Dear resident:

Welcome to the August edition of my monthly e-newsletter. I'm pleased to share the latest updates on how the City is working for you.

Light rail task force
The Citizen's Light Rail Task Force strives to provide input from various perspectives and assists with outreach during the first phase of the Light Rail Alternatives Analysis. The task force, which met for the first time this week, will hold two meetings to encourage public participation in the process:

• Aug. 20, 5:30-8 p.m. at the Mohart Multi-Purpose Center, 3200 Wayne
• Aug. 21, 5:30-8 p.m. at the North Kansas City Community Center, 1999 Iron

Kansas City International Airport ranks No. 1 in new route development
KCI has added more new routes over the past year than any other airport in the nation. From August 2006-2007, six airlines have added 16 new routes from KCI. This distinction is a result of the Aviation Department's proactive approach to air service development. More

In addition, the Airports Council International-North America will hold its annual conference in Kansas City on Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. The council is the authoritative voice of air carrier airports worldwide. About 2,000-2,500 people are expected to attend the conference in our city. More

Councilman Riley holds annual Back-to-School Rally
The sixth annual back-to-school rally will be Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The rally includes a school supply give away and educational, health and safety information. Students must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call the rally hotline at (816) 627-2159 or e-mail schylon_clayton@kcmo.org.

Ethnic Enrichment Festival
Join us at the Ethnic Enrichment Festival on Aug. 17-19 at Swope Park. This annual event is one of the largest festivals of its kind and features more than 55 different cultures selling their native foods and crafts, and performing ethnic music and dances. The festival brings a "Taste of the World" to you. More

Ethnic Enrichment Festival hours
Friday, Aug. 17: 6-10 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 18: Noon until 10 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 19: Noon until 6 p.m.

Sprint Center to hold job fair
The new downtown Sprint Center is holding a job fair to find part-time event staff workers for the fall 2007 opening of the venue. The job fair will be Aug. 24-25 at the Kansas City Convention and Entertainment Facilities and will provide more than 500 jobs in the community. Call the job hotline at (816) 822-4517 or more information.

Neighborhood Improvement Program lends extra support
Through the coordination of City services, the Neighborhood Improvement Program provides opportunities for residents to improve their communities and develop partnerships with corporations and foundations that will help fill gaps in funding. These are some of the program's recent successes:

• Established a partnership with Legal Aid of Western Missouri to provide legal assistance to neighborhood groups
• Provided $50 scholarships to residents for the Youth Advocacy Office for the KC After Dark – Summer Youth Jam after the young people completed eight hours of community service work
• Designated participating neighborhoods as areas for community service projects to be performed by Rockhurst University students
• Worked with the Greater Kansas City Local Initiatives Support Corporation to hold a neighborhood leadership conference.

More about the program.

City works on repaving streets
Each year, the Street Preservation section of the Public Works Department resurfaces streets throughout the city. With the first phase nearly finished, the City will begin work on the second phase, which is usually completed by late fall. Find out which streets will be included in this second stage of street maintenance throughout the city.

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.