Dear residents:  Happy holidays and thank you for reading December's edition of Insight. The City is dedicated to providing the best service possible and it's my pleasure to share some of the projects we're working on to support this goal.
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PFM submits financial recommendations for City
Kansas City has made many recent investments to strengthen and expand on our vision to be a thriving and diverse city. Given the economic downturn, the City is faced with difficult decisions about how to allocate and invest limited resources to meet community needs. This summer, the City Council engaged Public Financial Management, a national financial and management consulting firm, to synthesize existing reports and resources to develop a five-year plan and create a financial model than can be used as part of the City’s ongoing budget planning process. Through a collaborative, three-month process, PFM has submitted its recommendations and presented them to City Council. Fiscal year 2009-2010 operating budget and Capital Improvement Program
The City has begun developing its fiscal year 2009-2010. As cities are grappling with the recession, many are reducing core services. As we develop our budget, I will emphasize "First Things First," meaning we must focus on providing core services. We have the opportunity to ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of the City, while also moving it forward. Water Services gets $1.4 million grant for 'green' improvements The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $1.4 million grant to the Water Services Department to implement green storm water infrastructure improvements in the Beacon Hill Redevelopment Project. The project features rain gardens and landscaping to help reduce storm water runoff. The project is one of the largest housing redevelopment projects in the nation that uses green infrastructure. Overflow Control Plan to be submitted
The City Council passed a resolution authorizing me to submit the Sewer Overflow Control Plan, which is required by state and federal agencies, to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The plan is the largest infrastructure investment in the City’s history, with an estimated cost of $2.4 billion ($1.4 billion in the combined sewer system and $1.0 billion in the separate sewer system) and will take more than 25 years to complete. The City will reduce overflows as required, but will look for ways to maximize economic, social and environmental benefits. The City will invest in infrastructure improvements that produce the highest benefit in terms of water quality for dollars spent. Jazz district terrace opens
The gateway terrace in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District represents one of several projects recently completed or under way in the district. In addition to the terrace, a new parking lot was built on the southwest corner of 18th Street and The Paseo, new streetlights will be installed along 17th Terrace, a rooftop sign will be installed on top of a building adjacent to the new terrace and several retail buildings along 18th Street are being enhanced in order to make the spaces available to new tenants.
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. |
