A Monthly Message to Residents Oct. 20, 2008 Dear resident: Welcome to another edition of Insight, my monthly e-newsletter with updates and information about the City and its services. Voters to decide Nov. 4 on light rail sales tax Kansas City, Mo., residents will be asked on the Nov. 4 ballot to vote on a 25-year, 3/8 percent sales tax dedicated to a light rail system. The 14-mile track would run along the area of Bruce R. Watkins Roadway and 63rd Street, west to the Country Club Plaza area, north through downtown and the River Market and across a dedicated bridge to the area of Northeast Vivion Road and North Oak Trafficway. I encourage you to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Subscribe Sign up to receive monthly e-messages Read previous messages Progress in housing In these difficult financial times, the housing market has been significantly impacted. However, the City continues to move forward in improving our housing program. To date, we have achieved the following: Facilitated the release of CDBG/HOME funds previously restricted for two years by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Administrated of a first-time home buyer program KC Dream Home and a second mortgage loan down payment assistance program Received HUD approval for the City’s Beacon Hill Minor Home Repair Program Developed and now enforce performance measures for all housing contracts with agencies who receive funding Restructured our RFQ and RFP process to provide diverse companies the opportunity to participate, ensuring City resources were best leveraged and that housing policy goals were met Awarded $7.3 million from HUD to help stabilize neighborhoods hit by foreclosures and sub-prime mortgages. Recently, the City hired a technical consultant to help devise a plan for the transfer of assets back to the City. The consultant, who is in the assessment stage, also will help in building capacity, promoting private investment, and create strategic and comprehensive short and long-term plans for our housing program.  Residents' participation is an essential part building our 2009 consolidated plan. Find out more about public information hearings. Leaf and brush collection starts Nov. 3 The City will collect sacks or bundles of leaves and brush beginning Nov. 3. Curbside collection schedules coincide with regions of the city. Residents will have two collection dates to set out up to 20 bags or bundles. Trash Day Northland (from the river to the north) Core (from the river south to 63rd Street and west of Blue Ridge Cutoff) Southland (from 63rd Street to the south) Monday Monday, Nov. 17 and Monday, Dec. 15 Monday, Nov. 3 and Monday, Dec. 1 Monday, Nov. 10 and Monday, Dec. 8 Tuesday Tuesday, Nov. 18 and Tuesday, Dec. 16 Tuesday, Nov. 4 and Tuesday, Dec. 2 Wednesday, Nov. 12 and Tuesday, Dec .9 Wednesday Wednesday, Nov. 19 and Wednesday, Dec. 17 Wednesday, Nov. 5 and Wednesday, Dec. 3 Thursday, Nov. 13 and Wednesday, Dec. 10 Thursday Thursday, Nov. 20 and Thursday, Dec. 18 Thursday, Nov. 6 and Thursday, Dec. 4 Friday, Nov. 14 and Thursday, Dec. 11 Friday Friday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Dec. 19 Friday, Nov. 7 and Friday, Dec. 5 Saturday, Nov. 15 and Friday, Dec. 11 Residents also may use the City's two leaf and brush drop-off sites through Jan. 17, 2009. The sites are at 1815 N. Chouteau Trafficway and 10301 Raytown Road (south of Interstate 470). We're on it We're committed to creating a city that thrives, with a diverse population, well-maintained, safe neighborhoods, flourishing arts and entertainment, and strong leadership. In fact, from Feb. 1 to Aug 31, 2008, we've: Adopted the Climate Protection Plan, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from government operations by 30 percent below year 2000 levels by 2020 Administered 14,190 immunizations to 5,133 children, and 1,853 immunizations to 1,453 adults Educated more than 300 residents at block watch training sessions to help them prevent crime through awareness and communication Trained and placed 26 new firefighters into assignments throughout the city Issued 7,367 construction permits valued at $367.4 million Resolved 66,798 calls through the 3-1-1 Action Center Served 133,418 youth (17 and under) at community centers Collected 57,586 tons of regular and bulky trash Collected 12,578 tons of curbside and drop-off recycling Repaired 685 water main breaks  Initiated a $22 million construction project on the west side of Downtown Airport to allow faster access to Runway 1-19 and parallel ramp space. As always, I appreciate your feedback. Please feel free to e-mail questions and comments to my office at Insight@kcmo.org.   Sincerely, Wayne A. Cauthen City manager City of Kansas City, Mo.