A Monthly Message to Residents July 16, 2009 Dear resident: Thank you for reading July's edition of Insight. I hope this information enhances your knowledge of City issues and services and how we are working for our residents. Annual report available online The City of Kansas City, Mo., 2008 Annual Report is available online. This is the first report to address our accomplishments on a calendar-year basis. I am proud to document our commitment to sustainability and how we have brought creative solutions in the area of service delivery to our residents. Operation Clean and Green Litter, piles of trash from tenant evictions and improperly set out waste on public rights of way contribute to the blight and decline of neighborhoods. That's why the City's Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department recently stepped up enforcement of solid waste violations along public rights of way. On July 11, the division conducted the last of three surprise clean-sweep events called Operation Clean and Green. The program removed approximately 2.5 million pounds of trash and debris from our neighborhoods. The surprise clean-sweep events consisted of 54 trash trucks and 140 trash workers sweeping through 66 neighborhoods. Participants included the City's Solid Waste Division, Town and Country Disposal, Deffenbaugh Industries and Jim's Disposal. MARC steps up to fill international relations and business development roles When the International Affairs and Trade Office was eliminated in the 2009-10 budget process, I immediately began looking for alternatives to continue the very important international relations and business development roles this office filled. I am pleased to announce that the Mid-America Regional Council has agreed to take the first steps to transition some of the office's efforts into a regional effort. I think it is crucial to the growth of the city to continue programs such as the North America Works Conference, and I greatly appreciate MARC's involvement. Youth Town Hall features employment program participants A town hall meeting sponsored by the Youth Advocacy Office on June 29 featured a lively discussion with area leaders and more than 170 youth ages 12-25 who are part of the Bright Future employment program. The discussion included issues and proposed solutions regarding education, quality youth programs, work force development/employment and media influences. The event was held at the Pierson Auditorium at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. More. Kimiko Gilmore joins City Manager's Office I recently named Kimiko Gilmore as the new assistant to the city manager. Kimiko most recently was the deputy regional director for constituents in Northwest Missouri for U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill. Kimiko's background also includes serving as community relations director for Swope Community Builders and as assistant to City Councilman Terry Riley, 5th District. A Kansas City resident for 22 years, Gilmore has a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a master's degree in public administration from Troy State University in Alabama. Kimiko will coordinate various functions and committees dealing with a wide range of municipal activities including Health, Housing and Community Development, Human Relations, and Neighborhood and Community Services. Convention Center honored with Prime Site award The Kansas City Convention Center recently received a 2009 Facilities and Destinations Prime Site award. The award is given to top convention and exposition centers and is chosen by more than 51,000 Facilities and Destinations Magazine readers, consisting of association and meeting planners. This is the second consecutive year the Convention Center has received this prestigious award. Councilman Riley holds annual Back-to-School Rally The eighth annual Back-to-School Rally hosted by Councilman Terry Riley, 5th District, will be July 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Swope Park Band Pavilion. The rally includes a school supply giveaway and educational, health and safety information. Students must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, e-mail Schylon Clayton, assistant to Councilman Riley, at schylon_clayton@kcmo.org.   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.