Dear Citizen:
 Welcome to my monthly e-message. I am pleased to share with you the exciting progress Kansas City is making to improve our community. From adopting a neighborhood-focused budget to expanding international affairs, the City is working hard to meet the needs and enrich the lives of citizens.
Thank you for your interest and support in our endeavors to better serve you.
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City makes significant progress on construction projects
The City has made great progress on several construction projects, downtown and city-wide. Highlights include:
- Construction at the Sprint Center site taking a major step forward as crews from M.A. Mortenson began pouring the first concrete deck for the new downtown arena. The arena is scheduled to be completed in 2007.
- The City, AEG and M.A. Mortenson agreeing on $276 million as the final project budget for the Sprint Center. AEG, in addition to its $53 million investment in the project, will cover all cost overruns above the total project budget.
- The City Council approving four critical ordinances that authorize funds and agreements so that development of the Power & Light Entertainment District continues.
- Several fire station constructions and renovations nearing completion. Already, three fire stations and the fire training tower have been finished and are serving citizens. These stations are: Fire Station 36 at 9903 Holmes Road; Fire Station 43 at 12900 Blue Parkway; Fire Academy Training Tower at 5130 Deramus; and Fire Station 45 at 524 Blue Ridge Blvd.
Track any of the city's 300 capital improvement projects with the Public Access Link.
City Council adopts fiscal year 2006-2007 budget
The City Council adopted the fiscal year 2006-2007 budget, effective May 1. The budget focuses on cleaning up and empowering our city's communities and re-instating, increasing or developing several neighborhood services. These changes include:
- 40 additional police officers and 36 additional fire fighters
- Implementation of the Neighborhood Improvement Program, a coordinated, targeted neighborhood service delivery program
- A semi-automatic trash collection system pilot program that will use trash carts to reduce litter and increase the efficiency of trash collection.
- A 311 citizen request system to give residents a single point of access for information about City services and programs.
Read the adopted fiscal year 2006-2007 budget.
City looks to expand international presence
The Office of International Affairs and Trade appointed Jose "Joe" Somoza as its new administrative officer/manager of the Kansas City-Mexico Business Development Office to enhance the city’s international outreach. Somoza brings more than 20 years of international business management experience and will work to further boost the city's international relations.
Mayor Kay Barnes recently announced the formation of the International Committee of the City Council. The committee will work to support dynamic international programs and promote Kansas City’s global reputation, outreach and position as a world-class city.
Councilmembers on the committee are Troy Nash, Bonnie Sue Cooper, Deb Hermann, John Fairfield and George Blackwood. Nash is the chairman and Cooper is the vice chairwoman.
Neighborhood Improvement Program neighborhoods selected
Today the City Council will pass a resolution approving 17 neighborhoods for the Neighborhood Improvement Program. The Neighborhood Improvement Program aims at improving physical conditions and general livability of declining areas, including intensive coordination of City services in areas selected for the program. These services include crime prevention, fire prevention, code enforcement, home repair assistance and public infrastructure repairs.
Sincerely,
Wayne A. Cauthen, City Manager
City of Kansas City, Mo.
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