News Happenings Around Town
A monthly message from your Mayor and City Council
Mayor's Message
Don’t you just love the feeling of new beginnings? It’s a brand new year in Blue Springs and I am so excited to see what 2019 has in store for us.

This month we had the privilege of rededicating the 1976 Time Capsule as we put it back into the ground after digging it up for the renovations at City Hall. We also were able to add a second, smaller time capsule for 2019, which includes letters from current residents and students at Thomas Ultican Elementary, Chiefs and Royals memorabilia, photos of Blue Springs, current electronic devices, and more.

Speaking of the City Hall renovations, we are getting closer and closer to a fully ADA-compliant and customer-service oriented City Hall. I had the pleasure of taking a tour of the construction with my fellow councilmen, and it is looking great. I can’t wait for you all to see the final product this spring.

This spring, our citizens will also have the opportunity to decide on some changes to the City’s Charter. The Charter is the document that contains the rules which describe how the City functions, organizes itself, and makes the decisions that affect the daily lives of residents. The Charter sets parameters for what laws and rules may be adopted by City Council, what kind of services the public receives, and how tax dollars are collected and spent. Every five years, the City appoints a Charter Review Commission. This Commission worked diligently for several months to come up with the 10 recommendations that you will have a chance to vote on in April. You can read more about their recommendations below.

I hope you all have had a wonderful start to your year and I hope to see you next month at my annual State of the City Address. Stay warm!
Out and About
Time Capsule Reburial and Rededication Ceremony
On January 10, the City hosted a Rededication and Reburial Ceremony of the 1976 Time Capsule. The Time Capsule, which was originally buried in front of City Hall at the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration, recently had to be removed during the ongoing construction of the City Hall renovation. The capsule was preserved and unopened during that time, and now that most of the outdoor site-work has been completed, the Time Capsule was reburied in front of City Hall in a special ceremony. Additionally, a smaller 2019 Time Capsule was placed in the ground as a special surprise to the future Blue Springs citizens of 2076.
Mid-Continent Public Library - Blue Springs South Branch hosts Reopening Ceremony
On Friday, Jan. 12, myself and fellow councilmen Susan Culpepper, Kent Edmondson and Jerry Kaylor had the opportunity to attend the reopening event for the Mid-Continent Public Library - Blue Springs South Branch. This was a wonderful event to showcase the beautiful renovation of one of our community's libraries. MCPL assures us that the renovation of the North Branch is slated for the next round of construction coming soon.
Snow Much Fun!
We asked our Facebook followers for their best snowman pictures after the whopping 8.5 inches of snow we got on Jan. 11 & 12. Here's just a small sample of what they shared. For a gallery of all the snow pictures we received, visit us on Facebook.
Community News
Council calls for election to amend the City Charter
At the January 7, 2019 City Council Meeting, the Blue Springs City Council unanimously voted to call for a Citywide election on April 2, 2019 to amend the City Charter.
The call for election follows the recommendations made by the Charter Review Commission that were presented to the City Council on December 17, 2018. The Charter ballot questions also include a question offered by the City Council.

Police Department Promotions
Don Rapp was promoted to Captain.
Captain Rapp has served the City of Blue Springs for 30 years.
Jeff Sargent was promoted to Lieutenant. Lt. Sargent has served the City of Blue Springs for 21 years.
Reminder: City Hall will be closed in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on January 21
City of Blue Springs, Mo. offices, Municipal Court and Vesper Hall will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Blue Springs Fieldhouse will be open during their regular hours of operation from 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.  

Public Safety staff will continue to perform normal operations but the Police Department offices will be closed to the public. Call 911 for emergencies and 816-228-0151 for non-emergency police services.


Due to the holiday, the Blue Springs City Council will meet Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building, 1100 SW Smith Street. 
Serve your City
To learn more about the City's Boards and Commissions or to submit an application, go to www.bluespringsgov.com.
Spotlight on Development
City Hall Renovation Update
Construction at City Hall is moving along. On January 7, the City Council and City staff got a tour of the renovation prior to the City Council meeting.

The space includes a new addition that connects the original building and the annex. This addition creates a new resident entrance on 10th Street that allows for easy public access to City functions and services. We're looking forward to showing you the finished project later this spring!
Faurecia Interiors Plant Begins Operations
The Faurecia Interiors Automotive plant -- newly constructed from the ground-up in Blue Springs -- is preparing to begin operations next week. The plant manufactures interior door panels for the Ford Transit and the Ford F-150.

Currently, the facility is staffed with 200 employees and anticipates hiring another 150 over the next several months.
What's Happening in Blue Springs
TONIGHT: District 1 Councilmen host Town Hall
Blue Springs Police Department hosts Traffic Safety Seminars
2019 Youth Sports Expo
Saturday, January 26
9 a.m. to Noon
Blue Springs Fieldhouse: 425 NE Mock Ave

Come and discover a variety of youth-based sports, recreation and wellness opportunities offered in our community. Talk to coaches and representatives, register for spring and summer sports, play games, check out our balloon artist, register for prizes and interact with our special guest, KC Wolf, mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Daddy Daughter Dance
Dads and daughters can dance the night away! Girls are encouraged to dress up in their favorite dress. Event includes a catered dinner, dessert, dancing, photo booth pictures and raffle prizes! Recommended for, but not restricted to, girls ages 4 and older.
Save the Date: 2018 Mayor's State of the City Address Feb. 21
The Annual State of the City Address will be given at the February 21 Monthly Chamber of Commerce Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. and held at Adam's Dairy Conference Center. You will also be able to view the speech on the City's YouTube Channel following the event.
Resident Tips & Tricks
It's Sewer Averaging Season
Snow Plow Safety
  • When driving behind a snow plow truck, be sure you stay at least 50 feet back. Do not tailgate or try to pass.

  • Never build tunnels or snow forts near the street. The weight of the snow coming off of the snow plows can collapse the tunnels or forts and harm people playing inside.

  • Move vehicles off the street whenever possible. Parked cars can obstruct snow removal operations and leave snow packed areas after they are moved.
Free Christmas Tree Recycling through Feb. 1
Contact Your City Councilmember:
Ross sig
Carson Ross, Mayor 
City of Blue Springs