| Dear Citizen:
It is my pleasure to update you on some of the City's accomplishments this month.
We welcome the 2006 Neighborhoods, USA Conference to its original location after starting here 30 years ago. The City continues capital improvements, winning four awards this month, and builds on a new environmental initiative. Also, hundreds of youth in the area were placed in summer jobs as part of our successful Summer Youth Employment Program. Find out more about how the City strives to enhance the community.
Welcome back Neighborhoods, USA
The City of Kansas City, Mo., is proud to host the 2006 Neighborhoods, USA Conference from May 24-27. The annual national conference is returning to Kansas City after 30 years. Neighborhoods, USA aims to build and strengthen neighborhood organizations by promoting collaborations between community associations and public and private sectors.
The conference offers workshops and seminars to empower community leaders and interested residents with tools on safety, resources, diversity, youth and more. Register online to learn how to preserve our vibrant neighborhood community.
CIMO continues progress
Find out the latest on projects under construction, community forums and process improvements made by the Capital Improvements Management Office in its progress report. For more information, contact the Capital Improvements Management Office.
CIMO continues to win awards for completing projects. CIMO is the recipient of the 2006 Management Innovation Award, and three City capital improvement projects are the recipients of the 2006 Public Works Project of the Year Award. The projects office will be highlighted at an awards ceremony May 24 by the Kansas City chapter of the American Public Works Association.
City takes steps to improve environment
In an effort to promote environmental safety and responsibility for citizens, I appointed Dennis Murphey as the City’s new chief environmental officer. Murphey started his position last month and brings extensive experience in environmental management. He will lead the City in its efforts to ensure our land, water and air are safe now and for future generations.
Kansas City will continue to build on its significant environmental achievements, including:
- Implementation of KC Recycles, the weekly Citywide residential curbside recycling program.
- Use of alternative fuels in the City's fleet to reduce emissions of ozone-forming pollutants.
- Green purchasing initiatives to procure energy efficient computer equipment and reorganizing the catalog of the City's office supplies vendor to put environmentally friendly items first in the listings.
- Adoption of a green building ordinance by City Council in 2004 to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design's silver standard in new construction.
- Implementation of the Ozone Protection Strategy whereby all City departments develop action plans to reduce ozone generating activities in their operations.
- Common practice of brownfield redevelopment by using federal grants obtained by the City from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address existing or perceived environmental contamination.
Summer jobs program successfully matches youth, employers
Hundreds of young people in the area were successfully placed in summer jobs with local companies and within City departments. More than 700 youth and 80 companies participated last month in the second annual Bright Future Symposium conducted by the City’s Youth Advocacy Office.
The Summer Youth Employment Program gives young people in the area the chance to experience the work force, gain career skills and learn more about various professional industries. The program pairs qualified, trained and eager summer employees with jobs that match their interests.
As always, I appreciate your feedback as a citizen. 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.
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