopment Project

July 27th

• Jason Banks with the Unified Government will discuss the Supplier Diversity Ordinance and procurement policy 

Program

• Opening Remarks 3:00-3:10 (UG Commission Chambers, Lobby Level)
• Presentations 3:15-4:15
• Closing Remarks / Adjourn 4:30 (There will be a brief opportunity to exchange business cards.  We will have to be out of the Commission Chambers by 5:00)     

*Please note the event on the 20th will run from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Note:  There is no charge to attend.  RSVP by visiting the event page at www.ugkckseries.com.

WHSC Holds Fundraisers this Month

The Wyandotte Homeless Services Coalition (WHSC) will not have a meeting in July. The next monthly meeting of the WHSC will be Tuesday August 16^th, 9:00 am.

There are two fund raisers in the month of July for the Wyandotte Homeless Services Coalition. On July 28^th, next Thursday, Culvers at The Legends Outlets, is donating 10% from its proceeds from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., to the Wyandotte Homeless Services Coalition.

On Saturday July 30^th, The Kansas City T-Bones Baseball Team is sponsoring a Family Campout after the baseball game on that day. A portion of the proceeds from the Campout is going to the Wyandotte Homeless Services Coalition.

PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT THESE EVENTS!!!

Public Hearing

Attention

All Residents of Kansas City, Kansas

You are invited to attend a public hearing to be held on Thursday evening, July 28, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. in the Unified Government Board of Commissioners Chambers in the Lobby of the Municipal Office Building. The public hearing is being co-sponsored by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas Departments of Budget and Community Development.  The purpose of this meeting is to request public comment for the upcoming Unified Government's revised 2011 and proposed 2011 budgets. In addition, the public hearing is being held to receive public comment on housing and community development needs, including non-housing community development needs for the 2011 Consolidated Annual Action Plan and budget.

The 2011 Consolidated Annual Action Plan includes the following program applications: 37^th Year Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), 2011 HOME Investment Partnership Grant Program, and the 2011 Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG). At the time of this publication, HUD may not have informed the Unified Government of the amount of entitlement funds that will be received by the City for the programs described above. However, the need for public comment is essential to meeting anticipated timelines that require citizen participation.

Child Support Amnesty Fair

Wyandotte County citizens with unpaid child support, missed court dates or other child support problems can get a fresh start at the Child Support Amnesty and Resource Fair.

The annual 2011 Amnesty Day and Resource Fair will be held Friday, August 26 from noon to 5pm at the Holiday Inn Express at The Legends, off of I-435 and Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. 

Citizens attending the Amnesty and Resource Fair will have the opportunity to straighten out problems with the Child Support court, including making back payments, arranging new court dates and getting bench warrants lifted.

The event is also a resource fair for both payers and recipients of child support.  The "Workforce One" mobile unit will be on hand assisting with online job searches and job opportunities. Representatives from local training programs and community colleges will also be there to help participants connect with jobs and job training. Information will also be available for participants to learn how to remove barriers to employment, such as old criminal convictions, and records of arrest. 

Participating agencies are Kansas Department of SRS Child Support Enforcement, District Court Trustee for Wyandotte County, Johnson County Child Support Offices, Leavenworth County Attorney's Office and Workforce Partnership Mobile One.

Road Construction

Based on information provided by both the UG's Public Works  Departrment and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), the UG is able to provide motorist living in Wyandotte County with a list of roads and highways that are scheduled for construction.

UG Road Closure

South 55^th Street between Swartz Road and Metropolitan will be closed to through traffic beginning this Saturday, July 23^rd at 7:00 a.m. and will remain closed until Monday, August 15^th.

The road project is scheduled to be completed by 5:00 p.m. on August 15^th. The purpose of the closure is for a water main replacement. Local residents/traffic will be accommodated.

KDOT Additional Information

There are no road closures to report at this time.

Remember, you can always go to the KDOT website for up to the minute road closures and traffic information: 

KDOT.