Thank you for subscribing to my monthly e-newsletter. I am pleased to share how we're progressing on efforts to improve the city.

Neighborhoods
Last month, the City Council and I unanimously approved the Three-Trails Redevelopment project for the Bannister Mall property. The planned $1 billion investment in a soccer complex, retail shopping and office space will be an incredible addition to the city as a whole, but specifically to a south Kansas City neighborhood that deserves a boost. I had been skeptical of the proposal as originally presented. I thought it included too much public support and public risk. The final proposal as approved by the Council included some concessions that should better protect the city’s interest.

Housing
At Councilmember Sharon Sanders-Brooks’ suggestion, I toured some homes being built by Midwest Development Associates on East 39th Street. What I saw impressed me and the developer has a proven track record of investment in the urban core. The homes are sturdy and well built. They will be an asset to the street they are on and the neighborhood around them. It was a reminder to me that many, many small improvements to our city are as valuable as the mega deals we hear so much about.

Council
December was a rough month for relations with the City Council, as you might be aware. Clearly, there is strong disagreement regarding City Manager Wayne A. Cauthen. That made for a rough round of meetings on Dec. 10, during which nine members of the council voted to renew the city manager’s contract. Subsequently, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Skaggs filed a lawsuit against the City, seeking clarity on the City Charter.

This stuff is not easy, but I know the Council and I have more in common than we have differences. We are continuing to work together.

Transit
I continue to meet with area leaders, selling a regional concept for light rail with regional governance shared equally across the state line, regional funding and built at once. I am convinced this approach will do the most for our environment, our economy and our downtown. Long term, a well-functioning light rail system is crucial to ensure the success of our revitalized downtown.

Finance
In January, I expect to be presented with a budget proposal by the city manager. Projections would indicate that it will be a challenge. So I plan to quickly make it available to the members of the City Council. I am confident that together we can make it as good as it can be given the reality of the City’s financial situation. More about the budget calendar.

Crime/Downtown
We got some good news in December. An analysis by the Kansas City Star and the University of Missouri-Kansas City compared crime statistics by neighborhood over the last several years. The newspaper reported that 83 percent of the city’s neighborhoods had seen a drop in total crimes in 2007. Those included Westport, Blue Hills, South Indian Mound and the Downtown Loop, which saw its largest decrease in crime since 2000. The downtown news is particularly important as more and more people choose to visit and make their homes downtown.

Sewers
The Water Services Utility Funding Task Force will begin meeting this month, with the challenge of determining how the City’s Water Services Department will pay for needed and federally required improvements to the City water and sewer system.

Citizen Satisfaction
I’ve heard many good comments about how the City crews dealt with December’s icy weather. This is the kind of service that has the most obvious impact on the most residents, and I thank the many City employees for their efforts.

Education
I’m still working toward an education summit in partnership with the Kansas City, Mo., school district.

Please check my official weblog at http://www.funksfrontporch.com for daily updates on the work of my office. If you've been forwarded this update or know someone who might be interested in subscribing, please sign up for "News from the Mayor's Office."

Sincerely,