Happy Thursday, Wyandotte County!
You're invited to join us this evening and provide your ideas and suggestions for the Unified Government at our Board of Commissioners meeting, starting at 7PM. We also have many other upcoming activities that we hope you'll consider attending below. Happy Spring!
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Updates from Mayor Garner |
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TONIGHT at 7PM: Community Input and Discussion Session |
Once a month, the Mayor’s Agenda includes an open opportunity for the community to bring their ideas and recommendations forward. If you are bringing a concern, please be prepared to propose a solution! Of course, we want to hear your good news as well. Two minutes per public comment.
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In Appreciation To Our Chairs: Several Committees Kicking-Off |
Over the past few weeks, the various committees launched by Mayor Garner in January 2022 have been kicking off with a series of listening sessions. Committee chairs have already hosted ten meetings to connect with the nearly 250 volunteers to learn more about them, hear their interests, and share some of the vision for their respective committees. This has been a considerable commitment of time but there is a lot of excitement about what's to come. In the meantime, the Mayor's Office would like to recognize and acknowledge the service and commitment of the committee chairs:
Arts, Culture & Equitable Development
Commissioner Angela Markley, Chair
Business & Economic Development
Commissioner Harold Johnson, Chair
Community Health, Recreation & Wellness
Commissioners Melissa Bynum and Brian McKiernan, Co-Chairs
Community Safety & Justice
Commissioner Christian Ramirez, Chair
Government Efficiency
Commissioner Christian Ramirez, Chair
Unhoused Residents & Neighbors in Need
Mr. Tom Lally, Chair
We have recently launched webpages with the goals and scope of each committee which we will continue to develop as their work is underway. Check it out!
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COVID and Public Health Updates |
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More Information on Second COVID-19 Booster Shots |
Last week the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced that it had authorized an additional booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for older people and certain immunocompromised individuals. “This means that a second booster shot of protection against the COVID-19 virus is now available to populations at higher risk for a more severe infection from the virus,” said Dr. Allen Greiner, Chief Medical Officer with the Unified Government Public Health Department. Keep reading. |
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Cross-Lines Community Outreach at 646 South 7th Street is providing free COVID testing and/or vaccinations every Monday through the end of April. Hours are Mondays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Booster shots are available for those age 12 and older. No appointment needed. |
Free COVID-19 testing is now available at the Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA) location at 849 N. 47th Street in KCK (47th and State Avenue). These are free, PCR tests. Schedule your appointment at www.curative.com
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Ask the Experts: Appraiser's Open House |
Please join us this Saturday, April 9 between 10AM-2PM at Memorial Hall for questions and answers about your 2022 valuation. Why did values increase and when should you appeal? Curious why your property value changed, come in and chat with the Appraiser's Office. Our team will be available to answer questions, review the appraisal process, and discuss appeal options if needed. |
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Calling Young Artists: "I Love My County Because" Art Contest |
In an effort to bolster civic education and educate communities on the role of county government, the National Association of Counties (NACo) is launching the 2022 “I Love My County Because” art contest in conjunction with National County Government Month. By inviting children and young adults ages 18 and under to create artwork for the 2023 “Counties Matter” calendar, NACo hopes to raise awareness about programs and services that impact people’s lives every day. Learn more.
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Share Your Story: Fairfax Industrial District 100th Anniversary Exhibit |
The Wyandotte County Historical Museum is currently working on an exhibit to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Fairfax Industrial District! We need your help to bring this exhibit to life. The museum is looking for objects with direct connections to Fairfax and the people who worked there from its beginning to the present. Things that tell stories about people, companies, products, and more. They are collecting items now through June 11, 2022.
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Public Works Expands Pothole Patching to Saturdays |
As long as there are paved roadways, there will also be potholes. Winter weather is especially tough on roads. Moisture from snow and ice seeps into pavement, freezes, and then expands. When the expanded pavement thaws out, it contracts and leaves gaps in the surface underneath. To manage the large number of potholes and pothole reports, Public Works has made the following operational changes to patching:
- Two patching crews will now work Saturday shifts, and
- Two patch crews will be added three days per week for an increase to four patching crews
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Spring Residential Open Burn Season Now On |
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, will allow residential properties within the city limits of Kansas City, Kansas to conduct Residential Open Burning beginning on April 1st through April 30th. An application portal has been established on the Kansas City Kansas Fire Department’s website ( kckfd.org) where residents may apply for a 3-day permit for open burn.
Due to high wind forecast over the next couple of days, all open burning has been suspended until Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 7:00AM.
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Two KCKFD Firefighters Honored with National Awards |
On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, the Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department (KCKFD), along with the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) hosted an awards presentation at KCKFD Fire Headquarters to honor Captain Jacob Waldeck with State and National Firefighter of the Year and Firefighter Justin Hylton with State and National Emergency Medical Technician of the Year. Please join us in congratulating both men for their achievement! Read more here.
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The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS has won the American of Public Works Snow Conference Photo Contest. The photo will be exhibited at an upcoming conference hosted by the national organization.
Congratulations to Vincent Billaci, Dave Reno (pictured), Jeff Miles (photographer) and the entire Public Works team! Your tireless efforts are deeply appreciated by us all.
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Invitation to Bid: KCK Fire Station #16 |
We're building a new fire station and you have an opportunity to be a part of the team! Haren Companies is seeking proposals for all trades for Kansas City, Kansas Fire Station #16. Certified MBE/WBE & Section 3 firms are encouraged to submit proposals for this project.
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Homefield Sports Complex: Trade Partner Outreach Meeting |
The Homefield Sports Complex is a new, ground-up 150,000SF youth sports facility, including indoor playing courts, lounges, athletic training center and outdoor playing fields. Please join Turner Construction and Superior Bowen on Thursday, April 14 at 4PM for a Trade Partner Outreach Meeting. The following contract requirements for this project include:
• Local Owned Business Enterprise (LBE) Participation: 18%
• Minority Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) Participation: 15%
• Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) Participation: 7%
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Join Us Our Wyandotte County Business Opportunities Facebook Group |
We've launched a new Facebook group to raise awareness for the many project opportunities available for local businesses. We will post upcoming bid opportunities, resources, and training with the Unified Government and our economic development partners. |
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Upcoming Meetings & Events |
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TONIGHT: Special Session on Budget Options
Thursday, April 7, 2022, 5:30PM
Following an Executive Session at 4PM, the Board of Commissioners will convene at 5:30PM for a Special Session presentation on the 2023 budget options. Check out the agenda.
TONIGHT: Board of Commissioners
Thursday, April 7, 2022, 7:00PM
During this evening's meeting, we will hear about a few grant opportunities, including an EPA Grant and a request for local match funds for the Bi-State Sustainable Reinvestment Corridor. The community is invited to bring ideas and recommendations forward during the Community Input section and there will be a public hearing on the Homefield Sports Field and Baseball Complex project. The meeting will also include a presentation on the Stormwater Enterprise Fund. Check out the agenda.
City Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals
Monday, April 11, 2022, 6:00PM
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To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the meetings of the Unified Government Board of Commission will be conducted remotely using Zoom and broadcast via UGTV and YouTube. Members of the public may attend meetings virtually or watch the virtual meeting in the lobby of city hall (701 N 7th Street, KCK, 66101). The virtual meeting information is also available on the agenda itself. |
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Appraiser's Office Open House
Saturday, April 9, 2022
10:00AM-2:00PM
Memorial Hall
2nd Floor Ballroom
600 N 7th St, KCK 66101
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Merriam Connected Corridor Plan Public Open House
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
5:30PM-7:30PM
Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater Street, Merriam, KS 66202
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The Merriam Connected Corridor Plan is a joint effort between Overland Park, Merriam, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS, and the Mid-America Regional Council to envision the future of the Merriam Corridor, a four-mile stretch of Merriam Drive/Lane from W. 55th Street to S. 10th Street. Learn more.
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Just the Facts with KCKPD
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
6:00PM-7:00PM
Facebook Live
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Please join the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department for a new monthly series called "Just the Facts" where you can hear from our police department on various issues facing our community, ask questions, and engage in our community's public safety. Join us via Facebook.
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KDOT Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Outreach Event
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
9:00AM-11:00AM
KCKCC Technical Education Center
6565 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66012
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KDOT will host a series of meetings to provide an update on the new funding that will be available for transportation under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Learn more and RSVP here.
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