Saturday, April 25, 2009
2008 Tax Comparisons updated
I've updated my report on "How Do Wellington's Taxes Compare to Other Cities?" on my webpage. The 2008 tax rates are made available by the League of Kansas Municipalities. You can review the information at http://www.johntracy.net/reports.html.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Girl2Girl Self-Defense Training
On April 29th at 7:00p.m., Chris and Jenna Rangel will instruct self-defense for girls and women (ages 9+). The event will be held at the Wellington High School Gym. While there are many sponsors (see poster at left), Janie Tuttle of the Sheriff's Department is responsible for organizing the event. For more information, go to http://girl2girlselfdefense.com/.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Upcoming agenda items
At the April 21st Regular Council Meeting, the Council will discuss ordinances approving the plat and developer agreement for the TAPP Development in Short Addition, Section 1. This is the area between Walmart and the High School on the south side of U.S. 160. If approved, Boundary Road will be extended south of U.S. 160 to a private road which will connect the development with the Walmart parking lot. The plat is divided into three lots for the potential of three prospective businesses.
The Council will also review Landfill Coupons for the 2009 season, pipeline agreements with BNSF railway to extend sewer lines below their tracks, the re-plat of properties at the northwest corner of "H" & 22nd Street, and the purchase of electric transformers. A bill has been received for 44 electric transformers at a cost of $50,000.
Finally, the Council will decide to enter into an agreement with KMGA, the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency, to purchase natural gas used for the production of electricity. Natural gas prices have dropped, so there is the potential that the City can produce electricity at a cheaper price than it can purchase it.
The Council will also review Landfill Coupons for the 2009 season, pipeline agreements with BNSF railway to extend sewer lines below their tracks, the re-plat of properties at the northwest corner of "H" & 22nd Street, and the purchase of electric transformers. A bill has been received for 44 electric transformers at a cost of $50,000.
Finally, the Council will decide to enter into an agreement with KMGA, the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency, to purchase natural gas used for the production of electricity. Natural gas prices have dropped, so there is the potential that the City can produce electricity at a cheaper price than it can purchase it.
Council Member Antonich to host meetings
Council Member Cindy Antonich, Ward 2, will begin hosting monthly constituent meetings on Monday, prior to the first Council Meeting of each month. Meetings will be held at 6:30p.m. at Wellington's Steakhouse. Her next meeting will be May 4th.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Update - Fair Street Underpass
Since the Fair Street Underpass was not selected by KDOT for AARA Stimulus funding, consideration is still given to the Fair Street project. City Manager Collins is meeting soon with representatives of BNSF to seek their financial assistance in this project. My opinion however, and I made this statement official at the April 7th Council Meeting, is that we should proceed with renovations to the Fair Street underpass regardless of BNSF participation. Funds had been placed in reserve to begin "saving" to perform the Hillside Street Bridge project, a project which now will be totally funded by AARA funding. Council Member Granger recommended that those funds be transferred to the Fair Street Underpass project. I recommended that the balance of the project be performed through the issuance of bonds.
Fair Street must be improved...we no longer have a choice. It has become a dangerous stretch of road. Closing Fair Street, in my opinion, is not an option. It is the main thoroughfare for residents in the Rosedale Addition, and to commute east or west to over avenues is at a minimum, a mile out of their way.
Fair Street must be improved...we no longer have a choice. It has become a dangerous stretch of road. Closing Fair Street, in my opinion, is not an option. It is the main thoroughfare for residents in the Rosedale Addition, and to commute east or west to over avenues is at a minimum, a mile out of their way.
Council Worksessions - Explained
Periodically, the Wellington City Council meets to conduct a "work session", a meeting in which City issues are presented and studied. These work sessions are an opportunity to be briefed on potential agenda items, to ask questions, direct further study, and meet with those involved in a particular issue. These meetings are strictly for study and discussion only...no official binding action can be taken. Often times, the word "consensus" is used. In my mind, a consensus is taken among the Council as to whether or not to place an item on the agenda for consideration at a Regular Council Meeting, or for staff to work further in obtaining information, or if the Council is even interested in pursuing a particular issue or not. When the consensus is taken, it is not an official vote on the issue. The issue does not come up on the agenda for the official vote until a later date, if then. Often times, I take information I've learned from a work session to poll my constituents to determine their opinion so I'll know how to vote when the issue does show up on the official agenda.
I compare a work session to a "Committee Meeting" or hearing in the State Legislature. Any Senator or Representative can enter a bill before the legislature. That bill goes before the appropriate committee for further discussion. The committee can then determine if the bill stops there, or if it goes onto the House or Senate floor for deliberation and vote. The only difference I see between a "work session" and a "Committee Meeting" at the State level, is that the State Committee actually takes a binding vote on whether or not that bill is considered for deliberation on the floor.
Confusion over a recent work session ensued after the consensus of the City Council was to instruct staff to draft a contract between the City and the Rockfest Promoters for official deliberation and voting at a Regular City Council Meeting. The consensus was not to allow the promoters to progress with Rockfest plans, but simply to place the contract on the official agenda for consideration. Rockfest promoters apparently took this consensus as the green light, and began advertising Rockfest and distributing tickets. This obviously confused many citizens who thought Rockfest had already been approved.
The Rockfest contract was officially approved at the April 7th Council Meeting. But until that date, there was no "green light" or contract allowing Rockfest promoters to proceed.
Finally, work sessions are open public meetings, just like Regular City Council Meetings, and the public is welcome to attend. Meetings are less formal with City Council members sitting around a table for discussion, and since the meeting is for study and discussion only, public comment is not allowed until the issue is approved to be placed on the agenda.
I compare a work session to a "Committee Meeting" or hearing in the State Legislature. Any Senator or Representative can enter a bill before the legislature. That bill goes before the appropriate committee for further discussion. The committee can then determine if the bill stops there, or if it goes onto the House or Senate floor for deliberation and vote. The only difference I see between a "work session" and a "Committee Meeting" at the State level, is that the State Committee actually takes a binding vote on whether or not that bill is considered for deliberation on the floor.
Confusion over a recent work session ensued after the consensus of the City Council was to instruct staff to draft a contract between the City and the Rockfest Promoters for official deliberation and voting at a Regular City Council Meeting. The consensus was not to allow the promoters to progress with Rockfest plans, but simply to place the contract on the official agenda for consideration. Rockfest promoters apparently took this consensus as the green light, and began advertising Rockfest and distributing tickets. This obviously confused many citizens who thought Rockfest had already been approved.
The Rockfest contract was officially approved at the April 7th Council Meeting. But until that date, there was no "green light" or contract allowing Rockfest promoters to proceed.
Finally, work sessions are open public meetings, just like Regular City Council Meetings, and the public is welcome to attend. Meetings are less formal with City Council members sitting around a table for discussion, and since the meeting is for study and discussion only, public comment is not allowed until the issue is approved to be placed on the agenda.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Council Action
In other Council action, the council unanimously approved a beer license for the Chamber of Commerce to hold a "beer garden" at the Wheat Festival, approved easements for the Beaver Creek Sewer Line, approved an easement and contract with the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad to route a sewer line under the BNGR Railroad tracks, and approved a contract for use of the go-kart track at Worden Park for the upcoming season. I voted against the Worden Park contract as the revenues received from the races will go into the Worden Park Trust Fund as opposed to the General Fund. The General Fund budgets the vast majority of maintenance and expansion costs at Worden Park...I felt it only appropriate to reimburse the General Fund with the revenue money.
Rockfest contract passes
The contract to allow Rockfest promoters to hold a series of open air Rock Concerts at the Wellington Lake passed Tuesday night by a vote of 5-2. Council member Antonich was absent. Those voting against the contract were Council members Granger and Valentine.
While there are opinions on each side of every issue, most have a wide margin and the wants of the majority are clear cut. This is probably the most evenly divided issue I have encountered in my 5 years as a City Council member. I kept a tally sheet on those that contacted me, and began checking my email three and four times a day to keep abreast of opinions. In the end, 56% of my constituents favored Rockfest, with 44% opposed, which is how I voted on the issue. I appreciate each and everyones time and consideration in responding with their opinion.
Discussion was lengthy at the Council meeting, with citizens on both sides of the issue allowed time to speak out.
The first concern will be on June 6th. Three additional concerns are scheduled during the summer, but between each concert is a critique of how the event was handled, if there were any major incidents, if the facilities were left free of trash and in good order, etc. If at any time the City or the promoters are not happy with the way and event was handled, the contract can be voided.
While there are opinions on each side of every issue, most have a wide margin and the wants of the majority are clear cut. This is probably the most evenly divided issue I have encountered in my 5 years as a City Council member. I kept a tally sheet on those that contacted me, and began checking my email three and four times a day to keep abreast of opinions. In the end, 56% of my constituents favored Rockfest, with 44% opposed, which is how I voted on the issue. I appreciate each and everyones time and consideration in responding with their opinion.
Discussion was lengthy at the Council meeting, with citizens on both sides of the issue allowed time to speak out.
The first concern will be on June 6th. Three additional concerns are scheduled during the summer, but between each concert is a critique of how the event was handled, if there were any major incidents, if the facilities were left free of trash and in good order, etc. If at any time the City or the promoters are not happy with the way and event was handled, the contract can be voided.
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