Dear resident:

We're on it
The City continues to make progress in improving services to residents. Following are some highlights of City services delivered from March 2007 to August 2007:

• Completed 40,423 service requests through the 3-1-1 Action Center
• Installed and replaced 3,505 traffic signs, repaired 14,672 potholes and installed new traffic signals at 48 intersections
• Installed 9,000 units of automatic meter readers in the Water Services Department
• City’s general obligation bonds rated at AAA/AA/Aa3, by Fitch, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, respectively. Fitch’s AAA rating is its highest rating an organization regarding financial stability

City sets fall curbside leaf and brush pick-up
The City's fall leaf and brush collection will begin Nov. 5. Collection will occur according to the area of the city in which you live and your trash day. Place your paper sacks and small bundles on the curb by 7 a.m. on the day of your collection.

Residents also may use the City's two leaf and brush drop-off sites through Jan. 12, 2008. The sites are at 1815 N. Chouteau Trafficway and 10301 Raytown Road (south of Interstate 470).

1 cent sales tax for capital improvements on Nov. 6 ballot
Renewal of the City's 1 cent sales tax for capital improvements is up for public vote Nov. 6. If the proposal passes, it would extend the sales tax for 10 years. The current sales tax will expire at the end of 2008. The City's sales tax program currently raises about $68 million per year for street and bridge repairs, storm drainage, park improvements, community centers and other capital improvement projects. Kansas City Question #1 requires that 35 percent of revenues be dedicated to neighborhood improvement projects, a 10 percent increase from the previous tax. It also mandates that 15 percent of the tax revenues go to deferred infrastructure maintenance. I encourage you all to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Sprint Center opens
Kansas Citians celebrated the opening of the Sprint Center on Oct. 10. The grand opening and ribbon cutting featured City and community leaders, and country music icon Garth Brooks, who will perform a series of concerts at the arena in November. The even also gave the public an opportunity to tour the facility. The Oct. 13 opening concert by Elton John also was a big success. Visitors also can tour the College Basketball Experience, which opened yesterday, as part of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. The exciting, interactive exhibit allows people to work on their basketball skills. The opening of the Sprint Center marks a tremendous milestone in the development of Kansas City's downtown. Use the Downtown KC Resource Guide for information on parking, restaurants and other entertainment. Visit the Web site for updates on street closings in the downtown area as we finish improvements.

International leaders meet in Kansas City
Business and government leaders from North America are in Kansas City to discuss how North America Works in the fast-paced global economy. The third annual conference, presented by the City's International Affairs and Trade Office, focuses on entrepreneurial development along the International Mid-Continent corridor.

City Hall celebrates 70 years
On Oct. 25, City Hall will celebrate 70 years serving residents at 414 E. 12th St. Recently, we completed a $4.5 million project to renovate City Hall's north entrance to make the beautiful and historic building safer, more secure and accessible for all residents. We're committed to making sure City Hall is a safe, more efficient place to work and visit now and for another 70 years. View the commemorative calendar.

Aquila streetlight project continues
The Aquila streetlight replacement project is on schedule and under way, with more than 260 lights installed since the start of construction this summer. The project, scheduled for completion in early 2008, will culminate in the conversion of 94 streetlights and the addition of 678 streetlights in the City's 2nd and 5th Districts. These new lights are designed to meet Illuminating Engineering Society of North America lighting standards. They also meet National Electric Codes and National Electric Safety codes and incorporate construction criteria set by the City and the American Public Works Association.

City to partner to develop electric vehicles
The City will work with Kokam America and the Missouri Transportation Institute to produce all-electric vehicles. We are committed to building a cleaner environment for our community. This is an excellent opportunity to support the community and work jointly with local businesses, schools and even our utility companies to drive alternative energy sources in an age where it is desperately needed. The project will be supported through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant, which U.S. Sen. Kit Bond announced last week.

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.