| 2008 Safe Neighborhood Fair |  Various departments representing the Unified Government (UG) were stretched across the lawn of Bethany Park this weekend for the 2008 Safe Neighborhood Fair. There were exhibits and booths that displayed information about the programs and services offered by the UG. A huge air balloon could be seen from blocks away as you approached the park.  The Fair is part of an effort by the UG to build a positive relationship with its growing Hispanic population by encouraging participation and interaction with their local government. Alfonso Zarate', the assistant to the Mayor, served as the Master of Ceremonies during the program portion of the Fair. "Can I have your  attention please," said Zarate', as he attempted to get the crowd to gather at the stage for the presentation and acknowledgement of all the community volunteers and organization's that made this event possible. Despite the hot and humid conditions, the Vice Consulate of the Mexican Consulate and State Representative Luis Ruiz were present to show their support.
Vice Consulate Menchaca presented Deputy Chief Roger  Villanueva with a plaque and thanked the police department for their commitment to addressing the safety concerns in their neighborhood.
Community based organizations like El Centro, Inc. and the Central Area Betterment Association worked in collaboration with the UG and played a major in organizing the activities on Saturday.
Based on figures from 2006, the UG reports that Hispanics make up about 22.3 percent of the population in KCK. This is a little more than a 6 percent increase in population to the area since 2000.
| | The UG Receives Awards for Excellence | The Unified Government's (UG) Department of Technology was recognized by the Public Technology Institute (PTI) for their efforts in applying innovative technologies to enhance service delivery to citizens.
The four awards were presented to the UG during the annual 2007-2008 Solutions Awards ceremony in Miami, Florida. The entries were grouped by technology category and population size. The UG was recognized in the category of Web Services and was presented with the Significant Achievement Award for the new 3-1-1 Call Center. The UG received an Honorable Mention and presented with two certificates for the Intranet Site/SharePoint and Enterprise Content Management. An Honorable Mention was also presented in the category of Telecommunications and Information Technology for Project Management/SharePoint 2007. These innovative technologies are also part of the 3-1-1 network. PTI offers a variety of technology products and services to assist local governments in addressing their technology needs.
Through research, focus groups, online discussions, publications, conferences, pilots and demonstrations, and other information sharing vehicles, PTI's local government and industry members work together to develop and apply technology to the challenges facing communities of all sizes. Established in 1971 by the major national associations representing state and local governments, PTI is the advocate and resource for early adopters and thought leaders who have a passion for the furtherance and wise deployment of technology in governance. http://www.pti.org/index.php/ptiee1/inside/C42. | | Unified Government Wins Prestigious Quill Award | | The International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) selected Tom Roberts, CMC, Clerk of the Unified Government, Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas as one of their 2008 Quill Award recipient. The Award was presented during the Institute's 62nd Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, on May 18. Roberts joins four other Kansans as Quill winners. Initiated at the 1987 IIMC Annual Conference in Fort Worth, TX, the Quill Award recognizes distinguished active and former IIMC members who have made a significant and  exemplary contribution to their community, state or province and IIMC. More importantly, the individual must support the goals and philosophies outlined in IIMC's Code of Ethics. The criteria includes length of service, strength and extent of participation in IIMC, service in teaching fellow Municipal Clerks, involvement with the initiation or administration of an IIMC approved training Institute or program or any other activity that enhances the professionalism of IIMC members. Roberts' 32 years of service to the community earned him the respect of those he serves and oversees. Founded in 1947, IIMC is a professional nonprofit association with more than 10,000 members throughout North America and 15 other countries, representing municipalities with populations of 1,000 to more than 8 million. | | Plaza Groundbreaking Event | | Progress continues in Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas as another groundbreaking ceremony unfolds at The Plaza at the Speedway on Wednesday, July 4th at 2:00 pm. The 865,000 square-feet of retail stores, anchored by an "environmentally green" Wal-Mart Super Store will transform into a "power center". The development will offer a nationally known home improvement store, a major electronics store, in-line junior anchors, and a mix of restaurants and services. The project will be even larger than The Legends at Village West. It is located on the north side of Parallel Parkway across from The Legends, stretching from I-435 on the east to almost Hutton Road on the west.
The development is expected to create 2,100 new jobs and pay $4.2-million a year in new sales tax to the Unified Government. The developer also agreed to make a $1.5-million donation to the Piper School District as part of the agreement to receive tax incentives.
| | Digital Television Transition - February 17, 2009
WILL YOU BE READY? | | Your TV signal is switching to "digital." For more than fifty years, TV broadcasters have sent their shows to your TV using "analog" signals. After February 17, 2009, most of the old analog signals will be gone and most of the stations you watch will use only the new digital signals. Why Is The Government Switching to Digital? - For improved public safety for everyone. The transition to digital will help police, fire, and other public safety departments to communicate more easily with each other during emergencies.
- For you, digital TV offers better picture and sound quality, as well as more channels and programming choices.
What Does This Mean To You? - If all of your TVs are hooked up to cable or satellite, you will continue to get your TV after the switch. Just check with your cable or satellite company to be sure.
- If you have a digital TV, you are ready for the switch. (If your TV is more than 10 years old it probably is not digital. If it is less than 10 years old, ask the manufacturer if your TV is "analog-only.")
- If you have an analog-only TV with a roof top antenna or "rabbit ears," you will not be able to watch most TV stations after February 17, 2009 unless you get a "converter box."
Converter Box? - The converter box will attach to your TV and let you go on getting free TV.
- With the converter box you can get a better picture and more channels. The antenna you have should work with the box.
- You can buy a converter box at a retail store. The boxes will cost $40 to $70.
- You can get two $40 coupons per household from the US Government to help you pay for up to two boxes. (One coupon per box only.)
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIGITAL TRANSITION CALL 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) (voice) or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) (TTY) OR GO TO WWW.DTV.GOV. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT CONVERTERS AND COUPONS
CALL 1-888-388-2009 (voice) or 1-877-530-2634 (TTY) Or Go To: www.dtv2009.gov. | | First Floor First Friday | | The Mayor's First Floor First Friday will be held on Tuesday, June 10th from 5 pm to 7 pm at the West Branch Library. The meetings are usually scheduled on the first Friday of every month. However due to the immediacy of some activities and events, the meetings occasionally have to be scheduled during the second week of the month.  First Floor First Friday gives citizens an opportunity to dialogue with the Mayor one-on-one in a comfortable atmosphere. Feel free to bring matters of concern to discuss with your Mayor. Citizens are allowed 10 minutes on a first come first serve basis. If you have any questions, please contact the Mayor's Office at 913-573-5010. | | Carpool Connection | | As the price of gasoline continues to rise, many drivers throughout the Kansas City metro area are considering the idea of carpooling. Did you know that the Unified Government just recently registered to become a Carpool Connection employer? 
Carpool Connection is a free, easy and convenient service that connects commuters throughout the Greater Kansas City and Lawrence region who are interested in carpooling.
After registration, you can access your account at any time to make changes to your profile and search for new matches. And, with a click of your mouse, you can contact your matches instantly via e-mail. The Carpool Connection database is growing every day, so check back often to find your match. It's really that simple. Once you find and communicate with your match, you can work out the details and start successfully carpooling. | | BPU Board Meeting Changes | | The Kansas City Board of Public Utilities recently approved changes in their meeting schedule for June and July, as follows: - Regular board meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 4, at 6 p.m. There will be no board work session on this date.
- Board meetings on Wednesday, June 18: Work session at 4:30 p.m. and regular meeting at 6 p.m.
- Board meetings on Wednesday, July 2: Work session at 5 p.m. and regular meeting at 6 p.m.
- Instead of meeting on Wednesday, July 16, the board will meet on Wednesday, July 23, at 6 p.m., because some board members will be out of town on the 16th.
All meetings are held at BPU's Administration Building at 540 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Ks., and are open to the public. BPU's board meetings are posted on the Events Calendar on the utility's Web site at www.bpu.com.
| | Road Construction | The UG provides a list of roads and highways that are scheduled for construction. This prepares those individuals commuting to and from work each day with information on minor delays and encourages drivers to use alternate routes due to lane and ramp closures. Visit the KDOT website for up to date information on lane and ramp closures: www.ksdot.org/kcmetro/laneclose.asp | | No New Road Closures to Report this Week | | | Agendas and Minutes To view standing committee and full commission agendas and minutes, go to the Unified Government Website at www.wycokck.org. Meeting Agendas and Minutes are available and readily accessible on the Internet. So it's easy to find items and actions the Unified Government Commission and its Standing Committees are taking. | | | | Upcoming Events | | | Full Commission Meeting on Thursday, June 19 at 7pm in the Commission Chambers Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting on Thursday, June 5 at 7pm in the Commission Chambers | | 3-1-1 |  | | Do you have questions pertaining to the Unified Government? Just dial 3-1-1 The call center provides a simple and easy three-digit access to a live Customer Service Representative that can answer your questions. | | Curbside Recycling |  | | Are you ready to begin recycling? Do you have your green recycling bin? Do you know what items are to be recycled? "FIND OUT MORE" about Curbside Recycling | | UG Ethics Commission Meeting | | Wyandotte County Courthouse Division 18 2nd Floor | | |
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